Playoffs discussion 2020

[NinersSBChamps]

A little early, but the playoffs are just around the corner. The AL is all, but set. Barring something crazy happening the 8 teams in the playoffs today will be the 8 teams who make it. A couple seeds up for grabs.
Things to watch for:
-AL Central winner almost certainly avoids getting the Yankees in round 1. That’s huge for a team like Minnesota who have been dominated by the pinstripes since earth was created.

-Indians almost locked in the 7 spot. Drawing a division foe in round 1 perhaps. They are playing really well and with their pitching could easily spoil someone’s season.

Things in the NL are a little more hectic. Hectic means fun and exciting. The top four teams have clinched. Braves and Cubs jockeying for the 2 seed. The bottom half of the seeds is a mix of 6 teams looking to fill 4 spots. Second place in the NL Central is going to be a street fight. Brewers battling the Reds and then finish the season against the Cardinals. Giants and Phillies on the outside looking in, but the central could end up beating itself up and open the door for SF/Philly to enter. Big games this week ahead!

[50PoundHead]

Twins/Reds will be at the top of the weekend match-ups to watch. Twins will likely be playing to win the division and Reds will be playing to stay in the playoffs. White Sox/Cubs with White Sox playing for the division will also be one to watch.

[thewupk]

I want the scenario where the Cards are forced to play the double header on Monday in Detroit. Sucks that they would still get a day off on Tuesday as the NL Wildcard series doesn't start until Wednesday.

[Nerfherders]

I'm hoping we go with a bullpen game in game 3 of the opening series. I think that would work the best, having either Matzek or O'Day scheduled to start, see what lineup the opponent throws at them, and then switch to the other pitcher after an inning. And then it's all hands on deck.

[bravesfanMatt]

No days off makes the bullpen game harder.

[bravesfanforlife88]

If i'm not mistaken, I think I read that the first round 3 game series would be played at the home ball park of the team with the higher seed, then move to the bubble from there. Is that correct?

[thewupk]

If i'm not mistaken, I think I read that the first round 3 game series would be played at the home ball park of the team with the higher seed, then move to the bubble from there. Is that correct?

Yes

[NYCBrave]

We pretty much know what our roster will be, but curious who will be on the 3 man taxi squad, if that is even still a thing for the playoffs.

[TheBravos]

Wow Clevenger might be out for the season

[bravesfanforlife88]

Wow Clevenger might be out for the season

If that happens, AA needs to pick my lottery ticket Saturday

[Freshmaker]

If that happens, AA needs to pick my lottery ticket Saturday

Yuge blow for the Fathers

[Southcack77]

Wow Clevenger might be out for the season

I don't know why I generally don't like the Padres and am particularly happy to see Preller fail. I never really hated the Dodgers or Giants, but never could stand the Padres.

[Super]

I don't know why I generally don't like the Padres and am particularly happy to see Preller fail. I never really hated the Dodgers or Giants, but never could stand the Padres.

might have to do with Preller getting a lot of, IMO, undue praise?
i dislike the Dodgers due to their financial advantages, but i respect how they have also built wisely and drafted well. their success is not just from spending.
i have no problem with the Giants.

[thewupk]

I don't know why I generally don't like the Padres and am particularly happy to see Preller fail. I never really hated the Dodgers or Giants, but never could stand the Padres.

Dodgers are literally the Braves of the 90s. Money to spend when needed. Great development system. Failed postseason runs.

[Southcack77]

might have to do with Preller getting a lot of, IMO, undue praise?
i dislike the Dodgers due to their financial advantages, but i respect how they have also built wisely and drafted well. their success is not just from spending.
i have no problem with the Giants.

Dodgers just seemed like a nice clean cut American team in the 80s. They had pedigree but weren't the Yankees. Didn't really dominate. Had an entertaining manager and generally entertaining players.

Sure, now they are dominant financially, but that wasn't really the case when I was forming opinions. At least to the same extent. I guess they always had a decent pot to spend from.

Padres have just always bothered me. Maybe the Braves lost out there a lot late at night. I didn't warm to Gwynn until later in his career. Sterling Hitchcock didn't help, I guess, later on.

[Enscheff]

might have to do with Preller getting a lot of, IMO, undue praise?
i dislike the Dodgers due to their financial advantages, but i respect how they have also built wisely and drafted well. their success is not just from spending.
i have no problem with the Giants.

You nailed it. Preller goes out and makes flashy moves, and all the mouth breathers declare him a genius. Then those same mouth breathers bash AA for his measured approach.

Meanwhile, AA has built a 3x division champion, while the Padres have won nothing...and yet Preller is a great GM according to the fools grading off seasons and trade deadlines.

It's very easy to cheer for that character to fail.

[bravesfanforlife88]

Brewers and Cardinals begin a 4 game series tonight to end the season. Could have huge ramifications on the playoff seeding

[Southcack77]

You nailed it. Preller goes out and makes flashy moves, and all the mouth breathers declare him a genius. Then those same mouth breathers bash AA for his measured approach.

Meanwhile, AA has built a 3x division champion, while the Padres have won nothing...and yet Preller is a great GM according to the fools grading off seasons and trade deadlines.

It's very easy to cheer for that character to fail.

Agree with that part of it for certain.

[Enscheff]

Agree with that part of it for certain.

Why anyone would dislike the Padres before Preller is unknown to me. I often forgot they even existed to be perfectly honest.

[NinersSBChamps]

Ever heard of Tony Gwynn?
Pretty stupid statement to make.