MLB

2017 Postseason, Game 5: Goodbye, AL East

81 Comments

No, really. You can go home now.

HOU @ BOS: Morton vs. Porcello (HOU up 2-1)

WAS @ CHC: Scherzer vs. Quintana (series tied 1-1)

CLE @ NYY: Bauer vs. Severino (CLE up 2-1)

LA @ ARI: Darvish vs. Greinke (LA up 2-0)

Lots and lots of high quality pitchers. I'll bet a couple of them even go 5 innings.

81 thoughts on “2017 Postseason, Game 5: Goodbye, AL East”

  1. Lots and lots of high quality pitchers. I'll bet a couple of them even go 5 innings.

    That said, I doubt Porcello will be one of them.

    1. Been a rainy day today so I expect a lot of that to fall in Fenway. That alone may make for short starts for both pitchers.

  2. Boston has to hope they can get a lead and 5.5 innings in before the deluge starts and they call the game.

  3. I'm certainly not going to get all hyperbolic and say that this is a "must win" for the 'Stros, since they're still in the driver's seat and all, but it would probably behoove them to finish this up before Sale gets a second shot at them.

  4. I need to do a better job of checking the schedule of games, didn't realize there was a day game happening today. I'm glad our company's new web filter is less restrictive than the last one.

    2. I was thinking the same thing. Seven baserunners in two innings with this lineup makes two runs feel awfully slight.

      ...and also "what cheaptoy said".

        1. Astros were actually MLB average in LOBs. Twins were tied for third with the Cubs with the Indians and Yankees only teams with more. LOBs can be frustrating but, in general, are a consequence of good offenses.

    1. It was on the black, but not a bad called I think. Right below strike two, which he fouled. Bradley Jr. had a better reason to be upset.

        1. That's exactly what I'm using to judge it. The live view has a fuzzier boundary than the historical version.

    2. Man, I'm super disappointed in you guys. This is, like, the most clever thing I've come up with in months and y'all play it straight. I sat there unable to sit still waiting to pull something like this out.

  7. <Insert Jeff's comment, but for Boston instead of Houston (plus deficit instead of leading)>

  8. Well, that's one way to eliminate some LOBs. It's not too often you go 3-for-4 in an inning and don't score any runs, especially with a double included in there.

  11. What a weird postseason so far. It's feeling like any starter that is still holding the ball in the fifth inning is a Bumgarner-like hero.

    I really hope that trend reverses for the LCS and World Series. The postseason is so much more interesting when there are good starters pitching reasonably deep into games.

      1. Tanaka joined the hallowed "pitched 7 innings in one start" group last night. He was just the third member of this illustrious group.

      2. They haven't all been that bad, though. Some of it is managers with extremely quick hooks. Today, Porcello gives up two runs in three innings. He's not normally getting pulled at that point. Morton gives up two runs in 4.1 innings. He's not normally getting pullet at that point, either. We've seen managers managing every game as if it's a must-win game. I'm not certain that's always the best strategy, but that's how it's gone.

        2. I think pulling Morton was especially egregious, since they have a lead in the series (and in the game). If you're going to use Verlander as a reliever, wouldn't you rather save that option for tomorrow?

          I mean, it looks like it's going to work out for them, but still.

          1. I really didn't understand using Verlander. Yes, it may work, but again, the manager was managing as if this is a must-win game for Houston, and it isn't. They'd have been going home for game five with a rest Verlander. If they don't win, this could really come back to bite them.

  13. Verlander coming in for his first relief appearance of any type in his career (professional or collegiate). Postseason baseball is fun.

      1. Keuchel makes for a nice fallback for game 5.

        The Red Sox have... who? a bullpen game, maybe? All of them have been, anyway.

      2. At first, I read that as "Keuchel", and just about choked on my afternoon coffee. Even with the win, the Verlander outing will be looked at with a bit of a raised eyebrow. Bringing in Keuchel would have been madness.

  22. Adventures in a Week-Long Vacation at Home: I just had to turn over the TV to Skim, who apparently plays the My Little Pony app on my TV on a daily basis and would have lost her daily streak (and therefore the spoils that go along with such a streak) if I didn't let her do it in the next couple of hours. So, let me know if anyone scores, 'kay?

    1. I think he could have, too. I also think (and thought before it happened) that Baker should've given him the chance to.

      1. This may be the first time Baker has been criticized for pulling a pitcher too soon.

        1. If you're going to pull him after one baserunner, then why let him hit in the top half of the inning in a one run game?

  25. Tom Hamilton: "There is an eleventh commandment in baseball: If a New York Yankee or a Boston Red Sox doth not swing at a pitch, thou shalt not call it a strike."

      1. It must have looked pretty weird at the hotel bar when he suddenly threw his hands in the air and yelled "foul! ".

  28. If it continues like this, coming back with Corey Kluber at home is not such a bad scenario for Cleveland.

  37. That pitch to Walker was about an inch away from a trip to the hospital, Tony Conigliaro style.

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