AL Wild Card Game Live Blog
| 7:57 |
: Time for someone’s dream to die! It’s the AL wild-card playoff!
|
| 7:58 |
: A’s
|
| 7:58 |
: A’s
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| 7:59 |
Hey Mariners fans–your bandwagon team of the postseason? |
| 7:59 |
: For some reason I always end up pulling for the A’s. Dave’s hardly a Mariners fan and he can’t speak for himself yet
|
| 8:00 |
I’m on antibiotics and painkillers for an infection so I can’t drink so if you would drink extra for me it would be greatly appreciated. |
| 8:00 |
: I don’t drink on the job! Dave don’t drink!
|
| 8:00 |
Your piece yesterday gave oak a 53 or 58% chance of winning based on the model. Today’s game projections give kc a 55% chance of winning. What causes the difference? |
| 8:00 |
: We have lineups now, and we’ve updated the depth charts
|
| 8:00 |
: So far, people 62% in favor of Oakland, and 76% think Oakland will win
|
| 8:01 |
What are the odds Lester picks off the first baserunner in the 1st inning? |
| 8:01 |
Jon Lester fixed his curveball release point for the first time since 2010 resulting in his success this season. Why does it take so long to pick up a flaw and fix it? |
| 8:01 |
: I’m guessing that is an over-simplification
|
| 8:01 |
True or False: Dayton Moore is not a terrible GM, just simply a below average one. |
| 8:01 |
: Let’s regress and go below-average
|
| 8:02 |
Is there a more annoying pre-playoffs story than the “This team fell apart when they lost Cespedes’s thump in the middle of the lineup!” I just cannot watch baseball analysis on TV anymore. |
| 8:02 |
: Technically that did happen. The problem is just linking the two
|
| 8:03 |
I do remember a FanGraphs piece that suggested the trade could have at least affected them. Little things! Hard to figure out. |
| 8:03 |
: I mean, who really knows, right? It’s not inconceivable. It just feels like a hell of a stretch. We can’t rule it out 100%
|
| 8:04 |
: Hey everyone. Who else is excited to see what song TBS forces us to hate this year?
|
| 8:04 |
: I’m not the late chatter!
|
| 8:04 |
I’m surprised that more people aren’t rooting for the A’s. |
| 8:04 |
: The Royals have a weirdly heavy internet presence
|
| 8:04 |
: Also, they’re so brand new
|
| 8:05 |
Best radio to listen to the game on? |
| 8:05 |
: Your own or a friend’s
|
| 8:05 |
: Plus everyone who hates Moneyball/sabermetrics is rooting for the Royals.
|
| 8:05 |
: But why would they be in this chat?
|
| 8:05 |
: Hoping to troll?
|
| 8:06 |
: Whole Royals front office in here now, voting in polls
|
| 8:06 |
Should I go the gym and watch the game or sit at home and have too much to drink and watch the game. |
| 8:06 |
: Poll time: should we support Dylan’s life or death?
|
| 8:06 |
: Stay home and enjoy the first game. The playoffs are long and they get kind of tiring, so go to the gym next week
|
| 8:07 |
Dave, are the awards ballots like actually physical ballots aka voting government voting ballots or do you just write down a few names on a random sheet of paper and send it in? |
| 8:07 |
: Online. The BBWAA might still use an AOL email, but the ballot was on the web. The HOF ballots are paper, though.
|
| 8:09 |
You say that Jeff. But I’ve done an EXTENSIVE amount of research. It keeps coming down to proper cutter movement(which Eno wrote about) and A consistent curveball release point. His curveball jumped from 29% to 40% whiffs/swing in one season. That is mediocre to elite. |
| 8:09 |
: Better cutter, better curve. Most of pitching improvement comes down to more consistent release points
|
| 8:09 |
: Worth noting: Bill Miller, tonight’s home plate umpire, has an enormous strike zone.
|
| 8:09 |
: Maybe Lester will get the David Ross zone that he misses
|
| 8:10 |
: My personal x factor of choice: the A’s are screwed if they’re trailing by the time it gets to Herrera/Davis. I think those will be easy outs on high heat
|
| 8:11 |
: But they’ll roll Shields if he tries to throw too many low sinkers
|
| 8:11 |
: James Shields does not have the best right-handed change-up in baseball.
|
| 8:11 |
: But nice try, TBS announcer guy.
|
| 8:11 |
Who does have the best? |
| 8:11 |
: Felix.
|
| 8:11 |
: FELIX
|
| 8:11 |
: more caps, Dave
|
| 8:12 |
: Felix!!!!!
|
| 8:12 |
: Better?
|
| 8:12 |
: Strasburg’s is also great
|
| 8:12 |
Player with the largest WPA in this game is… |
| 8:12 |
: Lester
|
| 8:12 |
: One more ball and we can start calling him Low Yields Shields.
|
| 8:13 |
: The way Gordon tracked that down made me think it was somehow over his head
|
| 8:13 |
Looks like James Shields has turned into another ‘nerds vs. traditionalists’ point of contention |
| 8:13 |
: Nope, he just perfectly paced his pursuit
|
| 8:14 |
: Which is funny, because he used to be the polar opposite. Scouts didn’t like him as a prospect, but nerds loved the numbers and change-up.
|
| 8:14 |
Will you guys be doing live game blogs throughout the postseason? This is great! |
| 8:14 |
: We will do these all week, and then for elimination games, and then the whole World Series.
|
| 8:14 |
: But it will not always be us
|
| 8:14 |
: Truth.
|
| 8:15 |
: Sorry/you’re welcome
|
| 8:15 |
Get Carson! |
| 8:15 |
: I’m going to make him do one. You’ll regret asking for this.
|
| 8:16 |
: Good takes here by Donaldson but Shields is missing about three or four inches too low
|
| 8:16 |
: Alex Gordon range, example 1.
|
| 8:16 |
: I can’t tell which one of us is ahead of the other
|
| 8:16 |
: That wasn’t all that tough, but there’s some big league OFers who don’t get that one.
|
| 8:17 |
Dave you’re either REALLY far behind or REALLY far ahead |
| 8:17 |
: Or maybe both.
|
| 8:17 |
: No it’s not both
|
| 8:17 |
: Let’s see when Dave learns about that dinger
|
| 8:17 |
: There’s a dinger coming????!!!!
|
| 8:17 |
: I’m so far behind.
|
| 8:18 |
: Bad low changeup, and Moss destroyed it
|
| 8:18 |
: So Shields has missed low with the change, and he’s missed in the zone with the change. Great article, Jeff!
|
| 8:19 |
: A homer, a line drive, and two well-struck balls to left field. Excellent start for the A’s, who might be in the process of killing Shields’ nickname for good
|
| 8:19 |
: The inning just ended: true or false?
|
| 8:20 |
: 30 seconds ago or so
|
| 8:20 |
true |
| 8:20 |
false |
| 8:20 |
: So helpful.
|
| 8:20 |
I’m a temporary transplant to Pacific time. God I love these games beginning as soon as work is over. Thoughts? |
| 8:20 |
: When I started blogging about the Mariners I did so from Hartford, CT, and I recapped every game. The west coast is so so much better for sports.
|
| 8:20 |
This is going to be a classic pitching duel |
| 8:20 |
: Until the offseason, when you wake up and you’re like three trades and a free agent signing behind.
|
| 8:21 |
: Good thing I don’t run my own baseball website!
|
| 8:21 |
My non-American wife is having a lot of trouble understanding the no-talk-during-playoff-baseball-except-during-the-commercials rule. How do you handle it with Liberty, Dave? |
| 8:21 |
: I make Liberty talk to my wife, who also doesn’t understand this rule.
|
| 8:22 |
: I hate when people try to connect with me on a personal level when I’m watching strangers play a game
|
| 8:23 |
: There’s a time and place, Jeff.
|
| 8:23 |
: Time and place.
|
| 8:23 |
: I was being serious
|
| 8:23 |
: I am very bad at interacting
|
| 8:23 |
: I think they want to pitch Escobar down and in?
|
| 8:23 |
: (Am I on the right at-bat yet?)
|
| 8:23 |
: I think they want to pitch Escobar baseballs
|
| 8:23 |
: He’ll do the rest
|
| 8:24 |
If Shields stunk, would he get the nickname “Big Lame James”? |
| 8:24 |
: “More of the Same” James
|
| 8:24 |
How much did Moss’ HR raise the WP for the A’s? |
| 8:24 |
: A’s 67% to win now. http://www.fangraphs.com/li…
|
| 8:25 |
: Jed Lowrie will be a second baseman for someone starting next year, I bet.
|
| 8:25 |
: Nationals!
|
| 8:25 |
: Interesting. Maybe.
|
| 8:26 |
: Lester pick-off pump-fake!
|
| 8:26 |
: That’s awesome!
|
| 8:26 |
: Quite the emphatic signal at second
|
| 8:27 |
: Not a good defensive start by the A’s infielders.
|
| 8:27 |
: Boy are these teams differently structured
|
| 8:27 |
: Is this the most opposite match-up of MLB teams possible this year?
|
| 8:28 |
: Indians/Royals maybe?
|
| 8:28 |
: Any team that can hit/Padres?
|
| 8:28 |
: Tommy Medica is a baseball player!
|
| 8:29 |
any team with a bullpen vs. Tigers |
| 8:29 |
: There’s your stolen base No. 1
|
| 8:29 |
I think Ned Yost read your advice, Dave. Steal! |
| 8:29 |
: But, bad throw and a bad pitch to throw
|
| 8:29 |
: Yes, me telling the team to lead the league in steals to steal is the reason that they stole.
|
| 8:30 |
: Here’s the part where all our criticisms of the lineup look silly because Hosmer goes 2-for-3 with a walk and a dinger
|
| 8:30 |
That was a frustrating time call. |
| 8:31 |
How much does Shields owe his reputation to his momentous decision to stop going by “Jamie” like he did his rookie year? |
| 8:31 |
: That happened? My stars
|
| 8:31 |
: Lets It Fester Lester
|
| 8:31 |
: Soto getting handcuffed
|
| 8:32 |
: Aces, am I right
|
| 8:32 |
Lester is a tempo pitcher? The tempo being slow as molasses? |
| 8:32 |
: Fun fact! Of all starting pitchers who played in both 2011 and 2014, Lester has gotten faster by the second-most
|
| 8:32 |
: Only Beckett has gotten faster by more
|
| 8:32 |
: Both left Boston…
|
| 8:33 |
: I looked at this earlier this afternoon, that wasn’t just off the top of my head
|
| 8:34 |
that’s two runs if brandon moss is in left field |
| 8:34 |
: Yeah, that’s the most underrated part of OF defense right there.
