The (REALLY) biggest game of the season Game Thread 10/10/25

[Donn Beach]

I think that was the issue yesterday with the BP. Its probably going to come down to the BP bouncing back

the bullpen

Mariners: This is where things will get awfully interesting, not just for how taxed that group has been -- but more so, for how hard they were hit in Game 4. It was perhaps a byproduct of familiarity this deep in a series, but also the middle-middle pitches that the Tigers pounced on, the types of offerings that could be a correlation to extended usage. Speier had been the “X” factor of the series in Games 1-2 but was tagged for the go-ahead runs in Game 3. Andrés Muñoz pitched in each of the first three games but didn’t in Game 4 because it was well out of reach. All hands will be on deck, and look for Wilson to be extremely aggressive, potentially early.

[DanielVogelbach]

I hope Castillo gets the start. Kirby's due for a major meltdown.

Not by his last showing. They pitch so much better at home it's crazy. Everyone in the pen, including Walter. Plan of attack is simple. Swing early. Can't wait around for him to walk you gotta be aggressive. Take the Jays formula for success, quit trying to live by the long ball & just hit it hard. Contact is the name of the game. How often does the team with the most HRs win it all, not often, case in point NY last night. We all know it's hard to hit long balls at home so try a different approach. How are these guys not adjusting when you have one of the best hitters in the game in your own dugout. Keep telling us we can't beat him 4x, give us more ammunition. Come in to this game more prepared, more disciplined. That crowd & energy is gonna be electric. Every pitch counts, every at bat, every swing. Gotta love the underdog here. We all saw what happened in the first 2 games, this team should of scored twice that's it. Depending who's calling balls & strikes plays a factor too. My plan is simple.

Kirby - 3 innings

Castillo - 3 innings

Gilbert - 1 inning

Brash & Munoz to finish it off.

These guys only get a couple cracks each at this lineup. Kirby had 1 walk his last outing. That's the other thing. No free passes either. Do not get to a 3 ball count ever. Make them swing, work the corners. Cals gotta have his best game behind the plate. Get on base, do not wait around, take 2nd all day. I'm playing small ball all day against Skubal. That 3rd basemans's playing back I'm dropping down a bunt & hustling to first. Can't expect to take a ton of walks against Skubal either. if he comes inside lean into it. If I'm Cal I'm having a players only meeting. This team has shown what their capable of. They can win on any day of the week. Also if Skubals giving that outside corner take it the other way all day, do not try to pull it. That is so crucial. Last time we left a grand total of 5 guys on base & struck out 10x, let's cut both of those & half & I think we stand a good chance of winning. 10 or more strikeouts no chance, less then 10, I like our odds.

Great hitters don't just "swing early". Great hitters are ready to hit the first pitch. But, I know what you're saying. Don't stand up there and watch strike one go right by.

[DanielVogelbach]

This is Kirby's big moment. He was looking pretty darn good last time out.

I have no idea what's going to happen in this game.

[Donn Beach]

think they tend to know when to swing at a first pitch...Cal Raleigh swinging at a first pitch .427/ .440/ 1.110/ 1.550 ...Julio Rodriquez .376/ .386 /.696/ 1.082 ...Jorge Polanco .319 /.320/ .723 /1.043

[DanielVogelbach]

think they tend to know when to swing at a first pitch...Cal Raleigh swinging at a first pitch .427/ .440/ 1.110/ 1.550 ...Julio Rodriquez .376/ .386 /.696/ 1.082 ...Jorge Polanco .319 /.320/ .723 /1.043

Seems like a garbage stat, because it's not accounting for when you watch strike one go right down the middle. I'm not saying those guys aren't good hitters, though.

[Donn Beach]

think they tend to know when to swing at a first pitch...Cal Raleigh swinging at a first pitch .427/ .440/ 1.110/ 1.550 ...Julio Rodriquez .376/ .386 /.696/ 1.082 ...Jorge Polanco .319 /.320/ .723 /1.043

Seems like a garbage stat, because it's not accounting for when you watch strike one go right down the middle. I'm not saying those guys aren't good hitters, though.

as garbage as it might be I would infer Julio isn't watching too many strikes go by...376/ .386 /.696/ 1.082

[DanielVogelbach]

as garbage as it might be I would infer Julio isn't watching too many strikes go by...376/ .386 /.696/ 1.082

The stat don't tell you that tho. If I get 500 first pitch strikes down the middle and I swing at only 10% of them I can still put up those same numbers.

[Donn Beach]

as garbage as it might be I would infer Julio isn't watching too many strikes go by...376/ .386 /.696/ 1.082

The stat don't tell you that tho. If I get 500 first pitch strikes down the middle and I swing at only 10% of them I can still put up those same numbers.

he is hitting .376 with a .696 slugging swinging at a first pitch, how much more do you expect from him?

[DanielVogelbach]

he is hitting .376 with a .696 slugging swinging at a first pitch, how much more do you expect from him?

All I'm saying is those stats tell you absolutely zero about his propensity for swinging at the first pitch or how often he lets a good one go right down the middle for strike 1. I'm not saying anything in particular about Julio.

[Donn Beach]

he is hitting .376 with a .696 slugging swinging at a first pitch, how much more do you expect from him?

All I'm saying is those stats tell you absolutely zero about his propensity for swinging at the first pitch or how often he lets a good one go right down the middle for strike 1. I'm not saying anything in particular about Julio.

it would imply his decision to swing or not is pretty sound. Julio is an aggressive hitter. The complaint tends to be he needs to be more patient, but I would say he is pretty successful when he decides to swing at a first pitch