Jose Reyes leads off the bottom of the first against Cincinnati with a bunt single. That raises his batting average to .337, and he’s immediately lifted for a pinch runner.
Reyes BA is .337058. Braun is 187 for 559, .334526. If he goes 3 for 3 or 3 for 4, he wins the batting title. Three for four puts his BA at .337478, 190/563.
Ugh. What a bush league move. Probably most of the people in that stadium, and watching the game on TV, came to see Reyes play for the batting title. I am a lifelong Mets fan, but I’m turning off the TV.
Braun can obviously come out on top with a 4-for-4 or 4-for-5 night. If he goes 3-for-6 however he will still be short. A lot of pressure. Coming into the game there were 441 possible outcomes for these two for up to 5 AB per player. Reyes prevailed on 292 chances or
66.2% of them. Because Reyes is already done, it’s now up to 76%.
I’m reminded of some dialogue from the Neil Simon play “Biloxi Blues;”
Wykowski: I don’t question orders Sergeant I follow them.
Sgt. Toomey: That’s a good answer Wykowski. It’s a chicken $h!+ one but it’s a good answer.
Way to win it Jose! It’s a chicken $h!+ way but you won it.*
*provided he does actually win it.