caulfield12

Anything is possible in the playoffs. Sasaki and Henriquez haven't been tested in the postseason for LA.

Who was available? Martin Maldonado...Diaz??? Other than Tatis Machado Bogaerts they're a LH dominant team. If the Padres got that 3-2 lead or even 2-2 Johnson would be in for defense about right now.

Cubs aren't going far in the playoffs with that rotation and Tucker/PCA not hitting...they might just have enough to take out SD with home field advantage.

You're forgetting their minor league system has been gutted the last two years. They're like the 28th/29th MiLB system. Not much help available.

There comes the Sheets defense. Laureano would have had that. SD is just a flawed team.

Horton would have been the G1 starter. Still not sure how you're supposed to miraculously replace Laureano in the last week of the season. With who? He has been SD's best hitter...along with Merrill.

Shadows having more and more of an effect... Will need to get to Cubs' pen in the 8th inning. Bottom of lineup next inning.

Long way to go...lol. Last year there were like 10-12 former Sox relievers in the postseason, everywhere you looked practically.

Zero confidence in Cease. Have to win this one. Dylan when he goes bad always gives up 3-5 in an inning and then you're fighting all game to come back.

Despite all the big names in SD only the #18 offense. Schildt is the StL traditional NL small ball guy. Estrada Miller or Morejon need to be ready. That said, Merrill wouldn't bunt against a rhp in that situation.

Welp....might need to go to Mason Miller early to stanch the bleeding.

Knew those two runs that didn't score would come back to bite them...

Ball not carrying well in the outfield today.

Really quick hook and already to Palencia?

Pivetta SD MVP. Probably the best bargain pitching contract of the off season from Tier B. SD will only have Musgrove Darvish Pivetta and R.Vasquez next year...really need to replace King and/or Cease.

LSU Ben McDonald the Southern accent. Gwynn's son does radio/part time tv in San Diego.

Normally he's one of the best base runners in the game...

Iglesias MMaldonado and Colt McCoy is your bench...two middle infielders and a beyond aging catcher.

You really want them to play Bryce Johnson instead? They would be fine had Ramon Laureano not fractured his finger in the last week of the season. It's not like you can put catcher Diaz out there in LF.

Have to score this time... Facing SD pen in shadows not going to be easy if Padres can extend lead.

Padres lead baseball in bunting by far.

Pitching dominates in the playoffs. The Tigers had a really good offense the first half of the season. Also Astros were highly flawed at end of the season as well. Alvarez such an impact bat to be missing.

Just made no sense to project an inexperienced future 35-37 year old reliever into the 2028-29 contention window.

And what are his plus tools?

First game winners in these 3 game series have won 18/20. Ofc the 2020 White Sox one of those exceptions.