ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Pat Murphy, face stern and wide as ever, stepped forward and cupped his hands to his ears to signal a replay challenge.
With runners on first and second and two out in the top of the fifth inning of Game 3 of the World Series, William Contreras had just topped a ball to third. Instead of making a throw across the diamond, Junior Caminero went the short way for the force at second.
Caminero’s got a big arm, and Contreras is a catcher, but still — the Rays third baseman was on the move and off-balance after spinning to grab the ball. With two outs, Christian Yelich was running on contact, but the 34-year-old doesn’t run like he used to. Might as well go next door. It was a bang-bang play, but second base umpire Dan Bellino called Yelich out. Read the rest of this entry »
The first two games of the World Series were each decided by one run. By one measly run on Friday night and one measly run on Saturday night, the Rays found their backs against the wall. Erase a baserunning blunder here or a defensive lapse there, and the series could have been tied, or even 2-0 in favor of Tampa Bay rather than Milwaukee. Such things can haunt a team. In Game 3 on Monday night, the Brewers relieved the Rays of those would’ves, could’ves, and should’ves with a 10-1 thrashing that left no room for doubt. It was kind of like taking somebody’s mind off a scraped knee by punching them in the throat.
Lefty Robert Gasser, fresh off his first fullish major league season, continued his sparkling postseason run. Gasser went six innings, allowed just two baserunners, and because one was erased by a double play and the other on a caught stealing, he faced just 18 batters. If you’re keeping score at home, that’s the fewest batters you can face over six innings. Jackson Chourio, continuing his bid for World Series MVP and household name status, racked up four base hits, all of them hit 99 mph or harder. But singling out individual Brewers misses the larger point. All nine hitters in the Milwaukee starting lineup reached base. Eight of them had base hits. Eight of them had at least one hard-hit ball. Eight of them had at least one RBI. All nine of them scored. They outhit the Rays, 16-3.
The Brewers started former Brewer ace Freddy Peralta, and for short while, it looked like he might give his old team fits and give the Rays a chance to climb back into the series. But a wild fifth inning put an end to that particular revenge fantasy. The Brewers led by so much that they emptied the bench to make sure everybody got to hit. They led by so much that they put in Brandon Woodruff, whose shoulder had kept him out since the Fourth of July, to pitch the ninth. The Brewers lead the series 3-0, and as we all know, that makes them the 44th team in AL/NL history to go up 3-0 in a seven-game series. Forty-two of the previous 43 went on to close the deal. In other words, history says the Brewers have a 97.67% chance of raising the trophy, while the Rays have just a 2.33% chance of snatching it from their yeasty, hoppy hands. Read the rest of this entry »
Welcome to our Open Game Thread for the World Series game today. Only Members can participate, and unlike our usual staff Q&A 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.
bob
It's 6:46?
Sean Dolinar
7:47 here.
bob
Was awaiting the fellow members with greater knowledge to arrive and impart Baseball Knowledge.
Benny The Jet
Busy weekend, mostly missed the first two games, but it is extremely good to be back!
Michael Baumann
Good news: The series doesn't start until the home team loses, so you didn't miss anything!
Michael Baumann
I think Rays fans get a really hard ride and I will straight up fight anyone who talks bad on the Trop but getting Jon Gruden to narrate the hype video is not awesome for the Rays
Michael Baumann
You think Dick Vitale wouldn't have done that if they'd called?
g4
I don't know hockey but there had to be a Lightning available and willing
Michael Baumann
I think Nikita Kucherov is still drunk from the parade a couple years back
millvillemeltdownedited
i have been kind of rooting for milwaukee but i am kind of hoping for them to win it at home
Sean Dolinar
How is the Trop? That's one of the few parks that I haven't been to.
bosoxforlife
Simply awful , but I hate all indoor baseball, and I think Ty France agrees with me.
lzfreak
It's not just the indoor part, it's just so… empty and soulless in much of the facilities. The concourse has no personality or energy. Ray tank is kinda cool though
drplantwrench
Glory Days came up on shuffle, good vibes
raregokus
This was the only mildly obscene set of flair I could come up with
Matt Martell
Who is the Baywatch reboot for?
drplantwrench
horny people?
raregokus
People of the land. The common clay of the new west. You know, morons.
brewersbibliophile
The same people who got excited 40 years ago for it, and haven’t matured at all
bob
Chourio will ….?
Michael Baumann
Sean can you ban anyone who badmouths the Trop? It's intimate and unique and has great food and really easy fan access, and for all its bland architecture and confused iconography it is instantly recognizable. When it's gone, baseball will be poor and less interesting for it, and I will not stand to have its virtues slandered by those who are either ignorant or have no taste
Matt Martell
How is your press box seat?
Sean Dolinar
Sure can! I also miss Three Rivers often.
raregokus
Frankly we need more stadiums with unique and stupid ground rules, not fewer. Long live the Trop
Michael Baumann
I think PNC is wild overrated but I understand that this is a minority opinion and don't mind it remaining so. Hating the Trop is just too easy and evinces an outlook on life, liberty and baseball that I don't enjoy living alongside
Sean Dolinar
I might not do your ban bidding after you said that about PNC Park.
Kenny
Y'all know that the Oakland Coliseum, pre-Mt. Davis, was the best ever, right?
bob
Been there.
bob
Great summary!
