2020 MLB (non-Twins) Postseason Discussion Thread

[Sielk]

Well, pulling Snell that early was probably the wrong decision but on the other hand you can say the same thing about this game as you can say about the two Twins postseason games: You will hardly ever win if you can't manage to

score more than one run. Especially not against a lineup as good as the Dodgers' one.

[flpmagikat]

Happy for the Dodgers. They kinda remind me of the Capitals in hockey, where after years of watching an all-time great(Kershaw/OV) and mostly likable supporting cast get close every year, you want to see them get the ring. I'm sure they won't discount the title even if the year is 2020 on it.

[Monkeypaws]

And so Graterol goes from being one of my favorite prospects to World Series winner. I think he will have a long successful career there. The Fox cameras sure loved him tonight.

 

Maeda's performance this year helps ease the sting.

[Sielk]

I cheered for the Rays but I am not unhappy with the Dodgers winning it. In this series you could really see how complete they're as a team. Pitching, hitting, fielding, they have it all. Kinda scary but definitely a deserving WS winner.

 

I am also happy for Clayton Kershaw. A pitcher of his caliber deserves a ring.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Well, pulling Snell that early was probably the wrong decision but on the other hand you can say the same thing about this game as you can say about the two Twins postseason games: You will hardly ever win if you can't manage to

score more than one run. Especially not against a lineup as good as the Dodgers' one.

You say that as if it was a tripod pitching machine installed out there, instead of flesh-and-blood good pitchers.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I don't mind the Dodgers, but I was hoping for a game 7, and I blame the lack of game 7 on Kevin Cash.

 

Yes, the Rays may have lost anyway if they only scored 1 run (although I wonder if Urias would have come into the game if the Dodgers were still trailing).

 

But given how uniquely dominating Snell had been, and how iffy Anderson had been lately, I don't think there was much justification for swapping them at that exact moment. Not that Snell had to stay in the game forever like Jack Morris, but I think he warranted another batter or two, at least.

[Otto von Ballpark]

It will be said that Cash had comparable hooks this postseason. This is true, although in the two most comparable (WC game 1, ALCS game 7), there were 2 outs in the 6th inning, which meant it was an easier job for the reliever -- very important with the 3 batter minimum. Also, WC game 1, Snell got to face the leadoff batter a 3rd time too, to get that second out, and finished at 82 pitches (as compared to 73 last night).

 

Additionally, Nick Anderson had not been sharp recently. Before last night, since the beginning of the ALCS, he was his line:

 

5 G, 7 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 4 BB, 3 Ks, 2 HR, 2 of 6 inherited runners scored

 

That's only 3 K's in 33 PA, a dismal 9% rate in that span. The Rays next "relief ace" Diego Castillo had been a bit better, but not great. I'm not sure I want to commit to either of them getting 2 outs with a 3-batter minimum in that situation.

 

In summation, I think the best move was to continue letting Snell go batter-to-batter -- at least through Betts and likely through the LHB Seager

[mhanson93]

I am glad the series ended last night, even though I was sort of pulling for the Rays (if for nothing more than to just have a game 7).  But, what would game 7 have even looked like with Turner (and maybe others) out for quarantine??  It would have been a serious buzzkill to a pretty well contested series overall.

 

I'm happy that Kershaw pitched well and finally got a ring.  

[insagt1]

Question for those close to the Twins in Minnesota...as many here know I am from Rochester, NY. Few days ago a 'rumor' of sorts started circulating. It said Twins are planning to switch their AAA affiliate to St; Paul and Fresno is being downgraded from AAA. this would leave WAshington with no AAA affiliate...thus making Rochester their reasonable destination. No one is openly talking about this here, but its out there.

Anyone on this site know about this rumor?.

[biggentleben]

 

Analytics may get you to the postseason, but they are not going to win it for you. No way you pull Snell there with 73 pitches....... I mean, he is out there "risking my(his) life"! They are just not going to let him see the lineup a third time. Pitcher's need to fight to stay on the mound when a front office controlled manager comes out there in a situation like this and wants to pull you. If this goes down now how it looks like it will, Cash is never gonna hear the end of it.

 

Anderson, Curtiss, and Graterol must be thankful they are not on the Twins or in the system anymore. They get to play and actually advance in the playoffs - and be in a World Series.

Dodgers are the most analytically-inclined team in the majors, I'd argue.

 

The interview with Buehler and Kershaw after the game asking about Snell being pulled was pretty telling. You could tell they were talking a company line, but both would prefer going out there when they were dominating at 75-80 pitches through 6, but both were pulled at similar numbers.

[biggentleben]

 

 

Question for those close to the Twins in Minnesota...as many here know I am from Rochester, NY. Few days ago a 'rumor' of sorts started circulating. It said Twins are planning to switch their AAA affiliate to St; Paul and Fresno is being downgraded from AAA. this would leave WAshington with no AAA affiliate...thus making Rochester their reasonable destination. No one is openly talking about this here, but its out there.

Anyone on this site know about this rumor?.

You'll hear a lot of stuff this offseason as MLB takes over the minor leagues and reshuffles what was once a very fun entity to follow.

[biggentleben]

I know this is a Twins site, and this includes a player currently on a Twins rival, but if the World Series can have multiple of Mookie Betts, Ronald Acuna Jr., Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., and/or Mike Trout in their final four each year, it'd be very, very good for the game.