Yoshinobu Yamamoto again dominated the NYY hitters. It took a while before Yamamoto had control/command of his 4-seamer. But after he surrendered the 3rd inning bomb by Soto on a 4-seamer on the inside third/middle, a pitch Soto is not going to miss, something clicked. The 4-seamer started to hit black, and that got the swing and miss from his secondary breaking pitches, and he retired the next 11 batters.
With one out in the 7th, NYY had 4 out of the next 5 hitters coming up being LHH and called on Anthony Banda. It sure seems by the comments that I am in the minority as I agreed with the pitching change. Before the inning started, I told my wife that Giancarlo Stanton would be Yoshi’s final batter. Could Yamamoto have gotten Chisholm and Rizzo out…maybe. But we do know that Banda got out of the inning with one HBP.
Banda threw 16 pitches (9 strikes) to the three batters he faced. He will be fine the next time LAD needs him.
Michael Kopech threw 14 pitches, 4-seamers (12) and cutters (2). He stuck exclusively with the 4-seamer against LH hitters (Wells and Verdugo). He threw two cutters (out of the zone) and two 4-seamers to get Torres. Kopech has now faced Wells, Verdugo, and Torres twice in the two games with Torres getting the only hit (double).
The usage of Treinen is getting reminiscent of the 2017 usage of KJ and Brandon Morrow. It was clear that Doc did not feel comfortable with anyone other than Treinen to close out a 3-run lead. He was there to face Soto, Judge, and Stanton. What baffled me was that after Stanton singled, why didn’t Vesia come in to face the lefties. It is not like Treinen was getting beat by soft contact. The two singles were official hard hits, with Soto’s 110 MPH, and a very, very wild pitch. Judge helped him with a swing at a sweeper that was never a strike.
Treinen gave up a single to Jazz Chisholm (that’s two now), HBP for Rizzo, and he needed to strike out the RH hitting Volpe. Vesia needed one pitch to get his first post season save.
Maybe Treinen should not have been allowed to pitch to Chisholm and Rizzo in the 9th. But I have no problem with Banda coming in for Yamamoto. Again, it worked, so I am not going to get too exasperated for pitching changes that some of us would do different. As it turns out, Doc was not wrong. So maybe this is a 2020 version of Doc where he seemingly makes all the right moves.
Pitcher breakdowns for Game 2:
One thing I do find somewhat funny…before the end of the season there were multiple cries for Knack to be the 3rd SP over Buehler. Then he has a disastrous inning and most do not believe he should be on the roster. Both Flaherty and Yamamoto had disastrous playoff starts, and yet came back to make brilliant starts. Yamamoto has an ERA of 1.72 in 15.2 IP (3 starts) since his bad start against SD. Flaherty has had 2 bad starts followed by 2 very good starts in his 4 playoff starts. Not to be outdone, Buehler has had one very good (albeit short) start, and one not so good start.
Knack is certainly not alone in his HR allowed.
- Yamamoto – 3 HRs in 18.2 playoff innings.
- Flaherty – 4 HRs in 18.2 playoff innings.
- Buehler – 1 HR in 9.0 playoff innings
- Knack – 1 HR in 3.0 playoff innings.
The one area where it was believed that NYY had a clear advantage was in SP. In the first two games, the two LAD starters were better than the two NYY starters. How will Buehler fare against Clarke Schmidt in Game 3? Schmidt has not completed 5.0 IP in either of his two playoff starts: one against the weaker hitting KC and one against the weaker hitting Cleveland. I am going with Big Game Walker.
It sure looks like both the Dodgers and Yankees have selected one batter in the lineup that they will not allow to beat them. Dodgers are pitching around Aaron Judge and letting him chase knowing he wants to do something positive. NYY is pitching around Ohtani. Ohtani is always a risk to expand the strike zone, and the NYY pitchers are obliging.
Ohtani is making more contact, as he has struck out just 2 times in 9 PA with 1 BB. Judge, OTOH, has one ground ball single with 6 strikeouts in 9 PA. Judge says he needs to adjust and not expand the zone and take the walk. Easier said than done.
