BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: NL playoff race: September 15, 2012

Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Saturday, September 15, 2012

NL playoff race: September 15, 2012

NL Wildcard

ATL 83-63 [9-5 in SEPT]
LAD 76-70 [6-7 in SEPT]
STL 76-70 [5-9 in SEPT]
PIT 73-71 [3-10 in SEPT] (2 GB)
MIL 73-72 [10-4 in SEPT] (2.5 GB)
PHI 73-73 [10-4 in SEPT] (3 GB)
ARI 71-74 [5-7 in SEPT] (4.5 GB)

MLB.com: Buoyed by blasts, Braves sink Nats on HBP
MLB.com: Dramatic walk-off pulls LA even for Wild Card
MLB.com: Wandy, bats help Bucs snap seven-game skid
MLB.com: Weeks leads Brewers’ big night on offense
MLB.com: Kendrick struggles while offense falters vs. Astros
MLB.com: D-backs bested by Giants’ Zito for third time

NTNgod Posted: September 15, 2012 at 11:03 PM | 55 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: braves, brewers, cardinals, diamondbacks, dodgers, pennant race, phillies, pirates

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

1. charityslave is thinking about baseball Posted: September 15, 2012 at 11:16 PM (#4236965)

Hanley lost his bat on a swing and it hit a kid (looked to be 11 or so) in the stands. The kids was a little shaken, but ok. Magic went over and signed a ball for him. The crowd went nuts. The man knows something about PR. It was great to see.

2. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:09 AM (#4237008)

That must have been an agonizing loss for Cardinals fans. Juuuust missed it.

3. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:11 AM (#4237010)

wow

2 out nobody on base and suddenly 2 runs score and dodgers win

poof, just like that

4. Sleepy supports unauthorized rambling Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:12 AM (#4237011)

That must have been an agonizing loss for Cardinals fans. Juuuust missed it.

Yeah, the blown call at second base on the steal, which should have ended the game (second blown call on a steal to go against STL in the game, but the first didn't matter) was the worst part (though tough to complain after the blown double play call earlier w/holliday that led to STL run #3). Yadi being thrown out at third was also pretty painful- just bad judgement. You're slow, dude.

Good use of pinch runners by Mattingly, though. Scoring from second on a dropped line drive by the second baseman can't happen very often.

5. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:16 AM (#4237014)

wow

2 out nobody on base and suddenly 2 runs score and dodgers win

poof, just like that

Don't remind me.

6. Sleepy supports unauthorized rambling Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:17 AM (#4237015)

Also, how weird is it that I got STL-LA in San Jose, instead of OAK-BAL? I'm not complaining, but that's gotta suck for Oakland fans in the bay area.

7. Bitter Calculus Instructor Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:19 AM (#4237017)

Oh wow. The Dodgers are tied for WC2!

8. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:23 AM (#4237020)

cfb

brewers have a 10 game road trip after tomorrow and that offense scales back when away from home

not quite puny but certainly less potent

barring the pitching being sterling the team will do well just to tread water

9. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:23 AM (#4237021)

Purists are going to hate it, but this is going to be an interesting 2 weeks as we watch 4-6 teams duke it out for that last wild card spot in the NL.

10. Austin Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:24 AM (#4237022)

I can't believe the Pirates are still only two games out of the second wild card spot.

11. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:25 AM (#4237023)

brewers have a 10 game road trip after tomorrow and that offense scales back when away from home

not quite puny but certainly less potent

barring the pitching being sterling the team will do well just to tread water

As someone said in one of the Orioles threads, with this few games remaining it's all about luck from here on out(and by luck, I of course mean who plays the best, not who is the better team.)

12. Gold Star - just Gold Star Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:26 AM (#4237024)

I was not anticipating that LA comeback.

13. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:30 AM (#4237025)

I was not anticipating that LA comeback.

Me neither, even with the man on second and two outs I wasn't worried...(not sure why I wasn't but I just assumed that Motte would get out of that jam as he had already blown a save earlier in the week, and using gambler's logic, he wasn't due again for a while)

14. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:50 AM (#4237037)

How come this thread isn't showing up on the side bar?

