[OldFatGuy]

I just want to add my thoughts here too.

Intentional walks are a risk/reward tool that IMO is much like playing the infield in with less than two outs and a runner on third.

You're hoping to stop a run or two from scoring (by playing the infield in or walking a hitter with a man in scoring position in hopes of getting the next guy), and you're risking the big inning (by making a ground ball hit more likely with the infield in and by intentionally adding baserunners in intentional walks).

So, put it this way. Why would you play the infield in with a 4 run lead? It's similar logic with the intentional walk, although a slight bit more liberal with the intentional walk. I mean playing the infield in makes no sense with any lead over 1, whereas intentional walks might make sense with 2 run leads depending on the inning and situation. But every manager I've ever played for, talked with, or listened to on the subject of a large (3 or more runs) lead late in the game is preaching NO WALKS, not intentional walks.