Potentially the most unpredictable Playoffs ever

[StraightRaceCards]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

[SIZE="4"]The Battle of Texas is coming!!!!.........or The Lone Star Series, whatever you want to call it.

Well at least you have the Jets, Giants and Patriots to keep you entertained until January 7th.

It’s called the Silver Boot Series. Been loving the playoffs this year- my rangers have finally given me some hope.

The showdown against the Astros is looming and I hope we can shake off our troubles against them this year. The way we are playing is encouraging though and I would be worried as an Astros fan coming against a red hot Rangers team.

I think the Braves and Phils are playing some good baseball as well. Who knows what the Diamondbacks will do. Very fun playoffs!

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

The Braves will face the Orioles in the WS the Braves will prevail.

No one has ever won a dime based on my advice.

[jayshum]

I think whoever wins the Phillies-Braves game tonight will win the series. Phillies need the good version of Aaron Nola to show up tonight or they are in trouble.

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by LarsHoneyToast

The way we are playing is encouraging though and I would be worried as an Astros fan coming against a red hot Rangers team.

The Astros are on the verge of their 7th straight ALCS Series appearance I don't think they fear anything or anyone.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

The Astros are on the verge of their 7th straight ALCS Series appearance I don't think they fear anything or anyone.

Pretty good move, picking up Verlander when they did.

[Shoeless Moe]

Scherzer vs Verlander Game 1?

deGrom comes in out of the pen to close out Game 7.

Who saw that coming????

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

Scherzer vs Verlander Game 1?

deGrom comes in out of the pen to close out Game 7.

Who saw that coming????

Scherzer might be ready for game 1, but I don't think deGrom is coming back this season.

[StraightRaceCards]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

The Astros are on the verge of their 7th straight ALCS Series appearance I don't think they fear anything or anyone.

Fair enough! The Stros had our number this year.

I hope it will be a great series!

If I’m Bruce Bochy, I’m pitching Eovaldi against Verlander and then Jordan Montgomery game 2, with Scherzer in game 3 on a limited pitch count with the bullpen coming in long relief

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Scherzer might be ready for game 1, but I don't think deGrom is coming back this season.

I was joking

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by LarsHoneyToast

Fair enough! The Stros had our number this year.

I hope it will be a great series!

If I’m Bruce Bochy, I’m pitching Eovaldi against Verlander and then Jordan Montgomery game 2, with Scherzer in game 3 on a limited pitch count with the bullpen coming in long relief

yah Astros 9-4 in the season series with Texas this year, that's a decent sample size....and 7-1 in their last 8 meetings with Texas, So can't dismiss totally.

Playoffs though new season. Gonna be fun.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

I was joking

I was pretty sure you were

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by jayshum

I would list them in this order:

1 - Rangers
2 - Diamondbacks
3 - Phillies
4 - Twins

So this was my ranking for most likely to least likely upsets in the division series. Rangers and Diamondbacks both swept and Twins lost so looks like I did pretty well. Now I just need my Phillies to finish off the Braves.

[mrreality68]

Definitely been unpredictable

Never would have thought the Dodger would have been swept let alone losing this around.
Never thought Texas would sweep but expected them to advance
Not surprising that Houston advanced and amazed at how consistent they are 7 years in a row.
Expected the Philly vs Atlanta to be a fist fight just surprised at the quiet bats of Atlanta and how hot Bryce Harper has been

Shaping up to be a fun series

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

The Braves will face the Orioles in the WS the Braves will prevail.

Originally Posted by frankbmd

No one has ever won a dime based on my advice.

To be completely honest I almost said the WS would be a face off between the Dodgers and the Orioles.

[Shoeless Moe]

No Series (7 played so far) has gone the distance.

Phillies win tonight makes it 8.

But I'm hoping for Saturday baseball. I can't watch college football.

[Peter_Spaeth]

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/b...ments-got-out/

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

No Series (7 played so far) has gone the distance.

Phillies win tonight makes it 8.

But I'm hoping for Saturday baseball. I can't watch college football.

6 series sweeps out of 8, and the Phillies probably should have swept as well with a 4-0 lead into the 6th inning of game 2. I'm sure MLB is happy there's a game tonight and would love a game 5 on Saturday. I will be very happy if the Phillies can finish the series tonight.

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/b...ments-got-out/

I love it on both sides. The more drama the better.

