Nerfherders
Well-known member
The only real surprise in the final 4 is the Astros. The Twins and A's were clearly better teams in the season, but basically fell flat on their faces.
Playoffs discussion 2020
- Thread starter NinersSBChamps
- Start date
Heyward
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br>'13, '14, '15 (Co-Winner
Hard to say in a 60 game season. Twins were better, i thought Houston would beat the A's though. Rays are a much bigger test of course.
NinersSBChamps
<B>Voted Worst Poster <br> 2015 (Co-Winner)</BR>20
Houston was flying under the radar all year long and have flipped a switch in October. They are a very good team and at this point nothing would surprise me.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
Twins going down was a bit of a surprise, but they didn't hit the way the did in 2019 with all the Bomba Squad stuff. I think the A's success was basically a function of the 60-game season and without Chapman, there's not a lot of offense on that team. Astros are a pretty good team even without the trashcans.
The 60-game season distorted things dramatically. The Braves did well, but would the bullpen have held up over 162? Same can be said of the Rays to some extent. There was a lot more urgency with the truncated season as the marginal value of each game was higher than in a normal season and most teams (especially those in contention given the expanded playoff format) fashioned their strategies to mirror the heightened importance of each game. Expanded rosters helped with that and I will be curious to see how many of the player usage pattern changes from this season will spill over when rosters are contracted next season.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
I am truly impressed with how that team has operated over the past decade-plus. Many thought their success was a function of Maddon and Friedman, but it's pretty obvious they have a lot of people who really know what they are doing. It seems they win every trade they make (although the Hunter Renfroe deal doesn't look that great right now) and they seem to get every ounce of talent out of every player on the roster. A lot of synergy.
salmagundy
Boras' Client
According to EPSN, game 1 vs Dodgers is Monday at 8 PM on Fox
zbhargrove
Well-known member
Can’t wait for this series. Almost feels like an LCS
Although Tampa is a good team with great pitching, I feel like Dodgers/Braves are the two best rounded teams left and whoever wins will win the title
CrimsonCowboy
Moderator
[TW]1314933780298203139[/TW]
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
Sheesh! It starts already. Just take the "W" and move on.
Dodgers represent a massive step up in talent from the previous 2 rounds. The same mistakes the Reds and Marlins failed to take advantage of due to inferior overall talent will most likely be capitalized upon by the Dodgers.
The Dodgers are better than the Braves in almost every single facet of the game, and it is imperative Snit makes the correct moves every single time in order to narrow that gap as much as possible.
The Dodgers are better than the Braves in almost every single facet of the game, and it is imperative Snit makes the correct moves every single time in order to narrow that gap as much as possible.
I feel as though the DH has really helped or forced Snit not do Typical Snit things.
I think the Dodgers starting pitching and bench without question are better but Offense’s are even with the Braves having the big edge in bullpen depth.
Gonna be a fun series that I think goes 6-7 regardless of who wins.
Would be nice to win one of the first two to put some pressure and doubt in their head.My biggest concern is the Dodgers willingness to take pitches out of the zone and if Fried/Anderson/Wright have any control issues then they will take the walk and keep the line moving.
Anderson especially is the one I worry about since the only thing you can say he’s somewhat struggled with a couple of times is control
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CyYoung31
Shift Leader
And now that I think about it, Fried isn’t the most efficient pitcher in the world. Dodgers are going to make him WORK. I expect five and fly.
Freshmaker
Arbitration Eligible
I think Fried and Anderson will be "ok" - 5 or 6 innings with 3 runs or less. Wright might get lit up because, as you said, LA is not going go chase junk. In the end I think LA will win in 6. Our offenses are basically equal, and our bullpen is better and deeper (though theirs is good). I think LA's starting pitching quality and bench depth put them over the top. If Anderson and Wright come close to replicating prior playoff performances we've got a great shot though
The Reds and Marlins regularly got themselves out in both series with terrible plate discipline. The Dodgers have perhaps the best team-wide plate discipline of all MLB teams. They will let pitchers hang themselves, and Wright is especially vulnerable.
If Snit waits 2-3 batters too long to pull a pitcher like he usually does because he’s “cruising” it will likely cause a loss in the NLCS. Their lineup is very deep and very balanced L/R, and guys need to be pulled before they get in trouble, not after.
If Snit waits 2-3 batters too long to pull a pitcher like he usually does because he’s “cruising” it will likely cause a loss in the NLCS. Their lineup is very deep and very balanced L/R, and guys need to be pulled before they get in trouble, not after.