2015 MLB Gamethread

[Spudboy]

And at some point a guy makes an adjustment and the numbers go in the other direction. I would almost never take out a great pitcher to replace him with a so-so pitcher based on some Matchup stats. I am not saying never, but the case would have to be compelling. My philosophy is that you let the great pit her finish the inning if he is pitching a good game unless he is clearly gassed.

 

I must say That I was impressed by Pete Rose on Fox last night. At one point he condemned managers for using a pitcher for only "one inning or 1/3 of an inning".

 

The game has changed Pete. But I think I am with you!

[Bellhorn04]

And you saw the result of taking out a big time stud who had been cruising since the second inning who wasn't tired and replacing him with your number 3 bullpen guy based on a small sample of Matchup stats accumulated over a number of seasons. It is a stupid move and he paid.

 

Price was cruising even better in Game 2 of the series. Then the roof caved in in the 7th.

 

There, now I've settled this.

[Bellhorn04]

Still LOLs at starting Kevin Brown in Game 7. Thanks Torre, don't mind if I do.

 

We hear this a lot about the 2004 ALCS - the Yankees ran out of pitching, and all they had left was Kevin Brown.

 

What is sometimes overlooked is that the Sox starter for Game 7, D-Lowe, had a 5.42 ERA that year (compared to 4.09 for Brown) and was originally left out of the postseason rotation. We were desperate too. D-Lowe came up huge when least expected.

[Kimmi]

No more baseball that I care about until April.

 

Really? Are you not interested in the World Series?

[Kimmi]

I must say That I was impressed by Pete Rose on Fox last night. At one point he condemned managers for using a pitcher for only "one inning or 1/3 of an inning".

 

The game has changed Pete. But I think I am with you!

 

I have not been able to listen to the Fox studio guys since they added ARod. Just seeing him makes me sick.

 

The game has changed though. In the postseason, you absolutely use your best relievers for more than one inning. During the regular season, do you risk injury or burn out to them by having them pitch multiple innings throughout the season?

[Kimmi]

Price was cruising even better in Game 2 of the series. Then the roof caved in in the 7th.

 

There, now I've settled this.

 

It's a tough call. Gibbons was criticized for leaving Price in too long in Game 2. Once a runner got on base in that game, as you said, the roof caved in. Gibbons surely had that in his mind when he decided to pull Price. Had Gibbons left Price in and Rios got a hit, you can bet he would have been criticized for not taking Price out.

[Youk Of The Nation]

We hear this a lot about the 2004 ALCS - the Yankees ran out of pitching, and all they had left was Kevin Brown.

 

What is sometimes overlooked is that the Sox starter for Game 7, D-Lowe, had a 5.42 ERA that year (compared to 4.09 for Brown) and was originally left out of the postseason rotation. We were desperate too. D-Lowe came up huge when least expected.

 

Lowe was the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the ALCS, the ALCS clinching game, and the clinching game of the World Series. Who the f*** saw that coming?

[a700hitter]

Price was cruising even better in Game 2 of the series. Then the roof caved in in the 7th.

 

There, now I've settled this.

 

A huge part of the roof caving in in that game was a pop up that Goins let drop in. Those things happen. Without that error, he probably gets through the inning with the lead. In that game, Sanchez also came into the game to pitch to Rios and gave up a hit and an additional run.

[Bellhorn04]

Really? Are you not interested in the World Series?

 

I'm really not that interested at this point, because I don't care very much about either team. I was hoping for the Jays and the Cubs.

 

But I'll probably watch some of the Series.

[Bellhorn04]

A huge part of the roof caving in in that game was a pop up that Goins let drop in. Those things happen. Without that error, he probably gets through the inning with the lead. In that game, Sanchez also came into the game to pitch to Rios and gave up a hit and an additional run.

 

Sanchez was the Jays setup man by the end of the season and was very good in that role with a 2.39 ERA and an .87 WHIP. But the Jays were vulnerable at the back end of the pen, that's for sure.

 

Gibbons taking out Price there can be argued either way. I don't think it was a flat-out bonehead move by any means. Yost bringing in Madson was a different story. That was a bad move that he got away with.

[a700hitter]

Sanchez was the Jays setup man by the end of the season and was very good in that role with a 2.39 ERA and an .87 WHIP. But the Jays were vulnerable at the back end of the pen, that's for sure.

 

Gibbons taking out Price there can be argued either way. I don't think it was a flat-out bonehead move by any means. Yost bringing in Madson was a different story. That was a bad move that he got away with.