Both NYY and LAD have been successful with shutting down both Judge and Ohtani. This means that Mookie and Freddie need to come through for LAD and Soto and Stanton for NYY.
Freddie has been big for LAD, while Mookie has been a bit snakebit. He has hit a couple of screaming outs to go with his 2 hits in 7 AB plus a BB and a SF. But the biggest bat thus far for LAD is the MLB baseball player…Tommy Edman. Edman is 4-8 with 2 doubles, 1 HR, and one SB. Teoscar is 3-8 including a HR, and ZERO Ks. How about those ZERO Ks. The Dodgers have scored 10 runs with Edman, Freeman, and Mookie scoring 2 each.
Soto has been big for NYY, and Giancarlo has been very helpful as well. Soto is 3-7 with a HR, 2 BB, and has scored 3 of the 5 NYY runs. Giancarlo is 2-9 with a 2-run HR and a run scoring single (3 RBI). Jazz Chisholm is 3 hits and 3 SB.
The Dodgers have drawn 3 BB against 10 K. Muncy (3) and Ohtani (2) account for half the strikeouts. Muncy is 0-6 with 3 Ks, Ohtani is 1-8 with 2 Ks, and still the Dodgers are 2-0 in the WS. Muncy does have a HBP, the only time he has reached base.
The Yankees have drawn 6 BBs against 20 Ks. Soto and Rizzo have 2 BBs each, with Rizzo also having 2 HBP. Judge is 1-9 with 6 Ks. Volpe is 0-8 with 4 Ks. Rizzo and Wells have struck out 3 times each.
Two games are not necessarily indicative for the remainder of the series. But thus far the Dodgers are making more contact and slugging a ton more. Both teams’ first two games hitting stars are more than capable of continuing, while both teams have other players who are capable of getting hot.
I am comfortably confident with Buehler in Game 3. He says he is a better pitcher in colder weather, and the expected temperature for New York at 8:00 PM will be in the low 50’s and drop into the 40’s by 10:00. Apparently, Ohtani is going to be in the lineup for Game 3 (per Dave Roberts to ESPN), although no official word from The Dodgers. Four NYY batters have faced Walker Buehler with Jazz Chisholm 3-5. Trent Grisham is 4-19 with 2 HRS. Soto is 4-15, and Rizzo is 1-9. He has struck out Soto 3 times against 2 BB. Overall he is 13-48 against four NYY hitters with 4 BB and 10 K in 48 AB. Will they change Grisham for Verdugo?
Only three batters have faced Schmidt: Kiké Hernández – 1-7 (single) with 3 K, Teoscar Hernández – 0-3 with 1 K, Shohei Ohtani – 1-3 with1 HR and 1 K.
Yes they will hold on and get:
Two more wins!!!
No holding on; they have to go out and get it. They have the talent.
Blake Treinen has thrown 55 pitches in back to back games.
Why would they do that to him? His ERA is 9 and his WHIP is 2.5. And this isn’t Monday Morning Quarterbacking here, I’ve been clear that I think this is bad policy and I’m being proven right.
There will be a bullpen game on Tuesday. He will be needed then. Does he pitch tomorrow too? Would love to see Doc’s charts on this. Someone else is going to have to face Judge and Stanton. Who? Better not be someone whose best pitch is a fastball, with exception of Kopech of course. And I don’t want to see him on back to back days either.
Avoiding back to back play is not a rule that needs to be followed in all circumstances. Many pitchers do it so we should weigh the decision at game time. Trienen is a big boy.
Agree about the Brandon Morrow comp. I was thinking that exact thing during game 1, and it only was reinforced watching game 2 on tv.
I can’t even remember who Brandon Morrow was. I like Doc going with Trienen, just not as long as he did. In any case, we won, and we will win this series.
