Big Jon has come a long way since the HR drought from the time he hit the two homers in the game until his next one. He seemed like a big bust and it seemed like forever for him to find his swing. But, he came around.
Looking at the playoffs in the AL aren’t the Yankees the only obstacle to another WS appearance? Are the guardians any threat?
Bref has only the Yankees with higher World Series odds. The thing is small sample sizes in wild card and LDS.... if we can lose an opening game to the White Sox... we can lose two games easy against Cleveland/KC/Minny
Hinch and the Tigers are on absolute fire right now and have blasted their way into a tie for a WC spot. In a short best of 3 series with Skubal on the other side, I don't want nothing to do with them.
Hunter, Framber and Kikuchi (almost) all have sub 3.00 ERAs the past month. If they keep it up into the playoffs I feel confident in the 3 game series. But then again our offense has been bad.
Catching Cleveland looks difficult. They need to lose a few and we need to sweep. I'd pretty much book that we are playing in the first round - which is the biggest obstacle to me. We are tired, that will make us more so. I'm hopeful, but don't want to see Detroit or KC in a three game. Gotta win everything from here on out. Don't give it a chance to shake out.
The offense has been closer to average than bad. Players have been getting rest days, Tucker is has been rounding into form, and we've faced some good pitching. Fans should be confident that a proven dynasty will perform when the lights are brightest. My biggest concern isn't underperformance. The bigger issues are bad calls and bad luck. The Rangers got damn near every benefit in the LCS last year, and that's besides the fact we had an inferior player taking swings every game.
I’m not a fan of Caratini being Verlander’s catcher. Caratini isn’t as good defensively as Diaz, he shouldnt be personal caddie for 2 different SP’s. Play caratini at 1B if you want his bat in there. I feel like Espada is trying to be cute like Dusty with this crap.
100% You need to put the best lineup out there possible in the playoffs. Pitchers just need to do what they do. Who cares who is catching them?
Put both of them in the lineup and let the pitchers decide who they want to throw to. Diaz has proven to be better at 1B defensively though. I really wouldn't mind going into next year with the same trio of Diaz, Caratini, Diaz at 1B and trade for a masher in LF.
Put your best catcher behind the plate where he belongs. That’s all I’m saying. Thought we learned this lesson already
