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**** OFFICIAl 2014 MLB PLAYOFF THREAD ****

So Adam Dunn is about to retire after 14 years, he's never played in a postseason game, and he just sat on the bench that entire game. 🙁
 
That was fitting, the A's blowing a big lead late after their meltdown the past 7 weeks. Lester and Samardziya pitched well, but we're left to wonder if Beane's bold moves killed the chemistry of an elite team, partly by crippling its offense. So much for a rotation to match the Tigers arm for arm.

I don't even consider the play-in game a playoff series. Grats to the Royals.
 
Talk about an epic collapse, Oakland had 72 wins on August 9th, was 28 games over .500, went 16-30 since then, and finished just 14 games over .500.

From what I've heard, that's the worst in history for a team that still qualified for the playoffs.
 
Amazing game last night. Still wondering how the A's blew that game up by 3 runs in the 8th. I don't think you can blame the Cespedes trade, the A's simply didn't hit, especially the guys who were hitting earlier in the season. Maybe they just sat on their heels because they figured it was in the bag due to their great pitching. That's why they still play the games.
 
Go Royals. Epic night to be a Royals fan. First time in the playoffs since they won it all in 1985 (29 years). I was 11 and remember watching it while at a 4 H potluck function on some dude's handheld TV. Black and white, but we didn't care.
 
SP33Demon said:
Amazing game last night. Still wondering how the A's blew that game up by 3 runs in the 8th. I don't think you can blame the Cespedes trade, the A's simply didn't hit, especially the guys who were hitting earlier in the season. Maybe they just sat on their heels because they figured it was in the bag due to their great pitching. That's why they still play the games.
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Or maybe teams just figured them out, or they grew cold.

The Tigers had a 27-12 hot start and basically played .500 baseball (or slightly better) since.

It happens.
 
Can't say I'm paying much attention but go Orioles. Dad used to take me to some of their games as a kid so I've always been somewhat partial to them.
 
maddogchen said:
Damn A's!!! What a crappy end to the season
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If the stacked & juiced early 2000s A's couldn't win a pennant (or even a series), it's unlikely the new iteration can get it done. Point being I'm not surprised. 🙁

KLin said:
A's could have used Madison Bumgarner last night.
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Jon Lester had already proven he's a big game pitcher, so I can't hate on him too much for one poor game. As bad as the team tanked the last 7 weeks, Lester was basically the only reason they back-doored into the play-in game (besides the Mariners squandering the final week).

Despite not putting up big OPS numbers matching his talent, Cespedes was probably the A's most dangerous hitter. The value of those sluggers isn't just in their production, but the protection they give to less prolific hitters in front of them.

In hindsight I don't think it was a bad trade, and Beane is bar-none still the best GM in baseball. But when your team has baseball's best record, messing up the formula carries plenty of risk.
 
Hard to concentrate on work today with the O's playing at 5:30.

Every analyst is picking the Tigers to win the series. O's are used to getting no respect. It's their time to win.
 
SP33Demon said:
Amazing game last night. Still wondering how the A's blew that game up by 3 runs in the 8th. I don't think you can blame the Cespedes trade, the A's simply didn't hit, especially the guys who were hitting earlier in the season. Maybe they just sat on their heels because they figured it was in the bag due to their great pitching. That's why they still play the games.
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Perhaps some Cespedes power bombs would have been helpful 😀

Fuck the As. Tried to buy their way into the post season and failed miserably.
 
dabuddha said:
Perhaps some Cespedes power bombs would have been helpful 😀

Fuck the As. Tried to buy their way into the post season and failed miserably.
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Well, the A's were clearly playing above their baseline level for the entire first half. Statistically speaking the whole team was due for regression. And I don't blame them for spending money since making the playoffs has been linked to higher payroll. They gambled and lost.
 
SP33Demon said:
Well, the A's were clearly playing above their baseline level for the entire first half. Statistically speaking the whole team was due for regression. And I don't blame them for spending money since making the playoffs has been linked to higher payroll. They gambled and lost.
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Looking back, you have to really wonder whether Billy B lost his mind with all of his blockbuster trades. They were easily dominating before the trades occurred.
 
dabuddha said:
Looking back, you have to really wonder whether Billy B lost his mind with all of his blockbuster trades. They were easily dominating before the trades occurred.
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Hindsight is 20/20, and still both Lester and Samardziya pitched well in their Oakland stints. Beane knew that Sonny Gray and a bunch of Joes were not going to beat the Tigers in a long series so he pushed all-in on this season.

It didn't work out, primarily because as SP33Demon says, the overrated offense regressed. I've been complaining about the offense since at least a year ago, so trading away your best slugger to acquire a true ace was a high-risk gamble. Like I said, I don't have a problem with that trade, but you have to wonder if it upset the apple cart. More likely, the A's weak sauce hitters just regressed.

You'd hope or expect Lester to pitch a gem in an elimination game, but shit happens in playoff baseball. Look at Clayton Kershaw last year imploding in the final LCS game.
 
manly said:
Hindsight is 20/20, and still both Lester and Samardziya pitched well in their Oakland stints. Beane knew that Sonny Gray and a bunch of Joes were not going to beat the Tigers in a long series so he pushed all-in on this season.

It didn't work out, primarily because as SP33Demon says, the overrated offense regressed. I've been complaining about the offense since at least a year ago, so trading away your best slugger to acquire a true ace was a high-risk gamble. Like I said, I don't have a problem with that trade, but you have to wonder if it upset the apple cart. More likely, the A's weak sauce hitters just regressed.

You'd hope or expect Lester to pitch a gem in an elimination game, but shit happens in playoff baseball. Look at Clayton Kershaw last year imploding in the final LCS game.
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I don't think the A's had any problems with their pitching before the all star break. Especially considering they had the best record in baseball and they were dominating. True they had offense to help out as well but their pitching was pretty top notch. Giving away your power hitter like they did has huge ripple effects throughout your lineup. Changes how pitchers will pitch towards everyone else in the lineup.

hindsight may be 20/20 but I wasn't the only one scratching my head when the A's got rid of Cespedes for a rent-a-pitcher 🙂
 
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