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AL Round Two

Frayed Knot Oct 05 2020 03:30 PM

Monday Oct 5: Astros "at" Oakland, 4:05, TBS, Dodger Stadium Yanx at Rays, 8:05, TBS, Petco Park Daytime at Dodger Stadium and the ball is flying. Two HRs each and it's 3-3, top 4

MFS62 Oct 05 2020 04:39 PM Re: AL Round Two

Houston scored 4 in the top of the 7th and now leads 7-5. Later

Frayed Knot Oct 05 2020 06:04 PM Re: AL Round Two

10-5 was your final. 8:07 First Pitch -- Gerrit Cole vs Blake Snell

Frayed Knot Oct 05 2020 09:13 PM Re: AL Round Two

TB reliever John Curtiss, the extra S is for 'Suck'

bmfc1 Oct 06 2020 04:20 PM Re: AL Round Two

A Yankees-Astros AL Finals would be just perfect for 2020.

ashie62 Oct 06 2020 04:47 PM Re: AL Round Two

The Astros were in a coma "all" season and have turned it around on a dime. Yanquis look unbeatable. They all get healthy at the same time as if they planned it this way.

MFS62 Oct 06 2020 05:58 PM Re: AL Round Two

Houston won, 5-2 George Springer (who would look great playing centerfield for the Mets next year) hit two home runs. Later

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2020 06:01 PM Re: AL Round Two

And it was a full nine inning post-season game that clocked in at under three hours!! (2:54) I didn't think those were still permitted.

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2020 07:23 PM Re: AL Round Two

So how does Dusty Baker deal with his toothpicks and keep his mask on at the same time?

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2020 07:32 PM Re: AL Round Two

Meanwhile over in Ssndy Eggo, the Rays are going long off JA Happless Yanx went with an 'opener for one inning so as to get Tampa to load their lineup with LHBs while Boone switched to the lefty Happ in the 2nd. But that strategy isn't exactly working. 5-1 TBR thru 3

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2020 07:52 PM Re: AL Round Two

So legend has it Mantle once hit a homer nearly 100 feet further than the one Stanton just clubbed? No fuckin' way. 5 - 4 Rays end of 4

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2020 09:07 PM Re: AL Round Two

Another name for the ALDS this year -- both series -- is simply 'Home Run Derby'

Frayed Knot Oct 07 2020 05:36 AM Re: AL Round Two

So the Yanx wound up with just six hits plus four walks while striking out 18 times and allowing seven runs... and right up until the very last out I was convinced those MF'ers were going to win it somehow. The back to back BBs to start the 9th inning didn't do much to settle those fears. Gotta like Kevin Cash & the Rays going to a four OF defense to START the 8th inning and he kept it there the entire time. Figured he had a fly ball pitcher in there so why not. Result: Fly Out, K, Fly Out. First FO was routine, the shift may have made a difference on the other one.

MFS62 Oct 07 2020 05:06 PM Re: AL Round Two

Oakland leads Houston in a see-saw battle 9-7 in the top of the ninth. Later

Frayed Knot Oct 07 2020 05:25 PM Re: AL Round Two

Y'know who Homered in this game? ... EVERYONE!!!! More specifically: Altuve, A. Diaz, and Luzardo for Houston (solo, solo, 2R) - so four of their seven runs For Oakland it was: LaStella (Solo), Canha (S), Olson (S), Semien (S), and then the big one, Pinder (3R in the 7th to tie the game) accounting for seven of their nine runs These AL games have been nothing but a HR-a-palooza, starting right from the WC round.

Frayed Knot Oct 07 2020 07:11 PM Re: AL Round Two Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Oct 08 2020 04:15 AM

I realize that pro athletes aren't like you and I, but these stories of guys 'putting on 15 pounds of muscle' in a short time are total bullseye and/or they need to be investigated. Mostly claims like these are just agent or club hype and those who cover the sport(s) would do themselves a favor by not simply repeating them as if established fact. That said, I had never heard of this Arozarena guy on TB (the latest subject of the above muscle story) prior to the series we played against them a few weeks back and right now he killing it. His latest HR, leading off the 5th, ta-knocked Tanaka out of the game.

bmfc1 Oct 08 2020 02:56 AM Re: AL Round Two

The Rays are one game away from doing us a favor by ridding us of the MFYs and the possibility of a NYY-HOU ALCS. The Rays will have Ryan Thompson as the "opener", NOT THAT RYAN THOMPSON, he wears #81, against Jordan Montgomery who looked great against the Mets but few other teams.

