AL Wild Card Game Live Blog
| 4:59 |
: Hello friends, and welcome to a live blog for a game that probably will not be as much fun as yesterday’s game.
|
| 4:59 |
: Joining me, in theory, will be David Temple. That will be swell!
|
| 5:00 |
: And there he is!
|
| 5:00 |
: Oh, hello.
|
| 5:00 |
: For those who will be reading the transcript later, know that it cuts off before the end, and that’s a Cover It Live RSS issue, and there’s nothing we can do about it. So the transcript will be incomplete, missing the most dramatic moments. Too badsies 🙁
|
| 5:01 |
: I will be back in just a few minutes. David will be back RIGHT NOW
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|
| 5:01 |
Is that an opinion I hear Sullivan? |
| 5:01 |
: I’m coming armed, tonight!
|
| 5:01 |
David, is your body a temple? |
| 5:01 |
: I don’t treat it that way, if that’s what you’re asking.
|
| 5:02 |
Thoughts on Dan Uggla? |
| 5:02 |
: I think it’s kinda bold to leave a big money guy off the roster in the interest of winning.
|
| 5:03 |
: If they really think he isn’t the best option, it’s cool to see a team act on that.
|
| 5:04 |
Are you in the back of your truck right now? |
| 5:04 |
: Yeah, and it’s raining. Super bummer.
|
| 5:05 |
Most interesting match up you’ll be paying attention to in the game tonight? |
| 5:06 |
: Hard to say, though I kinda wish Carlos Pena was still on the Rays roster, to see him face Salazar. I can’t pinpoint why, exactly.
|
| 5:06 |
Though it’s not like leaving Ugla off the playoff roster is unprecedented. The Giants left Zito off in 2010. |
| 5:06 |
: Yes. This is a good point.
|
| 5:07 |
: Is this the part I say “here we go”?
|
| 5:07 |
: Oh my. That was poor English.
|
| 5:08 |
: I figured out where the block button is, by the way. Just putting that out there.
|
| 5:09 |
: Oh, also, there is a sizable storm moving through which may kill my satellite.
|
| 5:09 |
Yan Gomes is catching a wild card game and JP Arencibia is Toronto’s starting catcher and I am sad |
| 5:09 |
: Gomes is an interesting dude.
|
| 5:10 |
: My landlord clearly has no respect for the start times in the MLB playoffs. I’m back at last!
|
| 5:10 |
: As a player. He may be a boring person.
|
| 5:10 |
: OPINION: Indians win by 2, Salazar goes 6, Cobb goes less than 6
|
| 5:11 |
: That’s pretty cool.
|
| 5:11 |
Does Salazar always throw this hard? I haven’t seen him pitch |
| 5:11 |
: Salolazar
|
| 5:11 |
: Yes.
|
| 5:12 |
: Salazar has reached 99 miles per hour in all of his MLB starts
|
| 5:12 |
Wait til he starts throwing the change |
| 5:12 |
: He has not ever been a BA top 100 prospect
|
| 5:12 |
: Hachi Machi. It is quite a sight.
|
| 5:13 |
: Yesterday I convinced a guy I climb with that Cleveland doesn’t exist anymore.
|
| 5:13 |
: Boy will he be in for a surprise, when he turns on this game!
|
| 5:13 |
: Which he won’t, since he obviously doesn’t follow major league baseball.
|
| 5:14 |
: Classic Sullivan.
|
| 5:14 |
: “Yeah, they all got bored and moved to Cincinnati.”
|
| 5:14 |
Cleveland existing is just your opinion, man. |
| 5:15 |
: I’m not convinced any of you are real. Very good chance you are a creation of my subconscious.
|
| 5:15 |
: Buster Olney reported the crowd broke into a pre-game Let’s-Go-Tribe chant. Playoff atmosphere! Huge news!
|
| 5:15 |
: Interested if last night’s Pirates atmosphere will have any effect on tonight’s Indians atmosphere.
|
| 5:16 |
: Hypothesis: no, that’s stupid
|
| 5:16 |
Is the sound messed up on TBS for you guys, too? |
| 5:16 |
: Yeah, a little.
|
| 5:16 |
: Yeah, sounds like there’s fans
|
| 5:16 |
: Bugs flying around Cobb on the mound so now I’m getting flashbacks
|
| 5:17 |
: How does a third base umpire think that he sees that…
|
| 5:17 |
: Oooh boooy.
|
| 5:17 |
: And they’re always so SURE of it, too.
|
| 5:18 |
: ADMIT WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE ANY IDEA YOU TOOLS
|
| 5:18 |
: “No no. I was totally paying attention. The whole time, guys.”
|
| 5:18 |
: Oh, okay, good, that’s better then.
|
| 5:19 |
: OK. This is boring now.
|
| 5:19 |
: Remark about how replay would slow down the game
|
| 5:20 |
Is that gum or chew in Francona’s mouth? I just can’t take him seriously when he has to spit every 5 seconds during his argument. |
| 5:20 |
: Pretty sure it’s gum. His wad is impressive.
