Verlander has been solid, but nowhere near as nails the last few months as Cole. I think it likely the Astros win, but it’s far from certain. Vegas has Houston anywhere from -236 to -250, which I think is about right, a ballpark 70-30 favorite.
Still would like to see Springer and Brantley shake off the funk.
Nothing to say about the Cards and the Braves that hasn’t already been said by** Zakalwe** and me - just five days ago!
That they all ended, or that there was a chance they’d all end?
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. Seems like it used to be that one of the DS had an odd stagger to their schedule with like an off day between games 1 or 2, maybe so not to conflict with the other DS in that league. So now with G4 in one league corresponding with G3 in the other, you have to have two series at 2-0 and 2 at 2-1.
I’ve been shouting about how terrible this guy is all year long. The local LA area bar I go to always has fans groaning loudly when they see the glasses come out on the mound.
But Joe is actually a perfect example of the Dodgers bullpen. Their relief pitching is atrocious. Madea? Baez? Florio? I’ll bet their collective ERA is well in the double digits for the year. And Dave Roberts has NO CLUE as far as when to pull a starter. Why pull Rich Hill in the 4th? The game is tied. Even if he lets up 3 or 4 runs, you’re playing a good team. The Nats are not the Padres, Marlins, or Rockies. They’ve been in and out of first all year. And they started a starter that’s better than all LA starters. So where are the bats? +287 run differential? I’m guessing the run diff against all remaining teams is around +3. :rolleyes:
Kelly is the worst, and I’ve also been complaining loudly about him to anyone who will listen for, what feels like, forever.
He has got to go.
Wondering why Arron choses to start Stanton?
I would rather see Voit or Maybin in the start.
Any ideas?
Joe Kelly would probably be the Nats’ third best reliever. And Davey Martinez has no clue how to manage a pitching staff. Maybe that’s why the series is tied. 
No damn way the Dodgers’ pen is anywhere close to as bad as the Nats’. Now that’s some bad pitchin’.
Verlander just transformed from a solid to a liquid…a dribbly yellow one.
Not great, not terrible.
I’d think they could easily come back from 4-0 in the 5th, but they’re pressing harder than a teenage boy with his first steady date. You’d think they’d show some more poise, considering they’ve been there before. Guess not.
But even if they don’t, the Rays have to beat Cole in Houston. Good luck.
The Yankees and their fans must be loving this though.
I’ve seen enough of Michael Brantley. Great up until September, not so good after that. I have no idea why Tucker isn’t playing over Reddick
The Rays have been absolutely knocking Houston’s ass all over the park and I do not see the Astros salvaging this shitshow.
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.
Sure am.
Yes, me too. Especially as I questioned starting Verlander on short rest.
Now can the Rays can beat Cole back in Houston though?
No, it’s utterly impossible (even though Cole gave up 6 hits and 5 runs in losing to the Red Sox in the ALCS last year).
Vegas does not feel it’s impossible to beat him, just rather unlikely. MLB Odds & Betting Lines 2024 - Live Pro Baseball Betting Lines
Started at -275 Astros, is now at -290. If they lose, I don’t think it’s because Cole was bad. It’s really hard to win when you need to shut the other team out.
Really bad hitting series in Tampa for the Astros. Oh well, at least this will be exciting.
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.
Meanwhile, in the National League, both NLDS’s will be decided today. From what I’ve seen so far, all four teams look vulnerable, and it’s anybody’s guess who winds up in the World Series on the NL side.
I don’t think there’s really any reason to think teams get rusty that fast.
There’s been a chance at least twice, on Oetober 9, 1999 and October 11, 2012. All ENDING on the same day, though, for sure that’s right.
I didn’t really write this down but it just feels to me like 3-game sweeps are more frequent than you would expect. I could be wrong though.