2017 NLDS Game 5 Live Blog
| 5:07 |
: Hello friends |
| 5:07 |
: Welcome to NLDS Game 5 Live Blog |
| 5:09 |
: Currently just trying to get my stream to actually work, so in the meantime, let’s entertain ourselves with some polls! |
| 5:09 |
: Who do you think is going to win?
Cubs (70.2% | 165 votes)
Nationals (29.7% | 70 votes)
Total Votes: 235
|
| 5:09 |
: Who do you actually want to win?
Cubs (38.8% | 96 votes)
Nationals (61.1% | 151 votes)
Total Votes: 247
|
| 5:11 |
: Well right now I’m being frustrated by my own technology so I hope you’re having fun! |
| 5:15 |
: Terribly sorry about all that. We’re fixed! |
| 5:15 |
: why not start Scherz for a couple innings and go from there? |
| 5:15 |
: Leverage likely to be higher later on. Better to try to pick your spots |
| 5:16 |
: Can we get an over/under on how long it will take you to get your stream to work? |
| 5:16 |
: It was several agonizing minutes |
| 5:17 |
: Strasburg buried his narrative. Looks like Gio is resurrecting his. |
| 5:17 |
: Has there been a strongly positive narrative about Gio Gonzalez? |
| 5:18 |
: Upside of these circumstances: Gonzalez is terribly inefficient, but in a Game 5 it doesn’t really matter for a hill of beans |
| 5:18 |
: So if you’re the Dodgers who do you want to win this game? It feels so close that it will likely swing wildly back and forth depending on which starters are getting used and who has the worst game 1-2 starting situation by the end. |
| 5:18 |
: I don’t think the Dodgers have a preference. These teams are evenly matched. Probably just rooting for a long-ass slog |
| 5:19 |
: Solid opposite-field line drive for Almora. It’s already 1-0 Cubs but they’ve got two more on with two outs |
| 5:19 |
: is Gio going way more offspeed than normal? |
| 5:20 |
: So far, yeah; 8 fastballs out of 19 pitches |
| 5:20 |
: In what is essentially a one-game playoff, isn’t every inning the same leverage, aside from part of the lineup or if runners on? |
| 5:20 |
: Nope. Every inning has high leverage, but there are still tiers |
| 5:20 |
: Should they get Scherzer up now? |
| 5:21 |
: Ideally you wouldn’t end up in a situation where a pitcher has to bat. I think you save Scherzer for a bit if you can |
| 5:22 |
: Loaded after a walk for Heyward. Looking like classic Gio, not 2017 Gio |
| 5:22 |
: Which makes sense, because 2017 Gio was a mirage |
| 5:23 |
: And there’s present-era Heyward making an easy weak out. Nationals out of the jam and that could’ve been a zillion times worse |
| 5:23 |
: Downside is Gio looks bad so far |
| 5:23 |
: He always *looks* bad. He just usually gets better results |
| 5:23 |
: I’ve heard it said before that the Nationals have thought about trading him just because they don’t like to watch him on the mound |
| 5:23 |
: How quick is the hook for gio? like REALLY quick? or a LITTLE quick? |
| 5:24 |
: Absolutely zero reason to push it at all |
| 5:24 |
: When do you get Scherzer up? |
| 5:24 |
: I wait to get him up until I’m absolutely certain he’s coming in. Might need a bridge reliever between Gio and Max |
| 5:25 |
: Chances of Roark out of the pen to bridge Gio to Max, if needed? |
| 5:25 |
: Could easily see it |
| 5:25 |
: A really good changeup is underrated. Everyone loves the big slider or curve, but a really good change might be the best offspeed pitch. |
| 5:25 |
: And what’s funny is the minor leaguers with really good changeups tend to be underrated! But I agree with you |
| 5:26 |
: Do you think there is any merit to this “1st inning wildness” narrative, or just baseball weirdness? |
| 5:26 |
: Pretty much always just baseball weirdness |
| 5:26 |
: Kyle Hendricks doesn’t seem like a good matchup for Trea Turner, but that’s mostly because everyone has looked like a bad matchup for Trea Turner lately |
| 5:27 |
: Worse contract: Heyward or Ellsbury? |
| 5:27 |
: Ellsbury is 34 years old |
| 5:27 |
: And Turner is aboard with a broken-bat floinker. Dangerous guy to have on to lead off |
| 5:28 |
: Hailing like crazy all of a sudden here in Portland, OR. If hell has frozen over, maybe that means the Nats are winning an elimination game |
| 5:29 |
: Easy steal for Turner. Even despite his inconsistent hitting he is an underrated all-around player |
| 5:29 |
: Why the FUCK didn’t Jackson run to first last night? |
| 5:29 |
: He might still be waiting |
| 5:29 |
: If Nats have any chance, they need Gonzalez to go at least 6 innings, no matter how he pitches. |
| 5:30 |
: Who the hell starts NLCS game 1 if Gio, Roark, and Scherzer go today? |
| 5:30 |
: Roark could probably go if he only got an inning |
| 5:30 |
: Weird running catch in center by Almora |
| 5:31 |
: Still makes no sense to me to have Werth batting 2nd and Murphy-Rendon 5-6 |
| 5:31 |
: Never made sense to have Alcides Escobar batting leadoff |
| 5:32 |
: Fun fact I learned last night about Bryce Harper: he sees by far the fewest inside fastballs for any left-handed hitter |
| 5:32 |
: Maybe that’s obvious but there you go |
| 5:32 |
: how do you handle stealing bases in high leverage games like this one? conservative, aggressive or just regular type? |
| 5:32 |
: Mostly regular. I’d trust a guy like Turner to know what he’s doing |
| 5:32 |
: I find it shocking that no one else thought to pinch hit for Heyward in the first : / |
| 5:33 |
: Several commenters did! |
| 5:33 |
: Quite a few middle infielder blunders the past few games; no reason to suspect it’s indicative of anything, just random coincidences, right? |
| 5:33 |
: Juiced grass |
| 5:33 |
: Quality spoil by Harper on that low-away changeup |
| 5:34 |
: And Turner is out trying for home on the grounder. Great job by Baez making up for his earlier flub |
| 5:34 |
: Quick reminder that Bryce Harper is STILL younger than either Aaron Judge or Jose Altuve |
| 5:34 |
: Live by the Trea, die by the Trea |
| 5:35 |
: who doesn’t love Baez |
| 5:35 |
: Probably Brian McCann |
| 5:35 |
: Jeff, what has surprised you most this postseason (can be anything regarding baseball)? |
| 5:35 |
: Kluber |
| 5:35 |
: Or the soft spot I’ve unexpectedly had for the Yankees |
| 5:35 |
: it cannot possibly be true that the best middle infield arm belongs to a second baseman right? |
| 5:35 |
: It’s Simmons |
| 5:36 |
: did Andrelton Simmons die? |
| 5:36 |
: If he did that’s a horrible way of breaking the news |
| 5:36 |
: Bryce Harper is STILL younger than either Aaron Judge or Jose Altuve……… um, won’t he always be? |
| 5:36 |
: Pardon my newness, but how’s this work? We comment and you decided which ones to let through? |
| 5:36 |
: Basically, yes. But there are hundreds of people in here. It is very overwhelming |
| 5:37 |
: idk how mets fans tolerate ron darling year round |
| 5:37 |
: I find that he’s a lot better doing the Mets-specific broadcast. I don’t know what happens to his brain when he has to go national |
| 5:37 |
: And Zimmerman whiffs at a perfect changeup. 1-0 Cubs after 1 |
| 5:38 |
: Yes, I like Darling and Hernandez on the Mets broadcasts. |
| 5:38 |
: John Smoltz gets my vote for the worst postseason commenter |
| 5:39 |
: Jeff — would you have pinch hit for Heyward in that situation (elimination game, based loaded, top 1, 1-0, lefty / lefty, SP clearly struggling)? Why or why not? |
| 5:39 |
: I would not have. Open to the argument, but my first thought is it’s just too early and Heyward would be completely pissed off. You assume as this game goes forward you’ll be seeing a lot of righties |
| 5:39 |
: What playoff announcers are actually good though? Ranked? |
| 5:40 |
: I have always liked Vasgersian and I also enjoy Brian Anderson’s work for the most part |
| 5:41 |
: It makes me sad that both of these teams can’t win. : ( |
| 5:41 |
: They already have! |
| 5:41 |
: Until tonight |
| 5:41 |
: Tonight someone becomes a loser |
| 5:41 |
: Hot take: A-Rod will become the best broadcast guy in five years. |
| 5:41 |
: I’m not even sure if that’s a hot take anymore. He’s wonderful |
| 5:42 |
: Why would the Indians be so secretive about Kluber’s health? He started game 2 of the ALDS last year because he was hurt and no one questioned them. Why not just admit to it? I am worried he is dying of cancer or something. |
| 5:42 |
: Teams never like to give anything away when it’s even remotely exploitable |
| 5:42 |
: Fun fact: Gio Gonzalez, historically, has been absolute murder on opposing pitchers at the plate |
| 5:42 |
: That curveball is why |
| 5:43 |
: is this the part where we all happily agree that joe buck is Actually Good |
| 5:43 |
: That might have happened a year or two ago |
| 5:43 |
: When Vasgersian calls a big home run it’s goddamn awesome. |
| 5:43 |
: Loved him when he was in San Diego. So much fun |
| 5:44 |
: A-Rod might already be the best broadcast guy. love listening to him. |
| 5:44 |
: whats best case for LA (not counting injuries)? Nats win but blow through every starter? |
| 5:44 |
: Nats win and Stephen Strasburg gets everyone sick |
| 5:44 |
: how is this the same pitcher as the first inning? |
| 5:45 |
: This is instructive. Very little carryover for great or struggling pitchers between frames |
| 5:45 |
: your dedication to watching the padres is commendable |
| 5:45 |
: It used to be less terrible |
| 5:45 |
: Hell of a curveball to end the inning for Gonzalez. He won’t last much longer but that was redemptive |
| 5:45 |
: weiters was heading back to the dugout b4 the ump called strike 3 |
| 5:46 |
: One of the best body languages |
| 5:46 |
: would you rather live during the ascent of a civilization or its decline? |
| 5:46 |
: I kind of feel like I’m already doing both |
| 5:46 |
: Was watching the Padres purely a scouting endeavor for better info on the Vedder Cup? |
| 5:46 |
: I lived in San Diego. It’s what was on |
| 5:46 |
: jeff- should we be worried about the yellowstone supervolcano? |
| 5:46 |
: Absolutely not |
| 5:47 |
: Shout out to Erik Klemetti |
| 5:47 |
: Would you rather walk up the mountain or down? |
| 5:47 |
: I used to think down but now I strongly lean up |
| 5:47 |
: Down blows |
| 5:48 |
: struggles to get the low pitch called strike, maybe it has to do with how high he holds his glove? |
| 5:48 |
: Yep, Wieters has always been better getting high strikes than low |
| 5:49 |
: DINGER. |
| 5:49 |
: MURPHY FINALLY SHOWED UP |
| 5:49 |
: KLOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| 5:49 |
: I love when the chat window spoils the live stream. Daniel Murphy! |
| 5:49 |
: nice launch angle |
| 5:49 |
: don’t go high middle to Daniel Murphy |
| 5:49 |
: wow if Murphy can get going for the Nats, that’s a huge difference…. |
| 5:49 |
: They have so, so many star players |
| 5:50 |
: Murphy gets his hands through the zone so fast. He looks like he’s going to be late on the ball, and then somehow he pulls it. |
| 5:50 |
: Amazing how you can develop in this day and age when you already have plus bat-to-ball skills |
| 5:50 |
: Jeff, I’m new. Why do you say Gonzales won’t last much longer? |
| 5:51 |
: Shouldn’t push him. Everyone, basically, is available, and he isn’t very good |
| 5:51 |
: It still amazes me what Murphy has become. Did anyone see that coming? |
| 5:51 |
