October Game Thread

Green (Tongued) Monster

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Not sure if there is going to be a postseason game thread or not, so please move this if necessary.

I just saw the projected starters for the Bal-Tor WC game and I have no idea what Gibbons is doing. Why is he starting Stroman and his 7.04 ERA against Baltimore when Liriano is more rested, just dominated the O's lineup last Wednesday, and the O's tend to struggle against LH pitching?

I know it should not matter who wins this game from a Boston fan's perspective, but I cannot stand the O's and will have a heavy rooting interest against them on Tuesday night. Gibbons just made things a lot tougher on me and a lot easier on the O's. Shit.

Edit: 7.04 ERA - stats not updated to include last weeks start. Point still stands.
 
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Al Zarilla

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That in no way excuses Gibbons' decision.

Tillman pitched ok last Wednesday against them. And this is not making me feel better.
I think I've seen more respect, or fear for the Blue Jays as a potential ALCS foe in these threads than I've seen for the O's. So, you're probably in the minority. There might be someone who likes the oriole bird more than the blue jay bird though.
 

Green (Tongued) Monster

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I think I've seen more respect, or fear for the Blue Jays as a potential ALCS foe in these threads than I've seen for the O's. So, you're probably in the minority. There might be someone who likes the oriole bird more than the blue jay bird though.
I know I am in the minority and agree that the Jays are a more complete team than the O's, especially with the emergence of Sanchez. Too bad they may not get a chance to use him because of a strange managerial decision. I would think more people would be hoping for a Tor-Tex rematch for the drama alone.

I work in Maryland with a bunch of poseur O's fans, so anything that can shut them up is great for me. Go Jays!
 

Stanley Steamer

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It's hard to know who to fear more in a match up, but the least of the Sox worries right now. I agree that I was leaning towards starting Liriano, given his recent success and the Os profile against LHP, yet I don't think Gibbons is crazy putting Stroman out there. He's a tad uneven, but can be quite dominant on his day. In any case, I'd have the other guy ready to pitch in the event one flamed out early.
 

bob burda

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The Jays are indeed the better team over the full season, but they don't have Playoff Buck or Britton. If the O's get a late lead, you are probably getting Britton for the 4-6 out save. I want no part of them.
 

E5 Yaz

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I think Toronto takes care of the Orioles. There's power on both teams, but I think the Blue Jays' power guys are better hitters (Machado the exception). And in a one-game situation on a turf field, Baltimore's outfield defense could be a liability.
 

JohntheBaptist

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Yeah I'm going with Toronto. They're at home, they're better, they did it last year, and yeah I think defense is worth noting considering neither of these SP are holding either offense down too much. That said--Tillman had the better ERA, but a FIP nearly a half-run worse, while Stroman had the mid-4 ERA with a FIP nearly a half-run better.

Should be a fun game, they're pretty evenly matched; Britton is the big ace in the game ultimately I think. Pressure's on Toronto to take a lead early.
 

jon abbey

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Tough call, I like the back of BAL's bullpen more but I think home field matters. There's a reason we call it the coin-flip playoff game, the purgatory before the real playoffs start... :)
 

Average Reds

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This unfortunately is false. These horrible fans will pack Camden for playoff games and do their stupid chant louder than ever. They will support their team, but only in the playoffs.
The only time that Baltimore ever properly supported the Os was in the window after the Senators moved and before the Nats were created. So color me skeptical.

One of my childhood baseball memories is of Baltimore reliably failing to sell out World Series games in the early 70s.
 

simplicio

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It's hard to know who to fear more in a match up, but the least of the Sox worries right now. I agree that I was leaning towards starting Liriano, given his recent success and the Os profile against LHP, yet I don't think Gibbons is crazy putting Stroman out there. He's a tad uneven, but can be quite dominant on his day. In any case, I'd have the other guy ready to pitch in the event one flamed out early.
The main knock I can see against Liriano is his 1.44 HR/9 rate this year vs Stroman's .93.
 

ThePrideofShiner

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In years past I bought access to Postseason camera feeds through the At Bat app. This year, it looks like that option is no longer available and to make matters worse, you can only watch the online package if you have a cable subscription.

Or does this link mean that if you have one of these cable providers you get to watch the games for free?

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/

So, looks like cord cutters aren't going to be watching much baseball this month.
 

CarolinaBeerGuy

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In years past I bought access to Postseason camera feeds through the At Bat app. This year, it looks like that option is no longer available and to make matters worse, you can only watch the online package if you have a cable subscription.

Or does this link mean that if you have one of these cable providers you get to watch the games for free?

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/

So, looks like cord cutters aren't going to be watching much baseball this month.
So, it won't work on Roku or Fire Stick? That sucks. They really don't want people watching.
 

ToeKneeArmAss

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I both fear and disdain the Blue Jays more than the Orioles. "Fear" because in a short series (ie any postseason tilt), if their bats got hot and they got some good starting pitching they could be formidable opponents. (Re the O's, iirc the Yankees had a pretty good closer a while back and we were still able to prevail).

