It’s smart baseball. Why would they pitch to bregman? If we faced the Yankees we’d be giving Aaron judge the same treatment. You can’t let the other teams best player beat you, especially when he’s as lethal as Alex is in high leverage spots. Yuli has to start producing to make the Red Sox pay.
The Astros played a sloppy game last night. They seemed happy to take one of the two games as they should be. MMP is a tough place to play in the playoffs.
Cole was picture perfect against kinsler but then off the whole at bad against Jackie Bradley when he was just a few good pitches away from escaping. Fell behind him then a meatball right down the pipe on the double. Sequence of the night unfortunately. It’s almost as if he laxed up thinking he was out of trouble after striking out kinsler.
Sure I am biased, but Boston’s roster seems to be built for the regular season not the postseason. They have one great pitcher when healthy (Sale) besides that all their pitching is suspect. Hopefully it pans out our way over 7 games.
Wasn't David Price among the best pitchers in the second half of the year? I think if you are built to win 108 games in the regular season (the highest win total in the league, in a good division no less), you are built for the playoffs.
The biggest variable between Cole's two postseason starts is one was home, the other wasn't. He got more comfortable yesterday as the game went on, so let's hope he carries that to begin his next game.
I actually think 2-3-2 is the most fair, efficient, and cuts down on the extra down-time for travel. Wish they would do it in the NBA also. They just had a season where they'd go sometimes 2 weeks without a break... and now they get one every 2-3 days.
TNT's Clutch City documentary mentioned the Rockets' thought process after winning Game 1 vs the Magic was, "there's no way we're coming back to Orlando". Both sides have a gripe with 2-3-2 ... A - The team without HFA gets three games before the other B - It's difficult to sweep the 3 home games I don't feel strongly either way, because the better wins regardless.
Idea floater here... Why not put Correa in the 3 hole and sandwich him between Tuve and Bregman. I think he's got his swagger back or the best it will be for remainder of season. It would force the pitchers to pitch to Correa. Springer, Altuve, Correa, Bregman, Gurriel, Gonzalez, White (Gattis), Maldonado (McCann), Reddick Give it a shot!
Nah, Bregman in the 3 hole is fine. He gets plenty of opportunity to hit with Springer and Altuve on base. If they walk him, then that just sets the table for one of the best RISP hitters in the game in Yuli. No reason for Hinch to deviate from what has been working.
Yeah the Astros give zero ****s if the Red Sox get to play at home. Sweeping the next 3 is not imperative, but it would be nice.
It definitely has been working but I'm feeding off the notion that a walking Correa is still something to fear. It could be the thing that ignites the energy of the clubhouse. Gurriel, White, Gonzalez moving back in the order is REALLY good. I think it would work.
If his knee is still a problem, then this might not be a bad route to go. We absolutely need his bat in the lineup though.