2019 Standings and Playoff Races Discussion

[adambr2]

Nationals lost 70+ games this year. Any of their prized starters can lose a one-game playoff. It is the crapshoot of all crapshoots. At least both will similar records and some team 10 games better doesn't stand a chance of losing that crapshoot, because that would really suck if it were us.

 

On one hand, yes, you're right.

 

On the other, the Nats don't have to play this one like a regular season game. Their pen is a huge reason they lost 70 games. They could go Scherzer, Corbin, Strasburg for 3 innings each and avoid that crappy pen altogether if they really want to. Doubt they would because it would really hurt them for the NLDS, but they can.

 

Obviously we can play it differently too -- I would guess we'll do everything to make sure that Hader is available for 2+ as well as our other high leverage pen arms.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Nationals lost 70+ games this year. Any of their prized starters can lose a one-game playoff. It is the crapshoot of all crapshoots. At least both will similar records and some team 10 games better doesn't stand a chance of losing that crapshoot, because that would really suck if it were us.

 

On one hand, yes, you're right.

 

On the other, the Nats don't have to play this one like a regular season game. Their pen is a huge reason they lost 70 games. They could go Scherzer, Corbin, Strasburg for 3 innings each and avoid that crappy pen altogether if they really want to. Doubt they would because it would really hurt them for the NLDS, but they can.

 

Obviously we can play it differently too -- I would guess we'll do everything to make sure that Hader is available for 2+ as well as our other high leverage pen arms.

 

Those wildcard games are so funky - maybe it's just my gut feeling, but it feels like the teams that try and monkey with how they approach 9 innings from a pitching standpoint wind up shooting themselves in the foot more often than not. Sometimes bringing in great starters mid-game backfires because they just aren't used to the routine of coming into a game mid-innings.

[thebruce44]

Nationals lost 70+ games this year. Any of their prized starters can lose a one-game playoff. It is the crapshoot of all crapshoots. At least both will similar records and some team 10 games better doesn't stand a chance of losing that crapshoot, because that would really suck if it were us.

 

Scherzer is a fantastic pitcher, but looking at his game logs its not like he's been unhittable for the second half of the season. In fact, his last couple of starts have been below average. I'd actually prefer to face off against him rather that Strasburg, but as others have said- both are more than capable of giving up a couple runs.

 

Given time to rest our bullpen, the Nationals have to be nervous that they are essentially playing a 5 inning game with Hader and Pomeranz at the back end. The advantage for the Brewers is that they can make the decision to go multi-inning with their stud arms depending on how the game is going. The Nationals have to burn their best starter and potentially make a call early on to burn another one, potentially punting a game in the next round.

[tmwiese55]

Scherzer had a DL stint and hasn't quite been his normal self since.

[FVBrewerFan]

Game 162. Brewers need to win to lock-up HF for the WC game. If game 162 is close, do you use any/all of Suter, Pomeranz, and Hader if they wouldn't be available then for the WC game?

[OldSchoolSnapper]

No. At least I hope not. HFA is not a serious edge in baseball. The visitor is 5-2 in the National League. IMO Hader should be saved for the WC at all costs. I would prefer the Brewers host it, but not at that cost.

[tmwiese55]

Game 162. Brewers need to win to lock-up HF for the WC game. If game 162 is close, do you use any/all of Suter, Pomeranz, and Hader if they wouldn't be available then for the WC game?

 

No I wouldn't factor that in, there is a day off between Sunday and the WC game anyway. So really everyone should be available again anyway. So I would play to win the game Sunday and get HF. Well, I suppose other than Suter due to being fresh off TJ. And there would be at least one off day between WC and NLDS so everyone used that day would again be available for game 1. I would play to win if it mattered.

 

We're 49-32 at home and sub .500 on the road. WAS last series is at home so they wouldn't have to travel at all. So it would be nice to make them travel just like we're going to have to. If MKE won the road WC game they'd then have to turn around fly back to LA. Col to WAS to LA (travel over time zones like this is a big thing in NBA betting btw) in the span of like 4 days after being on the road for a week leading up to it. Besides easier travel everyone would get some time at home instead of hotels. I'd play to win. Without the off day I think I'd be on the other side though.

[long ball]

Game 162. Brewers need to win to lock-up HF for the WC game. If game 162 is close, do you use any/all of Suter, Pomeranz, and Hader if they wouldn't be available then for the WC game?

 

Nah. If the Brewers have clinched a playoff spot I think 162 is going to be a Nelson, Faria, Burnes, Williams, etc special.

