Are the M's Still Playing?
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We've had one well-respected Denizen completely write off the Mariners so far, and he beat the crowd to it by at least three days. But remember, that was (1) three days ago and (2) coming from one of the Denizens who dared to disagree on He Who Must Not Be Named. SO THERE
If you want to join him in the early bail, you must first stipulate NO (reasonable) chance for the Mariners to make the Wild Card -- let us say less chance of the M's making the WC2 than the Seahawks going 17-2. Because you're watching for that, right? When it comes to "Fuhgeddaboudit" it's just not good enough to say "I'm depressed." One must lean forward on one's toes when one sings soprano.
You must also stipulate that you understand the M's are -3.0 back with 23 to play. To the Angels. The Twinks have twanked, as the Emperor hath forseen.
You must also stipulate that you understand the M's have already made up +2.0 of that three-game gap, since we assume the M's go 4-2 in their remaining Angels games in any playoff scenario.
Actually, all you have to stipulate is that you don't think the M's are very good, come to think of it. Or that you've checked FanGraphs' estimated playoff chances, which has the M's at 5%. Although those odds change by 2.0x or 0.5x with a series sweep.
Anyway, if you want to join The Sherm in his hearty fare-thee-well, feel free to do so in the comments below. Don't come crying to Dr. D when Paxton throws his playoff no-hitter, though.
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GRIK: The Astros traded for the player with a supermodel wife. We got Andrew "West Brom" Albion. Subsequently, even an Ariel Miranda no-hitter was not enough to save us.
GROK: Dr. D his ownself must admit that if we're only going to trade for one supermodel wife, he would prefer it be during a season in which we're 87-19. But he is beginning to suspect Jerry Dipoto of having an unhealthy bias against great players.
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GRIK: Zeus and Felix throw simulated games Friday. They'll probably go 3-4 innings in their MLB "debuts" the next week - with Moore and Marc-O bridging them.
GROK: Hence the little scuffle, with Andrew Moore throwing Wednesday in order to back up either one in the last Ranger game or the first Astro game. If Felix started the last Ranger game on Sept. 14, then Zeus could lead off against the Astros on the 15th, pitch the 21st against the Rangers, the 26th against the A's ... and the WC playoff game. Or would you rather have Paxton go the season-ending game against the Angels? Hey, think hard, 'cause after this weekend's Angel series you might not have to worry about it any longer.
Either way, if Felix and Paxton throw sim games this Friday and "debut" the 14th-15th, that lines them up for those two games, game #162 against the Angels and whatever game #163 is. Boy, somebody with the Mariners is super smart.
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GRIK: Hisashi Iwakuma is working feverishly to get in at least an inning before the season's over.
GROK: Credit to his work ethic. Or to the fact that he won't let his 2017 World Series dream die. Or to his agent blowing up his phone in all caps. Either way, it's great by us.
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GRIK: Erasmo Ramirez is now Greg Maddux. The M's website says so, or pretty much so.
GROK: The idea is that Ramirez added a gloveside cut fastball, which "keeps the batters honest" about two sides of the plate. 90% of these stories are "noise," but this one has the enemy quotes and the 2.40 ERA to go with it.
Erasmo's big obstacle was always a way too homer-able fastball thrown from a low release angle. Another way to say that is, "too little margin for error." Now they're saying he has a Neutralizer against the guys leaning back at the waist and swinging from their wallets; Johns gives a measly .198 as the oppening average against his 404 cutters so far this season.
Dr's Prognosis: well worth consideration. Every time he thinks of a classy pitcher using a cut fastball to go from "classy but mediocre" into "classy but great" he thinks of Cliff Lee.
Enjoy,
jemanji