15. robinred

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:54 AM (#4237040)

It is there now, after your post.

16. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:56 AM (#4237043)

Just saw that, was going to edit it out, but it had disappeared for no reason. At least on my hot topics.

17. NTNgod Posted: September 16, 2012 at 01:03 AM (#4237048)

I've noticed when I update/edit a post, it tends to temporarily get kicked out of the sidebar, before eventually re-appearing.

18. MM1f Posted: September 16, 2012 at 01:12 AM (#4237050)

How did I miss that the Phillies are sort of in it all the sudden?

From Aug 17 to Sept 12 they went from 11 games under .500 to 1 game over .500.

What rock have I been sleeping under?

19. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 01:16 AM (#4237052)

How did I miss that the Phillies are sort of in it all the sudden?

You blinked? J/K... Philly has come on strong the past 15 or so days(so has the Brewers) while the Cardinals, Dodgers and Pirates have been flailing in the water.

20. boteman Posted: September 16, 2012 at 04:41 AM (#4237083)

I'm telling you, don't count out the Phillies just yet. I can't believe I'm saying that, but the proof is on the field.

Also, I should refrain from whining about Marvin Hudson's blown call that Adam LaRoche pulled his foot off the bag, thereby prolonging the inning just enough to allow a 2-run HR to tie the Braves with the Nats. How come umpires aren't tagged with errors like players are?

21. Swedish Chef Posted: September 16, 2012 at 06:41 AM (#4237089)

The Phillies would have been in it for real if they hadn't just dropped two games against the Astros punching bags.

22. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: September 16, 2012 at 08:22 AM (#4237099)

Not just the Phils. The Brewers have come out of a pretty equivalent nowhere to get back into things.

(This may be the first meaningful race for 5th place in baseball history. Have at it, joyless WC haters.)

23. S.F. Giangst Posted: September 16, 2012 at 08:34 AM (#4237104)

The Braves are 28-16 against the other teams on the list and have losing records against none of them. It's a travesty that their season is going to hinge on a single game played against a team that will likely have a greater win deficit compared to them than they themselves will likely have against Washington.

24. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: September 16, 2012 at 08:37 AM (#4237106)

It's a travesty that their season is going to hinge on a single game played against a team that will likely have a greater win deficit compared to them than they themselves will likely have against Washington.

Under the pre-WC system they woulda been sitting at home thinking about what coulda been.

25. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: September 16, 2012 at 08:56 AM (#4237112)

Yesterday was the second time this season that the Nationals have gotten blatantly screwed over by one the absolute worst calls I have ever seen.

I am so f*cking sick and tired of having to repeatedly endure seeing great baseball be ruined by these worthless, incompetent assclowns when there is absolutely no reason for it to ever happen any longer.

26. McCoy Posted: September 16, 2012 at 09:10 AM (#4237115)

Easiest solution is to score more runs and or allow fewer.

27. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: September 16, 2012 at 09:18 AM (#4237119)

This may be the first meaningful race for 5th place in baseball history. Have at it, joyless WC haters.

Wow, and in the first season of the two wild card system. What are the odds?

Though when the three top contenders for that coveted second WC ducat are a combined 14-26 in September, I'm not sure "race" is the proper description of the competition.

28. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: September 16, 2012 at 09:19 AM (#4237121)

Easiest solution is to score more runs and or allow fewer.

Screw you. Hometown boy Marvin Hudson deserves to get all of his teeth knocked out of his head for that call he made. I don't know how any of the players managed to restrain themselves.

29. Lassus Posted: September 16, 2012 at 09:36 AM (#4237125)

This may be the first meaningful race for 5th place in baseball history. Have at it, joyless WC haters.

I don't think I could reasonably be called joyless by anyone here, but I do hate the new WCs, and this race hasn't really enamored me of the new system. It's basically as predicted. Everyone's in it, which is just kind of lame to me personally. YMMV, obviously.

