2016 End of Regular Season Discussion

GWarner27

Meatballin' in Celtics Stadium
Liked what was put together in another thread, but it didn't take off (or i just can't find it) so I figured I'd re-start the chat here.

Trying to find motivations this week will be helpful, especially how far these teams are willing to push pitchers if they're in the race or if they just want to get a guy to finish the season healthy.

Currently trying to figure out what CLE is gonna do with Clevinger tonight as it appears he will be pitching meaningful innings for them in the playoffs, which brings me to my next theory that the 2-seed in the AL doesn't mind missing out on facing the wild card winner's 2nd best pitcher in game 1 because they get such a banged up Indians squad.

10/04: AL WC
10/05: NL WC
10/06: AL 1 vs WC, AL 2 vs 3
10/07: AL 1 vs WC, AL 2 vs 3, NL 1 vs WC, NL 2 vs 3
10/08: NL 1 vs WC, NL 2 vs 3
10/09: AL 1 vs WC, AL 2 vs 3
10/10: AL 1 vs WC, AL 2 vs 3, NL 1 vs WC, NL 2 vs 3
10/11: NL 1 vs WC, NL 2 vs 3

If Clevinger goes tonight, he's on pace to pitch the last game of the season on Sunday (10/2). Kluber went last night and hurt his groin, but if healthy could go Saturday (10/1) and then would be on normal rest for Game 1 on 10/6. I can't imagine they want Clevinger to go in game 2 (10/7), but Bauer is scheduled to be going tomorrow and would only be on 3 days rest if he pitched Sunday so CLE is in a bit of a predicament.

Maybe Bauer doesn't pitch Wednesday and instead gets pushed back to as late as Sunday to line up on normal rest for game 2 on 10/7? Hard to tell what Tito will do only being 1 GB of Boston and 0.5 of TEX as he's clearly in the race

Switching leagues for a second, crushing blow to WSH today with Ramos being diagnosed with a torn ACL. He's done, Murphy hasn't been able to play in more than a week and Harper hurt his thumb plus Strasburg unlikely to return makes this sound like the most dominant team in baseball has it easy. I wouldn't go that far at all, but after Scherzer/Roark the WSH rotation is downright scary. I thought they could knock CHC out, but now I think we need to focus on LA who has tons of pitching problems with Kershaw's back, Hill's blister and no clue on the 4th starter while Maeda seems to be smoke and mirrors.

Thoughts from y'all would be more than appreciated and I plan to be around CTG for the entire MLB playoffs
 
Losing Ramos is devastating to the Nats, both defensively and offensively. In a lineup that has seen Harper and Zimmerman really struggle this year, Ramos was really having his best year at the plate after getting Lasik surgery really improved his vision. Turner has been really good for the Nats at the top and Rendon has a nice 2nd half of the season, but the lineup has struggled to score runs with inconsistency in the middle with Harper and Zimmerman plaguing them in particular. Nats rotation beyond Scherzer and Roark is very ? if Stras is indeed done for the year. Gonzalez is still inconsistent and walks too many, Ross has been injured and young starters Giolito, Cole and Lopez are not ready for prime time. Nats bullpen is very average overall, Melancon has been solid but Nats really lack in quality set up guys beyond Kelley. They are getting Solis back this week so that may help in Lefty/Righty matchups, and also added journeyman Sean Burnett to give them another LH to go with Oliver Perez. Treinen has been up and down and makes me nervous. I'm not feeling too great about their chances overall in the playoffs unfortunately.
 
GWarner, agreed. Seems like the way they're looking to go, one of those "hey if these guys step up and produce, then great" approaches
 
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo confirmed Tuesday that Stephen Strasburg (elbow) is unlikely to pitch in the NLDS.
Strasburg has resumed playing catch following an extended shutdown period, but the ace right-hander is simply running out of time as he attempts to rehab a flexor mass strain. If the Nationals advance to the NLCS, they can reevaluate his status. Strasburg would be a nice weapon in long relief if he's feeling up to it. Sep 27 - 5:22 PM
Source: Chase Hughes on Twitter
 
Cano and his Griffey like swing got us off to a solid start..one of the prettiest swings in the game.
 
Looks like Fulmer ends 3 innings short. Rain didn't help, but he was not sharp from the beginning. Wonder if he gets another chance - I assume they will want to get him the innings.
 
Looks like Fulmer ends 3 innings short. Rain didn't help, but he was not sharp from the beginning. Wonder if he gets another chance - I assume they will want to get him the innings.

he's gonna win ROY, they want to use him as little as possible while still making the playoffs
 
negative. By shutting a guy down you are doing what's best for the player, but not you as an organization.

In the Strasburg case he had TJ anyways, which is what they were trying to avoid. So not only did they not avoid what they were trying to avoid, they also missed out on him in the postseason and went out early.