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by jayshum

6 series sweeps out of 8, and the Phillies probably should have swept as well with a 4-0 lead into the 6th inning of game 2. I'm sure MLB is happy there's a game tonight and would love a game 5 on Saturday. I will be very happy if the Phillies can finish the series tonight.

If the Phillies win tonight Harper will get a WS ring....I predict.

That being said Braves can very easily win the next 2 games if their bats go off. They are overdue for it. Will we see it tonight?

[jayshum]

[QUOTE=Shoeless Moe;2380100]If the Phillies win tonight Harper will get a WS ring....I predict.

That being said Braves can very easily win the next 2 games if their bats go off. They are overdue for it. Will we see it tonight?[/QUOTE]

I'll let you know in about 3 hours.

[Shoeless Moe]

How'd you like to pay all that money for a ticket to the game and find out Joel Embiid has the seat in front of you.

[Shoeless Moe]

WOW What a catch!!!!!

[bk400]

Tightening up in Philly

[Shoeless Moe]

The Final 4


D-Backs vs Phillies

Rangers vs Astros


oh it's coming

[bk400]

Just wondering off the top of my head: when was the last time an MVP was actually from a team that won the pennant?

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

If the Phillies win tonight Harper will get a WS ring....I predict.

That being said Braves can very easily win the next 2 games if their bats go off. They are overdue for it. Will we see it tonight?

Looks like the answer is a big no!!!

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by bk400

Just wondering off the top of my head: when was the last time an MVP was actually from a team that won the pennant?

Betts Boston 2018 (I did cheat however) I thought it was someone else.

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Looks like the answer is a big no!!!

Yah, as great as the Philly bats were, their pitching was even better, shutting down that Atlanta offense.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

Yah, as great as the Philly bats were, their pitching was even better, shutting down that Atlanta offense.

It worked out for them tonight, but I had a lot of questions about the bullpen usage in this game.

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by jayshum

It worked out for them tonight, but I had a lot of questions about the bullpen usage in this game.

Hard to question anything Thomson did in that Series. They dominated all 4 games all but 2 innings, but yah had it gone South I then can see some questioning, but that's always the case.

Great managing throughout by Thomson.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

Hard to question anything Thomson did in that Series. They dominated all 4 games all but 2 innings, but yah had it gone South I then can see some questioning, but that's always the case.

Great managing throughout by Thomson.

I generally like how Thomson manages the Phillies, and I understand things are different in the playoffs (although sometimes it seems like overmanaging but it's certainly not just him). However, I was questioning the bullpen moves during the game, and I still question them after the game even though it worked out. By using Domiguez (5 pitches - 3 batters) in the 6th then taking him out in the 6th after a 2 out hit (a little questionable) for Alvarado who then got wild in the 7th and had to be replaced by Kimbrel who finished the 7th but couldn't get through the 8th, he had to go to Soto to finish the 8th even though he had not been used much in the playoffs and had been shaky at times late in the season.

While most of that seemed ok at the time, the biggest question I had was keeping Soto (a lefty who can be wild) in to start the 9th with 3 righties coming up. Because Soto only faced 1 batter in the 8th, he would have to face at least 2 in the 9th. He also had Strahm (a lefty who is also pretty good against righties) and Hoffman (a righty who had warmed up earlier and has been used in more late innings than Soto recently) available. Either probably would have made more sense to start the 9th than Soto who walked the leadoff hitter then gave up a soft single to right to make it first and third. Strahm then came in to get out of it and finish the game (fortunately).

I don't know if Thomson was asked after the game why he decided to keep Soto in the game, but there's no reason I can think of that makes it the best move considering who else was available. A manager's job is to put his players in the best situation for them to succeed then hope that they do. In this case, I don't see why he would think Soto in the 9th was the best situation for success. Turns out it wasn't, but Strahm was able to come in and bail him out to win the game.

[jayshum]

Predictions for the next round? I'm hoping for Phillies in 6. In the AL, I think it depends on if Scherzer can pitch. If he can, I think Rangers have a shot to win in 7. Otherwise, Astros in 6 to set up a World Series rematch which hasn't happened since 1977 and 1978.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Predictions for the next round? I'm hoping for Phillies in 6. In the AL, I think it depends on if Scherzer can pitch. If he can, I think Rangers have a shot to win in 7. Otherwise, Astros in 6 to set up a World Series rematch which hasn't happened since 1977 and 1978.

Astros in 6, Phillies in 6.

But I am rooting for Arizona and my boy Corbin Carroll all the way

[jayshum]

Rangers remain unbeaten in the playoffs and take home field advantage away from Houston. I'm hoping the Phillies can give Arizona their first playoff loss tonight.