2017, Morrow was signed to a minor league deal and had an opt out if he wasn’t on the team by June. He ended up pitching in 45 games, had a 6-0 record with 2 saves, 2.06 ERA. He was the only Dodger pitcher who pitched more than just a handful of games to not give up a homer. He pitched in 14 playoff games. 3 against Arizona where he gave up his first HR all year, 4 against the Cubs, had a 0.00 ERA in that series and all 7 of the World Series games. In 5 of the 7 games, he was unscored on. But in game 5, the game where the Astros were caught cheating, he gave up 4 runs and 2 homers. He had a blown save in that one. He signed a big contract with the Cubs after the season, but he got hurt. Cubs ended up paying him 27 million for his 35 games as a Cub.
quite a story. I still don’t remember him although his name seems familiar.
He was excellent. Arguably the best RP rehab “find” of the AF era.
And he translated that excellent year he had into a mutli million contract.
Good for him.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Heyman reports the Dodgers will be in on Soto if he is interested in playing in Los Angeles. Per MLBTR.
I didn’t think the team would go that route
I wonder if that little tidbit came from a Dodgers source, or from Soto’s agent, every free agent wants to have the Dodgers rumored to be interested in them. It’s not like the Dodgers to say they are going to be in on anyone, especially during the season when it can be considered tampering. I wouldn’t be against it though.
plus the Yankees can’t let him get away, this is the best team they’ve had in a while.
Yeah, i think next summer when money comes off the books is when the next big move happens.
But Soto will not be available then.
I am all for going after Soto. Use the money saved by not bringing back Teo , Kelly in 2025 and as you said the next season CT3 and MM contracts will come off the books. FF in 3 years. Yes, it probably will be a difference of somewhere between 10-15 million of added salary in 2025 but Soto IMHO is more than worth it.
Dodgers have the money to get it done. Soto is a sure fire future HOF player , only 26 years old. Dodgers have to get younger and Soto besides being a top 3 hitter n MLB would fill theat bill too.
If he wants to come to LA : Do it.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Dodgers can throw $$$ around whenever they want to, in part because of Shohei’s deferrals.
But adding Soto feels like overkill.
I do like the idea of the Dodgers getting younger–and I hope that prospects like Rushing, De Paula and the rising Zyhir Hope can make that happen.
I hear you, but I still don’t see how it makes financial sense.
I could be wrong, but the Dodgers seem to pursue stars when the budget has openings.
I don’t want Soto…..I’m tired of hearing people say “you bought the WS” or “the rich get richer” or “baseball needs a salary cap too.”
OK.
Baseball needs a salary floor.
As long as there is a :Players Union, that will never happen. There is no bargaining chip of off-set that.
Wait, why wouldn’t the players union be supportive of a salary floor?
Sign all the Sotos
??????????? Seems to me the Players Union would be in favor of a salary floor.
Exactly.
They already have it.
Came from Jon Heyman and was also reported on MLBTR. Heyman is one of the few baseball insiders who usually is pretty accurate. Why would they not have interest in a 26-year-old superstar? His hitting prowess far outweighs andy defensive lapses he might have. Put him in the same lineup with Ohtani, Freeman and Betts? Wow.
Honestly, I don’t see the Yankees letting him get away. They can throw as much money at him as the Dodgers can.
That is the rub, but if he wants to be in LA with Ohtani, Yanks cannot offer that. The story said if he wants to come to LA. That is the big if.
I wonder if the Dodgers interest in Soto may be the reason why they haven’t already tried to sign Teo.But I can see us signing the Brewers short and Teo.
Shohei san good to go .
Hope Striker Buehler is on his game tonight.Have to win at least one game in the Bronx. From a pitching matchup view this might be our best shot at a W.
Bullpen game tomorrow and then have to face Cole again.
Schmidt has been good this season but I think the Dodgers can get to him . We haven not seen the Dodgers offense of the previous two round yet. Hopefully we break out today . Going up 3-0 would be pretty much seal the deal. At least from a statistical an historical standpoint.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff great breakdown and insight thnx. Kinda agree with Badger on Treinen usage. Feel as if the Dodgers need to stay hot and take game 3. The Bronx Zoo is not an easy place to win especially with a bullpen game dont let the worm turn. go Dodgers
I’m with you Jeff. I thought Banda was a good move and thought for sure Vesia was coming in to face Chisholm. Can’t see how Treinen can pitch tonight. I think Buehler’s success depends on if can throw his breaking stuff for strikes. If I’m the Yankees I’m sitting on his fastball. Our advantage so far is the bottom of our lineup. Edman and Kike have delivered and Yankees 6-9 have done nothing. Be a good time for Smith to break out and earn his MVP in our 4 game sweep that Watford predicted. Two homers in the next two games should do it!
