MLB 2022: The Long and Winding Thread

Tonight, a small but hardy strain of Expos fans are chuckling, toasting the Mariners with an extra drink, and humming valderi, valdera.

 

The winning pitchers in Justin Verlander's World Series starts:
2006, Game 1: Anthony Reyes
2006, Game 5: Jeff Weaver
2012, Game 1: Barry Zito
2017, Game 2: Chris Devenski (game went to extras, Verlander was losing to Rich Hill 2-1 when he left in the sixth)
2017, Game 6: Tony Watson (Verlander's Astros were winning when Hill exited in the fifth, but he took the loss when the Dodgers scored two runs in the sixth inning)
2019, Game 2: Stephen Strasburg (Verlander gave up the go-ahead run and exited two batters later, bullpen gave up eight runs after him)
2019, Game 6: Strasburg (Verlander got the handshake after five, after he'd given up the go-ahead run)

 

I wasn't sure putting 12 teams in the postseason was the greatest of ideas based on the sheer randomness of baseball over a small sample size.

But these three-game wild card series have been riveting to watch and way fairer than the "one and out" format. Now, had the games all been one-sided, it's a different matter. But even that 15-inning marathon was one of those "this could end at any moment" moments.

It still sucks to play 162 games, only to get bounced in what's basically a double-elimination round. But them's the breaks.

 

Was that William H Macy in the crowd?

 

Pierce Johnson. Heheheheheh.

 

Choking up on the bat and punching the ball through the infield. How revolutionary!

(My Little League coach from 1967 would be impressed.)

 

There’s your No. 1 and No. 3 candidates for NL MVP, both being whiffed by some guy named Seranthony.

 

It would have been glorious if the Mets choked in the ninth. Alas, earwax.

 

Phillies bullpen just can't close it out easily if at all.

 

How noble

 

Good-bye, Yadier. Good-bye, Albert. Good-bye, Adam.

You were warriors.

 

Mariners advance.

Oklahoma, crushed.

Wyoming, winner.

Cardinals eliminated.

So far, a nice way to end what was a fantastic week in the Micro family.