So much to disect in this series...
Our starters were shaky all season due to injuries...i.e. Miller, Logan, George, and even Woo at the end...
But they stepped up to the moment....how about Miller with a solid 5 innings.
George went out there twice mano y mano vs. the Cy Young Skubal. Skubal is a GREAT pitcher. Wow. What a warrior.
How about "the ROCK" Castillo. Many of us wanted him off the playoff roster and he just proved us WRONG x1000.
He was the solid, veteran, steady leader when he stepped on the mound.
Bullpen. Except for game 4 everyone knows their rolls now and performed.
Bazardo is no joke. That kid! Keeps surprising me every time out. All heart.
Whoever realized that the Detroit lineup is limp without fast balls! Man give them a raise.
The strategy was brillant. Slider after sinker after breaking pitch. Keeping the ball down. It only took 15 innings but it worked!
Hopefully Speier will rebound. Nice to see Munoz not impload on national television. He pitched two innings a couple of times too.
Offense: has been our issue ALL SEASON.
We just go thru these periods of unexplainable starvation.
Everyone trying to hit a home run and striking out on breaking pitches down and away.
Crazy time I tell you.
Until extra innings and all of the sudden they want to play small ball but cannot put a bunt down to save their lives!
Polanco and Naylor are my MVPs of the series.
Without Polanco's two home runs, and Naylors just annoying and beautiful tenacity, we don't get a shot.
Intangibles: How about Rivas on his birthday keeping our season alive.
How about the Seattle crowd hanging in there on their feet for 15 innings straight.
How about the umpires for the most part calling fair games.
I did not bitch as much as usual on calls this series. They did a great job except for the 3rd base umpire in Detroit. What a tool.
Where the hell was Arrozarena in this series. He has the reputation of being "Mr. Playoffs" in baseball.
Extremely disappointed with him. Maybe he'll show up in Toronto???
Geno too has some of the worst at bats I've ever seen. Just hacking away up there with no thought process at all.
Coaching: Pitching A plus plus
Dan for his first playoffs overall made the right calls. His guys just didn't execute in those moments.
I think he went too many times to the well with Garver imho. He's still a black hole in any lineup.
Questions?
Who starts for us game one vs. the Blue Birds???
Will we see more of Rivas / Canzone vs. Garver at DH???
Will we play more "small ball" vs. all the warning track fly balls???
Will this 15 inning marathon really hamper us in a seven game series???
Whatever the outcome it's been great. There is NOTHING like baseball in October. Please God let us get to the show one in my lifetime!
