2014 Playoff Live Blog Extravaganza

by
October 3, 2014
9:33
Dave Cameron: So there’s four games today, and we’re going to live blog all of them. Brad Johnson will be here for O’s/Tigers game, and will be joined by Carson, so you’ve been warned. Mike Petriello will take over for the Nats/Giants game, and then Eno will show up for Cards/Dodgers, with Swydan pulling the late shift and grabbing Angels/Royals. Prepare for 12+ hours of playoff live blogging. Baseball!
11:56
Brad Johnson: Alright, let’s kick this off. The cable guy just left my apartment and I can now watch playoff games on all channels (previously ESPN and FS1 were dead).
11:56
Comment From Guest
Do front offices use fangraphs/b-ref or does MLB have its own historical database they keep for team use?

11:57
Brad Johnson: Each team has its own behind the scenes statistics, but I’ve spoken to mid-level executives in several front offices who have referenced stats from FanGraphs and BRef. I’ve also talked with them about specific FanGraphs and BPro articles.
11:58
Comment From 1990JaromirJagr
i watched o’s game last night with a bunch of baltimore dudes. they kept sounding off about opposing pitchers “being scared of Schoop” all year. Really confused by this. What are your thoughts on him? peak line?

11:59
Brad Johnson: Hmm. This is never noticed, although I maybe watched 15-20 O’s games closely.

11:59
Brad Johnson: I think Schoop has some specific holes, which might be what they’re referencing. Just an impression, I haven’t done any analysis on him.
12:00
Comment From Okobojicat
Brad, I have no idea who you are but I count myself a infrequent reader of Fangraphs. What is your background?

12:01
Brad Johnson: Ok I’ll bite. Played through college (D-III), wrote for Hardball Times since 2010, started with FanGraphs last year but focused on RotoGraphs/other fantasy content during the season. I hosted one of these gigs last year and someone managed to dig up my (crappy) college stats. Good luck.
12:01
Comment From Ausmus
If you were Detroit’s manager, would you have left Scherzer in last night? I know hindishgt is convenient, but I think I would have let him face at least the next batter.

12:02
Brad Johnson: You know, Detroit’s in a tough spot. I was sitting there thinking that they have to get as many innings as possible from their starters because the pen is so shaky. I thought Soria would at least be a bright spot…
12:02
Comment From Guest
brad johnson, you were also QB of the vikings, eh?

12:02
Brad Johnson: Yes, I believe I was 11 at the time.
12:03
Comment From Jake deBomb
of course karma or destiny are silly concepts, but at this early stage of the playoffs, would you say that O’s-Giants WS matchup has a good vibe working?

12:04
Brad Johnson: Personally O’s/Pirates would have been my “destiny” matchup. I have Giants World Series fatigue. Let someone else get a shot.
12:04
Brad Johnson: In that vein, perhaps Nats/O’s is the matchup and destiny.
12:04
Brad Johnson: NOT THIS COMMERCIAL.
12:05
Brad Johnson: Anyway, the winner of a Nats/O’s WS should get full control of MASN.
12:05
Comment From Jake deBomb
I meant based on their strong 1st game showing…

12:05
Brad Johnson: Oh, well in that case let’s let everyone play their first game before we declare the World Series of Joy contestants.
12:06
Comment From Jake deBomb
never mind. you don’t get the question perhaps… carry on

12:06
Brad Johnson: haha
12:06
Comment From semperty
Haven’t been able to get to a TV, yet. Is the game worth watching or is it pretty meh?

12:07
Brad Johnson: Well they are two of the very best teams in baseball, so on that front, yes. Also, the game is yet to start, so…
12:07
Comment From Psy Jung
So, Verlander for game 2? Is Brad Ausmus afraid of harshing Verly’s mellow, or is there a justifiable reason to start him over Sanchez?

12:08
Brad Johnson: I’d go with Sanchez personally, I think he fits the stadium better. But neither pitcher affects the game odds greatly.
12:08
Brad Johnson: Oh right…
12:08
Comment From dgrussel
anibal’s broked yo

12:08
Brad Johnson: He’s in the pen apparently. Not sure how I missed this.
12:09
Comment From Guest
When you sabermetric people say “watching the game” don’t you just mean the MLB.com gameday display?

12:09
Brad Johnson: For me, it means 4-8 games streaming at once. It’s made watching one game kind of hard actually.
12:09
Comment From ralph
Anyone else’s sound seem slightly out of sync?

12:10
Brad Johnson: Trolls 🙂 You have to feed them JUST enough sometimes.
12:10
Comment From ralph
Given Detroit’s RH-heavy lineup, are the Orioles going to have Gausman ready to take over just in case LHP Chen gets destroyed?

12:11
Brad Johnson: I’m guessing if destruction occurs, they’ll go with someone a little less critical – at least initially.
12:11
Comment From dgrussel
have the French communists banned the internet or something? where is Cistulli?

12:11
Brad Johnson: He’ll be by at 1:00. I’m looking forward to it.
12:12
Brad Johnson: Also, I accidentally published Ralph’s comment. Too late to recover the moment.
12:12
Comment From Guest
What if all these comments were actually from Cistuli?

12:13
Brad Johnson: That would, actually, not be entirely unsurprising given sir Cistulli’s quirk’s (i.e. obfuscation)
12:13
Comment From Tyler
by sanchez, you guys mean price, right?

12:13
Brad Johnson: Yes yes. Simmer down folks.
12:14
Comment From Okobojicat
Defend leaving Torii Hunter in the 2-hole! Go!

12:14
Brad Johnson: But I don’t wanna!
12:15
Brad Johnson: I mean in a given game, lineup construction isn’t too important. It’s not like it moves the game odds even half a percent.
12:16
Brad Johnson: I’m thirsty. Entertain yourselves for a minute.
12:17
Comment From Commenter
Didn’t the Royals bat Escobar second in the WC game? That by default makes Hunter hitting there look good

12:17
Brad Johnson: True. The Royals lineup is kind of wonky though…
12:17
Comment From machetko
What time zone are you in and is this your first libation of the day?

12:18
Brad Johnson: This year I’m in EST. If any of you were around last season, I hosted one of these from Dhaka Bangladesh. This is a lot easier.
12:18
Comment From Okobojicat
Is it really that low? Hmm. Also, I actually liked Bob Melvin sitting Dunn to start the game. But the first time Sogard or Fuld came up with someone, I def would have pinch hit. Get your big bat in the game to do some damage. It was just so weird

12:19
Brad Johnson: Without getting too nerdy, leverage matters. So what you describe matters even if the pre-game lineup kind of doesn’t.
12:20
Brad Johnson: Oh I forgot to answer the libation question. I foolishly forgot to stock any potent potables.
12:20
Brad Johnson: Torii Hunter: ghost of his former self (yet still a viable major leaguer)
12:21
Comment From Adam
Is drinking on the job allowed?

12:21
Brad Johnson: This is FanGraphs. One of our writers runs BeerGraphs. Another of our writers is Cistulli. Does that answer the question?
12:22
Comment From Guest
So are you the best actual ball player on the FG staff? Would anyone else beat you out at one of the 5 tools?

12:23
Brad Johnson: Um…I can’t say for certain but I should be near the top. I’ll have to organize a game on our next group trip.
12:23
Brad Johnson: I can’t run for crap
12:23
Brad Johnson: But neither can most of my colleagues!
12:24
Comment From dgrussel
did Verlander just tell the ump to ring him up? cause his arm went up with the K symbol well before the umps did

12:24
Brad Johnson: I do think Mr. Verlander is fired up.
12:25
Brad Johnson: Viagra count is at 2 for the record. The number is 2.
12:25
Comment From Seth F.
East Coasters get to complain about late West Coast games, but nobody cares about these early East coast games.

12:25
Brad Johnson: I lived in AZ for most of the season, it was fantastic!
12:26
Brad Johnson: But then again, I’m a writer so I get to wake up and watch baseball all day.
12:26
Comment From kevinthecomic
is R. Davis playing at sub-replacement level due to his injury?

12:27
Brad Johnson: I’d need either a large sample or the ability to not pay any attention to this chat to analyze that. But I’m guessing he’s not too far above replacement.
12:27
Comment From zzoo
Consider the replacements, though…

12:28
Brad Johnson: This of course is the key.
12:28
Comment From dgrussel
are you prepared for all the death threats that are going to happen in the comments when Carson gets here about NotGraphs demise?

12:29
Brad Johnson: Carson really hates NotGraphs fans, so I fully expect him to answer those death threats in kind.
12:29
Comment From Guest
why don’t we exterminate rotographs instead of notgraphs?

12:31
Brad Johnson: Don’t even start. Eno is a white Jamaican. Who can say what he’s capable of. I have your IP Address and by extension, your actual address.
12:31
Comment From Guest
Did you ever play against any notable players in HS or DIII that we’re now familiar with? What was that like?

12:31
Brad Johnson: Sean Doolittle was one year ahead of me in HS for a rival school. We trained together on a couple occasions, although I played against his brother Ryan more.
12:32
Brad Johnson: Played against Pedro Alvarez when he was with the Bayside Yankees. He was dirty.
12:32
Comment From Jon
I played against Vin Mazarro, he was nasty in HS.

12:32
Brad Johnson: Other people also played against pros.
12:32
Brad Johnson: O’s fans will recognize Billy Rowell, he played for another rival.
12:33
Comment From machetko
What in the world does it mean that Eno is a white Jamaican? That he smokes a ton of weed? That’s my assumption.

12:33
Brad Johnson: No one knows what it means. Anything, ostensibly.
12:34
Comment From Brad O
I appreciate the great free content on a daily basis, but man…ads have been killing the site recently with all the autoplay videos and banners. Yard Barker, whatever that is, destroys my flash plugin (sorry for all the aggressive verbs)

12:34
Brad Johnson: Yea, those aren’t supposed to be happening. We’re working on it.
12:34
Comment From Jon
Is there any chance Arby’s smokes their meat for 13 hours

12:35
Brad Johnson: Actually, I have a question. Has anybody ever eaten at Arby’s?
12:35
Brad Johnson: I’ve taken to asking people if they have, and I’ve yet to meet a single person who has.
12:35
Comment From Guest
google chrome adblock kills them all

12:35
Brad Johnson: Also this, re: ads
12:36
Brad Johnson: Though I think that affects our site revenue, so I didn’t advocate that!
12:36
Comment From Guest
What are the odds that between this chat and the game running on my computer that I forget to join my conference call in 30 minutes and say “oh sorry I just got tied up for a minute” when I join late?

12:36
Brad Johnson: 82.1% pending score.
12:36
Brad Johnson: Speak of which, is anything going to happen in this game?
12:37
Comment From Okobojicat
Predictions (I think we should be voting on the best): Alex Avila will go hard

12:38
Comment From Dennis
is the strike zone bad on both sides or is Verlander getting a lot of benefits of the doubt?

12:38
Brad Johnson: I think the camera is particularly angled today, so it’s deceptive. Also I’m pretty sure the pitchtrax is off.
12:38
Comment From semperty
Any explanation as to why Verlander’s BABIP jumped from the .270s to .310s?

12:39
Brad Johnson: Probably velocity. Probably other things too. But mostly the velocity.
12:39
Comment From ralph
What does “go hard” mean in this context? (btw I’ve eaten at Arby’s and even recently tried their Meat Mountain secret menu item.)

12:40
Brad Johnson: Um, terrifying. Also, we can stop discussing Arby’s now. I am forever sorry for opening that door.
12:40
Comment From Guest
What is Verlander throwing velo wise today for those of us without the TV feed?

12:40
Brad Johnson: Let me snuggle up to my TV
12:40
Brad Johnson: 93 on that last one.
12:40
Brad Johnson: 91-94 on the game.
12:41
Comment From dgrussel
would you describe your playing style as late-career Matt Stairs or peak Omar Vizquel. Those are your only choices.

12:41
Brad Johnson: definitely late career Matt Stairs with Omar Vizquel’s bat
12:41
Comment From Ausmus
Prediction: The Announcing crew will gush over how important Power pitching is in the postseason while the Orioles sweep the series with an inferior starting rotation.

12:42
Comment From Juan Pierres Feet
I am torn. I want the Orioles to win, but I hate Peter Angelos. How do I reconcile 20 years of terrible with my love of the Orioles?

12:42
Brad Johnson: Alcohol? Drugs? The Wire?
12:42
Comment From Okobojicat
and by hard I of course mean YARD

12:42
Brad Johnson: Are you sure you weren’t talking about an aroused catcher?
12:43
Comment From Jon
If you had to pick one baseball player to be a great lumberjack, it would have to be Matt Stairs right?

12:43
Brad Johnson: Maybe the duo of Geoff Jenkins and Kevin Mench?
12:43
Comment From Brian
Scouting report on the Fox announcing crew?

12:43
Brad Johnson: Anything is better than TBS.
12:44
Brad Johnson: Of course, THIS game is on TBS, so we’re stuck with the worst.
12:44
Comment From Yuni
I know this is off topic but are you BradGraphs on DK

12:44
Brad Johnson: Yep
12:44
Brad Johnson: Though I don’t use the site terrible often, do most of my DFS on FanDuel
12:44
Comment From Brian
Russel Branyon!

12:44
Brad Johnson: yes! re: lumberjack
12:45
Comment From Jon
so you would do a platoon split at lumberjack… interesting

12:45
Brad Johnson: Of course. 24 hours of jacking. (wait…)
12:45
Comment From kevinthecomic
which of the 6 proposed ‘pace of the game’ ideas (if any) do you think has the best chance of being implemented in mlb?

12:45
Brad Johnson: Wrong person to ask, I think the pace of game is ideal. Just watch more games concurrently if it’s too slow for you.
12:46
Comment From NotGraphs Commentariat
We’re quite pleased to draw the ire of Cistulli (f**k that guy). Come at us.

12:46
Comment From SuedePumaMyLookIsJayBuhner
re: lumberjack -> Gabe Kapler duh

12:46
Brad Johnson: I think Kapler would explain to the tree why it must fall. And then it would.
12:47
Comment From Brian
What would the odds be for a team composed of 10 WAR players at every position against a normal MLB team in a single game? 5 game series? My blind guess says something like 70-30 for the single game and 90-10 for the series.

12:48
Brad Johnson: Anyone want to do the math? I have to manage this chat.
12:48
Comment From Brad
Is it true the phillies are firing Dave Montgomery and keeping RAJ?

12:48
Brad Johnson: Unknown. Talked it over with my MLBTR colleagues yesterday. We’re not ready to say anything from the mouth of Howard Eskin is real.
12:49
Comment From Brad
Gotta get some fantasy questions in since you are great at it. Who would you rather keep for 2015 only? Dickerson or Betts price the same. Thanks

12:50
Brad Johnson: Conditional answer: Dickerson for 2015, Betts if you can look further in the future or could use the utility.
12:50
Brad Johnson: Minnix wrote some stuff about Dickerson yesterday, which I mostly agree with.
12:50
Comment From Jim
Travis Hafner – lumberjack extraordinaire

12:51
Brad Johnson: http://www.fangraphs.com/fa… (that article about Dickerson)
12:52
Comment From SuedePumaJayBuhner
you know this is an uneventful game when were still talking about mlb players as lumberjacks

12:52
Brad Johnson: Seriously. Waiting for ANYTHING and/or Cistulli.
12:52
Comment From Brian
Apparently ex Cle players are the way to go for lumberjacks, Branyon, Hafner, Burnitz…

12:52
Comment From Brian
Re: Cle player lumberjacks, How did we forget Thome!!

12:53
Brad Johnson: Seems to be a scouting profile…
12:53
Comment From Guest
John Rocker!

12:53
Brad Johnson: No.
12:53
Comment From SuedePumaJayBuhner
tito francona http://www.google.com/imgre…

12:53
Brad Johnson: This upset me.
12:54
Brad Johnson: “Who is the coolest cat on the TBS crew,” the TBS crew wonder aloud.
12:55
Comment From Okobojicat
anyone else seeing lots of Fastballs down the middle from Verlander the O’s are popping up? Is that the Pitchtracks thing being inaccurate? or O’s just missing?

12:55
Brad Johnson: I think it’s just shifted quite a bit.
12:55
Comment From Jon
Do you think a lot of second baseman, such as Kinsler or Pedroia, could have been shortstops?

12:56
Brad Johnson: For a couple years maybe. Generally no. Arm strength seems to be the main issue, no?
12:56
Comment From nielsen cruise
Back-of-envelope math says a team of 10 WAR players (including a staff of 10 WAR pitchers) would win about 80% of its games against a league-average team.

12:56
Brad Johnson: That took about exactly as long as I expected. Which is why I crowdsourced it.
12:57
Comment From Guest
“Carson Cistulli is the coolest cat on all crews” we all wonder to ourselves privately.

12:57
Brad Johnson: The zone is EXPANDING
12:58
Comment From Brian
Verlander looks like he has more arm side run as compared to earlier this year? Anyone agree with this?

12:59
Brad Johnson: Yes. I think he’s been trolling the league, like Brandon Moss prior to the WC game.
12:59
Comment From Art Vandelay
wikipedia tells me that Kinsler and Pedroia competed for the same shortstop position at ASU. Pedroia beat him out, and Kinsler moved to second.

1:00
Comment From aaa
Almost all infielders start as a SS in the minors, if they have the arm but not the range they move to 3B, if they have the range but not the arm they move to 2B. Obviously a huge simplifiction, but that’s how it usually works.

1:00
Comment From dgrussel
Verlander is getting calls like he promised Kate to the umpire for 15 minutes after game

1:00
Brad Johnson: He just promised all the photos that aren’t on the cloud.
1:01
Comment From dgrussel
new baseball inefficiency. be crappy all season and then go boom in the playoffs

1:01
Brad Johnson: Exactly.
1:01
Comment From SuedePumaJayBuhner
classic-> schoop gets the first hit for the o’s, after i mocked my friends for saying pitchers were scared of him

1:01
Brad Johnson: Fear the Schoop. That has absolutely no ring to it.
1:01
Brad Johnson: Purpose pitches, aka I missed my spot but let’s play it off
1:02
Comment From Jon
I feel like if I was a scout, I’d be way to influenced by whether I liked a guy’s batting stance or not.

1:03
Brad Johnson: Yea, I’ve met some scouts and they do like orthodoxy. Any time someone has funk they come with all kinds of caveats
1:03
Brad Johnson: But…how many funky hitters succeed in the majors?
1:04
Brad Johnson: See ya. We have offense.
1:04
Comment From dgrussel
Carson is late due to organizing a rebirth of Napoleonic France.

1:05
Brad Johnson: Things that aren’t exciting. Calm discussions about whether a hit was a home run.
1:05
Comment From Mooking for Love
noooo you’re like 20 seconds ahead of my feed!!

1:05
Brad Johnson: Oooh soory
1:06
Comment From Phil
And to compound the issue, Verlander is already over 50 pitches after 2 2/3… bring on the bullpen!

1:06
Brad Johnson: Um, did you watch last night.
1:06
Brad Johnson: To answer the question, the TBS crew has no idea what the ground rules are, so nobody knows what’s about to happen.
1:07
Comment From aaa
hot damn, i have no idea how the tigers ever win games that aren’t CGs from the starter

1:07
Brad Johnson: I know, right. That’s actually why they didn’t blow away the Royals.
1:07
Brad Johnson: Home run.
1:08
Comment From Brad
Neil weinberg wrote about tandem pitchers for the tigers. do you like the idea and why won’t managers ever think outside the box?

1:08
Brad Johnson: The idea is good. But it’s a very big stage to run an experiment. Could look like a genius or lose your job.
1:09
Comment From Jim
I’m not usually Mr. PC, but I thought that comment about Verlander promising Kate to the ump after the game was really sexist and offensive, and I’m surprised you chose to publish it.

1:09
Brad Johnson: Apologies. I got caught up in the moment.
1:09
Comment From Rob
Why do the networks insist on having such bad announce teams for the postseason? They’re always so worried about declining TV ratings, and that improvement seems like such low hanging fruit. Would it be that hard to bring in someone like Len Kasper do the job?

1:10
Brad Johnson: It does seem like somebody needs to be grooming a new Vin Scully. Like knuckleballers, we need solo announcers who can just run a good broadcast by themselves.
1:10
Comment From semperty
Adding up the run values for the best defenders at each positions nets more total runs than the best overall team (114.4 for defenders, 100.3 for Dodgers). Does anyone actually believe that style of baseball would win more games than anyone else, though?

1:11
Brad Johnson: Belief or no, it’s not the game MLB wants to exist. Offense drives fandom
1:11
Brad Johnson: Also, prepare yourselves…
1:13
Carson Cistulli: Bon damn jour. To Brad and to everyone.
1:13
Brad Johnson: Ahoy
1:14
Brad Johnson: Apparently, I’m not famous enough for some people. Time to pull your weight Carson
1:14
Brad Johnson: Cabrera running is comical at times.
1:14
Carson Cistulli: Cabrera with the rare line drive to center and then slap of the second baseman.
1:14
Carson Cistulli: You don’t see that combination often.
1:15
Comment From Muppet Sex
Aint not party like a Cistulli party, because a Cistulli party dont stop

1:15
Carson Cistulli: Or start, frequently. Mostly they never start.
1:15
Comment From Chris
The fact that this stupid seven nation army tune has invaded the sports world hurts my soul.

1:16
Carson Cistulli: It’s amazing how ubiquitous it became so quickly.
1:16
Brad Johnson: Most sports songs that occurred after my childhood hurt my soul.
1:16
Brad Johnson: I’m just an old curmudgeon I guess.
1:17
Comment From neal
I think the fans’ idea of what drives ratings and the networks’ ideas are fairly different, given they won’t stop doing $&#^ing dugout interviews

1:17
Carson Cistulli: There Tigers answer quickly. Which is always made them so good at flash cards.
1:17
Brad Johnson: You know they did focus groups on those dugout interviews. Never mind that the people in those groups had to ask what manner of sport they were watching
1:18
Comment From Hercs man crush
bullpen?

1:18
Brad Johnson: Hold on, I have to find one I didn’t publish
1:18
Carson Cistulli: I don’t know if this was posted before or after that JD Martinez home run. In either case: yes?
1:19
Comment From Tony
Martinez and Martinez getting things done.

1:19
Comment From dgrussel
so what I learned from last night is that the Martinez step-brothers are going to hit back to back dingers next innings

1:19
Brad Johnson: That last one was from before the inning
1:19
Brad Johnson: close enough
1:19
Carson Cistulli: Martinez and Martinez: among the very top law firms.
1:20
Brad Johnson: wow, oppo bomb. Castellanos has looked good recently.
1:20
Comment From Hercs man crush
i typed that before thte JD homer

1:20
Carson Cistulli: Well done, in that case.
1:20
Comment From aaa
guys i think wei yin chen isn’t pitching well anymore

1:20
Brad Johnson: mmm
1:20
Comment From David G Temple
Snap decision: If if the score stays the same through the 6th, is this lead still safe?

1:21
Brad Johnson: Absolutely not.
1:21
Brad Johnson: Baltimore will score at least six runs is my prediction.
1:21
Comment From Denji
Time to bring in Gausman

1:22
Comment From Dunx
choose one minor league free agent ridiculous bargain: brandon moss, steve pearce, or JD Martinez

1:22
Brad Johnson: Martinez. He’s the real deal. Not sure about Pearce and Moss has some shortcomings.
1:22
Carson Cistulli: Choose them for what? Dinner and conversation? Brandon Moss, in that case.
1:23
Comment From SuedePumaJayBuhner
ive taken poops longer than it took to get exciting

1:23
Brad Johnson: Notice the correlation with Cistulli #sabermetrics
1:23
Carson Cistulli: Which, note: I think the typical date night ought to be movie and THEN dinner. That way, when conversation inevitably falls into awkward silence, you can always say, “How bout that movie, huh?”
1:23
Comment From Brad
Carson: who was the leader of your fringe five this year?

1:24
Carson Cistulli: Toronto’s Taylor Cole. Right-handed pitcher.
1:24
Brad Johnson: So, that kind of answers the Rajai question from earlier.
1:24
Comment From machetko
Re date night, you also don’t want to have go #2 during the movie.

1:24
Comment From ralph
So if that’s just a single for Rajai..

1:24
Brad Johnson: He can’t do the thing he’s best at, run.
1:24
Carson Cistulli: Rajai Davis probably should have run.
1:25
Comment From Jack Glasscocks Cup
don’t lie Cistulli, you had that non sequitur written on a note card. When the chat lagged, you pulled it off the top of the list.

1:25
Carson Cistulli: Spurious! Very spurious!
1:26
Comment From Brad
Brad: just went to my daughter’s school book fair and kids were running wild. You would have been scared.

1:26
Comment From Art Vandelay
Who digests food so quickly that they would have to go number two an hour after dinner?

1:26
Brad Johnson: Children are still taught of books?
1:26
Carson Cistulli: A very small dog, I can confirm. For one.
1:26
Brad Johnson: Seconded re: dog. My dog poops 4 times a day now that he’s on healthy diet food.
1:26
Comment From zzoo
Art, you’ve obviously never eaten at Panda Express…

1:26
Brad Johnson: it’s very healthy poop.
1:27
Brad Johnson: bye bye Rajai. See you Sunday.
1:27
Comment From Art Vandelay
I would imagine your dog is not on a dinner date.

1:27
Carson Cistulli: Imagine harder, Art Vandelay.
1:27
Brad Johnson: It would probably help my odds, he’s deplorably cute.
1:28
Carson Cistulli: Kevin Gausman only threw his change 3% of the time? Allow me to regard his PITCHf/x info.
1:29
Brad Johnson: Things we probably should have tracked more closely – the slopfest of stats trotted out by this TBS crew
1:29
Brad Johnson: The Wild Card game in particular was a masterpiece is awful statistics.
1:30
Comment From Brad
jeff zimmerman is very down on gausman, do you guys agree?

1:30
Carson Cistulli: Forkball, it’s classified as. 20-something percent: http://www.fangraphs.com/st…
1:30
Carson Cistulli: I think the broadcast said breaking ball. Also, I don’t remember. Also, I’ve stopped caring. I’m going to stop typing now.
1:31
Carson Cistulli: 98 with considerable life.
1:31
Brad Johnson: yes and no. I think he needs to improve in some way to be a real force. I feel the same way as I did about Odorizzi prior to the season. But Odorizzi got better.
1:31
Comment From machetko
Mr. Vandelay, it’s not a matter of digesting your food so quickly, it’s a matter of essing out the food that’s already in your stomach. It’s called the gastrocolic reflex, the involuntary triggering of intestinal muscles by the presence of food in the stomach. Like all reflexes can be stronger or weaker. In its strongest form it’s called Post-Gastric Dumping Syndrome, which can be legit disabling, as in you can’t work.

1:31
Comment From Hercs man crush
re: Art Vandelay. eating a large meal causes something called a gastrocolic reflex, which essentially is your stomach telling your colon to make room for new food.

1:31
Carson Cistulli: Lot of gasto-talk in the comments over here.
1:32
Comment From zmiko
Seems like he should be pretty good out of the pen though

1:32
Carson Cistulli: 98 with Considerable Life: The Abe Vigoda Story
1:32
Brad Johnson: I erroneously tabbed him as a possible O’s closer this year.
1:32
Comment From gryfyn
98 with Considerable life: cialis’ new marketing slogan?

1:33
Comment From Matt
Are you surprised Verlander isn’t still good? All his pitches over than the fastball haven’t changed at all really. If you said you a a prospect throwing 92-94 with a plus plus curveball and a plus to plus plus changeup, you would be excited.

1:33
Brad Johnson: I think he has to learn away some of his old habits. The stuff still works for a mid-3’s ERA starter. Maybe better.
1:33
Carson Cistulli: I think that’s a reason to believe he probably WILL be quite good again. He needs to become accustomed to a reality in which he doesn’t have 98 to fall back on.
1:33
Carson Cistulli: Yes, what Brad Johnson said.
1:34
Carson Cistulli: Also, I don’t know what Jeff Zimmerman’s argument is in re Gausman. Zimm is usually pretty smart. But I 98 + excellent offspeed pitch is a pretty excellent combo. Wacha has made something like that work quite well.
1:34
Comment From machetko
Comparison is to Schilling. Had two down years at 32 and 33 when the velocity went down and then put it back together.

1:35
Brad Johnson: I like the comp, assuming health.
1:36
Comment From Dunx
is Stephen Drew a good 1-year rebound candidate, or should everyone run away as fast as possible

1:36
Carson Cistulli: His 2015 Steamer projection (now available) is NOT promising, actually: http://www.fangraphs.com/st….
1:36
Carson Cistulli: Better than 2014, but not stellar.
1:36
Brad Johnson: Yea…I’d like to play wait and see were I a fantasy or real life owner
1:37
Comment From Derek
A’s look at brining Pennington back?

1:38
Brad Johnson: They gotta look at something like that. Lowrie isn’t a great fit to re-sign.
1:38
Brad Johnson: Interestingly, Drew might work well for the A’s if his price tag is as cheap as it should be.
1:39
Comment From Tony
Worth noting Verlander had a 3.29 FIP in the 2nd half (driven by much better K and BB numbers). Yeah, half season stats can only mean so much, but it does seem like he’s made some good adjustments.

1:39
Comment From aaa
For a team like Oakland with no SS options whatsoever, and Daniel Robertson waiting in the minors, seems like a great fit.

1:39
Carson Cistulli: Right. It’s unlikely the A’s spend very much money on a shortstop. Where’s Dean Anna?
1:40
Comment From neal
Schilling was sort of an exceptional case, though, wasn’t he? I recall reading an article (Szymborski maybe?) earlier in the year that had a table of guys who suffered a significant drop in K% at a similar age, and Schilling was the lone exception where basically every other guy was done after it happened

1:40
Comment From Hick Rahn
We’ll trade them Marcus Semien

1:40
Brad Johnson: Good point. I also thought Roy Halladay would adjust like Schilling, but instead he immediately disappeared.
1:40
Carson Cistulli: Well, that was due to injury, too.
1:41
Comment From Grandpa Cistulli
Any chance Kershaw takes the Lincecum path and sucks in a few years?