|
| 8:34 |
: Not a real bad pitch there, but leaked a little over the plate. Good swing by Butler
|
| 8:34 |
: Also, can we trademark Puts Em On Jon now?
|
| 8:34 |
: I love it
|
| 8:35 |
: oh my god
|
| 8:35 |
: PICKOFF
|
| 8:35 |
: HE DID IT
|
| 8:35 |
: What the hell was that about??!
|
| 8:35 |
: Haha, baseball is so amazing.
|
| 8:36 |
: 40 steals
|
| 8:36 |
: Billy Butler is the absolute poster child for “can hit, still sucks”
|
| 8:36 |
: Just incredible. So so incredible
|
| 8:36 |
JEFF SPOILERS |
| 8:37 |
: Serious question: is this a problem? Should I delay myself?
|
| 8:37 |
: Don’t know how I’m so far ahead
|
| 8:37 |
: Are you from the future?
|
| 8:37 |
: No, just Oregon
|
| 8:38 |
: I think the potential for spoilers is part-and-parcel of being in a live blog. Don’t change.
|
| 8:38 |
: All right, but I’m open to being convinced otherwise later on
|
| 8:38 |
So in the future… there is no self-serve gasoline? |
| 8:38 |
: it’s the best
|
| 8:39 |
: What the hell was Butler doing
|
| 8:39 |
: Butler is barely a baseball player.
|
| 8:39 |
: Billy Butler in a deliberate rundown?
|
| 8:40 |
: His nickname is a meal!!
|
| 8:40 |
: A pretty delicious one, to be fair.
|
| 8:40 |
: Not one that leaves you wanting to be active for the rest of the day
|
| 8:41 |
What distinguishes a country breakfast from a normal breakfast |
| 8:41 |
: More pig.
|
| 8:41 |
: Hosmer justifying his start
|
| 8:41 |
Butler strikes me as a Billy Beane signing this winter. Agree? |
| 8:41 |
: Lowrie looks like some kind of mediocre Bond villain.
|
| 8:41 |
: Zduriencik. I think Dave agrees
|
| 8:42 |
: Butler will be a Mariner. I’d bet so much on it.
|
| 8:42 |
: They got Yuni, we get Butler. At last, fruition
|
| 8:43 |
Did that Lester stat from earlier today mean that he literally had not thrown over to first even once? |
| 8:43 |
: Not once in 2014. Don’t know about pump-fakes
|
| 8:43 |
Do pitchers tend to dial it up a little in the playoffs? Or do broadcasts/stadiums mess with the radar readings a little? |
| 8:43 |
: October velo is usually up a little bit, but velo climbs on average all season.
|
| 8:43 |
: I think the most interesting thing is how pitchers dial it up with 2 strikes
|
| 8:44 |
The KC gun is usually a bit hot I would say. |
| 8:44 |
: Also true.
|
| 8:44 |
: Is that still true?
|
| 8:44 |
: I remember that from like 2009
|
| 8:44 |
: I think it is, yes.
|
| 8:45 |
: I remember when PITCHf/x first started you sent me a very excited email about Johnny Cueto. Man we were happy
|
| 8:45 |
: We still take PITCHF/x for granted. It’s incredible.
|
| 8:45 |
: I used to chart games by hand!
|
| 8:45 |
: Until it’s gone and I’m a terrible writer
|
| 8:46 |
: Remember release point analysis?
|
| 8:46 |
: what were we even doing
|
| 8:46 |
: There’s a generous strikeout call
|
| 8:46 |
: Bill Miller special.
|
| 8:47 |
I know it’s difficult to talk unscripted for three hours, but it’s embarrassing how poorly prepared most national announcers are |
| 8:47 |
Are pitcher’s FIP inflated by catcher framing? |
| 8:47 |
: I don’t think they’re poorly prepared. They’re very prepared. They’re just prepared with…different…information…
|
| 8:47 |
: The ones who had to throw to Ryan Doumits, especially.
|
| 8:47 |
: Vance Worley on the Twins. In retrospect, why did that ever try to happen?
|
| 8:48 |
Sogard…most hipster player in the league? And in playing style and actual style! |
| 8:48 |
: Barry Zito?
|
| 8:48 |
: Not in any league!
|
| 8:48 |
: There’s an awesome changeup to end the frame
|
| 8:49 |
: Well it wasn’t very close to the zone, in fairness.
|
| 8:49 |
: A better hitter probably doesn’t chase it
|
| 8:49 |
: ?
|
| 8:49 |
: Seemed pretty close to me and PITCHf/x, and it was a 1-and-2 count
|
| 8:50 |
Seriously…why do I have to choose one camera angle on MLB.tv? Anyone else having this issue? |
| 8:50 |
: Would’ve hugged the corner until the break ran it away
|
| 8:50 |
: Because TBS/Fox bought the postseason rights.
|
| 8:51 |
Lowrie looks a lot bigger since he’s left Boston |
| 8:51 |
: Updating Win Expectancy: A’s now 57% to win. http://www.fangraphs.com/li…
|
| 8:51 |
: He’s actually just surrounded by smaller players because Oakland can’t afford to pay normal-sized ones
|
| 8:51 |
If Butler does become a Mariner, does his nickname move to a more fish-based meal? |
| 8:51 |
: DP BB
|
| 8:52 |
: Fish Fry?
|
| 8:52 |
Win Expectancy doesn’t factor in the great end of game relievers KC has, right? |
| 8:52 |
: Correct: WPA knows nothing about the players in the game, just the score/inning/base/out situations.
|
| 8:53 |
Are Shield’s strikeouts actually suppressed? By per pitch metrics, he is close to career high levels in most of his pitches for whiffs. |
| 8:54 |
: 19% this year, 24% a couple years ago
|
| 8:54 |
Any sports writers who universally panned the Myers/Shields trade because the Royals weren’t close enough to contention issuing a mea culpa? |
| 8:54 |
: There was a hell of a lot more to it than that
|
| 8:55 |
: And it was still a bad trade.
|
| 8:55 |
: As things stand the Shields era will have bought the Royals one extra baseball game
|
| 8:55 |
: In which he posted an ERA of 9.00.
|
| 8:55 |
: I like how in 2014 it was more the Davis/Odorizzi trade
|
| 8:55 |
: I feel like if you have to get out of the way of the pitch as you swing, you shouldn’t swing.
|
| 8:56 |
: Remember when Erick Aybar swung at a pitch that hit him flush in the nards
|
| 8:56 |
: I do not!
|
| 8:56 |
: I want to though.
|
| 8:56 |
| 8:57 |
: Well I know what I’ll be watching on loop all night.
|
| 8:57 |
: Like, flush, in the nards.
|
| 8:58 |
VOYA has the A’s at 75%! |
| 8:59 |
: Voya Financial: Sponsor of useless stats.
|
| 8:59 |
: gif version http://assets.sbnation.com/…
|
| 8:59 |
My favorite is when vintage Verlander would cruise at 92-94 for 5 innings, then slowly dial it up to 99 by the 8th! |
| 8:59 |
: Now that I understand more about how the A”s target low fastballs, I totally get why Verlander just tore them to bits
|
| 8:59 |
: That was a good change-up.
|
| 8:59 |
: In the zone and nasty.
|
| 8:59 |
: Soto hurt!
|
| 9:00 |
: The A’s have like 19 catchers and they’re all hurt.
|
| 9:00 |
: Soto’s done, hurt thumb, Norris in. Worse defender
|
| 9:00 |
: If there’s any advantage it’s his familiarity with Lester. Also hitting
|
| 9:01 |
Gamekeeper’s thumb for those interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wik… . Has to do with Scottish fowl. |
| 9:02 |
Is Shields uniquely poorly-suited for the As? Really high strike rate, but really low zone rate — needs batters to chase. |
| 9:02 |
: A righty groundballer would have a problem
|
| 9:02 |
: Rick Porcello then.
|
| 9:02 |
: Yeah, that’ll work
|
| 9:02 |
True or false: there isn’t one position player in today’s game that would start for the Nationals? |
| 9:02 |
: Shields at 55 pitches, one out in the third
|
| 9:03 |
: Super false. Donaldson at 3B, Rendon to 2B. Gordon in LF, Werth or Harper to CF.
|
| 9:03 |
If you could see Pitch F/X for any pitcher in history, who would it be? |
| 9:03 |
: Koufax?
|
| 9:04 |
: And right there is the kind of break a game can turn on. Line drive! Two outs! Sorry about your process and results, Oakland
|
| 9:04 |
: This is not a baserunning clinic.
|
| 9:04 |
: Unless it’s the kind of clinic that treats people that are not healthy.
|
| 9:04 |
Sal Perez also stars over Ramos |
| 9:04 |
: That too.
|
| 9:04 |
Best guess on where Lester and Shields end up next year? |
| 9:05 |
: I’m giving this one to Dave to answer
|
| 9:06 |
: I’d guess Shields ends up in Boston (4/75 or something), and Lester signs with some crazy pants team that wants to make a splash. Orioles, maybe.
|
| 9:06 |
Does Lester get $150 million? |
| 9:06 |
: I think so, yeah. Maybe over 7 instead of over 6 like Greinke.
|
| 9:07 |
Was looking up BsR for reference of just how awful a baserunner Billy Butler is (he’s dead last over last 3 years), and was very surprised to see Nori Aoki if 5th worst. He really sticks out on the list of terrible baserunners. |
| 9:07 |
: I’m trying to figure this one out
|
| 9:07 |
: According to Baseball-Reference, he was average this year. According to us, -10 runs somehow?
|
| 9:07 |
: Consider me confused
|
| 9:07 |
hey you guys, mike moustakas just got a hit |
| 9:08 |
Sounds like an article in the making |
| 9:08 |
: A BUNT
|
| 9:08 |
: I’m shocked. Shocked.
