2019 MLB (Non-Twins) Postseason Discussion Thread

[Otto von Ballpark]

Here's thread for general (non-Twins) 2019 MLB postseason discussion!

[Otto von Ballpark]

Tonight (Tuesday Oct. 1), NL Wild Card Game

 

Milwaukee Brewers at Washington Nationals

 

Time: 7:08 CST

TV: TBS (and MLB.TV for international viewers?)

Radio: ESPN or MLB At Bat

 

Nationals roster -- only 5 relievers, but 3 starting pitchers in addition to Scherzer:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/nationals-wild-card-roster-features-only-5-relievers.html

 

Brewers roster:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/brewers-wild-card-roster-includes-lorenzo-cain.html

[Mike Sixel]

I predict the Nationals, but I don't have a lot of faith in that....

[Vanimal46]

Ironically I'm in Washington DC on an east coast work trip. Philly yesterday, DC today, NYC Thursday. The city looks pretty lively for the game tonight. Might sneak down near the stadium to have a beer and watch on TV.

[Puckett34]

Give me the Brew Crew tonight. For reasons only because I want a Milwaukee/Minnesota World Series.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

 

Give me the Brew Crew tonight. For reasons only because I want a Milwaukee/Minnesota World Series.

AMEN!

[wavedog]

I was somewhat surprised to see Tyler Austin is on the Milwaukee Roster and made active for this game.     Washington has 3 former Twins - Dozier, Suzuki and Rodney. 

[ashbury]

I was somewhat surprised to see Tyler Austin is on the Milwaukee Roster and made active for this game.     Washington has 3 former Twins - Dozier, Suzuki and Rodney. 

The last position player on someone's roster, which I assume Austin to be, won't be an all-star of course. But if you look past his low batting average, half of his base hits have been for extra bases, and he's shown a willingness/ability to induce a walk. In the right situation, presumably against a lefty, either of those two profiles might be their best chance.

[Mike Sixel]

The internet is ripping the Nats manager for starting Sherzer. Really? He started one of the best pitchers in baseball, and that's a mistake?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

AMEN!

Why do I not trust you.

[Mr. Brooks]

The internet is ripping the Nats manager for starting Sherzer. Really? He started one of the best pitchers in baseball, and that's a mistake?

What is the basis of the criticism?

[big dog]

He’s had three pretty mortal-looking starts in a row and is coming off an injury.

[big dog]

Or at least that’s all true. I assume that is some of the basis, along with internet second-guessing.

[Danchat]

Wow, that error by Grisham was a massive blunder. Washington suddenly went from down 2 to just 3 outs away from victory.

[Diesel]

That’s a pretty brutal way to end a season. Yikes

[Mike Sixel]

I feel bad for that guy

[big dog]

Yeah, very tough. Tried hard to make a play, missed the ball. I hope he gets another chance to perform in next year’s playoffs.

[AlwaysinModeration]

I feel bad for that guy

That was my son’s immediate reaction.

[SwainZag]

 

That was my son’s immediate reaction.

 

Not only that but the entire Brewer's team and fanbase.  I can't imagine if say....Rosario made that same blunder.  Yikes.  

 

Either way, good for the Nats.  They fought to the end and beat a damn good one in Hader, even with his down year, to move on.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Why do I not trust you.

so what, I’m a sleeper agent? Playing the long game for 6 years of some of the worst baseball in history? Even I don’t have the fortitude for that one

[Richie the Rally Goat]

A’s and Rays tonight. Who are you rooting for? I kinda lean Tampa, but I would be happy with either.

[TFRazor]

 

The internet is ripping the Nats manager for starting Sherzer. Really? He started one of the best pitchers in baseball, and that's a mistake?

It's also the internet so the stupid quotient is quite high

[Puckett34]

 

Give me the Brew Crew tonight. For reasons only because I want a Milwaukee/Minnesota World Series.

Ooof. This aged poorly

[Puckett34]

 

A’s and Rays tonight. Who are you rooting for? I kinda lean Tampa, but I would be happy with either.

I'd like the A's to win this one. Think they have a better shot at taking down the Astros.

[TFRazor]

 

A’s and Rays tonight. Who are you rooting for? I kinda lean Tampa, but I would be happy with either.

I think I have to go with the A's. Old pal Robbie Grossman making it into the playoffs. Always liked him. Glad to see he's doing well elsewhere. Also, even though I didn't keep up with him over the season, saw Dozier's stats last night and he had a solid year. Was just happy that he wasn't done after last season.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

so what, I’m a sleeper agent? Playing the long game for 6 years of some of the worst baseball in history? Even I don’t have the fortitude for that one

That is... what I would expect you to say!

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

The internet is ripping the Nats manager for starting Sherzer. Really? He started one of the best pitchers in baseball, and that's a mistake?

 

 

What is the basis of the criticism?

 

Scherzer had been pretty mediocre since his back issues cropped up midseason: 8 GS, 43 IP, 4.81 ERA, 3.75 FIP. Hasn't completed 7 innings since July 6.

 

Meanwhile, Strasburg has been great down the stretch -- 1.76 ERA, 2.90 FIP, 51 IP in his last 8 starts.

 

Plus Strasburg was fully rested, and they had him on the WC roster and were apparently planning to use him first out of the pen anyway. (And Strasburg was pretty incredible in 2017, his previous/primary postseason work - 2 GS, 14 IP, 0 R, 0.643 WHIP, 22 Ks -- while Scherzer's been more of a mixed bag in his -- albeit more extensive -- postseason career.)

 

Not that starting Scherzer is really wrong, but I can definitely see a non-hindsight argument for starting Strasburg and giving Scherzer some extra rest instead.

Edited October 2, 2019 by spycake

[Otto von Ballpark]

In fairness to Grisham, once that hit dropped, the game was tied for sure and likely already lost for the Brewers, regardless of his error. Would have been runners on 1st and 3rd, I think, with Kendrick due up, Hader cooked, and no one of note remaining in the Brewers pen. (While the Nationals still had Hudson and of course Corbin if they game went to extras.)

[Otto von Ballpark]

Tonight (Wednesday Oct. 2), AL Wild Card Game

 

Tampa Bay Rays at Oakland Athletics

 

Time: 7:09 CST

TV: ESPN (and MLB.TV for international viewers)

Radio: ESPN or MLB At Bat

Edited October 2, 2019 by spycake

[Otto von Ballpark]

Remember when Liam Hendriks was the surprise "opener" for the A's in last year's wild card game?

 

Now he's the A's closer, so he can relax for the first few innings.