Frayed Knot Oct 08 2020 09:40 AM Re: AL Round Two

The Yanx will bring Cole back for Game 5 so it would be nice if they could end things tonight. Best case scenario would be if Cole loses Game 5 but that's too risky to root for, so TCoB TBR

Frayed Knot Oct 08 2020 08:16 PM Re: AL Round Two

One rule change that escaped my notice is that the limit of five mound visits per game has apparenty been extended to 87 per game for this season.

MFS62 Oct 09 2020 05:44 AM Re: AL Round Two

Houston looks like they are on a mission to prove they don't have to cheat to win, in spite of the Dusty Baker post season jinx. (I still feel funny typing about Houston in an AL thread) Later

Frayed Knot Oct 09 2020 05:22 PM Re: AL Round Two

So why, during these quickie manager interviews, is Lauren Shehadi wearing a mask but Boone and Cash not? I think I speak for most guys when I suggest that we'd rather see it the other way around.

Frayed Knot Oct 09 2020 07:04 PM Re: AL Round Two

Looks like Aaron mis-Judged his height on that HR

Frayed Knot Oct 09 2020 07:53 PM Re: AL Round Two

Two errors tonight from Yanqui infielders. Back in the day, George would be screaming to the commissioner's office that inferior (and biased) groundskeeping was causing his team to lose.

Johnny Lunchbucket Oct 09 2020 07:56 PM Re: AL Round Two

Intense and slow moving game.

ashie62 Oct 09 2020 08:01 PM Re: AL Round Two

Glasnow certainly did his three innings worth of work.

Frayed Knot Oct 09 2020 08:12 PM Re: AL Round Two

Well, we're down to two ABs for the Rays vs just one more for the Yanx. This would be a nice time Tampa-ites.

Frayed Knot Oct 09 2020 08:15 PM Re: AL Round Two

I had forgotten, until they flashed up the graphic earlier and then again just now, that the winner of these dives right back into it on Sunday night. I love this schedule.

Frayed Knot Oct 09 2020 08:21 PM Re: AL Round Two

What a fuckin' AB!!!! And that's even before you mix in the (very recent) history between those two.

Johnny Lunchbucket Oct 09 2020 08:21 PM Re: AL Round Two

Howie Rose calls it: Brosseau! Brosseau! Brosseau!

Frayed Knot Oct 09 2020 08:25 PM Re: AL Round Two

Meat of the order coming up.

Frayed Knot Oct 09 2020 08:29 PM Re: AL Round Two

Nice hustle [CROSSOUT]Michael[/CROSSOUT] Giancarlo.

Frayed Knot Oct 09 2020 08:32 PM Re: AL Round Two

Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to have a drink.

Frayed Knot Oct 09 2020 08:38 PM Re: AL Round Two

Ji-Man Choi looks like he can be a lot of fun.

bmfc1 Oct 09 2020 09:09 PM Re: AL Round Two

Tampa saves us from The Cheaters and The MFYs. I'm all-in on Tampa the rest of the way.

G-Fafif Oct 09 2020 09:15 PM Re: AL Round Two

Postseason just became delightful.

stevejrogers Oct 09 2020 09:17 PM Re: AL Round Two

Frayed Knot wrote: I had forgotten, until they flashed up the graphic earlier and then again just now, that the winner of these dives right back into it on Sunday night. I love this schedule. Unfortunately the “travel days” are inserted into the WS. But even in a normal year you don't, or very rarely see more than 4 straight days played by a team. I'm still trying to figure out why in the bubble the NHL and NBA series, including the finals are staggered out as if they were flying back and forth from the cities!

Frayed Knot Oct 09 2020 09:54 PM Re: AL Round Two

The NBA & NHL playoffs are always an every-other-day kind of deal under normal circumstances, so the fact that they were this year as well is OK with me. I just like it when the post-season mimics the regular season as closely as possible. That they'll (potentially) play seven WS games in nine days isn't a crime in my book. But the year (2009) when Selig decided to impose an extra day off in both the LCS's and the WS was a disgrace [Game - Game - Off - Game - Game -Off - Game - Off - Game - Game] That that strategy happened to play right into the hands of the Yanx that year (so they could pitch Pettitte, Sabathia, and Messina over and over again) was an unhappy coincidence, but that plan would have been a horrible one no matter who was involved since it doesn't even resemble what a regular MLB week is like.

Centerfield Oct 10 2020 05:09 AM Re: AL Round Two

Frayed Knot wrote: What a fuckin' AB!!!! And that's even before you mix in the (very recent) history between those two. What is the history?

