Fenway, why so sour about Judge? Oh, never mind, I guess your handle says it all. Yes, he strikes out a lot, but he's a kid. He does a ton of things right. Even your man, Papi, said he loves the kid.
brball posted:hshuler posted:brball posted:Stros v Dodgers, barring a miracle!
You sure 'bout that? :-)
Miracles do happen and the Yankees are starting to hit on all cylinders when it counts... geez, they’re are crazy good when they hit. We could see Stros v Yankees in the ALCS for the next several years!
Just like the Cleveland series the Yankees could have easily won the first two games. Plus they have an outstanding bullpen.
Honestly, I wouldn't have been surprised if any of the eight teams won the WS, save the D'backs.
hshuler posted:brball posted:hshuler posted:brball posted:Stros v Dodgers, barring a miracle!
You sure 'bout that? :-)
Miracles do happen and the Yankees are starting to hit on all cylinders when it counts... geez, they’re are crazy good when they hit. We could see Stros v Yankees in the ALCS for the next several years!
Just like the Cleveland series the Yankees could have easily won the first two games. Plus they have an outstanding bullpen.
Honestly, I wouldn't have been surprised if any of the eight teams won the WA, save the D'backs.
You mean the WS not WA, correct? Damn those big fingers huh? I actually had the D’backs as my Cinderella, but they never got to that status. I like them moving forward in the next year or so though!
Lets try this again, Dodgers v ?... barring no miracle, just the winner at this point. Gotta like the Stros with the starting pitching they have set up though!
Thoughts?
Weird watching the Cubs implode. Jinx back on? Cubs gonna be champs again in the year 2124!?
Go44dad posted:fenwaysouth posted:As good as the Astros are, the Yankees (and Girardi) are impressing me a lot....which is really difficult realization for me. I underestimated the Yankee's (so did Cleveland) pitching staff and their lineup despite some rookie players who get all the headlines and strikeouts to go with it. I guess Maddux and Glavine said it best...."Chicks dig the long ball", but what wasn't stated is that managers hate the 200+ strikeouts per year. There is a enough Yankkee offensive fire power to make up for those 2-3 rookie strikeouts per playoff game against the best pitching in the MLB. Possibly there is a silver lining....he isn't hitting into doubleplays.
Whatever happens, the Yankees have demonstrated they have rebuilt and are more than competitive. They are going to get better which is going to make the AL East a tougher place to be.
The Astros just look like a better all-around team at this point in time. We'll see how they do at Yankee stadium. I'm looking forward to it.
As far as the NLCS goes.....meh. I want to see Dave Roberts succeed. Lord knows I've seen enough of the Joe Maddon schtick over the years. As far as the teams go, I just can't seem to get into it yet.
Astros fan and long time despiser of the evil empire. I like the young players on the Yankees. They will be a force to reckon with for years. Baseball is in a great era right now of young stars. Good times!
I would like to retract my "Good times!" statement and anything positive I said about the Yankees. If the Astros blow this, I am moving next door to RJM and buying Celtic, Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins jersey's. I just want a baseball or football championship before I die.
i had anger dreams about 4 pitch walks to pitchers last night..... grrrr
brball posted:hshuler posted:brball posted:hshuler posted:brball posted:Stros v Dodgers, barring a miracle!
You sure 'bout that? :-)
Miracles do happen and the Yankees are starting to hit on all cylinders when it counts... geez, they’re are crazy good when they hit. We could see Stros v Yankees in the ALCS for the next several years!
Just like the Cleveland series the Yankees could have easily won the first two games. Plus they have an outstanding bullpen.
Honestly, I wouldn't have been surprised if any of the eight teams won the WA, save the D'backs.
You mean the WS not WA, correct? Damn those big fingers huh? I actually had the D’backs as my Cinderella, but they never got to that status. I like them moving forward in the next year or so though!
Lets try this again, Dodgers v ?... barring no miracle, just the winner at this point. Gotta like the Stros with the starting pitching they have set up though!
Thoughts?
Yep. Fat fingered it.
D'back just need to bulk up the bullpen and they'll be poised to compete for a 'ship.
I'll bite. Dodgers/'stros with 'stros winning in six.
