Playoffs Day 5: Finalization and Infuriation

So...I predicted that the Astros would take down the Indians this week, but I wasn't exactly expecting a rout. And I certainly didn't think it'd be a three-game sweep where the Indians would only be held to a couple runs. It honestly just proves the dangerousness of this Astros team, who, even with some lineup shuffling and with Dallas Keuchel starting, still managed to pull away. They're getting home field advantage, and waiting for an ALCS matchup with whoever wins the AL East battle.

I do feel bad for this guy, and this Indians team, as they've gotten so close to winning a World Series as of late, and have had shitty mistakes keep them from greatness. It's sad to see them get so close only for them to break hearts, but I do think they'll still be around to chase a pennant next year, and I do still think that core of the lineup, and that rotation, still has a ton of promise.

...Now, normally when this guy appears in the postseason, I get very frightened, maybe take out a little wooden cross or something. But now that David Freese is playing for a team that isn't the Cardinals, and that he's doing pretty well, he's beginning to grow on me. It also helps that this Dodgers team has been so consistently sharp this postseason, nudging the Braves out even after their Game 3. I'll be looking forward to how they match up against Milwaukee in the NLCS.

Meanwhile, these guys had an unlucky go at the playoffs yet again, despite some fantastic regular season work from all parts. I honestly don't think they're out of it yet, and that they really just needed to solidify some things in order to become a truly great team. They may be back, which...may be infuriating for Philly fans.

Meanwhile...since I don't have a Holt made up, I'll post Nunez, but...dear god, that game was depressing to watch. They just kept hammering at the poor Yankee pitching staff. It just got worse and worse, and they just kept finding holes in the Yankee defense. I turned it off at about the 6th inning. There's no doubt that this is a terrific team (now), but I just wish the Yankees put up a bit more of a fight against them tonight. The first two games were kinda close, and I miss that.

We've got a game tonight at home. I really, really hope this one goes well. It's our last chance to prove that we belong in the postseason, and I'd really like to prove something positive.

Robbery, Assault, and Battery

Oooooooh, taking some cues from the Patriots, are we Red Sox?

I'm sorry, but as a Yankee fan, and as a human being, I can't NOT make fun of this. As good as the Red Sox are, and as certain as their playoff chances are...who am I kidding, they cheated. They stole signs from the Yankees...which, by the way, didn't work 3/4ths of that series, and they got caught. And now they're sort of being scrutinized by the entire league, which...of all teams...

Maybe it's the fact that I actually got to see this team live this year, but...there's a shred of sympathy. I saw how this team was building up. The unbelievable duo of Rafael Devers and Eduardo Nunez had shook up this team and made them even tougher to beat. Chris Sale kept perfecting his Cy Young caliber season. The inevitability of the playoff run was strengthening. If it wasn't for the last two weeks, I'd be firmer in saying how dangerous this team might be in the playoffs, but right now they seem to be taking a passive approach. The Yankees are regaining ground, and the real story in the AL is how many more games the Indians are going to win.

Right now the Indians are at the bottom of the 'protected' teams, so they'll likely be going in seeded third, which means they'll have to defeat whoever is seeded 2nd. I'm not gonna pin down who that's gonna be, because one's rising fast, so...assume you have to play either the Astros or the Indians...and you're the one that's losing momentum. So yeah. I'm thinking it MAY not end well for the Sox. Of course, if the Yankees break past the WC, they'll have to play the 1st seed, so...either way, it's gonna be tough for the AL East.

Still, the Sox' scrutiny is the cherry on top of their shit sundae that was this week.

Coming Tonight: Step One for the Mets was to trade away most of the established stars on the roster. Step 2 is looking like it's bringing up the big rookies and seeing if they can carry the team. And so far, one of them's been doing pretty well.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2016: Giants

So yeah, regardless of anything the Giants did in 2016, if they didn't win the World Series, it was going to be a letdown. They didn't. It was.

Look, there was a lot of talent on this team, and the pitching staff of Bumgarner-Cueto-Shark-Moore-Peavy was one that was insanely powerful, even going into October, but the presence of the Dodgers in that division, and the Cubs in the playoffs, made it impossible for anything to happen past the NLDS.

Still, this was very far from a bad squad. Even if Eduardo Nunez didn't IMMEDIATELY start doing the stuff that made him an All Star in Minneapolis, he was a nice inclusion, and a potential option at third base for next season.

Jake Peavy's obviously not what he used to be, but as long as he gives a solid enough performance in the 4 or 5 spot, he's doing his job well. Next season will be the tenth since his Cy Young award, and he's just trying to make a career out of it, but he's done a nice enough job. Not sure what his fate is for 2017, though I imagine the Giants will keep him.

Coming Tomorrow- The Indians squad that ALMOST won the World Series.

Top 10 Trade Deadline Deals of 2016

Yeah, I do this every year. This may not be pretty, because what was looking like a pretty small amount of contenders turned into a sprawling free-for-all within the last 24 hours, as random, astonishing deals took place that we didn't especially dream of happening.

I'm grading these on how much they impact the sellers, as well as how much they could impact the rest of the season. I'll say that the Matt Kemp deal, Andrew Cashner deal and Francisco Liriano deal were all considered for the final spot, but the winner, as deducted by the top of the post...

