2015 World Series Game One Live Blog
| 7:33 |
: Hey all, August Fagerstrom and I will be here to cover the first game of the 2015 World Series.
|
| 7:34 |
: For those of you who haven’t been part of one of our live blogs before, we’ll mostly focus on game reaction stuff, so it’s less of a Q&A than our normal chats, but we do our best to make sure you guys are involved as well.
|
| 7:35 |
: So come hang out with us as we watch the Mets and Royals, or maybe the grounds crew. Either way, it should be fun.
|
| 7:44 |
: hey, y’all! I’ve got a freshly-broken big toe and I’m ready to watch some World Series
|
| 7:46 |
: only you can decide whether that’s a euphemism
|
| 7:57 |
: Well, this is terrible news. Source close to the Volquez family confirms to @Enrique_Rojas1 and @ESPNDeportes that Edinson Volquez’s father died today in the DR
|
| 7:58 |
: utterly tragic
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| 7:58 |
: *anything* he gives the Royals tonight is nothing short of heroic, as far as I’m concerned
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| 7:59 |
: Volquez warming up, so seems like he’s going to pitch. Here’s to hoping he has the game of his life.
|
| 7:59 |
: agreed. I just became a Royals fan for a day
|
| 7:59 |
: Mets
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| 8:00 |
: Mets
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| 8:00 |
: Mets
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| 8:00 |
Aside from the well-document mets power pitching vs. royals general peskiness…what’s the second biggest story line of this series? |
| 8:01 |
: Probably the Royals starters. Volquez now has this tragedy, Cueto’s a question mark, Chris Young…
|
| 8:02 |
As a Jays fan, should I feel sad forever? Or enjoy this series, because baseball. |
| 8:02 |
: The latter.
|
| 8:02 |
: and you still have a great team!
|
| 8:02 |
How can Cueto, Price, and Kershaw command such high salaries with how ineffective they are in the playoffs? |
| 8:02 |
: Because postseason performance isn’t predictive of anything.
|
| 8:03 |
Any idea why the TV broadcasts haven’t said anything about Volquez’s father? |
| 8:04 |
Batting Escobar leadoff and Gordon 8th is incomprehensibly stupid. Also pitching Volquez in the 1st game over Cueto. Surprised people aren’t talking about this. |
| 8:04 |
: You don’t report something like that without being 100% sure it’s confirmed, and right now, only ESPN reporters are reporting it, I believe. It may get mentioned later in the broadcast assuming Ken Rosenthal confirms it at some point.
|
| 8:05 |
: I don’t really see what difference flipping Cueto/Volquez makes, unless you’re a big believer in momentum. As for the lineup thing, on a per-game basis, it’s a pretty minimal effect, and the Royals love #EskyMagic. there’s some value to that. can’t say it hasn’t been working, as poor of reasoning as that may be
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| 8:05 |
Which team will be impacted more this offseason if they win the World Series? |
| 8:05 |
: The Mets, I’d imagine.
|
| 8:06 |
: If they win it all, the pressure on the Wilpons to spend and keep this team together is going to be intense.
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| 8:07 |
Thoughts on the Royals decision to put Raul Mondesi Jr. on the roster? |
| 8:08 |
: Basically irrelevant. He won’t play much or at all, and neither would have Gore. Yost doesn’t use his bench.
|
| 8:08 |
Is there a certain inning Harvey’s vulnerable in? |
| 8:08 |
: whatever inning he starts facing batters for the third time
|
| 8:09 |
: Alright, let’s play baseball.
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| 8:10 |
: Vahe Gregorian on Twitter says Royals can’t confirm news of Volquez’s fathers passing, so don’t expect it to come up on the broadcast.
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| 8:10 |
I think the Mets are going to win the World Series. Please don’t actually post this comment; the other Phillies fans will ostracize me. |
| 8:10 |
: FWIW, a quick scan of his baseball-reference page shows that Harvey, in his career, has started to see a significant drop-off in the sixth, and it magnifies in the seventh
|
| 8:10 |
: AKA, third time through the order, as should be expected
|
| 8:10 |
Sigh |
| 8:12 |
I’ve seen Daniel Murphy being the favourite for WS MVP with the bookies, is that reasonable at all? |
| 8:12 |
: No
|
| 8:12 |
: That’s taking advantage of fans who are betting on the hot hand.
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| 8:13 |
: if the Mets win and he has a decent WS, couldn’t you see him getting it even if he’s second or third most deserving, just because of the narrative/story leading up to the WS?
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| 8:13 |
: would whoever decides WS MVP be able to strip themselves of that bias?
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| 8:13 |
: who does decide WS MVP, anyway?
|
| 8:13 |
: I don’t think I can ever remember anything like that ever happening before.
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| 8:14 |
: am i supposed to be answering questions or asking them?
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| 8:14 |
: Now you’re asking them, so apparently door #3?
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| 8:14 |
Requesting ‘What’s Wrong with Daniel Murphy?’ article up on fangraphs frontpage NOW, please. Astounded he didn’t hit a home run. |
| 8:14 |
Surely Daniel Murphy is the last person to bet on! |
| 8:14 |
If Volquez dominates tonight and his father really has passed, this will instantly be the best storyline of the playoffs. |
| 8:14 |
: for a long time
|
| 8:14 |
This is baseball, so expect weird things to happen–whatever the World Series version is of Alcides Escobar inexplicably batting lead off and even more inexplicably winning the ALCS MVP. |
| 8:16 |
Baseless prediction: Harvey gets through a scoreless, 4-batter inning in the first and Moustakas takes him deep in the second. |
| 8:16 |
Who is tonight’s home plate umpire? |
| 8:16 |
: Bill Welke. He’s got a bigger than average zone.
|
| 8:17 |
: First pitch fastball.
|
| 8:17 |
: Okay, baseball is crazy.
|
| 8:17 |
: Good lord.
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| 8:18 |
: Yep, first pitch fastball to Escobar, crushed for an inside-the-park home run to lead off the World Series. Give the Royals the trophy
|
| 8:18 |
the craziest |
| 8:18 |
Ummm what? Baseball? Weird. |
| 8:19 |
Should have been a fly out |
| 8:19 |
: Verducci nails it; Cespedes got a terrible jump.
|
| 8:20 |
: And worth pointing out that the Mets chose to put Cespedes in CF in order to get Kelly Johnson’s bat in the lineup at DH.
|
| 8:20 |
: The offense-defense trade-off is probably worth it in the NL, but with an extra line-up spot, Lagares should be starting.
|
| 8:21 |
Unrelated to the game kinda, but Google Fiber is out (cable and internet) for basically all KC subscribers |
| 8:21 |
: Well that sucks.
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| 8:22 |
Cespedes has to have completely lost the ball in the lights, right? |
| 8:22 |
: got a really bad break on it, too.
|
| 8:22 |
: Yeah, looked like a bad jump, bad communication, bad attempt to save it.
|
| 8:22 |
: his glove was strangely nowhere close to the ball, though. you may be right?
|
| 8:22 |
That had to be the most Royalsest thing that this Royals team has done yet. |
| 8:22 |
#eskymagic |
| 8:23 |
“I’m a center-fielder” ~ Yoenis Cespedes |
| 8:23 |
: “LOL” — everyone else
|
| 8:24 |
: “You never get a free strike against this free-swinging team.” Morales immediately takes next pitch while walking out of batters box as it arrives.
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| 8:24 |
Royal fans: How come everyone underestimates us, it’s totally a skill to have balls hit outfields bodies as theyre running to catch it |
| 8:25 |
Its funny that the 2014 nearly ended on something fairly similar to how this one started. |
| 8:25 |
How about Cueto getting rattled by road fans. Isn’t this going to follow him everywhere from now on? |
| 8:25 |
Alcides Escobar has had a good ALCS + 1 at bat, but he’s not a great player. Would it be weird if he were the first ALCS MVP and WS MVP not to have his contract option picked up? |
| 8:25 |
: it already has, if literally every TV broadcaster/analyst is any indication
|
| 8:25 |
Has a player ever lead off the World Series with an inside the park HR before? |
| 8:26 |
: Uhh, his team option for next year is for $5.2 million. I will bet you every dime I have that it gets picked up.
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| 8:26 |
: gonna guess no. @cantpredictball just tweeted it was the first WS inside the parker since ’29
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| 8:26 |
EskyMagic is alive and well |
| 8:26 |
: what is McCullough doing in this chat
|
| 8:27 |
No pressure as Cespedes is leading off the 2nd. |
| 8:27 |
: you know that they say: “always seems the guy who gives up the leadoff inside the park home run in the World Series leads off the next inning”
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| 8:28 |
:
 Yes Cespedes maybe try to just catch that one normally |
| 8:28 |
Is the official scoring on that actually going to stay an inside-the-parker? I was assuming it had to be at least a 2-base error |
| 8:28 |
: Another reason why the earned runs/unearned runs dichotomy is silly.
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| 8:29 |
: i stand corrected! apparently a man called “Patsy” did what Escobar just did in the 1903 World Series!
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| 8:29 |
Apparently, the Royals are saying Edison Volquez does not know about his father’s reported death (per Barry Svrluga’s twitter). Here’s hoping his reported death is mistaken. |
| 8:30 |
: Agreed, but Enrique Rojas is usually pretty good at stuff like this, and I can’t imagine he’d have run with it if it was wrong.