BOF posted:
LoL
I originally thought the Dodgers/Cubs would go 6, but think that series will be closed out tonight. The Cubs are just playing bad baseball right now. I admit that I am sort of a bandwagon Cub fan, and even I was embarrassed last night. 
I had not seen too many Astro games until the playoffs and did not realize how bad their bullpen was. They are very talented team, but tightly played championship games eventually come down to the bullpen, and I think because of this I think they are in trouble. This series could go either way.
Astros have by far the worst back of the bullpen of the remaining 4 teams, the Cubs aren't far behind. Judging by how valuable the bullpen has been in recent postseasons, I could see a Dodgers-Yankees WS. The major media will be thrilled, flyover country will yawn.
Houston, we have a problem! Not really - just win all of your home games.
Verlander isn't the worst guy you can have throwing in a "likely" elimination game.
I'm a White Sox fan and I haven't enjoyed the post season this much since 2005.
Attachments
Images (1)
hshuler posted:Houston, we have a problem! Not really - just win all of your home games.
Verlander isn't the worst guy you can have throwing in a "likely" elimination game.
There is definitely a problem... Verlander will be fine, but stros will lose in 7. Stankees just to hot right now!
Can’t believe I’m saying this, but the Yankees are primed to win it as far as I’m concerned... Please tell me I’m wrong???
brball posted:Can’t believe I’m saying this, but the Yankees are primed to win it as far as I’m concerned... Please tell me I’m wrong???
Yes, you are wrong and sadly I've become a Dodger fan in preparation for a Dodgers/Yankees scrap in the World Series. There is no more crying myself to sleep and avoiding the inevitable. The Astros look beaten and the Dodgers are better than the Cubs.
I know BOF and StrainedOblique are going to welcome me and provide me a temporary visa to Dodgernation. Go Dodgers and please pass the sushi! ;-)
Attachments
Images (1)
definitely a great postseason. all 4 Teams are really good. astros and dodgers both won 100 games. Yankees weren't so great by result but their pythagoran record also Points to 100 wins so they were somewhat unlucky. cubs also would have been a 100 win Team if not for their terrible first half. now a season has two halfs but the cubs clearly were playing below their Talent so I would consider their first half random.
Yankees vs Dodgers. That's going to be electrifying!
Fenway!!!!!
Take K St NW to I-66W, follow I-81S to I-40 W and drive for 39 hours, Take the I-5 exit from CA-2 to Glendale to Stadium Way, turn right onto Academy Rd, turn left into Sunset Gate and your at Dodger Stadium...
BOF - Awesome directions! I'm on my way....using the HSBBWeb mobile app. I should be there by game 7 if the Wash DC traffic isn't too bad. Got my (somewhat) Dodger blue ready to go to the ballpark or a Hollywood party. A tip of the cap to Dodgernation for welcoming me for the rest of October, and my keen sense of fashion.
Got a favor to ask....can you introduce me to one of the celebrity Dodger faithful...like Matthew McConaughey? He is an awesome actor in those Lincoln commercials. I really admire his car starting skills, expressions, and his "cool LA" ability to fall back in a pool of water. https://www.ranker.com/list/ce...ger-fans/sports-fans
fenwaysouth posted:Got a favor to ask....can you introduce me to one of the celebrity Dodger faithful...like Matthew McConaughey? He is an awesome actor in those Lincoln commercials. I really admire his car starting skills and expressions.
Side benefit... you can sit anywhere you want up until the 5th inning. That's when their "fans" start showing up.
MidAtlanticDad posted:fenwaysouth posted:Got a favor to ask....can you introduce me to one of the celebrity Dodger faithful...like Matthew McConaughey? He is an awesome actor in those Lincoln commercials. I really admire his car starting skills and expressions.
...
One of my sons likes to point out it looks like he's always rolling a boogie with his fingertips.
Sorry, I got nothin' else to contribute to this thread...
Attachments
Images (1)
Welp, the Dodgers look to be on their way to the WS.
A can of Whoopass was opened last night. Wow.
Indeed!
On the one hand, it's very cool to see the Dodgers get so far without (arguably) their best player (Seager). On the other hand, it was also kind of neat to see the Cubs get as far as they did without two of their best players (Bryant & Rizzo). Oh, wait, they were there? Didn't notice them...
