OT: All-Purpose Sports Thread IV - EDWIN BAT DROP EDITION (NFL, MLB, etc.)

[DrEasy]

It's not exactly what you're asking, but there was also the Randy Johnson - Curt Schilling Tandem for Arizona. IIRC, in game 7 of the 2001 World Series against the Yankees, Johnson, who had started and won games 2 and 6, finished the game started by Schilling. Kim, their official closer at the time, was kind of useless.

 

[Caeldan]

Bumgarner in the 2014 World Series off the top of my head.

Ah ha. Guess it happened more recently than I thought.

 

[DrunkUncleDenis]

I fell asleep after that marathon 7th inning last night.

Oh well. Game day

 

[Caeldan]

I'm going to miss the first half of the game thanks to pickup. Hopefully it's a game worth watching when I get off the ice!

 

[littleD]

Jays are 0-4 with runners in scoring position, five stranded. No good.

 

[Blotto71]

Does Bautista understand the phrase, "protect the plate"?

 

[Langdon Alger]

This team strikes out looking way too much. Saunders has two strikes on him, and watches a pitch down the middle of the plate. Take the bat off your shoulder! It reminds me of when I played little league.

The call on Upton was a joke though. In what world is that a strike?

 

[DrunkUncleDenis]

Bah. Jays lost the game in the 4th; they left guys on first and second three times in a row and on second in the fourth. Insanely bad execution/timing in the order.

Thoughts:

One bad pitch from Estrada and he loses. Shame.

Why did they start Travis? Horrible decision by the training staff. He wasn't himself in the field (although he isn't great defensively to begin with) but he had back to back chances with RISP and **** the bed.

I can't wait for Bautista to be off this team. Between his pompous "starting to walk to first base before the umpire calls him back with a strike" and his general uselessness this year (came in batting .188 in the PS with 2 homeruns, one when Jays were already winning 7-1), now it's what, somewhere around .165?) **** this guy. If it's not a jack it's a walk or high strikeout. At least Edwin can push balls to the outfield and hit for singles.

Umpire was inconsistent, he burned Upton and got in the heads of Edwin and Joey.

Donaldson was once again great.

I love how Carrera went for the bunt with 2 strikes. He almost pulled it off.

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

yup, i hope we don't see that ump again.

 

[DrunkUncleDenis]

This team strikes out looking way too much. Saunders has two strikes on him, and watches a pitch down the middle of the plate. Take the bat off your shoulder! It reminds me of when I played little league.

The call on Upton was a joke though. In what world is that a strike?

Saunders is kinda like a slightly better Smoak at the plate. He had a good run in the beginning of the year, then went ice cold. I expect a K from him when he steps up. Pleasantly surprised he got a few hits today TBH.

Ironically, Jays were trying to string singles instead of going for the homer, and couldn't pull it off.

Good news! We play again tomorrow, before the Sens game. If we can get the split going back to Rogers Centre for 3 straight, we're in good shape.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

no runs for Estrada ,,,, kind of a a waste... did not see the game but 2 runs he could not have been too bad.

 

[DrunkUncleDenis]

no runs for Estrada ,,,, kind of a a waste... did not see the game but 2 runs he could not have been too bad.

He played great - typical Estrada stuff with the filthy changeup. I agree that it feels like a waste of an outing.

Edit: I want Tulo to swap up with Martin, but Gibby just saying now that he's not going to mess with the lineup order.

 

[Langdon Alger]

Yeah, Martin is not doing much at the moment. He should not be hitting fifth.

Not that I'm counting us out after one game, but if Bautista doesn't come back and Edwin does, do you move Donaldson to the third spot and EE to clean up next year? I like JD in the 2 hole, but I wouldn't mind seeing someone in that spot who can bunt and move guys over. Donaldson is not a typical number 2 hitter in my mind.

Hopefully Bonk doesn't see this post

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

He played great - typical Estrada stuff with the filthy changeup. I agree that it feels like a waste of an outing.

Edit: I want Tulo to swap up with Martin, but Gibby just saying now that he's not going to mess with the lineup order.

I thought that last series as well. Tulo has been making good contact.

 

[Caeldan]

Yeah. I hope we keep Eddy and let Joey Bats go.
He's just got a smugness about him that I dislike on TV.

