# MLB. And here comes the Post Season! **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 29, 2016, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171 "2016-09-29T00:43:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/421 "2016-10-18T20:34:54Z")
MLB certainly isn’t doing viewers any favors for the Cubs/Dodgers start times. At least on the East coast. Last week I was up way past midnight twice–once to about 2:00 in the morning! And I get up for work at 4:20! I wonder what time I’ll get to bed tonight? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/422 "2016-10-18T20:38:30Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > But that said, what’s a better solution? If you held the LA/Chicago game at Pacific prime time, it’d be incredibly late for Chicago viewers and later still for anyone on the East Coast interested in watching. If you flipped them then the LA/Chicago game happens when both markets’ fans are in the midst of their workday. No solution fits everyone’s needs. I’m old enough that I remember when post-season baseball (which, in those days, meant the World Series) was primarily played in the daytime. People listened on the radio at work, or skipped work/school. And we somehow managed to survive. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/423 "2016-10-18T21:09:38Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Are any of the Indians injured guys coming back by the time of the series? Danny Salazar MAY come back. Carrasco is definitely out for the season, though. It’s actually kind of amazing to think the Indians really only have 3 SPs for this series… or maybe 2 with Bauer’s injury. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/424 "2016-10-18T21:34:53Z")
A significant number of Cubs fans are probably already in inward silent panic mode right now. When a team has had that long of a drought, the championship monkey becomes even harder to get off of one’s shoulders. Confidence is destroyed 2x quicker. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/425 "2016-10-18T21:40:41Z")
I still can’t believe Cleveland started Bauer last night. On Friday he gets 10 stitches on the pinkie of his 95 MPH throwing hand. On Monday he is called upon to start. He is bleeding profusely after the third batter. This is a possible bio-hazard. After facing the fourth batter the umpire takes him out. Why didn’t Bauer take himself out? Why didn’t Cleveland management take him out? And why did they even start him? ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/426 "2016-10-18T21:50:38Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > I realize that Cleveland is ridiculously short handed, but starting Kluber on short rest when leading the series 3-0 seems silly to me. Was Kluber slated to start before yesterday’s game? Francona just burned through his bullpen yesterday, so I can see why he’d want to go with the starter he thinks he can get the most out of. He probably figures even if he loses today, he just needs to get to the 6th inning of any of the remaining 3 games with a lead. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/427 "2016-10-18T22:26:40Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > I guess they figure they can get him a lot of rest if the NLCS goes long and they wait till like game 3 to start him? Edit: I guess that doesn’t make sense since they could give him a lot of rest either way. Is the next guy available that much worse? > > Are any of the Indians injured guys coming back by the time of the series? Carrasco absolutely not. Salazar probably not. I don’t get why they started Kluber again, either. If the series was tight, maybe. 3-0, I’d throw the next guy out there - I guess it would be Mike Clevinger, but there was also talk of starting Ryan Merritt - and takes my chances. If you start Clevinger today, Merritt can take Trevor Bauer’s place in Game 7, if Bauer is off the roster. Cody Anderson is also available. (And once I mention Zach McAllister is also in the bullpen, we have named all reserve starters Cleveland has. There is no starter handy to replace Bauer on the roster if he is placed on the DL; they used few starting pitchers this year.) If Kluber starts Game 5, in theory he still starts on regular rest in Game 1 of the World Series. I don’t get the value of using him today at all, because if EVERYTHING goes wrong, Kluber starts on short rest against in Game 7. If it doesn’t all go wrong, you win the series anyway. Surely they can beat Toronto once? I know it ain’t over 'til it’s over, but up 3-0 you have to have some confidence in your pitching staff that they can beat Toronto once in three tries and you don’t need to drive Kluber into the ground to win the series. In the two games Kluber _didn’t_ start Toronto couldn’t hit water falling out of a boat. Look at it this way; if you’re Terry Francona, would you rather be winning the series 3-1 with Corey Kluber walking out there on full rest, or winning the series 3-1 with Josh Tomlin out there? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/428 "2016-10-18T22:34:10Z")
I get that this creates a force out at the plate here but walking Donaldson intentionally with men at first and third does not strike me as a wise move. I guess we’ll see. That would have been more understandable if it had been men at second and third. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/429 "2016-10-18T22:35:37Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I get that this creates a force out at the plate here but walking Donaldson intentionally with men at first and third does not strike me as a wise move. I guess we’ll see. > > That would have been more understandable if it had been men at second and third. My thoughts exactly. I don’t think that adding the force at home is worth the possible trade-off here. And there you go: 4-1. Nice one, Edwin. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/430 "2016-10-18T22:36:40Z")