Michael Baumann
I guess I can't stop anyone from begging for a restomod Camden Yards clone surrounded by luxury condos and a strip mall, anchored by a steakhouse with a player's name on it, it's a free country. But I won't let the tyranny of the boring go unchallenged
brewersbibliophile
Since 2000, 11 teams have gone up 2-0 in the World Series. All 11 went on to win, only 2001 Yankees and 2019 Astros forced it to go beyond Game 5
Sean Dolinar
Are you TRYING to jinx yourself?
brewersbibliophile
I have tickets to game 6 and 7, so kinda?
drplantwrench
The Tyranny of the Boring is my band name
Matt Martell
Maybe I overestimate Chandler Simpson's speed, but I think he should've caught Yelich's bloop
Brian Reinhart
that challenge was a Ben batsignal
Sean Dolinar
Another bad challenge.
Sean Dolinar
Another bad *early* challenge.
Brian Reinhart
ohh, Taylor Walls' Devil Ray colored socks are so good
raregokus
I know it's garish as hell but it's my favorite color scheme any major US sports team has had
Anonymous Member #46
Smoltz explaining the leniency of umpires east and west was fascinating. Does the data back it up? The way he was talking made me think he had the numbers but didn't want to lose the casuals.
danodea
I am sick and tired of John Smoltz
raregokus
I hadn't seen Contreras in a while before the playoffs, when did he change where he holds his hands pre-swing? Used to be instantly recognizable but now he's doing something more conventional
Michael Baumann
OK I need to get out of here before I miss even more of the game berating our paying customers
alden
Joe Davis try not to say “fastball freddy” challenge
drplantwrench
if we're not paying to be berated at by baseball minds, then i dont know what my moneys going to
raregokus
I figured getting yelled at by Baumann was an MVP level perk, he's out here just giving away the goods
Brian Reinhart
looking at Vilade batting 2nd, Williamson batting 5th, etc. and frantically pulling up platoon splits to try to understand the Devil Ray Magic
docgooden85
St Petersburg consistently choosing the Devil Rays jerseys is Metal AF
danodea
Former Indianapolis Indian Ryan Vilade
wenz
Maybe the answer to competitive balance is for MLB to force the Dodgers to hire Smoltz as their POBO or manager
raregokus
Can't believe I've never thought of trying to Harrison Bergeron the Dodgers, it's genius
Anonymous Member #46
Williamson is fifth so that Hicks can hit for him the moment the Brewers bring in a righty. It's bait.
alden
Generally not a huge fan of batting order discourse but I’m trying hard to understand why third is the best spot for Simpson
lzfreak
Simpson 3rd vs a lefty is certainly a choice
docgooden85
I hope this means Caminero told them he hates hitting 3rd, but even if so, there have to be better options. Maybe they're leaning into how often the 3 hole comes up with 2 outs and nobody on in the 1st? And Caminero doesn't make enough contact to bat 2nd? I would just bat Caminero 3rd.
jonmberra
Smoltz is so annoying.
drplantwrench
well that should quiet the simpson at 3rd haters
docgooden85
That was probably his average exit velocity
alden
Steve Stone for world series broadcast when
Anonymous Member #46
Shoutout to Davy on that play.
raregokus
Damn, Davy's article from today is instantly proven prescient
alden
Holy crap Davy is prophetic
danodea
Big yikes, Chandler
wenz
Sucks that he got tagged out, but that play makes me want to see just how fast Simpson could go on a Slip N Slide
jonmberra
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a cleanly stolen Bose turn into an out because the runner was simply going too fast still.
drplantwrench
chandler simpson this inning was that Mike F tweet
drplantwrenchadmin edited
"Check this s**t out motherf**ker [I slide one foot out from under me and fall on my ass, its not clear what kind of move I was trying to do]"
raregokus
Maybe it's just me, but batting Ryan Vilade 2nd is way more egregious than batting Simpson 3rd
Crapshoot
I get Simpson is absurdly fast but man I wonder if you just let Caminero hit there
wenz
Oh my god
raregokus
Holy crap what a catch
Crapshoot
WHAT A CATCH WOW
Sean Dolinar
He just flew through the air.
jonmberra
Holly Chandler Simpson
Benny The Jet
Wow
lzfreak
Chandler Simpson can fly
Francoeursteinadmin edited
Holy s**t! I hope he’s okay
Matt Martell
That was awesome
Jim H
Quite the wall face plant, amazing catch.
wenz
I would literally die if I hit the wall like that
bosoxforlife
Sensational. Seldom do you see a player hit the wall much harder than that.
raregokus
I actually expected him to go through the wall Wile E. Coyote style.
Matt Martell
This game absolutely rules
Francoeurstein
The Trop is rocking!
docgooden85
That was like Wile E. Coyote running into the tunnel painted on the wall. Wow. Ouch.
Crapshoot
I have no idea how the hell he stood up after that – I'm pretty confident they would be picking up my carcass from the dent it left in the wall
Anonymous Member #46
I'm still down and I was watching on TV
docgooden85
rare i didn't see yours, i type slow
raregokus
Hard not to think of Looney Tunes after that
Jim H
That catcher throw would've been more impressive if Chandler hadn't just happened. Timing is everything.
Francoeurstein
Does anyone actually enjoy coaches/players being interviewed mid game? Who is this for?
AdvantageSchneider
His family to see he isn’t hurt.
docgooden85
(outdated answer) to see if La Russa is slurring his words yet in the 3rd inning
raregokus
I was just typing almost exactly this. The only one that was ever worth watching was Freddie Freeman during spring training that one time. 99% of the time they're cringe inducing
carsonmiller
Leave that kind of stuff for the all star game
Sean Dolinar
I was saying this yesterday during the NFL games. They don't tell me anything and are really pointless.
Jeremy Fox
Every time I see Chourio hit I can't believe he ever makes an out. Somehow it seems like every swing is a great swing.
