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Im not sure this is a fair criticism of Yost. Ill let you guys decide
Royals' best relievers left watching as bullpen implodes
Steve Gardner, USA TODAY Sports 8:53 a.m. EDT October 26, 2014
SAN FRANCISCO – The difference in the way Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost handled his bullpen in the regular season and in the playoffs – and been successful doing it – is by extending the number of outs his three best relievers pitch in crucial situations.
However, with three World Series games over three days in San Francisco, Yost went back to his old formula in Game 4.
Instead of turning to Kelvin Herrera – who had just thrown 27 pitches a day earlier – to help protect a one-run lead in the sixth, Yost asked 21-year-old Brandon Finnegan to pitch to the heart of the Giants order – without anyone else warming up.
The rookie gave up two singles to start the inning. Still no activity in the bullpen.
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A sacrifice bunt led to an intentional walk to Buster Posey that loaded the bases.
"I knew it was my inning, so I was going to do with it what I could," Finnegan said.
Pablo Sandoval and Brandon Belt came through with two-out hits to put the Giants ahead. And neither Herrera, Wade Davis nor Greg Holland ever had a chance to preserve a lead.
"I was going to throw Herrera in the seventh inning with the score tied and would've had to thought long and hard about it being down one, but I probably would have done it," Yost admitted afterward. "But once (the Giants) scored three in the sixth, they were out of the equation unless we climbed back in the game."
Was this the return of Inflexible Ned? It sure sounded that way when he went to lefty Tim Collins in the seventh with the Royals trailing 7-4.
"I wasn't conceding nothing, but I wasn't going to put my boys in that ballgame," he said. "I've been going to the whip on those guys and I've got to have them for three more games. They've got to be at their best."
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Even with a bullpen trio that posted historically great stats during the regular season (Herrera, Davis and Holland all pitched at least 60 innings and had ERAs below 1.50), the other guys still have to get outs, too – especially with three games in three days.
Finnegan and Collins bore the brunt of the Giants' offensive explosion – and it may have cost the Royals a chance to mount a comeback.
But it also meant that Herrera, Davis and Holland will all be available to go at least an inning in Game 5 with an off day before the series resumes in Kansas City.
"Yeah, we lost," said reliever Jason Frasor. "But those guys got a day. And we're still all right. Best-of-three with home field advantage. I like our chances."
The middle game of those three makes for a difficult balancing act between overworking those key arms and not using them in high-leverage spots. Whether Yost would admit it or not, the fact that he'll be able to use his most dangerous weapons in almost any way he wants the rest of the way has to be a comforting thought.
"I've never felt so good about getting my tail whupped in my life because I'm sitting there thinking it's Game 4; it's tied 2-2, this is a phenomenal series, it's exciting, it's fun. And we got another great game tomorrow that we get to play," Yost said.
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The only drawback to not using any of his top relievers in Game 4 is the possibility – with Madison Bumgarner starting on Sunday for the Giants – they may not get a lead to protect.
Bumgarner allowed one run and three hits over seven innings in winning the series opener in Kansas City and has been a true ace in the postseason, going 3-1 in five starts with a 1.40 ERA and 0.72 WHIP
"I always feel good with this group," Yost said. "We've got a really tough challenge tomorrow with Bumgarner, but everyone in our locker room thinks that they've got a tough challenge with (James) Shields."
After that, the series returns to Kansas City for Game 6 and, if necessary, Game 7.
"Somewhere inside me, secretly, I'd hoped it would go seven games for the excitement and the thrill of it," Yost said. "Sure looks that way."
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