1:41
Brad Johnson: Yeah, but injuries happen to old workhorses, no? That’s what the glue factory depends upon.
1:41
Brad Johnson: There’s always a chance a pitcher will spontaneously suck.
1:41
Carson Cistulli: There were never the concerns regarding Kershaw as there were regarding Lincecum in terms of size/mechanics. But yes, there’s always a chance a pitcher will fall apart.
1:42
Brad Johnson: That said, Kershaw is one of those guys who’s continually adding more and more. I think he’ll prove to be exceedingly adaptable.
1:42
Comment From Chris
What kind of years/dollars do you think it will take to get Melky?

1:42
Brad Johnson: Kershaw also doesn’t look like a risk to lose command/control.
1:43
Carson Cistulli: 2/25, maybe?
1:43
Brad Johnson: I think quite a bit more. 4/60 maybe?
1:43
Brad Johnson: options would be involved.
1:43
Brad Johnson: I have access to super secret projectiions, h/o
1:44
Brad Johnson: never mind, it’s not where I thought it was and I’m lazy.
1:45
Comment From Brian
What will the Biggest contract (total value) given to a player this off season?

1:46
Brad Johnson: What do you think Scherzer clears? 170?
1:46
Comment From Brad
you are lazy. still no picture on your rotoworld column. beginning to think you look like a leper.

1:47
Brad Johnson: Knowing full well what he’s going to say…

Carson, do I look like a leper?
1:47
Carson Cistulli: H Ramirez, Lester, Scherzer. Those are the top three. And yeah, Scherzer probably requires ca. 170 million.
1:47
Comment From gump
is there a link a custom leaderboard of probably FAs?

1:47
Carson Cistulli: Yeah, but only in the real beginning stages of leprosy.
1:48
Comment From Dave Camerons Puppy
Carson, why are you doing the early chat? You seem to be more the type to do the late night one, where everyone has tired of talking about baseball and would rather discuss nihilist philosophers.

1:48
Brad Johnson: MLBTR has one, which is related to my previous secret stuff. It occurs to me that I don’t have sufficient tenure to reveal state secrets
1:48
Carson Cistulli: I have an “obligation” this “evening.”
1:50
Comment From Hrkac Circus
Who would you rather have playing third? Sandoval or Hanley? Assuming Hanley is willing to switch positions.

1:50
Brad Johnson: Tough question. Also I just spilled my water on the floor.
1:51
Carson Cistulli: It’s actually pretty close. In terms of signing one of them, I’d probably choose Sandoval, though, based on his relative youth.
1:51
Brad Johnson: I think Sandoval’s “health” concerns me less.
1:52
Comment From Brad
Do you guys think Joc Pederson plays full time next year in majors?

1:52
Brad Johnson: Thankfully we have plenty of time to see what the Dodgers do, but my gut is no.
1:52
Carson Cistulli: Still probably not for the Dodgers, given that they’re outfield is full of outfielders.
1:53
Brad Johnson: I expect he’ll start in the minors again, earn an early promotion, then start in a platoon.
1:53
Comment From Posterity
Who would you rather have accompanying you on the path towards to the abyss? Sandoval or Handley? Assuming Hanley is willing to switch positions.

1:54
Comment From Gabes
Sandoval…you know he’s bringing snacks

1:54
Carson Cistulli: Sandoval, I think. Largely because of his Falstaffian charm.
1:54
Carson Cistulli: Fastballs!
1:54
Brad Johnson: nice tongue Gausman.
1:54
Brad Johnson: My dog makes the same face.
1:55
Carson Cistulli: Oh my, double play. Based on Cabrera’s speed, but oh my.
1:55
Brad Johnson: um, that double play was sweet but also probably not a double play
1:55
Brad Johnson: we’ll see in a moment.
1:56
Brad Johnson: nope, got em both
1:56
Carson Cistulli: Cabrera was NOT thinking he was getting double up.
1:56
Comment From Dirk
I have no audio or video available, so I have to be content with Carson’s homely presence and ESPN Gamecast.

1:56
Comment From Cole
Odds that the Phillies Red Sox Hamels trade goes down? What kind of return would that be

1:56
Carson Cistulli: Life is miserable. What do you want?
1:57
Comment From Guest
Why are there no polls?

1:57
Brad Johnson: If the Phils sign Tomas, Hamels won’t be going anywhere. Otherwise, maybe something with Webster, Swihart, and a throw in? It’s hard to balance what’s “fair” with what the Phillies have to acquire.
1:58
Brad Johnson: polls are communist. We’re socialists here.
1:58
Brad Johnson: Because what’s the point?
1:58
Brad Johnson: Actually, we’re socialites.
1:59
Comment From Jim
Any chance you’ll post a picture of the dog, Brad?

1:59
Brad Johnson: Nope, I’ve owed NBC a picture of my face for 4 months. They still ask once a week.
1:59
Carson Cistulli: Kevin Gausman fastball!
1:59
Brad Johnson: Eat that Jeff Zimmerman
2:00
Carson Cistulli: Yeah, eat video of Kevin Gausman striking out batters, Jeff Zimmerman.
2:00
Comment From Gabes
Carson, do we get our weekly Reggaeton horn & Kiley McDaniel podcast this week, or are preempted by the playoffs?

2:00
Carson Cistulli: Later today. Although McDaniel showed remarkable restraint this week. No reggaeton horn, somehow.
2:00
Comment From Vic Romano
Quick fantasy interlude – If you had Trout in a league where players are kept forever with no cost, would Braun+Ellsbury+Wainwright be a good price for you to trade him away?

2:01
Brad Johnson: No. nononononono
2:01
Comment From ralph
Seriously, is there anyone else besides Miggy who gets doubled off there?

2:01
Brad Johnson: Bengie Molina? Me?
2:01
Comment From Muppet Sex
You havent seen Billy Butler play?

2:01
Comment From dgrussel
rajai davis

2:01
Carson Cistulli: Yes. But the majority of them are catchers and/or not people who are compensated for their services as an athlete.
2:02
Comment From Sean P.
Kendrys Morales gets doubled up there.

2:02
Comment From josh
Jose Molina for sure gets doubled there.

2:02
Comment From Vic Romano
Billy Butler would have been doubled off without it being close

2:02
Comment From Brad
pat burrell slowest player ever

2:02
Comment From Bobby
Nobody, not even Jonathan Schoop, has such small hands.

2:02
Brad Johnson: I don’t know who that’s referencing.
2:02
Carson Cistulli: So, yeah, catchers and DHs and bloggers.
2:02
Carson Cistulli: Johnson, you’re killing me.
2:03
Carson Cistulli: How are you ever going to survive socialite cocktail parties without references to modern literature?

Ahem: http://www.poets.org/poetso…
2:04
Brad Johnson: mmm, there’s no table of data. I don’t understand.
2:05
Comment From Playoffs
I have tickets to game 4 of the BAL/DETL ALDS and it’s going to be 42 and raining, but who cares PLAYOFFS

2:05
Brad Johnson: Yes, your unbridled enthusiasm is a joy for us all.
2:05
Comment From Brad
I always feel dumb after reading poetry because I never understand it.

2:06
Carson Cistulli: Most poems (98-99%) are bad. And even the good ones are taught poorly.
2:06
Brad Johnson: Right. Seriously, where is the table of data?
2:06
Comment From neal
video seems like it would be low in nutritional value and taste bad. I don’t think Jeff should eat it.

2:07
Carson Cistulli: Jeff lives in Kansas. It’s likely his diet isn’t entirely ideal to begin with.
2:07
Brad Johnson: Jeff has an algorithm that can convert it into a nutritious foam.
2:07
Brad Johnson: Oh here’s Anibal Sanchez warming.
2:08
Comment From Krusty
How afraid is Ausmus about going to the ‘pen today?

2:08
Carson Cistulli: I don’t know that, but having Anibal Sanchez back there isn’t so bad.
2:08
Brad Johnson: He’s had an entire season to conquer his fears.
2:09
Brad Johnson: Now he thrives on the unknown.
2:09
Comment From Shyam
Any place where I can find all the Steamer 2015 projections in one place?

2:10
Carson Cistulli: They don’t appear to be available yet, but I’d guess that Appelman will post them soon.
2:11
Brad Johnson: Oh this is good. My broadcast is dying. I’m getting 1 second hiccups.
2:11
Brad Johnson: My prediction of at least 6 O’s runs is looking better and better.
2:13
Comment From Guest
There was a feature in CiL that had the linescore of games available, which fangraphs used last year. Can you bring that back?

2:13
Carson Cistulli: I will search for that.
2:13
Comment From James
DO people say ambush hitter?

2:13
Brad Johnson: TBS people perhaps.
2:14
Brad Johnson: I feel like ambush hitter means “Pablo Sandoval before he was discovered to be Pablo Sandoval”
2:15
Carson Cistulli: Hark! There it is.
2:15
Comment From Tony
Sanchez in for the sixth?

2:15
Carson Cistulli: Not now, I’d guess. But a short-ish leash for Verlander from now on.
2:16
Brad Johnson: We’ll find out if he’s still warming. Guessing Sanchez has to go through his starter routine.
2:16
Carson Cistulli: Announcement: Please attach the phrase “but I don’t know what I’m talking about” to all the comments I mean that seem otherwise self-assured.
2:16
Carson Cistulli: More Gausman, more fastballs.
2:17
Comment From Sean P.
Crasnick just tweeted that Anibal sat down.

2:17
Brad Johnson: good that we have twitter
2:17
Brad Johnson: This game should be broadcast by Siri reading select tweets
2:18
Carson Cistulli: More fastballs c/o Kevin Gausman.
2:18
Brad Johnson: In a fight of power vs. power, power won.
2:19
Brad Johnson: I’m still waiting for the map of social media mentions by state.
2:19
Brad Johnson: The one where Rhode Island doesn’t count as a state.
2:19
Carson Cistulli: For the record: Gausman’s breaking ball DOESN’T seem to be his best pitch. Doesn’t appear — today, at least — to have the sort of bite you’d expect from someone with his armspeed.
2:19
Comment From Guest
Gausman 2015 closer?

2:19
Carson Cistulli: That would be a waste, for the moment.
2:20
Brad Johnson: Gausman would be a superb closer, but we believe a mediocre starter is often better than a closer.
2:20
Carson Cistulli: That was 99 from Gausman.
2:20
Brad Johnson: Given that Britton is also a superb closer (in a very different way), it seems Gausman should start.
2:21
Comment From ELITE MADDUX
is Kevin Gausman elite?

2:21
Brad Johnson: 99 mph IS is an 80 on the 20-80 scale.
2:22
Carson Cistulli: Not elite, but he has the physical tools to be, which is something it’s impossible to say of almost everyone.
2:22
Comment From Gabes
Is Ausmus going to blow this by leaving Verlander in too long because he doesn’t trust his pen?

2:22
Carson Cistulli: If Sanchez is ready (and he appears to be warming up again) he shouldn’t have a problem making that particular switch.
2:22
Brad Johnson: That’s a tricky question. By going to his pen too early, he could also blow it.
2:23
Brad Johnson: Ausmus just needs to borrow the Phillies bullpen. They don’t need it.
2:23
Comment From Matt
What % of a players fame is based on having a disctinctive baseball appropriate sounding name?

2:23
Carson Cistulli: That was Gausman’s forkball, I believe — and is pretty unfair in the context of his fastball.
2:23
Brad Johnson: Not much. Case in point – Yhency Brazoban was not very famous.
2:24
Comment From Muppet Sex
I forgot Brazoban existed

2:24
Brad Johnson: Exactly. But his name is an 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale
2:25
Brad Johnson: #3 by my count.
2:25
Brad Johnson: can anyone confirm?
2:25
Comment From Bob
Who do you think in the Tiger’s pen is the best suited for high leverage situations?

2:25
Carson Cistulli: Anibal Sanchez, if he’s healthy. And then Joakim Soria, if he’s healthy.
2:25
Brad Johnson: and I’m specifically referring to frequency of viagra commercials, not vomiting.
2:26
Brad Johnson: Soria has me worried since his return. Not looking much better than the other wild cards in that pen.
2:26
Comment From Phil
Is it that difficult for a pitcher to develop a changeup? I saw in a chat the other day that Gausman needed a third pitch and they couldn’t figure what it would be. The suggestion was a cutter. But an elite fastball, forkball and a decent change-up (which with his fastball is all he needs) is good enough, no?

2:27
Carson Cistulli: With the airing of every different ED commercial, I sigh with relief that I’m not watching this with my parents.
2:27
Brad Johnson: Changeups are very mechnically dependent. It can take a LOT of work to find one, or it could come naturally.
2:27
Comment From P
Forkball and changeup serve largely the same purpose, no?

2:27
Brad Johnson: Also this is often true.
2:28
Carson Cistulli: But, yes, Gausman’s problem isn’t lack of a changeup. It’s the breaking ball. And, if a starter is going to lack a third pitch, probably better to lack the breaking ball.
2:28
Comment From AJT
Oh cool, since when was the boxscore thing a thing? I just got here, so I don’t know

2:28
Carson Cistulli: It was the request of a reader.
2:29
Brad Johnson: Where’s Rajai?
2:29
Comment From Itsmidnighthere
It seems that Gausman has that natural pronation judging from those fastballs and changeups. A slider would be a difficult pitch to throw, since it would need the arm to do something unnatural (for Gausman that is)

2:29
Carson Cistulli: That seems like a reasonable explanation. I have no way of verifying its accuracy, but it seems reasonable.
2:29
Comment From Guest
anyone throw a spoonball

2:30
Comment From mtsw
in-chat boxscore is a cool idea but kinda problematic for those of us watching at work since it’s slightly ahead of the tbs.com livestream (for me at least)

2:30
Carson Cistulli: You can minimize it with that triangle-icon button.
2:30
Brad Johnson: yea that requires watching a LOT of video before we even attack the hypothesis
2:30
Comment From Grandpa Cistulli
For those yearning for Rajai, remember he’s one of those rare speedy guys who is a terrible defender.

2:30
Carson Cistulli: Yeah, relative to his footspeed he’s no great shakes.
2:31
Brad Johnson: Also, he couldn’t run to first base.
2:31
Comment From Jon
Is quality starts the worst stat ever conceived to become somewhat popular?

2:31
Brad Johnson: They do annoy me. Worst is probably not accurate though.
2:31
Brad Johnson: Wins are seemingly worse, no?
2:31
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Saves are worse

2:31
Brad Johnson: Another arguable point.
2:31
Comment From Muppet Sex
Chances if the Nationals make the World Series, they wear Expos uniforms in honor?

2:32
Carson Cistulli: Zero? It’d be fantastic, but zero.
2:32
Carson Cistulli: I believe that Anibal Sanchez will be very effective.
2:32
Brad Johnson: Carson, before you got here, I suggested a winner-take-all scenario if the O’s and Nats met in the Series. “All” referring to control of MASN. thoughts?
2:33
Carson Cistulli: I would like to see you pitch it to MASN et al. That would be most amusing.
2:33
Comment From zmiko
Does Sanchez finish the gaem?

2:34
Carson Cistulli: “Gaem” is a word from Beowulf, isn’t it?
2:34
Comment From Adam
If Gausman is going to be in the pen from now on (might not be per se), think the Cubs could steal him too? Or has Baltimore learned their lesson?

2:34
Comment From Alex
Sanchez slays seven thousand batters and fights the gaem hound.

2:35
Brad Johnson: RE: Gausman. Probably just the postseason. And only probably because he might still start. The Cubs won’t be getting him,
2:35
Brad Johnson: Remember when the Rockies asked for Gausman in return for Jorge de la Rosa?
2:36
Carson Cistulli: Not what you’d call “hard” contact from Pearce.
2:36
Comment From Guest
GAEM is an acronym for GPS Anomalous Event Monitor. I’m not sure Sanchez is involved with that at all, but i can’t be sure. i don’t know his schedule

2:36
Carson Cistulli: WE DON”T KNOW HIS SCHEDULE
2:37
Brad Johnson: is that like not having a birth certificate? Should he be impeached? We’re talking about Obama, right?
2:38
Carson Cistulli: Health is a factor, of course, for Sanchez, but he’s an excellent starter and excellent starters become even better relievers, all things being equal.
2:38
Comment From Jon
The announcers seem to be suggesting that it was the Orioles plan to be down so they could have some sort of comeback story

2:38
Brad Johnson: Announcers do so love a good story.
2:38
Brad Johnson: And protagonists always plan their hardships.
2:39
Comment From Jon
Why couldn’t batters destroy that kid in Rookie of the Year? He only threw fastballs. Even Aroldis Chapman goes to the slider.

2:39
Brad Johnson: Perhaps he worked up in the strike zone like Sean Doolittle.
2:40
Comment From Jon
Who would you take rest of career: gausman or Wacha?

2:40
Carson Cistulli: Wacha, but not by a great deal.
2:40
Brad Johnson: That’s a tough question. I like Wacha more, but Gausman is currently fully healthy.
2:41
Comment From kyle
I asked this last year, but nothing really changed. Wacha or COle?

2:41
Brad Johnson: Same answer.
2:41
Comment From Brian
If Sanchez does poorly here are we going to be in for an entire rest of the playoffs talking about how starters cant be relievers?

2:41
Carson Cistulli: Perhaps, but it’s not happening yet!
2:41
Brad Johnson: Woof, that glove side corner is tough this game.
2:42
Comment From jocephus
Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com reports that Octavio Dotel has retired from baseball.

2:42
Brad Johnson: This didn’t already happen?
2:42
Comment From Grandpa Cistulli
What’s the correct pronunciation of Gausman? I’ve heard “Goss-man”, “Gows-man”, and “Gauze-man”, to mention a few.

2:43
Brad Johnson: Just say Gas Man. It’s descriptive.
2:43
Comment From gump
what mph is sanchez at

2:44
Brad Johnson: the velocity reading is literally in 0.5 font from where I’m sitting. So I don’t know. Nor am I inclined to open up gameday
2:44
Comment From Dave Camerons Puppy
Fredi Gonzalez will be back next year with ATL. Thoughts?

2:44
Brad Johnson: Short leash possibly. That’s a weird roster as it is. They need to discover a JD Martinez.
2:45
Brad Johnson: It’s hard to blame him for their struggles, but he’s not my favorite manager either.
2:45
Comment From Jon
what should be done to make baseball games longer?

2:45
Brad Johnson: Ball/Strike replays on close pitches.
2:47
Comment From Father of the century
7th inning stretch to include full yoga session

2:47
Comment From Hank
So Ryan Braun had “cryotherapy”… is this the first step to having Robocop type players?

2:47
Brad Johnson: Performance Enhancing Bioenhancements.
2:48
Comment From lunch
you guys looking forward to the a-rod comeback tour?

2:49
Brad Johnson: I so love reading a thousand tortured stories about A-Rod.
2:49
Comment From Brett
Will Schoop improve with respect to contact rate, or is he destined for lowOBP wit some pop?

2:49
Brad Johnson: You know, this is something I plan to look into in more depth this postseason. His pop is exciting. But I’ve seen a lot of foul home runs, which isn’t always a good sign.
2:49
Brad Johnson: by postseason I mean offseason
2:50
Comment From Jon
that play by hardy was not nearly as exciting as they made it seem

2:50
Brad Johnson: The excitement has consistently been about 50% higher than warranted.
2:51
Brad Johnson: I mean sure, a leadoff single in the third is great, but let’s not announce it with the same verve as a grand slam
2:52
Brad Johnson: So, perhaps Gausman should have started, as several of us initially hypothesized.
2:52
Comment From Yuni
Why are foul HR’s not a good thing?

2:53
Brad Johnson: Could indicate some mechanical issues
2:53
Brad Johnson: if their best power is 50 feet left of the pole
2:53
Comment From Yuni
So Wily Mo Pena

2:54
Brad Johnson: Glen Allen Hill is another fun name to remember along that line.
2:54
Comment From Jon
to be fair, willy mo pena was great in some baseball video game i used to play

2:54
Brad Johnson: If you just take his tools, Pena should have been a stud. Didn’t all tie together.
2:55
Comment From Guest
4 years of josh donaldson for 6+ of Kris Bryant?

2:55
Carson Cistulli: If Wily could ask for just belt-high fastballs like in the 1865 version of baseball, he would be among the game’s best hiters.
2:55
Brad Johnson: The A’s probably wish. I’ve heard crazier ideas.
2:55
Carson Cistulli: *hitters
2:55
Brad Johnson: Yes. He came to beisbol just a bit too late.
2:56
Carson Cistulli: Of course, the likelihood of a Dominican playing baseball in the US in 1865 is small.
2:56
Comment From Jon
You guys ever see this quote: Well, this year I’m told the team did well because one pitcher had a fine curve ball. I understand that a curve ball is thrown with a deliberate attempt to deceive. Surely this is not an ability we should want to foster at Harvard.

2:56
Carson Cistulli: Yes! That regards Candy Cummings, I believe — who was NOT an adult film star.
2:57
Comment From Thiago Splitchange
CiL just told me Gausman pitching for Detroit and Kinsler batting for Baltimore

2:57
Carson Cistulli: Go drunk, CiL, you’re home.
2:57
Brad Johnson: Pena hit 31 home runs in Japan this year, as several commenters really want us to post.
2:58
Comment From Till
Should Anibal sanchez just pitch the rest of this game?

2:58
Brad Johnson: Yes. Probably.
2:58
Brad Johnson: In fact, Ausmus “needs to ride Sanchez” per TBS
2:59
Comment From Hrkac Circus
Does this chat just smoothly segue into the next game?

2:59
Brad Johnson: No, we expect overlap and therefore much yelling.
2:59
Brad Johnson:
Here’s the Tigers bullpen sorted by projected FIP. Note the bump Sanchez gets from going to bullpen.
3:00
Mike Petriello: Oh, hey. Let’s baseball.
3:00
Brad Johnson: speaking of overlap
3:00
Carson Cistulli: Mikey Baseballs.
3:00
Comment From Guest
The curveball quote is from Charles William Eliot.

3:02
Carson Cistulli: The main problem with the Tigers bullpen, it would appear, is the allocation of the highest-leverage innings to Joe Nathan. And Soria not throwing like Soria. But mostly Nathan.
3:02
Brad Johnson: AA and Joba are rather inconsistent as well.
3:02
Mike Petriello: Also that their pitchers are bad at baseball.
3:03
Comment From RE: Glenallen Hill
http://www.youtube.com/watc…

3:04
Comment From Jon
This paleontologist is telling me to take some sort of pharmaceutical

3:04
Comment From Brian
What is the requirement to be able to watch the fox1 games?

3:04
Mike Petriello: A TV that receives FS1?
3:04
Carson Cistulli: Or a relative who receives FS1 on his TV and also gives you his sign-in info?
3:05
Comment From AJT
Maybe I am just strange here, but I really don’t care if my team wins a world series. I just like watching good baseball.

3:05
Mike Petriello: Here’s a rundown of streaming options: http://awfulannouncing.com/…
3:06
Comment From Brian
No MLBTV option?

3:06
Carson Cistulli: Is that a link to an ad for medication that will help with an enlarged prostate? Because such a medication would ALSO create streaming options.
3:06
Mike Petriello: MLBtv never has game feeds in the postseason. Best you can do is postseason.TV, which is the alt camera angles.
3:06
Comment From ralph
Seems like Ausmus told Tiger beat writers (as opposed to Tiger Beat writers) that Sanchez would be available to pitch for 1, maybe 2 innings… and just like that, Joba is up.

3:06
Comment From zmiko
mlb.tv only if you’re overseas

3:07
Brad Johnson: And/or know how to set up a proxy server
3:07
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Does Canada count as overseas?

3:07
Brad Johnson: No
3:08
Carson Cistulli: That’s only over a bunch of Great Lakes.
3:08
Comment From Brian
Right but even Postseason TV is blocked?

3:08
Brad Johnson: Oh good, in case you were sad about missing the Big Bang Threory, it’s on tomorrow at 7
3:09
Comment From mtsw
Isn’t it kind of dubious for the MLB to sell the rights to playoff games to TV networks not everyone gets? Considering how much team revenue is local TV deals, aren’t they better off using the playoffs as a promotional opportunity for next season than alienating their customers by putting games on FS1, even if they have to take a little less money?

3:09
Mike Petriello: See, that last line is the answer to your question.
3:10
Comment From Steven
Worse move: Ventura instead of Finnegan, Collins instead of Holland, or Joba instead of Sanchez?

3:10
Brad Johnson: Ventura
3:10
Mike Petriello: Stras starts with 97, 98, 98. That’ll work.
3:11
Carson Cistulli: The reader will note that currently TWO GAMES are being liveblog-ged.
3:11
Carson Cistulli: Cabrera shouldn’t have tried to score.
3:11
Brad Johnson: No he should not have.
3:12
Comment From Blah
Liveblog 2: The Livebloggening

3:12
Carson Cistulli: Not a bad pitch, really, by Gausman. Changeup low and just off outside corner of zone.
3:12
Comment From mtsw
Is that a TOOTBLAN or just a solid throw?

3:12
Brad Johnson: Oh ha ha. Gausman runs out of gas.
3:12
Brad Johnson: TOOT
3:13
Carson Cistulli: The N in that particular acronym might be the third-base coach.
3:13
Comment From Bill
Was Cabrera waved home or did he go on his own accord?

3:13
Carson Cistulli: Anyone know yet? Or do we need more videos?
3:13
Brad Johnson: That was not sufficiently investigated by the broadcast team
3:14
Mike Petriello: So it turns out that having Stephen Strasburg in the playoffs is a thing you want.
3:14
Brad Johnson: I’m upset. I’m used to paneling games on my screen. Now I can only watch one at a time.
3:15
Comment From ralph
Does Miguel Cabrera secretly think he’s Terrence Gore?

3:15
Brad Johnson: He wouldn’t reveal that secret in the DS, would he?
3:15
Carson Cistulli: Dave Clark “sending Cabrera,” according to broadcast.
3:17
Carson Cistulli: If anyone wants to calculate difference in RE24 between 2nd and 3rd, 0 out and just 2nd with 1 out, I’ll gladly post that.
3:18
Mike Petriello: It would have been so weird to tell someone in July that Jake Peavy would be starting Game 1 of a playoff series.
3:18
Comment From AJT
NL games are only on FS1, right?

3:18
Mike Petriello: today, yes. Tomorrow, the LA/STL is on MLBnet
3:18
Carson Cistulli: If you had a time machine, would you use it to go back and tell Jake Peavy that, or kill Hitler?
3:19
Mike Petriello: Could I send Jake Peavy to kill Hitler, then have Jeremy Renner make a movie about it?
3:19
Comment From Grandpa Cistulli
It’d be easier to kill Hitler’s parents. Haven’t you ever seen Terminator 1?

3:20
Mike Petriello: that didn’t end up being easy at all
3:20
Mike Petriello: Go to July, tell Jake Peavy he’d start in NLDS.
3:21
Carson Cistulli: Please recognize that Jake Peavy might decline the opportunity to time travel and kill Hitler.
3:21
Comment From Brian
Rendon or Harper next year only?

3:21
Comment From Krusty
Kill Hitler with a fastball btwn the eyes?

3:21
Carson Cistulli: Rendon. I believe Anthony Rendon will be the NL MVP next year. This I believe.
3:21
Mike Petriello: we didn’t send Kirk Gibson
3:22
Comment From ralph
MGL says RE change on the TOOTBLAN is 1.3 runs. And adds “Can there be a bigger mistake in a baseball game?”

3:22
Carson Cistulli: Wow. That’s a lot of runs on a weird dalliance by Clark/Cabrera to see if he could score.
3:23
Comment From mtsw
If you could send any active player back in time to kill Hitler, who would you be have most confidence in to complete the mission?

3:23
Mike Petriello: Donald Lutz
3:24
Comment From Guest
What if Jake Peavy already went back in time to kill Hitler?!

3:24
Carson Cistulli: And is also a member of Wyld Stallyns now?
3:25
Comment From Grandpa Cistulli
Come on guys, we all know Brad Pitt is the guy for this job. He also GM’s the A’s so it ties in.

3:25
Comment From hannah
Zack Greinke! He wouldn’t even flinch at it.

3:25
Comment From Guest
Miguel Montero

3:25
Comment From Hieronymous
I wouldn’t kill Hitler. Then Stalin would invade and conquer the rest of Europe. Source: Command and Conquer Red Alert

3:25
Mike Petriello: Fact: I played many, many, many hours of Red Alert II. DOLPHINS.
3:26
Mike Petriello: Good on Peavy to work his way back from 3-0 to whiff LaRoche, there.
3:26
Comment From Rube Waddell
Silos needed.

3:27
Brad Johnson: The broadcast crew hated that breaking ball. I thought it was fine.
3:27
Carson Cistulli: “Go kill Hitler,” they’re chanting in Baltimore.
3:28
Carson Cistulli: Steve Pearce! Great success! Brothers hugging brothers!
3:28
Mike Petriello: Right, and Ausmus is the problem.
3:29
Brad Johnson: “that was when hitting was hitting.” And other tidbits of nonsense. Brought to you by TBS
3:29
Comment From Rod Allen
Is Brad Ausmus the dumbest Ivy Leaguer Ever? Why Joba again why?

3:29
Carson Cistulli: It’s only Dartmouth. Let’s not get carried away.
3:31
Comment From Grandpa Cistulli
Fernando Perez would NEVER manage this poorly!

3:31
Comment From Public Blumpkin
I was in the car when it happened- did the 3b coach wave Miggy in or did he run through a stop sign?

