2020 MLB (non-Twins) Postseason Discussion Thread

[Otto von Ballpark]

If you don’t like bullpen games, you may want to tune in tonight — two actual starting pitchers! No guarantee we will see that later in the series...

[sampleSizeOfOne]

I think am kind rooting for Atlanta, just 'cause of the dominant pitching. 

 

And a little bit 'cause i like biggentleben's contributions here.

[USAFChief]

Graterol comes into the game in the 6th with 2 on, 0 out. 7 pitches later (including a K), inning over, runners never budge. Effortless 100 mph.

[biggentleben]

 

Graterol comes into the game in the 6th with 2 on, 0 out. 7 pitches later (including a K), inning over, runners never budge. Effortless 100 mph.

I hope Huascar gets to make a positive contribution to the series as well at some point...

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I think am kind rooting for Atlanta, just 'cause of the dominant pitching. 

Up until last night, Atlanta's dominant postseason pitching had been against some pretty poor hitting clubs.

 

But if they can keep shutting down the Dodgers lineup, that could be a true sign of quality.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Tuesday Oct. 13

 

5:05 pm CDT

NLCS Game 2

ATL at LAD (ATL leads 1-0)

Ian Anderson vs Tony Gonsolin

TV: FS1

 

7:40 pm CDT

ALCS Game 3

TB at HOU (TB leads 2-0)

Ryan Yarbrough vs Jose Urquidy

TV: TBS

[Otto von Ballpark]

Big story tonight is that Clayton Kershaw is out due to back spasms.

 

Although the Dodgers replacement starter Tony Gonsolin is pretty good, with a good story too:

"Tony Gonsolin’s ‘clear talent’ to go from undrafted outfielder to impact starter"

https://theathletic.com/2112733/2020/10/05/tony-gonsolins-clear-talent-to-go-from-undrafted-outfielder-to-impact-starter/

[USAFChief]

One thing I really like about this year's postseason...the division and league championship series are played more like the regular season, without off days. Teams are forced into using their entire pitching staffs. Bench players are likely to appear.

 

I dont like teams getting to use only a portion of their pitching in the postseason. That's not a true indication of which team is better, IMO.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

One thing I really like about this year's postseason...the division and league championship series are played more like the regular season, without off days. Teams are forced into using their entire pitching staffs. Bench players are likely to appear.

I dont like teams getting to use only a portion of their pitching in the postseason. That's not a true indication of which team is better, IMO.

It's an interesting look for sure, but I think I prefer the contrast of two different tests -- the regular season testing depth, the postseason testing more top-end talent (among the teams that survive the regular season test). Within reason -- I never liked the random off days between game 1 of 2 of the DS round, for example, which have fortunately been eliminated in recent seasons. But I love the way Madison Bumgarner was used in 2014 -- which wasn't just "start him a lot" either, they got creative with using him at the end. Morton and Corbin are other starters used out of the pen in recent game 7's too (with Gerrit Cole warming up last year as well).

 

There's been a bit of creativity this postseason -- the Rays starting Glasnow on 2 days rest vs Cole on 3 days rest was interesting. Although it's all sort of morphing into extreme "bullpenning" which is tedious at times. Especially as the series aren't staying particularly close, outside of the Rays-Yankees ALDS -- did anyone really want to see 17 pitchers throw in a 12-3 game to complete the Dodgers sweep of the Padres?

 

Expanded bench is cool, though -- hopefully 2021 will keep that, but put a more reasonable roster limit on pitchers.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Dodgers last night almost pulled off an incredible comeback -- down 8-2 at the start of the 9th, they came within 8-7 with the tying run at third before falling short. Now down 2-0 in the series so today's game is huge for them.

 

This might make me a bad person, but I might also be an Astros fan for the next few days too, to make the ALCS a little more interesting with the Rays up 3-0.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Wednesday Oct. 14

 

Exact same schedule as yesterday!

 

5:05 pm CDT

NLCS Game 3

LAD at ATL (ATL leads 2-0)

Julio Urias vs Kyle Wright

TV: FS1

 

7:40 pm CDT

ALCS Game 4

TB at HOU (TB leads 3-0)

Tyler Glasnow vs Zack Greinke

TV: TBS

[Vanimal46]

One underrated aspect of the postseason I love... Jose Altuve is going full Chuck Knoblauch at 2B. It’s a delight to see him throw 5 feet before it hits the dirt.

 

https://twitter.com/asterisktour/status/1316207249958883333?s=21

[LVTwinsfan]

One underrated aspect of the postseason I love... Jose Altuve is going full Chuck Knoblauch at 2B. It’s a delight to see him throw 5 feet before it hits the dirt.

 

https://twitter.com/asterisktour/status/1316207249958883333?s=21

When he made his second error of the game, I said, “He’s Chuck Knoblauch!”

[ashbury]

The Yips is not something I would wish on any competitive athlete. I took no pleasure with Knoblauch and I don't have anything but sympathy now.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Thursday, Oct. 15

 

Dodgers and Astros did their jobs last night, and made each series more interesting!

 

Game times flipped today, and a return to free TV.

