MLB 2017 Season

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

You're right about Morrow. In 5 pitches he gave up 3 runs on 3 hits (2 home runs, 1 double), and had a wild pitch the advanced a baserunner just for fun.

[buckchuckler]

You're right about Morrow. In 5 pitches he gave up 3 runs on 3 hits (2 home runs, 1 double), and had a wild pitch the advanced a baserunner just for fun.

And he had not given up a home run during the entire regular season. 

[Jockey]

Players and balls both juiced.

I'm shocked you would say that

Interesting subject though. First part has been argued to death here.

Second part is more interesting. I do think balls may be wound slightly tighter, but the added velocity of pitchers may be an even bigger reason for the increase in HRs. Simply put, the faster a ball is thrown, the less chance it has to move as it crosses the plate. This is true for breaking balls as well as fastballs.

[cheebs09]

I'm shocked you would say that

Interesting subject though. First part has been argued to death here.

Second part is more interesting. I do think balls may be wound slightly tighter, but the added velocity of pitchers may be an even bigger reason for the increase in HRs. Simply put, the faster a ball is thrown, the less chance it has to move as it crosses the plate. This is true for breaking balls as well as fastballs.

Below is an interesting article on the topic. Players say the balls feel different and are slicker. Thus certain pitches, like a slider aren't having the same movement and being hit much harder than usual.

https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/10/29/world-series-baseballs-leather-justin-verlander-yu-darvish-ken-giles-kenley-jansen

[WI inferiority Complexes]

This is why we love baseball!!!!

And on a much lesser subject, why we can't stand chicas.

I love, love, love baseball.  I thought Game 2 was fantastic, but last night started to be "too much."  At one point I felt like I was watching two people play a video game.  I'm too lazy to look it up, but I think there were 3-run HRs in the bottom of the 4th, top of 5th, and bottom of 5th.  I know both offenses are fantastic, but that was a little silly.

[buckchuckler]

Below is an interesting article on the topic. Players say the balls feel different and are slicker. Thus certain pitches, like a slider aren't having the same movement and being hit much harder than usual.

https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/10/29/world-series-baseballs-leather-justin-verlander-yu-darvish-ken-giles-kenley-jansen

There may be some truth to this, but, these are the same pitchers and the same balls that featured in game 1.  Keuchel was off from the very start and Kershaw lost the strike zone in the 4th. 

[buckchuckler]

I love, love, love baseball.  I thought Game 2 was fantastic, but last night started to be "too much."  At one point I felt like I was watching two people play a video game.  I'm too lazy to look it up, but I think there were 3-run HRs in the bottom of the 4th, top of 5th, and bottom of 5th.  I know both offenses are fantastic, but that was a little silly.

Boy.  Nothing worse than 3-run homers.  I hate when games are exciting, back and forth, and entertaining as heck too. 

Don't get me wrong, I love a pitchers duel.  As I noted earlier game one was ideal for my baseball fandom, but I don't get how a game like last night's wasn't immensely enjoyable.  This series has featured 2 great picthers duels (1 and 4) 2 completely wild games (2 and 5) and one runaway win.  I really hope the Dodgers win game 6, just so we get a game 7 of this series. 

[jesmu84]

I love, love, love baseball.  I thought Game 2 was fantastic, but last night started to be "too much."  At one point I felt like I was watching two people play a video game.  I'm too lazy to look it up, but I think there were 3-run HRs in the bottom of the 4th, top of 5th, and bottom of 5th.  I know both offenses are fantastic, but that was a little silly.

I don't know if I agree or disagree. But there is clearly a lot more attention on a game/sport when scoring is like this. Which explains why sports have steered their leagues toward offenses more.

[tower912]

Verlander vs Hill on game 6.  I am guessing that Hill won't be pulled after 4 if he is pitching well.  Verlander will need to control his adrenaline and keep his pace slow.  Can get wound up and go too fast sometimes.  I think he does what he was brought to Houston to do and the Astros win.  Of course, I thought Kershaw was primed to donate, so who knows?

[wadesworld]

Verlander vs Hill on game 6.  I am guessing that Hill won't be pulled after 4 if he is pitching well.  Verlander will need to control his adrenaline and keep his pace slow.  Can get wound up and go too fast sometimes.  I think he does what he was brought to Houston to do and the Astros win.  Of course, I thought Kershaw was primed to donate, so who knows?

Well, Kershaw did kind of donate to the Astros.

[jesmu84]

This tweet is fantastic:

https://twitter.com/JoseCanseco/status/924866116630876161

The replies to that tweet are incredible.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Managers don't have the benefit of hindsight. If Maddon doesn't go with Lackey and his replacement bombs, he still gets ripped.  They are in a no win situation.  No one can predict what would have happened if the alternate approach was taken, it is impossible to know.

Lackey was a horrible decision for a multitude of reasons - it has nothing to do with hindsight. 