[FVBrewerFan]

That's the way I see it too. Just something that came up in conversation at work today, that I thought would be interesting to discuss here. Now, if that game 162 was to tie the Cards for the division, makes it a tougher decision.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Don't think it's tough. You throw everything at the division. But merely playing the WC at home? You have to control yourself there.

[Jopal78]

Don't think it's tough. You throw everything at the division. But merely playing the WC at home? You have to control yourself there.

 

It’s do or die. You throw everything to win the division. The Brewers will throw everyone: Woodruff, Davies, Gonzalez, Pomeranz, Hader etc.

 

Likewise no the wild card game because I assume the Nationals will throw Scherzer, Strasburg. Corbin and Sanchez

[LouisEly]

I don't know about chasing the division... I'd rather have the Dodgers in a 5-game series than a 7-game series.

[MrTPlush]

The Brewers magic number will be ONE when the Cubs finish their loss. The Mets are poised to eliminate themselves tonight down late to the Marlins.

 

That will just leave the Cubs. Tomorrow we can put ourselves in the postseason with a win (we play earlier and likely finish earlier) or with a Cubs loss.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

It's a best of 5 vs. a one and done, so I always chase the division. They're not catching STL though.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

It's a best of 5 vs. a one and done, so I always chase the division. They're not catching STL though.

 

Yep, you chase the division until the math doesn't work anymore. I don't expect the DBacks this week or the Cubs this weekend to help out much, but it's baseball, so you never know.

[EauClaireNWL]

I'm okay continuing to play hard to try and get the play-in game @ home even if they clinch a spot tomorrow. Less traveling across the country and then having to go on the road to LA for Game 1 of the NLDS if they'd win the WC.

[brewtank34]

2.5 back of the division. 19 innings?! Thank you snakes!!! This is getting interesting.

[MrTPlush]

But but but I thought teams just gave up and laid down? They play hard for 19 innings when they have nothing to play for? That must be wrong.

 

This is exactly what the brewers needed though. Gain quick games right away and then suddenly it isn’t such a big feat to catch the Cards. Keep it going today!

[Jopal78]

So if the Brewers clinch but lose out on the division, do they rest Hader, Pomeranz, Woodruff etc for the wild card game? And lean mostly on Faria, Nelson, Albers etc for the Rockies series?

[Outlander]

Yes they would but that would be Friday at the earliest.

[shanedog19]

I think the Brewers will need to win out to pull into a tie for the division, but they can do it. Counsell may have to give his starters a bit longer leash though or our bullpen could really burn out.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I said this in the "Other MLB Games" thread, but it makes sense here, too. DBacks are throwing Merrill Kelly against Michael Wacha this afternoon, which is a matchup that may actually favor the DBacks, if only slightly. Boy, if the DBacks find a way to steal today's game, and the Brewers take care of business the next two days, there's a possibility that the Brewers go into this weekend one game back of the Cards.

 

I mean, none of this is probable, but you continue to cheer for the math to work until it no longer works. I think that those of you who have been saying that the Brewers stand no shot at the division are probably jumping the gun a bit.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I said this in the "Other MLB Games" thread, but it makes sense here, too. DBacks are throwing Merrill Kelly against Michael Wacha this afternoon, which is a matchup that may actually favor the DBacks, if only slightly. Boy, if the DBacks find a way to steal today's game, and the Brewers take care of business the next two days, there's a possibility that the Brewers go into this weekend one game back of the Cards.

 

I mean, none of this is probable, but you continue to cheer for the math to work until it no longer works. I think that those of you who have been saying that the Brewers stand no shot at the division are probably jumping the gun a bit.

 

Its rinse and repeat of 2018...only it's a different team we love to hate!

 

Cubs look dead, but they still have a shot at giving the cards fits this weekend and actually helping things. Sure would have been nice for them to not blow at least 1 of those 4 games this past weekend, though. I've been one to view this dbacks series as a stumbling block for the cards, but they need to lose today in order for the brewers to have alot of life for the division.

 

Even if it doesnt happen and the cards keeps winning, there should be ample time for the brewers to get their pitching lined up for a wildcard game. Basically they win once more and they are in, which is crazy where they were back in late August! What a run!!

[MrTPlush]

Barring a Game 163 we get at least one day to rest the entire team and unless there is something to play for Sunday that gives you two days. We should be fine. Though a Game 163 loss could be real detrimental.

[pacopete4]

Woody- 4, Suter- 3, Pom- 1, Hader- 1 and we move on.