3:31
Carson Cistulli: Coach sent him.
3:31
Comment From ALDS
Should have ridden Sanchez

3:32
Carson Cistulli: Highest LI of the game right now: http://www.fangraphs.com/li….
3:32
Brad Johnson: Joakim Soria wants no part of JJ Hardy.
3:32
Brad Johnson: is the story
3:33
Brad Johnson: ok, now he’s willing to take some parts of Hardy
3:33
Carson Cistulli: But not enough of the parts.
3:33
Brad Johnson: Delmon Young sighting!
3:34
Brad Johnson: Delmon Young is going to end the game now.
3:34
Comment From Vic Romano
The quicker Delmon ends the game, the quicker he can go back and kill Hitler

3:35
Comment From Grandpa Cistulli
In case you were wondering what the most useless stat was, Joba got a “hold” for his performance.

3:35
Mike Petriello: a shutdown hold?
3:35
Carson Cistulli: Delmon Young, Hero. Like everyone said.
3:35
Brad Johnson: smashed, bases clearing double
3:35
Comment From dude
stop it.

3:35
Comment From Jon
DELMON YOUNG

3:35
Carson Cistulli: That was bananas. It was hundred-thousand bananas.
3:35
Comment From Steven
W. O. W.

3:36
Comment From Hieronymous
I would rather face 2004 Barry Bonds than Delmon Young in a clutch spot in the postseason.

3:38
Brad Johnson: So game story is plays at the plate? Cabrera out in a big spot, Hardy safe.
3:38
Comment From hannah
What are they chanting?

3:38
Comment From Sandy
So, Strasburg is kind of lights-out right now.

3:38
Carson Cistulli: “Kill Hitler now!”
3:38
Comment From Dunx
I feel bad for Ausmus. What is he supposed to do? There are literally no good options!

3:38
Mike Petriello: People forget this. Ausmus makes mistakes, but that BP is really, really bad.
3:39
Comment From hannah
“HIT-LER DIES! HIT-LER DIES!” It even has “Hit.” in it.

3:39
Carson Cistulli: The citizens of Baltimore are united in their dislike for Adolf Hitler.
3:39
Comment From Dunx
HOT TAKE: adolf hitler is bad

3:39
Carson Cistulli: I burnt myself on that comment, owing to the heat.
3:40
Brad Johnson: Stop trying to tell us what the fans are chanting. We already know it’s about hitler
3:40
Carson Cistulli: I wonder if it would have made a difference had Romine made the cut from left field instead of Kinsler. I’d assume that his arm is better.
3:41
Comment From Guest
They usually chant “Let’s go O’s”

3:41
Carson Cistulli: “Let’s go O’s… keep objecting to the atrocities propagated by Hitler.”
3:42
Comment From Bryan
Maybe next year MLB can start Stand Up to Hitler, a program which raises money to build a time machine.

3:42
Comment From gump
huh, tigers don’t actually have that many meltdowns, just the lowest amount of shutdowns

3:43
Brad Johnson: Trust us, it’s a bad bullpen. Part of the issue is that Joba and AA were really good for most of the year, then turned really bad.
3:44
Mike Petriello: Bryce Harper was displeased about that pop up
3:44
Comment From bada bing
Kinsler has been great on relay throws all year – I’m assuming that is why Romine let him have it. That throw was mediocre at best, though.

3:44
Comment From A. Lane
I see this live baseball blog has again demonstrated the ubiquity of Godwin’s Law, thanks Carson.

3:45
Carson Cistulli: I endeavor, at all times, to obey all laws.
3:45
Comment From Oscar
I just got in what is up with all the hitler talk?

3:45
Comment From Guest
Baltimore chant was “We won’t stop”, their postseason marketing slogan.

3:45
Brad Johnson: I actually missed the impetus too, as I sat editing a brief about abortion in Zambia.
3:46
Carson Cistulli: So, much cheerier, then?
3:46
Brad Johnson: something like that.
3:46
Comment From Jon
Jake Peavy has vowed to build a time machine to go back in time and kill Hitler

3:46
Comment From hannah
“We won’t stop……our attempts to end hitler’s atrocities before they begin.”

3:46
Mike Petriello: Peavy does not have pinpoint control today, and that’s worrisome for him.
3:47
Comment From Dunx
What the hell happened to Soria in the past two months? He was having a top-10 relief season, and then absolutely imploded.

3:47
Comment From Steven
I will allow you to reconsider: Ventura rather than Finnegan, Collins rather than Holland or Joba rather than Sanchez.

3:47
Mike Petriello: these all seem bad
3:47
Brad Johnson: Injury, was iffy beforehand and never really came all the way back
3:47
Carson Cistulli: Left-hander throwing 97 mph. And guy dutifully noting it in scorebook before celebrating.
3:47
Brad Johnson: I still say Ventura.
3:48
Comment From Jon
Why are baseball players such disgusting gum chewers?

3:48
Brad Johnson: I, for one, cannot play baseball whilst chewing gum. I can play while eating sunflower seeds, which is seemingly harder.
3:49
Carson Cistulli: Zach Britton: 13% swinging-strike rate on his fastball this year: http://www.fangraphs.com/pi…
3:49
Carson Cistulli: That’s high.
3:49
Brad Johnson: Britton is pretty friggin awesome.
3:49
Brad Johnson: His ground ball rate is about 122%. Also O’s win.
3:50
Mike Petriello: So, that O’s / Royals ALCS should be fun.
3:50
Carson Cistulli: The people of Baltimore embrace each other. Hitler has been vanquished! We build a time machine!
3:50
Brad Johnson: ok, it’s been fun, but that’s my cue to find the door. Enjoy Strasmas.
3:50
Comment From dude
How you feeling about your O’s for 6 runs now, Brad? 😉

3:50
Comment From SuedePumaJayBuhner
is the orioles bullpen *that* good? I have a bandwagon friend whos freaking out about them. i mean sndrew miller but who else..

3:50
Mike Petriello: Zach Britton seems pretty good, you know.
3:51
Brad Johnson: Seems like I was about spot on
3:51
Comment From Dennis
I kind of wonder why Britton’s swStr is so high but his K% is kinda middling

3:52
Comment From That Guy
So when Detroit loses on Sunday how long will it take for Ausmus to get fired? 10 minutes? 5 minutes? 2 minutes?

3:52
Mike Petriello: he won’t be.
3:52
Carson Cistulli: That’s a reasonable query. Sequencing of swinging strikes, is the answer. But either it’s because of randomness or some inherent flaw.
3:53
Comment From Guest
What is considered an above average swinging strike rate?

3:53
Carson Cistulli: 5.4% for two-seamers. This is a great post from Eno on that topic: http://www.fangraphs.com/fa…
3:54
Comment From Citsulli. F__k that guy.
Hey Mike, why in the world is Carlos Frias on the Dodgers’ playoff roster?

3:54
Mike Petriello: Mattingly likes his “versatility,” even though he isn’t good. Guess the uncertainty over Ryu lends itself to a multiple innings guy.
3:55
Comment From Art Vandelay
Is Frias the fourth starter?

3:55
Mike Petriello: No. Dan Haren is.
3:55
Carson Cistulli: I’d much prefer to write a bland, unsightful comment about Stephen Strasburg’s fastball than actually face it in a baseball game.
3:56
Comment From Jon
Challenge!

3:56
Mike Petriello: Looked safe at 2B to me.
3:56
Carson Cistulli: Yes, do that. Safe.
3:58
Comment From Jon
Are beards the next market inefficiency?

3:58
Mike Petriello: http://www.hardballtimes.co…
4:00
Mike Petriello: Lots of actual baseball writers talking about postseason ERAs over about 1.2 innings
4:01
Comment From a eskpert
You can draft Alex Rodriguez and control him for his entire career eleventy billion dollars or kick a small, innocent dog. Which objectionable choice inspiring the hatred of millions is yours?

4:01
Mike Petriello: At least you get *some* value out of A-Rod
4:02
Comment From mtsw
Delmon Young, in 1 AB, had a WPA of .501.

4:03
Mike Petriello: Strasburg always looks like the most dominant pitcher around, and yet runs still come in.
4:03
Carson Cistulli: I don’t know what cognitive dissonance is, but I think that’s probably a way to describe Strasburgh conceding a run before Jake Peavy in this game.
4:04
Carson Cistulli: *Strasburg
4:04
Mike Petriello: It’s the third inning of Game 1, and the broadcast is talking about potential series MVPs
4:05
Comment From Citsulli. F__k that guy.
You ever been to Strasbourg during your time in Farance, Carson?

4:06
Carson Cistulli: Not, but one can find something called flammekueche there, I believe, and that food tastes good.
4:06
Comment From Cam
And the comment was that Panik’s four hits were more valuable than the Crawford HR. Suddenly there is a new contender for TBS’ title.

4:08
Comment From a eskpert
Would you rather watch Barry Bonds have 27 outs against some triple a guy, or Pedro Martinez? Caveat, Pedro Martinez and Barry Bonds right now.

4:08
Mike Petriello: how about Bonds v Pedro, right now?
4:09
Comment From TH
just got here and i am so happy that you are doing a chat idk why

4:09
Comment From TH

It’s bacon pizza with creme fraiche, basically.
4:10
Carson Cistulli: Surrealist Denard Span’s favorite saying: “It is what it ISN’T.”
4:10
Comment From TH
is this a baseball chat?

4:10
Mike Petriello: in theory!
4:11
Comment From Jon
My favorite sports cliche is: It ain’t over until one team has more runs than the other and the required amount of outs has been recorded

4:11
Comment From Guest
Carson, I don’t fully understand what your job is?

4:11
Mike Petriello: Let’s put this on Carson’s tombstone
4:12
Comment From James
Who let Carson’s parents into the chat?

4:13
Carson Cistulli: Alternatively, on the tombstone: Never fully understood what his job was.
4:13
Comment From Brian
did joe mauer hit a ball into the yankee stadium corner, in the playoffs?

4:13
Mike Petriello: that was the one phil cuzzi botched the foul call on, no?
4:14
Carson Cistulli: Of note: Anthony Rendon will be the NL MVP next season.
4:14
Comment From Rob, Baltimore
Too many people outside of FGs are now talking about an Orioles sweep. They still have to face Price, Porcello, and Scherzer again. I’m still worried, just less so.

4:14
Comment From TH
rob too is logical

4:14
Comment From Jon
What do commentators like more: shadows or anything else?

4:15
Comment From Hank
Not trying to hate on the postseason managing…. but I’ve seen smarter decision making in a Sons of Anarchy episode thus far (in the playoffs)

4:15
Mike Petriello: I am watching this out of obligation. Should have ended two years ago.
4:16
Comment From Going to hell
I’m at a catholic wedding ceremony right now. Really appreciate this right now. Thanks guys

4:16
Carson Cistulli: I asked Dustin Pedroia last year if the shadows at this time of year affected him. His amusing, if not entirely logical, response: “It’s El Nino. You gotta watch out for El Nino.” Something like that.
4:16
Comment From Muppet Sex
If Nats make the World Series, does Frank Underwood throw out the first pitch?

4:16
Mike Petriello: clearly, you didn’t see Kevin Spacey’s throwing motion in that ep
4:18
Comment From A. Lane
I’m with Sullivan on this, there has been poor managing but the onus in on the players, there have been some very poor performances in critical spots.

4:19
Comment From Adam
Inexperienced managers is the new market inefficiency.

4:19
Mike Petriello: but they’re the hot trend!
4:21
Comment From semperty
If you’re Ausmus, do you remove your bullpen from the equation all together and try to go starter for 5, Porcello for 2, Sanchez for 2?

4:21
Mike Petriello: even if that made sense, we all know there’s no way a manager would do that.
4:21
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
Sandoval looks unathletic until he moves. Pence just the opposite. I find it strangely amusing watching them bat back to back.

4:23
Comment From Rob, Baltimore
I can’t wait to see what Pablo gets on the FA market. Its could go any number of ways I think.

4:23
Mike Petriello: with him, Hanley, Headley, this is a great 3B market for teams.
4:24
Comment From Dewey
No guarantee Panda returns to SF?

4:24
Mike Petriello: why would that be a guarantee?
4:24
Comment From Brian
Who should Cle try to sign?

4:24
Mike Petriello: someone who can catch the ball would be nice.
4:25
Comment From Brian Cashman
Funny you should say that considering who Headley was traded for

4:25
Mike Petriello: Certainly, his better play w NYY helped his market a bit.
4:25
Comment From Rob, Baltimore
I can’t wait to see what Pablo gets on the FA market. Its could go any number of ways I think.

4:25
Mike Petriello: with him, Hanley, Headley, this is a great 3B market for teams.
4:25
Comment From Rob, Baltimore
I can’t wait to see what Pablo gets on the FA market. Its could go any number of ways I think.

4:25
Mike Petriello: with him, Hanley, Headley, this is a great 3B market for teams.
4:26
Comment From Guest
Plus look for Donaldson to hit the trade market.

4:26
Mike Petriello: I would be very surprised by that.
4:27
Comment From Jon
will Hanley definitely play 3rd?

4:27
Mike Petriello: Nothing is definite, but why would any team let him still play ss?
4:27
Comment From HarveyDay
Stephen Strasburg is going to finish his career with over 70 WAR and still people will say, “dang this guy was a let down” with a very sad tone of voice

4:29
Mike Petriello: If the Nats lose this, Strasburg is going to eat the blame, but the offense can’t let themselves get shut down by Peavy.
4:31
Comment From Guest
Am I right that the underdog has won every game of the playoffs so far (including wildcard games)? And on course for the same in the Nationals/Giants game.

4:31
Mike Petriello: depends how you define that. KC was the home team for AL WC.
4:31
Comment From semperty
The Giants might play the most boring good baseball I’ve ever seen.

4:31
Comment From Steve
Donaldson on the market would be unsurprising given Billy B’s m.o.

4:31
Mike Petriello: Sure. But he’s cheap, productive in an offense that needs it, and in a 3B market that has other options.
4:32
Mike Petriello: Hell of a play by 2015 MVP Rendon.
4:33
Comment From dude
Strasburg can’t get a K to save his life

4:33
Mike Petriello: one K through 4, given the way he came out throwing, is surprising
4:34
Comment From Vic Romano
I was able to get Rendon for K-Rod this year in my keeper league….so I’m loving this 2015 MVP Rendon talk. Just know I’m holding you personally responsible if he doesn’t get it.

4:34
Mike Petriello: I don’t play much fantasy anymore, but that seems like a criminal trade
4:34
Comment From Adam
As a Nats fan I can’t tell you how much it sickens me that most other Nats fans think of Harper as the superstar on this team, when Rendon is far and above the superior player.

4:34
Mike Petriello: Harper isn’t yet 22. Harper isn’t yet 22. Harper isn’t yet 22. Harper isn’t ye–
4:35
Comment From Jon
How much fantasy is “much fantasy?”

4:35
Mike Petriello: next year is probably 0 leagues. Maybe 1.
4:36
Comment From Alex
As a Nats fan I can tell you that it sickens me that most other Nats fans expect Harper to be better than Mike Trout

4:37
Comment From jocephus
as a nats fan it sickens me

4:38
Mike Petriello: What are you looking at there, Jayson?
4:39
Comment From Alex
i thought that was a ball, no?

4:39
Mike Petriello: perhaps, but tough to watch on 3-2.
4:39
Carson Cistulli: Adam LaRoche played the next-door neighbor in 1989 Tom Hanks vehicle The ‘Burbs.
4:40
Comment From Stan
Has there been any work done on whether certain counts are more susceptible framing effects? Feels like you see a 3-2 pitch like that successfully framed more frequently than on other counts.

4:40
Mike Petriello: I’m not aware of one, but I would love to read it if one exists.
4:41
Mike Petriello: Seriously though, the Nats are going to get a hit at some point, right?
4:41
Mike Petriello:
LaRoche as Hans Klopek.
4:42
Comment From Alex
I see the resemblance

4:42
Comment From Jayson
the strike zone expands in hitter-friendly counts and shrinks in pitcher-friendly counts

4:42
Comment From Jayson
http://www.fangraphs.com/bl…

4:43
Carson Cistulli: Yes, what Jayson said. I believe that’s what the research indicates. The influence of framing relative to those counts appears to be unexamined.
4:43
Comment From Jon
did everybody’s cable go out briefly there or just mine

4:43
Mike Petriello: here, too.
4:43
Comment From lunch
announcers always talk about shut down innings after your offense scores. don’t you always want not to give up runs, regardless of what inning it is? where did that cliche come from?

4:44
Mike Petriello: Only TBS ever says it, ever.
4:45
Mike Petriello: You know what: I enjoy these Rob Lowe commercials. They’re entertaining.
4:45
Carson Cistulli: Players are pretty good at reporting the psychology of player-hood. It’s probably dispiriting to concede a run just after scoring one. How it influences wins/losses (beyond giving up a run) is probably not that much.
4:45
Comment From Jimmy
They talk about shutdown innings on blue jays broadcasts a lot too. It’s annoying

4:45
Comment From Jon
Maybe Kershaw always thinks his team just scored and needs to throw a shutdown inning

4:46
Comment From Goat
At what point should I just give up and welcome our satanic overlords now that the giants are winning again?

4:46
Mike Petriello: It’s Game 1.
4:47
Comment From Goat
thanks, mike

4:47
Mike Petriello: any time.

what’d i do?
4:47
Comment From Jon
Jake Peavy looks like he was just in a huge fight

4:47
Carson Cistulli: … all of the time.
4:48
Comment From Isaac
Would you rather see the Giants or the Nats in the NLCS?

4:48
Mike Petriello: Giants / Dodgers would probably bring on the end of the planet.
4:48
Comment From Ruki
The idea behind a “Shutdown Inning” is probably that you can better psychologically demoralize the other team if you crush their hitting after crushing their pitching. It is probably an extremely small effect, but possibly gets larger in certain situations (I imagine it is more demoralizing in, say, the 8th down by 1). It probably has a fairly small effect regardless.

4:49
Comment From neal
Jake Peavy was just in a huge fight, with Hitler. Please try to keep up with the chat.

4:49
Mike Petriello: Pizza Cutter did an analysis on shutdown innings at BP, and found, mostly, that they were useless.
4:49
Carson Cistulli: Except for how they prevented a run/runs, I assume.
4:49
Comment From Guest
I can’t help but wonder if Washington was overrated. After all, they were in the NL’s weakest division.

4:49
Mike Petriello: based on 4+ innings?
4:49
Comment From semperty
Do you think we’ll ever see a pitcher win all of his ~30 games in a given season?

4:49
Mike Petriello: of course not.
4:50
Comment From – Casey –
Were the Tigers remiss in not addressing bullpen issues via trade or was this a surprise development?

4:50
Mike Petriello: one might argue that they did get the best reliever moved this summer, via trade
4:51
Carson Cistulli: I’m glad I don’t have to broadcast this playoff game. The narratives one is compelled to generate and develop are tiresome. Plus: no beer.
4:51
Comment From Byron
Here is MVP Joe Panik

4:52
Carson Cistulli: It’s entirely possible that someone on Panik’s father’s side of the family actually has the initials MVP.
4:52
Comment From Ruki
Is the TIgers bullpen bad enough they should have gotten more than that best reliever?

4:52
Mike Petriello: don’t trade Fister, and maybe Smyly is in that bullpen.
4:52
Carson Cistulli: Marvin Victor Panik, for example. Or Milton Vincent Panik.
4:53
Comment From Ruki
I still don’t understand WHY they traded Fister. What was the goal there?

4:53
Comment From – Casey –
Seriously, was there ever a good explanation for letting Fister go like that??

4:54
Comment From dodgerpreacher
is the tigers’ bullpen better or worse than the dodgers’ bullpen?

4:54
Mike Petriello: both bad, but Jansen > Nathan, so, there’s that.
4:54
Carson Cistulli: I believe it was a financial consideration. Fister was arb eligible.
4:54
Mike Petriello: They also seemed to really like Robbie Ray.
4:56
Mike Petriello: 97 mph, at the top of the zone, is a fun pitch.
4:56
Comment From Jon
But isn’t Detroit not really in need of cutting money?

4:57
Carson Cistulli: They spend quite a bit, but they were looking to re-sign Cabrera, and probably also had thoughts of re-signing Scherzer.
4:58
Mike Petriello: Lord, that Cabrera contract is so, so bad.
5:00
Comment From Monty
The Cabrera contract: twice as bad as the Howard deal, or worse?

5:00
Mike Petriello: Far better player, obviously, but so much longer.
5:00
Comment From Vic Romano
Who was the best bad-ball hitter? I’ll put some money down on Vladdy.

5:01
Carson Cistulli: Here’s how I’d find out, if I weren’t currently participating in an online chat: find the highest BABIPs on per O-Contact.
5:01
Carson Cistulli: Something like that.
5:02
Comment From Brian
Will washington get a hit this inning?

5:02
Mike Petriello: yes!
5:03
Mike Petriello: Way to kill that rally, Ramos. And not in the good way.
5:04
Carson Cistulli: That appears to be something along the lines of what Jake Peavye is talking about.
5:04
Comment From Cleve Landsteamer
Wait, how did I miss that Cabrera contract????? Some number of years in advance, for 8 years starting with his age 33, for 31MM AAV?!?!??! OMFG

5:04
Carson Cistulli: *Peavy
5:06
Mike Petriello: We’re not even halfway through baseball today. Best day.
5:07
Carson Cistulli: This is a sort of day that invites a net calorie surplus.
5:07
Comment From semperty
Didn’t have class today, so I woke up at 11:30, grabbed some lunch, got back in time for baseball, and will have it on until 1-2 tomorrow morning. Today is incredible.

5:08
Comment From ralph
The thing about the Tigers bullpen is that at the start of spring training, it didn’t look a total dumpster fire. You figured Nathan at even diminished capacity would be solid enough. Bruce Rondon was looking like the answer to all the rookie fireballers every other team comes up with. Alburqueurque had more or less established himself as usually reliable. Ian Krol certainly seemed like he could lefties out, at least.

5:08
Mike Petriello: Sure. And Joba looked great in the first half. This wasn’t entirely due to lack of planning.
5:09
Comment From War2d2
Question out of left field (Literally! Ha!): what do you two think will be Bryce Harper’s single-season career high fWAR? Will he ever get as high as Trout’s career high?

5:09
Mike Petriello: 7. No.
5:09
Carson Cistulli: This Stephen Strasburg is more vincible than the unreasonably talented one I’ve concocted in my mind.
5:10
Comment From Jon
Can Strasburg harness the power of echolocation with those ears?

5:11
Carson Cistulli: Strasburg is more directly related to the fruit bat, or flying fox. They depend on scent and sight.
5:11
Comment From neal
think the giants will try to re-sign peavy?

5:11
Mike Petriello: Maybe. Lots of questions about that rotation.
5:12
Comment From ralph
Exactly, Joba was a wild card who actually looked he had paid off. That’s why as tempting as it is to say Dombrowski screwed up putting together a bullpen, the bigger non-player issue in the postseason is Ausmus failing to adapt to facts on the ground that Dombrowski just can’t do anything more about at this point.

5:12
Mike Petriello: Ausmus’ choices are a huge problem, but Job turning back into a pumpkin doesn’t seem to be his fault.
5:12
Comment From Guest
Pick any single baseball player and ask will this player post a 10+ WAR season in the future. The answer is always no. Even for Trout.

5:12
Comment From Monty
This is execution by BABIP

5:13
Comment From Guest
Strasburg’s issue is that he couldn’t miss bats. He averaged 10.5 K/9. He had 2 today in 5+ innings. For whatever reason he couldn’t put guys away and even though they didn’t crush him by any stretch, the balls found holes. Don’t have to worry about BABIP luck if you whiff them.

5:13
Mike Petriello: Hard to argue with that.
5:13
Carson Cistulli: Try, though, Mike.
5:13
Comment From Drank
How much does “veteran presence” actually mean in the postseason? Can experienced players really tame their feelings and emotions that much?

5:13
Mike Petriello: I vividly remember the Angels losing the 2002 Series because rookie K-Rod couldn’t handle the pressure.
5:14
Comment From Ruki
Will Trout post a 10+ WAR season in the future?

5:14
Mike Petriello: no.
5:15
Comment From David
Blevins? The last arm to make the roster? Is Williams conceding the game?

5:15
Carson Cistulli: I wouldn’t think so. More likely trying to get Ishikawa out with runners on first and second.
5:15
Comment From Ben
.160 for LHH vs. Blevins

5:17
Carson Cistulli: Blevins! Onions! Blevins!
5:17
Comment From Yo-Yo
Jerry Blevins: most old person name in the majors?

5:17
Mike Petriello: I don’t love letting Peavy hitting here.
5:18
Carson Cistulli: What DO you love, Mike? You’re as a cold as damn ice.
5:18
Mike Petriello: I love bunts, obviously.
5:18
Comment From Vic Romano
He loves 2015 MVP Anthony Rendon

5:18
Carson Cistulli: 2015 MVP!
5:20
Comment From Drank
Mike, given Haren’s 2nd half production and Ryu’s injury, did the Dodgers make the right move in not pursuing Peavy?

5:20
Mike Petriello: Yes. No one saw Peavy pitching this well.. Also, I believe that deal was done before Ryu got hurt.
5:22
Comment From Ben
Ugh. Hard to question Bochy in the postseason but letting Ishikawa and Peavy face Blevins seems like a mistake.

5:23
Comment From Beaucoup Bucks
Zimm time?

5:23
Mike Petriello: I would guess he is saved for a higher leverage spot
5:23
Comment From Guest
Kershaw pitches on short rest in game 4 if needed. Haren back up Ryu in game 3.

5:23
Mike Petriello: We’ll see. That’s far from certain.
5:24
Carson Cistulli: This now concludes the portion of the chat including imbecile Carson Cistulli. Mike Petriello is now the sole chat-ista. Thank you and good day.
5:24
Mike Petriello: BYE CARSON
5:24
Carson Cistulli: BYE MIKE
5:24
Comment From Guest
Thank you Carson! This was highly entertaining.

5:25
Mike Petriello: Ok, let’s get weird
5:25
Comment From Drank
Goat wants me to ask when the Dark Lord Satan will be taking over the world

5:25
Mike Petriello: TOO WEIRD
5:26
Comment From Kenny Blankenship
Mike, do you think Mattingly will go with a consistent lineup or will Turner or Van Slyke sneak a start in?

5:26
Mike Petriello: No LH starters for Cards allow him to sidestep that question.
5:26
Comment From Aaron (UK)
Leading off the 6th, down 2, is quite high leverage

5:26
Mike Petriello: Less about what I would do and more about what I would expect Williams to do. He’ll want RZim with men on base.
5:27
Comment From Guest
How many people in the chat?

5:27
Mike Petriello: More than 1000
5:27
Comment From Matt
Why isn’t the Kershaw-Wainwright game on prime time Fox instead of FS1? I imagine it would draw very good ratings

5:27
Mike Petriello: None of the DS games are on broadcast TV.
5:28
Comment From Stan
What’s the prevailing theory on why pitcher performance declines with each time through the order? Batters become more familiar/comfortable, pitchers lose stuff/velocity, what?

5:28
Mike Petriello: all of the above? Fatigue isn’t just slower speeds, it’s less bite on pitches, slightly worse ability to hit spots, etc.
5:28
Comment From someone
I have been watching on mute thus far, so how have the Fox announcers been?

5:28
Mike Petriello: probably the least objectionable of the playoffs so far.
5:29
Comment From Art Vandelay
Will Zimmerman start at all this series?

5:29
Mike Petriello: Think I saw Williams say he would consider getting him in against Bumgarner.
5:29
Comment From Minotaur4Asl
Are Olive and Pepper still getting along?

5:29
Mike Petriello: yes! and we’re going to be in a book about it.
5:30
Comment From someone
MGL says familiarity, not fatigue, is the primary driver behind the times through the order penalty.

5:30
Mike Petriello: fair, but he didn’t discount fatigue entirely, i would think?
5:30
Mike Petriello: Can’t imagine Peavy has much of a leash here.
5:32
Comment From Guest
Currently 51 degrees F in StL. 96 F in LA.

5:33
Mike Petriello: This has to be Peavy’s last batter. Still not sure why he hit for himself in the last inning.
5:34
Comment From Carl
If Peavy can’t make it through at least 6, it really amplifies the error of letting him bat with multiple runners. Shoulda tried to break the game open, with Jake relatively near his endpoint….

5:34
Comment From mtsw
Given how smart teams are starting to understand the “times through the order penalty” would we ever see teams going with say, (just spitballing here) a 4×2 rotations, with two starters splitting up the day the way Chen and Gausman did today, so that no batter would ever see a pitcher 3 times?

5:34
Mike Petriello: Does that mean 8 “starters”?
5:35
Comment From mtsw
Yes 8 starters. Each game would get two starters go through the batting order twice before any relievers.

5:35
Mike Petriello: That is fascinating and also not a thing I can see a team doing, ever. Players like doing things that get them paid, and that would not help.
5:35
Eno Sarris: HI MIKE
5:35
Mike Petriello: ENO!
5:36
Comment From Brian
MVP

5:36
Comment From Cleve Landsteamer
Bochy always does this. I can’t even count how many times over the years he’s let a starter hit in a leverage spot and then had a fast hook the next inning

5:36
Mike Petriello: Wouldn’t say this is a “fast hook,” though.
5:37
Comment From Guest
Am I the only one who wants the Twins to get to the WS in future years just to see outdoor baseball in Minnesota in late October.

5:37
Mike Petriello: Also for the good people of Minnesota.
5:37
Comment From Brian
Is this a beer chat now?

5:37
Eno Sarris: It is what we want it to be. I’m drinking an Evil Twin saison. You?
5:37
Comment From Brian
Hopslam

5:37
Eno Sarris: uh you win
5:38
Mike Petriello: Wife rolled in last night with Lagunitas. Yay, wife.
5:39
Eno Sarris: Finally taking Peavy out.
5:39
Mike Petriello: Bruce Bochy appears to have had as much of a pulse as Ernie Johnson.
5:39
Eno Sarris: Speaking of ludes.
5:39
Mike Petriello: If this is Javy Lopez coming in, as I think it is, Zimmerman for LaRoche makes much sense.
5:39
Comment From Mike G
Peavy is just a little upset.

