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| Ryan Franklin blew another save on Sunday, but this time, the fault should be placed on his manager Tony La Russa. - Photo courtesy of stltoday.com |
Prior to Sunday's implosion that saw Franklin give up a go-ahead 2 run home run to Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp, La Russa had defended Franklin on numerous occasions.
La Russa insisted that Franklin would be fine. La Russa insisted that it is still early in the season. La Russa insisted that Franklin is still his closer.
Well, if that is the case, why did Tony let lefty specialist Trevor Miller start the 9th inning on Sunday?
I understand that left-handed swinging Andre Ethier was leading off and that La Russa loves to play the match-ups. And sure you can blame Miller for not retiring Ethier. Miller didn't do his job.
But if Franklin is truly "Tony's guy", why didn't he start the 9th inning? Can somebody please name another legitimate closer that isn't handed the entire 9th inning?
You can't. Because when a manager has a true closer he has confidence in, he puts them out there in the toughest situations to get the big outs. He lets them start the 9th inning of a one run game on the own, even if Babe Ruth was at the plate.
Tony cut Franklin's legs right from under him.
Sure Franklin grooved a flat 89 mph sinker to Kemp, but its Tony's fault that the situation happened in the first place.
Ryan Franklin has no business being on the mound in the 9th inning at this point. But if you are going to put him out there, at least let him start his own mess.
La Russa neutered his 38 year old soft-tossing closer. And in order to fix the problem, he has to replace him permanently. And the manager needs to do it soon.
Otherwise, La Russa will continue to make costly mistakes. And it won't be just Ryan Franklin who is hurting.
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