 

[pm88]

I don't really see the smugness from Bautista though. I thought he did a remarkable job keeping his emotions in check during that Rangers series and had some huge hits for the Jays too. It's only 1 game but I agree they wasted some opportunities with guys on bases to drive home some runs.

Why do they keep putting Martin out there though? I don't get that at all. He's a poor hitter like his stats show.

 

[DrEasy]

I don't really see the smugness from Bautista though. I thought he did a remarkable job keeping his emotions in check during that Rangers series and had some huge hits for the Jays too. It's only 1 game but I agree they wasted some opportunities with guys on bases to drive home some runs.

Why do they keep putting Martin out there though? I don't get that at all. He's a poor hitter like his stats show.

Gibby finally moved Tulo ahead of him in the lineup for today's game. Maybe the fact that he was asked about it at the presser last night finally gave him a clue?

Travis out for today. Probably should be removed from the roster at this point.

 

[littleD]

Devon Travis is done for the season. Justin Smoak takes his place in the 25-man roster.

 

[Langdon Alger]

Yeah. I hope we keep Eddy and let Joey Bats go.
He's just got a smugness about him that I dislike on TV.

You want him off the team because he's smug?

If we can only keep one, I would keep EE as well, but that has to do with the fact that Edwin is the better player. He's also a bit younger than Jose.

I wonder if there's any way we can keep both of them.

 

[DrunkUncleDenis]

I'll jump in.

I don't really see the smugness from Bautista though. I thought he did a remarkable job keeping his emotions in check during that Rangers series and had some huge hits for the Jays too. It's only 1 game but I agree they wasted some opportunities with guys on bases to drive home some runs.

Why do they keep putting Martin out there though? I don't get that at all. He's a poor hitter like his stats show.

What were the huge hits?

A dinger when we were up 6?

You want him off the team because he's smug?

If we can only keep one, I would keep EE as well, but that has to do with the fact that Edwin is the better player. He's also a bit younger than Jose.

I wonder if there's any way we can keep both of them.

Jose is slowing down physically, he can't play RF like he used to. His batting average was poor this year although with power hittest this is often the case; but it was worse than normal. He isn't creating hits like EE, however I acknowledge he still has a great eye. Strikeouts are coming at inopportune times, failing to advance runners, etc.

Don't forget it was Joey that struck out on a high fastball out of the zone before Edwin went bat drop.

Edit - He had a .167 in the ALDS and hasn't hit anything yet this series.

I'm doing a bit of what have you done for me lately, but it is evident we don't need him next year. I'd like more of a contact hitter with high OBP.

 

[Langdon Alger]

Yeah, you're right, he does seem to be slowing down. I'd like to see some more speed on the team myself. It seems like the team has enough power. If we can get some guys with higher on base percentage, I think I'd like that.

 

[DrEasy]

Yeah, you're right, he does seem to be slowing down. I'd like to see some more speed on the team myself. It seems like the team has enough power. If we can get some guys with higher on base percentage, I think I'd like that.

My main FA target in the off season would be Josh Reddick. Perfect replacement for Bautista. Mashes RHP, younger, an upgrade defensively, and an awesome walk-up song:

 

[otown]

Bautista won't be back next year regardless of what he does for the rest of the playoffs. He will be expecting way too much in term and money. His best before date has run out.
EE will be the priority. Martin on the other hand is struggling offensively but his defensive skills and ability to work well with the pitching staff still makes him a valued commodity.

 

[DrunkUncleDenis]

Bautista won't be back next year regardless of what he does for the rest of the playoffs. He will be expecting way too much in term and money. His best before date has run out.
EE will be the priority. Martin on the other hand is struggling offensively but his defensive skills and ability to work well with the pitching staff still makes him a valued commodity.

Ya, Bautista sealed his fate these playoffs pretty emphatically - I don't see any way he is around next year.

Martin is so hit and miss with his offence. He was a premier hitter for a while, which coupled with his ability to take charge of the defensive side of the game, made him a top 5 catcher. He is still a gem on defence, and is one of the best with decision making and getting the most out of the pitchers. Worst case scenario going forward, he drops to 7 or 8 in the lineup, which is where the majority of catchers generally hit. I think he will be around for a while yet.

 

[BonkTastic]

Ya, Bautista sealed his fate these playoffs pretty emphatically - I don't see any way he is around next year.

His recent conspiracy theories plotting MLB against the Jays probably aren't helping in this regard, either.