MLB 2017

Edwin Encarnacion ankle injury trying to get back to 2nd base might tip the scales to Houston in the AL.

 

Tried to tune in for the stretch run of game 5. I can’t do it. I’ve seen 5 pitchers in 1 inning! And more meetings at the mound than I care to count. What an overmanaged shitshow (13 pitchers through 7 innings, I see). I hope this goes deep into extras and these two dopes can hang their fates on outfield players pitching for the win.

Sorry for those of you with a team in this mess. It must be torture.

 

As a Giants' supporter - I have a soft spot (hardened a couple of times - 2002, eh, SCJ) for Dusty Baker. I went to his summer baseball camp in Sacto during my teens and have talked baseball with him many times at those camps. I hoped the Nats could pull it off - my son and I watched the last three innings and I didn't even realize it was 10pm PST (great parenting). My boy was tired this morning - he sounded like Baker in the post game press conference, which was quite morose. I feel for the Nats (and you, DCH) and we both held out hope that Harper could be a hero, but damn those breaking balls in the dirt!!!

Cubs v. Dodgers - again. This is a 50-50 for me.
Yankees v. Astros. Astros are clearly better, but so was Cleveland. Astros in 6 (or Yankees in 5).

 

This is looking like Houston's year. Finally. And I hope the Cardinals steal Jeff Luhnow back from them in the off season. And I'll never get used to them being in the AL.

 

Nev, I too have a soft spot for Dusty. In my mind he is a HOF manager, but won't get the credit he deserves unless he reverses 'The Curse of the Dusty Baker Postseason Meltdowns'. The baseball Gods imposed the curse the moment he handed Giants pitcher Russ Ortiz the game ball in Game 6 of the 02' WS up 5-0 in the bottom of the 7th..the rest is history. He was also the skipper w/the Cubs (Bartman. DOH), a memorable playoff collaspe while in Cincy (the Reds sucked before he showed and have sucked the moment he left), and this one (Wieters is a great catcher so the pass ball on the strikeout was a shock, then the backup catcher gets picked off 1st base in the 8th?)

@dcheather, that was a tough one to take. As a Nats fan, what is the vibe, is Dusty going to get another chance?

From a baseball standpoint the Nats were the one NL team that could've challenged the Dodgers. The Cubs bullpen is a disaster.

In the AL; It must be close to Halloween because the scary Justin Verlander is baaaaccckkkk. What an absolute gem he threw yesterday.

 

We watched the end of that Cubs/Dodgers game - it was classic baseball drama. The Cubs' mistakes were paid for in full. The Dodgers...whew.

 

Is it wrong to gloat over the fact that John Lackey sucked?

 

Lackey sucked, but why is a 38 year starter pitching out of the bullpen on consecutives nights for the first time in his career and it's the 9th inning of Game 2 of the NL Championship Series?

Now it's smooth sailing for the Dodgers (No lie, I hate them more than I hate the Yankees), and suddenly the Astros are tied. Save us Obi Wan Altuve, you're our only hope!

 

Because Joe Maddon's not as smart as everybody thinks he is?

 

That and Maddon's bullpen is a gas can trying put out a fire and he thought Lackey was his best chance to get to Davis in the 10th.