What is a common strategy used by teams when leading late in the game?

When leading late in the game, teams often adopt a defensive positioning strategy to protect their lead. This involves shifting players to positions that enhance their ability to prevent runs from scoring. For example, infielders may move closer to the infield to prepare for potential ground balls, while outfielders might position themselves deeper if they anticipate hits that could clear the bases. This mindset prioritizes strong defense to consolidate the lead, often emphasizing groundouts and flyouts rather than risking player momentum with aggressive plays.

Other strategies, while valuable in various situations, do not focus as directly on protecting a lead. Aggressive base running could potentially result in unnecessary outs; frequent pitching changes are typically more common when a team is at risk of losing and needs to disrupt the opponents' rhythm; and utilizing pinch hitters is generally a tactic used to optimize offensive chances rather than focus on defense. Therefore, defensive positioning represents a strategic choice tailored for late-game scenarios when a team seeks to maintain a lead.