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Where's Craig Kimbrel? Not in the game (Oct. Baseball Live Thread)
ESPN ^ | October 8, 2013 | David Schoenfield

Posted on 10/08/2013 10:04:36 AM PDT by 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.

(Excerpt) Read more at espn.go.com ...


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: 2013worldseries; alcs; alds; baseball; cardinals; dodgers; mlb; nlds; rays; redsox; tigers; worldseries
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To: campaignPete R-CT

Thanks for the ping! Loving all the games! Hoping Tampa Bay beats the Red Sox’s...but I am doubtful. Too bad about the Tigers last night, they always seem to blow it at the end! But it is still all good, the Cardinals won but they better look out, the Pirates r tough and want it BAD! (Dear God, please don’t let another California team win....lol!!)


21 posted on 10/08/2013 11:56:41 AM PDT by yellowdoghunter (My son said, "You tickled my laugh". Lol!!!)
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To: Mears

Mears, these rookie starters have been impressive. Maybe cuz they are not worn down from a 200+ inning season.

On the other hand, many of the rookie relievers seem to have Calvin_Schiraldi-Syndrome.

STL vs. PITT on THUR ... each team will have a 9-man bullpen, even though it won’t be necessary. WILL FRANCISCO LIRIANO BE AVAILABLE for a few innings out of the pen on Jim_Lonberg_3-day_rest ???


22 posted on 10/08/2013 11:57:28 AM PDT by campaignPete R-CT (WWLD? What would LaRussa do?)
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To: campaignPete R-CT

Doesn’t matter now, the Braves are gonzo.


23 posted on 10/08/2013 12:03:14 PM PDT by darkangel82
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To: Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America
I did not forget about Brian Wilson. He's already the setup man for Jansen. Rodriguez and Belisario were supposed to be 6th-7th inning pitchers but they have become ineffective lately.

Mattingly took a big chance with Kershaw pitching with three days’ rest and Uribe trying to bunt. Fortunately it worked out great for the Dodgers.

24 posted on 10/08/2013 12:42:17 PM PDT by chrisinoc
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To: yellowdoghunter; darkangel82; Impy; GOPsterinMA; dfwgator; NFHale

Fister at 50 pitches thru 2 innings
Tigers have basically announced Scherzer for game 5 so Verlander (117 pitches SAT) today in relief? The A’s use Gray (111 pitches SAT) today in relief? They are going with Colon on THUR?


25 posted on 10/08/2013 2:50:17 PM PDT by campaignPete R-CT (WWLD? What would LaRussa do?)
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To: campaignPete R-CT; yellowdoghunter; darkangel82; Impy; cripplecreek; dfwgator; NFHale

I think OAK wins the series today.


26 posted on 10/08/2013 3:03:06 PM PDT by GOPsterinMA (You're a very weird person, Yossarian.)
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To: GOPsterinMA

Lowrie 2-run HR puts the A’s up 3-0 in the 5th.


27 posted on 10/08/2013 3:24:39 PM PDT by darkangel82
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To: darkangel82

I just saw that. Yep.


28 posted on 10/08/2013 3:25:26 PM PDT by GOPsterinMA (You're a very weird person, Yossarian.)
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To: GOPsterinMA

Fielder gets 1st hit for Detroit, let’s see if anything comes of it.


29 posted on 10/08/2013 3:31:09 PM PDT by darkangel82
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To: darkangel82

Lets. I doubt it though.


30 posted on 10/08/2013 3:31:31 PM PDT by GOPsterinMA (You're a very weird person, Yossarian.)
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To: GOPsterinMA

Well, we got our answer as Peralta puts it in the seats for a 3-run homer. Tie game.


31 posted on 10/08/2013 3:36:23 PM PDT by darkangel82
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To: darkangel82

I missed it, damn. I flipped over to “Triggers” on the Military Channel.


32 posted on 10/08/2013 3:37:16 PM PDT by GOPsterinMA (You're a very weird person, Yossarian.)
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To: GOPsterinMA

The sleeping giant may have finally awoken.


33 posted on 10/08/2013 3:37:49 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: GOPsterinMA

Or not. The only thing the Tigers have really been lacking is the bats. They can wake up without warning.


34 posted on 10/08/2013 3:39:09 PM PDT by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: dfwgator

‘Bout time.


35 posted on 10/08/2013 3:39:18 PM PDT by GOPsterinMA (You're a very weird person, Yossarian.)
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To: dfwgator

We forget what a great defensive player Cabrera is when he’s healthy.


36 posted on 10/08/2013 3:40:34 PM PDT by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: cripplecreek

Interesting move bringing Scherzer in.


37 posted on 10/08/2013 4:00:15 PM PDT by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: GOPsterinMA

Scherzer comes out of the bullpen.


38 posted on 10/08/2013 4:01:46 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: dfwgator

OAK scored again. They’re winning this today.


39 posted on 10/08/2013 4:12:16 PM PDT by GOPsterinMA (You're a very weird person, Yossarian.)
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To: campaignPete R-CT; GOPsterinMA; cripplecreek

Scherzer!! Leyland fail!


40 posted on 10/08/2013 4:13:12 PM PDT by Impy (RED=COMMUNIST, NOT REPUBLICAN)
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