This is a blog about the MLB playoffs and I think the 4th installment of an ongoing conversation.
To get fully caught up on everything I’ve already had to say,click here.
For purposes of staying organized, I’ve predetermined a list of 9 critical things to talk about.
Let’s count up.
All four series are tied 1-1which is so rare that it’s literally never happened.
The closest was in 2011 when 3 of the 4 series started 1-1.
The next year in 2012, every DS went a full 5 games.
First time in history, which is awesome because there’s already so much history.
Always feels good to see it happen in real time and this is exactly one of those times.
At best you could go fist pound and even then it’s a reach, literally.
Always puts things in perspective to consider the different kinds of markets but I digress.
We’re here for baseball not interest rates.
There’s a 67% Chance Mets/Phillies Goes 5 Gamesand I completely just made that number up.
But don’t you believe me anyways?
Doesn’t it feel inevitable to be decided by the last pitch of the last inning of this series?
Think big picture storyline.
One team that has constantly overperformed in recent stretches of postseason play.
Another team that is destined for misery regardless of money, stardom, ownership, etc.
And here we are, moments before a 3rd game in front of baseball’s most deranged fanbase.
I don’t about that.
Aaron Nola vs. Sean Maneais interesting enough but not enough to single it out for a couple hundred words.
They both followed the same path to the big leagues: highly drafted prospects with elite stuff.
Nola has been obviously the better pitcher but a lot of teammates prefer Manea’s character.
Consider that Manea will wear more uniforms in one spring training than Nola will his entire career.
Some call that luck, others call it the 4th lowest qualified BABIP in all of MLB this season.
The whole thing just adds up to him being a lucky dude.
But then you watch him pitch and realize he’s just a funky dude that slings across his body.
Sometimes that means filthy armside run and sink.
Sometimes that means meatballs over the middle of the plate.
Recency bias suggests he’s much better this time against Philadelphia in the playoffs.
Speaking of San Diego…
I really need you guys to care about the Dodgers series.
I know you don’t want to because most everyone reading this lives east of the Mississippi.
But I’m telling you guys.
Chef’s kiss quality villain in my opinion and that plays perfectly against the clean cut Dodgers.
Get fuckin serious Manny.
A lot of people are now curious if there will be retaliation, etc.
I think it’s very much on the table but definitely not in a close game.
Otherwise I think this is something we just keep talking about with no resolution.
The Royals outplayed the Yankees in Yankee stadium over the collective two games and that’s indisputable.
Energy should be popping and Seth Lugo back on the mound where he’s dominated this season.
I had no idea Aaron Judge is the worst player in postseason history.
Yesterday was yet another instant classic in a library year of amazing performances.
Skubal adding his scoreless streak to 20 innings.
Countless forgettable faces representing two underwhelming markets with overwhelming passion.
Whatever the total, I don’t think they can get low enough.
These are his rule changes and it’s objectively working out well.
