2023 ALCS: Rangers vs Astros

[Pam Cummings 9645]

I dont ever really care about baseball until the postseason. The atmosphere for these tight postseason games is a lot of fun. I don't care who wins, just want a good series. But my gut feeling is that the Astros do what they've done since they've been on this run and come up big when they need to. It's just a really clutch team. Rangers have been a lot of fun to watch as well. Just seems like they probably don't have the pitching to hang.

[Serak The Preparer 3431]

I'm really looking forward to the series, there's a strange mix of pseudo-rivalry and lack of pressure.

For all the hype it's got as the Battle for Texas, Houston-Dallas rivalry, etc., its the first time both teams are good so it's not like there's an established history of the rivalry really meaning anything. Also, while both teams obviously want to win, there's not a ton of pressure on the loser. The Astros just won a world series, the Rangers have already achieved great things this season and aren't going to lose any key payers for next year. I don't think either fan base views this as a true "must-win" series, at least any more than anyone ever wants to win a post-season series.

 

 

Edited October 13, 2023 by Serak The Preparer

[utxmike05 1828]

[petscii 1189]

I'm totally more ncaa baseball than MLB.  If it were the Rangers and the Astros were not in the postseason I'd be pulling for the Rangers.  Fuck the Rangers.

 

[shadow_operative2.0 16005]

mlb.com’s position-by-position breakdown if you want to kill a couple minutes. 

[Helobious 9462]

9 minutes ago, shadow_operative2.0 said:

mlb.com’s position-by-position breakdown if you want to kill a couple minutes. 

Why do the Astros fans hate Maldonado so much? Plays very solid defense from what I’ve seen and it’s pretty impossible to find a good catcher that hits well in the majors, so not sure why the dock his offense.

[shadow_operative2.0 16005]

Fuck, now you’ve done it. 

[Beau Vine 54254]

9 minutes ago, Helobious said:

Why do the Astros fans hate Maldonado so much? Plays very solid defense from what I’ve seen and it’s pretty impossible to find a good catcher that hits well in the majors, so not sure why the dock his offense.

Because they think they're smarter than Dusty Baker.  They can't get their heads out of their calculators long enough to actually watch a game and see how Maldonado does all the little things that don't show up in a box score.  He's a proven veteran and a clutch player who elevates his game when the lights are brightest.  

[Pato del Muerto 52524]

Several things keep my confidence tempered, but the biggest one is that in a close game either way boche is going to be tempted to use a left handed reliever the inning that Alvarez and tucker are due up.  Which means Chapman, smith, Burke, or the rookie from aledo (assuming they all make the roster- max and gray would have to bump someone).  
 

and that seems like a losing scenario more often than not. 

[Guest]

4 hours ago, Helobious said:

Why do the Astros fans hate Maldonado so much? Plays very solid defense from what I’ve seen and it’s pretty impossible to find a good catcher that hits well in the majors, so not sure why the dock his offense.

I don't hate Maldonado.  I've never questioned his effort or game calling.

Diaz is a far better alternative at the plate and the difference behind the dish is highly debatable.

[Wulaw Horn 19098]

https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2023/9/12/23871009/the-astros-are-historically-good-when-yainer-and-chas-start-at-c-and

[closetojumping 62746]

14 hours ago, Beau Vine said:

Because they think they're smarter than Dusty Baker.  They can't get their heads out of their calculators long enough to actually watch a game and see how Maldonado does all the little things that don't show up in a box score.  He's a proven veteran and a clutch player who elevates his game when the lights are brightest.  

For a guy who loves to scream “science!”, this is an intelligent post, Professor. 

14 hours ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Several things keep my confidence tempered, but the biggest one is that in a close game either way boche is going to be tempted to use a left handed reliever the inning that Alvarez and tucker are due up.  Which means Chapman, smith, Burke, or the rookie from aledo (assuming they all make the roster- max and gray would have to bump someone).  
 

and that seems like a losing scenario more often than not. 

Yeah, the Rangers should throw as many lefties as they can at Alvarez and Tucker. Let’s see how it works out. 

[Beau Vine 54254]

1 hour ago, closetojumping said:

For a guy who loves to scream “science!”, this is an intelligent post, Professor. 

[Helobious 9462]

I thought you were being sincere. I feel betrayed.

[Gut Wagon 8083]

2 hours ago, Wulaw Horn said:

https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2023/9/12/23871009/the-astros-are-historically-good-when-yainer-and-chas-start-at-c-and

• The Astros scored in double digits in 7 of those 25 games, or 28%. They scored double digits in 11 of our other 121 games, or 9%.

