Everyone's dumping on the pitching, and I understand why, but we only scored four runs. We knew going in that the pitching wasn't going to be good enough. If we're going to win this series, we're going to win it by winning games 10-8 or 12-10, not 4-3.
Let's be fair, some are dumping on the defense, too.
True.
Berrios essentially got 5 outs his last inning, right? Potentially a different outcome if he gets better defensive support and can go another inning (or two.)
If it wasn’t for the 13 prior losses and all the postseason/Min-NY history, I’d say it was a frustrating loss that was a little closer than the score line.
This is my take on it. I know that they were going to have to pitch Stashek and Littel at some point, but I think bringing in Littel in the 5th against the teeth of their lineup was a mistake. Logically it would make sense to use the lower leverage guys earlier but it’s the playoffs and they should focus on the matchups more. Maybe he lays an egg out there against the 6th or 7th hitter, but there’s slightly more wiggle room for the guy who comes in to put out the fire. I would have brought in May pitch after they got it back to 1, but he might have given up those dingers, too. I despise the Yankees, but that lineup is deep.
I think today will clearly be all hands on deck to back up Dobnak. If he can get through the lineup twice, they can piece it together the rest of the way. I have seen a lot of consternation about starting Dobnak today. The way I see it is this. If they lose, they have arguably their best pitcher lined up to pitch in an elimination game in game 3, and maybe on short rest in a game 5. If they win, they have Odo & Berrios ready to go to try to finish this thing off at Target Field.
Maybe Lucy is gonna pull the football away again. But thankfully today’s game starts 0-0.
Bringing in Littell and Stashak last night feels, not quite like rolling over for the game, but like reading it as if it's the least important game in the series.
Dobnak seemed pretty solid and steady down the stretch, even if it was against inferior opponents. Hopefully some of the other guys can loosen up and not play like it's April.
HR CONTEST UPDATE:
So I forgot to post new and promised postseason rules for homers. Whoops. Anyway, both free and HJ scored 8 points last night under the old system, so I updated the spreadsheet accordingly.
Postseason rules. It's All About the WPA
Rather than award a ton of points if you pick Schoop and he hits a homer down 8 runs in the 9th, we're going to base your points based on how emotional that homer feels while we're watching the game. So for example, Sano's homer last night swung the game's win probability added by 12 percent. So his homer is worth 12 points.
So, rules:
1. Pick up to three players pregame
2. If all your players hit homers, get the WPA combined for all of them. However, if one player misses, divide your total points by two. If two players don't hit homers, divide your total points by four.
3. If you spooky a homer out loud (which must happen during the inning it happens), you get the WPA regardless of your pregame picks. You get one spooky per playoff game. This can include one of your pregame picks. No penalty for incorrect Spooky pick so have at it. Obviously, spookying a go-ahead or walkoff homer late could net you a ton of points.
Essentially, what Beau is saying is, “Never pick Schoop.”
Philosopher's better half was delightful. She was making fun of me within minutes.
🙂 We had a fantastic time.
Salt River scored four in the sixth to take a 10-9 lead over Peoria and that was the final score. The Rafter are 9-4 and lead Scottsdale by two games.
Royce Lewis was 3-for-5 with a double, a run, and an RBI. He is batting .361/.400/.722 in 36 at-bats.
Luke Raley was 1-for-4 with an RBI. He is batting .135/.190/.216 in 37 at-bats.
Zach Neff pitched 1.2 innings, giving up two runs on three hits. His ERA is 2.84 with 6 strikeouts in 6.1 innings.
Moises Gomez struck out three in a scoreless inning, giving up one hit. His ERA is 4.50 with 10 strikeouts in 6 innings.
Day after thoughts:
1. I thought Manny Gonzalez was excellent behind the plate. He only missed one or two calls the whole game, and it's not his fault Berrios consistently threw his curveballs low.
