Welcome to our Open Game Thread for the ALDS game today. Chat with fellow readers as we watch the Guardians play the White Sox! Only Members can participate, and unlike our usual game chats, your messages will be posted immediately.
Our Member community is made up of thousands of incredibly knowledgable baseball fans, and we think this is a great way to follow a game with like-minded baseball enthusiasts. We might even have some FanGraphs Staff drop in and join the fun. Please be courteous to your fellow Members, or you may find your chat privileges revoked.
I just finished an extended trip to watch instructs and the Arizona Fall League, and I’ve got enough in the notebook for a few posts. We’ll start with some of the looks I got at Royals, Giants, and Padres prospects on the backfields and, in a few cases, during the AFL as well. Let’s hop to it.
We’ll start with the guy people will ask about first. Gomez is a tapered 6-foot-2. While he isn’t a freaky athlete in the Elly De La Cruz mold, he’s limber and has a fast bat for a kid his age. Facing some of the best stuff of his life, his feel for hitting stood out. Gomez is athletic in the box, and he was able to fight off above-average velo on the hands, turn around 97 above the belt, and flatten the bat and hit a line drive on a hard fastball up, all while holding his own versus spin. He fouled off a couple tough sliders and took one just beneath the zone. He wasn’t perfect — he expanded the zone a few times and chased a curve in the dirt — but it was a really impressive showing in context.
Where does this go from here? To my eye, Gomez doesn’t look like an early-mature guy, but he also isn’t someone who screams “physical projection” in the way that, say, Sebastian Walcott did at his age. Gomez already has average measurable power, and while there’s room for him to grow into more, my projection leans closer to “comfortably plus” than “80.” Read the rest of this entry »
At no point during the National League Division Series between the Brewers and the Padres did either team lead by more than two runs. The total runs scored in a game never exceeded seven. But neither fact should in any way imply that the series was a no-offense snoozefest.
All four games produced a disproportionate number of baserunners given the actual number of runs allowed, at least when compared to regular-season averages. During the 2026 season, the league averaged nine runs per game on around 24 total baserunners. The Brewers and Padres likewise averaged 24 baserunners per game, despite logging combined run totals between four and seven. Close games and that much traffic on the basepaths made this series a real booty-hole-clenching experience for fans of both teams, as well as the empathetic neutral observers. By the time the fans watching Game 4 could finally unclench, the Brewers had defeated the Padres, 3-1, to advance to the NLCS against the Dodgers.
Though both teams named a traditional starter for Wednesday’s Game 4, neither Walker Buehler for the Padres nor Robert Gasser for the Brewers was expected to pitch particularly deep in this game. Buehler was healthy enough to make 32 starts this season for the first time since 2021, but he wasn’t able to match his innings total (207 2/3 IP) or replicate the 60 ERA- he posted that year. Instead, he was a slightly below-average starter, with an ERA- of 115 over 153 2/3 innings. He also missed the first two games of the NLDS on paternity leave, which likely interrupted his typical throwing schedule, and any departure from routine has the potential to leave a pitcher feeling out of rhythm. Buehler wound up going three innings, allowing one run on a pair of consecutive singles from Sal Frelick and Garrett Mitchell. His command looked shaky from the jump and alternated between non-competitive pitches outside the zone and offerings that caught way too much of the plate.
For his part, Gasser covered four innings, and the only real blemish on his evening was a solo shot hit by Fernando Tatis Jr. to lead off the third. After spending the first half of 2026 on the Triple-A shuttle, Gasser was able to stick in the majors from July 11 onward, posting a 93 ERA- over 109 1/3 innings. A lefty with a low arm slot, he gave the Brewers the option to throw a slightly different look at the Padres than what they’d seen during the first three games of the series. He relied heavily on his sinker, using it to set up his changeup and sweeper. Because of how the pitches interacted with one another, he locked up hitters for 10 called strikes on his sinker, while getting hitters to chase his changeup and generate weak contact on his sweeper.
But with the starters out relatively early and the score knotted at one through four innings, the game would ultimately be decided by the pitchers entering from the bullpen. Both teams had used almost their entire pitching staff extensively over the first three games, making the hitters more familiar with their opponents on the mound than new dads Buehler and Mason Miller are with their newborn children. (Miller missed Game 3 for the birth of his first child.) Read the rest of this entry »
Come on in. Thanks for coming all the way up on short notice, and, uh, sorry about the mess. I really should’ve saved Mr. Splash for later in the day. I’d never seen him fire that water gun in anger before, but he is remarkably accurate. Did you know he was a Green Beret? Anyway, have a seat. I have some difficult news for you.
Oh jeez, I didn’t think about the tail feathers. You can stand, whatever. You can stand.
So as you know, we have been forced to make some prettysubstantialcuts. And believe me, it’s the last thing we want to do. We consider everyone who works here family. But there comes a time within any family when you have to identify your least productive family members, cut them out of your life forever, and leave them without any way to support themselves, at which point they’re not family anymore. They’re just strangers who know things about you that you’d rather not become public. Unfortunately, that includes you. Are – are you following any of this?
We’re going to have to let you go.
I realize that you’ve been with us for – wow – coming up on 50 years now, and I want to assure you that we are grateful for everything you have given to the Baltimore Orioles organization. You’ve brought happiness and joy to so many people. Unfortunately, it has been determined that keeping you on staff would be a suboptimal allocation of resources, because according to a report from this latest round of consultants – you know, I think you deserve to know the truth, so let me get my glasses so I can quote this accurately – “Happiness and joy don’t make the cash register go ka-ching.” So really, our hands are tied. Read the rest of this entry »
You want your ace on the mound when all the marbles are in the fire. When the stakes are high, the big cheese needs to have his hands on the wheel. Are those real metaphors? No, but I bet you knew what I was talking about in each case, because the playoffs are a perfect time to discuss the importance of star pitchers. But do you want to deploy them as early in the series as possible? Or do you want them for the decisive game? Does it even matter?
In our game chats and article comments — across the internet really — it’s hard to find a consensus. When I wrote about Chris Saleearlier this week, there were comments to the effect of “It’s a bummer he pitched out of the ‘pen in the Wild Card, now he won’t get to pitch in NLDS Game 5,” as well as “Don’t save Sale for Game 7 of the NLCS, there might not be a Game 7!” Those are exact opposite opinions, and yet they both make a lot of sense when I hear them. But they can’t both be right, so let’s do some math. Even though there’s no real adage to prove or disprove here, this feels like a job for Mathemadage.
Here’s the question, as I see it: For a given set of pitchers making postseason starts, which way would you like those starts arranged in a seven-game series? In other words, if you have an ace, a second banana, and some bullpen games, would you prefer to have your ace for Games 1 and 5 or Games 3 and 7? There are good intuitive reasons to prefer either. Games 1 and 5 happen in almost every seven-game series; Game 7 is a much less frequent occurrence. More innings for my best guy, please! But the stakes can also never be higher than they are in a decisive game. In a big spot? Why wouldn’t I want my best guy in? Read the rest of this entry »
NEW YORK — For one brief moment, all had been forgiven. The unreasonable hope, the unbearable burden, the unfulfilled potential — it all had led to this point, when the local kid and lifelong Yankee fan finally made good.
Anthony Volpe stepped into the box in the bottom of the sixth inning with a runner on first, two out, and the Yankees down by two and facing elimination in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. After taking a Griffin Jax sweeper in the dirt for a ball, the one-time second coming of Derek Jeter, who’d stalled and backtracked and flamed out in frustrating fashion, turned on a sinker running in on his hands and lifted a high-arching fly ball to left field that just cleared the wall for a game-tying home run. As he made his way around the bases, all the emotions of the last four years came pouring out of him.
But just after he crossed the plate, the six umpires came together and called for a crew chief review. Reality set in as the replay repeated on the jumbotron in center field, showing different angles of the same disappointing event. Several minutes of deliberation made it official: The home run was overturned. A fan in the first row had reached over the wall with both hands and touched the ball before it rolled up his arms and into his lap.
Volpe was awarded second base, as the umpires determined that the ball would not have been caught even if the fan hadn’t interfered with it. They also concluded that George Lombard Jr., who began the play on first and was running on contact with two outs, would’ve scored on the play. That run turned out to be the final one of the game for either team, as the Rays held on to beat the Yankees, 4-3, and complete the sweep. Read the rest of this entry »
After cruising through the NLDS with a gentleman’s sweep, the defending-champion Los Angeles Dodgers are headed to the National League Championship Series for the third year in a row. A day after Yoshinobu Yamamoto silenced Atlanta’s bats in Game 3, the Braves and Dodgers ran out the finest Tylers they had to offer, and both pitchers excelled. The difference largely came down to the bullpens. With a bevy of rested options to choose from, Dave Roberts went and got his pitchers at the first sign of trouble. In contrast, Walt Weiss, who ran a bullpen game in Game 2 and needed four innings from his ‘pen in Game 3, stretched his pitchers a bit further than they could manage, and although it took seven innings, he finally paid for it. The Dodgers took the game 4-1 and the series 3-1. They now await the winner of the Brewers/Padres series in the NLCS, but you have to imagine they’re not too worried either way.
If you were the Braves, you might have circled Tyler Glasnow’s start on the postseason calendar. This Dodgers rotation has about as many soft spots as the four horseman of the apocalypse, but Glasnow missed much of the season with back spasms, hadn’t pitched in 13 games, and had underperformed his peripherals in a major way. Since he returned from the IL, Glasow had run an excellent 2.14 FIP because he was striking out nearly 13 batters per nine, but his ERA was an unsightly 4.46. When your other options are Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, and Blake Snell, you’ll take it.
The Braves manufactured the first run of the game. More specifically, leadoff man Michael Harris II manufactured it almost single-handedly. Glasnow started Harris with a 96-mph fastball right at the top of the zone, and Harris was all over it, shooting a low liner through the right side of the infield at 107 mph. With basestealing guru Antoan Richardson in the first base coaching box, Harris got out to a huge vault lead and easily stole second base two pitches later. He could have had third as well, but he didn’t see Will Smith’s throw continue into center field. Harris made it there eventually, advancing on a Matt Olson groundout. Three pitches later, Glasnow spiked a 1-1 curveball to Ozzie Albies, and Harris didn’t hesitate for a second. He broke as soon as he read the pitch’s downward angle. It bounced well in front of the plate, and Smith did well to block the high bounce, but he couldn’t keep it close. Harris scored easily. With their season on the line, the Braves had a 1-0 lead. Read the rest of this entry »
You’ve probably heard this fun fact 500 times in the past 48 hours, but I’ll repeat it here: The White Sox haven’t clinched a postseason series at home since 1906. And while I’d take the under on another 120-year wait for a home clincher, White Sox fans are going to have to sit tight for at least another 24 hours.
Jo Adell cleared the bases with a third-inning triple to put the Guardians on top, and they stayed there thanks to some old-school grit-and-grind ball by José Ramírez. A cavalcade of six relievers just barely kept Chicago at arm’s length through the middle and later innings, and the Guardians stayed alive with a 9-3 win. Read the rest of this entry »
Welcome to our Open Game Thread for the LDS games today. Chat with fellow readers as we watch four baseball games for the last time all year! Only Members can participate, and unlike our usual game chats, your messages will be posted immediately.