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| 8:30 |
: I wouldn’t be surprised if Royals were just saying that to keep it from getting on the broadcast.
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| 8:30 |
Hey Dad, I finally get to be on a World Series roster! |
| 8:30 |
: already accomplished more than his Dad and still has never played above AA, smh
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| 8:30 |
: PLEASE throw a perfect game, Ed Volquez
|
| 8:31 |
Fist time Mets have trailed since game 5 of the NLDS |
| 8:33 |
Can you believe the NBA has the balls to start their regular season at the exact same time as Game 1? |
| 8:34 |
: I was so mad when I realized this upon waking up this morning
|
| 8:34 |
: Cavs are the only sports thing I care about outside of baseball. DVR’ing it 🙁
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| 8:35 |
AUGUST THIS IS A BASEBALL WEBSITE |
| 8:35 |
: stick to baseball
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| 8:35 |
: Feels like Harvey is in the zone too much. They’re going to swing; let them swing at crap instead.
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| 8:36 |
: how much would you guys pay your cable provider to somehow mute *just* Harold Reynolds’ voice during these games? you just get ballpark noise during the times that he speaks
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| 8:36 |
: So of course he falls behind 2-0
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| 8:36 |
Do you think that they extend Gordon, or does he come back on his option? |
| 8:36 |
: There’s no way he doesn’t opt out
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| 8:37 |
Joe Buck underrated for how annoying his play by play is. Harold sucks, but he isn’t the whole problem. |
| 8:37 |
: (I kind of like Joe Buck)
*hides* |
| 8:38 |
I may have missed this, but August, Dave, have you given your World Series predictions? |
| 8:38 |
: So the Royals so far have two walks and a home run (*) in their first eight batters faced.
|
| 8:38 |
: Royals, but my real answer is “really close, no idea”
|
| 8:38 |
Joe Buck’s… ok, Verducci’s awesome, Reynols is garbage. |
| 8:38 |
: this is probably the right answer
|
| 8:38 |
Heyman just said Cespedes might be fastest player in baseball. Also included Trout, Dyson, Bourjous. No Gore, Hamilton, Gordon, etc… https://twitter.com/JonHeym… |
| 8:39 |
: I don’t think he’s faster than Gore or Hamilton, but the Statcast data I’ve seen reveals that Cespedes is really, really fast
|
| 8:39 |
: imagine Heyman has seen the same numbers
|
| 8:40 |
Heyman also thinks Gordon is the best LF in baseball soooooo |
| 8:41 |
: not convinced that’s wrong
|
| 8:41 |
: I’d bet it’s Billy Hamilton, but Cespedes is probably top 10
|
| 8:41 |
reynolds loves to talk about turf |
| 8:42 |
Who would DeGroms hair pick over Gordon? |
| 8:43 |
Wouldn’t that mean Cespedes has the greatest distance between his MLB rank in SB’s and his rank for speed as measured by Statcast? Not that SB’s are the best measure of speed, but it’d be strange for one of the fastest guys in baseball to put up just 7 steals a year. |
| 8:44 |
marte best lf |
| 8:44 |
: Part of that is probably the fact that he hits in the middle of the order. Managers less likely to send guys with 5-6 hitters coming up.
|
| 8:44 |
: Marte, Cespedes or Gordon. Not sure there’s a wrong answer
|
| 8:44 |
: Brantley and JUpton up there too
|
| 8:45 |
Which pitcher this year has the best chance to come close to a performance like Madison Bumgarner’s 2014 performance? |
| 8:45 |
: No one. That was something you won’t see again for a while.
|
| 8:45 |
: feels like a bad answer but Johnny Cueto? the Mets just have no need to use a deGrom, Syndergaard or Harvey like that
|
| 8:45 |
: AKA, I agree with Dave. Not gonna happen, but I think it’d have to be a Royals pitcher, and Cueto’s the only real option.
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| 8:46 |
: Gordon is good.
|
| 8:46 |
: nice catch by the Best Left Fielder in Baseball. fat, fat pitch by Volquez
|
| 8:46 |
living here in Pittsburgh, Marte should be our CF over Cutch. He gets better reads off of the bat. |
| 8:46 |
: McCutchen is not a good center fielder. Will be interesting to see how long that takes
|
| 8:47 |
Heyman just said Gordon might be the best LF ever. |
| 8:47 |
: well
|
| 8:48 |
Eventually, something will go against the Royals, right? Seems like a month straight of this |
| 8:48 |
: 2 years, right?
|
| 8:48 |
: He means defensively.
|
| 8:48 |
: second bad curveball Volquez has thrown already.
|
| 8:50 |
SportsCenter saying Volquez learned about his father’s death shortly before the game |
| 8:50 |
: ESPN is reporting one thing, Royals denying it. We don’t know for sure yet.
|
| 8:51 |
What kind of reputation does Perez have as a game-caller? Will he stay away from the curve if Volquez is having trouble with it? |
| 8:51 |
: you usually hear pretty good things from Royals people. Harry Pavlidis’ game-calling study for ESPN last year showed good things – http://espn.go.com/mlb/stor…
|
| 8:52 |
: this year! that was this year? feels like a long time ago
|
| 8:53 |
“Volquez’s troubles started when he started allowing base runners” – Reynolds |
| 8:53 |
: “Am I wrong? Am I wrong?!”
|
| 8:53 |
When did Volquez start throwing this fast? |
| 8:53 |
: Last start
|
| 8:53 |
: Great pitch.
|
| 8:54 |
Same pitch and spot as to Bautista, no? Maybe a little more of a strike, both great pitches though |
| 8:54 |
: That was a nasty pitch
|
| 8:54 |
: Definitely higher. That was middle-away, not low-away.
|
| 8:54 |
Wasnt’ that last pitch a change up left right in the middle of the plate? |
| 8:54 |
: That looked like it was on the corner.
|
| 8:55 |
Gameday has it middle outside. |
| 8:55 |
: Yeah, that’s what I saw.
|
| 8:55 |
mlb says it was definitely a strike |
| 8:55 |
: I don’t think there’s any question that it was a strike.
|
| 8:56 |
85mph change off 95mph sinker…located…that’s pretty tough |
| 8:57 |
|
| 8:59 |
Is Harold Reynolds aware that Batman has a nickname? |
| 8:59 |
: Harold Reynolds just isn’t aware
|
| 9:00 |
: That was a hanger.
|
| 9:00 |
: Hosmer missed one.
|
| 9:01 |
Harold Reynolds just isn’t. |
| 9:02 |
: Hosmer dives into first on bang-bang play…
|
| 9:02 |
: From Rosenthal: Fox Sports is aware of the news about the death of Edinson Volquez’s father but do not plan to report it on broadcast while he is in game.
|
| 9:03 |
Which manager would you rather have running your team in this series? |
| 9:03 |
: Collins
|
| 9:03 |
Harold Reynolds loves telling stories about how he doesn’t prepare for interviews. He earlier mentioned asking Hosmer if he grew up idolozing Mattingly. Hosmer was six when Mattingly retired. |
| 9:04 |
Isn’t that Rosenthal tweet a little weird? Reads like they’ll talk about it as soon as the relief corps is out there. |
| 9:04 |
: Probably means they’re not willing to risk reporting it until they can ask him directly.
|
| 9:04 |
: Rosenthal is in the dugout. He’s not going to bring that up while Volquez is pitching, but after he comes out of the game, maybe.
|
| 9:04 |
Has Usain Bolt ever dove toward the tape? Yet baseball players still dive for first base. |
| 9:05 |
: littttttle different considering the surface onto which Bolt would be diving
|
| 9:05 |
: I think Sam Miller mentioned that in an Effective Wild episode
|
| 9:05 |
: Effectively*
|
| 9:06 |
: MurphVP
|
| 9:06 |
So the HR streak is obviously kind of fluky, but Murphy did set a career high in both ISO and in HR (despite playing slightly less than a full season). Do you think his increased is something that will persist? |
| 9:07 |
: I’d bet on him posting something like a .150 ISO next year. So sustaining his regular season power, not his postseason power.
|
| 9:08 |
Why didn’t Murphy go 1st to home? |
| 9:08 |
: Bad pitch by Volquez. Nice swing by Lucas.
|
| 9:09 |
: He’s no Lorenzo Cain.
|
| 9:10 |
: Was Moustakas playing too far in there?
|
| 9:10 |
: No, looks like normal depth. Ignore me.
|
| 9:10 |
: The Royals didn’t make a play! wut?
|
| 9:10 |
You think they would’ve turned two? |
| 9:10 |
: no
|
| 9:11 |
Good thing for Murphy that Moose couldn’t snag it. He is toast at home otherwise. |
| 9:12 |
Conforto or Schwarber for next 5 years and they must be on an NL team: |
| 9:12 |
Greg Bird would have driven him in there. |
| 9:12 |
: I’ll take Conforto
|
| 9:12 |
: context neutral? Schwarber, so I could play him at first. given the teams they’re on, maybe Conforto, but I think I still take Schwarber
|
| 9:12 |
: OUCH SAL PEREZ
|
| 9:13 |
Isnt it a bit irresponsible on the part of the Royals to not rest p |
| 9:13 |
: definitely
|
| 9:13 |
I dont think Sal Perez actually has human bone in his hands? It’s some sort of metal/bone hybrid |
| 9:13 |
That was an inch from destroying Perez’s right hand. |
| 9:14 |
We keep hearing about how Sal Perez gets hit more than anyone else. Is there anything to that? |
| 9:14 |
: still might have gotten that index finger pretty good
|
| 9:14 |
: He plays more than anyone, so it would be the most likely outcome if those foul tips are evenly distributed.
