Masterbather

Apparently a lot of the folks on here. I think in general, the average casual fan also still thinks of the postseason as it used to be, we're starters carried a lot more weight than they do now.

He did it without issue last year, he was outstanding, so I'm not buying that as a problem. We have a 5 deep rotation, a clear ace without a clear number two, any one of the other 4 can go two times through the order. Playoffs are so much about your bullpen now, I think some people here still think it's 10 years ago. There's not much to choose between the other four starters, so take the one that could be a lethal weapon in the bullpen and put him there. I think people are underestimating the impact he might have out of the pen. Consider adding an Andrew Miller type lefty to this bullpen, we don't have that and he has similar ability, I'm not even exaggerating. Both his walk and home run rate (lately) have been excellent, and I think he can easily give you 13-15 K's per 9 out of the pen. That's game changing. It's potentially series changing, with almost no cost to your rotation.

If you're going to base it on home run rate, consider that Kikuchi's rate has fallen off a cliff in the last 3 months, 20 in the first 3 months, only six in July through September.

That really doesn't matter. It's about whatever makes the team better. Very little downside to putting him in the pen, potentially immense upside.

Blowout innings are not real value. That's why you keep a guy like Pearson around. Throw Merrifield in there, Richards too; who cares? The value of starters have gone down in the postseason and the value of relievers have gone up with the way the game is managed now. If John Schneider is going to come and pull Kuch in the 5th inning anyway is it really that much more valuable having him go 4 plus innings over Ryu and then losing his arm for the next 4 days versus the value of letting Ryu start and then having a weapon like Kuch that you can use any game in any situation? If we had another lefty like him in the bullpen I wouldn't consider it but like I said we really don't. Lefty relievers with strike out stuff is extremely valuable in the postseason. I think it's worth some thought at least. It's also something Kuch did just last season whereas the other starters haven't done it in years if at all. Kikuchi struck out 33 batters in 18 innings out of the bullpen last year. With his improved command this year, you might create a dominant lefty reliever out of thin air with this move.

Speaking of playoff rotations. Given that we don't need a 5-man rotation, I was wondering what to do with Kikuchi. Right now he might actually be the number two starter giving his second half. But of all our starters outside of Gausman, he would be the most lethal weapon in the bullpen. I think his strikeout rate probably goes up in short relief. He could give us something we don't really have, a big strikeout lefty. I would go as far as to say he might end up being more valuable than any of our bullpen arms. Given that the other four starters are all pitching well, are we better off using Kikuchi as a bullpen weapon? Because putting a guy like Ryu in there really doesn't add value to the bullpen.

I was a fan of the Bassitt signing, so far it's been pretty good.

While I like to see the Orioles lose I do want them to lock up the division against Tampa in case we need a softened Tampa team. Besides, I'd rather the horseshoe fall out of the Orioles' ass in the postseason. Also not sure I would rather have Texas ahead of Seattle. I'd rather have Seattle but I think it's not realistic for Texas to fail at this point.

Been waiting all season for San Diego to finally make a run at the mediocre third wildcard spot in the National League, and they finally make a run when it's about a week or two too late lol.

Chapman tries to be too cute for no reason. Just blow them away dude.

Does anybody know what happens if there's a three-way tie for the West?

Still Seattle for me. I know we can be competitive against Seattle but that Texas lineup could knock us out before we even have a chance to get to their bullpen as we've already seen. Even Gausman they were on.

That Texas bullpen, they did so much to get starters and the ridiculous lineup, but somehow left themselves this disaster of a bullpen outside of Chapman.

Well our first round of King, Cole and Glasnow resulted in 2 wins. Somehow, someway. That's big, let's keep it going against the lesser pitchers as we prepare for those three guys again next week.

He's not what he used to be, but he's still excellent, still makes the plays he's supposed to make. The most difficult routine plays in baseball are at third base.

If another run scores Romano is probably out.

1,000%. We might need the Rays to capitulate that final series

Sure, show us!

He clearly hit his lead hand. He was easily out.

No not there. That's not the time

That was hilarious. Would be nice if we could pull Romano. Get more runs.

Hey look, Varsho did another thing!

There we go.

I don't know why people are jumping on Chapman there, that was an extremely awkward play, he didn't have his footing right and that was a good recovery by Margot

Wow