As the playoffs continue, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. ALCS Game 7
After a resounding win over the Mariners in Game 6 of the ALCS last night, the Blue Jays have managed to force a Game 7 to determine who will face the Dodgers in the World Series as they attempt to become the first team to repeat in the World Series since the 1998-2000 Yankees. Tonight’s game is scheduled for 8:10pm local time in Toronto, when right-hander Shane Bieber (3.57 ERA) is set to take the mound for the Jays opposite Seattle righty George Kirby (4.21 ERA). Kirby will be looking for redemption after he was torched to the tune of eight runs in just four innings of work during Game 3 of this series, while Bieber will look to build on a solid performance where he struck out eight Mariners while allowing two runs in six innings of work in that same game.
2. Giants managerial search nearing conclusion?
The Giants are set to potentially make waves as they zero in on University of Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello as their next manager. No deal is done yet, but a decision is reportedly expected in the coming days. If Vitello were to be hired, it would be a game changing hire given his lack of experience in professional baseball. Vitello emerged as San Francisco’s top choice after Rangers special assistant Nick Hundley withdrew his name from consideration for the role due to family considerations. Hundley was also viewed as a potential candidate for managerial vacancies in Anaheim and San Diego, though it seems those same family considerations would surely apply to the job in Anaheim. As a San Diego native, the Padres job might be more appealing for Hundley although it also wouldn’t be a surprise if he simply stayed in his current role with the Rangers at this point.
3. Rockies GM search nearing next stage:
San Francisco isn’t the only NL West club making progress in their search personnel search, as the Rockies are reportedly expected to narrow their search for Bill Schmidt’s replacement at the top of their baseball operations department to a list of finalists this week. While there are a number of managerial vacancies in the sport at the moment, Colorado’s job is the only vacancy at the head of baseball operations now that Paul Toboni has been hired by the Nationals to replace Mike Rizzo. Once the GM search is completed, Colorado’s new steward will immediately be tasked with their own managerial decision given that interim manager Warren Schaeffer’s status has been left up to the new baseball ops boss.
Weird but interesting. Since the championship series became 7 games in 1985 there have been four times when one team had to play out all 7 games while the other team swept. 1988, 2006, 2007, and 2012. Each time the team that had to go 7 games in their championship series won the World Series. Also in those World Series matchups, there were two sweeps and the other two series only went 5 games.
Make whatever you want out of that, it’s only 4 times. But it does make you wonder if whoever wins tonight, Toronto or Seattle, if they’ll have a slight advantage going into the World Series. They’ll be going right into the series with momentum and an adrenaline rush. The Dodgers, while not just sitting and waiting, will have waited a week before having a real game.
It would be wonderful thing if Toronto wins it all.
Layoffs Haven’t Hindered Playoff Teams Historically
Source: FanGraphs share.google/IJyrVdE8MIiEGa3CK
The World Series doesn’t start til Friday so technically the winner today will have a long layoff as well
Statistically meaningless.
while i agree its better to play than to sit and wait
i think dodgers will sweep whoever makes it from AL
i hate LAD but they just seem unstoppable right now
I have always said the worst thing for a ballplayer is sitting and waiting.
Pulling for the m’s to win their 1st ever pennant.
Oh and eugenio has the best hair in baseball. Silky smooth
Still waiting for that Nathan Lukes hater to post ;)
Let’s go Blue Jays! Spirited win by the rook.
It’s an interesting subtext on competitive balance. 25 years since a repeat WS winner. Go back 25 more years starting from 1997, and you have Blue Jays in ’92 and ’93, Yankees in ’77/78, the Reds 75/76, the A’s 72-74
Does money buy championships? Yes, but really what it does it get you closer. The extra rounds of playoffs have the opposite impact
I would agree with this. The postseason is a crap shoot. But getting there is much easier with the best players and they can be had for money. I’d like someone to study the idea that money can buy playoff appearances (not necessarily WS rings), And there needs to be a caveat about good front offices with payroll vs the idiots that like to spend money (angels, we are looking at you).
Regardless of who wins, should be a great game. It will be all hands on deck to get the win.
Can’t wait for Friday
Tonight should be a fun game to watch.