|
| 9:08 |
: a…probably justifiable bunt, kind of, since Escobar blows. but he’s batting leadoff, so, I mean-
|
| 9:08 |
: To be fair, Escobar sucks.
|
| 9:08 |
: I just…
|
| 9:08 |
: Or what Jeff said.
|
| 9:09 |
: Another late timeout. This is silly
|
| 9:09 |
Not saying Ned Yost will do this (we all know he won’t), but how early would you go to the Davis/Holland combo? |
| 9:10 |
: I like Herrera in this game too
|
| 9:10 |
: You should get 12 from those 3.
|
| 9:10 |
: Agree
|
| 9:11 |
Why not 15-18? |
| 9:11 |
: Probably don’t want them throwing more than 30-40 pitches each.
|
| 9:11 |
: Aoki must be so annoying to face
|
| 9:12 |
: I wonder how many of these kinds of players Japan has.
|
| 9:12 |
: We could start seeing a lot more since it seems like they’re a little more difficult to shift
|
| 9:13 |
: If they spray the ball everywhere, they could be a bigger part of the new baseball to come
|
| 9:13 |
: And they seem to come pretty cheap, relative to their performance.
|
| 9:13 |
: BOOM! Even!
|
| 9:13 |
: Forget talking about Japanese players. Cain got jammed and he still hammered that pitch
|
| 9:14 |
: It feels like maybe Lester needs to throw something besides first pitch cutters in to right-handers?
|
| 9:14 |
: I think that was an actual fastball. But that means it would’ve run back to the plate
|
| 9:14 |
: Tie broken!
|
| 9:15 |
: Everybody in the crowd looks like Billy Butler
|
| 9:15 |
: Oakland’s inning ends with a line drive DP. Kansas City gets an RBI blooper from a lefty batting cleanup
|
| 9:15 |
: Was Fuld playing way too deep there?
|
| 9:15 |
: Hard to tell from TV.
|
| 9:15 |
: But it seemed like he was playing very deep.
|
| 9:16 |
: All but four Lester pitches have been cutters or fastballs
|
| 9:17 |
If you were taking a shot every time they said ‘Big Game’ James, you’d be drunk by now |
| 9:17 |
: It doesn’t take many shots to get drunk
|
| 9:17 |
How does Felix own the A’s so much with how many low fastballs he throws? |
| 9:18 |
: Low changeups
|
| 9:18 |
More disappointing player: Hosmer or Moustakas? |
| 9:18 |
: I’d say Hosmer. Mosutakas’ case was always a bit flimsy.
|
| 9:19 |
: I honestly forgot that Bleacher Report is still a business
|
| 9:19 |
: Thanks for the reminder, TBS
|
| 9:20 |
: Lorenzo Cain this year: 5 WAR
|
| 9:20 |
Where can I see Win Probability per pitch? |
| 9:20 |
: Doesn’t exist
|
| 9:21 |
: “The A’s do not swing at bad pitches.” /swings at bad pitch.
|
| 9:21 |
: /3-1 count
|
| 9:21 |
Neither ace has been very effective in this game. |
| 9:21 |
Shutdown innings must be a TBS talking point. Never head any announcer talks about it anywhere else ever |
| 9:21 |
: See how aces are overrated
|
| 9:21 |
: The Texas guys talk about it a lot.
|
| 9:22 |
On ESPN pregame, David Ross said Cain was just the kind of hitter that gave Lester trouble. Good call |
| 9:22 |
: How’d he explain?
|
| 9:22 |
: Lowrie with a home run swing but lacks home run power.
|
| 9:23 |
: Take some PEDs, Jed.
|
| 9:23 |
As it stands, Oakland gave up Addison Russell to play one more baseball game with a pitcher who has a 9 ERA |
| 9:23 |
: Probably shouldn’t have lost twice as often as they won down the stretch
|
| 9:23 |
: Addison Russell went to the Cubs, and they’ll still have Samardzija next year.
|
| 9:24 |
: I’d give Shields one more inning and go to the pen. Yost will presumably give him two more innings
|
| 9:24 |
To be fair, they had Shields for next year at the time too. Not saying it necessarily changes anything but both trades had Shields/Samard respectively get 2 years. |
| 9:24 |
: A’s already knew they were contenders in year one when they made their move, though.
|
| 9:25 |
: Royals just wanted to be.
|
| 9:25 |
I know I’m supposed to feel good for KC, but I hate the way they play. It’s all late timeouts and bloop hits |
| 9:25 |
: It’s actually all awesome defense and relief pitching
|
| 9:25 |
Would the Angels have a pretty easy time with the Royals? |
| 9:25 |
: No one in the playoffs would have an easy time with anyone
|
| 9:26 |
: It is kind of fun that the team that is anti-sabermetric is also the team doing the most to prove that defensive metrics aren’t bunk.
|
| 9:26 |
: Turns out scouts and stats like a lot of the same things
|
| 9:26 |
Lorenzo cain 4.8BB% 21K% |
| 9:27 |
: Adam Jones is good
|
| 9:27 |
: And Carlos Gomez.
|
| 9:27 |
: Cain’s not as good as them, but he’s really coming on
|
| 9:27 |
: And Starling Marte.
|
| 9:27 |
: This is a pretty common skillset for speedy OFs now.
|
| 9:27 |
: Boy did Marte finish awesome this year
|
| 9:28 |
Can we talk about how super random a single game of baseball can be? Moss rips the heck out of a ball and it leads to an inning ending double play. Cain rips the heck out of a ball and gets ans RBI double (and then scores on a weakly hit ball). |
| 9:28 |
: Maybe not the best pitch to swing at, there.
|
| 9:28 |
: I think we always make a point of talking about that
|
| 9:29 |
Does home field advantage matter more in winner take all games? |
| 9:29 |
: Don’t believe that’s been demonstrated. And if I recall, HFA is same in playoffs as in season
|
| 9:30 |
: Lester has a curve now. Overlaps with Norris’ substitution. Huh
|
| 9:30 |
: Back on pace for a 3-hour baseball game or so
|
| 9:30 |
: The curve seems to be working better than the cutter, based on a sample of this inning.
|
| 9:31 |
: Low pitch count for Lester, if anyone cares about that
|
| 9:31 |
If you were Ned Yost, how much longer would you stick with Shields? What about Melvin and Lester? |
| 9:31 |
: I would go to the pen now if I was KC, push Lester another inning or so.
|
| 9:31 |
Have you all ever thought about running a live audio commentary during some of these games? Would that even be legal? I, for one, would gladly mute the TV and listen to Dave and Jeff instead! |
| 9:32 |
: That’s why MLB says the “accounts and descriptions of this game” thing in every broadcast.
|
| 9:32 |
: Believe that’s not legal
|
| 9:32 |
How long do you think Yost WILL keep Shields in, given the current score? |
| 9:32 |
: Two more innings.
|
| 9:32 |
: Definitely two more innings
|
| 9:32 |
: You don’t believe anything is definite, except this?
|
| 9:33 |
: I believe I’m definitely uncomfortable watching Viagra commercials
|
| 9:33 |
: If that lasts more than four hours…
|
| 9:33 |
: My doctor’s out of the office.
|
| 9:33 |
Why are so many writers (even seemingly intelligent ones) claiming now that the Royals proved them wrong on the Shields trade? A low probability happened to hit. Let’s not reason from an unlikely result to a conclusion about the process. |
| 9:34 |
: Some people genuinely believe they were proven wrong, others want to convey the impression of accountability, others want attention/traffic
|
| 9:34 |
: And it’s an easy talking point that might not be relevant after today
|
| 9:34 |
I think people prefer good results to good process. |
| 9:34 |
: Also this.
|
| 9:34 |
: Imagine if Myers hadn’t been injured this season
|
| 9:35 |
Am I reading the MLB.tv options correctly, without cable, the only way i can watch NL playoff games is 90 minutes after they’re over??? |
| 9:35 |
: Or you can move out of the country.
|
| 9:35 |
: Feel free to check in at any moment, Derek Norris
|
| 9:36 |
What did Yost just call Shields? |
| 9:36 |
: Sounds like “wago” or something to me.
|
| 9:36 |
: juego
|
| 9:36 |
: That makes more sense.
|
| 9:37 |
: Game in Spanish. Alternate Shields nickname
|
| 9:37 |
: Crisp mad about a called strike just as bad as the first pitch he swung at
|
| 9:38 |
: Shields is going to benefit more from area down in the corners than Lester
|
| 9:38 |
Why dont you two do a twitch stream? |
| 9:39 |
: a what
|
| 9:39 |
: is there really a demand to watch Jeff and I talk? I think there would not be.
|
| 9:39 |
: I know I wouldn’t want to watch it
|
| 9:39 |
Swing |
| 9:39 |
: Disagree.
|
| 9:39 |
: Who even knows, it’s such a dumb rule
|
| 9:40 |
: KC should be taking a lead to the bullpen right now. They won’t, but they’re in that position
|
| 9:40 |
Given the unpredictability of baseball (as you said – in the playoffs, it’s a crapshoot) do you like the one-game wild card playoffs? Is one game enough to determine which of the two wild card teams moves on? (Keep in mind the world series will be on oct 21-29 this year) |
| 9:40 |
: Love it. Whole month’s random. Embrace the noise
|
| 9:41 |
: There’s no way for a tournament format to identify a “deserving” winner that satisfies statistical thresholds
|
| 9:42 |
Was Jake Odorozzi that much worse than Shields? Especially considering contract/years under control? |
| 9:42 |
: Odorizzi was really good, but then there’s the Davis factor. Who the Royals knew would be an ace reliever so much they made him a starter
|
| 9:42 |
After that inning, you still think the royals should turn it over to the bullpen in the 6th? Shields seems like he’s settling into a grove… |
| 9:42 |
: Recent performance isn’t predictive. This is maybe the most important lesson sabermetrics can teach.
|
| 9:43 |
: Here’s where I’m at: I think it’s fair to say Shields was in a groove in the 5th, but I don’t at all believe that means he comes back out of the dugout in a groove in the 6th
|
| 9:43 |
: I’d say we can only identify “grooves” in hindsight.