Our Member community is made up of thousands of incredibly knowledgable baseball fans, and we think this is a great way to follow a game with like-minded baseball enthusiasts. We might even have some FanGraphs Staff drop in and join the fun. Please be courteous to your fellow Members, or you may find your chat privileges revoked.
We are going to open the chat up at 3:30 PM ET and it will remain open until the final out of the Brewers-Padres game.
Jon Becker
Hi everyone! And for the record, my favorite Midwestern foods are cheese curds, Juicy Lucys, and buckeye candies
Eminor3rd
Midwestern-style pizza is underrated. There's Detroit-style, but there's also this generally square cut, sort-of-but-not-super-thin standard MW pizza that just hits the spot.
Jon Becker
I would know, I have been a Midwesterner all my life
Sean Dolinar
Have you gone to an Elvis game?
Jacquehammer Jones
Which World Series Game in Chicago does the Pope go to?
Sean Dolinar
Game 3 or 7? Feel like those are the most Catholic numbers. Unfortunately, there is no game 12.
Broken Bat
What WHITE Sox celebrity I’d throwing out first pitch? Luis Aparicio… MJ ?
Jonathan Vander Lugt
MJ in the red City Connect jerseys would be sick
Eminor3rd
Bumpy cake!
Jeremy Fox
Dan's not in this chat, so I guess we can say Cincinnati chili
Sean Dolinar
I had Skyline back in July. It definitely gets too much hate.
Keaton Arneson
Is it called a casserole or hotdish?
Eminor3rd
As a child I used to get the little Skyline hotdogs, but without the chili. They came in sets of 2 or 3 and would have like a full block of cheddar grated on top of them. So good.
Sean Dolinar
I'd say casserole. But I'm from Pittsburgh.
Eminor3rd
Also casserole, from Columbus
Keaton Arneson
Sean are you adding features mid chat with the team flairs?
Sean Dolinar
I added it this morning. But yes, team flair. Someone kept on saying "As a [TEAM] fan, I want this…". And I'm like we make that simpler.
Keaton Arneson
The answer is hot dish (north dakota/minnesota)
GarageCat
Imo's pizza and frozen custard
Sean Dolinar
I've hosted a few parties with Imo's that I had shipped in. Along with a block of provel.
macseries
playoff odds graphs has small fluctuations since october 5. is this a weather situation, starting pitcher or pure vibes?
Sean Dolinar
It looks like it's like a 0.1% – 0.3% fluctuation. That's just randomness in all likelihood. We can adjust the playing time projections based on an injury or news. But there's always going to be some flux from run to run.
Bacterun
After googling 'popular mid western dishes' and clicking on an AllRecipes list i am going with Tater Tot Hot Dish as the best
James
Hot dish is a good choice. Hard to go wrong there.
Jorge Fabregas
So…who was the mystery first pitch thrower?
tjcook87edited
Also came here to ask. (And for, you know, the baseball chat)
Anonymous Member #46
After all of his injuries, it's so cool to see Daniel Espino starting a playoff game.
wenz
I love when teams do [color]-out games. Always looks so cool
Jacquehammer Jones
Crowd really committed to that BlackOut
macseries
crowd sounds very loud on the radio broadcast
Bacterun
Someone named Belmont Cameli from "Off Campus" threw out the first pitch…no idea who that is
Jorge Fabregas
Thank you. I had seen that name speculated, but likewise have no idea.
Jorge Fabregas
Apparently a square-jawed actor from Naperville
Bacterun
It was a lobbed throw that would hit a LHH but did make most of the way there, catcher reached a little so might have landed at the back of the batters box
wenz
As a Cubs fan, I was very sad when Len Kasper left. He got a lot of mockery for leaving to be able to call playoff games on the radio because the team fell apart right after he switched. I'm glad he's getting to finally do it
drplantwrench
the height of Midwestern food is the walking taco, an abomination of all cuisines involved
tjcook87
Skyline Chili has entered the chat.
drplantwrench
skyline chili is known by all, walking tacos is not known outside of the midwest. people like skyline chili, despite it not being chili
wenz
Socktober may be inevitable
wenz
Wow, less than an inning
Jorge Fabregas
Pretty sure the plan was just for 1 inning.
wenz
Ah, ok. I thought Vogt was panicking haha
drplantwrench
oh wait, you can add your team to your name? did i miss that
Jorge Fabregas
New thing today
Jorge Fabregas
Chat settings top-right gear
eandy
Are we in agreement, the White Sox are the team that everyone is rooting for if they don't have a dog in the fight?
bosoxforlife
That is when you challenge!
Jorge Fabregasedited
Darrin Jackson: umpire gave Peters the big ringy-ringy and has to take it back and apologize
Jorge Fabregas
Just early
drplantwrench
i enjoy the new team thing. before i always wondered what team other people like. like who knows what team "bosoxforlife" is rooting for
tdmocedited
huge bovine guy (bos/ox)
Alan Sherman
Hotdish. State fair fried food on a stick. Cheese curds
moomin
ooh, that was a silly little play
drplantwrench
total aside, huge fan of the moomintroll series
Alan Sherman
I think this is the only series where the teams are evenly matched cuisine wise
Anonymous Member #46
really depends on your stance toward Tampa Bay-style pizza
Alan Sherman
You're going to say that one type of dish can make tampa better than the most diverse food city in the hemisphere? I've had great Southern barbecue in Brooklyn in my admittedly very limited experience of NYC
Anonymous Member #46
I don't think my sarcasm warning was quite high enough!
Alan Sherman
sarcasm is very difficult to detect in text, sorry.
wenz
I know it isn't midwest cuisine, but the Korean corndogs at Rate Field are delicious and I highly recommend them
addctedtoglove32
The footlong Chicago dog at Rate Field is also very good
Raysfan42069
is it too late to say a giant tenderloin sandwich or a bowl of chili with a peanut butter sandwich on the side.
Alan Sherman
I will go for a sandwich alongside a sandwich.
Raysfan42069
I did a poor job of writing that sentence. The PB sammy goes with a bowl of chili. The tenderloin is a completely different amazing dish.
Alan Sherman
Anyone got some ballplayer food names? Ben Rice relevant today
Rich Hill's Fastball
Does Bryan Baker count?
Sean Dolinaredited
Boxberger was a good one.
Sean Dolinar
Ooof, out of challenges this early.
Jacquehammer Jones
Tim Salmon
Alan Sherman
first you send your Rice to the Miller, then it goes to the Baker, and then you have rice bread to go with your Salmon
Rich Hill's Fastball
You can eat it Fried too!
Asa
This is very advanced level stuff. Well done
drplantwrench
Hank Conger (if you eat eel)
bosoxforlife
Or Trout
tdmoc
Pretzels Getzien
Alan Sherman
Also Zach Wheat is an old Brooklyn hall of famer (Lighting the Jaffe signal)
Alan Sherman
Salmon Fried Rice is a great dish
Phil
Sean, it looks like Brendan's chat from earlier today disappeared–it's not in the main feed (not sure it was even while going, just linked from the banner at the top of the page). Just thought you'd want to know in case there's a glitch or Brendan neglected to click something that needed to be clicked.
Back to baseball. Fastballs away are not a good pitch.
Alan Sherman
Ben Clemens wrote that article earlier this year?
tdmocedited
I'm curious what pitches in what locations draw the fewest swings – I figure it's stuff that never looks like a strike, like breaking balls above the zone or fastballs below it.
Alan Sherman
fried catfish hunter too
Alan Sherman
and he hunts rob deer?
bob
Sox too confident?
Alan Sherman
I am loving the Hagen Smith/Grant Taylor/Ray Kerr bullpen surprise aspect of these playoffs
Rich Hill's Fastball
Smith's slider is *snapping* wow
bosoxforlife
He is unhittable if he can throw strikes which is still in question.
drplantwrench
JOOOOOO
Keaton Arneson
White Sox need the no triples defense that is being experimented with in the Fall League
bosoxforlife
That experiment is beyond the pale. I will stop watching if that is ever put in place.
HappyFunBall
Jo Adell should just try to hit triples every time
Alan Sherman
Let them load the bases again and finally got punished
drplantwrench
fun fact: when jo adell hits it, its called a jriple
tdmoc
man, that oppo groundball down the line is such a killer
.280 xBA and probably not much more xSLG
bosoxforlife
It doesn't look like much to a computer but gets the job done more often than not.
macseries
white sox make an out by contact challenge
Sean Dolinar
You don't see the dropped called third strike too often.
bosoxforlife
This has to be first in the history of baseball. Four different lefty pitchers in the first four innings of a game.
Benny The Jet
We back! Very cool touch with the team affiliations, thank you as always for putting these together!
bosoxforlife
Sean, how do I get my real team affiliation attached to my moniker?
Jon Becker
Settings cog in the top right!
Sean Dolinar
We didn't think you needed one!
bosoxforlife
Thanks!
Jon Becker
(I am not Sean but I am helpful)
Benny The Jet
I'll admit I tend to be skeptical of former players hired in the front office, and was doubly so in the case of Getz, having come from the previous mess of a FO, but he has done a phenomenal job it seems
Phillip Denny
White Sox still have some life left in them!
bosoxforlife
Ha Ha, love it!
Sean Dolinar
Double Challenge! 🚨🚨
Anonymous Member #46
These are total time sucks. MLB should be replaying the totality of plays when adjudicating challenges.
Sean Dolinar
Agreed it's too legal system-ish.
Phillip Denny
double uno reverse card
Rich Hill's Fastball
What a silly few minutes
Phillip Denny
Is *runner at 2B turns his head to look at the bag* the universal sign for telling the hitter it's a FB?
tdmoc
@Jon – I have to ask, do you and Jason have automations set up to track roster moves and lineup projections, or are you glued to your computer at all hours F5ing ad nauseam
Sean Dolinar
You should see them at dinner during Winter Meetings.
Sean Dolinar
I'll take that double over catcher's interference!
bosoxforlife
Peters loves those long AB's. Not quite 18 pitches but he delivered again.
wheelhouse
So Jazz Chisholm Jr. has likely played his last game as a Yankee
Phillip Denny
If you're the Yankees do you QO Jazz? If you're Jazz, do you accept?
Rich Hill's Fastball
I think they'll QO him and he'll decline it.
tdmocedited
haven't followed him much, but at a glance I'd say yes and no – he's only 29 next year and looks like a 2+ win guy moving forward
wheelhouse
Yes and yes but I am neither the Yankees nor Jazz Chisholm Jr.
drplantwrench
jazz has to have a free agency market, in spite of everything. i could def see the angels go after him
Sean Dolinar
I don't see someone who talks about having 50/50 season this year just accepting the QO.
wheelhouse
It obviously will depend on what other offers are on the table, but I think the appeal of accepting it would be a chance to redo his walk year after this year’s performance
bosoxforlife
if I was a GM he is not someone i would want on the team. He seems to dance to his own drum and isn't so good that you want him around at the price he is going to ask for.
