And then there were four.
The division series this year were pretty lopsided and not the way any of us would have thought, but in retrospect, that teams that got bounced, despite having the better seed, probably should have done more with their pitching. In further retrospect, I guess you don’t expect so many injuries or that much ineffectiveness all at once (see: Cubs), but they just chose the worst possible time to slump and/or have their flaws exposed, so this is what we are left with.
Since the Rangers and Phillies remain alive, they can’t really say anything about money not working for the playoffs (at least, half the time here). And since at least one Atlanta player is accepting responsibility, I guess we also have to consider that the players should just, well, play better.
I’m sure some random somber and/or controversial things happened when Nick Castellanos blasted his two homers.
Anyway, the Texas Rangers are at the Houston Astros starting on Sunday, while the Arizona Diamondbacks are at the Philadelphia Phillies starting on Monday for the championship series. I think it’ll be a rematch of Houston-Philly from last year, but baseball has that silly habit of being chaotic, so we will wait and see.
Comments
Fun drama re: the whole Arcia in the clubhouse thing
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I want to see the Phillies win. I have a weird respect for Dave Dombrowski despite the fact that I would abhor such an approach from an executive in literally any other industry, but damn does he put together some expensive and entertaining teams.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
It may be fun for the Phillies to win so Harper can be even more of a heel (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I can dig that. Harper is a really fun player at whom I still wish the Cubs had thrown all the money.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Brandon Woodruff——->out for 2024
PerkinsQuote Reply
Oof, that’s a big blow
berseliusQuote Reply
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 195 8/9:
Rarity: 294
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@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
Cleveland ROY was very tough.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Bit by KB never winning a silver slugger
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 195 8/9:
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@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
berseliusQuote Reply
I’ve mentioned it before, but props to IG/B-Ref for using the actual person’s preferred name of Henry Aaron.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Weird that he won the MVP without a Silver Slugger
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I think Arenado got it because he had great offensive numbers as well and Bryant split time between 3B and the outfield.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
Voting is wack!
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The GOP has entered the chat.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
They had to go through 16 ballots before they finally settled on Arenado
Rice CubeQuote Reply
STOP THE COUNT
PerkinsQuote Reply
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 196 9/9:
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Easy one today, but wish I’d taken some time to think about CWS-TBR.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Aha
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 196 9/9:
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Ok I got a super dumb question because I know the WGA strike is over so the SNL writers can write sketches, but are they allowed to actually do the show when the SGA is still on strike?
https://youtu.be/IUgHMGb74ZM?si=mcT16VhemcX10JRb
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
The internet educated me today
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2023/10/15/travis-kelce-on-snl-taylor-swift-and-nfl-sketch-gets-big-cameo/71193190007/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
My fantasy football team contains all of Justin Fields, CMC, and David Montgomery. Pray for Mojo. Or don’t. I can’t tell you what to do.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Sub-3 hour shutout
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Guess she had enough of them
Rice CubeQuote Reply
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 197 9/9:
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I think this was my best ever, and I owe it to obscure Cubs pitchers. Actually 8 of my 9 picks spent at least some time in the Cubs organization, even if they didn’t play a game for them.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Oooh, the format changed on the site…kinda nifty
Anyway here’s mine
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 197 9/9:
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
I have opinions
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
I’ve seen rumors that she might be in line for the Red Sox job, replacing Chaim Bloom. Which would be awesome.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
At least then she might be allowed to use some money, although the Red Sox have been kind of dumb cheap lately too
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The Fox baseball panel featuring 3 former players that all hate each other is certainly a way to go.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
There may be a nonzero chance of live fisticuffs in the studio
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Astros in danger of not winning this game
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Sure seems like the only truly objectionable end to this postseason is an Astros championship. I’m 100% on board for anyone else winning.
I’m also finding it really difficult to maintain enough interest to watch more than 5–10 minutes at a time. The last couple weeks of the Cubs season still sits heavy in my baseball belly.
andcountingQuote Reply
That game got uncomfortably close
Rice CubeQuote Reply
War Bear
PerkinsQuote Reply
How about them Phillies
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This game is stupid (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Hey a non-homer run
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Speedy win for the ex-Cubs
Rice CubeQuote Reply
whee
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 198 9/9:
Rarity: 43
IMMACULATE!
