World Series Game 6 Chat

8:06
Tony Wolfe: Get your snacks and drinks in order, everyone. We have our first elimination game of the 2020 World Series.

8:06
Lzfreak: I am simultaneously excited for this game and sad that it might be our last of the year

8:06
mort jelly: lets go

8:06
Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: Tuesdays are for the Chois. I hope.

8:06
Dodger Fan: Ohmygodohmygodohmgodohmygod

8:06
Guest: I am genuinely not ready for this

8:07
Dodger Fan: My heart rate is unhealthily elevated

8:08
Tony Wolfe: To catch up briefly, here’s Jon Tayler’s recap of Game 5: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/dave-roberts-pushes-all-the-right-buttons-…

8:08
Tony Wolfe: Here’s Jay Jaffe on Justin Turner: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/if-its-october-justin-turner-must-be-rakin…

8:09
Tony Wolfe: And here’s Ben Clemens on Ji-Man Choi: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/ji-man-choi-pitch-taker/

8:09
Sam: Absolutely pumped

8:09
Paul Sporer: Hello!!!

8:09
Tony Wolfe: Hey Paul!

8:09
Dodger Fan: Hi guys!

8:09
Andrew Friedman: “I’ve turned the temperature on Dave Roberts’ seat from high to simmer for now. Best of luck Dodgers”

8:09
Paul Sporer: Tony, good to see you!

8:10
Avatar David Laurila: Hello baseball fans.

8:10
Paul Sporer: Andrew’s hand definitely hovering over the temperature control, though

8:10
RonBurgundy: How many batters for Gonsolin, assuming all goes well? 18?

8:10
Paul Sporer: Have they suggested they’ll allow him to actually get some time? I think he can def handle that, but I was assuming another short outing, tbh

8:11
Tony Wolfe: Hi there, David!

8:11
RonBurgundy: the Ben Clemens jinx — out of the zone swing

8:11
Avatar David Laurila: Arozarena be the man.

8:11
Paul Sporer: Randy is unreal

8:11
Dodger Fan: RANDY

8:11
Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarozarena

8:11
Lzfreak: Arozarena came to play!

8:11
Dodger Fan: He is ridiculous

8:11
Sam: Holy hell, this is unreal haha

8:11
RonBurgundy: Still waiting for regression to the mean

8:11
Tony Wolfe: oh man

8:12
Tampa Bay Rays Liotta: He is one strong guy

8:12
Derek: Ummm… Randy Arozarena is kind of good

8:12
Avatar David Laurila: Apples and Oranges, as the team throwing the less-accomplished pitcher in tonight’s game is up three games to two, but in 1967 Game 6, the Red Sox — down in the Series — started an unheralded rookie named Gary Waslewski who had thrown all of 42 innings that year. Boston won the game 8-5, with Waslewski going a solid five-and-a-third.

8:13
Avatar David Laurila: Gonsolin is of course a second-year hurler.

8:13
Kwah: George Hermandy ARutharena.

8:13
Kevin: That bad speed is crazy

8:13
NickG: Is it me, or did it look like he barely swung and the ball took off like a rocket?

8:13
Paul Sporer: Kevin covers it, Nick, it’s the bat speed – truly insane

8:14
Cito’s Mustache: What more would Arozarena have to do to win the MVP in a Rays loss? Hit another home run or two? Steal and hide the MVP trophy?

8:15
Avatar David Laurila: Gonsolin is a good guy, and I have nothing against the Dodgers, but I’ll go on record to say I want a Rays win tonight so the Series goes seven.

8:16
Paul Sporer: I dig Tony G, too, but gimme Rays all the way

8:16
RonBurgundy: Does ZIPS take into account postseason performance? Interested to see how Arozarena’s forecast changed before/after playoffs

8:16
Avatar David Laurila: I think Dan said in the Game 5 chat that it does.

8:16
Guest: What’s the best non-alcoholic world series beverage? Cider? Hot cocoa? Code red mountain dew?

8:16
Paul Sporer: Sugarfree Red Bull

8:17
Tony Wolfe: Cider is a good call

8:17
Matt: Whatever the hell Arozarena’s drinking

8:17
Tony Wolfe: But I’ve got an iced tea next to me right now, and lemme tell ya, there is no bad time of year for that

8:17
Dodger Fan: Water

8:17
Cat Latos: Code red when May is pitching

8:17
Joe: Ginger “beer”

8:18
Steve Nebraska: Sorry I’m late but Arozarena… Wow!

8:19
Guest: Would it be insane to keep Arozarena over Moncada in a 5 keeper 12 teamer? Randy’s making it so hard on me.

8:19
Tampa Bay Rays Liotta: I’m not a dodger fan but I would like them to win to end the dodgers always choke narrative

8:19
sadtrombone: I put the kids to bed, sit down, and Arozarena has homered. He is just homering all the dang time, so much I can’t even miss the first inning.

8:20
Paul Sporer: Not insane. Both are certainly viable. I know there are some Aristides Aquino concerns, but doing it randomly in August is quite a bit different than doing it in the playoffs

8:20
RonBurgundy: Keep Moncada

8:20
MiamiAl: Gonsolin is Baseball America Rookie of the Year

8:21
Paul Sporer: He’s my NL pick, too

8:21
Avatar David Laurila: A lot gets written about the Dodgers not having won in 30-plus years, but let’s not forget that the Rays  have never won a World Series.

8:21
Dave Roberts: The problem for an Arozarena MVP in a losing effort is that he hasn’t *actually* been better than Corey Seager in the series

8:21
Paul Sporer: Let’s see if he hits another HR, tonight, but ya without more work tonight, you’re right. That said, he’s gonna win it when TB wins it tomorrow

8:21
Guest: And I’m hungry like Tony Wollllllllfe…

8:21
BettsBellingerCaruso: Leaving the splitter & the slider too much over the plate & belt high. Not a good situation

8:21
Tony Wolfe: which says absolutely preposterous things about corey seager right now

8:22
Steve Nebraska: Pretty certain Arozarena will go number one in the draft next season (keeper league, keep 16) since no one had the foresight to pick him up in season… Me included obviously

8:23
Tony Wolfe: I’ve never done much fantasy baseball but man, doing a dynasty league sounds like soooo much fun

8:23
Tony Wolfe: especially given how supremely terrible my dynasty fantasy football team has turned out

8:24
Paul Sporer: Will they actually let Gonsolin settle in or quick hook again?

8:25
Guest: Paul has Margot turned you into a believer for fantasy purposes next year?

8:27
kevinthecomic: They oughta let Gonsolin face the bottom of the Ray’s order in the next inning

8:27
Avatar David Laurila: FWIW: Charlie Morton was asked a question about spin rate during this afternoon’s media session. He talked for just short of seven minutes.

8:27
Tony Wolfe: I think there’s a good chance he gets the first nine batters of the game, then someone else gets the second time through

8:27
Tony Wolfe: oh that’s awesome

8:27
Paul Sporer: I was actually a pretty big believer a couple years back but he stagnated a bit. I still think he can emerge into a 20 HR/30 SB kinda guy with enough PT. I do worry about how much PT TB will give him, though

8:28
MiamiAl: Lonnie Smith stole home in 82 WS, Game 6, was clearly safe but called out. His reaction is sad to see, no replay, no recognition

8:28
Paul Sporer: Do you think Margot was safe?

8:29
Dodger Fan: I want him to keep pitching, but knowing Roberts Gonsolin is done.

8:29
Tampa Bay Rays Liotta: No he was out

8:29
Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: True or false: this game hinges on good Blake vs walk-heavy, nibbling Blake.

8:29
Paul Sporer: I’d say true

8:29
Steve Nebraska: I think I heard on the baseball tonight podcast that they didn’t think gonsolin wasn’t getting past wendle tonight… So we’ll find out if that is accurate soon

8:29
Paul Sporer: I’m eager to see

8:29
Antonio Lobo: Who’s had the most dominant WS batting line in the past decade or so (1 series)?  Every time I try to think of it I remember how awestruck I was by David Ortiz’s WS MVP year.  But was there a better one?

8:30
Dave Roberts: Gonsolin was great this season. Would love to see him get a chance to settle in

8:30
Avatar David Laurila: Ortiz’s .680/.760/1.188 in 2013 was… not too bad.

8:30
Paul Sporer: looool that’s insane

8:31
Avatar David Laurila: Three World Series for Ortiz and his lowest OPS was .945.

8:31
Old Blue Legs: Wouldn’t Wander be able to help the Rays win this game? Or is it not worth the risk?

8:32
Tony Wolfe: He’d probably be useful if he’d every played before the World Series

8:32
Paul Sporer: Who’s he really better than right now?

8:32
Tony Wolfe: Considering he hasn’t though, probably not

8:32
Paul Sporer: Making his MLB debut in a deciding WS game

8:32
Paul Sporer: Desperately hope Blake keeps attacking when ahead

8:32
Paul Sporer: Great 0-2 pitch

8:32
kevinthecomic: Snell not nibbling so far

8:32
Scuffy Mcgee: Smoltz reminded us though that gonsolin didnt pitch for 15 days….a month ago

8:33
Avatar David Laurila: Reggie Jackson having a five-PA stretch with a walk and four dingers is without equal in World Series lore.

8:33
Sam: That was an impressive inning, Snell lookin’ sharp!

8:34
Cito’s Mustache: How do you fellas feel about clutch hitting? Do guys like Ortiz actually possess “something”.. or chalk it up to SSS?

8:34
Tony Wolfe: I don’t think it’s nothing, but it’s worth noting that in the ALCS right before that monster World Series, Ortiz had an OPS of .427 in 25 plate appearances

8:35
Paul Sporer: I think it definitely exists more than the analytical community often suggests, but it’s backward looking as opposed to something bankable in the moment

8:35
Antonio Lobo: If Snell keeps pitching like this, the Dodgers’ prospects are Blake

8:35
Avatar David Laurila: Songs of Innocence and of Experience.

8:35
Paul Sporer: Guys assert themselves like Papi, Pablo Sandoval, but they are outliers

8:35
Dodger Fan: …Snell looks really good…damn it.

8:35
sadtrombone: Good Blake gives the Rays a good chance. Lefty breaking stuff is the only real weakness in LAD’s lineup. I forget who pointed it out to me, but once you see it you can’t unsee it.

8:35
Kwah: Blakꓘke Snell.

8:35
Dave Roberts: 6 whiffs through one

8:36
Dodger Fan: But the grand slam, Tony! (sorry Paul)

8:36
Paul Sporer: HEY!

8:36
kdl: Does clutch hitting feel like the hitter’s version of “pitching to the score”?

8:36
Paul Sporer: How so?

8:36
Tony Wolfe: yeah if you’re going to only get two hits in a series, that’s a pretty good way to use one of them!

8:36
Sam: I think the ability to perform under pressure is something some people may be better at (in any field), but it’s probably not enough to put much weight on

8:36
kevinthecomic: Didn’t the Royals let a guy make his MLB debut in the WS?

8:36
Paul Sporer: Mondesi, ya

8:36
Guest: What would your strike call be if you were an umpire

8:36
Tony Wolfe: a blood-curdling scream

8:37
Paul Sporer: HIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEECH

8:37
BettsBellingerCaruso: Gonsolin giving up 2 hard hits in the 1st & just not locating well

Snell is zoned in & is pounding the Dodgers w/ the high fastball. Not a good situation for the Dodgers to be in

8:38
Dodger Fan: “Go sit down you idiot!”

8:38
Paul Sporer: Very early. I think Gonsolin might finally get a chance to settle in

8:38
Adam: Ken/Ryu from Street Fighter 2

8:38
Sam: I’d shoot a flare gun in the air for my strike call

8:38
Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: GOAT

8:38
Derek: curdled blood sounds really gross… but appropriate for this time of year I suppose

8:38
Tampa Bay Rays Liotta: Throat slashing gesture and a loud sneeze

8:38
Antonio Lobo: “YYYESSSSSIIIIIRRREEEEE.  That’s a strike”

8:38
Dave Roberts: “that’s a strike bitch”

8:38
VK Ratliff: If clutch is a skill, Willy Adames hasn’t had it this postseason

8:38
kdl: Like… are we supposed to believe players “choose” to be better sometimes

8:39
Avatar David Laurila: If no one caught my William Blake reference earlier, that’s OK.

8:39
Paul Sporer: Not necessarily *choose*, but you can’t fathom the notion of some having more ability regulate themselves in the highest pressure situations and continue to perform at their best?

8:39
Dodger Fan: Lots of hard contact wow

8:39
BettsBellingerCaruso: I think Gonsolin just shouldn’t throw the fastball as much

10 swings and 1 whiff on the fastball now

8:39
Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: I caught it, but my first thought was those amazing David Axelrod albums because I’m an uncultured swine.

8:40
Avatar David Laurila: Kiermaier is quietly having a really good Series.

8:40
Dave Roberts: I think definitionally a player can’t exceed their potential. Someone that is systematically better in important situations is necessarily underperforming in mundane situations.

8:40
Tony Wolfe: I was just gonna say the same thing David

8:40
Paul Sporer: Wait, what? Who says that being clutch means you’re trash in low leverage situations? Papi for example was just always great

8:40
Paul Sporer: You also have to get the opportunities to display clutch

8:40
Tony Wolfe: Hadn’t done a lot before this, but he’s looked great the last week

8:40
Tampa Bay Rays Liotta: What reference?

8:41
Avatar David Laurila: Songs of Innocence and of Experience.

8:41
Paul Sporer: For me it’s just always going to be backward looking but you could never convince me Papi wasn’t clutch af

8:41
Sam: Was unaware Kiermaier could hit a ball 112

8:41
Paul Sporer: Wait, why’s that?

8:41
Dodger Fan: Kiermaier is having a good series at medium volume

8:42
Paul Sporer: Ya he’s been excellent

8:42
Paul Sporer: Impossibly good looking, too, just doesn’t seem fair lol

8:42
Tony Wolfe: Baseball Savant says that 111.6 mph exit velo was Kiermaier’s best since 2015.

