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Jumping in today, we will review some of the news from the last few days, Game 1 of the NLCS and Game 2 of the ALCS. Mix that with my reaction to all that.
News and notes:
First off, my thoughts and prayers out to the friends and family of Red's legend Joe Morgan. He was a HOF, 2x NL MVP, passed away at the age of 77. My thoughts and prayers also go out to the family and friends of HOF Yankee Whitey Ford, who passed away at age 91
Next, the rumors are already floating around the WhiteSox after the team, and Rick Renteria agreed to part ways. Both Alex Cora and AJ Hinch are the two most apparent fits for this soon to be a dynasty. I'm not too fond of this as I feel both of these guys shouldn't even coach in the 2021 season as they got off quickly after this year being their suspension. But from a baseball perspective, I do like the fit here for the team moving forward. Both of these coaches are winners and can lead good teams to that next level.
Speaking of rumors, I also have seen FA STUD Trevor Bauer has been linked to the Redsox and Padres already, and every team as he has said he will listen and consider all offers this off-season. I would love Bauer to the Padres, as I have stated in the podcast and the SD review.
While we are on the Padres, I want to mention that Tommy Pham is in good condition after getting stabbed in an altercation in SD on Sunday night. The road back for Pham just got a little longer. The stabbing did lead to surgery because Pham asked people he didn't know to move away from his car.
I am sad and beyond frustrated after this news broke Monday. Billy Beane long time GM of the Oakland A's. For a long time, I mean 30 years. The ERA is coming to an end as Beane is expected to "assume a prominent role with Fenway Sports Group if it merges with Redball Acquisition Corp. The move would happen because the MLB conflict of interest rules wouldn't allow Beane to work for the A's. After all, he has a stake in the Redsox Organization. Beane isn't doing this for any reason other than the "would turn his attention to other sports business ventures, particularly European soccer, an area he has demonstrated a passion for in recent years."
This move, I feel I jinxed for the A's as I said in the A's year in review, I would only change my mind some drastic change happened in the front office or coaching. The rest of the organization is intact where the franchise goes in terms of "Moneyball" and the franchise being built on that for the last 30 years. We will see what happens next for the A's going into a new era of philosophy.
The 2021 draft order is set with the Pirates getting the #1. Rangers, Tigers, Redsox, Orioles round out the top 5. My favorite thing about the draft is that the Mariner's have the 12th pick and were closer to the average for 2020. Most expected the Pirates to go pitcher number 1, and I do as well they should be going with Kumar Rocker from Vanderbilt.
Game 2 of the ALCS was great! Tampa took game two and now lead 2-0 in the series against the Astros. The pitching for the Rays showed us yet again why the team was 40-20 after stranding 11 on base and allowing the Astros to get ten hits and go 1-8 with RISP. Two throwing errors from Jose Altuve helped the Rays. Lance McCullers Jr went seven strong, allowing 1ER and striking out 11. While on the other side, the Astros pitching allowed only four hits and left three on base. The Ray's also only used four members of the pen, and the Astro's used one. We need to keep an eye on this as it could turn into more. The series isn't disappointing so far.
Game 1 of the NLCS happened as well Monday night, and man, was it great! The Braves pulled out a 5-1 win on their offense's strength, and MVFree, Austin Riley, and Ozzie Albies all went deep. The Braves pitching was excellent, giving up 1 ER on the Kike homerun; after that, we saw six-strong from Fried, followed by three hitless from the pen. The Dodgers, on the other hand, only could muster those four hits against Fried and the 1 HR. We saw five good innings of 1 run ball, giving up five walks and striking out 7. He was followed by three strong from the pen until Treinen and McGee have up 4 in the 9th. The 9th was precisely what I saw happening Ozuna, Albies, d'Armaud all had a shot and did not disappoint. This series is shaping out to be a good one!