Shutting him down got him mad at the organization and you ultimately need him to like you to re-sign with you. By keeping him healthy it certainly helps your team, but also would allow him to go elsewhere in free agency as he's wanted by more teams.

It's just a bad move all around. I could go more into it, but it's not relevant to capping games so i'll stop here. Gotta use your bullets while you have them
 
negative. By shutting a guy down you are doing what's best for the player, but not you as an organization.

In the Strasburg case he had TJ anyways, which is what they were trying to avoid. So not only did they not avoid what they were trying to avoid, they also missed out on him in the postseason and went out early.

Shutting him down got him mad at the organization and you ultimately need him to like you to re-sign with you. By keeping him healthy it certainly helps your team, but also would allow him to go elsewhere in free agency as he's wanted by more teams.

It's just a bad move all around. I could go more into it, but it's not relevant to capping games so i'll stop here. Gotta use your bullets while you have them
Actually he had already had TJ surgery, and the protocol at the time per Lewis Yocum the surgeon was to limit innings to 160-180. And he resigned anyway down the road so I'm not sure what your point is here.
 
i guess i'm mistaken, but as a general rule i'm opposed to shutting guys down

CLE takes a rainout loss and are now 2.5 back after starting Clevinger and a bullpen game the last two nights. Think they're not interested in the regular season and realize they need to get as healthy as possible to win the 3-2 matchup. Could be a good team to fade down the stretch, though I'm not sure how they're gonna line up the starters.

Kluber may not be ready for g1, not sure how much he'll have with the quad injury but could be a good fade in the playoffs even though he'll be on the road against BOS/TEX likely dogged. CLE throwing a scrub tomorrow likely to get Bauer and Tomlin in place for their starts (unless Salazar comes back as rumored, but i doubt)
 
Agree Clev just trying to set themselves up for post season. Good for Det, bad for the O's. That Oriole win last night was just huge for them.
 
Is it too late to jump on the Atl train???

they've been spoiling parties for the last month it seems

Agree Clev just trying to set themselves up for post season. Good for Det, bad for the O's. That Oriole win last night was just huge for them.

didn't like the Adam Jones playing with house money comment, but that team can slug it out with anyone and nobody is scoring on Britton late. Not sure I'd be scared of them as a playoff opponent, but I don't want to face them in a one-gamer
 
they've been spoiling parties for the last month it seems



didn't like the Adam Jones playing with house money comment, but that team can slug it out with anyone and nobody is scoring on Britton late. Not sure I'd be scared of them as a playoff opponent, but I don't want to face them in a one-gamer
I missed the AJ comment, and have to agree with you and really what is he talking about....they are scraping to get in. O's are really missing table setter hitters imo, and everybody just tries to jack it out. Having Jones hit leadoff is not optimal at all. Their starting pitching leaves a lot to be desired and could be their achilles heel in a longer series. Agree though Britton has been terrific.
 
Seattle lineup first 6 hit .429 or more. Graveman is already going bad and Miranda is on 4 his best
 
Archer will have motivation tonight....trying to avoid 20 loss season. Definitely some interest in F5
 
Ubaldo may be worth a play.
on 6 17 innings era 2.12
With ump 2.18 era 20.2 innings
 
Rob Zastryzny will make his first major league start this Thursday against the Pirates.
It'll be part of a bullpen game for the National League Central-champion Cubs, with Zastryzny probably covering the first 2-3 innings. The 24-year-old southpaw has registered an impressive 1.46 ERA with 13 strikeouts over his first 12 1/3 major league frames. He could make the 25-man postseason roster as a lefty relief specialist. Sep 26 - 8:55 AM
Source: Cubs.mlb.com
 
Jake Buchanan will start on Friday versus the Reds.
He's filling in for Jason Hammel, who was scratched due to right elbow tightness. Buchanan has made just one relief appearance for the Cubs this month but held a 4.34 ERA over 24 appearances -- 22 starts -- for Triple-A Iowa. He's not a desirable streaming option. Sep 30 - 11:55 AM
Source: Mark Gonzales on Twitter
 
Overs at Col and Arz. Bad pitchers vs guys just looking to pad stats. Unders in NYY and Bos - both games will be played with playoff intensity. Atl, LAA and LAD are all attractive dogs.
 
like COL OTT and ARI-SDG O1St5 but also NYY-BAL O1S5 and TOR-BOS O1St5 , carlson over ump@night when officiating righties in BOS-TOR, but must importantly, porcello, gallardo,pineda and estrada have bad previous pitchings stats vs current opponents

like MIN OTT1St5. Rodon off a shut out has a letdown: he is 1-5SU and allows 8,2,5,1,7 and 7 runs in its last 6 games following a shut out. Min scored 3 and less runs 10 str8 games in a row but finally woke up@bat last night scoring 7 runs. MLB is cyclical. offense should stay hot for minny vs rodon who allowed 3,4 and 5 runs vs twins this season
 
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