8:44
Paul Sporer: OK, moving on from the clutch thing. Kinda getting circular with nothing really being hashed out

8:44
Jordan: Thanks to MLB’s inability to schedule a WS game that wraps up before 12am east time this is yet another game I wont get to see to completion, Thanks MLB

8:44
BettsBellingerCaruso: Gonsolin pitch usage:

47% 4seam 10 swings 1 whiff 102.4 avg EV
35% splitter 6 swings 4 whiffs 96.3 avg EV
18% slider 5 swings 2 whiffs 103.3 avg EV

8:45
Roach: What’s the longest any player has gone without a hit in the World Series? I have to think Zunino’s close to that record

8:45
Dodger Fan: Dylan Floro is warming up

8:45
kdl: Things tend to get circular when minds are already made up

8:45
Tony Wolfe: If there were ever a time for the Rays to spend big, they could really use Realmuto to plug in behind the plate

8:45
Paul Sporer: Precisely, kdl.

8:45
Tony Wolfe: (would never happen, obviously)

8:45
Paul Sporer: They’ve needed a catcher foreverrrrr

8:45
Paul Sporer: Imagine if they had taken Posey instead of Beckham

8:46
bosoxforlife: Gil Hodges 0 for 21 in 1952 or 53.

8:46
Paul Sporer: Ty chat, I was hoping someone would look up Roach’s Q

8:46
Derek: Posey would probably be in SF by now anyway!

8:46
kevinthecomic: Is there a case to be made for the Rays starting their other catcher, or is Zunino’s propensity to run into one worth all the Ks?

8:46
Paul Sporer: Sure, but the Rays might’ve copped a series in the interim

8:46
Avatar David Laurila: Zunino is there mostly for his D.

8:46
Paul Sporer: I’d say it’s worth it given his defense

8:46
Dal Maxwell: In 1968 I was 0-22 in the W.S.

8:46
bosoxforlife: I didn’t have to look it up.

8:47
sadtrombone: Remember when Zunino had just enough power that he wasn’t totally worthless? His Mariners days seem a million years ago.

8:47
Tampa Bay Rays Liotta: remember when Toby Hall was going to be the Rays franchise catcher

8:47
Tony Wolfe: THERE’S a name, wow

8:47
Paul Sporer: Guess when you push 50 pitches in 2 IP, can’t really go far

8:47
Avatar David Laurila: Looks like autocorrect maimed the Dal Maxvill mention.

8:47
Paul Sporer: I love John Jaso in his time. He was a shit backstop, but dude could hit

8:48
sadtrombone: You saying that Zunino is worth it because of his defense? Maybe when he had more power or defense, but not now.

8:48
Paul Sporer: For the Rays right now in comparison to Michael Perez, absolutely worth it

8:48
Paul Sporer: Also have to consider how comfortable pitchers are w/him

8:49
sadtrombone: Jaso was a shortstop? How did I miss that? <googles furiously>

8:49
Paul Sporer: Isn’t everyone a shortstop? lol

8:50
Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: Here comes the four hour game.

8:50
Tony Wolfe: it was inevitable

8:50
Paul Sporer: Jaso was never a SS as a pro

8:50
kevinthecomic: Well, Robert’s gave him a chance to get thru 2…..

8:50
sadtrombone: ha, I misread “backstop” as “shortstop”. whoops.

8:50
Dave Roberts: The most shocking thing about this postseason was finding out that former Dodger catcher Kyle Farmer was playing SS for the Reds

8:50
Tony Wolfe: gotta get a bat like Kyle Farmer in the lineup however possible

8:51
Tony Wolfe: I always say this

8:52
Section329: And Jaso was fan friendly. Saw him catch Felix’s perfect game

8:52
Avatar David Laurila: Wow. Had no idea Jason caught Felix’s perfecto.

8:54
Dave Roberts: Obviously they don’t want to get too far behind, but lifting your starter when he’s given up 1 run in the 2nd inning feels like a panic move

8:55
Paul Sporer: It’s how Gonso has been handled in his last 2 starts, too, plus they have game 7 Buehler in their back pocket

8:55
Cat Latos: I feel bad for Gonsolin, the team obviously had zero trust in him once the postseason rolled around even though he had a great regular season

8:56
Paul Sporer: Ya I was kind of annoyed by it. Of course the night I was heavily calling to let him go, he just didn’t have it

8:57
Avatar David Laurila: FWIW: Dylan Floro learned his two-seamer in college from Dave Serrano, who coaches at Cal State Northridge.

8:57
Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: How many IP was Gonsolin supposed to get? Am I supposed to be rooting for Roberts to empty the bullpen, or was he supposed to go one time through?

8:58
Paul Sporer: They didn’t say, tbh. Hard to critique it tonight as he was getting clocked

8:58
Antonio Lobo: Dylan wiping the Floro with Arozarena

8:58
kevinthecomic: Gotta believe if you told the Dodgers they’d be down 1 – 0 after 2 with Gonsolin starting, they’d have taken it…..

8:58
Paul Sporer: Especially given how he pitched

9:00
Guest: I was in a Draft Champions this weekend where Arozarena was selected In the 4th round. I expect the league to adjust to him some in 2021. Thpug

9:01
Derek: Second straight start where Snell seems to have his absolute best stuff

9:01
Mad Joe-Don: I love when a pitcher gets a check swing on an actual strike.

9:01
Paul Sporer: Ya he’ll be an easy top 100 guy and likely top 75. Aquino is the easy wet blanket. I think he’ll be better than that, but I’m not drafting him THAT high

Randy Arozarena’s price in the #tooearlymocks
8 Oct 2020
9:02
Avatar David Laurila: First two innings tonight took 1:55. In 1920, Game 7 took 1:55 to play all nine.

9:02
Paul Sporer: Wait, what? It hasn’t been 2 hours

9:02
Eel Ffilc: I’ve heard the name Gary Meals a bunch of times but have no idea how good of an ump he is

9:03
sadtrombone: This is basically the best I have ever seen Blake Snell.

9:03
Jeremy: Snell looks untouchable

9:03
Bunk: This game feels like it’s 5-0 not a one run game

9:03
Avatar David Laurila: When you hear an umpires name a lot and don’t know how good he is, he’s probably pretty good.

9:03
Paul Sporer: Did you see 2018?

9:03
Harrison: Can you blame the lack of trust though? I gotta hand it to Roberts on a good call there (and the results speak to it)

9:03
Paul Sporer: No, not tonight re: Gonso. Thought it was an early hook the 2 starts before this, though

9:04
Derek: wait the first two innings have only taken 0:55!

9:04
Dodger Fan: Tonight took 0:55

9:04
Guest: Dodgers look uncomfortable at the plate, with a bunch of uncompetitive ABs.

Marked difference vs. RHP

9:04
Paul Sporer: Stud arms can do that to ya

9:04
Cito’s Mustache: I could’ve sworn Will Smith was having a decent postseason but he’s hitting just 61 wRC+ with a 32% K rate. I guess he’s still their best option at DH vs a L though, right?

9:04
Tony Wolfe: 11 swings, nine whiffs for Blake Snell so far. SHEESH.

9:05
Paul Sporer: You’re probably remembering the 5-hit game and HR v. Will Smith. Signature events can def lead us to overrate how good someone has been in a postseason

9:05
Guest: Even w/ stud arms though, 11 swings and 9 whiffs is another level vs this lineup

9:05
LarryTheBerry: I really appreciate Bellinger chasing what would have been the first of 3 straight balls by Snell.

9:05
Paul Sporer: Oh for sure, it’s a combo of Snell dealing and the Dodgers sellin

9:06
Dodger Fan: Wow Alex Wood

9:06
Kenley Jansen: “How big of a lead do we need for me to pitch the 9th?”

9:06
Paul Sporer: 12 runs lol

9:06
sucramrenrut: Wood should be good for a homer this inning.

9:07
Jeremy: Alex Wood lives!

9:07
Lzfreak: Good Alex Wood is still fun

9:07
Tony Wolfe: thinking about how the dodgers traded alex wood to the reds in a deal that brought back jeter downs, then used jeter downs to get mookie betts, then signed back alex wood on the cheap one year later

9:07
Paul Sporer: Alex Wood is sneak tip nice in MLB The Show. They had a throwback Atlanta reliever Wood card that was insane last year

9:08
Dave Roberts: Will Smith spent most of the NLCS crushing it right at fielders until he broke out in the five hit game. The WS has been more of a struggle

9:08
Section329: I think Jaso had a pet boa. He was fun

9:08
Guest: That last weak swing by Belli reminded me of John Kruk being overmatched by Randy Johnson at the All Star game

9:08
Dodger Fan: Smoltz just discovered how Siri works on live TV

9:08
Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: Paul, wouldn’t the Dodgers be buying in that metaphor?

9:09
Paul Sporer: Selling is video game slang for choking

9:10
Sam: I don’t remember that flashback, Paul, was it a gold or silver?

9:10
Paul Sporer: Gold and it was bananas. Might’ve been ’18… time is a flat circle

9:11
Dodger Fan: This ad has not aged well

9:11
Paul Sporer: The Folgers one? It’s aged brilliantly with Toobin’s incident

9:11
Lzfreak: Wood could win the series clinching game. That’s insane

9:11
Avatar David Laurila: Six years ago I interviewed Alex Wood and Kevin Pillar about their draft experiences and life in the low minors. I remember getting good answers from both.

9:12
Paul Sporer: Are ppl out on Alex Wood as good anymore? I know his 2019-20 stats suck, but it’s like 50 IP. Bottom line is healthy Alex Wood is still v good

9:12
Sonny: Anecdotal but pitchers have been sharp fielding the ball this series. One of the areas I thought might suffer from lack of reps this Spring/Summer

9:12
Paul Sporer: This Tigers fan knows how pitching defense can turn a series

9:12
Guest: I think Roberts should let Wood go a couple more. He seems to be zoned in

9:12
Paul Sporer: Agreed

9:13
Mad Joe-Don: Do Smoltz and Buck get along off the job? I honestly can’t tell but Buck’s ‘anything’s possible, John’ leads me to believe not.

9:14
Paul Sporer: Hard to say. Tigers guys Mario Impemba and Rod Allen despised each other for years and I truly had no idea until the blow up that led to their firings when they came to blows over a chair

9:14
Guest: 2017 1st half Wood was Cy Young material

9:14
BettsBellingerCaruso: When Wood had 93-94 mph on that sinker he was untouchable

9:14
Guest: If LA has a one-run lead in the 9th, who does Roberts bring in for the championship? Kenley or someone else?

9:14
Avatar David Laurila: We learned a few years ago that not all broadcast tams get along outside the booth.

9:14
Paul Sporer: No Kenley

9:14
Paul Sporer: Not Kenley I mean

9:14
Tony Wolfe: wow Alex Wood STILL isn’t 30 yet

9:14
Guest: David, I have always appreciated the great interview you do. Who are some of your favorite players to interview over the years?

9:15
Avatar David Laurila: There are a lot. Not sure I can give a quick answer just now. But thanks.

9:15
Dodger Fan: Snell is just plain ON

9:15
Paul Sporer: He was in gm 2, as well

9:16
Sonny: TV on mute with LA radio is the way to go this series. Steiner is enjoyable and ably following a legend

9:16
Avatar David Laurila: There will be an interview with an active player on the site tomorrow.

9:16
Paul Sporer: I’m not gaga for Buck/Smoltz, but I can tolerate ’em. When the Tigers were in it in 06 and 12, I synced our radio crew

9:16
Andrew tysse: Hi let’s go Tampa

9:16
Deathstar Graterol: Yeah, I like the LA radio broadcast

9:16
Paul Sporer: Problem is that it puts you behind so you can’t really live online without being spoiled

9:16
Roach: Maybe Blake Trienen per Guest?

9:16
Paul Sporer: Yeah I’d think so

9:17
Jeremy: Treinen seems to be handling high leverage spots before the 9th. Don’t think he’ll close if the Dodgers are ahead.

9:17
CJ: ‘When healthy’ is the rub on Wood, isn’t it?

9:17
Paul Sporer: All pitchers, really, but ya Wood has dealt with more than his fair share of injuries

9:17
kevinthecomic: Yeah, it’d be cool to have Buck go all Mario Impemba on Smoltzy

9:17
Chamaco: Both Snell and Glasnow place both hands on their hat before pitches…what are they doing? Why use the glove hand as well if they are applying a substance to get a better grip?

9:17
Paul Sporer: I noticed that, too. They’re pretty clearly NOT putting anything on their hands

9:17
Avatar David Laurila: Mario was actually on the receiving end. He didn’t actually do anything.

9:18
Paul Sporer: They don’t have a shit stain on their hat like Kimbrel

9:18
Antonio Lobo: David, do players recognize Fangraphs when you go for interviews?  Or are some only familiar with ESPN, the networks, etc?

9:18
Man Robfred: Buck and Smoltz seem like work friends.  They get along fine and work together but they don’t necessarily hang out outside of work.  Think Penn and Teller.

9:18
Paul Sporer: Wait, Penn & Teller aren’t homies outside of work?

9:18
Lzfreak: How many innings for Kershaw tomorrow if tomorrow happens?

9:18
Avatar David Laurila: Most players know FanGraphs. Wasn’t the case a handful of years ago.

9:19
Paul Sporer: 1-2 depending how it plays out

9:19
kdl: SMoltz complained about the shift – DRINK!

9:19
Adam: Given how little Smoltz engages with Buck’s attempts at banter, Joe would probably agree with Penn & Teller comparison

9:19
Avatar David Laurila: Nice play by both corner infielders there.

9:19
Dodger Fan: Wendle-Choi is so enjoyable to watch

9:19
Jeremy: The Rays infield is fun to watch

9:19
Paul Sporer: Damn Dave, you’re a good bit ahead of me

9:19
Paul Sporer: Whole defense, Jeremy

9:20
BettsBellingerCaruso: JOe Davis & Orel Hershiser are really good friends irl apparently

9:20
Paul Sporer: I can see that

9:20
sucramrenrut: Probably stiff WS hats don’t fit so well, particularly since Glasnow has so much hair.