Anonymous Member #46
I wouldn't mind a high-value, shorter contract if you trust your organizational culture, clubhouse leaders and manager, but I wouldn't want to be on the hook for six years and nine figures.
wheelhouse
I think that’s overrated, at least specifically in his case, but I do think the yankees are done with him. He objected hard to being benched for one postseason game in 2025, and now he’s going to have been benched for multiple postseason games in 2026, so they’re clearly past caring how he feels about it
Phillip Denny
if he has a QO attached to him I could definitely see him being one of those "unsigned into March" guys, let along the lockout playing a part
bosoxforlife
Not starting tonight is absolutely a ticket out of New York.
lzfreak
He's sitting against a RHP today. Not sure if that's happened before in the playoffs. Not a good look
bosoxforlife
Which is exactly why I made my comment.
Benny The Jet
Had me thinking about it so I just did the research and nobody has been stuck waiting until the season to take less $$ because of the QO since Keuchel in 2019- feels like it used to be 3-4 guys every year with the old CBA
lzfreak
Some of this is more guys accepting it too
bosoxforlife
Just a routine major league caliber play but still pretty nice.
Rich Hill's Fastball
Horrible way to allow the first run
Rich Hill's Fastball
That might've been even worse but I guess we'll take it?
bosoxforlife
The pitch of the year coming up
Sean Dolinar
I can just feel the leverage.
bosoxforlife
and that is what great players do!!
Nathaniel
did the ump rule that a catch? i couldn't see on the broadcast. not that it matters, i guess. what a recovery
bosoxforlife
I simply can't say enough about my appreciation of Jose Ramirez. He stayed with Cleveland when he could have got much more elsewhere. It is too bad that he didn't make that play in front of the home crowd.
war2d2
I have an unreasonable dislike for Chase Meidroth for the sole reason that his name has terrible mouthfeel.
Dan Szymborski
I still think J-Ram is the most underrated player of this generation and I hope he doesn't get shafted in the Hall vote
Dan Szymborski
Meidroth pronounced sounds like the name of a demon in an Elder Scrolls game
war2d2
Cleveland has been my AL team since the days of Albert “Don’t Call Me Joey” Belle, but it feels like a frontrunner move to add them as flair on my name.
TKDC
They haven’t won a World Series since the Truman Administration. I think it’s okay.
war2d2edited
J-Ram has an outside shot at 400 HR/400 SB, and maybe 2,500 hits if he really rebounds. I think he’ll get in.
Davy Andrews
Hey I'm writing up the LAD-ATL game tonight, so I'm just stopping in to say hi. Also, I'm glad you got that BOS tag next to your name, bosoxforlife. Now we'll finally know who you're rooting for.
bosoxforlife
I am very proud to have been a Red Sox fan since my first game at Fenway in August 1948 and am not afraid to show my loyalty through thin and, finally, thick.
Nathaniel
ok i'm switching to the LA-ATL game
Jon Becker
Asking for two innings from Cade Smith up four runs feels a little much
Rich Hill's Fastballedited
How many non-Grant Taylor relievers have attempted this in the last week already and gotten hit? Duran, Miller, etc
ktriskett
Hate it.
war2d2
Also the correct answer for “favorite Midwestern food” is Italian beef ordered wet, hot and sweet.
TKDC
Hotdish is my favorite Midwest food.
bosoxforlife
I am still trying to find a way to answer "neither" when asked who I want to win in the Rays-Yankees game.
Sean Dolinar
I’ll try to remember for tomorrow.
macseries
walking ten and striking out 16 times (and counting!) is not a good way to win a baseball game
Phillip Denny
feels like the Dodgers hitting plan for today was "sit on the splitter and wait for a bad one"
Rich Hill's Fastball
This broadcast totally forgot about Tyler Anderson 🙁
Dan Szymborski
So do GMs, most years
Phillip Denny
remember when he randomly popped for 4 WAR in 2022 and got way overpaid by the Angels? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
Jos
i was at his near no hitter vs the angels and its the one time ive ever been actively mad at shohei since he broke it up in the ninth
TKDC
Smoltz says players will evolve in “when, how, and why they will challenge” in ABS. I want him to expand on this “how” element of the challenge system.
tdmoc
accidentally while adjusting their helmets
TKDC
I was thinking maybe more taps? Like at least five or six.
Benny The Jet
Cleveland is Clevelandmaxing
Rich Hill's Fastball
Gotta sit Cade now, right?
Benny The Jet
I don't much want to watch him broadcast baseball, but I would absolutely watch Smoltz try to play a video game
Nathan
He was proudly Smoltzsplaining how to get a big lead and force a throwover. I would watch that.
bosoxforlife
How fate twists and turns as life goes on. Early in the year Davis Martin was a leading candidate for the Cy Young and now he is relegated to mop up duty.
macseries
mop-up guy came in in the third
tdmoc
wow! still Cade Smith? with a 6 run lead?
bosoxforlife
Stephen Vogt is usually one step ahead but this is definitely a questionable decision.
Sean Dolinar
Great response with the CLE/CHW poll! Most of you were wrong. But I like the participation!
Alan Sherman
Has Davis Martin made a start in the playoffs yet?
lzfreak
3 hard hit outs against Mahle that inning
Phillip Denny
the BABIP gods giveth, the BABIP gods taketh away.
TKDCedited
Muncy hit a really good pitch 390 feet. Braves should be very worried about third time through but are very inconsistent about how much they consider that.
Phillip Denny
Could we *not* check in on the prediction trends, driven by Polymarket?
Phillip Denny
5 walks is bad and all, but ultimately 4.2 IP 1 ER from your #4 starter in the playoffs is perfectly adequate
Matt Martell
Hello from Yankee Stadium
Matt Martell
Here's a poll question:
Will the Yankees make more errors than I eat press box cookies tonight?
Davy Andrews
If I were there and this question were about me, it would be no contest.
Matt Martell
For those of you who don't know, during last year's ALDS, Davy carried multiple plastic cup's worth of cookies out to the auxiliary press box in the right field upper deck stands. It was inspiring
Davy Andrews
Cookies are my favorite food.
lzfreak
Teoscar looks hurt
danodea
Can't believe that wasn't a triple. Did he not run out the box? Tbh I guess that's fair cause I *really* can't believe it wasn't a homer lol
bosoxforlife
He didn't go into his HR trot but he never hit high gear.
Antonio Bananas
Feel like we should find a way to tax ad spend for gambling sites. Consider it a pigouvian tax.
Antonio Bananas
So twice ATL wont score because a baserunner didnt get to 3rd when they should have
Davy Andrews
Wait, Harris scored on the first one.
bosoxforlife
Last night it was easy to find time to have dinner between games but I am befuddled by what I am going to have to do to fit my chicken alfredo into the schedule.
Davy Andrews
How was the pizza?
bosoxforlife
It was, as always, just right. Crisp and loaded with meats of all kinds.
TKDCedited
Brandon Gaudin clearly saw the criticism of Joe Davis and didn’t want the same.
wheelhouse
Well, time to watch the judge yankees die
wheelhouse
they gave fried schlittler’s numbers in the tv graphic
lzfreak
I was so confused by this
bosoxforlife
It looks like Fuentes is beginning to show some fraying around the edges.
TKDC
I think it was 47 pitches and then two days rest. That feels like a lot of pitches to only rest two days.
Nathaniel
i think he was safe
JakeDubois
Yeah, but seriously Teo, come on
bosoxforlife
Too close to overturn.
lzfreak
Closer than it needed to be though. Would've been a total tootblan
Schmegs
I'm happy anytime there's a chance to say TOOTBLAN
wheelhouse
What was that, 6 pitches?
wheelhouse
New lineup fixed everything
bubbles
Keys to the game. Don't walk guys with 2 outs
TKDC
The Dodgers are just absolutely mocking that conventional wisdom this series.
MattStats5
F*** the Dodgers! That is all.
Benny The Jet
Wow
bosoxforlife
What type of cookies? I am partial to rea Toll House.
Davy Andrews
They're very much cafeteria cookies. Usually chocolate chip (but those go fast) and oatmeal raisin.
TKDC
Pages should have ran through second there.
lzfreak
One of my favorite baseball-isms is guys throwing "the kitchen sink." I just love the idea of people who don't know the sport blinking at the idea of a "kitchen sink guy"
Antonio Bananas
Say what you want about Smoltz
Antonio Bananas
Why is Acuna batting 2nd?
TKDC
Where should he be hitting? He was fantastic in September. If we are moving guys down based on the postseason, are we moving Olson and Baldwin down, too?
Antonio Bananas
Has Acuna even hit a ball hard? Olson, Baldwin, and Albies have at least made hard contact
TKDCedited
Yes, he has hit a ball hard.
Edit: his hard hit rate coming into today in this series is 50%, tied for highest on the team.
wheelhouse
Fried’s hurt
lzfreak
Fried still out there. Any source on the injury?
MattStats5
Acuna a non-factor….tough to see.
MattStats5
What happened to Fried? Watching Braves game….
wheelhouse
Unclear but Cole just jogged out to the bullpen
MattStats5
As much as I hate the Yankees (I'm an Orioles fan), good to see Lombard post up since his call up.
wheelhouse
He’s been bad
ncphl
That changeup for strike three by Martinez was pretty
MattStats5
Fried back out for the third.
wheelhouse
Lombard making a mistake on the field again. That throw was both futile and wide and could’ve given deluca an extra base if garcia didn’t bail him out
jthornton
Are you guys watching Yankees exec Mike Pinsky on Survivor 51?
wheelhouse
No, I’m watching Dua Lipa in the second row
wheelhouse
Maybe Lombard is too
millvillemeltdown
"dula peep" "i can't [field a ground ball]"
MattStats5
Playoff baseball, and we have someone invading the chat who's watching Survivor….LMAO!
millvillemeltdown
could a player theoretically go on the injured list for insomnia
millvillemeltdown
the basis for this question is that i felt my game iq slide into the negatives as i attempted to play frisbee on 30 minutes of sleep last night
jthornton
for sure, right? I think I can recall some sleep apnea diagnoses helping players get right
wheelhouse
Rays win
Michael Baumann
What's happenin', hot stuff?
Michael Baumann
As much as I'm frustrated by not having a dining table at hand when I go to a baseball game, I find the Chop House slightly offensive. It feels antithetical to the communal peanuts-and-cracker jack mode of live baseball
millvillemeltdown
if you aint balancing an aggressively laden tupperware and thermos of scalding soup precariously on your lap you aint livin
millvillemeltdown
i think the only viable solution is a lecture hall style desk that folds out from in between, and is inevitably covered in gum et cetera
marqueefgrissom
atlanta would never have an offensive chop
marz
Diaz again. Do the Dodgers think he’s back?
jms4
rice is nice!
marz
Well damn, maybe he is.
danodea
He was pretty good to close out the season
Rich Hill's Fastball
Popping back in just to celebrate!