|
| 9:14 |
he is a pretty big target |
| 9:15 |
Those hits to the face seemed brutal |
| 9:16 |
: From Rosenthal, again: Broadcast generally on in clubhouse. Conflicting reports on whether Volquez knows. We are not taking chance he would find out through us.
|
| 9:16 |
| 9:16 |
: beat me to it
|
| 9:17 |
This is Perez’s 319th game (give or take a couple) since the beginning of last season. That’s insane? |
| 9:17 |
: Yes.
|
| 9:18 |
I always love listening to Salvador Perez’s post game interviews, but maybe because he reminds me of that character Brendon Small always used to do from Home Movies |
| 9:18 |
: he’s hysterical
|
| 9:18 |
If they win it this year, do they ride Perez less so that they don’t wreck him? |
| 9:18 |
: they’ll need to have not-Drew Butera as their backup, but yeah, this seems like it should be a priority
|
| 9:18 |
: My Fox feed just went out.
|
| 9:19 |
: aaaaaand cable went out
|
| 9:19 |
My Fox just got the blue screen of death |
| 9:19 |
: OH MY WORD
|
| 9:19 |
: amazing
|
| 9:19 |
: Well then.
|
| 9:19 |
: well, this was fun. bye, Dave!
|
| 9:19 |
: The truck lost power. Yikes.
|
| 9:19 |
: FOX “lost power to the truck.” LOL
|
| 9:20 |
Must be a Chevy |
| 9:20 |
What????? No generator????? |
| 9:20 |
Good thing there’s an NBA game on right now. |
| 9:20 |
Maybe they should do a play-by-play,,, |
| 9:20 |
: Yeah, if the game is still going on, and they’re not giving live updates even without video, this is nuts.
|
| 9:20 |
They can’t see it either |
| 9:21 |
: Cell phones exist. Someone could be texting in the info.
|
| 9:21 |
: At least we Dontrelle Willis
|
| 9:21 |
How is it that the entire national broadcast depends on power to a single truck? I would have thought they had… I don’t know, a building, or a dedicated room or something. |
| 9:21 |
: Yeah, the idea that there isn’t a redundancy in place is insane.
|
| 9:21 |
: need to get ol’ Petey Rose on the broadcast
|
| 9:21 |
: that’ll make up for lack of World Series
|
| 9:22 |
: yeah, there being one truck is incredible.
|
| 9:23 |
Oh my god they delayed the game for TV. The power of TV, everyone! |
| 9:23 |
: Broadcast is back!
|
| 9:23 |
: And they delayed the freaking game for it. Wow.
|
| 9:23 |
Looks like they are piggybacking off of MLB NEtworks feed |
| 9:23 |
: Seemed like the obvious fix.
|
| 9:24 |
FOX shouldnt get to delay the game. Them losing power in THEIR ONE truck is their own fault, not the team’s |
| 9:24 |
: I’d wager it’s MLB that called that shot, not FOX. Don’t want something incredible to be missed
|
| 9:25 |
Can’t believe that this is happening. Ridiculous that this is happening on this stage |
| 9:25 |
At least we don’t have Harold Reynolds anymore. |
| 9:25 |
: holy hell what if this saved us from Harold!
|
| 9:25 |
The whole Super Bowl lost power a couple years ago. |
| 9:26 |
That was the venue though, not the broadcast team who had weeks, even months to prepare and get contengencies together |
| 9:27 |
: Apparently replay is down
|
| 9:27 |
: Rosenthal reports both teams have agreed to play without it for now. Insane.
|
| 9:27 |
How is replay down if they have the MLBN feed? |
| 9:27 |
: Yeah, that’s odd.
|
| 9:29 |
: Wow, David Wright. Back looked pretty good there
|
| 9:29 |
“We’ll get you back to… Harold Reynolds… after the technical difficulties are resolved” |
| 9:29 |
: NOOOOOOooooooooo
|
| 9:31 |
Over/under 5: Number of low end FOX employees fired for this debacle |
| 9:31 |
: Under.
|
| 9:31 |
: I’d go 2.
|
| 9:32 |
If the revenue from TV and advertising wasn’t needed, could you see the MLB reducing games so that the World Series would be played earlier in the year to avoid bad/cold weather? |
| 9:32 |
August, you’re doing two chats today? Fangraphs World Series Blog MVP frontrunner. |
| 9:32 |
: raise!
|
| 9:32 |
: Yeah, Manfred has talked about liking 154 games, but it’s going to be tough to get owners to give up the revenues of those extra eight games.
|
| 9:33 |
: do you think Buck, Reynolds and Verducci are still calling the game as normal? gotta stay loose, right?
|
| 9:33 |
Why not just start the season earlier and |
| 9:33 |
: It rains a lot in March.
|
| 9:33 |
I’m sure in an odd turn of events, Reynolds is just making unreal analysis left and right. Like a great hitter in BP |
| 9:34 |
it rains a lot in April too. |
| 9:34 |
: actual lol
|
| 9:34 |
: Less so.
|
| 9:34 |
and what do May flowers bring? |
| 9:34 |
: Pilgrims.
|
| 9:34 |
: Hey, neat, again.
|
| 9:34 |
: ooommmg
|
| 9:34 |
: THIS IS THE GREATEST
|
| 9:35 |
This is like an SNL skit |
| 9:36 |
: Curtis Granderson, quietly making all of us who doubted that contract look stupid.
|
| 9:36 |
Thank god we didn’t miss that |
| 9:36 |
: Crushed by Granderson
|
| 9:36 |
: Volquez has thrown some bad pitches
|
| 9:36 |
THE GRANDY MAN CAN!!!! THE GRANDY MAN CANNNN!!! |
| 9:37 |
First “technical difficulties” and we get a vastly upgraded commentary crew. If it keeps happening eventually we’ll end up with Vin Scully and Jon Miller |
| 9:38 |
*Checks what time through the order it is for Volquez* |
| 9:38 |
Replay back up via Twitter |
| 9:39 |
: Yep, Rosenthal confirms
|
| 9:39 |
: Mike Rowe looks like House.
|
| 9:39 |
: At least in that commercial.
|
| 9:41 |
: they’re back 🙁
|
| 9:41 |
Oh god. No. No. |
| 9:41 |
This has been the theme this post season. We in the LA region missed Murphy’s HR in game five of he NLDS because of a flash flood warning. As a Dodger fan, I couldn’t complain about the interruption there. |
| 9:41 |
 Where Perez wanted it; where it ended up |
| 9:42 |
Why in the world would they bring in the Fox team on MLBN |
| 9:42 |
: Yeah, this is weird.
|
| 9:43 |
Nothing about this broadcast makes sense to me right now. |
| 9:44 |
Escobar didn’t swing at the first pitch! |
| 9:44 |
Dang, Flores |
| 9:44 |
: Wow. Two great plays by Wilmer Flores tonight.
|
| 9:44 |
Wilmer Jeter |
| 9:46 |
Seems like Mets will be able to go straight from Harvey to Familia given low pitch count. Complement to Flores’ improved defense that Mets didnt feel need to carry backup SS. |
| 9:46 |
: In a one run game, I doubt they’d push it. Clippard is a good setup guy.
|
| 9:47 |
And that illustrates one of my biggest complaints about prospect coverage — people who say things like Wilmer Flores can’t be a SS on a championship team. |
| 9:48 |
: “The voice of Matt Vasgersian, and that’s something that hasn’t happened since the 1903 World Series…” How old is Matt Vasgersian?
|
| 9:48 |
: I mean, it’s still not ideal
|
| 9:48 |
I have watched every Mets game this year and don’t think I’ve seen Wilmer make that play in the hole once before. |
| 9:48 |
Vasgersian is a known vampire, Dave |
| 9:49 |
Is, um…is someone warming up in the KC pen? |
| 9:49 |
: Wilmer Flores would have made that play
|
| 9:49 |
Wilmer would’ve gotten that |
| 9:49 |
: Agree that it’s strange that Volquez is still in there with no one throwing behind him.
|
| 9:49 |
: Middle of the order, third time through, this could get out of hand fast.
|
| 9:49 |
Hochevar is warming |
| 9:50 |
: Just started after Cespedes single.
|
| 9:50 |
Nope, it’s not ideal. But to act as if a very-below-average defender/hitter/pitcher/whatever is a bar to winning the World Series is very silly. |
| 9:51 |
The Fox feed went down, the replay system went down, and Google Fiber in KC went down. That’s a bizarre series of coincidences in a short amount of time. |
| 9:51 |
: Wow, just two whiffs in 69 pitches, per Passan
|
| 9:51 |
: For Volquez, that is
|
| 9:51 |
: Another fat pitch right over the middle. He probably shouldn’t be in this game anymore.
|
| 9:52 |
Someone would’ve gone first to third in a normal alignment on that play, guys. |
| 9:52 |
: Harold is just so agenda-driven.
|
| 9:52 |
Pretty sure that the Royals have been using the shift all year too |
| 9:53 |
Shocking he is still in this game |
| 9:53 |
: Ned’s slow hook is a problem for KC.
|
| 9:55 |
: Yeah, that was not a good 3-1 pitch.
|
| 9:55 |
: Lucky that wasn’t crushed.