|
| 9:44 |
: I think it’s the most comfortable compromise between stat people and playing people
|
| 9:44 |
: Another good curve
|
| 9:44 |
Should Yost honestly go to Crow in the 6th? (FIP) |
| 9:44 |
: Herrera
|
| 9:44 |
: Herrera/Davis/Holland for four, play on Thursday.
|
| 9:45 |
: Middle of the order is due up. Give up a home run and then what do you have?
|
| 9:45 |
: A tie, Jeff. It’s called a tie.
|
| 9:46 |
: Oh, right
|
| 9:46 |
it may seem silly to read live chats after the fact, but there are often a couple good nuggets of info/commentary to be found. Any chance the CiL issue is fixed with really long transcripts so that I can read the whole thing if I happen to miss a game (I almost definitely will)? |
| 9:46 |
: Ventura warming up. Interesting. He’d probably make an amazing reliever too.
|
| 9:46 |
: I’m guessing it is not fixed
|
| 9:46 |
: Ventura is a perfect matchup for the Royals against the A’s lineup. I’d actually like him over Shields
|
| 9:47 |
A’s have chances for better match ups later on in the game? |
| 9:47 |
: No, the match-ups only get harder against KC.
|
| 9:48 |
: A’s have already squandered their best chance to do something. They needed to get to the bullpen at least even.
|
| 9:48 |
: Yep. Best chance to win was to get a lead and hold on. This will be harder.
|
| 9:49 |
: What’s the win expectancy now?
|
| 9:49 |
isn’t “get a lead and hold on” always the best chance to win? |
| 9:49 |
: Touche.
|
| 9:49 |
: not against the Tigers
|
| 9:50 |
If they really are simply giving Ventura work so that he’ll be ready for the DS, they are just asking for Karma to give them an extra inning game. |
| 9:50 |
: They carried Guthrie too.
|
| 9:50 |
: So they’d have him for a super long contest.
|
| 9:50 |
: Officially still Shields
|
| 9:51 |
: Of course.
|
| 9:51 |
: Fuld getting credit for being able to handle the bat. It’s like, finally, a hitter who can do that
|
| 9:51 |
: Deserved a broken-bat hit
|
| 9:51 |
: “A postgame…a post-series game…”
|
| 9:52 |
: That pitch is why the A’s won’t hit high fastballs later in this game
|
| 9:52 |
What pitcher would be hurt the most if umpires started calling the actual strike zone again? |
| 9:52 |
: The Padres
|
| 9:53 |
If recent performance isn’t predictive… should you pull a pitcher who has given up a bunch of runs? (assuming pitch count is not high and you aren’t on the 3rd time through the lineup) |
| 9:53 |
: Not if his stuff is ok
|
| 9:53 |
Will people ever stop complaining about the shift? |
| 9:53 |
: Eventually we’ll just refer to it as “defense”
|
| 9:54 |
: Donaldson has swung through some meatballs.
|
| 9:54 |
: low-ball hitter! low-ball hitter!
|
| 9:55 |
: Bullpen aaaaaaany time now
|
| 9:55 |
: I bet Shields gets that strike if Perez doesn’t try to throw down
|
| 9:55 |
: Probably, yes.
|
| 9:55 |
: Wow, I love this decision
|
| 9:56 |
: Kudos to Yost. Should’ve opened the sixth like this, but I like going to Ventura now
|
| 9:56 |
: One inning of Ventura is probably going to be amazingly hard to hit.
|
| 9:56 |
: I think Moss and Reddick both whiff on 99+ upstairs
|
| 9:56 |
: Though David Schoenfield just noted that Ventura threw 73 pitches on Sunday, so…
|
| 9:57 |
: He’s Randy Johnson in 1995!
|
| 9:57 |
: He’s just like Randy Johnson!
|
| 9:57 |
: Bullpen day, right? So he would’ve been throwing no matter what
|
| 9:57 |
: I think bullpen day is two days after start, no?
|
| 9:57 |
: (I don’t remember)
|
| 9:57 |
I’d go Duffy here. |
| 9:57 |
: wait, it is two days after a start
|
| 9:58 |
: Duffy might be an interesting pick too.
|
| 9:58 |
: He’s death to LHBs.
|
| 9:58 |
: I’d like Duffy too
|
| 9:58 |
: Or, you know, Wade Davis.
|
| 9:58 |
: Who is okay.
|
| 9:59 |
: welp
|
| 9:59 |
: Joke’s on me!
|
| 9:59 |
: Brandon Moss.
|
| 9:59 |
: Ruben Amaro is still not sure Brandon Moss can hit a fastball.
|
| 9:59 |
: I loved the idea of Ventura pumping high fastballs. He threw a low fastball.
|
| 9:59 |
: He threw exactly the pitch he couldn’t throw there. So I’m…redeemed? Whatever. Moss!
|
| 10:00 |
: I guess this is the part where we all say in retrospect it should’ve been Davis in the high-leverage inning
|
| 10:00 |
: Well I’m pretty sure we know what the storyline of this game is now.
|
| 10:00 |
: /rattled
|
| 10:01 |
: oh boy
|
| 10:02 |
: Low fastball. What do you know?
|
| 10:02 |
Maybe he should stop throwing low fastballs |
| 10:02 |
: IT’S THEIR WHOLE STRATEGY TO HIT THEM
|
| 10:02 |
: There is now a very good chance that the Royals three dominant relievers will not pitch in a game in which their team had the lead in the 6th inning.
|
| 10:03 |
: Let the record show, for me: I was fine with Ventura here. He threw a very bad pitch.
|
| 10:03 |
: I also would’ve been fine with Herrera or Duffy or Davis
|
| 10:03 |
: I think there was some logic to putting Ventura in here, but there was logic in putting in like eight other guys too.
|
| 10:03 |
: Yeah. And whoever should’ve just opened the inning
|
| 10:04 |
: Jed Lowrie with another HR swing that goes 250 feet.
|
| 10:04 |
: Would’ve been a nice showcase of the trade to go from Shields to Davis in this inning
|
| 10:05 |
: I actually feel a little bad for Yost. He’s going to get destroyed for that decision, when it wasn’t indefensible. But he had defensible moves that were probably just as good, so…
|
| 10:06 |
FIP vs. lefties: Davis, 1.59; Herrera, 1.99; Holland, 2.35; Duffy, 2.92; Ventura, 3.72 |
| 10:06 |
: Ventura in relief
|
| 10:07 |
: Duffy in relief
|
| 10:07 |
: Ventura in relief on short rest?
|
| 10:07 |
: We just don’t know enough.
|
| 10:07 |
: Davis is the best they’ve got. Easy to say now they should’ve used the best in the sixth. I think going to Ventura didn’t swing the odds that much, but obviously now it was a disaster
|
| 10:08 |
: Yost made neither a bad decision nor the best decision. Because of results, he’ll get blame, instead of Ventura for throwing a low fastball in the middle
|
| 10:09 |
Opinion on Darling’s point about asking players to excel in situations they’re not used to? How do we model that, is it possible or are all the sample sizes too small? |
| 10:09 |
: It’s basically impossible.
|
| 10:10 |
: I don’t know how to model that. I think the point of managers is to make sure you’re using players when they’re comfortable. By now, Yost should know what Ventura can and can’t mentally do.
|
| 10:10 |
: If Yost thought that was fine, we probably just believe him
|
| 10:10 |
Brandon Moss’ WPA: .435 |
| 10:10 |
Maybe that’s why the A’s didn’t start Adam Dunn. Now he’s avaiable to pitch the 6th! |
| 10:11 |
There’s no research on whether the relief bonus sets in immediately or after some lag? |
| 10:11 |
: There’s no way to test whether it applies to guys who threw 75 pitches two days ago.
|
| 10:11 |
: Norris RBI on the low fastball
|
| 10:11 |
: I know this probably sounds like a talking point for me but I’m really big on it
|
| 10:12 |
: Billy Butler’s baserunning blunder hurt Soto, which meant that Norris could get that RBI after replacing him. This is all Butler’s fault.
|
| 10:12 |
: Billy Butler’s Baserunning Blunder is fun to say out loud
|
| 10:13 |
: At least that time it was a high fastball
|
| 10:13 |
This looks like the A’s of the first half |
| 10:14 |
: Royals getting creamed because of the bullpen. Geez
|
| 10:14 |
: It’s almost like recent performance isn’t predictive!
|
| 10:14 |
Who is doing the chat tomorrow evening? |
| 10:14 |
: Jeff’s back, only with Paul as his sidekick.
|
| 10:14 |
: Then Dave gets the later game Thursday
|
| 10:14 |
: I don’t know who’s on earlier Thursday duty
|
| 10:15 |
: I’m earlier Thursday, actually. With August. Then Wendy and David Temple at night.
|
| 10:15 |
Will the narrative tomorrow be about taking Shields out or which pitcher came in? |
| 10:15 |
: And then there’s a Friday marathon and we’ll see about that
|
| 10:15 |
: The only story will be “rookie starter who just pitched”
|
| 10:16 |
: It is so unbelievably easy to write the alternative narrative had Ventura gotten out of the jam
|
| 10:16 |
: “Yost looked into Ventura’s eyes and saw what no one else could see. Yost saw a lion.”
|
| 10:17 |
There were definitely people on Twitter openly questioning the Ventura move before he even threw his first pitch. |
| 10:17 |
: Well, yes, but was it for the right reasons, or “he’s a rookie”?
|
| 10:18 |
: Yost picked one of his flame-throwers, is what he did
|
| 10:18 |
And some logic to keeping in Shields, too. Not sure I understand why he was pulled. |
| 10:18 |
: Third time through the lineup
|
| 10:19 |
Ventura was getting ready before the inning. Could they have gotten Davis ready in time once they saw it was a high leverage situation? |
| 10:19 |
: Keeping in Shields would have been worse.
