[Unofficial 2017 World Series] Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Ok. I am not a baseball purist so I do not know taboo decision from good ones. BUT, to me if you have a once in a generation pitcher such as Kershaw going. Changes of beating him and that loaded pen are slim. Would it not be strategically more sound to pitch Collin McHugh? I am not saying throw the game. But save your two studs for more "human" pitchers. If in the first you happen to get three runs against Clayton heat up Dallas and roll. If not then you take your chances. Most likely lost and then roll with Verlander and DK vs. Darvish and Hill. Out of a three game chunk what gives you the best chance at picking up two of those games?

 

We're gonna get 3 homers off Rich Hill and let Justin Verlander carry us all the way back to Minute Maid. LETS GO

 

goal stays the same.. take 1 in the first 2 and win 2 outta 3 at home and win game 6. Astros in 6. but tonight in my eyes and i'm sure most of yall is a MUST WIN.

 

I don't really support the Astros so it's fun viewing for me either way. I think the Dodgers are much better. Let's see what happens in game 2 and if Verlander can do as well as Kershaw. Remember the Astros also have to face Darvish in game 3 with the way you're batting that'll be a loss too.

 

Like we were supposed to loose against CC and the yanks. It all depends if our bats get hot.

 

What makes you think Dodgers are "much better?"

 

Just have to give respect to Kershaw. He's one of the best pitchers the game has known, and he lived up to his potential.

On the bright side, I will say that our starter left the game with the score 3-1. When the game ended the score was still 3-1. Our bullpen didn't allow any runs.

 

Astros batters struggling. We'll have a better idea after today when the Dodgers have faced Verlander. Let's see if they're gonna be as bad as the Astros were today.

 

I'm back to being unable to watch any coverage around the games again. I just can't stand it around losses like this. I have no idea what they are saying...but it's probably nothing I want to hear or see. I expect most are kissing a bunch of Dodger ass now? I can't help but being pissed off at the world right now.

 

we're 5-0 at home in the playoffs

pick up a game in LA tonight, and i'll feel really good about the next few days. Let's see what happens!

 

In games started by Kershaw (postseason included) this season the Dodgers are...27-4. Last season they were 20-5. He's a hell of a pitcher

We just really need to handle the game tonight. A loss tonight would be devastating, although not a deathblow. I've thought all along these first 2 games would probably determine the series winner. A split means we win, going down 0-2 means they win.

 

I like the strategy. However, I don't think you tell Dallas that he isn't good enough to beat another team's ace. We would have had to pitch him as a reliever in game 7 of the last series so that he wasn't ready to go in this game and convince him that it wasn't a ploy to not have him go against Kershaw. Even the best pitchers in the game still lose some games.

 

On the surface it is sound reasoning, but when you draw it out you can see why it isn't an ideal scenario.

If you push DK back, you have to also push Verlander back, or just hold DK until game 3. That means your best pitchers are only starting 2 of the first 5 games. Two of those first five you have to face Kershaw, games in which you have decreased your already slim chance of victory.

If you survive to game 6, it may work out in your favor, but it's a big risk.

 

Haha. I don't know about all that but I'll definitely take some pics!

 

By pushing back Keuchel from Game 1, theoretically, we'd be ahead 3-2 -- losing both Kershaw starts and winning all the others -- with Keuchel and JV for games 6 and 7.

 

No team, in any sport, should ever play for tomorrow, ESPECIALLY in short series where the outcome of every game is significant. The Astros have beaten Chris Sale twice in this postseason; they've also beaten Chapman and roughed up Kimbrel - those are three of the best pitchers in baseball.

Last night was a winnable game; Keuchel essentially made two bad pitches.

 

This is baseball. Anything can happen. You don't just concede games. As great as Kershaw is, this is still baseball, and anything can happen. 7 games is way too short in baseball to be conceding games.

 

To add to what @sealclubber1016 said, by starting DK in G1 and not saving him for G3 (or even worse pushing Verlander down), you get him for G5 where he will likely be matched up with Kershaw again -- so in a perhaps pivotal G5 do you want DK on the mound or McHugh?

Not to mention if he pitches G1 and G5 there is also a real chance he can give you some innings in G7 with it being the World Series and nothing to save him for.

So it's either...

G1, G5, maybe G7 **or** the proposed G3 and G7 if it happens (and almost conceding the two games that Kershaw is on the mound)

 

Lame like our bats were last game sans Bregman?

 

I thought of that also. However you would want Keuchel to pitch twice in the series if we get to Game 5. It's their normal 5 days of rest too.