2015 MLB ALDS - Texas Rangers (88-74) @ Toronto Blue Jays (93-69)

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

So exciting. My oldest who is now 22 has been a Blue Jays fan for a few years now. It's been fun showing him his pictures from the 93 win and him in all his Blue Jays gear and only about 6 to 8 weeks old. It's been a long time but now he gets to experience the feeling.

I'm at the opposite end of that AG, my little man is getting ready for his first Jays playoff experience and he's just 4 months. I hope whatever happens he won't have to wait as long for more.

I hope they do well for your big lad.

 

[pmrules]

L K, this is beautiful.

Agreed LK - This is fantastic!!!

 

[pmrules]

Just got an alert that Estrada is starting Game 3.

I wonder if the plan is for Navarro to catch him.

Hmm...its possible for Navarro to catch, Martin to DH and Edwin to move to 1st.  Smoak/Cola sit out as bench strength.

 

[Joe S.]

Just got an alert that Estrada is starting Game 3.

I wonder if the plan is for Navarro to catch him.

Hmm...its possible for Navarro to catch, Martin to DH and Edwin to move to 1st.  Smoak/Cola sit out as bench strength.

Maybe - but I think you go with your A1 defence - and that ain't Encarnacion at 1st.

 

[pmrules]

Just got an alert that Estrada is starting Game 3.

I wonder if the plan is for Navarro to catch him.

Hmm...its possible for Navarro to catch, Martin to DH and Edwin to move to 1st.  Smoak/Cola sit out as bench strength.

Maybe - but I think you go with your A1 defence - and that ain't Encarnacion at 1st.

Yeah agreed.  Although if you want Navarro to catch Estrada, then this would be the best option to keep Martin's bat in the lineup...trade-offs.

 

[bustaheims]

Yeah agreed.  Although if you want Navarro to catch Estrada, then this would be the best option to keep Martin's bat in the lineup...trade-offs.

Except that basically takes away the option to pinch-run for Navarro, as it would mean losing the DH, since Martin would have to come in to play the field. Ideally, if you wanted to keep his bat in the lineup, you'd have Martin play at 1st, but that's not a great option defensively. If you start Navarro, you just accept the downgrade in the lineup, which is something the Jays can afford. That route would also provide another option to bat off the bench.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Yeah agreed.  Although if you want Navarro to catch Estrada, then this would be the best option to keep Martin's bat in the lineup...trade-offs.

Except that basically takes away the option to pinch-run for Navarro, as it would mean losing the DH, since Martin would have to come in to play the field. Ideally, if you wanted to keep his bat in the lineup, you'd have Martin play at 1st, but that's not a great option defensively. If you start Navarro, you just accept the downgrade in the lineup, which is something the Jays can afford. That route would also provide another option to bat off the bench.

Would starting Navarro with Colabello at 1st and Edwin as DH really be a downgrade in the lineup from Navarro starting with Edwin at 1st and Martin as DH?  Colabello was the better offensive player this season.

 

[bustaheims]

Would starting Navarro with Colabello at 1st and Edwin as DH really be a downgrade in the lineup from Navarro starting with Edwin at 1st and Martin as DH?  Colabello was the better offensive player this season.

Probably not. The Navarro/Colabello combo vs Martin/Smoak is probably a wash. It would, however, be a downgrade defensively. I just really don't like the idea of using a catcher as a DH in a situation where single game results are important. Being able to use a pinch runner without losing the DH makes decisions less stressful, and could be a deciding factor in the game.

 

[Captain Canuck]

What does everyone make of Manfred coming out and saying MLB will decide whether the roof at the Dome is open or not?

Isn't this part of the "home field advantage" that the Jays have earned by having a better record than Texas?  :

I don't think the people running the roof controls are going to open the Dome in a driving rainstorm, but why not have the option to show the boys from Texas what a crisp October afternoon in Toronto is all about? 

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Would starting Navarro with Colabello at 1st and Edwin as DH really be a downgrade in the lineup from Navarro starting with Edwin at 1st and Martin as DH?  Colabello was the better offensive player this season.