-42
Called it re Dusty Baker being fired. I'm really not surprised. The game has (somewhat) passed him by...
Cubs-Dodgers series showed two key flaws with the Cubs method of operations:
Dodgers held onto a vast majority of their top prospects over the last 3-4 years and are built to contend now for several years moving forwards. The Cubs gutted their farm system and are facing a tough situation needing to almost completely rebuild their pitching staff in an offseason where there is not elite starting pitching available via free agency.
The Cubs offense is way too "all or nothing" relying on the HR. They are the most "elevate to celebrate" team I've ever seen. This flawed approach can catch lightning in a bottle once when everyone gets hot at once but is not a sustained plan for success year after year in postseason Baseball. They literally could not manufacture runs other than HR's
I hope my Brewers take note. They, also, kept most of their prospects instead of selling out for short term success. However, they rely too much on the HR as well. You gotta have some players who make contact, get on base and create runs in the postseason especially.
Heard Peter Gammons on the radio this morning talking about how Roberts sets up his bullpen. Thought it was pretty interesting. Rather than have his guys "assigned" to an inning, the bullpen guys are told which players they are intended to face. Maeda knew before the game even started that he was likely to go against Russell/Baez/Contreras (or another 3-in-a-row righty combo, don't precisely remember). Allows him to develop a game plan, and to study video, etc. on specific victims rather than just being told an inning...
Wonder if we'll see more of this in the future, or stick with the high/low leverage process.
-42
I think many teams will copy that since LA had the best bullpen this season. The only issue they had was Baez performing poorly in Sept/Oct. Every fan was suddenly turning on Roberts and Baez you'd think we were in NY. I questioned him using Maeda for just a single inning every time but he's got so many good pitchers. That kid last night I hadn't seen this post season looked like a young Roger Clemens.
Yankees - Dodgers.
Yankees in 6.
Florida State Fan posted:Yankees - Dodgers.
Yankees in 6.
Go Yanks!
This is tough, though...Son grew up with Kershaw, played both with & against in various years, 10-18 yrs. (as well as Matt Stafford, NFL quarterback)....But drafted by Yankees 2010 & MLB debut in 2013...
SO....
3and2Fastball posted:Cubs-Dodgers series showed two key flaws with the Cubs method of operations:
Dodgers held onto a vast majority of their top prospects over the last 3-4 years and are built to contend now for several years moving forwards. The Cubs gutted their farm system and are facing a tough situation needing to almost completely rebuild their pitching staff in an offseason where there is not elite starting pitching available via free agency.
The Cubs offense is way too "all or nothing" relying on the HR. They are the most "elevate to celebrate" team I've ever seen. This flawed approach can catch lightning in a bottle once when everyone gets hot at once but is not a sustained plan for success year after year in postseason Baseball. They literally could not manufacture runs other than HR's
I hope my Brewers take note. They, also, kept most of their prospects instead of selling out for short term success. However, they rely too much on the HR as well. You gotta have some players who make contact, get on base and create runs in the postseason especially.
Give my White Sox a few more years - we'll be back and the Cubs will be a distant memory. That said, love Rizzo. Talented and a class act.
Don't count out the Astros just yet!
Rooting for the Astros myself, actually, now that the Dodgers have put the Cubs out of my misery...although the ugly stat I saw the other day is not promising: take out Altuve and Correa, the team is hitting .111 (ouch)
-42
Attachments
Images (1)
hshuler posted:Don't count out the Astros just yet!
Yeah...but they're kinda behind the 8 ball...
baseballmom posted:hshuler posted:Don't count out the Astros just yet!
Yeah...but they're kinda behind the 8 ball...
They sure are, but any team can win two in a row at home, and they are not just any team.
Not tonight, Yankee fans. Not tonight.
JGC;
MLB desires the Yankee /Dodgers WS. Because the match of Tanaka [Goodwill Series alumni] and Davish will have 100 million TV audience from Japan.
Bob
Consultant posted:JGC;
MLB desires the Yankee /Dodgers WS. Because the match of Tanaka [Goodwill Series alumni] and Davish will have 100 million TV audience from Japan.
Bob
Also will have 2 of the largest markets playing. Lots of $$$$$$$$$.
