2025 Major League Baseball Thread

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by TxDave

As much as I want it to be over, I am still nervous. If the Yankees can somehow beat Verlander tonight, do my Astros go with a bullpen game in game 6 to try to save Cole for game 1 of the WS? But then what if we lose game 6 with the bullpen? No one wants to go into a game 7 after being up 3-1.

You're getting nervous over nothing. Verlander will shut us down (as always) and you guys are going to celebrate on the field. I originally said I wouldn't watch it, but I am (for the hell of it and nothing good being on tv tonight). It's going to be like watching the Hindenberg go down in flames and the Titanic sink at the same time.

[bruceames]

Come on man, this is baseball. Anything can happen. Not like the NBA when a team goes up 3-1 the odds are really small to come back. Verlander has already faltered once in the playoffs, and if not this time, hope you can get to his eventual replacement. As someone who likes to see the Yankees lose, I almost wish they win today just to show you that you shouldn't give up on your team.

[myanks12]

Originally Posted by bruceames

Come on man, this is baseball. Anything can happen. Not like the NBA when a team goes up 3-1 the odds are really small to come back. Verlander has already faltered once in the playoffs, and if not this time, hope you can get to his eventual replacement. As someone who likes to see the Yankees lose, I almost wish they win today just to show you that you shouldn't give up on your team.

You're right that anything can happen...but I think the Yankees blew their opportunity to win this series. They could have beaten both Verlander and Cole already in this series and weren't able to. I think it's more likely that one or both of them will be even tougher to beat in their second start, assuming the Yanks actually force a game 7 and Cole pitches.

I also don't like the way the Yankee organization has built this team. I saw the championships in the late 90s and in 09. Those teams were built on superb starting pitching, a dominant bullpen and an offense that put the ball in play. This team has the bullpen but they strike out far too much and their starters are not very good. I'm tired of hearing people say that if a Yankee starter goes 5 good innings, it's an amazing start. It's not. All it does is put more pressure on the bullpen and allows the opposing team to see each of the bullpen arms over and over again, to the point where they can figure out how to beat them.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by myanks12

You're right that anything can happen...but I think the Yankees blew their opportunity to win this series. They could have beaten both Verlander and Cole already in this series and weren't able to. I think it's more likely that one or both of them will be even tougher to beat in their second start, assuming the Yanks actually force a game 7 and Cole pitches.

I also don't like the way the Yankee organization has built this team. I saw the championships in the late 90s and in 09. Those teams were built on superb starting pitching, a dominant bullpen and an offense that put the ball in play. This team has the bullpen but they strike out far too much and their starters are not very good. I'm tired of hearing people say that if a Yankee starter goes 5 good innings, it's an amazing start. It's not. All it does is put more pressure on the bullpen and allows the opposing team to see each of the bullpen arms over and over again, to the point where they can figure out how to beat them.

Unfortunately, this is baseball today (believe me, I couldn't agree more with you assessment in your post). Analytics has ruined baseball IMO.

[myanks12]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

Unfortunately, this is baseball today (believe me, I couldn't agree more with you assessment in your post). Analytics has ruined baseball IMO.

I agree that analytics have ruined baseball but I'll also say that if you look at the world series winners in recent seasons, they have all had offenses that have been able to put the ball in play and either had a lights out bullpen and/or dominant starting pitching. So analytics hasn't changed the formula to win the world series yet.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by myanks12

I agree that analytics have ruined baseball but I'll also say that if you look at the world series winners in recent seasons, they have all had offenses that have been able to put the ball in play and either had a lights out bullpen and/or dominant starting pitching. So analytics hasn't changed the formula to win the world series yet.

The crazy thing is that they lead baseball hitting with runner with scoring position (probably due to the big boppers being on the IR) so they had to do the little things to score (even though they were hitting HR's, they could just sit around and wait for the 3 run HR). When the big boppers all came back, back to the old habits.

[myanks12]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

The crazy thing is that they lead baseball hitting with runner with scoring position (probably due to the big boppers being on the IR) so they had to do the little things to score (even though they were hitting HR's, they could just sit around and wait for the 3 run HR). When the big boppers all came back, back to the old habits.

I think it's Houston's pitching that's doing it. Yanks hit with runners in scoring position against the Twins. And during the regular season, for the most part, the team that we're watching now was there during the regular season, except for Stanton. Judge and Didi played 4 months. Sanchez played over 100 games. Gardner played all year. Encarnacion was a regular, either at DH or 1B. The two guys who had significant time that are not here currently are Voit and Tauchman. The only big bopper that wasn't there all year who is back now is Stanton, and he hasn't even played this entire series.

[DanTheMan]

Yankee bats woke up again lol, against Verlander no less.

Credit to Astros last night. Their offense did a great job, and New York’s pitching and defense were atrocious.

