# MLB: The Playoffs **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [September 30, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185 "2011-09-30T18:45:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/501 "2011-10-20T04:40:13Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Just FYI: no-one who has been arguing with you has ever said that pitching is unimportant, and nor has anyone ever suggested that no games are dominated by good pitching performances. > > All people have been arguing against is your clueless parroting of meaningless phrases like “Pitching shuts down hitting,” and your apparent belief that hitting is largely irrelevant to the results of baseball games. If you think it is meaningless, you do not know baseball. ---
**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 20, 2011, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/502 "2011-10-20T04:57:53Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > If you think it is meaningless, you do not know baseball. Thankyou for making a post that is right in line with your general level of insightful analysis and reasoned argument in baseball threads. The World Series wouldn’t be the same without you. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/503 "2011-10-20T10:11:42Z")
That was one of the most miserable and unpleasant experiences I’ve ever had in my life. I didn’t make it to the end, and if I’d had any sense I’d have left after the second. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/504 "2011-10-20T12:39:37Z")
What made it so unpleasant, **Frank**? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/505 "2011-10-20T12:59:38Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > What made it so unpleasant, **Frank**? Mostly the weather. I was shivering uncontrollably by the time I left. I’d have been better had I brought a blanket (I was fine from the waist up), but thanks to the lying Post-Dispatch saying everyone would have to go through TSA-level security, I didn’t. And, honestly, I was not overly impressed with Busch stadium. Not enough restrooms. Amateur fund raisers serving at the food stands. A public address system that was largely unintelligible. And two huge scoreboards that were not used for any useful purpose. (Like showing a replay of Carpenter’s dive for the bag in the first!) Beautiful field, though, with nice clear sight lines. And the hot dogs were good. And I have a rally towel that I can use for dusting. Assuming I don’t get double pneumonia in the next couple of days, I’m still glad I went to the World Series. It just wasn’t very enjoyable. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/506 "2011-10-20T13:54:52Z")
Yeah, I was very close to buying tickets for last night, but the weather was just too cold. You really needed to bundle up and bring a blanket. Sorry the experience wasn’t everything you wished for - but hey, at least you can say you were at the World Series. That said, on TV, what a great game (for a Cardinals fan and a neutral I’d think). Timely hitting, a big home run, decent enough starting pitching, shut-down bullpen work for the Cards, a few great plays in the field, and plenty of managerial decisions to discuss. Washington certainly made at least one, maybe two, mistakes IMO. Gentry for Murphy I can buy - Murphy can’t hit lefties. But batting German was obviously a mistake, even as it was happening. I still can’t believe that he did that. And bringing in Ogando was probably the right move, but if he expected that LaRussa wouldn’t use Craig there he was obviously mistaken. TLR has had a very consistent MO this post-season: get a lead and ride the bullpen. Washington has a few important decisions to make. The heart of his lineup (Hamilton) is obviously hurt. He really needs to consider re-ordering things. It’s a bad state of affairs when as an opposing fan I’m much happier to see an inning with 1-4 coming up than with 5-7. And he really needs to identify the pinch hitting matchups he wants to see in the NL park, and which ones he wants to avoid. Here’s a hint - avoid batting Estaban German. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/507 "2011-10-20T14:43:59Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > If you think it is meaningless, you do not know baseball. [Moderating] Disobeying moderator instructions is forbidden in all forums. I have specifically instructed you and others to not accuse others of ignorance in this thread. \*\* This is a formal warning\*\* for doing so, and for disobeying moderator instructions. If posters wish to debate and define the relative importance of hitting and pitching skill they are welcome to do so and to attack each other’s arguments, but “You do not understand baseball” or similar accusations are absolutely forbidden in this thread. Do not do this again. RickJay Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/508 "2011-10-20T15:54:25Z")
Negotiations between the Cubs and Red Sox over Theo Epstein are almost complete. [I don’t know if this is true, but I thought it was hilarious](http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7126311/source-chicago-cubs-boston-red-sox-finalizing-deal-theo-epstein): > [@](#): > > The Red Sox […] at one point proposed the Cubs take pitcher John Lackey’s contract as part of the compensation for hiring Epstein, according to a major league source You can’t blame them for trying. ---
**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 20, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/509 "2011-10-20T15:58:02Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > You can’t blame them for trying. And, given the team’s history, would people have been especially surprised if the Cubs said, “Sure, why not?” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/510 "2011-10-20T18:04:28Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Negotiations between the Cubs and Red Sox over Theo Epstein are almost complete. [I don’t know if this is true, but I thought it was hilarious](http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7126311/source-chicago-cubs-boston-red-sox-finalizing-deal-theo-epstein): > You can’t blame them for trying. That was originally a _joke_. It might still be one. No way a new GM would stick a new manager with both Lackey and Zambrano, though. Latest rumor is that the Padres might nibble on Lackey, if the Sox eat his contract. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/511 "2011-10-20T18:09:06Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That was originally a _joke_. It might still be one. It’s not going to happen, but it sounds like the Red Sox wanted to discuss it seriously. