The MLB Thread

[InCali]

Thank you! All the way!



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Yeah.....good for them. Y'know, I've NEVER thought being one of the top 2 seeds is much of an advantage and have a sneaking suspicion it's even a disadvantage. Now, before people go crazy, here me out.

Baseball is such a game of rhythm, that I think taking a week off disrupts that. Other than the All Star break, where everyone has the same amount of time off, teams spend 6 months with no more than one day off and I think it's very difficult to maintain the sharpness after an extended break. Are there advantages? Sure. Rest for injuries, reorganizing your starting pitching, etc., but I don't know if that really makes up for the rust that can accrue.

 

[Another_Fool]

Even though Yanks are up 2-1, Royals-Yankees are a fascinating match up, and really can see a scenario where Yankees get thumped by Royals in 5 games or Detroit if they advance. Detroit is downright scary and if Guardians don't figure out their offense, it's over tonight. Royals can end up being like their 2014/15 gritty team.

As for Dodgers and Padres, Darvish and Yamamoto is the money match up that as a neutral spectator, I'm glad to get. I'm highly curious if Yamamoto will come through. It's been said in the NPB he fell apart in big moments and considering how he fared in Game 1, it will be interesting if he can debunk that narrative. And it isn't easy, Darvish is a playoff stud and his only terrible outing was 2017 World Series Game 7 against the Astros which they CHEATED so it negates the perception of his "bad" performance in that game.

 

[InCali]

Even though Yanks are up 2-1, Royals-Yankees are a fascinating match up, and really can see a scenario where Yankees get thumped by Royals in 5 games or Detroit if they advance. Detroit is downright scary and if Guardians don't figure out their offense, it's over tonight. Royals can end up being like their 2014/15 gritty team.

As for Dodgers and Padres, Darvish and Yamamoto is the money match up that as a neutral spectator, I'm glad to get. I'm highly curious if Yamamoto will come through. It's been said in the NPB he fell apart in big moments and considering how he fared in Game 1, it will be interesting if he can debunk that narrative. And it isn't easy, Darvish is a playoff stud and his only terrible outing was 2017 World Series Game 7 against the Astros which they CHEATED so it negates the perception of his "bad" performance in that game.

I see both teams using a quick hook and going to the bullpen early if needed. They both have very tough relievers and I look for a close game. I was surprised the Dodgers were able to shut down the Padres in G 4, but not so surprised they hung up some crooked #s. That lineup is downright nasty, but the Padres are no joke either. They are a very good hitting team, but don't "quite" have the pop the Dodgers do.

When healthy (which they aren't), the Dodgers easily have the better staring pitching.....as they should when you consider how much they are spending on it. I hate those bullpen games. Too much can go wrong. Each guy has to be on or you can basically be screwed, but the Dodgers pulled it off in G4.....I just don't recommend it in the playoffs where each game is so important.

Man, I wish MLB would stop having the home plate umpires calling balls and strikes. They've consistently shown they aren't up to the task. Let the batters and pitchers decide the game......

 

[Ghostrider87]

The Tigers have been playing great because they shut out the Guardians twice which the Tigers last had 2 consecutive shutout Playoff wins in the 2013 MLB Playoffs so it's been a long time.
Even though I don't expect the Tigers to shut out the Guardians for a third consecutive Playoff game, however, the TIgers are playing great so I don't see the Guardians outperforming the Tigers tonight to force a game 5.

The Royals are at home, and realistically they could force a game 5 by defeating the Yankees tonight. That's why I'm saying the high pressure is on the Royals tonight, while it's also true that high pressure is on the Yankees to eliminate the Royals instead of hoping they'll eliminate the Royals in a game 5 in New York City.

The Padres fans are hoping that the Padres find ways to prevail vs the Dodgers on a Friday Night in Los Angeles since they got outplayed by a Dodgers team that shut out the Padres in a must-win game 4.

 

[InCali]

The Tigers have been playing great because they shut out the Guardians twice which the Tigers last had 2 consecutive shutout Playoff wins in the 2013 MLB Playoffs so it's been a long time.
Even though I don't expect the Tigers to shut out the Guardians for a third consecutive Playoff game, however, the TIgers are playing great so I don't see the Guardians outperforming the Tigers tonight to force a game 5.

The Royals are at home, and realistically they could force a game 5 by defeating the Yankees tonight. That's why I'm saying the high pressure is on the Royals tonight, while it's also true that high pressure is on the Yankees to eliminate the Royals instead of hoping they'll eliminate the Royals in a game 5 in New York City.

The Padres fans are hoping that the Padres find ways to prevail vs the Dodgers on a Friday Night in Los Angeles since they got outplayed by a Dodgers team that shut out the Padres in a must-win game 4.

Thank you for your insights.

 

[blueharvest]

And the Kansas City Royals have been eliminated.

 

[InCali]

Watching Dodgers Padres......it'll change when things cool off, but, man, the ball is FLYING out. I've seen some fly balls they have totally gotten under that should go to medium/deep outfield that end up on the warning track.

Kike Hernandez jacked one for the Dodgers that was going out, but it ended WAY up in the bleachers.

 

[InCali]

AND....BTW....Profar is on my S*** list. That antic he played after catching what would otherwise have been a Betts home run (jumping up and down and taunting the fans) was Bush League. If I'm the Dodgers and/or their fans, I'm doing the same thing in his face after and if they win game 5.

