View the original article to see embedded media.
The role of a coach or manager is one that will always come with second-guessing. In the case of Tony La Russa’s decision to intentionally walk Trea Turner with two strikes in the sixth inning on Thursday, there was plenty of first-guessing to go around.
To set the stage: The White Sox trailed the Dodgers, 7–5, with a runner on first and nobody out. After jumping ahead 0–2, Chicago pitcher Bennett Sousa threw a wild pitch, allowing Freddie Freeman to advance to second base. With Sousa still way ahead in the count, La Russa instructed a free pass for Turner, putting two runners on base for Max Muncy. Five pitches later, Muncy broke the game open with a three-run homer.