2. Has Eddie Rosario seen a strike yet? Awful, awful time for Terrible Eddie to show up.
3. Arraez is clearly hurt. I knew Cron was charged with the error, but Arraez's poor throw and bum wheel allowed the Yankees five outs in the third.
4. Thanks for showing up, Mr. Littell.
5. The top of the fifth unfolds a lot differently if neither Cron nor Garver swing at ball four. I'm guessing Polanco doesn't face Paxton a third time, but who knows what happens.
Agree on #1, strike zone was essentially perfect by human standards.
I don’t 100% agree on #3. Yes, Arraez is hurt, should have made the first play that inning, and could have made a better throw, but even given all that, Cron’s gotta catch that throw, too. Just kinda crappy all around. Seems like typical Yankees luck that their error doesn’t hurt them and for the Twins it leads to runs and a billion pitch inning.
I didn't mean to exonerate Cron; I just think a healthy Arraez makes a better throw.
Then I totally agree.
Cron normally has a really good glove - that's one he should pick
Forgot this one:
6. Right before Encarnacion's RBI double, I said to Sheenie, "He's set up for a fastball down and away." Berrios then threw a really good fastball down and away. Really good hitting.
I’ve been pondering. I know the Twins bullpen really tightened up over the second half, putting up better than league average numbers and becoming something of a strength for the club down the stretch run. But wasn’t the narrative also that the team’s strength of schedule a key towards the end of the season as to why they’d hold on to a playoff spot? So ... was this bullpen mostly padding stats against subpar/non-postseason rosters?
After the All Star break, the team lost 2/3 against NYY, split a 4 gamer with OAK, lost 2/3 to ATL, split a 2 gamer with MIL and lost 2/3 to WSN. They played no other teams who made the playoffs, and did not win a series against even the WC playoff teams who were eliminated.
They may never be a WS team, either, since it's really freekin hard to be one. That's why I was so invested in the HR record.
Smoked salmon frittata with a complimentary caramel roll?
Yes!
That sounds eerily familiar.
Yes! Just finished watching cross country in the rain. In a booth wearing a blue hoodie if you're here and have a chance to stop. If not, no problem.
Never mind. Just read below.
Dang it! Wish I could meet up! Miserable day for a CC meet. Both my kids ran it that event over the years. Hope your lunch/brunch is great!
It was excellent. Wish I could have enjoyed a beer but had to grab a coffee on the road to stay awake as it was.
Luckily, I did not get to watch much of the game as we got smoked at the joint last night. Crap weather helps biz. Did get to visit with old friend of mine (and Twayn) D.J. who is in town for a wedding.
Today, I was supposed to play in a Chuck Norris golf tourney. 4 man scramble. Course set up has difficult as possible. Strangely, I was pretty psyched up to play it in the horrible weather we are experiencing. Unfortunately, or fortunately, it was cancelled as the course has twice as many ponds, islands and marshes than it typically does (which is a lot).
Instead, I am working around the house until game time. The wife is going out with a friend, so I will be settling down on the couch with the chili that is currently simmering on the stove top (no instant pot). I have a few random Oktoberfest beers to sample and if shit hits the fan, I have a few bumps of Fireball (purchased for Chuck Norris event) to take the edge off a Twins loss. HOWEVER, I think Dobnak is going to continue his magical run for us and Jake Cave is going to be the unexpected hero by sticking a dagger in his old team. I am guessing an 8 to 5 final score with 4 bombas. Cruz, Kepler, Rosario and Cave. For the contest let's remove Rosario. Those are my plans unless Nibbish sends out the bat signal and wants to meet up somewhere to watch the game.
Let's remember people, this team has been great at bouncing back. Cruz is probably napping already and talking shit in his sleep while the youngsters listen to Rocco telling them that they can do this.
I absolutely would, but I'm in Vancouver. Here's hoping that my rain check is able to be used this year yet.
We loved Vancouver when we were there back before they held the Winter Olympics.
we were there last summer and can concur. Butchart Gardens is a must and well worth it. The parliament building is wonderful too.
