Spanish
Miami, Florida. – The Dominican Republic manager, Albert Pujols, clarified one of the most commented tactical decisions of the game against the United States in the World Baseball Classic semifinals: keeping catcher Austin Wells on the field during key moments of the match.
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After the game played at loanDepot Park in Miami, Pujols explained that the decision was due to the importance of Wells within the management of the pitching staff and the strategic planning of the team. "Austin Wells is our best catcher. I wasn't going to replace him, because if something happened to our emergency catcher, we'd be left with no options," explained the Dominican manager, referring to the situation. Pujols pointed out that this type of decision is carefully analyzed during the development of the game and is part of the plan designed by the coaching staff before the match. The leader also highlighted the importance of Wells in the management of Dominican pitching against an offense as dangerous as that of the United States, noting that the catcher played a key role behind the plate. Pujols' statements arose after some questioned why the catcher remained in the game at a strategic moment, a decision that the manager defended as part of the planning to protect the handling of pitching and the team's structure. In this way, the Dominican strategist made it clear that Wells's staying on the field responded to tactical criteria and the confidence that the coaching staff has in the catcher during one of the most demanding games of the tournament.
