There have been 12 games played in this 2014 MLB postseason. Seven were decided by one run. Four went to extra innings (with one taking ‘extra’ to a new level). Not a bad start at all…unless you root for the Nationals, Tigers or Angels.
Regardless, we have plenty to debate over and even more to discuss.
1. Matt Williams showed us a lesson in over-managing
When Denard Span hauled in a Gregor Blanco fly ball for the second out in the top of the ninth Saturday, it marked the 20th consecutive batter retired by Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann.
It was also further proof that Zimmermann, who was coming off a no-hitter last Sunday, was on cruise control—poised to even this NLDS at a game apiece heading to San Francisco.
Zimmermann would then allow Joe Panik to lace a ball to the foul side of the right field pole. The Giant second baseman was able to work a walk—albeit with the help of a compressed strike zone. Whether it was the hard foul ball or the base on balls or the fact that he had passed 100 pitches, Williams chose to yank Zimmermann in favor of closer Drew Storen. He also helped turn this game from a masterpiece into a marathon.
Williams: Plan was Storen in if Zimmermann gave up a base runner. “That’s what we’ve done all year. … He wasn’t going to face Posey.”
— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) October 5, 2014
Storen promptly allowed hits to Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval—and only a great Bryce Harper-to-Ian Desmond-to-Wilson Ramos relay prevented the go-ahead run from crossing the plate.
To extra innings they went, and into the record books they eventually would go. Zeros piled up and frustration mounted. That was best exemplified by Williams and Asdrubal Cabrera getting tossed in the last of the 10th for arguing balls and strikes with umpire Vic Carapazza and his moving target.
The Giants finally broke through in the 18th with a Brandon Belt homer—the deciding blow in what would become the longest game in postseason history.
And although it had occurred more three hours and nine additional innings ago, Williams’ dubious pitching decision was officially cemented as such.
2. Nationals offense has gone cold at the wrong time
The blame directed at Matt Williams for contributing to the Game 2 loss is certainly justified, but Washington’s unproductive lineup is the primary reason that the best team in the NL is one loss away from a quick elimination.
In 27 innings, the Nationals offense (ranked 9th) has scored a meager three runs and has recorded only 15 hits. More specifically, the trio of Jayson Werth, Adam LaRoche and Ian Desmond are each 1-for-10 at the plate. Denard Span, who tied for the league lead in hits, has none in 11 at-bats.
The highly-touted pitching staff that Washington possesses can only do so much. Stephen Strasburg, although somewhat shaky, allowed one earned run in five innings during Friday’s opener at Nationals Park. Jordan Zimmermann was unflappable for the complete game that should have been—maintaining his club’s slim 1-0 advantage. The Nats’ bullpen, with the exception of another Drew Storen postseason meltdown, held the Giants in check on Saturday—but never got picked up by the Washington bats.
Credit can certainly be placed on the shoulders and arms of the San Francisco pitchers. Unluckily for the Nationals, they’ll next have to try and break their funk against the Giants’ hottest hurler of all, Madison Bumgarner.
3. Zack Greinke is the more viable Game 5 option
The Game 1 showdown between Adam Wainwright and Clayton Kershaw never lived up to its billing. Wainwright exited after 4.1 innings and six earned runs. Kershaw lasted until the seventh, when the Cardinals completed their comeback by tagging the certain Cy Young Award winner for eight. It also marked the first time that a pitcher allowed at least seven or more earned runs in consecutive postseason starts (to the same team, no less).
The Dodgers ultimately fell, 10-9, and were in need of a bounce-back performance from their next starter.
Zack Greinke was more than up to the task and came through with a great all-around performance—tossing seven shutout innings and furthered his efforts by going 2-for-3 at the plate. It wound up being a no-decision and a Matt Kemp eighth inning homer gave L.A. the edge.
With the series tied, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has a dilemma—the same one that was in front of him during last year’s NLDS against Atlanta.
Regardless of the Game 3 result, should he bring back Kershaw on short rest to go in the fourth game? It’s certainly a much easier decision should the Dodgers win on Monday night. But it’s not a certainly that Kershaw will come through, as unbelievable as that is to say about a pitcher who’s dominance could lead to an MVP as well. His postseason numbers are dreadful—especially against St. Louis.
One point needs to be made: no matter who goes for L.A. on Tuesday, it has to be Greinke for a potential deciding game on Thursday.
4. The Royals aren’t just a nice story
From a 7-3 deficit in the eighth inning of the Wild Card game to an ALCS appearance after a sweep of the team with the best record, the Kansas City Royals have been the main feature in this postseason theatre.
But this fairy tale run isn’t just the result of magic or destiny that’s been nearly three decades in the making. While the failing clubs have been done in by exposing their weaknesses, the Royals are balanced—able to win by any means necessary.
Their speed has been well documented—seven stolen bases by seven different players in the dramatic comeback win over Oakland. Alex Gordon swiped two more in Game 2 against the Angels, and even the generously-proportioned Billy Butler got in on the act in Game 3.
K.C.’s pitching flustered the powerful middle of the Los Angeles batting order. Mike Trout’s home run in the first inning Sunday was the only real dent made by the future AL MVP, and became a mere footnote when the Royals got their offense going.
Gordon’s bases-clearing double in the bottom of the first forced out L.A. starter C.J. Wilson. Eric Hosmer homered in the third, and Mike Moustakas went deep one inning later. For a team that had won its past three games in extras with timely hitting, Kansas City used its bats to put away the Angels early. With an 8-3 victory, the Royals punched their ticket to Baltimore. It’s another chapter to this fascinating story—written by talent more than fate.
5. Chris Davis may not be needed for the ALCS
The fact that the O’s won their ALDS was not a surprise. The fact that it came via a three-game sweep was rather unexpected. But the Tigers bullpen, a borderline dumpster fire all year, helped make it so.
Baltimore, on the other hand, came through with continued greatness from its relievers, solid play in the field, and production from nearly everyone in the lineup.
One man currently out of the lineup—and off the ALDS roster—was Chris Davis. The man who hit 53 home runs in 2013 was suspended last month after testing positive for Adderall. His 25-game ban could conclude with the Orioles in the midst of the ALCS, but his return is not a certainty.
In fact, it was reported during TBS’ broadcast on Sunday that manager Buck Showalter will have a team meeting to vote on whether or not it wants Davis included in the roster for the upcoming round.
What he does bring is additional pop to the batting order (26 HRs in 2014). On the flip side, he hit .197 in 127 games, strikes out with regularity (173 Ks) and has a .300 on-base percentage. In the least, he can be a more-than-viable pinch hitter for the late innings.
But the further dilemma presented is that with the Orioles sweeping of the Tigers, Davis still can’t return for five more games. Until then, the club would have to field a 24-man roster if they intend to bring Davis back in the ALCS.