|
| 10:19 |
: Good question. I’m not sure how quickly he warms up, but if you figure he, at earliest, gets up after the broken-bat single, then you’re talking about warming up during one AB
|
| 10:20 |
Darling, said it best….”why do managers choose this time of year to do things they’ve never done before?”….Ventura, had no business coming in right after Shields. The look on his face told me he didnt want any parts of that spot in the game, 2 on, no outs. This is a kid we’re talkin about here, who wasnt ready for that kind of pressure. That broke their backs, right there…A’s, going to Anaheim. |
| 10:20 |
: We’re just going to ignore Tim Lincecum, Dominant October Reliever then?
|
| 10:21 |
: Halt! I have found precedent!
|
| 10:22 |
So now we base decisions on one outlier data point? Come on, Dave. |
| 10:22 |
: Please show me all the evidence that very good starters don’t pitch well in relief in October.
|
| 10:22 |
: Derek Holland threw 50 pitches on 10/3/12. Came in in relief of Yu Darvish in the WC game on 10/5/12
|
| 10:22 |
: I remember him being good. How is my memory?
|
| 10:22 |
: ehh
|
| 10:23 |
: Figures.
|
| 10:23 |
: WP, single, strikeout
|
| 10:23 |
: But, this has happened, is the bigger point, even though Holland wasn’t a rookie
|
| 10:23 |
Dave, it’s fair for you to ask for the evidence, but citing Lincecum is not evidence for your point. |
| 10:23 |
: My point is “we don’t know enough”.
|
| 10:23 |
: I’m simply arguing that everyone saying it was obviously the wrong call don’t have the evidence to support that.
|
| 10:24 |
: It was obviously not the best call. Was it obviously a disaster waiting to happen? I don’t know. I don’t think you do either.
|
| 10:24 |
Curveball! |
| 10:25 |
“I don’t think you do either.” I could say just as easily that I don’t think you know leaving Shields out there would have definitely been worse. |
| 10:25 |
: I have plenty of data to back that up. If you can provide data to back up your claims, I’ll believe you too.
|
| 10:26 |
i think the argument isn’t whether or not Ventura was a disaster waiting to happen, but rather he was an unnecessary risk given the quality relievers in that bullpen |
| 10:26 |
: By the way, the Royals didn’t score in that inning
|
| 10:26 |
: If that’s the argument, I agree. Argued all day for 12 outs from their big three.
|
| 10:26 |
: For what it’s worth, Kelvin Herrera came in and allowed three hits
|
| 10:26 |
: The question is if Yost said that was absolutely not an option, was Venura a worthy risk relative to other options not named Herrera/Davis/Holland.
|
| 10:27 |
: I liked the question of getting ready in time once that was recognized as a high-leverage inning. There was a single, then a walk, then the home run
|
| 10:27 |
: Not a lot of time there, so I doubt it would’ve been Davis?
|
| 10:29 |
What potential playoff series would most excite you? |
| 10:29 |
: I think Nats-Os would be a lot of fun.
|
| 10:30 |
: Pirates-O’s…Pirates-A’s…
|
| 10:30 |
: Moss whiffs on the high fastball
|
| 10:32 |
Is there any way to see if Lester’s pitch selection has been different with Norris? It seems he was much more FB heavy with Soto, more curves with Norris. Then again, maybe that was Lester’s plan all along. |
| 10:32 |
: Difference is, pitch mixes change as you get deeper anyhow
|
| 10:33 |
Announcers talking about the trade affecting the A’s offense as fact…SOOOOO sick of hearing about the “importance of a ‘run-producer'” in the middle of the lineup |
| 10:33 |
: The Mariners paid Robinson Cano to provide a legitimate big bat in their lineup and scored 10 more runs.
|
| 10:34 |
: Probably in part because of the other big bats they tried to put in their lineup
|
| 10:35 |
Speaking of evidence of pitching stuff…is there much/any evidence that “playoff experience” means a darned thing? |
| 10:35 |
: Zero.
|
| 10:36 |
: whoopsadoodle
|
| 10:36 |
: That was a weird time for that remark to submit itself
|
| 10:36 |
The warmup is almost always the overlooked sticking point on the Nintendo utilization of relievers (use the best pitcher in the high leverage situations) – there are times when this is doable and times when there aren’t. And there are times where you get your relief ace up and down multiple times and wear them out in the pen as the game toggles from high to low and vice versa. |
| 10:36 |
I completely support the assertion that playoff experience does not matter, but could you point to some research on the subject? I’d enjoy the read |
| 10:36 |
: Part of why relievers like set roles
|
| 10:36 |
: Ben Lindbergh just linked to some on his piece on Grantland last week.
|
| 10:37 |
Max Scherzer in the 8th of game 4 against the A’s last year…he was pretty good |
| 10:37 |
: That was 3 days’ rest
|
| 10:37 |
Did Holland inherit runners? |
| 10:37 |
: Yes
|
| 10:38 |
So if this is it for the Royals, what is their off-season priority? |
| 10:38 |
: They’re going to try to find some better hitters.
|
| 10:38 |
Ok, time to critique Melvin. When do you go to relievers? Doolittle? |
| 10:38 |
: Wade Davis is about to cost $7 million
|
| 10:38 |
: Soonish.
|
| 10:39 |
: Thing about Lester and the KC lineup is it’s so underwhelming and he’s at the bottom. But still, bullpen soon
|
| 10:40 |
: Ventura now being accused of overthrowing, instead of just naturally throwing a bazillion
|
| 10:41 |
Davey Johnson brought in Jordan Zimmermann and Edwin Jackson in games 4 and 5 of 2012 NLDS. Zimm worked out great, Jackson not so much. Both were starters pitching on their bullpen days. |
| 10:41 |
Jim Bowden is really ripping into Yost on Twitter. What a guy! |
| 10:41 |
: Jim Bowden is a disaster
|
| 10:42 |
I mean, bazillion is a pretty awesome fastball. |
| 10:42 |
: Not if you’re the catcher.
|
| 10:42 |
can we use a starter’s performance for the first time thru a lineup as a proxy for how they would preform as a reliever? |
| 10:43 |
: Not quite. Stuff still plays up
|
| 10:43 |
: We could use that as something of a baseline, though, and then assume that they should be even slightly better, probably.
|
| 10:43 |
: Yeah, I like it
|
| 10:43 |
: Lester should definitely be done now
|
| 10:44 |
: I get leaving him in for the bottom, but now the lineup’s turning over
|
| 10:44 |
: Agree. Four run lead feels safe, but could disappear quickly.
|
| 10:44 |
How far do the A’s have to advance for the Cespedes narrative to finally go away? |
| 10:45 |
: Honestly I think it should mostly be dead now. They advanced, and they’re advancing (probably)
|
| 10:45 |
: But he won the HR derby twice.
|
| 10:45 |
: You can’t replace that.
|
| 10:45 |
: The Mariners replaced that!
|
| 10:46 |
: Mike Cameron: better than Ken Griffey Jr. at the time of the trade!
|
| 10:46 |
: or something
|
| 10:46 |
: Wade Davis, four-run deficit. A snarkier version of me would love this
|
| 10:48 |
: Just realized I haven’t heard a word the broadcasters have said for like 4 innings
|
| 10:48 |
Jeff: Do you choose the Pirates in both scenarios because you feel they are the most exciting NL team left you watch? Or is your choice narrative driven? |
| 10:48 |
: I like the crowd noise
|
| 10:48 |
a snarkier version of Jeff Sullivan |
| 10:48 |
: It’s called August Fagerstrom.
|
| 10:49 |
: Big Game James Shields has a 5.26 career playoff ERA
|
| 10:49 |
2014 playoff team most likely to finish under .500 next year? |
| 10:49 |
: The Royals.
|
| 10:49 |
: Yep
|
| 10:50 |
: So if the Royals lose they didn’t make it to October after all
|
| 10:51 |
To prevent not having a reliever ready in high leverage spots, managers should always have someone warming up in the pen past the 6th inning in the playoffs, regardless of the situation. True or false? |
| 10:51 |
: Relievers don’t like warming and sitting
|
| 10:51 |
royals get a 2015 revenue bumpt from this ‘playoff;? |
| 10:51 |
: Pirates attendance went up this year, so, maybe?
|
| 10:52 |
: there is a show called Selfie
|
| 10:52 |
: I am so out of touch with television.
|
| 10:52 |
Pirates got to NLDS game 5 and had a winning team this year. |
| 10:52 |
: Fair.
|
| 10:52 |
: Pirates payroll this year went up about $5 million
|
| 10:53 |
Pirates payroll this year went up by Edison Volquez. |
| 10:53 |
: Lester still in.
|
| 10:53 |
: He should be on a very, very short leash.
|
| 10:53 |
: Orioles payroll went up about $8 million after their first berth
|
| 10:54 |
: Okay remove Lester
|
| 10:54 |
WPA for putting on the rally caps? |
| 10:54 |
Lowrie hasn’t had the best defensive showcase tonight |
| 10:54 |
: Don’t think Jed Lowrie wants to play any more baseball
|
| 10:55 |
could this be even worse for royals fans than not making the “playoffs” at all? |
| 10:55 |
: Nah, you can’t erase the joy of reaching this level. They achieved something
|
| 10:55 |
: This has to be Lester’s last batter.
|
| 10:56 |
: Without question. He’s even reached the magic 100
|
| 10:56 |
Stealing down by four. Ned Yost learns from nothing. |
| 10:56 |
: Stealing on Norris is probably worth the minimal risk.
|
| 10:56 |
: Imagine if that got by Sogard
|
| 10:57 |
: I also doubt Lester is really caring too much about one baserunner with a four-run lead
|
| 10:57 |
: Remove him Bob
|
| 10:57 |
: Remove him Bob…
|
| 10:57 |
: Bob, remove this pitcher
|
| 10:57 |
Is Bob Melvin about to go all Grady Little on us? |
| 10:57 |
: This is nutty.
|
| 10:57 |
: jesus
|
| 10:58 |
: So here’s some evidence that Melvin isn’t just some Billy Beane dugout puppet
|
| 10:59 |
Is there a manager that communicates with someone “upstairs” about game decision? |
| 10:59 |
: Not allowed.
|
| 10:59 |
How mad at Yost do you think the actual Royals players are right now? |
| 10:59 |
: Not even a little bit
|
| 11:00 |
How would they police that rule Dave? |
| 11:00 |
: Not allowed to use electronic devices (ie phones) in the dugout.
