MLB 2017 Playoffs
Since I couldn't really quickly find the old MLB thread (think there was one at some point), I'd start this one specifically for the 2017 playoffs. Anyone watching?
It's interesting to me how much players reactions seem to be changing with them jumping up and down and reacting on the field. Last night, during the Cleveland-New York game, I watched Lindor catch a routine pop-up with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the like the 5th inning and after he caught it, you'd of thought they just won the world series the way he was smacking his glove and screaming in excitement. I'm not knocking him showing some emotion but it's interesting to me to think about to say 10 or maybe even like 5 years ago and I don't think I recall seeing so much players emotions on the field during the any part of the game.
Either way, some entertaining series so far.
Comments
Yanks - Indians series has been great - finally got a good pitching game! I'm still a big Terry Francona fan and if the Sox can't win would love to see him take it all this year.
Plus now we get home field advantage. That big dude for NY is something else....CC Sabathia? When he charged at that pop up bunt with all of his 300 lb girth and slid on one knee...
As for Kluber, I was surprised at how ineffective he was. He actually has "it". Last year he pitched the Indians to the World Series. He only lost Game 7 because Francona over pitched him.
Regardless, the Yankees were incredible this series. Especially after the collapse in Game 2 along with Girardi's major gaffe. Not many teams, especially young ones like the Yanks this year, can overcome such a demoralizing loss. Tanaka's clutch performance really was the turn of the series.
@Aww_PHuuCk, can't say I knock Francona for going with Bauer on short rest. Granted I don't follow Cleveland so I don't know too much about Bauer but obviously in Game 1, he was fantastic. So going back to him for Game 4, knowing that you have game 5 in Cleveland with Kluber going, it's sort of house money you're playing with at that time. Yes, you'd prefer to win Game 4 but worse case you have to think that you're going to have a excellent chance to win Game 5 at home with Kluber. Additionally, Bauer's defense did let him down. But I am also a believer that part of pitching is picking up your teammates when they make an error and the error that the 3rd basemen made was a ball that was rocketed to him so if they called it a hit, I wouldn't have been shocked. But after that, Bauer had to minimize the damage which he wasn't able to do. And watching that game, I think some of the Yankee hitters finally realized that they just need to look for the curve and swing away at it since the curve was clearly Bauer's money pitch that game.
To me, the series came down to Cleveland's defense letting them down as well as the Yankees controlling Lindor and Ramirez. Much can be said for Cleveland owning Judge but the Yankees pitching did the same to a lot of the Cleveland hitters as well. I think bullpen wise, each time just wiped the other one out with their impressive bullpens and the difference is really that Bird HR off of Miller. Although, as I was watching last night, had Cleveland been able to tie it up in the 9th, I wonder where they go to as the key pieces of Cleveland's bullpen had already pitched. But, obviously, you're objective is to at least hold the score in order to tie it up or take the lead and then worry about the rest of the game as it unfolds.
We're in for a hell of a 9th inning. Geez Cubbies get an insurance run please.
POSTGAME EDIT: Wtf. How the Cubs held on with a bullpen only running on piss for fuel at that point, is beyond me.
All I know is I utterly hate how Maddon manages a bullpen in do-or-die playoff games. It's like he's trying to sabotage the Cubs, but the players are too stubborn to let his dastardly plans come to pass.
this bullpen needs to get sorted though. Got some lucky close calls. going to be hard to win a 7 game series against any of the teams left if they dont stop walking people.
I guess we'll just have to get used to it in baseball too.
And the fan made a sweet catch!
My stars and garters, could you imagine how violent Wrigley would've been if Grandy hit a home run?
going to need Quintana and Lester to throw gems. Especially since Davis ain’t pitching game 5 with that pitch count.
Cubs cannot continue to walk hitters and expect to win.
only upside is if they can get Playoff Kershaw next game and blow him up for 7-8 runs then go back to Wrigley against a beatable Hill.
however a game 7 against Darvish, ouch. Not looking good.