I think the Sanchez move was almost as bad as the Madson move. At least, Madson is a veteran. Sanchez is a rookie. I don't care what he did down the stretch. He has a tendency to get wild. He has had command issues throughout the season knocking him from the rotation and resulting in a minor league demotion. Also, in game 2, Rios saw him well and hit him extending the lead and the following inning Sanchez gave up another run putting the game out of reach. He does not yet have the pedigree for a "put your season on the line"situation. If Gibbons was intent on taking out his best pitcher instead of letting him face their #9 hitter who hasn't had a good season in quite a while, then bring in Mark Lowe, who is a veteran with a lot of experience and he has been lights out all season long. Unless Lowe was injured or unavailable, there is no way that he shouldn't have made it into the late innings of a close elimination game. They acquired him for those spots. He hadn't pitched in days. I thought taking out Price for Sanchez was the wrong move in game 2 and game 6. It worked neither time. Edited October 25, 2015 by a700hitter
http://www.talksox.com/forum/editpost.php?p=974444&do=editpost

[Bellhorn04]

I think the Sanchez move was almost as bad as the Madson move. At least, Madson is a veteran. Sanchez is a rookie. I don't care what he did down the stretch. He has a tendency to get wild. He has had command issues throughout the season knocking him from the rotation and resulting in a minor league demotion. Also, in game 2, Rios saw him well and hit him extending the lead and the following inning Sanchez gave up another run putting the game out of reach. He does not yet have the pedigree for a "put your season on the line"situation.

 

The Jays closer Osuna is only 20 - are you saying Gibbons should have stayed away from him too?

[a700hitter]

The Jays closer Osuna is only 20 - are you saying Gibbons should have stayed away from him too?

Osuno did not have the command issues that Sanchez had. His command had been remarkable even for a veteran. Sanchez had had a very spotty year and he was not at the same stage of development as Osuno. Osuno at age 20 is a bit of a freak in his consistency and composure in big spots. You are making a false choice. Osuno was the established closer of that team. As between Sanchez and Lowe, he had to go with Lowe in that spot. It wasn't time for the closer in the 7th inning. Edited October 25, 2015 by a700hitter

[Bellhorn04]

Interesting piece by Verducci on Price tipping his pitches vs. the Royals. Jays commentator Gregg Zaun also made note of the at-bat by Gordon in Game 2 where he laid off all of Price's off-speed pitches. Zaun thought it was signals being stolen.

 

http://www.si.com/mlb/2015/10/24/royals-blue-jays-alcs-clinch-pennant

[GomesBeard]

I'll watch all of the games, since I am in the NY metro area and Mets fever is pretty high - as is the load currently on the bandwagon. And I have to say I am rooting for the Mets, as I am not a Royals fan at all, so much so that my normal 'root for the AL rep in the WS' attitude is gone. I guess I am over the '86 WS loss....! Would like to see if the Big 4 Mets pitchers can continue their run, as well as Daniel 'Barry Bonds' Murphy....

[Youk Of The Nation]

Leadoff inside-the-park homerun in Game 1. That's pretty cool.

[Northern Star]

So there are reports that Volquez's father died today, and he might not know and they're letting him pitch? This is insane if true.

[a700hitter]

Grandy with a home run for a 2-1 lead.

[a700hitter]

So there are reports that Volquez's father died today, and he might not know and they're letting him pitch? This is insane if true.

 

I hope that is not true.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Colon is in. I really want this bloated greasy monstrosity to be the one to blow the game. Come on Royals.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Royals win!!! 3 more baby!

[Palodios]

I really hate Colon. Glad he got the L today. I really don't want him to get a ring.

[GomesBeard]

I really hate Colon. Glad he got the L today. I really don't want him to get a ring.

 

Hey, he may be pitching for the Sox next year so.....

 

Good game last night. Disappointed at the outcome but expect the Mets to bounce back with their best pitcher going tonight. But this bodes well for a good Series, with lots of lead changes and excitement, not counting TV outages.... Wasn't disappointed to lose Buck and Reynolds for a time.

[GomesBeard]

So there are reports that Volquez's father died today, and he might not know and they're letting him pitch? This is insane if true.

 

Apparently the family requested he not be told until after he pitched. What an awkward spot to put the team in.....

[Palodios]

Hey, he may be pitching for the Sox next year so.....

.

 

They wouldn't take him back after the s*** he pulled in 2008. I'd also quit my job and move back to Boston so I can picket outside of Fenway full time.

[Bellhorn04]

Really? Are you not interested in the World Series?

 

OK, forget I said that. I'm interested. Last night's game was wild.

[Spudboy]

So nice to see Cespedes f*** up the first play of the game.

 

Typical.

[Kimmi]

OK, forget I said that. I'm interested. Last night's game was wild.

 

Now that they have you reeled back in, the rest of the series will probably be boring.

 

It was a great game last night. The Royals, once again, showed their resiliency.

 

I'm really glad that the Royals were able to win that game for Volquez.

[Bellhorn04]

Tonight is the Hair Game.

[VA Sox Fan]

Grandy with a home run for a 2-1 lead.

 

You may as well have said "The GrandyMan can" like the douchebag John Sterling. f*** the Mets! GO KC!!!!