Home-field advantage? What home-field advantage?
The playoffs begin … And poof, the first round is over
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Author Archives: John Autin
Rangers-Orioles Wild Card Talk
I see that Wash is sticking with Michael Young….
Braves-Cardinals Wild Card Talk
I’m creating a page for each WC game so we can keep the talk somewhat organized. Here’s video of the controversial infield fly call. (Link works now — sorry, MLB changed it on the fly.)
Wednesday game notes (such sweet sorrow edition)
@Athletics 12, Rangers 5: The turnabout’s complete. Call it comeback or collapse, the AL West is draped in gold and green. Trailing Texas by 9 at the Break, and by 4 with 6 to play after a split in Arlington, Oakland won out, while the mighty Rangers — two-time AL champs, preseason favorites, alone in 1st from April 9 through October 1 — lost 5 of 6, and went 15-16 from September 1.
Two-hit wonders
In the wake of last night’s sterling hurling by the O’s and Rays, here’s a look back at the six previous Baltimore games in which both teams had 2 hits or less. (Why Baltimore games? Well, I could bluster, “Because history is written by the winners!” Or I could just note that Tuesday’s was the first such game in Tampa history.)
Tuesday game notes (caught-on-the-fly edition)
I’m just gonna toss stuff up on the fly here, for whatever it’s worth.
Orioles 1, @Rays 0: The game’s lone run scored when Chris Davis extended his HR streak to 6 games, tying a franchise record set in July 1976 by Reggie Jackson. Miguel Gonzalez kept Tampa off the board into the 7th, allowing 2 hits in his 3rd straight win and 4th straight Quality Start. But will it pull them even? Things are happening awfully fast up in the Bronx.
Monday game notes (expanded big gulp edition)
Now with infinitely more Shanty Hogan mentions!
Astros 3, @Cubs 0: Houston’s last back-to-back shutouts of 4 hits or less came 2 years ago. Their
last-but-one came in brighter days, a fun streak with a memorable capper.
- Lucas Harrell finished the 2nd half with a 2.87 ERA in 15 starts.
Sunday game notes (running-out-of-time edition)
Now with all a moderate amount of new material!
Astros 7, @Brewers 0: Jordan Lyles is the first since 2009 to throw a shutout before his 22nd birthday, the first pitcher since 2010 to homer in his shutout, and the first since 1968 to combine those feats.
Saturday game notes (long division edition)
Tigers 6, @Twins 4 / Rays 10, @White Sox 4: Each Central challenger had their ace on the hill for the last time in the regular schedule. The veteran and reigning MVP left in the 8th with a 6-0 lead, allowing no ER for the 3rd time in his last 4 outings and collecting his 5th September win. The youngster had his worst and shortest start, departing in the 4th and charged with 5 ER. The Tigers came away with a 2-game lead.
Friday game notes (gratuitous no-hit edition)
Reds 1, @Pirates no-no: Carl Hubbell (1929), Sam Jones (1955), Bob Gibson (1971): These were the only men to baffle the Bucs in the live-ball era. And now, Homer Bailey.