|
| 5:20 |
: Gum,right? Legendary gum consumption.
|
| 5:21 |
: And he swallows all of it, and according to what I was told as a child that gum never digests, which is why Terry Francona weighs seven thousand pounds and gets air-lifted to the dugout steps.
|
| 5:21 |
Science! |
| 5:21 |
: Pretty representative first innings for both starters. Cobb less sexy, equally effective
|
| 5:22 |
Jeff (and David too I guess) did you see George Parros fall on his face? |
| 5:22 |
: Ooooh I like this song.
|
| 5:22 |
: Yeah 🙁
|
| 5:22 |
: Love fighting, hate injuries. Irreconcilable!
|
| 5:22 |
: It was pretty gross.
|
| 5:23 |
: And it happened exactly the other way around a couple years ago, I think
|
| 5:23 |
: oh baseball’s back
|
| 5:23 |
Yes, Cobb cannot equal Salazar’s swarthy Latin charm. |
| 5:23 |
: Longoria vs. Salazar. Hope we get this three times tonight.
|
| 5:23 |
: That’s just for the user name.
|
| 5:23 |
: Step it up, peeps.
|
| 5:23 |
: Holy late swings batman
|
| 5:24 |
: Show me Danny Salazar with a Jose Molina catcher
|
| 5:24 |
: Actually, Yan Gomes scored super well this year as a pitch-framer. Nevermind!
|
| 5:25 |
: This is already disgusting.
|
| 5:25 |
: Jose Molina this year as a framer: +1.8 strikes/game. Yan Gomes: +1.5
|
| 5:26 |
: Salazar already with as many swinging strikes as David Price on Monday
|
| 5:27 |
Anybody else getting double sound when the ball hits the mitt? |
| 5:27 |
: This is killing me
|
| 5:27 |
: I’m tripping balls, man.
|
| 5:27 |
: is Danny Salazar throwing two baseballs
|
| 5:27 |
: He might as well be throwing two baseballs
|
| 5:27 |
: This is quite impressive.
|
| 5:28 |
: I feel like I should send out links to my favorite YouTube clips during commercials or something.
|
| 5:28 |
: Since we’ve seen all of them before.
|
| 5:28 |
: Find some clips of Danny Salazar pitching
|
| 5:29 |
: Fill in the breaks from Salazar with more Salazar
|
| 5:29 |
: Haha. My dog just fell off the bed.
|
| 5:29 |
: What a dummy.
|
| 5:29 |
: stupid dog, you should kick it
|
| 5:30 |
Was Cobb ever in BA top 100 prospect? |
| 5:30 |
: Nope. Guys with his repertoire are consistently underrated
|
| 5:30 |
Temple, record more Stealing Home! |
| 5:31 |
: I know. I’ve had a dry spell of finding guests. Got some good ones lined up for next week, though.
|
| 5:31 |
: Stay tuned.
|
| 5:31 |
: Whoa, a two-strike shift.
|
| 5:31 |
: And it worked!
|
| 5:32 |
: Have I seen that before? I don’t know if I’ve seen that before.
|
| 5:32 |
: Maybe the announcers just haven’t told me before.
|
| 5:34 |
: Really don’t need to see replays of pitchers getting hit in the head
|
| 5:34 |
WHY ARE THEY SHOWING THIS |
| 5:34 |
: TBS is the worst
|
| 5:34 |
Rays have been shifting on two strikes for a while. |
| 5:34 |
: Then I am the one who sucks
|
| 5:35 |
someone on twitter said the TBS sound was meant for 3D and that’s why it’s weird? science, man |
| 5:35 |
How is Raburn not on third |
| 5:35 |
: I don’t think he ran fast enough.
|
| 5:36 |
: how does 3d television work
|
| 5:36 |
For the record gum does digest. Modern gum is made up of a combo of 4 basic ingredients flavorings, sweeteners, softeners, and a gum base. The first three ingredients break down easy but gum base takes bit longer given that it’s what gives gum it’s chew and ergo needs to be able to take a good bit of chewing and saliva break down. |
| 5:36 |
: You have to buy 3 TVs. Total cash grab.
|
| 5:36 |
: Today I have learned about gum digestion and 3D TV
|
| 5:36 |
: Thank you Lyle and David!
|
| 5:36 |
: And 2 strike shifts.
|
| 5:36 |
: Already forgot that
|
| 5:37 |
david was joking… |
| 5:37 |
: that umpire sounded like he was besides me on the couch
|
| 5:37 |
: TBS is putting you ON THE FIELD
|
| 5:38 |
: Two hands, hot shot.
