IST NLCS 2018: MIL vs LAD -- Senior Circuitry

[Frayed Knot]

Teams have always announced starting pitchers prior to the beginning of series, regular series certainly, post series closer to one or two games at a time. But there's nothing official about them until it's
on a lineup card and there's no rule that says a team is required to tell the other side who they expect to start as soon as their stagecoach arrives in town. It's been more tradition than anything and
that tradition could be taking a hit with stunts like Counsell's or just in this whole age of "openers" or "initial out-getters" replacing those old 'expect-em-to-go-at-least-twice-thru-the-order' starter guys.

[Centerfield]

Frayed Knot wrote: It's been more tradition than anything and that tradition could be taking a hit with stunts like Counsell's

Exactly. I mean we could well be entering an era where you go to the ballpark and have no idea who's taking the mound that day. I mean, during the regular season, you get some predictability. But skipping the fifth starter, or a guy is a late scratch...what's the point in announcing your lineup? Keep it a secret and let the other side guess how to make their lineup.

I wonder if Counsell has opened up a real can of worms here.

[Benjamin Grimm]

It could very well be a new way of doing things, but I'm not sure it would be in can-of-worms territory.

[MFS62]

Baseball's been eating those worms for a long time. One of the radio talking heads said John McGraw would warm up two pitchers prior to a World Series game and decide on the starter just before the first pitch.

Later

[Frayed Knot]

Yeah, post-season has always been a bit of a different animal. There's the old story about Don Larsen learning he was going to pitch on his WS perfect game day only when he showed up to the
park and saw the the non-verbal sign from Casey: his glove on the stool in front of his locker with a fresh baseball in it.

But it is quite possible that long lasting gentleman's agreement of sorts about announcing your starters at the beginning of each series will slowly start to break down.

[Ceetar]

Frayed Knot wrote: But it is quite possible that long lasting gentleman's agreement of sorts about announcing your starters at the beginning of each series will slowly start to break down.

Or maybe the managers will start throwing baseballs at each other.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I have absolutely no problem with whatever can of worms Counsell has opened. Bring on the worms.

[Frayed Knot]

Ceetar wrote: Or maybe the managers will start throwing baseballs at each other.

That would be cool too.

[Ceetar]

Frayed Knot wrote: Ceetar wrote: Or maybe the managers will start throwing baseballs at each other. That would be cool too.

It'd have to be like when Goalies fight in NHL. they gesture from the dugout, and then they come out to the on-deck circles and try to bean each other.

[Frayed Knot]

Game 6: Ugh, 8:39 (EDT) first pitch tonight!

[Frayed Knot]

OK, so maybe scratch Ryu from our wish list.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I'm still cool with him. This works in our favor, cooling the market a bit.

Miley gets a standing O for 4+ innings of 2-run ball, leaving two men on? Everything IS cheaper in the Midwest.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Closer Knebel on in the fifth to protect a three-run lead with two on, one out and one in.

See, guys? I told you Counsell's worms were good worms.

[G-Fafif]

The Brewers are that guy you know and like even though you roll your eyes sometimes at the things he says, so you're not that close, but you have a pretty good time together when you see him.

The Dodgers are somebody you know a little and say hi to to be polite, yet they look through you and act like you don't exist.

Fuck the Dodgers. Go Brewers.

[Guest 41Forever]

G-Fafif wrote: The Brewers are that guy you know and like even though you roll your eyes sometimes at the things he says, so you're not that close, but you have a pretty good time together when you see him. The Dodgers are somebody you know a little and say hi to to be polite, yet they look through you and act like you don't exist. Fuck the Dodgers. Go Brewers.

Right there with you! #GetCurtisaRing

[G-Fafif]

41Forever wrote: #GetCurtisaRing

When Curtis comes to bat, my temporary Brewers affinity skyrockets. I can't imagine the fans of any team for whom he's played don't find themselves rooting for him as he goes along.

Except for Dodgers fans, I suppose.

[bmfc1]

I would love to have Cody Bellinger on the Mets but boy is he annoying.

Front Row Amy is distracting and I note that she has an outdated website, not that I'm objectifying her because that would be wrong.

[Frayed Knot]

Dave Roberts going to Kenley Jansen with a 4 run lead and 7 outs still to go.
That's something which could backfire on ya.

[Centerfield]

Good riddance Brewers. And more importantly, Brewers fans.

Maybe next year don’t give the racist homophobe a standing ovation.

And fuck Ryan Braun and Bud Seelig.

Now, go Red Sox.

[Centerfield]

Btw. Someone please run over Tom Verducci.

[MFS62]

I usually would root for the National League team in the World Series.
But this time I'll pass, and wait for some Mets news.


Later