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Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 10/6/17
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Sean
10:26
I think the Diamondbacks might have a hidden advantage to their playoff run thanks to their starting pitching depth. They can run a 3-4 rotation while using Godley (and if not starting, Walker) as middle relief before turning over to Archie Bradley for 1-2 innings. They should be able to eat up a lot of innings with good pitchers.
Jeff Sullivan
10:26
Some would call that an advantage and some would call that a disadvantage. They get to move one good starter into the bullpen, sure, but their bullpen is also weaker than most otherwise, and that shifted starter will have pretty limited previous bullpen experience
Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe
10:27
Is answering a question with a link to an article--often one you have written--the most gratifying experience (I've already done this!) or frustrating experience (I've already done this...)?
Jeff Sullivan
10:27
It can feel a little arrogant or presumptuous!
Factory of Sadness
10:27
What 2-3 things do the Yankees have to do to even the series today?
Jeff Sullivan
10:28
They basically need to pitch as well as possible because I don't think you can expect to score more than 2-3 runs
I don't think there are "keys" to that. Maybe you play a little bit more for one run at a time
Josh
10:28
Indians with possibly the best pitching staff ever...Astros with the best team wRC+ since 1932...we need CLE-HOU ALCS to happen, right!?!
Jeff Sullivan
10:28
Good news!
Bryan
10:29
Were you surprised when the Yankees did not pinch hit Holiday for Bird against Miller?
Jeff Sullivan
10:29
That seemed weird, yeah
Brett W
10:30
Hector Rondon being left off the playoff roster for Justin Wilson and John Lackey is probably the prelude to his non-tender this winter?
Jeff Sullivan
10:31
Yeah, probably don't want to get stuck paying him $7 million or so. Perfectly capable reliever, but you can find strikeouts for less
T
10:32
is the recent Chris Sale narrative about fading late in the season nothing or is there maybe a conditioning/ wear thing going on?
Jeff Sullivan
10:34
I wouldn't be surprised if, say, Sale were 5% more vulnerable to fatigue than the next guy. But this time of year, *everyone* is worn down, and playing on adrenaline. Sale's stuff seems okay. He's still getting strikeouts. You don't love the results, but I still believe him him for the next game he starts, if he gets the chance
Dookie Howser, MD
10:34
Who would you like to see win the WS this season? Bauer's twitter accoutn notwithstanding, the Indians seem like the most "fun" team and have the WS drought thing going for them.
Jeff Sullivan
10:34
I was actually nearly convinced the other day that the Yankees might be the most "fun" team left
10:35
I can think of several good reasons to root for every team still in the playoffs. Now I just need to remember to focus on those, instead of on the several good reasons to root *against* every team still going
weezy
10:35
Is there a live blog schedule? The first few have been a great way to watch the games
Jeff Sullivan
10:36
I don't think we have a schedule. It's kind of a feel thing. We'll have live blogs for many of the elimination games, I think, or at least the Game 5s/7s
And we'll have a chat for every game of the World Series
PD
10:38
Is Gary Sanchez worse at blocking pitches because he tries to stay so quiet when framing? e.g. his passivity when receiving doesn't allow him to react as quickly to pitches in the dirt? And would a more active catcher at blocking become worse at framing? What does the data show?
Jeff Sullivan
10:39
So much of blocking is about secondary stuff, and so much of framing is about fastballs. Seems like good catchers should be able to do both
Kiermaier's Piercing Green Eyes
10:40
Jim Hickey, the Rays' highly regarded pitching coach, has left with one year remaining on his contract. Is this a big loss? The Rays have relied on their pitching for the last decade, though in favor of the AAA coach they promoted, the new guy will have experience with Snell, Honeywell, Faria, DeLeon, and other pitchers who will make up the core of the rotation sooner rather than later.
Jeff Sullivan
10:41
Seems like it was a mutual decision. And when you've got a mutual decision, I don't think the Rays are coming away big losers here. Might have just wanted a different voice
Trixie
10:43
Padres need a shortstop short-term, until Tatis arrives in 2018 or 2019.  What is the best option available?
Jeff Sullivan
10:43
The best option available is probably Cozart, but there's no reason why he'd want to go there
10:44
It's going to be a non-competitive season. So maybe they just pick up someone like JJ Hardy to hold the fort. Or they could extend the Solarte experiment -- really see how little range is necessary for a shortstop in the modern era
Josh
10:44
Is it safe to assume at this point that Trea Turner is an above average hitter, or do you need to see him do it over a full season?
Jeff Sullivan
10:44
815 career plate appearances, 120 wRC+. You don't have to buy him as *that* good, but I don't know how you'd justify something like a 90-95
Mike
10:45
Indians only had 5 hits last night ! No XBH from anyone not named Jay bruce! Is it just me or did their offense look pretty crap overall too?
Jeff Sullivan
10:46
They drew six walks and only struck out nine times. Wasn't anything special but it didn't need to be
Matt
10:46
Glad to hear you think some borderline calls went against Yanks. I generally hate when people complain against the strike zone, because it almost always washes out for each team. But I thought it slanted a bit last night. Overall well called though
Jeff Sullivan
10:46
I think Bauer and Perez did a better job of working together than the Yankees' guys and Sanchez
Borderline calls, for the most part, are "earned"
JV
10:47
Do you think Chris Archer pitches for Tampa in 2018?  If not, where are some possible landing spots
Jeff Sullivan
10:48
My default is to assume he remains, but with so many strikeouts and four affordable years left, he's going to be all over the rumor mill. Dark horse candidate would be San Diego
Afghan
10:48
Dayton Moore is going to take John Hart's job right?
Jeff Sullivan
10:48
Seems like the perfect time for a change
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