MLB 2019 Season: Shipping Up To Boston

Raul_SJ said:
Down 2-0.
You still like the Yanks bullpen over Astros in this scenario?
:(
Click to expand...
There’s a big difference between handing the ball to Osuna in the ninth and your SP going 4-1/3. Depth is the Yankees pen strength and it’s far superior to the Astros depth. As a pure closer, Chapman and Osuna are fairly equal.
 
stringertom said:
There’s a big difference between handing the ball to Osuna in the ninth and your SP going 4-1/3. Depth is the Yankees pen strength and it’s far superior to the Astros depth. As a pure closer, Chapman and Osuna are fairly equal.
Click to expand...

Will have a chance to test their depth here
Yanks bullpen desperately needs to hold the Astros at 2 runs over innings 7-9.
 
Raul_SJ said:
Will have a chance to test their depth here
Yanks bullpen desperately needs to hold the Astros at 2 runs over innings 7-9.
Click to expand...
You do realize Boone will ration pitches because tomorrow’s game will be pitched by committee. Ottavino, who was strong all year until September may be the weak link in his “go one inning max” strategy.
 
Britton came on to clean up the Ottavino mess and got the key out in the rundown but then got wild trying too hard to get the DP ball. A WP and then a SF for 4-0.

If the Yanks don’t score this inning, Boone will probably throw in the towel to keep everybody’s pitch count down and not lose two games in one.

The pitch-by-committee thing worked for TB so it’s important not to destroy that flow tomorrow for a lost cause tonight.
 
stringertom said:
You do realize Boone will ration pitches because tomorrow’s game will be pitched by committee. Ottavino, who was strong all year until September may be the weak link in his “go one inning max” strategy.
Click to expand...

Look's like they're going with Tanaka on short rest tomorrow. Risky strategy but may not have a choice.
Other option is to start Tanaka Game 5 with normal rest.
Verlander and Cole pitching again for final 2 in Houston.
Yanks are in deep trouble.
 
Raul_SJ said:
Look's like they're going with Tanaka on short rest tomorrow. Risky strategy but may not have a choice.
Other option is to start Tanaka Game 5 with normal rest.
Verlander and Cole pitching again for final 2 in Houston.
Yanks are in deep trouble.
Click to expand...
The weather may change everything. Heavy thunderstorms are predicted, which makes it a Game 1 rematch on normal rest for both Tanaka and Greinke. As of yesterday, Boone’s plan was using the pitch-by-committee in Game 4.
 
Cold Yankees bats need to huddle around Torres, the only Bronx Bomber this series. 4-1 headed to the ninth after Gleyber greeted Smith with a tater. Harris came in and limited the damage.
 
Nats blowing the Cards doors off. It's unfortunate, I'm supposed to hate these Nats as a Mets fan... and I do lol

But Cards have done more damage to me, so f them. Let's go Astros.
 
This is The Devil Went To Georgia all the way...the Cardinals got that 10-spot in Game 5 in Atlanta and sold their collective souls as payment. 7-0 Nationals after one.

Get the brooms ready!
 
Hats off to Washington for the sweep but it wasn’t a smooth ride from 7-0 as St. Louis rallied to 7-4 with the bases loaded in the eighth.

Lots of time off, maybe too much, before heading to Houston or The Bronx.

That rotation will make them very competitive with the eventual AL winner. Corbin gave up four but struck out 12. The three S’s will silence some bats in the WS.
 
Strong starting pitching alone unlikely to beat Astros/Yanks.
For the Nationals to have any sort of chance, Doolittle and Hudson need to step up in the bullpen for the Nationals.
Granted Strasburg and Sherzer are willing to step in on relief.
Corbin is way too inconsistent. What in the world were the Nationals thinking shelling out $140 million for this guy?!
Corbin needs to finally play big.
:(

ntQ5yqL.png
 
Raul_SJ said:
Strong starting pitching alone unlikely to beat Astros/Yanks.
For the Nationals to have any sort of chance, Doolittle and Hudson need to step up in the bullpen for the Nationals.
Granted Strasburg and Sherzer are willing to step in on relief.
Corbin is way too inconsistent. What in the world were the Nationals thinking shelling out $140 million for this guy?!
Corbin needs to finally play big.
:(

ntQ5yqL.png
Click to expand...

