12/03/24
October 08, 2015
Texas Rangers take game one 5-3 against the Toronto Blue Jays: in a game that sees Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista, and Adrian Beltre leave with injuries. David Price has lost six straight post-season starts (four of those losses coming against Texas) and Rangers 2B Rougned Odor became the 2nd youngest player* to score three runs in a playoff game, twice after being hit by Price and once via a solo home run in the top of the 7th inning. Game two features a pitching match-up of trade deadline acquired Cole Hamels against late-season-emerging-after-tearing-an-ACL Marcus Stroman.
posted by Ufez Jones to baseball at 07:36 PM - 12 comments
The Rangers are scrappy, but I don't like their chances to get far in the postseason without Adrian Beltre.
posted by rcade at 07:55 PM on October 08, 2015
From what I've read, they're not ruling Beltre out for game 2 at this point, but they're still bringing Joey Gallo up from Arizona.
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:18 PM on October 08, 2015
If they replace Beltre with Gallo on the playoff roster, that means Beltre is out for the ALDS and the ALCS.
All reports indicate that Bautista is going to be fine, and Donaldson passed the concussion protocol tests yesterday (and will be evaluated today for confirmation).
If the Jays were to lose both of them, then I would consider their chances of advancing in the playoffs to be at about 10%. They MIGHT be able to survive losing one of them, but not both of them.
Today's international matinee performance of the StroShow should not be missed. You will not find another pitcher in the majors that pitches with as much emotion as this kid. He's the loudest cheerleader in the dugout and on the field. Just remember: Height Doesn't Measure Heart.
posted by grum@work at 07:54 AM on October 09, 2015
they're not ruling Beltre out for game 2 at this point
Ever try to play baseball with a back injury? He's probably out for a week bare minimum.
I would think Texas waits until game 3 to take him off the playoff roster regardless just because he's Adrian. Although I would worry that the guy is so tough he might hurt himself worse by trying to play when he can't.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:34 AM on October 09, 2015
I think Donaldson's okay.
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:08 PM on October 09, 2015
Rangers don't need Beltre. They've got post-season all-stars I've never heard of and pitchers who shut out the Jays for nine straight innings.
I feel like it's not over, though. Toronto's bats still have an explosion in them.
I couldn't figure out the bench-clearing incident. Surely the pitcher wasn't mad Donaldson was staying in the box to see a foul ball go foul.
Bob Costas called the game. I get nostalgic for any announcer who's been around the game for a long time, but for some reason Costas is immune to this effect. It's not that I dislike him, necessarily, but I feel no affection.
posted by rcade at 07:11 PM on October 09, 2015
I know (and understand) that a lot of Jays fans are pissed about Rougie's replay call in the top of the 14th, but dude has been playing out of his gourd to the point that I'm wondering how the Rangers are going to weigh the options of him and Jurickson Profar.
I was streaming the game at work with the sound off, so despite seeing the replay of the Kela/Donaldson incident multiple times I still have no idea what happened. I can't imagine there's not footage somewhere of Kela's face to see if Donaldson's tirade against him was provoked or not.
I'm definitely not taking anything for granted either. I feel better about it as a Rangers fan (obviously), but the Jays can pop multiple runs in any given inning. There's just no give in their lineup. No matter who was coming up to bat when the game went into extra innings I got incredibly nervous.
posted by Ufez Jones at 07:58 PM on October 09, 2015
Donaldson was allegedly mad at being quick-pitched. I did not know there was an etiquette that required a pitcher to delay when throwing to a batter in the box. But I'd think Donaldson hitting the pitch 500 feet might mitigate the offense.
posted by rcade at 08:28 PM on October 09, 2015
but the Jays can pop multiple runs in any given inning
At one point in August the Jays had scored 5 runs in an inning more often than any other team had scored 5 runs in a game.
I don't know if that stat held up to the end of the year.
I hope the Jays don't get swept (like the Raptors did). It would leave an awful taste after that amazing second half.
Like you said, the Jays are capable of exploding with runs at any time, and they've done just that against the Rangers in Texas this year (with this lineup).
I still feel like they can win 3 games in a row, and the Jays didn't lose three in a row in the regular season after July 4th. They also had two 11-game winning streaks (which corresponds nicely with the number of wins they'll need to come out as World Series champs).
Hopefully the day break (and starting a game at a reasonable time) will give them some chance to regroup.
It's not that I dislike him, necessarily, but I feel no affection.
The only time I enjoyed listening to Costas during the game was when he and Rosenthal were commiserating between themselves about being short (like Stroman).
I actually had to stop watching the game after the 9th inning to attend a medical appointment, and when I was done the receptionist told me the score was "4-4, top of the 14th, two out".
I raced out to my car, left the parking garage, turned on the ball game, and the Jays were batting. Except, they were now trailing 6-4.
So I'm glad I didn't get to listen as the game fell apart, but it was still a shock for me.
posted by grum@work at 12:09 AM on October 10, 2015
Jays are facing a squad without their best player.
Don't give up hope yet.
But wtf with Donaldson? Focus required. Chose talking shit over focusing on a great opportunity to tag a pitcher he had rattled. Bad, bad, bad.
posted by cixelsyd at 01:06 AM on October 10, 2015
Jose Bautista and other Jays are unhappy about the replay call, but there was no angle on the tag that conclusively showed Odor off the bag. The ump at second was right there too and called him safe. I don't see much ground for a beef.
posted by rcade at 10:30 AM on October 10, 2015
*Andruw Jones in the 1996 World Series.