|
| 9:55 |
: They’ve all been up. Verducci just nailed it
|
| 9:55 |
: Nice 3-2 pitch though.
|
| 9:55 |
: Damnit, you must be ahead of me Dave
|
| 9:55 |
: Wait 10 seconds!
|
| 9:56 |
: Yo is really fast.
|
| 9:56 |
: Yeah, Cespedes is pretty freaking fast.
|
| 9:57 |
Let’s wait for Harold to blame that run on the shift – 3, 2, … oh he already said it… |
| 9:57 |
: Statcast says he topped out at 21 MPH there, FWIW
|
| 9:57 |
: See what happens when you don’t shift? See!!!
|
| 9:58 |
: Moustakas made the play the second time
|
| 9:59 |
: Lagares coming in for defense.
|
| 9:59 |
Usain Bolt tops out at 27.78 mph according to Wikipedia. House cats up to 30mph, same article. |
| 10:00 |
House Cat pinch runners are the new market inefficiency |
| 10:01 |
: Zobrist is so good.
|
| 10:02 |
Now seems like a good time to ask what type of deal Dave and August think Zobrist will get this offseason |
| 10:02 |
: 4/70.
|
| 10:02 |
: I was gonna say 4/56, but Dave is a lot better at these things than me, so side with him
|
| 10:02 |
Who’d you sign first: Zobrist or Murphy? |
| 10:02 |
: Zobrist
|
| 10:02 |
: And here come the Royals.
|
| 10:02 |
: way Zobrist
|
| 10:04 |
BARTOLO WARMING UP |
| 10:04 |
: So weird how he’s become their main middle guy.
|
| 10:04 |
Is it my untrained eye, or does Harvey not have the plus-plus stuff tonight? |
| 10:04 |
: Harvey career OPS allowed, by inning:
1st: .565 |
| 10:04 |
: No you’re not wrong. He’s not throwing as hard as usual.
|
| 10:04 |
They don’t really have a better option though |
| 10:04 |
: Reed is better.
|
| 10:05 |
: Yuck, Lagares’ arm
|
| 10:05 |
Would have been interesting if Cespy was still in CF |
| 10:05 |
Adam Jones throws him out. |
| 10:05 |
Lagares need TJ surgery |
| 10:05 |
Cain is in scoring position. |
| 10:06 |
Lagares won a gold glove…because…reasons. |
| 10:06 |
: Because range matters a heck of a lot more than arm.
|
| 10:06 |
: Yeah, it’s tough to argue against Lagares’ GG last year. He’s clearly hurting and playing below his true defensive talent level right now.
|
| 10:06 |
Also his arm was amazing the year he won his Gold Glove. He’s dealing with injury problems at present. |
| 10:07 |
He actually gunned down a lot of guys with that arm last year. |
| 10:07 |
: But that was mostly because he plays shallow, right? I don’t think he actually has a plus arm, he just plays in.
|
| 10:07 |
: I kinda thought it was both
|
| 10:08 |
: I love Lorenzo Cain.
|
| 10:08 |
WE GET FREE TACO BELL! |
| 10:08 |
: I’ll pass, thanks.
|
| 10:08 |
I’m asking again as the game tightens…if you are TC, how many outs can you reasonably ask Familia to get for you tonight? |
| 10:08 |
: Six.
|
| 10:09 |
: Great play by Harvey, though that probably wouldn’t have been trouble either way with Morales running, as long as it stayed in the infield
|
| 10:09 |
Do you feel confident in asking for 6 from Familia? |
| 10:09 |
: sure why not, though I’d prefer do that later rather than sooner in the series
|
| 10:10 |
: These free (insert $1 fast food item here) things are always a fun experiment in people struggling to value their time. I had friends wait an hour for a free Ben and Jerry’s cone last year; they basically put their free time at $3 an hour.
|
| 10:10 |
I’d be more confident with 6 from Familia than I would trying to hold down an AM Crunchwrap |
| 10:11 |
: That was a laser.
|
| 10:11 |
I take it you studied quite a bit of Economics, Dave? Not a criticism, I’ve just noticed that you frame a lot of your thinking in economic terms |
| 10:11 |
: My BS is in econ, yes.
|
| 10:12 |
: BS as in bachelor’s of science, not the other BS.
|
| 10:12 |
WE advantage to the Royals and their pen now? |
| 10:12 |
: Yes. Also, they’re still batting, so they have more outs left.
|
| 10:13 |
: Oh, man. This is gonna be fun.
|
| 10:14 |
: Davis/Familia should both pitch the 8th/9th. Question is whether one team can get the lead in the seventh.
|
| 10:14 |
Love the super slo-mo replays on these swings. Moose’s bat made such a nice straight line through the path of that Harvey pitch. |
| 10:15 |
Andrew Miller and Kenley Jansen are in this mix, but I honestly believe that Davis and Familia are the 2 best closers in baseball. What do you guys think? |
| 10:15 |
: Aroldis Chapman is still alive.
|
| 10:16 |
: yeah, Chapman, then the field
|
| 10:16 |
: top of the field includes the four guys you mentioned and Kimbrel too, and maybe Rosenthal?
|
| 10:17 |
: Yeah, and David Robertson too.
|
| 10:18 |
: lotta good closers
|
| 10:19 |
: Apparently he wasn’t looking for the 2 strike fastball down the middle
|
| 10:20 |
: Right down the pipe.
|
| 10:20 |
uhhh Britton has to be in that mix no? |
| 10:20 |
: Reed warming in Mets bullpen..
|
| 10:20 |
: that too. and Carter Capps, apparently!
|
| 10:20 |
: and maybe Cody Allen!
|
| 10:21 |
Are you an advocate of swinging 3-0? |
| 10:21 |
: Yes.
|
| 10:21 |
OK, are there any bad closers? |
| 10:21 |
: Fernando Rodney.
|
| 10:22 |
Jim Johnson |
| 10:22 |
Francisco Cordero in his Reds years |
| 10:22 |
Armando Benitez |
| 10:22 |
: every Indians closer between Mike Jackson and Cody Allen
|
| 10:22 |
Brandon League *shudder* |
| 10:22 |
Kevin Gregg |
| 10:22 |
Shawn Chacon |
| 10:22 |
Jose Mesa |
| 10:23 |
Ernesto Frieri |
| 10:23 |
: game’s over guys, this is what we’re doing now
|
| 10:23 |
Matt Capps was a closer once. |
| 10:23 |
Jon Rauch |
| 10:23 |
: Chad Qualls!
|
| 10:24 |
joe borowski |
| 10:24 |
Jose Valverde |
| 10:24 |
Mike Williams. |
| 10:24 |
Mike MacDougal |
| 10:24 |
Todd Jones! |
| 10:24 |
UNSUBSCRIBE |
| 10:24 |
: Herrera in.
|
| 10:25 |
: Are you trying to say Kelvin Herrera isn’t a good closer, Dave
|
| 10:25 |
tanyon sturtze |
| 10:25 |
: ^winner
|
| 10:25 |
: holy shit Tanyon Sturtze played 12 seasons
|
| 10:25 |
: 12 seasons!
|
| 10:26 |
: career 5.19 ERA, 5.03 FIP!
|
| 10:26 |
: Home run machine Daniel Murphy.
|
| 10:26 |
: The postseason brings strange sentences.
|
| 10:26 |
: HA
|
| 10:27 |
Bob Wickman |
| 10:27 |
Dannys Baez |
| 10:27 |
: getting close to naming “All Indians closers between Mike Jackson and Cody Allen”
|
| 10:27 |
Danger Zone right now |
| 10:28 |
: Babe Murphy.
|
| 10:28 |
: He’s having an amazing run.
|
| 10:29 |
Royals take an initial lead on a HR and now the bullpen is blowing it. Post-season baseball for the win. |
| 10:31 |
: I don’t even know how Cespedes touched that pitch
|
| 10:31 |
: That was a big inning to get through.
|
| 10:32 |
Not a good pitch for Cespedes to try to pull IMO |
| 10:33 |
 Wow |
| 10:33 |
: How is in-car wifi a big selling point at this point? Everyone’s phone basically has a hotspot feature now, right?
|
| 10:35 |
It’s for people who are too cheap to pay for the hotspot but more than willing to buy a new car. |
| 10:35 |
: But you still have to pay for the data. It’s not like the provider is going to give you free data.
|
| 10:35 |
: Gordon trying to steal an HBP.
|
| 10:36 |
: That second one looked like a strike.
|
| 10:36 |
: Small zone tonight.
|
| 10:36 |
If I hear how someone ambushed a pitch again I’m going to lose it. |
| 10:37 |
How are you so far ahead? |
| 10:37 |
: I’m using an antenna, since I don’t have cable. That’s probably it.
|
| 10:38 |
Then how did you watch the games when we did the live blog on the first day of the playoffs? Or whenever you did it |
| 10:38 |
: Sling TV, $20 for a month included TBS and ESPN.
|
| 10:39 |
BenZobrist followed by Lorenzo Cain. How has “BenZoCain” not caught on as like the coolest teammate nickname since the Bash Brothers? |
| 10:39 |
Dave, have you ever had a mullet? |
| 10:39 |
: Nope.
|
| 10:39 |
How much are you really saving by ditching cable and buying sling+mlb.tv+whatever else |
| 10:40 |
: I bought Sling for one month. So, a lot.
|
| 10:40 |
Was it worth it? How was the quality? |
| 10:40 |
: Not perfect, but good enough. I wouldn’t keep it for the other 11 months though.
