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Walk This Way

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Is it time to for the Astros to start giving Albert Pujols The Bonds Treatment? Before you ask, I'm not talking about the application of "flaxseed oil." I'm referring to the practice of giving a team's most dangerous hitter an intentional walk every at-bat. Normally I'm against the idea. In most cases, a manager's top priority should be to avoid the big inning, and intentional walks are jet fuel for crooked numbers. If you want evidence, just look at what The Bonds Treatment did to the 2004 Giants, who ranked second in the NL in runs scored despite playing six regulars with an OPS+ below the average of 100: A.J. Pierzynski (85), Edgardo Alfonzo (93), Deivi Cruz (90), Marquis Grissom (95), Michael Tucker (95) and Pedro Feliz (98). That was the year Barry Bonds set a record with 232 walks.

On the other hand, the last three games of this NLCS have been decided by one run, and, more important, the Cardinals' lineup is looking awfully thin behind Pujols these days. To wit:

• Reggie Sanders is 1-for-9 with four strikeouts since taking that nasty spill in Game 2 and sitting out Game 3.
• Ready-for-retirement Larry Walker has been D.O.A. this series (two singles in 15 at-bats).

Who else scares you after that, Abraham Nunez? Pujols' greatness (10 homers in 36 postseason games) is the only thing separating the Cardinals' vaunted attack from the Astros' popgun lineup, which won't have the Crawford Boxes to play pepper with anymore. I would expect Houston pitchers to pitch around Pujols as much as possible the rest of this series.

That being said, Phil Garner made the right decision to have Brad Lidge pitch to Pujols in the ninth inning of Game 5. Anybody who says differently is doing some serious armchair quarterbacking. There were two outs already recorded. Houston had a 4-2 lead and a huge advantage in bullpen depth, so it would have been in good shape even if Pujols had tied the game with a double or triple. The home run was the only thing that could kill them in that spot, and it did. That's baseball. The right moves don't always work.

-- Jacob Luft (1:50 p.m.)

I agree! Walk Pujols intentionally, moving the tying run into scoring position, then watch the armchair quarterbacks start screaming when/if Sanders hits even a little single to tie the game. Same situation, that game, pitch to Pujols. Next game, similar situation, is a different question with a different answer.
-- S. Cook, Houston (2:26 p.m.)

To be fair I am biased and want to see Albert get as many swings as possible, but ... Pujols went 1-4 in game 5, failing to drive in runs in two huge situations earlier in the game. The Astros can get Pujols out; they just failed when it mattered the most. If I am the 'Stros I bring the heat to the big man.
-- Jon, St. Louis (2:26 p.m.)

I must disagree. As a 44-year Astros fan, your rationale for walking him in Game 6 is dead on -- and was dead-on excellent advice for Game 5; you can't have it both ways. The Cardinals were getting to Lidge in Game 4 and Monday as well. Setting up Larry Walker was better, much better.
-- Bob Dingle, Houston (2:31 p.m.)

I'm not sure it's armchair quarterbacking to at least consider walking Pujols. And by consider, I mean actually walking him. Lidge was looking a wee bit wobbly at that point, and that's not what you want (clearly) when facing Pujols. Plus, Pujols had come so close to jacking home runs in the last few games. Anyone else on that team? I say pitch to them. But if there is one guy who can suck the life out of a stadium in one swing, it's Pujols. It wasn't a "mistake" in the true sense of the word, but whenever Albert is at the plate, you have to consider the worst-case scenario and calculate accordingly. Houston miscalculated, and it cost them the game.
-- Benjamin Russell, Brooklyn, N.Y. (2:36 p.m.)

My only beef with Lidge pitching to Pujols, which I am glad he did, is that Sanders was up next. Lidge could have thrown three fastballs and Reggie wouldn't have been able to catch up with them. I think they should pitch to Albert for the rest of the series, they have an awesome pitching staff, and all that would do is hurt their confidence if the walked him every at-bat. Just keep hanging those sliders and everything will be OK.
-- Brad, St. Louis (2:41 p.m.)

We will take it either way. Walk him ... he's on base. Pitch to him ... he's got about a 50/50 chance of getting on base. That's why he is widely considered to be the best player in baseball. You have to account for him and he can hurt you even if you decide to avoid him.
-- Shane, St. Louis (3:27 p.m.)

Why would you intentionally walk even the best hitter in baseball when you are up two runs with only one out to go? Not to mention the fact that your entire pitching staff has dominated him this postseason. Best closer vs. best hitter. Something had to give, usually you go with the closer, but it did not work out that way for the stros. When it comes up again tonight, Lidge will seal the deal.
-- Damon Drake, Nashville, Tenn. (4:16 p.m.)

A fantastic pitcher made a mistake and a fantastic hitter capitalized on it. Period. S. Cook in Houston has it right. Next game, similar situation, is a different question with a different answer -- it's not an automatic. Lidge's biggest mistake was not hanging the pitch to Pujols, it was trying to nibble the plate with Edmonds instead of challenging him on the plate. Two great teams, could you ask for more?
-- Tom Scott, Bloomington, Ill. (4:36 p.m.)

Pujols is not nearly as deadly as Bonds. Pujols will swing at pitches outside the zone and you can get him out. Bonds is a different scenario altogether because you cannot get away with anything over the plate.
-- John Chan, Dallas (4:42 p.m.)

Pitch to him, pitch around him. Easier said than done because Pujols, while not as disciplined as Bonds, hits those pitches 2-3 inches outside to the opposite field. That is why the "Bonds Treatment" does not always work. Plus, Pujols either leads or is at the top in the league in runs scored, so he isn't a slouch on the bases. On a different note, has anyone mentioned that the so-called second-worst division in baseball has two teams battling tooth-and-nail in a classic LCS? On top of that, both teams are comprised of great character players that are cheered on by great fans. St. Louis is the greatest baseball town in middle America, but Houston is not far behind. Too bad this isn't the World Series matchup.
-- Gary Long, Springfield, Mo. (5:16 p.m.)