GoatBenRice
🙂
millvillemeltdown
alas, my "hometown" "team", the cobb county hatchets, have fallen
GoatBenRice
nice George
Rollie's Mustache
The funny thing about the Yankees is that they *can* play good defensively. Great even, at times. But they can also look like a DSL club some nights.
wheelhouse
That was some great defense right there
danodea
Congrats to Ryan Vilade, former Indianapolis Indian
lzfreak
Scorebug got fooled there
Phil
How do we feel (aesthetically) about the moment of ambiguity when it's not clear whether it's a home run or a robbery? Extra fun 'cause suspenseful, or annoyingly anticlimactic?
moomin
I'm a fan
lzfreak
It's super fun when they actually catch it and play it cool for a second or two
ncphl
I only like it when it's a catch
millvillemeltdown
i'm not a huge fan bc it feels like doing the pitcher dirty
millvillemeltdown
but im sure lots of pitchers are chiller than i imagine. i'm just socially anxious and a mess
millvillemeltdown
lombard feels like a bwj type situation to me. he might grow into ss really nicely
millvillemeltdown
at least that's my hope, bc i find defense aesthetically pleasing
Sean Dolinar
TBS messed up and put up a third out on that HR. Oops.
wheelhouse
Ben Rice deserves to be on a better team
millvillemeltdown
wheelhouse deserves to root for a better team
millvillemeltdown
ftr i think it's like a law of nature that wheelhouse must be a yanks fan. like fermions having half-integer spin. if you put another hat on their head they become a non-wheelhouse
lzfreak
The Yankees had the best run differential in the league this year by a lot. This isn't a bad team. I wish for the day when the Yankees have an actual bad team
wheelhouse
I didn’t say they were bad, I said Rice deserves better
millvillemeltdown
rice deserves a whole bibimbap of accompanying characters
millvillemeltdown
rice deserves to be the staple grain of entire continents and their diaspora
millvillemeltdown
i'm so hungry.
millvillemeltdown
the yankees are certainly a very frustrating team i will grant
Phil
Is this one of those injury replacements that really isn't 'cause they were going to take him out anyway? And does the reliever still get the extra warmup pitches in that situation?
millvillemeltdown
extra warm up pitches feels almost… counterproductive to me. if the guy's already warm, save his bullets, i guess? i don't know how arm health works, though
wheelhouse
Why would you be playing jones shallow
millvillemeltdown
i am sure aaron boone has seen 10^23 times more baseball played than i have, and has billions more neural connections related to it than i have, and knows subconsciously more than i will ever consciously know about the sport. but every so often he makes a decision that's a real head-scratcher, even to me
millvillemeltdown
did you know that neutrinos change flavors. i didn't even know neutrinos had flavors until today. what do you think they taste like
Rollie's Mustache
I heard it was considered as a secret ingredient on Iron Chef but producers worried that it would be the most disappointing and confusing reveal.
wheelhouse
Should Boone pull Fried for the sixth
Davy Andrews
Hey everybody, just filed my Dodgers-Braves gamer. What'd I miss in New York?
Phil
Rice is a good hitter. Kevin Cash has a quick hook.
jms4
ben rice is still the goat
millvillemeltdown
some yankees fans might hate the yankees more than i do
Matt Martell
Wasn't a quick hook. Martinez left after getting hit by the Volpe line drive
Matt Martell
He seemed to be on the ropes anyway, but I think that prompted it.
jms4
another hard hit lineout for trent grisham. i will not be looking at the average social media take on trent grisham
wheelhouse
Boone should pull Fried, right?
millvillemeltdown
i am trying to use the new flairs to create words instead of watching real baseball. the psychologists continue to insist that this constitutes normal behavior.
Matthew Spence
I love this for you
millvillemeltdown
"i'm creating value for society!" i scream, while they drag me back to the basement
wheelhouse
Fried’s back out there
millvillemeltdown
if you stitched fried and rodon together do you think they'd be injured more or less frequently
drplantwrench
not sure, but theyd make a great circus act
drplantwrench
BAAANG
Davy Andrews
Oh my goodness, the way Mesa watched that ball.
wheelhouse
Hey Boone should’ve pulled Fried
danodea
That was awesome
wheelhouse
God I hate being a better manager on my couch than that numbskull
Benny The Jet
Did something happen between Mesa and Wells bc that was aggressive
danodea
I thought he was looking at his bench
Rollie's Mustache
I uh don't think that's where Fried wanted that sweeper.
wheelhouse
I uh don’t think that the mound in the sixth inning in a win-or-go-home game is where I wanted Fried
millvillemeltdown
i remember him melting down in the atl/sdp wild card in… '24? i think it was yom kippur as well; idk if he's observing still
millvillemeltdown
my friend's cat bernie is not impressed.
Phil
Victor Mesa is a very fun Rays Magic story.
nicstone
I have rarely been so shocked by a HR. Might be the worst pitch I've ever seen Max Fried throw. I wonder if the Caminero hot shot back at him messed him up
wheelhouse
Good hitter third time through the order
nicstone
Not better than Aranda or Diaz. And not a better hitter than Fried is a pitcher. And Fried was cruising until the the liner at his face
wheelhouse
“He was cruising”? Are we in pre-SABR times?
nicstone
The first 2 batters of the inning were sat down easy. And the previous inning was 1-2-3 with two nasty strikeouts
drplantwrench
good guy fried wanted to make sure he could be home for his new kid
lzfreak
Is Fried really that bad of an option there? He's a top 10-15 starting pitcher in the game and he had the platoon advantage over Mesa. I love to rail on Boone as much as the next guy but this one wasn't an obviously bad call
millvillemeltdown
clearly, because he gave up a homer /s
Phil
I didn't think it was obvious, but I'm generally skeptical of the 3rd-time-through orthodoxy (and I wanted Gray to be left in, so it would be hypocritical to say Fried clearly shouldn't have been).
wheelhouse
It’s the third time through the order, against the top of the order, in a tied win-or-go-home game, with a fully rested bullpen. Inexcusable
wheelhouse
Oh, and Fried has been on the IL twice this season and hasn’t regularly gone deep into games
lzfreak
Wasn't Jax going to start tomorrow? If there's a game 4, who starts?
wheelhouse
I guess we’ll never know
millvillemeltdown
it aint over til, uh, what was it?
GoatBenRice
Mr. wheelhouse the odds of max fried giving up a left on left homer to victor mesa are like 0.1%. This series is just hell
Rollie's Mustache
Fist LvL home run Fried's given up this year I think.
GoatBenRice
Put the ball girl at third
GoatBenRice
actually kill me
NATS Fan
Go Rays! defeat the evil empire!
GoatBenRice
you're all invited to my funeral
lzfreak
Nice challenge by Hicks
GoatBenRice
evil empire you're stuck in the 90s brotha
GoatBenRice
AHHHHHHHH|
Michael Baumann
I love it when the ball girl makes a nice catch. It's one of my favorite bits of baseball mundanity
drplantwrench
wow
GoatBenRice
ANTNEE
danodea
oh my
Rollie's Mustache
Volpe, of course.
Michael Baumann
Where the heck did that ball go? Live, it didn't look like the fans got it either
Matthew Spence
Hit the roof
lzfreak
Mesa had an odd reaction there
lzfreak
If this gets overturned I'm excited to watch Boone get tossed
GoatBenRice
bout to def wasn't over
drplantwrench
i cant wait for it to get overturned plz
Jon Becker
I think that's a double
Jon Becker
If they can split the difference there
Jon Becker
Definitely not a homer
Benny The Jet
Jeffrey Maier is looking old
GoatBenRice
Yea no way where does Lombard go
Michael Baumann
It looked good head on but the guy in the jacket was clearly way over.
Sean Dolinaredited
I’d call him out.
GoatBenRice
if its a double Lombard definitely would have score no?
Sean Dolinar
I’d call him out.*
Rollie's Mustache
Over/under on items thrown on the field when this is overturned?
Rollie's Mustache
Two beverages, a container of popcorn and counting.
NATS Fan
they will always be the evil empire to me! Although now the dodgers also qualify.
Michael Baumann
Right call, imo
Sean Dolinaredited
Really just out of spite for the fan that reached into the field of play.
nicstone
Literally everything is going against us today. I hate this
Jon Becker
Boone asking for an explanation for a perfect call in which the run scored is interesting
wheelhouse
Eyewash
Benny The Jet
We might need a poll for that
Jon Becker
Maybe he wants Volpe on third?
Michael Baumann
Also, come on, we're at least another 75 years from the Yankees not being the Evil Empire
GoatBenRice
Being a yankee fan who wasn't alive for the dynasties is odd
Michael Baumann
I feel ya. It's got to be unsettling to be the Nebraska football of baseball
NATS Fan
Go Rays!!! Tampa needs some love!
GoatBenRice
holy changeup Jesus
Michael Baumann
They've been a normal big-market team for at least 15 or 20 years now but the metaphysical inertia they built up from 1920 to ~2009 is the size of a planet
lzfreak
For Twins fans it continued into 2010, 2017, 2019. I will never not despise the Yankees
nicstone
As someone born in 2000, I do remember 2009. But fans of other teams really underestimate the sense of how fans of my age feel just like any other team. We genuinely feel we have seen barely any success. Yes we appreciate being good every year. But a lot of other teams are good every year (or most, we are abnormally consisten). But at some point we want WS titles, and we just feel like we consistently fail in the playoffs. Because we don't remember the 90's. It not relevant
GoatBenRice
No we have it so much better than most. The bad thing about the past few years is how uniquely humiliating the losses have been.
lzfreak
Try living through one losing season then we'll talk
GoatBenRice
Exactly we got it good but the laugh factor of the recent losses sucks a lil
GoatBenRice
As I am also a fan of sports teams that miss the playoffs I can say id rather them miss the playoffs than lose to a huge rival because they make 5 errors in a game with the cy young winner on the mound
NATS Fan
You get to pitch Cy Young pitchers and see home run champions every year. Have the Yankees ever traded away at the deadline?
wheelhouse
They were very stupid not to in 2023
lzfreak
They got Gleyber Torres from the Cubs for Aroldis Chapman in 2016
NATS Fan
They did not know it was an option probably
Alan Sherman
hey you kids get off my lawn! /snark
Benny The Jet
The Yanks definitely aren't the same Evil Empire to the rest of the league anymore, but respectfully, a Pirates fan born in 2000 has seen 6 playoff games in their lifetime and they lost 4 of them… there's levels to it is what I'm saying
GoatBenRice
Thank you Michael I am stealing metaphysical inertia. this is why I subscribe to this service
Jon Becker
Manny Machado did WHAT
Eric Brooks
At minimum the consequence needs to be that they confiscate the ball, right?
Jon Becker
(he bunted for a hit)
NATS Fan
I know a few METS fan who still think the Yankees are evil. They will always be evil. Baseball is more fun when you hate or love the Yankees.
wheelhouse
Now imagine if that third run had been to take the lead, instead of not being enough to make up for Mesa’s HR
Phil
I take it personally that the Red Sox were denied an opportunity for another World Series because John McGraw refused to play them in 1904. A few mildly underachieving years for the Yankees are not going to change how I feel about them.
GoatBenRice
Okay Boston sports fan experiencing literally the most sports success ever of all time and still complaining
Phil
Not being a football fan changes things a bit, but point taken.
GoatBenRice
Fair fair
wheelhouse
The Red Sox have completely dominated the Yankees for most of my living memory
lzfreak
Didn't the Yankees just obliterate them last week in a playoff "series"
wheelhouse
That was AI
fincampbell05
Even as a Red Sox fan it kind of feels that way with what so often happens to the Yankees right after they beat the Red Sox soundly (in the regular season just as much as the playoffs, it feels like)
si.or.no
Can we get a flair for team entropy? I just want every series to go to the last game. Maximum baseball.
Sean Dolinar
What would it be? ΔS?
millvillemeltdown
Ω_max(Baseball)
millvillemeltdown
ΔS is really good i appreciate this (currently in thermodynamics)
Sean Dolinar
Yeah, I was wondering if you got your homework done when I wrote that.
Alan Sherman
Does Yankee Stadium even have parking lots?
millvillemeltdown
for once!
wheelhouse
That was a nice last Yankee AB for Jazz
lzfreak
Well we got to see Jazz Chisholm
GoatBenRice
He was in there to homer or walk and took a good aggressive homer swing just missed it
Matthew Spence
The Yankee fans seem nice.
wheelhouse
Would you be
Matthew Spence
TBF the Dodger fans would have left already to beat traffic
wheelhouse
Now a nice last Yankee AB for Grisham, and Bednar’s warming up for his last Yankee innings, right after Blackburn’s last Yankee inning+. Considerate of Boone to get everyone in the game so we can all say goodbye. Maybe he’s not so bad of a manager after all
misterjohnny
Yankees fans booing their own team is so Yankees fans
GoatBenRice
idiot fans
NATS Fan
I have always felt Jazz Chisholm was a great name.
GoatBenRice
its a one run game stop booing
Matthew Spence
So true
wheelhouse
Could’ve been a one run game the other way if Boone had pulled Fried when he should’ve
GoatBenRice
Brother if you want to play the odds game the odds of mesa hitting that homer are so slim. if Diaz or caminero hit it id get it but he mowed down Diaz and Aranda to start the inning
wheelhouse
At worst, it should’ve been batter-to-batter with a reliever ready as soon as one reached base.
GoatBenRice
If its batter to batter you're absolutely leaving him in against a lefty with a runner on first
GoatBenRice
damn Jax so nasty
nicstone
Jax is nasty. Can't be too upset at Grisham or Rice
GoatBenRice
Curveball averaged 86 w -16 tn
David P
I love that MLB doesn't stretch out the playoffs games ridiculously like the NBA does, but is it too much to ask to avoid overlapping games?
lzfreak
I love the overlapping games. Feels like March madness
Alan Sherman
I went to a night dodger game at the end of a spring break road trip and we were in the parking lot until midnight and then had to drive all night up I-5 to the Bay
Matthew Spence
It is honestly the worst postgame experience
GoatBenRice
public transit >>
Alan Shermanedited
In full agreement that public transit is the way to go to a ballgame
millvillemeltdown
there's this song called "LAX" by vulfpeck. the hook goes "i love my baby, she's the best / she picks me up at LAX". it sounds like a love song, and it is, but even more it's a condemnation of lax as a feat of extreme endurance
jcathtraverse
I haven't been to a Dodger game, but have spent enough time in LA to say I don't think you want to take public transportation there.
Antonio Bananas
Car dependency + NIMBYs = awful everything
NATS Fan
I believe Tampa Rays are the best run team in sports. Go Rays!
GoatBenRice
Them and MIL. Rays strategy of getting a bunch of scrappy guys and elite pitching seems to get them a legit run every 5 or so years. Can't ask for much more when you don't spend
Antonio Bananas
Only one 90 loss season since 2008. In the last 10 years they haven't had a 90 loss season or finished last. So they do this without long periods of high draft picks…in the AL East
wheelhouse
Victor Mesa Jr. had reverse splits this year btw, just fwiw. 146 wRC+ vs. LHP
GoatBenRice
Yeah but it's max fried who famously does not give up home runs. I get taking him out but its not like leaving him in is bringing in Nestor cortes to face Freddie freeman
wheelhouse
Bringing in Nestor there was more defensible than leaving Fried out there here
NATS Fan
Victor Victor Mesa Mesa
millvillemeltdown
victor "victor mesa" mesa
millvillemeltdown
vick table
NATS Fan
I'll bet the Marlins miss Mesa
GoatBenRice
Clean shaven gerrit Cole jumpscare
millvillemeltdown
i wish for a midwest funfest world series
Sean Dolinar
If that happens, we are going to have so many Midwest themed polls in here.
GoatBenRice
I hope its finally the brewers year
NATS Fan
I hope your right, but the dodgers exist!
wheelhouse
He wasn’t hit there
GoatBenRice
Weird one because it sounded like it did but didn't look like it
wheelhouse
That won’t be overturned and Boone should get himself tossed
Rollie's Mustache
Aranda's elbow guard didn't move and the spin of the ball didn't change. Don't like that call.
wheelhouse
If he doesn’t he’s quiet quitting
nicstone
That's terrible. Pretty clearly didn't touch him
GoatBenRice
Junior is so scary
Matthew Spence
Not a HBP
millvillemeltdown
i am somewhere within a day's round trip of the twin cities, so i went to kramarczuk last time i was down there. good soup. excellent soup.
comradeyurika
Looked like the ball changed direction slightly
wheelhouse
I wonder whether Bednar gets the QO. Velo was down from his peak all year
millvillemeltdown
between bednar and r. iglesias who do you figure is the better true talent closer
GoatBenRice
it'll be interesting to see. velo down but splitter took a huge step forward. doubt they give a reliever that money
NATS Fan
I'd guess Bednar
wheelhouse
Bednar but they’re both in the great, not elite tier
millvillemeltdown
i think they are very similar. one could even say close.
NATS Fan
can Adrian Morejon close as well as them?
wheelhouse
I think they either trade for a brand name who hasn’t hit FA and gotten paid yet (there was so much noise around Miller), or sign someone who’s gotten saves for someone to go into a competition with the likes of Headrick and Lagrange for the spot
millvillemeltdown
in my mind, based on exactly 0 data, morejon feels like a better closer candidate than either
wheelhouse
Morejon will also get paid as much or more than either
NATS Fan
My gut feels the same
wheelhouse
I believe that was Volpe’s first-ever putout at 3B in the majors
fincampbell05
Red Sox legend Cam Booser
GoatBenRice
That story on him on mlb.com was really cool
jms4
RARE RAYS DEFENSIVE MISCUE
millvillemeltdown
a win for team entropy
Michael Baumann
Not an awesome throw but Aranda's got to pick that. Caminero did a pirouette for God's sake
Matthew Spence
They called it an E5?
millvillemeltdown
everyone knows that the more you spin the more obligated the 1b is to pick it
Michael Baumann
I would not have, obviously
millvillemeltdown
i think TΔS works maybe? being part of the thermodynamic identity if you swap d for delta
wheelhouse
Lombard actually swinging at a first pitch fastball strike for once in his entire career. He missed it
GoatBenRice
Great time for an ad break
Matthew Spence
Hated it
ncphl
Makes me mad
GoatBenRice
you know I just really wish it was a gambling ad
NATS Fan
They are prediction markets
GoatBenRice
u right u right my bad
wheelhouse
Nice for Stanton to get one last AB as a Yankee.
GoatBenRice
lighten up, Francis
wheelhouse
I said it’s nice
wheelhouse
Hope he doesn’t strike out
Matthew Spence
Whelp
wheelhouse
It was still Nice
millvillemeltdown
0.7^3 is a shockingly small number, and i wish people who bet on parlays understood that better
Matthew Spence
What are we talking about here
millvillemeltdownedited
sorry i meant to reply to the thing about gambling ads. parlays preying on a "near miss" fallacy etc. the more legs to a parlay, no matter how good the chances of an individual leg hitting, the worse the chances get, invariably.
nicstoneedited
Stanton up. This is cinema. Does a HR here materially effect his HOF chances?
millvillemeltdown
giancarlo "notnats" stanton
GoatBenRice
legendary social media presence
millvillemeltdown
i was trying to show my friends photos of his batting stance and came across his nude photoshoot. that was an interesting day
GoatBenRice
Interesting…. but not bad
danodea
He should lay down a bunt
Matthew Spence
Hold on doing a parlay on that
danodea
Dang we both lost money
wheelhouse
Thanks for nothing G
millvillemeltdown
the cleveland series was legendary though. i wish he could have kept hitting nukes forever
millvillemeltdown
g. stanton > 0.5 bunts, g. stanton > 0.5 hrs, g. stanton > 3 Ks. surely that'll hit
nicstone
Ugh. A HR would have been so crazy. Wasted chance
GoatBenRice
kelly was a brutal matchup. no homer off those bowling balls
wheelhouse
7, 8, and 9 in the order up in the ninth against Baker
Russell
they yankees have them right where they want them
danodea
Rays would have been so flummoxed by the bunt attempt that they'd throw it away. Yes I am available to manage the Yankees, if only they'd ask
wheelhouse
Would you have pulled Fried prior to the sixth? If so you’re disqualified for knowing too much ball
danodea
I would not have cause I only learned about the reverse splits after the fact when the announcers mentioned it
Benny The Jet
Can I get a fact check on there having been no new options for motion sickness in the last 40 years
Matthew Spence
I mean, I know they had Dramamine in 1986 so….
millvillemeltdown
i wasn't aware i even had options! i've just been carrying my plastic-lined bag around in case…
Michael Baumann
Phoebe Bridgers is new as of the past 40 years
millvillemeltdown
tbf so am i
nicstone
Fried couldn't have done THAT??? 😔
GoatBenRice
muk frid
millvillemeltdown
mac feed
danodea
You're tellin me a Max fried this rice??
millvillemeltdown
srimp
danodea
Oh Tatis Tater to tie it up, nice
GoatBenRice
word?? I gotta turn that game on
NATS Fan
Are Singles Tater Tots?
millvillemeltdown
infield hit has to be, like, a single shred from hash brown
Schmegs
So Kelly finished the inning and can now be removed from the game. If he comes out next inning can he be removed after facing a second batter if he's previously finished an inning? Or does he then have to face a third hitter?
wheelhouse
Three batter minimum is only waived to start an inning
wheelhouse
I.e. the latter
wheelhouse
If that’s the last we see of Bednar I would like to congratulate him on having been A Good Yankee. Rare these days
wheelhouse
Not that rare. Hit-and-miss for big trade acquisitions maybe.