Reminds me of the Twins world series when home team won every game as series went 7.
Verlander carrying the astros, what a great pick up.
Dominik85 posted:Verlander carrying the astros, what a great pick up.
Verlander may have done what Randy Johnson didn’t in 1998 when he took two losses to the Padres as the Astros went down in a five game series. Pitched well, but Kevin Brown pitched better.
Verlander is a stud. Local kid (Richmond, VA) who made it big. I saw the Astros announced Charlie Morton as the starter for game 7 at home. I thought Morton was pitching great the other day, but ran into a bad spot with some good pitches that ended up being better hits outside the zone. Sabathia has pitched in some big games, so I don;t think he;ll be as nervous. I'm really looking forward to this game tonight.
I'm not sure how Vegas sees any potential World Series, but the Dodgers have to be favored in either matchup..... especially if Danny Devito is managing from the stands. ;-)
Agreed on Verlander's studliness. I saw him pitch in 2014 in Anaheim. He was having a so so year, and he didn't pitch well in that game either. I thought his career was winding down based on that season. Statistically, ERA wise, it was easily the worst year of his career. He was injured with a sports hernia and a sore shoulder and his next season was his worst w/L year.
But the guy is 31-17 since then with an ERA south of 3.3. He's only given up 4 ER in 5 starts for the Astros. What a pick-up is right!
Weird fact: he gave up Alex Rodriguez' 3000th hit, a HR.
smokeminside posted:Agreed on Verlander's studliness. I saw him pitch in 2014 in Anaheim. He was having a so so year, and he didn't pitch well in that game either. I thought his career was winding down based on that season. Statistically, ERA wise, it was easily the worst year of his career. He was injured with a sports hernia and a sore shoulder and his next season was his worst w/L year.
But the guy is 31-17 since then with an ERA south of 3.3. He's only given up 4 ER in 5 starts for the Astros. What a pick-up is right!
Weird fact: he gave up Alex Rodriguez' 3000th hit, a HR.
If you include the post season, Verlander is 9-0 in 9 starts with the astros with 8 ER's in 58.2 innings.
For entertainment purposes only:
I’m going with the Astros at home tonight. They’ll knock C.C. around and chase him early.
What say you?
hshuler posted:For entertainment purposes only:
I’m going with the Astros at home tonight. They’ll knock C.C. around and chase him early.
What say you?
"Dear Jesus, please watch over the Astros bullpen. Please protect them from center cut fastballs lasered back up the middle."
I will be rooting for the Astros as I am genetically incapable of rooting for the Yankees. But I think we're going to see the big market WS. CC will do fine.
Pulling for the stros, but win or lose we’re going to the 4th with a great game... can’t ask for nothing more!
hshuler posted:For entertainment purposes only:
I’m going with the Astros at home tonight. They’ll knock C.C. around and chase him early.
What say you?
You called that one!
JCG posted:I will be rooting for the Astros as I am genetically incapable of rooting for the Yankees. But I think we're going to see the big market WS. CC will do fine.
The jinx worked!
TPM posted:hshuler posted:For entertainment purposes only:
I’m going with the Astros at home tonight. They’ll knock C.C. around and chase him early.
What say you?
You called that one!
Dumb luck!
As much as the powers that be wanted a series between the two largest media markets, I think these are the best two teams and should make for an outstanding WS.
Congrats to the Dodgers and Astros getting to the World Series. This is how I sized things up with potentially 4 games in LA and 3 games in Houston and the DH in potentially only 3 games:
Offense - Slight edge to Astros in reg season, Edge to Dodgers in the post season. However with Seger out got to lean to the Astros here.
Defense- Slight edge to Dodgers even without Seger.
Starting Pitching- Slight Edge to Dodgers
Bullpen - Toss Up
Manager - Even. Hinch more conservative. Roberts more aggressive. Neither has HC post season experience at this level. Bottom line is they are newbys.
Celebrity Presence - Astros. Nolan Ryan sitting behind home plate in Houston or Mary Hart sitting behind home plate in LA? Got to give it to the Astos and the Ryan legend.