|
| 5:39 |
Has anyone discussed why Matt Joyce, the Rays best LHB, isn’t playing? |
| 5:39 |
Yeah, TBS, maybe not the best idea to cut to those two fans with incredibly racist face paintings at Chief Wahoo. |
| 5:40 |
: Haven’t figured this out, re: Joyce. Young instead? Maddon must like the pitch-type platoon splits, or he just figures Joyce is in a rut
|
| 5:40 |
If the Rays win, how will 2-play in games alter their chances against the red sox? They still get Cobb and Price once in a 5-game series so it can’t be huge, right? |
| 5:41 |
: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
|
| 5:41 |
: One less Price starDELMON YOUNG!
|
| 5:41 |
: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
|
| 5:41 |
: The answer is that the Rays get a slight disadvantage but Delmon Young just homered off Danny Salazar who is right-handed.
|
| 5:41 |
: Maddon totally trolling us.
|
| 5:42 |
Can someone please alert Cistulli that there was bat flip that needed coverage just now? |
| 5:42 |
: I’ll send him a note.
|
| 5:43 |
: Of note: pitch to Young missed location
|
| 5:43 |
: Of note: pitch to Young was a first-pitch ball
|
| 5:43 |
Why do announcers talk about pitch selection as the pitcher’s discretion? Don’t the catchers call it? |
| 5:44 |
: Of Salazar’s eight homers allowed this year, seven to righties
|
| 5:44 |
: Pitchers get final say
|
| 5:44 |
: I think that’s why they shake their heads.
|
| 5:44 |
: But generally they’ll work together in the hours and days leading up
|
| 5:45 |
Less interested in running to first: Jose Molina or Francisco Liriano? |
| 5:45 |
: Cueto had quite a non-effort last night, as well.
|
| 5:45 |
: Delmon Young, Phillies: 0.2 BB/K. Delmon Young, Rays: 0.7 BB/K
|
| 5:46 |
Did Salazar gain velocity after TJ? |
| 5:46 |
: ayup
|
| 5:46 |
: Big reason why he wasn’t on prospect lists
|
| 5:46 |
How do you explain the success of Bleacher Report? Yes theres a market for that type of “analysis” but ESPN and other bigger mainstream sites seem to do an adequate job of that. |
| 5:47 |
: I don’t think B/R is about loyal readers so much as it’s about generating traffic
|
| 5:47 |
: Nobody likes what they read there. I think everybody gets there by accident.
|
| 5:47 |
Have you ever typed any sports answer into Google? Bleacher Report always has the first 10 news entries. They market well |
| 5:48 |
: SEO geniuses. So there’s some talent there.
|
| 5:48 |
Terry Francona your AL manager of the year? |
| 5:48 |
: I like Girardi
|
| 5:49 |
: Commercial alternative: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p6PcFFUm5I
|
| 5:49 |
the announcers have reached shift-apathy…they used to be pretty fascinated with all the Rays shifts.. |
| 5:49 |
: We’ll get there with framing in time
|
| 5:50 |
: Everything new is awesome until we talk about it too much. Just like a new band to which you over-listen
|
| 5:50 |
That was one lucky family…surviving all that |
| 5:50 |
C’mon now, this isn’t one of those pretentious ‘live’ blogs that picks and chooses comments to display is it? Sheesh, can’t term it a ‘live blog’ if there’s only privileged participation |
| 5:51 |
: …902 live readers…
|
| 5:51 |
Has anyone noticed that Dave was 10 minutes late for his chat today and Jeff was on time. What the hell? |
| 5:51 |
: Then I was 10 minutes late
|
| 5:54 |
Will this winter finally be the time Giambi transitions from player coach to just coach? |
| 5:54 |
: I can certainly see him getting a shot. Might have to work some in the minors though, if he wants.
|
| 5:55 |
weiss, ventura and matheny got hired with no managerial experience. Someone might give Giambi a shot |
| 5:55 |
: Good point.
|
| 5:56 |
: I like how Jose Molina is always so squinty.
|
| 5:56 |
: He looks congenial
|
| 5:57 |
Is life worth living, on the average, if your team never wins the WS? |
| 5:57 |
: There are still beignets
|
| 5:59 |
Per Jonah Keri: righties have slugged .541 off Salazar’s fastball. |
| 5:59 |
: On the other hand it’s like 54 at-bats
|
| 5:59 |
: and they’ve whiffed a quarter of the time
|
| 6:00 |
: Weird results so far, but I don’t think it’s a real problem of his
|
| 6:01 |
Does DeJesus look like Matt Moore to anyone else? |
| 6:01 |
: That’s been bothering me!
|
| 6:01 |
: Commercial alternative: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of2HU3LGdbo
|
| 6:01 |
: Here is a picture of someone recognizing Jason Frasor in a car http://www.patchristin.com/Jason_Frasor.jpg
|
| 6:02 |
Is Lonnie Chisenhall the most-70s name of any currently-active player? |
| 6:03 |
: I don’t know, but Don Kelly is of another era
|
| 6:03 |
What would happen if a scrub on a playoff team just assaulted a star on an opponents team? Example, Jose Constanaza batting lead off, charges mound and starts battering Kershaw in the face with his helmet, thus knocking Kershaw out of game. Obviously, he’s ejected/suspended/fined, but does that team face some punishment. If its not an automatic forfeit, should the Braves consider giving Jose Constanza some money to go do this? |
| 6:03 |
: This is such an odd question.