: We didn’t, but then, we also didn’t understand the home-run spike as it was beginning |
| 5:51 |
: My hunch now is that you should look out for 2018 Ketel Marte |
| 5:51 |
: Another kind of weird bounce! Juiced grass!! |
| 5:52 |
: Rendon looks like a one-line locker room extra in every baseball movie. |
| 5:53 |
: That is the second bunt hit of Matt Wieters’ entire career |
| 5:53 |
: perfect bunt, wow |
| 5:53 |
: thatd be a nice bunt without a shift |
| 5:53 |
: What skill do you think makes a manager good in the post season? |
| 5:54 |
: Calm personality, and having established enough trust during the season that players don’t question playoff-specific aggressive strategic decisions |
| 5:54 |
: pinch hit for gio if he comes up with a couple guys on base? |
| 5:54 |
: Definitely pinch hit for Gio |
| 5:54 |
: Crazy lucky hits for Nats so far. One two hard contact. |
| 5:55 |
: Nothing lucky about a bunt against the shift |
| 5:55 |
: Last night Dave got asked which manager he thinks makes the least poor decisions, and went Dave Roberts. Picking anyone else? |
| 5:55 |
: Don’t think so |
| 5:56 |
: TAYLOR! |
| 5:56 |
: Wow… |
| 5:56 |
: Fuuuuuuuuuu |
| 5:56 |
: michael A. Taylor playoff hero. |
| 5:56 |
: Tomahawk! |
| 5:56 |
: Nothing lucky about that either |
| 5:56 |
: Rally killer |
| 5:56 |
: So many star players! Plus Michael A. Taylor |
| 5:56 |
: Taylor just slugged an 0-and-2 fastball at the god damn letters! |
| 5:56 |
: Maybe you can’t blow 85 miles per hour past a big-league bat after all |
| 5:57 |
: Maybe less need to pinch hit for Gio now. |
| 5:57 |
: Can confirm |
| 5:57 |
: Should still have a short leash |
| 5:57 |
: why do they keep throwing them to Michael Taylor? That’s all he hunts |
| 5:57 |
: So this Michael Taylor hero narrative… not what I expected. |
| 5:57 |
: THERE’S ONLY ONE OCTOBER |
| 5:58 |
: I bet that’s the highest pitch Taylor has hit a for a dinger. |
| 5:58 |
: Now I wonder if that’s actually true. He’s just aggressive enough to try to do that a bunch. Mark Trumbo-esque |
| 5:58 |
: why don’t the Cubs have anyone up in the pen? |
| 5:58 |
: They don’t trust their pen |
| 5:58 |
: Is Taylor a legitimate starting outfielder at this point? |
| 5:58 |
: His defense is good enough that you can accept the offensive decline coming next season |
| 5:59 |
: Nats Radio just said that was Weiters’ first career bunt hit. Since you looked it up, when was the other? |
| 5:59 |
: Last year against Boston |
| 5:59 |
: Wait, no! |
| 6:00 |
: Upon further examination, that was a sacrifice that turned into a busted fielder’s choice |
| 6:00 |
: So to correct the record: first bunt hit of Matt Wieters’ entire career. Wow |
| 6:00 |
: Not knowing that Nats, why is Michael A Taylor doing well so surprising? I see 3+ WAR, 105 wRC+, and 19 homers. He’s good but not great, no? |
| 6:01 |
: He’s fine. Strikes out a bunch but runs into dingers. Sort of Keon Broxton-y |
| 6:01 |
: I retract my question, having now looked at Michael A Taylor’s previous seasons. |
| 6:01 |
: Related to Michael Taylor: unsolicited plug for Joe Sheehan’s newsletter and article today on Dusty’s handling of Taylor vs. earlier Dusty handling of a young Corey Patterson. Really good article |
| 6:02 |
: Who gets more ABs for the Nats next year – Taylor or Robles? |
| 6:02 |
: Taylor |
| 6:02 |
: Jeff, what are your thoughts leading into the ALCS? |
| 6:02 |
: It will be very good |
| 6:02 |
: Lance McCullers will be very important |
| 6:03 |
: Ah, the good ol second-inning intentional walk |
| 6:03 |
: well now we know Ernie Johnson’s definition of batting around |
| 6:03 |
: Harper just needs to spend another two months in the woods without a razor and he’ll look just like Jayson Werth |
| 6:04 |
: Jeff, did the Nats bat around in the second? |
| 6:04 |
: I’ve become a believer in the 10-batter theory |
| 6:04 |
: Do you see McCullers filling the old fireman (or new Andrew Miller) role? Devenski was definitely the go-to for that during the season |
| 6:04 |
: Both important, but Devenski might be wearing down. And Peacock/Morton can’t go deep |
| 6:05 |
: Zimmerman strikes out. That was anticlimactic, but nevertheless, it’s 4-1 Nationals after two |
| 6:05 |
: Not sure this one was higher, but it’s the highest pitch I could find on StatCast: https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/videos?video_id=1533930183 |
| 6:05 |
: “Nats bat around in the 2nd”….Ernie is on team 9 apparently |
| 6:05 |
: Does Hendricks always pitch up this much, or just missing? |
| 6:05 |
: I think it’s been more of a recent thing for him, if memory serves |
| 6:06 |
: What was Joe Maddon drinking? Looked like dirty creek water. |
| 6:06 |
: dirty creek water |
| 6:06 |
: why do baseball players always shout “Let’s Go!” whenever something good happens? Is there no other way to express celebration? |
| 6:06 |
: There are like four different exhortations in the entire English language |
| 6:07 |
: Let’s go! You got this! C’mon man! Let’s do this! |
| 6:07 |
: This chat is under siege from Effectively Wild. the 10 batter theory is clearly wrong. |
| 6:07 |
: I am in control of this chat and this will proceed no further |
| 6:07 |
: My favorite innings are when a team bats around and the same player makes an out twice. |
| 6:07 |
: anti-Tatis |
| 6:08 |
: Goal here should be 3 outs from Gio & then go to Schererville, right? |
| 6:08 |
: Might, again, want a bridge for an inning just because the pitcher spot might bat in the next frame |
| 6:09 |
: Not a great dive by Taylor on that sinking liner but good backup from Werth |
| 6:09 |
: I once involuntarily exclaimed “Congratulations!” when a batter hit a go-ahead double. Why can’t this catch on? It kind of makes me sad… |
| 6:10 |
: How many times has a player pulled a Tatis? |
| 6:10 |
: 1 |
| 6:10 |
: What a weird punchout call on Rizzo |
| 6:10 |
: Definitely a ball and an unusually generous strike for an 0-and-2 count |
| 6:10 |
: What do you expect out of Scherzer today? |
| 6:10 |
: Good pitching |
| 6:11 |
: Most dispirited strike three punch out call ever |
| 6:11 |
: Do you see the Cubs yanking Heyward next time up since they need offense? |
| 6:11 |
: Not if a righty’s pitching |
| 6:11 |
: your playoff k zone piece has been great for these past couple nights |
| 6:11 |
: I’m amazing! |
| 6:12 |
: and the strictest definition of a Tatis–the one that includes facing the same pitcher–is extremely likely to never happen again |
| 6:12 |
: Tatis? Too young… |
| 6:12 |
: Two grand slams in the same inning |
| 6:13 |
: There’s a little balance — Contreras walks on a possible strike |
| 6:13 |
: Gio’s leash ought to be tightening |
| 6:13 |
: bullpen time????? |
| 6:13 |
: Someone at least needs to be getting warm |
| 6:14 |
: late hitter timeouts are the worst |
| 6:15 |
: time called right when he started his motion. That’s kind of rude. |
| 6:15 |
: They are ump timeouts. |
| 6:16 |
: Aaaaaaaaaaand we’re loaded. With Heyward on deck! |
| 6:16 |
: getting out to an early lead in game 5 and then having gio gonzalez throw it away reminds me of 2012 |
| 6:16 |
: Gio gotta go. |
| 6:17 |
: Do you believe in Scott Boras’ pitch for Wieters — something along the lines of “can’t win in the postseason without a veteran catcher?” |
| 6:17 |
: The Royals won with Salvador Perez |
| 6:17 |
: Out, run, 4-2 Nats. Look at this — second and third for Heyward, with two outs |
| 6:18 |
: Also, re: above, the Giants won with Buster Posey |
| 6:18 |
: heyward will, once again, kill the rally |
| 6:18 |
: Is this a ST game? Are the two managers trying to build up starter innings? |
| 6:21 |
: Bounced! More classic Gio! |
| 6:21 |
: 4-3, possibly saving Heyward and the Cubs from themselves |
| 6:22 |
: Wow, Heyward |
| 6:22 |
: Ugly hack, inning over. But at least the Cubs scored a run while he was up there |
| 6:22 |
: Why is it now easier to hate the Cubs than the Yankees? |
| 6:22 |
: Recency bias |
| 6:22 |
: At least heyward lasted long enough for the wild pitch |
| 6:23 |
: Jesus H. Christ, Heyward. Awful |
| 6:23 |
: Yay! Heyward did his job of stretching out the at-bat until Gio threw wild. |
| 6:23 |
: Do Cubs try to move Heyward this winter? |
| 6:23 |
: No good way to do it |
| 6:23 |
: Remember last spring when his swing was overhauled and fixed? |
| 6:23 |
: Jeff. Im sorry. But I think that Rizzo should walk on the field and fire Baker on live television. Furthermore, Maddon should not allow Heyward to bat again in this game. |
| 6:24 |
: I bet the entire Nats front office came together to try to figure out a pitching plan for this game |
| 6:24 |
: Does a passed-ball/wild-pitch-while-batting factor into WAR? |
| 6:24 |
: no |
| 6:24 |
: but it probably factors into WPA |
| 6:24 |
: Is that considered a good AB by Heyward? |
| 6:24 |
: No. He swung at an obvious ball four |
| 6:25 |
: Is Heyward the worst contract in baseball right now? |
| 6:25 |
: lol no |
| 6:25 |
: Pujols and Cabrera look terrrrrrrrrrrrrible |
| 6:26 |
: why on earth is kyle hendricks still pitching |
| 6:26 |
: Give him one thing, he’s thrown virtually 100% strikes |
| 6:26 |
: Is Heyward the worst player in baseball right now? |
| 6:26 |
: no |
| 6:26 |
: not even close |
| 6:27 |
: wow does maddon hate the entire cubs bullpen that article was not lying |
| 6:27 |
: No reason for Hendricks to still be in there, is there? |
| 6:27 |
: I think it’s defensible for him to finish this trip through the order |
| 6:27 |
: He’s a good pitcher |
| 6:27 |
: At least Cabrera you can kindaaaaa argue he was dinged up. This is clearly who Pujols is |
| 6:28 |
: Cabrera is always dinged up. That doesn’t get better with age |
| 6:28 |
: If Heyward were a FA this winter, what do you estimate he’d get? |
| 6:28 |
: 1/$10m |
| 6:28 |
: Could there be something to a Heyward-plus-prospects/cash for Stanton trade? |
| 6:28 |
: I guess I could see something like that |
| 6:29 |
: What’s up with all the Walgreens Nationals stuff on Twitter? It’s not that funny, really. |
| 6:29 |
: Nothing on twitter is funny for more than three minutes |
| 6:30 |
: If Gio is on the bench shaking his head he can’t be going back in, right? |
| 6:30 |
: He’s pacing around, seemingly trying to stay warm |
| 6:30 |
: Hendricks up second in the next inning, is Maddon just trying to get him to get one more out here? |
| 6:30 |
: Probably |
| 6:30 |
: as much as anyone I have seen, Kyle Hendricks can have an inning like that and then cruise for for 3 or 4. |
| 6:30 |
: He allowed a three-run homer on an 0-and-2 pitch at the letters. He wasn’t that bad in the second |
| 6:31 |
: 1/10 seems low, the glove gives him at least a 1 win floor per year plus the potential to have an above average bat |
| 6:31 |
: I think Heyward would seek out a one-year deal |
| 6:31 |
: But Stanton has value even on that contract, right? Heyward does not |
| 6:31 |
: Stanton’s contract is bad |
| 6:31 |
: for the team responsible for it |
| 6:32 |
: And we’re through three. 4-3 Nats. It’s been an hour and a half |
| 6:32 |
: Going to guess Hendricks is probably finished, given that his spot is due up |
| 6:33 |
: It’s 4-3 Nationals going into the fourth. Gut feeling: who’s your winner?