Probably thinking about getting to World Series which his 200 inning and 3.25 had a big part in. Like Greinke he is probably due to have a decent game eventually.
 
hollywood9826 said:
Probably thinking about getting to World Series which his 200 inning and 3.25 had a big part in. Like Greinke he is probably due to have a decent game eventually.
Click to expand...
He was great last night except for the 3-spot he gave up due to walks. 12 Ks in 5 innings and 94 pitches. Also, with a 7-1 lead and bases loaded in that Cards “explosion,” Martinez played very conservatively to avoid a real big inning. They were not coming home with a throw on any ground ball unless it was right at Corbin. They couldn’t turn two on the Edman grounder for 7-2. Then Martinez doubled for 7-4. Did he fold? No, he struck out ex-teammate Goldschmidt and Ozuna.
 
hollywood9826 said:
Probably thinking about getting to World Series which his 200 inning and 3.25 had a big part in. Like Greinke he is probably due to have a decent game eventually.
Click to expand...

Yet, here they are in the World Series and it is not even certain that Corbin will be in the starting rotation. Might be utilized in relief since Nats have terrible bullpen.
Nationals way OVERPAID for Corbin . Signed Corbin for $20M x 7 years in 2018...Strasburg only earns $10M. Both are about the same age 31.
Not really convinced that Corbin has all that of a bright future to warrant a long-term 7 year signing.
 
Last edited:
Raul_SJ said:
Yet, here they are in the World Series and it is not even certain that Corbin will be in the starting rotation. Might be utilized in relief since Nats have terrible bullpen.
Nationals way OVERPAID for Corbin . Signed Corbin for $20M x 7 years in 2018...Strasburg only earns $10M. Both are about the same age 31.
Not really convinced that Corbin has all that of a bright future to warrant a long-term 7 year signing.
Click to expand...

strasburg has a 7 year $175m contract. That’s a $25m aav. Not sure how you’re getting a $10m aav
 
Raul_SJ said:
Yet, here they are in the World Series and it is not even certain that Corbin will be in the starting rotation. Might be utilized in relief since Nats have terrible bullpen.
Nationals way OVERPAID for Corbin . Signed Corbin for $20M x 7 years in 2018...Strasburg only earns $10M. Both are about the same age 31.
Not really convinced that Corbin has all that of a bright future to warrant a long-term 7 year signing.
Click to expand...
I don’t know the source for your obvious hate for Corbin began but it’s pretty intense, enough so that it’s clouding facts:

GM Mike Rizzo did a great job in the offseason to rebuild a rotation that started with an aging Scherzer and ended with an oft-injured Strasburg. Last year’s 82-80 Nats’ other SPs were 23-33. He went out and got Sanchez and Corbin to replace Roark and Gonzalez. His new guys went 25-15 with ERAs both below 3.85 in 368 innings and WHIPs below 1.28 and combined WAR of 8.8. Those that they replaced went 13-12 with ERA (3.50, 4.35) and WHIPs (1.29 and 1.40) both higher and a combined WAR of 3.7.

To get that upgrade Rizzo gambled on Sanchez’s age (35) and Corbin’s continued rebound from his 2014 TJ surgery that included a very solid 2018 All-Star, 5th in CYA voting. He spent money wisely by backloading Corbin’s 6-year $140MM contract so he could afford the two new arms...Corbin earned a shade under $13MM this year while Sanchez got a bit under $10MM and Washington can move on after 2020 when the 2-year deal expires.

I say Rizzo was pretty damn sharp on both deals for the results he got. I do agree Corbin will probably be less than cost efficient by the last year of his deal in 2024 when he will earn $35MM but a NL pennant and possible WS title doesn’t come cheap. In the Bryce Harper vacuum, those two deals paid in spades!
 
stringertom said:
I say Rizzo was pretty damn sharp on both deals for the results he got. I do agree Corbin will probably be less than cost efficient by the last year of his deal in 2024 when he will earn $35MM but a NL pennant and possible WS title doesn’t come cheap. In the Bryce Harper vacuum, those two deals paid in spades!
Click to expand...

Okay, so he is paying for a World Series now and willing to eat the $35M years down the road, even if Corbin is just average by that point.
Let's say Sanchez is pitching well. What are the chances that Martinez just goes with the Big Three and relegates Corbin to relief?
Even if he gives Corbin a start, and Corbin gets pounded, I think Martinez likely relegates him to relief for the rest of the series.
 
