Game Logs, MLB

2016 World Series: Game Six

90 Comments

Jake Arrieta
vs
Josh Tomlin

Arrieta won his start, helped by the Cubs actually scoring runs. Tomlin also won his game, helped by Miller relieving him in the fifth inning.

90 thoughts on “2016 World Series: Game Six”

  1. How do they choose the umpires for the World Series? Because, seriously, Joe West behind the plate tonight?

    1. I was on my way here to say exactly this. How did Phil Cuzzi, Angel Hernandez, and Laz Diaz get left out?

      1. MLB knows that would create a vortex that would destroy the universe. They're looking out for all of us.

      1. I agree; it's nice that umpires can organize and collectively bargain the conditions of their labor.

        FYI:

        The Office of the Commissioner shall have absolute and exclusive discretion in the assignment of umpires to work Special Events.

  2. Bryant going right back to work. I wonder if the Cubs think Tomlin's going to be around the zone and less sharp due to shorter rest. Getting an early lead is a great way to neutralize Miller.

    1. Pictures, or it didn't happen.
      Actually, I got out of a meeting and the first call I heard on the radio was Russell's Grand Salami!

  10. During the commercials AtBat played Gordo's call of Kirby's Game Six walk-off in its entirety. Still gives me chills, still have it memorized word-for-word. Best call of Gordo's career.

    1. For all that people remember it, I've always thought Jack Buck's "We'll see you tomorrow night" was an incredibly lame call for such a big moment.

  12. Wolves are crushing Memphis tonight without Rubio. Dunn has 5 assists and 5 steals thus far with 3 turnovers. The starting 5 for the Wolves are all better than +30 tonight.

    1. This'll help their point differential on the season...

      I'm not totally looking forward to potential Rubio hot takes tomorrow, though. Dunn has looked good tonight, but that ain't exactly Mike Conley across from him.

  15. Sounds like Naquin is making things really adventurous in the Cleveland outfield tonight.

  16. When Francona opted to start Kluber three times this series, I don't think plan A was for him to win all three of his games.

    1. I'm going to have to give that one another try, because it should be right up my alley. I don't know if it hit me during the wrong sequence of brews, but I feel like I haven't given it a fair shake. I do remember the rich date & malt flavors.

      1. It's a big beer at 10+%, and way more hop bitterness than a barley wine usually carries. I'm a fan of transgressive styles and this one is right in my wheelhouse.

        1. Maybe that big time hop presence is what gave me pause when I tried it before? I'm going to try to keep an open mind this time around. I might even have one squirreled away down in the larder, cellering next to a few bottles of this.

          1. ... ... ... well, aren't you just the (beer) rich man. Craft brewing has finally come to New Orleans, although many of the offering tend toward the overly sweet.

    2. And actually, I can't believe that they sell this in six pack form for (!) less than the cost of a sixer of two heated when surely charges a boat load for 4 packs of tall boys.

    4. Hmm, I just legged up a barley wine last weekend. Might to go find some of this and do a comparison for fun.

          1. I liked that decision. Highest leverage point of the game, best reliever, season on the line. Keeping him in though is absurd.

            1. Sure, but they were up by five runs at the time. Still seems like a bad call to burn your best option without the lead threatened.

              1. Maybe, usually. But in a World Series elimination game? I even get leaving him in for the next inning. It was the 9th that was the big problem for me.

      2. Cleveland has three righties coming up and nobody left on the bench except pitchers. Edwards, Grimm, Strop, and Rondon are all available.

  21. I just don't like Joe Maddon. Just because he bucks bad conventions doesn't mean he makes smart decisions.

    2. Yeah, I've grown less fond of him over the course of this year. He's not a bad manager by any means, but he's not a genius either. I'd much rather have Francona as far as strategy goes

      1. I have grown more fond of Francona over the course of this year. I've realized I didn't give him nearly enough credit in Boston.

        1. So much this. I haven't been on the national discussion threads much, but the Theo v. Tito angle is pretty swell.

  22. Cleveland booth with a good point: what happens to Chapman's ankle after the adrenaline wears off and he cools down? I wonder if he's available tomorrow.

  23. Heyward is a damn good fielder. A diving catch (in an inning where there were many base runners) and now that throw. I can see the temptation not to bench him.

    1. With Schwarber in at DH I think it's easier to argue for starting Heyward, both because of the cushion in the lineup and because the double switch is very unlikely. The improved defense is attractive in an elimination game, too. But I'd be pretty quick to pinch hit if he came up with runners on and my club was trailing late.

  24. I know Heyward's had a rough season, but if I'm a catcher I'm probably not going to try to stretch a single hit to right with his arm out there.

  26. I can't believe that Maddon felt the need to use Chapman in the 7th inning of a game he led by 5 runs. That's idiotic. He's basically telling the rest of the bullpen he doesn't trust them with any type of lead. Still have to win a game tomorrow. Even if Chapman is available it could only be like 1 inning, right?

    1. I don't agree with that. It's the last game of the season - he's available until he's not effective.

      1. Right. Bringing him into the 9th is bizarre, but the 7th could have gotten away and as long as you believe he'll be effective tomorrow, then why not.

        I am puzzled though by is apparent lack of confidence in Rondon.

        1. Maddon just addressed this in his post-game press conference. He said there wasn't enough time for Strop to get loose after Rizzo's homer. The rules prevented him from sending Chapman out to stall and then removing him without facing a batter.

            1. Presumably, depending on the clubhouse etiquette.

              No idea what the deal is with avoiding Rondon, though.

          2. So 5 runs, Chapman burns another inning, 7 runs he doesn't? Huh.

            My new theory is that Fox is paying Maddon to create more commercial breaks.

        2. The 7th was 2 on and 2 out with a 5-run lead. That's ridiculous to think you don't have high confidence in anybody but Chapman to get you out of there, especially a 103-win team in which Chapman wasn't even a part of the team until the trade deadline. Maddon had the chance to have his team set up with a rested Chapman ready for 2+ innings tomorrow when facing Kluber and a rested Miller and Allen. These guys are totally overmanaging this now. They've been winning, so it's "working." We'll see how much Chapman has tomorrow, but I can't imagine he'll come in before the 8th, and if he does, I doubt he'll finish the 9th. This is way more than he's been used to doing and in much more intense games.

          1. Lindor has a .936 OPS in the playoffs. He's a switch hitter who posted an OPS 68 points lower against lefties than righties in the regular season this year. With two men on and a southpaw reliever (and the best reliever) left in the bullpen, I might consider bringing in the fresh lefty to force the most favorable matchup. ( I wouldn't have left him in for the ninth, but that's a separate matter.)

            Is it the optimal choice for winning tomorrow? No. Is it an understandable choice for trying to win an elimination game tonight? Yes.

        1. Nathan threw 53 pitches in 2.1 innings of work (12 batters faced) in Game Two of the 2004 ALDS with the score tied or a one-run lead the entire time. Chapman threw twenty tonight in 1.1 innings (5 batters faced) with a five run lead. They're hardly comparable situations.

          Also, Joe Nathan wasn't really Joe Nathan yet at that point of his career. And different pitchers respond differently to the same situation.

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