Call me crazy, but I think I'm in favor of a lineup that figures to score more runs. Especially against a very good offensive opponent. 

[Helobious 9462]

Holy small sample size, Batman

[Underdog 28711]

I'd like to see the Rangers finally get over the hump. 

[Wulaw Horn 19098]

3 hours ago, Helobious said:

Holy small sample size, Batman

You are a dumbass. As always. Go look at the numbers over 400 PA for Diaz v maldy and Chaz v Dubon. Also realize the better defensive players are Diaz and Chas. Or better yet, don’t opine on shit you have not even the most passing familiarity with. 

[HOOKEM4 5037]

6 hours ago, Wulaw Horn said:

You are a dumbass. As always. Go look at the numbers over 400 PA for Diaz v maldy and Chaz v Dubon. Also realize the better defensive players are Diaz and Chas. Or better yet, don’t opine on shit you have not even the most passing familiarity with. 

I imagine there is a world where everyone else has him on ignore so he screams into the void and I don't have to see his quoted posts. He is not worth your time. Your first sentence summed it up.

 

[Rockethorn1978 6093]

20 hours ago, Underdog said:

I'd like to see the Rangers finally get over the hump. 

They might. Baseball is the hardest sport to predict imo. You would have predicted the dodgers and Braves lineups completely shitting the bed while the rangers offense explodes in two series and the pitching looked dominate? Probably no one, and it changes game to game and series to series. You watch your team kick ass one day then the next you wonder if they even got off the bus, when your team wins a game you see them hoisting the WS trophy and if they lose the next you’re looking up what free agents are available in the winter.

If Houston loses I won’t be surprised, we’ve lost in the alcs before and having gone to two straight WS it’s not like history or the baseball gods are in our favor to go to a third straight. Either way I’ll be cheering. I will say I’m not as nervous as years past and winning two has helped me to watched relaxed(or more than before. I still yell at the tv).

Trying to figure out who’s gonna show up is tough, are we gonna get dominate JV or the one that gives up multiple bombs in 3 innings? Who knows. Just cross your fingers and hope for the best and enjoy the series. Who would have thought the rangers and Astros would be in the alcs this year? Not me. Gonna be fun. 

[Wulaw Horn 19098]

From ESPN for Helo. Not that additional data ever changes his mind: 

 

What has surprised us: Call this a non-surprise surprise, but boy does Baker love catcher Martin Maldonado. Statistically, Maldonado is the worst postseason hitter in history among those with at least 150 plate appearances. His framing metrics were among the worst in the game. He had a terrible season throwing out base stealers. Yainer Diaz is a much superior offensive player, had a much better rate throwing out runners and the Astros had a better record when he started at catcher than Maldonado -- .619 winning percentage versus .534. But Baker trusts Maldonado, and the veteran got all four starts against the Twins (Diaz got one start at DH). At some point the Astros may need more offense. Will Baker be willing to sit his guy?

[Dutchrudder 11141]

Helo is just trolling y'all. He has an unhealthy obsession with the Astros, and reads the season thread to know what triggers y'all. I'm sure he would be busy with other things if anyone else around here gave a shit about the Yankees enough to talk about them, rather than laugh at their constant underachievement. 

[Gut Wagon 8083]

What triggers us would trigger even the most casual observer of any team: playing inferior players over superior ones, all for "reasons" that amount to gibberish. I don't think anyone would have trouble seeing that as a way to get harsh reactions. 

As for "small sample size," that's a hilarious take coming from the guy who pronounced The Martian a superstar after a cup of coffee in AAA.  

[Helobious 9462]

2 hours ago, Gut Wagon said:

What triggers us would trigger even the most casual observer of any team: playing inferior players over superior ones, all for "reasons" that amount to gibberish. I don't think anyone would have trouble seeing that as a way to get harsh reactions. 

As for "small sample size," that's a hilarious take coming from the guy who pronounced The Martian a superstar after a cup of coffee in AAA.  

lol. Dude had a historically good ML debut before he got hurt. It included taking Verlander’s bitchass deep on his first swing in the majors.

[Gut Wagon 8083]

44 minutes ago, Helobious said:

lol. Dude had a historically good ML debut before he got hurt. It included taking Verlander’s bitchass deep on his first swing in the majors.

Whether that kid turns out to hit like Mickey Mantle or Mickey Mouse, his sample size was (and remains) microscopic.

Dominguez probably will be a good hitter. Diaz is already much farther on his way to proving he is one.