Last edited:
Raul_SJ said:
Okay, so he is paying for a World Series now and willing to eat the $35M years down the road, even if Corbin is just average by that point.
Let's say Sanchez is pitching well. What are the chances that Martinez just goes with the Big Three and relegates Corbin to relief?
Even if he gives Corbin a start, and Corbin gets pounded, I think Martinez likely relegates him to relief for the rest of the series.
Click to expand...
He’ll get the ball in Game 3 with his superior record at home (8-2, 2.40 ERA and a WHIP under 1.0). Sanchez is a bit weaker (4-2, 4.24, 1.31) but he pitched in the AL from 2012-2017. Familiarity is a two-edge sword...he’ll know hitters but they’ll know him too. Also, Verlander can fill in his buds on Sanchez from pitching so many years together.

The 2-3-2 WS format rewards a deeper rotation so Martinez will use both FA acquisitions at home and have Scherzer on regular rest for Game 5, also at home.
 
Raul_SJ said:
Yet, here they are in the World Series and it is not even certain that Corbin will be in the starting rotation. Might be utilized in relief since Nats have terrible bullpen.
Nationals way OVERPAID for Corbin . Signed Corbin for $20M x 7 years in 2018...Strasburg only earns $10M. Both are about the same age 31.
Not really convinced that Corbin has all that of a bright future to warrant a long-term 7 year signing.
Click to expand...

If he gives them 200 innings of 3.25 ERA its more than worth it. Have to win games in regular season to even have a chance to worry about playoffs. Maybe he turns into a postseason bullpen guy in a staff with Scherzer and a healthy Strasburg. But its also hard to give up on a guy who had two bad starts in the postseason.
 
hollywood9826 said:
If he gives them 200 innings of 3.25 ERA its more than worth it. Have to win games in regular season to even have a chance to worry about playoffs. Maybe he turns into a postseason bullpen guy in a staff with Scherzer and a healthy Strasburg. But its also hard to give up on a guy who had two bad starts in the postseason.
Click to expand...
He hasn’t had two bad starts. He gave up 2 runs in 6 innings in the Game 1 NLDS 6-0 loss. Then he got blown up in relief, not his normal duty and on short rest (2 days after throwing 107 pitches). Now he clinched the Cards sweep and was dominant for four innings (10 of 12 outs on Ks). Yeah, he gave up four runs so it doesn’t qualify as a quality start but those last two Ks in the fifth snuffed out the fire.

All in all, he’s had 2 bad innings not 2 bad starts. I blame Martinez more for throwing him on 2 days rest after that many pitches.
 
stringertom said:
He hasn’t had two bad starts. He gave up 2 runs in 6 innings in the Game 1 NLDS 6-0 loss. Then he got blown up in relief, not his normal duty and on short rest (2 days after throwing 107 pitches). Now he clinched the Cards sweep and was dominant for four innings (10 of 12 outs on Ks). Yeah, he gave up four runs so it doesn’t qualify as a quality start but those last two Ks in the fifth snuffed out the fire.

All in all, he’s had 2 bad innings not 2 bad starts. I blame Martinez more for throwing him on 2 days rest after that many pitches.
Click to expand...

This really highlights the serious deficiencies in the Nationals bullpen; that they had to utilize their starting pitcher with 2 days rest.
It is really up to the pitcher to inform the manager how he feels. Scherzer after throwing 109 in Game 4 announced he does not feel up to facing even one batter in relief in deciding Game 5 NLDS.
Doolittle, Hudson or someone else (possibly a starter) need to step up in the bullpen in the World Series. Cannot rely on their strong starting pitching to get it done over Astros/Yanks.

Corbin recovered after a bad inning in Game 1 NLDS. But what a horrible inning. 4 walks in the first to give the Dodgers an early lead.
We will see how Corbin does in the Series. :(
 
Last edited:
Scherzer and Stras can be relied upon to do anything against ANYBODY. Does not mean they can or they automatically win the 4 games they start.
but I agree with the sentiment that the bullpen will need to pick up some slack because they cant expect to come from behind and win games like they did against MIL and LAD.

Its been a rough go this year for bullpens. many because some good starting efforts (and short leashes) but bullpens ERAs are higher this postseason than the starting pitching.
 
