Playoffs

[ɮօʀȶǟʐ]

Dodgers are dominating Atlanta - Los Angeles leads 2-0
Brewers are dominating Colorado - Milwaukee leads 2-0

Astros are dominating Cleveland (early...) Houston leads 1-0
Red Sox snuck past NY (early...)  Boston leads 1-0

[astrosdoug]

Chat chat at 538 about the Astros-Indians series. I didn't know Bauer had a sore ankle or that Ramirez had had a rough second half. I guess I did't pay much attention to CLE after about May.

******

from fivethirtyeight.com/features/we-break-down-each-mlb-playoff-matchup-and-predict-the-world-series/

gfoster: OK, let’s shift back to the AL. Indians-Astros is really the ALCS we were all expecting last year, as both teams were 100-plus game winners. Are these teams better or worse than their 2017 versions?

travis.sawchik: The Indians are weaker than they were a year ago when they entered the postseason with the game’s best run differential and the to-be-named AL Cy Young winner in Corey Kluber. They’re dealing with a significant injury as Trevor Bauer suffered a fractured ankle in August, and his velo was down in his brief return. Their top starter in the regular season going into August, Bauer will begin the series in the bullpen.

The Indians’ bullpen, once a strength, was the weakest in the playoff field in the regular season. Though a healthy Andrew Miller could change that.

neil: The Astros might actually somehow be better. Hot take: They’re the best team in MLB, despite an inferior record to the Red Sox. (At least, that’s what our Elo model thinks.) They had 109 Pythagorean wins! Who does that??

sara.ziegler: The Astros are so weird. Their biggest names weren’t that good! And yet here they are, better than last year. They have Alex Bregman to thank, I guess.

neil: It helps to have that ridiculous pitching staff, too.

sara.ziegler: So true.

neil: They had the best FIP in the league by a mile (3.23; next best were the Dodgers at 3.60).

travis.sawchik: The Astros are so talented. The defending World Champs basically added an ace — Gerrit Cole — and an MVP candidate (Bregman breakout) since we last saw them in October.

gfoster: I’m interested in how big a role Josh Donaldson plays for Cleveland. He seems healthy finally.

travis.sawchik: The Indians needed another bat, and Donaldson has looked like his old self in a brief sample. He’s a wild card this postseason

sara.ziegler: He better perform offensively, given that his presence has messed with Cleveland’s defense — pushing people into different positions.

gfoster: I love that the lineup that has Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Edwin Encarnacion and Michael Brantley “needed another bat.”

travis.sawchik: Well, another bat relative to the lineups they are facing in the AL field. The Indians rank last in remaining AL teams in wRC+, third in runs.

neil: There are some real question marks surrounding Cleveland’s bullpen, though. They finished 26th in relief WAR this season.

(Which is surprising since they are the O.G. of playoff bullpenning.)

gfoster: Even with Brad Hand?

neil: Hand has definitely stabilized things some, and Andrew Miller is back after missing a huge chunk of the reg season. But Cody Allen was pretty mediocre this year (93 ERA-plus).

travis.sawchik: The Indians thought their bullpen was such a problem that they traded their top position player prospect, Francisco Mejia, at the deadline. Trading a consensus top 50 prospect for a reliever is apparently the thing to do at the deadline nowadays.

sara.ziegler: Miller does seem to be healthy again — which is huge for the Indians. (An end-of-season blowup against the Royals notwithstanding.)

travis.sawchik: One concern with the Indians is some of their players are trending down at the wrong time again. Jose Ramirez, an MVP candidate (favorite?) at the All-Star break, hit .223 in the second half. Ramirez has really struggled with breaking pitches. I’ll be interested to see how many fastballs he sees in series against an elite fastball team in the Astros. Could be a fascinating strength on strength: One of the game’s best fastball hitters (Ramirez) vs. the elite four-seamers of Justin Verlander and Cole.

[astrosdoug]

Over a ridiculously small number of ABs, the Astros offense is looking very good in comparison with the rest of the postseason contenders.

[Deleted]

Oct 6, 2018 6:01:17 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

Over a ridiculously small number of ABs, the Astros offense is looking very good in comparison with the rest of the postseason contenders.

Looking at the top 4, it is the four that everyone expects to see deep in the post season.  Playoff jitters are for pikers.  

[Deleted]

Oct 6, 2018 1:51:54 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

Chat chat at 538 about the Astros-Indians series. I didn't know Bauer had a sore ankle or that Ramirez had had a rough second half. I guess I did't pay much attention to CLE after about May.

There are few things I miss about the old MLB forums, but if there was one, it was easy to lurk at the other teams boards to get their perspective. 

[blcoach8]

Oct 6, 2018 7:21:28 GMT -6 @txheat10k said:

Oct 6, 2018 1:51:54 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

Chat chat at 538 about the Astros-Indians series. I didn't know Bauer had a sore ankle or that Ramirez had had a rough second half. I guess I did't pay much attention to CLE after about May.

There are few things I miss about the old MLB forums, but if there was one, it was easy to lurk at the other teams boards to get their perspective. 

I enjoyed pissing off Rangers fans and I could have had a field day this year.