Cubs (44.6% | 105 votes)
Nationals (55.3% | 130 votes)
Total Votes: 235
|
| 6:33 |
: Jeff, is there a place on the site to view the “probability of winning” charts during the game itself? |
| 6:33 |
: Currently 62% win expectancy for the Nationals |
| 6:34 |
: Is Joe Maddon the most overrated coach in MLB history? |
| 6:34 |
: No. His teams are good |
| 6:34 |
: Who’s the worst player remaining in the playoffs? |
| 6:34 |
: Some backup catcher |
| 6:34 |
: Got you on a technicality, Bill Don |
| 6:35 |
: Matt Albers now pitching! |
| 6:35 |
: 80 FIP- this year, 79 xFIP- somehow |
| 6:35 |
: Should be a one-inning bridge to Scherzer |
| 6:35 |
: Scherzer is stretching right now in the bullpen |
| 6:35 |
: Jeff, where’d you get the idea Cabrera’s always dinged up? |
| 6:36 |
: From tracking his past few years. His slumps are always connected to some muscle strain |
| 6:36 |
: henricks and gio are like polar opposite pitchers |
| 6:36 |
: And they will have both lasted three innings. Baseball! |
| 6:36 |
: So much for the “Cubs / Nats play short games” trend |
| 6:36 |
: Every playoff baseball game takes forever |
| 6:36 |
: MLB is lucky they’ve mostly been close |
| 6:37 |
: Quote Dusty: “I was hoping Gio would go longer” |
| 6:37 |
: sigh |
| 6:37 |
: Dusty talking about Albers going more than one inning |
| 6:37 |
: He’s due up next inning |
| 6:37 |
: What on earth |
| 6:37 |
: If Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw are any indication, my plumber throws mid-90s with a plus slider. |
| 6:37 |
: Don’t be surprised when Hendricks bats here. |
| 6:38 |
: Indeed, Hendricks is apparently going to try to go more than three innings |
| 6:38 |
: Maddon really not trusting his bullpen today |
| 6:38 |
: I let Kyle go as long as he can, avoid middle relievers as much as possible. Q had some inconsistency during the season too so I’m not totally comfortable with him out of the pen |
| 6:38 |
: Is there more volatility in win expectancy during the posteason? I guess what i mean is – are leads less safe? |
| 6:38 |
: In theory they’re even more safe because you use exclusively good pitchers |
| 6:39 |
: Announcers love every first baseman’s ability to scoop low throws. Nobody knows who’s actually bad at it |
| 6:39 |
: Does anybody actually believe Dusty will let ALbers lead off? |
| 6:39 |
: Well |
| 6:40 |
: Seconding “Cabrera’s always dinged up.” Hasn’t been healthy in an age. |
| 6:40 |
: Yeah, the thing about Cabrera is he usually just plays through the pain. Doesn’t let himself miss games |
| 6:41 |
: If Baez got to start each plate appearance 1-0, what would his BB% look like at the end of a season? |
| 6:41 |
: Career 7.3% unintentional walk rate after going ahead 1-and-0 |
| 6:41 |
: Is Dusty seriously going to let Albers hit? |
| 6:41 |
: TBS tries, twice, to get Dusty to give away his bullpen strategy. he BS’s about Albers getting more than an inning possibly |
| 6:41 |
: A 1-2-3 fourth for Matt Albers! |
| 6:42 |
: 16 pitches. True test will be seeing if Dusty actually lets him hit |
| 6:42 |
: He is due to lead off |
| 6:43 |
: Its both possible that not every Dusty Baker decision is bad and that Dusty Baker’s fucking dumb |
| 6:43 |
: I don’t think Baker is dumb at all. I just think some in-game strategies don’t play to his strengths |
| 6:44 |
: For the record, I think Dusty Baker is, overall, an above-average MLB manager |
| 6:44 |
: Robles hitting for Albers |
| 6:45 |
: Modest disaster averted! |
| 6:45 |
: And Robles does what Albers would’ve done anyway |
| 6:45 |
: Baseball |
| 6:47 |
: Who are your current “below-average”/”worst” MLB managers? |
| 6:47 |
: Haha |
| 6:47 |
: I don’t have many actual takes |
| 6:48 |
: I’ve just taken the time before to look into Dusty closer than usual. I have an opinion about him and almost nobody else |
| 6:48 |
: I generally avoid manager articles like the plague |
| 6:49 |
: Robles stays in? Or no? |
| 6:49 |
: Very skeptical |
| 6:49 |
: Is the TBS zone off or does this ump hate low strikes? |
| 6:49 |
: This is a game with two bad-framing catchers |
| 6:50 |
: OK, watch Hendricks lurk off the mound at the end of inning, and tell me he doesn’t remind u of Jake Gyllanall in Nightcrawler. The guy does not get rattled. |
| 6:50 |
: Everyone used to think Cliff Lee never got rattled. He said that during the World Series he was actually about to shit himself |
| 6:51 |
: Two-out noise now from the Nationals. Consecutive singles have two on for Zimmerman |
| 6:51 |
: Would letting Albers hit and getting an extra inning out of him really have been that big of a disaster? |
| 6:52 |
: Not an actual disaster, but it would’ve been pointless. Can’t give away fractions of outs in one-run elimination games |
| 6:52 |
: How many innings does Scherzer pitch? |
| 6:52 |
: I could even see him getting through the eighth |
| 6:52 |
: Zimmerman briefly thought he got it. He did not get it. Going to the fifth! 4-3 Nationals |
| 6:52 |
: Max Scherzer is coming in as we e-speak |
| 6:52 |
: what chance do we see Strasburg tonight? |
| 6:53 |
: 100% you see him in the dugout wearing a hoodie |
| 6:53 |
: Is Hendricks the Cubs’ best starter? |
| 6:53 |
: I think it’s Quintana but it’s one of them |
| 6:53 |
: Ron Darling is awful. He has about as much insight as Helen Keller |
| 6:53 |
: Helen Keller was extremely bright |
| 6:54 |
: Come on Jeff, the road to fame in today’s media is to be constantly agitating for other people to lose their jobs |
| 6:54 |
: I don’t understand why anyone would want to be famous |
| 6:55 |
: Would you leave scherzer in for 4 innings if hes rolling? Five even? |
| 6:55 |
: No matter what I’d like to hand a ninth-inning lead to Doolittle |
| 6:55 |
: plot twist, Robles stays in to pitch |
| 6:56 |
: Scherzer throws a fastball at 96 |
| 6:56 |
: Who expected Max Scherzer vs. Kris Bryant to yield a ground ball |
| 6:57 |
: Is a league made up of 5-7 superteams a deathknell for MLB? |
| 6:57 |
: Nope |
| 6:57 |
: It also won’t sustain that way |
| 6:57 |
: Wow, thought Rizzo got more of that than he did |
| 6:57 |
: In the 7th game of the 2014 WS, Bumgarner entered to start the 5th and just stayed. |
| 6:57 |
: I’m sure Scherzer will be pleading his case if he pitches well enough |
| 6:58 |
: He’s one of those guys who doesn’t want to leave a game with a lead |
| 6:58 |
: Sullivan with the name-drop! |
| 6:58 |
: To be clear, the Cliff Lee anecdote is second-hand, from a former teammate |
| 6:58 |
: I never met Cliff Lee |
| 6:58 |
: 🙁 |
| 6:58 |
: (Cliff Lee was good, fast, and perfect) |
| 6:59 |
: Zobrist now in for Almora |
| 6:59 |
: Strangely, I think Darling is way better during the regular season. Almost like he dumbs it down for the national audience. |
| 6:59 |
: Ron Darling is much better on the local Mets broadcast than he is on TBS. I have no explanation. |
| 6:59 |
: If Sale’s & Verlander’s foray as relievers is any indication, Scherzer’s about to give up some home runs… |
| 7:00 |
: Sale took a while before the dinger |
| 7:00 |
: That video board of Scherzer’s eyes with Ks in them is nightmare fuel |
| 7:00 |
: Wait wait wait wait Yolmer Sanchez is Carlos Sanchez??? |
| 7:00 |
: This tripped me up for literally months |
| 7:01 |
: Would Max Scherzer be the best closer in baseball or is the position specialized enough that others would be as good or better? |
| 7:01 |
: Not as good as Jansen |
| 7:01 |
: Dodgers have to love Scherzer staying in as long as possible |
| 7:02 |
: Do you see the Dodgers in the WS regardless of whichever team wins tonight? |
| 7:02 |
: They’ll be favored, but not that strongly |
| 7:02 |
: Perspective: Victor Robles was a month old when Jayson Werth was drafted. Now, they are teammates. |
| 7:02 |
: Scoop there by Zimmerman on the low pick-off. Best scooper around! |
| 7:03 |
: Ron Darling brought up pitch tunneling during one of the WC games; blew my mind. |
| 7:03 |
: It’s a fairly old concept. Just newly researched |
| 7:03 |
: Bloop single for Zobrist. Bench bat works and now it’s Russell against a guy who owned righties more than maybe anyone else |
| 7:04 |
: Russell down the line! |
| 7:04 |
: 5-4 Cubs, improbably |
| 7:04 |