MFS62 Oct 10 2020 07:21 AM Re: AL Round Two

Luke Voit is no Joe Namath. Guarantee THIS! Later

Frayed Knot Oct 10 2020 11:03 AM Re: AL Round Two

Frayed Knot wrote: What a fuckin' AB!!!! And that's even before you mix in the (very recent) history between those two. What is the history? Earlier this season, Chapman sent a 101 mph inches over Brouseau's coconut touching off a bunch of yapping that continued in the press for several days after. TBR Mgr Cash said that 'I got a whole stable of guys who throw 98' as a not so subtle threat. [YOUTUBE]XctGlhYnQb4[/YOUTUBE] And, BTW, not to get all Armando here, but Chapman, for all his successes, is starting to build up quite the resume of post-season game and even series losing/tying HRs: Rajai Davis, Altuve, and now an un-drafted part-timer. * Rajai Davis -- 2016 WS Game 7, Chapman (w/Cubs) comes in 8th inning with a 3-run lead, two outs, and a runner on 1st. Gives up a Double to the first hitter then a 3R Game-tying HR Jose Altuve -- 2019 ALCS Game 6, Tie game in bottom 9th (after yanx had scored 2 in top 9), gets the first two hitters but then walks Springer and gives up a 2R Game & Series Walk-off to Altuve Mike Brosseau -- Last night, enters in tie game top 9th, gets the first out but then gives up the eventual game and series losing HR

Centerfield Oct 11 2020 05:45 AM Re: AL Round Two

Thanks. Now I understand the revenge-themed tweets I read.

smg58 Oct 14 2020 12:10 PM Re: AL Round Two

Frayed Knot wrote: I realize that pro athletes aren't like you and I, but these stories of guys 'putting on 15 pounds of muscle' in a short time are total bullseye and/or they need to be investigated. Mostly claims like these are just agent or club hype and those who cover the sport(s) would do themselves a favor by not simply repeating them as if established fact. That said, I had never heard of this Arozarena guy on TB (the latest subject of the above muscle story) prior to the series we played against them a few weeks back and right now he killing it. His latest HR, leading off the 5th, ta-knocked Tanaka out of the game. Arozarena found his way onto my Ottoneu team the last two seasons. He started killing it in the minors last year before getting called up by St. Louis, whose GM may have to answer for trading him even more than he has to answer for trading Luke Voit. He can play all three outfield positions and his floor was the right half of a platoon. The Rays did their homework on him, but he would have filled a need here too.

nymr83 Oct 14 2020 07:10 PM Re: AL Round Two

Frayed Knot wrote: I had forgotten, until they flashed up the graphic earlier and then again just now, that the winner of these dives right back into it on Sunday night. I love this schedule. Unfortunately the “travel days” are inserted into the WS. But even in a normal year you don't, or very rarely see more than 4 straight days played by a team. I'm still trying to figure out why in the bubble the NHL and NBA series, including the finals are staggered out as if they were flying back and forth from the cities! Because we want to see good basketball? I've never played hockey but I can only assume it is just as tiring if not more so. running up and down the court for 40 minutes is going to take more out of you than a month's worth of playing baseball (pitchers excluded) - spacing the games provides a better product.

Johnny Lunchbucket Oct 15 2020 01:15 PM Re: AL Round Two

Yeah that's true, you can usually tell a "fresh" hockey team from 1 that played the night before

Frayed Knot Oct 15 2020 04:37 PM Re: AL Round Two

I may not have the count exactly correct, but I believe each pitching has made 14 visits to the mound so far. And that might have a connection to why it's taken an hour and a half to get to the top of the 4th. 3-1 Astros as I type. Five pitchers have been used so far.

G-Fafif Oct 16 2020 08:11 PM Re: AL Round Two

Game Seven on deck. Go figure.

bmfc1 Oct 17 2020 09:24 AM Re: AL Round Two

Frayed Knot wrote: I may not have the count exactly correct, but I believe each pitching has made 14 visits to the mound so far. And that might have a connection to why it's taken an hour and a half to get to the top of the 4th. 3-1 Astros as I type. Five pitchers have been used so far. 4 hours and one minute (the NL game went 3:45). This is insane. The games might be great and it's not like we're going anywhere these days but The Game has to be fixed. Mound visits, commercials, warmup pitches, stepping in/stepping out, walking off and around the mound--none of those contribute to why we watch and love baseball. (Warmup pitches: it's the same damn mound in the bullpen, just get on the mound throw 3 more, and go. It's not like olden times when the bullpen mound was crap.)