However, I still believe if New York loses this series, they have to look back at Game 2 and 3 as their downfall. Verlander and Cole were pretty hittable in those games, but that homer back in Gm 2 to tie it up seemed to rattle the Yankees, and they never recovered until that walk off from Houston. Then, they get really good looks from Cole throughout the whole Gm 3 but could never get the ball in play with RISP, and he was walking quite a few IIRC. I think the cool weather prevented him from delivering his best stuff, and thus, Yanks should’ve pounced on him and forced their bullpen by around the 5th or 6th.

So many squandered opportunities, it’s frustrating to see. With the series going back to Texas in order to win the whole series, they just might not get those kind of gimme pitches again.

If they can pull of the W tonight, I truly hope Boone gives the guys a wake-up pep talk that can remind the group why they’ve made it this far, with fate bringing them back to the team that eliminated them two years ago. Redemption stories are great to experience in sports, and there’s nothing I would love to see more than New York climb this mountain and get their revenge, even if means falling short to Washington in the WS. I can live with that. Just wish they could be as motivated as their fans.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by myanks12

I think it's Houston's pitching that's doing it. Yanks hit with runners in scoring position against the Twins. And during the regular season, for the most part, the team that we're watching now was there during the regular season, except for Stanton. Judge and Didi played 4 months. Sanchez played over 100 games. Gardner played all year. Encarnacion was a regular, either at DH or 1B. The two guys who had significant time that are not here currently are Voit and Tauchman. The only big bopper that wasn't there all year who is back now is Stanton, and he hasn't even played this entire series.

It just feels like that nearly every at bat seems like the batter is trying to swing for the fences (unlike against the Twins where they manufactured runs with hit after hit).

Originally Posted by DanTheMan

Yankee bats woke up again lol, against Verlander no less.

Credit to Astros last night. Their offense did a great job, and New York’s pitching and defense were atrocious.

However, I still believe if New York loses this series, they have to look back at Game 2 and 3 as their downfall. Verlander and Cole were pretty hittable in those games, but that homer back in Gm 2 to tie it up seemed to rattle the Yankees, and they never recovered until that walk off from Houston. Then, they get really good looks from Cole throughout the whole Gm 3 but could never get the ball in play with RISP, and he was walking quite a few IIRC. I think the cool weather prevented him from delivering his best stuff, and thus, Yanks should’ve pounced on him and forced their bullpen by around the 5th or 6th.

So many squandered opportunities, it’s frustrating to see. With the series going back to Texas in order to win the whole series, they just might not get those kind of gimme pitches again.

If they can pull of the W tonight, I truly hope Boone gives the guys a wake-up pep talk that can remind the group why they’ve made it this far, with fate bringing them back to the team that eliminated them two years ago. Redemption stories are great to experience in sports, and there’s nothing I would love to see more than New York climb this mountain and get their revenge, even if means falling short to Washington in the WS. I can live with that. Just wish they could be as motivated as their fans.

Loss in GM 3 along with the rain on Wed is most likely going to be their downfall (unless every starter goes at least 6 innings every game starting with Paxton tonight).

UPDATE: and Pax does exactly that (if it wasn't for that high amount of pitches thrown n the 1st and 2nd, he might have gone out in the 7th).

[Wingman1977]

This is the best Pax has pitched all yr (he basically threw a 6 inning shut out if it wasn't for that wild pitch in the 1st).

[Wingman1977]

We live to fight another day (still don't see us winning this series, but at least they won't celebrate on our field).

[bipbop13]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

We live to fight another day (still don't see us winning this series, but at least they won't celebrate on our field).

No, they let you win, so they could celebrate on their own.

My 2 favorite teams; The Red Sox & anyone that beats the yankees. GO ASTROS!!

[myanks12]

I think Paxton's best game this year was in April against the Red Sox but this was a solid performance. This is why you need starters to give you length. Notice how Kahnle came out tonight and didn't have it. So Boone went right to Britton. You can do these kinds of things when your starter gives you length. That will be the problem in tomorrow's game and game 7 if the Yanks are lucky enough to force it.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by myanks12

I think Paxton's best game this year was in April against the Red Sox but this was a solid performance. This is why you need starters to give you length. Notice how Kahnle came out tonight and didn't have it. So Boone went right to Britton. You can do these kinds of things when your starter gives you length. That will be the problem in tomorrow's game and game 7 if the Yanks are lucky enough to force it.

Nah, this tops it just for the situation the team was in (elimination game so there was zero margin for error).

[myanks12]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

Nah, this tops it just for the situation the team was in (elimination game so there was zero margin for error).

Very true. I'd have to agree with you there. I have no feel for tonight's game. Bullpen game for both teams. Absolutely no idea what will happen. Game 7 I could see Cole just dominating the Yankees and beating them. Tonight? No idea.

[bootsy]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

[ctujackbauer]

This game is incredible. Rooting for the Astros, but damn 9th inning heroics.

[ctujackbauer]

Anyone else spot Westbrook and Harden behind the plate? Or close to the rail behind the plate.

[ctujackbauer]

Off one of the best closers in the game too. Great way to win it.

[Chiefy]

NYY suck. Better luck next year B*t*hes.