Jeremy Fox
Bauers looked like he wanted to go back and keep hitting. He's had so many long at-bats he's forgotten what short ones are like.
raregokus
This would be a great time for the hidden ball trick
raregokus
That wouldn't have happened if they'd done the hidden ball trick
Brian Reinhart
guytappingforehead.gif
Brian Reinhart
wow a lot happened there
drplantwrench
PLAY GLORY DAYS
lzfreak
Lotta outs on the bases in this series/game
Brian Reinhart
the secondhand embarrassment I felt knowing that the ball would also bounce between my feet for 10 seconds
raregokus
If I had to reach between my legs and slightly behind myself like that, I would 1000% fall on my ass
docgooden85
time never moves slower than this moment
bosoxforlife
The Rays are very lucky the Brewers had a TOOTBLAN.
Anonymous Member #46
That needs to be an error. Bauers held up before the ball was muffed.
raregokus
lol nope! In fact Mesa got an assist! Enjoy your earned run Freddy!
docgooden85
Smart by Mesa Jr to pretend to mess that up just to bait the runner /s
alden
Tony La Russa comment made me think of 3 nights in August. Good book. I want to read it again now. Also just found out same author Bissinger wrote the mosquito bowl which is being turned into a movie rn
Jim H
That Contreras bloop is an easy out in the OF alignment experiment in the AFL now, IMO, since corner OFs are positioned in and close to the lines.
raregokus
I hate that. It's going to kill doubles down the line too. Not a fan.
Jim H
I also saw Kilby drop an 8 iron deep fly on the warning that only a double due to the alignment. Saw three games of it live.
Jeremy Fox
It also feels really weird to make the outfielders stand in designated spots but allow the infielders to shift (within limits). I worry that the AFL OF positioning rule would be a slippery slope to forcing all fielders to stand in designated spots.
jonmberra
I know the games have been kind of close but it just feels like the Brewers are always going to win/
Jim H
I have that same annoying feeling, and I hate it.
HappyFunBall
That how destiny works
lzfreak
Having watched them this postseason I have to say this feels like a really, really good and complete team. One of the best of the decade. If they win this series they'll be more than deserving as a champion.
raregokus
Yeah the universe is definitely pulling for the Brewers. Everything 50/50 is going their way
Jim H
I don't care if they win, I just don't want 4 games.
Jon Becker
I am fascinated by Contreras preemptively putting his hand towards his helmet to challenge before the call even happens. I'm sure it's just to be ready but I do wonder if it goads the umpire into a strike call, too
Phil
I can't remember if it was Ceddanne Rafaela or Wilyer Abreu this year who was so determined to challenge he challenged a call that went his way.
alden
I noticed this too, if I was home plate ump or opposing coach/manager I would say something, can’t really be having him possibly influencing ump’s calls like that. not hating tho I love how aggressive Contreras is with his challenges
Jon Becker
(also hi)
Brian Reinhart
Contreras' slow nod when he won the challenge was so, so satisfying
Brian Reinhart
absolutely a GIF
Crapshootedited
Smoltz is an idiot – I have no idea who his fanbase is anymore. It's just so regressive
Jon Becker
I do think Smoltz was right about that challenge, tbh
Crapshoot
in the sense that the upside wasn't worth it?
Jon Becker
Yeah. It was really really close, not an egregious call by the umpire, and it's Taylor Walls up by two runs with nobody on
Sean Dolinar
I actually don't mind it if the catcher is THAT good at it.
bosoxforlife
Even if he was right that is still a terrible challenge.
danodea
I would pay $100 to get Smoltz off the broadcast and replace him with almost anyone else
millvillemeltdown
would you pay smoltz that $100?
danodea
Does he need it?!
Jeremy Fox
Here in Canada we have different announcers. Sportsnet has their own broadcast team for the WS.
Brian Reinhart
it's Votto'clock
Sean Dolinar
How are they?
raregokus
Please don't give him a chance to rub it in
Alan Sherman
At least for me in Canada, the play-by play is Dave Flemming who I love. Looks like his color man may be Ryan Spilborghs, who apparently does Rockies radio now?
bosoxforlife
Spilborghs is a regular on MLB radio.
Jeremy Fox
So far this definitely feels like a series between a 100+ win team by Pythag or BaseRuns in the stronger league, and a 88-90 win team by Pythag or BaseRuns in the weaker league.
Brian Reinhart
(unless the series is in OOTP)
raregokus
Is it too much to ask for the OOTP version of that same matchup (when you're controlling the 100 Pythag win team) for the next few games?
raregokus
what the hell I can't believe I got beaten to the punch on the OOTP reference
BryanB
Hello yall! Finally joining, great game so far.
Sean Dolinar
Called that a swing.
BryanB
Deep breath, Coop
Dave from DC
The tradition of, shall we say, old-school announcers is what it is, but what is shocking about Smoltz is how many of his sentences are literally tautological. I wish I could remember the example from game 2 that had me chuckling–something about value being valuable.
Phil
You just gotta say what you gotta say, you know? Those who played the game, played the game, and they understand that it is what it is and it's gonna be what it's gonna be.
BryanB
Reminds me of the basketball scene from Bedazzled
raregokus
At least twice a game he'll start a metaphor and completely lose the thread halfway through, then just babble until the PBP guy saves him
Dave from DC
Agreed
jtrichey
Watching this series I return to the thought that the American League was really terrible this year. I think if the Brewers and the Rays were in the same division, the Brewers would be 15 games better than the Rays. The Rays might be the 6th or 7th best team in the NL.