9:20
Tony Wolfe: Yeah I also seem to be multiple pitches behind many of you lol

9:20
kevinthecomic: In the pregame on Fox, they talked about Urias being available now that he has had two days rest

9:21
Paul Sporer: They’d love to save him for a game 7 if necessary, but I think we see him if they get a lead

9:21
Matt: Snell is getting some gift calls at the plate

9:21
Jordan: Have a defensive inning Joey Wendle!

9:21
Man Robfred: No, Penn and Teller they are open that they are not close friends, just business partners.

9:21
Jeremy: The Rays outfield is extremely boring to watch in this game. They’re just standing there!

9:21
Paul Sporer: Wow, I guess I don’t follow them to any degree wherein I’d know such a thing. I guess I just assumed.

9:21
Paul Sporer: I wouldn’t wanna hang around with some mute dork, either, tbh

9:21
Dave Roberts: wow, Snell is going to be tough to hit if he can consistently get strikes on the outside corner of the lefty batters box

9:22
Cito’s Mustache: The eye test really is deceiving, isn’t it. Choi has looked like a Gold Glove first baseman this postseason.

9:22
Dodger Fan: Victor González is warming up

9:22
Paul Sporer: Are you suggesting he’s not a good defender? Or at least capable?

9:23
Avatar David Laurila: Snell is dealing.

9:23
Derek: The MLB.tv feed seems to be closest to live in my experience

9:23
Paul Sporer: Not available for me. Isn’t it int’l only?

9:23
Hugh Duffy: Jerry Meals has been pretty consistently calling the “outside strike” all night. If you’re just off the plate, either catcher will be able to frame that for a strike.

9:23
Jordan: Can’t we give Zunino a little credit for those outside strikes?

9:23
Derek: Choi is an actually good defensive first baseman!

9:23
Adam: Mookie wants that 2-1 take back

9:24
Paul Sporer: Surprising take to me

9:24
Avatar David Laurila: I would think so, yes.

9:24
Circler: Snell’s high fastball has been ending a lot of at bats today.

9:24
Jim: Every time I stream through my Rokutelevision, the feed seems to be like a solid minute behind

9:24
PaRappa the Rapper: Just all around terrific sequencing with the curveball before it

9:25
Dave Roberts: a bit surprised Betts’ struggles in the playoffs haven’t been a bigger part of the #thenarrative

9:25
Tony Wolfe: Him making some huge plays on defense and on the bases helps considerably

9:25
Tony Wolfe: And I mean, it isn’t like he’s been terrible

9:25
Derek: Betts gave everyone a free taco

9:25
Mad Joe-Don: He gave us tacos!

9:26
Jim: More like Dookie Butts

9:26
Paul Sporer: OBP has been strong to go with the elite defense

9:26
Sam: Snell is shoving, love to see it

9:26
Avatar David Laurila: Per Derrick Goold on Twitter: Since his second hit of Game 3, Mookie Betts is one-for-12 (two strikeouts tonight), and he doesn’t have a walk in that span either.

9:26
Paul Sporer: OK the OBP in the LCS I should say

9:26
Matt: Bett’s looks terrible at the plate….how did he take a 95 mph fastball down the middle and then swing at the 98 mph out of the zone high….YIKES

9:26
Derek: You have to link a tv account to get the Fox feed (not sure why MLB.tv is farther ahead than the plain old Fox feed, but it seems to be)

9:26
Tony Wolfe: Yeah his OBP at every stop before the world series was great

9:26
Cito’s Mustache: Re: Choi’s fielding, the metrics say he’s league average so yeah, capable. I shouldn’t have insinuated he’s terrible or anything.

9:27
Avatar David Laurila: FWIW: Kevin Cash and Dave Roberts are both really nice guys.

9:29
Sonny: Adames stay at SS when Wander arrives?

9:29
Tony Wolfe: I think there’s a good chance Wander takes over shortstop

9:30
Paul Sporer: Adames to 2B, Lowe to LF?

9:30
Paul Sporer: or Adames to 3B given his arm?

9:30
Avatar David Laurila: Just bounced over to Twitter and saw a lot of complaints about tonight’s broadcast. IMO, Buck and Smoltz seem pretty solid for the most part.

9:30
Antonio Lobo: pleasantly surprised with Mr Wood so far.  Esp that high fastball K

9:31
Circler: Alex Wood in his all star form today!

9:31
Paul Sporer: That’s Twitter for ya

9:31
Tony Wolfe: It’s the Rays, so I’d imagine they move everyone around a good bit

9:31
Roach: Maybe he means that you wouldn’t think Choi was a Gold Glove defender based on his body type?

9:31
Paul Sporer: Ah, I see. Sorry, missed that comment earlier

9:31
Roach: Adames and Zunino feel like such a black hole offensively this series.

9:32
Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: I feel like speculating on Rays defensive alignments right now is futile. They’re going to make a kooky trade, someone will get hurt, someone will come out of nowhere, they’ll deal with it when they get there. This is a team that isn’t even using Nate Lowe.

9:32
Tony Wolfe: also a fair point

9:32
Paul Sporer: They’ve both struggled, but Z muuuuch worse than Adames thus far

9:32
Paul Sporer: Yea that’s 10000% fair

9:33
Paul Sporer: Espec heading into an offseason

9:33
Billy Buckner: I’m ready to go in as a defensive replacement –  just let me know when

9:33
Paul Sporer: It’d be hard to speculate on it in February when the offseason has settled let alone in October

9:33
Lzfreak: Why are there so many non-ketchup commercials that heavily involve ketchup?

9:33
Chamaco: Rays have a lot of young IF talent in the minors in addition to Franco, (such as Brujan), and Adames will likely get more expensive soon.  Wouldn’t be surprised if they moved Adames eventually.

9:33
Avatar David Laurila: Billy Buckner had one career error. Threw away a bunt attempt.

9:34
Jim: Twitter hates literally everhything

9:34
Avatar David Laurila: Yes.

9:34
Jeremy: Agree, Buck and Smoltz have.been fine tonight

9:34
weezy: I think Smoltz just needs to be coached to not say dumb things. He says a lot of interesting things with that 1 in 10 chance of saying that really dumb thing

9:34
Paul Sporer: Big Ketchup running the show, Lz

9:34
Hot Take: Arozarena will have more WAR than mookie next 5 years

9:34
Paul Sporer: lol, chill

9:34
Cito’s Mustache: “Induced vertical break” is a metric currently on the scoreboard at Globe Life Field. Hook it to my veins.

9:34
Avatar David Laurila: It’s really hard to talk for three-four hours and not say something stupid. Same goes for chatting, actually.

9:35
Man Robfred: Twitter will complain about the national broadcast no matter what regardless of sport.  Reddit too.

9:36
Man Robfred: Last thing on P&T gossip, I don’t believe it’s a case where they don’t get along.  They just have very different personalities and preferences (at least that’s my impression).  Jaime and Adam from Mythbusters on the other hand are open that their relationship was acrimonious while still maintaining a professional respect of each other.

9:36
kevinthecomic: Just shows how spoiled we were with Scully — did color AND play by play and rarely was he anything other than a joy to listen to

9:36
Sonny: Hot Take: Arozarena will have less WAR ‘21-‘25 than Mookie will ‘21+‘22

9:36
Paul Sporer: I imagine there’s a lot more of that than we know. Like two sitcom leads in a TV relationship but hating each other kinda stuff

9:37
Chamaco: Betts hasn’t been great offensively, but it’s still a SSS.  Not many RF’s could have made all of those plays he made .

9:37
Antonio Lobo: Curious to know if you guys have insight into front office prioritizing “good people” on the squad.  Both TB and LAD seem to be quite scandal-free, free of attitude over multi seasons.  Dodgers shipped off Puig when it got difficult.  Machado didn’t stick around. And I was down on the Dee Gordon trade until he got busted for PEDs and thought maybe the Dodgers knew something and didn’t want to have any part of it

9:37
Avatar David Laurila: A lot of teams do this. Without putting much thought into it, Cleveland and Minnesota are good examples. Obviously most every team has an exception or two, because you can’t ignore talent.

9:37
Tony Wolfe: lol wow I didn’t know that about the mythbusters guys but I can 100% see it

9:37
Paul Sporer: Well ya, every series is a small sample. No one is saying he’s trash, but he’s unquestionably been less than what we expect. Defense has made up for it, though

9:38
Guest: We only serve the coldest of takes here, Mr Hot Take

9:38
Jackson: what is the fantasy outlook for Arozarena next year?

9:39
Fred: A big part of Dodgers offense is about laying off pitches out of the zone. This umpire with a huge strike zone on the side is really not doing them any favors.

9:39
Avatar David Laurila: Snell. Man.

9:39
Paul Sporer: Discussed it a bit earlier. He’ll be a top 75 pick so be ready to pay up. The wet blanket take has called to mind Aristides Aquino while those who buy in see like a 120 wRC+ with 25-30 HR potential depending on PT (TB doesn’t like to give guys 600+ PA very often)

9:39
bosoxforlife: Will Cash follow his script and get into the bullpen even if Snell continues to look pitch like this?

9:39
Paul Sporer: 97 above the zone, so hot

9:40
Avatar David Laurila: Not if Snell is pitching like this.

9:40
Tony Wolfe: these men have families, blake!

9:40
Sam: Oh man this is fun, he’s been efficient too. Good stuff.

9:40
Paul Sporer: No, this is MARKEDLY better than game 2

9:40
Paul Sporer: He can push into the 6th-7th pitching like this

9:40
Paul Sporer: Of course, it can turn on a dime, so let’s just take it batter to batter

9:40
Tony Wolfe: update: 26 swings, 15 whiffs

9:41
Kevin: That white stuff on snell’s hat that he keeps touching is rosin right? Not anything illegal. Apologize in advance for my lack of knowledge on this one

9:41
Avatar David Laurila: Pretty sure Snell isn’t dumb enough to cheat in a World Series game.

9:41
Paul Sporer: Ya and like I said, if Kimbrel can put that shit stain on his hat without incident, a little rosin on Snell’s is nothin

9:42
Andrew tysse: Man Blake snell

9:42
Dodger Fan: Blake Snell…*chef’s kiss even though I don’t want him to succeed*

9:42
Kevin: Don’t think commentary has been bad but hearing Smoltz complain about the shift does get old

9:42
Paul Sporer: And then gush about bunting

9:42
Paul Sporer: But ya it gets tired

9:42
Cito’s Mustache: If a lot of teams are going after “good people” do the Astros think they’re smarter than everyone else by doing the opposite?

9:42
Avatar David Laurila: Not interested in debating Astros, but they have a lot of good people on the team.

9:42
Antonio Lobo: Big Ketchup runs the world.  Too bad for Celery

9:43
Paul Sporer: Hope this is referencing the Portlandia sketch lol

9:43
Avatar David Laurila: Is there a Baez narrative….?

9:43
Sam: I hadn’t realized how good Jake McGee was this year until today, what do you think is up with the hesitancy using him?

9:44
Ria: I appreciated the overlaid hitting tendencies immediately after Smoltz was bashing the shift. Was watching with a friend who was then like “oh, so the shift does make sense”

9:44
Paul Sporer: Not sure why he’s gotten SO little time, tbh @sam

9:44
Cito’s Mustache: Baez narrative… he works very slowly?

9:44
Antonio Lobo: @Paul yes definitely the Portlandia sketch.  one of the best

9:44
Paul Sporer: Nauseatingly so

9:44
Avatar David Laurila: Boston sports scribe Christopher Smith on Twitter: Snell has thrown 21 four-seam fastballs, averaging 96.3 mph and topping out at 97.7, per Statcast.

9:44
YEP: Sid the sloth breaks 10Ks today

9:45
Paul Sporer: I’m telling him you said that loool

9:45
Dodger Fan: This Choi highlight segment is hilarious

9:45
Tony Wolfe: a king

9:45
Jim: Reddit is really remarkably similar to Twitter. Just don’t tell Reddit that…

9:45
Paul Sporer: Reddit is a cesspool

9:46
BettsBellingerCaruso: The problem w/ Roberts’ bullpen management on these games is the extremely quick hook for guys that are on.

The inherent issue w/ bullpenning is that you might bring out a guy that is a great matchup on paper, but their stuff might be lacking.

Obviously there are limits to this, but I do wish Wood gets another couple of innings.

(read from Dodgers’ beat writers that baez is warming up in the ‘pen)

9:46
Tony Wolfe: I only use reddit for the OOTP baseball sub and spooky ghost stories

9:46
Tony Wolfe: my two interests

9:46
Paul Sporer: Good interests. Love OOTP!

9:46
Paul Sporer: Do you watch Corpse on YouTube?

9:47
Tony Wolfe: I do not, is he a streamer of some kind?

9:47
Paul Sporer: Ya gaining popularity due to playing Among Us with some more famous folks, but got his start telling spooky stories

9:47
Paul Sporer: Has an incredible voice

9:47
Dodger Fan: Paul, do you like Snell more because he’s a fellow streamer?

9:48
Paul Sporer: Oh for sure. We’re friends so my bias is on the table. Was a fan before, too, but it’s another level now

9:48
Guest: What (besides just being pessimistic) makes people assume that Arozarena’s 2021 will be like Aquino’s 2020 as opposed to Yordan’s 2019?

9:48
Tony Wolfe: oh wow, I figured you were talking about someone playing OOTP and was like “what a severe name for someone playing a baseball sim”

9:48
bosoxforlife: Great work by Baez. He kept Arozarena in the park.

9:48
kevinthecomic: Ha, Tony — sounds like me and Facebook — all I use it for is booking classes at the gym and buying old boat motors, my two hobbies!

9:49
Avatar David Laurila: FWIW: A woman in my household just opined that Mr. Arozarena is good looking.

9:49
Paul Sporer: Nothing, just pessimism and trying to maintain some calm. I think it’s worth at least understanding what the downside can be. Doesn’t mean he can’t take the Alvarez path (well hopefully not the 2020 Alvarez, but I get your point)

9:49
Tony Wolfe: I completely deleted my facebook a couple of months back

9:49
Tony Wolfe: felt INCREDIBLE

9:49
Paul Sporer: LOL my sister sent this text on Sunday: Kevin & Randy are so hot

9:49
Guest: A man (yours truly) has also opined that Arozarena is good looking

9:49
Antonio Lobo: @Tony:  yes to getting rid of Facebook.  If only WhatsApp would release me too!