5:39
Eno Sarris: POPPIN VEINS
5:40
Comment From mtsw
What type of beer would you pair with Lobster pasta?

5:40
Eno Sarris: Not oyster stout, probably.
5:40
Comment From Table
Joc Pederson for Francisco Lindor, who says no?

5:40
Eno Sarris: See I wrote a piece about that and people didn’t like it so I’ll abstain. (I’d trade Lindor)
5:41
Mike Petriello: Dodgers.
5:42
Mike Petriello: So you’re just going to let LaRoche against this lefty, eh?
5:42
Comment From mtsw
If Detroit loses this series do we start describing their fan base as “tortured” or does having a huge payroll and free-spending owner void that possibility for them?

5:42
Eno Sarris: You can’t cry into your owner’s money.
5:43
Comment From Jon
Obviously Zimm doesn’t have the experience at 1B that Laroche does

5:43
Mike Petriello: defense doesn’t earn you the two runs you’re down.
5:43
Comment From semperty
Matt Williams is making the dumbest decision I’ve seen all day

5:43
Eno Sarris: Watch it work
5:43
Mike Petriello: That is just inexcusable, Lopez.
5:44
Eno Sarris: DBITLY
5:44
Eno Sarris: 100 MPH ROOKIE ALERT
5:47
Mike Petriello: Huge swing there, Ian.
5:48
Comment From Jon
Eno, what’s your answer to that poll question

5:48
Eno Sarris: Life is a cavalcade of miseries.
5:48
Mike Petriello: That was a fun at-bat.
5:50
Mike Petriello: How has there never been a movie, or movies, called “the Judge” before.
5:50
Comment From someone
Life is a clavicle of miseries.

5:50
Comment From Matt
The Nationals posted a team wRC+ of 99. That is pretty crazy given their offense.

5:50
Mike Petriello: that includes pitchers though, right?
5:51
Comment From Vic Romano
A cavalcade of miniseries.

5:51
Comment From Brad Asumus
What’s this thing with relievers coming in and runs not scoring? Is that allowed?

5:52
Eno Sarris: Oh the Tigers bullpen, forever the butt of our jokes.
5:52
Comment From Nacho Elvira
Life is a marmalade of mysteries.

5:52
Comment From Ben
Giants and Nationals each with a 107 non-pitcher wRC+

5:52
Comment From War2d2
Like an autoclave of miniseries

5:52
Eno Sarris: EVERYBODY PANIK
5:52
Comment From Fred
Life is a cereal bowl of milkiness.

5:53
Mike Petriello: Probably should have had that, Span.
5:55
Comment From Ben
Sorry but the Giants offense is underrated. 107 non-pitcher wRC+ and missed Belt and Pagan for most of the year.

5:55
Eno Sarris: Morse wasn’t a terrible pickup, Panik doing the Scutaro, he cobbled together some runs when the pitching wasn’t really there for him. Sabes!
5:55
Comment From Hercs man crush
is there anything better than a leadoff triple? it almost guarantees you a run and it also means the pitcher is going to have to throw a ton of pitches.

5:55
Mike Petriello: I’ll still take the leadoff HR.
5:55
Comment From Guest
David Freese has at least 1 HR in 4 consecutive postseasons.

5:55
Eno Sarris: Delmon Young has been in every postseason ever.
5:57
Comment From Not Paniks mom
Is Panik as good as he looks this season? His minor stats don’t seem to suggest this.

5:57
Mike Petriello: he’s not a star, no. Decent regular for a few years? Sure, I guess.
5:57
Comment From Jon
What is this from: odiously odiferous olfactory emanations

5:57
Eno Sarris: Totally reads like a Del the Funkee Homosapien lyric.
5:58
Comment From someone
Why does a triple mean more pitches thrown than a dinger?

5:58
Eno Sarris: Trying to keep the guy from scoring from third?
5:58
Comment From Matt
Who ends up being the next Jayson Werth? As in a good player who’s contract was commonly viewed as a big overpay but ends up being worth it.

5:58
Mike Petriello: Pence?
5:59
Comment From Jon
One day I would like to see a player literally get on his horse and make a great catch

5:59
Eno Sarris: AND WHATS THAT AN APPALOOSA?
5:59
Comment From Hank
What kind of deal does Panda get this offseason (years/dollar)?

5:59
Eno Sarris: Too many/Too much. I wouldn’t give it to him but like 6/90 or something?
5:59
Comment From Carl
Panik’s career minor league line .768 OPS, and well over .800 in AAA. He had distinctly more power & patience than he’s shown in MLB. In other words, yes he can keep doing a .710 OPS for several years.

5:59
Mike Petriello: never a highly reviewed defender, though. A few years of 2 WAR is fine for the minimum salary, just not star-level.
6:00
Mike Petriello:

6:00
Comment From Sam
Not sure Pence’s contract was ever viewed as an overpay

6:00
Mike Petriello: http://www.fangraphs.com/bl…
6:01
Comment From Guest
What’s your least favourite baseball cliche? Following on from “gets on his horse”

6:01
Mike Petriello: anything that includes “productive outs”
6:01
Comment From Brian
Why do we still have God Bless America at every 7th inning?

6:01
Eno Sarris: America keeps sneezing.
6:02
Comment From Cleve Landsteamer
Playing the game the right way- about stupid bunts and stuff

6:03
Comment From Cleve Landsteamer

Do gifs work in CiL?
6:03
Comment From Carl
Least favorite cliché: We’ll head ’em off at the pass!

6:03
Comment From MajorPuigBaseball
SHUT. DOWN. INNING.

6:03
Comment From Brian
Veteran Leadership, or Postseason Experience

6:03
Eno Sarris: Veteran Presents.
6:04
Comment From Jon
BTW, odiously odiferous olfactory emanations is from Major League 2. The scene where Charlie Sheen is filming the ad for Right Guard Speedstick

6:05
Comment From Byron
“Doesn’t play the game the right way” looking at you Puig

6:05
Mike Petriello: Pretty sure he plays it in the rightest way possible.
6:05
Comment From Jared
Oh my.

6:05
Mike Petriello: …wow.
6:05
Comment From Alex
Oh my God he killed that.

6:05
Comment From MajorPuigBaseball
Jesus, he hit that one to Bethesda

6:06
Comment From Art Vandelay
Just a friendly reminder that he turns 22 later this month.

6:06
Eno Sarris: Major leaguers can hit fastballs. Wait did I just give an entry to our cliche contest?
6:07
Mike Petriello: Is it too late to give Harper a 100 in our Player of the Year ballot?
6:07
Comment From Brian
I have never seen one hit that far in Nats Stadium.

6:07
Comment From Jon
I’ve always thought Harper had potential

6:07
Comment From Vic Romano
There’s that leadoff HR you mentioned earlier. Definitely better than a leadoff triple

6:08
Comment From dude
Harper hit one that far against Brad Hand earlier this year

6:08
Eno Sarris: Thank you Mr. Hand.
6:08
Comment From Matt
Bethesda is the opposite direction – that one’s headed for Anacostia.

6:08
Mike Petriello: unless it circumnavigates the globe the other way
6:09
Mike Petriello: We have not seen 1000 replays of this HR, and I am displeased.
6:10
Comment From Rob, Baltimore
Need a gif of the HR for us poor souls without FS1.

6:10
Eno Sarris: https://vine.co/v/Om9PA117Kil
6:10
Mike Petriello: Now I’ve seen it, and I need a cigarette.
6:11
Comment From Yo-Yo
I honestly just want the broadcast team to replay that HR on repeat until the STL/LAD game

6:12
Comment From Vic Romano
Who’s the #2 best under-25 OF behind Trout now….Harper or Puig? (Stanton will be 25 in November)

6:12
Mike Petriello: right now, today? I’ll take Puig, but long-term, still Harper.
6:12
Comment From Guest
omg baseball

6:13
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
If only Vasgersian put that much energy into his calls in MLB the show

6:13
Comment From Yuni
Ass Dribble wins the pimp your HR contest

6:13
Mike Petriello: Well, this just got a lot more fun.
6:13
Comment From Vic Romano
The joint is jumpin now

6:13
Eno Sarris: http://www.fangraphs.com/st…
6:14
Comment From Deelron
Small lead, disappears late in the game to a one run ballgame? Yep regular Giants game.

6:16
Eno Sarris:
Source: FanGraphs
6:16
Comment From Jon
Is anybody obsessed with their Dodge Dart

6:16
Eno Sarris: Reminds me of my first car: a teal green hyundai accent with a spoiler and “Eno” on the license plate.
6:17
Comment From Greg
Eno got his comment chosen again!!!!!!! Why?????

6:17
Eno Sarris: in the words of Slick Rick, I “RUN THINGS”
6:17
Comment From Joe
I’m still not over that Harper bomb…

6:17
Mike Petriello: nor should you be
6:18
Comment From Jon
how much does a custom plate run you?

6:18
Eno Sarris: As soon as I started paying the bills, it was gone.
6:18
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Is the food at Golden Corral edible, or purely ornamental?

6:18
Comment From The Big Dipper
Harper’s homer just landed on my front lawn.

6:19
Comment From Jared
That Harper homer was more effective than the Viagra commercial they keep playing.

6:19
Comment From Jay Z
Someone told me you said you run things Eno…you know I run this town. Nice try.

6:19
Eno Sarris: Well Slick was first.
6:21
Comment From TJ
Who advises Harper on his hair?

6:21
Eno Sarris: James Kaan’s kid.
6:22
Eno Sarris:

6:22
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
The only Slick Ric I recognize is a former world champion. Woooooo!

6:22
Comment From Greg
This chat just got more silent than Cal Ripken during the royals game broadcast.

6:22
Mike Petriello: Having a moment of silence for that baseball that Harper hit.
6:23
Comment From Jon
It had to have been Heineken Light vs. nobody

6:23
Eno Sarris: Cause, woof, I can’t stand that beer. Green bottles usually mean skunked and I read something that said they like the skunked taste.
6:23
Comment From Deelron
Panik was reading the chat in-between innings and saw the analysis of his defense.

6:23
Eno Sarris: he’s no Moss
6:23
Comment From Jared
Meanwhile, Puig and Ryu are rastlin in the Dodgers’ dugout.

6:23
Comment From Brian
Do we have a Ball Velo for that HR..Heard 110 on the broadcast but lets just say i dont trust Fox.

6:23
Mike Petriello: light years per second?
6:23
Comment From Greg
Btw that reminds me. Can you guys quantify how boring of an analyst Ripken.

6:23
Eno Sarris: Like I don’t even know a single thing he said.
6:24
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Brandon Crawford: Power threat

6:24
Eno Sarris: off a lefty no less. and he almost dinged Romo lol.
6:25
Comment From Ellis
That HR made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs.

6:26
Eno Sarris: Gotta root for Duffy. Has a Duffman sticker on his bat.
6:26
Comment From Jon
DUFFMAN CANT BREATHE

6:26
Mike Petriello: I would like to see a StatCast route tracker on Thornton running towards the runner.
6:26
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
SO MUCH DEKE

6:26
Comment From Jared
Great rundown between Crawford and a ghost there.

6:26
Comment From Deelron
Crawford had an insane reverse platoon split this year (152 wRC+ vs. lefties) I sadly know this due to a slate of Otteneu injuries.

6:27
Comment From Hank
Did he tag him? (he fired the throw to 3rd rather quickly)

6:27
Mike Petriello: the call was out of the basepath
6:28
Comment From Guest
is this a shutdown inning?

6:28
Eno Sarris: where are we? who am i?
6:29
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Jesus theres a Fox Sports 2 now. Thank god for Rogers Sportsnet

6:29
Eno Sarris: Eh, can’t be that surprising. I mean, Fox.
6:30
Comment From Jared
The Dodgers/Cards game will be shown on Fox Sports 8: The Ocho.

6:31
Comment From Jon
I’d also like to see a player actually gobble up a ball

6:31
Eno Sarris: Still think this is in Hunter Pence’s future. Or Pablo Sandoval’s.
6:31
Comment From Jared
Oh God, it’s Joe Buck.

6:31
Mike Petriello: and Harold Reynolds!
6:33
Mike Petriello: The best bestest that ever bested
6:33
Comment From Greg
If I were a MLB pitcher I’d name my daugher SIERA and my son FIP or maybe XFIP

6:34
Comment From Yo-Yo
Pence’s eyes are small balls he once gobbled

6:34
Eno Sarris: Um.
6:34
Comment From The Big Dipper
I guess you can say that natural selection kept Darwin Barney from being on the Dodgers playoff roster.

6:34
Comment From Harry
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand Harpers HR ball just landed

6:35
Mike Petriello: I’m told it’s approximately 400 degrees at Dodger Stadium right now.
6:36
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
I haven’t watched too many Giants games, but is Romo using a much lower arm slot?

6:36
Eno Sarris: huh http://www.brooksbaseball.n…
6:36
Comment From Sculpin
Hey guys whaaaAGJAKJKEJGKJEJK WGA PLAYOFF WEREWOLF

6:37
Comment From 🙁
Terrible decision to not let Vin Scully call Dodgers postseason games.

6:37
Eno Sarris: You, too, can mute the national guys by using your at-bat app and a little DVR work.
6:38
Comment From Jared
Ok everyone shut up, Kershaw is about to pitch.

6:38
Mike Petriello: Bye, friends. Be nice to Eno.
6:38
Comment From Hank
DVR? Do you have the VCR+ code handy?

6:38
Eno Sarris: It’s in my trapper keeper.
6:39
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Parents are gone, post ludes

6:39
Eno Sarris: Y’all gotta make em for me to take em.
6:40
Comment From Hrkac Circus
http://www.trapperkeeper.com/ The writing on this site is amazing.

6:41
Comment From Vic Romano
That Kershaw Curve is arguably the most beautiful thing in the history of the planet

6:41
Comment From Jon
lude lude lude

6:41
Comment From Terrible Ted
You just opened one hell of a can of worms.

6:41
Comment From Terrible Ted
WTF is a can of worms?

6:41
Eno Sarris: solid but we need more velocity
6:41
Eno Sarris: Like Kershaw’s 96.
6:42
Comment From Guest
HR Grichuk!

6:42
Eno Sarris: biggest surprise of the day
6:42
Comment From Brian
Over under K’s for kershaw? 10?

6:42
Eno Sarris: Cards actually 1 or 2 in K% in NL though.
6:43
Comment From Yuni
The sportsbooks had the K O/U at 8.5

6:43
Comment From Yuni

Seems cromulent.
6:43
Comment From Art Vandelay
Kershaw is effable?

6:43
Eno Sarris: Barely.
6:44
Comment From Brad
what channel in dodgers game on now?

6:44
Eno Sarris: FS2
6:45
Comment From TJ
and mlb network

6:48
Comment From Stan
Cannot understand FG’s oral fixation on Kershaw. He’s good … and he’s never had an 8 WAR season. There are a dozen pitchers in the last twenty years who are his superior and whom he doesn’t figure to have as good a career as.

6:48
Eno Sarris: I just posted a poll in which you could say that he was just the best right now.
6:48
Comment From Fred
Trout’s still the better one guys.

6:49
Comment From Guest
This game is setting up for a crucial 9th inning Asdrubal at-bat, and I think all of us Indians fans know how it’ll turn out (first pitch pop-out)

6:49
Comment From Dunx
i def made fun of the decision to start grichuk in the #2 spot, and cardinals devil magic made me look dumb

6:50
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Stan must not like men with beards

6:50
Eno Sarris: That eliminates… 65% of baseball?
6:51
Comment From Byron
Need some help finding the mute Harold Reynolds button on my remote

6:52
Comment From Terrible Ted
All I’ve learned so far is worms are cold blooded.

6:52
Eno Sarris: That’s why you gotta burn em.
6:52
Comment From Art Vandelay
I keep hearing a Zippo on the KNBR broadcast.

6:52
Eno Sarris: just heard that myself
6:53
Comment From Ben
Krukow has a zippo on his person

6:53
Eno Sarris: and now it’s gone
6:54
Comment From Jon
how many beers deep are you Eno?

6:54
Eno Sarris: one, half of a bomber of 7% saison from Evil Twin. You?
6:54
Comment From Stan
Funny Mr. Wrestling says that, I shaved my beard last night and am hating myself for it. Beards are (sometimes) the greatest.

6:54
Comment From Jon
0 unfortunately

6:54
Eno Sarris: I know the remedy. Gonna go the well myself. Enjoy By or Jai Alai.
6:57
Comment From The Big Dipper
Nothing better than enjoying some playoff baseball with your favorite craft brew but please fellow fangraphers don’t get behind the wheel afterwards! (working on some SN flipside myself)

6:57
Eno Sarris: I’m home. This is a must, anyway.
6:57
Comment From Terrible Ted
Can you write-off beer for work?

6:57
Eno Sarris: yes.
6:57
Eno Sarris: I’m going to take you guys to the bathroom with me, is that okay.
6:58
Comment From San Francisco
Can we chat while we both go to the bathroom? I’ve been holding it for awhile.

6:58
Eno Sarris: done/doing
6:59
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Eno, you’ve already been to the bathroom with me twice

6:59
Comment From Topher
Only if you also leave the door open.

6:59
Comment From The Big Dipper
In for pics

6:59
Comment From Terrible Ted
Only if you promise not to GIF it.

6:59
Eno Sarris: Now I’m confused.
6:59
Comment From Man in the Bathroom
Never been more glad that we can use one hand to pee and the other to look at our phone to chat

7:00
Comment From Guest
Why not provide a more detailed ‘play-by-play’ of your activities, Eno.

7:00
Eno Sarris: getting a beer out of the fridge. opening it now.
7:01
Comment From Art Vandelay
Eno’s personal grip pics

7:01
Comment From The Big Dipper
Is somebody going to be on during the Angels game tonight?

7:01
Eno Sarris: I think maybe Paul Swydan!
7:03
Comment From Compton
Care to give a recap of the day’s action for those just getting off of work?

7:03
Eno Sarris: Tigers pen sucked, Strasburg was meh but could’ve won if Peavy’s vein didn’t pop out of his neck.
7:04
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Do you get paid for doing this

7:04
Eno Sarris: Amazingly, yes. ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED
7:04
Comment From Steven
Eno, heading to GABF tomorrow, anything I should try?

7:04
Eno Sarris: Cigar City, Cellarmarker, I’ll check back when I’ve seen more
7:05
Comment From someone
Does a single person in the audience believe a game that happened 103 years ago is relevant to this Giants team?

7:05
Eno Sarris: Vs Team stuff is teh wurst.
7:06
Comment From Compton
Does Appleman ever undercover boss this ish?

7:06
Eno Sarris: He knows all about me. He okayed BeerGraphs after all.
7:06
Comment From Oscar
Freindly reminder that yadi has the worst neck tattoo

7:06
Eno Sarris: good thing he can play baseball at a pro level
7:07
Comment From Cube Jockey
bigger pitcher/batter mismatch in the post season than Kershaw/Kozma?

7:07
Comment From Guest
Is Kozma the worse hitter to start a game this postseason?

7:07
Eno Sarris: Kozma gonna make y’all pay for that.
7:08
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
I hate the “team wins % of the time when player does something good” stats more

7:08
Comment From The Big Dipper
The Dodgers win 100% of the time when Kershaw registers a win.

7:09
Comment From San Francisco
Like Wed when they said “Madison Bumgarner went 18-1 this year when the Giants score 3+ runs”? Well, make that 19-1 now…

7:09
Comment From Vic Romano
Harold Reynolds makes me miss Tim McCarver. Also, the groundhog-cam they are using might be worse than the behind-the-ump cam.

7:10
Comment From Guest
Isn’t Kozma4 for 8 or soemthing like that vs Kersha

7:10
Eno Sarris: If he is, it means nothing!
7:11
Comment From Stanatee the Manatee
When you want to hate on Cardinals fan, just remember they have to suffer through Tim McCarver doing a third of the local TV broadcasts now

7:11
Eno Sarris: oh
7:14
Eno Sarris: Other GABF: Elysian, Faction, FiftyFifty, Fumnkwerks, Modern Times, NoDa, Pizza Port, RUSSIAN RIVER, SOCIETE, The Bruery, ThreeFloyds, Troegs,
7:14
Comment From Slick
Eno, how much longer will you be chatting for? I’m waiting to take over to run things. I’ve been nice and allowed you to have your fun but I’m getting impatient…

7:14
Eno Sarris: I RUN THINGS
7:14
Comment From Guest
Kozma stat means nothing but might mean it isn’t the mismatch that some think it may be – even bad hitters get a hit once in a while – not sure why people get so surprised when it happens

7:14
Comment From Fred
The Red Sox did not win a single game this year in which Lester pitched and Cespedes reached safely.

7:14
Comment From Vic Romano
I think they’ve spent the entire game explaining / whining about the shadows. Hopefully the sun will explode and give them something new to talk about.

7:15
Comment From Oscar
if the shadows really change the look of the breaking ball that much why dont players throw it more in these situations or do they?

7:15
Eno Sarris: This sort of analysis is super impossible. When are there shadows?
7:15
Comment From Compton
To what extent to the Dodgers utilize advanced statistics? Just trying to find a reason to root for someone.

7:15
Eno Sarris: They’ve got a guy, and they listen to him, but also Colletti.
7:15
Comment From Guest
I think uribe is the kind of guy that could hurt Wainwright, just because you have no idea when he is going to swing? how do you approach that?

7:16
Comment From The Big Dipper
I’m about to run over to the grocery store for some brew. Not a ton of selection there but what are some stouts I should keep an eye out for??

7:16
Eno Sarris: Easy, always available is Old Rasputin. Deschutes’ stouts are decent. I don’t know where you live otherwise.
7:17
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
The Mayans should have done some sun related analytics

7:17
Comment From Uribe
Curveball in the shadow didnt bother me guys…hope that helps

7:17
Comment From Guest
Is Nick ever gunna chat again im having withdrawls

7:17
Eno Sarris: Mondays next year but dunno why he didn’t put his name down for these mammoth super long chats
7:18
Comment From The Big Dipper
I’m in North Carolina

7:18
Eno Sarris: Here’s what the leaderboards say http://www.beergraphs.com/l…
7:19
Comment From Hank
Hooray NL strategrinessment!

7:19
Eno Sarris: Dee swung at the yakker in the dirt.
7:20
Eno Sarris: Compton: same.
7:21
Comment From Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates
Why the Mayans? They were wrong about the Apocalypse. Everything you know about Astrology? You can thank us, we ran things back in the day.

7:21
Eno Sarris: Let’s not start any cultural warfare here. I got married in Mayan country.
7:21
Comment From nic
Already at 40 pitches, how long will wainwright last?

7:21
Eno Sarris: I read inches. I have a problem. (into the sixth, at least)
7:21
Comment From Ellis
What does Gordon have in his back pocket?

7:21
Eno Sarris: the oven mitt that protects his fingers when he runs
7:22
Comment From Ellis
It looks like a mini trapperkeeper.

7:22
Comment From Dee Gordon
Actually, it’s a mini jetpack to make me run faster….

7:22
Comment From Hank
Odds Gordon chases a 3-2 curve in the dirt?

7:22
Eno Sarris: dang we shoulda gotten odds on that
7:23
Comment From Dee Gordon
Correction, it’s a mini tank of NOS Vin Diesal gave me after fast and the furious 7

7:23
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
I’m supposed to trust someone who believed in a geocentric universe? Come on man.

7:24
Comment From Ellis
It’s the Continuum Transfunctioner.

7:24
Comment From Vic Romano
I have both Kershaw and Wainwright on my fantasy team….this is like watching my kids fight.

7:25
Comment From Vic Romano
Kershaw
7:26
 
Kershaw
7:26
Comment From Im the best.
Vic, I think for any parent it’s more like watching their kids play video games and argue about who’s better. Did it with my brother and pissed my parents off all the time growing up

7:26
Comment From Torres Ghost
9 balls in that 10 pitch PA. And Gordon struck out swinging.

7:26
Eno Sarris: To be fair nobody ever said he had a great sense of the zone.
7:28
Comment From Stan
Do you think in their pre-show meeting the producer was like: “Shadows. We’ve got to hammer the shadows. People want to hear about the shadows.”

7:28
Eno Sarris: Shadows are trending, they’re hip.
7:29
Comment From Fangraphs Awards
STAN WINS COMMENT OF THE DAY!

7:29
Comment From Bane
Oh, you think darkness is your ally. But you merely adopted the dark; I was born in it, moulded by it. I didn’t see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but BLINDING!

7:29
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
The shadows have taken themselves out of the game. Bold move.

7:29
Comment From Bane
The shadows betray you, because they belong to me!

7:29
Eno Sarris: Shadow lude.
7:29
Eno Sarris: SEE? SEE? Hanley can play short!
7:30
Eno Sarris: As in physically, he can. But he MAY not, as your teacher would say.
7:32
Comment From Mannyt
Are Kershaw´s´last four years the most similar case to Koufax´s dominant era?

7:32
Eno Sarris: Kershaw: 25.8 WAR
Koufax: 37.3 WAR
7:32
Comment From Shadows Quotes
“One realized all sorts of things. The value of an illusion, for instance, and that the shadow can be more important than the substance. All sorts of things.”
? Jean Rhys,

7:32
Comment From I love Shadows
Was there a Greek god for shadow? Anyone? I may name my kid after that god if so!

7:32
Comment From Hank
Shadows are the new market inefficiency. Beane is working on how to exploit it as we speak.

7:32
Eno Sarris: Okay. No more shadow luding.
7:33
Comment From Vic Romano
Erebus — Greek god of Shadows. I paid too much attention in that class

7:33
Eno Sarris: Last one. Doesn’t quite roll of the tongue as a name tho.
7:34
Comment From Guest
My favorite Wainwright curve. http://i26.tinypic.com/hrlp…

7:34
Comment From Compton
Fun fact: Delmon Young has played in each of the past 6 postseasons with 4 different teams.

7:34
Eno Sarris: Winning player.
7:35
Eno Sarris: More fight than conference here.
7:35
Comment From Oscar
Good old fashioned rabble rousing what is post season baseball without it

7:36
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
oh god puig is going to murder someone

7:36
Comment From The Big Dipper
Delmon Young’s signature is winning ~ Buck Showalter

7:36
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Molina kind of shoved the ump there he’s lucky he got away with that

7:37
Comment From Sam
Quit with the lazy narratives. Puig and Wainright were just talking to each other reasonably. The one having a violent aneurysm was Yadi.

7:37
Eno Sarris: Gonzo was getting into it. And he must have said something.
7:38
Comment From The Big Dipper
What happened? (No FS1)

7:38
Eno Sarris: Puig hit. Gonzo said something to Yadi, yadi went nuts, everyone crowded around. Yadi looked like he pushed the ump a bit, but everyone was crowded around.
7:39
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
“There’s a lot of Spanish being spoken on the field right now” WTF?

7:39
Comment From A. Lane
I maintain that the Cardinals are just as old school in their thinking/mentality as the Diamondbacks they just are smart and don’t advertise it. (And they are a successful team.)

7:40
Eno Sarris: https://twitter.com/pedromo…
7:40
Comment From Guest
Almost every team is as ‘old school’ as the Diamondbacks.

7:40
Comment From Chris
To be fair, Yadi’s shove was the most gentlemanly shove I’ve ever seen delivered while the shover was (presumably) shouting R-rated content.

7:40
Comment From Guest
The ‘new school’ Pirates hit more batters than any other team, and it isn’t even close.

7:42
Comment From dude
i don’t understand that tweet

7:42
Eno Sarris: I think Puig just doesn’t want to be thrown out. Made sure he didn’t do anything that would be registered by the umps for later use.
7:42
Comment From Norman
Yeah, but the Pirates have Volquez, and control is not really his thing, to say the least

7:42
Eno Sarris: Also they want to establish the inside.
7:45
Comment From Sam
Puig is constantly being accused of instigating things. Bumgarner throws his glove down and picks a fight, but Puig is the hothead. Yadier Molina loses his mind, comments here say, “Puig is going to kill someone!”

7:45
Comment From Need translation?? I can read lips!
I’m deaf and am an expert at reading lips, someone post a GIF of Yadi’s conversation and I’ll try and understand what he said and post it to you all.

7:45
Eno Sarris: couldn’t find one
7:45
Comment From jeff
“establish the inside” is the “establish the run” of baseball

7:45
Eno Sarris: dunno. every hitter has a hole high and tight.
7:45
Comment From Byron
Hanley needs to shave that patchy beard is not working

7:46
Comment From I want to leave work
Eno, why are you getting slow with posting comments? Are you not getting enough comments from us? Do we need to send more?

7:46
Eno Sarris: I was looking for a GIF of the fight
7:46
Comment From nic
How good is it that we’re gonna get 6 more innings of this?!!

7:47
Comment From The Big Dipper
Do you pronounce gif like the peanut butter jif or like the word gift without the t?

7:47
Eno Sarris: peanut butter
7:47
Comment From Guest
Pirates HBP without Volquez HBP is still more than any other team.

7:48
Comment From Chris – a Phils fan ordinarily
This has been a very exciting day for baseball.

7:48
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Gregg Zaun says that Wainwright acted too apologetic after he hit Puig and should have made Puig think he hit him on purpose. wat.

7:48
Eno Sarris: I don’t….
7:48
Comment From Who?
Charlie Morton is the main reason the Pirates lead in HBPs, he hits so many people each year.

7:48
Eno Sarris: Gotta keep em off the sinker away?
7:50
Comment From Hank
Just brush Wainwright back (no need to hit him) and I think the point will be made… it will also likely cause a warning from the umps which will prevent Wainwright from pitching inside.