Sean Dolinar
It's weird to me to think of NL being so strong.
sadtrombone
The Rays were probably something like the 4th – 6th best team in baseball this year but the AL was so bad they looked like juggernaut. Sometimes the underdog wins anyway but
BryanB
Brewers not playing small ball today?
alden
imo smoltz has drastically improved his attitude on the broadcast toward modern baseball over the last few years but it still feels like he’s doing it begrudgingly
BryanB
I still think there should be a Fangraphs announcer at all games to insert hella random stat facts
Phil
Didn't Meg do some AFL games or something like that?
jtrichey
Like how players do on their bobblehead day?
Jeremy Fox
Rays BLEPH- is 73.2
danodea
Contreras for WS MVP?!
Crapshoot
Contreras NAILING every challenge is just watching someone who is a step function above at something just nailing it
raregokus
It's the obvious disdain that really makes it.
Sean Dolinar
Wow.
GammaDraconis
@Sean Dolinar: How do I get post-season games to show up in a player's game log?
I thought that was a bad decision to challenge. I was wrong.
Jim H
Agree it was a bad one…for mortals
bosoxforlife
It was still a bad challenge. Too much risk in a low leverage situation.
AdvantageSchneider
Given the value of strikeouts it seems like a challenge that results in a k is almost always worth it.
Jeremy Fox
Contreras has been like this all season, he challenges way more often than anyone else, he's right more often than not, and he's right at only a slightly below-average rate. Why would he change now? Why should he? It's been working.
BryanB
Contreras clearly has the psychic old lady on his side
Brian547
The super obvious fake Jamacian?
danodea
I haven't thought about Miss Cleo in a very long time
alden
Peralta for Adam Lind trade keeps me up at night ngl
BryanB
Man I wish there was an election coming up.
Brian547
And now all Im thinking about is whether Miss Cleo actually did predict the grifting future and just try and start early with the… Whatever these idiots will literally believe anything bit.
Kenny
Every team of destiny is a small market Central Division team with an iconic fan favorite catcher who will be elected to the Hall of Fame as a result of their World Series performance in spite of their otherwise iffy case.
BryanB
No finger wag?
alden
That boy nice
BryanB
Chourio + Contreras = Critical Cs
Brian547edited
Caibo Cids? Big stretch both VEN born
lzfreak
I think Chourio has the talent to win an mvp
Kenny
(Frantically trying to figure out whether Endy Rodriguez, Henry Davis, or Rafael Flores Jr. is up to the task.)
danodea
Endy would be great if he could simply stop being injured all the time
Sean Dolinar
We could turn this into Pirates chat real fast. But then everyone else will leave.
Kenny
(Yes, I already know the answer.)
Jeremy Fox
The way the Brewers bullpen has been pitching, this feels like it's 5-0.
Crapshootedited
I said it after Game 2, but I think this series will be a real test if seeing the same reliever a few times is an advantage (Im thinking Uribe vs Caminero as an example). I'm unaware of any great studies on the topic (seems like a cool fangraphs article topic) but my mental model is something like the 3rd time through the order penalty?
Brian Reinhart
little surprised there isn't a canonical article about this given how often it's discussed in the manager report card series.
lzfreak
Why Nick Martinez for multiple innings tonight? Don't they have enough real relievers to cover effectively after Peralta leaves?
Brian547edited
Maybe I am wrong but I thought the consensus on Chourio was that he is likely already at his peak? Not all young players improve toward their mid 20's
lzfreak
He improved a lot this year and is only 22. I have a hard time imagining this is his peak
Brian547
Trout was never better than he was at 22? Acuna? Heyward?
lzfreak
Sure it's possible. But he was a top prospect, in the majors at 20, and 4.6 war isn't as hard to top as those other guy's age 22 seasons
Jim H
I don't think he had an obvious peak this year. His high BABIP of .348 this year is suggestive he just had the kind of year that ends up being a peak year in retrospect, often. But I could never assume he isn't capable of more, even if the probability is 15%
Brian547edited
Don't get me wrong… dude is phenomenal at baseball… just not sure where the upside is for more? Could very easily hit for more power as he ages but feel like the rest will decline.
lzfreak
I think there's plenty of room to improve his approach. Probably some meat on the bone defensively too. I think he's got a 7 win season in there he can unlock
Jim H
There's some room to grow the walk rate if pitchers work around him due to more power.
Brian547
Oh ill take the under there… odds?
Matt Martell
I'd say Trout was at his best at 26. His two best WAR seasons were 20 and 21, but he was a better, more complete hitter in 2018-19, and I think that's the version I'd rather have on my team.
Brian547
This is fair I was just picking off the top of my head… There is surely a better example out there.
lzfreak
I'd take 3:1 on him having a 7 win season at some point haha
Brian547
Ok so we agree not likely
lzfreak
Yeah it's not a gimme but I think he has the talent to pull it off. Most guys don't, but he's in the class of guys who could make it happen is all I'm saying.
bosoxforlife
Julio Rodriquez is a better example of what you are trying to say IMHO.
lzfreak
Rodriguez could win an mvp too! These are young talented players who have some room for growth. I like Chourio's trajectory a little better but Rodriguez is great too
Brian547
Good call
sadtrombone
I don’t think there is any consensus at all about Chourio. There were only something like a dozen rookie position players younger than him this year. He’s 22 and could easily add another full grade of raw power and / or improve his swing decisions. Or he could not do those things, but I think chances are one of them happens.
Jeremy Fox
Peralta's never been a surgeon, but I wonder if he's getting a little tired and losing command because he's been throwing max effort.
bosoxforlife
Looks safe to me.
Sean Dolinar
Safe, but you gotta try something.
AdvantageSchneider
Second base didn’t give a great stretch on that.
Phil
Did not think we'd see Booser this early.
