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Thursday, September 20, 2012

AL playoff race: September 20, 2012

AL East

NYY 86-63 [11-7 in SEPT]
wc- BAL 85-64 [12-6 in SEPT] (1 GB)

AL Central

CWS 81-68 [9-9 in SEPT]
DET 79-70 [9-9 in SEPT] (2 GB)

AL West

TEX 89-60 [11-7 in SEPT]
wc- OAK 85-64 [11-7 in SEPT] (4 GB)

MLB.com: Yankees outslug Jays, grab one-game East lead
MLB.com: White Sox fall to Royals, maintain two-game lead
MLB.com: Beltre’s big blow finishes what Darvish starts
MLB.com: A’s bust out in Detroit, tie for top AL Wild Card spot

NTNgod Posted: September 20, 2012 at 10:51 PM | 17 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: athletics, orioles, pennant race, rangers, tigers, white sox, yankees

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1. Bull Pain Posted: September 20, 2012 at 10:59 PM (#4241737)

Robin Ventura had Jesse Crain, holding righties to a .120 BA this year, IBB Jeff Francoeur in a tie game with 2 outs in the 9th and a runner on 2nd. The game was shortly ended by Hosmer. The AL Central makes me cry.

2. Gamingboy Posted: September 21, 2012 at 12:02 AM (#4241752)

My night feels empty without the Orioles playing an extra-innings game.

3. ajnrules Posted: September 21, 2012 at 12:35 AM (#4241763)

Yeah! Home run by Adrian Beltre gives Rangers a 3-1 lead! Let's hope their relievers can hold onto it.

4. Shredder Posted: September 21, 2012 at 12:49 AM (#4241776)

Fitting that Scioscia and Frieri combine to end the Angels season. Two games in a row they've blown an excellent Grienke start. Kind of hoping that neither of them will be back next year.

5. BurlyBuehrle Posted: September 21, 2012 at 01:00 AM (#4241783)

Robin Ventura had Jesse Crain, holding righties to a .120 BA this year, IBB Jeff Francoeur in a tie game with 2 outs in the 9th and a runner on 2nd. The game was shortly ended by Hosmer. The AL Central makes me cry.

Well, to be fair, Frenchie is hitting 234/286/368, 78 OPS+. 66 OPS+ with RISP. 58 OPS+ in high leverage situations. And a 632 OPS against RHP.

Oh wait, I'm crying, too.

6. Greg Franklin Posted: September 21, 2012 at 01:32 AM (#4241786)

Shredder, is this an irrational hope? Frieri seems to be nothing but a positive despite his L tonight. Tom Wilhelmsen has blown his share of games, yet the Mariner fans worship him as "The Bartender."

7. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: September 21, 2012 at 01:55 AM (#4241793)

Fitting that Scioscia and Frieri combine to end the Angels season. Two games in a row they've blown an excellent Grienke start. Kind of hoping that neither of them will be back next year.

I think Frieri's earned another look; he's been generally very good this season. Scioscia's not had a good year, but he's earned plenty of leeway over the years.

The problem isn't blowing this particular game, but so many others. The bullpen has been atrocious, unspeakably so. If the offensive performances even out, this is still a really good team. If they had an average bullpen this season, they're in the playoffs.

8. Ivan Grushenko of Hong Kong Posted: September 21, 2012 at 05:29 AM (#4241811)

Angels Bullpen WPA difference vs other AL contenders:

Orioles -16 (Angels are 16 games worse in Bullpen WPA and 4.5 back in the WC standings)
Rangers -12 (6.5 back)
Athletics -9 (4.5 back)
Rays -9 (1 ahead)
Yankees -8 (5.5 back)
Tigers -5 (1.5 ahead)
White Sox -3 (0.5 back)

Wow. What an Achilles Heel on an otherwise excellent team.

9. drdr Posted: September 21, 2012 at 06:11 AM (#4241813)

WPA means nothing if opportunities are different (that is, if others have had more close games). Try WPA/LI, that normalizes for opportunity.

10. DKDC Posted: September 21, 2012 at 08:02 AM (#4241834)

This Yanks As series is huge for the Os since at least one of those teams will lose for once.

The Rays and Angels aren't out of it, but its getting close to the point where they need a huge run AND a bit of a collapse by the Os or As.

If the Angels finish out 10-2, the wild card leaders only need a 7-6 to fend them off, or a 6-7 to salvage a tie.

11. Spivey Posted: September 21, 2012 at 08:10 AM (#4241838)

ADRIAN ####### BELTRE

12. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: September 21, 2012 at 08:23 AM (#4241843)

That A's win yesterday was just a huge ####### relief. Brett Anderson is now out for the year, though. Nothing ever comes easy... The A's have now lost Colon, McCarthy and Anderson for the stretch run. Ay yi yi. It's Travis Blackley's--the hero of the Melbourne Aces and the KIA Tigers--time to shine!

13. Matt Welch Posted: September 21, 2012 at 08:44 AM (#4241859)

Mike Trout lost some MVP votes last night. Came up first-and-third with nobody out, then one out, in a low-scoring game, and whiffed badly both times, as the team ended up with just one run.

14. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: September 21, 2012 at 08:51 AM (#4241864)

Scioscia's not had a good year, but he's earned plenty of leeway over the years.

Scioscia seems like he might be in a spot similar to Terry Francona last year. I doubt he has suddenly turned into a dunce but it might just be time for a change in voice. Friendly tip for Angel management; change the voice, just not the tone.

15. BDC

Posted: September 21, 2012 at 08:51 AM (#4241865)

I am beginning to suspect that Harrison, Darwish, and Holland may actually be an outstanding front line for a playoff rotation. I hope nothing wakes me from my reverie.

Also beginning to suspect that I will never learn how to spell "Darvish." He will become my personal Cal Ripkin.

16. The Good Face Posted: September 21, 2012 at 09:39 AM (#4241890)

ADRIAN ####### BELTRE

I was happy when Texas signed him, but since then he's exceeded my expectations in pretty much every way. He's just awesome.

I am beginning to suspect that Harrison, Darwish, and Holland may actually be an outstanding front line for a playoff rotation. I hope nothing wakes me from my reverie.

I don't think you're wrong. Holland and Darvish have been sort of inconsistent this year, but they're scary good when they're on. Texas just needs to catch a few breaks, same as every other playoff team.

17. Crosseyed and Painless Posted: September 21, 2012 at 09:48 AM (#4241906)

Thanks, Kansas City! Go Angels! Tigers can go 1-2 this weekend and Sox can get swept and they'll only be one game back!

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Thursday, September 20, 2012

AL playoff race: September 20, 2012

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