7:51
Comment From Guest
Pirates HBP without Morton HBP ties for most in MLB (in less innings than the other teams).

7:51
Comment From The Big Dipper
A warning also prevents Kershaw from pitching inside…

7:52
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Mike Matheny is a handsome man.

7:52
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Kershaw can pitch wherever he wants

7:52
Comment From Guest
Warnings already issued. Kershaw won’t risk ejection in this close of a game.

7:55
Comment From Jon
I think it required no reading between the lines to say he was worried about wainos pitch count!

7:55
Comment From frankie
if you were a hitter, Eno, what would your walk-up music be?

7:55
Eno Sarris: without the dude talking: https://www.youtube.com/wat…
7:55
Comment From Chris – a Phils fan ordinarily
Kershaw should throw a slider that looks like it’s gonna hit the batter, the batter ducks, and then it breaks right over the heart of the plate for strike three.

7:55
 
Kershaw should throw a slider that looks like it’s gonna hit the batter, the batter ducks, and then it breaks right over the heart of the plate for strike three.

7:56
Comment From Stan
I think warnings were not issued. At least, there was no warning issued to the Dodgers. Mattingly came out on exactly that point and you could tell he was satisfied with the answer.

7:58
Comment From Byron
Are you all alone for this chat Eno?

7:58
Eno Sarris: All alone, here for you
7:58
Comment From Vic Romano
I noticed that the phrase “shut down inning” was not used at all in that inning. Hopefully that plague can be contained to TBS broadcasts only.

7:59
Comment From The Big Dipper
That was a real shut down comment Vic

7:59
Comment From Chris – a Phils fan ordinarily
At least it’s better than hearing how every hit ball was “fisted” into the field somehow. Ah, Chip Carey

8:02
Comment From Rick
Hanley is so rickety. It’s kind of unbelievable.

8:02
Comment From Its 5 oclock!!! YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS
You know what I love about this chat? The comments are hilarious and I think during games commentators should read them out loud. If Joe Buck did that, it woudl be the only time anyone unmuted the TV to listen to Joe.

8:03
Comment From Its 5 oclock!!! YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS
curveball
8:04
Comment From The Big Dipper
Jay Mohr on Joe Buck: https://www.youtube.com/wat…

8:04
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
I would love to hear Joe Buck talk about the quality of our ludes

8:04
Eno Sarris: come on people, curveball CANNOT WIN this one
8:04
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
In eastern Canada a curveball is called a chair

8:04
Comment From Ruki
I would have voted for “Yellow Hammer” if it was just “Hammer”. Yellow Hammer just sounds so…wrong.

8:05
Comment From Vic Romano
I’ve always called it the yakker

8:05
Eno Sarris: my vote
8:05
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
What is it called in western Canada?

8:05
Eno Sarris: a table
8:07
Comment From frankie
Chair is pretty great since you can “give him the chair”

8:07
Comment From The Big Dipper
Jay Mohr on John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman is even better https://www.youtube.com/wat…

8:08
Comment From Commish Ruxin
Better name for curveball? Pete Top/Kevin Bottom

8:08
Comment From Compton
I think “public enemy number one” is the best term for *Kershaw’s* curveball.

8:08
Comment From Ellis
Curveball = Mullet. Business in the front and party in the back.

8:09
Eno Sarris: 16 hours of baseball… it’s like cricket.
8:10
Comment From Release the Quackenbush
I love dropping a deuce in there

8:10
Eno Sarris: OH DAMMIT I KNEW I FORGOT ONE
8:10
Comment From Vic Romano
Except that baseball doesn’t suck

8:10
Comment From Supercuts
I think it’s more like a Fauhhawk than a mullet.

8:12
Comment From Supercuts
Fauhawk because from the front it looks like a normal hairstyle, then looking from the back you’re like what the hell is that.

8:13
Comment From Ellis
PICK AN INCORRECT SPELLING AND STICK WITH IT.

8:13
Eno Sarris: Faughaque.
8:15
Comment From Guest
Whichone is your fav curve term?

8:15
Eno Sarris: Well yakker but I like deuce too.
8:15
Comment From Fangraphs > ESPN
Wow Eno, you’re allowed to curse in here? Pretty sure ESPN would fire their fantasy sports employees for saying “Dammit” in a chatroom

8:15
Eno Sarris: Did you read the Moss piece?
8:16
Comment From Guest
Uncle Charlie is such a good term for the curve

8:16
Eno Sarris: It’s good, but Yakker seems more … disgusting. And some curves are disgusting (Kimbrel). Some are reserved, like an Uncle Charlie (Waino).
8:17
Comment From Fans of Eno
Link us all to it pretty please

8:17
Eno Sarris: http://www.fangraphs.com/bl…
8:17
Comment From Big Yakker
Screw uncle Charlie

8:18
Comment From Big Yakker
Uncle Charlie sounds like a perv anyways

8:19
Comment From Ruki
HEY CRAIG: Worst commercial or worstest commercial?

8:19
Eno Sarris: Worstest. Although Jake From State Farm is getting there slowly.
8:19
Comment From Guest
I saw winter beers already

8:19
Eno Sarris: Pumpkin started in late July.
8:20
Comment From J6takish
Matt adams more like a country breakfast than billy butler

8:20
Eno Sarris: Country Buffet
8:20
Comment From Yakker makes me Nostalgic
I voted Yakker because it reminded me back in college when a hot sorority girl pukes on their front lawn. From 5 feet high to the dirt 4 feet away. Taking shots of like 5 different types of hard liquor wasn’t a smart idea for her. The Yakker = Disgusting but still somewhat pretty to watch

8:21
Eno Sarris: Larry King on the phone GIF
8:22
Comment From Compton
Do the fangraphs live game odds know that Kershaw is pitching? Like, they have a ~90% chance of winning, but should that be bumped because of Kershaw?

8:22
Eno Sarris: Nope. Just about what all teams have done in past at that point with that score.
8:24
Comment From Guest
who throws your fav yakker?

8:24
Eno Sarris: Kluber, Kerhsaw, Waino. Kinda like the big hump on Waino’s, but Kluber’s gets more whiffs.
8:25
Comment From Harken
doesn’t the shadow line on the Win Probability graphs include the starting pitcher info? It had Dodgers at 60-40 to win at the start of the game.

8:25
Eno Sarris: There you go. We’ve got it all for you.
8:25
Comment From Chris – a Phils fan ordinarily
Legit question: Why Uncle Charlie? Like, it sounds good…just where did it come from?

8:25
Eno Sarris: Anyone know? I’ll do some light googling.
8:25
Comment From Overheating Karl
Like “he just dropped a deuce on him”?

8:27
Eno Sarris: ooh “Uncle Charlie” (also known as a “Lord Charles” or “Sir Charles”) is a curveball, a pitch that veers away as it nears the batter . Dickson dates the first use of “Uncle Charlie” to 1935, in a column by Walter Winchell in the Havana Evening Telegram. Unfortunately, the etymology of the term is stubbornly obscure. But Dickson suggests that the words “Uncle Charlie” themselves are onomatopoetically suggestive of a curve ball, presumably with the soothing “Uncle” evoking the initially bland course of the ball and the explosive “ch” of “Charlie” suggesting the moment when the ball swerves out of reach. It’s a plausible theory, though a bit unsatisfying. I did a bit of poking around and found that Charles Graham, owner of the San Francisco Seals minor league team in the 1920s, was known to players and fans of that era as “Uncle Charlie,” so perhaps there’s a connection there. In any case, “Uncle Charlie” is very much still in use today. Its superlative form, “Lord Charles,” was coined in 1984 in tribute to New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden’s curveball, considered to be in a different league than the average “Uncle Charlie.”
http://www.word-detective.c…
8:28
Comment From Chris – a Phils fan ordinarily
I love the “Lord Charles” part.

8:28
Comment From Compton
What’s going on with Wainwright?

8:28
Eno Sarris: Throwing a ton of Uncle Charlies today. Lots of out of the zone, lots of pitches.
8:30
Comment From FJM
Pitcher due up 2nd. Cards have to be hoping he can make it through the inning. Would suck to burn a relief pitcher for a batter or two in the 5th and then immediately lift him for a PH.

8:30
Comment From Stan
Charlie is also old baseball slang for penis, so there’s that.

8:30
Eno Sarris: Um
8:31
Comment From Stan
It’s true. Bouton talks about Yogi Berra getting fined by the kangaroo court for leaving Charlie uncovered at the postgame buffet table.

8:31
Comment From Nostalgic guy again
Soooo I’m gonna say the Sorority girls new nickname is Queen Yakker

8:32
Comment From Guest
Stan just “blew me” away

8:33
Comment From Ombudsman
This is getting out of hand in here.

8:34
Comment From Chris – a Phils fan ordinarily
Oh jeez, the Dodgers are ruining the integrity of the game again with those damned bubbles.

8:34
Eno Sarris: 97.1% WE
8:39
Comment From Byron
do you take Kershaw out earlier than usual so you can bring him back on short rest if needed?

8:39
Eno Sarris: not a bad idea, but you have to balance and not fall to hubris.
8:39
Comment From Guest
whens the wifey due?

8:39
Eno Sarris: Tuesday
8:39
Comment From Compton
Is that Larry King first row behind home plate?

8:39
Eno Sarris: Yes. Yes it is.
8:40
Comment From Barry Bonds
COBGRATS ENO

8:40
Eno Sarris: yeah, second boy. things going to get hectic
8:42
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Larry King is probably telling everyone about the time he met Old Hoss Radbourn

8:42
Comment From bwahhh
given the dodgers’ bullpen, they should probably ride kershaw for all that they can get

8:42
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
How old’s the oldest?

8:42
Eno Sarris: 2.5
8:44
Comment From Compton
I’m currently reading a book entitled “Fifty-nine in 84.” It’s about Old Hoss Radbourn’s 59-win season. I highly recommend it to everyone in this chat for it has changed my life.

8:45
Comment From Jeff
Can he throw a yakker yet

8:45
Eno Sarris: he pitches to me in the back yard all the time.
8:45
Comment From Guest
Could Larry King be considered an Uncle Charlie? he seems old and pervy.

8:46
Comment From Jose
Tixkokob is pretty nice this time of the year.

8:46
Eno Sarris: Oh man we’re coming back. Got married there. But we have to come during baseball season. And we have to make some money hah.
8:46
Comment From J6takish
Is gordon for real? His bb% has gotten really bad the 2nd half

8:46
Eno Sarris: There’s some collapse there. But if they run him out there, worst case seems like .260/.300 with okay defense, not sure they’ll get better from Guerrero, who they’ve already moved off the position.
8:48
Comment From Jose
The Leones are pretty bad nowadays, but do tell when you plan on it, theres a little SABR friendly crowd over here who would love take you to a game.

8:48
Eno Sarris: Awesome! Merida is a really cool city, very underrated. Love the courtyards.
8:48
Comment From The Big Dipper
terrible twos

8:48
Eno Sarris: Yeah he’s gotten a little full body collapse whiny about his ipad or cars movie.
8:49
Comment From The Big Dipper
Why is there no option for “hook”

8:49
Eno Sarris: Because my brain doesn’t work after all this baseball all day.
8:49
Comment From mwgris
No GABF for Eno this year?

8:49
Eno Sarris: Never been, but I did rec some breweries. BG needs to make some cash to send me.
8:49
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Wait, where did they move Guererro off 2nd to, 3rd?

8:49
Eno Sarris: and LF
8:55
Comment From Byron
Is Arruburruena the SS next year and should he be

8:55
Eno Sarris: D replacement at best I’d guess. contact problems. No idea who it will be though.
8:55
Comment From Guest
Cards only hitting HRs. 4 more hits and the game will be tied.

8:56
Eno Sarris: GONZO SAYS WAKE UP
8:57
Comment From Guest
How many more questions are in the q than thursdays?

8:57
Eno Sarris: fewer. y’all aren’t at work looking at a computer screen, bored.
8:57
Comment From Neil
Card’s radio broadcast called that homerun like it was a routine fly ball.

8:57
Eno Sarris: To be fair, they were asleep.
8:58
Comment From J6takish
My work computer only blocks the CIL live stream 🙁

8:58
Eno Sarris: that sucks!
9:01
Comment From Jeff
The Carpenter HR moved the WE needle less than 2%.

9:01
Comment From Guest
Jansen pitches an inning. Kershaw gets two more innings?

9:01
Eno Sarris: One if things happen in it?
9:03
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Hanley should reevaluate his helmet size

9:03
Eno Sarris: dread problems.
9:04
Comment From Jeff
Woah you can edit?

9:04
Eno Sarris: discovered this today
9:05
Comment From someone
Edit what?

9:05
Eno Sarris: posted posts
9:06
Comment From Byron
They’re making me hate the number 1

9:06
Eno Sarris: better than going number 2
9:07
Eno Sarris: Damn, 3.5 hours of chatting is not easy. Eyes starting to hurt.
9:07
Comment From Vic Romano
I will now be referring to going number two as “taking an uncle charlie”

9:09
Comment From Compton
Is a fresh Brian Wilson really better than a tiring Kershaw?

9:09
Eno Sarris: Fresh B Wilson can only hump it up there at 88 these days, so good point. But if someone gets on in this inning, I could see an 8th inning matchup play on a righty.
9:11
Comment From ML
Bumgarner as top 5 fantasy SP in 2015?

9:11
Eno Sarris: I like how consistent he’s been. Haven’t really looked at it. We had him as the 9th best last year (Kershaw, Cueto, Felix, Kluber, Waino, Lester, Sale, Price). I could see him leapfrogging a couple.
9:11
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
I thought a “Fresh B Wilson” was the result of taking an “Uncle Charlie”

9:11
Eno Sarris: On a nasty toilet.
9:12
Comment From Guest
This game is providing some action now.

9:12
Comment From Vic Romano
That’s why you gotta put that liner down in public places

9:13
Eno Sarris: He’s human.
9:14
Eno Sarris: Adams has been so bad against lefties too.
9:15
Comment From Guest
Are the O’s better without Davis?

9:15
Eno Sarris: Nah. I know he’s been a minus on O (94 wRC+) but he’s projected for 121 next year, and that’s closer to his expected output.
9:17
Comment From Neil
How is Pete Kozma playing in the postseason again?

9:17
Eno Sarris: trying to figure this out myself
9:18
Comment From Guest
But he had that one good month like 2 years ago! That means he’s good at baseball, right?

9:18
Eno Sarris: More than one good month.
9:19
Comment From Guest
Did you watch all the games today?

9:19
Eno Sarris: Yes! Did some work, that piece on curveball spin rates on RotoGraphs, wrote on my Hardball Times Annual piece on splitfingers, but also watched baseball.
9:20
Comment From chuckb
Matheny has a man – crush on Kozma. Mozeliak has to keep him off the roster or Matheny will use him.

9:20
Comment From Compton
WE 67.8%

9:20
Comment From Ruki
This is much late, but Jake from State Farm is also pretty annoying. I personally have developed ah ate for the King Hawaiian BBQ Burger commercial.

9:20
Comment From Zach
What’s happening

9:20
Eno Sarris: All of the singles in a row. Even lefties.
9:21
Comment From DWrek
If Lunhow didnt claim him when he was DFA’d, that should say a lot.

9:21
Comment From Anus Slaughter
Was Taveras L on L really the best option?

9:21
Eno Sarris: Should of been Bourjos
9:21
Comment From Brian
10 k’s=push

9:22
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Bourjos already pinch hit

9:22
Eno Sarris: That’s a problem with that theory. Clone him!
9:22
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Should have ben Descalso

9:22
Comment From Justice
Baseball sucks. Kershaw strikes out 29% of the batters faced this inning, doesn’t have control problems, gives up no deep flies, and is getting absolutely creamed

9:22
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Nifty way to get around that silly 25 man rule

9:22
Eno Sarris: It’s the same man!
9:24
Comment From Gabes
#HowManyAltuve clones would you keep in your dugout if they all counted together as 1 man on the 25-man roster?

9:24
Eno Sarris: as many as I could fit, so probably like 50
9:25
Comment From Ruki
Keep abusing the 25-man rules and you’ll lead to clone segregation in baseball, you monster. 🙁

9:25
Eno Sarris: UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES tears shirt apart
9:25
Comment From Guest
omg

9:25
Eno Sarris: tie mofo game no way
9:26
Comment From Ruki
The Cards borrowed some of the Royals endless pixie dust.

9:26
Comment From Ben
7-6

9:26
Comment From Gabes
Is this real life?

9:26
Eno Sarris: Or is it fantasy
9:27
Comment From Neil
Card’s have their own secret supply probably.

9:27
Comment From Compton
Any right fielders who catch that? Kemp looks so slow so I can’t tell.

9:27
Comment From Guest
Is this postseason better than yrs past or is it just me?

9:27
Eno Sarris: Let’s see how the world series does.
9:28
Comment From Ruki
Royals OFers might get to that.

9:28
Comment From Vic Romano
Aoki would have caught it, and taken an insane route in the process

9:28
Comment From Norman
That was Kemp out there? Because I thought Billy Butler was playing RF. . . .

9:30
Comment From Ruki
At this rate, the World Series will have all the boring games.

9:30
Eno Sarris: Good games only meted out to us in predetermined serving sizes.
9:30
Paul Swydan: Jesus, I turn off baseball for a half hour to watch the Brooklyn 99 premiere with my wife and the Cardinals turn this into a game? What’s up with that?
9:30
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Pants are overrated

9:30
Eno Sarris: Pants SUCK
9:31
Paul Swydan: Pants are the worst.
9:31
Comment From Jim
Brooklyn 99 premiered last sunday

9:31
Paul Swydan: Dude, I’ve still got the 7 episodes of Mad Men from like four months ago on the DVR.
9:32
Comment From Ruki
Don’t eat too many good games before dinner or you’ll ruin your appetite. 🙂

9:32
Comment From Ellis
Grichuk sounds like an alien from Star Trek.

9:33
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Paul’s here!

9:33
Eno Sarris: Four hours in hungry, tired, food is here…. I’m pretty happy about it.
9:33
Paul Swydan: Yup, the only time people are happy to see me is when they’re desperate.
9:33
Paul Swydan: Holy smokes, Matt Holliday.
9:34
Comment From Compton
Whoa. Holliday 3-run HR. 10-6 Cards.

9:34
Eno Sarris: Paul, I love you all the time! Just a little more now.
9:34
Paul Swydan: My wife thinks Harold Reynolds said “wheel zone.” Is that right? I’ve already tuned Harold out.
9:34
Comment From Vic Romano
Right in his wheelzone? Really Harold?

9:34
Paul Swydan: Guess so!
9:34
Comment From semperty
Where did these home runs come from? I thought the Cards were incapable of that.

9:34
Eno Sarris: One of the worst reg season ISOs for a postseason team.
9:35
Comment From The Big Dipper
@Eno the store didn’t have anything for stouts except Bell’s Kalamazoo. Any thoughts on it?

9:35
Eno Sarris: Bells’ kicks ass. You’ll be fine.
9:35
Paul Swydan: Yeah isn’t that one of your favorites, Eno?
9:35
Eno Sarris: If Paul’s ready, I want to eat food. Paul?
9:35
Paul Swydan: Yup, I’m ready to rock. Thanks Eno!
9:35
Comment From Grand Admiral Braun
Matt Holliday close to 50 WAR. He’s probably a long-shot for the HoF but he shouldn’t be. He’s better than a lot of recent OFs who’ve been inducted.

9:36
Eno Sarris: Awesome. You’re a real Uncle Charlie. See you guys later!
9:36
Paul Swydan: The bar is set a little higher for corner types, even if Jim Rice’s supporters bullied him into the Hall.
9:36
Paul Swydan: Guys, just so you know, the other game is starting too, so I’ll do my best to toggle back and forth.
9:37
Comment From Compton
Thanks Eno!

9:37
Comment From semperty
Dammit. How am I supposed to watch both as a Missouri fan?

9:37
Paul Swydan: Or an LA person. Can you imagine the highways in LA tonight? Yeezus!
9:37
Comment From The Big Dipper
It’s the hall of FAME not the hall of most productive players…I don’t think Holliday has the star power

9:38
Paul Swydan: I think that’s not fair, but either way, he’s still a little short of deserving to be there.
9:38
Comment From Vic Romano
There’s a real debate as to which broadcast to mute….the horrible Buck/Harold combo or whatever dreck TBS is trotting out

9:38
Comment From someone
This inning worth +.908 WPA for the Cardinals.

9:38
Paul Swydan: That’s a heck of an inning.
9:38
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Empty because everyone is at home watching the game?

9:38
Paul Swydan: I doubt it, but you can only hope.
9:38
Comment From Brad
paul, would you have taken kershaw out earlier?

9:39
Paul Swydan: In general, I’m for taking out pitchers in the postseason at the first sign of trouble. As I said, I wasn’t watching, but looking at the box score, it’s hard to understand how you leave Kershaw in to give up 8 runs.
9:40
Comment From Compton
Speaking of fame, production, and HOF induction, is David Ortiz worthy?

9:40
Paul Swydan: I don’t believe so, no. But I would be surprised to see him excluded.
9:40
Comment From semperty
Kershaw “only” gave up 6 – the last two were to Baez

9:40
Paul Swydan: Well, he’s charged with 8. Either way, 6 is also too many.
9:40
Comment From Ruki
It seems like you should at least prepare to maybe take Kershaw out sooner.

9:41
Paul Swydan: It’s not a position that Mattinglt has been in that frequently, so I get it.
9:41
Paul Swydan: In general, this series features a managing duo akin to Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
9:41
Paul Swydan: The KC-LAA series isn’t much better.
9:42
Comment From Neil
It was the bottom of the order of one of the weaker offensive clubs in the postseason but I agree.

9:42
Comment From Stanatee the Manatee
I’d also trust a tired Kershaw over pretty much anyone in the Dodgers bullpen

9:42
Paul Swydan: Yeah, I will give Mattingly that he doesn’t have a lot to work with. But still.
9:42
Comment From Skore
from a managing perspective, hows the nats and giants series?

9:43
Paul Swydan: Bochy has come a long way, and is now one of the stronger managers going. Williams I am not as familiar with, but Jeff Passan didn’t have very nice things to say about him when we discussed him.
9:44
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Is there anything to a Beltway Series managerial matchup? They were trying to make something of Showalter having managed Matt Williams earlier.

9:44
Paul Swydan: I mean, I doubt Showalter can glean a lot from that, but who knows. Certainly I think Buck has done a masterful job these first two games.
9:44
Comment From The Big Dipper
donnie was probably afraid to go to the pen after watching the tigers implode these past two days

9:44
Paul Swydan: I’d be surprised if he watched either game.
9:45
Comment From The Big Dipper
what managers do you atcually like?

9:45
Paul Swydan: In this postseason? Basically just Showalter and Bochy.
9:45
Paul Swydan: Ssssh, Kole Calhoun is up.
9:45
Comment From Ruki
I also hate this iPhone commercial. Less than HEY CRAIG or Jake, though.

9:45
Paul Swydan: I like them both. Doesn’t say much about me, I guess.
9:46
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
That question was akin to “Why don’t you tell me what movie you want to see?”

9:46
Paul Swydan: Kramer?

Elaine?
9:46
Comment From Yuni
Who is the worst manager in your eyes? (In baseball not just the playoffs)

9:46
Paul Swydan: In all of baseball? Well, Gardenhire was just fired, so I guess Walt Weiss.
9:46
Comment From Brad
with analytics depts having a lot of influence in front offices, why haven’t they influenced dugout managers?

9:47
Paul Swydan: Oh, they are. But that revolution will happen much slower, because the manager needs to have a little bit of autonomy in order to command respect from his highly-paid charges.
9:47
Comment From mwgris
What don’t you like about Gardenhire?

9:48
Paul Swydan: Mainly the part where he wasn’t good at his job. He is an ultimate “rub some dirt on it” manager, and I have no doubt that he cost Justin Morneau a good portion of his career.
9:48
Comment From someone
The Taco Bell one featuring a senile old man throwing away a family heirloom because he saw an add for some shitty burrito drives me into an uncontrollable rage.

9:48
Paul Swydan: Yeah, it’s not good. But the first part of the story is pretty good, so you just sort of ignore the end.
9:49
Comment From Compton
And what makes you say you like certain managers? I just have no idea about how to properly assess them.

9:49
Comment From The Big Dipper
Trout thrown out by a mile

9:49
Paul Swydan: Hey, your TV is way faster than mine!
9:50
Paul Swydan: As for managers, it’s hard. Mostly it’s feel. Listening to them talk. They’re the one person on the team whose quotes I try to parse. GMs rarely say anything meaningful, and players are taught to be boring, but managers have to talk a lot, so I try to see how they react to certain questions.
9:51
Comment From The Big Dipper
Haha sorry man. I’ll try not to spoil any more of the action for you

9:51
Paul Swydan: All good. I live in the ‘burbs, it’s to be expected!
9:51
Paul Swydan: But yes, he was out by a mile. That was pretty embarrassing.
9:51
Comment From Alan
So what do you think of the idea that the Cardinals are stealing signs?

9:51
Paul Swydan: I think that’s pretty insulting to the Cardinals.
9:51
Comment From George
Examples of good managers?

9:52
Paul Swydan: Showalter, Girardi, Francona, Melvin, Bochy all come to mind. Bud Black for sure.
9:52
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Ron Darling and I went to the same high school. That makes me sad.

9:52
Paul Swydan: Does that mean you’re from Worcester?
9:52
Comment From Guest
Listen to the radio and use the TV as perpetual replay.

9:52
Paul Swydan: You want me to do that AND host this chat? I’m not an octopus, you know.
9:53
Paul Swydan: This bottom of the 8th will be the Dodgers’ last good chance. As shaky as Rosenthal has been at times, I doubt he’s coughing up four runs in the 9th.
9:53
Comment From The Big Dipper
I think Girardi does a heck of a job but I’m afraid he’s going to be on the hot seat if they don’t bounce back next season

9:53
Paul Swydan: As Mike Axisa said at River Ave Blues, if anyone should be on the hot seat it’s Cashman.
9:54
Comment From semperty
Does anyone remember how Big Game James got his nickname? He’s usually pretty lousy in them, so I was wondering if anyone remembered which specific game it was.

9:54
Paul Swydan: Because Rays fans really wanted to feel special.
9:54
Comment From Lyle
Do you not consider Maddon a good manager?

9:55
Paul Swydan: Joe Maddon is too cute by half. He’s completely bought his own hype, and ultimately I think all his tinkering does more harm than good. But he’s certainly better than guys like Yost and Scioscia and Ausmus. I just wouldn’t put him in my top echelon.
9:55
Comment From The Big Dipper
Agreed, but Cash did make a couple of nice moves during the year

9:56
Paul Swydan: Yeah, I don’t think they necessarily need changes, just … it’s not Girardi’s fault. Their roster has been a nightmare for two straight years, and he kept them relevant throughout.
9:56
Comment From Vic Romano
Girardi doesn’t get any demerits for leaving the unproductive Jeter in the #2 spot all year?

9:56
Paul Swydan: No, he would have lost the clubhouse. He had to ride that out and make the best of it.
9:57
Comment From Guest
Beautiful play be Carp.

9:57
Paul Swydan: I thought you meant Mike Carp for a minute and was super confused about it.
9:57
Comment From Compton
Clint Hurdle? Seems to be a fine leader of men, if nothing else.

9:57
Paul Swydan: Middle of the pack. Clint does some things very well, and should be commended for his willingness to buy in on the shift in a big way. But he still does a lot of cringe inducing stuff.
9:57
Comment From Brad
do you despise the rays more than the yanks now?

9:57
Paul Swydan: I do, ya.
9:57
Comment From Yuni
What about Lloyd McClendon?

9:58
Paul Swydan: Undecided.
9:58
Comment From Chris
Why do you hate the Rays?

9:59
Paul Swydan: Like I said, they’re too cute by half, and they’re the media darlings for no good reason. I really don’t see how they’re a competitive team next year, but hell if you can find anyone who wants to say that.
9:59
Comment From Cole
Thoughts on Redmond?

9:59
Paul Swydan: Don’t watch enough Marlins games to say one way or the other.
10:00
Comment From Joe
Farrell? He totally lost me in the playoffs last year with starting Gomes over Nava against RHP, based on his gut.

10:00
Paul Swydan: Farrell is middle of the pack at best. His tendency to play favorites with players who are the detriment to their team – like Stephen Drew – doesn’t look good on him.
10:00
Comment From ralph
KC up 1-0? What happened?

10:01
Paul Swydan: I don’t know, I was flipped to a commercial for no good reason. Do better, Paul!
10:01
Comment From Compton
I consider myself to be ugly, so I’m definitely not buying DirectTV. So offensive.

10:01
Paul Swydan: I can’t tell if you’re joking or not, but either way that ad is terrible.
10:01
Comment From Guest
https://twitter.com/SportsC…

10:01
Paul Swydan: WHOOPS!
10:01
Comment From The Big Dipper
RBI single up the middle

10:01
Comment From George
Hosmer double, Gordon single

10:01
Comment From hscer
BTW it’s obviously not guaranteed, but who had a Kansas City-Baltimore ALCS before the season? Even a rampant homer would only have gotten that 1/2 right.

10:02
Paul Swydan: I still think Anaheim comes back and wins this series, but they’re not having a great start.
10:02
Comment From semperty
You don’t understand how the unluckiest team in baseball is competitive next year? Sounds more like bias

10:03
Paul Swydan: What are we talking about when we say lucky? Are you saying BABIP? Because the Rays had a higher BABIP than the A’s.
10:03
Comment From Guest
A Gone!

10:03
Comment From Ruki
TWO RUN GAME

10:03
Comment From Compton
Adrian “Mas Churros Por Favor” Gonzalez 2-run HR. 10-8.

10:03
Comment From Cole
Do you think Mattingly stuck with Kershaw for too long?

