MichiganCardinal

I feel like this so often at Lions games. Dude in front of me at the Browns game was probably 6’7. If he was standing, I was standing.

After that double I said out loud “now how will we strand this runner” This offense is the most infuriating unit in Detroit sports and it’s not even close.

James Franklin to Jim Harbaugh parallels are interesting. For about six years, Harbaugh had the label of a guy who couldn’t win the big game. Couldn’t beat Ohio State, couldn’t win T10 games, perpetually 10-3, perpetually right on the edge of that elite group unable to break in. It took COVID and nearly getting fired for Harbaugh to turn the corner. Franklin isn’t getting a COVID. And to his credit, outside of 2020, Harbaugh never had a loss like Franklin just had. He only lost twice to unranked teams. Once was a rivalry game in an 8-5 year to MSU and the other was his Michigan debut against an Utah team that ended the season 10-3. I don’t think they should fire Franklin. But I do think he should be on as thin of ice as Harbaugh was on entering 2021.

Franklin heard people complaining that he only beats bad teams and said “hold my beer” against 0-4 UCLA.

I think this is marginally the right call, but I dread the day he makes this call and I have to listen to reactions here. If I thought the knee jerk reactions to either receiving or deferring were bad…..

Feels like the Mariners’ monkey on their back shouldn’t be overlooked either. They haven’t won a game in the ALDS or beyond in 24 years. Might mean nothing to their roster of guys who were children then, but it does mean that they lack postseason experience. Postseason baseball is so different than the previous 162.

I don’t think it’s fair or reasonable to go into this with a “win both Skubal starts and steal another” strategy. I won’t argue that it may be the most realistic path, but it’s exactly what they did (and what failed) last year with Cleveland. All went to plan until they got into game five and the Guardians finally got to Skubal. The man can’t possibly just strike out 14 and throw 7 shutout innings every start. Baseball isn’t a one-man game. If it was the Angels would have been fantastic the last 5-10 years. Go out and win game one, let Skubal do his thing Sunday, and win one at home. Skubal can start the ALCS.

That’s insane. If he plays I have to imagine he’ll be on a pitch count, but I’d rather unleash him against Mahomes.

With Skub going 2&5, you're putting all the pressure on the Mariners out of the gate in game one. We may be throwing a Hinch-trademarked chaos day, but the Mariners have to approach that game, fresh off nearly a week of rest, as if it's game two and they're down a game. If the Ms lose game one and know they have two Skubal starts remaining? They're on their heels, just in need of a knock out punch. (Not that they'll wave the white flag in game 2 regardless. But I like the strategy even if Skubal could go 1&4 on regular rest).

This is what I would have assumed to be the case as well. Even in the modern age, four days rest is the norm. The minimum maybe, but the norm.

Rough approximation of the Mariners clubhouse currently. v09044g40000chdueh3c77u9v5p2go60.mp4

They have to figure out whether to fawn over the Yankees or Red Sox first, then they’ll tell us.

Take your AL Central title and shove it, Cleveland!

Cade Smith should very hittable. He's got to be gassed.

Was the time play close at home after the error? I assume R2 was running home the whole way.

SIX. Good number, six.

BERT BERT BERT BERT BERT BERT!!!!!

We are going to get Will Vest v. Jose Ramirez AB in the bottom of the 9th up 1, aren't we? God dammit.

Can the pen record 12 outs without a run? I'm doubtful. They need more.

DING DING DING A SOLO SHOT

Genuinely feels like it will take the pitching staff being perfect the rest of the way and the Guardians pen making a mistake that a little leaguer could take advantage of.

Impressive job by Perez to just end the inning himself instead of making us watch Tork strikeout again first.

Normally a four-pitch walk to the 2-hitter would be a good sign for an inning. But I know better.

There's your one Flaherty, go with God.