 

[InCali]

Again.....don't like the Dodgers' chances against the Mets. Actually I'd like to see a Mets Yanks (if the Mets win) or a Mets Cleveland/Tigers series (don't care who wins).

It worked, but I don't like Roberts pulling Yamamoto after 5 innings. About 60 pitches, 40 strikes, 2 hits, and no runs......again, it worked out, but you know what you've got on the mound and you don't know for sure what you're getting when you bring someone in from the bullpen.

 

[blueharvest]

Again.....don't like the Dodgers' chances against the Mets. Actually I'd like to see a Mets Yanks (if the Mets win) or a Mets Cleveland/Tigers series (don't care who wins).

I'm thinking it might be the Dodgers and Yankees in the World Series this year, but you never know. Personally, I'd like to see the Guardians in the World Series again, but it might not happen this year.

 

[InCali]

I'm thinking it might be the Dodgers and Yankees in the World Series this year, but you never know. Personally, I'd like to see the Guardians in the World Series again, but it might not happen this year.

Man, the networks and MLB front office would freaking LOVE that one. If the Dodgers weren't down 5 starters, I'd agree with you.

 

[blueharvest]

Man, the networks and MLB front office would freaking LOVE that one. If the Dodgers weren't down 5 starters, I'd agree with you.

Could also be another Subway Series, the Mets and the Yankees, like in 2000.

 

[TheBatman22]

Yeah.....good for them. Y'know, I've NEVER thought being one of the top 2 seeds is much of an advantage and have a sneaking suspicion it's even a disadvantage. Now, before people go crazy, here me out.

Baseball is such a game of rhythm, that I think taking a week off disrupts that. Other than the All Star break, where everyone has the same amount of time off, teams spend 6 months with no more than one day off and I think it's very difficult to maintain the sharpness after an extended break. Are there advantages? Sure. Rest for injuries, reorganizing your starting pitching, etc., but I don't know if that really makes up for the rust that can accrue.

Bring on the Dodgers!

 

[TheBatman22]

Could also be another Subway Series, the Mets and the Yankees, like in 2000.

Yes!

 

[InCali]

Bring on the Dodgers!

Yes!

Ahhhhhh......the analytical, unbiased one strikes again!!1.

Not sure how the Mets have done with injuries this year, but I think they've got a decent chance against the Dodgers. Frankly, they'd probably be overmatched if not for injuries to all of the Dodgers' pitchers I've been referring to. TBH, I've never seen anything quite like it. What they've been doing is getting absolutely stellar work from their bullpen (but now Vesia is hurt!!) and they've just been outhitting people. If the Mets are going to win, they have to hope that Ohtani and Betts stay relatively cold because when they get going, the Dodgers are an offensive juggernaut.

And now for my podcast.....

San Diego fans are not happy because they were shut out by the Dodgers twice in a row. They won't get shut out 3 times in a row because they lost game 5. The Dodgers' fans are happy because they scored more runs 2 games in a row to win the series.

The Mets fans are happy because they outplayed a Phillies team that didn't play very well and so the Mets will face the Dodgers in a series both teams will try to win. I'm sure their fans are very excited.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I am expecting a loss today for the Guardians against Skubal....but hoping for the best

 

[InCali]

I am expecting a loss today for the Guardians against Skubal....but hoping for the best

I'd like to see either of them beat the Yankees. LOL

 

[Another_Fool]

Wow, Padres going scoreless for 2 and a half games was not on my bingo card.

Dodgers vs Mets should be absolute fun. That very well may be a 6 or 7 game series.

 

[InCali]

I am expecting a loss today for the Guardians against Skubal....but hoping for the best

HOLY S***!!!!

 

[InCali]

Wow, Padres going scoreless for 2 and a half games was not on my bingo card.

Dodgers vs Mets should be absolute fun. That very well may be a 6 or 7 game series.

Nor mine. They got 6 early in game 3 and zip after that. The Dodgers bullpen has been outstanding, but not THAT outstanding. They got some big outs with RISP, but the Pads went cold....hard to say who gets credit and who gets blame.....maybe a little of both.

Yeah.....looking forward to the Mets and LA. Grew up a Dodger fan, but really admire what the Mets did this year. They are hard to root against. I was SO glad the Padres lost. Can't stand Profar jumping up and down and taunting the fans in game 1 after making a nice catch. Now he can stay at home all winter, know he did NOTHING at the plate to help his team win, and practice his little jumping up and down routine. Congrats on batting .200 and driving in 1 run over 5 games. Good job buddy!

 

[Spider-Fan]

HOLY S***!!!!

I know we are up 3....but I am still nervous lol!!!!

 

[Spider-Fan]

Well...bring on the Yankees!!!!!

 

[blueharvest]

 

[Spider-Fan]

I am very worried the bullpen of the Guardians has been used too much this series and that it may hurt them against the Yankees. But thats a Monday problem. Go Guardians!!!

 

[blueharvest]

I am very worried the bullpen of the Guardians has been used too much this series and that it may hurt them against the Yankees. But thats a Monday problem. Go Guardians!!!

I'm still thinking it's going to be the Yankees and Mets in the World Series, but I hope I'm wrong.