10:03
Paul Swydan: Yup.
10:03
Paul Swydan: But it’s not over!
10:03
Comment From Brian
I get runtime error when I try and load the fangraphs homepage?

10:04
Paul Swydan: I have emailed David Appelman. He might be out at a bar though, since he doesn’t have children.
10:04
Paul Swydan: I get it too, FWIW. It’s not just you.
10:04
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
When you catch up/ run out of questions in the queue, do you feel like Crowe in Gladiator? ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!?!?!

10:05
Paul Swydan: In our normal chats, yes, but in these live game blogs you never catch up.
10:05
Comment From Greg
Rosenthal sure can blow a 2 run game though!

10:05
Paul Swydan: Yeah, that’s not as guaranteed.
10:06
Paul Swydan: Trout might have had a shot at that double play if he hadn’t spent so much time on the windup.
10:06
Comment From Hank
BTW – AGon’s walkup music… did he lose a bet?

10:06
Paul Swydan: What is it?
10:06
Comment From hscer
I dunno, Paul, the games are still going, but I don’t think I have any questions, so I will do my part to get you to the end of the queue and leave.

10:06
Paul Swydan: No! Keep asking questions.
10:06
Comment From ralph
Cards-Dodgers is back from commercial.

10:06
Paul Swydan: OK, switched back.
10:06
Comment From hscer
OK here is a question.

10:06
Paul Swydan: Yes?
10:06
Comment From hscer
Who will follow me on Twitter first, you or Eno

10:07
Paul Swydan: Hmmmmmm….I dunno?
10:07
Comment From Guest
Is Shoemaker really any good?

10:07
Paul Swydan: He’s at least decent.
10:07
Comment From The Big Dipper
I have to say, the fact that we get the chance to chat with experts during these games is a real treat. Fangraphs is awesome!!

10:07
Paul Swydan: Experts? (checks behind chair)

Hmmmm….
10:08
Comment From Terrible Ted
did person hscer just get lazy and cut his name

10:08
Paul Swydan: No, I actually got this out of him one time, the HSC is his college. I forget what it stands for though.
10:08
Comment From Zach
Prediction for the Turner AB

10:09
Paul Swydan: My prediction? PAIN.
10:09
Paul Swydan: For the uninitiated:

https://www.youtube.com/wat…
10:09
Comment From Mike D.
when did the mlb playoffs become the Stanley cup playoffs with all these beards?

10:09
Paul Swydan: People are going to be copying Mike Napoli for a long time.
10:09
Comment From Compton
Prediction: Larry King will remain seated.

10:10
Paul Swydan: You mean the robot portaying elderly Larry King?
10:10
Comment From Guest
Thanks, Paul for bringing this blog back to baseball. Watching all day and finally quit reading it.Way too much content on how much everyone had drank, bathroom humor, penis,s and Hitler.

10:10
Paul Swydan: To be fair, it’s hard to keep things fresh all day.
10:10
Paul Swydan: But, thank you!
10:10
Comment From Skoolbolboy jim
I thought it was Jonny Gomes

10:11
Paul Swydan: Well, Jonny Gomes said sabermetrics wasn’t important, so I say his beard wasn’t important. BOOM!
10:11
Comment From semperty
I get the beard for October (well, I don’t, but I get it happens). But can’t these guys cut their hair, at least? Werth and Turner look awful.

10:12
Paul Swydan: Keep in mind that for most of these guys, educaton ceased being a relevant factor in their lives somewhere around sophomore year of high school.
10:12
Comment From hscer
I was actually “Person” for the chats and then someone stole that a couple times, so I added my everywhere-online handle to it, and I recently dropped the person in the chats because, eh

10:12
Paul Swydan: Boom, there you have it!
10:12
Comment From Chris – a Phils fan ordinarily
Whoa! I turn away for a real quick hour and a half to get a lecture on life and family and it’s 10-8 Cardinals?! What a game!

10:13
Paul Swydan: I know what you mean! When it was 6-1 I switched to watch some regular TV on my DVR, and when I was done it was 7-6!
10:13
Comment From ralph
Unless people decide that the beards are too Joba-like and abandon them post-haste.

10:13
Paul Swydan: That’s what I’m hoping for – they’ll go too far.
10:13
Comment From Compton
Eno was just going with the flow. We were all being very immature and he played to the crowd.

10:13
Comment From Brian
Beards are vastly overated

10:14
Paul Swydan: Hey hey, let’s not say things we can’t take back. My beard is glorious.
10:14
Comment From Guest
What in the world happened to Kershaw and Wainwright?

10:14
Paul Swydan: Someone tweeted earlier today that this was the second-warmest start time for a game at Dodger Stadium in like a decade. I’m guessing that has a lot to do with it.
10:15
Comment From Hank
So you are a Red Sox guy correct? Do you think the Red Sox target a FA starter(s) or via trade (maybe with some of their OF surplus?) How many starters do they realistically need to get to be competitive (outside of their existing options)

10:15
Paul Swydan: I think they need at least two starters if good Clay Buchholz is around. So, three starters. And, I have no idea how they get them, but I prefer FA. Don’t trade Mookie!
10:15
Comment From Ruki
Plus people like Werth might, you know, enjoy the way they look.

10:16
Paul Swydan: Yeah, that’s an issue. But this too shall pass.
10:16
Comment From Lyle
semperty, Werth needs to be hairy he is make preparations to hibernate for the winter in the woods.

10:16
Comment From Vic Romano
A 90-minute lecture is not what I would call ‘real quick’

10:17
Paul Swydan: See, now you’re just rubbing salt in the wound.
10:17
Comment From Brian S
I’ve noticed another Brian S around these parts, but I’m the one with the #46 FGTG pitcher

10:17
Paul Swydan: Thanks for clarifying, Brian S!
10:17
Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
Albert Pujols received top billing for the Angels on the show description of the Royals/Angels game. Trout is the third name mentioned

10:17
Paul Swydan: Oh, TBS.
10:18
Comment From George
In the case of ballplayers who dismiss sabermetrics, do they generally know what sabermetrics are?

10:18
Paul Swydan: Generally, no. People fear what they don’t understand, and, see my previous comment about education.
10:19
Comment From semperty
Anyone know the last team to make 4 straight NLCS appearances? I know the Cards could do it this time, and the Phils and Cards have both done it since 2000, but I can’t think of any to make 4 straight recently

10:19
Paul Swydan: Recently, I don’t think anyone. But go back a few decades and it probably happened a bunch. I’ll guess Big Red Machine as the lst time?
10:19
Paul Swydan: Besides what you mentioned, I mean.
10:20
Comment From Kurt
Bunting good decision there?

10:20
Paul Swydan: Nope. What you’re playing for here is a crooked number and to get to a 5 or 6 run lead. Going from 2 to 3 runs isn’t as big of a deal, because it doesn’t change how you manage.
10:20
Paul Swydan: You’re still going to bring in your closer, in other words.
10:20
Comment From The Big Dipper
I like Ernie Johnson and all, but how is it a good idea to have a guy who does literally NO baseball all year call the most important games on your network??

10:20
Paul Swydan: It isn’t.
10:21
Comment From ML
Maybe it’s just me, but when I look at the swings of some of the top prospects in recent years (let’s take Harper, Trout and Taveras for example), the impression i got was that harper and taveras both have too big a swing and rather difficult to adjust to big league pitching. Trout has a very short and compact swing and a really good forearm strength to turn on most pitches. Is there any way to teach a guy a “good swing”? or is it purely talent and instincts?

10:22
Paul Swydan: I can’t say that I agree with Harper having a big swing, but I do on Taveras.

In general, once you draft a guy, you can tinker with his swing, but for the most part you can’t re-invent one. And usually, you wouldn’t want to. A sub optimal swing that a guy is comfortable with is much better than an optimal swing that he isn’t.
10:22
Comment From The Big Dipper
Betances, Garner, Shane Greene, Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez for Tulo who hangs up first?

10:22
Paul Swydan: The Rockies. Sorry, that’s nowhere near good enough.
10:22
Comment From hscer
So did Fox put the NLDS on Fox Sports 1 so that people would have to get Fox Sports 1? Because the regular Fox channel has had absolutely nothing of note on it all day.

10:23
Paul Swydan: The real crime was trying to show a bunch of it on FS2. Either way, I’m not a fan of this. If I was MLB, I would have taken less money to stay on network TV, but that’s a pipe dream.
10:23
Comment From ManWithBeard
A warm night might explain some of it, but man, the Cards were stringing hits together off Kershaw, too, not just hitting it over the fence. I didn’t actually see any of it, but that can’t all be warmth, I can’t imagine.

10:24
Paul Swydan: Obviously not all of it. But there was likely an effect.
10:24
Paul Swydan: OK, someone tell me when STL-LA comes back from commercial!
10:24
Comment From hscer
Vic Romano is a great chat name. Someone should take Kenny Blankenship

10:24
Paul Swydan: I don’t get either reference. 🙁
10:24
Comment From ralph
Trying to figure out a good way to measure Tiger fans’ experience over the last near-decade — a lot of good times, but some truly awful times. Makes me wonder how they rank in the last 10 years for postseason WPA — both overall, and just looking at negative WPA. Seem like a good way for someone with the appropriate skills to measure this?

10:24
Paul Swydan: Oh, we could do that!
10:25
Paul Swydan: That is actually a pretty interesting concept.
10:25
Paul Swydan: Thanks!
10:25
Comment From Ruki
To be fair, Albert Pujols is a pretty big name too. Who was the second name though???

10:25
Paul Swydan: Yeah, that is curious. Shoemaker, because he’s starting? Kendrick?
10:25
Paul Swydan: Oh, or Hamilton.
10:25
Comment From Skore
Maybe TBS meant Pujols, Hamilton and MIKE TROUT.

10:25
Comment From Al Cajon
Can Sal Perez please become a huge star?

10:25
Paul Swydan: I doubt he becomes a HUGE star, but he’s definitely pretty great.
10:26
Comment From Zach
They’re back from commercial

10:26
Paul Swydan: Thanks!
10:26
Comment From ralph
Awesome! It seems like the straight negative WPA has obvious contenders in the Rangers, Tigers, and Cardinals. Net WPA… maybe just Rangers and Tigers, though Cardinals sheer number of games might still work in their favor.

10:26
Paul Swydan: Well, I mean, I just use net WPA. I don’t really get why you would want to look at positive and negative WPA individually. But to each their own.
10:26
Comment From semperty
What did the ump just tell Rosie?

10:27
Paul Swydan: I think he’s just giving him the warnings from when Yadier got his panties in a bunch.
10:27
Comment From Mike Francesa
What channel is the Yankee game on?

10:27
Paul Swydan: Channel 666!
10:27
Comment From Vic Romano
The origins of Vic Romano and Kenny Blankenship — http://en.wikipedia.org/wik…

10:27
Paul Swydan: OK, I never would have gotten that.
10:27
Comment From Guest
Cardinals played in 48 postseason games during 2011-13.

10:27
Comment From Mike Francesa
Isn’t that Fox Sports 7?

10:28
Comment From Compton
The Cardinals and Phillies both went to 3 straight NLCS in the 2000’s, but never 4. The Braves were the last, and they went to 8 straight in the 90’s.

10:28
Paul Swydan: Oh ya, the Braves, LOL. I’m an idiot.
10:28
Comment From hscer
How long ago was the Cubs’ 48th most recent playoff game? 1907?

10:28
Paul Swydan: Probably.
10:28
Paul Swydan: Actually, they might not have ever played in 48 postseason games.
10:29
Comment From The Big Dipper
Copenhagen or Skoal?

10:29
Paul Swydan: Neither?
10:29
Comment From semperty
Yadi? I thought Puig was the one causing issues (I couldn’t watch, so I really don’t know). What actually happened?

10:29
Paul Swydan: I didn’t either, I was only half watching, but Yadier is an angry little boy.
10:29
Comment From Norman
Wouldn’t net WPA miss a lot of excitement? Like the 2004 ALCS might have a net WPA close to zero, but that doesn’t capture the excitement of the series

10:30
Paul Swydan: I guess that’s a fair point. Maybe I’m just a kill joy?
10:30
Paul Swydan: Here we go, Ellis on first.
10:30
Comment From The Big Dipper
Not really feeling this Mcconaughey Lincoln commercial either

10:30
Paul Swydan: Yeah, I could do without that one. If you were really driving Lincoln’s that long ago, show us a picture. I don’t buy it.
10:30
Comment From someone
Gross WPA would probably be the best measure.

10:30
Paul Swydan: There’s no need for name calling!
10:31
Paul Swydan: Andre Ethier lives!
10:31
Comment From Greg
Uh Oh!!

10:31
Comment From hscer
c’mon Dodgers you can do this!

10:31
Comment From mwgris
AJ Ellis is the Dean Norris of the Dodgers

10:31
Comment From Zach
LETS GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10:31
Comment From Josh in DC
I was SURE Either was going to line into a double play there.

10:31
Comment From Zach
Ellis had one more single than walk this year

10:31
Paul Swydan: I’m not sure I understand the Dean Norris comment. Can you elaborate on that one?
10:31
Comment From Guest
No love for the Mcconassance?

10:32
Paul Swydan: I love him. But that ad is straight out of the “hire a celebrity” ad, and as a marketing major, I need a little more than that.
10:32
Comment From ralph
It’d be pretty awesome if Puig literally ruined a baseball here.

10:32
Comment From Ruki
Close game hype!

10:32
Comment From mwgris
The look, the gumption

10:33
Paul Swydan: This is why we watch baseball right here.
10:33
Paul Swydan: 100 mph right there. Cheesy.
10:33
Comment From Greg
Hypothetically, what would happen if Puig got beaned here? Would be interesting…

10:34
Paul Swydan: I would assume Rosenthal would be immediately tossed, since he was warned and all.
10:34
Paul Swydan: Only 99 on that pitch. WEAK!
10:35
Paul Swydan: The FS1 replay thing with the giant “1” is super annoying.
10:35
Paul Swydan: I’m surprised his bat didn’t break there.
10:35
Comment From Lyle
Tossed by the Ump or tossed by Puig?

10:35
Paul Swydan: Yes.
10:35
Paul Swydan: My wife just recoiled in horror from Justin Turner’s beard.
10:36
Comment From Guest
K on a changeup would be great.

10:36
Paul Swydan: Nope, fastball. Oh wow.
10:36
Comment From Greg
or 100mph fastball…

10:36
Comment From Guest
what a game

10:37
Paul Swydan: If this is what we have to look forward to all series, yes please.
10:37
Comment From Vic Romano
The games today have been 3-for-3 so far in terms of being highly watchable affairs.

10:38
Comment From willclark
only thing sweeter than dodger tears is puig tears!

10:38
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Oh boy rather than go straight to the Angels game lets hear Gregg Zaun stay stupid things

10:38
Comment From hscer
and my fellow Nats fans are panicking about facing Hudson and Bumgarner. maybe this Dodgers-Cardinals Game 1 will calm them down.

10:38
Comment From someone
Those screaming idiots inevetably cost themselves more in damaged property than they saved on their bloody cell phone plan.

10:39
Paul Swydan: I don’t even know what ad you’re talking about, but I like the withering critique!
10:39
Comment From Ruki
Why are we not skipping to the Royals game??????

10:39
Paul Swydan: I am, I am.
10:39
Paul Swydan: Only one run in this game so far. Let’s go guys.
10:39
Comment From The Big Dipper
I remember when I was a kid Josh Beckett throwing 97 was the craziest thing..Now I don’t even get excited when I see 100.

10:39
Paul Swydan: Yeah, that is kind of crazy.
10:39
Comment From The Big Dipper
You missed Moustakas bunt single before

10:40
Paul Swydan: No, I did see that, actually. That was pretty sweet.
10:40
Comment From Neil
Thanks for keeping me company since I had audio only for the Card’s game! Good luck with the rest of the chat!

10:40
Paul Swydan: No problemo, thanks Neil!
10:40
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
None of the teams I want to win are winning

10:40
Paul Swydan: Yeah but still.
10:40
Paul Swydan: Wait, you’re not rooting for the Orioles? But they’re so snuggly!
10:40
Comment From Guest
really wish Puig would’ve homered. Bill Plaschke might’ve quit his job and become a hobo

10:41
Paul Swydan: Pretty sure he’s already a hobo…
10:41
Comment From The Big Dipper
So what? None of the teams I want to play are even playing but I’m still watching.

10:41
Paul Swydan: Yeah!
10:41
Comment From hscer
How–or rather, why, I guess–is it the only team with a good rotation in the AL has a crappy bullpen?

10:41
Paul Swydan: The why is because Dave Dombrowski is not as good at free-agent signings as he is at trades, and relievers are more frequently acquired in free agency.
10:41
Comment From Greg
Because….BASEBALL!

10:41
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
Billy Butler looks like 95% of the guys on my softball team.

10:41
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
As a Blue Jays fan, I refuse to root for the Orioles

10:42
Paul Swydan: Oh come on, if I can root for the Orioles, then so can you. It’s not the Orioles’ fault that Beeston and Co were too cheap to pony up for a real team.
10:42
Comment From Ruki
I am rooting for the Orioles and Royals, since it isn’t like my favorite team(s) are playing (Blue Jays and Rockies.) Plus Nevada so I don’t have state allegiance. And I just love how absurd the Orioles/Royals runs have been.

10:43
Paul Swydan: Out of curiousity, how did you pick Rockies and Blue Jays/
10:43
Comment From senpaisanto
as a cubs fan, i refuse to root for the cardinals

10:43
Paul Swydan: That’s legit.
10:43
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Trout vs Kershaw is the optimal World Series

10:43
Paul Swydan: Trout vs Harper might be better.
10:44
Comment From Vic Romano
Ditto the Cubs fan / Cards hate for me as well

10:44
Comment From Cole
With the Giants rotations and some what beat up lineup with no Morse and Pagan do you think they will be able to take down the Nats?

10:44
Paul Swydan: I think it’s an uphill battle, but any non-Bumgarner win is huge. I think the Giants have a legit chance to pull off the upset.
10:45
Comment From Greg
Is Mulaney the crummy show that TBS tries to cram down our throats the next few weeks?

10:45
Paul Swydan: OK!
10:46
Paul Swydan: Cardinals
10:46
Comment From Al Cajon
As a Padres fan, I’m not supposed to root for the Dodgers and Giants but I am. It’s made into an outcast.

10:46
Paul Swydan: Well, you’re not an outcast here!
10:46
Comment From The Big Dipper
Mulaney leaves me longing for the days of Frank TV

10:46
Paul Swydan: Ouch.
10:46
Comment From Gila Monster
Confirm or Deny: The Royals are the worst team, but by far the most entertaining team.

10:47
Paul Swydan: The former is true. The latter is to be determined, but they’ve been fun so far.
10:47
Comment From Ruki
I picked the Blue Jays because Roy Halladay was one of my favorite players for a while and he waso n the Jays when I got into baseball. I root for the Rockies because Rocktober (Or that general run anyway) is one of the few great baseball things I got to watch a lot of when getting into baseball.

10:47
Comment From Ruki
Also since I forgot to mention, the Blue Jays were also the first team I ever used in a baseball video game. I choose them just because they were canadian. That might be why I bothered to look into them quick enough to love Halladay. (I also like the O’s for a similiar reason: Back when I had MLB2K8 I had an O’s franchise I loved and kept hearing about Nick Markakis.)

10:48
Paul Swydan: Wow, just getting into baseball in 2007. That blows my mind. Sorry, I know I’m old.
10:48
Comment From JKB
I’d like to see Royals vs. Dodgers

10:48
Paul Swydan: How would you tell which team is which?!?!?!
10:48
Comment From The Big Dipper
Mike Trout’s post season career is going to be more ARod than Jeter.

10:49
Paul Swydan: OK, let’s just settle down.
10:49
Comment From Vic Romano
I think Trout’s postseason career will be most like Trout’s

10:49
Comment From Gila Monster
Paul, I can’t believe MVP 2005 isn’t everyone’s favorite baseball video game. Damon had 80 power in that game. 40 home runs was completely possible.

10:50
Paul Swydan: I never had it. I had MVP 2004. Does that count?
10:50
Comment From Alan
Why argue with the Big Dipper? He’s 22 — his career’s practically over.

10:50
Paul Swydan: Oh Marge, he’s five, his life is over. Lisa’s the wave of the future!

WAVE OF THE FUTURE!
10:50
Comment From hscer
Wasn’t MVP 04 the one where lefties couldn’t homer?

10:51
Paul Swydan: Was it? I don’t remember that.
10:51
Comment From Al Cajon
I always picked Ichiro first in MVP05 and always won the MVP with him with like 45 home runs and 80 steals.

10:51
Comment From Vic Romano
MVP 2005 was an amazing game. I stole 100 bases with Corey Patterson

10:52
Comment From The Big Dipper
World Series Baseball 2k1 was the worst game ever but I still played it for hours every day

10:52
Comment From Gila Monster
Manny wasn’t on the cover. Doesn’t count. I’d love a poll, because I would bet 90% of the chat thing that is the best baseball video game easily. Ol’ Roy throw the Palmball in that game and Wakefield was impossible to hit.

10:52
Paul Swydan: Come on, I just made a poll!
10:52
Comment From Ben
Do you know the updated odds on the Giants winning the series against Washington?

10:53
Paul Swydan: I don’t, sorry.
10:53
Comment From Hank
Does Ventura’s follow-through on the curve look different than his fastball? I wonder if his arm action is the same (so it won’t tip it to the hitter)

10:53
Paul Swydan: Ideally, obviously, it would be the same, but no, I haven’t watched him intricately enough to pick up on that.
10:54
Comment From Norman
What do you think of the WSJ’s playoff “hateability” index? http://online.wsj.com/artic…

10:54
Paul Swydan: I liked it until they got to the subjective questions, which were obviously inserted to make the Cardinals the most hated.
10:54
Paul Swydan: Which, in a sense, is great, because I hate them the most. But in a more real sense, it was embarrassing, especially for a great paper like the WSJ.
10:55
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
Prado at 2b, A-Rod at 3b, and a rotating DH orrrrr Prado/ Refsnyder at 2b, Prado/ A-Rod at 3b, Prado/ Beltran in Rf, and Beltran/ A-Rod at DH? Headley would obviously be the best option at 3b but I have a feeling that won’t happen.

10:55
Paul Swydan: Sandoval would be the best 3B option.
10:55
Comment From The Big Dipper
Salvy is nice

10:56
Comment From Guest
Re. Hatability index – They forgot the category: Does the city have an arch in it.

10:56
Comment From hscer
Prado A-Rod and Beltran? Are we still talking about old video games?

10:56
Paul Swydan: Ouch.
10:56
Comment From Zach
I have never been so sad over a baseball game

10:57
Paul Swydan: Sorry, Zach!
10:57
Comment From Yoopka
I feel like the hateability index was confirmed with the St. Louis Mayor’s response

10:57
Paul Swydan: Oh ya, that was amateur hour.
10:57
Comment From Table
Can we please not do the “because baseball” thing anymore? I can’t stand how mimelicious our today culture has become

10:57
Paul Swydan: Agreed.
10:57
Paul Swydan: I never do that, for the record. It’s smarmy at best.
10:57
Comment From hscer
ooh, what’d the STL mayor say?

10:58
Paul Swydan: Someone help me out with a link.
10:58
Comment From Guest
My friend in LA(lives 7mins away from Dodger Stadium) has made $300 so far doing Uber driving….before the game ended. Screw him especially after he did work on a video for Carmelo two weeks ago

10:58
Paul Swydan: Well the important thing is that you’re not bitter about it.
10:58
Paul Swydan: But, remember, you got to watch the game, and he/she was in their car the whole time, and that totally sucks.
10:58
Comment From Joe
Can’t tell if you’re being sarcatic about the WSJ being a great paper. Fiscal conservative, Paul?

10:59
Paul Swydan: I wasn’t being sarcastic.
10:59
Paul Swydan: I like the WSJ.
11:00
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
http://deadspin.com/the-may…

11:00
Comment From Greg
http://online.wsj.com/artic…

11:00
Comment From Greg
Talk about smarmy…

11:00
Paul Swydan: For liking a newspaper? Tough crowd!
11:00
Comment From Greg
This might be the funniest thing I’ve read all year…

11:01
Paul Swydan: The St Louis thing or me liking the WSJ?
11:01
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Nope I’m sorry this is the best line “We’re sorry for our diverse community in that more Bosnians—over 60,000—call St. Louis home than anywhere outside of Bosnia.”

11:01
Paul Swydan: SO diverse.
11:01
Comment From Greg
st louis mayor response!

11:01
Paul Swydan: Just, just stop talking, St. Louis mayor. I’m not even going to refer to him by name.
11:01
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Theres nothing wrong with Bosnians but using that as a selling point for your city is hilarious

11:02
Paul Swydan: Exactly.
11:02
Comment From channelclemente
Does Puig have the instructions for his bat flip tattooed on his neck. I swear I saw him with a mirror before that last AB.

11:02
Comment From hscer
lol I stopped reading when he bragged about Budweiser

11:02
Paul Swydan: Don’t miss the action? What action? Come on Angels, do something!
11:02
Comment From Francis Slay
why every castin’ shade

11:02
Paul Swydan: That’s not a complete sentence.
11:03
Paul Swydan: There we go, Howie Kendrick.
11:03
Comment From Francis Slay
neither are

11:03
Paul Swydan: What game are you playing at, Francis Slay?!?!?
11:03
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
Over the last three years Panda has a cumulative WAR OF 7.9 while Headley has 15.2. I know Headley’s outlier 2012 is in there and Sandoval’s younger but he will command a longer and more expensive contract. Give me Headley all day errday.

11:04
Paul Swydan: I dunno, Headley is older and has a habit of being brittle. I’d rather have Pablo.
11:04
Comment From Francis Slay
what game are you sywndad

11:04
Comment From Vic Romano
Did you see the newsreel they recently found from the 1924 World Series? — http://www.washingtonpost.c…

11:04
Paul Swydan: I did, but haven’t watched it yet.
11:04
Comment From Ben
Sandoval missed huge amounts of time with freak injuries. Had both hamate bones removed. Has no more hamate bones to injure.

11:04
Paul Swydan: Key word “freak.” Whereas Headley just breaks down.
11:05
Paul Swydan: OK, little no-out bingo here. Could be a big inning if Scioscia’s buntiness doesn’t get in the way.
11:05
Comment From Guest
I find all the sign stealing talk quite funny.

11:05
Paul Swydan: Sad is the better word for it.
11:05
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
“We’re sorry that at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis Richard Blechynden served tea with ice, thus inventing iced tea (although not the rapper/actor Ice-T).” Oh. My. God.

11:05
Paul Swydan: Wait did someone say that?
11:05
Comment From The Big Dipper
I think the fact that Headley doesn’t weigh 650 lbs makes up for the fact that he’s a year older

11:05
Paul Swydan: Well, I think it doesn’t, so there.
11:06
Comment From Marsupial Jones
Hamate Bone sounds like a 30’s jazz singer.

11:06
Comment From Joe
Paul, as a Sox guy are you already sick of Sox fans calling for them to sign Sandoval?

11:06
Paul Swydan: No, since I’m leading that bandwagon. Sign Sandoval! If Middlebrooks is good in Spring Training (he won’t be) then they can trade him.
11:06
Comment From hscer
holy crap the mayor wrote that Ice-T line. sigh

11:06
Paul Swydan: Hahahahahahaha.
11:07
Comment From ralph
What are your thoughts on Cecchini for 3B in 2015?

11:07
Paul Swydan: I think he’ll make a great backup third baseman if the team needs one of those. (Note: they won’t need one of those)
11:07
Comment From Joe
What about Cecchini, Holt, or Xander at 3B?

11:08
Paul Swydan: Xander is a shortstop, Holt is the utility guy and Cecchini is the guy at Triple-A who they call up if someone gets hurt.
11:08
Comment From Ben
you can’t have sandoval 🙁

11:08
Paul Swydan: Oh, but we can!
11:08
Paul Swydan: Also, stupid double play.
11:08
Paul Swydan: I think Aybar might have been hurt more there than Escobar was.
11:08
Comment From The Big Dipper
Bogaerts or Profar?

11:09
Paul Swydan: Bogaerts.
11:09
Comment From Vic Romano
Great double play. Why aren’t you rooting for the Royals?

11:09
Paul Swydan: I’m not not rooting for the Royals, I just want to see some excitement. That was a boring double play.
11:09
Comment From Jake
That’s not good

11:09
Comment From dude
uh oh

11:09
Comment From Hank
Most damage Hamilton has done in a while! /rimshot

11:09
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
If that was Yadi that got hit with the bat he’d attack Hamilton

11:10
Comment From Lon Jolla
Josh Hamilton could not give less of a shit that he just bashed Perez in the head.

11:10
Comment From Sean P.
Time for the that’s the first time Hamilton’s made contact all series jokes.

11:10
Comment From semperty
Hamilton apparently doesn’t care that he just obliterated Perez’s head. What an ass.

11:10
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
Headley has played in at least 135 games in five of the last six years. Panda? Four. Even when Headley plays injured he’s better.

11:10
Paul Swydan: I’m sorry, I don’t want a guy playing injured. I want him to either be injured or playing.
11:10
Comment From Mike
Is it my imagination or has Hamilton done this multiple times?

11:11
Paul Swydan: It’s probably not your imagination. Hamilton’s swing is long, and he swings at everything.
11:11
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
The concussion test is oddly adorable

11:11
Paul Swydan: It kind of is.
11:11
Comment From semperty
Anyone else notice Hamilton looked at Perez and then spit in that direction? Might’ve been the slow motion making it look worse, but that’s awful.

11:12
Comment From Ben
sandoval would hit like 10 more home runs a year if he didn’t play at at&t park

11:12
Comment From Lon Jolla
Pretty sure that spittle escaped from Hamilton’s mouth before he realized what happened.

11:12
Comment From DWrek
Hamilton is a constant spitter. In the OF its spit in hand, rub on grass, rub balls. Rinse (literally), repeat.