Edited October 15, 2023 by Gut Wagon

[Beau Vine 54254]

3 hours ago, Gut Wagon said:

As for "small sample size," that's a hilarious take coming from the guy who pronounced The Martian a superstar after a cup of coffee in AAA.

Don't forget Max Clark.

[Pato del Muerto 52524]

Once upon a time, Kevin maas and Ricky ledee were destined for the hof. 

[TonyTexas 10516]

1 hour ago, Helobious said:

lol. Dude had a historically good ML debut before he got hurt. It included taking Verlander’s bitchass deep on his first swing in the majors.

For a guy who loves talking about small sample size, you sure are putting a lot of stock into 33 MLB PAs

[Sir Ulrich 5187]

Thankfully the Rangers will close this out on Thursday so we can all be friends again by the Texas/Houston game 

[Rip76 4943]

LFG!!!!

 

[Helobious 9462]

Hoping Josh Jung has a big series. San Antonio kid.

[Longboard Horn 40333]

This is gonna be a defensive battle

[Helobious 9462]

Horrible AB by Semien there

[Dutchrudder 11141]

I hope that catcher cam dies after this game. It's ok for a playback, but not live.

[wood 11227]

Are there people somewhere who actually like Smoltz's hyper-analytical, never leave a millisecond of dead air approach? Can't we just enjoy the motherfucking game for a second?

[cmontexas 3272]

Should be 3-0. Ump just decides to redefine his zone in the 5th inning

Edited October 16, 2023 by cmontexas

[freyguy 4278]

10 minutes ago, wood said:

Are there people somewhere who actually like Smoltz's hyper-analytical, never leave a millisecond of dead air approach? Can't we just enjoy the motherfucking game for a second?

He must be getting paid by the word.

[JGrayDBU 339]

so far so good for the Rangers.  Doesn't matter a whole lot, but the Rangers pitcher has about 15 pitches less than the Astros' starter as he leaves. 

[cmontexas 3272]

Good thing Semien was doing the umpires job

[Dennis Taylor 18830]

You can't tell if his foot touches tbh bag or not from those bullshit angles

Edited October 16, 2023 by Dennis Taylor

[Bullneck 19168]

Time to take the whiskey off the shelf, per that commercial.  

[Helobious 9462]

Huge W. The Astros probably thought they were in for an easy sweep with 4 blowouts like all their fans did. This has to be a shock to their system. 

[Wilcox Cummingtonite 3025]

On 10/12/2023 at 12:04 PM, Helobious said:

Astros take game 1 for sure.

[Quagmire 2147]

Midget needed a buzzer to remind him to touch second

[gofuckyourself 8339]

28 minutes ago, Dennis Taylor said:

You can't tell if his foot touches tbh bag or not from those bullshit angles

Lol. This the home plate ump's sock account? Because that dude was blind too tonight.

[UTPhil2006 3807]

9 hours ago, Helobious said:

Huge W. The Astros probably thought they were in for an easy sweep with 4 blowouts like all their fans did. This has to be a shock to their system. 

Did you forget to log in to your other sock to quote yourself?

[UTPhil2006 3807]

Just now, BeardIP said:

UTPhil is getting sad and mad. Maybe if your catcher wasn't 0-for in every post season game he's played in this year sans one of them...

So then you agree with @Wulaw Horn

[wood 11227]

12 hours ago, freyguy said:

He must be getting paid by the word.

Seriously. Unreal. It's an absolute beating. He's like the neighbor chick across the culdesac. If I or most of my neighbors walk out the front door and see her outside, we just turn around and go right back inside. Once she corners you, you're fucked. And no, you don't wanna see pics. Trust me. Smoltz has you cornered because  you wanna see the game.

Edited October 16, 2023 by wood

[NorthLoop 14215]

I had to watch most of the game on my phone on silent because of reasons. I didn't feel like I missed out on anything by not listening to those dorks. Even with the Altuve play I knew exactly what was going on. 

[Beau Vine 54254]

18 minutes ago, wood said:

Seriously. Unreal. It's an absolute beating. He's like the neighbor chick across the culdesac. If I or most of my neighbors walk out the front door and see her outside, we just turn around and go right back inside. Once she corners you, you're fucked. And no, you don't wanna see pics. Trust me. Smoltz has you cornered because  you wanna see the game.

I've been having to watch the TBS (NL) games on the Spanish broadcast because Fubo doesn't carry the Turner networks.  It has been better than having Smoltz lecture me for a solid 150 minutes.