MLB 2014 season thread

Here's hoping that meltdown lasts one more game.

 

Looks like the Mariners yanked Hernandez as soon as it was clear they were eliminated. He got one out in the sixth. Even though he came out early, I think the abbreviated start was good enough for him to hold off Kluber for the Cy Young Award.

 

Kluber had zero chance.

 

He did if Hernandez had been lit up again, but that did not happen.

 

Yeah, he had a 0.5 percent chance had that happened.

 

I like to imagine hordes of A's fans who were furious about the existence of a 4/5 play-in game back around July/August who are suddenly very thankful for it.

 

Posted this on the brief Zimmerman thread, but a weird factoid out of the no-hitter...
In 2013, the Marlins won 1-0 in the season finale as Henderson Alvarez pitched a no-hitter.
In 2014, the Marlins lost 1-0 in the season finale as Jordan Zimmerman pitched a no-hitter -- and Henderson Alvarez took the loss.

 

No 100-win team this year, and no 100-loss team.

Yankees, Phillies and Red Sox (2-3-4 in payroll) all miss the playoffs.

Royals, Athletics and Pirates (19, 25, 27 in payroll) all in the playoffs.

That's competitive balance, I'd say.

 

Why would have they been furious about it?

 

Royals made it for the first time since 1985. The Pirates made the playoffs for the second consecutive season, bur that followed 20 seasons of losing records. The last time Oakland, Pittsburgh or Kansas City won a World Series was 1989, when the Athletics did it.

The Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies have combined to win nine of the last 18 World Series. If you want to spend a little time comparing playoffs appearances, go for it, but it won't make things look that much more balanced.

 

I just meant this year.

 

And I added some context to this year.