caulfield12

Because they were splitting up the time with Bauers and Hoskins down the stretch to position their postseason roster...division was already in hand, Dodgers' slumps took off pressure for holding Top Two spot for playoffs.

“I think it just brought the energy back into the dugout, and that's what Vaughn has been doing ever since he's got here. He's been able to put big swings on balls and continue producing for us like he has.” William Contreras https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2025/10/07/andrew-vaughns-home-run-helps-milwaukee-brewers-beat-chicago-cubs-in-nlds-game-2/86546797007/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjTkpnmhZKQAxVgJkQIHQ54NmgQvOMEegQIBxAC&usg=AOvVaw0-J1m4XQDAMxdReYouqEW4 Note the quote about "trying to work his butt off" after the trade/assignment to AAA. Osik validated yet again...ofc the biggest question is why the Sox couldn't get that same effort out of him? Too secure/complacent with his team "leadership" role in Chicago? Where below average became "good enough" over time.

https://www.si.com/mlb/full-mlb-playoff-schedule-2025-dates-times-tv-channels Saying you "always play for the tie at home" doesn't accurately reflect the scenario involved last night for the Phillies. And assuming the Philly pen would win a long drawn out extra innings affair over the Dodgers is such an iffy bet with all the arm talent that LA possesses.

Except his overall season stats pretty accurately reflect the typical ups and downs of a rookie pitcher in the big leagues over the final two months.

When you lay the foundation for a small or mid market team that makes the playoffs 7/8 years in flyover territory, you're doing something right. And the Mets were the best team in the NL down the stretch last year. That doesn't all get cancelled out by one year's worth of bad FA pitching decisions.

Vaughn had 40 rbi's in July and August alone. The Brewers were 49-40 and 4 games in back of the Cubs when he was acquired. Exactly wo months later they were 89-55 and up 7 1/2 games in the division...a total swing of 11 1/2 games. The reason that Vaughn so quickly had a t-shirt giveaway in Milwaukee was never going to be accurately measured by his fWAR at 1B/DH. We know the draw backs of that stat. I've followed baseball my entire life and watch as many games as anyone and Tatis for example can have as much fWAR as he has in RF...those numbers don't accurately reflect the impact that Vaughn had on the Brewers and the NL Central overall. You ask every Brewers' fan that watched their team every single game of the season and they'll tell you exactly how important he was in July and August to that team. (Just like you can ask in July next year if Sox fans will at that time know who Shane Murphy even is...no will still remain the answer.)

Also a bit weird that Judge and Soto are not up there. Maybe Judge's size is hard to relate to. Juan Soto, while a great hitter/obp guy, isn't what you'd call a fun guy to watch, compared to let's say a Lindor or Jose Ramirez type.

Vaughn was in Top 3 for NL RBIs after the deadline... What individual player had the biggest individual second half impact if it wasn't him, and for basically zero cost to their organization?

Both impacted the Cubs quite negatively... Sox got a the breakthrough WS win before the Cubs eventually did in 2016 and Vaughn was the primary reason Milwaukee passed the Cubs and took away home field advantage this year. Karchner sucked with the Cubs and Q was just so-so. Can probably add Cease/Jimenez for Q. Sosa for Bell another story.

Vaughn is the Cubs' Curse, following in the Jon Garland line

Have to hope Imanaga's late season slide continues...

a lot of avoidable drama to put Sasaki in that situation

doubles down on idiocy

Note to Dave Roberts: don't trust Treinen

Hernandezes strike again...

Puig #4? No Colson fans? Witt, Jr.? Acuna Jr.? Surprised that Ohtani doesn't trump all despite the relative lack of Asian kids in the Midwest. Schwarber went to IU and was with the Cubs...but too identified with Harper and the Phils now. Guess Bryce Harper's not the cool/hip young guy anymore.

All three experts at MLB Network predicting Phillies...just think they want a watchable series instead of a blow out here. Suarez T.Walker Nola Buehler all options for G3 against Yamamoto, but LAD will have big edge at home.

Castellanos Sosa Marsh Kemp an interesting bottom of the lineup. Snell doesn't do well on the road historically. Huge start for Jesus Luzardo here...with Ki-ke and Rortveldt in the Dodgers' lineup. Trying to nurse W.Smith back in there.

See if Fegan can go there...but likely not.

Naylor not helping the M's much this series ...

Having the confidence of a Cy Young winner to believe nobody can beat you twice in one game...

Finally broke through, Polanco...Castillo looking like Predator from behind lol. And already to the bullpen.

Wouldn't have thought possible in a postseason game Max Fried started... Weird. Well Detroit vs. Toronto won't exactly light up the ratings.

Especially when your owner doesn't believe in paying for FA pitching...you've got to be able to able to produce like CLE MIL SEA TBR.

Could see Texas as favorite by 1-2 points with Hawkins, Jr. starting. Last year did not go particularly well. Different teams obviously...UP got a ton of confidence from playing MI so well defensiively.