# MLB: October 2017 — Welcome to the Postseason **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 1, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735 "2017-10-01T15:14:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/281 "2017-10-18T16:05:55Z")
As for the Cubs, they have clearly reached the limit of their incompetence; they can rise no higher. Parkinson’s Law as applied to Baseball. \ ---
**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 18, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/282 "2017-10-18T17:28:48Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > As for the Cubs, they have clearly reached the limit of their incompetence; they can rise no higher. Parkinson’s Law as applied to Baseball. \ Um… I think you mean the Peter Principle. And I have no idea how this applies here. Cubs were fine this year. I’m happy they even made the playoffs after that miserable first half, and can’t believe they were on the sunny side of that wild Game 5 against the Nats. I’m okay if they bow out tonight. Three NLCS series in a row, one that included them winning, and going on to winning the World Series? Yeah, I’ll take that given the Cubs I grew up with (early 80s Cubs onwards). The Dodgers are an incredible team. I’m just pissed the fucking Yankees are still in this, and that the Indians aren’t (they’re my AL team.) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/283 "2017-10-18T17:59:50Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Maybe for you. Hate to keep beating this horse, but look how the NFL does it. They put the Super Bowl at about 6:30 ET and we all can go to bed at a decent hour. The Super Bowl is simply not a comparable event. The differences are so numerous and obvious I am sure you know what they are, but to sum up; 1. There were two games yesterday, not one, and holding them at the same time would be stupid, 2. The Super Bowl always happens on a Sunday, which is why it’s called “Super Bowl Sunday.” Yesterday was a Tuesday. People have jobs. If you start a game at 3:30 PDT on a Sunday, most people in Los Angeles can watch it without it conflicting with work. 3:30 PDT on a Tuesday is rather a different matter. 3. The time and location of a Super Bowl is fixed well in advance. On a Sunday. The time and location of an MLB playoff game is dependent upon the participants. 4. The Super Bowl is a generic TV event where the great majority of viewers are not primarily fans of either of the teams involved. An NLCS game is not as big an event, and a much higher percentage of viewers are fans of the competing teams. 5. In truth, some people on EDT will stay up late to watch the game anyway. “Stay up a little late if the game is close and exciting” is a much easier sell than “Quit your job.” Your position appears to be that people in other time zones should be inconvenienced to suit your preferences. When the fans of the teams involved are largely fans in those other time zones, my sympathies lie entirely with them. ---
**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 18, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/284 "2017-10-18T18:42:36Z")
In general, I agree that I wish the games we earlier and I’m in PT. I don’t see how it’s doable with two games in the same evening a baseball game lasts 3 hours so in total we’re looking at 6.5 hours. If we assume that people in pacific time get off work at 5 and it’s ok for them to miss an hour of baseball then the games can start at 4 PT and they’ll wrap up at 10:30 Pt. So we’re still looking at an after midnight end for the East coasters. If we look at it the other way and say that people on the east coast need the games to end by 10 then they need to start at 330 ET or just after noon PT and the West coasters will miss all of the first game and still miss an hour of the second game which seems more unreasonable then the first scenario. In the end, there is no way to balance the coasts and I think the current scenario sucks equally for everyone so it’s probably the best. NExt week there will only be one game and the times should be more reasonable, last year we were looking at 5:10 Pt first pitch which about as good as it can get. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/285 "2017-10-18T18:50:28Z")
I stand by my position but my reply was snottier in tone that it needed to be. I apologize for that. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/286 "2017-10-18T18:59:10Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > … > In the end, there is no way to balance the coasts and I think the current scenario sucks equally for everyone so it’s probably the best. NExt week there will only be one game and the times should be more reasonable, last year we were looking at 5:10 Pt first pitch which about as good as it can get. And this is why they never should have let Brooklyn and NY move to California, ruined baseball it did. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/287 "2017-10-18T19:16:36Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > . . . Cubs were fine this year. I’m happy they even made the playoffs after that miserable first half, and can’t believe they were on the sunny side of that wild Game 5 against the Nats. . . .) Maybe they should try a takeout slide at second and some batter’s interference against the Dodgers… (he said bitterly)… ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/288 "2017-10-18T19:19:47Z")
