And Cards win. Nats eliminated. Pirates and Reds 2 back with 5 games left.
We’ll take it – thanks!
But yeah, both of those injuries were scary. Hoping for full recoveries for both guys.
The Reds have officially been relegated to the Wild Card game, having suffered a tough one-run loss today to the Mets, on top of a Cardinals victory.
The Pirates still have an outside chance to win the division – good luck, Bucks fans!
Outside chance is right. We have to sweep the Reds this weekend, the Cubs have to sweep the Cards, and then we have to win a one game playoff.
Barring that, best two out of three in the Pirates-Reds series hosts the wildcard game on Tuesday.
It will be interesting to see when each manager turns to marshaling resources for the WC game, versus winning the final series. Home-field is worth something, but not as much as having a couple of your best pitchers rested and ready for a must-win game, regardless of location.
A question: Does the wild-card game roster have to carry over to the first full round of the playoffs? I know the roster doesn’t have to remain static between the DS and the CS or between the CS and the WS, but what about between the wild card game and the division series?
Because it would make sense for the Reds, say, if they are starting Homer Bailey (for the sake of argument) to consider leaving other starting pitchers like Latos and Arroyo OFF the WC game roster, since they won’t be used, and stock up by activating 20 thousand relievers or six backup catchers. (I exaggerate, but you get the idea.)
On the other hand that wouldn’t make any sense if the roster has to carry over.
I was trying to remember what the rosters were like for last year’s WC game, but can’t.Anybody know?
That is interesting. Would you rather have your 2nd best pitcher pitching at home, or your best pitcher pitching on the road?
The WC round is its own series, with its own roster.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/joe_sheehan/09/20/coin-flip-game-strategy-rosters/index.html
I can actually see the Cubs sweeping the Cards, seeing as how they have struggled with them, but not the Pirates sweeping the Reds with home field on the line for the WC game.
Kind of depends on who the pitchers are.
That said, both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are much better at home than away, by a margin of 80-100 percentage points.
However, the WC isn’t a regular game. You don’t care if the starter goes deep, all you care about is winning. It’s worth it to burn TWO starters if you have to.
On another note, anyone remember last year when Baltimore was amazingly good in 1-run games, but rather than just being luck it was supposed to be that Buck Showalter’s a genius? This year they’re 17-31 in one-run games.
Yep. I commented on it back in post #176.
Their Expected Win-Loss is basically the same this season as last. Those one-run games that put them 11 games over X W-L last year have deserted them this year.
I think Showalter’s been an excellent manager for the Orioles, but it really was annoying how many people were crediting his genius for the 1-run wins last year.
Regardless, since both teams are at least assured a WC spot, it will be an interesting series between the Pirates and Reds. I’m curious to see how both managers handle their starters given that it’s likely that the outcome of that series won’t effect the fact that they will play each other again in the WC play-in game.
Lordy bagordy am I glad johnny Cueto is back though. That might make a huge difference.
And the Yankees have been eliminated.
I think the Bucs have their pitching set up perfectly. The rotation is Liriano, Burnett, Locke, Morton, and Cole.
Liriano pitched today with an off day tomorrow. Burnett goes Friday. With the off day, we tell Locke to take a day off Saturday and pitch Morton and finish with Cole.
That sets up Liriano for the WC game on Tuesday, and if we win there, we can start the division series on Thursday with Morton (who is arguably our best pitcher at the moment) on regular rest.
Since I’m a Pirates fan and haven’t updated my playoff knowledge in 20 years, do teams still go with a 3 man rotation in the postseason? That was traditional in that in a 7 game series, your best pitcher could start games 1, 4, and 7. If so, no drama there: Liriano, Burnett, Morton.
I pray that the Pirates start Liriano. Outside of the last time the teams met, the Reds have chased him.
It will be Liriano versus Latos or Cueto. I actually hope Cueto takes the mound and redeems his china doll status.
Thanks!
Tigers clinch the Central for the third year in a row. I’m feeling pessimistic about the playoffs with Cabrera barely able to walk these days. I remember telling my father-in-law back in early August that they should bench Cabrera for a few good weeks so he can be fully healed before the playoffs. Unfortunately my father-in-law isn’t Jim Leyland.
(Tigers fans and fans of AL Central teams are oddly silent in these threads.)
I know I’m not the only Tribe fan following this thread, but I think others folks have dropped out as the season has weeded out some teams.
I’m here, I just don’t have much to say!
Stop laughing, Asimovian.