Michael Baumann
Love Bednar. Though going to commercial with him on the mound and coming back with Baker on the mound made me think the aspect ratio on my TV had gone off
wheelhouse
2
jms4
Baker does not look unbeatable tonight, which is a start
danodea
Throw strikes
wheelhouse
Can we get a Yankee GIDP to end it all
danodea
So close
wheelhouse
Jones should steal here
jms4
Babe Ruth 1926 World Series Game 7 caught stealing would ruin me rn
jms4
i concede
danodea
Future Pirate Jazz Chisholm Jr
wheelhouse
Ooooooh almost
wheelhouse
1
Michael Baumann
Another rotating Rays infielder, another botched pick by Aranda
lzfreak
Ah thought that was it
Sean Dolinar
Are all you Yankees fans gonna come back the rest of the playoffs after tonight?
wheelhouse
Which would you prefer
nicstone
Absolutely not
jms4
probably gonna have to use tomorrow to weep
Michael Baumann
Whoever said a spin should oblige the first baseman to catch better, I don't care if you were being sarcastic: It should
millvillemeltdown
more spins more better was my thesis. i am unprepared to defend it
wheelhouse
Oh, it’s over
Russell
WOOOOOO
wheelhouse
I’m less upset than I was after game 2 by far
Phil
Congratulations to the St. Petersburgians!
NATS Fan
Go Tampa!
Davy Andrews
I take it Junior Caminero doesn't use a broom very much in his day-to-day life.
danodea
Is that what he was doing?? I thought he was golfing for some reason
Davy Andrewsedited
Ninety-nine percent sure it was a sweep, but yeah, he shouldn't take up miming.
millvillemeltdown
the children yearn for the mimes
Matthew Spence
Is the roof the series MVP?
Davy Andrews
Maybe the turf?
wheelhouse
Boone “shaking up the lineup” meant that Grisham took that AB instead of, you know, Ben Rice btw
Russell
tactical genius Aaron Boone
danodea
Should have just slapped a fake mustache on Judge and sent him up. "Yea I uhhh had a growth spurt"
wheelhouse
People really think it’s yankee fan overreaction to say he’s terrible at the job. I don’t see one thing he’s good at
nicstone
What a terrible at bat from Grisham and Jazz after a game full of them. Mind boggling that Boone thought putting Trent first instead of Rice was a good idea. Imagine Rice taking that at bat instead…
millvillemeltdown
what happened to grish even
wheelhouse
Oh, this one’s easy: they bit hard on an outlier year and ignored concerning trends w.r.t. his defense and general athleticism, and then sunk-cost fallacy meant they kept playing him
Davy Andrews
There's a little more to this one. He looked great, then he strained a hammy and didn't hit as well afterward. And some of the advanced numbers say he just got unlucky even after the injury.
millvillemeltdown
i know last year was kind of an outlier but he just totally cratered
Phil
The Rays' radio guy is suddenly complaining that the Rays don't get enough love from the "national writers." Is that true? I thought everyone agreed that the Rays are the most efficient franchise in baseball?
JBigs
I would assume they're talking more about ESPN/FS1 types not Fangraphs.
LaBellaVita
I can't speak about the media. But I can say TBR didn't receive as much love from the bettors. Going into the season, even though the Rays had won more games than NYY and had home-field advantage, more money was put on NYY than on TBR.
wheelhouse
That’s because bettors bet for their team and there are more Yankees fans than Rays fans in the country. That’s all that is
LaBellaVita
And that is how smarter bettors make money.
wheelhouse
Sure, but dumb bettors are not a demographic whose respect I’d care about
Michael Baumann
I dislike the implication that I'm obligated to "love" anyone
Michael Baumann
It's why I don't have a dog
millvillemeltdown
they are a bit tricky to root for tbf. churn etc
NATS Fan
so Yankees fans hate dogs?
wheelhouse
How long do you have if you want to get to the bottom of what Yankees fans do and do not hate
millvillemeltdown
yanks HATE bark @ the park
misterjohnny
My son Is a rays fan. Keeps needing new jerseys bc all the players get traded
millvillemeltdown
hopefully caminero is around for a long time
NATS Fan
just get him a Wade Boggs devil Rays Jersey. He is in the hall of fame.
Rollie's Mustache
That's like buying a Pete Rose Expos jersey!
millvillemeltdown
zobrist? longoria?
misterjohnny
He’s off the payroll he buys his own jerseys now. But in 2020 we went to the WS together in TX and it was great. ( for me the Dodger fan)
NATS Fan
I know
tdmoc
Erasmo Ramírez
Matthew Spence
Will Boone be back?
millvillemeltdown
no comment on his game iq but i personally find him a bit unpleasant
wheelhouse
Yes
Davy Andrews
Chat, I have an important update from Matt Martell: The Yankees made zero errors and I, unfortunately, ate zero cookies.
wheelhouse
Boone made several errors on their behalf
millvillemeltdown
davy, i used to work at a place known for its purportedly unlimited cookies. i'll invite you someday somehow
Davy Andrews
There are few things I wouldn't do for cookies.
millvillemeltdown
funnily enough i am not a very good baker of cookies. i mostly made bread.
Davy Andrews
You still have my attention.
jcathtraverse
Obviously the Yankees have a ton of faith in Boone, and I would imagine this isn't quite what it takes to break it, but it does seem at some point you'd have to give another manager a shot to win a WS in the Judge era.
wheelhouseedited
Talking about winning a WS in the Judge era is approaching the same meaning as saying the Nationals won the WS in the Ryan Zimmerman era.
LaBellaVita
Is it Boone, who was, I read, credited with completely outmanaging Tracy in the previous series, or does it start with Cashman? Do the Rays outplay the Yankees because they have better players, or are the players better prepared?
jcathtraverse
Yeah, you're right it's more a general staleness. Not sure what the solution is or if it's enough of a problem to need a solution. But most teams do eventually make change even if just to make it.
Rollie's Mustache
Bradgley Rodriguez is an early contender for this year's postseason Louis Varland. Will he pitch in every single game? I'm leaning yes.
wheelhouse
This is the 4th time in 5 years that a rival team has celebrated eliminating the Yankees from the playoffs on the field at Yankee Stadium. The only respite was missing the playoffs entirely
wheelhouse
Like it’s getting boring
jcathtraverse
congrats on being bored of watching your team in the playoffs?
NATS Fan
So you would prefer to lose
wheelhouse
Would you have found that series enjoyable
wheelhouse
They just lost
jcathtraverse
Yeah, I just watched it, it wasn't a very good series. Not worse than watching your team suck all year.
NATS Fan
I'll feel sorry for you if you go through 7 consecutive 95 loss seasons and sell at all 7 deadlines.
Phil
Eh, it sucks to lose, regular season or playoffs. I get it.
NATS Fan
then you finally get a winning team and they sell at the deadline!
Davy Andrews
You guys, Junior Caminero just did the Vladdy "Theeeeee Yankees lose!" thing in the clubhouse.
Rollie's Mustache
Oh no. Cursed 2027 season incoming for Junior.
Phil
Sterling will live to be mocked, forever.
Ben Schneider
Checking in late night to celebrate the Yankees being swept away!
Ben Schneider
And to watch the best series
Benny The Jet
If Miller and Morejon are healthy and available, why are they not getting these next 12 outs?
Jos
asking miller to get 6 outs didnt go well last time, not sure stammen is going to try that again
Nate
Seems like the Padres using their high leverage arms in every game in this series is finally coming back to bite them
NATS Fan
Do not abuse Morejon! i want him to be a healthy National next season.
war2d2
Man, I’m sorry but Wainwright adds absolutely nothing to this broadcast. Pierzynski is annoying and has a terrible voice, but at least he sounds like he’s got more than two synapses to rub together. Continues to be the worst booth in this postseason.
NATS Fan
It's a shame. Nobody was better at following Molina's commands.
jcathtraverseedited
the FOX booths both suck despite basically fine play by play. would be happy to see Peacock expand it's playoff portfolio when the rights all get renegotiated.
CurrentlyAtABar
Best way to avoid an underwhelming booth? Watch the game from a bar loud enough to drown it out.
war2d2
The name checks out.
wheelhouse
Yankees lineup in 2027 is probably:
1. Rice DH
2. Judge RF
3. Garcia 1B
4. Bellinger LF
5. Lombard SS
6. Jones CF
7. Volpe 2B
8. Wells C
9. McMahon (lol maybe it’ll be Caballero) 3B
That sucks
lzfreak
Yeah woof. Probably only top 3 in runs scored. With a top tier pitching staff. Tough times
wheelhouse
5 down is terrible
NATS Fan
You mean like Yankees fans that complain about have two of the best power hitters in baseball leading off and batting second followed by a guy that will slug over 500 against rhp?
Rollie's Mustache
Whoa. Boo birds are out in San Diego. Who do they think they are, Yankee fans??
Ben Schneider
Yankees must upgrade at third, but there aren't many options out there
wheelhouse
They need two infielders
NATS Fan
I'm sure you could get my Nats to trade you YoYo Morales 1b/3b. We are planning on giving him hundreds of at bats next year.
millvillemeltdown
i know it's mo-re-hon but i keep reading it as "more jon"
CurrentlyAtABar
There are so many ways in which I cannot relate to professional athletes, but watching Mason Miller pitch here with a baby whose age can be measured in hours really makes the comparison stark.
NATS Fan
I took zero time off 22 years ago when my daughter was born. Not because I wanted too.
war2d2
If he’s anything like I was after my first kid was born he’s probably seeing three catcher’s mitts while he’s standing up there.
millvillemeltdown
my sincere condolences. parental leave should be a guaranteed right.
millvillemeltdown
i seen dansby swanson throw frisbees as part of his hitting coaching thing. i seen pitchers throw footballs, javelins, etc for their warmups. do you think pitchers should throw frisbees
Rollie's Mustache
Baseball has a lot of food-related slang – cookie, meatball, can of corn, cheese, cup of coffee, oppo taco, grand salami, ribeye… as someone who doesn't watch a lot of other sports, does this also exist in them? Or is it a baseball-only thing?
Ben Schneider
Uber Eats had that commercial last year with food terminology in football
jzmaxson27edited
Tom Brady just added meatball sub to the football lexicon this year. In hockey the puck can be referred to as a biscuit, flowing hair is lettuce, teeth are chiclets as in spittin' chiclets. I think humans are just pretty food focused.
millvillemeltdown
ben rice
Davy Andrews
Every time they cut to a closeup of Miller, I think, "Now there's an exhausted facial expression I definitely made in the first 24 hours of my daughter's life."
millvillemeltdown
i've been asked "baby now or baby never" more times than i can count of recent. i love kids but at this stage of my life i think i would actually perish if i had to take care of a small child in addition to full-time studenthood
Anonymous Member #46
a crash course in thermodynamics as your life melts down before your very eyes
CurrentlyAtABar
Just become the best reliever in MLB and apparently someone else will take care of them for you?
millvillemeltdown
unfortunately that someone else is almost always "wife" and she's almost always stretched way too thin
NATS Fan
Those wives are better paid than mine was
CurrentlyAtABar
True, I guess you need to hit FA first and get that guaranteed contract.
millvillemeltdown
similar to more-john, i always read it as brajlee and not brad-gley
NATS Fan
Well i do not think i can stay up late enough for the game to end. As long as the dodgers lose, I'm fine with whoever they play. Goodnight!
millvillemeltdown
i must take my leave as well. i have to be in class at 7:30 tomorrow (not thermo this time). goodnight all
Phil
Has there been any thought about a live score tracker on Fangraphs? Or do you have to pay MLB to license that?