I would like to see Treinen well rested in tomorrow’s bullpen game, but would understand using him today in a high leverage situation. How about an offensive surge today that avoids any high leverage situations? Like, you know, Dodgers 10 Yankees 3.
Sign me up for Dodgers blowout victory today. Have not had one of those patented 8-9 run outings we used to see in the previous two series.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For Shohei…
and others….
Take note on how the hands are used.
Thanks for sharing Badger. So simple. Yet another example of basic fundamentals being disregarded in lieu of the emphasis on analytics. “Don’t concern yourself with learning to slide because we’re wanting you to hit a homerun, walk, or strikeout.” I used to do this slide when I was ten and playing pickle in the front yard.
Who started the headfirst slide anyway? Pete Rose?
Bluto.
This is really a profoundly stupid statement:
Yet another example of basic fundamentals being disregarded in lieu of the emphasis on analytics.
You bounce between being informative and being a cop.
How so?
You haven’t seen that happening in the last couple of decades?
Really, “profoundly and stupid”. I’m quite proud of myself that I was able to accomplish all that in one sentence.
Bluto, when you stick to commenting on Dodger or baseball topics it usually a good read. When you don’t your other comments are constantly pointing out punctuation errors, misused words, and poor sentence structure made by those who comment. Or, like above, you express your displeasure at someone’s opinion without any reasoning behind your criticisms.
Hell, I noticed you only wrote two sentences and yet had to edit it. Impressive. And yet no reasoning with your disagreement.
I could care less if you agree with my comments, thoughts, or sentence structure. After all this is a baseball blog, not a fifth grade grammar class or a high school critical thinking class. Take the time to write why you disagree and an opinion. If nothing else, it will probably interesting.
Just sayin’ (slang intentional).
Carry on.
I’m always editing! Trying to encapsulate as much as possible.
What are baseball’s fundamentals?
Perhaps subjective, but I think not.
Make solid contact/ Hit the ball solidly
Catch the ball
Dont make outs
Don’t make errors
All are stressed by “analytics”, slugging is almost solely based on barrels and hard contact.
analytics defensively are based on being on the right position.
not making outs? This is the basis of slug heavy thinking. You can’t make an out if you hit it over the fielder’s head. You can’t make an out by getting a walk. You can get an out by striking out, but that’s only a third of the true outcomes.
I prefer 3-0 to 2-1.
Big if true
How great would it be to repeat the 1963 Dodger sweep? I guess I shouldn’t get ahead of myself.
The notion that the Dodger starters have outpitched the Yankee starters simply isn’t true. Only Yamamoto was better than his counterpart Rodon.
Flaherty was not better than Gerrit Cole. Flaherty pitched well, but he didn’t outpitch Cole.
Some TV commentators pointed out that Freddie’s slam was especially tough for the Yankees because it meant Cole’s excellent start went for naught. Sucks for them.
Very happy that my prediction of Dodgers in 7 looks faulty now. Buehler’s last game gives me hope that the Dodgers could keep rolling.
But Judge is due, isn’t he?
The Yankees will not roll over and play dead.
Neither will the Dodgers. There is no quit in this team.
Absolutely!
Team of destiny if you look at how the first two games turned out.
This has the feeling of 88 2.0 .
Lets finish the job.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But this team offensively is so much better, don’t you think. I mean 88 struggled .This team is awesome
I think it depends as to how you define better. IMO, Flaherty was at least equal to Cole. He had 19 whiffs compared to 9 by Cole. The Dodgers had 4 hits > 100 against Cole while NYY had 3 hits > 100 off Flaherty. Flaherty made a mistake against Stanton, although for most hitters not named Stanton, it might have been a whiff. Flaherty struck out Judge 3 times, while Cole struck out Ohtani once. Yes Flaherty gave up two runs to Cole’s one allowed to LAD. So if that is your definition, then Cole was marginally better than Flaherty.