9:49
Paul Sporer: And frankly, she’s not wrong. My eyes work, I can admit when a gent is sharp looking

9:50
Deathstar Graterol: Chicks dig the long ball

9:50
Derek: yes killing your Facebook account is honestly such a great feeling. I recommend it to everyone

9:50
Jeremy: Kevin Keirmaier or Kevin Cash?

9:50
Man Robfred: I mean, OOTP can be pretty brutal at times.  I’ve had a couple surefire prospects turn into corpses.

9:50
Paul Sporer: Kiermaier

9:50
Josh: My partner thinks Belli is cute, but most importantly she’s tolerated 20 straight nights of baseball on the TV

9:50
Dave Roberts: I showed pictures to a friend saying that I wished I looked like Kevin Kiermaier and she was weirdly unimpressed

9:51
Guest: As an Angels fan, I officially added “Trading Ji-Man Choi Away” to the list of Arte Moreno’s sins…

9:51
Jim: I agree with that woman’s opinion. He makes me randy

9:51
Eel Ffilc: Randy Marsh Arozarena has tegridy

9:51
Tony Wolfe: my fiance was similarly unimpressed with glasnow

9:51
Paul Sporer: What?!

9:51
Tony Wolfe: I was shocked

9:51
Paul Sporer: We like what we like

9:52
Antonio Lobo: Glasnow does look like a Batman villain, to be fair.

9:52
Paul Sporer: Def surprised someone didn’t vibe w/Glasnow, though

9:52
Paul Sporer: Cillian Murphy lol

9:52
Avatar David Laurila: Glasnow is a pitching nerd, and that is definitely hot.

9:52
Paul Sporer: Agreed lol

9:52
Roach: Also, people are still stuck on 2008 Joe Buck, but he’s gotten much better since then.

9:52
Roach: She doesn’t like pitchers who give up 10 HRs in a postseason?

9:52
John: Fooled Joe Buck “THAT IS…..a ground ball to second

9:53
Paul Sporer: Full agree. I despised him back then and felt he couldn’t have cared less about baseball. He’s been markedly better the last couple years IMO

9:53
Jim: Hot take: IPAs are disgusting. Dan’s not here to ban me!

9:53
Lzfreak: Terrible take by Jim

9:54
Chamaco: Re: good people and the Dodgers – they have had some issues – Urías, Verdugo, Kapler, their international division…

9:54
Gest: Moreno didn’t trade Ji-Man Choi

December 10, 2015: Drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from the Baltimore Orioles in the 2015 rule 5 draft.
January 12, 2017: Granted Free Agency.

9:54
Derek: A few years old but a great article about Buck: https://www.theringer.com/2016/6/1/16041444/joe-buck-nfl-mlb-troy-aikm…

9:54
Tony Wolfe: that was one of the very first on that site, iirc

9:54
Paul Sporer: Sure, nothing is 100%. I think the pt was that the Rays & Dodgers are below the norm of problematic players

9:54
Jeremy: They’re worried McGee is a sleeper Ray.

9:55
Paul Sporer: LOL

9:55
Dan Szymborski: Banned! 🙂

9:55
Avatar David Laurila: I assume that’s the IPA talking.

9:55
Paul Sporer: Dan outta nowhere with the RKO!!!!

9:55
BettsBellingerCaruso: I just don’t understand Dave Roberts pulling a guy that’s dealing who’s had a rest after only 2 innings, who is normally a starter who could go a couple more innings

9:55
Paul Sporer: Ya I don’t get taking Wood out, tbh

9:56
Roach: Zunino’s so weird because it’s not like he’s swinging at a ton of pitches outside the zone…he just can’t hit anything in the zone.

9:56
Tony Wolfe: welp, it’ll be interesting to see how Snell does in this inning. the fifth was when he fell apart earlier in the series

9:56
Guest: Damn, guess I’m just looking for more reasons to dislike Arte.

9:56
Deathstar Graterol: Wood coming back tomorrow!

9:56
zabadoey: The Rays certainly didn’t shy away from problematic players in the past – Elijah Dukes was the poster boy for valuing talent over off-field problems; Delmon Young to a lessor extent.

9:56
Josh: The world would be a better place if sour beers had been the hipster craft beer, I’ll die on this hill

9:56
Paul Sporer: That’s pretty far back at this point with both

9:56
Paul Sporer: And both were drafted, not acquired

9:56
Appa Yip Yip: Corpse flirted with AOC when she did her Among Us twitch stream.

9:57
Paul Sporer: And why wouldn’t he?

9:57
Paul Sporer: That was a fun as hell stream

9:57
Asinwreck: Sure Snell has been dominant tonight, but has Paul’s puppy been awake to see it?

9:57
Tony Wolfe: really bummed I missed that among us stream

9:57
Paul Sporer: He’s watching The Bacherlorette with Jen

9:57
Avatar David Laurila: Probably not going to happen, but 1-0 going into the ninth would be cool.

9:57
Paul Sporer: @Tony, it’s on YouTube

9:58
Six Ten: I feel like it’s been forever since Bellinger has had a good meaningful plate appearance

9:58
Tony Wolfe: *eye emoji*

9:58
Guest: It seems every WS, we criticize Dave Roberts for over-managing his bullpen. Is he doing too much or are people just piling on?

9:59
Paul Sporer: @Tony – here is it on her Twitch, but there are great clip compilations on YT https://www.twitch.tv/videos/776770697

9:59
Tony Wolfe: Roberts deserves a lot of the criticism, but dogpiling on managers is such a huge part of how we watch the postseason, and the dodgers have been one of the most visible teams in the postseason for years now

9:59
Jim: Both

10:00
100: How many people are in this chat?

10:00
Tony Wolfe: 80 million

10:00
weezy: I feel like half of baseball rostered Ji Man Choi… I know he spent a lot of time in the Mariners MiLB system

10:00
Dave: How much actual automony do we really think Dave Roberts has in managing that bullpen?

10:01
Tony Wolfe: increasingly less with each year, probably

10:01
Avatar David Laurila: There are 234 chatting right now.

10:01
Jon: Aaand it’s political

10:01
Paul Sporer: Bc we mentioned AOC’s stream? Get a grip lol

10:01
Dodger Fan: Didn’t Choi play for Milwaukee?

10:01
Circler: This is Snell’s last game this season. Ride him all the way to 8 if he can control his pitches?

10:02
Paul Sporer: Yes on Choi and yes on Snell. Ride it as long as he’s dealing

10:02
Avatar David Laurila: Snell continues to deal.

10:02
Paul Sporer: 69 pitches through 5, very nice

10:02
Tony Wolfe: Snell deserves all the rope right now. Hasn’t been under any duress whatsoever

10:03
Roach: Rays want the bullpen as fresh as possible in case Morton isn’t Game 7 Charlie.

10:04
Avatar David Laurila: Let’s lay off the political stuff, folks. Fair amount of it queued up, but World Series Game 6 isn’t a great place for it.

10:04
Hugh Duffy: Just be careful with Snell third time through.

10:04
Sonny: this would be the first time all year Blake goes 6ip if it happens right?

10:04
Paul Sporer: Correct

10:04
Game 7: Who doesn’t want to see Buehler vs Morton in a winner take all? #gorays

10:04
Dodger Fan: WOW BLAKE

10:04
Dave: Snell hasn’t pitched deep all year, he’s about to start the third time through the order, and its only a 1 run lead

10:05
Avatar David Laurila: Circling back to the subject of C2H5OH, I’m drinking a Fat Tire Amber Ale. Beer goes well with baseball.

10:05
Tony Wolfe: all totally fair points

10:05
Paul Sporer: I get all that, but I mean with how he’s pitching, why would you take him out?

10:05
John: I know the Rays have a system but why would you not let Snell go at least 7 and maybe 8.  He’s useless to you in game 7 so burn him out if he’s still throwing well

10:05
Antonio Lobo: Yanks coulda kept Choi!  Would have been a fun platoon with Voit

10:05
Tony Wolfe: just don’t think any premature action is necessary here

10:05
Dave: Gotta think Snell only get 2 more batters, no matter how well he’s pitching

10:05
weezy: which member of the Rays pen do you think Cash trusts the most right now?

10:05
Avatar David Laurila: Hmmm. Fairbanks?

10:06
Dave Roberts: If you’re the Dodgers and you were offered a 1-0 Rays lead after 7 with Snell out of the game … would you take it?

10:06
Paul Sporer: The told ya so chuds will be out in full force if Snell gives up a 6th inn. HR, but again, what have we seen to suggest taking him out is at all the right move?

10:06
BettsBellingerCaruso: Seems like a 4-0 lead and not a 1-0 lead so far

10:07
Lzfreak: What happens to the Masked Singer if the Rays win?

10:07
Tony Wolfe: the Masked Singer is revealed to be Andy Sonnanstine

10:07
Paul Sporer: Hopefully it’s canceled

10:07
Avatar David Laurila: For Rays fans it probably feels like less than 1-0 lead.

10:07
Tony Wolfe: (I do not know how the masked singer works)

10:07
Paul Sporer: OMG I have a Sonnanstine shirsey

10:07
Tony Wolfe: woooooow

10:07
Paul Sporer: Loved him

10:08
BettsBellingerCaruso: I would take a 1-0 deficit after 7 innings
I have more faith in them getting 1 run off a RHP than Snell

The key is the Dodgers bullpen not allowing any further damage either which is honestly surprising

10:08
Paul Sporer: it goes well with my Kevin Slowey and Justin Duchscherer ones

10:08
Gerard: So far we have 24 outs, 18 K’s, correct? 5 hits, 2 hours

10:08
Eel Ffilc: Halloween, Friday the 13th, or A Nightmare on Elm Street?

10:08
Paul Sporer: Scream

10:08
casualballer: Any Whiteclaw drinkers out there? doesnt quite feel like the baseball watching demo overlaps with whiteclaw drinking crowd, but a man wonders

10:08
John Jaso Jingle Heimer Schmidt: I once saw a dude with a Cincinnati Reds Paul Konerko jersey. Probably the most impressive random jersey sighting.

10:08
Paul Sporer: Ain’t no laws when you’re drinking claws (shouts to Trevor Wallace)

10:09
Dodger Fan: Castillo

10:09
Paul Sporer: (answering the who is Cash most confident in Q, I’d imagine) ^^

10:09
Tony Wolfe: my sports editor at my college paper had a Johnny Manziel Padres jersey and I envied the hell out of him for it

10:09
Lzfreak: Love Kevin Slowey!

10:09
Dodger Fan: Brusdar Graterol is warming up

10:09
Appa Yip Yip: Apologies chatters I didn’t mean to make it political I just thought it was funny that sexy deep voice man shot his shot with a sitting congresswoman.

10:09
Jesse: I love seltzers, but cannot find a hard one I’m into

10:09
Derek: Whiteclaw is fine. A good beer is better though

10:10
Paul Sporer: You didn’t make it political, don’t worry at all. And I brought up the stream initially. I don’t regret it at all lol

10:10
Avatar David Laurila: SloweY works for the MLBPA these days, I think.

10:10
Tony Wolfe: I’m not a hard seltzer guy at all

10:10
Lzfreak: Are the Dodgers gonna burn through their high leverage guys tonight?

10:10
Paul Sporer: They’re down 1-0. Why play for tomorrow if you can end it tonight?

10:10
Chamaco: 18 Ks for Snell in 9 and 2/3 World Series innings…pretty good

10:10
Roach: Plus, whatever contact the Dodgers have managed has been rather weak.

10:11
Choi1: Sure – Roberts has had his list of questionable bullpen decisions…but like it or not, his decisions in G6 so far has produced good results

10:11
Choi1: what a year for Victor Gonzalez

10:11
5 Run Homer: That is an incredible list of jerseys to have

10:11
Dave Roberts: it’s 19 strikeouts out of 31 outs

10:11
Dodger Fan: VICTOR

10:11
casualballer: Gonzalez missing low a lot… he’s pitched a lot recently, you think he’s tired?

10:11
Antonio Lobo: Victor is  G!

10:11
Dodger Fan: Game 6: Strikeouts!

10:11
John: A Luis Tiant mention.  Hall of Famer or no?

10:12
5 Run Homer: I still don’t know who Victor Gonzalez is, he just started showing up in the postseason I had never heard of him

10:12
Paul Sporer: I learned of him via MLB The Show and then researched him

10:12
BettsBellingerCaruso: Gonzalez command looking a bit shaky is why I think taking Wood out too early was a mistake

10:12
Dave: Everyone will be available tomorrow for the Dodgers, so they’re not burning through anyone.

10:12
Socrates: What’s the better line drive descriptor: “laced” or “rifled”?

10:13
Paul Sporer: I’m big on “laced”

10:13
John Jaso Jingle Heimer Schmidt: Like birds, Victor Gonzalez isn’t real.

10:13
casualballer: rifled feels like a throw term

10:13
Dodger Fan: I’m a fan of “bonked”

10:13
Steve Nebraska: So if snell keeps this up tonight and the rays win, how close is the mvp between he and Arozarena?

10:14
Paul Sporer: I made a loose case for him on a radio spot tonight that if he killed it and Aroz didn’t have a huge 6 or 7, he’d be a heavy consideration. Of course, Aroz is responsible for the run soooo

10:14
Antonio Lobo: so far, after the shaky Gonsolin open, dodgers have allowed 0 BB, 1 H, 7K

10:14
Mad Joe-Don: Tiant would get my vote.

10:14
Bugs Bunny: 1 vote for scorched

10:14
Paul Sporer: I like Gonzalez gets hyped

10:14
Avatar David Laurila: Jack Morris threw 126 pitches in his CG 10-inning Game 7 win against Smoltz and the Braves in 1991.

10:14
Paul Sporer: He’d best not bitch if some stares at a homer, though

10:15
Jeremy: I know it’s very unlikely, but 1-0 going into the 9th with Snell still out there would be pretty awesome.