Pick - Dodgers in 5
Prepare to have your mind blown.
fenwaysouth posted:Congrats to the Dodgers and Astros getting to the World Series. This is how I sized things up with potentially 4 games in LA and 3 games in Houston and the DH in potentially only 3 games:
Offense - Slight edge to Astros in reg season, Edge to Dodgers in the post season. However with Seger out got to lean to the Astros here.
Defense- Slight edge to Dodgers even without Seger.
Starting Pitching- Slight Edge to Dodgers
Bullpen - Toss Up
Manager - Even. Hinch more conservative. Roberts more aggressive. Neither has HC post season experience at this level. Bottom line is they are newbys.
Celebrity Presence - Astros. Nolan Ryan sitting behind home plate in Houston or Mary Hart sitting behind home plate in LA? Got to give it to the Astos and the Ryan legend.
Pick - Dodgers in 5
Glad your on the bandwagon Fenway! - but here is my take, unbiased as I can be.
Offense: Push - Both are good and both know how to grind. This will end up giving the Dodgers an advantage due to bullpen, as they will limit one of the Astro's advantages by getting to their weak pen. [see below]
Defense: Push - Both are solid.
Starting pitching: Advantage Astros - I think their starting pitching is better.
Bullpen: Strong edge to Dodgers and this could be deciding factor in the series together with their depth.
Depth/bench: Another strong edge to the Dodgers which give them the ability to adjust to opportunities, including the DH where they may be the first NL team to have a better DH. There is no other team that can move infield and outfield players around like the Dodgers. [I love Granderson as an individual, but he won't make the WS roster]
Manager: Hands down Dodgers - Robert's [together with analytics from front office] Dodgers are one of the first teams to map out scenarios ahead of the game and manage to those scenarios. Clear advantage to Dodgers, when you take into account their bullpen and bench.
The Dodgers should win because of the combination of their bullpen, bench and in game management.*
I think that this series goes 7 games. I don't think the Dodgers have been challenged like the Astro's have an advantage coming in and could steal an initial game and put the Dodgers on their heals a bit.
*Championship baseball is unpredictable which is why it is so fun. It also will give lots of armchair managers the opportunity to second guess both teams.
Finally both of these teams use analytics more than any others and will become a model for other teams in the future. Play Ball!
The astros pen is not bad (struggled in the postseason but that is SSS noise) but it is still quite a bit weaker. Bullpen and defense are biggest Dodgers edges, starters and hitting is similar.
Dominik85 posted:The astros pen is not bad (struggled in the postseason but that is SSS noise) but it is still quite a bit weaker. Bullpen and defense are biggest Dodgers edges, starters and hitting is similar.
The Astros blew 30% (21-69) of their save opportunities in 2017.
RJM posted:Dominik85 posted:The astros pen is not bad (struggled in the postseason but that is SSS noise) but it is still quite a bit weaker. Bullpen and defense are biggest Dodgers edges, starters and hitting is similar.
The Astros blew 30% (21-69) of their save opportunities in 2017.
Just got off phone w AJ. Astros going with all starters for WS. keuchel, verlander, then tandoms of morton/mccullers, mchugh/peacock.
Next time he calls, say hi for me.
RJM posted:Dominik85 posted:The astros pen is not bad (struggled in the postseason but that is SSS noise) but it is still quite a bit weaker. Bullpen and defense are biggest Dodgers edges, starters and hitting is similar.
The Astros blew 30% (21-69) of their save opportunities in 2017.
but they were somewhat unlucky especially at the start of the season (probably mostly bad sequencing). Overall the BP was pretty good (6th in the Majors in FIP but just 11th in ERA and 4th in K-BB).
smokeminside posted:Next time he calls, say hi for me.
I'll try. He just goes on and on sometimes. Stanford grad. I rarely have any idea what he is talking about.
yeah, I know what you mean. I ran into him at the Romanian Bat Festival a few years ago. Talked my ear off. He's a very enthusiastic guy. That's him on the left.
Ahh, to be young again.
Go44dad posted:smokeminside posted:Next time he calls, say hi for me.
I'll try. He just goes on and on sometimes. Stanford grad. I rarely have any idea what he is talking about.
You might wanna get Luhnow on the phone with him.
Maybe you can help them interpret stats.
smokeminside posted:Ahh, to be young again.
Rich helps too.