|
| 6:04 |
: I have so thought about that a bunch of times before.
|
| 6:04 |
: Teams these days are cowards. It’s right out there for the taking.
|
| 6:04 |
I feel like it’s absolutely crazy just how big Dejesus’s role is considering this is his 3rd team of the season. Starting LF, leadoff, and might start in CF if Jennings ever can’t go. Has anything like this happened in recent history? |
| 6:05 |
: Well, he’s pretty much a perfectly average player, and he has the platoon advantage today
|
| 6:05 |
are the Molina brothers really brothers or is it all part of some faux-nepotistic cabal? they don’t look at all alike |
| 6:06 |
: Jose Benjamin Molina
|
| 6:06 |
: Benjamin Jose Molina
|
| 6:06 |
: Yadier Benjamin Molina
|
| 6:06 |
: also here’s another Jose Molina http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=molina002alb
|
| 6:06 |
Molina or Martin defensively? |
| 6:06 |
: Martin
|
| 6:06 |
Cleveland has, to a lesser extent, started up the chanting like Pittsburgh. Does this become a trend (at least in October)? |
| 6:07 |
: I really hope so
|
| 6:07 |
What city deserves an MLB team that doesn’t have one? |
| 6:07 |
: Seattle
|
| 6:07 |
Can’t wait till Atlanta plays and no one will want chanting anymore. |
| 6:08 |
: Double standards!
|
| 6:09 |
They just posted a stat about the Rays reducing their errors from last year to this one, 120 to 69 or something like that. What is the difference in team fielding per advanced stats? Can’t figure out how to find it. |
| 6:09 |
: +22 to +8 by DRS
|
| 6:10 |
: +18 to +38 by UZR
|
| 6:10 |
: so, they got better or worse
|
| 6:11 |
New market inefficiency: goons leading off in the playoffs |
| 6:11 |
: As soon as they’re officially run out of hockey…
|
| 6:11 |
Martin despite Molina’s pitch framing? |
| 6:11 |
: Martin’s also a good framer
|
| 6:12 |
Which Rays player name would be the funniest to hear chanted? |
| 6:12 |
: Kiermaier
|
| 6:12 |
: Another missed fastball location, speeding up Jennings’ bat
|
| 6:13 |
: Did Jennings fist pump out of the box there?
|
| 6:13 |
: He did!
|
| 6:13 |
: Very subtly
|
| 6:13 |
: what the hell is this
|
| 6:13 |
: they are intentionally walking Delmon young what the hell is this
|
| 6:13 |
WHAT IS HAPPENING |
| 6:13 |
The only way he’d get a walk!? |
| 6:14 |
: WHAT THE ACTUAL F*** IS THIS
|
| 6:14 |
: LOL
|
| 6:14 |
I’m surprised he didn’t try to swing at those |
| 6:14 |
Surprised Young didn’t swing there. |
| 6:14 |
: I mean, okay, no harm, but lol what
|
| 6:14 |
: Young’s first intentional walk of the season
|
| 6:15 |
: Commercial alternative: http://wapc.mlb.com/play?content_id=25717643
|
| 6:15 |
: recommended
|
| 6:16 |
Is it just me or is TB really good at hitting hard grounders through the infield? |
| 6:16 |
: Not as good as St. Louis
|
| 6:16 |
Why does it seem like half the writers on fangraphs are mariners fans? |
| 6:16 |
: Because Dave and I are Mariners fans and we’re two front page full-timers
|
| 6:16 |
: But don’t get us wrong, we actually hate the Mariners
|
| 6:17 |
I got this free club from Warrior Custom Golf. It isn’t bad. |
| 6:18 |
Does Zobrist re-sign with TB? |
| 6:18 |
: Got a couple affordable team options
|
| 6:18 |
: because of course he does
|
| 6:18 |
have I missed the obligatory volcano questions? |
| 6:18 |
: Just now starting
|
| 6:18 |
: Hey everybody, could you clap your hands? Thanks.
|
| 6:19 |
: k
|
| 6:19 |
: keep the chat going though
|
| 6:19 |
Unlike A’s and Pirates, Rays have never been lovable underdogs, have they? Kinda like rooting for your high school chess club. |
| 6:19 |
: 2008
|
| 6:19 |
: They never had the history, but they were a big-time bandwagon
|
| 6:20 |
HA! The Rays official Twitter sent this out “Delmon Young hit a go-ahead HR for #Rays and was intentionally walked in a playoff game. *Things people didn’t expect to hear in 2013*” |
| 6:20 |
: whoa it’s true https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/385574017077231616
|
| 6:21 |
Is it just me or are all those articles about baseball dieing just a product of baby boomer nostalgia? |
| 6:21 |
: I don’t know what it’s a product of, but I don’t buy it.
