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MLB The Show 17 News Post

There's a debate amongst baseball fans about when and where you should bunt, with many different opinions on the subject. If you are part of the Sabermetric 'never bunt ever' crowd, this video is totally not for you.

And maybe we can spend time on that in a future video?

But today we're looking at bunting. When you should do it (if you are going to) and what situations makes the most sense. Of course, there's a lot of different situations you just can't cover in a 3 minute video...so we're going to keep it broad. We trust you are smart enough to fill in the gaps.
  • Don't bunt with two strikes. Just don't.
  • Don't bunt with two outs. Generally this is the rule, but there are exceptions here, especially with a really fast baserunner and an effective baserunner.
  • Do bunt to catch the defense off guard. If the third baseman is in a shift and playing deep, a good bunt is going to get you on a lot. The catch-22 here is most hitters who a shift is done for don't bunt all that well.
  • Do Bunt to move a runner with a specific end goal in mind. You shouldn't be bunting down 4 runs, but if you are tied in the 9th with a runner on first with 0 outs? Kinda makes sense then.
As with most things baseball, most strategies are completely situational.


So let's get to it, when should you bunt in MLB The Show 17, watch the video above and leave your own comment below!

Game: MLB The Show 17Hype Score: 9/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS4Votes for game: 36 - View All
Member Comments
# 21 BA2929 @ 05/02/17 05:05 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Murphy7376
In all honesty I was merely making a joke about needing an article about such a simple subject that I assume everyone knows. Please take into consideration that I am a self important American so the thought there might be people who don't understand baseball playing never crossed my mind. As far as soccer goes I would rather be tarred and feathered because I don't live in a country where chickens in the living room is a common occurrence LOL!! Sorry another bad joke I can't help myself : )
This is pretty insulting to our fellow gamers from other countries tbh, even if it was a bad attempt at a "bad joke".
 
# 22 Brian3113 @ 05/02/17 05:59 PM
Statistically speaking, in MLB, there is not a situation where sac bunting is the right choice. According to the advanced analytics, the odds of scoring a run while swinging away are higher than scoring a run and bunting with a runnier on first.
 
# 23 Caulfield @ 05/02/17 06:06 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian3113
Statistically speaking, in MLB, there is not a situation where sac bunting is the right choice. According to the advanced analytics, the odds of scoring a run while swinging away are higher than scoring a run and bunting with a runnier on first.
__________
Attachment 135064
 
# 24 bcruise @ 05/02/17 06:09 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian3113
Statistically speaking, in MLB, there is not a situation where sac bunting is the right choice. According to the advanced analytics, the odds of scoring a run while swinging away are higher than scoring a run and bunting with a runnier on first.
Perhaps in real baseball that's true (or at least its debatable since that's where it gets debated all the time). But in a video game where it's very easy to accidentally hit into double plays I think there's a lot more risk involved in trying to string together 2 more hits, or put one in a gap to score the runner.

Bunting the runner to 2nd removes that risk.

That said, I'd still only do it situationally, in obvious situations like with the pitcher up or when I was trying to push across a tying / go ahead run. It kills the chance at a big inning.
 
# 25 EWRMETS @ 05/02/17 07:31 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian3113
Statistically speaking, in MLB, there is not a situation where sac bunting is the right choice. According to the advanced analytics, the odds of scoring a run while swinging away are higher than scoring a run and bunting with a runnier on first.
If you're down a run or tied late in the game and need 1 run with runners on first and second, bunting is the right play.

http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/users/brook...ectedruns.html
 
# 26 kehlis @ 05/02/17 08:01 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian3113
Statistically speaking, in MLB, there is not a situation where sac bunting is the right choice. According to the advanced analytics, the odds of scoring a run while swinging away are higher than scoring a run and bunting with a runnier on first.
Very first part of this thread:

Quote:
Originally Posted by MMChrisS
There's a debate amongst baseball fans about when and where you should bunt, with many different opinions on the subject. If you are part of the Sabermetric 'never bunt ever' crowd, this video is totally not for you.


Please don't make this thread a discussion about sabermetrics. As stated, this is not the thread for that discussion.
 
# 27 Caulfield @ 05/02/17 08:35 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian3113
there is not a situation where sac bunting is the right choice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kehlis
Please don't make this thread a discussion about sabermetrics. As stated, this is not the thread for that discussion.
even after you remove every bit of saberstats from the discussion, saying there is not a situation where sac bunting is the right choice is totally wrong anyway.
scenario on "When You Should and Shouldn't Bunt":
runner on 2B, 0 outs, pitcher at the plate in the bottom of extra innings and you have no pinch-hitters left, you have a relief piicher batting who is say 0-100 career, you cant tell me your going to waste an at-bat and let him see if he can get a hit to move the runner on 2B over to third. No, your going to have him bunt down 1B way, then take your chances with a runner on 3B w/1 out and hope to either get a hit to win the game, or even a deep sac fly.
next thing you know, people will be saying theres never a situation where sac fly is the right choice too
 
# 28 SolidSnake07 @ 05/03/17 06:51 AM
I only bunt to move a runner over and I only bunt with the pitcher.

Sent from my LG-H631 using Tapatalk
 
# 29 Datninja619 @ 05/04/17 12:53 PM
What's the difference between bunt and drag bunt?
 
# 30 Caulfield @ 05/04/17 07:29 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Datninja619
What's the difference between bunt and drag bunt?
regular folk bunt, crossdressers drag bunt. :|
 

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