THERE'S ONLY ONE POSTSEASON (thread for 2019)

helluva strikeout pitch to Taylor

bases loaded, no outs, the record-setting Twins offense scores....zero

YER KILLIN' MEEEE

Sano shifts just before the fucking hit

This is just how it has to be, folks.

(As in Eric H. spends most of every season paying not much attention to the Twins, become moderately aware of when they're performing above average, all the while knowing they'll play the Yankees in the ALDS, watch parts of the first three heartbreaking games while accomplishing other menial tasks and saying to himself "This is just how it has to be, folks.")

don't need the fatalism right now, honeybunch

also "every season" … this last happened in 2010?

(they lost the WC game two years ago to NYY, otherwise nothing since '10)

Will people look at me funny if I have a tattoo of Luis Severino’s face? On my own face?

they're on their way to losing 10 straight playoff games to the yankees (and going 2-6 before that, all this century)

different guys wearing the same laundry

nevertheless

also let’s not give eric a reason *not* to hate the yankees

I don't hate the Yankees. But I apologize on behalf of Minnesota to the rest of the country that does that we keep giving them an early, cushy rest period any time we face them in the postseason.

FS1 just put up a lovely graphic that the Twins are now one game away from tying the all-time record for most consecutive postseason losses ... in any major sport (tying with Chicago Blackhawks).

A record I'm sure we can beat next year, smooches Morbs.

Seriously tho, fuck the Twins against the Yankees.

RIP Twins.

It’s okay the central is still the central next season.

The Twins' 16 game postseason losing streak is mind-boggling. Most of the games weren't even close either!

maybe if they put "Senators" on it...

Normally I'd be dead-set against starting Verlander on short rest when you've got Wiley, but just looked up Wiley's game logs and he was brutal in September (having a very good season before that). I imagine that's driving the decision more than anything.

There was one good start in there, but three times he didn't record a fourth out: 1.1 IP, 16 runs.

also, they'll have cole on regular rest if there's a game 5

Houston's obv gonna take this but would luv luv luv a game 5 and Greinke having to go game 1 in ALCS

i'm rooting for whatever kills the Bronx Moloch fastest

climate change, I'm afraid

re Verlander and rest

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/instagraphs/considering-justin-verlander-on-short-rest/

Whatever happened to Houston's LR/spot-starter situation guys like Peacock & Devenski? Surprised to hear they are worried about SP depth...

they lost 60% of their 2018 rotation -- morton/keuchel to free agency, mccullers to injury. that's kind of tough to replace (not that it isn't their own fault for letting the first two walk)

Five years ago today @SamMillerBB said this on @EWPod, and all who listened were forever changed. pic.twitter.com/6FanOXbxQK

— Ryan Thibodaux (@NotMrTibbs) October 8, 2019

yes, the Slog to Rigor Mortis that launched a commemorative beer cozy i think

Tells you how closely I'm paying attention--didn't realize Miley had pitched (poorly) in relief in game 3. So he'd already been banished from consideration.

miley got absolutely pummeled in september -- 16.68 ERA, WHIP over 3 in five starts

Couple years ago I spot-checked a bunch of 1960s starters. Most showed a TTO effect. League numbers were also evidence of a TTO effect. I know when data meets the opinion of former player, it has no chance, but... https://t.co/z8ktcwfh4y

— Joe Sheehan (@joe_sheehan) October 8, 2019

smoltz's career splits:
first time .228/.290/.342
second .237/.291/.351
third .241/.298/.382

maddux
first .242/.283/.346
second .247/.284/.353
third .264/.304/.380
fourth (!) .248/.303/.356

glavine
first .245/.310/.359
second .255/.314/.378
third .269/.328/.395

but those guys are, of course, all hall of famers

yeah, not quite as extreme as "Nolan Ryan threw 300 innings! Why don't youse?" but...

i think there's maybe a little something to what smoltz is saying -- if you're going through the order fewer times/not pitching 300 innings, you likely don't need to rely on or develop your third- or fourth-best pitches as much. but being a hall of famer, he probably thinks that having four plus pitches is much easier than it really is

Lindbergh suggested on the EW podcast today that it seems the ball isn't carrying as well in the PS? I've seen a couple warning-track flies that seemed to die en route.

“Ji-Man Choi!” chant breaking out rn in the parking lots outside Tropicana Field. What a time.

— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) October 8, 2019

you hate to see it

Two perfect throws.

you KNOW if TB wins this series they're gonna lose 4 straight to the Stanks

kinda why I can’t get excited about TB winning this

same reason I want the Dodgers coming out of the NL: keep your eye on the Death Star

I got in 30 mins ago. Did Verlander have nothing? Velocity, location?

Fastballs were around 95.

couldn't locate

Girardi observed he was actually throwing harder than last start, calling it "forced velocity"

only four walks, but the astros have thrown almost twice as many pitches

also, tommy pham

The Astros had their chances in the ninth, but Snell was filthy out of the pen.

Those relay throws to nail Altuve at the plate earlier in the game were sick. It was looking like a big inning but the Rays crushed it.