|
| 6:22 |
: Seems to be doing OK. I guess it depends on your metric. Attendance? Money? “Integrity”?
|
| 6:22 |
: Barreled
|
| 6:23 |
viewership was up 14% this year |
| 6:23 |
: Well apparently I was 30 seconds behind on DVR
|
| 6:24 |
: I wonder what a coming-out party actually is
|
| 6:24 |
Pirates get Miller and Wacha at PNC Park, Matheny blew it, both 2 syllable, easily chantable last names. |
| 6:24 |
: Wainwright, Kelly…
|
| 6:24 |
How about that Casey Blake trade eh |
| 6:25 |
Jeff, do you know Tony Blengino? He used to live right next to me before he got his job with the Brewers and now he works for the Mariners. |
| 6:25 |
: Now he works for no one
|
| 6:25 |
: I will probably never see him again
|
| 6:25 |
Any way you could clear up for me whether David Price is under control for just next season or the next two seasons? |
| 6:25 |
: Two more
|
| 6:26 |
Do the Rays get a better player than Myers back for Price this offseason? |
| 6:26 |
: Higher-ceiling player
|
| 6:26 |
: Did you guys know Jose Molina was the last catcher to throw out Rickey Henderson?
|
| 6:27 |
: Yes, as of a few seconds ago!
|
| 6:27 |
: Look at Loney check third base before he argues
|
| 6:27 |
: Smart player who is mad
|
| 6:27 |
: Brilliant play by Zobrist that will be forgotten within 20 minutes
|
| 6:28 |
: Dead tie at first base, looked like
|
| 6:28 |
: Oooof. That was close.
|
| 6:28 |
Is Ben Zobrist the most underrated player in baseball? |
| 6:28 |
: I always say so, but what do I know?
|
| 6:29 |
: Donaldson!
|
| 6:29 |
: Or Zobrist. Good argument to be had.
|
| 6:29 |
Terry Francona think Delmon Young is |
| 6:29 |
Holy shit I like hearing Maddon talk. So much better than “well we really have to bring our A game today”. |
| 6:29 |
: An actual listenable in-game interview. Shares information, casually and coherently. So good.
|
| 6:30 |
It’s high time that Cleveland changed their mascot back to the beloved arachnids of yore. |
| 6:31 |
: Spider is an underrated mascot.
|
| 6:33 |
: Wowza
|
| 6:33 |
: Commercial alternative: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTUx4uatPNM
|
| 6:36 |
How did you find that video, it has like 150 views |
| 6:37 |
: Because I’ve watched every episode of Mr. Show a dozen times.
|
| 6:37 |
Better alternate name: Busytown Pickle Cars or Cleveland Spiders? |
| 6:37 |
: This is one of the best things I’ve ever read: http://www.fangraphs.com/not/how-busytown-stole-the-tampa-bay-rays/
|
| 6:39 |
: Well thanks to David Temple I just lost 10 minutes watching David Cross
|
| 6:39 |
: Back to the thing that matters
|
| 6:40 |
geez, calm down. it’s not like he blew up the moon |
| 6:40 |
: This guy gets it.
|
| 6:41 |
: Salazar ends with seven swinging strikes. Had five through the first two innings
|
| 6:41 |
: Commercial alternative: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd3nDfRy-bE
|
| 6:42 |
: Hey it’s that Scrabble guy.
|
| 6:42 |
SCRABBLE! |
| 6:42 |
: “Johnny Bullpen”. I like that nickname
|
| 6:43 |
: Hey look, Rzepczynski is back to being a good reliever again
|
| 6:43 |
: 1 BB, 16 K against lefties this year
|
| 6:46 |
: That’ll do.
|
| 6:46 |
How do you pronounce the name of the guy on the mound? |
| 6:47 |
: Zep-chin-ski I think?
|
| 6:47 |
: Nevermind. He’s gone now.
|
| 6:48 |
Hey guys, what does the fox say? |
| 6:48 |
: I know what the whistles go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnzw_i4YmKk
|
| 6:50 |
: “Shaw rides him up the ladder and down he goes”
|
| 6:51 |
: that is some kind of expression
|
| 6:51 |
: Super late swing by Loney
|
| 6:51 |
are we playing sports caster comments that sound they come from porno’s game? |
| 6:51 |
I miss chip carey and everything being “fisted” |
| 6:52 |
: those comments came back to back
|
| 6:52 |
: What in the what
|
| 6:52 |
: Molina did it!
|
| 6:52 |
: I mean, he didn’t, but he tried it!
