Blue Jays vs. Royals AL Championship Thread

[Grant77]

To be fair, his options were limited when most of his rotation consisted of LHP against a power-hitting right-handed lineup. He could have used Gallardo in Game 5, but Cole Hamels could have won that game had his defense not played like little leaguers all of a sudden.

 

I was speaking more to his curious bullpen usage, but I also thought that it was a mistake not to start Lewis over Perez or Holland.

 

I'm sure I'll miss some as I wasn't critiquing him at the time, but the decision to put in Gonzalez in a big situation and then overexpose Diekman and Dyson to our best hitters in an unnecessary situation (as njh said) was a terrible decision that stands out to me. Leaving Dyson in after that Bautista blast also made no sense. It's game 5, where was Tolleson? We almost blew that game wide open.

[TheHurl]

I was thinking while I was watching Jose's bomb for the 325th time....Who else in the AL can hit a FB better than Jose?

 

Harper and Votto are the first two that come to mind...but there can't be many if any.

 

nevermind...you said AL

[Stangstag]

Harper and Votto are the first two that come to mind...but there can't be many if any.

 

nevermind...you said AL

 

I think Rasmus might be up there as well. Problem is that he can't hit anything else haha. Others that come to mind are Ortiz, Cruz, and Trout

[Dr Negative]

What is the commentary team for this series btw?

[Candide]

how is the opening/closing of the RC determined?

[Jellz]

Serious question someone on here can answer who has their head buried in the stats :

 

I was thinking while I was watching Jose's bomb for the 325th time....Who else in the AL can hit a FB better than Jose?

 

Anyone see exit V on his and Edwins HRs?

 

He's ranked 23rd in MLB by pitch value. He might be the best on the inner half though.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=7&season=2015&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=3,d

[Grant77]

how is the opening/closing of the RC determined?

 

MLB just decides with no real explanation. Their rationale was that it was 'too cold' on a beautiful 15 C day, so it's really hard to know. We had it open on a colder day vs Tampa Bay.

[o2cui2i]

http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/keep-calm-cause-this-is-our-destiny.png

[Terminator]

It was also clear very early that Toronto was right on Holland, and he had Colby Lewis and Gallardo that he could have gone to. But he left Holland in for another inning+ and he ended up giving up 6 runs.

 

Yeah that was a bad move. It was clear Holland was struggling and you had Lewis ready and waiting. Should have made a move sooner and definitely should have started Lewis. Not that it would have made a difference but still.

 

Bannister's worst move IMO was in Game 3 when he went with Chi Chi Gonzalez, probably his worst reliever, in a big spot. I guess he did it because they were down by 2 and it was only the 6th inning but that was an awful, awful move. The Rangers have some good arms there he could have used a number of relievers instead of Chi Chi who gave up the homer (and the game) to Tulo.

[Laika]

Yeah that was a bad move. It was clear Holland was struggling and you had Lewis ready and waiting. Should have made a move sooner and definitely should have started Lewis. Not that it would have made a difference but still.

 

Bannister's worst move IMO was in Game 3 when he went with Chi Chi Gonzalez, probably his worst reliever, in a big spot. I guess he did it because they were down by 2 and it was only the 6th inning but that was an awful, awful move. The Rangers have some good arms there he could have used a number of relievers instead of Chi Chi who gave up the homer (and the game) to Tulo.

 

Yeah I was surprised Gonzalez was even on the roster. Very bad move. Equivalent to if Gibbons had called on Tepera in a close game for some reason.

[Grant77]

Yeah I was surprised Gonzalez was even on the roster. Very bad move. Equivalent to if Gibbons had called on Tepera in a close game for some reason.

 

At least Tepera strikes out more guys than he walks. I was shocked when Gonzalez made the roster. Options were limited, but they did have Anthony Bass and maybe Sam Freeman.

[baubau]

Not sure if anyone cares or can, but here is the Royals conference live http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-vs-royals-alcs-press-conferences/

[Laika]

At least Tepera strikes out more guys than he walks. I was shocked when Gonzalez made the roster. Options were limited, but they did have Anthony Bass and maybe Sam Freeman.

 

I like Spencer Patton. I guess his ERA sucked too much though.

[HERPDERP]

dave bidiniVerified account

‏@hockeyesque

Yost says Royals are gonna "pitch inside, aggressively." ho boy. grab your arm rests.

[Nafro]

dave bidiniVerified account

‏@hockeyesque

Yost says Royals are gonna "pitch inside, aggressively." ho boy. grab your arm rests.

 

Bring it inside....that's some good hitting.

[Laika]

dave bidiniVerified account

‏@hockeyesque

Yost says Royals are gonna "pitch inside, aggressively." ho boy. grab your arm rests.

 

Yes please

[Jonn]

dave bidiniVerified account

‏@hockeyesque

Yost says Royals are gonna "pitch inside, aggressively." ho boy. grab your arm rests.

 

Sweet I will take free base runners.

[thatoneguy]

Sweet I will take free base runners.

 

Someone's gonna get plunked in the head and it won't seem so sweet anymore. Some of those KC pitchers are pretty gutless.

[baloojayz]

Someone's gonna get plunked in the head and it won't seem so sweet anymore. Some of those KC pitchers are pretty gutless.

 

I wouldn't say gutless, just stupid, esp Ventura.

 

Found the SN page on that game

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/jays-and-royals-engage-in-post-game-war-of-words/

 

Really liking Dickey in this series.

I would really consider going

 

Dickey

Price

Stroman

Estrada

Dickey

Price

Stroman

[FrozenRopes]

Yost called Tulo 'Tulowinkski'... jackass

[thatoneguy]

I wouldn't say gutless, just stupid, esp Ventura.

 

Found the SN page on that game

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/jays-and-royals-engage-in-post-game-war-of-words/

 

I'd say Volquez is.

 

He goes out to fight and hides behinds his teammates. He did the same thing after trying to get a cheapshot in on Samardzija in the White Sox brawl.

[Dr. Dinger]

 

[Spanky99]

Yo, Royals!!!

 

 

We're Coming!!!

[Pulk_Pull]

Any guesses at the differences in the Jays roster for this series? Are we adding in another lefty or sticking with Tepera?

[Spanky99]

Any guesses at the differences in the Jays roster for this series? Are we adding in another lefty or sticking with Tepera?

 

This will be interesting, I won't even try to guess what they do, we'll know tomorrow.

 

Maybe Delabar...????

 

K........(I guessed)

[baubau]

Starters announced.

 

1. Estrada

2. Price

3. Stroman

4. Dickey

[Pulk_Pull]

Starters announced.

 

1. Estrada

2. Price

3. Stroman

4. Dickey

 

Perfect. Sets up a nice 5-6-7 as well, including using both Price/Stroman in emergency scenarios in game 5-6.

[Spanky99]

Yup. I'm way more comfortable facing KC's pitching over the Astros' guys.

 

Amen.

[Spanky99]

These two teams meeting up is the proof (that we didn't really need) that manegerial strategy much like lineup order is just one of those things that generates a ton of debate but really doesn't matter that much in the end.

 

*Truth Bomb*

 

Edit: Except for series as other posted.

[Spanky99]

He's ranked 23rd in MLB by pitch value. He might be the best on the inner half though.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=7&season=2015&month=0&season1=2015&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=3,d

 

This alone makes him arguably the best... love dat bat speed.