# MLB: The Playoffs **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [October 2, 2023, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989 "2023-10-02T04:45:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2023, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/61 "2023-10-08T02:31:28Z")
FUCK that was ugly. Dodgers should have fielded a local Little League team. They would have made a better showing. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2023, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/62 "2023-10-08T02:36:15Z")
Boy I am sure am glad the Blue Jays traded Gabriel Moreno, one of the best young catchers in the game, for an outfielder than can’t hit. No, wait. What’s the opposite of “glad?” ---
**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 8, 2023, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/63 "2023-10-08T02:37:30Z")
Hey, now. Only the third inning! 😁 Thing is, 2015, 2016, fans out here had big flags on thier car window before end of season. Even since Covid, you won’t see any until the WS. Even then, less than you’d expect. I suppose they’re waiting for the screwup, which has happened, especially to Kershaw around this time. On Reddit, they’re going off a bit. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2023, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/64 "2023-10-08T02:44:25Z")
First pitcher in any playoff game, ever, to give up 5 runs and 5 hits before he got anyone out. ---
**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 8, 2023, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/65 "2023-10-08T11:50:44Z")
We were driving, on a road trip. We had it on XM radio, and it was painful to hear. Kershaw’s frequently poor postseason performances are baffling. I was surprised when Roberts did not pull him before the Evan Longoria at bat. But I suppose it wouldn’t have mattered one bit. And now, at 0445 in the morning, since I’m a Giants fan I’ve just GOTTA watch that first inning meltdown. ---
**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 8, 2023, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/66 "2023-10-08T12:30:44Z")
That was ugly. Some comments before the first batter: Bob Costas on Clayton Kershaw: October has not been as kind to him as April through September. Ron Darling: 13-12 in the postseason, in 31 starts. Costas: This is the 12th time that Kershaw has started a Game 1. On leadoff hitter Ketel Marte’s liner to LCF, misplayed by James Outman: if Outman makes that catch it’s the first out of the inning and it could’ve been an entirely different ballgame. Instead, Marte is standing at second. 5-0 before the first out was recorded. On the displayed graphic during the Alek Thomas AB: **13-12, 4.23 ERA** **12 postseason losses: 3rd most in postseason history** **11 starts (35%) allowing 4+ runs** **4.69 combined ERA in the NLCS and WS** Costas, when Roberts pulls Kershaw after the Evan Longoria double: “He’s had a rough time before in the postseason. This has to be the worst of all those outings.” **0.1 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 0 K; 35 pitches (25 strikes)** It is baffling about Kershaw‘s October failings. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/67 "2023-10-09T13:05:01Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The Toronto fan base is REALLY angry. I’ve never seen anything like this. Their own employees are freaking out on live TV (Rogers owns a lot of media.) I didn’t watch the whole rant, and I’m a Twins fan. They are complaining that they took out Berrios too early (probably a justified complaint), but I haven’t heard anyone mention that the Jays scored 1 run over two games. I don’t think that the biggest problem was pitching decisions. ---
**Author:** ![gnarator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gnarator/32/8266_2.png) [@gnarator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnarator)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/68 "2023-10-09T16:31:50Z")
Probably should let RickJay answer this one, but here’s what I see: I watched a couple of those rants, and read a few articles, and there is wailing and gnashing of teeth that they pulled Berrios early. The blame seems to go to the analytics department and the manager for “not standing up to them.” There is much anger at baserunning blunders, though. The Jays had lots of runners but didn’t score, so several places are trying to fit the goat horns on Vlad Guerrero for “napping,” and Bichette for getting thrown out at the plate in game 1. I guess I can see anger at Guerrero, but Bichette was hustling and it took a tremendous play to nab him. And they needed runs. Finally, the fans seem exasperated that the expensive talent didn’t come through in the clutch so they want heads to roll. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/69 "2023-10-09T18:08:54Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > On leadoff hitter Ketel Marte’s liner to LCF, misplayed by James Outman: if Outman makes that catch it’s the first out of the inning and it could’ve been an entirely different ballgame. That was scored a hit, by the way. That is a stunningly bad scoring decision. The ball was easily within the range of any professional center fielder, Outman was there in plenty of time as as MLB outfielder should have been, and the ball hit him right in the glove. Nothing about the playing conditions was poor. It was a play that could have been made with ordinary effort. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/70 "2023-10-09T23:32:44Z")
Zack Wheeler is absolutely dealing, so I assume Ross Atkins is at home wondering why the Phillies aren’t pulling him. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/71 "2023-10-09T23:54:52Z")
“There’s a ground ball to second…Surrounding it is Stott…” Interesting choice of verb there on the Phillies’ radio broadcast. (He did make the play.) ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2023, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/72 "2023-10-10T01:22:40Z")
Just sayin’ the D-backs are again kicking the ass of the Dodgers in the top of the first. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2023, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/73 "2023-10-10T01:55:19Z")
The last few innings of the Phillies/Braves game was playoff baseball at it’s best. Stolen bases. clutch hits, heads-up plays (especially the last one), pitching changes (and roster shifts in response). Great stuff! Series even at 1-1. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/74 "2023-10-10T21:21:01Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > heads-up plays (especially the last one) Well, I’d argue that for Bryce Harper, it was very much a heads-down play. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/75 "2023-10-11T01:41:10Z")
More brilliant commentary from John Smoltz. “They needed that.” When the Orioles, down 6-0, finally put a run across the plate. Then he went on to reminisce about something or other from the days when he used to be a pitcher… ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/76 "2023-10-11T01:57:26Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Well, I’d argue that for Bryce Harper, it was very much a heads-down play. Poor base running, for sure, but I’ll cut him a little slack. He wanted that tying run bad, that was a great catch, and the cutoff man missed the throw, but heads ups on the back-up (or Bryce would have made it back). So, it was bone-headed, but not colossally bone-headed. 😄 ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/77 "2023-10-11T02:09:02Z")
> [@Jaycat.again](#): > > More brilliant commentary from John Smoltz. He really is the current worst. He just described Houston as the Rangers’ “cross town rival”. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/78 "2023-10-11T02:45:35Z")
Where have these Rangers been all season long? Can’t think of any other MLB playoffs where low seeds played so strongly against upper seeds. If a Phillies player had just hit that ball one yard deeper, we could have been looking at a 2-0 Phillies lead over the Braves, 3-0 Rangers sweep of Orioles, D’backs up 2-0 on Dodgers. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/79 "2023-10-11T02:52:08Z")
What do you mean? The Rangers have been pretty great all season long, right? Their run differential was 4th best in baseball. 2nd best in the AL. I think only the Braves are clearly better than them (particularly considering the Dodgers pitching woes). ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989/80 "2023-10-11T03:00:38Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Well, I’d argue that for Bryce Harper, it was very much a heads-down play. > [@Stratocaster](#): > > He wanted that tying run bad, that was a great catch 8 times out of 10 that ball comes off the fence (if not over it) and Bryce scores. And he busted his ass getting back and was thrown out by a great play. Should he have paused at 2B? Maybe, but then he loses the chance to score against a shut-down closer. I would say aggressive rather than heads-down especially with the Phillies’ Manager declaring before the series that they would be running a lot - at least according to the announcers during the Game 1 5 steal-a-fest. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-the-playoffs/990989.md?page=5)