|
| 11:01 |
I think it was foul, but good lord how is there no camera angle on that? |
| 11:01 |
: Yeah, these replays are useless.
|
| 11:01 |
: “Here’s how a satellite saw that play unfold”
|
| 11:01 |
: Jon Lester is still pitching btw
|
| 11:02 |
Your still down by three Ned… |
| 11:02 |
: Its not the 9th. Getting into scoring position matters.
|
| 11:02 |
: Cain’s good at stealing
|
| 11:02 |
: +6 runs for his career
|
| 11:03 |
: Finally Lester is finished
|
| 11:03 |
: Despite being finished 15 minutes ago
|
| 11:04 |
: Tying run at the plate.
|
| 11:04 |
: Crazy pants.
|
| 11:04 |
: Melvin was worse about his starter than Yost was
|
| 11:04 |
: Agree.
|
| 11:04 |
: hilarious
|
| 11:04 |
: Maybe the Royals will get into October, local time
|
| 11:05 |
And now for something completely different, Adam Dunn comes in to pitch relief. |
| 11:06 |
Gregerson in… I guess you can’t PH Willigham for Butler, can you? |
| 11:06 |
: I would not be shocked if he sent up Ibanez. It would be a brutal decision, but I would not be shocked by it.
|
| 11:06 |
: He’s still there?
|
| 11:06 |
: He is.
|
| 11:07 |
: Playing?
|
| 11:07 |
: Butler DP feels in the cards
|
| 11:07 |
: I know, this is some limb
|
| 11:07 |
: Well I’ll be jiggered!
|
| 11:07 |
: Breakfast for dinner!
|
| 11:08 |
: Okay, Billy, this time the steal will really work.
|
| 11:08 |
: I feel like Gore is a certain steal attempt
|
| 11:08 |
: And he is going to make it
|
| 11:09 |
: A steal and a single and we can all talk about something different tomorrow than Yordano Ventura
|
| 11:09 |
: Odds of an SB attempt? 99.9%
|
| 11:10 |
: Gore ran on the first pitch. Rookie in the playoffs
|
| 11:10 |
Is “where’s Doolittle? ” a stupid question? |
| 11:10 |
: Nope.
|
| 11:10 |
: This is getting amazing
|
| 11:10 |
: This is all because of Cespedes
|
| 11:11 |
baseball!!!! |
| 11:11 |
This is a good time for a sac bunt |
| 11:11 |
: It actually is! I love squeeze bunts.
|
| 11:11 |
: Won’t do it with two strikes, but a squeeze with Gordon against a righty…some balls
|
| 11:12 |
: This game was started by two aces for whom the respective teams paid a fortune
|
| 11:13 |
: A walk isn’t the *worst* thing here with righty catcher on deck
|
| 11:13 |
: And would setup the double play.
|
| 11:14 |
: There you go
|
| 11:14 |
Gordon has to steal 2B |
| 11:14 |
: There’s that, though.
|
| 11:14 |
: This is the first game of the playoffs
|
| 11:14 |
Do they even throw through if Gordon runs? |
| 11:15 |
: I think not.
|
| 11:15 |
: Gore is too fast to risk it.
|
| 11:15 |
: Two great sliders
|
| 11:15 |
: Squeeze, fools.
|
| 11:15 |
: Use Perez’s aggressiveness against him
|
| 11:15 |
: (before there were two strikes)
|
| 11:16 |
: woof, Salvador
|
| 11:16 |
That was a horrendous PA from Perez. |
| 11:16 |
: Atrocious.
|
| 11:16 |
: Perez since August 13: 1 walk, 33 strikeouts
|
| 11:17 |
Only the 13th time in baseball history that a team stole 5 or more bases in a playoff game. |
| 11:17 |
: 4 this inning, no?
|
| 11:18 |
: one strike away from Doolittle 9th
|
| 11:18 |
: Coco is described as having an “accurate arm” with no mention of the fact that he has the worst arm strength in baseball.
|
| 11:18 |
: I love how Gregerson’s fastball is his secondary pitch
|
| 11:18 |
: Wowwwwww
|
| 11:19 |
: That is devastating
|
| 11:19 |
: Down and away sliders.
|
| 11:19 |
This has been a heck of a game |
| 11:19 |
Holland for the 9th? Gotta keep it at 1. |
| 11:20 |
: If it’s not Holland, then Yost should be terminated on the spot.
|
| 11:20 |
: Unless you keep in Davis
|
| 11:20 |
: Those are the only two options.
|
| 11:20 |
: We had two innings in this game of the game being a kind of dull 7-3. The rest has been amazing
|
| 11:20 |
: Any other option should be followed by seppoku.
|
| 11:21 |
: Last two strikeouts dropped the Royals’ odds from 48% to 15%
|
| 11:22 |
Why no pinch-hitter there? Gregerson slays righties with that slider. |
| 11:22 |
: The Royals don’t have good LH hitters. Or good RH hitters, for that matter.
|
| 11:25 |
Is there any data backing up Aces/workhorses under performing in the playoffs due to workload? |
| 11:25 |
Doolittle vs. scheduled Moustakas, Escobar, Aoki. Where do you use Willingham? |
| 11:25 |
: Nah, everyone’s tired
|
| 11:25 |
: First.
|
| 11:26 |
If Moustakas gets on, who pinch runs for him? |
| 11:26 |
: Moustakas should not face Doolittle.
|
| 11:26 |
I’d love to see a comparison of Gregerson and Romo. Any other guys that live off the slider as prominently as those two? |
| 11:26 |
: Alburquerque
|
| 11:26 |
: Kelley, Cishek
|
| 11:26 |
Oohhh where was that one? |
| 11:26 |
: Outside?
|
| 11:27 |
: Pretty good play by Gordon
|
| 11:29 |
Perez has had a pretty tough ten minutes. |
| 11:29 |
: No chance he sees a strike here.
|
| 11:30 |
: “Small sample… but it is off a closer.”
|
| 11:30 |
: Well that makes it okay then.
|
| 11:30 |
That shitty Butler running gaffe is really looking important now |
| 11:30 |
: Annual reminder that changing one event changes all subsequent events
|
| 11:31 |
: Maybe if it weren’t for that one of these teams wins by 12
|
| 11:32 |
Lawn dart! |
| 11:32 |
Also, I am still impressed. Holland looks like he is going to just go flying away every time he pitches. |
| 11:32 |
: Dunn to PH?
|
| 11:32 |
: Can you imagine what the story would be right now if Holland was a rookie?
|
| 11:33 |
: Boy that looked different off the bat
|
| 11:33 |
: Good news for Doolittle, Arencibia nowhere to be found
|
| 11:33 |
Yet another HR swing by Lowrie that goes 250 ft |
| 11:35 |
: Willingham to PH.
|
| 11:35 |
What’s the A’s win probability right now? |
| 11:35 |
| 11:36 |
: Probably an actual…85% or so?
|
| 11:36 |
: More?
|
| 11:36 |
: Factoring in Doolittle? Yeah, 85ish.
|
| 11:36 |
: Doolittle + Royals
|
| 11:36 |
: Most teams have very good pitchers in these situations, so the adjustment isn’t that huge.
|
| 11:37 |
: True. Maybe 87 or 88 then?
|
| 11:37 |
: The important thing is we can’t know and the numbers will be obsolete in a second or three
|
| 11:37 |
: Amazing
|
| 11:37 |
: Of course.
|
| 11:37 |
: And now a Dyson steal.
|
| 11:37 |
: Lefty, at least, but relievers are pretty bad at handling runners
|
| 11:38 |
: The question isn’t whether you steal 2nd. The question is whether you steal 3rd.
|
| 11:38 |
: Steal, steal, squeeze.
|
| 11:38 |
: It’s not insane.
|
| 11:38 |
: so Royals. I love it/hate it
|
| 11:39 |
: Dyson a 3 WAR player in 290 PA with an 85 wRC+
|
| 11:39 |
: I love him as a role player
|
| 11:39 |
: He’s Craig Gentry.
|
| 11:39 |
: That seems like it was a waste
|
| 11:39 |
: That bunt was the worst bunt ever.
|
| 11:39 |
: At least let him steal then bunt to third.
|
| 11:39 |
: Terrible.
|
| 11:40 |
: really shouldn’t have had Escobar first anyway
|
| 11:40 |
: at least you figure Aoki’s hitting the ball somewhere
|
| 11:41 |
: Big moment here for the third-base coach
|
| 11:41 |
: inexperienced third-base coach
|
| 11:41 |
: With a weird last name.
|
| 11:42 |
: AokiDokies is adorable
|
| 11:42 |
: Dyson has a good read on Doolittle. Saw that pickoff right away
|
| 11:42 |
: Bingo
|
| 11:42 |
: So he can steal third but not second? I don’t understand, but okay.
|
| 11:43 |
The stealing! |
| 11:43 |
This game has proven that Norris is an awful catcher |
| 11:43 |
: Frank Robinson is weeping
|
| 11:43 |
: This is mostly just a match-up problem. Most teams don’t have these guys.
|
| 11:43 |
: I am never having dinner
|
| 11:44 |
#SomeHowNotYosted |
| 11:44 |
Wow! |
| 11:44 |
Baseball! |
| 11:44 |
: Sooooo what do we have
|
| 11:44 |
Holland for a 2nd inning? |
| 11:45 |
: No more Ventura narrative
|
| 11:45 |
: Probably not after he threw so many pitches last inning.
|
| 11:45 |
: Currently have an Oakland meltdown narrative, and a KC baserunning narrative
|
| 11:45 |
: but now KC has used its runners, and its relievers
|
| 11:45 |
This game is symbolic of the A’s season. Great start, crappy ending. |
| 11:47 |
I’m so glad we have a team that bloops, bunts, and steals. Such “great” baseball. Ugh |
| 11:47 |
: The running is amazing
|
| 11:47 |
: Yeah, if you don’t like stolen bases, we can’t be friends.
|
| 11:47 |
: This is fun!
|
| 11:47 |
: I mean, I’d like it to end soon, but this game has been everything
|
| 11:47 |
This is just an incredible game. Narratives and managing be damned. |
| 11:47 |
: Agree.
