Baseball Talk

[Eizan 129]

I can never have hopes with this team.  I guess at least we're not the Brewers who are probably going to get swept. 

[dr. b 494]

It ain't over yet! It's basically a best-of-three now. Toronto has home field advantage... but that hasn't really mattered much so far  

 

I have some questions about Dan Wilson's bullpen management after last night's game. I know Toronto was putting a lot of pressure on Castillo in the 3rd... but that felt like too early of a hook. 

 

On the Jays' side, I was thrilled with Scherzer's start last night. What a gutsy performance from the old man! Nearly got them 6 innings. That helped preserve the bullpen a bit more for tonight. They have Gausman going tonight, who I am hoping can give the team 6 innings as well if not more if his command is good. But if he gets chased early then it's not a complete disaster. 

 

Which team will have the 3-2 lead going back to Toronto? I've been telling everybody all week long that the Jays were going to win at least two games in Seattle, so that's mission accomplished. I don't want to get greedy.... but it feels like sweeping all three games in Seattle is possible!

[Eizan 129]

So regardless of who wins...how do you feel about facing Ohtani? 

[dr. b 494]

I don’t have high hopes for either team against LA. Just look at what the Dodgers did to the Brewers. If the Jays find a way through, they will have home field advantage and Ohtani will hit some massive HRs in the Dome. I can see it coming a mile away. 
 

Bummer about last night’s game. The Jays squandered some nice scoring opportunities earlier in the game. Could have had a bigger lead late. That doesn’t excuse the bullpen meltdown. And I don’t think Little was the right guy to go to in the 8th. But if they had done more damage when they had guys on base, it might have been a different outcome. Oh well, that’s baseball! Gotta win two at home now. Two wins in a row isn’t much to ask. They’re a good team. Seattle will not be easy to fend off though. 
 

I was happy for M’s fans to at least see one home win in the ALCS last night

[dr. b 494]

We’re going to Game #7!!!  Last night’s game was heart attack stuff for me. Those bases loaded double plays… oh man  But the Jays pulled through. 
 

Looks like tonight is a rematch of Game #3 for starting pitchers. Kirby vs. Bieber. They’re both on regular rest. Bieber was really good in Seattle. Here’s to hoping he can give them another good start. And that the Jays’ bats can get to Kirby again!

[Eizan 129]

Seattle's starters have been pretty terrible this series, their number 5 has been the best the entire series. Hopefully Kirby pitches more like game 5 of the ALDS than game 3.

 

The Mariners were pretty sloppy last night overall. The errors, Crawford's baserunning mistake.

 

The Jays are probably the better team to face L.A., but they've both been pretty even this series. 

[dr. b 494]

Kirby is looking pretty decent through three innings tonight. Bieber on the other hand is not sharp. If Kirby holds off the Jays’ batters a couple more innings and then hands it over to the bullpen, Seattle has a nice chance tonight. 

[Eizan 129]

I don't understand pitching to Springer with first open and only 1 out. I felt he was about to hit a home run at that point. 

[dr. b 494]

Oh man what a wild game! 
 

Springer is practically on one leg and didn’t do much last night at the plate so I can understood going after him. Unfortunately it didn’t work out for the M’s. Toronto saw Bazardo a lot in this series so that might have helped. 
 

I cannot believe this Jays team is going to the World Series

[dr. b 494]

That 9 run inning Couldn’t be off to a better start. 3 outs left to go!

[Eizan 129]

The Jays already done more than the Brewers did in the entire series vs the Dodgers. Someone should tell them that's how a number 1 seed should look. 

[dr. b 494]

That was such a fun game last night! I was loving every minute of that 9-run inning. It’s just one win of course. Still lots of work left to do, and the Dodgers are probably still the favourites. No reason why these Blue Jays can’t win another three games though! The lineup doesn’t quit.

[Eizan 129]

I was hoping the Jays could get to the Dodger Bullpen, but Yamamoto said no. 

 

I don't think he'll ever forgive the bullpen for failing to get one out against the Orioles after not allowing a hit.

[dr. b 494]

He is such a good pitcher. Sometimes you've just gotta tip your cap, I guess. At least they proved in Game #1 though that the LA pitchers aren't invulnerable. They got to Snell. Glasnow and Ohtani won't be easy by any means in the next two games, but the Jays can do some damage if they have a good game plan and stick to it. 

 

Assuming they win at least one in LA to bring it back to Toronto, I guess Yamamoto would be lined up for Game #6. I doubt they put him in any earlier on short rest. You never know though! 

[dr. b 494]

Oof, 18 innings. Glad I didn't stay up for it last night  The Jays need to find a way to win tonight to even up the series. Otherwise all those "Dodgers in 5" picks are going to start looking really good  

 

Ohtani is unstoppable. And tonight he is pitching too. Yikes.

[Eizan 129]

So, are they going to walk him each at bat now? Jays going to need Bieber to eat as many innings as he can. 

[dr. b 494]

I watched the condensed version of last night's game over lunch today and I am astonished how one of these teams did not manage to win the game much earlier than the 18th inning  Both sides had lots of chances. The Jays should mostly keep doing what they were doing, and just tighten things up in a few areas. I think it was a mistake for Schneider to make so many substitutions in the lineup in the later innings. It went to extras and they basically had the B-team out there. Pretty funny though that the Dodgers couldn't get one run off them until the 18th. They certainly had their chances too.

 

Everybody is ready to go in that Blue Jays bullpen tonight. Lose tonight and the series is all but over. Have to hope they get length out of Bieber, but if he doesn't have it then I guarantee all those guys are ready and willing to pitch. I just don't want to see Little take the mound again. Gimme more Chris Bassitt maybe.

 

I am really curious to see how Ohtani plays tonight. It was a long night last night, and tonight he'll be pitching. Maybe he doesn't get tired though? He is something else. The vindictive side of me would rather see the Jays bean him instead of intentionally walking him  That is of course dumb and evil and would risk retaliation against a Blue Jays hitter (probably Vlad)... but I'm Canadian and grew up on hockey! When you can't beat a guy on the other team you just hurt him instead   

[dr. b 494]

So, they pitched to Ohtani last night and seemed to get away with it. Bieber didn't hit all his spots, but at least he didn't leave any pitches over the middle of the plate.

 

Great team win by the Jays last night. Series tied 2-2!