CHRIS

I think the problem with looking at 1-run game records and forming conclusions from that is that there are so many different ways to arrive at that scenario, without the game being a super stressful chess match. I don't think that a win in those scenarios necessarily equates to successful managing, and vice-versa. If the Royals had scored two more runs in the 9th of game 3, the Jays would have won 11-10. Within the lazy analysis of 1-run-wins-means-good-managing, that game would have been a tick in Gibby's favour. I remember a study a while back that looked at Bobby Cox's record in 1-run games from one season to the next. In one season he had one of the best records, the next season he had one of the worst. It's just so random. Gibby, like most managers, makes a lot of dubious moves. Yesterday he certainly Gibbed the most I've ever seen him Gibb, and he deserves scrutiny for that. In general though, it's quite possible that next season (assuming that he's around) the team's record in 1-run games might do a complete reversal for various reasons, and very little of that change will have anything to do with any "improvement" in Gibby's managerial style.

Once you bring Hawkins in, you're basically giving up.

As the game gets nearer, I can feel the anticipation starting to creep over my brain and begin to block out work-related GO BLUE JAYS

What I would really love to see tonight as a starting point is just a clean first inning from Dickey. A respectable line overall would be great, but surely a scoreless first isn't too much to ask.

Weirder things have happened baseball. I'm not too thrilled with the inefficiency of how he's used the pen lately, but at the end of the day, I'm not the one that has to answer for it if he leaves in Hendriks and he continues to get BABIP'd by this Royals Team of Destiny.

Not trying to defend Gibbons here, but he just has an awfully tough job here. As much as Hendriks may have been unlucky last night, I can't imagine it's easy for Gibbons to sit there and assess the unluckiness factor of the Royals ABs, especially after watching them storm back with a string of hits in the previous game. Seems like he tried to avoid having to use Osuna, but decided at a certain point to manage for the win and went with his best option.

Be sure to bring a couple of babies with you.

As King mentioned, when you have a couple video options, choose the international one.

I remember more of the GODDAM 100 RBI portion of the discussion. I don't know why I'm even responding to you though. It's very unlikely that your real name is Boxcar. You coward.

There are lots of reasons to not get a babysitter that have nothing to do with finances; the baby hasn't moved to a bottle yet, isn't comfortable with strangers, etc. The kid should definitely have had ear protection (if it didn't), but not sure why this woman is getting dumped on (literally and figuratively). It seems to me that she's most likely a baseball fan that didn't want to miss the biggest game in over 20 years so she took her baby.

It was you that called his house, wasn't it. He also had a pretty big tirade surrounding Delmon Young I believe. I joined that board in 2003, mostly under the name eljah. Hung out mostly in the cheerleading threads.

Me too then.

I would absolutely try to stretch him out into the rotation. Sanchez too.

Yeah, you probably shouldn't adopt a kid.

THIS GAME WILL BEGIN SHORTLY cf

Just went to have my last pre-game pee and it took me three tries to log back into my computer. Shaky hands. Had to use a single finger and do it slowly. #PreemptiveThatsWhatSheSaid

Is anybody else having to pee like every 5 minutes, or is it just me?

I'm sure the Rangers on planning on the possibility that anything can happen, regardless of what Gibbons blurts.

I guess it depends on what you're using the sample size to do. For the purposes of winning today's game, I certainly think recent performance needs to be weighted higher than earlier season performance, for example.

Best possible lineup. Best pitcher at the moment on the mound. Rested pen. No excuses. LET'S DO THIS

This is how I feel too. I can't even imagine being Gibby right now. The easiest thing in the world would have been to take the easy road and hold Price off to start this game. I think most people think that Stroman gives us the better chance, but to have the stones to act on that and start Stroman over the safe choice in the guy who could very well win the Cy Young is pretty amazing. I hope Stroman brings it today, because I would love to see Gibby vindicated for a very ballsy move.

I think Rosenthal carries himself well and is a true professional when it comes to straight reporting. He's kind of halo effecting himself here, me thinks.

To me, Dickey looked like he was starting to get tired. Maybe it was the heat or maybe because he always looks like he's tired. I'd rather not wait until he gives up a bomb. For as mediocre as Price's line looked yesterday, he accomplished the most important part. He got out of the 5th unscathed and pitched a clean 6th. By the time Texas started to rally, it was just too late. 7-3, 7-4 in the 5th or 6th inning is much different than 8-4 in the 8th, IMO. I like pretty much everything about the move: - LH mid 90s after a RH knuckle baller - a guy who eats up 3 innings - allows Price to pitch away from home where maybe he relaxes a bit - allows Price to pitch in an unfamiliar role with a bit of a lead rather than an unfamiliar role in a tight game I know some people are upset that he's not available for Game 5, but I'd rather have rested bullpen guys for that game pitching in a role they're familiar with. I think Gibbons is doing a good job managing both the situation, and his people. As much as people want to say that Price is the ace and you need to live and die by him, the reality of the situation is that for whatever reason, he's not pitching as well right now as we would like him to pitch. I think ignoring that would be more irresponsible than throwing him out there for 50 pitches. I'm with Gibbons on this one.

I think a lot of people do need to chill. It's certainly disappointing to be down 0-2, no doubt, but it's not like this team isn't capable of winning 3 games in a row. I think to this point, Texas has just played better. Their bottom of the order has come through in situations where the meat of our order has not. Obviously that needs to change. A lot is being made of resting guys and letting Kansas City claim first spot overall. To be honest though, I think if the Jays are playing the same against the Astros, we're probably still down 0-2. Cecil's injury, and to a lesser extent Donaldson's near concussion issue, are good examples of the risk that can occur when you have guys take the field. I don't think it's too much of a stretch to presume that had these scenarios unfolded at the end of the regular season, Gibbons and this organization would have been lambasted by many for "not looking at the bigger picture" by not keeping guys healthy for the postseason.

89 pitches retiring 18 of the last 20 (where one of those the ump blew two strike calls). I think it was a good call.