Tactical brilliance

The Indians are in the World Series, and — clearly, stunningly — their accomplishment is due in no small measure to manager Terry Francona. It wasn’t just that he had them moving to the top of the American League Central and then upending the Red Sox and the Blue Jays in the AL Division and Championship Series, respectively. It was that he did so with unparalleled strategizing, motivating, and, well, managing. Never mind that vital cogs seemed to go down one after another for one reason or another. He simply had an answer for every problem.

To understand how singular Francona’s feat of framing has been to this point, one need only note his refusal to stick to convention, even — or, rather, especially — under pressure. Based on what he saw, he pulled starters early, shuffled his bullpen without regard for their “usual” roles, and found opportunities to strike where tradition would have pointed to prudence as the better part of valor. In this regard, he proved the opposite of Buck Showalter, whose hitherto highly esteemed reputation took a hit following star closer Zach Britton’s no show in the Orioles’ extra-innings wild card game against the Blue Jays two weeks ago.

Under the circumstances, it’s no wonder Andrew Miller wound up taking series Most Valuable Player honors yesterday. And if he proved to be a force against the Blue Jays (striking out a record 14 of 26 batters over four games), it was because he took the mound in hold situations. Francona’s tactical brilliance had him giving relievers the call whenever he felt they were needed for matchup purposes. And, no doubt, his openness stems from his keen understanding of advanced metrics that place as much value on, among other things, context-neutral and run-expectancy wins as on saves.

To be sure, Francona isn’t perfect. Otherwise, the Indians would have swept the Blue Jays just as they did the Red Sox. And, otherwise, he wouldn’t have given the TBS camera the middle finger midway through Game Three of the ALCS and then explained it away as a “nervous habit.” Then again, he’s close, which is why Cleveland residents are again pursing their lips in anticipation of a second sports title after the Cavaliers’ in June. He’s not merely daring them to dream. He’s giving them ample reason to believe. ANTHONY L. CUAYCONG has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is the Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Basic Energy Corp.

To be sure, Francona isn’t perfect. Otherwise, the Indians would have swept the Blue Jays just as they did the Red Sox. And, otherwise, he wouldn’t have given the TBS camera the middle finger midway through Game Three of the ALCS and then explained it away as a “nervous habit.” Then again, he’s close, which is why Cleveland residents are again pursing their lips in anticipation of a second sports title after the Cavaliers’ in June.