Hoskins botches the play at first in the top of the 8th. Mancini makes an outstanding play at first in the bottom of the 8th. That's your ballgame, folks. Regular season stats: OAA: Outs Above Average DRS: Defensive Runs Saved Phillies -11 IF OAA - 23 OF OAA -34 DRS Astros +16 IF OAA +17 OF OAA +67 DRS It shouldn't have come as a surprise that the most important game of the World Series was decided by subpar defense (Phillies) vs excellent defense (Astros). I doubt there has ever been a DRS differential of over 100 between the 2 World Series opponents.
Here's how I would handle the Game 6 lineup: Altuve Pena Alvarez Bregman Tucker Gurriel - if 100%, if not Mancini at 1B Mancini (DH) or Hensley if Mancini is at 1B McCormick Maldonado We need the top 5 in the order to hit tomorrow. Bottom half might be weak if Gurriel is out. Pitching Framber 5-6 Stanek 1 Neris 1 Abreu 1 Pressly 1 (only if a save situation) If we need to find an extra inning somewhere, try to sneak an inning out of Urquidy... preferably if the bottom half of the order is coming up. I think Stanek absolutely has to pitch and probably Neris as well. Montero should be available, but I wouldn't mind giving him a night off -- his command has been shaky -- even in effective outings.
Yes, he would be able to slide over to catcher. However, we'd lose the DH position and pitchers would have AB's.
I’m fine with all of this. Definitely agree on Monterey. I think with his relying so much on the fastball it is getting more apparent that they are starting to see the pitches better the more times they see him. I feel like Mancini has something to bring this game for some reason.
Ok I knew there was some major issue with trying to do that. At this point DH has been like having a pitcher hitting for us in these playoffs. So it won't be any different if Vazquez is forced to catch. So I say do it.
This would likely lead to Pinch Hitters when their spot in the line-up arrives. But the bench these days is VERY SHALLOW.
I always confused Mitch Williams with Mitch Miller (Sing Along with Mitch). Bonus point for anyone who remembers Mitch Miller instead of having to Google it.
The witching hour. That time of day when it's tomorrow on the East Coast. For them, Game 6 is now TODAY.
I'm not going to get nervous this time around. I do not see the Astros losing both these home games, no way no how. It is not allowed.
I am not really familiar with baseball but why haven't we seen more of Garcia? He was phenomenal vs Seattle.
Media heads picking the Phillies in Game 6 are doing the hope business They could win, but there's nothing that suggests it except hope
In the regular season it is typical for teams to go with a 5 starting pitcher rotation, but in the playoffs a 4 SP rotation is more typical sending regular season starters to the pen. In the Astros’ case they are loaded with more starting pitchers (7) than they can start (Verlander, Valdez, Javier, McCullers, Garcia, Urquidy, Hunter Brown) and a bullpen that was the best in the league (think Abreu, Montero, Pressly, Stanek, Neris) so there’s just not a lot of opportunity. Hell Urquidy has won multiple World Series games in the past and didn’t see the field in these playoffs until a couple days ago. And even the rookie Hunter Brown has looked like a top of the rotation starter in limited action since being called up late in the season
Welp, the day has come. Can’t really describe what I'm feeling. It’s a mix of emotions. Combination of excitement, anxiousness, nervous, and many more feelings. Just win.