Hometown boy Marvin Hudson deserves to get all of his teeth knocked out of his head for that call he made.

Who'da thunk you'd have emulated Hutcheson's shtick so completely?

30. Joey B. has ignited his October #Natitude Posted: September 16, 2012 at 09:57 AM (#4237133)

Even worse yet, Marietta Marvin is going to be the damn home plate umpire tonight. If MLB had a commissioner with even half a pair of cojones he'd pull that POS out of tonight's game and replace him with someone else.

31. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: September 16, 2012 at 10:13 AM (#4237142)

Everyone's in it, which is just kind of lame to me personally. YMMV, obviously.

But, in terms of maximum excitement for maximum fans, it's awesome.

I love the chaos.

32. Lassus Posted: September 16, 2012 at 10:26 AM (#4237152)

But, in terms of maximum excitement for maximum fans, it's awesome.

Well, I admit subjectivity more than others might; but my opinion is that is breadth sacrificing depth. It's no crime or anything, but I personally really don't like it.

33. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: September 16, 2012 at 10:33 AM (#4237155)

Well, I admit subjectivity more than others might; but my opinion is that is breadth sacrificing depth. It's no crime or anything, but I personally really don't like it.

In an aesthetic, perfect ideal, way, I agree with you. In an ideal world, I'd rather have two 16 team leagues, with the World Series as the only playoff.

But that ship has so far sailed, that it's not worth worrying about. If you're gonna have 30 teams, and 8+ playoff teams, I think this system is pretty close to the best you can do.

The only improvement I can see is flexible scheduling, so the WC teams get zero days off before the DSs. i.e. if there are no ties to resolve, season ends Sunday, play-in games Monday, DSs start Tues.

34. musial6 Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:08 PM (#4237224)

the human element

35. Robert in Manhattan Beach Posted: September 16, 2012 at 01:04 PM (#4237259)

I enjoyed the fact that espn was listing the Padres in the Wild Card standings on their scroll all day yesterday. That's one optimistic Pads fan working over there.

36. Dr. Vaux Posted: September 16, 2012 at 01:27 PM (#4237274)

I think this system is pretty close to the best you can do.

It would be much better if the two wild cards played a best-of-three, because then at least it wouldn't all ride on one game.

37. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 01:38 PM (#4237277)

It would be much better if the two wild cards played a best-of-three, because then at least it wouldn't all ride on one game.

The point of the play in though is to add value to NOT being the wild card team. Adding a playoff 'round' for the wild card team is not helping to fix that situation.

From an owners point of view, the guarantee of the team winning the division and having a multi-game playoff is worth an extra mil or two incentive to produce a better team(especially around the trade deadline) From a fan point of view, any incentive that can make the owners try harder to improve the team is a good thing.

38. cercopithecus aethiops Posted: September 16, 2012 at 01:47 PM (#4237285)

Also, how weird is it that I got STL-LA in San Jose, instead of OAK-BAL? I'm not complaining, but that's gotta suck for Oakland fans in the bay area.

San Jose is Giants' territory, dude.

39. esseff Posted: September 16, 2012 at 01:49 PM (#4237286)

Is it possible in the photo in #34 that Descalso's glove is in front of -- and not in contact with -- Gordon?

40. cercopithecus aethiops Posted: September 16, 2012 at 01:50 PM (#4237287)

Adding a playoff 'round' for the wild card team is not helping to fix that situation.

I dunno, I think you could probably make the wild-card series onerous enough to keep the incentive while taking at least some of the randomness out of it. Play a double-header at the team with the better record, then play in the other park the next day unless somebody sweeps. I'm pretty sure teams would be motivated to avoid that.

41. salvomania Posted: September 16, 2012 at 01:55 PM (#4237288)

Is it possible in the photo in #34 that Descalso's glove is in front of -- and not in contact with -- Gordon?

I don't think so---the throw came in a little high and Descalso caught it and snapped the glove down hard, directly onto Gordon.