My disdain for the Blue Jays is more about their fan base, which in general I find poorly educated about the game and disrespectful of the fan experience. I've been to a lot of games in a lot of parks and nowhere else have I been more frequently disturbed by row-mates deciding to go to the restrooms/concessions while play is underway. And a lot of their fans are both ignorant of baseball rules and quick to loudly protest when a correct call goes against them.

Add that horrible ballpark (an upgrade to be sure from the hell-pit that was Exhibition Stadium, but a disgrace nonetheless), and all in all the Jays are second only to the MFYs on my list of most despised opponents.

Plus the blue jays that inhabit my backyard are nasty, shrill creatures (not unlike the previously mentioned fan base). Fuck them too.
 

wilked

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I'm not rooting for either of these teams.

Best outcome to me is something that causes great heartache for one of the fanbases.

No hitter loss would be a good one. Monster 9th inning rally another. Lose the game on a blown and non-reviewable call another.

I'll keep thinking of more
 

Norm Siebern

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I know I am in the minority and agree that the Jays are a more complete team than the O's, especially with the emergence of Sanchez. Too bad they may not get a chance to use him because of a strange managerial decision. I would think more people would be hoping for a Tor-Tex rematch for the drama alone.

I work in Maryland with a bunch of poseur O's fans, so anything that can shut them up is great for me. Go Jays!
Count me in on your side of the equation Mr. George "the Animal" Steele. I loathe and despise the 0s more than any other MLB team. Their "fans," and Buck "I invented baseball" Showalter enrage me, beyond anything rational or worthwhile. I also think they pose a greater threat against the Red Sox than the Jays. I will be rooting for an embarrassing loss for them tonight. Go Blue Jays.

BTW I agree on what I think is a poor choice in Strohman as well. Bad choice by Gibbons.
 

canderson

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I want a Texas/Toronto series somTexas can get revenge.

I actually have a feeling Baltimore wins tonight, despite it seemingly improbable.
 

Al Zarilla

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[QUOTE="Norm Siebern, post: I also think they pose a greater threat against the Red Sox than the Jays. I will be rooting for an embarrassing loss for them tonight. [/QUOTE]
That "four 5s" sweep in Baltimore a couple of weeks ago doesn't mean anything?
 

strek1

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Rooting for the Jays tonight because the O's are a basket of deplorables. Especially their scumbag manager.
 

mauidano

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I could not care less who wins. They will have get through Texas. Regardless they will all be collateral damage on our way to the Championship Trophy celebration.
 

scotian1

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As a Canadian Red Sox fan, I was totally embarrassed by the obnoxious behavior of many Blue Jay fans in and around Fenway Park this past weekend. I resent them calling themselves Canada's team. Hopefully the Os will crush them tonight.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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I find that often when it's not my favorite team playing, I have a view on who I'm rooting for before the game but then when it actually comes time to watch, I eventually have an emotional response that may or may not be the same.

I am rooting for Baltimore. In spite of Shitty McFuckstick Showalter. I just can't root for the evil empire (small "e"s and apologies to Sprowl.) But I may change once I see Shitty McFuckstick's fucking face.

Edit: Oh, and scotian too I suppose -- I didn't know he was one of them.
 

BornToRun

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Ladies and Gentlemen, it is time for postseason baseball. And fuck both of these teams.
 

Bergs

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I hate all these fuckers. I hope this game goes 729 innings.
 

Green (Tongued) Monster

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Count me in on your side of the equation Mr. George "the Animal" Steele. I loathe and despise the 0s more than any other MLB team. Their "fans," and Buck "I invented baseball" Showalter enrage me, beyond anything rational or worthwhile. I also think they pose a greater threat against the Red Sox than the Jays. I will be rooting for an embarrassing loss for them tonight. Go Blue Jays.

BTW I agree on what I think is a poor choice in Strohman as well. Bad choice by Gibbons.
Ha. Nailed it. Here's to Tulo hitting a two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth off Britton to win it.
 

Norm Siebern

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[QUOTE="Norm Siebern, post: I also think they pose a greater threat against the Red Sox than the Jays. I will be rooting for an embarrassing loss for them tonight.
That "four 5s" sweep in Baltimore a couple of weeks ago doesn't mean anything?[/QUOTE]
Oh, it absolutely does. But the 0s winning record in Fenway park also means something. So does Britton.
 

InsideTheParker

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Ontario culture and attitudes are so different from those here in the Maritime Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI. There is no comparison.
I believe you, even tho I've not been to any of those places. From what I've read and seen on TV, Nova Scotia is where you want to flee from a Trump presidency.
For some reason, I dislike the Orioles players less.
 

BornToRun

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I believe you, even tho I've not been to any of those places. From what I've read and seen on TV, Nova Scotia is where you want to flee from a Trump presidency.
For some reason, I dislike the Orioles players less.
No one will escape the nuclear fallout if trump is elected.