NL Wild Card Game Live Blog
| 7:59 |
: It’s playoff time in PIttsburgh. The last time anyone said that… okay, you’ve probably had enough of those today.
|
| 7:59 |
: But welcome back to the postseason, Pirates fans.
|
| 7:59 |
: This should be fun.
|
| 8:02 |
: Whoops, name added now.
|
| 8:02 |
good on you Pittsburgh! |
| 8:02 |
I’ve thrown up twice already. These next three hours are going to be hell. |
| 8:02 |
Who is rooting for who? |
| 8:03 |
God its weird feeling like the bad guy as a reds fan. |
| 8:03 |
: The world is against the big market tyrant, the Cincinnati Reds.
|
| 8:04 |
If you’re outside Ohio/Kentucky and are rooting for the Reds, you’re a bad person. |
| 8:04 |
How many non-Reds fans are really going to be rooting the Reds? Pirates are too good of a story not to cheer for |
| 8:04 |
I kinda like both teams, but c’mon – I have a soul. Go Bucs! |
| 8:04 |
So this is basically a poll for if you are a Reds fan and/or don’t have a soul. |
| 8:04 |
As a Canadian, I feel justified in rooting for Votto. But screw it go Bucs. |
| 8:05 |
Maybe Clint Hurdle kicked over your sand castle once as a little kid! Maybe a ground ball bounced off Andrew McCutchen’s face and hit your dog! |
| 8:05 |
Sgt. Pepp…we got Martin and Morneau representing Canada. No worries |
| 8:06 |
I want the pirates to win, but I want Votto to win it all so bad… so torn |
| 8:07 |
: I’m with all of you. Go Pirates, but Joey Votto getting a bunch of clutch hits would be cool too.
|
| 8:08 |
: Wife was showing me a coupon for doggie day care that we got in the mail, before the dog stole in and ran away with said coupon.
|
| 8:08 |
: That swing looked overmatched.
|
| 8:08 |
: So did that one.
|
| 8:09 |
I’m seeing a pattern. |
| 8:09 |
If Liriano can locate the slider there all night, the Reds don’t stand a chance. |
| 8:10 |
: Great change-up.
|
| 8:10 |
And that one as well. |
| 8:11 |
Inning was quick. |
| 8:11 |
: Liriano vs lefties is a huge advantage for PIT.
|
| 8:11 |
First pitch swinging by Votto? Who is this man? |
| 8:12 |
.292 wOBA vs. lefties for Choo in ’13. Is he a platoon bat? |
| 8:12 |
: Probably pretty soon.
|
| 8:12 |
thoughts on the reds doing nothing to counter liriano’s greatness vs lefties? |
| 8:12 |
: What were they supposed to do?
|
| 8:13 |
Dave did you get any feedback from Pittsburgh management on your Wild Card article? |
| 8:13 |
: They have Dan Fox. They don’t need me to tell them all that.
|
| 8:13 |
Did we hear whether Billy Hamilton is active tonight? |
| 8:13 |
: He is. It would have been nuts to not have him.
|
| 8:14 |
not bat choo 1st to start? |
| 8:14 |
: Their RH hitters suck, though.
|
| 8:14 |
: First pitch 83 mph change?
|
| 8:14 |
: Odd.
|
| 8:14 |
Haven’t paid much attention to the Reds the last week or two, why is Cueto pitching this game? |
| 8:14 |
: Latos has elbow issues.
|
| 8:15 |
: Pretty great play by Cueto there.
|
| 8:15 |
Any chance Pirates use Cole in a bullpen role if things go bad? |
| 8:15 |
: He’s the emergency starter to be held back for extra innings, so no.
|
| 8:16 |
Who is the Reds emergency starter? |
| 8:16 |
: Mike Leake.
|
| 8:17 |
: Battle of the dreadlocks.
|
| 8:17 |
Based on the chants of MVP, I’m guessing Mike Trout is coming to the plate. |
| 8:18 |
: McCutchen missed a cookie.
|
| 8:18 |
That one was well located. |
| 8:19 |
Capped off with a nice take |
| 8:20 |
Pretty clean first inning of baseball. |
| 8:20 |
: Yeah, I don’t expect a ton of offense tonight.
|
| 8:21 |
Who’s pen do you like better? I’d go with the Pirates, despite the Reds having Chapman. |
| 8:21 |
: Agree.
|
| 8:21 |
I also like Hurdle’s ability to manage it better than Dusty’s. |
| 8:22 |
Are people too hard on Dusty Baker? A manager can only do so much to impact his team. |
| 8:23 |
: Agree with this too, to an extent. Dusty’s a problem, but he’s not going to single handedly lose this game.
|
| 8:23 |
Kinda rooting for the Reds. Votto, Choo and Chapman are delights. Plus, Steelers fans. |
| 8:23 |
Give Dusty some credit for adapting, he clearly figured out to hack Dave’s account on here. |
| 8:24 |
Thats the calmest suit Ive ever seen Craig Sager wear. I wonder if he has a funeral to go to after the game? |
| 8:24 |
Hey Dave, thanks for hanging out. If Joe West calls the outside pitch all night, what team benefits more? |
| 8:24 |
: I’d guess the Pirates, who are more walk reliant.
