MLB '24 Postseason thread

It makes me laugh. The first b-roll you see of spring training EVERY year is the pitcher covering first base drill, and EVERY year some team screws itself in the post-season because it isn't done correctly. Don't know how you get the majors and don't instinctively run to cover first on a ball like that, even if you peel off at the end. About as bad as pitcher's not backing up catchers on hits to the outfield.

And they NEVER got the new uniforms right. I understand the desire for light fabric that wicks, but the fabric they used on the unis looked really bad. All of the Dodgers roadies looked like the players were sweating profusely, the fabric wrinkled all over the place and the fit wasn't good. They looked like knock-offs you'd buy out of the back of someone's car.

 

When we had the SJ.com meetup in Washington, the Angels left fielder sweat through his jersey twice.

 

On Betts’ grounder…..even if Cole gets to the bag, Betts was booking it down the line…..I’m not so sure he doesn’t beat it anyway.

 

First baseman let the ball play him, should have charged instead of backed up - you should know if a guy with wheels is at the plate. It was Buckneresque. But Cole absolutely should have made an effort, it was almost like once the 1B saw Cole's lack of effort he just made sure the ball didn't get past him.

 

Agreed. Even if Cole had done the right thing, Rizzo wasn't in the greatest position to get a lot on the throw. He caught a spinning ball off-balance and to his right, away from where he needed to throw.

And let's not place the blame squarely on that one play, because it only compounded the situation initially created by Judge and Volpe. Cole battled back for strikeouts (which should have been outs 3 and 4) before Betts came to the plate. He could have just as easily gotten away with a scoreless frame, if Betts hits it five feet left or right of where it landed. But yeah, getting caught watching the play wasn't a great look.

The inability to limit the damage after that just shows how bad it is to give any team, let alone the Dodgers, an extra three outs and free baserunners.

 

Hell, I did that just walking the Mall.

 

Before the replay, I really thought the ball had gone off Rizzo's glove or through his legs, like Buckner. Just the way everybody stopped moving.

 

It looked like he turned on the jets about halfway to first. If Cole played it right, Betts is out.

 

Mookie's ball was spinning. Rizzo was heading for the base, but when the ball took a sudden small turn to his right, he stopped, losing his momentum toward the base. He had to reach back for it. Having to stop and restart probably eliminated him from getting Mookie himself. But if Cole covers, it's still an out. I read today that Cole explained he was going for the ball, and when he couldn't get it, he was at an odd angle to cover the base. I'm skeptical about that one.

 

I'd say the Dodgers found another lefty, but I'm pretty sure he blew off that hand, too.

 

If Shohei’s deal was conventional, I presume the Dodgers would be first in payroll as well as achievement.
Good for them. They did mankind a favor.

 

Yoinking from Whitman on the socials.