|
| 10:40 |
:
 Seems like the zone is a little worse than usual tonight |
| 10:41 |
: Lefties definitely not having to chase inside corner pitches.
|
| 10:41 |
So which team, Mets or Royals, has the lengthier window of contention? |
| 10:41 |
: I’d say the Mets.
|
| 10:41 |
: Gordon/Zobrist/Cueto going to be tough to replace/re-sign.
|
| 10:42 |
I thought in a chat earlier you mentioned you thought the Royals would re-sign Gordon? Do you think he’ll sign elsewhere? |
| 10:42 |
: I do think they’ll re-sign him, but it will be for a lot more than they’re paying him now, which will make it harder to upgrade/retain elsewhere.
|
| 10:43 |
Why are so many people saying the mets should trade one of these starters? Why not just try and win the next three seasons with 3 legit #1s? |
| 10:44 |
: It’s not a terrible idea if they could get a good return for one of them, given how much risk there is in building around all pitchers.
|
| 10:44 |
But wouldn’t that be priced into the likely return? |
| 10:44 |
: Yes, but not every team does rational calculations. If Dombrowski misses out on FA arms, he might overpay for Harvey.
|
| 10:45 |
: sorry for absence, CiL sometimes destroys my laptop
|
| 10:45 |
: not sure why!
|
| 10:46 |
: man, could Lucas Duda be more over the plate?
|
| 10:46 |
Yes. He could be Rizzo. |
| 10:46 |
: FOX reporting Volqeuz news now on TV
|
| 10:47 |
: I like how they handled this. Kudos to them.
|
| 10:47 |
: Rosenthal says it’s still not known whether he was aware when he pitched
|
| 10:47 |
: Agreed
|
| 10:48 |
Not telling Volquez. y/n |
| 10:48 |
: I’ll defer to his wife.
|
| 10:48 |
:
|
| 10:48 |
: Yeah, I’m not going to second guess their decision.
|
| 10:48 |
: Lagares going yard off Herrera here would be fun.
|
| 10:49 |
He tried |
| 10:51 |
: Have you all seen Lagares’ hit yet?
|
| 10:52 |
: who says Lagares wasn’t an offensive replacement too?
|
| 10:52 |
: Wade Davis getting up, per Passan.
|
| 10:53 |
: Juan Lagares, Offensive Replacement
|
| 10:54 |
You guys like the steal call? |
| 10:54 |
: Herrera is pretty slow to the plate
|
| 10:54 |
: With two outs, yes.
|
| 10:54 |
Great throw by Perez to make it even close |
| 10:54 |
: Another down the middle take
|
| 10:55 |
: …
|
| 10:55 |
: (Can I say something yet?)
|
| 10:55 |
: Wow.
|
| 10:55 |
: what
|
| 10:55 |
: Royals defense letting them down tonight.
|
| 10:56 |
: I didn’t know the Royals could do that.
|
| 10:56 |
: Not an easy play, but Hosmer has to get in front of that one, I think.
|
| 10:56 |
Hosmer and Buckner both have two syllables. Coincidence? I think not! |
| 10:56 |
If it wasn’t for their defense and bullpen, the Royals might be winning this game. |
| 10:57 |
So now we can point to how great of an at bat Lagares had? And the steal too |
| 10:57 |
: guessing if the Mets win, words will be spilled about this
|
| 10:57 |
: Juan Lagares is 100% starting tomorrow now.
|
| 10:58 |
How often does a DH get PH for? |
| 10:58 |
: How often does a DH hit ninth?
|
| 10:58 |
Conforto over Johnson at DH if Lagares starts? |
| 10:58 |
: For sure.
|
| 10:58 |
: Michael Cuddyer: bad.
|
| 11:01 |
: So now the question is when Collins goes to Familia.
|
| 11:01 |
Familia should be in now |
| 11:01 |
: Agreed. Clippard is good but I’d have Familia in here.
|
| 11:01 |
Of course it stays fair. It’s the Royals |
| 11:01 |
Narratives are developing. Better get Familia up. |
| 11:02 |
: and of course the Royals start coming right back.
|
| 11:02 |
Now Familia. NOW. |
| 11:02 |
: Familia 6 out save seems fine now
|
| 11:02 |
ROYALS NEVER SAY DIE!!! |
| 11:02 |
clippard has struggled since beginning of september. got a few big outs last series, but a lot of them were loud, Familia was the right move. |
| 11:02 |
Sorry about your Cavs August |
| 11:02 |
: damnit dude I had avoided spoilers all night 🙁
|
| 11:03 |
: I don’t care about recent performance much. Familia was the right choice because this is the middle of the order and he’s their best arm.
|
| 11:03 |
: should have known the internet wasn’t safe
|
| 11:03 |
: highest bunt attempt ever?
|
| 11:03 |
: Cain is not a good bunter.
|
| 11:03 |
: wow. this at-bat by Cain.
|
| 11:04 |
: The bunt attempts were probably Cain’s decision, and bad ones at that.
|
| 11:04 |
Bad, bad at bat |
| 11:04 |
: so, that at-bat was, uhh..
|
| 11:05 |
: per Passan, Cain has never had a sac bunt in his career
|
| 11:05 |
: if the Mets’ lead holds, I think I know what I’m writing about tomorrow
|
| 11:05 |
: Nasty change-up there.
|
| 11:05 |
: Oh yeah
|
| 11:06 |
: d’Arnaud staring at Hosmer while calling the pitches. Every time I see a catcher look at a hitter now I think of Eno. What a great article that was
|
| 11:06 |
Sorry August, just posted a fully written article on your idea. |
| 11:07 |
: Look at Clippard go.
|
| 11:07 |
: I’d still prefer Familia but that great change-up/high fastball combo is tough.
|
| 11:07 |
: Another plus change.
|
| 11:07 |
: wouldn’t be surprised by that, fake Jeff Sullivan
|
| 11:08 |
The Royals not making contact in High Leverage. What |
| 11:09 |
If only the Royals had a .300 hitter swinging away this inning after the leadoff double |
| 11:09 |
I do not trust Clippard to get this final strike |
| 11:10 |
90 feet away… |
| 11:10 |
What was that Eno article? I need to read that |
| 11:10 |
| 11:11 |
: Familia time!
|
| 11:11 |
Here comes Familia |
| 11:11 |
: 3 of the top 4 Almost Objectively Nastiest Pitches in the World Series coming in!
|
| 11:12 |
: So if you think Familia is your best option to get an out after walking Morales, why wasn’t he the best option to get Morales?
|
| 11:14 |
: because managers
|
| 11:14 |
Is Clippard better against lefties? |
| 11:14 |
: He’s not better than Familia against anyone.
|
| 11:15 |
: Familiaaaaaa
|
| 11:19 |
: I know it’s not a save situation, but I’d still have brought in Davis here.
|
| 11:19 |
: Keeping it a one run game is a big deal.
|
| 11:20 |
Quoted the Buckner play. Sigh |
| 11:20 |
: it was unavoidable
|
| 11:21 |
Was letting the guy steal 2nd but remaining in position like Harold Reynolds pointed worth it? |
| 11:21 |
: Yes, that was a good point.
|
| 11:22 |
: That was very close.
|
| 11:22 |
: wow, it didn’t even look like Escobar was trying to tag him and they almost got him.
|
| 11:22 |
: I’d say out.
|
| 11:22 |
: uhhhh
|
| 11:22 |
: hewas out?
|
| 11:22 |
Out for sure |
| 11:22 |
What was wrong with Escobar on that steal? The play was close and he couldn’t have been more lackadaisical. |
| 11:22 |
: It was a deke.
|
| 11:22 |
: yeah that was weird
|
| 11:22 |
: He was trying to convince Wright that the throw wasn’t coming.
|
| 11:22 |
: what would that deke accomplish, though? He was already sliding?
|
| 11:22 |
: ah
|
| 11:23 |
Would a deke like that ever work? Would someone in Wright’s position ever just decide to go in standing up? |
| 11:23 |
: I can’t imagine it would, but that’s probably more instinct than rational thought at that point.
|
| 11:23 |
What was Perez’s pop time there? |
| 11:24 |
: Statcast says 1.897 seconds
|
| 11:25 |
: They haven’t turned off your MLB.com backdoor to the Statcast data yet, eh? Stop reading this now, MLBAM employees. Pretend you didn’t see this.
|
| 11:25 |
: >_>
|
| 11:26 |
I think the deke there is more designed to make the runner less worried about making sure he stays on the base throughout the entirety of his slide. |
| 11:27 |
: 97 on the black.
|
| 11:27 |
: Rough.
|
| 11:27 |
: ALL OF THESE PITCHES
|
| 11:27 |
: they’re soo good
|
| 11:27 |
Unreal splitter right there |
| 11:28 |
All in all though, couldnt ask for a better Game 1. Much better than the games last year, besides Game 7 |
| 11:28 |
: Yeah, this game has been great.
|
| 11:29 |
: Baseball.
|
| 11:29 |
Holy crap |
| 11:29 |
: Of course.
|
| 11:29 |
I don’t believe this |
| 11:29 |
I LOVE THIS GAME |
| 11:29 |
ROYALS NEVER SAY DIE!!!!! |
| 11:29 |
Omg! |
| 11:29 |
Alex gordon did that?! |
| 11:29 |
What a game!!!!!!! |
| 11:29 |
: Holy hell.