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Proud of avoiding all the most common amswers.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Some pretty Slim Pickens for HOU-MIA
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 198 9/9:
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berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
I used Carlos Lee for HOU-MIA and was surprised to see him all the way up at 5%.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Tonight’s ex- and should’ve been-Cubs lineup
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Have to say their choice of color scheme and font is an assault to my eyeballs though
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This game on the way to also being silly
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing)
Schwarber
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Phillies decided to try the scoring without a home run challenge
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Philly bats go boom
berseliusQuote Reply
Slightly over 3 hours, far cry from postseason past
Rice CubeQuote Reply
For your reading enjoyment
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/10/offseason-outlook-chicago-cubs-13.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Bleah, crappy rarity
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 199 9/9:
Rarity: 127
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Yay Nico
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Yay Dansby
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Yay Ian too
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The finalists
Rice CubeQuote Reply
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 199 9/9:
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Unimpressive rarity score today.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Kinda hope both series are sweeps so we see which team bucks the long layoff narrative in the World Series
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Max Scherzer disagrees.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Yeah, this one’s going at least 5.
andcountingQuote Reply
These barely 3 hour games are tight
Rice CubeQuote Reply
No surprise here and hardly breaking news but nice to know at least they have him on record
https://www.si.com/mlb/cubs/news/cubs-executive-says-theyll-trade-prospects-acquire-stars-brad9
Rice CubeQuote Reply
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 200 9/9:
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I used way too many obvious choices today.
PerkinsQuote Reply
A tad more difficult to find the obscure guys
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 200 9/9:
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Arms, man
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Wow this is a super early game coming up…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
That certainly was a game
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Nice of the teams down 0-2 to give us some excitement and intrigue
Rice CubeQuote Reply
O hai Corey Seager
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Well this ALCS is going back to Houston
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This season of Loki is wacky
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Speaking of:
Fulmer —-> TJ adjacent surgery, out for 2024.
Sucks for him, I think he’s a free agent.
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Indeed, unfortunately not the best timing for him, the injury bug just happening to so many arms all at once was pretty terrible for them and for the Cubs’ hopes too
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Bleah
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 201 8/9:
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@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
TIL Nap Lajoie didn’t play his entire career with Cleveland.
PerkinsQuote Reply
berselius,
Huh, the first half of that tweet didn’t show up when I made this reply. Good work, nonexistent twitter engineers!
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Sometimes the tweet doesn’t show up at all so be glad you saw even some of it (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
So maybe Verlander didn’t have it today
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Al Tuve, as Santo would’ve called him
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I hate the Astros
dmick89Quote Reply
Ugh goddamnit, Rangers.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Phillies forgot how to offense
Rice CubeQuote Reply
O hai Schwarber
Rice CubeQuote Reply
False, with a little help from the defense
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Not throwing strikes is allowing Arizona some life
Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing) Kimbrel
Rice CubeQuote Reply
What a crazy game
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Today was a bad baseball day.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Pretty cool
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2023/10/21/report-chicago-cubs-working-on-a-kyle-hendricks-extension/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
So close to nice (dying laughing)
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
berseliusQuote Reply
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 202 7/9:
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@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref
PerkinsQuote Reply
Taking a full speed Harper in the face is not a good time
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Third time through is a bitch
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Can the Phillies bullpen get six outs before giving up five runs?
PerkinsQuote Reply
Perkins,
Indeed, and in under 3 hours too
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Bruce Chen!
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 203 9/9:
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Real #umpshow vibes going on in this packers broncos slopfest
berseliusQuote Reply
It appears the Rangers are not ready to end their season yet, pending any bullpen fails
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I think this one is going to seven games.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Game seven yay woo
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Crawford boxes giveth…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Immaculate Grid is going to take some heat for Puerto Ricans and Virgin Islanders being considered “outside of the USA.”
Sorry I spaced the appointment on Sunday.
