Unfortunately, the defensible game plan from Craig Counsell going into this game today (starting Andrew Kittredge) did not work out, as the opener allowed a manufactured first-inning run (a couple of singles, a double steal, and a sac fly). And unfortunately, neither did the nearly indefensible decision to leave Shota Imanaga in to face Manny Machado for the second time with a runner on base (Machado immediately DESTROYED a two-run homer).

Frankly, you could’ve convinced me to take Imanaga out before that inning even began (with the top of the order, including Fernando Tatis Jr., due up). But it became especially surprising once it got to Machado. The entire point of carrying all those extra right-handed swing/long men on the playoff roster was so that you could be overly aggressive in a game like this/moment like that.

ENHANCED BOX SCORE:

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