Yeah, in retrospect, the computer algorithms were probably way underestimating the likelihood of Colorado sweeping Arizona/Philly, two teams that had above-average stats but that are completely falling apart.
September 2018 MLB Game thread
- Thread starter sean1562
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Although Colorado would still be 1 1/2 back if Arizona hadn't then beaten LA the last two nights.
The Dodgers will need Kershaw to start this weekend. If they make it to the Gimmick Game, he will not be a viable candidate to start the game.
True, but going 3-3 in the six games since the Colorado sweep is nothing out of the ordinary. It was the 6-0 from the Rockies that was unexpected.
There is some funny reporting today on the 2016 wild card game where the then dominant Zach Britton was never used, in a Marc Carig story in The Athletic on the Yankee bullpen:
"With all of baseball watching in horror as the season burned to the ground around him, Zach Britton stood on the bullpen mound waiting for a call that never came. In 2016, the American League wild-card game bled into extra innings, with the Orioles desperately trying to hold off a charge from the Blue Jays. But Britton, arguably the best relief pitcher in the game that year, was reduced to a mere spectator as lesser arms were tasked with extinguishing the fire.
The following spring training, Orioles manager Buck Showalter would apologize in front of the entire team for leaving Britton to answer for his decision, one that led to an excruciating loss. But in the moment, as Rogers Centre sensed an oncoming meltdown, Britton recalled a sense of inevitability. It persisted even though Adam Jones stood at his position in center field during that hectic 11th inning and screamed into the visitors’ bullpen. “Put yourself in!” Jones yelled between pitches, urging Britton to charge through the gates on his own, an act of insubordination. At one point before the season was lost, the bullpen phone rang. Britton heard only half the conversation. It was enough to capture the chaos. “He’s been ready!” a coach pleaded."
https://theathletic.com/552336/2018/09/27/the-yankees-have-paired-the-best-bullpen-ever-with-cutting-edge-tools-to-optimize-its-usage-will-it-be-enough-in-the-playoffs/
"With all of baseball watching in horror as the season burned to the ground around him, Zach Britton stood on the bullpen mound waiting for a call that never came. In 2016, the American League wild-card game bled into extra innings, with the Orioles desperately trying to hold off a charge from the Blue Jays. But Britton, arguably the best relief pitcher in the game that year, was reduced to a mere spectator as lesser arms were tasked with extinguishing the fire.
The following spring training, Orioles manager Buck Showalter would apologize in front of the entire team for leaving Britton to answer for his decision, one that led to an excruciating loss. But in the moment, as Rogers Centre sensed an oncoming meltdown, Britton recalled a sense of inevitability. It persisted even though Adam Jones stood at his position in center field during that hectic 11th inning and screamed into the visitors’ bullpen. “Put yourself in!” Jones yelled between pitches, urging Britton to charge through the gates on his own, an act of insubordination. At one point before the season was lost, the bullpen phone rang. Britton heard only half the conversation. It was enough to capture the chaos. “He’s been ready!” a coach pleaded."
https://theathletic.com/552336/2018/09/27/the-yankees-have-paired-the-best-bullpen-ever-with-cutting-edge-tools-to-optimize-its-usage-will-it-be-enough-in-the-playoffs/
One of the worst managerial fuck ups ever and Buck survived it. No wonder that team fell apart.
The Pirates are the only remaining team in baseball that have a shot of finishing 81-81 with a run differential of 0 runs - I wonder if that has ever happened before....
The NL is going to have a really great finish, with possibly a game 163 (or two)
Pretty interesting that the NL has so many close races, while the AL has had none - though there is still hope Oakland will move ahead of NY to host the WC game.
Pretty interesting that the NL has so many close races, while the AL has had none - though there is still hope Oakland will move ahead of NY to host the WC game.
Sad how Tampa has pretty much laid down to the MFY now that they have been eliminated. Usually they would get at least a split down there. Getting blown out in this last game today.
Lorenzo Cain is currently tied with Yelich for the NL lead in bbref WAR and has 37 RBI on the season.
That's So Buck! ... Not admitting hisa decision was wrong, but that he hung Britton out to dry
Colorado won their 7th consecutive game after losing 5 of 6. They head into the final weekend one up on the Dodgers.
Meanwhile, St Louis at Cubs to finish the season, with St Louis still clinging to a slight WC hope and the Cubs in a fight with Milwaukee for the division. The Brewers get to finish with the Tigers.
Meanwhile, St Louis at Cubs to finish the season, with St Louis still clinging to a slight WC hope and the Cubs in a fight with Milwaukee for the division. The Brewers get to finish with the Tigers.
Colorado finishes at home against the Natinals, while the Dodgers face the Giants
It's Rocktober! Colorado wins, clinches a playoff birth. Control their own fate for the division.
"people" here in LA want Roberts head if they get bounced in the playoffs
Yes..... Some say that, some say just getting bounced in the WC or first round....
I don't really have an opinion on Roberts either way (easy to be an upgrade on late career Torre and always slow Mattingly), but to me it seems like if they are handing out blame, the front office should get it before Roberts. They are staying under the $197M and resetting their tax rate like NY this year, and in part because of that, they never had enough bullpen depth all season, which is especially crazy for an organization whose main thing in recent years has been building depth.
Cubs and Brewers both win, so Cubs up 1 with two to play. This one feels like a game 163 to me.
Won't be a 163 since the loser has safely clinched a wildcard, and even the 2nd best record in the NL.
The Cards have enough fight left to beat the Cubs once. The Brewers need to sweep the Tigres.
Doesn't matter anyway. MFY own home field for WC by virtue of a better record against something.
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Cubs and Brewers. One will win the division, one will host the WC game. If they tie, there will be a game 163 to see who is who.
Actually season series was 3-3 (each team won 2 of 3 at home), so the entirely nonsensical tiebreaker that favors NY is better record against their own division.
Yelich playing out of his mind. Not like the Brewers have dominated the lowly Tigers, that's true clutch MVP-level play right now.
not surprised the Rockies have a dud game... what a Sunday it's going to be!
not surprised the Rockies have a dud game... what a Sunday it's going to be!
Both the Dodgers and Rockies won the season series against the Braves. To get the 2 seed, the Braves need to win Sunday and need both LA and COL to lose.
If the Central has a Game 163 and the West does not, the travel situation will be a bit awkward for WC2 as they will not know if they need to play in Chicago or Milwaukee on Tuesday until about 5 PM Eastern on Monday.
If the Central has a Game 163 and the West does not, the travel situation will be a bit awkward for WC2 as they will not know if they need to play in Chicago or Milwaukee on Tuesday until about 5 PM Eastern on Monday.