Snopek

Looks like I chose the wrong career. Being a baseball player sounds perfect for a lazy person like me.

Do we actually know this? No snark, I’m genuinely asking. I’ve been wondering how much of it was poor approach from the coaching staff and how much was poor execution from the players.

I don't even necessarily disagree with the stuff in bold, but it comes of a little as "players do bad = bad job players, players do good = good job manager." It's easy to say in hindsight that he managed the pen perfectly in game 3 when the pitching was lights out.

Those aren't the contradictory statements you think they are.

Outplayed, outmanaged and totally exposed as the team we all hoped they weren't. So many different decisions and outcomes to be upset about. This hurts.

Thanks for all these posts throughout the race. You rule.

A little confused on the Rodon bit. Wouldn't commit either way to what?

I remember liking the Astros and A's when I was younger (late 80's maybe?) because they were the only teams that wore white cleats.

Yep. Let's not put ourselves in a situation where Lambert or Stiever are making a bunch of starts for a title contender. Depth is not a luxury, it's a need.

Feeling some of that swagger starting to come back to the team ?

His velocity being waaaay down is still a huge concern, but the results were great. Wondering how much he can get away with similar stuff vs that Houston lineup. If he can get by, Rodon > Kopech > back end of the bullpen is a great looking formula.

My only real takeaway from that is Goodrum seems like a good dude.

Seems like this has been overshadowed a bit by the performances of Kimbrel and Cesar. Sure, hindsight is 20/20, but banking on some combination of Goodwin, Hamilton, Vaughn, Sheets and Engel to effectively fill that role feels like a "good enough" approach, which is inconsistent with their other "going for it" moves.

I don't know that Lange was actively trying to hit Abreu, but it definitely feels like he wasn't exactly trying to NOT hit him...if that makes sense. Lack of command and lack of care, essentially. I'm throwing it in this general area and if he gets hit, he gets hit.

Nice to see Abreu fired up. Getting hit 21 times is brutal. That said, that was a dumb slide and a lapse in judgement to take out your frustration on the next guy in your way. It's not like Detroit has been throwing at him all year. Play with a chip on your shoulder (and some damn padding on your elbow) and retaliate by sweeping them over the weekend.

That's a big no thanks on Foster, but point taken on Wright. I get that mop up guys are mop up guys for a reason, but are there really no better mops in AAA?

That makes sense. I'm just hoping they're not tempted by the whole 'experienced veteran' thing to give him a start if Rodon can't go.

Is the consensus still that Dallas will not be on the playoff roster? Or is it a toss up?

I'd like to see this, unless they're down 0-2 going into game 3 then you flip Cease and Lynn. What I'm actually expecting is Gio/Lynn in 1 & 2. I really don't feel great about this Rodon thing, so, in my mind, any playoff innings from him are a bonus unfortunately.

Ahh, the good ol' days.

There you go, Eloy. Way to show this idiot.

It was more of a rhetorical question I guess. I get why it’s happening, but how is there zero improvement on something that keeps happening over and over?

Why is taking so long for Eloy to make adjustments on outside pitches? Fortunately there’s still time to fix things before the playoffs, but there’s been no noticeable improvement for weeks now.

These games are dumb. Why does September have 85 days?