: First-pitch changeup, in off the plate, and Russell sneaked it past Rendon by a few inches |
| 7:05 |
: OH WOW |
| 7:05 |
: amazing |
| 7:05 |
: The Cubs have seemed really lucky this series |
| 7:05 |
: Zobrist sleeper HOF candidate? |
| 7:05 |
: Virtually no chance |
| 7:05 |
: And Heyward is coming up for the last out in a rally |
| 7:05 |
: this is unlikely! |
| 7:06 |
: Wow, stadium got QUIET |
| 7:06 |
: Two grounders and a bloop off of Scherzer. There are your two runs. Baseball is wonderful and frequently sucks |
| 7:06 |
: Dusty will get killed for this |
| 7:06 |
: Shouldn’t, but angry fans are morons |
| 7:07 |
: This seems so early for a Nats Game 5 collapse |
| 7:07 |
: Volatility is starters in relief. |
| 7:08 |
: I WASN’T THE LAST OUT IN A RALLY! |
| 7:08 |
: Unnnnnnnnnnnnnbelievable |
| 7:09 |
: Baez strikes out. Wieters can’t catch it. Ball goes to the backstop. Wieters makes an ill-advised throw. Gets by two Nationals. 6-4 Cubs |
| 7:09 |
: holy shit. |
| 7:09 |
: Austin Jackson pay attention |
| 7:09 |
: Dumbest throw ever. Veteran catcher! |
| 7:09 |
: That was not good. |
| 7:09 |
: The Nationals have done so much to hurt themselves. |
| 7:09 |
: Second passed ball of the night |
| 7:10 |
: And yet Gary Sanchez catches all the flak |
| 7:10 |
: All we’re missing is a balk and this game will have everything |
| 7:10 |
: #veteranplayoffcatcher |
| 7:10 |
: That was one of the silliest things I’ve ever seen on a baseball field |
| 7:10 |
: I fucking love this dumb sport |
| 7:11 |
: Nats don’t just lose, they do it in horrifying fashion |
| 7:12 |
: Catcher’s interference on Wieters |
| 7:12 |
: Amazing |
| 7:12 |
: AMAZING |
| 7:12 |
: Having a below average defensive catcher bites! In the worst way. |
| 7:12 |
: They have to move on from Wieters next year right? |
| 7:12 |
: If Matt Wieters is the starting catcher again next year it’s gonna be real hard to be a Nats fan. |
| 7:13 |
: The combination of cubs magic and nats ineptitude is on full display |
| 7:13 |
: Can you explain the passed ball on a strikeout rule again? I thought 1st had to be unoccupied. |
| 7:13 |
: Without looking it up, going to guess that’s not true with two outs |
| 7:13 |
: Matt Wieters is awful and nobody listened to us O’s fans |
| 7:14 |
: Bases-loaded hit-by-pitch. This is the most amazing thing I have seen all year |
| 7:14 |
: 7-4 Cubs. Max Scherzer started better than he’s looked lately. Wieters has been a catastrophe |
| 7:14 |
: Strong possibility of this being an all-time great bad game. |
| 7:14 |
: are the nats cursed |
| 7:14 |
: Almost as if pitching on short rest is hard … *coughKERSHAWcough* … |
| 7:15 |
: Tire fire for the Nats |
| 7:15 |
: This is actually remarkable |
| 7:15 |
: Roark and Solis throwing in the bullpen |
| 7:15 |
: Being a Nats fan seems like it would be hard in general. |
| 7:16 |
: The inning is over! To muted applause |
| 7:16 |
: Two catcher interference calls this postseason. What is the record? |
| 7:16 |
: That was just the 14th playoff catcher’s interference call ever on record |
| 7:16 |
: Four of them in the last two playoffs |
| 7:16 |
: catchers interferene in both LDS game 5s, what are the odds |
| 7:16 |
: What happened to Wieters?? |
| 7:17 |
: He got bad a while ago |
| 7:17 |
: That inning was kept alive by a lot of things, but it was mostly kept alive by a Willson Contreras infield single with a hit probability of 15% |
| 7:18 |
: Scherzer has allowed 7 in a row to reach without a single well hit ball. |
| 7:18 |
: Russell hit the ball 103 miles per hour |
| 7:18 |
: The Nats were up 3 just 3 innings ago…but this game feels locked up for Chicago, doesn’t it? |
| 7:19 |
: Whoever said Scherzer would give up a HR had an insufficient imagination |
| 7:19 |
: really can’t imagine a worse way to forfeit a season. worse than 2012 and 2016. |
| 7:19 |
: Will the Nats ever win a playoff game? |
| 7:19 |
: They seem to win a couple every year! |
| 7:19 |
: The nats are the Mets of the playoffs. |
| 7:20 |
: Do you ever have an idea of what a player looks like in your head only to come to find out you were inconceivably wrong? I thought Solis was a lanky, African-American. |
| 7:20 |
: I still don’t know what Sammy Solis looks like and I’ve seen him at least a dozen times |
| 7:20 |
: Leadoff walk for Murphy. I don’t want to talk about momentum but the Nats could really use some life here right away |
| 7:20 |
: Already looking forward to your article about this tomorrow, Jeff! |
| 7:21 |
: I’m taking the night off after this probable five-hour live blog. Already scheduled a far more boring post about Didi Gregorius |
| 7:21 |
: it’s an emotional rollercoaster being a Nats fan, loved seeing Scherzer come in, this sucks |
| 7:21 |
: if Bryant spends his entire career as uncltuch as fuck but is otherwise HoF does that meaningfully effect his chances? |
| 7:21 |
: I doubt anyone would really notice or care |
| 7:21 |
: being a Nats fan is pretty great from December through September |
| 7:21 |
: Remember when Wieters looked like a possible hero for his bunt single |
| 7:22 |
: Is it fair to say that baseball has overshot the “use a SP in relief in the postseason” idea? Maybe you should actually use some relievers? |
| 7:22 |
: I am definitely of the belief that managers are weirdly too afraid of using their perfectly fine non-closer relievers |
| 7:22 |
: I mean, you roster those guys for a reason |
| 7:23 |
: At a certain point, people are going to understand that trusting your bullpen is smarter than throwing somebody on short rest, right? |
| 7:23 |
: This felt like the 2003 Bartman inning, in terms of how the team just fell apart. The Cubs just are on the other side for this inning |
| 7:23 |
: This is devastating, my son is crying his eyes out. This is the life of a nationals fan. |
| 7:23 |
: You, on the other hand — you are numb in your wise older age |
| 7:24 |
: Wieters was never really good. Had like one or two good seasons. |
| 7:24 |
: He was best before he was ever in the majors |
| 7:24 |
: What was the hit probability on the Zobrist bloop? |
| 7:24 |
: 67%. Bloops are fluky but consistently helpful https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/gamefeed?game_pk=526496&type=exit_veloc… |
| 7:25 |
: If there’s one thing to take away from today’s game, it’s Matt Albers > Max Scherzer. |
| 7:25 |
: Cubs a little fortunate that Duensing was able to retire Rendon, albeit on a liner |
| 7:25 |
: Also we’re only half way through this game. |
| 7:26 |
: I don’t want to be that guy complaining but every game this month has taken forever |
| 7:26 |
: This one, at least, makes sense |
| 7:27 |
: Wait…are you still planning to do your regular Friday chat? |
| 7:27 |
: Somehow yes |
| 7:27 |
: All chatting, all the time |
| 7:27 |
: The second a batter hits the catcher in the mask/helmet with a backswing on a dropped third-strike swing, it’s a de… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
? |
| 7:28 |
: Why do so many baseball players have distinctive facial hair? Brian Duensing has a curly moustache for no reason |
| 7:28 |
: The top-of-head hair is always covered up with a hat or a helmet, so they need to find other ways of expressing themselves |
| 7:28 |
: Nats fans should calm down! This game’s got a long way to go. |
| 7:28 |
: At least two and a half more hours |
| 7:29 |
: If the gamie ends as-is … what the the narrative on the Nationals tmrw? |
| 7:29 |
: Cursed |
| 7:29 |
: Wieters sees six pitches, with four easily out of the zone. Strikeout! |
| 7:30 |
: Re: imagining what a player looks like before you see him, my confession is that I thought Trea Turner was black when he was a prospect because no one talks about white guys being fast. |
| 7:30 |
: And then Bradley Zimmer happened! |
| 7:30 |
: Does hit probability account for fielder positioning or is the tech not there yet |
| 7:30 |
: It does not |
| 7:31 |
: Hard to believe it’s the fifth |
| 7:31 |
: Matt Weiters in Single A (174 wRC+), AA (190 wRC+), AAA (146 wRC+), MLB (93 wRC+). |
| 7:31 |
: Calling it Nationals win 8 – 7, Cubs still go to nlcs just to spite the Nats |
| 7:33 |
: I don’t want to be an alarmist, but… it would appear they seriously messed that up.
