scs1918

Just an observation The oddest thing for the playoffs so far was how public the Dodgers wanted to be with the BEST player Ohtani about trying to get him OUT OF the lineup. Dave Roberts was very vocal about how he was going to sit down with Ohtani( the face of the franchise if not baseball) and talk to him about sitting out. Then I heard from TV broadcasters that executives( plural?!) were also a part of this meeting to bench Ohtani more or less. I am not sure what baseball the Dodgers management was watching but the lineup, minus Tucker, could barely hit the Braves and could not hit the Brewers. Why make Ohtani the focal point?? I mean put him 6th or 7th and end it. You have been winning recently because guys like Kiki play way above their pay grade in the playoffs and IKF got a horrible jump and not great slide to home and we found out later the Blue Jays as a whole organization don't like to lead off of 3rd base too far. Finally, not sure why they wanted to( IMO) embarrass Ohtani. Good for you Ohtani to hit a 3 run bomb and give your team a 4 run cushion for your team to then blow. Just an observation

I think it is trust and time. I told my daughter, I compared Gray's frustration with Bergeron from the Bruins a few years back. Bruins had an all time season and lost in the first round. For a lot of dumb reasons. They play that series a 100 times they win 99. Bergy and Kreji both retired. My daughter was sad because she thought they could do it again the next year. My point: the season is a marathon. Playoffs are a blink of an eye. Sports and age seasons end. With Gray when you are close to the end of your career I am sure it is very hard to wrap your mind around how fast the playoffs just happened and how long the season just was. Truthfully, you were in command of that game. Furthermore, it MUST REALLY SUCK when you are not on the same page as your manager/GM. To get Grey back there will need to have a serious conversation between Breslow/Tracy and Gray. About how that can't happen again especially when NUMBERS dictate Gray is going to improve next time around the lineup. Bottom line you will never have that moment back when you were in a the middle of a career year.

My least favorite moment came when Schitter was waving his glove and ball on the mound at home plate. Literally no one knew what was happening expect for the resident genius Joe Girardi, who said "that is the universal I need a new ball sign" What??? I forgot how much I can't stand Girardi and HIs Yankee BS

When are the playoff rosters due? Not that Breslow or Tracy cared but I wanted to go with the veteran spinner for Game 1 and come back with our future ace in gm 2 to close out the series:)

I had to look it up: Aug '87 Seitzer actually got 6 hits in one game, only 8 for the weekend. Memories...

Yes, the top 2 teams are definitely not picking to play the Sox. Maybe you should submit that playoff thought during the CBAs next year.

This post made me look at current MLB stadiums. I came across a top 30 article from someone who recently visited all 30. The author's bottom two were minor league fields the A's and Steinbrenner field. His first actual MLB was White Sox which I guess is called Rate field as his worst. Unfortunately, he didn't include Tampa's stadium. Kaufman rated bad too but I like its visuals and I used to hate that field with Astro turf everything except that fountain. I still have nightmares of Kevin Seitzer. The series he got 10 or 12 hits off of the Sox. I still think any stadium that has cat walks that affect play is the worst. My memory tells me both hitters that hit the cat walks scored. One was the game winner.

Just throwing this out there about yesterday's game: Sandoval had a tough 1st inning, but I wonder what Jax would have looked like if the home plate umpire didn't call four pitches that were balls strikes . It is really hard to use the ABS challenge on the first pitch of the game and 4 of the first 10? As for who gets in the starting lineup against game 1 NYY RH. I like Gasper with the short porch and the more disciplined approach. Truthfully, I would love to see Gasper get some fastballs, not that he will. Finally, we have hit a tough spot with this offense, but for me on September 1st we were the 2nd Wild Card end of story no home game second year in a row we are going to Yankee Stadium. Who's to say another 2011 collapse wasn't out of the picture but not likely. I feel we have rested a lot of hitters who may have played if we were pushing for home field.

Is this the worst stadium in the MLB ?

Right now he reminds me of ALCS 2004 Varitek trying to catch Wakefield.

Watching one of the Texas games, I heard Merloni or Millar say that Anthony used the phrase," hit like a leadoff hitter" when he was talking about his hitting. For me, I think Roman is thinking like a contact hitter just trying to put a ball in play. Which would be a very different swing than someone looking to do damage.

First, a three game series is ridiculous. It should be a best of 5 at minimum. Second, I feel good about their chance for the same reason others have stated we have a really good defense and have 3 top starters and 3 top relievers. Of course we have to play the two other top teams before the ALCS even starts. Side note: if you are Texas you have to feel really good about playing not only for the playoffs but for a BYE and only having to beat one of TB, NY, or Bos if you get to the ALCS. Houck is a big time pitcher that could really give the Sox a big boost. Not as much if someone gets hot with a homer or two. I feel the Sox have done the right thing and are getting everyone well in September they had no where to go they were the 2nd WC team. Finally, we go where our pitchers take us. We beat NY in the best of 3(75%) we have a great chance of going to the Series. TB (75%). ALCS(95%). Getting to the Series 75%. Winning the World Series I can't see it but would love to witness it. Less than 10% is probably right. I really like how Tracy/Bailey have manage Tolle and Bennett's load and feel go about them.

For me, the Sox best lineup is Anthony in LF and Gasper playing DH against shitter and Cole. Assuming Anthony gets on track in two weeks. I agree Duran is a better defender, but I feel the teams' best ABs are coming from Gasper. I would like to know where exactly to hit Adley in this lineup. My thought is 7-9.

Now we know we are playing best of 3 at Yankee stadium. I see Tolle and Gray as starters for game 1 and 2. It may be Tolle to start us out. In the next 25 games who do we think is going to be the third starter ??? Good and bad with today's game: Bad we don't have a chance at a home game in first round of playoffs. Which should be a best of 5, stupid you play 162 games to do best of 3? They did that in NBA forever ago and they played an 82 game schedule. Good we can take our time with the lineup and the innings and days off for the pitchers.

I heard it was 10 days during the NESN 1st game coverage. Of course, Sept 1st might have a sub text to it? If Tracy is batting Anthony lead off vs RHP does that mean he is sitting vs. LH if Jones will bat leadoff? I can't see Anthony playing defense right now?? It may be just me but I just want to see him play for 1 week.