Jeremy Fox
Cheers for the overturn–how many Brewers fans are in the stadium?
bosoxforlife
Still a nice try by Caminero who is showing a lot more glove than he was given credit for.
Brian Reinhart
reminder that Ben Williamson is a Ray because of Dave Cameron and Jeff Sullivan
alden
The crew can do no wrong
Anonymous Member #46
Chandler Simpson's noodle arm is why Contreras could score there.
Phil
Is this series over? Man.
Anonymous Member #46
Is now.
Jeremy Fox
"They think it's all over…It is now!"
Sean Dolinar
This used to be an interesting WS.
Crapshoot
oof I feel for the Rays but the Brewers feel like the ultimate team of destiny right now
drplantwrench
GLORY DAYS
AdvantageSchneideredited
I and all of the over 50 Brewers fans needed this.
Thornton Melon
I'm a 49-year old Brewers fan and also needed this
Dave from DC
Brewers are team of destiny. I will be happy to see them win, but I was really hoping the Rays would bring one home after years of being so good with so little.
Anonymous Member #46
Ooh, we should get a Brandon Woodruff cameo later now.
sadtrombone
I agree, this is the perfect time to let him have his moment.
Jeremy Fox
Won't be for a while. Gasser's only thrown 44 pitches with 1 H and 0 BB, surely the Brewers will just ride him for a while.
Brian547
TB kinda BABIP'd CLE so I dont feel so bad about this
HappyFunBall
Well that got out of hand quickly
Deduno Abides
Nothing against Cam Booser, but maybe he wasn't the right guy to bring in?
Crapshoot
FWIW, having railed on Smoltz earlier, that line "it breaks you down" is where the announcers + context as a baseball player resonated
Benny The Jet
Groundball to 3B, groundball to SS, chopper in the hole, chopper down the line, 5 runs
Kenny
There is one thing that's still missing from the forthcoming "team of destiny" movie. Ex-MVP/Captain near the end of his career needs to hit an iconic homerun. I mean, tonight the man's got two hits, a walk, and a great overturned call after which he scored. But the scriptwriters are begging for a homerun in Game 4.
danodea
Vogelbach sighting
Brian547
Why are we hanging out Booser to dry here… I get the game is likely lost but, feels bad.
Phil
I thought the Brewers were better than the Rays. But I didn't think it would be like this. Amazing how the Rays' strengths–exploiting pitching matchups, defense, all the stuff around the edges–just seem to be kind of evaporating.
Brian547
Almost like a few games is a bad way of deciding which team is actually better?
HappyFunBall
Bring back the best of 9!
Phil
Well, yes. But I am still surprised.
sadtrombone
This is a thing that the Brewers do very well too, and has always evaporated for them in the playoffs as well. In the playoffs it’s hard to optimize because a lot of the scrubs you face in the regular season aren’t playing in a best of 7.
GammaDraconis
Only question now is whether the Brewers sweep again.
sadtrombone
It’s crazy to me that the Brewers have only lost one game this postseason. And aside from this one and one game against the Dodgers it hasn’t felt like any of them were one-sided.
JohnThacker
They have come from behind in nearly every game, it really is amazing.
lzfreak
Has Sulser been on this roster the whole time?
Nick Smith
Wait. I thought *you* brought him….
Jeremy Fox
Time to start googling "biggest blowouts in the WS"
Jeremy Fox
1936 WS, Yankees 18-4 over the Giants.
Crapshoot
Wait this genuinely has to be a record right for a WS Game? 7 straight 2 out hits?
Brian547edited
GTP returned this…The absolute maximum number of consecutive hits by one team in any single World Series inning is 6 consecutive hits. In 1908!!
alden
Ouch this is demoralizing for TB. Letting game 2 slip away is going to haunt them
lzfreak
Brewers could outscore the Packers from yesterday
danodea
good lord
danodea
At least I can go to bed at a reasonable time
bosoxforlife
I needed a good night's sleep.
Crapshoot
Ok this is a parody at this point no?
alden
oof
wenz
We going to see Woodruff tonight?
Brian Reinhart
can't wait for the Rasmussen/Martinez switcheroo 3000 word deep dive
Phil
Has there ever been a position player pitcher in a World Series game? Surely not, right?
Just googled it. Never in the WS. Twice in the postseason. Cliff Pennington in 2015 and Austin Romine in 2018, both in the 9th inning.
drplantwrench
we going see woodruff bat tonight?
Brian547
It was a fun question… Chat GTP thinks…The absolute maximum number of consecutive hits by one team in any single World Series inning is 6 consecutive hits. In 1908!
lzfreak
For any lurking Rays fans, they have an opportunity to have the largest comeback in WS history (I assume)
Jeremy Fox
Yup. Record comeback is from 8 runs down.
bosoxforlife
Game 4, 1929. The A's scored 10 in the 7th to overcome an 8-0 Cubs lead.
lzfreak
That's such a 1909-2015 Cubs thing to happen
Crapshoot
Contreras lol – is that the equivalent of stealing a base up 10?
lzfreak
Every Brewer in the starting lineup has outscored the Rays so far
Nick Smith
That's just mean.
alden
Gahdamn bill that is an ice cold challenge right there
wenz
That inning reminded me of the 2003 NLCS but without the controversy
alden
Through Ben Williamson all things are possible, so you can write that down
Phil
Brewers radio just confirmed that 7 straight 2-out hits is a WS record.
Alan Sherman
I have a old time book about the World Series (ends with Koufax in the 1960's) and the 1929 chapter is called The Big Inning
wenz
What's the book called?
bosoxforlife
Should Murphy let Gasser throw 100 pitches and give the bullpen a night off?