 |
| 7:33 |
: I don’t follow twitter when I’m doing a live blog but it would appear there’s a very interesting conversation taking place re: the strikeout passed ball in the top of the fifth |
| 7:33 |
: Anyway, Michael A Taylor just struck out and we’re going to the sixth, finally |
| 7:34 |
: Someone mentioned KB and clutch a while back. My issue with the clutch metric is that it effectively punishes a hitter for performing well in non-high leverage situations |
| 7:34 |
: Kris Bryant had a 68 wRC+ in high-leverage situations this year. That sucks |
| 7:34 |
: No one thinks he is unclutch. He *has been* unclutch is all |
| 7:34 |
: Are you married, Jeff? If so, thanks for giving up your evening for us. |
| 7:34 |
: Dave live-blogged a wild-card game on the night of his literal anniversary |
| 7:35 |
: good thing the metro is open late tonight |
| 7:35 |
: So weiters was right, it was a dead ball? |
| 7:35 |
: Seems that way to me |
| 7:36 |
: If true, top of the fifth should’ve ended at 5-4 |
| 7:36 |
: I feel like employing Michael Taylor has to violate child labor laws |
| 7:36 |
: Devers too |
| 7:36 |
: Does Wieters get a major league contract this offseason? |
| 7:36 |
: Yep |
| 7:37 |
: How long did it take for the Red Sox to develop the “cursed” narrative? Nats have only been around for a dozen years or so and good for less than half that time |
| 7:37 |
: Think it’s less a Nats curse and more a DC sports curse. It is, of course, nonsense, but they’ve had it pretty bad |
| 7:37 |
: Kintzler with the ol confidently-walk-off-the-mound-after-strike-three move |
| 7:37 |
: Except it wasn’t strike three |
| 7:38 |
: It wasn’t on the backswing. Hit glove, then ball. |
| 7:38 |
: Not about the interference. About Baez’s backswing after he struck out |
| 7:38 |
: I guess they can try playing the game under protest? |
| 7:38 |
: Might as well! |
| 7:38 |
: Not that it ever does anything |
| 7:38 |
: Is wRC+ lower in high leverage situations overall? Due to bringing a reliever in |
| 7:38 |
: Not meaningfully |
| 7:39 |
: “If a batter strikes at a ball and misses and swings so hard he
carries the bat all the way around and, in the umpire’s judg- ment, unintentionally hits the catcher or the ball in back of him on the backswing, it shall be called a strike only (not interference). The ball will be dead, however, and no runner shall advance on the play.”http://mlb.mlb.com/documents/0/4/0/224919040/2017_Official_Baseball_Ru… |
| 7:39 |
: Haha, Dave also said he was getting his wife DONUTS for their anniversary…and actually, that’s the level of romance I’d expect out of Dave Cameron |
| 7:39 |
: In fairness I can vouch for the donuts. Dave’s wife was ecstatic |
| 7:39 |
: Jeff has a girlfriend. She stopped by the Glory Hole Recreation Area a couple weeks back. It’s not what it sounds like. |
| 7:39 |
: Or so she says |
| 7:39 |
: So do the Nats go with Kintzler -> Madson -> Doolittle, or do they go with the guy from the T-Mobile commercial who Harper directs to the bullpen? |
| 7:40 |
: So… What does mlb do about that missed call? |
| 7:40 |
: Nothing |
| 7:40 |
: Weiters has a player option for next season, no? |
| 7:40 |
: Wieters will pick up his option |
| 7:40 |
: Wieters knowing the backswing dead ball rule has to be worth a few mil alone |
| 7:40 |
: Not if he’s not persuasive about it! |
| 7:41 |
: Do the umps/managers not know the backswing rule, or did the umps just not see that it hit Wieters? |
| 7:41 |
: I imagine the ump didn’t see it happen |
| 7:41 |
: Real quick on that passed ball/blown call thing. Seems to me “umpires judgment” implies it is a discretionary call like an infield fly. Wieters was not impacted by Baez’s backswing so it would seem like it is acceptable to not call the ball dead |
| 7:41 |
: This is probably the right defense from the ump’s standpoint |
| 7:41 |
: Although the “judgment” seems to only apply to the intentionality of it |
| 7:41 |
: The part about contact with the catcher appears to be unambiguous |
| 7:42 |
: So here’s to the postgame pressers |
| 7:42 |
: I think you may be confusing backswing with follow through. Think about a golf swing. |
| 7:42 |
: “If a batter strikes at a ball and misses and swings so hard he
carries the bat all the way around and, in the umpire’s judg- ment, unintentionally hits the catcher or the ball in back of him on the backswing” |
| 7:42 |
: emphasis on “all the way around” |
| 7:43 |
: None of the 2.73m half innings in our db have even had all 4 of these events. 22 w/ 3. Only 5 games had all 4. I am willing to bet never before in baseball history have four batters in a row reached on this sequence of events. twitter.com/JeffPassan/sta…
|
| 7:44 |
: Holy good god damn Jayson Werth |
| 7:44 |
: Routine sliding catch turns into a run. 8-4 Cubs |
| 7:44 |
: This is unfathomable |
| 7:45 |
: Just stop playing |
| 7:45 |
: I remember seeing a runner sent back on a SB because of backswing contact. Hard to believe that the umps don’t know the rules. MLB umpires know the rules really well. |
| 7:45 |
: It’s weird that the broadcast hasn’t mentioned it at all, though. |
| 7:45 |
: And incidentally, the inning stayed alive because Ben Zobrist drew a full-count walk on a strike in the zone |
| 7:45 |
: More terrible Nats stuff. |
| 7:45 |
: The nats are cursed |
| 7:45 |
: Wow. Just…wow. |
| 7:45 |
: Is this even real life at this point? |
| 7:45 |
: Strikezones are for losers, just pitch wherever you like it’s all random anyway |
| 7:46 |
: What if in the umpire’s judgment he intentionally hits the catcher? |
| 7:46 |
: duel |
| 7:46 |
: Falling apart |
| 7:46 |
: Does not look like he “lost it in the lights” |
| 7:46 |
: Kintzler getting squeezed. |
| 7:46 |
: Wieters’d |
| 7:46 |
: “what else can go wrong tonight for the Nationals” *Heyward smacks a gapper |
| 7:46 |
: Zobrist walked on strike 3 as well. Everything that can go wrong is |
| 7:47 |
: The broadcast didn’t even pick up that they were arguing about the backswing until about 5 times viewing the replay. |
| 7:47 |
: Is the broadcast bad or is it just me? |
| 7:47 |
: It is 75% of the users in this internet chat room |
| 7:47 |
: Speaking as a hockey official it’s really reallt hard to remember all the rules and enforce them all |
| 7:48 |
: Who catches a break first: Dusty Baker or the city of Washington? |
| 7:48 |
: Baker seems to live a pretty happy life |
| 7:48 |
: While I was typing that Heyward made another inning-ending out |
| 7:48 |
: 8-4 Cubs, Nationals win expectancy standing at 0% |
| 7:48 |
: Death, taxes, Nats losing in the NLDS, and Heyward making outs |
| 7:49 |
: Disagree with the statement it didnt look like he lost it in the lights. I thought it looked exactly like he lost it in the lights in slow motion. He just didnt do the weak, pretend my eyes hurt excuse afterwards like most people do. He just wore it. |
| 7:49 |
: Lost in this is that Heyward has been horribad at the plate tonight |
| 7:49 |
: That has assuredly not been lost in this |
| 7:50 |
: What’s the most devastating team implosion you’ve ever witnessed? |
| 7:51 |
: I’ll never believe how the 2011 Rangers lost Game 6 |
| 7:51 |
: 8th run scored by the cubs is the first run scored via a base-hit, all previous 7 were outs or errors |
| 7:51 |
: Is this game going give some momentum to rbot umps? |
| 7:51 |
: No more than usual |
| 7:52 |
: Re: the dropped 3rd strike call, Do the Nats need to immediately file a protest with the ump or can they do it at any point? |
| 7:52 |
: Crowdsource! Anyone know? |
| 7:53 |
: Too late to protest |
| 7:53 |
: Have to protest at the time |
| 7:53 |
: Immediately |
| 7:54 |
: “Managers can protest a game when they allege that the umpires have misapplied the rules. The umpires must be notified of the protest at the time the play in question occurs and before the next pitch or attempted play begins. If the play in question ended the game, a protest can be filed with the league office until noon the following day. No protests are permitted on judgment calls by the umpires.” |
| 7:54 |
: WAIt what did I miss what’s wrong with the drop 3rd strike call |
| 7:54 |
: Baez reached first base and a run scored even though the bat hit Wieters on the backswing. That is, apparently, supposed to be a dead ball |
| 7:54 |
: I had never heard of this until tonight. Neither had Ron Darling! |
| 7:55 |
: Not the first time Werth has done this… Hmmm where have I seen Jayson Werth do that before…
 |
| 7:55 |
: As a cubs fan i think i finally understand how 2003 Marlins fans felt |
| 7:56 |
: “For one of these teams, winter is coming.” Good lord Ernie |
| 7:56 |
: Endless summer in the other place |
| 7:56 |
: Baseball is magic |
| 7:57 |
: Can you recommend a completely off the grid hike I can start planning now (but won’t take too much lead time) just in case the WS is Yankees-Cubs? |
| 7:57 |
: Just start walking |
| 7:57 |
: Walk across the continent |
| 7:57 |
: Ok so in a hypothetical protest would Baez be out or would he just be awarded first with runners getting no extra bases? |
| 7:57 |
: Out |
| 7:57 |
: Dead-ball strike |
| 7:58 |
: This game is really kind of boring for a game 5 |
| 7:58 |
: That’s just the comedown from one of the most insane half-innings in recent history about 40 minutes ago |
| 7:58 |
: Does this game compel you to write, or is this more of a discuss on the podcast type of ordeal? |
| 7:59 |
: I’d probably write if I weren’t doing this, but since I’m doing this, I’m not going to have any energy left to stay up for several hours. It’ll be a podcast conversation in the morning |
| 7:59 |
: Jeff do you think baseball( playoffs in particular) is this random or do you think there is something mental with the Nationals? |
| 8:00 |
: Lots of players come and go. Different editions of the Nationals are different. But I at least can’t deny the appearance of things |
| 8:00 |
: Surprising that nothing has been made of he intentional walk to Heyward, even in hindsight |
| 8:01 |
: Scherzer was already behind 2-and-0, and he’s substantially worse against lefties. Made some sense |
| 8:01 |
: Harper double; Nationals have a little bit of life |
| 8:01 |
: I love baseball, but good grief these playoff games have been long. |
| 8:01 |
: Longest per-9 duration in the wild-card era, so far |
| 8:03 |
: good thing everyone has now forgotten about my horrible 2015 NLDS half inning 😉 |
| 8:03 |