|
| 8:24 |
: These lefties have no chance.
|
| 8:25 |
: That slider is so wicked.
|
| 8:25 |
: Dominating.
|
| 8:26 |
It’s like a game of “count the swinging strikes,” and I’ve already lost count. |
| 8:26 |
Everytime Liriano throws that slider, a Twins fan dies inside |
| 8:26 |
What happened to Liriano before the Pirates? He used to be dominate in his earlier days, how did he fall off? Cause right now he looks dominant. |
| 8:27 |
: Injuries. His velo has bounced all over the place.
|
| 8:27 |
Does he already have more swinging strikes than Price did last night? |
| 8:27 |
: Twice as many.
|
| 8:27 |
Is Liriano a FA? |
| 8:27 |
: No, they got him on a two year deal. They’re smart.
|
| 8:28 |
: Clint Barmes showing the range.
|
| 8:29 |
2 Years for a pitcher with Liriano’s history seems risky– I assume that second year was heavily incentive-laden? |
| 8:30 |
: It’s something like $5M guaranteed with incentives that could push it to $8M. Huge bargain.
|
| 8:30 |
Will Josh Johnson get a Liriano type deal this offseason? |
| 8:30 |
: He’ll probably just take one year and try to get a big paycheck next winter.
|
| 8:31 |
With the exception of Cano who gets the biggest FA deal this winter? |
| 8:31 |
: Ellsbury.
|
| 8:31 |
How despised will this Fall Out Boy song be by the end of the playoffs? |
| 8:31 |
: THIIIIIIIIIS TRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIN.
|
| 8:32 |
: Marlon Byrd.
|
| 8:32 |
: That was crushed.
|
| 8:33 |
: Brutal pitch location.
|
| 8:33 |
Ok…PNC park looks ridiculously fun to be at tonight, and I’m not even a Pirates fan |
| 8:33 |
Describing what just happened to someone from a year ago would be hilarious |
| 8:34 |
Any word on how many innings we can expect from Cueto? The starter-to-Chapman innings can get kind of rough for the Reds this year. |
| 8:35 |
: My guess is 4-5.
|
| 8:35 |
cheering cueto… fantastic |
| 8:36 |
: This crowd is awesome.
|
| 8:36 |
: This is great.
|
| 8:36 |
Oh boy |
| 8:36 |
Fans are awesome right now! |
| 8:36 |
Terrible location again. Trouble. |
| 8:36 |
Canada! |
| 8:36 |
how can you not want this crowd to get a win??? |
| 8:36 |
Win or lose, one thing is for sure, PIttsburgh is gonna be one hungover city tomorrow. |
| 8:36 |
French Canada! |
| 8:37 |
Wow. I want to be there |
| 8:37 |
I’m not a pitching “expert”, but you probably shouldn’t throw that pitch right down the middle anymore. |
| 8:37 |
If Clint Barmes hits a homerun Cueto cries right? |
| 8:37 |
CUEEEETOOO…CUEEEETOOOO..CUEEEETOOOO |
| 8:37 |
If Barmes goes yard I’m buying a lotto ticket |
| 8:38 |
That’s european soccer atmosphere right there @ PNC Park. |
| 8:38 |
: Defensive wiz Shin-Soo Choo to the rescue.
|
| 8:39 |
Liriano brings his usual “I care” face to batting. |
| 8:40 |
: Francisco Liriano with a base hit!
|
| 8:40 |
: More unlikely than the homers.
|
| 8:40 |
Get that bullpen ready. |
| 8:40 |
Hope Chapman can go 7 innings |
| 8:41 |
“Fransisco Liriano will start the wild card game for the Pirates and get a hit off Johnny Cueto”-Insane person, circa 2012 |
| 8:41 |
Can Billy Hamilton pitch? |
| 8:41 |
The Baseball Gods are loving Pittsburgh right now. |
| 8:42 |
: Wow.
|
| 8:42 |
Amazing catch. |
| 8:42 |
WOW! |
| 8:42 |
That was insane. |
| 8:43 |
“Psh, no blood.” – Jeter |
| 8:43 |
A Bud Light Lime commercial. In October. |
| 8:44 |
Ring in summmer, baby! |
| 8:46 |
: Barmes can really play short.
|
| 8:48 |
: Hi guys! Reminder: this is the last time the crowd psyched out a player so much.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV8OReMQDs8 Also, weren’t those Mets uniforms glorious? |
| 8:48 |
Groundballs galore. |
| 8:48 |
: Hard to imagine a pitcher looking better than Liriano right now.
|
| 8:49 |
: The Reds are going to need a 40-pitch AB from Votto the next time through.
|
| 8:49 |
Was that Cueto chant planned or spontaneous? Some kind of hashtag? Have opposing fans been doing it to him all year? |
| 8:49 |
: I’ve never seen it before.
