Where is the freakin MLB playoffs thread?

Help!I'maRock! said:
It's a triumph of number crunching over the human spirit! #Astros
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I thought about this and can only partially agree. Yes, the money ball system was artfully crafted and utilized, but that only created and shaped the team. Numbers paled in comparison to the incredible amount of heart and character this team runs on. George Springer is the team spark plug, full of fun, kid like energy. Altuve and Correa are the muscle that have pushed each member to up their performance with preparation and drive. This environment created a very positive, tightly bonded team that overcame setbacks and fueled come from behind wins. Verlander helped push the balance back to where they were before the halfway break.

Sure, much of this can be applied to several teams, but this team's chemistry is something a little more special, and that's all it takes sometimes.
 
Tig said:
I thought about this and can only partially agree. Yes, the money ball system was artfully crafted and utilized, but that only created and shaped the team. Numbers paled in comparison to the incredible amount of heart and character this team runs on. George Springer is the team spark plug, full of fun, kid like energy. Altuve and Correa are the muscle that have pushed each member to up their performance with preparation and drive. This environment created a very positive, tightly bonded team that overcame setbacks and fueled come from behind wins.

Sure, much of this can be applied to several teams, but this team's chemistry is something a little more special, and that's all it takes sometimes.
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Think of it this way. The team made a concerted effort to lose horribly for three seasons, pushing up their draft picks. This is 100% gaming the system, and also 100% the correct way to do things. They beat the top 3, 2, and 1 teams in the league w/r/t payroll, while being ranked 15th, the exact median payroll. Yes, players have to perform. But those players were selected and used based on advanced metrics. If the Astros win isn't the crowning achievement of SABRmetrics, I don't know what is.

Also, I get to use a line from the Simpsons. :tongue:
 
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Help!I'maRock! said:
Think of it this way. The team made a concerted effort to lose horribly for three seasons, pushing up their draft picks. This is 100% gaming the system, and also 100% the correct way to do things. They beat the top 3, 2, and 1 teams in the league w/r/t payroll, while being ranked 15th, the exact median payroll. Yes, players have to perform. But those players were selected and used based on advanced metrics. If the Astros win isn't the crowning achievement of SABRmetrics, I don't know what is.

Also, I get to use a line from the Simpsons. :tongue:
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What's kind of funny is, new algorithms and metrics may be used in this "new" way of doing things but to me it is really a call back to the old way of doing it. Back when you drafted players and developed them instead of buying a starting lineup. But you already know that.

Some of this can also be attributed to a few examples of mis-managing a pitching staff on the Dodgers side. Some bullpen roulette early and last night no way the starter should have been allowed to give up 5 runs. There were clear signs he didn't have it before it got out of hand. And then have to burn one of your short guys to get an out with the bases empty made it worse.

That said, the Astros figured out a way to win. Fun series to watch. As a former pitcher I'm not a fan of the juiced ball but as a former pitcher I don't have to throw it so not that big of a deal.
 
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tiger roach said:
Wow, Hinch letting Morton hit for himself in the 9th.
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I wouldn't exactly call that hitting. More like sight seeing. I liked that Hinch kept him in instead of rolling the dice.

Congrats Houston! And thanks for rubbing the bums nose in the dirt.
 
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Johnny N. said:
What's kind of funny is, new algorithms and metrics may be used in this "new" way of doing things but to me it is really a call back to the old way of doing it. Back when you drafted players and developed them instead of buying a starting lineup. But you already know that.

Some of this can also be attributed to a few examples of mis-managing a pitching staff on the Dodgers side. Some bullpen roulette early and last night no way the starter should have been allowed to give up 5 runs. There were clear signs he didn't have it before it got out of hand. And then have to burn one of your short guys to get an out with the bases empty made it worse.

That said, the Astros figured out a way to win. Fun series to watch. As a former pitcher I'm not a fan of the juiced ball but as a former pitcher I don't have to throw it so not that big of a deal.
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There is a direct line from Branch Rickey, to Bill James and Billy Beane, and to the current Astros management, regarding numbers and evaluation past "the eye test". What's incredible is how many teams have been resistant to it. Regardless, it was a helluva series. Agreed on the juiced ball though.
 
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335clone said:
I wouldn't exactly call that hitting. More like sight seeing. I liked that Hinch kept him in instead of rolling the dice.

Congrats Houston! And thanks for rubbing the bums nose in the dirt.
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Agreed, Hinch had a couple moves like that over the course of the series...like letting Peacock keep going in game 3. He seems to coach as much by feel as by stats, which is a good thing IMO, and seems to be less and less common in today's number-driven game.
 
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shoeless said:
Agreed, Hinch had a couple moves like that over the course of the series...like letting Peacock keep going in game 3. He seems to coach as much by feel as by stats, which is a good thing IMO, and seems to be less and less common in today's number-driven game.
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Yeah, it looked like they were still an NL team in some ways.
 
The Astros bull pen is like a box of chocolates. You never know whatcha' gonna' get from one game to the next. I'm still confused on why they kept Francisco Liriano on the roster.

I remember reading this SI article while waiting for a haircut a few years ago. I knew they already had something special, but thought 2017 might be a bit enthusiastic.
SI_Cover_62614.jpg
 
Help!I'maRock! said:
There is a direct line from Branch Rickey, to Bill James and Billy Beane, and to the current Astros management, regarding numbers and evaluation past "the eye test". What's incredible is how many teams have been resistant to it. Regardless, it was a helluva series. Agreed on the juiced ball though.
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I don't follow it so much any more but Branch Rickey was with the Pirates when I was there, in fact he called me personally to release me. :(

Anyway, he was pretty innovative and at the time still one of the few trying to use the system to develop. This was from the early days of Bonds and Bonilla. Very young team. And I think the answer is, teams that can afford to buy the guns do. Those who can't either have to do like the Marlins and buy a team and sell it off when they are done or draft and develop. Instant gratification gets the best of them I guess.
 
Tig said:
I still throw up a little in my mouth when I see the rainbow uniforms.
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I was fine with them at the time. They haven't aged well though... :tongue:

The practice jerseys from that era still look okay to me:

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I have one of those still, I was going to wear it today but it isn't too comfortable any more. I was a skinnier guy back then. :grin:
 
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Johnny N. said:
I don't follow it so much any more but Branch Rickey was with the Pirates when I was there, in fact he called me personally to release me. :(

Anyway, he was pretty innovative and at the time still one of the few trying to use the system to develop. This was from the early days of Bonds and Bonilla. Very young team. And I think the answer is, teams that can afford to buy the guns do. Those who can't either have to do like the Marlins and buy a team and sell it off when they are done or draft and develop. Instant gratification gets the best of them I guess.
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Problem is, no team has to sell off. There's so much money in the game that every team can afford to draft as well as possible and plug holes with free agents at a much higher level than they do. It's really a matter of whether they want success, or they're happy living off of the MLB welfare system. The Marlins are a prime example of the latter.
 
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