Postseason Notebook–October 18, 2006

In 47 at-bats against left-handed pitchers this year, Cardinals rookie Chris Duncan compiled a meager .170 batting average, a .220 on-base percentage, and a total of two home runs. So when Tony LaRussa inserted Duncan into last night’s playoff game as a pinch-hitter against lefty specialist Pedro Feliciano, every member of press row, including the TV broadcasters, threw their hands up and questioned why.

So if you predicted that Duncan would blast a 3-2 pitch into the right field stands, extending the Cardinals’ lead to two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, you should immediately send your resume and tape to the FOX broadcast studios. Although the run created by Duncan proved to be extraneous, it was huge at the time. It essentially took the Mets out of using the bunt or the stolen base, forced them to take pitches from a Cardinal bullpen that was throwing strikes, and put added pressure on what has been a disappointing Mets offense in this Championship Series.

Duncan has emerged as one of the best stories of this postseason. Buried in the minor leagues since 1999, Duncan faced criticism for alleged nepotism; his father is longtime Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan. Some skeptics didn’t feel the younger Duncan deserved to be in the Redbirds’ camp this spring, but he’s fast becoming this year’s version of Bernie Carbo…

Another questionable LaRussa strategy also worked out in the bottom of the eighth, when the Redbirds manager summoned closer Adam Wainwright, allowing Jose Valentin to bat from the left side of the plate, where he’s far more comfortable and competent. Wainwright proceeded to strike out Valentin on a dandy curveball that nicked the outside corner. That ended a potential Mets rally, which had seemed so promising with runners on second and third and only one man out…

In the meantime, the Mets’ lack of a strong bench is hurting their cause. Cliff Floyd doesn’t have his legs or his swing, Michael Tucker was basically a minor league player this year, and there’s little right-handed thump available. The eighth inning of last night’s game, with Shawn Green facing lefty Randy Flores and two runners in scoring position, cried out for a right-handed pinch-hitter. Willie Randolph could have called on either Julio Franco or Chris Woodward, but neither has hit well enough to instill any real confidence in late-inning situations.