|
| 8:50 |
5 balls through 3 innings!! |
| 8:50 |
: That’s remarkable.
|
| 8:50 |
Paul, that clip just makes me sad that Vin Scully doesn’t call playoff baseball anymore. |
| 8:50 |
That’s 5 more than Sullivan had all night last night! |
| 8:50 |
: Scully is doing the radio for the Dodgers NLDS series. That’s somehting, right?
|
| 8:50 |
Why is Cueto not being pinch-hit for right there not a bigger thing? It’s not like he’s been overly *good* thus far. I mean, I know, two outs and no one on… |
| 8:51 |
: 2 outs, no on, lefty due up after – not really a huge advantage to pinch-hitting there.
|
| 8:51 |
A Pittsburger knows how to get under someone’s skin. It’s hereditary. |
| 8:51 |
Us Pirates fans are used to playoff hockey, they are treating Cueto like a Goalie. |
| 8:52 |
: He certainly has the behind of a goalie.
|
| 8:52 |
Dave, would you still consider pulling Liriano after Bruce’s next at bat? |
| 8:52 |
: Consider, yes, but realize that it would be basically impossible to sell to the guys in the dugout right now.
|
| 8:53 |
: Yeah, esp with his pitch count at 28. 28!
|
| 8:53 |
: I bet Liriano had several innings last year with more than 28 pitches. Nevermind three combined.
|
| 8:53 |
: Yeah, though the low pitch count might actually be an argument for taking him out, since he might be fresh enough to start Game 2 of NLDS if you keep him to ~45ish.
|
| 8:53 |
: Very true.
|
| 8:53 |
I love seeing Dejected Joe Morgan. |
| 8:54 |
How confident should Pittsburgh be in their bullpen though? You have to get to the NLDS first, and it’s not like you can put Liriano back in if things go south. |
| 8:55 |
: Relievers are mostly more effective than starters the second and third time through the order.
|
| 8:56 |
: And while momentum doesn’t mean a great deal, the Pirates bullpen ranked 6th in FIP- in Sept. (75)
|
| 8:56 |
: If Frazier can make a better throw, that’s a double play. Nice catch, though.
|
| 8:56 |
: Nice hustle by McCutchen to get back.
|
| 8:57 |
Liriano is much better at PNC it would be better to use him in game 3 |
| 8:57 |
: This is not a good way to use splits.
|
| 8:57 |
can you explain why? quickly, I know this isn’t really the place |
| 8:58 |
: Also, it’s not really all that true. 3.10 xFIP at home, 3.14 on the road. Using him in Game 2 – if possible – gives him the opportunity to start in Game 5 as well.
|
| 8:58 |
That ball was smoked. |
| 8:58 |
Surely Dusty’s got the pen working. He can’t let this go too far. |
| 8:59 |
: Yeah, you can’t let these games get out of hand.
|
| 8:59 |
: There’s no such thing as a low leverage situation in an elimination game.
|
| 8:59 |
: Yeah, for reference, see Games 6 and 7, 2012 NLCS.
|
| 8:59 |
: Not sure I’d be letting Alvarez face an RHP here.
|
| 9:00 |
: Not that Baker has a lefty up.
|
| 9:00 |
They have 4 in the pen, right? |
| 9:00 |
: Yes.
|
| 9:00 |
Alvarez could end this game basically |
| 9:01 |
The Reds are probably lucky to just be down 3. |
| 9:01 |
: Gee, nice effort from Choo there. You gotta at least throw to the cutoff man, see if the runner on first gets caught napping.
|
| 9:01 |
McCutchen’s hustle is so awesome… |
| 9:02 |
I think the problem is obvious… Dusty Baker doesn’t have enough wrist bands on |
| 9:02 |
terrible camerawork. |
| 9:02 |
Holy camera fail, TBS? |
| 9:03 |
He also doesn’t have enough toothpicks. |
| 9:04 |
Clint Barmes: “Why does it always come back to the deer meat?” |
| 9:04 |
: Clint Barmes: “Thank God nobody knows how I ACTUALLY got hurt.”
|
| 9:04 |
: Some anti-hustle by Phillips there.
|
| 9:05 |
That’s his “swag” |
| 9:05 |
Paul, are you saying it’s one of those Glenallen Hill stories? “I swear, I dreamt about spiders and woke up thrown through a glass table?” |
| 9:05 |
: No, it’s one of those Jeff Kent stories.
|
| 9:06 |
TBS can’t spell- it’s Hurdle’s third year as ‘MANGER’ |
| 9:06 |
: Jesus was laid in Clint Hurdle’s lap.
|
| 9:06 |
: And he turned full tomato face just holding him.
|
| 9:07 |
: Maybe laid was the wrong choice of words there.
|
| 9:08 |
: Choo doing what Choo does.
|
| 9:09 |
: Liriano with no HBPs in regular season? Seems odd for a guy with command problems at times.
