WORLD SERIES GAME 4 POST-MORTEM
Dodgers 6, Astros 2
Whether it’s the World Series or a regular season game in April, one hit through eight innings and two hits through nine innings sure sounds like a loss. But damn it, this was a winnable game. The Astros had a lot of hard contact turn into outs but led 1-0 after six with Morton on cruise control. And then the bullpenanigans started.
I really like Hinch as a manager. I think he has mostly managed circles around Roberts in this series, and whichever moves Roberts has made that worked out have largely been due to some combination of superior personnel and luck. But with Morton/McCullers in the ALCS and McCullers/Peacock in Game 3, this game was a prime opportunity to go long with McHugh in relief. Why has Hinch been so reluctant to use McHugh in the postseason? Did McHugh do something behind the scenes to deserve this? Dude was left off the ALDS roster for fucking Tyler White, then pitches four no-hit innings in garbage time in the ALCS, and now is nowhere to be found. It’s the only thing I haven’t liked about Hinch’s managing this postseason.
Even still, Giles… damn. He has taken two losses and a blown save this postseason. If I were managing (and this postseason has showed me that I would probably be terrible at it), Giles has put on his spikes for the last time this season.
WORLD SERIES GAME 5 – Series tied 2-2
Sunday, October 29, 7:20pm CDT – Minute Maid Park
Clayton Kershaw (3-0, 2.96) vs. Dallas Keuchel (2-2, 3.00)
I know “must win” is an overused cliche when applied to non-elimination games, but the Astros really need to win this game. Stealing one game in LA instead of two is a much more attractive proposition. Keuchel has been excellent at home and the climate will be more favorable, so there is reason for hope.
Game 1 lines:
Kershaw: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 11 K
Keuchel: 6.2 IP , 6 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 K