#10- Wade Miley to the Orioles, prospects to the Mariners.
Who wins? The Orioles. The O's have been dealing with a few rotation issues, but have developed a strong core of Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman, Yovani Gallardo and Tyler Wilson, but a lot of different names have been swishing around and there's not a solidarity. They didn't need a top-starter, but Miley, who has played for four teams since 2014, is a solid starter who had been giving some decent numbers for the Mariners- he'll likely help the playoff case for the Orioles, because they didn't need a hell of a lot.

#9- Eduardo Nunez to the Giants, prospect to the Twins.
Who wins? Giants, of course. Thanks to some injuries, and a deal that will be a few spots further down the list, the Giants were in need of some infield solidarity, and Nunez, a bench player and infield spot player, is perfect for the job. He, Joe Panik, Crawford and Belt will make a tight infield for a pennant-contending Giants team.

#8- Mark Melancon to the Nationals, prospects to the Pirates.
Who wins? Nats by a hair. Yeah, Mark Melancon is one of the best closers in baseball right now, but the Nationals essentially took him because they could- they already have Jonathan Papelbon as a closer from last trade deadline, and all this does is makes him mad. Plus, Melancon's stuff may have just clicked in Pittsburgh, and may have trouble shifting to Washington. But for right now it's an impressive move for the Nats, who clearly want a title this year.

#7- Matt Moore to the Giants, Matt Duffy and a few prospects to the Rays.
Who wins? Another close one, but probably the Giants. Matt Moore's numbers this season have been due to a lack of run support- with a better roster he could have a year like his 2013.  So throwing him into the Giants' rotation is a wise idea, though he'll probably be acting as a 4th or 5th man to MadBum, Cueto and Shark- him and Peavy just round out an incredibly strong rotation that has no use for Matt Cain anymore. Putting Matt Duffy in Tampa does set them up to have an interesting combination with Logan Forsythe, Brad Miller and Duffy in the same rotation.

#6- Andrew Miller to the Indians, prospects to the Yankees.
Who wins? Indians. Yes, this legitimizes a potential playoff threat and gives the Indians the keys to one of the best closers in baseball right now, but this still couldn't make the top 5. Still, this is a huge move, as Miller may have been one of the last few pieces necessary for the Indians (except maybe a catcher).

#5- Jay Bruce to the Mets, Dilson Herrera and prospect to the Reds
Who wins? Mets. Look, it's becoming very unlikely that the Mets will make a huge difference in the playoffs, but putting Jay Bruce in that outfield with Cespedes and Granderson is a wise one, one that could give a ton of power back into a lineup that desperately needs one. If they decide to sign Bruce long-term, which would be wise, this could affect the team next year, when everyone is healthy.

#4- Carlos Beltran to the Rangers, prospects to the Yankees
Who wins? Rangers. This one saddens me, but it was the right move for both sides. Beltran could help the Rangers get to another World Series, as he's a wonderful September-October player, and he also helps the outfield depth, as a lot of the rookies have been struggling in those positions. Plus, this may be Beltran's last truly great season, and the Rangers should definitely make something of it rather than keeping it in 4th place.

#3- Josh Reddick and Rich Hill to the Dodgers, Frankie Montas and prospects to the A's.
Who wins? Dodgers. This gives some outfield support and some well-needed pitching help to another team that could be deadly in the postseason. Putting Josh Reddick in the outfield with Joc Pederson, Howie Kendrick and (possibly) Yasiel Puig gives a bat and an outstanding arm to one that's struggling with depth. Speaking of depth, Rich Hill gives the Dodgers some rotation flexibility...assuming he comes back from the DL rather quickly to join Brandon McCarthy, Kenta Maeda, Scott Kazmir and the rest of the stragglers.

#2- Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs, Adam Warren and prospects to the Yankees.
Who wins? Cubs. Yeah, regardless of my disdain for it, this is still a pretty great deal. The Cubs cement their bullpen's status as, finally, one to be reckoned with, along with the entire damned roster. Chapman closing games in Chicago could be the cherry on top of a playoff team. Also, they finally gave Adam Warren back, as they couldn't figure out what to do with him.

#1- Jonathan Lucroy and Jeremy Jeffress to the Rangers, prospects to the Brewers.
Who wins? Sadly, the Rangers. In dealing for one of the best catchers in baseball, as well as one of the best closers in baseball, IN ADDITION to dealing for one of the best hitting outfielders in baseball, they've made their case for sheer AL dominance for the rest of the season, and have made it clear to Cleveland that they'll need to fight to stay ahead.

So...those were my Top 10, and a TON of them might affect how this season turns out.

Pariah of a Piss-Poor Trade Deadline

As you can see, when Eduardo Nunez is one of the bigger names swapped before the deadline, you know they're having trouble making deals.

I mean, Aroldis Chapman, Drew Pomeranz, Fernando Rodney- there have been a couple, but, ASG nod notwithstanding, Eduardo Nunez doesn't exactly have a ton of star power, especially for a guy dealt three days before the deadline.

However...what Nunez will do as a member of the Giants will probably affect, in some way, the rest of the season.

The Giants have been dealing with injuries/slumps with Joe Panik and Matt Duffy, two guys that were supposed to make a killer infield this year but have only ended up making it an 'alright' infield. You put Eduardo Nunez into the equation...and SanFran can breathe a little easier. He can play second base, he can play third, he can play short when Crawford's got a day off. he gives this infield a ton more depth, and a ton more flexibility going into the postseason.

I mean, this does kind of shoot the Twins in the foot when it comes to THEIR roster flexibility...but they're not the ones going for a postseason this year.