Davy Andrews
This might be a question for earlier in the night tomorrow. I'm sure Sean will have an answer.
Ben Schneider
Back-to-back curveballs is super gutty
Davy Andrews
I loved it.
jzmaxson27
Moments like that I really miss Vin's "Like a house by the side of the road."
Davy Andrews
And with that, I've got to head to bed as well. Goodnight, all!
Anonymous Member #46
This game makes me wonder how Ashby didn't stick as a starter.
Jonathan Beilfuss
Sadly, my two favorite teams both lost today, the Braves and Not the Dodgers. Thank goodness for Not the Yankees!
Antonio Bananas
So everybody asleep? Is this when we get the good liquor out?
wheelhouse
We can talk about the 2027 yankees’ dearth of bullpen options
war2d2
Cubs are also in that bucket. I think Morejon is a free agent, and if so I think he’s going to get paiiiiid.
wheelhouse
The yankees don’t pay relievers anymore
Rollie's Mustache
AJ just said Chourio's "gonna be" a star. Who wants to tell him?
Ben Schneider
That's like all the years Smoltz called Kyle Tucker underrated
jzmaxson27
Stammen isn't thinking of bringing King back out for the 9th right?
lzfreak
I'm pretty sure most teams go into the offseason with an incomplete bullpen
jzmaxson27
Contreras so mad.
Rollie's Mustache
That might be the first mound visit I've seen by a catcher who wants to cool down himself instead of his pitcher.
JBigs
Contreras is mad he wasn't able to lose two more challenges
lzfreak
Machado thought it was gone
Rollie's Mustache
OHHHHH MY GOD
Ben Schneider
Missed it by that much
Anonymous Member #46
YOINK
CJ
I somehow didn't know there is a chat.. This series has been VERY enjoyable
Dan Szymborski
We only started doing this very recently! Outside of the normal game chats of course.
Dan Szymborski
Sean made this from scratch, unlike our Jotcast chats, so it should be more flexible and we can do more of these.
jzmaxson27
Morejon looks rough.
JBigs
Does he have the flu?
jzmaxson27
I feel like he looks like he does.
Rollie's Mustache
Just your run of the mill shoulder "stickiness". Evidently.
CJ
I'm glad I didn't know there is a chat before Yankees lost – I might have started ranting uncontrollably
jzmaxson27
You wouldn't have been alone.
lzfreak
There was plenty of that here. It was amusing
Anonymous Member #46
It briefly turned into group therapy in here, which was clashing with the early innings of the late game.
Benny The Jet
Man I don't want this series to end
CJ
One more game, please??
Ben Schneider
Get Buffalo Wild Wings to rig the game
jzmaxson27
Yeah, was just wishing this was a 7 game series.
lzfreak
I feel like managers get their aces throwing in situations like this just to troll us
Ben Schneider
The Miz coming in would become the most memorable moment of the postseason
JBigs
Just not sure why they would do that when Megill exists
CJ
Being lazy here – did anyone bring up the definition of insanity and Boone in a sentence?
lzfreak
Just you!
CJ
Thanks – As I said, I am glad I didn't know there is a chat until that abomination of a series is over
Rollie's Mustache
These two bullpens are nutty. Just a cornucopia of lab-grown mutants throwing 101 with breaking balls that make hitters regret their life choices.
Antonio Bananas
Sounds like a quote from Bull Durham
jzmaxson27
Megill always amazes me. How he can throw such darts while his delivery makes it look like he's falling backwards always messes with my brain.
Rollie's Mustache
And now it comes down to a less-than 100% Holy Sheets. The run may be over.
jzmaxson27
I feel like AJ is flirting dangerously with Joe Morgan logic right now
jcathtraverse
ARod logic even
CJ
NO
Benny The Jet
Brewers-Dodgers should be fun!
JBigs
MLB doing re-runs now?
CJedited
IMHO with that ball hitting the roof in game 1 and Machado's ball today, Padres can be excused for feeling like they were robbed. – good night everyone!
marz
I don’t watch the Brewers often, but my impression after watching this series is that there is a magical vortex that surrounds them that forces everyone to play “good fundamental baseball.” None of this walking and home run hitting. You might beat them at their game, but you are forced to play it.
marz
Crap, ARod agreeing with me on this point is not a good sign,
Rollie's Mustache
I wanted a Padres-Dodgers NLCS for the higher likelihood of tempers and shenanigans but the Brewers deserved it. Helluva team.
Saw him on the backfields, where he hit everything. Didn't get much of Surprise and he wasn't in the lineup there when I did. But he looks hitterish.
Charles Bengal Tiger
Does Henry Bolte have another gear beyond what he showed this season?
Brendan Gawlowski
I don't think so. He already hit for power than you'd think for someone with a 60%+ ground ball rate and a lot of strikeouts.
Resolution
Any insights on Jack O’Dowd’s ability to stick at catcher? Has been rougher so far but he’s still newish to the position
Brendan Gawlowski
Didn't look good. Arm very light for it, couple pop times in the 2.15 range yesterday.
Kevin Kelsey
Jake Monroe a borderline top 100?
Brendan Gawlowski
No. Has barrel feel but that's the only tool. Fringy at third, oppo shooter with below average power.
riibett
Are you more of an Owen Carey or Connor Essenburg guy?
Brendan Gawlowski
Essenburg. I don't want to overreact to a few AFL games but Carey looked ordinary this past week.
Kevin Kelsey
Can Braxton Bragg get back to being a well regarded maybe mid rotation arm?
Brendan Gawlowski
I'd take the under. Saw him last week, sat 92-94, breaking ball looked just okay.
Charles Bengal Tiger
Would you rather have Kevin Alvarez or Xavier Neyens out of the Astros' system?
Brendan Gawlowski
Alvarez. I'm not sure Neyens can hit.
Phil
Who goes from Worcester to Boston this winter/spring? Arias I should hope, but I'm wondering about the long-awaited Duran trade opening up a spot for Campbell. Are there other good fits?
Brendan Gawlowski
Red Sox list will be out fairly early in the cycle, which will presumably answer this in a lot of detail. Arias will be up early, possibly Opening Day depending on what Boston does this winter. As for Campbell, he's going to have to hit his way back into town.
rainingmozzarella
How has Demetrio Crisantes and Patrick Forbes looked so far, if you've had a chance to see them?
Brendan Gawlowski
Did not see Forbes; Crisantes was his usual self. Fast, good barrel feel. Better than a lot of the pitchers he'll face.
Charles Bengal Tiger
A follow-up on the Alvarez-Neyens question. Is Albert Fermin a comparable prospect to Alvarez?
Brendan Gawlowski
No.
rainingmozzarella
So since the Dbacks have a bloated payroll, bad farm system, and way too many holes, do you think it makes sense to trade either Perdomo or Moreno to get a bunch of pieces back?
Brendan Gawlowski
Sounds like payroll is about to go down, too. I don't think I would, with Burnes back and Pfaadt (perhaps) having turned a corner, I'd keep the core intact for another run.
rainingmozzarella
In an effort for the Dbacks to get more pitching depth, do you think Tommy Troy for Karson Milbrandt makes sense for both sides?
Brendan Gawlowski
If you were really confident that you could reliably get Millbrandt back into the strike zone, sure. But I don't know how you could be.
Churlayla
Rafe Perich. What's the fatal flaw?
Brendan Gawlowski
I don't know if he has a fatal flaw, more that fringy defense and a power-over-hit skillset likely make him more of a supplementary fit than an everyday guy.
higginsford
What are the top 1 or 2 things you would focus on if you were hired as the A's GM?
Brendan Gawlowski
Figuring out what the altitudinal effects of the new park will look like and building a pitching plan around that from soup to nuts.
Cosmo
How likely is it that either Josuar or Walcott are the #1 prospect sometime next summer?
Brendan Gawlowski
Josuar's time in that airspace is more likely in 2028
ImKeithHernandez
Do the Mets have a #1, #3, and #5 in McLean, Scott, and Thornton?
Brendan Gawlowski
Good way to think of it. Maybe shorting Thornton a little bit.
Solitaire
When an athletic corner outfielder with well-above average sprint speed grades out well below average as a fielder, specifically from range, is the conclusion just "this guy takes bad routes because he misreads the ball?" Can you teach that? This question is about Dylan Beavers, but I feel like I see it often
Brendan Gawlowski
That can be part of it. First step/acceleration comes into play too. This can get better with time and reps but some guys just have better instincts and reads than others.
Churlayla
Thanks for taking our queries!
Brendan Gawlowski
You're welcome. I may have screwed something up in how I scheduled this, there aren't many folks in here today relative to most weeks. So, uh, good odds if you have a question…
higginsford
Do you think Jefferson Rojas and Brayden Taylor contribute at the MLB level next year? Have them in an Ottoneu league
Brendan Gawlowski
Fantasy is a little out of my realm but my instinct is that neither should be lynchpins of your 2027 plans.
Churlayla
Max Anderson breaks camp at the keystone in Detroit?
Brendan Gawlowski
I would guess not. Re-signing Gleyber would make sense for them, but even if they keep it internal, I'd prioritize getting Lee in the lineup first.
crossedup
Where are we at on Tai Peete? Stat wise it seems like he took a step forward with some help of a near .400 babip; was there any notable change to his set up or swing at the plate to go with it?
Brendan Gawlowski
Spin has been the big issue with him. It still is but perhaps to a slightly lesser degree. This is a guy to stay patient with, if he hits, he'll hit big. Prospects move so quickly these days, he's one I'd continue to push slowly.
viceroy
Names to watch in Fall and winter leagues? Maybe prospects who were hyped and then hurt and these will be the first looks at them in a minute
Brendan Gawlowski
I'll have notes on a lot of these guys in the coming days but… Lot of pitchers match that description… Kannon Kemp, Braxton Bragg, Jake Bloss… I liked R.J. Sales yesterday, too. Among the hitters, Dax Kilby blew me away, Wyatt Sanford and Nathan Hall are really interesting. Tai Peete and Braylon Payne are fun/toolsy. Alex McCoy may hit one to Mars.
tdmoc
Any chance you'll be at tomorrow's Peoria/Glendale game? Curious about Patrick Reilly 50+ innings into his TJS return.
Brendan Gawlowski
Back home, unfortunately. Perhaps Eric will be at the game…
viceroy
Why didn’t Max Anderson get a shot down the stretch? Is the glove work an issue? Are they skeptical of the approach even though it’s worked so far? Issues against heat/spin?
Brendan Gawlowski
I don't see him as an impact guy.
Bud Smith
Get a chance to see Susana?
Brendan Gawlowski
I did. Sat 101-103, low effort, which is a real thing I just typed. Pairs it with a low-mid 80s sweeper mostly, threw a couple harder breaking balls. He'll be high on the T100.
oaktownblues
Should the A's stretch Luis Medina back out to be a starter? Or keep in him in the pen now that he's had some success?
Brendan Gawlowski
Bullpen, I don't think he has the command to start, and the fastball plays down from the number.
crossedup
What's the off-season scheduling look like? Odds and ends from the AFL and planning for the Top prospect lists?