G-Fafif Oct 17 2020 10:07 AM Re: AL Round Two

“...and it's only the third inning!” has become a surefire laugh line in the Fafif household.

batmagadanleadoff Oct 17 2020 11:01 AM Re: AL Round Two

Frayed Knot wrote: I may not have the count exactly correct, but I believe each pitching has made 14 visits to the mound so far. And that might have a connection to why it's taken an hour and a half to get to the top of the 4th. 3-1 Astros as I type. Five pitchers have been used so far. 4 hours and one minute (the NL game went 3:45). This is insane. The games might be great and it's not like we're going anywhere these days but The Game has to be fixed. Mound visits, commercials, warmup pitches, stepping in/stepping out, walking off and around the mound--none of those contribute to why we watch and love baseball. (Warmup pitches: it's the same damn mound in the bullpen, just get on the mound throw 3 more, and go. It's not like olden times when the bullpen mound was crap.) Sometimes, I think that the main reason for today's length of game is batters and pitchers taking too long in between pitches. Just watch an old game from the 70s if you're able to. The pitcher pitches. The catcher catches the pitch and throws it back to the pitcher. And in about 10 seconds, the next pitch is delivered. I'm sure it's 30 or 40 seconds between pitches today. And that's with nobody on base.

Frayed Knot Oct 17 2020 02:11 PM Re: AL Round Two

I honesty thought they had waived the mound visit rule, either for this season or at least for the post-season, based on how many committee meetings I was seeing in the middle of the field. But with so many pitching changes and so many exemptions (pinch-hitters for instance -- Whoa, we knew Lopez was on their roster but we didn't know they were going to USE him) there have been all night parades out to the mound without ever breaching the limits. And a bunch of these pitching changes have come with two outs (a work-around for the three-bstter rule) followed by a quick third out which of course leads to a new break. So that's a mound meeting/pitching change [2-1/2 - 3 minutes]; then 3 or 4 pitches [1-plus]; then the between inning break [3 plus] ... iow, maybe six to seven minutes of clock time to witness three pitches!!

Frayed Knot Oct 17 2020 02:12 PM Re: AL Round Two

I honesty thought they had waived the mound visit rule, either for this season or at least for the post-season, based on how many committee meetings I was seeing in the middle of the field. But with so many pitching changes and so many exemptions (pinch-hitters for instance -- Whoa, we knew Lopez was on their roster but we didn't know they were going to USE him) there have been all night parades out to the mound without ever breaching the limits. And a bunch of these pitching changes have come with two outs (a work-around for the three-batter rule) followed by a quick third out which of course leads to a new break. So that's a mound meeting/pitching change [2-1/2 - 3 minutes]; then 3 or 4 pitches [1-plus]; then the between inning break [3 plus] ... iow, maybe six to seven minutes of clock time to witness three pitches!! That's not a sustainable business model.

Frayed Knot Oct 17 2020 04:33 PM Re: AL Round Two

=batmagadanleadoff post_id=48666 time=1602954073 user_id=68] Sometimes, I think that the main reason for today's length of game is batters and pitchers taking too long in between pitches. Just watch an old game from the 70s if you're able to. The pitcher pitches. The catcher catches the pitch and throws it back to the pitcher. And in about 10 seconds, the next pitch is delivered. I'm sure it's 30 or 40 seconds between pitches today. And that's with nobody on base.

What has struck me about these games is the gap between each AB. You can't always see why but the network seems to have plenty of time to show a replay of the previous AB from six different angles.



I've been thinking about mound meetings as I've watched these games. As a loud proponent of capping the number of vists -- first at six per game and then again when they reduced it to five -- I've got a new proposal: ONE!! No one from the dugout is allowed to the mound more than once per game. EVERY TRIP after that requires a change of pitcher. Don't like that he just threw seven straight out of the zone? .... Tough Shit! You brought him in so live with it or get rid of him. What, are you going to suddenly teach him something that he didn't know the last time you talked to him three minutes earlier?

Catchers and/or infielders could still chat although there'd be a cap on those too and a time limit (30 seconds?) on each confab.

MFS62 Oct 17 2020 05:47 PM Re: AL Round Two

My pet peeve is something that has been happening on telecasts for ages. The batter steps in, takes a pitch. THEN the director calls for a close-up that also shows the player's name and stats - maybe this series, maybe what he has done in the game, maybe both. But it seems that lost in all the babble is that many times the announcers forget to tell us the batter's name until that close -up. With the center field camera(and we can't see the batter's name on the back of his uni), we may never know his name if the he hits the first pitch for an out. The announcers will usually just tell us the name of the fielder. And without a national MLB package, we may never have seen many (if any) games of this team before and would like to know who the f**k these guys are. Why can't they show us the graphics on the first pitch? I'll climb down off my soap box now. Later