STOP WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING AGAIN And Turn On The Guardians/Rays Game (LIVE BLOG UPDATE)
Update BOTTOM 15
Corey Kluber has taken the mound for the Rays. I repeat. Corey Kluber is pitching for the Rays against the Guardians right now. I might cry and I've been a Guard Dog for like 6 hours.
Other stuff:
- 38 strikeouts is an MLB postseason record
- Doug Glanville has been grinding analysis and I just want it on record that I hear you Doug. You do a fine job and I appreciate your efforts next to Boog.
- Bryce Harper had green shoes on yesterday. Siri for the Rays is wearing yellow today. I'm into the alternative colors.
- 39 strikeouts as I type this. That took like 2 minutes to get another.
- We're on to the bottom of the 15th. FIFTEEN
UPDATE 9TH INNING
This is good clean baseball and you couldn't ask for a better style this early on the weekend to kick things off. I'm not looking for some 7-6 dogfight with 14 pitching changes. Give me 1-0 with a SAC bunt and some heroic texas leaguer bloop single from a guy hitting .236. That's good October baseball.
Regular season? Sure go nuts. Hit the ball to Mars.
This time of the year though I need the butt cheeks clenched. I need the boys nervous. I need everyone on their edge of the seat and the only way that really happens is with filthy nasty pitching and we got it in fuckin spades here:
I know most of you animals are knuckles deep in the college football scene but scout's honor you need to throw the Guards/Rays game on the 2nd TV right now. About as clean and crisp as you'll ever see two starting pitchers go. We're like an hour 20 into it and they're in the bottom of the 6th already. Good chance both guys are done for the day so allow me to just tip a cap for a second:
2 of McKenzie's 4 baserunners came in the top of the 6th and they were kinda bullshit. At no point was there any real threat in his 6 innings.
And as expected, the two righties combine for a filthy state line. 11 innings. 13 strikeouts. 6 baserunners. Nobody on 3rd base.
That's perfect baseball for an 11am start time. Also nice holding u6. My conspiracy computer says MLB changed the balls again. More on that next week on Starting 9.
For now, turn on ESPN2 and enjoy the theatrics and drama of an MLB elimination game. It honestly doesn't get any better than meaningful day baseball. It's exactly as God intended.
And for more on both teams, please enjoy expert analysis: