HumpLinks: Tampa Dusts Justin

PLAYOFFS

The good news (for me) was that Tampa Bay blasted through the shirt-rested Justin Verlander to even up the Best of Five LDS. The bad news (for me) is that this means the Rays have to now blast through Gerrit Cole. Wow.

This was classic Tampa Bay, throwing their bullpen up against a Houston AL CYA contender, a guy who insisted on taking the mound. But pride goeth before the fall, and Verlander had no juice. Too familiar, too tired, too easy, the Rays took him down for 3 runs in the very first inning and that was more than enough, Rays eventually closing the game out with a 4-1 victory. Pay attention, though. The Rays went into the game committed to a pitching committee whereas the Astros were hoping more for at least 7 innings out of co-ace Justin Verlander. But in the final box score, BOTH teams used 6 total pitchers. Verlander lasted on 3.2 innings and gave up 7 hits in those 11 outs.

But it wasn’t just clever planning that served the Rays. It was also excellent execution. Willy Adames’ pivot on that relay was a play for the ages.

So we now have a Game 7 in the American League. The Rays have already done the improbable, rolling through Zack Greinke and now Verlander. The odds against what they are trying to now do are huge.

This afternoon we have TWO Game 7’s to decide the National League Championship contenders. Let’s have some fun!

And it feels like only the Yankees have a pitching staff that will be intact when those LCS’ commence.......Can Zack Greinke be trusted in anything even close to a leveraged situation in the playoffs?............The Nats have no bullpen...........Max Scherzer might now need a week off..............You will notice, though, that bullpens have been pushed back against this postseason, compared to recent years...........

Players move around A LOT these days. This ain’t the 1940’s. Every fan has a player or two in the playoffs this year who used to perform in the uniform of their favorite team. The Angels have 17 such players, worth a healthy 25.7 WAR, and the best being Patrick Corbin...............

ANGELS

Yeah, no. There is nothing to talk about concerning the Halos except for all the Jo Maddon chatter. There are tons of that and none of it is very enlightening anymore. Well, except for the fact that the Maddon interviewing took place in Fashion Island over in Newport Beach, which kinda explains why nobody was on hand for my interview appointment at Angel Stadium that afternoon.............

MANAGERIAL MUSICAL CHAIRS

Manny Machado is lobbying for the Padres to give Buck Showalter a look. Machado was born the year that Showalter began his MLB managing career with the Yankees, 1992...........

BASEBALL

The codification of baseball is so thorough, and we fans are so familiar, that I cannot help but get totally frustrated to watch MLB umpires come up with a bullshit ruling, such a baseball rolling under outfield wall padding being considered “unplayable”, as though it enabled its cloaking device. Bellinger botched the play, period.............

As we continue to wonder about that epic losing streak that the Twins just extended, something that was not supposed to happen, it might be wise to keep in mind that the the Twins won 101 regular season games in large part to getting to win 50 of those within their own Division. 41 of those against the White Sox, Tigers and Royals. And they were only 2-4 against the Yankees in the regular season (which makes them 2-7 on the whole of 2019 in games that count). Against all playoff teams they were 18-19. So, average MLB team that got a boost from AL Central rivals who faced off against a legit MLB power, one with an Aaron Judge batting at historic levels, in a sport where 3 losses in a row happen. Even to 100-win teams...........

Analytics guys just cannot let go of Dave Martinez IBB’ng Max Muncy. It was 4 days ago now. Martinez will not ever be forgiven for that decision having worked out for him.............

MLB might not be all too worried about lowered attendance, but if that is true they should be freaked the hell out at the news that RSN viewer ratings are down.............

The Red Sox might be hinting that they are going to lower payroll and lose stars in the process. But there is no hinting that they are raising ticket prices at Fenway.............

Mike Schmidt, THE Mike Schmidt, is totally in favor of RoboUmps. In fact, you might consider him a trailblazer..............

STUFF

TBS allows Dodger-Nats to shoot down the Death Star............