|
| 11:47 |
: Rookie on the mound
|
| 11:48 |
: So what rookie narrative are we going to get?
|
| 11:48 |
: Depends how he does, obviously.
|
| 11:48 |
: +1 for rookie
|
| 11:48 |
: do people still do +1 in comments
|
| 11:49 |
: Not good ones.
|
| 11:49 |
: never good ones
|
| 11:50 |
The idea to start Soto at catcher was a good one. |
| 11:50 |
: I bet Soto still gets run on
|
| 11:50 |
Dave is there a point at which you let Jeff go to sleep? 14th inning? |
| 11:50 |
: I’m the one on the east coast.
|
| 11:50 |
: I have a Fox piece to write when this is over!
|
| 11:51 |
: I’m going to be so tired tomorrow.
|
| 11:51 |
: And you’re chatting early tomorrow
|
| 11:51 |
: So I think now we’re all pro-rookies
|
| 11:51 |
: He just destroyed the Ventura story.
|
| 11:51 |
: Which is good because I didn’t want to have to read more about that anyway
|
| 11:52 |
Do you guys consider these wildcard matchups playoff games? I like the old 1 Wild Card format.. |
| 11:52 |
: This is playoff baseball
|
| 11:52 |
I can feel the disturbance in the force that is MGL’s reaction to Lester pitching so long. |
| 11:52 |
: I can’t believe MGL and managers don’t get along
|
| 11:53 |
I wonder if any Braves fans who think Evan Gattis is a catcher are watching this game. |
| 11:53 |
: In fairness, the Royals are extreme like this
|
| 11:54 |
: Man Lowrie has sucked
|
| 11:54 |
Doolittle out for a second inning. Thoughts? |
| 11:54 |
: Good call.
|
| 11:54 |
: And Hosmer keeps reaching against lefties
|
| 11:54 |
: No one will pay Jed Lowrie to play short this winter.
|
| 11:55 |
I know it doesn’t favor the “best” team as much, but this is why one game playoffs are awesome. |
| 11:55 |
: There’s barely any difference between one game and a series
|
| 11:55 |
: It’s a matter of a few percentage points
|
| 11:55 |
Beane getting beat by bunts and steals |
| 11:55 |
Melvin |
| 11:56 |
Dude in the comments had KC winning 8-7 in the 11th based on an MVP Baseball 2004 for Game Cube simulation |
| 11:57 |
If the A’s lose….were the trades worth it? |
| 11:57 |
: Salvador Perez should maybe swing less often this time.
|
| 11:57 |
: “worth it” is retrospective, so probably no
|
| 11:58 |
: Let’s keep playing baseball
|
| 11:58 |
How do you think Billy Beane’s feeling right now? |
| 11:58 |
: rich
|
| 11:59 |
KC DH’s tonight have now been inserted for running and bunting purposes. |
| 12:00 |
I have to teach an Intro Philosophy class at 8 a.m. tomorrow. Should I go to bed or keep watching. |
| 12:00 |
: I like how the date changed right before the question.
|
| 12:00 |
: hahaha
|
| 12:00 |
: Welcome to October in part of America, Royals
|
| 12:00 |
Welcome to October |
| 12:01 |
If the A’s get knocked out, do you think Beane blows it up and starts over? No Lester most likely. |
| 12:01 |
: They’re still good for next year. Then they’ll see
|
| 12:02 |
Does Perez realize you can take a pitch? |
| 12:02 |
: Obviously no he does not
|
| 12:02 |
Perez WPA: -0.35 |
| 12:03 |
: Terrible bunt
|
| 12:03 |
: Fine idea, terrible bunt
|
| 12:03 |
Terrible forearm tattoo |
| 12:04 |
Coco Crisp hurt? |
| 12:04 |
: Most of them are hurt
|
| 12:04 |
TBS is making me hate baseball. It’s a good thing this is a great game. |
| 12:04 |
: That doesn’t make sense!
|
| 12:04 |
Doolitle for one more? |
| 12:04 |
: I would, yes.
|
| 12:04 |
Why was Finnegan not an option for the sixth inning jam? |
| 12:05 |
: A very fair question.
|
| 12:05 |
: LOL UZR right?
|
| 12:05 |
: Yeah, would’ve made sense to be warming Ventura and Finnegan at the start
|
| 12:05 |
3rd homer for Moss upcoming (I say this knowing you will only publish it if I am right…this is a pure free roll for me). |
| 12:06 |
The commentary is unbearable, Jeff. |
| 12:06 |
: I’m focused on the chat too much to even notice
|
| 12:07 |
: That was probably not a strike.
|
| 12:07 |
: Yeah, Moss wasn’t doing anything with that pitch
|
| 12:07 |
: Right on the Gameday edge, and LHB, so
|
| 12:07 |
And Bill Miller. |
| 12:08 |
just me or a wide zone tonight? |
| 12:08 |
: Boy is it ever not just you
|
| 12:08 |
: Crisp is out
|
| 12:09 |
: They have healthy players left on the bench?
|
| 12:09 |
: The best team chemist around
|
| 12:09 |
: Dan Otero, because hey why not.
|
| 12:10 |
: The Royals are going to win on an inside the park HR that Gomes bungles, aren’t they?
|
| 12:10 |
: Bunting time
|
| 12:11 |
: Shields and Finnegan getting very intimate
|
| 12:11 |
That comment about the gamecube sim is getting eerie. |
| 12:11 |
However this game ends, it will encapsulate the A’s season. Win, narrowly escape a collapse. Lose, collapse! |
| 12:12 |
If ball and strike calls ever become automated, will left-handed batters immediately have more value as they finally face the actual strike zone? |
| 12:12 |
: They’ll gain balls away and they’ll lose balls inside
|
| 12:12 |
: Stop talking to the third-base coach like he can hear you
|
| 12:12 |
Is there an “acceptable” time to bunt? |
| 12:13 |
: Plenty of them. This is probably one.
|
| 12:14 |
“The Book” says that in situations like this where you aren’t trying to maximize your expected runs, but just your probability of scoring at all, bunting for a RISP is at least a break-even |
| 12:14 |
: And when you have really weak hitters, the odds get even better.
|
| 12:15 |
Last chance for Team Gamecube. |
| 12:15 |
: And now, Jayson Nix
|
| 12:15 |
: He’s alive still?
|
| 12:15 |
: We’ll see
|
| 12:16 |
: He’s apparently Salvador Perez in a different skin.
|
| 12:16 |
: Welp, my Cover It Live window stopped updating the queue, so, sorry guys
|
| 12:16 |
: All on Dave to accept comments!
|
| 12:16 |
: If you click tools, you can refresh your display.
|
| 12:16 |
Jayson Nix 326 OPS in 86 PA this year |
| 12:16 |
: holy god damn
|
| 12:16 |
Who is Dunn gonna pinch-hit for? |
| 12:17 |
Good, Jeff is lame anyway. |
| 12:17 |
: I’m still here! I just can’t see you!
|
| 12:17 |
: Except now I can, per Dave’s advice.
|
| 12:18 |
Odds on a position player pitching? I have 6 to 1. |
| 12:18 |
: Bill Miller comes through again.
|
| 12:18 |
: One day, one day eventually, that will happen in a wild-card playoff
|
| 12:18 |
Are you guys aware of how many people are viewing the chat right now? |
| 12:18 |
: CIL says 2,750.
|
| 12:18 |
: Wonder what it was at its peak
|
| 12:18 |
: 2,800
|
| 12:18 |
: I guess people aren’t exactly tuning out
|
| 12:19 |
: This is kind of exciting.
|
| 12:19 |
: back in 2min
|
| 12:20 |
Jeff must be paying the pizza delivery guy. |
| 12:20 |
Something crazy will happen when Jeff’s gone just because. |
| 12:20 |
Dave how you holding up? Going to be a long night.. |
| 12:20 |
: My Fox piece is going to be: “That was a game. Baseball!”
|
| 12:21 |
: Girlfriend called 3 hours ago. Who knew!
|
| 12:21 |
: Five words.
|
| 12:21 |
Time for a bunt?!? |
| 12:21 |
: Wouldn’t be a bad idea.
|
| 12:21 |
: Such interesting bunts in this game
|
| 12:22 |
: Like, the actual bunts, not the ideas
|
| 12:22 |
: What a damned night for Finnegan
|
| 12:22 |
: Kudos Carson on that InstaGraph
|
| 12:23 |
: Hey Brandon Finnegan; welcome to being famous.
|
| 12:23 |
: Unless the Royals lose
|
| 12:23 |
: Personally I would’ve liked Jayson Nix getting the walk-off for some reason
|
| 12:23 |
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines. |
| 12:23 |
: Do you have some left that you could send me?
|
| 12:24 |
: David Middle Name Cameron!
|
| 12:24 |
: Alan.
|
| 12:24 |
: Though now I’m probably going to get my identity stolen aren’t I.
|
| 12:24 |
: ol’ Davey Al
|
| 12:25 |
: good ol Davey Al
|
| 12:25 |
: Davey Crockett was a popular nickname.
|
| 12:25 |
: If you do get your identity stolen I can give you some pointers because boy does it happen a lot!
|
| 12:25 |
Callaspo over Dunn?? What??? |
| 12:25 |
: Weird.
|
| 12:26 |
: Do the Athletics hate Adam Dunn
|
| 12:26 |
BIG DONKEY NEEDS TO PLAY IN HIS FIRST (AND ONLY?) PLAYOFF GAME WTF |
| 12:26 |
: Maybe with 1B open Dunn would have just been walked?
|
| 12:26 |
: oh dear
|
| 12:27 |
: Callapso better contact hitter, single gives you lead.
|
| 12:27 |
: did not realize Callaspo had been so dreadful this season
|
| 12:27 |
: Squeeeeeeeeeze!
|
| 12:27 |
: Please, for the love of God, squeeze.
|
| 12:27 |
: once again, no dice for Davey Al Cameron
|
| 12:28 |
: Exactly
|
| 12:28 |
: Exactly what Callaspo was supposed to do
|
| 12:29 |
: And that’s why not Dunn, I guess.
