2014 MLB Playoffs

[MS256]

Why is baseball the one sport where its acceptable to bring in your 4th best player in the biggest spot, hoping that he will get you in position to use your best player when you're already winning?

Why is Matt Thornton pitching to a right handed batter in the 7th inning of a tied win-or-go-home game?  And when he gives up a hit to that guy, why do you bring in a rookie--even a rookie who has pitched well?  How can you possibly justify losing an elimination game by one run and not even playing your three best relievers?

I didn't watch the whole game. Started flipping back and forth between shows after the Nationals had a runner at second base with nobody out and the batter looked like he made no attempt to hit behind the runner.

Call me old school.

Rocket Science 101: Get a guy to third base with less than 2 outs so he can score without a hit.

Rocket Science 202: You can't hit a 2 run homer in the last inning with nobody on base. Make the pitcher throw a strike.

Rocket Science 303: A batter can't hit a game winning 2 run homer with nobody on base. Don't give them a gift with a walk. Make them earn it.

(Cardinals didn't take that last course but got away with it last night).

[jamo]

Why is baseball the one sport where its acceptable to bring in your 4th best player in the biggest spot, hoping that he will get you in position to use your best player when you're already winning?

Risk aversion.

[MS256]

Dammit! :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: :doh: I am at work and was listening to the Cardinals game on the radio. They had a 2 to 0 lead and then Molina (probably the heart of their team) got hurt and they gave up 4 runs. Disgustedly I turned the radio off and figured it was all over (for this game and the NLCS). Just checked the final score and found out that I missed the best part of the game, a comeback, and a game winning homer.

[jamo]

Just don't get picked off first this year Kolten! (Forgive me, this is all I can cling to.:~()

[Golfingdad]

Why is baseball the one sport where its acceptable to bring in your 4th best player in the biggest spot, hoping that he will get you in position to use your best player when you're already winning?

Risk aversion.

Yup.  It's the same reason why NFL coaches kick field goals or punt on fourth and short when the odds suggest they'd be more likely to win if they went for it.  If they play safe and lose, the players get blamed.  If they do something unconventional or risky and lose, then the coach gets blamed.

It's all about job preservation.

P.S.  Can't tell you how aggravating it is to watch the Cardinals and Royals win with home runs over all of the teams you are pulling for, when both teams combined for a total of about 9 (give or take) home runs all season.  Of course, at this point, I'm pulling for the Royals so I don't really mind it, but I'm so tired of the Cardinals.  Ugh.  Go Giants.

[MS256]

Well I was hoping for an I-70 Series and looking like only one end of it will hold up.
(And the wrong end for me).

Good for the Royals. They play more of the "National League style baseball" that I like than the Cardinals play these days anyway.

Biggest difference between the Giants and the Cardinals so far has been defense. Giants have made the tough plays and the Cardinals have not.

BTW losing Molina was a killer.

Seems the Giants win in even numbered years.

[boogielicious]

From CNN:

Royals fan Paul Rudd: Party at my mom's!

By Breeanna Hare, CNN

updated 10:16 AM EDT, Thu October 16, 2014

Source: KMBC

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Kansas City Royals fan Paul Rudd was thrilled with Wednesday's win

The actor joked that he was going to throw a party at his mom's

He was raised in Kansas City, Missouri

(CNN) -- When the Kansas City Royals moved on to the World Series on Wednesday, superfan Paul Rudd knew exactly what time it was: time to party.

The 45-year-old actor was born in New Jersey but grew up in a suburb of Kansas City and is one of the team's true blue supporters. He was in town for the American League Championship Series game on Wednesday night, when the Royals beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 to advance to the World Series for the first time since 1985.

Rocking a new baseball cap in support of his team, a hoarse and clearly thrilled Rudd told CNN affiliate KMBC that he's had faith the Royals could come this far.

"I know for the last several years, every year, all of us Royals fans we have the same hope. ... When we went on that win streak this summer, it was like, this could legitimately happen," he said. "I've lost my voice, but I've lost my voice at just about every game since the Wild Card. (Tonight's win) was amazing. This entire town feels it."

Lost voice or no, Rudd wasn't ready to call it a night.

"I'm going to be partying at my mom's house!" he joked. "Party at my mom's, man. She's out of town; I've got a keg. It's going to be sweet! Five dollar cover!"

Once the celebration dies down, Rudd's going to have to head back to work. He's filming the upcoming Marvel movie "Ant-Man" and got permission to leave the set to catch the third and fourth games of the ALCS before making his way back on Thursday.

He's hoping he'll get to sneak away for another game when his Royals face the winner of the San Francisco Giants-St. Louis Cardinals series.

"Now I'm going to pray that they can somehow let me go," Rudd told the Kansas City Star. "The higher powers make those decisions. ... (But) even if it's just one, I'm going to try and get here."

5 reasons to love the Kansas City Royals

[MS256]

Officially over for me until next year.

Go Royals anyway.

[RJH999]

Ma man Bumgarner straight DEALIN. Shut it down Giants. Take it back and win it in KC!!

[MS256]

I'm glad to hear a few "experts" talking like they are enjoying the more old school style of the World Series teams.

I thought I was the only person left that would rather see defense, base running, and situational hitting than waiting around a half a game with every runner camped out on first base and hoping somebody hits a two run homer.

With PEDs being monitored better, a move toward speed, defense, and situational hitting would be a natural progression just like it once was based on the size of your ball park.

[jamo]

RIP Oscar Taveras. We'll always have that absolutely insane moon-ball first career homer he hit.

[MS256]

RIP Oscar Taveras. We'll always have that absolutely insane moon-ball first career homer he hit.

Very sad.

[phan52]

Giants appear to be in pretty good shape with a 3-2 lead after five and Bumgarner on the bump in the last game of the season.

[RandallT]

Giants appear to be in pretty good shape with a 3-2 lead after five and Bumgarner on the bump in the last game of the season.

It sure feels like they're stronger tonight, but we shall see. That double-play was incredible, but I could do without the long instant replay in baseball. Seems like they should've made that call in 1/10 that time.

[MS256]

Royals only hope now is if they can replace an umpire with Don Denkinger.

[RJH999]

YES YES YES!!! GIANTS NATION STAND UP BABY!!! :dance: :dance: :banana: :banana: :dance: :banana:

[mvmac]

Great series! Congrats Giants! So happy for my hometown.

[Golfingdad]

Great series! Congrats Giants! So happy for my hometown.  :beer:  :beer: :beer:

As an outsider, this series was very entertaining. Congrats Giants.