Probably not. The Navarro/Colabello combo vs Martin/Smoak is probably a wash. It would, however, be a downgrade defensively. I just really don't like the idea of using a catcher as a DH in a situation where single game results are important. Being able to use a pinch runner without losing the DH makes decisions less stressful, and could be a deciding factor in the game.

Oh yeah I probably wasn't clear, I was trying to say if Navarro was catching I wouldn't be sitting Colabello to try and make sure Martin's bat is in the lineup.  I'd be putting Colabello at 1st (or Smoak depending on the pitcher I guess) and keeping Edwin as DH.

 

[Joe S.]

Just got an alert that Estrada is starting Game 3.

I wonder if the plan is for Navarro to catch him.

Hmm...its possible for Navarro to catch, Martin to DH and Edwin to move to 1st.  Smoak/Cola sit out as bench strength.

Maybe - but I think you go with your A1 defence - and that ain't Encarnacion at 1st.

Yeah agreed.  Although if you want Navarro to catch Estrada, then this would be the best option to keep Martin's bat in the lineup...trade-offs.

I don't see why Martin can't catch Estrada... But maybe I'm being narrow minded.

 

[Joe S.]

What does everyone make of Manfred coming out and saying MLB will decide whether the roof at the Dome is open or not?

Isn't this part of the "home field advantage" that the Jays have earned by having a better record than Texas?  :

I don't think the people running the roof controls are going to open the Dome in a driving rainstorm, but why not have the option to show the boys from Texas what a crisp October afternoon in Toronto is all about? 

A final fu to Beeston?

 

[Andy007]

Just got an alert that Estrada is starting Game 3.

I wonder if the plan is for Navarro to catch him.

Hmm...its possible for Navarro to catch, Martin to DH and Edwin to move to 1st.  Smoak/Cola sit out as bench strength.

Maybe - but I think you go with your A1 defence - and that ain't Encarnacion at 1st.

Yeah agreed.  Although if you want Navarro to catch Estrada, then this would be the best option to keep Martin's bat in the lineup...trade-offs.

I don't see why Martin can't catch Estrada... But maybe I'm being narrow minded.

He can but the numbers do seem to favour Navarro by a bit.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/estrada-navarro-battery-results-too-compelling-to-ignore/

 

[Joe S.]

Well I don't think you lose that much having Martin sit one game... But I wouldn't dh Martin...

 

[Andy007]

Yea I agree, I wouldn't DH him either.

 

[Captain Canuck]

Cito to throw out the first pitch tomorrow!

 

[Peter D.]

What does everyone make of Manfred coming out and saying MLB will decide whether the roof at the Dome is open or not?

Isn't this part of the "home field advantage" that the Jays have earned by having a better record than Texas?  :

I don't think the people running the roof controls are going to open the Dome in a driving rainstorm, but why not have the option to show the boys from Texas what a crisp October afternoon in Toronto is all about? 

MLB seems to have complete control over everything regarding the playoffs.  I even read yesterday that all Coke products were removed from the Dome and replaced with Pepsi products (the former the Jays' sponsor, the latter MLB's).

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

The tribute the Leafs had on the scoreboard for the Jays last night.

http://video.mapleleafs.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=840918&catid=802

Anyone have butterflies yet?

 

[bustaheims]

MLB seems to have complete control over everything regarding the playoffs.  I even read yesterday that all Coke products were removed from the Dome and replaced with Pepsi products (the former the Jays' sponsor, the latter MLB's).

I have some trouble believing that. I'm pretty sure Coke's contract with the Dome has language that prevents it. My guess is something's getting lost in translation here. It's probably more that Coke ads had to be removed from inside the stadium.

 

[Peter D.]

I have some trouble believing that. I'm pretty sure Coke's contract with the Dome has language that prevents it. My guess is something's getting lost in translation here. It's probably more that Coke ads had to be removed from inside the stadium.

It was from yesterday's Toronto Sun:

http://www.pressreader.com/canada/toronto-sun/20151007/282475707652587/TextView

Mind you, it does sound like it may just apply to the clubhouses as opposed to the entire stadium.