Anonymous Member #46
Until the score is within five or so, absolutely.
lzfreak
Unless he starts looking shaky or gets hurt I say let Gasser gas
Bud Smith
That, or maybe today is finally the day for Kyle Harrison
Brian547
Vogt would be bringing in Smith!
Jeremy Fox
At this rate Gasser won't need to throw 100 pitches because he's going to throw a Maddux.
Alan Sherman
Greatest World Series Thrillers by Ray Robinson
Phil
Woah, the 10-run inning in 1929 was a comeback from down 8-0. That is a lot more of a thing!
Alan Sherman
It's so old I have the copy from my dad's elementary school library, and also the copy from my own middle school library
lzfreak
I'm curious how we get multiple Ashby innings tonight
BryanB
Glad I was in the car with my daughter watching that together
Brian547
Very happy to read that and check your flair and see MIL and not TB!
bosoxforlife
I hope you weren't on the road driving!
Alan Shermanedited
Presumably they were sold for being outdated and my dad and I are big enough baseball dorks that we brought them home
Jeremy Fox
[guytappingheadinaRayscap.gif]: Don't have to face Ashby if you're down by 10.
alden
Been hearing an upsetting number of songs I love in commercials lately
Brian547
So at the end of the Chat GTP commercial, They all die on the boat right?
Anonymous Member #46
They boil away the seas with all the greenhouse gas emissions and walk to the smoldering remains of civilization.
Jeremy Fox
Worst shutout loss in WS history is 12-0. Yankees over Pirates, game 6, 1960.
Kenny
Proof that the Rays can still win, if you ask me.
alden
Smoltz and Davis sound like they don’t want to be there anymore
SadaharuWhoa
"I don't even want to be around anymore" -Carl Havoc
Brian547edited
"The hell with it, no one is listening anyway." Come on. We need a Uek ref
Alan Sherman
Another very curse- era cubs fact, from the book: The same pitcher was on the mound for the Cubs at the beginning of the Big Inning who gave up Babe Ruth's called shot in 1932: Charlie Root
Deduno Abides
1991: Carl Willis gave up a cycle in the 8th inning of a 14-5 loss.
Hazmat Corntail
I love that in that 8 run inning, the same guy (Bauers) somehow made the 2nd and 3rd outs of the inning. Baseball.
Nick Smith
He's getting teased mercilessly for that.
Anonymous Member #46
Kangaroo Court is going to come for his whole playoff share.
GammaDraconis
And did it the same way. Fly ball to Simpson.
Jeremy Fox
So, looking ahead, do 3-0 leads in the playoffs turn into sweeps any more or less often than you'd expect?
Brian547
Very surprisingly a strong YES… ~75% sweeps
Jeremy Fox
Brewers still running, wow.
Jeremy Fox
In the regular season, losses this big seem easy to shake off. It's just one weird game where nothing went our way, it happens, we'll get 'em tomorrow. In the WS, seems like it'd be harder to shake off.
Sonny L
Kevin Millar voice: “don’t let Tampa win one!”
Brian547
Time for picking Dave Roberts first in the vanquished opponents players/mangers draft?
GammaDraconis
Maybe Tampa should try a different jersey tomorrow
alden
Man Kevin Brown got so robbed of the ‘98 CY
Brian547
I pulled up the leaderboard and instantly went…"It must have been Maddux… nope Glavine???"
alden
Literally 100 more Ks and 25 fewer BB than Glavine. But of course Glavine got 20 Ws so everything else goes out the window
Crapshoot
haahahahaha
Crapshoot
Contreras man
Crapshoot
What can you even say anymore?
GammaDraconisedited
I get it. If William says it's a strike, it's a strike.
Crapshoot
Grant Brisbee used to have a great bit that we should just let Brandon Belt call his own balls and strikes and I think it needs to be updated to Contreras
BryanB
I’m gonna go on Kalshi and bet my life savings on the Rays.
Brian547
Life savings = 50 cents? Because then it may be a good investment…
lzfreak
Gasser making a hipster WS mvp case
Phil
Getting handshakes now.
GammaDraconis
Gasser is done? Darn. I wanted him to go for the shutout.
Marc Kartman
just joined. Huge Crew fan who moved to Milwaukee from So
alden
Let’s just all agree to award Vogey WS MVP regardless of the outcome of the series
Brian547
Ueker… its a bit too late but would be fun.
Phil
Is there a write-in space on the ballot?
Brian Reinhart
Gasser threw 90+ pitches eight times this season, including 100+ twice
Nick Smith
Somebody get Smoltz some coffee!
Brian547
Oh please NO!! Let him fade out!!
Jeremy Fox
I know nobody likes Smoltz, but it seems like WS blowouts must be hard for any announcing crew to call. If you're a local crew calling a regular season blowout, you can talk about nonsense just to pass the time. Can't do that in the WS.
alden
I wonder if John Kruk or Steve Stone are available to fill in for Smoltz the rest of the game?
Brian Reinhart
Joe Davis also decides to leave and it's Kruk & Keith for the remainder
Marc Kartman
SoCal in 1999 and lived there till 2016. Became a huge Brewers fan. Bought 3 full season tickets for next season so I could get WS tickets. It'll be a long commute from SoCal but it looks like it was worth it! Being at Game 1 with my wife and adult son was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. And we were at Dodger Stadium for game 4 too. Sports fandom can be heartbreaking until it isn't.
Phil
Cool to be at those games!
BryanB
I think you hang in there, keep repeating anything can happen, bring up the things ya’ll are
Brian547
As a CLE fan from the 90's I hated ATL, but liked Smoltz the player… Always thought he was fun. So the dislike for his announcing is kinda honest.