|
| 11:30 |
Should have stuck with Clippard lol |
| 11:30 |
: I was *just* thinking “Man, how could anyone ever square up one of Familia’s pitches? They drop so much. He’d have to REALLY leave one up!
|
| 11:30 |
: Well, he left one up.
|
| 11:30 |
Maybe Gordon IS the best LF of all time. |
| 11:30 |
Get some snacks and beverages after this half-inning. This one could go 18 or more….. |
| 11:30 |
And the Royals still have Davis in the pen… |
| 11:31 |
: Left another one up to Orlando.
|
| 11:31 |
I want to know the speed off the bat on that one. |
| 11:31 |
|
| 11:31 |
: 108 exit velo for Gordon
|
| 11:32 |
: FAT pitch
|
| 11:32 |
Hosmer is the happiness man in the world. |
| 11:32 |
NedYo pretty smart to bat Gordon 8th, now, right? |
| 11:32 |
: #YostMagic
|
| 11:32 |
: Congrats Dave! We get #FreeBaseball!
|
| 11:33 |
: The Royals have almost lost like 15 games this postseason, and are 15-0 in those games.
|
| 11:33 |
: *Data might not be entirely accurate.
|
| 11:34 |
: DraftKings now getting Ed Norton for voiceovers. They really just have way too much $ to burn.
|
| 11:34 |
Royals now bailing out both their bullpen and defense with HRs. How can you not love this game? |
| 11:35 |
You don’t love this game if you’re a Mets fan. |
| 11:36 |
Davis vs. Cespedes in extra innings. GIGGITY |
| 11:36 |
Does Familia come back out if still tied? |
| 11:36 |
: Not after sitting between two innings, no.
|
| 11:36 |
Bautista’s bat flip was awesome…but can we admire someone hitting a freaking HUGE home run that was long gone and NOT admiring it? |
| 11:36 |
: Sure. To each their own.
|
| 11:37 |
Funny hearing Dave comment on ads that have been airing nonstop for 8 weeks as if they were airing for the first time. |
| 11:37 |
: No cable!
|
| 11:37 |
I think both Bautista and Gordon had to be numb. We all react differently when numb |
| 11:37 |
: Yeah, it’s all instinct.
|
| 11:38 |
: looks like I’ve got to restart my damn computer. can’t access everyone’s comments. be right back!
|
| 11:38 |
Good bad pitch? |
| 11:38 |
: Bad location, but stuff is so good he can get away with it.
|
| 11:39 |
: Nasty breaking ball. I don’t know how you hit this guy.
|
| 11:41 |
: Just so nasty.
|
| 11:41 |
: back! that’s what I thought about Familia, Dave!
|
| 11:41 |
: those pitches to Duda were unfair, though.
|
| 11:41 |
: ha, d’Arnaud taking all the way first pitch
|
| 11:42 |
Is Familia pitching in the bottom of the inning? If not him, who? Do we get to see Colon?? |
| 11:42 |
: That would be my guess.
|
| 11:42 |
: Harold and Buck apparently thing the Mets hitters taking the first pitch is them not being ready to bat?
|
| 11:42 |
: WOW. right down the middle, absolutely blown past d’Arnaud
|
| 11:43 |
: 2-1 breaking ball on the corner.
|
| 11:43 |
: Cutter, my mistake.
|
| 11:43 |
: Perfect pitch.
|
| 11:43 |
: Followed by a damn near perfect pitch. Great take by TDA
|
| 11:43 |
: Just absurd.
|
| 11:43 |
How is Wade Davis not at least a good starting pitcher with that stuff? Secondary and fastball (unlike a fastball-only pitcher like Chapman or Jansen) |
| 11:43 |
: lol
|
| 11:44 |
: His stuff played way up in the pen.
|
| 11:44 |
: nobody stood a chance that inning.
|
| 11:44 |
Is Wade Davis a cheat code |
| 11:44 |
Wade Davis is not even fair |
| 11:45 |
|
| 11:46 |
Is anyone else tired of “Under Pressure” yet? |
| 11:46 |
Quickest giffer in the game |
| 11:46 |
It’s kind of impressive that Fox has managed to make me tired of hearing the song “Under Pressure.” |
| 11:46 |
If you could provide Closer Wade Davis at this level guaranteed for 5 years, how much would he get as a free agent? |
| 11:46 |
: Dave?
|
| 11:47 |
: $20M per year.
|
| 11:47 |
: phew
|
| 11:47 |
Jon Niese. Well it looks like we can all head to bed soon |
| 11:47 |
: Niese is fine. Mets fans hatred for him is weird.
|
| 11:49 |
Cain should have bunted |
| 11:49 |
What does a hitting coach tell someone going up there to face Davis? |
| 11:49 |
: “good luck”
|
| 11:49 |
see you soon |
| 11:49 |
“Lean into one.” |
| 11:49 |
: Jon Niese, okay reliever.
|
| 11:50 |
: yeah, wow.
|
| 11:50 |
: Is Jon Niese the Left-Handed Wade Davis? My column:
|
| 11:51 |
snap predictions: how many innings do we go? |
| 11:51 |
: 13
|
| 11:51 |
OK, $20M on the market for guaranteed this-level Wade Davis, but, Dave, how much do *you* think that would be worth? |
| 11:51 |
: making you do this one too, Dave
|
| 11:52 |
: Depends on how aggressive my manager would be in using him
|
| 11:52 |
: Maybe $25M if he could be a relief ace and throw 80 innings.
|
| 11:52 |
: $20M is about right for this level of traditional closer
|
| 11:52 |
The leaderboard says 20MM per year is basically exactly right for the best relievers in the game: http://www.fangraphs.com/le… |
| 11:53 |
: Hey, cool.
|
| 11:53 |
: superb bunt.
|
| 11:53 |
This game really has everything so far |
| 11:53 |
: bunt always
|
| 11:53 |
Lagares does it Royals style |
| 11:54 |
: “This isn’t a perfect bunt” – Harold
|
| 11:54 |
: Not sure how it could have been better unless Lagares doubled
|
| 11:54 |
Bunt here? |
| 11:54 |
: think that’s the right call
|
| 11:55 |
Hosmer what are you doing |
| 11:55 |
: whoa, yeah.
|
| 11:55 |
That’s just Hosmer being Manny. |
| 11:55 |
: very strange. bunt wasn’t even coming towards 1B, where is Hosmer going?
|
| 11:56 |
: Cuddyer will be the hero.
|
| 11:56 |
: calling it
|
| 11:56 |
Cuddyer with a chance to earn at least some of his 21mm |
| 11:56 |
Cudduyer just looks old up there. Why no Uribe? |
| 11:56 |
: Because when you want youth, think Juan Uribe.
|
| 11:56 |
Fun fact: Cuddyer ain’t much older than Madson |
| 11:57 |
Royals fans going to come after Madson with pitchforks if he gives up a run here and totally forget how cromulent he was during the regular season |
| 11:57 |
Good lord is Cuddyer bad |
| 11:57 |
: welp
|
| 11:57 |
Cuddyer needs to sit henceforth |
| 11:57 |
: who said Cuddyer was going to be the hero? that guy looks terribl
|
| 11:57 |
Yeah sorry August your calls suck |
| 11:57 |
Rephrase: Cudduyer just looks old and bad up there. Why not anyone else? |
| 11:58 |
Great pitch from Madson though |
| 11:58 |
: baseball is too weird for it not to happen, was my line of thinking.
|
| 11:58 |
: Worth noting that Madson’s change-up is top 5 in baseball, so looking silly on it isn’t that embarrassing.
|
| 11:59 |
Yeah August this isn’t your month. |
| 11:59 |
: HEYO
|
| 11:59 |
It’s gotta be a Murphy home run to win it, right? |
| 11:59 |
Everyone has a top 5 change up against cuddyer |
| 11:59 |
I’ve heard people describe his change as a “bowling ball”. what does that mean exactly? |
| 11:59 |
: Lots of drop.
|
| 12:00 |
Is there an argument to consider a reverse-game 7 situation here? Put in your game 3 starter maybe for 2 innings? Isn’t this too important for long relievers? |
| 12:00 |
: Yeah, except for the fact that starters are so much about preparation.
|
| 12:01 |
: Hard to ask a guy like Syndergaard to go get ready to throw on a day he was not planning on being part of.
|
| 12:01 |
..granderson’s eye on that last pitch. Whoa |
| 12:01 |
: some kind of take by Granderson there. I love it when a batter has to do everything in his power to not swing.
|
| 12:01 |
: one of my favorite small things about baseball
|
| 12:02 |
Funny, are Royals running out of bullpen arms first?? |
| 12:02 |
: Medlen can go 4-5.
|
| 12:03 |
Chris Young can probably go 4-5 too |
| 12:03 |
: Madson just got that same high pitch that Davis got against Revere
|
| 12:03 |
August, care to call a walk and then a Murphy granny? |
| 12:03 |
: Yeah, if they got to that point, he’s probably the guy they’d use.
|
| 12:03 |
: I’m out now. Rules of the press box are you only get to call one.
|
| 12:03 |
Ridiculously hypothetical question: how long would the game have to go in order to see a position player pitch? |
| 12:04 |
: 20+
|
| 12:04 |
Perez high strike super powers |
| 12:05 |
Raul Mondesi Jr. coming in to pitch the 20th would be weirdest thing in baseball history. |
| 12:05 |
: Madson needed that.