: How does a multi million (billion?) dollar industry still have incorrectly ruled plays when all you need is some nerds with a rule book |
| 8:03 |
: Nerds take too long |
| 8:03 |
: simple answer to this is increased bullpen usage right? |
| 8:04 |
: I feel like pace has also spiraled out of control |
| 8:04 |
: Walk and wild pitch! It’s…8-5 |
| 8:04 |
: Show me a homer here. Make something happen |
| 8:04 |
: When this game’s over, relievers will have faced more than half the batters in this PS. |
| 8:05 |
: it’s the sixth, feels like the 8th |
| 8:05 |
: murphy w/ bases loaded would be great |
| 8:05 |
: Corners will work |
| 8:05 |
: This is has become more interesting than I would prefer |
| 8:05 |
: Run-scoring wild pitch ball 4! This game has EVERYTHING! |
| 8:05 |
: this game isn’t done being weird |
| 8:05 |
: Bob Geren caused a 20-minute delay in a Dodger game earlier this year. Parliamentarians-as-coaches are the new market inefficiency. |
| 8:05 |
: I really think a pitch clock would help with pace and not impact the actual gameplay that much. |
| 8:05 |
: It’s inevitable. Maybe next season |
| 8:06 |
: See you’re saying length of game is out of control but then wishing for a HR to tie it up |
| 8:06 |
: I mean this one is already going forever. Might as well make it worth it |
| 8:06 |
: Playoff baseball ages people |
| 8:06 |
: Get dem bases loaded so a run can be balked in! |
| 8:06 |
: As a Dodger fan I want extra innings just to wear the winner down but as a baseball fan all I want to for this gongshow of a game to end. |
| 8:06 |
: Good new my son is ok now, he has resigned himself to the loss and decided life is meaningless and fleeting. So he’s playing with legos |
| 8:07 |
: Way to go Chris Jr.! |
| 8:07 |
: So this has been a terrible game, right? Compare this to the 1-0 Tanaka game… |
| 8:07 |
: Terribly executed, wonderfully odd |
| 8:07 |
: This is the most Yankees-Red Sox non Yankees-Red Sox game ever |
| 8:07 |
: We’re still missing some good baserunning obstruction |
| 8:08 |
: Double! Murphy! 8-6! |
| 8:08 |
: Somehow not a two-run double! |
| 8:08 |
: WOW |
| 8:08 |
: Just missed another dinger! |
| 8:08 |
: Maybe we should all stop watching and play with legos? |
| 8:08 |
: I feel like I’m being tortured |
| 8:08 |
: Mike Maddox made 472 major league appearances. He’s closing in on that just in mound visits tonight. |
| 8:08 |
: Have to walk Rendon here, right? |
| 8:08 |
: Can’t do that with a walk-prone reliever I don’t think |
| 8:09 |
: Well they’re doing it anyway! |
| 8:09 |
: Wieters alert! |
| 8:09 |
: Wieters has a chance for redemption! |
| 8:09 |
: …first-pitch out. |
| 8:09 |
: Hit it well but not well enough. 8-6! Seventh inning. |
| 8:10 |
: Sigh |
| 8:10 |
: how is it they didnt get 2 on the double? |
| 8:10 |
: Zimmerman has below-average speed but yeah I don’t really know |
| 8:10 |
: Heyward just paid for his contract this year ? |
| 8:10 |
: Not a very difficult catch |
| 8:11 |
: Weiters is all over this game |
| 8:12 |
: 6 innings in 3 hours. Pitch clock save us |
| 8:12 |
: Well, also 14 runs. |
| 8:12 |
: Zimmerman is your reminder: Alex Gordon would’ve been out. |
| 8:12 |
: “Not a very difficult catch” |
| 8:12 |
: Mark Trumbo begs to differ |
| 8:12 |
: O’s fans represent |
| 8:12 |
: Id like to see a replay to see if the 3rd base coach was holding Zimmerman. Similar to KCR 3rd base coach holding Gordon |
| 8:13 |
: How do you get 9 more outs. What pitchers do you use? |
| 8:13 |
: Maddon will go with Edwards to Davis, I imagine, but I’d be tempted to give an inning to Lackey |
| 8:14 |
: Everybody take note of what Solis looks like! |
| 8:14 |
: Petriello put the catch at 41% probability |
| 8:14 |
: Huh. Pretty good then. Lower odds than I would’ve guessed |
| 8:14 |
: He was holding Zimmerman |
| 8:14 |
: 3rd base coach was holding him |
| 8:15 |
: Schwarber with the 380-foot single |
| 8:15 |
: He’s in this league about 20 years too late |
| 8:15 |
: It’s wasn’t a difficult decision to walk Rendon, Right? Face a good hitter with two on or a bad hitter with three on. |
| 8:16 |
: I didn’t like it. Didn’t even get the platoon advantage and Wieters has historically been better from the right side |
| 8:16 |
: But I’m inherently conservative |
| 8:17 |
: Can someone fire Ron Darling for thinking that Schwarber intentionally has a 31.2 and 31.3 oz bat (as if he has them for separate occasions) |
| 8:17 |
: 114 MPH, 385 foot single |
| 8:17 |
: I already forget what Solis looks like |
| 8:17 |
: Half the Tigers hit 380 foot singles this year. |
| 8:17 |
: This game is going to go another hour and a half right? Thankfully I’m on the west coast |
| 8:17 |
: At least |
| 8:18 |
: Q in the pen cause who needs starters |
| 8:18 |
: QUINTANA UP IN THE PEN!!!! |
| 8:18 |
: Base hit, corners. Gut feeling: Nats can’t cough up another run |
| 8:18 |
: As a Dodgers fan, I want nothing more than for Quintana to have to come in. |
| 8:19 |
: Seriously though, with Quintana up, no matter what this game is the best case for the Dodgers. |
| 8:19 |
: Kyle Schwarber would be right at home on the early 00s A’s |
| 8:19 |
: Odds we ever see a 1 2 3 inning again? |
| 8:19 |
: It will never happen again |
| 8:19 |
: Best pitcher for WSH tonight has been, you guessed it, Matt Albers |
| 8:20 |
: Is it normal for every batted ball to find a gap in the infield and every bloop to fall in? |
| 8:20 |
: I can’t tell if I’m enjoying this game or if this is baseball’s version of purgatory. |
| 8:20 |
: same |
| 8:20 |
: So Madson is pitching and now Lobaton is catching. No more Wieters |
| 8:21 |
: I can tell you I’m hating this game |
| 8:21 |
: Purgatory. Its even worse with a rooting interest |
| 8:21 |
: This is one of the more strange games I’ve ever seen. What’s even happening? |
| 8:21 |
: all this needs is a rain delay |
| 8:22 |
: aw go to hell 🙁 |
| 8:22 |
: I’d probably just extend this chat right into my usual Friday chat |
| 8:22 |
: FanGraphs chatathon |
| 8:22 |
: So, given everything thats happened so far, wade davis will walk in the go ahead run in the 9th? |
| 8:22 |
: so the winning run then |
| 8:22 |
: unless things get EXTREMELY weird |
| 8:23 |
: Kris Bryant with the clutch run-scoring fielder’s choice |
| 8:23 |
: The Nats had two rain delays this year where it didn’t rain. It could happen! |
| 8:23 |
: Baker seemingly challenging the slide at second |
| 8:24 |
: Why not |
| 8:24 |
: That slide looks dirty actually |
| 8:24 |
: Wow that slide |
| 8:24 |
: I doubt they call this back |
| 8:24 |
: I guess we haven’t see THIS yet |
| 8:24 |
: Oh man, an overturn for a slide into 2nd would be amazing rn |
| 8:25 |
: Challenge doesn’t work. 9-6 Cubs |
| 8:26 |
: Kris Bryant showing why he somehow had 7 BSR two years in a row with like 10 steals |
| 8:26 |
: Leg whip game |
| 8:26 |
: this game needs a benches clearing incident at some point |
| 8:26 |
: Maybe a benches-clearing mutual forfeit |
| 8:27 |
: This game has more the feel of a crappy preseason game than elimination game |
| 8:27 |
: Elimination games need a jazzed-up crowd. Crowd still shellshocked by the top of the fifth |
| 8:28 |
: Can a bat break to reveal cork? That’s what I want to see. |
| 8:28 |
: Now that I think about it does Bryant have the speed to get 20 plus steals or is he just great at advancing well and all out sprints |
| 8:28 |
: I think he just has really good instincts. If Daniel Murphy could steal 25 or whatever bases that one year, Bryant could do it |
| 8:28 |
: See also Paul Goldschmidt |
| 8:29 |
: making these guys play 2 in 24 hours in different cities not going to produce the highest quality baseball |
| 8:29 |
: Can managers smoke cigarettes or drink in the dugout? Seems like dusty could use a strong drink. |
| 8:29 |
: Maddon was already seen chugging dirty creek water |
| 8:30 |
: let’s see: umpire ejecting a fan, that weird “bobble an outfield hit 200+ feet over the outfield wall” rule, and a RHP picking off a runner from 3rd…anything else in the annals of “super crazy shit” that we haven’t see yet? |
| 8:30 |
: A bee delay |
| 8:30 |
: These games remind me sometimes living in the eastern time zone sucks. And this is an east coast game. |
| 8:31 |
: The west coast is great except for the earthquake that will eventually kill us |
| 8:31 |
: watching bryant all year long he is highly praised for how good of a baserunner he is. not speed, but routes on the bases, where he speeds up and slows down, how his foot hits the bag on turns, etc |
| 8:31 |
: smoked heaters down the steps from the phillies dugout all the time |
| 8:31 |
: Leyland smoked in the tunnel |
| 8:31 |
: Its not the 9th yet? HOW. |
| 8:31 |
: And that supervolcano that’ll get us all, but get you west coat guys first |
| 8:32 |
: Actually likely for the ash to blow east and then circulate the globe |
| 8:32 |
: so we’d get it last |
| 8:32 |
: Mountain time y’all |
| 8:33 |
: Joe has to have a short leash on Edwards. it takes about 5 pitches to tell if it’s good Carl. |
| 8:33 |
: Seems irresponsible to pitch one pitcher 5 times in a 5 game series. |
| 8:33 |
: Also forest fires @ NorCal right now |
| 8:33 |
: Oh yeah the west coast also burns all the time |
| 8:34 |
: The open-late DC Metro closes in an hour |
| 8:34 |
: Leadoff walk! |
| 8:34 |
: Cubs bullpen! |
| 8:34 |
: Edwards wild again |
| 8:34 |
: Can’t wait till Ewdards walks the bases loaded |
| 8:34 |
: Edwards control is so bad. |
| 8:34 |
: Bad Carl is here |
| 8:35 |
: And that’s it for Edwards |
| 8:35 |
: SignedEpsteinsMother was right! |
| 8:35 |
: Jose Quintana now pitching |
| 8:35 |
: Cannot wait for *more relievers,* so we can be wrong about it having been the best case for the Dodgers earlier. |
| 8:35 |
: A big inning here could get us passed the 4 hour mark in the 7th. We’ve saved 14 seconds on IBBs though so that’s nice |
| 8:36 |
: Great job by Maddon here. Cannot let Edwards walk ’em loaded. |
| 8:36 |
: This is unbelievable |
| 8:36 |
: Michael Taylor walking is a miracle |
| 8:36 |
: This is the game that doesn’t end, yes it goes on and on my friend |
| 8:36 |
: This game needs another starter imploding if you ask me |
| 8:37 |
: So was there basically no reason to bring Edwards in? |
| 8:37 |
: Whatever happened to good bullpens for contenders? Paging the Yankees, Indians, and Dodgers! |
| 8:37 |
: Definitely hoping for the most chaotic ending possible |
| 8:37 |
: Dodgers are definitely winning tonight. |
