# 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:** 30
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/581 "2016-10-24T14:50:29Z")
Thanks, **Ulf**. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/582 "2016-10-24T19:24:30Z")
Several months ago, I bought tickets from Chicago to Cleveland to attend a concert. We leave tonight, and return early Wednesday morning. My wife just pointed out that we’re going to be there during the first game of the World Series. Who’d thunk it? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/583 "2016-10-24T19:44:36Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > That would make some sense, what with differences in playing field dimensions and the fact that the home team bats last. But according to [http://www.sbnation.com/2011/1/19/1940438/home-field-advantage-sports-stats-data](http://www.sbnation.com/2011/1/19/1940438/home-field-advantage-sports-stats-data), it isn;t the case: the NBA has a much bigger home advantage than MLB, and the NFL a somewhat smaller edge. Baseball does (barely) beat out the NHL, though. It’s also very, very dubious that home field advantage has much to do with the dimensions of the park or a pitcher “pitching to it.” Jon Lester is going to pitch according to his strengths and the hitter’s weaknesses. Any other approach would be insane. While ballparks do change scoring, the ability of players to exploit different parks is pretty limited. MLB outfielders aren’t stupid and know how to play fences. The dimensions that govern 99% of the game are the strike zone, the 60’6" from pitcher to hitter, and the 90 feet between bases, and those are the same everywhere. How the players play baseball is pretty much the same anywhere. ---
**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 24, 2016, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/584 "2016-10-24T20:27:01Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > … No disrespect to Tito but Maddon and Bochy are probably the top managers in baseball today. > … They’re both great, but I’d take Francona over Maddon. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/585 "2016-10-24T21:10:08Z")
It’s 1 and 1A for me. You can make an argument either way. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2016, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/586 "2016-10-24T23:30:06Z")
All of the Chicago media are reporting that Schwarber will be a part of the Cubs roster. > **[Report: Kyle Schwarber Headed To Cleveland, Expected To DH For Cubs In Game 1](https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/report-kyle-schwarber-to-dh-for-cubs-in-game-1-of-world-series/)** > > Schwarber was flying into Cleveland following his Arizona Fall League game Monday. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/587 "2016-10-25T00:06:19Z")
This match-up is pretty cool. The losing city is going to be devastated. MLB has to be ecstatic. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/588 "2016-10-25T06:59:02Z")
I’m bringing blood pressure meter to work, then bar for the games. You will know it’s really me when the Indians get a run and you hear, “psssh-psssh-psssh”. That’s me pumping the BP cuff. I can’t possibly make any freaking prediction on this stellar matchup, so let’s hear it: Who’s winning and in how many games? ---
**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 25, 2016, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/589 "2016-10-25T07:07:33Z")
> [@Locrian](#): > > I’m bringing blood pressure meter to work, then bar for the games. You will know it’s really me when the Indians get a run and you hear, “psssh-psssh-psssh”. That’s me pumping the BP cuff. > > I can’t possibly make any freaking prediction on this stellar matchup, so let’s hear it: Who’s winning and in how many games? Cubs in 6. As appropriate and befitting it would be for the series has to go 7 games, it won’t. But I think the Indians will take Game 1. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/590 "2016-10-25T09:28:12Z")
Here are the likely pitching matchups: G1: CHC LHP #34 Jon Lester @ CLE RHP #24 Corey Kluber G2: CHC RHP #49 Jake Arrieta @ CLE RHP #47 Trevor Bauer G3: CLE RHP #43 Josh Tomlin @ CHC RHP #28 Kyle Hendricks G4: CLE (RHP #24 Corey Kluber, or RHP #31 Danny Salazar, or LHP #54 Ryan Merritt) @ CHC RHP #41 John Lackey ---
**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 25, 2016, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/591 "2016-10-25T13:03:21Z")
I think the Cubs are the better team, but this is the 3rd straight series that I think the Indians’ opponent is the better team. So I have no idea how it will play out. I’m rooting for Cubs in 4 or 5 so they can celebrate at Wrigley. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/592 "2016-10-25T13:19:10Z")
That’s the wonderful thing about baseball, you just never know. The Cubs are clearly the best team in the major leagues, but the Indians have \*at worst \*a one in three chance of winning the series. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/593 "2016-10-25T15:24:39Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > All of the Chicago media are reporting that Schwarber will be a part of the Cubs roster. > [Report: Kyle Schwarber Headed To Cleveland, Expected To DH For Cubs In Game 1 - CBS Chicago](http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/10/24/report-kyle-schwarber-to-dh-for-cubs-in-game-1-of-world-series/) My CBS sports app is reporting the same thing. He’s rumored to be the DH for the Cleveland games. To make room for him, they left lefty reliever Alphabet Soup off. That’s the only change from the NLCS. He’s a better DH hurt than the other left-handed options, Coughlin and Montero. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/594 "2016-10-25T19:18:55Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > …To make room for him, they left **lefty reliever Alphabet Soup** off. … my bolding Is he any relation to Doug “Eye Chart” Gwodsz or Mark “Scrabble” Rzepczynski? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/595 "2016-10-25T19:34:58Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I thought it was okay, if I include the link to the source and/or the attribution - the songwriter - which I did…? Incidentally, those lyrics don’t quite match the recorded version, either. Nitpicking because it’s the Straight Dope. The first verse is “Baseball season’s under way/Well you better get ready for a brand new day/Hey Chicago what do you say?/The Cubs are gonna win today!” That must be an earlier draft or something. The chorus isn’t quite right, either. Also, in the linked-to doc, it says “step your feet and clap your hands.” It’s “stamp your feet.” ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/596 "2016-10-25T20:19:58Z")
You know what’s amazing? Dexter Fowler will be the first black guy EVER to take the field for the Chicago Cubs in the Series, because the last time the Cubs played in the WS, baseball wasn’t integrated. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2016, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/597 "2016-10-25T23:31:34Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > my bolding > > Is he any relation to Doug “Eye Chart” Gwodsz or Mark “Scrabble” Rzepczynski? I believe he’s kin to Mark Grudzielanek ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/598 "2016-10-26T00:25:00Z")
So, free taco. Yay? ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/599 "2016-10-26T00:51:55Z")
Lester has the yips. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2016, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171/600 "2016-10-26T01:11:42Z")
Kluber is putting on a clinic. Every baseball fan should be witnessing this. 8k’s out of 9 outs so far. Probably will only get through 7 innings at this pace. 52 pitches already. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171.md?page=29) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-and-here-comes-the-post-season/767171.md?page=31)