# MLB Playoffs 2018: Who Wins It All? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 30, 2018, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203 "2018-09-30T04:36:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**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, 2018, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/361 "2018-10-25T22:48:05Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Story is, Eric Gagne (remember him?) told Kimbrel how he was tipping his pitches, and he’s been fine since. Wow, does he have a reason to take that advantage away from LA? He pitched for LA for 8 seasons, and for Boston for only a part of 1 season - 20 games, according to [Eric Gagné Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gagneer01.shtml). Does he have a bone of contention against LA? I mean, I love what he did and all, but I’m not a Dodger fan by any stretch and he’ll be reviled in LA if this costs them. Wow. ETA: and of course I remember Eric Gagne! ---
**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 25, 2018, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/362 "2018-10-25T22:49:06Z")
He did it before he knew they were playing LA, and as I understood it from whatever source I first heard it from, Gagne and Cora are good friends. So I don’t think it had anything to do with dissing the Dodgers. ---
**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, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/363 "2018-10-25T22:51:35Z")
Yeah, I’m reading the article more carefully and it was after ALCS game 4 that Gagne texted Cora. A reason to like Eric Gagne – who’d a thunk it? But I do now! 😃 ---
**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 25, 2018, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/364 "2018-10-25T22:55:37Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > OK, so you’re saying it’s not that the Dodgers can’t win, but that the Red Sox can’t lose? 😕😕:smack::eek:😃 You should probably read what I wrote, and what I was responding to. It’s not that difficult a concept to grasp, if you apply yourself. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/365 "2018-10-26T04:46:34Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > Moreso than Devers at third? Big time. Devers is a poor infielder. Betts is a not an infielder at all. He played 14 games at second once - badly. ---
**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 26, 2018, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/366 "2018-10-26T12:04:07Z")
Eric Gagne probably felt like he still needed to earn his Red Sox contract. He was awful in Boston. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/367 "2018-10-26T12:08:54Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > You should probably read what I wrote, and what I was responding to. It’s not that difficult a concept to grasp, if you apply yourself. You might need to chill out with a Monster Mule and an El Tiante\* the next time you’re at Fenway. \*local version of a Cuban sandwich. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/368 "2018-10-26T12:30:32Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > You should probably read what I wrote, and what I was responding to. It’s not that difficult a concept to grasp, if you apply yourself. Let’s cool it down, everyone, this isn’'t the Pit. RickJay Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/369 "2018-10-26T13:08:48Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > exactly. I bounce between, the beginning of the century goes to boston; to what new wacky way could be found to lose. > yogi quote: “it ain’t over, 'til it’s over”. Yeah, if any Red Sox fan\* needs a reminder that even a 3-0 series lead isn’t a guarantee of a win all they have to do is look over at the opposing manager in this series. - who can remember 14 years back, anyway ---
**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 26, 2018, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/370 "2018-10-26T13:18:17Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Eric Gagne probably felt like he still needed to earn his Red Sox contract. He was awful in Boston. He retired 10 years ago but he’s doing great now! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/371 "2018-10-26T13:28:09Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > Yeah, if any Red Sox fan\* needs a reminder that even a 3-0 series lead isn’t a guarantee of a win all they have to do is look over at the opposing manager in this series. The ancient Greeks can tell you about hubris. Still, tonight’s game is a tilter between “99.5% likely Boston will win” and “LA is right back in it.” Rick Porcello might well be the worst starting pitcher in this series and he’s a pitcher prone to gopher balls going up against a team that hits home runs, so it ain’t over. ---
**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 26, 2018, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/372 "2018-10-26T13:30:14Z")
It’s almost a must win for LA. Almost. ---
**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 26, 2018, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/373 "2018-10-26T13:39:16Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > Yeah, if any Red Sox fan\* needs a reminder that even a 3-0 series lead isn’t a guarantee of a win all they have to do is look over at the opposing manager in this series. > > - who can remember 14 years back, anyway Dave Roberts going to put himself in a pinch runner? Rick Porcello may be the worst starting pitcher in the series, but he’s the best hitting pitcher on the Red Sox roster. He was 3 for 7 this year with 2 doubles. Just something to keep an eye on. ---
**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 26, 2018, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/374 "2018-10-26T13:49:01Z")
By the way, in case anyone cares, the money line is LAD -151. First time Vegas likes the Dodgers and they haven’t been wrong yet. I think Boston has to score at least 6 runs to win tonight, maybe more. ---
**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 26, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/375 "2018-10-26T14:18:05Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > By the way, in case anyone cares, the money line is LAD -151. First time Vegas likes the Dodgers and they haven’t been wrong yet. I think Boston has to score at least 6 runs to win tonight, maybe more. Currently LAD -160. The line must be moving quickly. > **[Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Dodgers Odds - Friday October 26 2018](https://www.oddsshark.com/mlb/boston-los-angeles-odds-october-26-2018-1068967)** > > Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Dodgers Odds - Friday October 26 2018. Live betting odds and lines, betting trends, against the spread and over/under trends, injury reports and matchup stats for bettors. ---
**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 26, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/376 "2018-10-26T14:25:43Z")
This is a matchup that favors the Dodgers - at least in innings 1 through 5. Porcello will probably give up anywhere from 2 to 5 runs through 5 innings, and it’s doubtful he’ll be around after the 5th. The Dodgers really need a game in which they’re leading after 6 innings. Porcello would probably consider 4 runs through 5 a modest success, though he’d obviously like to perform better if possible. He won’t overpower lineups, but against New York, a team that’s more like the Dodgers, he did a good job of scattering hits and not letting the game get out of hand. Porcello was torched by the Astros, but the Stros are a different kind of lineup than LA. I could see this game going either way: I could see Porcello struggling to settle in and locate pitches and getting battered early, but I could also see him taking advantage of aggression and the Dodgers still struggling to put runs together. ---
**Author:** ![WreckingCrew](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wreckingcrew/32/4080_2.png) [@WreckingCrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WreckingCrew)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/377 "2018-10-26T15:12:52Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Big time. Devers is a poor infielder. Betts is a not an infielder at all. He played 14 games at second once - badly. Betts played 230 games at 2nd in the minors, so it isn’t completely foreign. That being said, I’d rather he stay in right field. ---
**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 26, 2018, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/378 "2018-10-26T15:27:24Z")
I’m not sure I buy the Kimbrel tipping pitches story. I’d say it’s just as likely that he’s had some bad luck or that LA hitters are unfamiliar with him. I remember Eric Gagne. Along with Clemens he was proof that power pitchers could benefit from steroids too. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/379 "2018-10-26T16:48:19Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > It’s almost a must win for LA. Almost. I know it’s probably fantasy to even consider it but how epic would it be if LA went down 0-3 but came back to sweep the rest of the series? ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/380 "2018-10-26T18:00:13Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > … how epic would it be if LA went down 0-3 but came back to sweep the rest of the series? I suspect Red Sox fans everywhere strongly approve of LA pursuing this strategy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203.md?page=20)