| 8:37 |
: Alright, it’s settled. Jeff just hates news monsters |
| 8:37 |
: love you Morbo |
| 8:38 |
: It’s the 7th inning Jeff!!! The 7th!!! |
| 8:38 |
: I wasn’t on the chat when Scherzer was pitching but at what point was the consensus “what are you doing, take him out!!!” reached? I’m guessing after the first run was given up. |
| 8:38 |
: Scherzer was mostly fine. Wieters, not so much |
| 8:38 |
: First pitch right down the dick. Pop out |
| 8:39 |
: Five hour elimination game where too many pitchers pitch. Game 7 WS anyone? Love it. |
| 8:39 |
: Anyone else watching from a hospital room? |
| 8:39 |
: I feel like eventually that will be all of us |
| 8:40 |
: Base hit! |
| 8:40 |
: It! Keeps! Going! |
| 8:41 |
: Right down the dick? No one says that. |
| 8:41 |
: google! |
| 8:42 |
: Boy is Contreras ever a poor receiver, relatively speaking |
| 8:42 |
: This “Joe Maddon Has Lost Faith in His Bullpen Again” article is leering at me from the sidebar |
| 8:42 |
: oh good, we needed a mound visit |
| 8:43 |
: GET ON THE SAME GOD DAMN PAGE |
| 8:43 |
: Is it a small zone tonight? |
| 8:43 |
: Bad catchers |
| 8:43 |
: I don’t think the Dodgers could have written a better game for themselves if they tried |
| 8:43 |
: Davis in the ‘pen! |
| 8:43 |
: Longest nine inning game on record is 4:45. We’re only about 70 minutes away from that. |
| 8:44 |
: This strike zone sucks, all night |
| 8:44 |
: And the game has been so freaking weird I’ve hardly even noticed |
| 8:44 |
: Walk. Unreal |
| 8:44 |
: Bryce Harper coming up |
| 8:44 |
: Lean into it, baseball. Just lean all the way into it |
| 8:45 |
: 12 pitchers in this game have recorded a combined 40 outs |
| 8:45 |
: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh just finish the gaaaaaaaame |
| 8:45 |
: This is the postseason of the Joe Buck Oh God Yes tweet |
| 8:45 |
: Forget a pitch clock, limit number of mount bad visits |
| 8:45 |
: Time for some legitimate research on using starters as relievers on short rest… |
| 8:46 |
: Dodgers getting a massive massive massive break. |
| 8:46 |
: This is it. This is the Nationals’ shot right here. |
| 8:46 |
: Can anyone give me a game summary? I just got out of class |
| 8:46 |
: lol |
| 8:46 |
: Using starters in relief has barely worked at all this postseason. |
| 8:47 |
: Just off the end of the bat. Nats get a run but that feels a little bit lucky for Chicago |
| 8:48 |
: New pitcher |
| 8:48 |
: jesus |
| 8:48 |
: Wade Davis in with two outs in the seventh |
| 8:48 |
: Ride or die, I guess |
| 8:49 |
: I saw that sucker hang and thought for sure that Harper got it |
| 8:49 |
: Just a split-second ahead of it. Or, just an inch too far away. Baseball, man |
| 8:49 |
: How many people are in this chat? |
| 8:49 |
: 743 |
| 8:50 |
: who the hell is left in these bullpens? |
| 8:50 |
: Arrieta/Wilson/Lester/Lackey |
| 8:50 |
: Doolittle/Perez/Romero/Roark/Strasburg |
| 8:50 |
: This is Davis’ game to win or lose at this point, right? |
| 8:50 |
: That’s gotta be the hope |
| 8:50 |
: John Lackey may end up trying to close this game if the Cubs keep the lead… |
| 8:51 |
: It’s gotten to the point where I’ve changed the channel several times this INNING and watched almost a full show, it won’t end. |
| 8:51 |
: You’ll be chatting with us again in about 12 hours, Jeff. Hope you like us. |
| 8:51 |
: I love each and every one of you |
| 8:51 |
: Except for this one guy Steve who was swearing at me three hours ago |
| 8:51 |
: Fuck off, Steve |
| 8:52 |
: We nerds are LOVING this. We’re all in with this one. |
| 8:52 |
: Watch this ends up going to extras, decided by position players pitching |
| 8:52 |
: series games 1-4 20 runs. series game 5- 16 runs and counting. |
| 8:52 |
: Am the only one in Vanuatu? |
| 8:53 |
: Oh geez |
| 8:53 |
: That was an underwhelming inning-ending strikeout. To the eighth! 9-7 Cubs |
| 8:54 |
: Eminem once rapped, “my music is soothing, but it’s also been proven that it can make you want to jump out of your car while it’s moving.” Never has there been a more fitting description of this game, I’d argue. |
| 8:54 |
: Do most people just lurk in these chats or all we all sending multiple questions/comments? |
| 8:54 |
: Majority probably lurk but the queue is still moving very fast |
| 8:54 |
: Strasburg???? No way is he possible |
| 8:55 |
: I was just listing everyone left on the roster |
| 8:55 |
: My friend who’s a bartender in Cubs-ville might be the only guy not complaining about the length. He’s making bank tonight. |
| 8:55 |
: Hello, friends |
| 8:55 |
: Hello friend |
| 8:56 |
: 28-3 wasn’t this grueling |
| 8:56 |
: I told my dog Id walk her after the 7th. Justifiably, I am now cleaning up a mess. |
| 8:56 |
: What will everyone’s emotional state be when this game gets tied? |
| 8:56 |
: Blissfuriated |
| 8:56 |
: Wow, approaching 4 hours before we even get to the 8th. This is absurd. |
| 8:57 |
: We get to watch two more innings of this, lucky us |
| 8:57 |
: This game is just comical at the moment |
| 8:57 |
: There are bullpens against whoch a two run lead seems insurmountable |
| 8:57 |
: These are not those teams. |
| 8:57 |
: when they released the roster, I knew it was a mistake to go with 11 pitchers. Martin’s a useful player and all but an extra reliver is more valuable than a 7th (!) outfielder |
| 8:57 |
: Martin has a strong arm… |
| 8:57 |
: … |
| 8:58 |
: Forget who’s left in the pen; who’s left on the bench when Madson is batter #4 in the 8th? |
| 8:58 |
: Lind/Kendrick/Goodwin. good bench! |
| 8:58 |
: I’m at the game. Nats fan. Does not feel like it s dragging. |
| 8:58 |
: According to the channel guide, “The Postseason Show” is currently showing on TBS. Game has gone on so long, computer now thinks it’s a recap of the entire playoffs. |
| 8:59 |
: I’m in Australia. It’s 3pm and I have done nothing at work due to the longevity of this game and have zero regrets. |
| 8:59 |
: I don’t even know if I’m enjoying this game. Feels more like morbid fascination at best. |
| 8:59 |
: There’s an ominous feeling of dread that somehow the dumbest thing to happen in this game has yet to actually happen. |
| 8:59 |
: How many comments make you laugh but are too inappropriate to post? |
| 9:00 |
: Surprisingly few! Y’all are well-behaved. Although my girlfriend has chimed in to suggest this is taking way too long because we were going to watch old GoT |
| 9:00 |
: Hey, two outs in a row. It can happen |
| 9:00 |
: I’m sure you get a ton of comments, but i have sent non absurd or offensive comments all game and got nothing through 🙁 |
| 9:00 |
: Now you win! |
| 9:00 |
: Jeff, thanks for taking your Thursday night to chat with us. We all appreciate it. |
| 9:00 |
: You’re welcome! But also it is my job |
| 9:01 |
: Hello friend. Welcome to the Friday Chat. |
| 9:01 |
: Harper’s sac fly dropped the Nationals odds to win from 27.1% to 21%. |
| 9:01 |
: So Eddie Buttler in Game 1 for the Cubs? |
| 9:01 |
: I wonder if by this point as a Nats fan you’re just so exhausted this doesn’t even hurt so much anymore |
| 9:02 |
: jeff if a position player pitches in this game I will up my EW donation to the $100 a month threshold so we can talk about it on a podcast |
| 9:02 |
: All those empty seats behind home. Not a good look… |
| 9:02 |
: Maybe not their fault. The DC metro sucks |
| 9:02 |
: 1-2-3 inning! |
| 9:02 |
: Bottom of the eighth! |
| 9:03 |
: On Nov 2 we’ll all be wishing we had more baseball |
| 9:03 |
: On November 2 this game will be in the 13th inning |
| 9:03 |
: mark has time to read this chat while physically at the game and doesnt think its dragging |
| 9:04 |
: Adam Lind passed out my knowledge when he left the AL years ago. Does he still have an awful beard? |
| 9:04 |
: He was in the AL last season |
| 9:05 |
: You getting OT for this, Jeff? |
| 9:05 |
: I think we have a misunderstanding. FG is strictly volunteerism |
| 9:05 |
: Seems like control is worse during the playoffs? I’d love to see data on if that’s true. If it is, would wonder if it’s nerves, focus (not wanting to throw hittable pitches), hitters daring umps to call strikes, or something else. |
| 9:06 |
: I know that velocity goes up. Might be a link there between adrenaline and overthrowing |
| 9:06 |
: it is now Friday the 13th |
| 9:06 |
: How did Dave pick you for the chat tonight Jeff? You just draw the short straw? |
| 9:06 |
: Dave did yesterday |
| 9:06 |
: What is the point of the catcher sign shot? Are we supposed to understand the signs? |
| 9:06 |
: This will be on the test |
| 9:07 |
: Hi Jeff. I live in Boston and have no car or network of hiking friends. How do I get into hiking? |
| 9:07 |
: Ask me questions like this tomorrow in my other chat! |
| 9:07 |
: Leadoff walk! |
| 9:07 |
: Every extra pitch makes going 2.1 innings for Davis more and more difficult |
| 9:07 |
: This game is fine |
| 9:08 |
: Lind standing on deck |
| 9:08 |
: D.C. Metro is wonderful. The schedule sucks. |
| 9:08 |
: Sorry friends, I was wrong |
| 9:08 |
: 2-and-0 count to Rendon… |
| 9:09 |
: PA at the park just announced the last train will be at 1 AM instead of 12:30, so the crowd should stick around |
| 9:09 |
: 3-and-0… |
| 9:09 |
: I impregnated my wife and she had the baby in the time it’s taken to get to the bottom of the 8th |
| 9:10 |
: If you are the Dodgers, do you consider pushing Kershaw back a game because the first game matchup will be so favorable anyway? |
| 9:10 |
: Absolutely not |
| 9:10 |
: Rendon fouls off probable ball four |
| 9:10 |
: albeit close |
| 9:11 |
: Feels like Davis is going to be very taxed from all this |
| 9:11 |
: Ball four! |
| 9:11 |
: Wowwww |
| 9:11 |
: Fyi marlins man is still in the front row |
| 9:11 |
: Can you link the win probability again? |
| 9:12 |
: 36.5% for the Nationals after that walk |
| 9:12 |
: Jeff, at the end of this game can you please re-calculate the average length of the playoffs games this year? |
| 9:12 |
: Seven hours |
| 9:12 |
: i’m pretty numb to this by now. it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve lost a game 5 to a defending world series champion 9-7 after getting out to an early lead and having gio gonzalez give up 3 runs and then the bullpen completely blow it. |
| 9:12 |
: Everybody get your hopes up! It’s Adam Lind! |
| 9:13 |
: I’d like catchers to start using their middle finger, exclusively, for signs. Throw the networks for a loop |
| 9:13 |