[HouWarrior]

My brother and I were very very lucky to have scored last minute tickets and to have been there last night. We met to watch the Texans play a fun NFL game that we lost but darn our new QB made that a great game. After a quick late 4th quarter lunch we headed to Minute Maid park and finally....got home around 2:30am. I am just now stirring...no work today, screw it...I am going to ride the high.

I can barely hear anything, I should be tired...but I am simply riding on adrenaline. This was the most intense, draining , and exciting MLB game I have ever seen. Simply Awesome!!! Not since 94-5 Rockets have I enjoyed seeing people so emotionally joined ...sports can join us all, without holdback or reservations...its beautiful.

BTW I guess the story will be the collapse of LA/Hou pitching... but in person...it looked like most of the pitchers were hitting spots and usually performing as expected...to me it looked like the hitters after 5 games are simply more familiar with what they are seeing...fewer are getting fooled. The back and forth was so dramatic, in person...well I am just emotionally spent. These are two great teams going toe to toe with neither giving in. I love my Stros but also totally respect and admire a top to bottom great Dodger club.

About one month ago we had the Noah like 50 inch rain/flooding of Hurricane Harvey. Its not forgotten ...but the spirit of Houstonians is fully restored...Houston Strong!! Thank you so very much....to our sports teams.

Go Stros

[tower912]

Well, Kershaw did kind of donate to the Astros.

Stupid fat fingers.   Dominate, not donate.   Sonuva......

[Lennys Tap]

I love, love, love baseball.  I thought Game 2 was fantastic, but last night started to be "too much."  At one point I felt like I was watching two people play a video game.  I'm too lazy to look it up, but I think there were 3-run HRs in the bottom of the 4th, top of 5th, and bottom of 5th.  I know both offenses are fantastic, but that was a little silly.

I also love, love. love baseball. But last night was more like a 12" slow pitch softball game than baseball. As long as it's the exception rather than the rule it's exciting (like last night), but a steady diet of 13-12 games wouldn't be my cup of Budweiser.

[tower912]

So now it is down to pitching.    Verlander vs Hill.    JV was made for this.   Hill shouldn't have been pulled after 4 innings in his last start.   Both will be relatively fresh.     If both leave after, say, 6 innings, the last 3 innings should be nothing but high drama.    Both bullpens are spent and both have been blown up.    Hinch can't/won't use his closer.    Roberts has overused his bullpen to the point that he has no idea who can get him an out.   If Hinch tries to make it work with JV and then McCullers and FAILS, his game 7 starter will be Morton on 3 days rest.   Roberts, if he wins, gets to run Darvish out again, who couldn't get out of the second inning in his last start.   Talk about a battle of attrition. 
  I'm glad I'm not managing.    God, I love baseball.   

[MUBurrow]

So now it is down to pitching.    Verlander vs Hill.    JV was made for this.   Hill shouldn't have been pulled after 4 innings in his last start.   Both will be relatively fresh.     If both leave after, say, 6 innings, the last 3 innings should be nothing but high drama.    Both bullpens are spent and both have been blown up.    Hinch can't/won't use his closer.    Roberts has overused his bullpen to the point that he has no idea who can get him an out.   If Hinch tries to make it work with JV and then McCullers and FAILS, his game 7 starter will be Morton on 3 days rest.   Roberts, if he wins, gets to run Darvish out again, who couldn't get out of the second inning in his last start.   Talk about a battle of attrition. 
  I'm glad I'm not managing.    God, I love baseball.

+1. I really enjoy when these series come down to bullpen depth and the starters at the back end of the rotation. It more closely approximates the best team over a 162 game season. Sure there's certain legendary quality to watching Randy Johnson or Bumgarner basically win a series by himself, but much like 13-12 smashfests, its not what I'd order regularly.

That all being said, I don't think Verlander brings the legendary stuff tonight and wins it by himself. Win or lose, I think Houston's fortunes will ultimately hinge on Peacock. His versatility and reliability was also one of the most important revelations for the Astros all year long, so its fitting.

[buckchuckler]

I have to think if the Astros are in position to win, it will be McCullers coming out of the pen. I don't think there is anyone else Hinch can trust.  This should be fun.

As for Verlander... I wouldn't be at all surprised if he dominates, but his career (small sample size alert!!!!) in the WS has not been good.  He has a 6.43 ERA in 4 starts.  Who knows what will happen. 

[tower912]

I think Verlander comes up big and cements his bust in Cooperstown.

[buckchuckler]

I know I am old school, but I would sure be bunting here...

[buckchuckler]

Aaaaaand that's why I'm not a manager.

[buckchuckler]

How many pitches is Verlansder available for tonight?  120?

[tower912]

How many pitches is Verlansder available for tonight?  120?

At least.  If this was an American league park he wouldn't come out.  Hinch may choose to pinch hit for him.

[buckchuckler]

At least.  If this was an American league park he wouldn't come out.  Hinch may choose to pinch hit for him.

Yup.  He's gone.

[tower912]

What a reversal from game 5.  Game 7's rock.  The pitching parade is going  to be epic.  Could see Verlander and Hill.