LA is in the top 4 on that list,but, I'll take the Brewers to win the NL

[olpapa]

With Cora managing the Red Sox and Stearns heading up the Brewers FO, this year’s playoffs have a distinctive Astros look to them.

[Deleted]

Oct 6, 2018 9:55:51 GMT -6 olpapa said:

With Cora managing the Red Sox and Stearns heading up the Brewers FO, this year’s playoffs have a distinctive Astros look to them.

Bothers me some Cora knows out team and AJ so well.  Wonder if this is going to work against us if we meet the Sox in the ALCS.

[blcoach8]

Oct 6, 2018 10:07:28 GMT -6 @txheat10k said:

Oct 6, 2018 9:55:51 GMT -6 olpapa said:

With Cora managing the Red Sox and Stearns heading up the Brewers FO, this year’s playoffs have a distinctive Astros look to them.

Bothers me some Cora knows out team and AJ so well.  Wonder if this is going to work against us if we meet the Sox in the ALCS.

I had rather play the Red Sox to avoid the Yankee bullpen and Yankee Stadium.

[ɮօʀȶǟʐ]

. Ken Giles part 2? .. A.J. Hinch said Hector Rondon “should have been there” yesterday during team introductions. Rondon did not run out on the field when he was introduced before the game and did not stand with the team during the national anthem. 🤔

[Deleted]

Oct 6, 2018 12:37:40 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

. Ken Giles part 2? .. A.J. Hinch said Hector Rondon “should have been there” yesterday during team introductions. Rondon did not run out on the field when he was introduced before the game and did not stand with the team during the national anthem. 🤔

I saw that article, and chalked it up to childish disappointment.  Big difference in pouting and being bat shit crazy.

What the kid doesn't realize is that this stunt might keep him from consideration for ALCS/WS.  Too bad.

[marshall]

Oct 6, 2018 12:37:40 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

. Ken Giles part 2? .. A.J. Hinch said Hector Rondon “should have been there” yesterday during team introductions. Rondon did not run out on the field when he was introduced before the game and did not stand with the team during the national anthem. 🤔

Up until that point, I liked Rondon. I think he needs to go to the Venezuelan Winter leagues.

[ɮօʀȶǟʐ]

Hector Rondon on his absence yesterday: "I was doing something inside, like preparing my arm. I'm not on this roster, but I was preparing my arm for the next round. I've apologized to my teammates, A.J., too."

Rondon said manager A.J. Hinch did speak with him about his pregame absence on Friday: "He was disappointed because he kind of expected for me to be out with the team and the guys. I said I’m sorry to him. The past is in the past. I take responsibility & it is what it is.”

[marshall]

Oct 6, 2018 13:46:21 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

Hector Rondon on his absence yesterday: "I was doing something inside, like preparing my arm. I'm not on this roster, but I was preparing my arm for the next round. I've apologized to my teammates, A.J., too."

Rondon said manager A.J. Hinch did speak with him about his pregame absence on Friday: "He was disappointed because he kind of expected for me to be out with the team and the guys. I said I’m sorry to him. The past is in the past. I take responsibility & it is what it is.”

OK. I'll accept his apology.

[marshall]

PS. The vote to confirm Kavanaugh is complete (50-48 to confirm) and will not interfere with the game on the diamond.

[ɮօʀȶǟʐ]

People seldom consider the consequences of their actions. This dude is pissed about not being on the ALDS roster, so he acts a fool...risking getting himself removed from consideration for the ALCS and WS rosters. And, as usual, no acknowledgement that his shitty performance is what led to him being left off the roster.

[marshall]

WOW! Seven pitches to get 3 outs!

[thomasj13]

Oct 6, 2018 14:12:50 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

People seldom consider the consequences of their actions. This dude is pissed about not being on the ALDS roster, so he acts a fool...risking getting himself removed from consideration for the ALCS and WS rosters. And, as usual, no acknowledgement that his shitty performance is what led to him being left off the roster.

Pressly is awesome.

[unionstation82]

Oct 6, 2018 19:25:23 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

Oct 6, 2018 14:12:50 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

People seldom consider the consequences of their actions. This dude is pissed about not being on the ALDS roster, so he acts a fool...risking getting himself removed from consideration for the ALCS and WS rosters. And, as usual, no acknowledgement that his shitty performance is what led to him being left off the roster.

Pressly is awesome.

Hear hear!

[unionstation82]

Oct 6, 2018 14:12:50 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

People seldom consider the consequences of their actions. This dude is pissed about not being on the ALDS roster, so he acts a fool...risking getting himself removed from consideration for the ALCS and WS rosters. And, as usual, no acknowledgement that his shitty performance is what led to him being left off the roster.

As long as he actually manned up and apologize, I’ll let it slide.

[blcoach8]

Oct 6, 2018 12:37:40 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

. Ken Giles part 2? .. A.J. Hinch said Hector Rondon “should have been there” yesterday during team introductions. Rondon did not run out on the field when he was introduced before the game and did not stand with the team during the national anthem. 🤔

  He pitched himself off the roster.  At least he apologized and maybe misunderstood some things.