Back to ALCS game 4, I have to say that I enjoy watching the FS1 post game crew. As much as I disliked A-Rod as a player, I think he’s a decent analyst. Ortiz also seems to be quite knowledgeable and articulate. The whole crew’s obvious enjoyment of the series is a lot of fun to watch. In the main broadcast, Smoltz is starting to grow on me. All we gotta do now is get rid of Buck and we’re in business. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/289 "2017-10-18T23:10:41Z")
OK. WHAT does the Yankees “thumbs down” gesture mean? I’m not up on this. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/290 "2017-10-18T23:48:40Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > OK. WHAT does the Yankees “thumbs down” gesture mean? I’m not up on this. Here ya go. Funny story. > **[For those wondering, here's the deal with the 'Thumbs Down' Yankees celebration](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/for-those-wondering-heres-the-deal-with-the-thumbs-down-yankees-celebration/)** > > The Yankees have a rallying cry this postseason, and it is a thumbs down ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/291 "2017-10-18T23:51:36Z")
In other news, Dave Roberts is throwing Granderson and Grandal in the starting lineup tonight. I don’t question much that Roberts does—I think he’s shown he knows how to get the most out of this team. But it really, really has the feel of “Let’s get these guys some work,” which is not the sort of thing I tend to think of as a good idea when every game matters so much. I’d prefer to have both of them come in off the bench. On the other hand, if the Alex Wood that shows up tonight is the same Alex Wood that pitched so well throughout most of the regular season, the offense may not have to do much. Here’s hoping the Dodgers can close it out tonight. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2017, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/292 "2017-10-18T23:56:56Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > OK. WHAT does the Yankees “thumbs down” gesture mean? I’m not up on this. > [@Asimovian](#): > > Here ya go. Funny story. > > [For those wondering, here's the deal with the 'Thumbs Down' Yankees celebration - CBSSports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/for-those-wondering-heres-the-deal-with-the-thumbs-down-yankees-celebration/) Holy crap! I hate being this old. ---
**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 19, 2017, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/293 "2017-10-19T00:51:18Z")
Damn Yankees… ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/294 "2017-10-19T01:03:00Z")
Woot! Tanaka deals, the Baby Bombers continue to bomb away. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/295 "2017-10-19T01:04:55Z")
Outstanding job by Tanaka. Yanks bats are looking alive. I like our chances in game 7 and I think we can take this on Friday in game 6. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/296 "2017-10-19T01:50:42Z")
Don’t wanna pop any one’s balloon, but ain’t no one gonna beat the astros. Yankees nor Dodgers. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/297 "2017-10-19T01:55:41Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Don’t wanna pop any one’s balloon, but ain’t no one gonna beat the astros. Yankees nor Dodgers. What have you been smoking? Your bullpen is crap and even if you take game 6, you still need to beat CC in game 7 and after doing that beat a much better team in the Dodgers. I doubt the Yankees can beat the Dodgers but we’ve been the underdog in every series so far anyway. So what the hell, I’ll be happy if they get into the World Series. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/298 "2017-10-19T02:12:35Z")
Love to see Dallas Keuchel finally have a bad game against the Yanks. Now if they can get to Verlander and get a game out of Severino, just fly right to LA out of Houston. If Judge and Sanchez both are hot at the same time, the Yankees can definitely play with the Dodgers. In any event, this young team getting a wealth of postseason experience is a great thing. Depending on how the signings go, NY could be the favorite going into 2018. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/299 "2017-10-19T02:22:46Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > What have you been smoking? Your bullpen is crap and even if you take game 6, you still need to beat CC in game 7 and after doing that beat a much better team in the Dodgers. I doubt the Yankees can beat the Dodgers but we’ve been the underdog in every series so far anyway. So what the hell, I’ll be happy if they get into the World Series. Just to make it interesting, would you like to make a wager? The beverage of your choice? Or, since you mentioned smoking, I might be able to find something. You on? ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2017, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735/300 "2017-10-19T02:35:46Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > **I wonder if Keuchel and Verlander can repeat their performances the second time around, will they get some run support if they do?** The Bronx Bombers are starting to lock in on Houston’s pitching, but that’s especially true in the later innings. Innings 1-6 are probably a slight edge for the Stros, but after that, Yankees have a decided edge, not only in terms of their pen, but also in terms of their hitters ability to make adjustments. They’re just a better team as they get deeper into the game. Looks like my question got answered. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-october-2017-welcome-to-the-postseason/797735.md?page=16)