: Aaaaaaaaaaaaand a routine double play on the first pitch |
| 9:13 |
: That’s pretty damn deflating |
| 9:13 |
: What a massive break, too, for Davis’ arm |
| 9:14 |
: Nats just lost 23% of win expectancy on the DP |
| 9:15 |
: Remember that Gardner 12-pitch single a few years ago? Fun times. |
| 9:16 |
: Michael A Taylor! |
| 9:16 |
: Nine! To! Eight! |
| 9:16 |
: Jeff’s stream seems to be a bit behind. |
| 9:17 |
: It most certainly is |
| 9:17 |
: Although if I were ahead of everyone then some people would complain about spoilers! |
| 9:17 |
: Justin Wilson went from being one of the trade deadline’s hottest commodities to losing his control so badly that Maddon feels the need to run Wade Davis into the ground. Rough couple of months. |
| 9:18 |
: Taylor is godlike this series |
| 9:18 |
: Remember when everybody was worried about the Nats CF after Eaton went down. |
| 9:18 |
: Michael “Fuckin'” A. Taylor |
| 9:19 |
: Little known fact, Michael Taylor is in fact not related at all to the exiled president of Liberia |
| 9:19 |
: is the queu therefore spoiling the game for you? |
| 9:19 |
: I’m just glad so many people are still here |
| 9:19 |
: The only way for the Nats to end this curse is with a game winning Jose Lobaton home run |
| 9:19 |
: Even Taylor is going to need a shave after this marathon |
| 9:19 |
: If you wrote about what happened in this game I wouldn’t believe you anyway |
| 9:19 |
: Base! Hit! Lobaton! |
| 9:20 |
: Davis has thrown 24 pitches |
| 9:20 |
: Michael D Taylor hasn’t played in the majors since 2014. When can we just call Michael A. “Michael”? |
| 9:20 |
: Are chatters giving you fake game updates knowing you are behind? |
| 9:20 |
: A few have, yes! |
| 9:20 |
: Yanks got Chad Green for Justin Wilson |
| 9:21 |
: Is swearing allowed in this chat? |
| 9:21 |
: It’s after midnight back east. I make the rules and my rules are lax |
| 9:21 |
: This game makes me REALLY question Wilson’s spot on the roster over Rondon, who looked good his last few outings. |
| 9:21 |
: Turner tried to turn his leg into that inside pitch |
| 9:21 |
: Clever (didn’t work) |
| 9:21 |
: I watched a whole movie and it feels like I only missed 3 innings |
| 9:21 |
: Only lunch time here in Vanuatu! |
| 9:22 |
: Nats need some softer hits so they can take the extra base! |
| 9:22 |
: Heart of the order will hit in the 9th. |
| 9:22 |
: If Lobaton is out here… |
| 9:23 |
: Oh geez I hate these calls so much |
| 9:24 |
: Doesn’t seem clear and convincing from the front angle |
| 9:24 |
: chat automatically sensors your forking swearing. Piece of shirt chat. |
| 9:24 |
: glad I met my medical deductible already this year. |
| 9:24 |
: This is the worst kind of replay |
| 9:24 |
: If they call him out I will have seen everything |
| 9:25 |
: that would have been such a terrible mistake if he’s out |
| 9:25 |
: Out. |
| 9:25 |
: Wow. Un. Believable |
| 9:25 |
: What was Lobaton doooooooooingggggggggg |
| 9:25 |
: there are few things i hate more than games being decided by feet briefly bouncing off the bag |
| 9:25 |
: This is why replay stinks. |
| 9:25 |
: Lobaton getting thrown out at first is the Nattiest thing ever |
| 9:25 |
: That would be so ticky-tack. In spirit he was safe. |
| 9:26 |
: I know the rules, I get why this happens, and I support instant replay, but, man, calls and plays like that are just such a bummer to me |
| 9:26 |
: Jeff, do you think these situations should be reviewable? |
| 9:26 |
: I would prefer there be some sort of rule modification enacted so that calls like that don’t happen |
| 9:26 |
: Ignoring the stakes, is this a better game than WS game 7 last year? |
| 9:27 |
: We haven’t had anything like the Rajai Davis home run. That was the most improbable thing I’d ever seen |
| 9:27 |
: on a baseball field |
| 9:27 |
: Shouldn’t be out for popping Off a bag |
| 9:27 |
: It seems like it’d be easy to fix this whole hand/foot coming off for a nanosecond loophole in the replay rule. |
| 9:27 |
: Just let him be safe who cares life is meaningless |
| 9:27 |
: And of course Ron Darling is *excited* for it! |
| 9:28 |
: please tell me he didn’t vibrate off the base |
| 9:28 |
: If that was the last out in the 9th inning, they call him safe. Humans are awful. |
| 9:28 |
: Doolittle now pitching, by the way |
| 9:28 |
: Back angle was clear and convincing. |
| 9:29 |
: Lobaton was out. Those replay reversals are still stupid |
| 9:29 |
: Fuck this. I love baseball but fuck that rule. |
| 9:29 |
: 888 readers in here right now. dang |
| 9:29 |
: Hey another Heyward out |
| 9:30 |
: This game’s got literally everything dumb and great about baseball |
| 9:30 |
: My GF and I are laughing about how we met at a baseball game…and how this one would kill any sort of romantic air. |
| 9:30 |
: to be fair to lobaton he beat the throw |
| 9:30 |
: Don’t know why he’d think to wander in the first place. Cubs love the back pick |
| 9:30 |
: And he’s Jose Lobaton |
| 9:31 |
: is there any sensate being who doesn’t loathe “did he momentarily bounce off the bag?” |
| 9:31 |
: So feet off bag = ok, but bat hitting catchers on backswing = can’t review it |
| 9:31 |
: Two strikeouts in a row. Doolittle is good |
| 9:32 |
: Javier Baez is pretty good but I can’t imagine he will ever be great |
| 9:32 |
: His approach is just so bad |
| 9:33 |
: at a molecular level, he’s never really touching the bag. call them all out! |
| 9:33 |
: Time for the bottom of the ninth! |
| 9:33 |
: Turner-Werth-Harper |
| 9:34 |
: How do you feel about replay reviews challenging runners coming barely off the base?
Challenge them all! (25.7% | 112 votes)
Hate it! (74.2% | 323 votes)
Total Votes: 435
|
| 9:35 |
: What time was the actual first pitch? We could break the record of 4:45… |
| 9:35 |
: 8:08pm ET |
| 9:35 |
: What’s the most improbable thing you’ve seen off of a baseball field? |
| 9:35 |
: space |
| 9:36 |
: Is this game remembered as A) a good baseball game B) an excruciating baseball game or C) an exhibit in questionable umpiring |
| 9:36 |
: It will be remembered fondly for being memorable. Not memorably good or bad |
| 9:36 |
: This inning could get really spicy if Turner reaches to lead off |
| 9:37 |
: 4:28 now, this game broke the NL record already…. |
| 9:37 |
: Contreras poorly catches another borderline pitch… |
| 9:38 |
: Apologies to those of you who are active in the queue because right now the queue is insane! |
| 9:38 |
: Is Davis the only pitcher the Cubs have left? |
| 9:38 |
: Wilson and Lackey |
| 9:38 |
: Fly out. One down. |
| 9:39 |
: Why is Werth hitting second in this lineup? |
| 9:39 |
: For this moment right now! |
| 9:39 |
: Davis high for pitches on the year is 34 |
| 9:39 |
: How does this break records? The Nationals played an 18-inning NLDS game a few years back… |
| 9:39 |
: For a would-be 9-inning game |
| 9:40 |
: This has felt like an elongated root canal (a Cubs fan) |
| 9:40 |
: Can catchers get better at pitch framing? How frequently does it happen? |
| 9:40 |
: They can! |
| 9:41 |
: get on base for Harper! get on base for Harper! It’s the only appropriate finish! |
| 9:41 |
: good thing Rendon is up right n……oh wait |
| 9:41 |
: Werth chases. Two down |
| 9:41 |
: The heart attack foul ball is one of the underrated great baseball moments imo |
| 9:41 |
: Wade Davis is a cyborg who cares not for pitch counts. |
| 9:42 |
: Can we save this chat? Like a FG chat HOF? |
| 9:42 |
: Transcript will be posted when it’s finished! |
| 9:42 |
: Who doesn’t love reading a transcript! |
| 9:42 |
: this has felt like an elongated car crash (a nats fan) |
| 9:42 |
: This has felt like an elongated root canal (a Nats fan) |
| 9:43 |
: I’m only here because Grant Brisbee’s internet went out. |
| 9:43 |
: At the beginning of this series I was cheering for the Cubs, but some how I switched part way through. The joys of not having your team make the playoffs! |
| 9:43 |
: Does Davis’s arm fall off before the Harper at bat ends? |
| 9:43 |
: this is quite possibly the most nats nats game i have ever seen |
| 9:43 |
: Plenty of competition! |
| 9:43 |
: Would be funny if maddon intentionally walked Harper here lol |
| 9:43 |
: Harper is going to give us a Rajai Davis moment |
| 9:44 |
: Just missed his pitch right there, perhaps |
| 9:44 |
: Why is Davis displaying his guts and guile on the field. Should be a rule against that. |
| 9:44 |
: This has felt like an elongated roller coaster. I love roller coasters. (Dodgers fan) |
| 9:44 |
: this has felt like an elongated baseball game (baseball fan) |
| 9:44 |
: I just want to be a part of FG transcript history |
| 9:44 |
: This has been a long game (a Yankees fan) |
| 9:44 |
: Clearly, this has been a boring, root canal post-season. |
| 9:44 |
: Bryce has to hit a homer so they can finally lose in the 23rd. It’s the nats way |
| 9:44 |
: I’m a jays fan and I’m shitting a brick |
| 9:45 |
: Hello, reader who is reading a transcript! You know who wins this game! |
| 9:45 |
: What fun for the reader! |
| 9:45 |
: How are they taking so long to just throw pitches |
| 9:45 |
: dc sports is so uniquely good at getting your hopes up and then crushing them, but a ticky tack replay of a pickoff of jose lobaton is just too much |
| 9:45 |
: I took a nap! (Nap fan) |
| 9:46 |
: Strikeout! |
| 9:46 |
: It’s finally finally over! |
| 9:46 |
: IT ENDS! |
| 9:46 |
: unbelievable |
| 9:46 |
: Goodnight, friends. |
| 9:46 |
: Ball. Fucking. Game. |
| 9:46 |
: Not with a bang, but a whimper |
| 9:46 |
: 15 min to get your train, Nats fans! |
| 9:46 |
: Thank you, Jeff. This was…an experience |
| 9:46 |
: Thank you, sincerely, all of you |
| 9:46 |
: That was a marathon, but that was certainly a game to remember |
| 9:46 |
: Awful, horrible, empty feeling for the Nationals. Again. And we prepare for Cubs and Dodgers on Saturday |
| 9:46 |
: 8 of the last 9 Nats postsesaon losses have been by one run |
| 9:47 |
: Time of game: 4:37 |
| 9:47 |
: Two hundred and seventy-seven minutes |
| 9:47 |
: I could’ve ran 0 marathons during this span |
| 9:47 |
: Goodnight everybody. I’ll be chatting again early tomorrow! |
Jeff made Lookout Landing a thing, but he does not still write there about the Mariners. He does write here, sometimes about the Mariners, but usually not.
Listening to the end of the game in bed via the MLB app, my last thought before falling asleep: I *NEED* to read the FanGraphs live chat transcript. For reasons.