# 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:** 20
**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, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/381 "2018-10-26T18:05:06Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > I suspect Red Sox fans everywhere strongly approve of LA pursuing this strategy. Yes. Pursue the strategy but then choke on Saturday. Oops! ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/382 "2018-10-26T18:27:43Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Big time. Devers is a poor infielder. Betts is a not an infielder at all. He played 14 games at second once - badly. I don’t know. I’m not too concerned with the prospect. He came through the minors as an infielder and I have heard that he takes IF practice daily this year (probably as a drop dead last resort for the Dustin Pedroia absence). He’s only got to get through 3 games there tops, and he won’t give away games defensively the way Devers can. If the Sox were down 0-2, I might feel differently. But as other’s have pointed out, Cora has made few if any missteps as a manager so far. Also, more recently, he’s been flawless defensively at second. [Mookie Betts Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bettsmo01.shtml)😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gus\_Gusterson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@Gus\_Gusterson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Gusterson)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/383 "2018-10-26T18:40:35Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > 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. Cora talked about Kimbrel tipping his pitches before game 5 of the ALCS. Kimbrel has done much better from game 5 on. Do you think it’s just a coincidence? ---
**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, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/384 "2018-10-26T19:16:13Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > I don’t know. I’m not too concerned with the prospect. He came through the minors as an infielder and I have heard that he takes IF practice daily this year (probably as a drop dead last resort for the Dustin Pedroia absence). He’s only got to get through 3 games there tops, and he won’t give away games defensively the way Devers can. Why not? An error is an error, and he’d have more opportunities to screw up. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/385 "2018-10-26T19:29:11Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Why not? An error is an error, and he’d have more opportunities to screw up. Shorter throw to first, less likely to airmail it to the first row. Xander can wheel the double play with a good feed. If a ground ball gets past him, he’s got a cannon backing him up to most likely keep it a single and hold the runner from second at third. When (not if) one gets by Devers, it’ll be a double before Benny gets to it, and a runner on second would have scored. Is it a perfect play? No. But to me it is not much different than the scenarios that involved planting fat-ass Ortiz at first to keep his GIDP bat in the lineup. They seemed to work out okay in the end. ---
**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, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/386 "2018-10-26T21:01:10Z")
> [@Gus\_Gusterson](#): > > Cora talked about Kimbrel tipping his pitches before game 5 of the ALCS. Kimbrel has done much better from game 5 on. Do you think it’s just a coincidence? Yes, that’s exactly what I think and I posted the reasons why. Do you read posts or just quote them for shits and giggles? ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/387 "2018-10-26T21:07:15Z")
Betts will see action at second tonight only when he steals it or rounds it on his way to third. [Official lineup](https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-dodgers-game-3-lineups-and-bullpens/c-299640926) 1. Mookie Betts, RF 2. Xander Bogaerts, SS 3. Mitch Moreland, 1B 4. J.D. Martinez, LF 5. Brock Holt, 2B 6. Rafael Devers, 3B 7. Jackie Bradley Jr., CF 8. Christian Vazquez, C 9. Rick Porcello, RHP ---
**Author:** ![RobotDevilDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19adc/32.png) [@RobotDevilDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobotDevilDog)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/388 "2018-10-26T21:41:59Z")
How is sitting Benintendi even an option? He’s probably the LAST player I’d sit right now, especially against a RHP! (OK, except for Mookie.) In order of preference: 1. Sit J.D. 2. Sit Bradley 3. Play Mookie at 2B 4. Play J.D. at 1B 5. Sit Benintendi There, that’s 4 less-horrible options. ---
**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, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/389 "2018-10-26T21:57:11Z")
> [@Gus\_Gusterson](#): > > Cora talked about Kimbrel tipping his pitches before game 5 of the ALCS. Kimbrel has done much better from game 5 on. Do you think it’s just a coincidence? There’s much to be said for correlation without causation. I’m torn myself; on the one hand nobody seems to be able or willing to contradict the story. On the other hand, it seems like such a good and interesting story that it feels like it might be made up. ---
**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 26, 2018, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/390 "2018-10-26T22:20:38Z")
I think the Dodgers will take one game. Probably tonight. I follow both teams, so this is a great series for me all around. I was surprised Price got the win. I think Price and Porcello are the two weaker links in the Red Sox, as well as Spider-Kimbrel. But the Sox have been a freight train all year long. The Dodgers are all over the place too. Living in L.A., I’ve seen a lot of their games last two years. Way different this year as they were in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 4th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 1st in their division. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2018, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/391 "2018-10-26T22:54:13Z")
> [@RobotDevilDog](#): > > How is sitting Benintendi even an option? He’s probably the LAST player I’d sit right now, especially against a RHP! (OK, except for Mookie.) > > In order of preference: > > 1. Sit J.D. > 2. Sit Bradley > 3. Play Mookie at 2B > 4. Play J.D. at 1B > 5. Sit Benintendi > > There, that’s 4 less-horrible options. Without the DH, someone’s going to need to pinch-hit for the pitcher at some point (possibly quite early, based on what I’ve seen in the NL playoffs this year), so he might very well come in as part of a double-switch. You might even see several players shifting positions depending on how the game is going. ---
**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 27, 2018, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/392 "2018-10-27T01:43:34Z")
Buehler looks good so far. Offense still flat, but at least we have the lead and knocked their starter out in the 5th. Go blue! ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/393 "2018-10-27T02:12:48Z")
There goes “Johnny Hustle” going all out again. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/394 "2018-10-27T02:27:34Z")
One more reason to root for LA to force a Game 5. According to 538, “the Dodgers, Kings, Clippers, Ducks, Rams and Galaxy would all be playing in the LA metro area on Sunday.” ---
**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 27, 2018, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/395 "2018-10-27T02:38:22Z")
This is the Buehler show. Amazing shit tonight. Porcello did his job and then some. Unfortunately, he’s facing the second coming of Brett Saberhagen. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/396 "2018-10-27T03:36:21Z")
Roberts overmanaging again. And why is Grandal still in the lineup considering he’s terrible both at the plate and behind it? ---
**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 27, 2018, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/397 "2018-10-27T04:49:26Z")
i’ll never understand putting your closer in in the top of the 8th. Too much can go wrong. Extra innings for example. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/398 "2018-10-27T05:46:42Z")
Why did Munsie advance to second on a caught fowl ball?? ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/399 "2018-10-27T05:51:37Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Why did Munsie advance to second on a caught fowl ball?? I can’t watch it here, but perhaps the third-baseman fell into the dugout or seats and he was awarded second base by rule. ---
**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 27, 2018, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203/400 "2018-10-27T05:52:46Z")
HOLY CRAP WHAT A GAME!!! Hope it goes to 18, no 19 innings! It’s like usual though-- whoever causes less errors wins. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-playoffs-2018-who-wins-it-all/822203.md?page=21)