|
| 12:29 |
: Pretty Royal kind of sequence there
|
| 12:29 |
: “The A’s couldn’t beat the Royals until they played like the Royals. My Column:”
|
| 12:29 |
Someone will win this game. |
| 12:29 |
: Smallneyball
|
| 12:29 |
: You’re qualified to be a talking head. Congrats.
|
| 12:30 |
That means that the Royals are going to hit a dinger next inning, right. |
| 12:30 |
Raul is tying this game next inning. |
| 12:30 |
: Cain, Hosmer…Colon…due up
|
| 12:30 |
: so, Ibanez
|
| 12:30 |
: Yeah, Ibanez for colon.
|
| 12:31 |
Wow, what an awful umping performance. |
| 12:31 |
: This is who Bill Miller is.
|
| 12:31 |
: This isn’t surprising.
|
| 12:31 |
: I greatly preferred Bill Mueller
|
| 12:31 |
Bill Mueller would fit perfectly on these Royals. |
| 12:31 |
I don’t know what the narrative will be now |
| 12:31 |
: This game needs Joe Randa
|
| 12:31 |
: Please tell me because I need to write about it within ~90 minutes.
|
| 12:31 |
: maybe Alberto Callaspo is Joe Randa
|
| 12:32 |
: how do you even write articles in 90 minutes
|
| 12:32 |
: oh there’s the lazy narrative, leadoff walks
|
| 12:33 |
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” |
| 12:33 |
i smell a great bunt-themed Sullivan post coming our way. |
| 12:33 |
: I hate writing about in-game strategy, it feels so self-serious
|
| 12:34 |
: If that means what I think it means
|
| 12:34 |
: I think it does.
|
| 12:34 |
Just make bunt puns the whole time. “The loser ate a big slice of bunt cake. The winner was the bunt of the litter.” |
| 12:34 |
: I get all the arguments but it’s never actually fun to write about that stuff
|
| 12:34 |
: True story: a bakery just opened up here called Nothing Bundt Cakes.
|
| 12:34 |
: Related to that, why is every yarn store name a pun?
|
| 12:35 |
: I want to ask them what they were thinking, but I don’t want to support them by going into their store.
|
| 12:35 |
: Related to that, why are there yarn stores?
|
| 12:35 |
So, I’ve taken a shot every time the Royals bunted or have stolen a base. I’m still alive because this game has taken so long. |
| 12:35 |
Also, how can you hate a name like Nothing Bundt Cakes? it’s so good. |
| 12:35 |
: It’s a chain? That’s worse.
|
| 12:35 |
: Dan Otero, relief ace.
|
| 12:36 |
: Nobody in the Royals dugout is clapping their hands as instructed
|
| 12:36 |
: Raul Ibanez and Erik Kratz
|
| 12:36 |
: Kratz is probably better in the OF.
|
| 12:36 |
: Pretty good defensive play right there
|
| 12:37 |
just use lots of gifs and maybe no one will notice the lack of analysis |
| 12:37 |
: ssshhhhhhh
|
| 12:38 |
Just a bit outside presents: “A Bill Miller called strike” |
| 12:38 |
The royal pitcher with by far the best wpa will probably be the losing pitcher. Baseball! |
| 12:38 |
: Oh, i’m totally stealing the JABO/Bill Miller link.
|
| 12:38 |
: oh perfect
|
| 12:38 |
: Welcome to Just a Bit Outside, or as Bill Miller calls this place, Right Down The Middle.
|
| 12:38 |
: Dave made a funny joke!
|
| 12:39 |
Ibanez’s last home run beat the A’s 1-0. |
| 12:39 |
Is Liberty sleeping now? Does she hate extra innings? |
| 12:39 |
: She crashed hours ago.
|
| 12:40 |
: oh god dave
|
| 12:40 |
: Dave kind of almost called it
|
| 12:40 |
: ***we will not sleep***
|
| 12:40 |
: ***we will not write***
|
| 12:40 |
: I give up.
|
| 12:40 |
: ***we will only twist twist twist in the autumn wind***
|
| 12:41 |
: Jonny Gomes making his teammates worse, as usual.
|
| 12:41 |
: How do you not defer there
|
| 12:41 |
: Colon batting, interesting
|
| 12:41 |
: Bunt maybe?
|
| 12:41 |
: Rookie
|
| 12:42 |
: Never going to end, because of Jonny Gomes
|
| 12:42 |
: I love and hate this.
|
| 12:42 |
: Precisely
|
| 12:42 |
: This is insane.
|
| 12:42 |
: This is bittersweet for every single person trying to cover this game, but stepping back from that, holy cats
|
| 12:43 |
“Someone’s bubble will burst tonight” thank you captain obvious |
| 12:43 |
For the love of god, stop talking about bunting away outs |
| 12:44 |
: Not that obvious, it might burst tomorrow afternoon
|
| 12:45 |
: Feel like Gordon should just end this
|
| 12:45 |
: I would like that for this moment
|
| 12:45 |
“No, I didn’t say a bad pitcher. I said Abad.” But what if they’re the same? |
| 12:46 |
He’s not much of an outfielder, but Jonny Gomes finishes his checks. |
| 12:46 |
Narrative- Cespedes would’ve caught that |
| 12:46 |
East coast ain’t going to bed tonight. |
| 12:46 |
Wait, so bringing in a lefty for a lefty? Righttttt |
| 12:46 |
: Most of the east coast doesn’t care about the Royals and the A’s
|
| 12:47 |
: I don’t know about burning a reliever for one out in an extra inning game where you already used your good pitchers.
|
| 12:47 |
: I haven’t looked at Pomeranz’s numbers for a while
|
| 12:47 |
: but then I also didn’t know about Jayson Nix anymore
|
| 12:47 |
: Jason Hammel is around too, I guess.
|
| 12:47 |
: the good news I suppose for all of us is that October Writes Itself so we can just go to bed when this is over
|
| 12:48 |
Do you guys feel the sheer nonsense of this game in some sense helps the case for a one-game play-in format? |
| 12:49 |
: I don’t think it needs the help. It’s great
|
| 12:49 |
: By the way, we’re up 2900 readers.
|
| 12:49 |
: at nearly 1 am eastern.
|
| 12:49 |
: on a Tuesday/Wednesday
|
| 12:50 |
Angels gotta think this is pretty dank, yeah? |
| 12:50 |
: Ehh, everyone gets to rest
|
| 12:50 |
Viewership is up bc shit just got real |
| 12:50 |
He took a pitch! |
| 12:50 |
Wait, there are 2900 people IN THE CHAT? |
| 12:50 |
: That’s what CIL says. I don’t know if I believe them.
|
| 12:50 |
: There are more people in this chat than some Astros games
|
| 12:51 |
: Salvador Perez is too aggressive. /analysis
|
| 12:51 |
: there’s your post
|
| 12:51 |
This game is dominating Twitter trends. Even Raul Ibanez is in there somehow. |
| 12:51 |
: maybe one day Raul Ibanez will know what that means
|
| 12:52 |
: The A’s really don’t want to catch a guy stealing
|
| 12:52 |
: Derek Norris’ stock is worth less than Enron’s right now.
|
| 12:52 |
: Matt LeCroy
|
| 12:53 |
: hoo boy!
|
| 12:53 |
: Unbelievable.
|
| 12:53 |
: Perez, fooled, pulls a slider away off the plate past a phenomenal defensive 3B
|
| 12:54 |
: okay baseball
|
| 12:54 |
: Off the glove.
|
| 12:54 |
What. A. Game. |
| 12:55 |
Why would you throw a ball anywhere near the strike zone? |
| 12:55 |
: Barely did
|
| 12:55 |
I feel so bad for Adam Dunn right now! |
| 12:56 |
: This game deserves like 18 well written posts. It will get like 2 crappy ones.
|
| 12:56 |
: And then everyone will move on from it by tomorrow afternoon
|
| 12:56 |
: So soak this all in, before you go to bed
|
| 12:56 |
I’ll be honest I’m disappointed, Angels/Royals is going to be a really one-sided series |
| 12:56 |
: Probably not!
|
| 12:57 |
: What a way to start the playoffs.
|
| 12:57 |
: Thanks for hanging out with us all night, everyone.
|
| 12:57 |
: Rest of playoffs canceled, congratulations Kansas City on the world series
|
| 12:57 |
: That was fun everybody!
|
| 12:58 |
: Good luck doing this again tomorrow Jeff
|
| 12:58 |
: I quit!
|
| 12:58 |
: You have to give notice
|
| 12:58 |
: Notice that I quit!
|
| 12:58 |
: Not accepted
|
| 12:58 |
: G’night everyone!
|
| 12:58 |
: I’ll try again next year!
|
| 12:58 |
: Bye!
|
Dave is the Managing Editor of FanGraphs.
I “simulated” this game using MVP Baseball 2004 for the GameCube last night. The Royals won 8-7 in the 11th. Jimmy Gobble got the win and Arthur Rhodes took the loss. Extra innings were necessary after Mike MacDougal blew a two run lead in the 9th. Benito Santiago and Bobby Kielty had big days at the plate. Tim Hudson and Darrell May had rough starts.
Oh Jimmy Gobble…and MacDougal…how I don’t miss either of you.
1. That game was AWESOME
2. This analysis has as much predictive value as most of TBS’ in-game commentators
Well done, sir!
I’m rooting for this more than I wanted the phills in 08
I was just reading this comment in the bottom of the 11th. Almost incredible.
Uncanny.
This was my one chance to be internet famous and Jayson Nix, who haunted my favorite team for a stretch of this season, blew it for me. In my game, the A’s did score in the top of the 11th before the Royals scored twice to win it.
http://tinypic.com/r/k37nfb/8
Uh – 8-7 KC in 12 innings vs. 9-8 KC in 12 innings.
It’s not like Nostradamus got the spelling exactly right on all of his predictions.
I’m buying a copy of MVP Baseball 2004 for the Gamecube tomorrow.
Give me that copy of MVP Baseball for Gamecube, McFly!
Hope you have at least $2 to your name! I think I have a PS2 version, time to hook that sumbitch up and see who’s going to win the NL game today. Idea stolen
Did you pull the Gamecube out for this or do you still use the thing? I love everything about this. Did you pull Roger Clemens off the free agent list to start for KC?