Game 1 To The Good Guys!

 

I am going to start in the 9^th inning because it was a curious decision by Kevin Cash to leave Curtiss out there or possibly even to start him in the 9^th.  Curtiss had a 1.80 ERA this year in 25 IP he struck out 25, so he was sharp this year, but it was obvious after 2 batters he was struggling mightily with his control and the announcers were saying they couldn’t bring in their normal bullpen they do when they have a lead because of the no rest in between games and the possible 5 straight games.   Here is where I think this is a mistake.  I could see us not using Chapman or Britton down by a run if we had Loaisiga or Ottavino who have been very sharp.  But, when they didn’t have it and it is still a one-run game, I want to keep it there.  You don’t know what will be needed tomorrow and a one-run game is within reach.  Even if you still didn’t want to go with your best, I would not have left him out there when he had no control and not much bite.  Cash left him in against Judge and while Judge just stood there for 4 pitches, it could be argued the count could have been 3-1 instead of Judge walking back to the dugout without swinging.  Even in those strikes, Curtiss, was missing his spots.  The final pitch was a good pitchers pitch with a slider low and away just barely out of the strike zone.  Curtiss then on a 1-2 pitch threw a spinner that was high and out of the strike zone but Hicks jumped on it for a single giving us another run and giving us a large 2 run lead now.  He stuck with Curtiss still with only one out and then he walked Tyler Wade.  There is no chance he sees another batter, but fortunately, he did as he threw a slider that was perfect height and a little outside on the plate and Stanton crushed it for a game over Grand slam.  Stanton has been criticized, but he is a difference-maker when on.  He has now hit a HR in each of our postseason games this year.

Now my summary of the game:

•        First, I like the “5” straight games of playing as it better shows who has the better team, not just who has the better postseason team.  I like that you need to use a 4^th starter or really tax your 1^st starter, I like that you can’t just have your best pitchers only pitch those leveraged spots.   It is more like the regular season but obviously more important.
•        I had sent out some texts before the game as I did not want Gardner to start the game.  I was OK with Sanchez DH’ing (he has good numbers against Snell) and Stanton playing left or just start Frazier in LF and that is what Boone chose.  Frazier jumped on a high fastball and tomahawked a HR and also struck out with the bases loaded and 2 outs.  Overall, good job Clint and Boone!
•        Cole simply struggled with his secondary pitches.  He normally has a great curveball and a slider that moves away from righties that is not as sharp as his curve and a change he runs away from lefties.  His control of all of them was really poor.  He spun many (at least 5) curves that never dropped to the strike zone (think of the single Hicks had in the 9^th) and had a bunch land in the middle of the K zone as well.  His slider was not used much, but he only had one very effective one that I saw.  I don’t think his change was thrown for a strike all game, but he didn’t throw many.  That gave Tampa the opportunity to sit on his fastball which has life and got up to 100 on one two-strike pitch (he hit 99 a few times as well).  The time she threw a sharp breaking ball, even in the strike zone it was effective and when he cornered it, he struck some people out.  He got more control as the game went on which helped but he clearly didn’t have the feel all day.  An example of why the secondary pitches are so important can be shown in the Frazier AB’s.  In his first AB, he was sitting FB and jumped on a high one for a HR.  Predictably, his next AB he saw breaking balls and when Snell did give him a FB which was easier to hit than the HR, Frazier was late on it.  Just knowing the slower pitch can be thrown and thrown in a good spot makes it harder to hit the FB, especially with 2 strikes when you run a higher risk to guess.
•        BTW, it is interesting that the games are all in warmer weather sites.  I never liked that baseball is played in the heat of the summer and then the most important games are played in the cold of October/November.  So I like this, but the hard throwers have an advantage pitching in the cold in my opinion as hitting in the cold is not as easy (getting jammed stinks) and in pitching, the feel pitches (softer stuff) are harder to throw effectively
•       Great start of the game with a 9 pitch AB by DJ and then lines one up the middle for a single.
•        Judge ripped a homer on an inside breaking ball, but has not been driving the ball to RF with authority.  He needs to step it up as we need his bat.  I know it is hard to criticize a guy who homered but he is not as sharp as he can be.
•       In Judge’s AB with DJ on 2^nd base he dribbled one in between the 3^rd baseline and the pitcher, Snell got it and fired to 1B and guess what?  He didn’t stretch toward the throw and almost missed the ball as Judge was getting there at the same time.  Not only could have he hurt his arm, Judge could have been safe.  Tampa got a break there, but one day someone will read this blog and 1B everywhere will change how they take that throw (Maybe I should try the Yankees first so we have an advantage?)
•        I have said this before but Torres at SS is shaky.  Combined with Luke at 1B and when Sanchez catches and that leads to some of our poor defensive showings.  Luckily the rest are solid and Gio has been spectacular!
•     Luke missed a few very hittable pitches.  His foot is bad, but I would keep him out there as we don’t have better options and he has hit enough to overcome his defense
•        Great game by Higgy!  I am so much more comfortable with him than Sanchez.  He blocked many very easily and with our guys it is important.  He also had an excellent game at the plate, going 2-4 with a walk and a HR!   He needs to make sure his front sliding foot touches home plate next time as it could have mattered if the play was closer.  He got around 3^rd pretty well for a catcher (in the 9^th)
•        Green, Britton and Cessa each pitched a hitless inning but walked one guy.  Nice work!

·         Tonight we start a 21 year old, which will be the youngest postseason starter in our history.  He reminds people of Pedro with a little less top end on his fastball.  BTW, did anyone see Pedro before the game?  I am not sure if he was sick so I am not trying to be insensitive, but he looks like he ate Pedro Martinez, his neck looked wider than his head.