|
| 9:09 |
: Second time through the order…
|
| 9:10 |
Oh no! The most unclutch hitter in MLB now at bat. |
| 9:10 |
Joey Votto walk.. I’d love it |
| 9:10 |
2 first pitch swings for votto… |
| 9:10 |
: From 2009-2012, Liriano was T-20th in HBP with 30. At least 6 in each season.
|
| 9:10 |
: Rough AB for Votto.
|
| 9:11 |
: So yeah, a little odd that he didn’t hit anyone this year.
|
| 9:11 |
One of the few times that Votto will look completely overmatched. |
| 9:11 |
So, Votto swings at 3 balls. Dusty, stop trying to change him. |
| 9:11 |
: None of those pitches even close to being a strike.
|
| 9:11 |
nice block! |
| 9:12 |
Dave and Paul: OK with Cueto starting, or should it have been Bailey? |
| 9:12 |
: Okay with it.
|
| 9:13 |
: I was OK with it as well. He was their Game 1 starter last year.
|
| 9:13 |
::gasp:: a borderline infield fly in the NL Wild Card game!! |
| 9:14 |
: If Phillips had got a hit there, the Phillips is better crowd would have had a field day.
|
| 9:14 |
: Base hit by a lefty!
|
| 9:14 |
: That’s kind of amazing.
|
| 9:14 |
: Looked like a FB though.
|
| 9:14 |
: Not sure why not a slider.
|
| 9:15 |
: Too easy.
|
| 9:16 |
: Remember when Liriano looked unhittable like 5 minutes ago?
|
| 9:16 |
: We were 10 feet away from the Reds winning.
|
| 9:16 |
Frazier was ten feet away from contact there |
| 9:16 |
: Wow, really poor job by Frazier there.
|
| 9:17 |
Frazier is trying to be a hero… |
| 9:17 |
Winning because they’re ahead in the 4th inning? |
| 9:17 |
: Leading, winning, you know.
|
| 9:17 |
Playoffs wildest swings? |
| 9:18 |
: Paging Jeff Sullivan!
|
| 9:18 |
Martin is sneaky great defensively…simple footwork on that throw |
| 9:18 |
Speaking of Sullivan, whose going to cover the first six minutes of the game tomorrow while we’re waiting for Jeff to arrive? |
| 9:19 |
He uses that time to form opinions |
| 9:19 |
Yeah how has Jeff never been fired in his life for always being late. |
| 9:20 |
Should be a pretty short leash on the starters from here on out, huh? |
| 9:20 |
: Absolutely.
|
| 9:21 |
: Johnny Cueto is the best, if you didn’t know.
|
| 9:21 |
would you have pinch hit for liriano there? start of an inning |
| 9:21 |
: Yes, I would have.
|
| 9:21 |
: Unreal.
|
| 9:21 |
UMPIRES!!!! |
| 9:22 |
is it like basketball? refs are part of the field? |
| 9:22 |
: I’m not certain Marte could have had a triple there, but …
|
| 9:22 |
#humanelement |
| 9:22 |
I like how he jumped right into the ball |
| 9:22 |
Dusty makes the right call here, it should be noted. |
| 9:22 |
: Agree.
|
| 9:23 |
Is Cueto still the best? |
| 9:23 |
: He’s so good that Dusty wanted him to sit on the bench right next to him.
|
| 9:23 |
If the lefty gets Walker, you’ve gotta IBB McCutchen and keep the lefty in to pitch to Morneau, right? Not try to go L-R-L already? |
| 9:24 |
: Don’t like walking the tying run on base.
|
| 9:24 |
Wouldn’t be the tying run. It would be run #5. |
| 9:24 |
: Yeah, I’m sorry, I’m distracted by the wife trying to get some attention.
|
| 9:24 |
: Also, I’m an idiot.
|
| 9:25 |
Marshall has two syllables, easy to chant. Bad move by Dusty IMO |
| 9:25 |
Sean Marshall pitching in the 4th. One game baseball is the best |
| 9:25 |
No puppy tonight? |
| 9:25 |
: The puppy is to the right of the wife. She’s a barrier.
|
| 9:26 |
Time to bring in Marc Rzepczynski… the crowd would be pretty hard-pressed to chant that one correctly. |
| 9:26 |
how much does your wife care about baseball, dave? |
| 9:26 |
: Not at all.
|
| 9:26 |
: They’d just chant “Marrrrccccccc” would they not?
|
| 9:27 |
you can tell the crowds been drinking, they havnt quite chanted in sync since the pitching change |
| 9:27 |
: The other way you can tell — it’s Pittsburgh.
|
| 9:27 |
Rzepczynski’s middle name is Walter. Problem solved. |
| 9:27 |
Scrabble has two syllables |
| 9:27 |
: Defensive stalwart Ryan Hanigan letting an easy pitch go right under his glove.
|
| 9:28 |
Marte probably should’ve advanced there, IMO. |
| 9:28 |
: Play was right in front of Hanigan. Gave him edge. I think Marte was right to hold there.
|
| 9:28 |
: He’s going to score on most singles anyway.