What happened in the regular season and previous postseason series won’t matter now. It’s sounds cliche but the team that executes better pitch to pitch will win.
I don’t have any numbers to back up why I’m picking the Astros in six, but I am.
Regardless of who wins, should be a very exciting series.
LETS GO!!!!!
This is one of the more interesting articles on the WS that I have read. Analytics about strike zone.
https://www.fangraphs.com/blog...o-favor-the-dodgers/
Astros all the way!!! It would be nice to see Hinch not panic so much and make knee jerk reactions like he's done the 1st 2 series. We should be able to at least split in LA and then finish at home. Once you get past Kershaw, I'm not too impressed with the rest of their starters.
I'm not seeing where the dodgers supposedly have a defense advantage. 3rd-Bregman over Turner, SS-Correa over Seager, 2nd-Altuve over either, 1st toss up between Gurriel and Bellinger, C-slight edge to Grandal, CF/RF both teams are very good, LF advantage Dodgers. I would say slight edge to Astros overall.
Texas 2 Sons posted:Astros all the way!!! It would be nice to see Hinch not panic so much and make knee jerk reactions like he's done the 1st 2 series. We should be able to at least split in LA and then finish at home. Once you get past Kershaw, I'm not too impressed with the rest of their starters.
I'm not seeing where the dodgers supposedly have a defense advantage. 3rd-Bregman over Turner, SS-Correa over Seager, 2nd-Altuve over either, 1st toss up between Gurriel and Bellinger, C-slight edge to Grandal, CF/RF both teams are very good, LF advantage Dodgers. I would say slight edge to Astros overall.
Maybe you’re not seeing through your bias. Fangraphs has the Dodgers rating 5th in fielding. The Astros are rated 29th. In just straight up fielding percentages the Dodgers are 12th. The Astros are 20th. Fangraphs has Gurriel, Springer, Gonzalez and Redddick in the top fifty of worst defensive players in baseball in 2017. The Dodgers have three in the top fifty of best defensive players. The Astros have none.
Astros need to steal a game in LA in the first two. They have home field advantage in Games 3-4-5.... Dodgers have a much better bullpen, which in recent history is extremely important in the postseason
this "feels" like the Dodger's year, but I'll be rooting for Houston.
Just because you guys keep saying that the Dodgers bullpen is better....watch what happens! LoL
hshuler posted:Just because you guys keep saying that the Dodgers bullpen is better....watch what happens! LoL
It’s more the Astros bullpen is worse.
RJM posted:Texas 2 Sons posted:Astros all the way!!! It would be nice to see Hinch not panic so much and make knee jerk reactions like he's done the 1st 2 series. We should be able to at least split in LA and then finish at home. Once you get past Kershaw, I'm not too impressed with the rest of their starters.
I'm not seeing where the dodgers supposedly have a defense advantage. 3rd-Bregman over Turner, SS-Correa over Seager, 2nd-Altuve over either, 1st toss up between Gurriel and Bellinger, C-slight edge to Grandal, CF/RF both teams are very good, LF advantage Dodgers. I would say slight edge to Astros overall.
Maybe you’re not seeing through your bias. Fangraphs has the Dodgers rating 5th in fielding. The Astros are rated 29th. In just straight up fielding percentages the Dodgers are 12th. The Astros are 20th. Fangraphs has Gurriel, Springer, Gonzalez and Redddick in the top fifty of worst defensive players in baseball in 2017. The Dodgers have three in the top fifty of best defensive players. The Astros have none.
So Springer makes 1 error all year and he's top 50 worst defensive players in baseball???
Astros- C-.995, 1st-.992, 2nd-.982, SS-.978, 3rd-.968, OF-.996, .982, .976
Dodge- C-.995, 1st-.993, 2nd-.982, SS-.979, 3rd-.969, OF-.996, .972, .967
Fielding % for both teams..explain the Dodgers-12th and Astros-20th again. Fielding% pulled from CBS for starters that are playing in WS.
Really? Fielding percentage? You could put a 75 year old in center field and he'd never make a single error!
3and2Fastball posted:Really? Fielding percentage? You could put a 75 year old in center field and he'd never make a single error!