And that’s why I hate intentional walks. Well, as a Jay fan I loved that one. But God, don’t they come back and bite you in the ass like half the time? Maybe more? Good throw to get an out, but the walk put the second run into scoring position. ETA: And here comes Mike Clevinger. So if the series is miraculously extended to Game Six, I guess Merritt starts. I’m assuming Trevor Bauer’s finger is not going to magically heal itself any faster than the first attempt - but by starting Kluber in Game 4, either he cannot start again or he starts Game 7, which makes Bauer’s turn Game 6, making it less likely he’d be available. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/431 "2016-10-18T22:42:54Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > And that’s why I hate intentional walks. Well, as a Jay fan I loved that one. But God, don’t they come back and bite you in the ass like half the time? Maybe more? > > Good throw to get an out, but the walk put the second run into scoring position. Not only does it put another run into scoring position, it forces the pitcher to throw some decent strikes or walk in a run. Batters love knowing they’ll get something to hit. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/432 "2016-10-18T22:57:54Z")
If Osuna comes in with a 3 run lead I will not be happy. Save him for tomorrow unless we get into trouble. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/433 "2016-10-18T23:00:37Z")
Now the lead is 4. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/434 "2016-10-18T23:01:34Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Look at it this way; if you’re Terry Francona, would you rather be winning the series 3-1 with Corey Kluber walking out there on full rest, or winning the series 3-1 with Josh Tomlin out there? Well of course, you’d rather be up 3-1 with Kluber pitching than with Tomlin pitching. But that’s not the right question as you’re much more likely to win game 4 with Kluber pitching than Merritt or Clevenger. It didn’t work out (though it’s not over yet), but then if you only score 1 run you’re not winning often even with Kluber pitching. The reason for starting Kluber in game 4 was all the relief pitchers were used so much in game 3 (and earlier) and will be needed again when Merritt or Clevenger starts. They needed some rest. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/435 "2016-10-18T23:07:41Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > If Osuna comes in with a 3 run lead I will not be happy. Save him for tomorrow unless we get into trouble. I gather you are not happy. Although he got through the inning in 10 pitches, so he should be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2016, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/436 "2016-10-18T23:25:30Z")
He pitched yesterday though. With a day off today he potentially could have given us 2 innings tomorrow. Probably not happening now. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2016, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/437 "2016-10-19T03:29:58Z")
Two shutouts in a row! Hopefully we keep this rolling. ---
**Author:** ![Club\_33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Club\_33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Club_33)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2016, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/438 "2016-10-19T04:22:12Z")
Nice win tonight, especially with Lasorda in attendance after just being released from the hospital yesterday. Rich Hill was nasty and Yaz finally came through with a two-run shot. Kenley was Kenley. The way the Cubs are hitting right now, especially lefties (.136 in the NLCS) should make for an interesting game 4 and 5. Tomorrow, the Dodgers will send out the youngest southpaw to ever start a postseason game, Julio Urias. Then, if we win, I fully expect to see Kershaw on short rest for game five. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2016, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/439 "2016-10-19T07:18:32Z")
> [@Club\_33](#): > > Nice win tonight, especially with Lasorda in attendance after just being released from the hospital yesterday. Rich Hill was nasty and Yaz finally came through with a two-run shot. Kenley was Kenley. > > The way the Cubs are hitting right now, especially lefties (.136 in the NLCS) should make for an interesting game 4 and 5. Tomorrow, the Dodgers will send out the youngest southpaw to ever start a postseason game, Julio Urias. Then, if we win, I fully expect to see Kershaw on short rest for game five. Agreed. Kershaw in game five. Why tempt fate and go back to Chicago? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2016, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/440 "2016-10-19T13:53:24Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > He pitched yesterday though. With a day off today he potentially could have given us 2 innings tomorrow. Probably not happening now. Osuna was trained as a starting pitcher and only started closing last May. If he is needed for two innings, he can pitch them. He’s shown the ability to pitch extra innings when needed. I would not have used him last night; it was a scared move and really makes little sense. I’d have been fine with Ryan Tepera pitching that inning. But it’s not likely to matter. I have a feeling Toronto will either destroy Ryan Merritt today and make the bullpens irrelevant, or the hitters will go into hibernation again and Osuna won’t matter anyway. Merritt has pitched only 11 innings in his MLB career - yes, that is a record for a pitcher starting a playoff game - but the Blue Jays have a long history of making new guys look like Tom Seaver. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171.md?page=23)