|
| 9:29 |
Why does tonight feel so much more urgent than yesterday’s game? |
| 9:29 |
: Because one of the pitchers isn’t Martin Perez?
|
| 9:29 |
because first time Pit has been to playoffs since the Giants signed Bonds |
| 9:29 |
Today is actually the playoffs. |
| 9:30 |
: Neil Walker almost hitting one out against a lefty. Team of destiny narrative.
|
| 9:30 |
: To the Pittsburgh fans reaching over the wall — don’t do that. You’re probably not as cute as Jeffrey Maier.
|
| 9:30 |
woooo giving a leading team more baserunners! |
| 9:30 |
Because this is actually a sellout? Empty seats everywhere in Arlington last night too. |
| 9:31 |
what percentage of Pittsburgh will call in sick tomorrow? Excluding those on furlough. |
| 9:31 |
Get we get GIFs of Hanigan dropping his head after every long ball? |
| 9:31 |
You PH Gaby for Morneau? |
| 9:31 |
: Yes.
|
| 9:31 |
: If you do, they’ll just go with RHP. I’d probably save him for when they might stick with LHP.
|
| 9:31 |
Fans had weeks to buy tickets to this game and schedule around it. Rangers fans had less than 24 hours. |
| 9:31 |
: Making Dusty burn as many pitchers early in the game though sounds appetizing.
|
| 9:32 |
: No excuse. Rockies fans had the same less than 24 hour-window in 2007 and that game sold out. And like 2 million more people live in the Metroplex.
|
| 9:32 |
How bad is Morneau against lefties? |
| 9:32 |
: Awful.
|
| 9:33 |
: Also, the game was a regular season game. So prices weren’t that high.
|
| 9:33 |
: Rangers fans have absolutely no excuse.
|
| 9:33 |
The 2007 Rockies were nowhere near as depressing as the 2013 Rangers. |
| 9:33 |
: The 2013 Rangers won like their last 11 games. How is that depressing?
|
| 9:34 |
Their last 7. Against the Astros and Angels. After going 5-15. |
| 9:34 |
: More like Spoiled Rangers fan.
|
| 9:34 |
If he walks Morneau, what a coup for the Pirates |
| 9:35 |
Yeah, come talk to us Mariners fans about depressing teams |
| 9:35 |
: Morneau looks like he’s just trying to not whiff.
|
| 9:35 |
: And he just fouled off the best pitch he’s going to get all game.
|
| 9:36 |
: At least he’s making a nice AB of it.
|
| 9:36 |
Marshall is done after Morneau? |
| 9:36 |
: Should be, yes.
|
| 9:37 |
I dont think he tipped that |
| 9:37 |
he didnt touch it |
| 9:37 |
Hmmmm…doesn’t look like Morneau hit that ball |
| 9:37 |
: Marshall certainly didn’t think so.
|
| 9:37 |
: And here comes Dusty, making the correct pitching change again. Up is down.
|
| 9:37 |
Bring Chapman in now! |
| 9:37 |
: Wouldn’t be the worst idea.
|
| 9:38 |
HOO-VER |
| 9:38 |
: Pirates win expectancy now at 92%. If another run scores, this thing might be out of reach.
|
| 9:39 |
What would be the worst idea? |
| 9:39 |
: 92.2%. Excuse me.
|
| 9:39 |
: Zach Duke.
|
| 9:39 |
: The worst idea would probably be having Jay Bruce come in to pitch.
|
| 9:39 |
Stan Belinda |
| 9:39 |
Joba Chamberlain would be worse. |
| 9:39 |
Double-switching Votto out of the game would be pretty bad, too. |
| 9:40 |
Pretty high leverage situation. If Red are going to come back they have to shut pirates down here, no? |
| 9:40 |
: Pretty much, yeah.
|
| 9:40 |
: Hoover only 21/36 runners stranded. Woof.
|
| 9:41 |
E-4 |
| 9:41 |
Brandon Phillips, Gold Glover |
| 9:41 |
Clutch swag! |
| 9:41 |
DatDudeE4 |
| 9:41 |
Alert baserunning by Morneau too |
| 9:41 |
For all those who love fielding %, that’s no error. |
| 9:41 |
its a fielders choice, not an error, since a force was made at second. |
| 9:41 |
its a fielders choice, not an error, since a force was made at second. |
| 9:42 |
DatDudeFC |
| 9:43 |
well, Hoover didn’t suck |
| 9:43 |
Cozart said “ehhh, not so sure I trust you, Brandon” |
| 9:43 |
This game is going to last 5 hrs, isn’t it? |
| 9:44 |
Isn’t that a given for a postseason game? |
| 9:44 |
Chant analysis – all Reds pitchers but Duke, Leake and Ondrusek have two syllables. |
| 9:44 |
: Ondrusek will be fun.