11:13
Comment From Guest
When will people get over steroids? Players chose a slight boost in performance at a significant medical and personal costs? I mean if you present an average person with enchanced physical strength but told them they could develop breasts,impotence, infertility,acne,balding,liver damage…etc. They would probably deny it. People view it as cheating, but don’t understand how much these players might have to give up.

11:13
Paul Swydan: Blame Congress.
11:14
Comment From The Big Dipper
PLEEEASEE no steroid talk

11:14
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Wow Zaun just kind of accused Ventura of juicing

11:14
Paul Swydan: Is Zaun doing the radio broadcast?
11:14
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
I’d take Hanley in 120 and a replacement level in the other 42 over Brendan Ryan for 162. Bad analogy but you know what I mean. I get what you’re saying too.

11:14
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Gregg Zaun: “Ventura is really good and thats why they shouldn’t have used him out of the bullpen in the WC game”.

11:14
Paul Swydan: I don’t get that sentiment RE: Ventura. But OK?
11:14
Comment From Terrible Ted
What happens if a catcher snap throws into the batters head?

11:14
Paul Swydan: He’d probably hurt his arm?
11:15
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
He’s doing TV analysis for Canada and they cut to him after every few innings

11:15
Comment From Marsupial Jones
No one should take anything Greg Zaun says seriously.

11:15
Comment From Ben
Zaun is a clown

11:15
Comment From Yosted
Question for someone who knows rules better than I: Does that play count as dead ball?

11:16
Paul Swydan: WHen Hamilton hit Perez in the head? Yes, because I’m sure the ump called time.
11:16
Comment From hscer
This commercial just identified Chili’s, Denny’s, and Outback Steakhouse as every viewer’s favorite restaurants.

11:16
Paul Swydan: Sounds about right. ‘Merica.
11:16
Comment From someone
http://assets.sbnation.com/…

11:17
Paul Swydan: OK, well that’s funny.I was envisioning more the catcher standing to throw out a runner.
11:17
Comment From Yosted
The ump called it, just didn’t know if it was something automatic…if the players wanted to be unsportsmanlike, could they have run on it

11:17
Paul Swydan: Oh. Well, yes, but I think as soon as the ump calls time they have to go back to their base, no matter how far they were.
11:17
Comment From Lon Jolla
Everyone’s going nuts because Hamilton made a routine catch on the run.

11:18
Paul Swydan: Counts as excitement in this one.
11:18
Comment From Krusty
I’ve always interpreted Beane’s comment from Moneyball.. “My sh*t doesn’t work in the playoffs” as applying to everyone, not just the A’s. In other words, playoffs are a crapshoot and no team or person can be guaranteed a championship no matter how they’re built. Case in point, Kershaw tonight.

11:18
Paul Swydan: Yeah. Blame Michael Lewis for not making that point more emphatically. Or blame Beane for swearing in a sentence.
11:18
Comment From chuckb
If Perez is woozy, he absolutely should not stay in the game. I don’t care what he says or how many fingers he sees.

11:19
Paul Swydan: Well, how could he not be woozy, right? I mean, he got hit in the head.

But, they came right out and did a few minutes worth of tests on him. They did things right. If they say he’s not concussed, then OK. This isn’t a Michigan thing.
11:19
Comment From Chris – a Phils fan ordinarily
So, has anyone else pointed out that Matt Shoemaker is simply Brian Wilson wearing an Angels uniform?

11:20
Paul Swydan: Uh, I don’t think so. Care to elaborate?
11:20
Comment From The Big Dipper
I thought it was made pretty clear that the playoffs were a crapshoot in Moneyball. In fact, I’m pretty sure he says that verbatim at some point in the book.

11:20
Paul Swydan: Yeah but was there a swear in that sentence?
11:21
Paul Swydan: BTW, this seems like a good place to point out that one of the articles in the Hardball Times Annual this year is a piece on which book front offices think is more important – The Book or Moneyball. It’s gonna be cool. We queried front office peeps and everything!
11:21
Comment From Gus Lamp
The Padres held a private workout for Tomas today. Please tell me that’s serious.

11:21
Paul Swydan: Well, the one thing that A.J. Preller that I know is that he has a good reputation with international signs. So, maybe? That’d certainly be a nice change of pace.
11:22
Paul Swydan: OK, brb, I need a snack.
11:25
Paul Swydan: Back!
11:25
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
Snack? You beering, Paul? What kind?

11:25
Paul Swydan: I had my last Allagash White earlier tonight. So unprepared.
11:25
Comment From Greg
Poll: What snack will Paul bring back? Pringles, Doritos, Triscuits, Peanuts

11:26
Paul Swydan: None. I got a tiny bowl of walnuts and dark choc pieces.
11:26
Comment From JKB
Made a Rhode Island coffee milk. Love Providence.

11:26
Paul Swydan: I don’t know what that is.
11:26
Comment From The Big Dipper
Did you know that now you can mix the physical freedom of the car with the virtual freedom of Wi-fi?

11:26
Paul Swydan: That was in an ad earlier, wasn’t it? That was weird.
11:26
Comment From Mr. Mustard
Marte for Cashner, who says no?

11:26
Paul Swydan: The Pirates. In a heartbeat.
11:26
Comment From The Big Dipper
Your thoughts on the Players Tribune?

11:27
Paul Swydan: I don’t know what that is.
11:27
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
Sheesh. I know I’d be beering if I were contractually obligated to deal with people like me trying to prove who knew more about a child’s game.

11:27
Paul Swydan: Well, I’m not contractually obligated. Neither Cameron or Appelman are paying attention at this point. If I called it a night, no one would say anything to me. I stay because I love you guys!
11:27
Comment From Guest
Do you have any good recipes for pulled pork>

11:28
Paul Swydan: Oooooo, no. You want Eno or Dave for that. I know how to make string cheese.
11:28
Paul Swydan: Step one – take string cheese out of the wrapper. Step two – eat.
11:28
Comment From Hank
Pineda + a decent prospect for Castro? Too risky for the Cubs?

11:28
Paul Swydan: I could see this, but think the Cubs can get more.
11:28
Comment From chuckb
I don’t know what a “Michigan thing” is, but forgive me if I’m skeptical when a team representative, who has an interest in keeping a good catcher in a playoff game, says “he guessed right when I asked him how many fingers and, by the way, our backup catcher is Erik Kratz. ”

11:29
Paul Swydan: The University of Michigan coach ignored his QB getting a concussion last week. It turned into a big thing.
11:29
Paul Swydan: I mean, I don’t know what those tests were, but a medical expert could see them, as they were all filmed, and tell us if he was being above board or not. So, that leads me to believe that he WAS being above board.
11:30
Comment From Matt
What are the chances of 2 Rhode Islanders in a Fangraphs chat? Pretty slim.

11:30
Comment From Yoopka
Why are health tests not supervised by neutral MLB doctors?

11:30
Paul Swydan: Because MLB is cheap?
11:30
Comment From Greg
Where does Ned Yost rank on your managers list? 29? 30?

11:30
Paul Swydan: Yes.
11:30
Comment From The Big Dipper
Ok let’s all watch Trout choke

11:31
Paul Swydan: I’m pretty sure I already told you to settle down RE: Trout.
11:31
Paul Swydan: Don’t make me raise my voice!
11:31
Comment From semperty
If this pitch isn’t a high fastball, Ventura’s doing it wrong.

11:31
Comment From chuckb
That, the Michigan thing, is exactly my point. We’ve seen too often that these team representatives too often act in the short term interest of the team, to the long term detriment of the player.

11:32
Paul Swydan: But if I’m remembering that right, it was the coach who turned a blind eye on purpose. Here, there was no blind eye turning, they rushed out of the dugout and stopped the game. Far more transparent.
11:32
Comment From someone
Lets watch The Big Dipper choke!

11:32
Paul Swydan: Come on people, we’re all in this together.
11:32
Comment From The Big Dipper
I actually like Trout a lot, I just have a feeling he’s going to struggle

11:32
Paul Swydan: Well, he is 22.
11:32
Comment From chuckb
I’m no Yost fan, but he destroyed Bob Melvin Tuesday.

11:33
Paul Swydan: Destroyed is a strong word, but it wasn’t Melvin’s best game.
11:33
Comment From hscer
So how is it that the roster contstructed by a bad front office who hires a bad manager has this much success?

11:33
Paul Swydan: Every dog has its day?
11:33
Paul Swydan: And also the front office did develop a bunch of good players.
11:34
Paul Swydan: Trout didn’t choke, Big Dipper. What say you?
11:34
Comment From Ben
Curious why the analytics community doesn’t like the Royals. Poor plate discipline?

11:34
Paul Swydan: Hold one.
11:34
Paul Swydan: http://www.hardballtimes.co…
11:34
Paul Swydan: The Royals, do however, play very good defense and have a very good bullpen. These things are very important in the postseason.
11:35
Paul Swydan: So they’re not going to go away quietly.
11:35
Comment From The Big Dipper
I say good job Trout

11:35
Comment From Matt
I think it is a bit unfair to call the Royal’s front office terrible. They had one of the best farms system of all time a couple years ago…..Just nobody really panned out, which seems to be more up to luck than anythung.

11:35
Paul Swydan: Do we really need to go over the Myers/Odorizzi trade again?
11:35
Paul Swydan: Woo, tie game!
11:36
Paul Swydan: Did Moustakas just sit on Trout? He had him pinned down.
11:36
Comment From Vic Romano
Trout nearly TOOTBLAPed himself….

11:36
Comment From Del Martin
Does Yost wear that one?

11:36
Comment From The Big Dipper
I am no a mcahine, I am just Albert

11:37
Paul Swydan: I don’t think so. Not like Pujols knocked the crap out of that one.
11:37
Paul Swydan: Also, Ventura is only at 81 pitches, and the Royals are on their third high stress game in four days, with the other two both having gone long.
11:38
Paul Swydan: They probably need as much as Ventura can give them.
11:38
Comment From JKB
they must have Ventura’s TJ surgery scheduled for November…

11:38
Paul Swydan: Getting a little chippy in here!
11:38
Comment From hscer
I keep seeing this Drew Fairservice article out of the corner of my eye and thinking it says “The Dodgers Surprising Offensive Tweet”

11:38
Comment From Chris – a Phils fan ordinarily
If this Royals have ANOTHER game that goes extras…I won’t do anything about it, because I am ultimately powerless, especially in that scenario.

11:38
Paul Swydan: Agreed.
11:39
Comment From semperty
I think the Angels employ every ginger in baseball.

11:39
Paul Swydan: Did they sign Aaron Cook?
11:39
Comment From Vic Romano
You wanted excitement….chippy = exciting

11:39
Paul Swydan: That’s true. You got me there.
11:39
Comment From chuckb
Kendrick again makes the 3rd out with runners on. Did it 3 times last night.

11:39
Paul Swydan: Yeah, but still.
11:39
Comment From wooderson
is there an easy way to get to the top of the chat?@

11:39
Paul Swydan: No, I don’t think so. Sorry.
11:39
Comment From Ben
“Albert’s one of those older players, he doesn’t run well anymore.” Wait, aren’t there like eight years left on his contract?

11:40
Paul Swydan: Both things are true.
11:40
Comment From ralph
Ned Yost must really hate the 6th inning.

11:40
Paul Swydan: Hahahahahahahahahah
11:40
Comment From Ben
pull yordano now?

11:41
Paul Swydan: Aybar, Freese and Hamilton next inning? I’d let him start and give him until a runner reaches second.
11:41
Paul Swydan: He’s still at just 84 pitches, and has cruised for most of the game.
11:41
Comment From Del Martin
The Angles have one of the highest payrolls in baseball and Kendrick is their cleanup hitter.

11:42
Paul Swydan: I’m pretty confused as to why he is the cleanup hitter though. It should be Iannetta or Hamilton or even Cron. I don’t get their lineup.
11:42
Comment From semperty
Did Albert ever run the bases well…?

11:43
Paul Swydan: He’s stolen between 14 and 16 bases in three different seasons. So, yes.
11:43
Paul Swydan: Even with his recent foot problems, he still has a positive career UBR.
11:43
Comment From Ben
Vogelsong or Petit in Game 4 for SF?

11:43
Paul Swydan: Petit.
11:44
Comment From Gila Monster
Given he isn’t going to be a Royal in 2015, the Royals should be absoutely abusing Shield, not Ventura. Even Holland, who they should probably trade away.

11:44
Paul Swydan: That’d be a pretty great way to make sure no free agents ever sign with your team.
11:44
Comment From Hank
Is Herrerra out?

11:44
Paul Swydan: Yes, he had a forearm thing. They hope he’s back for Game 3.
11:45
Comment From someone
Angels have one of the highest payrolls in baseball, and are starting zero below average hitters

11:45
Comment From Yosted
Trout, Pujols and Hamilton are 1 for 20 so far

11:45
Paul Swydan: Is that good?
11:45
Comment From Guest
Estimate how much older is Pujols than his birth certificate says?

11:45
Paul Swydan: Less than 10 days.
11:46
Comment From dude
what do the red dots on the win probability chart represent?

11:46
Paul Swydan: I think they’re just the most significant plays in the game, but I guess I don’t know for sure.
11:46
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
The man was worth 58.8 WAR from 2003-2010. No lower than 7.0, got up to 9.6. If that’s not a machine than neither was Arnold.

11:47
Paul Swydan: Chill out, dickwad!

Sorry, that’s a Terminator 2 quote when Arnold tries to seem more human. It’s appropriate, I swear.
11:47
Comment From Mike
Peres is the anti Frank Thomas, if he doesn’t swing it can’t be a strike

11:48
Paul Swydan: We actually have an article coming up at The Hardball Times from Bradley Woodrum on this very topic, which he dubbed “The Tony Gwynn Effect.”
11:48
Comment From Guest
What are the chances for a Royals-Pirates World Series in the next 5 years? It would be bonkers.

11:48
Paul Swydan: I’m going to say very low.
11:48
Comment From Guest
Re. Pujols baserunning – He has always been slow, but he is an extremely smart baserunner.

11:48
Comment From The Big Dipper
Do you think there’s still a decent number of guys in the league with falsified birth certificates?

11:48
Paul Swydan: I don’t, but maybe I’m just a dreamer.
11:49
Comment From Guest
How many people in chat?

11:49
Paul Swydan: Still over 650. We were up to 750 at the end of the STL-LAD game.
11:49
Comment From Displaced Royals Fan
This high strike zone is a little ridiculous

11:49
Comment From Guest
Paul. Don’t start with Terminator. Carson’s chat eneded up with a “time machine Hitler

11:50
Paul Swydan: Yeah but Carson is just making stuff up. I am quoting movies here, and those are totally real life.
11:50
Paul Swydan: Quick question – does any still refer to the dude in Scandal as the dude from Terminator 2?

None of you watch Scandal, do you? Damnit.
11:50
Comment From Justin
Is that a hedge, in the sense that any specific WS matchup is “very low”? Or is it relative to those participants?

11:50
Paul Swydan: Both!
11:51
Comment From hscer
who watches scandal :

11:51
Paul Swydan: Damnit.
11:51
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Scandal has been on my watch list for like two years and every time I go to start it I find something I think will be better

11:51
Comment From Ben
Petit (SFG) is pretty good, isn’t he? Sad that I have to clarify who I’m talking about. Guy came within one out of perfecto last year and this year set all-time record for consecutive batters retired.

11:51
Paul Swydan: He’s OK. He’s good considering what he almost was, which was a nobody.
11:52
Comment From The Big Dipper
According to EJ, it’s “amazing” that the Angels and Royals have the same hit total two nights in a row

11:52
Paul Swydan: Not amazing, but it’s worth noting.
11:52
Comment From Vic Romano
What scandal? Is it called scandal-gate?

11:52
Paul Swydan: Ha.
11:52
Comment From JKB
Been watching Parks and Recreation straight through since I moved to Providence

11:52
Comment From Ryan
I watch Scandal and never realized until now that Olivia’s dad was Miles Dyson.

11:52
Paul Swydan: WHAT?!?!?!? I feel so betrayed.
11:53
Paul Swydan: I’d like to point out that Ventura cruised through those two batters.
11:53
Comment From hscer
Actually I am not a fair person for TV or movie analysis. I only watch sports, Archer, and sometimes Jeopardy on TV. And there is on average 1 movie every 5 years that I want to see, none of which I end up attending.

11:53
Paul Swydan: I was with you up to the point where you said you never see movies.
11:53
Comment From The Big Dipper
If Pablo is older than his birth certificate suggests, then we can call him Pablo Scandleval

11:54
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
You’re my new favorite fangrapher. I was tempted to wade through you reach down your throat and pull out your heart though.

11:54
Paul Swydan: Well, it’s still an option.
11:54
Comment From Ben
101 mph in the 7th by the starter is kind of insane.

11:54
Paul Swydan: Indeed it is.
11:55
Comment From hscer
Sorry! Does it help or hurt that the 5 year cycle has arrived with the ads for The Judge?

11:55
Paul Swydan: Rental.
11:55
Comment From The Big Dipper
I’m thinking this gun might be a little juiced though

11:55
Paul Swydan: Still tho.
11:55
Paul Swydan: PitchF/X has a 100 and a 101 in this AB.
11:55
Comment From chuckb
There aren’t more than 4-5 movies per year that are worth seeing.

11:56
Paul Swydan: No way. You guys need to lower your noses a little!
11:56
Comment From hscer
Remember when Verlander could do that? I’ll take Ventura though. Idea: only sign V-pitchers to start. Except Pat Venditte.

11:56
Paul Swydan: Could be limiting, but let’s see where it goes.
11:56
Comment From The Big Dipper
I’m looking forward to seeing The Drop…Gandolfini’s last movie

11:56
Paul Swydan: Don’t know too much about that one.
11:56
Comment From Guest
Movie worth seeing this year: The Giver.

11:57
Paul Swydan: I’ve heard good things.
11:57
Comment From chuckb
Yeah, I forgot about classics like Terminator 2! Only snobs think that one sucks!

11:57
Paul Swydan: Are you insulting Terminator 2 or me? Or both?
11:57
Comment From hscer
Last movie I actually saw, want to or not, was Godzilla with some buddies this June. My review: the room was sufficiently dark but it was a little noisy.

11:57
Paul Swydan: Saw that in the theater as well. Enjoyed it.
11:58
Comment From Sean P.
People who think there are only 4-5 movies a year worth seeing are generally the idiots who put Transformers at the top of the box office every year.

11:58
Paul Swydan: I don’t think that statement applies to chuckb.
11:58
Comment From chuckb
Just terminator 2.

11:58
Paul Swydan: Terminator 2 is a classic!
11:58
Paul Swydan: 8.5 on imdb
11:59
Paul Swydan: 92% on rotten tomatoes
11:59
Comment From Matt
“idiots” is a strong statement

11:59
Paul Swydan: Also this.
11:59
Comment From The Big Dipper
I think the people who think there are only 4-5 good movies a year are the people that only watch movies that are 90% or better on rotten tomatoes

11:59
Paul Swydan: Like Terminator 2?
11:59
Comment From Guest
Two things: The Judge is unrealistic because no judge faces criminal charges in the US. The Givers was flawded book and probably worse movie that didn’t address that various philosophical questions is presented.

11:59
Paul Swydan: Yeesh, who invited captain killjoy into the chat?
12:00
Comment From Vic Romano
I recently watched Bill & Ted again. Another classic, and like So Crates, I also love baseball. http://s30.postimg.org/x7ro…

12:00
Paul Swydan: Hey, it’s a new day!
12:00
Comment From MNzach
How long until moose is out of the bigs? .290 obp in 1800+ abs seems like a decent indication of true talent.

12:00
Paul Swydan: I think his homer last night bought him another two years.
12:00
Comment From Guest
Transformers is great if you are looking for giant robots and explosions. I don’t want that in every movie that I watch, but it is awesome.

12:00
Paul Swydan: Yes.
12:01
Comment From chuckb
Didn’t make it to Transformers. I guess I’m just lacking Sean P’s appreciation of culture.

12:01
Paul Swydan: I guess that’s it.
12:01
Comment From Guest
I’m a pretentious film student, can we talk about Boyhood?

12:01
Paul Swydan: Sure, if you want. I didn’t see it yet though, because it sounded like a rental.
12:01
Comment From Ben
is this game really that boring?

12:01
Paul Swydan: You tell me.
12:01
Paul Swydan: It’s the 8th inning and we’ve had 10 hits.
12:01
Comment From The Big Dipper
Boyz in the Hood? That’s a great one

12:02
Paul Swydan: Agreed.
12:02
Comment From chuckb
Moose is the Terminator 2 of 3rd basemen!

12:02
Paul Swydan: ChuckB, let’s not say things we can’t take back.
12:02
Comment From Mike "the easy out" Trout
So Paul, will I ever figure out how to hit high heat?

12:02
Paul Swydan: Most hitters can’t hit high heat.
12:03
Paul Swydan: You do realize that, right?
12:03
Comment From Matt
Ron Darling just said it is easy to throw 100. Not sure he ever threw above 85

12:03
Paul Swydan: Can we get someone to investigate that?
12:03
Comment From hscer
LOL, I think Ventura heard the TBS guy talking about him

12:03
Comment From Dprat
The Drop… Best movie I’ve seen in over a year. (I see about 15-20 movies a year.

12:03
Comment From James
He was definitely above 85

12:03
Paul Swydan: But not 100 though.
12:04
Comment From hscer
Have you given up on my comments about movies, Paul?

12:04
Paul Swydan: I’m trying to steer us back to baseball before ChuckB gets upset again.
12:05
Paul Swydan: I feel like Joe Smith is sweating more than he should be, but 1-2-3, so whatever.
12:05
Comment From Matt
Ventura or Davis here?

12:06
Paul Swydan: Tough. Probably need someone new for Calhoun, so might as well get that new person in for a fresh inning.
12:06
Comment From Vic Romano
Ventura is done.

12:06
Comment From chuckb
The Drop was good but it was hardly one of the best I’ve seen. Of course, I don’t go watch all the 90 superhero explosion movies that come out every year catering to 15 year old boys.

12:07
Paul Swydan: ChuckB, what are the movies you’ve seen this year. I’m legitimately curious now.
12:07
Comment From hscer
Congratulions, Ned Yost. You have reached the 8th inning and unlocked “Wade Davis.” — I wish I could remember who the guy I am stealing this from was.

12:07
Comment From Guest
Do you buy into Hosmer or Moose being solid major leaguers? Incredible pedigree and skill set with terrible major league performances?

12:07
Paul Swydan: Hosmer is a solid player. Not great, but worth keeping around. Moustakas, not as much.
12:08
Comment From Adam
Did anyone see Gone Girl this morning before MLB started? I assume no one had work.

12:08
Paul Swydan: What’s work?
12:08
Comment From The Big Dipper
What’s Gone Girl?

12:08
Paul Swydan: Well that escalated quickly.
12:08
Paul Swydan: Ned Yost is still smiling because he knows he can’t be criticized for bringing in Davis.
12:09
Comment From EP
How do fans of other teams perceive the Giants? I take it it’s not quite Cardinals-level disdain, but are they a particularly dislikable team? Or do they just kind of exist and people don’t care?

12:09
Paul Swydan: I think it’s more that Giants fans are unlikeable. Most Giants fans are bitter and whiny. The Giants themselves are kind of fun. They’d be even more fun if Pagan was healthy.
12:10
Comment From The Big Dipper
stay classy, fangraphs

12:10
Paul Swydan: You can’t make us!
12:10
Comment From Ben
Fans trying to grab the ball. Amateurs!

12:10
Comment From Joe
Transformers is horrendous and insulting, even if you want giant robots and explosions. The notion that in order to get giant robots and explosions you need everything else to be terrible is bs.

12:11
Paul Swydan: Transformers succeeded far more than I thought it would. I was excited for it because I grew up with it. But I didn’t think $1 billion worth of people did.
12:11
Comment From Jon
Wade Davis throws hard

12:11
Comment From chuckb
The Drop. I’ve seen a few on Amazon Prime. I saw American Hustle. That was good. Dallas Buyers Club was good.

12:11
Paul Swydan: I saw American Hustle, I thought it was like 30 minutes too long.
12:12
Paul Swydan: I haven’t seen DBC yet. Or The Drop. Want to see DBC. I think it’s on HBO now. Need to DVR it.
12:12
Comment From semperty
Wait..so people actually dislike the Cardinals, but just dislike the Giants’ fans? What’s to hate about the Cardinals team?

12:12
Paul Swydan: Matheny
12:12
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Yes, Ventura did hear him https://twitter.com/Lana/st…

12:12
Paul Swydan: Hahahaha
12:12
Comment From hscer
Okay, not you Paul, honest, but “bitter and whiny” always makes me think of Pats/Sox fans.

12:13
Paul Swydan: Well, OK.
12:13
Paul Swydan: Oh WOW WOW WOW, that can’t happen if you’re the Angels.
12:13
Paul Swydan: Ripken finally says something and it’s 100% wrong. Good times.
12:14
Paul Swydan: Also, what’s up with that slide? That was WIllie Mays Hayes-esque!
12:14
Comment From ralph
Wow, Dyson!

12:14
Comment From Guest
Did you see the doc Ellis doc? Pretty cool

12:14
Paul Swydan: Want to.
12:14
Comment From chuckb
I’m a Cards fan. Loved Matheny as a player. Loathe him as a manager.

12:14
Comment From MNzach
Dyson is a man.

12:14
Paul Swydan: Not yet 40, though.
12:14
Comment From semperty
Cardinals fans hate Matheny, too. Next?

12:15
Comment From chuckb
I mentioned this the other night. It makes no sense that Aoki starts over Dyson. Super play.

12:15
Paul Swydan: Yeah, Dyson is a little underrated. I still like that they have both of them though.
12:15
Comment From Alan
Cowgill not even close. How are you out by that much?

12:16
Paul Swydan: The slide was really, really bad. Almost a belly flop.
12:16
Comment From Jon
runs like mays, hits like hayes

12:16
Comment From Ben
what did ripken say?

12:17
Paul Swydan: That it’s a gamble worth taking, trying to get to third. Which it wasn’t. It was medium depth, and the Angels have had like 4 base runners the whole game. AND the top of the order was coming up. I can’t possibly think of a less defensible play to run on.
12:17
Paul Swydan: What I’m saying is that Cal Ripken should just go back to being quiet.
12:17
Comment From hscer
oh, an I’m a man I’m 40 reference. nice.

12:17
Comment From Jon
what’s the most runs kershaw gave up in any game this year?

12:17
Paul Swydan: I think 7 in 3 innings early in the season.
12:17
Comment From Jon
it wasn’t that good of a throw by Dyson

12:18
Paul Swydan: It was a pretty good throw though.
12:18
Comment From Del Martin
Where does Scioscia rank as a manager?

12:18
Paul Swydan: Definitely in the bottom half.
12:18
Comment From chuckb
DBC is worth seeing just for McConaghey. He was fantastic.

12:18
Paul Swydan: Well, it’s worth seeing just for the scene with Adam Dunn, but yes, also because of MMc.
12:18
Comment From Oblarg
If this goes into extra innings, do you think all the extra playing time has any effect on the winner of this series in the ALCS?

12:19
Paul Swydan: I think it’d be hard to quantify that in any respect other than the bullpen, and the rosters can be changed in between series if a guy or two is really gassed. So, no.
12:19
Comment From Big Yakker
Does anyone else wanna see Matheney and Ausmus brawl? guess thats Szymborki question

12:19
Paul Swydan: That is indeed!
12:19
Comment From semperty
I know they’re both lefties, but maybe you platoon them? Dyson v. RHP, Aoki vs. LHP?

12:20
Paul Swydan: It’s probably not that simple.
12:20
Comment From Ryan
You would think that Cal would add value to the announcer role, but A. he doesn’t speak and B. when he does speak, he spouts cliches and incorrect information. What gives?

12:20
Paul Swydan: Cal Ripken has spent a lifetime saying nothing offensive. It’s hard to break that habit, especially since his little league does big business.
12:21
Paul Swydan: I actually have a hard time thinking of a worse person to be a color guy.
12:21
Comment From James
Who do you think came out on top in the Greinke for Cain et al trade?

12:21
Paul Swydan: Well, certainly not the Brewers in the long term.
12:21
Comment From The Big Dipper
Jon, you’re in front of a computer. Just look up his game log.

12:21
Paul Swydan: Maybe Jon is on his phone?
12:21
Comment From Guest
The TBS booth slightly improves when Ripken falls asleep

12:22
Comment From Vic Romano
If there’s one constant in baseball…the better a man was as a player, the worse he is as an announcer.

12:22
Paul Swydan: Not true. Pedro is great at both!
12:22
Paul Swydan: But that’s because Pedro gives 0 F’s. Ripken has something to lose.
12:22
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
Wage Davis’ contact% is 69.3 this year down from 83.0 last year. Can this be attributed to his move to the bullpen and uptick in velocity therefore making his other pitches less hittable? Or is it because he’s able to throw his best pitches more often?

12:22
Paul Swydan: All of that.
12:22
Comment From Jon
wait… adam dunn in DBC. Is that joke or serious?

12:23
Paul Swydan: Totally serious. He was one of the producers, and is supposedly in one scene as a bartender.
12:23
Comment From semperty
Can we just appreciate that Dyson’s throw was made cold?

12:23
Paul Swydan: Also that.
12:23
Comment From Adam
what did people think of The Lego Movie and Locke?

12:24
Paul Swydan: Well, I don’t know what Locke is, but The Lego Movie was the first movie we took my son to in the theaters, and both he and I and my wife loved it. We bought it when it came out on video and have watched it a bunch of times since.
12:24
Comment From baseball is fun imo
Think Yost will still be reluctant to use Holland in a tie game, even in the playoffs?

12:24
Paul Swydan: Hope not.
12:24
Comment From baseball is fun imo
What reason is there to assume any former player will be a good analyst?