BVSQuote Reply
I knew some things
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
(dying laughing) Astros
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2023/10/23/the-crybaby-houston-astros-might-be-the-most-unlikable-team-in-decades/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Seems to ke the league did the Astros a favor by not suspending Abreu for game 6 and 7, instead of potentially 7 and 1.
Is there a more unlikable team? I can’t think of one in baseball right now. The As ownership is way more unlikable, but I can’t hold that against the team.
If Altuve is the leader the broadcasters talked about during the ALCS, seems like he’d put a stop to this. But obv not.
BVSQuote Reply
BVS,
Well he allegedly didn’t cheat but he didn’t stop his teammates from cheating either so do with that info what you will, I suppose.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The oil barons are trying to start a baseball league after doing some soccer stuff…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Kyle Hendricks, Cub for life?
https://www.audacy.com/670thescore/sports/chicago-cubs/kyle-hendricks-cubs-are-working-on-a-contract-extension
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Today in “Go home, nobody likes you”
Rice CubeQuote Reply
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PerkinsQuote Reply
Feel like HBP suspensions should not be appealable and punishment should not be allowed to be deferred but I’m not MLB
Rice CubeQuote Reply
RC’s deterrent for intentional HBPs:
– Starting pitcher needs to be suspended without pay for at least three starts and the intervening recovery periods so up to 10 game checks)
– Relief pitchers need to be suspended without pay for at least ten games
You need to hit them in the wallet and make it unappealable and therefore unappealing to be a redass and throw at a guy because you want to prove a pointless point.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Nola using the strike out everyone strategy
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The give up a bunch of homers plan not as smart
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Another Game 7 imminent
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This Game 7 started poorly for Houston
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
But good for the rest of America
BVSQuote Reply
I believe if Texas wins that the MVP will be Adolis Garcia
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
Yeah, I know. No trash can whacks when he was batting. Doesn’t matter.
BVSQuote Reply
Ok so the guy who got off with a slap on the wrist just drilled another guy
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Karma is swift
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Huzzah for games seven
berseliusQuote Reply
Texas vs ?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Dusty–> probably retirement https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/10/dusty-baker-has-indicated-plan-to-step-away-from-managing.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Silly fun grid
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Parity?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I think the is the first year without the Astros or Dodgers in the WS since 2016
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
Why, what happened in 2016?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Morel –> winter league, unsure if he’ll get tons of reps at 3B but that would be nice
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2023/10/24/christopher-morel-is-reportedly-going-to-play-some-winter-ball-in-the-dominican-republic/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/1716903790916653454
Go Dbacks?
berseliusQuote Reply
berselius,
God damn it…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Dbacks already trying to do their part to forcibly retire that guy
Rice CubeQuote Reply
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 205 9/9:
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I liked this one.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Max stream is like 2 pitches behind GameDay so trying to avoid live spoilers (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
1. Yay Schwarber
2. Trea baby why is you bunting
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Phillies currently have 12 outs remaining to score at least one run to make sure their season doesn’t end tonight, though this probably will at least let us see if Mad Dog was bluffing…
Rice CubeQuote Reply
All of those seeing-eye grounders have to be maddening to the Statcast crowd
Rice CubeQuote Reply
This does not bode well for Philly
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Looks like Craig Breslow accepted the top job in Boston. Good for him, but that’s unfortunate for the Cubs.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Guess the Cubs will lose some brains
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/10/red-sox-to-hire-craig-breslow-as-president-of-baseball-operations.html
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Perkins,
The things I miss while watching the Phillies choke
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
All the better if Steven A Smith joins him. I hate those guys. Blowhards.
BVSQuote Reply
Bye bye Russo
BVSQuote Reply
Congrats to the Dbags…this could have been the Cubs, sigh.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
New shit you can listen to –> http://www.obstructedview.net/podcast/dreamcast-76-magnificent-seven/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
So a team who went to the series last 22 years ago for it’s only time and won, vs a team that’s never won in 60 some years (?). Sound like a good 2nd option if the Cubs aren’t there.
BVSQuote Reply