Raul_SJ said:
This really highlights the serious deficiencies in the Nationals bullpen; that they had to utilize their starting pitcher with 2 days rest.
It is really up to the pitcher to inform the manager how he feels. Scherzer after throwing 109 in Game 4 announced he does not feel up to facing even one batter in relief in deciding Game 5 NLDS.
Doolittle, Hudson or someone else (possibly a starter) need to step up in the bullpen in the World Series. Cannot rely on their strong starting pitching to get it done over Astros/Yanks.
Click to expand...
That’s why Rizzo dealt for Hudson and he has produced, going 3-0 with 6 saves and 1.44 ERA after the trade from Toronto. Postseason, he is spotless with 7 consecutive saves and he did that while leaving the team on paternity leave.

His addition allowed Doolittle to slide from closer to set-up man and he has improved his ERA and WHIP dramatically from his midsummer slump.
 
stringertom said:
That’s why Rizzo dealt for Hudson and he has produced, going 3-0 with 6 saves and 1.44 ERA after the trade from Toronto. Postseason, he is spotless with 7 consecutive saves and he did that while leaving the team on paternity leave.

His addition allowed Doolittle to slide from closer to set-up man and he has improved his ERA and WHIP dramatically from his midsummer slump.
Click to expand...

Raul bout to take my Moriarty nickname. The Nationals swept 4-0!
 
Last edited:
hollywood9826 said:
Scherzer and Stras can be relied upon to do anything against ANYBODY. Does not mean they can or they automatically win the 4 games they start.
but I agree with the sentiment that the bullpen will need to pick up some slack because they cant expect to come from behind and win games like they did against MIL and LAD.

Its been a rough go this year for bullpens. many because some good starting efforts (and short leashes) but bullpens ERAs are higher this postseason than the starting pitching.
Click to expand...

Yes, Nationals starting pitching can keep it close against anyone. Capable of stretching the series. But to win 4 games, you will need a closer in the late innings. That's where Doolittle/Hudson/Corbin? come in.
The Astros have solid starters as well plus a closer. I am still not confident of Corbin putting in a solid start under pressure. Came out wild with 4 walks in one inning. Nerves? Getting hit is one thing. Wildness is another.
Walks tend to be magnified and particularly deadly in the playoffs. Rather Martinez go with Strasburg,Scherzer,Sanchez...

If they make it, I expect the Astros to be the huge favorite. At least 1.5. Would not be surprised if Astros were close to a 2 to 1 favorite.
-- A NL Wild card has very rarely won. IIRC, only two have ever done it.
-- Astros home field advantage is just simply huge.
 
Last edited:
Raul_SJ said:
Yes, Nationals starting pitching can keep it close against anyone. Capable of stretching the series. But to win 4 games, you will need a closer in the late innings. That's where Doolittle/Hudson/Corbin? come in.
The Astros have solid starters as well plus a closer. I am still not confident of Corbin.
If they make it, I expect the Astros to be the huge favorite. At least 1.5. Would not be surprised if Astros were close to a 2 to 1 favorite.
-- A NL Wild card has very rarely won. IIRC, only two have ever done it.
-- Astros home field advantage is just huge.
Click to expand...

The Yankees haven’t lost yet
 
Raul_SJ said:
Yes, Nationals starting pitching can keep it close against anyone. Capable of stretching the series. But to win 4 games, you will need a closer in the late innings. That's where Doolittle/Hudson/Corbin? come in.
The Astros have solid starters as well plus a closer. I am still not confident of Corbin putting in a solid start under pressure. Came out wild with 4 walks in one inning. Nerves? Getting hit is one thing. Wildness is another.
Walks tend to be magnified and particularly deadly in the playoffs. Rather Martinez go with Strasburg,Scherzer,Sanchez...

If they make it, I expect the Astros to be the huge favorite. At least 1.5. Would not be surprised if Astros were close to a 2 to 1 favorite.
-- A NL Wild card has very rarely won. IIRC, only two have ever done it.
-- Astros home field advantage is just simply huge.
Click to expand...
Corbin h8 again! Yes, it was his first ever playoff inning and he rebounded to hold them to 1 run during his wildness and two overall in six innings. That exceeds the definition of a MLB quality start both in runs allowed and IP.

