Putting Willie in the starting lineup against a right-handed pitcher? Relieving Jarrod Washburn with a really poor man's version of the same guy instead of offering a different look? Sitting JJ Putz and leaving Jon Huber in to pitch the bottom of the ninth of a tie game? Pinch-hitting Adam Jones for Chris Snelling in one of the biggest at bats of the night? Mike Hargrove is managing for one thing and one thing only: to win, baby, no matter the cost. Having trouble keeping up? Don't worry too much. We can't all be experienced masters of strategy.
Biggest Contribution: Adam Jones, +40.5%
Biggest Suckfest: Eduardo Perez, -16.3%
Most Important At Bat: Jones single, +40.5%
Most Important Pitch: Blalock homer, -12.8%
Total Contribution by Pitcher(s): +6.6%
Total Contribution by Position Players: +21.0%
Tonight's game turned out to be pretty fun. Tomorrow's - featuring Cha Baek and a wildass rookie who shut us down a week and a half ago - will not. Join us, won't you?
(5:05pm PDT.)