Brendan Gawlowski
I'll have a bunch of notes in the next week, they're long enough that we're planning to publish a few posts to stagger them. From there, Eric is working furiously on Asian players, we'll need to prepare a 2027 draft board, and of course lists, lists, lists. I'm 98.54% done with one list and 89.14% done with a second.
Brendan Gawlowski
I'd also like to write a follow up to the pro scouting piece that ran at the end of September.
higginsford
I know y'all got a lot on your plate but around when do you think an initial list will go on THE BOARD for the 2027 draft?
Brendan Gawlowski
Eric and I talked about this when I was down in Phoenix. Before the start of the college season, late January or early February would be my guess.
Churlayla
Franklin Primera. Get excited or he just overpowered the level?
Brendan Gawlowski
Little of both. Expecting him to be a 45+ this winter. Sneak peak on the conclusion: "While the hit tool is really exciting, Primera is not especially projectable, and we want to see how his swing and approach hold up against better pitching before we dive in with both feet. He’s the kind of player where, were I still scouting for a team, I’d write him up as an everyday player without hesitation, but from a valuation perspective, we think it behooves us to stay patient for a little while longer. "
CherryTomato
First full healthy season from Farmelo. Anything unexpected from his performance?
Brendan Gawlowski
Not really, was worried that the injuries might've taken a bite out of his speed, but fortunately that wasn't the case. Otherwise, showed the talent and the swing and miss you'd expect with his long swing. We'll see if better pitching forces an adjustment soon.
Solitaire
I get the impression that high/low effort on velocity is treated as quite important/valuable but I'm not sure I've seen analysis confirming that. I've seen HOF starters who look like they're max efforting all the time and I've seen middle reliever Andrew Kittredge casually throw 96 like he's in the backyard. Curious your thoughts. Does looking like you're not trying actually mean it's easy? Are our monkey brains just stuck on facial expressions as important identifiers?
Brendan Gawlowski
Lot to unpack here. I generally but not always like lower effort because, in my experience at least, it correlates with better strike throwing and health. It's certainly not a 1:1 relationship with either. I don't recall where I read it, but Scherzer had a really insightful perspective on this, and on how he's been able to stay healthy even though he's a high effort guy because he's so strong and coordinated that he's able to pitch without over-stressing his arm.
Brendan Gawlowski
For most of the non-freak athletes, it's really hard to put the ball where you want if you're trying to throw it as hard as you can.
Charles Bengal Tiger
What would an 80th percentile outcome on Logan Hughes look like?
Brendan Gawlowski
Late career Joc with smoother peaks and valleys.
niall
Among baseball writers, I've noticed that there's a lot of mention around IP as the proxy to measure SP workload in the minors and majors. I started thinking about this after noticing Brody Hopkins and Kendry Chourio pitched a similar number of innings despite Hopkins facing about 100 more batters (very different types of pitcher, obviously). Do you get the sense teams/scouts are using this proxy or is this more of a shorthand where they're measuring something else to get at the "load" on pitchers?
Brendan Gawlowski
Shorthand. Teams have other ways to more precisely measure workload/stress.
Churlayla
What's for lunch?
Brendan Gawlowski
Man, I just had breakfast, why so ambitious?
crossedup
Following up from last chat; were you able to take a look at the Mariners lower minor starters? I know you were a bit interested in Bowery but there was also Reid Easterly and Scott Rouse. I know you were in AFL so not sure if you had a chance to look.
Brendan Gawlowski
Sorry, next chat I got you.
Haste11
Does Ralphy V win the starting 1B job in Cleveland on Opening Day? It feels like he doesn't have anything left to prove in AAA
Brendan Gawlowski
Lot of variables, new CBA might have something to say about this. You will see him soon, whether it's Opening Day or not is subject to factors outside of his control/performance.
Brendan Gawlowski
On talent, he could do it.
Fangraphs Man
Has Hagen Smith showed anything in his cup of coffee that makes you think he’s more likely to be a starter long term?
Brendan Gawlowski
No, strengths — awesome stuff — and weaknesses — below average control — in his game have long been apparent and we're seeing them these playoffs.
Churlayla
Ethan Anderson is the #2 C behind Basallo by August 2027?
Brendan Gawlowski
I think Anderson and Willems both are better fits as third catchers than traditional backups. Particularly with Basallo around, who you may not want to catch everyday anyway, I think BAL would prefer to have a better defender as the backup. But that's speculation.
Samuel Clemens
What does Tyler Bremner need to work on to keep moving up and be an effective SP with the Angels,
Brendan Gawlowski
Needs a better breaking ball.
scottsjunk1981
Any new rumors about whether and when there will be an R5 draft? Have you heard of any teams drawing a meaningfully different line than in most seasons?
Brendan Gawlowski
Haven't done any true reporting on this, but the scouts I sat with weren't optimistic.
Churlayla
Caden Bodine is catching MLB games by June?
Brendan Gawlowski
Sure, why not.
GB
Any plans to add a scouting report to Yostin Pena?
Brendan Gawlowski
Yes he'll get an extended writeup when we do NYY. I suspect they'll be fairly early in the list cycle.
wheelhouse
I’ve read that the yankees’ terrible fundamentals permeate their whole system down through the minors. Is that what you’ve seen, and how long would it take to address? Years?
Brendan Gawlowski
It does, they're really sloppy. In theory it could be a fairly quick fix.
jazzrunner12
Do the Tigers give Valencia 400 at bats next year? That was quite an impressive debut but he's 26 not 23. Also, do the Angels let Nelson Rada take over CF for most of the year?
Brendan Gawlowski
He's a tricky one to plan around, because the approach is aggressive/exploitable and you don't want to go into the year with him as a starter and have no Plan B. At the same time, he can be both really flawed and a lot worse next year… and still be a guy you want to give 500+ PA's anyway. So, yes, tentatively.
Brendan Gawlowski
As for the second question, this depends as much on how they want to man-manage Trout as it does on Rada's talent. I suspect, one way or the other, he'll play out there plenty. You might have to wait a bit for him to be the everyday guy.
wheelhouse
What do you attribute it to? Is it a question of the players they acquire or a lack of coaching emphasis? It’s bizarre to me that it’s such a glaring embarrassment on their big league squad and they’ve never done anything to correct it in their system
Brendan Gawlowski
This is a follow up to the Yankees question… Probably a little bit of both? It's not like any of the players or coaches want to see errors or whatnot. But, clearly there's an apparatus where both the acquisition groups and the coaching/dev staffs are willing to live with it if the guy can otherwise play.
canderson20
Do you have any insight on how teams decide who is going to play in the AFL? Thinking of a guy like Braden Nett who could seemingly use some extra innings due to time on IL this year compared to Kenya Huggins who had mostly a full season.
Brendan Gawlowski
Varies from team to team. Some see it as a valuable place to get innings/extra AB's, others couldn't care less and send a bunch of orgs to fill out a roster.
Brendan Gawlowski
I will say: If I was a player, I don't know if I'd want to go to the AFL. The atmosphere in the park is lethargic, the competition is just okay, a lot of the players/coaches don't want to be there, some of the rule experiments might be frustrating… It's not for everybody.
rainingmozzarella
Any idea why Milbrandt had issues throwing strikes in AAA? 64.4% strike rate in AA down to 57.4% in AAA. That's a huge decline. Was it issues getting acclimated to the different ball?
Brendan Gawlowski
I would just be speculating. The ball is a common issue for guys jumping to AAA. Both because they're developing feel for it but also because some guys don't get nearly the same movement and batters don't chase to the same degree.
Phil
There was a funny question in the Red Sox post mortem press conference–a reporter asked Craig Breslow if he would draft Craig Breslow (I think the implication would be that, as an analytics/Driveline guy, he only cares about velocity and spin). Breslow averred that he would–that he would recognize himself as someone with the ability to induce weak contact, regardless of the approach. But Breslow was drafted in teh 26th round (which I don't think still exists?)–how would, in fact, a guy like that, an ivy league LOOGY type with unimpressive velo. fare today? Would anyone draft Craig Breslow?
Brendan Gawlowski
With the caveat that I have only the vaguest feel for what Breslow's game looked like in college… He probably had some kind of standout or outlier trait, whether it was command, deception, changeup quality, I don't know. With his arm strength, it's hard to imagine he'd have been selected early, and while he might've been someone that would get taken in the 12th or 18th round today, it's possible he wouldn't be selected at all. Obviously, I think, the shorter draft and quicker development trajectory are filtering out guys who would develop into big leaguers in another context.
philly
Would be curious to hear any AFL thoughts on Flewelling. I thought it odd Tampa would send a young catcher coming off a full season.
Brendan Gawlowski
He looked good, only saw him play one game, but liked the approach and swing. Personally, I'd take him over Bodine.
Charles Bengal Tiger
Brock Wilken. Is there still hope?
Brendan Gawlowski
Maybe as a bench bat.
scottsjunk1981
What's your take on players who far exceed expectations in their rookie seasons and then fall back to being replacement-ish? Did the league adjust? Did they just start on a favorable part of the random walk? As a Nats fan, I'm specifically looking at Parker and Irvin and worrying about Alvarez.
Brendan Gawlowski
Sometimes the league adjusts, sometimes guys are able to execute their stuff for a stretch in a way that they can't over the long haul.
Churlayla
Bold prediction: Boston fans throw something/one in the harbor if Arias isn't at the 6 on day one.
Brendan Gawlowski
Every fanbase has its overreactors…
vottogoat
Any thoughts from Michael Arroyo's cup of coffee in the majors this year? Chance to be a regular next year?
Brendan Gawlowski
Didn't play much, unfortunately, bizarre that the M's gave Weston Wilson so many AB's down the stretch. When he did play, he kept on doing the same things he's always done…
Churlayla
Do you have prospects you can't contain your excitement about or has your career taught you to stay relatively 'flat' and wait for things to play out thru the minors?
Brendan Gawlowski
I enjoy the journey.
canderson20
Cardinals brass reported they're going to have Rainiel start working 3b into the mix for him this offseason. If he takes to the position, would it move him up or down the rankings?
Brendan Gawlowski
Steady.
tdmoc
Any big takeaways from your first (nearly) full year working here?
Brendan Gawlowski
Nothing earth shattering. There are a lot of people within the game who read this stuff… I like being able to cover the game globally and write things like the Brandon Valenzuela re-eval and (especially) the pro scouting piece…
OranguTongs
Anyone down in Arizona who looks like the next Jonah Tong?
Brendan Gawlowski
GDI.
Churlayla
Joseph Dzwiera is in the BAL rotation by mid-season?
Brendan Gawlowski
I suspect he'll get a look by that point, at least…
Churlayla
Nelson Rada? Raudi Rodriguez is the stud and he'll come off the top rope to remind you if need be! Lol
Brendan Gawlowski
– glances at Angels Roster Resource – There's… room for both of them.
Brendan Gawlowski
Think I'm going to shut it down here today. Thanks as always for stopping by, I'll be back in the normal Tuesday window again next week. Enjoy the postseason and see you soon.