Cole pitched an excellent game but so did Flaherty. However, there is no comparison between Yamamoto and Rodón.
In total, the Dodgers scored 6 runs off NYY starting pitching, while NYY scored 3 off LAD starting pitching. LAD SP has struck out 10 NYY batters, while NYY SP has stuck out 7 LAD batters. LAD starters have 11.2 IP while NYY starters have 9.1 IP. So I am comfortable in saying that the LAD starting pitching has been better than NYY.
Great information Jeff. I appreciate the time and effort.
What I’m enjoying is the team is making contact with their at bats. They have struck out only 10 times in the two games. This is quite an improvement from past World Series and other playoff games.
Jeff mentioned that Mookie has been snake bitten so far. That may be true, but I see it as a positive in that he is making contact which increases his chances for a productive AB. He hit a screaming line drive out to CF in game one to drive in Ohtani. He’s only had one K so far. As long as he and the team continue to put the ball into play, good things will happen.
Hopefully, Buehler can be that clutch postseason pitcher he has been in the past. Dodger baseball is hitting on all cylinders right now. All they need is another two games. Wouldn’t it be fitting to win tonight and then close it out with a bullpen game? After all, it’s the bullpen that has saved the season for the Dodgers.
Enjoy the game!!
Carry on.
“Wouldn’t it be fitting to win tonight and then close it out with a bullpen game? After all, it’s the bullpen that has saved the season for the Dodgers.”
Such a good point and it would be very fitting
More likely if we are up 3-0 they use Knack, Honeywell and Casperias and rest the high leverage guys for games 5 & 6
And then think if Knack, Honey and Ben shut down the Yanks in Game 4 !
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hudson hasn’t even pitched yet.
This would be awesome!!
Series facts: LA is hitting .234 as a team, the Yankees .197. Top Dodger hitters in order Edman, Teo, Freeman, Betts, Kike and Smith tied, Ohtani. Muncy, Lux, Rojas yet to get hits. LA has outscored NY 10-5. Soto and Stanton have driven in 4 of the 5 Yankee runs. Dodgers have 15 hits, Yankees 14. NY has 6 walks and LA has 10. LA has struck out 10 times, the Yankees 20. LA staff ERA is 2.37. NY is 4.58. Team going up 2-0 wins 80% of the time.
This series so far has turned on a couple of pitches. Could easily be 2-0 Yanks.
Dodgers need to ride that momentum. Yanks will be under tons of pressure tonight to win that game. Lets see how their rookie starter handles that kind of pressure and our explosive lineup. If we can get to him early things could spiral out of control for the Yanks not only as far as this game but the entire series is concerned.
Dodgers certainly in the drivers seat at the moment.
All eyes will be on Shohei and how he lookst when he leads off the game.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shohei is not the whole team. He has 1 hit and no RBIs in the series. Edman, Teo and Freddie are carrying the team right now. With that short porch in RF, Muncy might even heat up. Baseball always can turn on a couple of pitches. They are up 2-0 and that is all that matters.
The nice thing about this team is, they don’t need any one player to carry them if Ohtani is off Betts or Freddie can carry the load, Teoscar has led the team at times this year, and the lower half of this line up really doesn’t need anyone to carry them, right now, they are doing their own damage. Great to have depth.
This is what I’m liking with this “team”. Everyone at anytime can contribute. From top to bottom. Though, let’s hope Roberts doesn’t do any damage.
Ouch! He’s been as good as it gets this year. Give the guy a break
Sorry about Cassidy. The Roberts sentence should have included a lol. I was being a smart ass.
Clarke Schmidt exceeded rookie limits in 2022. He had 32 starts in 2023. He only had 16 starts in 2024 due to being on the IL from May 27 to September 7 due to a lat strain. His Statcast page is mostly blue. He has been MUCH better away than at home this year.