|
| 12:07 |
:
 Welke basically perfect tonight on strikes; all over the place on balls (which makes sense for a tight zone) |
| 12:07 |
That seemed like the Mets’ chance |
| 12:07 |
Royals need to not score so we see Murphy bat at least once more |
| 12:07 |
I’m not having fun anymore. |
| 12:08 |
: Chris Young warming up for KC, so that answers that.
|
| 12:08 |
: Curtis.
|
| 12:08 |
: !!!
|
| 12:08 |
that was going to be an inside the parker |
| 12:08 |
: Grandy!
|
| 12:08 |
Dyson putting a charge on that ball. Defensive subs with the lumber tonight |
| 12:09 |
Raise your hand if you thought the Granderson contract was stupid |
| 12:09 |
: Raises hand.
|
| 12:09 |
: Could have been an inside the parker to start it and an inside the parker to end it
|
| 12:09 |
So we just missed the chance for the start and end of the game to have an inside the park HR |
| 12:10 |
: Dyson hit it 106.
|
| 12:10 |
: Goodness.
|
| 12:10 |
Probably just 3 bags, right? But still game likely over. |
| 12:10 |
: If Granderson doesn’t catch that, I bet its four. Dyson can fly, and neither CG or Lagares can throw.
|
| 12:11 |
: This game, man.
|
| 12:11 |
Isn’t it the best!? |
| 12:11 |
: Of course
|
| 12:11 |
KC catching a break, you dont say |
| 12:11 |
What’s the WPA for the third base bag there? |
| 12:11 |
Some voodoo working now. |
| 12:12 |
um. so no we have seen it all |
| 12:12 |
THIS GAME HAS EVERYTHING |
| 12:12 |
The Mets and Royals should do this six more times. |
| 12:13 |
But my friends tell me baseball is boring?? |
| 12:13 |
I just need to see a Murphy HR with a Bautista-esque bat-flip and THEN it will ahve *everything.* |
| 12:14 |
Oh man can Colon please get a save in this game. |
| 12:15 |
Seeing the Royals lose with a 1-2-3 to end it would truly be seeing “everything” |
| 12:15 |
I want Colon available for games 3-5 so he can bat. |
| 12:15 |
: more innings!
|
| 12:15 |
god dammit I need to sleep |
| 12:15 |
: Here comes Chris Young, even before Medlen.
|
| 12:16 |
i already hate tomorrow at 9am |
| 12:16 |
There was homework I was supposed to do… |
| 12:16 |
Mets exhaust bench then an injury forces them to vacate DH position, forcing an unlikely Bartolo Colon American League plate appearence- -> how this game will end. |
| 12:16 |
What’s the thinking with young? |
| 12:17 |
: Medlen maybe not available for some reason? He’s not the healthiest dude ever.
|
| 12:17 |
So this means Medlen for game 4? |
| 12:17 |
: Not necessarily, but that could also be the answer.
|
| 12:17 |
We are about to see Bartolo Colon and Chris Young pitch in game 1 of the World Series. Is this an elaborate Back To The Future gag? |
| 12:17 |
It’s too early to sleep! West Coast baby! |
| 12:18 |
: I’m pretty sure when your ERA is 7.88, you have not been “equal parts” fantastic and not fantastic.
|
| 12:18 |
Sun’s coming up soon. Ukraine! |
| 12:19 |
Anyone amazed Chris Young and Bartolo Colon are pitching in game 1 of the World Series must’ve forgotten that Jeremy Guthrie started game 7 last year. |
| 12:19 |
We’ve all tried to forget that. |
| 12:20 |
@semperty Giants fans haven’t |
| 12:20 |
: Fortunate bounce for KC.
|
| 12:20 |
: Quite the break for the Royals.
|
| 12:21 |
Fortunate bounce for KC should be their team motto |
| 12:22 |
: Randy Johnson convinced everyone that tall = velocity, but there’s bascially no evidence of that.
|
| 12:22 |
: Usually the opposite, isn’t it?
|
| 12:22 |
: Yup.
|
| 12:22 |
: Most of these tall guys don’t throw that hard.
|
| 12:22 |
Young averaged a very hard fastball early on in his career |
| 12:23 |
: No he didn’t. He was low-90s.
|
| 12:23 |
: high fastballs against Cespedes!
|
| 12:23 |
: I wanted to get into this very matchup in my post this morning but it started to run long
|
| 12:23 |
Gets him with a low sinker |
| 12:23 |
: then gets him to chase
|
| 12:24 |
: low
|
| 12:24 |
Does Young get a lot of popups or something? How does a guy with such horrible underlying stats continue to make it in MLB? |
| 12:24 |
: The most popups of anyone.
|
| 12:24 |
: yep. he’s really deceptive
|
| 12:24 |
He’s like a tall Marco Estrada. |
| 12:24 |
: Chris Young is one of my favorite pitchers in baseball. i don’t want him to ever retire
|
| 12:24 |
: Or Jared Weaver.
|
| 12:25 |
Obligatory take right here, for no reason |
| 12:25 |
: Agree. You know you’re getting a strike. Swing for the fences.
|
| 12:25 |
: Dan: you’ll enjoy this. Great piece from Eno last year- http://www.fangraphs.com/bl…
|
| 12:25 |
: Dan- you’ll enjoy this. Great piece on Young by Eno last year: http://www.fangraphs.com/bl…
|
| 12:26 |
mets love the take down the middle |
| 12:26 |
: Young strikes out the side.
|
| 12:26 |
: he keeps doing that, it seems.
|
| 12:26 |
How in the world |
| 12:27 |
Chris Young – looking like your average dad – strikes out the side. |
| 12:27 |
: average 6’10 Dad
|
| 12:27 |
: I would bet that this is similar to the R.A. Dickey effect. They’ve seen 95-100 all night, now seeing something very different.
|
| 12:27 |
Does weaver have the command to turn in to young or is his velocity that far gone? |
| 12:28 |
: He’s got good command, but I don’t know if he’ll want to stick around as a swing guy.
|
| 12:28 |
How long would you stick with Chris Young? I wouldn’t feel good about the lineup seeing him twice. |
| 12:28 |
: Agred.
|
| 12:28 |
: Agreed, even.
|
| 12:30 |
: gonna be really sad if Bartolo gives it up 🙁
|
| 12:30 |
Two most contrasting pitcher physiques ever? |
| 12:30 |
Bartolo in the 12th. Heaven is here. |
| 12:30 |
: Tim Collins to Colon would be even more extreme.
|
| 12:30 |
When was the last time Chris Young struck out the side? |
| 12:30 |
: happened multiple times in these playoffs
|
| 12:30 |
: And this is how Royals rallies start.
|
| 12:31 |
: hereeee we go!
|
| 12:31 |
That’s a scary guy to have on base |
| 12:31 |
Wright had like a 2% chance on getting Orlando out |
| 12:31 |
Watch Bart’s pickoff move. Shockingly amazing |
| 12:32 |
For different reasons, neither current pitcher can see his own feet. |
| 12:32 |
: pesky clouds in Chris Young’s way
|
| 12:32 |
: I don’t like the IBB usually.
|
| 12:33 |
: But I’m okay with this one.
|
| 12:33 |
double steal |
| 12:33 |
: That would be ballsy. And maybe the right move.
|
| 12:34 |
: Ooh boy.
|
| 12:35 |
: Walk Hosmer.
|
| 12:35 |
: Up to Hosmer.
|
| 12:35 |
: Dyson hitting after that.
|
| 12:35 |
: Or maybe not
|
| 12:35 |
: Gotta walk him if he’s a Proven RBI Man
|
| 12:35 |
Wow. Putting the BB and the infield hit in play |
| 12:35 |
: But huge gap in offensive ability here. The right call.
|
| 12:36 |
: squeeezeeeeee
|
| 12:36 |
: 2 outs.
|
| 12:36 |
: (kidding)
|
| 12:36 |
What’re the odds of a walk here? |
| 12:37 |
: Small strike zone, so…
|
| 12:37 |
In the category of ‘this game’s got it all’, have we seen a bases-loaded balk yet? |
| 12:37 |
: *ball 1*
Reynolds: well you know Colon’s going to throw strikes |
| 12:37 |
swings at ball 2 |
| 12:37 |
: Colon hasn’t thrown him a strike yet.
|
| 12:38 |
: GREAT stat by Verducci
|
| 12:38 |
: no bases loaded walks in 4 years for Colon, apparently.
|
| 12:39 |
: Let’s keep going.
|
| 12:39 |
: This is fun.
|
| 12:39 |
: Bartolo. Freaking. Colon.
|
| 12:39 |
: my heart is pounding
|
| 12:39 |
I’m going to die. |
| 12:39 |
: with no rooting interest. baseball is the greatest.
|
| 12:39 |
This is the first time the Fangraphs chat mods haven’t complained about an extra inning game. You guys are the best. |
| 12:39 |
Not a fan of either team and my palms are sweating. Holy hell. This is GAME 1. What are we in for? |
| 12:39 |
Good game. |
| 12:39 |
: who could complain about this
|
| 12:40 |
Ditto that August. I’m having a blast |
| 12:41 |
: Well I have a Fox piece to write after this so I will start complaining eventually. But yeah.
|
| 12:41 |
Future Phillies113 is going to HATE me for staying up, but meh. Screw that guy. |
| 12:41 |
I’m emotionally exhausted |
| 12:42 |
You could leave a large blank portion in your Fox piece though. |
| 12:42 |
: well done.