We stayed in a b&b about 45 minutes south with a great view of the bay.
Vancouver, eh? Don't have too many edibles...
Seconded
My brother's getting married today, and I need a pinch hit on the game log today.
Really hoping I get to take my proper turn another time this season...
I'll take it
Curious to see if women and children are allowed into Yankee Stadium with it starting a couple hours earlier today.
for their sakes, I hope the Yanks kept any children with Twins' gear on away from the game. 🙁
Why is the Twins' pre-game show wasting my time with Bob Costas?
You have the right channel?
I have the radio at the moment.
Garver.
garver/sano
R, I. P. Andy Etchebarren, catcher on the great Orioles teams of the mid-60s to mid-70s, at the age of seventy-six.
I was much more of an Elrod Hendricks guy, but RIP.
Neither one could hit a lick, even in a platoon.
Andy was a two-time All-Star at 23 and 24 in 1966 and 1967, respectively. The only two seasons in his career in which he played 100+ games. I had a couple versions of his baseball card and seem to remember one in which he was wearing a nylon jacket under his jersey. Also, that craggy face!
He was very much a no-hit guy. For his career, he struck out in 18 percent of his plate appearances and walked in only 8 percent. He hit 221/293/364 in 1966, 215/298/318 in 1967!
Per the Baltimore Sun story on his passing, Andy was a baseball lifer.
Etchebarren remained in baseball as a coach after his playing days ended. He spent time as manager of the Class AA Bowie Baysox, Class-A Aberdeen IronBirds and the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, all affiliates of the Orioles, He also managed the York Revolution before retiring in 2012.
Sadly, there is no "personal" info in his wikipedia bio other than baseball-related stuff. I'd love to be able to say that he lived a full life doing what he loved and that he had a rich life off the field. But who knows?
His SABR biography contains a little more information, but not a lot. It sounds like, besides his family, baseball was the main thing he cared about. Which isn't all bad, given that he was able to spend almost his whole life involved in it.
Everyone's dumping on the pitching, and I understand why, but we only scored four runs. We knew going in that the pitching wasn't going to be good enough. If we're going to win this series, we're going to win it by winning games 10-8 or 12-10, not 4-3.
Let's be fair, some are dumping on the defense, too.
True.
Berrios essentially got 5 outs his last inning, right? Potentially a different outcome if he gets better defensive support and can go another inning (or two.)
If it wasn’t for the 13 prior losses and all the postseason/Min-NY history, I’d say it was a frustrating loss that was a little closer than the score line.
This is my take on it. I know that they were going to have to pitch Stashek and Littel at some point, but I think bringing in Littel in the 5th against the teeth of their lineup was a mistake. Logically it would make sense to use the lower leverage guys earlier but it’s the playoffs and they should focus on the matchups more. Maybe he lays an egg out there against the 6th or 7th hitter, but there’s slightly more wiggle room for the guy who comes in to put out the fire. I would have brought in May pitch after they got it back to 1, but he might have given up those dingers, too. I despise the Yankees, but that lineup is deep.
I think today will clearly be all hands on deck to back up Dobnak. If he can get through the lineup twice, they can piece it together the rest of the way. I have seen a lot of consternation about starting Dobnak today. The way I see it is this. If they lose, they have arguably their best pitcher lined up to pitch in an elimination game in game 3, and maybe on short rest in a game 5. If they win, they have Odo & Berrios ready to go to try to finish this thing off at Target Field.
Maybe Lucy is gonna pull the football away again. But thankfully today’s game starts 0-0.
Bringing in Littell and Stashak last night feels, not quite like rolling over for the game, but like reading it as if it's the least important game in the series.
Dobnak seemed pretty solid and steady down the stretch, even if it was against inferior opponents. Hopefully some of the other guys can loosen up and not play like it's April.
