Where's Craig Kimbrel? Not in the game (Oct. Baseball Live Thread)

ESPN ^ | October 8, 2013 | David Schoenfield

[campaignPete R-CT]

Craig Kimbrel is supposedly the heir to Mariano Rivera. In his postseason career as closer, Rivera recorded 27 appearances of 2+ innings.

Uribe bunted two balls foul, ... and then tomahawked a high fastball from David Carpenter into left-field stands for a shocking two-run homer ....

Note that I wrote "David Carpenter" and not "Craig Kimbrel."

The Braves had to win this game. Lose, and they go home. Somehow they lost -- in the late innings, no less -- without using the most dominant relief pitcher in the game.

The sad thing is, Gonzalez apparently didn't even think of using Kimbrel for two innings. "I think six outs isn't something we were even talking about in the dugout," he said after the game.

But what’s the difference between four outs and six outs? Six pitches? Ten pitches? And that doesn’t even factor in that the Dodgers had the 5-6-7 hitters due up in the eighth and the 8-9-1 hitters up in the ninth.

So instead you lost a game with a guy who had a 6.07 ERA last year for the Houston Astros.

... ".. I want the ball." We'll see if Kimbrel confirms that, but even if he didn't say that, his look of disgust, standing there with his hands on his hips, will haunt Braves fans all winter.

This should be covered in Managing 101. ... Who cares if it's the seventh inning or the eighth inning or the ninth. I'd rather lose with Carpenter in the ninth inning or the 10th inning or whenever ...

Look, managing your bullpen in a structured manner in the regular season is one thing.

October is not the regular season.

Fredi Gonzalez didn't think the best reliever in the game can get six outs.

He ended up getting none.

[GOPsterinMA]

Yes, it’s sub 0.50 - incredible.

And to think, he’s the 4th choice as the closer.
1. Hanrahan
2. Bailey
3. Tazawa
$. Uehara

[Impy]

Trouble with the wife?

Figures, dude looks like player.

[GOPsterinMA]

Him and his (HOT) wife separated a few months ago...

[Impy]

How come Tazawa doesn’t have the job? Was he getting lit up?

[GOPsterinMA]

“Was he getting lit up?”

Yes. He’s much better as the 8th inning guy.

[GOPsterinMA]

I figured out how to distract Jim L.: Wave smokes at him.

[Impy]

If it’s back to Boston for game 6 (as I suspect) The SAWX need to make sure smoking is banned in the opposing clubhouse and dugout (as it should be anyway). Jimmy will go nuts and have to switch to that disgusting chew.

[GOPsterinMA]

RE: Tazawa. He had a 6.48 ERA in September and allowed nine home runs in 68.1 innings during the regular season.

[GOPsterinMA]

BOS should break out the big old Marlboro sign they used to have (ironically hanging next to the Jimmy Fund “kids cancer” sign).

Psy ops at its best. Leland will be eating his hat craving butts, throwing off his concentration.

[campaignPete R-CT]

I predict the red sox fail to win the WS this year cuz of Tazawa failure to get out #23.

Tazawa, and Farrell determination to use him, ... that is the fatal weakness of this team.

[Red Steel]

A cigarette on a fishing hook trolling in front of Leyland would give us a laugh. :-)

[Red Steel]

I predict anyone in the Red Sox pitching staff will get an out recorded against #23 in all his plate appearances where there are game tying or GW RBI opportunities.

[GOPsterinMA]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

M u s t . .s m o k e .

It’s actually sad to be so addicted to butts; my father died at 60 from mediatized lung cancer. He was completely addicted to smoking. Gross.

[campaignPete R-CT]

i was referring to out #23 ... the 2nd out in the 8th inning.

For some reason, Uehara is only allowed to get the final 4 outs.

[GOPsterinMA]

Here’s an idea: Have Paul John Maisano pitch the 8th inning.

Paul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John MaisanoPaul John Maisano

[campaignPete R-CT]

Adron Chambers struck out .... Congresswoman Clark! .... Adron Chambers struck out .... Congresswoman Clark! ....Adron Chambers struck out .... Congresswoman Clark! ....Adron Chambers struck out .... Congresswoman Clark! ....Adron Chambers struck out .... Congresswoman Clark! ....Adron Chambers struck out .... Congresswoman Clark! ....Adron Chambers struck out .... Congresswoman Clark! ....Adron Chambers struck out .... Congresswoman Clark! .... Adron Chambers struck out .... Congresswoman Clark! ....Adron Chambers struck out .... Congresswoman Clark! ....Adron Chambers struck out .... Congresswoman Clark! ....Adron Chambers struck out .... Congresswoman Clark! ....Adron Chambers struck out .... Congresswoman Clark! ....Adron Chambers struck out .... Congresswoman Clark! ....

[GOPsterinMA]

I can’t top that; won’t even try.

[Red Steel]

Cabrera - backward K. Looking.

[GOPsterinMA]

If he was playing at 100%, DET could very well have swept the series.

This is the year if BOS is to win it all...best hitter in MLB is ailing, team gelled just right. Also, there’s going to be some potentially major roster turnover as well.

It’s now or who knows when for BOS.

[Mears]

BFL