|
| 12:42 |
Do networks sell commercial slots by time or by program that’s on? 1:00AM EST would be either a very valuable or not a very valuable slot depending on if the game is still going. |
| 12:42 |
: They have slots. So you pay more for a first inning ad than a 10th inning ad.
|
| 12:43 |
Does Verducci have a team of stathead interns IM’img facts to him all the time? |
| 12:43 |
: probably, yeah.
|
| 12:43 |
Are 10th inning ads contingent? |
| 12:43 |
: imagine the World Series media notes are rather intensive, too.
|
| 12:44 |
Quick quiz: what do Chris Young and Stephen Curry have in common? |
| 12:44 |
: something basketball-related?
|
| 12:44 |
: Yeah, I would imagine you agree to pay some price for extra inning ads and only get charged for them if they air.
|
| 12:44 |
They can both dunk |
| 12:44 |
: well, tz?
|
| 12:46 |
Whoa, Chris Young |
| 12:46 |
: Chris Young: pounding the bottom of the zone, getting whiffs and grounders.
|
| 12:46 |
: Just like we know him.
|
| 12:46 |
Cmon now tz you gotta deliver |
| 12:46 |
: yeah this is brutal
|
| 12:46 |
Both played for the Sacramento Kings |
| 12:46 |
: wat
|
| 12:46 |
: no…
|
| 12:47 |
that sounds false, tz |
| 12:47 |
That’s not even a little true |
| 12:47 |
: worst fun fact ever.
|
| 12:47 |
What do tz and Harold Reynolds have in common. |
| 12:47 |
tz is delirious. |
| 12:47 |
Well SETH Curry plays for the kings so maybe 1% true? |
| 12:47 |
he was offered a contract by the kings |
| 12:48 |
: clarity! looks like the ACTUAL fun fact was, what do Chris Young and SETH Curry have in common, and it’s that they were both -offered- contracts by the Kings.
|
| 12:48 |
: you were almost close to being close to a fun fact, tz
|
| 12:48 |
That’s some great trivia |
| 12:49 |
Never would have guessed a game 1 World Series Live Chat for Mets Royals would lead to a SETH Curry coversation |
| 12:49 |
Tom’s right. Young was under contract to the Kings but never actually played for them lol |
| 12:49 |
: ok back to base ball
|
| 12:49 |
: this is some at-bat by Flores. he’s looked pretty on a handful of these
|
| 12:50 |
: GREAT at-bat
|
| 12:50 |
: Wilmer Flores, disciplined hitter and plus defender.
|
| 12:50 |
: Chris Young, strikeout and groundball machine.
|
| 12:50 |
: Baseball, dumb and stupid and dumb, but awesome
|
| 12:51 |
If this game doesnt end with a Kirk Neuwenheis HR I just dont know what the point was |
| 12:51 |
: That high strike again.
|
| 12:51 |
Nieuwenhuis is random enough for something to happen here |
| 12:51 |
I’m not even sure what I’m watching anymore. |
| 12:51 |
I’m not even sure what I’m watching anymore. |
| 12:52 |
Hey, id like to be double-posted |
| 12:52 |
: Sorry, I tried.
|
| 12:52 |
Didn’t someone predict a finish in the 13th? |
| 12:52 |
: That was me!
|
| 12:53 |
Do hitters get emotionally and physically tired at some point? |
| 12:53 |
: Yes.
|
| 12:54 |
I’m emotionally and physically tired and I’m just sitting on a couch. |
| 12:54 |
Do Fangraphs writers get emotionally and physically tired at some point? |
| 12:54 |
How many people in the chat? What was the max? |
| 12:54 |
: 608 right now, max of 834
|
| 12:54 |
: that’s quite a few. didn’t realize that
|
| 12:55 |
Oh I’m still here! Debating getting coffee… |
| 12:55 |
: Jeter would have leapt into the dugout
|
| 12:55 |
Jeter would have leapt through the dugout |
| 12:56 |
: That was low
|
| 12:56 |
: doesn’t matter
|
| 12:57 |
Great game I guess? But good god damn, but could the west coast team finish this off already so I could go to bed? (tongue in cheekingly says the west coast gal who is rooting for the Mets because of their Giants derivation… But also, seriously.) |
| 12:57 |
The Royals are just so fundamentally sound. In a time where baseball is increasingly becoming strikeouts, walks, and home runs, I love a team going back to making contact and fielding well. |
| 12:57 |
: they’re so fun to watch.
|
| 12:57 |
My grandmother is not happy about this game. The 10 O’clock news starts in 3 minutes. |
| 1:00 |
Tiiigght zone |
| 1:00 |
: Let’s play 14.
|
| 1:01 |
: MY HEART
|
| 1:01 |
: I’m definitely fading.
|
| 1:01 |
: Assuming game ends in next few innings, and Fox piece takes ~an hour, I’m still not getting to bed before 2:30. The kid better sleep in tomorrow morning…
|
| 1:01 |
At some point, it’ll make sense to put in deGrom and Cueto, since they were scheduled to start anyway |
| 1:02 |
I think one of the fun things about games like this is knowing one entire fanbase will wake up tired tomorrow but be in such a great mood, and another will wake up feeling like they wasted a night worth’s of sleep for heartbreak and missed opportunity |
| 1:02 |
Hamburglar – you’re a mean guy |
| 1:02 |
That sounds awful actually @The Hamburglar |
| 1:03 |
: Jacob deGrom is the hottest pitcher in baseball? What?
|
| 1:04 |
: Pete talking about the Royals going down 0-2 also. That was a killer segment
|
| 1:04 |
I dont think ol Pete will be back next year |
| 1:04 |
: I will vote for whatever presidential candidate promises to ship him to Russia.
|
| 1:06 |
: CHRIS YOUNG DA GOAT
|
| 1:07 |
: An assisted living facility here in Winston-Salem just ran an ad, for all the seniors up at 1 am watching baseball…
|
| 1:08 |
I think those are geared towards their kids |
| 1:09 |
Chris Young is not that good, right? |
| 1:09 |
: Yeah, I’m sure they are. But that makes my sarcastic comment less funny.
|
| 1:09 |
: 3.40 ERA since last year
|
| 1:09 |
: obviously he’s not 0.00 ERA true talent level good, but the has been pretty good at run prevention
|
| 1:11 |
If Young goes another inning of no-hit ball, he’ll tie the World Series record for most consecutive no hit innings by people not named Don Larson http://www.baseball-referen… |
| 1:11 |
I keep telling myself, “after this half inning I will definitely go to bed.” But then it just stays tied! Stupid baseball, when will the shoot out start? |
| 1:11 |
please help me |
| 1:11 |
: why did my local FOX 8 news just cut in
|
| 1:11 |
: and now commercial. what is going on.
|
| 1:11 |
: Haha
|
| 1:11 |
: WHY WHY WHY
|
| 1:12 |
: The Royals just Royaled a guy on base in a Royals way.
|
| 1:12 |
: NISSAN COMMERCIAL AND THEN ERROR
|
| 1:13 |
I’m in Cleveland and got the same FOX 8 thing |
| 1:13 |
: -_-
|
| 1:13 |
That BR link was wrong, Bill Bevens pitched 8 2/3 no hit innings in 1947 |
| 1:13 |
All good, here in sunny Calgary |
| 1:14 |
How many people are in chat right now? |
| 1:14 |
: Zobrist is so good.
|
| 1:14 |
: 650, the screen tells me. doesn’t that seem high?
|
| 1:14 |
: oh boy.
|
| 1:14 |
It gets a little annoying watching the Royals, knowing some guy will slip on a banana peel or something and they’ll end up winning |
| 1:14 |
Ah, this might be it. |
| 1:15 |
: Walking Cain to get to Hosmer? Uhh…
|
| 1:15 |
: Yes, you get the force at home, but you also take away any margin for error from Colon, and lose the platoon advantage.
|
| 1:15 |
: The Royals win probability is 93%
|
| 1:16 |
: Leaving Colon in here is weird.
|
| 1:16 |
: Need a K
|
| 1:16 |
: Probably should have had Robles warming.
|
| 1:16 |
5 IF would be so cool right now |
| 1:17 |
: Harold would lose his mind.
|
| 1:17 |
International feed just went out |
| 1:18 |
Back on |
| 1:18 |
: Ballgame.
|
| 1:18 |
: What a game.
|
| 1:18 |
: what an atrocious catch and exchange by Granderson
|
| 1:18 |
I hate/love sports |
| 1:19 |
: might have been close with a quick exchange
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| 1:19 |
: though maybe the throw isn’t as good with a quicker exchange
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| 1:19 |
: Okay, Jeff Sullivan will be here tomorrow. I’m off to go write this Fox thing. August is probably going to go to bed because he’s a jerk and he can.
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| 1:19 |
: what a ballgame! thanks for chatting everyone. gonna be a great World Series if that was any indication
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| 1:20 |
: Night all.
|
Dave is the Managing Editor of FanGraphs.
I’m quadrupling down: Royals in 5.
Considering your previous prognostications, this is great news for Mets fans.
Hey, they weren’t all bad …
I had the Tigers missing the playoffs and the Yankees finishing ahead of the Red Sox to start the year and was laughed out of town.
My Mets predictions have been poor, but this one is holding up so far … Royals in 5.
I tried to tell you all …