Let’s imagine you replace Martinez as Nats manager before Game 3...are you going against Corbin’s 8-2 and minus 2 ERA home record compared to Sánchez’s home splits??? The only conceivable reason to do that is to shake off Sánchez rust a day earlier. Their BB/IP ratio during the regular season actually favors Corbin by 5 percent despite the fact Corbin is much less a pitch to contact type hurler. There’s absolutely no reason to disturb their normal rotation despite your made-up reasons to defy logic.
 
stringertom said:
Corbin h8 again! Yes, it was his first ever playoff inning and he rebounded to hold them to 1 run during his wildness and two overall in six innings. That exceeds the definition of a MLB quality start both in runs allowed and IP.

Let’s imagine you replace Martinez as Nats manager before Game 3...are you going against Corbin’s 8-2 and minus 2 ERA home record compared to Sánchez’s home splits??? The only conceivable reason to do that is to shake off Sánchez rust a day earlier. Their BB/IP ratio during the regular season actually favors Corbin by 5 percent despite the fact Corbin is much less a pitch to contact type hurler. There’s absolutely no reason to disturb their normal rotation despite your made-up reasons to defy logic.
Click to expand...

I place more importance on the postseason and the guy with the hot hand. I'd go with Sanchez over Corbin based on his postseason performance.
Sanchez just came off a near no-hitter. Cannot go wrong giving Sanchez the ball. Pull him for Corbin quickly if he struggles. Sanchez has come thru in both of his outings.
Cannot be said of up and down Corbin.
:(
 
Raul_SJ said:
I place more importance on the postseason and the guy with the hot hand. I'd go with Sanchez over Corbin based on his postseason performance.
Sanchez just came off a near no-hitter. Cannot go wrong giving Sanchez the ball. Pull him for Corbin quickly if he struggles. Sanchez has come thru in both of his outings.
Cannot be said of up and down Corbin.
:(
Click to expand...
So you’re saying Corbin lost Game 1 NLDS by himself? If the bats gave him just 3 runs, he would have won.

smh
 
stringertom said:
So you’re saying Corbin lost Game 1 NLDS by himself? If the bats gave him just 3 runs, he would have won.

smh
Click to expand...

Not blaming him for the loss. I am saying the choice is not clear-cut. There is a case to be made for giving Sanchez the ball in Game 3. Give it to the hot hand that just missed a no-hitter.
And given the Nationals relative weakness in the bullpen, why not relegate Corbin to relief.
 
Last edited:
Raul_SJ said:
Not blaming him for the loss. I am saying the choice is not clear-cut. There is a case to be made for giving Sanchez the ball in Game 3. Give it to the hot hand that just missed a no-hitter.
And given the Nationals relative weakness in the bullpen, why not relegate Corbin to relief.
Click to expand...
Because you need 4 starters in the 2-3-2 format. The hot hand is a live arm that just got 12 Ks in 5 innings and he earned the #3 slot in the rotation. Three Nats pitchers won 14 plus games this season and struck out 200 plus batters. None of them are named Sánchez.

Capisce?
 
stringertom said:
Because you need 4 starters in the 2-3-2 format. The hot hand is a live arm that just got 12 Ks in 5 innings and he earned the #3 slot in the rotation. Three Nats pitchers won 14 plus games this season and struck out 200 plus batters. None of them are named Sánchez.

Capisce?
Click to expand...

We all pray for Corbin not to be wild and nervous on the big stage.
:(
 
Raul_SJ said:
Let's all pray for Corbin not to be wild and nervous on the big stage
:(
Click to expand...
It’s pretty clear he overcame that in Games 4 of the NLDS (1-1/3 innings 3 Ks in relief) and the NLCS (12 Ks in 5 innings including striking out the Cards power hitters Goldschmidt and Ozuna with a fifth run on second base).

#MartinezKnowsBest
 
Surprising Greinke was pulled that soon after only 4 1/3. Two on one out. Up 3-1.
Would have kept him in longer.
Pressley came in and promptly walked the bases loaded. Looked like a disaster. But then got the two big K's.
 
Earl Weaver 2x. Hinch got enough pitching and fundamentals were sound. Getting the second 3-run HR will probably be enough.
 
Astros up 3-1. Verlander looking to close it out tomorrow.
If he can't get it done, Cole awaits in Houston.

Just checked in with Yogi. Yogi says, "It aint over till it's over. Yes, this series is over!"
:(

5F4GQVN2IIYFDJOTSGK3CD6F3U.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top