|
| 9:44 |
You’d think with Hoover out there the middle infielders would suck everything up |
| 9:45 |
“Zach Duke” is two syllables though. #nowayout |
| 9:45 |
zack duke and mike leake are 2 syllable full names though |
| 9:45 |
Zach Duke is also Zach Duke, so you lose either way even without the chanting |
| 9:45 |
“LO-GAN” No problem |
| 9:45 |
And we can use Lo Gan for Ondrusek |
| 9:46 |
fun fact, Justin Morneau’s cousin is my neighbor and she’s watching hockey instead… that’s how it is in Canada |
| 9:47 |
Eh, I’d rather have nationally poor taste in sports than an intransigent Congress. |
| 9:47 |
I HAVE CHOSEN! |
| 9:47 |
how does aascd know what his neighbor is watching? |
| 9:47 |
: Stay-puft Liriano?
|
| 9:47 |
: Yeah, Hurdle better have someone up in the ‘pen.
|
| 9:48 |
: Funny how early dominance can disappear so quickly.
|
| 9:48 |
: Ryan Hanigan wondering why that wasn’t a strike when his guy was pitching.
|
| 9:49 |
Is bat boy a paid position? |
| 9:50 |
: Depends on the team, but if the batboy(s) are often given playoff shares. So for a playoff team, there’s a good chance.
|
| 9:50 |
MC Hammer was a bat boy |
| 9:50 |
: #neverforget
|
| 9:50 |
Isnt it like running with scisors |
| 9:51 |
When is the best time to use Hamilton? |
| 9:51 |
: Fun fact: the Rockies bat boy used to ruin all of our dugout celebration photos because he was always the first person to high-five players when they came back to the dugout after scoring. Get out of the shot, batboy!
|
| 9:51 |
: When advancing one base is a big deal.
|
| 9:52 |
: Cincinnati is in trouble.
|
| 9:53 |
: It really just is not Cincinnati’s night.
|
| 9:53 |
Liriano now done? |
| 9:53 |
: Depends on who is coming up. He absolutely shouldn’t hit again.
|
| 9:54 |
: He is up third this inning.
|
| 9:54 |
: Then he’s done, yes.
|
| 9:54 |
: If it’s a bunt situation, I could see sticking with him to get him one more crack at Choo and Votto. But at this point, he’s done enough to get it to the bullpen, so yeah.
|
| 9:55 |
You guys prefer National League baseball? |
| 9:55 |
: I do. But I’m in the minority, I think.
|
| 9:55 |
: Watching pitcher’s hit is not entertaining.
|
| 9:56 |
Wilson next for the Bucs? |
| 9:56 |
But..all the strategy… |
| 9:56 |
: Runners on = bunt. No runners on = weak swing. What strategy?
|
| 9:56 |
: Assuming Liriano comes out, Wilson seems like a good bet for the 6th, yes.
|
| 9:56 |
I disagree David, watching pitcher’s hit can be hilarious. |
| 9:56 |
i’d rather watch adam wainwright bat than delmon young. |
| 9:56 |
Alfredo Simon is quite the opposite of tiny. |
| 9:57 |
Definitely not a fan of this TBS camera. Prefer the Pirates usual CF camera |
| 9:57 |
: That was my first thought tonight TFS. I don’t understand why they need to use a different camera angle.
|
| 9:57 |
: Especially when it is inferior.
|
| 9:57 |
ANGLES |
| 9:57 |
Clint Barmes! He can hit! |
| 9:58 |
: Sticking with him, obviously.
|
| 9:58 |
OOOH! The strategy! This is awesome! |
| 9:59 |
Is hurdle just treating this like a game in July? |
| 9:59 |
That was so much better than watching a guy who’s paid to hit get an at bat. |
| 9:59 |
: He is sticking with his guy.
|
| 10:00 |
Watching Liriano walking (a slow walk, at that) down the first base line is absolutely hilarious. I don’t think I could more effectively convey apathy if I tried. |
| 10:00 |
: I think if you were trying, you’d be failing.
|
| 10:00 |
Why is there a giant duck in the river? |
| 10:00 |
: Why not?
|
| 10:01 |
Canadian feed: Greg Zaun is RIPPING the Reds for laughing in the dugout. |
| 10:01 |
: Gotta love the Body Language Police.
|
| 10:01 |
: From MLB PR: 40,487 fans in Pittsburgh tonight, the largest crowd in PNC Park history.
|
| 10:01 |
If the announcers take note and make a “ducks on the pond” crack, I’m flipping the table. |
| 10:01 |
: That’s awesome.
|
| 10:02 |
: Flip away.
|
| 10:02 |
The duck is for Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s International Festival of Firsts. No clue what that is but that’s why the duck is there |
| 10:03 |
: I feel somewhat confident in saying that if the Reds don’t score this inning that this puppy will be in the bag.
|
| 10:04 |
: I do not, for the record, keep my puppy in a bag.
|
| 10:05 |
: “The speed of Choo.” – Ron Darling, comedian
|
| 10:05 |
Do you crate train? |
| 10:05 |
: Yes, we crate trained, and she did great with it. Goes in on her own now.
|
| 10:05 |
Why so confident, Paul? |
| 10:06 |
: Because the Bucs will have the whole bullpen with which to play matchups. And it’s a four-run lead.