10:15
Dodger Fan: *Pumps fist*

10:15
Choi1: WOW VICTOR…

10:15
Paul Sporer: That feels like an eternity ago, David

10:15
Dave: I see no way Snell passes Arozarena without someone blowing the lead, leading to a game 7 where Snell pitches amazingly

10:15
Avatar David Laurila: It was.

10:15
Paul Sporer: Snell ain’t pitchin tomorrow

10:15
Jim: March feels like an eternity ago…

10:15
Paul Sporer: I know it’s all hands on deck, but if he’s going 6-7, no chance for tomorrow

10:16
Paul Sporer: Hell, July is, Jim

10:16
Dodger Fan: VICGON

10:16
Deathstar Graterol: Kerblooied

10:16
Lzfreak: I like “smoked”

10:16
Paul Sporer: Smoked is good, too. Big fan of raking to describe hitting well, too

10:16
Socrates: What’s the better term for a good throw: throwing a “seed” or has a “cannon”?

10:16
Paul Sporer: Ooh, I tend to use both, but I think cannon gets more burn from me

10:17
Choi1: off day yesterday,,, endgame tomorrow… no need to hold back if you’re roberts tonight

10:17
Paul Sporer: Full agree

10:17
Cito’s Mustache: How many extra innings would need to be played tomorrow for Kershaw to make an appearance?

10:17
Paul Sporer: None necessary. I think there’s a good chance he pitches in the middle innings

10:17
5 Run Homer: Laced is really great for specific hits

10:18
Appa Yip Yip: “seed” feels like an infield term and “cannon” is for outfielders

10:18
5 Run Homer: Seed=accurate, cannon=strong

10:18
Antonio Lobo: i’ve never heard of “throwing a seed”

10:18
Guest: On a string…

10:18
Choi1: fun fact – the Dodgers have NEVER been shutout this season (reg season and playoffs) – i like their chances

10:18
Paul Sporer: Frozen rope is a good one too

10:18
Josh: I feel like “shoved” has gotten more common for dominant pitching, and I like it

10:18
Tony Wolfe: these dodgers… they are good

10:18
Avatar David Laurila: Babe Ruth pitched all 14 innings in World Series Game 2, in 1916. He won 2-1.

10:18
John Jaso Jingle Heimer Schmidt: Who is the best non-Trout fish name in baseball?

Pollock, Salmon, Catfish Hunter?

10:18
Tony Wolfe: catfish automatically because it’s a first name

10:19
Paul Sporer: Shoved started to get popularized and then was massively overused, at least in the circle I had so I kinda got tired of it. 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 K and ppl saying someone shoved lol

10:19
Dave: Tomorrow would be Kershaw’s throw day, right?

10:19
Paul Sporer: Si

10:19
Jeremy: Is it only us Canadians who are seeing the Coors Light commercial where some guy is chillin’ with his friends in his apartment that’s decorated with…a taxidermy bighorn sheep head?

10:20
Avatar David Laurila: Probably. Unless they’re getting that in Lithuania.

10:20
Paul Sporer: NOOOOO

10:20
Paul Sporer: I don’t like this

10:20
Choi1: REALLY?

10:20
Guest: That’s interesting

10:20
Tony Wolfe: lol look at blake man

10:21
Paul Sporer: He’s livid

10:21
Tony Wolfe: yeah I hate this

10:21
Roach: Is Austin Barnes the most passive hitter in baseball?

10:21
Paul Sporer: One of for sure

10:21
Vacuum: I may be sold on Aroz. I’m in a keeper diamond mind baseball league and have the first rookie pick. It’s between Luis Robert and Aroz!

10:21
Tony Wolfe: if you measure by z-swing%, the most passive is David Fletcher https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=4…

10:21
Paul Sporer: Oooh I don’t envy that choice

10:22
casualballer: Theres a lot of great terms that dont get the usage they used to. Twirled is an old favorite of mine.

10:22
Paul Sporer: Twirling a gem is a goodie. Always felt you needed to go like 8-9 for that, though

10:22
Avatar David Laurila: Cash was asked earlier in the Series about sticking with the script regarding pitching changes, and if it’s sometimes difficult to do. He said that it definitely is.

10:22
Jeremy: Catfish Hunter. Not close.

10:22
jm: definitely catfish

10:23
BLABB: I’m surprised the Dodgers have not been more patient at the plate.

10:23
Paul Sporer: Hard when Snell is dealing

10:23
bosoxforlife: I am rooting for Snell but if Cash goes insane and pulls him before he shows any sign of laboring then I hope that Cash looks like a fool.

10:23
Tony Wolfe: Barnes actually got much more aggressive this year. Swing rate jumped six points

10:23
5 Run Homer: Shoving and raking are the coolest terms

10:23
Plato: Looking like the Dodgers are needing to claw back in this one

10:23
Dodger Fan: Nick Anderson is warming up

10:23
Tony Wolfe: z-swing% went up by 13

10:23
Dave: Like clockwork

10:23
Dave: He is not pleased

10:23
Dodger Fan: Austin Barnes WS MVP? (kidding)

10:23
Antonio Lobo: DID NOT SEE THAT HOOK COMING!  SCHMEE

10:23
LarryTheBerry: It feels like Snell’s stuff is getting a bit worse, a lot more contact (albiet weak) and velocity is a bit down. I wouldn’t give him much more rope

10:23
Dodger Fan: Oh my god they’re pulling him…YAY

10:23
Dave Roberts: oh wow I cannot believe they’re taking him out

10:23
Fangraph’s Lurker: would not pull snell

10:23
Jeremy: PULLING SNELL?!

10:23
bosoxforlife: insanity has struck. I am now rooting for the Dodgers.

10:24
Lzfreak: Man this might be the right move but it sucks to see Snell leave

10:24
Eel Ffilc: Da fuq Cash

10:24
Guest: I guess not surprising. This is still 2020, not 1990

10:24
Circler: Taking Snell out after that? Not sure about that Rays

10:24
Cito’s Mustache: There’s short leash, and then there’s no leash. Wow.

10:24
Appa Yip Yip: Snell out here calling his manager a slap dick

10:24
Derek: top of the lineup probably more of a factor than anything else

10:24
Guest: I hate this version of baseball

10:24
5 Run Homer: Snell was not happy

10:24
Dave: I believe I had that

10:24
Adam: Blake Snell also did not like it

10:24
Mad Joe-Don: Doctor Hook.

10:24
Guest: I can’t believe Cash is yanking Snell

10:24
Six Ten: 73 pitches and he’s made Betts look awful. I get it but … it’s not fun.

10:24
Dodger Fan: As a Dodger fan I love this, as a baseball fan I do not

10:24
casualballer: Sam Miller once said that the definition of a gem is 7 more innings then runs given up.

10:24
Paul Sporer: Karma

10:25
Blake Sne: “F^*& this I’m gonna go stream”

10:25
CJ: Charlie Steiner is pointing out Anderson has pitched a bit recently

10:25
Sonny: Rays got here by being the Rays but mannnnnnnnn I wanted to watch Snell more

10:25
Webs: Kevin Bass is in the Fish Name Hall of Fame.

10:25
Guest: After Blake’s fit of anger, Terry Collins would have put Snell back in

10:25
Jeremy: Why would you bring in the reliever who has been terrible for weeks?

10:25
Paul Sporer: I think that’s an overstatment

10:26
Tony Wolfe: not nearly enough of a sample to say anderson is suddenly terrible, but he sure has gone cold

10:26
Guest: Wait they bring in Anderson?? This is as close to high leverage as you can get and Anderson has been… not great

10:26
Paul Sporer: Not great is a fair assessment, terrible is not

10:26
Fangraph’s Lurker: -.-

10:26
kdl: How much was this a “short leash” vs. 3rd time thru the order

10:26
Paul Sporer: Aren’t they one in the same

10:26
Captain Obvious: Intentional walk now?

10:26
Section329: Dodgers glad Snell is gone

10:27
Kevin Cash: anderson has about a 15% k rate this postseason.  He’s tired.  Worse than any third time penalty for snell

10:27
Lzfreak: This could get second guessed

10:27
Paul Sporer: Already is

10:27
Paul Sporer: We’d been gassing Z’s defense and then that, woooow

10:27
kevinthecomic: And the new pitcher bounces in a run

10:27
Antonio Lobo: i like austin barnes

10:28
Lzfreak: Zunino missed that one

10:28
5 Run Homer: That’s… bad

10:28
Deathstar Graterol: Oh boy

10:28
Indy: Ooooooooooo

10:28
AdamZ: Oops

10:28
Sam: Oh that’s so brutal

10:28
Jeremy: Welp welp.

10:28
Sonny: That was a tough play for Z

10:28
Derek: Wow

10:28
5 Run Homer: OH NOOOOOOOO

10:28
Paul Sporer: GG

10:28
jm: Yikes.

10:28
AdamZ: Mookie Betts rules

10:28
5 Run Homer: THE RAYSSSSSSSSSSSS

10:28
Section329: Damn I want game 7

10:28
Appa Yip Yip: Blake Snell demands trade

10:28
bosoxforlife: Mookie delivers when it counts, in every way as usual.

10:28
Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: None of this is new, down to Blake’s reaction. And in Cash’s defense, this plan has gotten them to the best record in the AL, through NYY and HOU, and to game six against the best team in baseball.

10:28
Deathstar Graterol: snell might not be pleased

10:28
Dodger Fan: Glorious

10:28
Sonny: Sorry, catcher apologist 4 eva

10:28
Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: This is pretty up there for ways to lose a World Series.

10:29
Bugs Bunny: Feels like Zunino has been blocking balls like that all post season

10:29
Jeremy: Betts is a heck of a baserunner

10:29
kevinthecomic: Cash is gonna get killed for fhis

10:29
Captain Obvious: Austin Barnes doesn’t score on that

10:29
Dodger Fan: I am now loving this

10:29
Blake Snell: “F@&$&@&@!!!!!!!!”

10:29
Appa Yip Yip: Imagine trading Mookie Betts. Imagine.

10:29
Smiling Politely: Not a great defensive series for the Rays there

10:29
Guest: Mookie’s secondary lead is textbook and his base running instincts are superb

10:29
Eel Ffilc: That’s how you run the bases

10:29
Avatar David Laurila: Luis Tiant threw a 173-pitch complete game in World Series Game 4 in 1975. He got the win in a 5-4 game. Once upon a time you stuck with your ace.

10:29
Kevin Cash: “Dave Robert’s was my inspiration for this choice”

10:29
John Henry: Why can’t we get guys like Mookie Betts?

10:29
Capt obvious: And theres the third wheel coming off the bus.

10:29
Vacuum: gee whiz, you could probably convince me Cash got paid cash to throw this game!

10:29
Guest: I can see Blake Snell saying something that may get him traded.

10:29
NickG: That was suboptimal, from the Rays’ perspective.

10:29
Jordan: I love Kevin Cash. I think he’s a phenomenal manager. But pulling Snell is just absolute lunacy.

10:30
Guest: If the Dodgers pull this off the Dave Roberts narrative is going to immediately shift to Kevin Cash

10:30
Tony Wolfe: Cash already had a reputation when it came to this stuff

10:30
Avatar David Laurila: Loud. Out.

10:30
Tony Wolfe: Just had never blown up on him like this, at least to my recollection

10:30
Fangraph’s Lurker: I don’t even blame snell if he goes off

10:30
Sonny: LA pen still has 9 outs to go and it’s only a 1 run lead

10:30
Derek: I think Turner thought that was gone

10:30
Webs: We all that was out, right?

10:30
Dodger Fan: SO CLOSE

10:30
Lzfreak: Those stranded baserunners in the first couple innings are looming large

10:31
Guest: There’s going to be a big analytics backlash.

10:31
Bat: Get Anderson out of the game NOW.

10:31
Guest: Leaving the starter in is kinda like the debate over self driving cars. Even if self driving cars are safer, people would rather be responsible for their own accidents

10:31
Dave Roberts: Turner reacted like it wasn’t enough. Honestly incredible that they can hit it 99% of the way to the wall and immediately know it wasn’t far enough

10:31
Paul Sporer: I was looking at the chat and quickly looked over & was worried he was admiring it, but ya he knew right away

10:32
Six Ten: There’s a difference between falling for the hot hand fallacy, which is largely about mistaking uncontrollable things for controllable, and knowing when someone is working the ball all over a tremendous lineup. Nothing Snell was doing looked figured out yet.

10:32
Captain Obvious: Guys, gals, y’alls. Lets not put a “hold my beer” moment past Dave Roberts.

10:32
Twitch Streamer: How do I twitch with Snell tonight? Want to hear about his slapdick manager’

10:32
Paul Sporer: He doesn’t stream during the season

10:32
rube waddell: Happy for the Dodgers and mad at Kevin Cash at the same time (?!)

10:33
Sonny: Im with Rube

10:33
Derek: Honestly taking Snell out is very defensible. He hasn’t gone 6 all year! He did allow a baserunner, Betts was coming up again… Obviously it didn’t work out, but like, it’s not insane is all I’m saying

10:33
Appa Yip Yip: Let’s not forget that the Rays are also really really good this ain’t over.

10:33
Lzfreak: How many current managers pull Snell in that situation?

10:33
Tony Wolfe: I’d imagine Cash isn’t the only one

10:34
Tony Wolfe: Front office likely had a lot to do with how he made his call there, and other front offices might have similar takes

10:34
Tony Wolfe: Depends on the pitcher, too. I could see David Bell being similarly aggressive with someone who isn’t Bauer

10:35
Kenley Jansen: “I might get a chance for a save now!!!”

10:35
kevinthecomic: And now your entire season rides on the arm of Aaron Loup….

10:35
Tony Wolfe: what your mouth when you talk about the rays’ highest-paid reliever

10:35
Dave: With a bigger lead, maybe they let Snell countinue, but with a 1 run game it’s probably the right call given the pitcher.

10:35
Roach: Such as that most starters struggle going through the 3rd time through the order, so that is the optimal time to bring in relievers.

But someone who is all about analytics completely misses that they’re a guideline, not an instruction manual.

Even if Snell wasn’t striking out the Dodgers with impunity anymore, they weren’t making strong contact.

10:35
DJ Kitty: Man… Rays fans want to know if sample size shenanigans with Anderson, or overworked through an extended playoffs?