Wasn't that big of a play though---oh, wait a minute, that out would've ended the game.

42. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 02:03 PM (#4237295)

34. musial6 Posted: September 16, 2012 at 12:08 PM (#4237224)
the human element

I'm pro replay guy, but not sure that any system I would propose would have overturned the call on the field. Two features of replay that most people want is 1. It has to be conclusive 2. it has to be fast....not sure that you could have gotten a conclusive replay fast enough to propose this as an example to add a replay system (note: I'm not saying you are proposing that, just pointing it out)

Is it possible in the photo in #34 that Descalso's glove is in front of -- and not in contact with -- Gordon?

That is what I was thinking, but the video shows it much clearer and he was out.

43. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 02:05 PM (#4237298)

I dunno, I think you could probably make the wild-card series onerous enough to keep the incentive while taking at least some of the randomness out of it. Play a double-header at the team with the better record, then play in the other park the next day unless somebody sweeps. I'm pretty sure teams would be motivated to avoid that.

It's a guarantee of at least one extra game in a year, with a guarantee of the profits from jacked up concessions in a stadium in a celebratory mood. With one play in game, there is no guarantee you get that game.

44. Dock Ellis on Acid

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 02:12 PM (#4237302)

I'm totally digging the second wild card. As far as I'm concerned, playoff baseball has already started.

45. cercopithecus aethiops Posted: September 16, 2012 at 02:18 PM (#4237307)

It's a guarantee of at least one extra game in a year, with a guarantee of the profits from jacked up concessions in a stadium in a celebratory mood. With one play in game, there is no guarantee you get that game.

Guess I didn't realize you were ONLY talking about owners' incentives.

46. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 02:29 PM (#4237318)

Guess I didn't realize you were ONLY talking about owners' incentives.

Not just the owners incentives, but one of the complaints about the previous system, was that teams would just coast into the playoffs because there was no real difference between being a wild card and a division champion. The best way to motivate the team to play to win the division is always going to come from on top(unless you are owned by Rachel Phelps)

It's one of the few times trickle down would actually make sense. The owners had no reason to separate a division from a wild card in their planning(yes they get homefield advantage which results in a possible one extra game at the stadium, but realistically from the owners perspective the team with homefield advantage has less profit opportunities unless it goes until the last game)

47. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 03:11 PM (#4237333)

braun/ramirez go back to back

aramis ramirez is having one heckuva season for a guy 34 years old. defense has been solid. has killed the ball the last 3.5 months. set a career high in steals (7)

this might qualify as his best season but when you look at ramirez' career he has 5-7 seasons that might be termed his best season.

48. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 03:37 PM (#4237349)

another homer for braun

49. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 04:16 PM (#4237361)

8 shutout innings for peralta

standing ovation by brewer fans

50. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 04:35 PM (#4237374)

ax closes it out. brewers have a 5-1 homestand

the moment of truth. a bad road team has ten games away from home.

well fellas, you made it interesting so that's something.

51. Bret Sabermatrician Posted: September 16, 2012 at 04:53 PM (#4237384)

It's a travesty that their season is going to hinge on a single game played against a team that will likely have a greater win deficit compared to them than they themselves will likely have against Washington.
Under the pre-WC system they woulda been sitting at home thinking about what coulda been.

Not necessarily,, they would be 4 back with 16 to play.

52. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 05:12 PM (#4237393)

pedro alvarez with 2 homers and 5 rbi today.

53. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 05:13 PM (#4237394)

whoops

and rizzo with 2 homers and 6 rbi for the cubs

quite the back and forth

54. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 05:26 PM (#4237403)

phllies lost to the astros again? wow

55. cardsfanboy

Posted: September 16, 2012 at 05:32 PM (#4237409)

phllies lost to the astros again? wow

Houston doesn't want to break the 100 loss barrier... I don't think it's possible for them to avoid that.

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

<< Back to main

Saturday, September 15, 2012

NL playoff race: September 15, 2012

Reader Comments and Retorts

BBTF Partner

Bookmarks

Hot Topics