HR CONTEST UPDATE:
So I forgot to post new and promised postseason rules for homers. Whoops. Anyway, both free and HJ scored 8 points last night under the old system, so I updated the spreadsheet accordingly.
Postseason rules. It's All About the WPA
Rather than award a ton of points if you pick Schoop and he hits a homer down 8 runs in the 9th, we're going to base your points based on how emotional that homer feels while we're watching the game. So for example, Sano's homer last night swung the game's win probability added by 12 percent. So his homer is worth 12 points.
So, rules:
1. Pick up to three players pregame
2. If all your players hit homers, get the WPA combined for all of them. However, if one player misses, divide your total points by two. If two players don't hit homers, divide your total points by four.
3. If you spooky a homer out loud (which must happen during the inning it happens), you get the WPA regardless of your pregame picks. You get one spooky per playoff game. This can include one of your pregame picks. No penalty for incorrect Spooky pick so have at it. Obviously, spookying a go-ahead or walkoff homer late could net you a ton of points.
Essentially, what Beau is saying is, “Never pick Schoop.”
Philosopher's better half was delightful. She was making fun of me within minutes.
🙂 We had a fantastic time.
Salt River scored four in the sixth to take a 10-9 lead over Peoria and that was the final score. The Rafter are 9-4 and lead Scottsdale by two games.
Royce Lewis was 3-for-5 with a double, a run, and an RBI. He is batting .361/.400/.722 in 36 at-bats.
Luke Raley was 1-for-4 with an RBI. He is batting .135/.190/.216 in 37 at-bats.
Zach Neff pitched 1.2 innings, giving up two runs on three hits. His ERA is 2.84 with 6 strikeouts in 6.1 innings.
Moises Gomez struck out three in a scoreless inning, giving up one hit. His ERA is 4.50 with 10 strikeouts in 6 innings.
Day after thoughts:
1. I thought Manny Gonzalez was excellent behind the plate. He only missed one or two calls the whole game, and it's not his fault Berrios consistently threw his curveballs low.
2. Has Eddie Rosario seen a strike yet? Awful, awful time for Terrible Eddie to show up.
3. Arraez is clearly hurt. I knew Cron was charged with the error, but Arraez's poor throw and bum wheel allowed the Yankees five outs in the third.
4. Thanks for showing up, Mr. Littell.
5. The top of the fifth unfolds a lot differently if neither Cron nor Garver swing at ball four. I'm guessing Polanco doesn't face Paxton a third time, but who knows what happens.
Agree on #1, strike zone was essentially perfect by human standards.
I don’t 100% agree on #3. Yes, Arraez is hurt, should have made the first play that inning, and could have made a better throw, but even given all that, Cron’s gotta catch that throw, too. Just kinda crappy all around. Seems like typical Yankees luck that their error doesn’t hurt them and for the Twins it leads to runs and a billion pitch inning.
I didn't mean to exonerate Cron; I just think a healthy Arraez makes a better throw.
Then I totally agree.
Cron normally has a really good glove - that's one he should pick
Forgot this one:
6. Right before Encarnacion's RBI double, I said to Sheenie, "He's set up for a fastball down and away." Berrios then threw a really good fastball down and away. Really good hitting.
I’ve been pondering. I know the Twins bullpen really tightened up over the second half, putting up better than league average numbers and becoming something of a strength for the club down the stretch run. But wasn’t the narrative also that the team’s strength of schedule a key towards the end of the season as to why they’d hold on to a playoff spot? So ... was this bullpen mostly padding stats against subpar/non-postseason rosters?
After the All Star break, the team lost 2/3 against NYY, split a 4 gamer with OAK, lost 2/3 to ATL, split a 2 gamer with MIL and lost 2/3 to WSN. They played no other teams who made the playoffs, and did not win a series against even the WC playoff teams who were eliminated.
Unfortunately, I think Twayn pretty much nailed it last night.
