IST 2019: ALDS — HOU vs TBR vs MIN shortcomings

[G-Fafif]

Astros and Rays in the battle to backstop the Twins.

[Frayed Knot]

Astros fans have got to be sick of consistently getting the worst time slot even with their recent success.

In this case it's a 1:00 (local time) on a weekday and they get that one every single time or at least until the number of teams whittle down enough.

One can almost imagine the conversations at the network: Let's see now for our prime time slot: Do we program the Yanx, the Sawx, or that team from Houston whose name I can't remember right now?

[HahnSolo]

And Houston is the 7th biggest TV market. Not like they're in Buffalo or something.



No offense to Buffalo intended.

[G-Fafif]

Astros seem to be making the most of their matinee.

[Centerfield]

I would love to see the Rays win, but we can't take the chance that anyone faces the MFY's in the ALCS except Houston.



Go Stros.

[G-Fafif]

I listened to the Rays radio crew, which felt compelled to explain to those just tuning in for the first time all season that sometimes a team that loses the first game of a series comes back to win it. A valuable lesson to gnaw on in the frontrunning portions of the Bay Area tonight following Houston's 6-2 victory.

[Fman99]

I hate the 4th inning pitching changes. It didn't used to be like this. These managers are just plain dumb. Snell threw 48 pitches in 3 2/3 and gave up a single home run and you pull him? What's the fucking point of that?

[LWFS]

This Game 2-- in which the Rays' strike-zone judgement just got powered up to, like, God-level-- just got really weird in the ninth here.

[Frayed Knot]

This game -- Final score = 3-1 in 8-1/2 innings -- somehow managed to surpass the Yanx/Twins game in length.

Clocking in at 3:46 for a game that didn't start until after 9:00 (EDT) -- on a Saturday!!, it ended just shy of midnight.

So how many kids, even those who are Astros/Rays fans, were unable to watch the game? Answer = Most, if not all.

And how many adults in the eastern time zone (which only comprises about half the nation) other than Astros/Rays fans, do you suppose stuck with that game from first pitch to last?

Tell me it was 100 and I'd bet the 'Under'

[G-Fafif]

Good to hear the Trop rock, as long as it doesn't impede the Astros' ultimate mission of not allowing the MFYs in the World Series.

[Centerfield]

Agreed. I mean, I like the Rays and all, but you know, we have to stay focused on the big picture here.

[HahnSolo]

Not that I agree with him, but I have an MFY acquaintance who really wanted to avoid the Rays...to the point that he didn't want the best overall record just so they could avoid TBR in this round. Even if it meant giving up home field in the ALCS. I mean, that meant playing Minnesota, so they got a first round bye.

[Frayed Knot]

Well it's looking like the Astros are NOT going to be the most well rested team heading into the next round as Greinke got bounced around today (3 HRs) and the Rays lead 9-3 in the 7th

[bmfc1]

Do you want Tampa to win today because they are the underdog, decisive games are fun, and Td'A or do you want Houston to win so they have an extra day off to face the MFYs?

[Centerfield]

Astros need to TCoFB today.

[Lefty Specialist]

=Centerfield post_id=23975 time=1570539050 user_id=65]
Astros need to TCoFB today.

[Centerfield]

I would rank my post-season priorities as such:



1. Eliminate the Yankees at all costs. That means rooting for better teams to win in preparation for a potential showdown with the Yankees.

2. Make sure the Yankees have been eliminated.

3. Check one more time. You can never be too safe.

4. Eliminate Atlanta

5. Eliminate Washington

6. Sit back and enjoy the postseason.

[Frayed Knot]

Astros going with Justin Verlander on short rest tonight despite it NOT being a lose-or-go-home game from Houston's point of view.

I guess this means George Stone will be available out of the bullpen.

[Frayed Knot]

So this (Verlander) strategy isn't exactly working out so far.

[Fman99]

And it's blowing up on them. How. Stupid. Didn't they have a five man rotation that won them 100+ games? Hey, it's the playoffs, let's reinvent the wheel.

[Methead]

Two catchers in the booth is pretty annoying.

[Frayed Knot]

Wade Miley is/was the starter getting skipped here as Houston seems determined to ride Verlander/Cole/Greinke.

Problem with Miley is that he had a horrid September: 5 starts where he totaled just 11-1/3 innings while coughing up 21 Runs on 28 Hits

Brad Peacock was the #5 guy who got tossed over when they acquired Greinke at the deadline and I'm not sure if he's even active for this series. (oe: he's not)

Edited October 8, 2019 by Guest

[G-Fafif]

Gonna need whichever storyline emerges from Game Five...



“near-death experience”

“team of destiny”



...to stay strong in ALCS.

[Frayed Knot]

In addition to their pitching problems, it would be nice if the Astros decided to score in this series.

Just 1 run last night, 4 runs combined in the two games in Tampa, and 11 total in the series.

All this from the #3 scoring team in the AL (the Twins were #2 so that didn't work there either).

Hit like that and you're lucky to even see a Game 5





btw, last night was (yet another) 8-1/2 inning/low-scoring game that took nearly 4 hours (3:49) to play

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

The relay getting Altuve out at the plate is a hightlight worth seeing if you ain't yet.

[Frayed Knot]

It was a great play all around -- perfectly played off the wall by Kiermaier, perfect throw by Kiermaier, perfect and quick relay by Adames and nice tag by Travis ... although if Altuve slides more directly

into home plate he's probably safe too. That slide past the plate and reach back with your hand works in some circumstances but not all and I don't think on this one.

Keith would have gone off on that.

[bmfc1]

Gorgeous. The throw hits Adames a little high but it's high on the glove side which is where it's supposed to be and Adames already has started to turn toward home as he catches the ball. If I was still coaching, I'd show the little bastards that clip over and over again.

[Methead]

How can it be a perfect relay if Jeter didn't throw it?

[Frayed Knot]

=Methead post_id=24059 time=1570644121 user_id=61]
How can it be a perfect relay if Jeter didn't throw it?

[Frayed Knot]

Things sailing along nicely for Houston -- up 4-1, Cole cruising thru 7 with a below average pitch count -- but I'm always wary when you score early in the game and then try to sit on the lead for the remainder

of the game; sooner or later you'll regret not adding on. Houston's first four batters of the game scored but they don't have a hit since!