Baseball is so hard to figure.

Starting post season the Braves starters had the highest ERA.

So what happens?

They win 5 straight games throwing 4 shutouts.

Here's the thing. The Braves started this 60 game season with five starters. Three were sent back to the minors. Cole Hamels pitched three innings and was shutdown.
Ian Anderson was called up in September. Making his major league debut. He throws two post season shutouts.

Baseball is impossible to figure.

Now the Bravos wait to play the winner of LA vs SD.

I am a happy person.

Go Padres!

Being I am a SF Giants fan I second that GO PADRES

ABLA

The Dodgers looked shocked they lost.

Every analyst has said the Braves have no chance.

I have seen every game this year. This is how they win. Keep it close. win late with homers.

Now the great Kershaw faces the rookie call up Anderson.

Except Anderson has pitched 11.23 shutout innings in the post season so far.

Wait till the unstoppable dodgers get a load of him.

He doesn't rattle.

Braves pitching has been extraordinary

Kershaw has been scratched with back spasms.

Tony Gonsolin is getting the start.

When hitters face a pitcher for the first time. Advantage pitcher. Yes, they get to see tape and scouting reports. Not the same as having never faced the guy.

Fried took it to them last night.

Anderson is a fastball change up guy. He clocks in the middle 90's with his fastball and he can locate.

His change up is his out pitch. He has great command of the pitch and the bottom drops out.

If he is on the Dodgers will struggle against him.

The Braves lineup is relentless. Even losing Adam Duvall who has major power. They have options to fill in for him.

I really like the Braves in this series. I acknowledge the Dodgers roster strength and depth.

But the Braves pen is incredible. Close games I favor the Braves.

Rooting for a Rays-Braves World Series, based on their non-adjusted payrolls ... Dodgers $192M, Astros $171M, Braves $130M, Rays $63M (Indians $93M, League avg $102M). If that happens, I'll be a Rays fan for the '20 WS. I still haven't gotten over that 3-ft wide strike zone the umps had for Maddux and Glavine in the '95 World Series ... aaargh!

I'm hoping the Astros and Braves can make it... but will be happy if the rays win...

For this regular season the Dodgers were 43-17. That is on pace to win 116 over 162 games.

They are not considered good but a great team. 75% odds on favorite to win this series.

It is not over. Kyle Wright goes today. He started this season as the fifth starter. He struggled. Got sent to the minors. Came back because they had no starters. Soroka tore his achilles. Hamels got shut down with a bad shoulder. Foltynewicz got sent down lost velocity. Newcomb could not throw strikes and got sent down.

Wright came back found something and his last two starts gave up nothing. He is young and talented.

He can beat these guys. If the Braves can win today. coming back down 3-0 is very hard.

However, baseball although based analytics is totally unpredictable.

In the ALCS. The Braves played the Rays in the beginning of this year. They were impressive. They play hard. Run the bases. Play defense. They are a solid team all the way around.

I just want to beat LA. I respect them as a team and what they have done. But they act entitled. Like this year is automatic for them. Right now they got shocked. Getting a little tight around the collar.

The Braves have great team chemistry. They place loose and know what their lineup can do. Their lineup is unrelenting. They can score in bunches at any time especially late.

Bravos today.

Turned on game 3 ... 12-0 haha, looks like this one’s over

Ouch!

Braves need a relief pitcher to "take one for the team" and eat some innings so they don't burn their bullpen needlessly in a losing effort. Take the "L" and live to fight another day. Whenever the Indians had an offensive explosion it always seemed like they came out the next day struggling at the plate. Hoping that's the case for the Dodgers tomorrow.

You understand baseball.

Pitching is so mental. Wright feel apart.

I knew going into the game the importance of the first inning. I texted a buddy that Wright needs a clean first. If he gets on a role he will be fine.

The plate ump was terrible. (discussion for another day) I just hate how umps vary in the strike zone.

Anyway the ump didn't call anything close. Wright is a young guy who has struggled. When he is on he can be very good. But what happened last night is also a part of what happens with him.

Now the Braves are hurting because they really have no other starters. They will send Wilson out there today just hoping he can give them four innings.

I can see the Braves losing today and tomorrow if they hold back Fried.

A normal year with a seven game series. You get days of rest. Not this year.

So, the Dodgers could go up 3-2 easy with Kershaw going today.

The Braves will have to count on Fried and Anderson to win this series in seven.