They may never be a WS team, either, since it's really freekin hard to be one. That's why I was so invested in the HR record.
Smoked salmon frittata with a complimentary caramel roll?
Yes!
That sounds eerily familiar.
Yes! Just finished watching cross country in the rain. In a booth wearing a blue hoodie if you're here and have a chance to stop. If not, no problem.
Never mind. Just read below.
Dang it! Wish I could meet up! Miserable day for a CC meet. Both my kids ran it that event over the years. Hope your lunch/brunch is great!
It was excellent. Wish I could have enjoyed a beer but had to grab a coffee on the road to stay awake as it was.
Luckily, I did not get to watch much of the game as we got smoked at the joint last night. Crap weather helps biz. Did get to visit with old friend of mine (and Twayn) D.J. who is in town for a wedding.
Today, I was supposed to play in a Chuck Norris golf tourney. 4 man scramble. Course set up has difficult as possible. Strangely, I was pretty psyched up to play it in the horrible weather we are experiencing. Unfortunately, or fortunately, it was cancelled as the course has twice as many ponds, islands and marshes than it typically does (which is a lot).
Instead, I am working around the house until game time. The wife is going out with a friend, so I will be settling down on the couch with the chili that is currently simmering on the stove top (no instant pot). I have a few random Oktoberfest beers to sample and if shit hits the fan, I have a few bumps of Fireball (purchased for Chuck Norris event) to take the edge off a Twins loss. HOWEVER, I think Dobnak is going to continue his magical run for us and Jake Cave is going to be the unexpected hero by sticking a dagger in his old team. I am guessing an 8 to 5 final score with 4 bombas. Cruz, Kepler, Rosario and Cave. For the contest let's remove Rosario. Those are my plans unless Nibbish sends out the bat signal and wants to meet up somewhere to watch the game.
Let's remember people, this team has been great at bouncing back. Cruz is probably napping already and talking shit in his sleep while the youngsters listen to Rocco telling them that they can do this.
I absolutely would, but I'm in Vancouver. Here's hoping that my rain check is able to be used this year yet.
We loved Vancouver when we were there back before they held the Winter Olympics.
we were there last summer and can concur. Butchart Gardens is a must and well worth it. The parliament building is wonderful too.
We stayed in a b&b about 45 minutes south with a great view of the bay.
Vancouver, eh? Don't have too many edibles...
Seconded
My brother's getting married today, and I need a pinch hit on the game log today.
Really hoping I get to take my proper turn another time this season...
I'll take it
Curious to see if women and children are allowed into Yankee Stadium with it starting a couple hours earlier today.
for their sakes, I hope the Yanks kept any children with Twins' gear on away from the game. 🙁
Why is the Twins' pre-game show wasting my time with Bob Costas?
You have the right channel?
I have the radio at the moment.
Garver.
garver/sano
R, I. P. Andy Etchebarren, catcher on the great Orioles teams of the mid-60s to mid-70s, at the age of seventy-six.
I was much more of an Elrod Hendricks guy, but RIP.
Neither one could hit a lick, even in a platoon.
Andy was a two-time All-Star at 23 and 24 in 1966 and 1967, respectively. The only two seasons in his career in which he played 100+ games. I had a couple versions of his baseball card and seem to remember one in which he was wearing a nylon jacket under his jersey. Also, that craggy face!
He was very much a no-hit guy. For his career, he struck out in 18 percent of his plate appearances and walked in only 8 percent. He hit 221/293/364 in 1966, 215/298/318 in 1967!
Per the Baltimore Sun story on his passing, Andy was a baseball lifer.
Sadly, there is no "personal" info in his wikipedia bio other than baseball-related stuff. I'd love to be able to say that he lived a full life doing what he loved and that he had a rich life off the field. But who knows?
His SABR biography contains a little more information, but not a lot. It sounds like, besides his family, baseball was the main thing he cared about. Which isn't all bad, given that he was able to spend almost his whole life involved in it.