# MLB: Post-Season 2019 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [September 30, 2019, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046 "2019-09-30T14:37:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/121 "2019-10-09T15:16:54Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > It’s nice to sweep and watch the others play full 5 game series, but I’m worried that a long rest will leave the Yanks a bit rusty on Saturday. Hoping Tampa beats Houston in about 18 innings on Thursday. I don’t think there’s really any reason to think teams get rusty that fast. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > I don’t think we’ve ever had all 4 end at once. I’m not even sure that we’ve had a chance for them to end at once. Well, I’ll be darned… actually, to my surprise, on October 5, 1996, all four division series ended. The Cardinals and Braves completed sweeps of the Padres and Dodgers, respectively (bad day for SoCal baseball) and the Orioles and Yankees beat the Indians and Rangers in Game 4 of their series. I’d never have guessed that. There have been two other years it could have happened, in 1999 and 2012, but did not. I am mildly surprised it doesn’t happen more; in the latter stages of the DS you will usually have a day where all four series are scheduled to go, two for Game 4 and two for Game 5, which are all elimination games. It just hardly ever lines up. It might just be me - I didn’t actually keep track as I was going through the records - but it feels like sweeps are more common than you would expect. ---
**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 9, 2019, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/122 "2019-10-09T16:24:17Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I don’t think there’s really any reason to think teams get rusty that fast. > Well, I’ll be darned… actually, to my surprise, on October 5, 1996, all four division series ended. The Cardinals and Braves completed sweeps of the Padres and Dodgers, respectively (bad day for SoCal baseball) and the Orioles and Yankees beat the Indians and Rangers in Game 4 of their series. I’d never have guessed that. Thanks for the research. Surely I knew at the time that it happened but it didn’t get lodged in my memory. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/123 "2019-10-09T19:02:33Z")
Well that was only the second year there was a DS. It might not have seemed all that unlikely an event when it was 50% of all relevant seasons 🙂 ---
**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 9, 2019, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/124 "2019-10-09T19:59:32Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > It might just be me - I didn’t actually keep track as I was going through the records - but it feels like sweeps are more common than you would expect. If it’s true, it could be because the Division Series is seeded, unlike the other two rounds, in which there is only one possible match up. Since the team with the best record usually plays the one with the worst record (with some exceptions since the Wild Card can have a better record than a division winner), there is more of an opportunity for a big mismatch between teams. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/125 "2019-10-09T20:43:35Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Stanton reached base 5 times in 11 plate appearances, so it’s worked out okay. The Yankees have a logjam at DH and they’d be crazy not to play Encarnacion. I’d be happy to see more Maybin, especially in the outfield, but not Voit. He hasn’t been the same since his sports hernia diagnosis. I’m pretty sure he’s headed for offseason surgery. Thank you for your reply **Blank Slate**. I guess the record speaks for itself. But, I like the way Maybin looks on the field and at the plate. And he seems to have a positive influence on the team. With all the talent on the Yankee team, it will be hard for Maybin to get a foot in the door. But, I am rooting for him. Again, l thank you for your answer. The MLB group on this MB seems to be rather clicky for a rookie like me. And I appreciate your response. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/126 "2019-10-09T21:30:21Z")
Damn! I’m a Cardinals fan, so that’s a good “damn,” but still: Damn. ---
**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 9, 2019, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/127 "2019-10-09T21:38:47Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Damn! > > I’m a Cardinals fan, so that’s a good “damn,” but still: > > Damn. I just turned it on and missed the whole first inning fiasco. Holy crap, they walk in two runs and end it with a wild pitch/strike three for a tenth run? What did the Braves eat? 😃 ---
**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 9, 2019, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/128 "2019-10-09T21:39:36Z")
I guess, barring a miracle, that’s it for the Braves. That’s a bummer. Don’t like the Cards, and was hoping that they’d go out in the Division Series. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/129 "2019-10-09T22:05:44Z")
And it all started with a small ball play. A bunt from Wong. Gotta love baseball. ---
**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 9, 2019, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/130 "2019-10-09T22:14:17Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > And it all started with a small ball play. A bunt from Wong. > > Gotta love baseball. Yeah, you’d think there’d be a homer in there somewhere in the first, but nope. Now they’re dropping double-play balls on the Braves. ---
**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 9, 2019, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/131 "2019-10-09T22:33:40Z")
Funniest tweet from StL fan in 2nd inning after scoring 11th run: “Finally, we get a security run.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/132 "2019-10-09T23:00:06Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > I guess, barring a miracle, that’s it for the Braves. That’s a bummer. Don’t like the Cards, and was hoping that they’d go out in the Division Series. I like the Cards only because they are Dodger killers in the playoffs. I would love to see a TB v Washington World Series. Let a new team win it this season. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2019, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/133 "2019-10-09T23:28:19Z")
Let’s go, Nats! ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/134 "2019-10-10T00:15:48Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > Let’s go, Nats! The Dodgers are the better team, but go Nats. The team with the most talent doesn’t always win. If they don’t win this one it won’t upset me as much as the other four NLDS losses, just because they had to overcome so much just to make it this far. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/135 "2019-10-10T00:33:12Z")
So, a question. In the NL, could the visiting team bat the pitcher’s spot first and begin the game with a bench player batting in that spot, and then sub in the starting pitcher for the bottom of the first? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/136 "2019-10-10T00:51:35Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > So, a question. In the NL, could the visiting team bat the pitcher’s spot first and begin the game with a bench player batting in that spot, and then sub in the starting pitcher for the bottom of the first? Good question! I’ve never thought of that before. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/137 "2019-10-10T01:05:32Z")
Now that I’ve thought about it more, the only real effect is to have the pitcher be the 10th, 19th, 28th, etc batter instead of the 9th, 18th, 27th, etc. That may not be worth trading a bench player for. ---
**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 10, 2019, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/138 "2019-10-10T01:25:43Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Again, l thank you for your answer. The MLB group on this MB seems to be rather clicky for a rookie like me. And I appreciate your response. My pleasure. And there can’t be too much baseball talk around here as far as I’m concerned. I love Maybin; he’s one of the guys who saved the Yankees season. Having Stanton and Maybin split the position is working pretty well so I expect it to continue in the ALCS. As for the Rays, they’re a damn good team, and they were last season too. I fully expect Cole and the Astros to prevail tomorrow night, but with their pitching, they have a chance. Can’t wait to see this one. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/139 "2019-10-10T01:28:29Z")
Yeah, teams carry so much pitching these days that you really don’t want to sacrifice a bench player so early in the game. Especially if he’s some utility guy that you might want to sub in later in the game. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2019, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046/140 "2019-10-10T01:56:44Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > So, a question. In the NL, could the visiting team bat the pitcher’s spot first and begin the game with a bench player batting in that spot, and then sub in the starting pitcher for the bottom of the first? No. Rule 5.10 (f) says: The pitcher named in the batting order handed the umpire-in-chief, as provided in Rules 4.02(a) and 4.02(b), shall pitch to the first batter or any substitute batter until such batter is put out or reaches first base, unless the pitcher sustains injury or illness which, in the judgment of the umpire-in-chief, incapacitates him from pitching. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-post-season-2019/841046.md?page=8)