|
| 10:06 |
A REAL MVP CATCHES THAT NOT EVEN WANT |
| 10:06 |
Wow. He really hit the ground hard. |
| 10:07 |
Just imagine Choo trying to go for that ball |
| 10:07 |
This chat is way less confrontational than yesterday |
| 10:07 |
: Sullivan is always starting trouble.
|
| 10:08 |
Kudos to Cal. |
| 10:08 |
: Wow. Votto picked a really bad night to have an off night.
|
| 10:08 |
Wow. Just handled Votto. |
| 10:08 |
Votto has gotten his ass kicked all night long. |
| 10:09 |
Now Liriano is gone, right? |
| 10:09 |
keep Liriano in for Bruce |
| 10:09 |
: I have a feeling we’re going to see Liriano until Liriano gives up a run. He’s still at just 72 pitches.
|
| 10:10 |
Liriano is going CG. Hurdle watched David Price last night. |
| 10:10 |
has anyone been in the pirates pen yet? |
| 10:11 |
Dave, are you still normal chatting tomorrow? Or are these the chats? |
| 10:11 |
He’s going great. Why overthink it? Every out he gets gives you more options to finish. |
| 10:11 |
: Okay, disappearing for a few. All you, Paul.
|
| 10:11 |
: I haven’t seen anyone warming for the Bucs. Anyone else seen anyone up?
|
| 10:11 |
: Oh boy, are you guys in trouble now.
|
| 10:12 |
Paul, Liriano gave up a run already. |
| 10:12 |
: Another run. You know what I meant!
|
| 10:12 |
No one warming up |
| 10:12 |
Dad’s gone! Can we have whiskey? |
| 10:12 |
: Yes. Yes we can.
|
| 10:12 |
Pirates win probability now 98.8% in bottom of sixth. |
| 10:13 |
If Liriano exits now, could he come back any sooner in the NLDS? Or does it not really matter with off days? |
| 10:13 |
: I think we may have passed the point of no return for that. But every pitcher is different.
|
| 10:13 |
If you could have Clint Hurdle as part of your family, would you rather him be your A) Grandfather B) Uncle C) Father or D) Husband ? |
| 10:14 |
: Uncle. FWIW, I’ve always liked Clint. He is very personable, and very intelligent. Well, very intelligent for someone in uniform.
|
| 10:14 |
Paul who ya got in Braves/Dodgers? |
| 10:15 |
: I had Dodgers in a rout before Skip Schumaker, center fielder became a thing. Now I’m not so sure. But I still lean LA, I guess.
|
| 10:15 |
What about Tigers/A’s? |
| 10:15 |
: You can read my Tigers/A’s preview on ESPN Insider on Thursday!
|
| 10:15 |
Paul, do you have tons of top-secret awesome front office info from your time with the Rockies you could give if only you were allowed to? |
| 10:16 |
: Yes. Yes I do.
|
| 10:16 |
Matt Kemp, 2013 Center Fielder wasn’t such a great thing either… |
| 10:16 |
: Is true.
|
| 10:16 |
A+ tease by Paul on his paywall content. |
| 10:16 |
: Thanks!
|
| 10:16 |
I refuse to pay for ESPN insider |
| 10:17 |
: FWIW, we also post our ESPN Insider content on FanGraphs+. Which is significantly cheaper. Although I forget to do that a lot.
|
| 10:17 |
Who you got if it’s Pirates/Cardinals? |
| 10:17 |
: After watching Mike Matheny for the past two years, I don’t think I’m real keen on picking a team he’s managing to win a playoff series.
|
| 10:18 |
who do you have Twins/Marlin in 2016 WS? |
| 10:18 |
: Ha. Dream on.
|
| 10:19 |
I want to take a moment and marvel: Fransisco Liriano, Bartolo Colon and, quite possibly, Ubaldo Jimenez and Scott Kazmir will all get to pitch in the playoffs. In 2013. |
| 10:19 |
: It is kind of amazing.
|
| 10:19 |
So if the Reds don’t come back here, what should they try to do this off season? |
| 10:19 |
: Hey, a pitching change.
|
| 10:20 |
I’m at a loss for why you guys are so eager to pull Liriano tonight. Yes, relievers generally tend to be better than starters who have gone through the lineup a couple of times. But Liriano is generally better than most relievers…he was a top 10 or so starter this year. And the more relievers you go through, the more likely you find the guy who just doesn’t have it tonight. |
| 10:20 |
: Actually, Liriano is not better than most relievers that would be used on a playoff team in an elimination game.
|
| 10:21 |
: Relievers > Starters. It is that simple, basically.
|
| 10:22 |
: RE: what Reds need to do – their most important thing may be trying to teach Tony Cingrani a third pitch. They also need to figure out what they’re doing in CF, obviously, and how they are making up the offense they’re going to lose from Choo.
|
| 10:22 |
Are there any starters you would let through the same lineup three times in this situation? |
| 10:22 |
: Kershaw. Maybe Felix/Lee/Verlander/healthy Harvey.
