6/17 Cubs(Dempster) @ Rays(Kazmir) 6:10CT CSN

[chuckywang]

I thought it was a good bunt. It was hit a little hard, but it was placed between the 3B and pitcher. Longoria had to make a great barehanded grab and throw to get him. I think that play had a 50% chance of being a hit...which is better than the odds of him getting on by hitting normally.

 

Why would it be a good thing for it to be between the 3B and pitcher? It's not going to get past them, and it makes a shorter throw for the 3B with more momentum to the base.

 

Also, like has been mentioned, barehanding a slow roller and throwing to first from 3B is pretty easy, especially for a professional baseball player. It looks cool(and it's tons of fun to do), but it's not very difficult.

 

Apparently it is pretty difficult because he made a horrible throw. There were lots of places he could have messed up that play. He could have missed the barehand, he could have launched an awful throw, the first baseman could have bobbled the ball (very likely considering the long hop and the direction that ball took after hitting the ground).

 

I would take my chances with that bunt over his .292 OBP against righties any day.

 

It was the no. 3 web gem of the day on Baseball Tonight. Routine plays do not get web gems.