[Shoeless Moe]

uh oh.....Astros could be in trouble.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

uh oh.....Astros could be in trouble.

Houston finally on the board but still down 3 early. If they can't find a way to win this game, series could be over.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Houston finally on the board but still down 3 early. If they can't find a way to win this game, series could be over.

Rangers immediately got the run back.

[jayshum]

Rangers up 2-0 and going home for the next 3 games. Doesn't look good for Houston.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by jayshum

Rangers up 2-0 and going home for the next 3 games. Doesn't look good for Houston.

Anyone who thinks the first inning doesn't matter as much as the ninth (all those closer discussions), see today's game.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Anyone who thinks the first inning doesn't matter as much as the ninth (all those closer discussions), see today's game.

Just like wins in April count the same as wins in September, runs in the first count as much as runs in the ninth. Sometimes it seems like early runs can count for more if you put a team into an early hole that makes them get into their bullpen early or start pressing at the plate to try to get back into the game quickly.

[Shoeless Moe]

Dodgers would have been better off starting their Closer instead of Kershaw and Miller:

[Shoeless Moe]

Phillies looking STRONG!!

[Shoeless Moe]

If.....and a big IF right now but if the Phiiles and Rangers both sweep, they both go into the World Series:

Phillies 9-1
Rangers 9-0

that's a combined 18-1

in the Playoffs, that would be pretty cool.

[Peter_Spaeth]

You could do worse than have Scherzer starting for you at home. But baseball being baseball, he'll probably get shelled early.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

You could do worse than have Scherzer starting for you at home. But baseball being baseball, he'll probably get shelled early.

Hopefully he will be shelled since he has been a shell of himself

[Shoeless Moe]

Which ex-Met(s) gets a Ring this year?

Wheeler & Taijuan Walker-Phillies
Scherzer & deGrom-Rangers
Verlander-Astros
Pham, Miguel Castro & Paul Sewald-D-Backs

Travis d'Arnaud-Braves
Kevin Pillar-Braves
Brad Hand-Braves
David Robertson-Marlins
Mark Canha-Brewers
Amed Rosario-Dodgers
James McCann-Orioles

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

Which ex-Met(s) gets a Ring this year?

Wheeler & Taijuan Walker-Phillies
Scherzer & deGrom-Rangers
Verlander-Astros
Pham, Miguel Castro & Paul Sewald-D-Backs

Travis d'Arnaud-Braves
Kevin Pillar-Braves
Brad Hand-Braves
David Robertson-Marlins
Mark Canha-Brewers
Amed Rosario-Dodgers
James McCann-Orioles

Ideally none of them
But in reality I hopee Scherzer and Degrom get it(they are the least deserving since not pitching and/or pitching poorly. But their Team is well built and is actually a likeable team IMO and they are well balanced.
The most deserving is Wheeler and Walker based on their contributions and performance. But I do not ever want to see Philly win anything so I hope not them.
Verlander has been pitching really well but I would not want him to win it since it means that Houston would be the winner and I despise them since the cheating scandal and that team seems to come across wrong.
Arizona I have no real opinion about so if they won that would be fine. But they do not look like a Championship Team during the season or this playoff round

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

Which ex-Met(s) gets a Ring this year?

Wheeler & Taijuan Walker-Phillies
Scherzer & deGrom-Rangers
Verlander-Astros
Pham, Miguel Castro & Paul Sewald-D-Backs

Travis d'Arnaud-Braves
Kevin Pillar-Braves
Brad Hand-Braves
David Robertson-Marlins
Mark Canha-Brewers
Amed Rosario-Dodgers
James McCann-Orioles

Hoping for Wheeler and Walker. We'll see if Walker ever pitches in the postseason for the Phillies. Maybe game 4 of the NLCS will be his first appearance.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Has Taijuan Walker even appeared in a playoff game? I honestly forgot he was on the Phillies roster.

AZ sure looks like toast, so I'll be rooting for the ex-Met Scherzer, although I don't anticipate him being very effective in this coming start.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

Has Taijuan Walker even appeared in a playoff game? I honestly forgot he was on the Phillies roster.

AZ sure looks like toast, so I'll be rooting for the ex-Met Scherzer, although I don't anticipate him being very effective in this coming start.

So far, Walker has not pitched for the Phillies in the playoffs, but they will need a 4th starter against Arizona so it will probably be either him or their other starter who has yet to be used, Christopher Sanchez.