I was just responding to what he said about "straight up fielding %". Last time I checked stats like fielding% and batting avg are still used and judgements are made from them. Batting titles and Gold Glove awards still use them to help determine winners. No one is giving out top WAR or UZR awards that I'm aware of.
Speaking of Gold Gloves, the Astros have 3 players who have won at least 1. The Dodgers have 1-Kershaw.
I do think the Astros have a better defensive infield. It blows my mind how over rated Seager is, Turner is OK defensively. Bellinger is pretty good. While Correa is not Andrelton Simmons he is better on D than Seager. Bregman is a lot better on D than Turner.
Neither team seems defensively elite. The Astros starting pitching needs to go deep into games and (obviously) they need to hit...if they can jump on Kershaw early and take the crowd out of the game that would be great
Go44dad posted:Great matchup, two powerhouses. I had doubts until I saw the sign. It opened up my eyes. I saw the sign!
Go Stros!!!
HR for former Tiger!!
Astros showing off that D, but Kershaw is FILTHY! Gonna be a good series I think.
I was saying yesterday to pitch anybody against Kershaw and give him his 2 wins. Save Dallas for games 3 and 7. Kershaw was ridiculous tonight. Too many Astros hitters guessing and taking pitches right down the pipe. Got to win tomorrow..get verlander another win!
2:28. At least it was fast...
Texas 2 Sons posted:I was saying yesterday to pitch anybody against Kershaw and give him his 2 wins. Save Dallas for games 3 and 7. Kershaw was ridiculous tonight. Too many Astros hitters guessing and taking pitches right down the pipe. Got to win tomorrow..get verlander another win!
Problem is that that pushes anybody back a day and then might mean you lose a start or at least rest days. if you start a random guy that means either verlander or keuchel have to start at game 3 meaning you lose a start or have to pitch on very short rest.
I still think verlander on day 2 is smart. keuchel is good but verlander is the ace of the staff and by avoiding kershaw you give him a better Chance to win two games. still the astros Need to win at least one of the 3/4 starter game.
Its adjustment time for the Astros.....Lead off hitter (Springer) is not getting on base and striking out way too much. He swings like he's a blindfolded 8 year old at a birthday party chasing a pinnata. They need to move somebody up who can make contact and get on base, and move him down.
Tonight is the Astros best chance of winning behind a hot Verlander. They have to win it. I'm sticking with my Dodgers in 5 prediction.
JMO.
fenwaysouth posted:Its adjustment time for the Astros.....Lead off hitter (Springer) is not getting on base and striking out way too much. He swings like he's a blindfolded 8 year old at a birthday party chasing a pinnata. They need to move somebody up who can make contact and get on base, and move him down.
Tonight is the Astros best chance of winning behind a hot Verlander. They have to win it. I'm sticking with my Dodgers in 5 prediction.
JMO.
" He swings like he's a blindfolded 8 year old at a birthday party chasing a pinnata."
HAHA-best and funniest analogy I've seen in a long time!! George wearing the Golden Sombrero!!!
The only thing they could do is just move everybody up 1 and slide him in toward the back where the other 2 strugglers (Marwin & *******) are. ******* had a hit last night, so maybe he's coming around..but with 3 out of the 4 starters being lefty it's going to be tough.
Kershaw was on point, sometimes you have to give credit where credit is due. He made a lot of guys look silly last night, Keuchel did a good job as well. But when you have to warm up in 103 direct sun, have to hit, I am gonna give him a break.
hshuler, GREAT response! 
TPM posted:Kershaw was on point, sometimes you have to give credit where credit is due. He made a lot of guys look silly last night, Keuchel did a good job as well. But when you have to warm up in 103 direct sun, have to hit, I am gonna give him a break.
Totally agree on Kershaw. When he’s on like he was last night - good luck.
The margin for error is razor thin in these games. Keuchel wishes that he could have two pitches back and then it would be Dodgers’ fan who would be suicidal. LoL
Yes and honestly all the runs were given up on three pitches. Kershaw missed trying to get inside on Bregman, and Bregman is a great inside fastball hitter. I watched that for 3 years. Keuchel looked to groove a first pitch and it got hammered. The pitch to Turner was a good pitch in a good location I thought. Like TPM said, sometimes the other guy is just better in a given at bat.