|
| 6:52 |
: Commercial alternative: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P57FQryNpOk
|
| 6:55 |
: The Indians definitely weren’t paying Molina very much attention, which has been his secret all career long. I wonder if he was being held on
|
| 6:55 |
: Cobb at three swinging strikes, seven grounders, six non-grounders…
|
| 6:55 |
I think it safe to say that most pitchers names can be turned into some easy two-syllable chant, either first or last name |
| 6:56 |
: Something that has always troubled me about Anaheim: they chant “Let’s go Du-ucks” instead of “Go Ducks go”
|
| 6:56 |
: Such stupid people
|
| 6:56 |
: that pitch just got Cobbered
|
| 6:56 |
DJ Kitty: greatest thing to happen to Jumbotrons ever? |
| 6:56 |
: Giancarlo Stanton’s home run
|
| 6:57 |
How does a person without cable television watch playoff baseball at home?!!!!!!!!!!! |
| 6:58 |
: Internet proxies, is what somebody less ethical would recommend
|
| 6:58 |
: Another liner
|
| 6:58 |
: Worth it to hasten up the bullpen activity
|
| 6:58 |
Any chance of a Portland meet-up for a playoff game? |
| 6:59 |
: Sure, unofficially, for a game I’m not live-blogging
|
| 6:59 |
: I’ll put something on Twitter one of these days
|
| 7:00 |
: Wow, Bourn.
|
| 7:00 |
: It doesn’t all feel like Michael Bourn should be strikeout-prone
|
| 7:00 |
: *at all
|
| 7:01 |
: 23% on the season
|
| 7:01 |
: down from 6.2 WAR to 2.0!
|
| 7:01 |
: Figgins-y
|
| 7:02 |
Okay, I know it “isn’t real baseball”, but I really love these wild card games. |
| 7:02 |
: This is totally real baseball
|
| 7:02 |
: These games are awesome
|
| 7:03 |
: Agreed.
|
| 7:03 |
: Downsides of the shift right there
|
| 7:03 |
: And y’all thought Joe Maddon was some kind of predictathon genius
|
| 7:04 |
: This is a very animated, energetic mound conversation
|
| 7:04 |
: I can’t remember the last time I talked that enthusiastically out loud
|
| 7:05 |
: Still love that they put the gloves over their mouths.
|
| 7:05 |
: What if somebody read Hickey’s lips??
|
| 7:05 |
is anybody else drinking? |
| 7:05 |
: No, you are the only one, and it is a problem.
|
| 7:06 |
: Yeah, a little early, don’t you think?
|
| 7:06 |
Sneakiest disappointing year: Michael Bourn. |
| 7:06 |
: only 0.2 WAR back of Prince Fielder
|
| 7:07 |
: What an escape.
|
| 7:07 |
: Well this is disheartening for the hosts.
|
| 7:07 |
: Commercial alternative: http://youtu.be/JAAbuGX-qEY?t=1m17s
|
| 7:07 |
: Not at all a good pitch for Kipnis to swing at
|
| 7:08 |
: Commercial alternative alternative: http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=6387&position=OF#fieldingadvanced
|
| 7:08 |
: That woman left a man for a pig on a jetski
|
| 7:09 |
: Thanks a lot, Obama.
|
| 7:09 |
Is Cobb in the top 3 AL East pitchers? Price, Bucholtz, Cobb? |
| 7:09 |
: He’s in the argument
|
| 7:09 |
: Well there is no argument
|
| 7:09 |
: But if there were — and if it were heated — Cobb would be a reasonable submission
|
| 7:10 |
Yeah, I’ve never understood the alleged stathead groupthink that these games deserved to be looked down upon. |
| 7:11 |
: It is certifiably insane to have whole seasons come down to a game, but only a little more insane than settling with short series. The playoffs are already random and scheduled madness still feels a hell of a lot like madness in the event
|
| 7:12 |
Favorite player to never win it all? |
| 7:12 |
: Edgar 🙁
|
| 7:12 |
According to the Twitter, Kipnis burned his name in the rug in college. I assume on purpose. |
| 7:13 |
: I don’t know what this means but I have accepted it into the chat
|
| 7:13 |
I hope people noticed that the Indians played “What does the fox say” in the stadium a few innings back, they must be cursed because of that |
| 7:13 |
jeff have you made your postseason predictions? |
| 7:14 |
: I wrote them down on a piece of paper and lit it on fire with a candle in my living room
|
| 7:14 |
: Nick Swisher framed that line drive pretty well
|
| 7:15 |
Should Cobb be a priority to lock up long term? He has nasty stuff, and reminds me of Maddux out there. |
| 7:15 |
: I bet they’ll get talking after the year is up
|
| 7:15 |
: This commercial is basically about me.
|
| 7:15 |
What are the %win splits right now? |
| 7:15 |
| 7:17 |
Jeff you trying to show the variability of defensive stats? |
| 7:17 |
: Bourn’s a pretty extreme and fascinating case
|
| 7:17 |
Man, when did pitching in the AL East get so miserable? |
| 7:17 |
: seriously
|
| 7:17 |
: get with it Orioles
|
| 7:17 |
I’m glad Maddon’s sticking with his pitcher. Cobb gets better as the game goes on. |
| 7:18 |
October gives us Postseason baseball and the start of the NHL season. Times are good |
| 7:18 |
: except for when they overlap 🙁
|
| 7:18 |
: That was a max effort swing.