Home – 8 starts, 40.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 37 hits, 13 BB, 47 K, 6 HR
Away – 8 starts, 45.1 IP, 1.39 ERA, 34 hits, 17 BB, 46 K, 2 HR
He throws 5 pitches (four primary):
Cutter – 35.0% – 92.4 MPH
Sweeper – 25.2% – 85.2 MPH
Sinker – 21.0% – 94.3 MPH
Knuckle Curve – 18.2% – 83.8 MPH
Changeup – 0.6 % (9 all year, and all to LH batters) – 87.1 MPH
Dodger hitters will need to continue to be patient with the spin. I am looking for big games from Muncy and Lux. Seems like the ideal pitcher for them.
Especially with that short porch in right.
The more important stat is the Dodgers are OPS’n .818 as a team. NY, .574. Hopefully that continues tonight.
What is your confidence level that we bring this series home with a WS title and downtown parade ?
If only looking at history and stats the percentage of a Dodgers title is at 84% after winning the first two games.
My personal confidence level before Game 3 is considerably lower. I would say 60%.
This is mostly because of Shoheis injury (no one will know for sure how he feels until he steps into the batters box tonight) and the question of how long we can hold down Judge.
The pitching matchups in GAmes 3-5 are about even, maybe a slight edge to the Yanks because of the bullpen game we will have to turn to in Game 4.
I also think that Treinen and maybe Kopech will not be available today.
Freddie and Yoshi played hero in Games 1 and 2 respectivly.
Dodgers need two more heroes to step up to bring those 2 wins we need.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kopech only threw 14 pitches on Saturday, why would he not be available? Treinen maybe not. But I have a lot of confidence in Buehler. He has pitched in these types of games before, and he looked much better last time out.
Possibly 3 nights in a row. When are the high leverage relievers expected to be used? How many pitches for Treinen and Kopech. A lot to be considered in a 3 game series 3,000 miles from home. But, they’ve done it already, that should help.
Day off should negate that.
They had Trienen warming up while Kopech pitched the 9th. Trienen would have been the next man up and that is the correct call, imo. You take no prisoners.
With Graterol, Freddie and Ohtani’s recovery I find it awesome how good the Dodgers’ training staff has gotten! (Gotten? Should be performed?)
Oh how quickly the mood can change.
It’s quite easy to take for granted how elite this organization is from top to bottom.
From the new food concessions, to the sponsorship people and, of course, to Andrew Friedman and Stan Kasten, everyone delivers an high quality/performance.
Even if the team loses four of the next five.
Shohei is in the lineup today, and batting leadoff, of course.
Ohtani
Betts
Freeman
Teo
Muncy
Smith
Lux
Kike
Edman
As you pointed out, Jeff, Schmidt’s home numbers are much worse than his road numbers. Home runs allowed in particular. He’s probably looking over his shoulder to right field as he delivers pitches to lefty batters.
Max, Freddie, Lux and Edman should be looking forward to tonight’s game and even Smith, who has been known to poke one out to right field.
We just need to hope that we don’t wake up the slumbering giant (Judge) or if that happens, that the other giant (Stanton) goes to sleep.
That last point is my biggest worry.
Buehler just doesn’t miss bats enough for my liking. The more contact allowed the bigger chance for Judge and company to luck hit their way into confidence. Fluke hit, short porch HR, etc.
still sticking to the Dodgers in four!
So Buehler doesn’t miss enough bats?
What’s your alternative plan, Bluto?
None!
For all my worry he is, to paraphrase a princess, our only hope.
just a hope that brings worry.
The LAD AAA affiliate, OKC, has changed their name from The Baseball Club to the Comets. Chickasaw Brickyard Ballpark, the OKC Stadium, is located on Mickey Mantle Drive. Mantle is an Oklahoma native.
OKC has also named AA Tulsa manager, Scott Hennessey, as their new AAA manager. Hennessey has been the Tulsa manager since 2017. He was an amateur scout prior to that since 2007.
Last year’s OKC manager, Scott Barbary, wanted to be reassigned to a roving instructor in the LAD organization. Barbary has been the OKC manager since 2019.
Why would one want to be a nomadic, roving instructor?
is the pay better?
where does that career path lead?
It allows him to Rove or “move” to a better position.
I am not sure there is a better position for a manager with 5 years experience in the LAD organization, including manager of the year. I think this is more personal than professional.
