MLB Playoffs Thread

thewupk said:
Hows that? The Royals were one of the worst teams in the playoffs this year and should of lost in the WC game. I think everyone would agree with that coming in. If they make it to the World Series or win it all that won't change anything.
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I just don't think that pitching was the biggest factor during the steroid era. That is why teams like the Braves didn't win all the time in the playoffs. Honestly, I haven't watched much baseball this year but turning on the postseason it has seemed pretty clear to me that baseball is different and I kind of like it. I just hope they find a way to shorten these games a bit more. The Royals are what I would imagine teams in the 70's & 80's looked like. Just a bunch of athletic guys making plays all over the field and making contact at the plate.

I'm sure most would disagree with me and I could be way off. Its just what I'm seeing.
 
For one thing Braves hitting routinely disappeared in October. Pretty much every team that wins is playing their best. But some of you act like KC isn't worthy. They're pretty damn good. I bet you all would be enraged if this were the Braves and the media kept saying they shouldn't be here.
 
I think the other thing is that the Braves didn't have a true power pitcher other than Smoltz (and Millwood for a bit) during that time. Umps tighten up the strike zone a bit during the playoffs and that didn't play to our strengths. I think the other thing is that other than early in the run (1991 through 1996), we weren't particularly athletic. We had some good athletes, but nothing that really compared in terms of team speed to Gant and Nixon (and even Deion Sanders). And we didn't execute consistently and somehow paid for every mistake we made.
 
bravesnumberone said:
For one thing Braves hitting routinely disappeared in October. Pretty much every team that wins is playing their best. But some of you act like KC isn't worthy. They're pretty damn good. I bet you all would be enraged if this were the Braves and the media kept saying they shouldn't be here.
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KC is a good team. But that's really it. Who on that offense is really all that good? Gordon is their best offensive player. They're getting timely hits and faced a cold Angels team, and it was only three games. Anything can happen in three games.
 
thewupk said:
If pitching is key then why did the Braves continue to get bounced in the first round for like 10 straight years. Why did the Tigers just get swept and haven't won a WS with their staff the last few years. Why have the A's not win a anything with their staffs from the Huddy era ad now with Gray? And yes when the Cards came back from like 8 down in Sept from the Wild Card to take that and the WS they got hot. Same thing when they won their division several years ago with like 88 wins. There is no 'key' to winning in the playoffs other then being hot at the right time.
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Had a long post all typed out but tablet erased it.

So here's the short version

Never said it equaled a WS titlet or even a WS birth. I said certain teams are built well for deep playoff runs, which is true.

Tigers were definitely worse than yrs before. But previously they had consistently made deep runs into the playoffs. And pitching ended up being their downfall, as they couldn't hold a late lead.

A's and Royals were pretty evenly matched. But it was 1 game. Both teams likely beat the Angels anyways considering the Angels lack of dominant pitching.

In the early 2000's the A's ran into the Yankees nearly every postseason and were quickly eliminated. Which further proves my point. The Yankees had dominant pitching with Moose, Pettitte, and Clemens and the best closer in the game. And the Yankees routinely made deep playoff runs.

The early 2000 Braves didn't have much dominant pitching. Which I have noted several times as the reason we have not made it past the 1st round in 15 yrs. Smoltz was in the pen. Maddux and Glavine were past their prime (still good, but no longer elite). We had Russ Ortiz as our Defacto ace on yr.

Cards had Carpenter and Wainwright competing for Cy Young awards in their 1st win. Giants had Lincecum and Cain doing the same. Having 2 of the top 5 pitchers in baseball goes a long way. Even the Dodgers made it to the NLCS last yr before getting booted.

There is no magic key to winning it all. Correct. But there is clear reason why certain teams consistently go deep into the playoffs. And isn't because of dumb luck.
 
The duo aces strategy was helped a lot by the addition of the wild card. You can eliminate the 5th starter and sometimes even the 4th starter. With the pen you can pitch your best relievers every game.

To me the team with the best record in the season is the best team. Whoever wins the world series is just champion of the regular season. It's kind of sad that a team can be world series Champs but not even Champs of their own division.
 
Nationals gonna escape the Bumgarner game. Wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they came back and won the series, now.
 
What's Bumgarner thinking when he went to third with the throw? I don't know if that will end up haunting the Giants, but it's just another reminder that brainlocks are another element in the playoffs that can derail a team.
 
Wonder why the Giants didn't make a move at the deadline? Pagan's and Morse's injuries have really left them short.
 
50PoundHead said:
Wonder why the Giants didn't make a move at the deadline? Pagan's and Morse's injuries have really left them short.
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Yeah it's surprsing they did not try and find someone. I am sure they did attempt, but can't believe they didn't get someone.
 
Might be worth the Nats rallying to win, just to see Matt Carpenter own them in the NLCS. That is, unless the Dodgers rally, too.
 
Mattingly may be having to make a career-defining decision as a manager

And just as I type that.........................................Wow
 
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