2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

[Trent Booty]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

I predict Cubs and Yanks winning but I think the both Ames will be awesome.

[Majingir]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

Whoever wins the NL WC game, I want to make it to the WS(and win it all,if they're facing any AL team except the Jays).

Yankees-Astros.....I kinda want Yankees to win cause I want to face them or Royals in the ALCS, but Astros are the 2nd team in the AL I want to see make it to the WS.

[DrJones]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

For the record, I'm predicting 1985 Redux (minus Don Denkinger). The Royals get to join the Tigers and Rangers in the prestigious "O'Fer vs the Godless Cardinals and Giants" Club.

Rooting Interest Rankings

1. Blue Jays
2. Cubs
3. Pirates
4. Astros
5. Royals
6. Mets
7. Rangers
8. Dodgers
9. Yankees
10. Cardinals

Predictions

Yankees over Astros
Cubs over Pirates

Royals over Yankees in 4
Blue Jays over Rangers in 5
Cardinals over Cubs in 5
Dodgers over Mets in 5

Royals over Blue Jays in 7
Cardinals over Dodgers in 5

Cardinals over Royals in 6

If you want to make money, always bet on evil.

[redsox4evur]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

https://sports.vice.com/en_us/highlight/hero-professor-switches-midterm-date-so-cubs-fans-can-enjoy-the-playoffs/?utm_source=vicesportsfb

[steelerfan]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

Just happy to be here. I didn't expect a playoff push until 2016.

There are better days ahead for the Astros in the years to come but hopefully they can grab a win tomorrow and get into a real series.

[daflyboys]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

LOL! Love the old old school wrestling reference there.

Check his glove for saw dust!!!

[TheMatrix31]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

Being I'm curious Matrix, what system would you prefer? If it were you, what type of playoff format would you employ?

I get/understand the grief but these are great games to watch. The KC-OAK game last year was the best game in any sport I've watched in years.

I don't like that it's unnatural. One game playoffs should be for ties. That's it. Yeah of course the KC/Oakland game was wild.

As for the format, well, I don't spend that much time thinking about it and I'm sure there might be really good ways to do things but:

If it were me and we were still going to have the three division setup, I don't see anything wrong with the way it was. 3 division winners, and one Wild Card to make up for times when one division is stronger than the other. I think the "just win your division then" thing is stupid as hell because it's idealist garbage. I'd also have seeding based on record, which I *think* they changed to that in the final few years of the old setup. As in, this year's LDS matchups would be Cardinals/Mets and Pirates/Dodgers. You could theoretically do away with divisions and just take Top 4 from each league. I'd be generally OK with that too but people love the divisions and it's a nice organizational/logistical tool so whatever.

A 2 division setup where 2 teams from each get in (or Top 4 overall) would be fine too.

If we're gonna keep this current setup? I think the only way to "fix" it is to do the whole Wild Card #1 has to win 1 game, Wild Card #2 has to win both thing. It's still pretty dumb because if there's a gap of 7 games between WC1 and WC2 it's still annihilating the importance of that gap, and it's still a two game set where a bunch of random nonsense can occur, but it "gives incentive" (since everyone likes to use that justification for this current system) to be the first Wild Card.

I just see too many holes in the way it's constituted as of now but it's pointless to discuss. I don't have a front office job with MLB so I'll just have to continue denigrating the entire thing, lol.

[Master Live 013]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

Baseball Tonight's preview of the playoffs so far has been excellent. This injury report with Stephania Bell has been comprehensive.

[redsox4evur]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

The Cubs first pitch time is 7:08. In military time that is 19:08. Well played @MLB, well played.

LOL...

[kehlis]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

Is this Pirates/Cubs game as close to being impossible to "predict" as ever?

I mean all predictions are educated guesses but I just can't look at the lineups and pitching matchup and make any sort of an educated guess.

[SPTO]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

Is this Pirates/Cubs game as close to being impossible to "predict" as ever?

I mean all predictions are educated guesses but I just can't look at the lineups and pitching matchup and make any sort of an educated guess.

If you want a definition of a pick em this is it.

[Jr.]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

Is this Pirates/Cubs game as close to being impossible to "predict" as ever?

I mean all predictions are educated guesses but I just can't look at the lineups and pitching matchup and make any sort of an educated guess.

Yeah it's really tough. The only likely starter for the Cubs with a single game of playoff experience is Miguel Montero, while the Pirates have been in this position for 3 straight years, now. I don't know if that'll make a difference, but I gotta think it will play in the early innings.

Jake Arrieta has dominated the Pirates, but Gerrit Cole has done almost the same to the Cubs. The Pirates bullpen is better than Chicago's, but I gotta think Maddon is gonna ride Jake to the tune of 130ish pitches if needed.

Man it's gonna be a fun game. I can't wait.

[Master Live 013]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

Sorry, I can't listen to Harold Reynolds. I won't put myself through that.

[SPTO]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

Sorry, I can't listen to Harold Reynolds. I won't put myself through that.

At least it isn't Mad Dog Russo screaming over everyone

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: 2015 Wild Card Games Discussion Thread

I'm not sure how to feel about this. Thinking rationally, I'm just happy the Cubs have improved so much this year and look forward to the future of hopefully contending for a while.

The other part of me is just praying we win this game so that I can see them compete in a playoff series and I'm nervous as hell that Arrieta is due for a bad game at this point.