Old school baseball in CLE

[BobbyStrawberry]

8th inning and both starters are still in!

ETA And just like that Bieber is pulled after 7.2...

[BobC]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

8th inning and both starters are still in!

ETA And just like that Bieber is pulled after 7.2...

It's the playoffs. If you don't win, there may not be a next start in 4-5 days for that starter to be getting ready for.

But in Cleveland's case, they have a great bullpen to fall back on, with multiple guys they can count on.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by BobC

It's the playoffs. If you don't win, there may not be a next start in 4-5 days for that starter to be getting ready for.

But in Cleveland's case, they have a great bullpen to fall back on, with multiple guys they can count on.

Good point about the short series. Still, I was surprised - I believe they said on the broadcast it was the first time a starter under Kevin Cash ever went more than 6 in the playoffs.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

Good point about the short series. Still, I was surprised - I believe they said on the broadcast it was the first time a starter under Kevin Cash ever went more than 6 in the playoffs.

Absolutely right on your part and what you mentioned, but again, the playoffs are a whole different season and logic. Don't know much about Cash, but Terry Francona is no fool, and one of the smartest managers in baseball, now, and maybe of all-time. He is the manager that helped break Boston's curse of the Bambino. And look at his team today.

The Indians/Guardians are playing small-ball as in the old days. They have, I believe, the youngest roster in MLB, along with at least three good starting pitchers, including the last MLB pitcher to win the coveted pitching Triple Crown. With all the talk of Ohtani and Judge for MVP, Cleveland's Jose Ramirez should be getting some love, and MVP votes as well. You want to talk about a player being valuable to his team.....just look at the 5'9" Ramirez. And he continues to perform and produce, year in and year out. And I had mentioned once before in another post about their rookie, Steve Kwan, as a very possible ROY candidate. Francona knowns how to play the game, and bring along his young players and get the most out of them as a team. They have been one of the hottest teams in MLB over the last month and a half or so. Francona knows you go with, and stay with, what is working for you, especially when you get to the playoffs.

Oh, and interestingly enough, the game ended up as a 2-1 victory for Cleveland, in a playoff record time of just 2 hours and 17 minutes. That is the fastest playoff game in the majors since 1999 I believe. If this is part of where MLB is looking to direct the game in the future, Cleveland and Francona are already ahead of the curve. LOL

And Tampa Bay seems to be following similar thinking/tactics. This playoff series looked to be a low scoring, pitcher's type duel from the start. And in addition to both starters in today's playoff game going 7+ innings, both teams only used one reliever to then finish the game. If you like that kind of baseball and play, it should be a great series to watch. Figured it would go three games, but with Cleveland taking game 1, they may just end it the next game with their 1A starting pitcher on the mound.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Also good points, Bob - and, agreed on Ramirez... He's still somehow underrated for how amazing he is!

[BobbyStrawberry]

And today we get some real extra inning baseball! Ive really missed it...

[D. Bergin]

13th inning and 0-0. So glad they don’t have the ghost runner in the playoffs to cheapen what these pitchers have accomplished on both teams. Gotta earn that 1st run.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

13th inning and 0-0. So glad they don’t have the ghost runner in the playoffs to cheapen what these pitchers have accomplished on both teams. Gotta earn that 1st run.

Absolutely! I love the slow buildup of drama in a game like this...

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

13th inning and 0-0. So glad they don’t have the ghost runner in the playoffs to cheapen what these pitchers have accomplished on both teams. Gotta earn that 1st run.

I should have added "and fielders".....

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

And today we get some real extra inning baseball! Ive really missed it...

A lot of extra inning baseball and every at bat counts

Love it

[clydepepper]

While I was glad to see no ghost runners, the 15 innings did press the pitching staffs and it ended the non-old-school way anyway.



.

[frankbmd]

What happened?

Did the International Brotherhood of Ghost Runners go on strike?

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

What happened?

Did the International Brotherhood of Ghost Runners go on strike?

Or perhaps: MLB realized how stupid the zombie runner rule is and won't use it for games that actually matter!