Which team do you want the Astros to face in the AL Division Series? Rank them 1-6 with 1 being the team you want to play the most and 6 being the team you want to avoid. I haven't done a deep dive on these teams but this is my initial list. Change my mind... 1. Orioles 2. Twins 3. Rays 4.Mariners 5. Guardians 6. Blue Jays
Unless the Yankees blow an 8 game lead we aren't facing them in the divisional round. Although that kind of epic collapse would be fun to watch down the stretch... I forgot the White Sox so make it 1-7 1. Orioles 2. Twins 3. Rays 4. Mariners 5. Guardians 6. White Sox 7. Blue Jays
No kidding. Everyone knows they should be based on a gut feeling that comes from 70 years in the game, taking in decades worth of superstitious nonsense and in no way based upon large sample size statistics or anything like that.
Baltimore's closer to a Wild Card than Minny right now. 2.5 games back going into September isn't overwhelming at all. Yankees still 8 ahead in their division.
1. NYY If they are a WC team, then they are playing very badly. 2. TOR Canucks 3. SEA Almost Canucks 4. TBR Recency bias (6 games in final month) 5. BAL Needs some luck. I hate luck, 6. CWS Gotta be hot to make it. 7. MIN Regression is a b****. 8. BOS If they're playing well enough to make the Playoffs, I don't want to meet them in a 5 game series.
That’s because the Twins have played 5 games against us and Baltimore hasn’t seen us. Once they take their 2-5 against us that will flip.
Baltimore has a tough schedule remaining. Yankees are 1-2 starting pitching injuries (even if only for a couple of weeks) from collapsing while playing the teams behind them in the standings. I don't see either as very likely getting a wild card. I see injures as more likely than the Orioles making up ground while playing stronger teams.
Looking over stats this morning. Lance McCullers needs to assume his 2017 Fireman Role that ended the Yankees/Dodgers hopes. Whether that is tandem pitching him with Garcia or Urquidy in the playoffs. His 2021 stats In 2021- First time through the order 1.75 ERA .267 Slug WOBA- 248 Numbers inflate in a hurry the second and third time through. Verlander Framber Javier McCullers/Urquidy
No research first but : 1) Orioles - young inexperienced happy to be there. 2) Twins- not very deep and bad postseason performance history. 3) Guardians - just feels like they are not especially scary. 4) Mariners - hungry and know Astros very well but have holes, are young and Astros have played them well. 5) Rays- experienced with great pitching and always over achieve. Have beaten the Astros before. 6) Blue Jays - Absolutely loaded offensively with enough pitching talent to win. Too familiar with Lourdes, George, Biggio, Yimi, and others for my liking.
I'd rather avoid the Jays and the Rays if at all possible. I mean, I still have us as the favorites in those series but I think they would be tougher than Sea/AL Central/Yanks/O's.
I am scared of all playoff opponents all the time. I was scared of the A's in 2020 and I was scared of the White Sox in 2021. I never play the I'd rather play x team game because if I do it ends up haunting me. I am a nervous weirdo come playoff time.
And The Phillies, Mets, Braves, Padres, Cardinals, White Sox, Royals, Red Sox, Nationals, and Rays( did I miss anyone?) Have all given you evidence to feel that way. Legit.
YTD WAR Mancini 2.1 145 PA Left; 315 Right; -0.4 dWAR YTD WAR Gurriel 0.0 134 PA Left: 318 Right; -0.7 dWAR
Is this the same Lance McCullers that was second in the AL in ERA? Led the AL in fewest hits per 9 innings? 4th in Ks per 9 innings? First in fewest HRs per 9 innings? (His one negative start was that he led the league in walks)
The Pitchers with the most experience pitching in the Bull Pen have established themselves a Starters. This time we need Garcia and Urquidy to be successful there. The Astros are being very coy about WHO will be paired for a spot in the Rotation, but I would HATE it to be Javier with his 997 WHIP. I would personally rank JV 1a at the top with Framber and Javier fighting out 1b and 1c and Wheeler and Urquidy fighting out 3a and 3b. At his point, Garcia is a 5.
