re: DAT 5/10: Braves (Garcia) vs. Astros (Musgrove), 1:10 CDT

Yeah, I saw it.

Talked about his personal relationship w Hinch as a host to him on recruiting trip to Stanford, a teammate w him on the A's and then later was his coach w the Diamondbacks. So, when he said how much he has improved from his first job, where he essentially had to cut his teeth, to making great moves night in and night out, I took it w a grain of salt.

Smoltz, however, added some important knowledge. He said Hinch has learned the error in his ways and is finding balance b/w the analytical side and having good old fashioned baseball players in the clubhouse. I believe that.

Hinch has been progressively better in handling the pitching. I would like to see him advance runners more often, whether attempting SB's or bunting for a base hit w the SAC as a secondary outcome, or even just encouraging hitters to hit situationally.

Regardless, it was nice to hear Smoltz say that there is/was an awareness to play for more than 3 outcomes and some acknowledgement from the brass of the Astros that changes were necessary in addition to personnel.