10:35
Paul Sporer: Wait what, Dave? He’s their best pitcher pitching his best, I don’t follow what you’re saying

10:36
S: When do we see Kershaw warming?

10:36
Paul Sporer: Tomorrow.

10:36
Dave Roberts: “Hey don’t count me out! I can still have Baez pitch the next two innings even after giving up a couple bombs, because ME!”

10:36
Jordan: As a Rays fan, all I can hope for now is Kenley Jansen in a high leverage situation

10:36
CJ: There is a thin line between being Kershaw-ed and Snell-ed

10:36
Tony Wolfe: It isn’t just bad luck w/ Anderson — his K% has been wayyyyyyy down in the postseason

10:36
Tony Wolfe: Why that is, I’m not sure

10:37
Tony Wolfe: Maybe fatigue has something to do with it, but he only pitched two months of a regular season instead of six, so I kind of doubt it?

10:37
Bat: As a Rays fan…this half inning has seemed like an eternity.

10:37
Man Robfred: If Cash leaves in Snell and the same result happened, then we get a repeat of the hand-wringing we had over Matt Harvey in WS 2015.

10:37
ChatzMcGee: If they don’t come back, I’d just like to give my condolences to Kevin Cash for the press conference he’s going to have to face.

10:37
Guest: remember when they left the dark Knight in against the Royals, 2015

10:37
Tony Wolfe: Don’t know about that. That was the ninth inning and Harvey had thrown, what, 20-30 more pitches?

10:37
Captain Obvious: 61% win probability to 25% in the span of 2 batters (3 plays).

10:37
CJ: Now the fun starts

10:37
Paul Sporer: Oh you mean for the 9th inning w/over 100 pitches? Yeah, super similar situation

10:38
Webs: If the Dodgers are up by two, do we see Walker come in for the save?

10:38
Tony Wolfe: no

10:38
Paul Sporer: lol no chance

10:38
Remaerdbob: Skip Bayless hated the decision. Maybe some of us should reconsider our opinions.

10:38
Paul Sporer: Blind squirrel yada yada

10:38
Avatar David Laurila: Postgame press conference after tough losses are no fun, but Cash will handle it well if the Rays don’t come back to win.

10:38
Tony Wolfe: there’s trying to win tonight, and then there’s totally screwing yourself for a possible game 7

10:38
Paul Sporer: Not just going to change my mind because that clown landed on the right one for once

10:39
Roach: Walker has talked about how he is not comfortable being put in as a reliever.

10:39
Chamaco: Instead of bashing Cash, maybe we should give some credit to Mookie for the double and great base running?

10:39
Eel Ffilc: Snell gave up one run, two hits, no walks, nine strikeouts. But the guy who had given up a run in six straight appearances was the right call

10:39
Antonio Lobo: IMO, if you didn’t score 4 runs, you can’t blame anyone but the hitters (or the opposing pitching and defense)

10:39
Man Robfred: Oh I agree Tony and Paul.  I just think we would be getting plenty of hindsight looking as well.

10:39
Adam: Seems like picking Anderson should be the big second guess topic rather than pulling Snell?

10:39
Captain Obvious: Does the K% for all pitchers (on average) go down in the postseason? presumably due to facing better competition…

10:40
Tony Wolfe: I don’t think so? I don’t have the numbers in front of me but plenty of postseason teams have high K% as a lineup

10:40
Tony Wolfe: like the rays!

10:40
Choi1: Urias sighting!

10:40
Dave: I agree with Adam that Anderson is a more questionable call than pulling Snell

10:40
Roach: @Captain Obvious It can go down, but down to 15%? At that point you’re pitching to contact and nothing in Nick Anderson’s profile indicates he’s a guy who relies on weak contact.

10:40
Dodger Fan: 7 more outs (yes I will be doing a countdown)

10:41
Paul Sporer: I’d imagine it goes up as batters are facing better pitchers constantly

10:41
Paul Sporer: K%: 25% regular season, 28% playoffs

10:41
Dave Roberts: Urias gets the last two if Graterol (et al) gets through this?

10:41
Avatar David Laurila: Zunino is due.

10:41
Tony Wolfe: I definitely think we see Treinen over Urias in the ninth

10:42
Paul Sporer: Way overdue

10:42
Graterol: “Time for a changeup at 100”

10:42
Paul Sporer: If it were a baby, it’d be a toddler in the mom’s tummy at this point

10:42
Cito’s Mustache: There’s still time for Arozarena to make his manager look less foolish.

10:42
Webs: This is Graterol’s seventh pitch. Time to pull him.

10:42
Avatar David Laurila: Zunino is now slightly less due.

10:43
Dave: that was a meatball

10:43
Section329: Z!

10:43
Steve Nebraska: Look at that, zunino was due

10:43
BLABB: The Dodgers have just been through Heaven and Snell.

10:43
Kevin: Maybe the Rays can put in proven clutch hitter Brett Phillips

10:43
Game 7: Who is left in the pen for LAD? Trienen, May, Graterol I guess to finish this?

10:43
Paul Sporer: And Urias

10:43
Remaerdbob: Damn the moderators for not posting my comment that he was due for a single!

10:44
Webs: J A N S E N

10:44
Roach: Joe Kelly if you really want to roll the dice

10:44
Choi1: can Graterol go 2 IP here?

10:44
Paul Sporer: No

10:44
bosoxforlife: Treinen is definitely getting the call in the 9th.

10:44
devastated fan: Blake Snell did THAT to one of the greatest offenses ever assembled. And he got yanked in the 6th, 2 over the minimum?

10:44
Derek: Urias here feels weird. Like a new age version of what Roberts has done with Kershaw in the past – forcing him in when there are fine options in the bullpen already

10:45
Jeremy: How much should the Rays care if their approach pisses off Snell? I mean, unless Snell quits on them to force a trade, I guess they can just not care what he thinks, because it’s not as if they were going to resign him once he hits free agency anyway?

10:45
Paul Sporer: I’d be really surprised if he quit on the team. That’s not his style at all.

10:45
Avatar David Laurila: The comments are coming fast and furious. There are dozens I don’t think we’ve even read yet, to be honest.

10:45
Tony Wolfe: ^

10:45
Tony Wolfe: you guys are blowing us up. it’s fun!

10:45
Bat: Man Robfred: there is no comparison to pulling Snell here and pulling Harvey in Game 5 of the 2015 WS…Harvey threw 111 pitches in that game…Snell had thrown 73!!!

10:45
CJ: Treinen in the 9th right?

10:46
Jim: Here comes the Dave Roberts Wild Bullpen Ride ™

10:46
Paul Sporer: I’d say so

10:46
bosoxforlife: Put me down as one who thinks Urias is the right man, right now.

10:46
Nick: What kind of odds could I have gotten on Lysol being a key sponsor of the World Series back in, say, February?

10:46
Dave: Its rather odd that the deepeest, most expensive team in baseball is down to 2 starters and bullpen games in the postseason

10:46
Paul Sporer: LOL, wonder if you could find a book putting that up

10:46
Avatar David Laurila: Urias may well be in to the end.

10:46
Bat: Urias has been lights out and only needs 7 outs here to close out the season.

10:46
Tony Wolfe: he ain’t finishing

10:47
Avatar David Laurila: That fastball away id a pitch Cash has said Rays hitters ned to lay off vs Urias.

10:47
bosoxforlife: I still think it will be Treinen.

10:47
Paul Sporer: I feel like he *could*, Tony.

10:47
Eel Ffilc: Didn’t the Rays and Snell get into a spat then he signed an extension?

10:48
Tony Wolfe: Idk if I’d call it a spat

10:48
Remaerdbob: I hope Phillips runs the bases like an airplane.

10:48
Tony Wolfe: Snell was vocal about them only giving him a meager raise after he won the Cy

10:48
Paul Sporer: Ya that’s an unfair assessment

10:48
Tony Wolfe: He got an extension shortly after that

10:48
ChatzMcGee: I’ve gotta imagine the aNaLyTiCs ArE rUiNiNg sports takes are already coming in.

10:48
Sonny: JOE! KELLY! JOE! KELLY! JOE! KELLY!

10:48
Dave: Nasty pitch

10:48
Fangraph’s Lurker: crazy to think a homer ties it

10:48
Guest: WOWZA

10:48
Dodger Fan: SIX OUTS TO GO

10:48
Paul Sporer: I certainly don’t agree w/that. Hate the Snell move, but still greatly subscribe to analytics

10:49
BLABB: He Gone!

10:49
Choi1: Urias has to go in for the 8th. Has to.

10:49
Paul Sporer: You can like analytics and still disagree with individual moves. The dumbass binary that ppl try to construct is insane

10:49
Paul Sporer: Oh for sure, Choi

10:49
Tony Wolfe: agreed, paul

10:49
Adam123566: Any chance we see Jansen at some point?

10:49
Paul Sporer: Might have to, but they wanna avoid it

10:49
Cito’s Mustache: Yandy Diaz looks like someone who should hit 40 bombs a year easy, not be a low ISO, high OBP guy. I kinda love it.

10:50
Dave: Randy is up next, and he’s realistically the only thing you should consider about the next inning

10:50
Paul Sporer: BTW, I wasn’t suggesting that you were subscribing to that binary at all Chatz

10:50
Crash: Walk Arozarena.  Give him the Bonds treatment

10:50
Roach: Jansen is either in garbage time (either the Dodgers or the Rays have what seems like an insurmountable lead) or extra innings.

10:50
Paul Sporer: Arozarena has been markedly better vR in the post

10:50
Guest: This feels risky in the sense that I have no idea how they’d fill 9 innings tomorrow without Urias if they lose.

10:50
Tony Wolfe: with a day off yesterday, I’m not all that worried about that

10:51
Remaerdbob: Smoltz actually hasn’t been too bad as far as his criticism of the analytics-based pitching decisions in this game.

10:51
Dave: You can’t walk the leadoff guy (with decent speed especially)

10:51
Smiling Politely: Roberts said that Urias, Buehler, and Kershaw were unavailable today (fwiw)

10:51
Paul Sporer: Interesting re: Urias

10:51
Dodger Fan: Strategy: just don’t lose

10:51
Dave Roberts: former starter joe kelly is ready to eat innings

10:51
I am rooting for Game7: the Snell pull, I would not have done, but at least it’s analytically defensible from a 3rd time penalty. But to sub in Anderson, who’d been getting rocked all postseason?

10:52
Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: Jansen blowing a lead would be amazing, everyone would forget about Kevin Cash.

10:52
I am rooting for Game7: can lolDodgers be the playoff equivalent of lolmets?

10:52
Joe Kelly: “Can we score some more runs so I can come in and hit someone for manufactured drama? This WS has been far too tame”

10:52
Guest: Fairbanks is the guy I expected them to put in after snell, not Anderson

10:52
Paul Sporer: Same

10:52
Sonny: Fairbanks has big: ‘I thought that was due next week’ energy and it stresses me out

10:53
Paul Sporer: Think Tony eyed Fairbanks as his #1 RP, too

10:53
Dave: Fairbanks looking like a deer in headlights makes me feel nervous, and I’m rooting for the dodgers

10:53
5 Run Homer: hoo Boy

10:53
Fire Ken Tremendous: Fairbanks always looks like that

10:53
Cam: Kevin Cash definitely fell victim to a pre-conceived plan and not being able to shift with the moment. The blueprint would be to pull Snell around 5, but the blueprint also didn’t have him blowing the Dodgers away like this. Bottom line is, the guy who had the best shot of getting the next guy out, was the guy already on the mound – Kevin Cash probably knew that, but gave in anyway.

10:53
Paul Sporer: Beans from Even Stevens with a smash

10:53
Appa Yip Yip: Just saw on twitter that Kershaw is in the bullpen.

10:54
Tony Wolfe: man, what was the exit velo of that ball after it bounced off the wall?

10:54
Guest: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

10:54
simpson: cam is correct ^^^

10:54
Guest: NO KERSHAW TODAY!!!

10:54
Antonio Lobo: #1 feeling of relief tonight:  Snell getting pulled.  #2 feeling of relief: seeing that Phillips has been subbed out of the game.  No airplane heroics tonight!

10:55
Tony Wolfe: being two pitches behind and trying to keep up with the chat queue is stressful

10:55
Tony Wolfe: keep seeing like six “OH GOD NO”s in a row and being like “welp, guess we’ll see what that’s about”

10:55
Paul Sporer: I’m still not sure why internet streaming is markedly slower than cable

10:55
Choi1: you have legit options in Urias and Treinen… no need for Kershaw tonight please.

10:55
CJ: You have TONS of lefties. WHY IS KERSHAW WARMING UP???

10:57
Dave: The only question here is whether Urias is the right guy to pitch to Randy

10:57
Dave: Watching 2 of the most analytically inclined teams compete for the title, and still not sure if analytics work in the post season… priceless

10:57
Dodger Fan: No guy is the right guy to pitch to Randy

10:57
Captain Obvious: Bad framing on the 0-0 pitch

10:57
Appa Yip Yip: Kershaw is warming up because the narrative demands it.

10:57
Remaerdbob: Is Kershaw warming up, or just sitting in the pen?

10:57
CJ: KERSHAW IS BETTER AGAINST RANDY???

10:57
Jeremy: I want game 7, so I’m hoping to see Kershaw-Jansen-Kelly to finish.

10:57
Paul Sporer: These anti-analytics dipshits someone were convinced that analytical ppl think they work 100% instead of being based on probabilities lol

10:57
Remaerdbob: I hope Cash doesn’t take out Snell. Hope you guys aren’t too far behind to post this before he makes the decision.

10:57
kevinthecomic: Definition of insanity……

10:58
BringBackDeSpanielHair: I say they just walk Randy

10:58
Smiling Politely: Did we all collectively hallucinate the existence of Jake McGee? Did I just imagine his season?

10:58
Avatar David Laurila: This game demands/deserves a Kershaw narrative.

10:59
Fire Ken Tremendous: Who is better in lf? Pollock or Pederson?

10:59
Guest: Urias was unavailable today???