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/512 "2011-10-20T18:10:24Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That was originally a _joke_. It might still be one. No way a new GM would stick a new manager with both Lackey and Zambrano, though. > > Latest rumor is that the Padres might nibble on Lackey, if the Sox eat his contract. Who knows; if the Padres have expressed interest, there could be a three-way deal that involves Epstein taking Lackey with him to Chicago on paper, and then dumping Lackey on San Diego, with the Cubs eating some of the Lackey contract. Everyone gets something; Boston is rid of Lackey, the Padres could get him for cheap and see if they can fix his brain problem at little risk, and the Cubs get the GM they want for money they have lots of. ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/513 "2011-10-20T22:38:28Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > And two huge scoreboards that were not used for any useful purpose. (Like showing a replay of Carpenter’s dive for the bag in the first!) When I was there for the NLCS, they showed several replays, as well as some shots live from TBS. They usually avoid showing replays of fairly close plays though – reasoning I’ve heard is to avoid showing up the umps, though I don’t know if that’s true. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/514 "2011-10-20T23:37:19Z")
OK, I have a Moosehead at my right hand that cost me $1.26 instead of a Bud for $9.75; a full pack of cigarettes at my left hand; the makings of nachos in my fridge; and my apartment heat is set for 72 degrees F. This should be a lot more comfortable. Gameday audio appears to work the same as in the regular season–I have my choice of the Cardinals or Rangers broadcast. I’ll start with the Rangers, and maybe switch from time to time. It should be mildly more pleasant in the stadium tonight. It won’t rain at all and the wind seems to have let up a bit. Actual temperature should be about the same as last night. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/515 "2011-10-20T23:40:21Z")
> [@Garfield226](#): > > They usually avoid showing replays of fairly close plays though – reasoning I’ve heard is to avoid showing up the umps, though I don’t know if that’s true. While it may have been a close play (it looked close from out in the boonies), it was also a _great_ play, and should have been replayed for the benefit of those of us out in the boonies. In my opinion, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/516 "2011-10-20T23:49:26Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Washington certainly made at least one, maybe two, mistakes IMO. Gentry for Murphy I can buy - Murphy can’t hit lefties. But batting German was obviously a mistake, even as it was happening. I still can’t believe that he did that. And bringing in Ogando was probably the right move, but if he expected that LaRussa wouldn’t use Craig there he was obviously mistaken. TLR has had a very consistent MO this post-season: get a lead and ride the bullpen. > > Washington has a few important decisions to make. The heart of his lineup (Hamilton) is obviously hurt. He really needs to consider re-ordering things. It’s a bad state of affairs when as an opposing fan I’m much happier to see an inning with 1-4 coming up than with 5-7. And he really needs to identify the pinch hitting matchups he wants to see in the NL park, and which ones he wants to avoid. Here’s a hint - avoid batting Estaban German. Ya know, the Rangers are the first team in 20 years to come back to the WS the year after losing it. So I guess Wash has done a few things right. And LaRusse didn’t seem to think batting German was so dumb; in fact he said he was [concerned](http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20111020&content_id=25723984¬ebook_id=25723998&c_id=tex): "Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who had right-hander Octavio Dotel in the bullpen, was concerned when he saw German walk up to the plate. “When he was in Kansas City, he had a really nice stroke and gets base hits all over the ballpark,” La Russa said. “He chased a bad pitch, so I thought it was a really good choice. If he would have got a hit, then it would have been a good choice, and I would have would have been asked, why didn’t I bring Dotel?” In my opinion what cost the Rangers last night is what cost them the series last year: poor starting pitching. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/517 "2011-10-21T00:07:19Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > In my opinion what cost the Rangers last night is what cost them the series last year: poor starting pitching. Well, it’s kind of hard to blame the pitching on a night when they only gave up three runs. They simply did not hit. German didn’t get a hit, but nobody else came up with many hits, either. The middle of the order produced nothing. I can’t recall them really hitting many balls hard at all, actually. In the entire game, eight men reached base, which isn’t a recipe for success. I have a lot of trouble believing that the entire problem with Texas’s offense last night was caused by the marginal difference between Esteban German and Yorvit Torrealba. I’m not convinced Torrealba’s actually a better hitter, but even if he is, it’s not much of a difference. Seriously, the game-crushing error was they didn’t get YORVIT TORREALBA into the game? The color guy (who the hell is it?) was howling like Washington had left Ted Williams on the bench. Washington can pulls all the levers he (or the FOX commentators) wants, but if his guys don’t hit, there’s not a lot he can do. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/518 "2011-10-21T00:22:35Z")
Wilson walked six batters. I don’t think you can do that and expect to win. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/519 "2011-10-21T00:26:15Z")
[MLB.com](http://MLB.com) will no longer be getting money from me for audio. They can send me the advertisements on Gameday with sound just fine, but somehow can’t get me the radio feed? Yeah, right. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2011, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185/520 "2011-10-21T00:39:27Z")
I have fond memories of Berkman from his Astros days. Always makes me smile to see him walk like he just did from the plate. It’s like when he wasn’t looking someone stitched his ass shut. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/598185.md?page=27)