ALDS Game Thread

JCizzle

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Bat flips are going to be amazing next year. Can't put the genie back in the bottle after cespedes and Bautista have two of the best ever within days of each other.
 

Al Zarilla

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E5 Yaz said:
 
True, but Houston has better starting pitching
I am conflict. 
 
Smoltz reaching a little saying these teams are helping the football teams in their towns, who aren't playing very well. Takes pressure off them. I suppose.
 

Gdiguy

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SemperFidelisSox said:
Dyson needs to understand that kids aren't playing Wiffle ball anymore because they see the sport as boring. They're inside playing Call of Duty or watching football. The league needs more exciting players like Bautista and Harper showing emotion and flipping bats, not less. That kind of stuff should be encouraged.
 
My ONLY issue with Bautista is that it wasn't jumping around excited (which I have no issue with at all), but it did come off a bit more 'suck it!' than 'oh my god I just hit a crazy home run I'm so excited!!!'... I completely agree that the latter we need more of, but the former I don't really love. Especially when there isn't really any bad blood (whereas Cespedes' flip on Monday definitely had some response to Utley's slide in it).
 
Having said that, though, I think there are much bigger things to worry about in baseball than that bat flip
 

staz

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The cradle of the game.
Before this season, HOU lost 92, 111, 107 and 106 games. KC lost 97, 100, (79), 104, 106, 100, 93 from '02-'07.

So whoever advances, more power to them.
 

jon abbey

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Yes, the final KC/TOR game this year had a lot of bad blood and some awesome quotes after.
 

BigPapiLumber Co.

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drleather2001 said:
I mean, the problem with showmanship is that it threatens to emphasize the player over the team; the individual moment over the game being played. But in some cases, the moment is just huge for the team and the fans. In those rare occasions, I don't see what's wrong with some oomph.
 
This is very well said and captures my baseball (and sports generally) ethos nicely.
 

jon abbey

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Not sure I'd want to sign Zobrist to a 3-4 year deal, but he always seems to deliver when needed.
 

Al Zarilla

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Gdiguy said:
 
My ONLY issue with Bautista is that it wasn't jumping around excited (which I have no issue with at all), but it did come off a bit more 'suck it!' than 'oh my god I just hit a crazy home run I'm so excited!!!'... I completely agree that the latter we need more of, but the former I don't really love. Especially when there isn't really any bad blood (whereas Cespedes' flip on Monday definitely had some response to Utley's slide in it).
 
Having said that, though, I think there are much bigger things to worry about in baseball than that bat flip
Cespedes comes across to me as a guy who lives in his own I'm all for myself world. I could be far, far wrong. 
 

mauidano

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jon abbey said:
The more bat flipping and fist pumping, the better IMO. If you don't like it, do your job better.
Nailed it.  Dyson is not really in a position to be calling out Jose.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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KC is the better match up for Toronto because KC's overall pitching, including the bullpen, is better than Houston's staff.  People look at the starting staffs without regard for the fact that most starters go six or seven innings in the playoffs because the opposing line-ups are better, there are no throw-way ABs and every out of every series carries way more weight.  Houston may have some better starters but their bullpen was weak for the month of September and they have no one who can throw gas.
 

Stu Nahan

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BoSox Rule said:
Anybody upset at Bautista is a moron
Don't talk about David Price like that. Oh, wait. That only applies when it's Ortiz homering off him or Chris Archer. Get the batter out or shut up. It's very simple.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Wait, Bautista's bat flip is a point of contention?  Really?  I mean, given the moment and what it meant for the Blue Jays, how could anyone not understand the emotion there.  It was fucking awesome.  
 
Furthermore, I (and this isn't necessarily a good thing) watch far too much high school and travel baseball.  Kids are doing bat flips after drawing random walks in the midst of scrimmages.  I don't really agree with those but the reality is that this is how the game is played in 2015.  It may not be how you learned to play baseball but its definitely a part of the sport in many circles these days.  And most of it is harmless and fun.  Bautista's flip was pure joy.
 

rembrat

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I'ma let you finish but Manny had one of the greatest photographed walk offs of all time!
 

patinorange

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rembrat said:

 
I'ma let you finish but Manny had one of the greatest photographed walk offs of all time!
Papi is not a huge bat flipper, but I'm guessing he might still be at home admiring his shot in the same situation. It's only annoying when someone does it down or up 4 or 5 runs in a meaningless game. Post season? Huge situation. Let it rip.
 

rembrat

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patinorange said:
Papi is not a huge bat flipper, but I'm guessing he might still be at home admiring his shot in the same situation. It's only annoying when someone does it down or up 4 or 5 runs in a meaningless game. Post season? Huge situation. Let it rip.
 
Papi pulls out the FU bat flip when he's pissed. The O's and Rays have gotten it.