All umps are different. It's been that way forever. Hitters have to adjust.

For the most part umps are consistent in what they call balls or strikes. It's not like a pitch 2 inches off the plate is called a ball one time, then a strike the next.

If a hitter does get that, they best be ready to swing the bat.

It is what it is. Hit the dang ball.

Normally in regards to baseball I am a traditionalist. I want the DH out of the National League.

Not big on inter-league play.

However, I am starting to lean towards a laser strike zone relaid to the home plate umpire.

Replay is now part of the game.

So much goes into preparation in baseball. So much rides on games. You want the calls to be correct.

Football has replays. We have the technology.

I don't like umpiring to decide games.

I have seen a lot of baseball. In the past you just accepted bad calls as part of the game.

Today it does't have to be that way.

I respect umps. They are good at what they do. But as replays have shown. They often are not right.

So replays are now part of the game.

The ball/strike call would be automatic. No dispute. Immediate.

It should be tried out and has been in the minors.

I do believe at some point it will be implemented.

I am against that. Might as well have nothing by replay calls and eliminate umpires. You could have everything called upstairs.

there would be no replays on strike zone calls

I think your idea would certainly breed consistency in terms of the strike zone. I also understand the frustration in how the strike zone seems to change from umpire to umpire. But at some point one has to wonder how much taking the human element out of sports is an actual improvement? It certainly makes the term traditionalist sound like an oxymoron when you seem to indicate you want the strike zone controlled more like a video game.

I find the moving strike zone depending on who is calling the game a part of the game. A part of the adjustment pitchers have to be able to make. So on the one hand I understand your feelings on the matter. We just disagree.

I'm no baseball expert, so take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt.

When I watch any sport, I am doing so to watch the game/players. I do not watch for the officiating. IMO, officiating in baseball takes up way too much "airtime". It just doesn't seem like we can go any reasonable stretch of time without an egregious officiating issue in that sport. Many times, it's either strike zone or a thin-skinned official getting "shown up" (hint: it's usually related to him being bad at his job).

Again, I'm no expert. I know less about baseball than I do football (which is saying something). I just think any move to take the human element out of officiating in that sport is probably going to be a good move.

I am confused.

From what I have seen of the trials.

The strike zone is defined. A laser marks it. Pitch made. The home plate ump is relayed the call. Obvious calls unnecessary.

Ump calls the strike or ball. End.

No dispute.

I have mixed feelings about it. But I have grown tired of games being won and lost by umps calls on the strike zone.

The Indians in 95 cried about it.

The Braves Marlins series in NLCS the year the Marlins won the Series. They fired the ump afterward. He never umped again.

Ball strike calls are huge. One wrong call on one pitch can change a game's outcome.

I have heard all the arguments. It evens out etc.

But I would like to see it tried.

Sure it has been this way since the beginning. But replays now correct giant calls in the field. Balls and strikes are no less.

Braves rollin'

Total WOW.

Shocker. Did not expect to win this game.

Talk about pitching mismatch. HOF'er Kershaw against a 22 year old rookie with 7 big league starts. Had not pitched in 18 days. Would not even be on the roster except for all the injuries.

Bryce Wilson shows up and throws darts for six innings giving up one hit.

The bats dig in and damn the Braves win.

You can not predict baseball.

The Dodger momentum from the night before. Their ace on the hill. Everyone thought the Dodgers would win this game and the series.

I must be at heaven's gate:

The Braves one game from the World Series.
The Brown's at 4-1 gonna play the 4-0 Steelers.

I have to easy does it. It could all go south.

Must maintain.

Go Braves.

j/c...

Go Rays. Would love to see them win it all.

I'd like this also. I like the Braves, but my Dad and his gf have been hardcore Rays fans for years. So it would be nice to see them have something to celebrate.

Very cool.

I wouldn't have any issue w/ the Braves winning it all. They are a fun team to watch play the game. Lots of young talent and Freddie Freeman is a guy you'd like to see win a WS.

Two championships in one year for TB?

Should have been the Browns in 2016.

Sorrow in Mudville today. Plenty of chances to win yesterday.

Could not get the big hit with men on base.

Bueller made some huge pitches to get out of major jams. He was outstanding.

Dodgers have made some great defensive plays that changed the game.

So game seven it is. A call up rookie Ian Anderson is on the hill. He has not given up a run in the post season in 15.2 innings. Now he has the opportunity to the Braves in the World Series.