 

4:07 pm CDT

ALCS Game 5

TB at HOU (TB leads 3-1)

John Curtiss vs Luis Garcia

TV: TBS

 

7:08 pm CDT

NLCS Game 4

LAD at ATL (ATL leads 2-1)

Clayton Kershaw vs Bryse Wilson

TV: FOX

[Otto von Ballpark]

Now that starters have been announced, I missed this observation:

 

The 4 PM game features TB, starting pitcher TBA, broadcast on TBS.

[LVTwinsfan]

The Yips is not something I would wish on any competitive athlete. I took no pleasure with Knoblauch and I don't have anything but sympathy now.

I have no sympathy for any of the Astros cheaters.

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

The Astros look like more of a threat after coming back to take the last 2 games, but I still think the Rays can handle them in the next 2.

 

One of the MLB.com writers had a good point that since the Dodgers had their 11-run inning in the top of the 1st as the "road" team, they plausibly could have pulled Urías back before he threw a pitch. It would have been a strange move, but they'd have had their pitching lined up better for the rest of a series where they'd still need to come back from behind.

 

My favorite outcome with the remaining teams would be a Rays-Dodgers World Series but doubting now that the second half of that will come to pass...

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

One of the MLB.com writers had a good point that since the Dodgers had their 11-run inning in the top of the 1st as the "road" team, they plausibly could have pulled Urías back before he threw a pitch.

I think the 3 batter minimum applies to starting pitchers too:

 

"The starting pitcher or any substitute pitcher is required to pitch to a minimum of three consecutive batters"

 

https://baseballrulesacademy.com/official-rule/mlb/5-10-substitutions-and-pitching-changes-including-visits-to-the-mound/

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

The Astros look like more of a threat after coming back to take the last 2 games, but I still think the Rays can handle them in the next 2.

Interestingly, the Astros took a 2-0 lead over the Rays in their 2019 ALDS matchup, but the Rays won the next to force a decisive game 5 (Astros ultimately prevailed, unfortunately).

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

 

I think the 3 batter minimum applies to starting pitchers too:

 

"The starting pitcher or any substitute pitcher is required to pitch to a minimum of three consecutive batters"

 

https://baseballrulesacademy.com/official-rule/mlb/5-10-substitutions-and-pitching-changes-including-visits-to-the-mound/

 

I would have thought it didn't apply if the starter hadn't taken the field yet, but hmmm, maybe. Would it apply to the starter just because he was on the lineup card?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I would have thought it didn't apply if the starter hadn't taken the field yet, but hmmm, maybe. Would it apply to the starter just because he was on the lineup card?

Yup. It's not a new rule either, it's just been extended to 3. The old rule was that a pitcher had to face 1 batter, even starting pitchers:

 

https://sports.stackexchange.com/a/13989

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

 

Yup. It's not a new rule either, it's just been extended to 3. The old rule was that a pitcher had to face 1 batter, even starting pitchers:

 

https://sports.stackexchange.com/a/13989

 

Thanks! I'm not surprised I didn't know that but I'm a little surprised MLB's official site ran an article whose whole premise was ignoring that rule.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Thanks! I'm not surprised I didn't know that but I'm a little surprised MLB's official site ran an article whose whole premise was ignoring that rule.

If you have the link, I'd be interested to see that article.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Friday, October 16

 

Likely our last day of multiple baseball games this year, unless both Houston and Los Angeles win tonight.

 

5:07 pm CDT

ALCS Game 6

HOU at TB (TB leads 3-2)

Framber Valdez vs Blake Snell

TV: TBS

 

8:08 pm CDT

NLCS Game 5

LAD at ATL (ATL leads 3-1)

Dustin May vs AJ Minter

TV: FS1

[Danchat]

The Astros have jumped out to a 4-1 lead... I thought the Rays would be fine, but I have to wonder if Houston has what it takes to pull off the massive upset after being down 3-0.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I’m really disappointed Cash pulled Snell. Sorry but no, the game is not “on the line” in the top of the 5th.

 

So here’s the memo if you didn’t get the first one. Stop pulling your best pitchers out of the game before it’s necessary. Particularly if it’s before or after a proclaimed “bullpen” game.

 

cc: Rocco Baldelli, Derek Falvey, Thad Levine

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

The Astros have jumped out to a 4-1 lead... I thought the Rays would be fine, but I have to wonder if Houston has what it takes to pull off the massive upset after being down 3-0.

I think they do have what it takes. They have something to prove after the scandal came to light. I think as of this moment they are in the drivers seat now.

[h2oface]

That shift against Springer killed Tampa that inning. Classic. In special times the percentages don't work. Baker went against the "new book" and left Greinke in the other night.... went with his money pitcher, his cy young pitcher..... and it started this three game run. 

 

How ironic would it be for the cheatin ass-tros to get into the world series? the cheaters Manfred didn't punish. I bet they have learned their lesson, eh? Didn't even have to get booed at empty stadiums all season, and they could be rewarded with a trip to the World Series after not even having to accomplish a .500 record in the regular season.

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

 

If you have the link, I'd be interested to see that article.

It's here:

https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-braves-pitching-for-rest-of-nlcs

 

BUT! there's been an amendment:

"Note: In the original version of this column, I suggested Urías be pulled before throwing a pitch, mistakenly assuming the three-batter minimum would not apply if he had not yet taken the mound. However, because Urías was on the lineup card, he was required to face three batters. The column has been updated accordingly.)"