10:59
Tony Wolfe: pretty sure it’s joc

10:59
Paul Sporer: Guess managers lie

10:59
Smiling Politely: Maybe Clayton Kershaw comes out of the pen only to tear his mask off and reveal that he was really Jake McGee the whole time!

10:59
Appa Yip Yip: Not gonna lie it make me a little bit happy that Mookie Betts, superhuman athlete and apparently excellent person, is balding in his twenties and I have a full ass head of hair.

10:59
John: There is no narrative that these announcers can’t beat to death

11:00
hillbillyjoel: They reported just before the game that Roberts had changed his mind re: Urias

11:00
Joe: I mean, don’t we do analytics here? Shouldn’t we all want to pull Snell? Somewhat devil’s advocate, but also really asking.

11:00
Paul Sporer: The analytics I was looking at said he was dealing against an elite lineup and gave me my best chance that inning

11:01
Josh:

a problem with doing everything by the book is that the other team has the book

28 Oct 2020
11:01
MikeS: Feel the right call would had been to let Snell pitch to Betts and bring Loup  vs Seager if needed.

11:01
Avatar David Laurila: In 2013 World Series Game 5 — the series was tied — there was a lot of “Don’t let Jon Lester go through the order a third time” buzz on social media. He did, and the Red Sox won.

11:02
ChatzMcGee: Putting in Kershaw would be the dumbest move ever. That’d be 100% on Roberts just trying to do Kershaw a solid over trying to win the game. It makes no sense and I hope it doesn’t happen because if it backfires it’s going to have exactly the opposite effect Roberts is trying for.

11:02
Six Ten: Roberts’s relationship with his mask continued to confound and amuse me.

11:02
Lzfreak: I mentioned this in a chat the other day but Jake McGee is the only player in this series drafted by the Devil Rays

11:03
Will Smith: “This week: win a World Series. Next week? Get my learner’s permit”

11:03
Fire Ken Tremendous: I wonder how over the air compares to cable

11:04
Cito’s Mustache: Why is internet streaming slower than cable? The spinny wheel has become sentient and is spiting us all.

11:04
Guest: Sometimes people forget the right move might only move the needle .01%. It isn’t a guarantee the right move will work

11:04
Guest: I don’t agree with pulling Snell, but I don’t understand what Smoltz’s logic is either.

11:04
Kevin: What has that Dodgers clubbie Chico been up to?  Can he pitch?

11:04
Dave: Atleast they’re finally talking about OPS instead of BA

11:05
Guest: Dodgers going to win with Kershaw getting the save and striking out the side with the basses loaded

11:05
Dave Roberts: seager’s hair is incredible

11:05
Cash’s Boner: Merkle had nothing on me

11:05
Remaerdbob: Why does Austin Barnes hardly play at all during the season and then become the starting catcher during the postseason?

11:05
Guest: Seager’s hair FTW

11:05
Cito’s Mustache: Jerry Meals’ strike zone has been less than stellar tonight.

11:05
Roach: If I’m Austin Barnes, I’m so confused on what constitutes a strike right now.

11:05
Fire Ken Tremendous: It seems like Seager’s been working on a shampoo endorsement this whole postseason

11:05
Avatar David Laurila: Not too many complaints that I’ve noticed.

11:06
Dodger Fan: Please no Kershaw

11:06
Josh: Seager hair is very Steve Herrington from Stranger Things right now

11:06
Roach: Dave Roberts has forgotten about McGee as well, so you’ll forgive us if we do.

11:06
bosoxforlife: Analytics certainly have their place but the fact that they dominate, at the complete disregard for what is actually happening on the field, is what sends me into hysterics.

11:07
Captain Obvious: Two managers both rely on analytics, and one of them loses. Analytics must be to blame.

11:07
CJ: ON Dodgers radio feed, Rick Monday mentioned Kershaw is in the bullpen. There was SILENCE. Even they know. Just can’t say it.

11:07
Cito’s Mustache: *from a Statcast and/or Fox Sports overlay the zone has been inconsistent. You’re right that neither team has had an issue with it.

11:07
Roach: @Remaerdbob For one, Will Smith’s catching is….not great. Someone on Reddit posted that Austin Barne’s catcher ERA is ~3 while Will Smith’s is ~7.

11:08
Smiling Politely: But that’s not analytics…that’s just bad management

11:08
Joe West: “Back in my day, if the ball hits the batter and I don’t like him, it’s strike 3”

11:08
BringBackDeSpanielHair: I want this game to go 15 innings, with Kershaw getting the save after Kenley blows it on a fielding error in the 13th and Mookie finally hits a bomb to break the gridlock

11:08
Avatar David Laurila: And why not?

11:08
kevinthecomic: Remember when Buck Showalter forgot about Zach Britton?

11:08
Paul Sporer: That was so rough

11:08
Avatar David Laurila: Buck regrets that.

11:08
AdamZ: Austin Barnes has twtw

11:08
BringBackDeSpanielHair: Austin Barnes needs a shave

11:08
Sonny: Over the air is 8 seconds ahead of the radio stream if that helps

11:09
Eel Ffilc: Solak for Fairbanks is an interesting trade I didn’t give enough attention to

11:09
Paul Sporer: I gave it some love but more bc I loved Solak. I assumed the Rays weren’t ripped off bc they almost never are, but I didn’t give Fairbanks a ton of attention

11:09
Tony Wolfe: if I were the Rays I would simply score more than one run in an elimination game in the World Series

11:10
Appa Yip Yip: Randy can only do so much

11:10
Remaerdbob: Pretty sure I saw a Fangraphs article in the past that concluded that, even when a pitcher is dominating, it’s generally better to go to the bullpen for the third time through the order.

11:10
Paul Sporer: I mean, just bc I work here doesn’t I mean blindly agree w/everything written. I’d have left Snell in and don’t agree w/taking him out.

11:10
Dave: If Randy goes yard, does Cash get let off the hook regardless of outcome?

11:10
Avatar David Laurila: Cash should be off the hook if the final is 2-1. Hindsight is 20/20 he went with what’s worked (and it’s not 100% his decision).

11:10
AdamZ: The analytics say the Rays need to score more.

11:10
Paul Sporer: As Tony has suggested, though, scoring more than 1 run is pretty necessary to expecting to win a game, too

11:10
Dave Roberts: Rios in at 3rd is a headscratcher

11:11
Paul Sporer: Turner hurt

11:11
Jamie: The absolute power move of saving jake mcgee for the 9th of the clinching game

11:11
AdamZ: Wasn’t he Zack Britton back then?

11:11
Paul Sporer: No he was Zach. He’s Zack now

11:11
Bat: Man, that just held up in the air a bit too long…thought it was a gapper.

11:11
Guest: How was Bellinger a first baseman?

11:12
Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: xBA .630 for that Arozarena out.

11:12
Sluggerrrrrrr: Without Brett Phillips available, I don’t see how the Rays can win this

11:12
Dodger Fan: FOUR TO GO

11:12
Avatar David Laurila: Rays are running out of outs. And yes, I still think Urias finishes this game.

11:12
Chamaco: Analytics is about probabilities and putting players in the best position to succeed. But there is still a human element to it – these guys are people who will sometimes exceed or not meet their true talent level, depending on the moment.

11:12
Jamie: Julio “3 Inning closer” Urías is my new best friend

11:12
CJ: Urias has a lot of postseason experience for his age

11:12
Hugh Duffy: The one thing that Smoltz has said that I think is interesting is that he thinks you can teach pitchers to pitch third time through the order. Even Smoltz had a TTO penalty, not that large, .632/.642/.680 OPS 1st/2nd/3rd. But does anyone think this is something you can teach, rather that just an issue of familiarity and pitching reperatoire?

11:12
Paul Sporer: I think you could work on pacing and deepening an arsenal, but ya familiarity is going to carry the day most of the time. Especially since teams don’t tell pitchers to pace themselves. They want full bore for whatever they can give as opposed to pacing themselves to shoot for 6-7 IP regularly

11:12
kevinthecomic: Baseball gods making sure the new 3b gets a try

11:12
Quadrangular: mostly rooting for the Dodgers but legitimately kinda upset at how this game has gone, not to mention the insufferable discourse to follow…

11:13
Bat: Thank you David, to you and the other FG moderators, for keeping the politics out of the chat.  Sports is an escape and that stuff has no place here.

11:13
Avatar David Laurila: You’re welcome.

11:13
Dave: Snell has been brutal this season 2nd and 3rd TTO this season

11:13
Paul Sporer: Did Snell look at all like he had in the reg season? No. So why judge things off his reg. season?

11:13
Smiling Politely: Smoltz also didn’t have the counter-intelligence to deal with that modern pitchers face

11:14
Paul Sporer: People complaining about politics getting into the chat has been in the chat more than any actual politics

11:14
Antonio Lobo: holy hell batman.  julio urias

11:14
Eel Ffilc: Dang, Julio for the ninth?

11:14
CJ: 3 outs left!

11:14
Dodger Fan: ONE MORE INNING

11:14
Dave: Snell often looked like he was cruising in the regular season, and then he blew up

11:14
CJ: Treinen

11:14
To be named later: Urías has to go out for the 9th

11:14
Cito’s Mustache: Urias >> Jansen

11:14
Quadrangular: we deserve Kershaw here

11:14
Paul Sporer: Nothing like this. I watched every start he made, but keep trying to justify it I guess lol

11:15
Sonny: Urias starts inning, Treinan if anyone gets on?

11:15
Jeremy: We need a Urias/Treinen poll

11:15
Tony Wolfe:

Dodgers Pitcher in Ninth

Urias (74.4% | 99 votes)
 
Treinen (25.5% | 34 votes)
 

Total Votes: 133
11:16
Guest: Everyone is focused on pitching plans but the non-Randy offense will be the reason the Rays lose ultimately

11:16
Fangraph’s Lurker: Randy can only do so much with no one base*

11:16
Roach: It’s Margot, Wendle and Adames, with only Brosseau and Tsutsugo left in the bench.

I think Treinen might be a smarter call.

11:16
Derek: Should be Treinen, likely will be Urias, at least to start

11:16
Lzfreak: Does Urias have bird shit on the bill of his cap?

11:16
Adam: I voted based on who I think Roberts will go with (Urias) not who I would go with (Treinen)

11:16
Capt obvious: Should be Urias, will be Treinen

11:16
Smiling Politely: Yeah, feels wrong to blame the pitching for losing a 2-1 game if it ends that way

11:17
Lzfreak: Nick Anderson probably feels terrible

11:17
Sonny: The Rays clearly told their starters this season to empty the tank you’re never seeing a guy 3x. Whether that’s something they continue is a different conversation

11:17
Paul Sporer: Baseball has essentially told all pitchers that, tbh

11:17
Tony Wolfe: The life of a reliever, man. You can be on top of the world for the whole regular season, and if you lose it for two weeks in October, you’re a pariah

11:18
Tony Wolfe: Similar with kickers

11:18
The Narrative: Who’s the MVP for the Dodgers?

11:18
Tony Wolfe: Seager

11:18
Avatar David Laurila: Seager if LAD wins tonight.

11:18
sucramrenrut: Mookie

11:18
Dodger Fan: Seags

11:18
Dave: MVP is Randy, regardless

11:18
Daniel: Julio is dealing. Send him out again like he did in the NLCS

11:18
Craig: They’re not stupid enough to pull Urias are they

11:18
Chamaco: Have they mentioned Urías’ domestic violence suspension last year at all? Seems like something that shouldn’t be forgotten.

11:18
Avatar David Laurila: Markus Betts is good at baseball.

11:18
Tony Wolfe: No, which I’m not surprised by at all

11:19
Section329: Crap

11:19
Guest: OH LORD

11:19
jm: well

11:19
Lzfreak: Wow Betts

11:19
Dodger Fan: MOOOOK

11:19
Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: Can’t believe Kevin Cash gave up that home run smh

11:19
Cash’s Boner: whoops

11:19
CJ: Boston traded this guy??

11:19
Paul Sporer: Mookius Bettonius III

11:19
Jamie: Also while I’m here I just want to say Alex Wood did surprisingly well this series

11:19
Dave Roberts: feels like seager had a rough game and yet as things stand he had the winning RBI

11:19
kevinthecomic: There’s ur Betts dinger!!!!!

11:19
Dodger Fan: BOOM

11:19
Eel Ffilc: No doubter

11:19
Antonio Lobo: Seager MVP for Dodgers.  Mookie MVP of my heart

11:19
Jamie: MOOKIE BETTS

11:19
Quadrangular: love you Mookie

11:19
BringBackDeSpanielHair: Mookie!!!

11:19
NickG: Feels like it’s 10-1

11:20
John Henry’s Bank acct: Meh who cares?

11:20
Circler: Imagine trading Mookie Betts

11:20
Bat: Well…I guess that trade for Betts kind of worked out for the Dodgers, huh?  WS title and all….

11:20
Adam: That was not a good 0-2 pitch. Way too much of the plate with that breaking ball.

11:20
CJ: Treinen is not even warming up???

11:21
Dodger Fan: Kershaw has sat down

11:21
Guest: @Bat don’t you dare jinx it

11:21
Sluggerrrrrrr: It’s not a real championship if you don’t let the pitchers bat

11:21
Tony Wolfe: we will NOT have that discourse with potentially one inning left in the season

11:22
Kenley Jansen: “We’ve got a 2 run lead now. I should definitely pitch.”

11:22
Tony Wolfe: why is fairbanks still pitching

11:22
Chamaco: Why is Fairbanks still in there?

11:22
Dodger Fan: Where’s Castillo?

11:23
Jamie: Save the bullpen for tomorrow

11:23
Dave Roberts: Starting to think Matt Beaty might not get a look this series.

11:23
Dave: I find it funnier that you think the move is indefensible.  Maybe it was the wrong call, maybe it was the right call that didn’t work, but whatever the case there were plenty of legit reasons to pull him.

11:23
Paul Sporer: Were there, though? Plenty? Name em.

11:24
CJ: Yarborough? I guess Castillo is unavailable

11:24
jm: Dodgers may have Betts but the Red Sox have Financial Flexibility, so who’s the real winner?

11:24
Antonio Lobo: i forget, who would be credited with the Dodgers W tonight?  Graterol?

