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Sunday, October 23, 2022

Phillies win NLCS 2022

Congrats to Phillies fans! What a HUGE homer by Harper! The 9th-inning Padres bunt, however, was not prudent.

jimfurtado Posted: October 23, 2022 at 06:17 PM | 27 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: bryce harper, bunting, phillies, world series

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1. The Duke Posted: October 23, 2022 at 07:21 PM (#6102236)

Phillies win!!!!! I have to say I'm excited for them. They beat us silly and continue to do the same to everyone else

2. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: October 23, 2022 at 07:38 PM (#6102238)

I must admit, they weren't really even on my radar until near the end of the season with both the Mets and Braves fighting it out, but wow they look potent now. 9-2 so far in the playoffs and they are fun to watch.

I usually go for the AL team in the series, however in this case I'll be fully behind the Phillies in their fight to vanquish whatever evil emerges from the pits of the ALCS(jokes aside, I'm not really an Astro hater, but fall firmly in the anyone but NY camp)

3. Walt Davis Posted: October 23, 2022 at 09:31 PM (#6102249)

I didn't see the game, was it a straight sac or was he trying for a hit (or to beat the shift)? Grisham's had a tough year but this year he was much better vs LHP and even for his career he has a slight platoon split. And is Austin Nola really a guy you want to rely on for a big hit?

4. What did Billy Ripken have against ElRoy Face? Posted: October 23, 2022 at 09:39 PM (#6102251)

Yay, we have a third-place team competing for the “championship.”

5. John Reynard Posted: October 23, 2022 at 09:42 PM (#6102252)

Its amazing what a trio of hot pitchers (Wheeler, Nola, Suarez) and a HR-oriented offense can do in a bunch of short series. I mean, there are other things about the team which made them make the playoffs at all. But, they also have the "lets collect worst fielders at their position" aspect on defense too.

I kind of felt the destiny thing a bit when Realmuto got the inside-the-park HR though. Sadly the Astros look really tough in the WS. But, maybe they'll win four 2-1 games or whatever and eke it out.

6. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: October 23, 2022 at 10:01 PM (#6102255)

I believe Wheeler has the most bWAR in baseball since the Mets let him walk a few years ago. (At least, it was true a couple of months ago when I looked it up). I understand why they did it but that one definitely hurts.

7. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: October 23, 2022 at 10:03 PM (#6102256)

I'm OK with this. I think Harper has been unfairly villainized over the years, so it's nice to see him get a shot at a ring while producing like the star he was hyped to be.

Much love for Kyle Schwarber, too, obviously, so I'd like to see him get another ring.

I didn't pay much attention to baseball this season, but my sense was the Phillies were kind of underperforming most of the season, so it's surprising to see them look like juggernauts right now. Hot streaks are everything in October, I guess.

8. Baldrick Posted: October 23, 2022 at 10:34 PM (#6102264)

I didn't see the game, was it a straight sac or was he trying for a hit (or to beat the shift)? Grisham's had a tough year but this year he was much better vs LHP and even for his career he has a slight platoon split. And is Austin Nola really a guy you want to rely on for a big hit?

The conditions were miserable (no way they would have still been playing if it was a random game in August), so I think it was 'force 'em to make a play and hey worst case I get credit for doing a sacrifice' sort of thing. Total madness though, since giving up an out is extremely damaging and even a successful bunt-for-a-hit doesn't improve your odds all that much.

9. Walt Davis Posted: October 23, 2022 at 10:36 PM (#6102266)

The NLE was just weird. The Mets got off to that blistering 35-17 start and 10.5-game lead on June 1. From that point, the Mets put up an extremely respectable 66-44 but the Braves put up a crazy 77-34, overshadowing the Phils who were nearly as good as the Mets at 65-46. (Conveniently enough, Girardi was fired after the June 1 game.) Obviously those early games count but the Phils played like a 95-win team for 2/3 of the season so maybe it's not so surprising they are doing well now. It probably didn't hurt that the Padres took out the Mets and Dodgers for them.

10. John Reynard Posted: October 24, 2022 at 03:23 AM (#6102290)

I didn't pay much attention to baseball this season, but my sense was the Phillies were kind of underperforming most of the season, so it's surprising to see them look like juggernauts right now. Hot streaks are everything in October, I guess.

They had a terrible start under Girardi and were actually among the best teams in baseball after firing him. They did have a few slumps mixed in after then too. But, they were actually quite good once they stopped Girardi from playing aged scrubs over guys who might be part (and are now) of the next winning team.

11. John Reynard Posted: October 24, 2022 at 03:26 AM (#6102291)

I didn't see the game, was it a straight sac or was he trying for a hit (or to beat the shift)? Grisham's had a tough year but this year he was much better vs LHP and even for his career he has a slight platoon split. And is Austin Nola really a guy you want to rely on for a big hit?

Having watched the play live and on multiple angles since, along with hearing what Grisham said post game, I'm going with "he was trying to push the bunt up towards Hoskins and then beat him to the bag." He just had the bad luck that Ranger Suarez is actually the Phillies best infielder (I'm only saying that half jokingly, he's really good coming off the mound).

I'll agree with Baldrick that the wet grass probably inspired it too. I'll disagree with him that a bunt hit doesn't change the odds much. Bases loaded 1 out is much better than 1st and 2nd 1 out.....you just need a sac fly to tie.

12. Dingbat_Charlie

Posted: October 24, 2022 at 12:55 PM (#6102352)

Harper might have won a consecutive NL MVP if not for the broken thumb he suffered on a HBP in June. He was hitting .318/.381/.599 at the time. He returned in late August but didn't really get it going until the playoffs started. He's also playing through a torn elbow ligament.