|
| 10:23 |
Relievers>starters really means that relievers are better at their job than starters are at theirs, right? It doesn’t mean that a guy like Watson would be better than Liriano if Watson started the game. |
| 10:23 |
: Right, it’s about performance in that next inning, not an overall talent evaluation.
|
| 10:23 |
splits be damned! |
| 10:24 |
Wouldn’t you rather have Yu over Verlander at this point? |
| 10:24 |
: The rush to write off Justin Verlander as an ace is weird.
|
| 10:25 |
He Choo-choo-chose a weird path to that ball |
| 10:25 |
: It’s kind of jarring how bad he is out there.
|
| 10:26 |
Which division series are you looking forward to the most? |
| 10:26 |
: Pirates/anyone, in any series.
|
| 10:27 |
Does it actually help position players when pitchers point to the sky on pop ups? |
| 10:27 |
: Well, I’m biased, so I have to say the Red Sox series. But Pirates/Cardinals is gonna be a lot of fun (assuming it happens), and I’m excited to see the Dodgers as well.
|
| 10:27 |
Dodgers-Braves! Just to see if Puig’s antics combined with the stick up the Braves’ ass could lead to a riot |
| 10:28 |
I saw Phil Coke point straight up on at least 5 monstrous home runs that he gave up this year |
| 10:29 |
Does anyone else find it unlikely that Arby’s actually smokes their meat for 13+ hours? |
| 10:29 |
: By smoke, they mean the meat is kept in the area where employees take their smoke breaks.
|
| 10:30 |
I do but I can’t help but laugh every time that guy says, “that’s longer than I smoke my meat.” Juvenile, I know, but I can’t believe that got past the marketing people. |
| 10:32 |
Is the difference in pitcher effectiveness at higher pitch counts similar to the difference between 1st time through the order and 2nd/3rd? |
| 10:32 |
: The two things are basically intertwined. On third time through the order, your pitch count is getting high. It’s likely a combination of the two factors.
|
| 10:32 |
Morneau gets over/ under 2/20 in FA? |
| 10:33 |
: Gonna say under by a bunch.
|
| 10:33 |
: Way, way, way under. Like 1/4 is more likely.
|
| 10:34 |
As someone with skin in this game, I wish Hurdle would go to the bullpen already… |
| 10:34 |
: Would seem to make more sense to have an RHP warming, no?
|
| 10:36 |
Double barrel: Wilson + Watson |
| 10:36 |
who is warming? |
| 10:36 |
: They showed Watson throwing.
|
| 10:38 |
When was the last time Liriano threw a fastball? |
| 10:38 |
Maybe I missed this from earlier, but is anyone on the Reds coaching staff getting axed? |
| 10:38 |
: They won 90+ games. No.
|
| 10:39 |
That has to be it for Liriano right? |
| 10:39 |
: Believe he’s due up to hit, so yes.
|
| 10:40 |
: 97.9 WE% now.
|
| 10:40 |
I’ll ask again: Why is there no PED uproar about Byrd? |
| 10:41 |
: This is pretty neat.
|
| 10:42 |
: A) Because he apologized. B) He plays nice with the media. C) No one cares about Marlon Byrd.
|
| 10:42 |
Don’t have game on at the moment — what’s pretty neat? |
| 10:42 |
: 96-year-old usher who started working for the team in 1939.
|
| 10:43 |
: That guy has been working as a Pirates usher longer than my parents have been alive. That’s pretty amazing.
|
| 10:43 |
: Crushed.
|
| 10:44 |
right down the pipe |
| 10:44 |
Absolute Piss Missile. |
| 10:44 |
: Well if that isn’t the fuzzy thing on top of the beret, I don’t know what is.
|
| 10:44 |
The Yankees wish to point out that Vernon Wells hit some home runs too. |
| 10:45 |
Hey! They’re actually chanting for someone on their own team! |
| 10:45 |
The Pirates have hit 9 HRs in the last two meaningful games against the Reds. |
| 10:46 |
This Wild Card stuff is pretty good for the MLB. |
| 10:46 |
Travis Snyder: human victory cigar |
| 10:46 |
burnett or cole for game 1 vs STL? |
| 10:46 |
Liriano chant now as he’s being PH for. Pittsburgh crowd is the best |
| 10:46 |
: Burnett
|
| 10:47 |
: Would think it’s Burnett. Burnett-Cole-Liriano is a spicy meatball.
|
| 10:47 |
why burnett, dave? |
| 10:47 |
: He’s better.
|
| 10:48 |
: It should be noted that the fact that we still haven’t seen Chapman is a good argument for why he should have been used in the 4th or 5th.
|
| 10:48 |
: “Only right-hander in Reds history to win his first seven decisions.” And that’s the dumbest stat ever.
|
| 10:51 |
If Pence got $90.. Choo will get 6/100? Over/ under? |
| 10:51 |
: Sounds about right.
|
Dave is the Managing Editor of FanGraphs.
Enough with the love for Pittsburgh. The Reds are here too
Nope.