I hope he can do it.

Hope so too. Don't like the Dodgers at all.

I was so cocky when the Indians were up 3-1. I remember somewhat rooting for them to lose game 5 so we could see them win the WS at home. Wife and I were up at game 6 and had the most obnoxious Cubs fans sitting behind us. When Naquin botched the fly ball in CF I wanted to crawl in a hole and die. I knew we were going to choke it away.

When I was a kid living in Harrisburg Pa. as a ten year old. My first baseabll glove was a Warren Spahn model.

The Braves were then in Milwaukee. We didn't get to see many baseball games on tv. What I did get to see was Home Run Derby on Saturdays.

I loved the Braves logo, their uniforms and Hank Aaron.He dominated Home Run Derby.

My Dad was a big time Indians fan so I was also an Indian fan.

Moved Atlanta in the late 70's. I started going to games. Then my son became a local star and I coached.

I pull for both teams.

I sure hope the Braves get it done today. In any case they have a great young team and will be good for a long time.

The worst part of this year is the loss of their number one starter Mike Soroka to a Achilles tear during the season.

I truly believe if he were on the roster the series would be over.

Only in Cleveland can they come back from 3-1 down and give up a 3-1 lead in the same year.

I have mixed emotions. I don't like the Braves at all since they have beat down my beloved Reds a number of times. But i don't really like the Dodgers either since they were always the Reds #1 rival. Ugh tough series to watch. But I love baseball.

Solution: Root for the Rays.

Cruel world.


Sunday morning I thought by days end the Browns could be
5-1 after beating the Steelers.

And the Braves could be in the World Series.


But Noooooooooooo.

I hate sports.

I feel for ya bud. Watched the last few innings knowing that you probably had a pit in your stomach. Next year!

I have a problem. I hate losing. Always have.

But I follow the Braves. I live in the Atl suburbs. Coached locally for over ten years.

The Braves were really hurt by the loss of their number one starter. Mike Soroka to a Achilles tear during the season on a freak play. Then Cole Hamels the guy they paid $18 mil for one year: pitched 3 innings before shutting down for the year.

They went into the post season with one starter and then pitched 3 call up rookies. Have to say they pitched great.
Two 22 year olds, a 23 year old and a old guy of 24.

They got their with a great lineup.

I thought they had the Dodgers up 3-1. Knowing Fried and Anderson would pitch games 6 and 7 if required.

Just fell a little short.
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Browns were never in the game. Baker stunk it up. And both lines got beat all day.

It was like being forced to watch a movie you have always hated.

It almost looked the Steelers had more men on the field on every play.

However, at 4-2 with 10 to play. The season has a long way to go and lots can happen over that time.
===================================================

I wanted to be in the World Series. That hurts.

Strange but baseball for me can be high drama.

Football is more like. I just want the Browns to be a great respected team. The long losing has been painful.

I want it more for the city of Cleveland. I know what it means to the people.

We are improving. I am hopeful with Berry and Stefanski.

Baker I am uncertain. I want him to be the guy. He may get there. But the jury is still out.

I need that.

I try to rationalize it all.

But I look in the mirror and know. It hurts.

So watching the Browns yesterday was like being forced to watch The Notebook?

I can understand that analogy.

I know how it feels Bone. I've been a Cardinals fan since 1968. They have won some World Series and have been successful but have disappointed too. 4 times they had 3-1 leads and blown it. They did it in the"68 and "85 series and the "96 and "12 NLCS. The "96 was against your Braves. No other team has done it more than twice. Everyone of those really hurt especially the World Series. You certainly have my empathy. P.S. I don't like the Dodgers at all.

Man, it started bad and got worse.

Did not expect the trenches to play that bad.

Villanueva swallowed Vernon.

I guess the only thing to do is flush it. Learn from the mistakes. Have to be better at picking up the blitz.

I wanted to see inside screens to where they were shooting guys. Play two TE's. Release one for shallow cross route.

Oh well. Next game get better. I was not expecting 4-2. If we can win one or both of the next two we will be in good shape.

The Braves going home was way worse. Two stupid base running errors.

Damn.

But they will have a very good team for years. Winning a WS is a tough road. Hard to expect four pitchers all under 24 to take down a team as good as the Dodgers.

Another couple days and I will be ok.

Both are torture.

Don't know which I'd rather do.