Manic MLB Playoffs Monday

I made the executive decision to basically do the MLB Playoffs like I did with the Brewers this season. Meaning the previews will be the same, highlights and lowlights will show up plus some recaps and bigger pieces. Hope you enjoy. 

There are certain days where there is absolutely nothing better than postseason baseball.  Four games in a day will not happen again for the rest of October, but the last time featured four instant classics to pull everyone fully in the playoffs. Every playoff season is different, but when there are consistently good games with storylines in all playoff series, everyone goes all in. It is hard to figure out which game deserves the most words, but we will try our best.

Tampa Bay 5 Boston 4 - It seemed like the same old story for Tampa Ray on Monday evening. They gave up their first two runs on an error and a wild pitch then David Ortiz hit the ball right where the shift was not to give the Red Sox a three-run lead. Clay Buchholz looked like boxer on the ropes for most of the middle innings. He keep wavering back and forth yet Tampa Bay could not deliver the knockout blow. That was until Evan Longoria in the fifth inning blasting a three-run homer to tie up the ball game. Longoria keeps his reputation of being one of the more clutch players in Major League Baseball.

The game moved into the bottom eighth still knotted up with some missed opportunities in the meanwhile until Boston decided to puke all over their shoes on defense allowing Delmon Young to score on a groundout in the Red Sox's second miscommunication on defense in one half inning. The Rays had a chance to steal one away from Boston and get another chance to find their way back to Fenway for a Game 5 where anything can happen.

Fernando Rodney entered the game, and the Rays bullpen has been somewhat of a concern for the team. Rodney walked the first batter and Jacoby Ellsbury hit a cue shot into left field putting the first two runners on and after Shane Victorino bunted them over, Dustin Pedroia had another productive out to tie this ball game up. But as they have done all year, the Rays refused to quit on this season. After two quick outs by stud closer Koji Uehara, Jose Lobaton stepped to the plate as a pinch-hitter for the pitcher after Tampa gave up their DH to let Matt Joyce play in the outfield. Lobaton blasted the pitch into the Rays tank to keep Tampa Bay's season alive.

Tampa Bay lives to fight another night this evening at The Trop. Jake Peavy imposed his will when pitching there and against the Rays. He will need to be great and Tampa Bay sends Jeremy Hellickson to the mound. It is important Tampa keeps the good vibes going early on and try to get to Peavy as quick as they can in this one.

Los Angeles 4 Atlanta 3 - If you follow the right people on Twitter's baseball version, the consensus is bunting should only happen in very unique situations. Los Angeles had a last gasp before facing Craig Kimbrel as they trailed 3-2 in the eighth inning. Yasiel Puig led off the inning with a double when Atlanta was playing 'no doubles' defenses. Juan Uribe, one of the more forgotten clutch playoff hitters, was set up to bunt the baseball to move Puig to third base.  It almost looked like Uribe tried to screw up the bunt attempt because the count quickly went to 0-2. Uribe saw a couple more pitches before getting a hanger that he drove to Fresno. Kenley Jensen struck out the side in the ninth and it was blouses for Atlanta.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez will get questions until March 2014 about why he did not bring Craig Kimbrel into the game when David Carpenter found himself in trouble after giving up the double to Puig. Kimbrel never pitched two innings for a save, but we need to not look at it from a save perspective rather having the best pitcher out there in the situation that presents itself.  Kimbrel had not pitched as much as he did during the regular season. There is no reason why he should not be out there.

Los Angeles sent Clayton Kershaw on three days rest and he did pretty well for doing it for the first time. Kershaw's runs were unearned and he only gave up three hits in six innings.  He will be headed back out there for Game 2 of the NLCS against either St. Louis and Pittsburgh.  The Dodgers sure as hell know how to celebrate too. Yazzy broke a TBS camera and Dee Gordon does a perfect Terrio (H/T Arash Markazi). I realize this is a money-made team, but I love them, I give the big Jay Cutler DOOOOOOOOON'T CAAAAAAREE



St. Louis 2 Pittsburgh 1- Who is Michael Wacha?  He is only the newest St. Louis Cardinals stud starting pitcher. He is a 23-yard old whose had his last two starts have him take a no-hitter into the ninth and eighth inning respectively. Wacha was a compensation from Los Angeles Angels for Albert Pujols so if Halo fans do not have enough to bitch about, add this one to the list. Wacha dominated the Pirates minus one batter and forces a Game 5 back to Busch Stadium.

As a fan of a rival team, it is tough to see St. Louis keep producing pitchers like they do, but dammit if you do not respect it. They figure out a way to make these pitchers into great players in their minor leagues and just wish the Brewers could know their secrets. Wacha looks like St. Louis' second-best pitcher in their rotation at least from first glance. Joe Kelly would have more experienced, but with Shelby Miller gassed and Lance Lynn looking that way too, Wacha might be the second or third option for manager Mike Matheny.

The Pirates have to head back to St. Louis facing Adam Wainwright and sending their young pitcher Gerrit Cole to the mound. It is important the Pirates avoid giving Wainwright any cushion, but he can go forever with the rubber arm he seems to have especially in big games. If it is a 1-0 game, Wainwright could go nine if they need him. Pittsburgh needs to play loose and if somehow they can put a run on the board early, the dream could continue for the Buccos.

Oakland 6 Detroit 3 - I find this one maybe the most surprising result of the day. Oakland headed to chilly Detroit and brought the lumber the Raider defense possessed in Oaktown late Sunday night. Brandon Moss, Seth Smith and Josh Reddick all sent balls out of Comercia Park against Anibal Sanchez. This is something that rarely if ever happens to Sanchez.

Anibal Sanchez allowed 4 homers in Detroit all year. He has allowed 3 today.
— Neal Kendrick (@funbaseballfact) October 7, 2013

Oakland held on to the lead with a great start from Jarrod Parker who struggled here last year giving up seven runs and their bullpen kept it tight including a great save from Grant Balfour which included a near dust-up with Victor Martinez. Why these two went at it is beyond me, but it was awesome to see tempers flare. It was almost like you knew this day would be awesome if fights were happening in game one of four.

Parker's start speaks to the maturity of this Oakland team. They are more polished than they were last season and it seems like they are more than willing to take the next step. The ball is in Dan Straliy's hands for his first ever playoff start facing off against Doug Fister who dominated the postseason in 2012 posting a 1.40 ERA in three starts. It should be a good one in the D.

If anyone tells you baseball is dying, show them the highlights from this 12 hour marathon, and tell them to shut up.

Charlie.