NLCS/ALCS series thread

[zambonir]

Brewers just pulled Gonzalez even with Kershaw leading off the third inning.

Machado with a HR in this 1-0 game.

[flyers19rw]

This NLCS series may well go in the LAD direction in the future but right now one has to be impressed with what Milwaukee has here for a team. They are not a TTO hitting team. They run and defend well. The pitching is interesting in the way that it uses their arms; extremely creative. The sad thing is that this could well be close to what could be here right now. Could have signed Cain and Moustakas; could have obtained Yelich and possibly others. The fact that the Brewers made these moves deserves a tip of the cap.

[zambonir]

They didn't sign Moustakas they traded for him. But nobody in Philly wanted to do that on July 31 when Franco was actually outperforming him. Real question is would you sign him now (assuming you could also move Santana)? Real fear is that Franco might still have a Moustakas-like improvement in him.

Beyond that, the Brewers won 20 more games than the Phillies in 2017 and had Ryan Braun and several over-30 pitchers to build around. It made much more sense for them to sign Cain (who won't look this good by 2020 probably) and get Yelich.

I think our manager and our front office are pretty similar to Milwaukee's, they're just a few years ahead of us.

Anyway, I hope they win Game 2. Don't really care about the Madson/Chase factor, it's still the Dodgers.

[zambonir]

Really, what I take from this series so far is, Klentak has to find a Kemp (a vet with something left short-term) or Muncy (which is like finding a Werth or J.D. Martinez, it can certainly be done). If he can also ID an undervalued FA or trade target like Moustakas that would be great too but at the time of the trades, Cabrera was the more productive (and defensively versatile, if not excellent) player.

[tom81]

You just can't explain baseball. How does Brandon Woodruff, he of the 83 total professional PA in 5 years hit a HR off Clayton Kershaw, lefty vs lefty, in such a big spot?

[DurhamBull]

Interesting that Yelich who hit 36 HRs during the regular season opted to beat the shift last night by surprising everyone with a bunt up the 3B line for a hit.

"Leading off the inning, nobody out," Yelich said. "If they are going to give it to you, why not take it? I have no problems bunting. It was a good bunt."

[zambonir]

And that seems like a good situational decision but I'm sure the Dodgers were perfectly happy that he made a a choice with a 0% chance of extra bases. That is letting the shift beat you, not beating the shift (beating the shift is hitting over it).

Plus he was thrown out at second on the next play.

But just as good as a walk, that late in the game. Easier to play for one run when you're up 4-0.

[BostonRoss]

Good play? Altuve just bunted with 2 outs iand nobody's on in the bottom of the seventh, with Bregman on deck. Altuve moved to second on a passed ball, but Bergman flied out to end the inning.

[zambonir]

Astros probably could have used the home run there but who knows, given how it turned out. I don't think the playoffs are a particularly good referendum for what makes smart in-season strategy. As Kapler learned very quickly in April.

[EastFallowfield]

Do the Astros put a spy next to the opposing dugouts in April or do they save that for the postseason?

[zambonir]

We're already talking Machado in the Phils thread but meanwhile I don't think I have ever seen a batter celebrate/admire an RBI single (and try to do the 3B coach's job) before running to 1B like Puig just did. Not that he was gonna get to second (especially the way the play turned out).

[EastFallowfield]

Ryan Madson couldn’t nail down the last out of Game 5, gets only one out and allows 2 hits.

[zambonir]

Man, I was watching the Astros' Kemp try to get a double on a shot to RF thinking he was playing against the Phillies, but he was playing against Mookie Betts and was out by a mile.

[bkeich]

There has never been a post season of baseball I cared less about. None of these teams are even a little interesting to me, I dont know if it is I am getting older and just want to see "my teams" but none of the ones I even slightly follow are involved. I always want to see the Red Sox, Yankees, Astros lose for various reasons, so that doesnt help.

Havent watched a pitched, looked at a score or even know who won which series. First time in my life. Just weird

[zambonir]

To me they're all terrific teams with must-watch young star players, most of whom are pretty likeable. I don't especially like any of the teams per se (especially now that the Astros are gone) but the Red Sox have great talent and are playing incredible defense, and the Brewers are a great story whose managerial tactics have been fascinating (plus, Kratz!). I'll reluctantly root for the Dodgers if they win.

[xogfog]

The Red Sox are going to win the World Series, and it was decided a long time ago when MLB issued the 2018 World Series logo. Since before 2004, MLB has included two flags in the logo just three times (2004, 2007 and 2013). The 2018 logo has two flags on it, so if the Red Sox win the World Series, would that be an amazing coincidence or is it a deep baseball conspiracy?

[zambonir]

Well I guess we picked a good year to blow the NL East then