[blcoach8]

Oct 6, 2018 14:11:53 GMT -6 marshall said:

PS. The vote to confirm Kavanaugh is complete (50-48 to confirm) and will not interfere with the game on the diamond.

Hopefully, this leads to many Republican victories in the November elections

[astrosdoug]

Oct 6, 2018 21:17:42 GMT -6 blcoach8 said:

Oct 6, 2018 14:11:53 GMT -6 marshall said:

PS. The vote to confirm Kavanaugh is complete (50-48 to confirm) and will not interfere with the game on the diamond.

Hopefully, this leads to many Republican victories in the November elections

The combined effect of Kavanaugh being in the Supreme Court and all the documents (FISA, Uranium One, Five Eyes, etc. etc.) that the White House declassifies between now and the elections will create a Republican landslide in November.

Kavanaugh had to be confirmed before the declassification could take place so that the Supreme Court couldn't be used by the criminals exposed in the (soon to be) declassified documents to have their cases heard by corrupt judges. 

It would appear all the necessary ducks are now in a row...

[astrosdoug]

Updated WS odds

[bearbryant]

Oct 6, 2018 6:01:17 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

Over a ridiculously small number of ABs, the Astros offense is looking very good in comparison with the rest of the postseason contenders.

where can I see this updated through Sat action .. is this fangraphs

[astrosdoug]

Oct 7, 2018 5:46:59 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

Oct 6, 2018 6:01:17 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

Over a ridiculously small number of ABs, the Astros offense is looking very good in comparison with the rest of the postseason contenders.

where can I see this updated through Sat action .. is this fangraphs

i got it here 


houston.astros.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp?c_id=hou#playerType=ALL&elem=%5Bobject+Object%5D&tab_level=child&click_text=Sortable+Team+hitting&game_type='P'&season=2018&season_type=ANY&league_code='MLB'&sectionType=st&statType=hitting&page=1&ts=1538896626086&timeframe=&sortColumn=ops&sortOrder='desc'&extended=0

[blcoach8]

Oct 6, 2018 23:45:01 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

Oct 6, 2018 21:17:42 GMT -6 blcoach8 said:

Hopefully, this leads to many Republican victories in the November elections

The combined effect of Kavanaugh being in the Supreme Court and all the documents (FISA, Uranium One, Five Eyes, etc. etc.) that the White House declassifies between now and the elections will create a Republican landslide in November.

Kavanaugh had to be confirmed before the declassification could take place so that the Supreme Court couldn't be used by the criminals exposed in the (soon to be) declassified documents to have their cases heard by corrupt judges. 

It would appear all the necessary ducks are now in a row...

The whole country should hope you are right.  Obama and Hillary need to be exposed.

[astrosdoug]

Oct 7, 2018 8:20:37 GMT -6 blcoach8 said:

Oct 6, 2018 23:45:01 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

The combined effect of Kavanaugh being in the Supreme Court and all the documents (FISA, Uranium One, Five Eyes, etc. etc.) that the White House declassifies between now and the elections will create a Republican landslide in November.

Kavanaugh had to be confirmed before the declassification could take place so that the Supreme Court couldn't be used by the criminals exposed in the (soon to be) declassified documents to have their cases heard by corrupt judges. 

It would appear all the necessary ducks are now in a row...

The whole country should hope you are right.  Obama and Hillary need to be exposed.

it's quickly coming to the attention of the country, and the black communist especially, how Hillary and Obama were using the "philanthropic" Clinton Foundation to traffic thousands of little Black orphans (from the earthquake and other calamities) out of Haiti so that they could be sold to perverts around the world for sexual exploitation... and worse. Much worse unfortunately.

Once this is fully understood by the American people, the Dem party won't even be able to count on the votes of bleeding heart liberals or of the Black community. At that point, they're toast. And the key crimes will be exposed in the declassification. It's the best show to watch outside of the MLB playoffs. 

What the Inspector General released in June this year is just a preview of what's to come. 
www.justice.gov/file/1071991/download 

[Deleted]

Oct 7, 2018 20:09:35 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

Oct 7, 2018 8:20:37 GMT -6 blcoach8 said:

The whole country should hope you are right.  Obama and Hillary need to be exposed.

it's quickly coming to the attention of the country, and the black communist especially, how Hillary and Obama were using the "philanthropic" Clinton Foundation to traffic thousands of little Black orphans (from the earthquake and other calamities) out of Haiti so that they could be sold to perverts around the world for sexual exploitation... and worse. Much worse unfortunately.

Once this is fully understood by the American people, the Dem party won't even be able to count on the votes of bleeding heart liberals or of the Black community. At that point, they're toast. And the key crimes will be exposed in the declassification. It's the best show to watch outside of the MLB playoffs. 

What the Inspector General released in June this year is just a preview of what's to come. 
www.justice.gov/file/1071991/download 

LOL at this absurdity.  I could care two shits about Republican assholes or Democratic bitches but anyone that is happy about Cavenaugh being voted in needs to have their life restructured.

[Saint]

Hey, guys...remember the rules about the politics and such on the board. Let's keep it in check.