12:24
Paul Swydan: People want to hear from players they recognize.
12:24
Comment From EP
My two favorite movies of 2013 were Spring Breakers and The Spectacular Now. One of them was a gorgeous oneiric hellscape that was misinterpreted by the vast majority of its audience (although maybe that was part of the point) while the other was generally appreciated but kind of went unnoticed.

12:25
Paul Swydan: Didn’t see either, but Spectacular Now is on Amazon now, so it’s on my list.
12:25
Comment From The Big Dipper
Can you please tell me what the dugout reporter said about Ventura when he was right in front of him?

12:25
Paul Swydan: I don’t remember, GOSH!
12:25
Comment From chuckb
Boy, mic-ing up Hosmer sure adds to the broadcast

12:25
Paul Swydan: I’d be willing to bet that was the one sequence during which Hosmer was not swearing.
12:26
Comment From semperty
Wow. The didn’t turn a DP on Billy

12:26
Paul Swydan: Little kick from Hosmer was kind of cheap, but it worked.
12:26
Comment From semperty
On the bright side, here comes Gore! Leggo!

12:26
Comment From Vic Romano
That reporter said meaningless dugout-reporter pablum about Ventura. As always.

12:26
Comment From chuckb
Hosmer couldn’t get near 2b on that play. Not at all close, Ron

12:26
Paul Swydan: Wow, Gore is fast.
12:26
Paul Swydan: Wow wow wow.
12:26
Comment From ralph
I’ve never seen a guy get to 2B that far ahead of a throw, probably.

12:27
Comment From Vic Romano
Safe by 6 miles

12:27
Comment From semperty
He’s so fast he almost always over-runs the base. Holy cow.

12:27
Comment From MNzach
Houston street is a free base for a fast guy

12:27
Paul Swydan: I mean, he’s a free base for a lot of guys, but that was ridiculous.
12:27
Comment From Ruki
I think Gore could have stole that base standing up.

12:27
Comment From Jason N
Steal 3rd on IBB?

12:27
Paul Swydan: He might be able to.
12:27
Comment From Ruki
So, will Gore steal 3rd?

12:27
Paul Swydan: Does he even need to? He probably scores on any ball that gets to the outfield.
12:28
Paul Swydan: Already two outs, so the sac fly is not in play.
12:28
Comment From hscer
3rd always brings the WPBK scenario into play (Wild pitch-passed ball-balk)

12:28
Paul Swydan: I guess so.
12:28
Paul Swydan: Doesn’t seem worth the risk.
12:28
Comment From Guest
4.5 steps before street let go of the ball

12:28
Paul Swydan: Wow.
12:28
Comment From Ryan
According to Cal, it would be worth the risk.

12:29
Paul Swydan: Ha.
12:29
Comment From DWrek
SO he can steal home. Duh!

12:29
Paul Swydan: Pretty sure it’s not a good idea to try and steal home with two outs.
12:29
Comment From ralph
According to Cal, licking a metal pole in the middle of winter would be worth the risk.

12:29
Paul Swydan: Even funnier coming from Ralph.
12:29
Comment From Guest
Kershaw info – The Cardinals took five consecutive at-bats with the bases loaded against Kershaw, who had faced only three batters with the bases full in his 27 regular-season starts.

12:29
Comment From Hank
What risk? Doesn’t seem like stealing on Street introduces much risk.

12:29
Paul Swydan: You never know.
12:30
Comment From Steve
DO you think Gore has even used those batting gloves to hit with?

12:30
Paul Swydan: Yes?
12:30
Paul Swydan: In BP maybe?
12:30
Comment From hscer
Let’s go back to Archer for a moment. Only 2 months away, right?

12:30
Paul Swydan: God I hope so.
12:30
Comment From Cubbie Blues
RE: Kershaw, what do you think of the announcer’s claim that the cards were stealing signs?

12:30
Paul Swydan: I think the announcers should just call the game.
12:31
Comment From Jake
he almost beat freese to the bag

12:31
Comment From Del Martin
Freese got lucky with the Roger Dorn

12:31
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
Multiple games this week and all by your lonesome tonight. How tired are you of baseball chatting? Blink twice if the Dave’s are over your shoulder.

12:31
Paul Swydan: I was given a choice today. Write an article or do a chat. I chose chat, because it required less thought.
12:31
Comment From The Big Dipper
Who is the best defender in baseball?

12:32
Paul Swydan: Probably Lucroy.
12:32
Comment From The Big Dipper
What about a non-catcher?

12:32
Paul Swydan: Non catcher probably Simmons.
12:32
Comment From Andrelton Simmons
Hello Paul….

12:32
Paul Swydan: Hello, you field like 1/16th the balls a catcher does, be quiet over there.
12:32
Comment From Ruki
Is Alex Gordon close to the top?

12:33
Paul Swydan: Yes, as is Jackie Bradley Jr.
12:33
Comment From Not as dumb as Yost
Nice to see Yost lose his #5 hitter on a 2-out pinch runner while also taking the bat out of his best hitter’s hands. He’s covering himself in glory.

12:33
Paul Swydan: I don’t see the problem. He still has Willingham on the bench, does he not?
12:33
Paul Swydan: Gore came in and gave them the chance to get the go-ahead run.
12:34
Paul Swydan: Oh no, Jason Frasor. Yosted.
12:34
Comment From chuckb
Should be Holland or Davis here

12:34
Paul Swydan: Yeah I think leaving Davis in was the right play. He threw 12 pitches.
12:34
Comment From semperty
Matt Holliday, on the Cardinals “stealing signs”: We don’t do that. I’ve played 11 years, and I never once, in my whole career, got signs from 2B. I respect Harold, but that’s definitely not the case.

12:35
Paul Swydan: We’re going to miss Tim McCarver by the end of the postseason. My only hope is that Harold says something so egregiously stupid that they have no choice but to fire him.
12:35
Comment From Del Martin
Matt Holliday lost a lot of my respect by saying he respects Harold.

12:35
Comment From Yadi Molina
Hello Paul…

12:35
Paul Swydan: Lucroy is better. And doesn’t have a stupid neck tatoo either.
12:36
Comment From ralph
So I timed Miggy on that DP earlier today, and he made it to first in 4.5 seconds. I just went back and timed Billy Butler on that almost-DP … also 4.5 seconds. I make no claims on my stopwatch technique however.

12:36
Paul Swydan: The fact that you have A technique is impressive though.
12:36
Comment From hscer
Announcing is hard. The sheer quantity of good vs. bad announcers should demonstrate this.

12:36
Paul Swydan: Doing anything is hard if you put no research into it.
12:36
Comment From Rube Waddell
Harold has made of career of saying egregiously stupid things.

12:37
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
Your choice, huh? Does that mean you’re higher on the totem pole than the person who would have been here if you decided to write an article?

12:37
Paul Swydan: No it just means that Dave didn’t have anyone else to do this chat so he traded a day full of chatting for one dumb article that I would write!
12:37
Comment From B
The best player in baseball has been awful in these two games

12:38
Paul Swydan: And Ted Williams only hit 5-for-25 in his only trip to the playoffs because he was hurt. Stuff happens.
12:38
Comment From chuckb
No mention of Yadi’s awful little ponytail? Taking the high road, I see.

12:38
Paul Swydan: Oh that’s me – always taking the high road!
12:39
Paul Swydan: And the Angels can’t even capitalize on Jason Frasor. Pretty sad.
12:39
Comment From Jon
is that a marijuana reference

12:39
Paul Swydan: It wasn’t, but I like where your head is at.
12:40
Comment From Adam
Everyone knows that Ted Williams’ un-clutch play was unparalleled in the annals of selfishness

12:40
Paul Swydan: They do?
12:40
Comment From Kretin
Really Cal? He’s looking for a ball over the plate? Engaging analysis as always, Cal.

12:40
Comment From Jason N
Yost is a genius

12:40
Comment From hscer
This car ad just identified Miguel Cabrera as baseball’s best player.

12:40
Paul Swydan: Well it was made by a Detroit car company that didn’t think it was worth it to pay for the licensing to use his full uniform in the ad, so let’s not take what they say too seriously, OK?
12:41
Comment From Adam
“The correspondence columns of the Boston papers now and then suffer a sharp flurry of arithmetic on this score; indeed, for Williams to have distributed all his hits so they did nobody else any good would constitute a feat of placement unparalleled in the annals of selfishness.”

12:41
Paul Swydan: It’s also well known that every writer on earth hated Williams. So, let’s not go using quotes from newspaper columnists.
12:42
Paul Swydan: Also, if you’re at this website, you know that referring to hits as doing nothing good is a laughable thing to say.
12:42
Comment From Rube Waddell
Probably stupid question, but why did they hate him so much?

12:42
Paul Swydan: He wasn’t very nice to them. Derisively referred to them as “The Knights of the Keyboard.”
12:42
Comment From semperty
I’m. So. Tired. Just score a run in a stupid way and call it a game, Kansas City.

12:42
Paul Swydan: I’m somehow less tired tonight then I have been the last few nights.
12:43
Comment From B
Re Ted Williams, 5/25 is 3 hits away from like .320. Also, trout IS the best player in baseball. But hitting like 5 pop flys, no hits, being caught stealing, and “losing the ball in the lights” is awful. No need to defend him or point out that “stuff happens.” I mean, sure, but it’s worth noting.

12:43
Paul Swydan: Well the tone of these comments is that this will be some sort of permanent thing.
12:43
Paul Swydan: It won’t be.
12:43
Paul Swydan: I remember in the 03 or 04 ALDS (I forget which – the one against Oakland) Manny didn’t do a damn thing until Game 5 and then he hit like 2 homers.
12:44
Comment From The Big Dipper
Remember, more ARod than Jeter

12:44
Paul Swydan: AROD WAS GREAT IN THE PLAYOFFS.
12:44
Comment From someone
I believe he actually used the term “maestros” in place of “knights.”

12:44
Paul Swydan: No it was definitely knights.
12:45
Comment From chuckb
“Pushing the envelope” = using one of your best relievers for a 2nd inning in extra innings in the team’s most important game of the season.

12:45
Paul Swydan: You wanna get nuts? Let’s get nuts!
12:45
Comment From Adam
“He glanced up at the press rows suspended above home plate. (All the Boston reporters, incidentally, reported the phrase as “knights of the keyboard,” but I heard it as “maestros” and prefer it that way.)”

12:45
Paul Swydan: Well I prefer it as knights, so there!
12:45
Comment From semperty
“maestros of the keyboard” just sounds stupid

12:46
Comment From Adam
What I was quoting is on your side. You should read Updike’s column some time. He’s deriding the Boston press.

12:46
Paul Swydan: Oh OK. Sorry Adam.
12:46
Comment From Jake
If there’s a game 4, does Kershaw start it?

12:46
Paul Swydan: Yeah.
12:46
Comment From Lyle
A-Rod playoffs .263/.369/.465 that is pretty damn good.

12:47
Paul Swydan: Moose DEFINITELY wanted a home run there.
12:47
Comment From Derek
A-Rod and Jeter have almost the same Playoff numbers.. one is clutch in the playoffs and one sucks

12:47
Comment From Jon
Is Kershaw anything more than a reliever at this point?

12:47
Paul Swydan: Yes I think so.
12:47
Comment From Jake
fangraphs needs a mobile app with chat capabilities

12:48
Paul Swydan: Mobile apps are expensive. You can have a free website or you can have a pay site with an awesome mobile app with chat capabilities. I’ll let you think it over for a minute, you let me know which you’d prefer.
12:48
Comment From Big Nick Digger
Fangraphs needs readers who aren’t just tablet tards. So does every other site.

12:49
Paul Swydan: Yes, well, to quote Burgess Meredith in “Grumpier Old Men,” you can wish in one hand and crap in the other, and see which fills up first.
12:49
Paul Swydan: I read that as tablet nerds. Whoops. Sorry.
12:49
Comment From Derek
If you follow MGL on twitter, is there anything he isnt 100% right about?

12:49
Paul Swydan: Uh, yes. But he’s right more than he’s wrong.
12:49
Comment From Ruki
I also misread it as tablet nerds.

12:49
Paul Swydan: Glad I’m not the only one.
12:49
Comment From Jon
what does tablet nerd even mean

12:50
Paul Swydan: I think someone who really likes their tablet?
12:50
Comment From B
Why would anyone read Fangraphs leisurely on a computer if they had a tablet?

12:50
Paul Swydan: I dunno. I don’t own a tablet, so I’m not the right person to ask.
12:50
Comment From chuckb
I think tablet nerds is more complimentary than tablet tards.

12:51
Paul Swydan: Yeah, I’m sorry, I wouldn’t have posted that comment if I had read it correctly.
12:51
Comment From Vic Romano
MGL = Multi-Grenade Launcher?

12:51
Paul Swydan: MGL is Mitchel Lichtman, co-owner of The Book, creator of UZR and UBR, and every once in a blue moon, a contributor at FanGraphs and/or THT.
12:52
Comment From chuckb
I need the Angels to end this now. I need to go to bed.

12:52
Paul Swydan: It’d be nice, I’m not going to lie.
12:52
Comment From Jon
do you think mike trout retires from baseball if he goes hitless in the series?

12:52
Paul Swydan: Absolutely. He’d go the box, and he’d feel shame.
12:52
Comment From semperty
“You don’t want this game to end, and we don’t know that it will.” It will. It will end. They all end. Always.

12:52
Paul Swydan: Did Ernie say that?
12:52
Comment From chuckb
Dammit. Finnegan. He’s good.

12:53
Comment From Vic Romano
Yup, he did say that

12:53
Paul Swydan: Well alright.
12:53
Comment From Ruki
I wonder…has there ever been an MLB player with the initials MLB? Who actually, like, made it to the majors and everything.

12:53
Paul Swydan: Well, that question isn’t going to answer itself, Ruki. Get on it!
12:53
Comment From Vic Romano
Milton “Loser” Bradley

12:53
Paul Swydan: I don’t think that counts.
12:53
Comment From Jim
Mookie Lyn Betts MLB

12:54
Paul Swydan: Is Lyn his middle name?
12:54
Paul Swydan: Oh crap it is.

http://www.baseball-referen…
12:54
Comment From Miles
Mookie is a real name?

12:54
Paul Swydan: His real name is Markus, apparently. I think he made the right choice going with Mookie…
12:54
Comment From ralph
Mookie should just formally change his name to Major League Baseball and be done with it.

12:54
Comment From hscer
also this guy http://www.baseball-referen…

12:54
Comment From Ben
Gotta go. Thanks for doing the chat, it’s been fun!

12:55
Paul Swydan: Glad you enjoyed it!
12:55
Comment From Ruki
Mookie Betts confirmed for Mr. MLB. That’s amazing.

12:55
Comment From ralph
So, still no Holland.

12:56
Paul Swydan: Finnegan is good though.
12:56
Comment From hscer
Markus Lynn Betts and Myrl Lincoln Brown appear to be the only 2

12:56
Paul Swydan: Wow.
12:56
Comment From Jon
My girlfriend asked me yesterday when Crispy Crunch was playing again (she was talking about Coco Crisp)

12:56
Paul Swydan: Eh, she was in the ballpark.
12:56
Paul Swydan: That’s not as bad as when my mom asked me during the 91 NBA Finals if this was the game with Michael Johnson and Magic Jordan.
12:57
Comment From chuckb
You want to use Finnegan, I guess, when Hamilton is coming to the plate.

12:57
Paul Swydan: Indeed.
12:57
Comment From Gila Monster
Paul. Send thanks to your wife for this chat. She is surely great especailly if she lets you sleep in tomorrow.

12:57
Paul Swydan: Ah, but my punishment is that I don’t get to sleep in tomorrow. There are worse things.
12:57
Comment From Derek
Gore had the lowest wRC+ in the Carolina league (A+) this year

12:57
Paul Swydan: It matters not, he is your king!
12:57
Comment From Ruki
Next time you meet your mom, very lightly whap her in the back of the head with two fingers.

12:58
Paul Swydan: Pretty sure I can never meet her again.
12:58
Comment From Cheeks
Is everyone in here pulling for the Royals? Poll the people Paul!

12:58
Paul Swydan: I think it’s a toss up right now between wanting the Royals to win and wanting the Angels just to end this.
12:58
Paul Swydan: Good lord Josh Hamilton isn’t even trying.
12:59
Comment From Adam
so Hamilton is also not good at running?

12:59
Comment From ralph
That was a very nice double play.

12:59
Paul Swydan: It really wasn’t though!
12:59
Paul Swydan: Hosmer’s throw was terrible.
12:59
Comment From hscer
I agree with your tossup assessment.

12:59
Comment From The Big Dipper
You’ve got a big day tomorrow. Going to Home Depot for some wallpaper, maybe some flooring. maybe Bed Bath and Beyond but idk if you’ll have enough time.

12:59
Paul Swydan: I have a big day of editing the THT Annual tomorrow!
12:59
Comment From Steve
Should the Royals let Gore bat? I’m sure he can just bunt it and make it to 2B by the time they throw it to 1B

1:00
Paul Swydan: Depends on the situation. If it’s a run scoring situation, they’re prob better off with Willingham.
1:00
Comment From Adam
http://www.midwestsportsfan…

1:01
Comment From ralph
Mostly meant, very nice recovery from Escobar to turn the DP. Also, I timed Hamilton at 4.25?

1:01
Paul Swydan: Yeah, Escobar did a good job. And yikes.
1:01
Comment From Oblarg
Am I the only one who wants the Angels to win so we get to (potentially) see Josh Hamilton against Brian Matusz again?

1:01
Paul Swydan: Yes?
1:01
Comment From The Big Dipper
the chat keeps deleting my text before i can send it

1:01
Paul Swydan: Maybe you’ve reached your quota?
1:01
Comment From chuckb
If Gore could do that, he wouldn’t have had the 2nd lowest wRC+ in the Carolina League.

1:01
Paul Swydan: Ya, probably.
1:01
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
Winning a free copy of THT Annual in 2012 was the highlight of my life

1:01
Paul Swydan: Cool! I think.
1:02
Comment From Jon
I just recently read Eno’s article on the Royals and I kind of hate Hosmer now

1:02
Paul Swydan: Yeah Hosmer is kind of a jerk.
1:02
Comment From semperty
WHAT’S THE THT ANNUAL?!

1:02
Paul Swydan: The best baseball annual there is.

http://www.hardballtimes.co…
1:02
Comment From chuckb
Big Dipper is a tablet nerd like me. Mine does the same thing.

1:03
Comment From Guest
God damn you baseball! I need to poop.

1:03
Paul Swydan: You mean you don’t have a mirror system worked out? Come on now.
1:03
Comment From Florko
link to Enos Royals piece?

1:03
Paul Swydan: http://www.hardballtimes.co…
1:04
Paul Swydan: One of our best pieces this year in my humble opinion.
1:04
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
I have to rely on this chat when I’m pooping

1:04
Paul Swydan: Well, at least you have us.
1:04
Comment From hscer
Why hasn’t the Anaheim PA guy played “we’ll never be Royyyyy-als” yet?

1:04
Paul Swydan: Because that’d be amateur hour?
1:04
Comment From JKB
nice baserunning!

1:04
Paul Swydan: Yup.
1:04
Paul Swydan: Oh wow, challenge?
1:05
Paul Swydan: No, I think he got there.
1:05
Comment From The Big Dipper
Clearly safe

1:05
Comment From Jose
About Hosmer being a jerk. I wonder if the all-time cool guys team would beat the all-time jerks team. I know Thome would be on the first, so thats a good start.

1:05
Paul Swydan: Let me know when you figure out which team should be which.
1:05
Paul Swydan: Speaking of Hosmer!
1:05
Comment From hscer
HOSMER!!!

1:05
Comment From Sgt. Pepper
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT

1:05
Comment From Oblarg
I think Hosmer heard you guys.

1:05
Comment From hscer
The 11th inning is Royals magic.

1:06
Comment From ralph
Hosmer is such a jerk. Just look at how he treats baseballs.

1:06
Comment From Justin
Wow.

1:06
Comment From Ruki
The Royals will win the World Series if they can get every game to the 11th inning.

1:06
Paul Swydan: They’re like the Rocky of baseball teams.
1:06
Comment From Hank
6th innings = no bueno for the Royals; 11th innings on the other hand…

1:07
Paul Swydan: Contrary to that billboard, I do not think that help is on the way for the Angels.
1:07
Comment From chuckb
The Angels have to score 0 or 1 or 3. Anything but 2.

1:07
Paul Swydan: I’m going to take 0 for $800, Alex.
1:07
Comment From Jules
that canny old ned saved holland again

1:07
Comment From Ruki
If the Angels score 2, does chuckb riot?

1:08
Paul Swydan: If by riot, you mean “throw his hands up and just go to bed,” then yes.
1:08
Paul Swydan: “There was no doubt” Ernie says as they show the whole Royals dugout frozen in doubt.
1:08
Comment From hscer
No doubt was Harper’s today.

1:09
Paul Swydan: Right. That one by Hosmer barely got out.
1:09
Comment From Royals Fan
Paul this is a basketball/table tennis announcing team what do you want?

1:09
Paul Swydan: I want a baseball announcing team?
1:09
Comment From Sean
How far was Harpers HR?

1:09
Paul Swydan: I’ll let you know when it lands.
1:09
Comment From Jose
No team that was supposed to win is winning.

1:10
Paul Swydan: The Orioles are the higher seed in their series…
1:10
Comment From semperty
I think Harper’s HR actually left the atmosphere, and is now considered a meteor

1:10
Comment From Guest
All the favorites in this divisional series have yet to win a game and it doesn’t look like the Angels are going to change that.

1:10
Paul Swydan: Again, I fail to see how the Tigers are the favorite. You guys watched their bullpen this year, right?
1:10
Comment From Lyle
Harpers HR was 445

1:10
Comment From Skore
RE: Orioles, let’s be serious

1:11
Paul Swydan: OK, let’s. The Orioles are a better team.
1:11
Paul Swydan: The Tigers don’t play defense and they don’t have a bullpen. And Verlander is damaged goods right now, as is Porcello.
1:11
Comment From Jules
Vegas had Tigers -150 favs

1:12
Paul Swydan: Las Vegas designs their odds to maximize bets, not accurately reflect the favorites.
1:12
Comment From The Big Dipper
How big of a role do sabermetrics play in Vegas handicapping?

1:12
Paul Swydan: They play a large role, but in the end their job is to get people betting.
1:13
Comment From ralph
Porcello damaged goods? Do explain.

1:13
Paul Swydan: Maybe damaged goods is strong, but he wasn’t as good in Sept.
1:14
Comment From Ruki
I actually live in Vegas, though I’ve never talked to a bookie or anything. Sabermetrics almost certainly play a large role because of the fact that Vegas sports always want to be on top of things, but they set their odds according to a combination of public perception of statistics and actual statistics.

1:14
Comment From someone
FG depth charts have the Tigers over the Orioles by a mile, 41.6 WAR (over 162 games) to 29.9.

1:15
Paul Swydan: The Tigers are very good from players 1-7. The rest of their roster is almost complete garbage.
1:15
Comment From Miles
Royals are 30 outs away from the ALCS

1:15
Comment From The Big Dipper
I understand if you don’t want to answer, but do you ever bet on games?

1:16
Paul Swydan: No. I used to bet on NFL and college basketball games, but I quickly realized it was a good way to go broke in a hurry.
1:16
Paul Swydan: Or, more broke, I guess.
1:16
Comment From Jose
The Tigers are better as a whole, but I think Ausmus really let them down today.

1:16
Comment From hscer
If Gordon now scores, chuckb must change his Angels scoring level requests

1:16
Comment From Adam
That’s what Vegas gets for relying solely on FG depth charts!

1:16
Comment From Guest
I have no sympathy for the rich people they show behind home plate.

1:17
Paul Swydan: Geez, that comment came out of left field.
1:17
Comment From chuckb
Thanks for the link to Eno’s article. Very good read.

1:17
Paul Swydan: No problemo!
1:17
Comment From Ruki
(If you’re wondering, this is also how “professional gamblers” tend to make money: When public perception and actual statistics are large enough, you can use the difference to make better odds than they give you. A lot of smart people made money in the first Pats/Giants SUper Bowl due to public perception thinking it would be a slaughter, while actual stats suggested +18 IIRC the number right would be amazing.)

1:18
Comment From hscer
The NFL and NBA seem to prefer the term “playoffs” but I just noticed MLB is all about the “postseason,” everywhere

1:18
Paul Swydan: I go back and forth.
1:18
Comment From Derek
MGL made his money betting on baseball…

1:18
Paul Swydan: Did he?

Well, MGL is a LOT smarter than me.
1:18
Comment From Adam
I want the Angels to lose just so the rich people behind home plate are miserable. I always root for the visiting team.

1:18
Paul Swydan: That’s so weird but I like it.
1:19
Comment From Oblarg
I’m pretty sure that you’re favored on HR Derby betting by just taking the guys with the longest odds. Vegas doesn’t care, they’re almost always dutch-booked so that as long as they get a decent distribution of bets they will make money.

1:19
Paul Swydan: I don’t know what dutch-booked means, but it sounds delicious.
1:19
Comment From hscer
Whose “we will change your life with our technologies” ads are more annoying, Google or Apple?

1:19
Paul Swydan: Tie.
1:19
Paul Swydan: Also don’t forget Samsung.
1:19
Comment From semperty
“I can’t believe we’re talking about Kansas City defense again.” Ernie Johnson really never watched the Royals play…goodness TBS, fix this SNAFU immediately.

1:20
Comment From The Big Dipper
I want the Angels to lose so I can keep messing with people about Trout in these chats

1:20
Comment From Miles
When were ads not always annoying?

1:20
Paul Swydan: When people put real thought into them?
1:20
Paul Swydan: Season on the line, and they have Efren Navarro up. Good thing they left Grant Green off the roster, huh?
1:20
Comment From Ruki
I’ve definitely seen ads I remember fondly. Like that one Snickers commercial where he sings the happy peanuts soar song.

1:20
Paul Swydan: Or the “Chefs” great googily moogily one.
1:21
Comment From chuckb
See, Paul, that’s how I feel about movies.

1:21
Comment From The Big Dipper
Patrick Chewing

1:21
Comment From Ruki
Oh yeah, the Chefs one is great. How about the Got Milk one with the Trix Rabbit, where he finally gets the Trix but is out of milk?

1:21
Paul Swydan: Oh I don’t remember that one.
1:22
Comment From Jon
ok, now Trout is due up for 3 run homer

1:22
Comment From Miles
they’re all tainted to me because capitalism

1:22
Paul Swydan: Interesting take.
1:22
Comment From Ruki
Patrick Chewing was also great.

1:22
Comment From Jules
Will be fun watching CJ try to walk Royals batter in game 3

1:22
Comment From Hank
Do the Angels get a ball out of the IF? (I figure asking about a comeback is kind of silly)

1:22
Paul Swydan: I’ll vote yes. One weak pop fly.
1:22
Paul Swydan: Well, 0-for-1.
1:23
Comment From Ruki
The Trix one is really old IIRC, I dunno if it even played during sports, but it is a great commercial. May I provide a link?

1:23
Paul Swydan: Sure.
1:23
Comment From Prich
Good friend worked for the Omaha Storm Chasers… said Hosmer is a really good guy (for arguments sake, did not say the same about the rest of the Chasers-now-Royals)

1:23
Paul Swydan: I mean, I can’t condemn based on one interaction with Eno. But he certainly didn’t come off well.
1:24
Comment From Derek
Start around 3:00 http://www.replacementlevel…

1:24
Comment From Ruki
http://youtu.be/N54rfkksxBo

1:25
Paul Swydan: That ad was creepy but funny too.
1:25
Comment From chuckb
People, if Calhoun reaches, Trout hits.

1:25
Paul Swydan: Could we have games ended by Puig and Trout on the same day? Wow.
1:25
Comment From Jon
moustakas just shot of a river of liquid out of his mouth

1:25
Paul Swydan: Good note, thanks for sharing.
1:25
Comment From Dano
The Royals IF just got the ball out of the infield.

1:26
Paul Swydan: Touche.
1:26
Comment From semperty
Infante with a step in the OF – does that count as getting out of the IF?

1:26
Paul Swydan: Nope.
1:26
Comment From hscer
man a lot happened in this chat while I was watching that Trix, I mean dairy industry commercial

1:27
Paul Swydan: Well that was a less impressive K than Puig’s. At least Puig struck out on 99.
1:27
Comment From The Big Dipper
http://img2.wikia.nocookie….

1:27
Comment From Adam
you did a great job! good night

1:27
Paul Swydan: Thanks Adam.
1:27
Comment From Hank
For some reason I think Michael Chiklis when I see Trout.

1:27
Paul Swydan: That’s weird, Hank.
1:27
Comment From semperty
Missouri wins. Screw LA.

1:28
Comment From Ruki
Mike Trout fishing for a strike and hoping to reel it in!

1:28
Paul Swydan: He needed better bait.
1:28
Comment From someone
Oh hey, I can go to bed now.

1:28
Comment From Wicomico Pinstripes
Thanks for chatting, big guy!!

1:28
Comment From The Big Dipper
No post game chat?

1:29
Paul Swydan: No postgame chat, sorry. But thanks very much to the 674 of you who are still hanging out. You guys rock.
1:29
Paul Swydan: Have a great evening and/or sleeping time.
1:29
Paul Swydan: Sleeping time? Wow, I need to go to sleeping time myself.





 

Dave is the Managing Editor of FanGraphs.

16 Comments
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chems
9 years ago

Still cant get over that Barney was left off the postseason roster

0
Avattoir
9 years ago
Reply to  chems

Lack of post-season savvy there: should always bring in an old vet or two for post-season, and few species are as old as Barney’s.

0
Avattoir
9 years ago
Reply to  chems

You meant the big purple dinosaurish costumed character, right?

0