|
| 7:18 |
AL pitchers: Yu, Felix, Justin? |
| 7:18 |
: Probably not Verlander anymore
|
| 7:19 |
Correia, Pelfrey, Diamond |
| 7:19 |
Would you change the playoff format if you were commish Jeff? and to what? |
| 7:19 |
: As few off days as possible, wild-card roster is the division-series roster. Not much else to tinker with. No way to make it more “meaningful” without getting too long
|
| 7:20 |
Current player that you’d like to see win the most? |
| 7:20 |
: Ichiro
|
| 7:20 |
jeff, where did you go to high school? |
| 7:20 |
: Zoinks.
|
| 7:20 |
: Francis Parker
|
| 7:20 |
: Yeah, that’s a swing
|
| 7:20 |
: Probably went.
|
| 7:20 |
: According to the arbitrary, unhelpful rule book
|
| 7:20 |
: That motion from the 3B ump was a little much.
|
| 7:21 |
: Maybe he had a cramp
|
| 7:21 |
Attribution for the Kipnis name-burning thing: https://twitter.com/chasegreene16/status/385560291091570689 |
| 7:22 |
It’s torture reading this chat and being unable to watch the game. And Jeff please post to FG too for people who don’t use Twitter. Otherwise just meet me at Peter’s. |
| 7:22 |
when cobb’s motion is sped up he looks like elaine benes dancing |
| 7:22 |
: Might not be an official FG meetup, which would be weird to put on FG
|
| 7:23 |
: Might just get together at a bar for the hell of it
|
| 7:23 |
Who’s Price going to get traded to eventually? That’s only going to make AL East pitching worse |
| 7:23 |
: For some reason I keep thinking Rangers and Cubs
|
| 7:23 |
: But not both of them, that would be unprecedented
|
| 7:23 |
: Indeed.
|
| 7:24 |
: Commercial alternative: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2fiUhXzjNA
|
| 7:25 |
Verlander has 75 IP, 19 BB and 80 K in the last two months. Why does everyone think he’s garbage now because he’s had two bad months in the last five years? |
| 7:25 |
: That is exactly what people have asserted, that Justin Verlander is garbage now.
|
| 7:26 |
: He’s quite good, still, but he’s not longer an automatic top-3 in the American League
|
| 7:26 |
: If I go to the hospital, I’m actually calling someone.
|
| 7:27 |
go lancers! |
| 7:27 |
16,000 views and only one thumbs down on omar vizquel’s musical ability. people are too nice. |
| 7:27 |
: The people who made me a pitcher!
|
| 7:27 |
: The people who *turned me into a pitcher, they didn’t construct a pitcher for me out of materials
|
| 7:27 |
: it’s because you’re tall.
|
| 7:27 |
: and left-handed
|
| 7:28 |
: it’s like people are blind to how shitty you are
|
| 7:28 |
: I CURSED, CAMERON, AND YOU DIDN’T STOP ME
|
| 7:28 |
Rays could get a higher-ceiling player for Price than they got in Myers? I just don’t see a contender/pretender who could give them something more than what the Royals did. |
| 7:29 |
: I think Myers is good but with a somewhat limited ceiling, so yeah, I think the Rays could acquire more potential if they went that route
|
| 7:29 |
: Commercial alternative: http://tinyurl.com/k6fkz9x
|
| 7:30 |
Can we assure Joey Votto is a manager or hitting coach? He would be amazing. |
| 7:30 |
: I don’t think he has the interest in helping other people
|
| 7:30 |
Trivia: Name the most recent team to field three position players with 8 WAR or greater. |
| 7:30 |
: one of those 90s Mariners teams?
|
| 7:30 |
: Miami Heat.
|
| 7:30 |
: I suck at this.
|
| 7:31 |
Are umpires aware of Molina’s framing skill? Do they tend to overthink pitches when he is behind the plate knowing that he can be so good at it? |
| 7:31 |
: I’m sure they’ve heard about it, and I don’t think it has an effect. Umpires are too confident in their own abilities
|
| 7:31 |
Will Fangraphs fly me to Portland for this meetup? |
| 7:31 |
: ask Cameron
|
| 7:33 |
Jeff do you not have real friends to drink with? |
| 7:33 |
: who care about baseball in Portland?
|
| 7:33 |
How much will Price get in an extension or as a free agent? |
| 7:33 |
: tons
|
| 7:34 |
Do the Rays go to the pen to start the 7th or does Maddon stick with Cobb? |
| 7:34 |
: I’m expecting more Cobb
|
| 7:34 |
: Uh oh. My satellite is going out!
|
| 7:34 |
: Look out everybody!
