I'm just trying to find some semblance of logic behind moves that did seem to go against their usual patterns, but ultimately did not cost them a playoff spot (and IMO, didn't cost them the game last night). Pitching is far more important/impactful in the playoffs vs. offense, which tends to be shut down or excel dependent on the opposing team's pitching performances regardless of how stacked your lineup is. Then again, when you're 1-13 in playoff elimination games, and there's moves out there that could help to break your usual patterns, they attempted to build a team that could potentially be better suited to win short-series/small-sample size games. I don't think the A's missed Dunn's offense last night... unless you wanted Dunn to pitch an inning or two (as he had done earlier this year for Chicago).
Now you're guilty of looking at a team in a vacuume by presuming the A's would keep up their torrid pace had they not made any moves. The Angels went on a 25-6 run after 8/12, and that includes losing a series to the A's. They were white hot... they were 2004 Houston Astros hot.
Well there goes the all-Bay Area World Series between the Giants and the A's thanks to a collapse/meltdown from Oakland. But there are still possible geographical World Series matchups: Freeway Series - Dodgers vs. Angels http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeway_Series Beltway Series - Orioles vs. Nationals http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltway_Series I-70 Series - Cardinals vs. Royals http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinals%E2%80%93Royals_rivalry Agree. I also want to experience this kind of atmosphere in October at Minute Maid Park, in January at NRG Stadium, and in November or December at BBVA Compass Stadium.
the players ran on the field of play before the run was scored, isn't this considered a disruption? Should be an automatic out on the Royals IMO.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>We found the girl who was promised a puppy if the <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals">@Royals</a> won. <a href="http://t.co/gC4hHNCygB">http://t.co/gC4hHNCygB</a> <a href="http://t.co/lLr4reBmbF">pic.twitter.com/lLr4reBmbF</a></p>— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) <a href="https://twitter.com/SInow/status/517432932194332672">October 1, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Giants shutout Pirates and advance to NLDS against Nationals. Crawford's grand slam is the game-changing difference tonight.
Fairly non-dramatic tonight. And a colorful schedule below. ALDS Game 1 Thu, Oct 2 4:37pm Tigers(Scherzer) at Orioles(Tillman) TBS Game 2 Fri, Oct 3 11:07am Tigers(Verlander) at Orioles(Chen) TBS Game 3 Sun, Oct 5 2:45pm Orioles(TBD) at Tigers(Price) TBS Game 4* Mon, Oct 6 TBD Orioles(TBD) at Tigers(Porcello) TBS Game 5* Wed, Oct 8 TBD Tigers(TBD) at Orioles(TBD) TBS ALDS Game 1 Thu, Oct 2 8:07pm Royals(Vargas) at Angels(Weaver) TBS Game 2 Fri, Oct 3 8:37pm Royals(Ventura) at Angels(Shoemaker) TBS Game 3 Sun, Oct 5 6:37pm Angels(Wilson) at Royals(Shields) TBS Game 4* Mon, Oct 6 TBD Angels(Weaver) at Royals(TBD) TBS Game 5* Wed, Oct 8 TBD Royals(TBD) at Angels(Shoemaker) TBS NLDS Game 1 Fri, Oct 3 2:07pm Giants(Peavy) at Nationals(Strasburg) FOX Sports 1 Game 2 Sat, Oct 4 4:37pm Giants(Hudson) at Nationals(Zimmerman) FOX Sports 1 Game 3 Mon, Oct 6 TBD Nationals(Fister) at Giants(Bumgarner) MLB Network Game 4* Tue, Oct 7 TBD Nationals(TBD) at Giants(TBD) FOX Sports 1 Game 5* Thu, Oct 9 TBD Giants(TBD) at Nationals(TBD) FOX Sports 1 NLDS Game 1 Fri, Oct 3 5:37pm Cardinals(Wainwright) at Dodgers(Kershaw) FOX Sports 1 Game 2 Sat, Oct 4 8:37pm Cardinals(Lynn) at Dodgers(Greinke) MLB Network Game 3 Mon, Oct 6 TBD Dodgers(Ryu) at Cardinals(Lackey) FOX Sports 1 Game 4* Tue, Oct 7 TBD Dodgers(Haren) at Cardinals(Miller) FOX Sports 1 Game 5* Thu, Oct 9 TBD Cardinals(TBD) at Dodgers(TBD) FOX Sports 1 *If necessary **All times CT
I know Vargas is the veteran and all, but it seems like Danny Duffy and his 2.53 ERA would be the better option for the Royals based on results this year (or many years of Vargas' career for that matter).
It's assumed Strasburg will start Game 1, but hasn't been confirmed yet. Guess I'm taking off work early tomorrow.
Question from last night's game. I always thought it was a strike if you showed bunt and didn't pull the bat back. I guess if the bat is considered not beyond what a normal swing is, it can still be a ball?