Phil
I kinda liked him as a person his one year in Boston, which was terrible. He was very frank in interviews.
No Pe
Seeing the NL representative perform like this against AL does feel very on brand for the 2026 season….
The chat did correctly call that at 2-0 the game felt over
BryanB
Already talking about tomorrow lol
alden
Fearsome 3 hole hitter Chandler Simpson
sadtrombone
Chandler Simpson is fun as they come but him only running a .331 BABIP and a .049 ISO gives the story away. He has no power at all.
Daclubbies
Bauer needs a hit, cmon..
Brian547edited
Can we get Contreras to pitch the 9th?
Daclubbies
Is that allowed?
Brian547
Strongly Strongly frowned upon but allowed!
alden
Milwaukee is probably too good to let this happen but I felt a weird premonition when Bauers struck out in the first that in that moment he turned into a pumpkin again and spent all of his good baseball playing ability
Jeremy Fox
The Rays trying to chase all sorts of tiny edges (and possibly overthinking it in the process) definitely hits different given how this series has played out so far. Saving your ace for game 2, sitting Aranda vs. a lefty, and batting Vilade second all come off as kind of sad when you're getting squashed.
DavidRifkin
Yung Gravy
Brian547
Getting billing over TOM CRUISE!
BryanB
Don’t even know who he is
Jeremy Fox
I want to see Contreras pitch just to see if his ABS challenge magic works from 60 feet away.
BryanB
Wait until he challenges his own pitch. Then the alternate reality opens.
Nick Smith
The human. Oracle.
alden
The Human Oracle? What are we doing here
Nick Smith
They are hurting for something to talk about, I guess?
BryanB
Are there non-human oracles?
alden
This is what I thought. I thought oracles were almost exclusively clairvoyant women getting high on gnarly volcanic sulfur fumes
Jeremy Fox
Are people riffing on US commercials that I can't see because I'm in Canada? Should I start riffing on Canadian commercials?
BryanB
I think the chat has spiraled
Nick Smith
Just commenting on what Smoltz, Davis and co. are yammering about.
Sean Dolinar
If it's about All Dressed chips, Pizza Pizza's garlic cream sauce or milk in a bag, then yes!
Brian547
Just because your election of stupidity is over does not mean you have to rub it in…
OnWI1933
Murph managing like it’s Little League. Everyone gets to play
A Salty Scientist
He better put Woody in.
Matt Martell
I would love to know what Tom Cruise thinks about The Trop
BryanB
Announcers have totally given up
Jeremy Fox
Does Pat Murphy still look pissed off?
BryanB
How do you tell?
Marc Kartman
fyi Gary Sanchez is the Brewers official position player closer.
alden
Joe Davis goes home and takes the edge off with a long, tall glass of almond milk with dodger blue food coloring
Brian547
Star Wars ref?
Marc Kartman
did you see the shot of Murph and Dickie V? I think they went to high school together.
Daclubbies
Cruise played a Mummy hunter and Reacher. Playing an Oracle in a 300 Movie wouldnt be stretch
Brian547edited
Grant Brizbee in his article on the commercials pointed out that he had no idea what the Sidney Sweeny commercial is advertising … He is right.. I still dont.
BryanB
Tanning lotion I think
Brian547
Modesty
Brian Reinhart
I actually think Pat should manage like little league now…let Woodruff take the 9th, make sure Drohan and Harrison are in the G4 plan
BryanBedited
I think the Rays didn’t use the right rum with Jobu
Brian547edited
Jobu will not forget this typo! Is very bad to misspell Jaboo's name… IS VERY BAD!
BryanB
What typo
BryanB
Commercials I never need to see again: HP, Liberty, T-Mobile
Brian547edited
My mom is legit offended by the one making fun of the people using the stairlift. Think its one of the insurance ones?
OnWI1933
Was it discussed why Cash didn’t bring in Baker after Peralta? He’s not pitched this Series so has to be rested. He’s their best reliever. High leverage situation
Brian547
I honestly think simpson may have thought… Screw that, im not diving again there
Jeremy Fox
I am in Calgary. I will trade you HP, Liberty, and T-Mobile commercials for Firehouse subs and the Ontario government.
Brian547
Deal
Crapshoot
Woodruff is warming up! Love that
Brian Reinhart
that'll leave Drohan and Harrison as the only two of 26 who haven't been used yet
OnWI1933
I think batters should have the choice of not accepting first on a HBP
BryanB
Strike zone bigger than the mascot
Brian547
Do we think that challenge was a bit of having a laugh by the rays?
Jeremy Fox
I know the Rays don't draw, but still shocked just how many Brewers fans there seem to be in the park tonight. It's the World Series!
BryanB
I mean ya kinda saw that coming
Anonymous Member #46
shhhhhhh
drplantwrench
thats just mean to woodruff
A Salty Scientist
Should have floated one Rowengartner-style
Sean Dolinar
We have at least one more of these tomorrow! Hopefully it's a more interesting game. Good night all!
The 2026 Arizona Fall League is three weeks old and I’ve now seen every team at least a handful of times. This means I’ve got a handle on a good bit of the league and also can start to identify what gaps I need to fill in during the second half of the slate.
I’ve updated the Fall League tab over on The Board to reflect what Brendan Gawlowski (during his week here in Phoenix) and I have assessed, using the “Trend” column to draw your focus to whose stock we think is moving (with the up or down arrows), who has popped onto our radar for the first time (with the “New” label), and who I still need to see more of (with the target) to feel comfortable assessing. We have not changed anyone’s FV grade because three weeks of looks is only a slice of the evaluation pie and our thoughts might yet change, though we have given interim grades to the “New” players.