|
| 7:34 |
: blergh
|
| 7:37 |
Do the Royals have any prospects left? Maybe the problem is they didn’t give up ENOUGH this offseason? |
| 7:37 |
: They actually have lots
|
| 7:38 |
Ground Floor – over/under 1 season? These shows that TBS pimps during sports are always terrible. |
| 7:38 |
: Frank Caliendo, doing impressions of the cast of Ground Floor
|
| 7:39 |
How limited is Myers ceiling? He seems like he could have a .230 or .240 ISO at some point with a K rate between 18 and 20%. Peak Jayson Werth? |
| 7:40 |
: I figure he’ll strike out a lot with only reasonable defense, so he should have little problem being good, but more problems being great
|
| 7:40 |
: Getting impatient and hoping for something to happen
|
| 7:40 |
: This game is taking too long for a game that isn’t particularly dramatic
|
| 7:41 |
Rob Neyer? |
| 7:41 |
: Actually we do have a good baseball population here. It’s fun to hang with Neyer and Matthew Kory, and I just had lunch with the Hit Tracker guy this afternoon
|
| 7:42 |
: plus we have the inventor of Big League Chew! and I have it on good authority that a well-known writer could be moving here soon
|
| 7:42 |
2004 Cardinals for the trivia question: Rolen (9) Pujols (8.1) Edmonds (8) |
| 7:42 |
: dang
|
| 7:42 |
Jeff, you know there’s another Jeff Sullivan who is apparently a scout for the Phillies? https://twitter.com/JSully12 |
| 7:42 |
: There’s also a Jeff Sullivan in Portland who is a photographer who takes a lot of pictures of volcanoes
|
| 7:42 |
: Yan Gomes is fairly underrated
|
| 7:43 |
Who are the best targets for the Orioles this off season? |
| 7:43 |
: Good starting pitchers
|
| 7:43 |
They named the Pirates, the Pirates because of me! Thanks TBS! |
| 7:43 |
: I have legitimately learned something!
|
| 7:43 |
I had blocked the Frank Caliendo ads from my memory. Thanks, Jeff. |
| 7:44 |
: On the other hand, FOX used to pimp the hell out of House, and House was really good for a while
|
| 7:44 |
: “YOU’RE RISKING A PATIENT’S LIFE!”
|
| 7:44 |
Jeff, who is your second-favorite Jeff Sullivan? |
| 7:44 |
: the photographer
|
| 7:45 |
: He’s my first.
|
| 7:45 |
: More solid contact. Weird offensive game for the Indians today
|
| 7:45 |
: You’re my least-favorite temple.
|
| 7:45 |
Not that you’ve ever googled yourself |
| 7:45 |
: I’m doing it right now
|
| 7:45 |
Edmonds has 64 career WAR any chance he can sneak into hall of fame? |
| 7:45 |
: Not much of one
|
| 7:46 |
: Didn’t even crack 2,000 hits
|
| 7:46 |
: Oof, that was a quality curveball
|
| 7:46 |
: That was a terrible curveball
|
| 7:48 |
: Cobb: nine swinging strikes, 11 grounders, 3 fly balls, eight line drives. And it felt like it
|
| 7:48 |
“Her father is the district attorney!” wasn’t as successful. |
| 7:48 |
: What show was that?
|
| 7:48 |
: Did that even make it to air?
|
| 7:49 |
: Commercial alternative: http://www.ifc.com/comedy-bang-bang/videos/reggie-makes-music-anna-kendrick
|
| 7:49 |
: At least I think it’s a commercial. My tv is still dead.
|
| 7:50 |
: The help menu says I shouldn’t go on my roof to check for problems, but it’s not my dad.
|
| 7:52 |
| 7:52 |
: woof woof woof
|
| 7:52 |
: Chances have most certainly been there
|
| 7:53 |
Is there a decent baseball bar in Portland? Or any sports bar that isn’t soccer- or bro-centric? |
| 7:54 |
: Claudia’s, Spirit Of 77
|
| 7:56 |
I wish mlb gameday showed available bench players and pitchers, i.e. the whole 25 man roster available. would be valuable info while watching |
| 7:56 |
: Lineups tab in the box score
|
| 7:56 |
SKIN was the district attorney show. And I guess the district attorney was actually HIS father: http://digamma.net/btfwiki/Skin and also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srrZ0h119HE which tells me it was “short-lived.” |
| 7:56 |
Why is Nick Swisher so awful in post-season play? |
| 7:56 |
: Too much enthusiasm
|
| 7:57 |
Apparently dugout floor are the filthiest things on earth. |
| 7:57 |
: better rookie hazing would be to make the rookies lick it
|
| 7:57 |
: provided you don’t care about your rookies staying off the disabled list
|
| 7:57 |
In Oakland, that would mean death |
| 7:57 |
: they can snorkel
|
| 7:58 |
: Now I’m queasy.
|
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.
What’s the line on this game?