I agree, but I was trying to joke. You know rove, move lol
I cannot answer for Barbary. There could be all sorts of reasons, but undoubtedly personal. I would not even speculate for his reasoning.
Maybe he likes to travel.
Tulsa, OKC, Midland, Rancho Cucamonga, Rome, Paris, Vienna……
More pitches that the team probably wanted in the first but the inning went about as good as it could.
Here’s Smith’s MVP moment! A chance to end the series right here!
Huge missed opportunity! Sure wish Edman was hitting there!
HPU didn’t help him there!
I agree but Buehler has gotten a couples calls. This HPU has been consistently inconsistent.
Big game Buehler is back. He’s had more swing and miss on his fastball in this game than he’s had all year. That 2 seamer to Verdugo was his best!
this is the way.
We are going to regret these last 2 missed opportunities!
Why?
Bleh.
I think Lux was safe AND the catcher blocked the plate, but I HATE HAVING EDMAN sacrifice.
Why the fuck do you take the bat out of this hands?!?!??!?
Five runners left on base last two innings. Carlson gave the Yankee pitcher a strike to make it a 3-2 count to Smith. Edman bunting was a head scratcher. I like the odds to get a scoring fly ball rather than a bunt and Shohei struck out on ball four.
Now we’re talking Bluto. I totally agree. To waste an AB from a hot hitter like Edman in order to get one run with a bunt is not the thing to do. An then to not be successful. Damn.
I’ve never seen a blocked plate play called. Like Badger wrote, what does it take?
Not to be sassy, but you can’t block the plate as a fielder.
It’s not a common occurrence, but is called a fair amount.
Doc is being very aggressive, pulling out all the stops
I had him safe.
And why have a block the plate rule if you’re not going to call it.
Agree on both points.
Totally agree, but why have Edman bunt?
Ohtani’s not 100%, Edman’s super-hot.
It’s petty, but I hated that play.
Surprise? A decent bunt and it’s an easy run.
Ohtani continues to chase. And they aren’t giving him anything inner half. Go oppo or just take the walk.
Plus it kept them out of the DP with two of your best hitters coming up with bases loaded, it was a good call on Docs part, even though we ended up without the run
Agree. I have no problem with it.
He is definitely not 100%. He is favoring his arm. He shouldn’t have played tonight, imo.
Kike is just amazing in October. It’s incredible!
ditto
freddie looked pretty good going from first to third on teoscar’s single. Trainers have done an amazing job with him.
It’s amazing we are where we are hitting so poorly with RISP! Hopefully our pitchers can finish it off tonight
2-8 with RISP. Got the hits when they needed them. Yankees not so much. Soto, Judge Stanton in the 8th.
Muncy is scuffling in the WS. Hitless so far through four games.
And swinging out of the zone! Badly.
Terrible Banda! It’s like walking Lux.
Wow! Terrible call! We got bailed out!
Well, he got Torres.
Thank you HPU Mark Carlson
I don’t think the Yankees fans like Carlson very much
As is Will Smith.
First things first:
pitchers with 3+ WS outings of 5+ IP & 4 or fewer baserunners allowed:
Walker Buehler
that’s it.
And in the first 3 WS outings of his career.
Present moment:
Gotta get 6 outs. Ideally without Treinen again.
Kopech, Brasier and what’s left of Banda.
Why isn’t Kopech pitching the 8th? Brazier against heart of their lineup=runs. Just how many?
And that’s why Roberts cashes checks and I don’t! Brasier was throwing gas! Great 3-2 change up to Soto!
Three outs for Kopech and maybe Treinen?!??!?!?
Gosh, please let this not be wild Kopech.
Great that you finally understand that. LOL 😅
Yes he was! Now Kopech needs to throw strikes. NO BB’s
Looking good! Nice job by Brasier.
Well Watford, I thought your sweep prediction was crazy but ……. And I’m sure your second pick for MVP was Freddie
Woo-Hoo!! We win. Buehler was nails.
LOL.
No way my sweep prediction comes true, but it’s fun coming close.
But my sweep prediction may come true. In any case, this series is ours!!