11:25
bosoxforlife: For the 4 millionth time I  will say that no amount of money was going to get Mookie to return to Boston. Why, I doubt that we will ever know, but, by reading between the lines, he made it pretty clear he wasn’t interested in signing an extension with the Red Sox.

11:25
Antonio Lobo: is it just me?  Am I the only one who forgot that Baez pitched today?

11:25
Tony Wolfe: feels like a long time ago, huh

11:25
Section329: No Cham they haven’t mentioned his domestic violence- seems like if you pitch well all is forgiven. Shouldn’t be

11:25
Paul Sporer: Whattya gonna do, bring it up every single time someone mentions him? I think it was acknowledged during a convo about guys w/marks on their record for each team earlier. I’m not suggesting that guys get a pass for shitty behavior, but I’m not caveating every mention of him w/”don’t forget his DV charge”.

11:26
hillbillyjoel: Tone it down, Paul. People can disagree with you and not be insane

11:26
Jim: I would love to know what is going on in Blake Snell’s head right now. That’s got to be a terrible feeling.

11:26
Derek: It might have been wrong to take Snell out when he did, but unless you thought he was going 9, the Rays weren’t winning this game w/ their (lack of) offense. Barring a 9th inning comeback of course

11:26
Avatar David Laurila: This.

11:26
Smiling Politely: Wood?

11:26
ChatzMcGee: I hope it’s Wood.

11:27
Chamaco: Pretty sure there is an amount of $ that would have led Mookie to re-sign in Boston, whether they wanted to pay him that is another story.

11:28
Greg: will this title have an asterisk?

11:28
Tony Wolfe: absolutely the hell not

11:28
Derek:

  1. Snell has not gone deep into games
  2. Third time through order coming up
  3. Rays bullpen has been fantastic all season
11:28
Paul Sporer:

  1. He went more than 73 pitches regularly, including every gm this postseason
  2. Just blindly going “TTO” is meaningless to me. I’m going to take into acct how someone is pitching.
  3. The only viable point, but hardly enough to take him out
11:28
Lzfreak: Victor would be the victor, right?

11:28
To be named later: Gonzalez the pitcher of record?

11:28
Antonio Lobo: actually, I think Gonzalez is in line for the W.  Pitched bottom 5 and full top of 6th

11:28
Dodger Fan: IT WILL NOT

11:28
Guest: Honestly forgot Floro pitched this game

11:28
Guest: @hillbillyjoel i mean we’re here for paul’s opinions about stuff. If he feels strongly about them that’s cool

11:29
Dave Roberts: it’s gonzalez

11:29
Avatar David Laurila: It’s easy to assume that the Dodgers have this in the bag, but let’s not forget that Game 4 looked pretty safe.

11:29
Tony Wolfe:

QUICK who started for the dodgers today

Tony Gonsolin (100.0% | 10 votes)
 
Clayton Kershaw (0% | 0 votes)
 
Orlando Hernandez (0% | 0 votes)
 

Total Votes: 10
11:30
Guest: I’m as pro-statistics as the rest of them but saying that taking out Snell is the right call based on what the numbers of coming from the full range of outcome over the season while ignoring that Snell was experiencing a 90th percentile outcome this game is a tough argument to make

11:30
Dodger Fan: Oof but TO THE NINTH

11:30
The Narrative: i’m going to cry this is so amazing

11:31
Appa Yip Yip: The idea that pitchers should bat because players should do everything is patently absurd and falls apart upon the slightest reflection because position players don’t pitch. If players should do everything then the players should not only all bat but rotate through the pitcher position so all nine end up taking the mound, which is an absurd proposition.

11:31
Quadrangular: what if Kershaw caught Urias for the 9th, that would be kinda sick

11:31
Josh: Nice of Smoltz to admit that, despite pulling Snell too soon, the Rays probably weren’t going to win with 1 run

11:31
Six Ten: If the 2020 title has an asterisk the footnote will read “Holy crap you will not believe what the players were dealing with this season. To begin with …”

11:31
Tony Wolfe: yup

11:31
Sam: Gonna crack open a mango la croix and try to soak in this (possible) last half inning of baseball for a while. Although, I hope there’s more

11:31
Paul Sporer: Trying the cucumber/blackberry if you haven’t already, v good

11:31
bosoxforlife: In virtually every blog I try to defend the great pitchers from my long experience of following baseball, I first went to Fenway in 1948 and I watched ,and was thrilled by the great pitchers of the past who went 9 shutout innings in Game 7 of the WS, Burdette in 57, Koufax in 65, Lolich in 68 and all on two days rest. I strongly believe Blake Snell deserved to be knocked out of the game, not removed by some ridiculous computer program.

11:32
Sluggerrrrrrr: @Paul –  Lefty-Righty matchup, Betts has hit well of Snell in past, Snell’s long-term health

11:32
Paul Sporer: Betts has been truly abysmal v. lefties this year and didn’t do a thing v. Snell tonight. So this one doesn’t hold up, either.

11:32
Sam: Been drinking that for weeks @Paul, had to switch it up haha

11:32
Avatar David Laurila: Way too much is being made of the Snell decision. The Rays have scored one run tonight.

11:33
Andy: No asterisk; 60 games were a formality for the Dodgers.  162 would have been too.

11:33
Paul Sporer: Agreed. Any WS asterisk would’ve come from a random team winning, but I won’t take a thing away from LA if they hold on

11:33
Antonio Lobo: @David L: agreed.  Credit to the Dodgers bullpen.  Out Rays-ing the Rays!

11:34
Avatar David Laurila: Seager is going to win WS MVP, but Urias has been huge.

11:34
Gest: It’s pretty fashionable to poop on the Red Sox for trading Mookie, but they traded ONE YEAR of Mookie and shed a disappointing David Price for a pretty good haul (a 55 FV, a 50, and a 40). They offered Mookie an extension and he turned it down. So their other options were to trade him at the deadline (and probably get less in return) or offer him a QO and get one draft pick.

11:34
Eel Ffilc: Damn they played “California Love” and I know Kenley isn’t coming in, hurts a bit

11:34
Ezekiel: Yah, Seager deserves MVP definitely.

11:34
sucramrenrut: Who would have thought Gonsolin would have already given up more than half of TB’s hits when he left?

11:34
Chamaco: The announcers said last game that players and coaches found this 60 game sprint in the middle of a pandemic even more difficult than a typical season.

11:34
Capt obvious: Snell’s last 10 four seams went from 97, to 97/96 to 95/96 to 95 to 94 across four batters.

11:35
hillbillyjoel: I’m here for thoughtful comments. Not a guy who is personal friends with a player attacking commenters who disagree with him – especially when he has the power to not share comments he doesn’t like ymmv

11:35
Paul Sporer: What comments have I made that aren’t thoughtful? This isn’t about liking Blake. I’d have hated the same move w/Kershaw & Roberts. I’m not attacking anyone, get real

11:35
Roach: @David The thing is, there’s not much Cash can do to make the Rays score more runs. Closest was having Phillips steal while

11:36
AdamZ: Not to mention both teams had to battle through an extra playoff series

11:36
Dave Not Roberts: @PaulSporer why is TTO meaningless to you? It’s not a meaningless penalty.

11:36
Paul Sporer: Blindly citing it with no regard as must adherence. I fully understand TTO as a whole. I didn’t find Snell to be diminished. And I haven’t even suggested he needed many more batters, but I’d have 100% given him Betts.

11:37
sucramrenrut: Trienen should be facing Brosseau though. He kills lefties.

11:37
Roach: @Derek

  1. Snell’s biggest issue has been him nibbling at the plate and getting himself into deep counts. That wasn’t the case here, as he was attacking the plate and the Dodgers had no answer.
  2. TTO applies when batters are getting familiar with a pitcher and the pitcher is tiring. The EV when the Dodgers did make contact was weak, and the top of the lineup specifically looked lost against Snell.
  3. Rays bullpen has been fantastic, but they’ve been significantly more mortal in the WS. Anderson can’t strike anyone out, Fairbanks has given up lots of hard contact and Castilla was evidently unable to pitch today.
11:37
Avatar David Laurila: Urias is very much MVP 2.0 in this Series.

11:37
Tony Wolfe: Brosseau can’t beat/tie you by himself

11:37
Steve Nebraska: I’m sad there won’t be a game seven…

11:37
hillbillyjoel: You’re smug. And your need to share comments that could just be skipped over just so that you can attack them and have the group agree with you isn’t as interesting as you think it is

11:37
Paul Sporer: lol k

11:38
King James: Urias is such a stud

11:38
Guest: Urias >> Chapman

11:38
Appa Yip Yip: One out left you fools are still arguing about Snell

11:38
kevinthecomic: Kinda appropriate if Adames makes Ray’s final out

11:38
Chamaco: Support FanGraphs if you like the chat – become a member!

11:38
Ezekiel: I was really hoping for Game 7. It just seemed like a good series to go there.

11:38
Tony Wolfe: RT Chamaco

11:38
Paul Sporer: Desperately wanted game 7, too, we deserved it for dealing w/2020 as a whole

11:38
sucramrenrut: I for one enjoy the back and forth, why can’t chatters share opinions?

11:38
Tony Wolfe: And yeah, I really thought this was going the distance

11:38
Derek: Thanks for chatting guys!

11:38
Avatar David Laurila: Congrats Dodgers, and Dodgers fans.

11:38
Joe: Wow 2 backward Ks

11:38
Webs: How do you take that pitch?

11:38
Paul Sporer: Ya I’ve enjoyed batted it back n forth, sucr… apparently some feelings are hurt

11:38
kevinthecomic: At long last……..

11:38
Paul Sporer: Wowzers

11:38
Dave Roberts: YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

11:38
Ezekiel: Congratulations, Dodgers.

11:39
Paul Sporer: GG Dodgers, finally copped one. Well earned

11:39
5 Run Homer: Go Vin Scully

11:39
Brad: Now I don’t get to hear Jeff naked 🙁

11:39
Antonio Lobo: FOR VIN SCULLY!

11:39
Derek: Congrats Dodgers!

11:39
Ezekiel: There it is.

11:39
Tony Wolfe: Glad the Dodgers got this one in. Why, their window might close within the next decade!

11:39
bosoxforlife: The chats during the playoffs have been simply excellent. There is nothing more to say than THANK YOU very much.

11:39
Capt obvious: Nails!

11:39
Avatar David Laurila: Dave Roberts deserves this.

11:39
Six Ten: Very, very happy for Clayton Kershaw. The whole team, but especially him.

11:39
Eel Ffilc: Wouldn’t have enjoyed this as much without you guys! Peace with love!

11:40
Someone: I’m just waiting for the study showing that TTO isn’t relevant if a guy is dealing.

11:40
Antonio Lobo: THANK YOU FANGRAPHS!

11:40
CJ: YES

11:40
Guest: Letting Adames bat here after the series he’s had is a choice

11:40
Sam: Thanks guys, this was a ton of fun. Already looking forward to next year

11:40
Derek: Lol hillbillyjoel seems like an ass but I’m finding myself agreeing with him rather strongly

11:40
Tony Wolfe: Hey thanks for hanging out everybody

11:40
Bunk: So happy for Kershaw and Turner!

11:40
Section329: Congrats Dodgers. Missing not having #7. Fan graphs member here

11:40
Guest: happy for kershaw

11:40
Paul Sporer: VERY happy for Kersh

11:40
NickG: Giants fan here with no hate for the Dodgers. Congrats to their fans!

11:40
Tony Wolfe: I’ve only been doing these for a couple years but I can’t remember being on a chat that was this hard to keep up with. Appreciate you all being here

11:40
Ezekiel: Fangraphs is the best source for 90% of baseball-related stuff tbh.

11:40
Appa Yip Yip: TY this was fun

11:40
kevinthecomic: Thanks to the entire Fangraphs family for the post season chats!!!

11:40
Derek: Yeah these chats all postseason have been awesome. Gonna miss baseball 🙁

11:40
Chamaco: Dodgers 3, Arozarena 1

11:41
NickG: Thanks FanGraphs! Proud to be a member.

11:41
BringBackDeSpanielHair: Finally! Been wanting one for Kershaw for 10 years now

11:41
Avatar David Laurila: “People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” — Rogers Hornsby

11:41
Guest: these chats have been super fun, buying an ad free membership tomorrow

11:41
Tony Wolfe: hey thanks!

11:41
sucramrenrut: So stoked for Kersh.

11:41
Paul Sporer: Thank y’all for hanging out

11:41
Avatar David Laurila: Thanks, everyone. Stay safe.

11:42
Paul Sporer: And thanks to those who can have an actual debate without getting their feelings hurt! 🙂

11:42
Smiling Politely: Thanks to FG–proud to be a member–hope everyone stays safe in the offseason

11:42
Antonio Lobo: What to do in the winter… Read Fangraphs til the Spring

11:42
Deathstar Graterol: See you guys for spring training

11:42
Quadrangular: the regular season was super weird but these playoffs have been fantastic. Now I’m sad that there isn’t more baseball!

11:42
Lzfreak: As a Twins fan they are really creeping up the World Series drought power rankings

11:43
CJ: Thanks David and Paul!

11:43
Joe: You guys are fun, thanks for all the content in this insane year

11:43
kevinthecomic: During the off season I’m gonna eat chicken and rice and do 500 push ups every day

11:43
Joe: These chats are why I’m a member FYI

11:43
Paul Sporer: If you enjoy Fangraphs, please consider supporting the site with an ad-free membership: https://plus.fangraphs.com/product/fangraphs-membership/ — We appreciate you all and couldn’t have these wonderful chats without y’all!

11:43
Tony Wolfe: SPEAKING OF…

11:44
Paul Sporer: Take care, y’all! Stick with us during the winter and don’t forget to fill out your FA crowdsourcing ballots! https://blogs.fangraphs.com/contract-crowdsourcing-2020-21-ballot-10-o…

11:44
Paul Sporer: Byeeeeee





Meg is the managing editor of FanGraphs and the co-host of Effectively Wild. Prior to joining FanGraphs, her work appeared at Baseball Prospectus, Lookout Landing, and Just A Bit Outside. You can follow her on twitter @megrowler.

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