13. dave h Posted: October 24, 2022 at 01:54 PM (#6102363)

With the bunt, there's also a chance the ball is thrown into RF and they tie/win the game right then.

14. reech Posted: October 24, 2022 at 02:11 PM (#6102368)

Not a Phillies fan, but looking forward to seeing Bryce on the big stage.

15. Jay Z Posted: October 24, 2022 at 02:16 PM (#6102371)

Why is MLB not re-seeding with this format? It's dumb that the Phillies, with the worst record, didn't play the Dodgers, with the best.

16. The Yankee Clapper Posted: October 24, 2022 at 02:57 PM (#6102379)

I think Harper has been unfairly villainized over the years so it's nice to see him get a shot at a ring while producing like the star he was hyped to be.

Agreed. Not sure what his imagined offense was, other than being very good while very young - that seems to rub some people the wrong way.

17. John Reynard Posted: October 24, 2022 at 04:15 PM (#6102399)

Agreed. Not sure what his imagined offense was, other than being very good while very young - that seems to rub some people the wrong way.

He wasn't sufficiently deferential when breaking into the league. Wasn't there a game early on where he got HBP by Cole Hamels and then stole home later in the inning?

I don't object to that stuff. But, some people do.

And yes, yes there was:

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/bryce-harper-steals-home-first-time-for-teenager-since-64/

18. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: October 24, 2022 at 05:27 PM (#6102412)

He also had the dumb Jimmy Neutron hairstyle at the time, which tends to create the aura of an insufferable prick, even if that isn't accurate.

I seem to recall a handful of minor incidents his first couple years in the league, but even as someone who rarely needs an excuse to dislike someone, I could never find it in me to do so. A highly touted athlete who's still a couple years from legal drinking age should probably be expected to have some arrogant tendencies. Regardless, age and time in the league seem to have tamped down any of that. I personally find him pretty easy to root for.

19. McCoy Posted: October 24, 2022 at 05:29 PM (#6102414)

Eye black

20. Howie Menckel Posted: October 24, 2022 at 05:49 PM (#6102419)

It probably didn't hurt that the Padres took out the Mets and Dodgers for them.

it definitely didn't hurt that the Phillies, in position to avoid the Mets/Dodgers side of the draw, just happened to lose their last 2 games to ensure the 6 seed and land on a much preferable path.

the Mets kicked sand on the Phillies all season, winning 14 of their 19 meetings.
if I were the Phillies, I'd have done the same thing.

21. cardsfanboy

Posted: October 24, 2022 at 05:57 PM (#6102422)

Having Boras as you agent also doesn't help bring people to like you. (Not a good reason to dislike someone, but it's a middling reason people do probably dislike him)

22. cHiEf iMpaCt oFfiCEr JE

Posted: October 24, 2022 at 05:58 PM (#6102423)

Going forward it seems likely that more clubs in the wildcard chase will prefer the sixth seed over the fifth and play accordingly.

23. It's regretful that PASTE was able to get out Posted: October 24, 2022 at 06:44 PM (#6102437)

I wouldn't get too worked up about that. In another couple of years it'll be 16 teams in the playoffs.

October is an exhilarating month now, but I don't think the tradeoff of the 162 game season being almost entirely irrelevant is worth the one-month adrenaline shot. Especially since we used to get all the same drama in September. We called it a "pennant race."

24. i don't vibrate on the frequency of the 57i66135 Posted: October 26, 2022 at 11:12 AM (#6102682)

I wouldn't get too worked up about that. In another couple of years it'll be 16 teams in the playoffs.

why stop at 16? the NBA is up to 20.

25. i don't vibrate on the frequency of the 57i66135 Posted: October 26, 2022 at 11:13 AM (#6102683)

Phillies fans gave Alec Bohm an ovation after making a routine play at third

He made two errors right before this play. pic.twitter.com/YmsQpSsV2Q

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 11, 2022

ALEC BOHM IS A LEGEND FOR THIS. pic.twitter.com/DIFIpGM8GX

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) October 23, 2022

26. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: October 26, 2022 at 11:30 AM (#6102685)

October is an exhilarating month now, but I don't think the tradeoff of the 162 game season being almost entirely irrelevant is worth the one-month adrenaline shot. Especially since we used to get all the same drama in September. We called it a "pennant race."

If you define a "pennant race" as one involving two teams with at least a 40% chance of winning with two weeks remaining in the season, there were actually relatively few pennant races in the pre-division era, and even fewer that had more than two teams with a roughly equal chance.

27. Misirlou cut his hair and moved to Rome Posted: October 26, 2022 at 02:53 PM (#6102709)

If you define a "pennant race" as one involving two teams with at least a 40% chance of winning with two weeks remaining in the season, there were actually relatively few pennant races in the pre-division era, and even fewer that had more than two teams with a roughly equal chance.

Depends on your definition of relatively few. In the 10 years prior to the split into divisions, you had:

1967 AL 4 teams
1966 NL 3 teams
1965 NL
1964 AL 3 teams
1964 NL 3 teams
1963 NL*
1962 NL
1959 NL 3 teams

*The Dodgers won by 6, but after game 151, they led the Cardinals by only 1.

8 out of 20 league-seasons, and 5 of them involved 3 or more teams. Now maybe the 60's were an anomaly, but 40% does not strike me as relatively few.

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Phillies win NLCS 2022

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