Below I’m going to take you through my thoughts on the most notable names and movers from the six-team league. I’m writing as if you already know a bit about each player’s trajectory and background. If you don’t, go to The Board and read their full scouting report, as they tend to provide the 360-degree view of the player’s career.
Kim Klement Neitzel-IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
On Saturday night, in the first inning of Game 2 of the World Series in Milwaukee, Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson slapped an RBI single through the left side of the infield. Once the hometown fans had finished groaning and the visitor’s dugout had exhausted its supply of high fives, Simpson’s presence on first base temporarily warped the gravitational pull of the World Series.
A chyron featuring Simpson’s stolen base totals for the regular season provided an impromptu long division lesson: 46 steals, 60 attempts, 76.7% success rate. The camera zoomed in on him as he conferred with first base coach Corey Dickerson (who, it’s worth noting, didn’t come close to stealing 46 bases in his entire 11-year career), and Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers did his best to look like he wasn’t eavesdropping. When starter Logan Henderson came set, the broadcast switched to a side-by-side-by-side shot that showed Simpson bracketed by Henderson and catcher William Contreras. Contreras stayed in a high, one-knee crouch and sneaked peeks down to first base before and after each pitch to Junior Caminero. Henderson tried to freeze Simpson by standing as still as a statue while the pitch clock ticked down toward zero on one pitch, then firing the next as soon as he came set. Everybody knew it was only a matter of time.
It happened on the fourth pitch. Despite Henderson’s best efforts, Simpson timed him up perfectly. At the exact moment Henderson raised his left heel, Simpson took off like a shot. The pitch was a fastball and Contreras was already on his feet by the time it arrived. He made a quick transition and fired a laser down to second base, a foot or two higher and more toward the first base side of the bag than he’d intended, but by no means a terrible throw. It didn’t matter. Simpson already had second base stolen. His hand touched the bag as second baseman Brice Turang’s glove closed around the ball. In a bit of visually pleasing accidental choreography, when Turang turned to attempt a swipe tag, Simpson was executing his own, equally sharp turn. He was also, temporarily, weightless.
Liam Hicks had an adventurous night during Game 2 of the World Series in Milwaukee. In the first inning, after the Rays had already plated two runs against Brewers starter Logan Henderson, Hicks clubbed a two-run homer — the first homer of this year’s World Series, in fact — to extend the lead to 4-0. In the sixth inning, after that lead had been trimmed to a single run, he was thrown out at the plate while trying to score, a play that loomed particularly large in what became a 5-4 defeat that put the Rays in a two-games-to-none series hole. While Hicks has scuffled at the plate for much of the postseason, he’s come up big a few times, and has had a substantial impact since being acquired from the Marlins in a deadline-day trade.
By the time Hicks batted for the first time on Saturday night, the 24-year-old Henderson had already thrown 23 pitches. Yandy Díaz led off, and after battling for seven pitches, he reached second base when shortstop Cooper Pratt threw away a fairly routine groundball. He scored on a Chandler Simpson single, and after Simpson stole second, Junior Caminero worked the count full and then fouled off a couple of pitches before singling home Simpson. Up came Hicks, and after he fouled off a high four-seamer, Henderson left an 87.8-mph cutter in the middle of the plate. Hicks connected, launching the ball 411 feet to right center for a two-run homer.
Free agency begins five days after the end of the World Series. As in other recent seasons, FanGraphs is once again facilitating a contract crowdsourcing project, with the idea being to harness the wisdom of the crowd to better understand and project the 2026-27 free agent market.
In recent years, we’ve added a few features to these ballots based on reader feedback. You now have the option to indicate that a player will only receive a minor league contract, or won’t receive a contract at all. If there is a player option, team option, or opt out in a player’s contract, you’ll be able to indicate whether you think he will remain with his current team or become a free agent. Statistics are prorated to full season values where noted. Unless otherwise indicated, the projected WAR figures are from the first cut of the 2027 Steamer600 projections.
Below are ballots for seven of this year’s free agents — in this case, a group of catchers. Read the rest of this entry »
Free agency begins five days after the end of the World Series. As in other recent seasons, FanGraphs is once again facilitating a contract crowdsourcing project, with the idea being to harness the wisdom of the crowd to better understand and project the 2026-27 free agent market.
In recent years, we’ve added a few features to these ballots based on reader feedback. You now have the option to indicate that a player will only receive a minor league contract, or won’t receive a contract at all. If there is a player option, team option, or opt out in a player’s contract, you’ll be able to indicate whether you think he will remain with his current team or become a free agent. Statistics are prorated to full season values where noted. Unless otherwise indicated, the projected WAR figures are from the first cut of the 2027 Steamer600 projections.
Below are ballots for seven of this year’s free agents — in this case, a group of outfielders. Read the rest of this entry »
Free agency begins five days after the end of the World Series. As in other recent seasons, FanGraphs is once again facilitating a contract crowdsourcing project, with the idea being to harness the wisdom of the crowd to better understand and project the 2026-27 free agent market.
In recent years, we’ve added a few features to these ballots based on reader feedback. You now have the option to indicate that a player will only receive a minor league contract, or won’t receive a contract at all. If there is a player option, team option, or opt out in a player’s contract, you’ll be able to indicate whether you think he will remain with his current team or become a free agent. Statistics are prorated to full season values where noted. Unless otherwise indicated, the projected WAR figures are from the first cut of the 2027 Steamer600 projections.
Below are ballots for eight of this year’s free agents — in this case, a group of starting pitchers. Read the rest of this entry »
