Special Event: MLB baseball playoffs 2018: Semifinals (NLCS & ALCS)
October 12, 2018 1:52 PM - Subscribe

Two best-of-seven series to determine who will go to the World Series! The L.A. Dodgers vs. the Milwaukee Brewers for the National League Championship, and the Houston Astros vs. the Boston Red Sox for the American League Championship.
posted by LobsterMitten (49 comments total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
Tonight? Got times and networks?
posted by Thorzdad at 2:08 PM on October 12, 2018


The Dodgers/Brewers start tonight, game at 8pm eastern time. Google tells me it will be on TBS?

The Red Sox/Astros series starts tomorrow at 8 eastern.
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:10 PM on October 12, 2018


No wait -- this page says it will jump around which stations have it (?!) -- apparently TBS has the ALCS only, and the NLCS is split between Fox and FS1 (tonight FS1, tomorrow Fox).
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:18 PM on October 12, 2018


Ugh. Joe Buck. My enjoyment level just dropped in half.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:04 PM on October 12, 2018


Go Brewers (aka Anybody But Dodgers)! Go Sox (my grandson's team, plus the Astros are in the wrong league, dammit)!
posted by languagehat at 5:12 PM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]


A Dodgers/Astros series would at least mean warm weather games. Fenway in the cold and damp is a miserable thing just to watch, let alone play in.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:54 PM on October 12, 2018


As rabid a sports fan base Boston there seems low excitement in the area. With the retirement of Big Papi there are not any big stars on this team right now and in my very minimal awareness of sports no real characters seem to be emerging. If they get into the series it'll be interesting to watch a team where nobody knows any of their names.
posted by sammyo at 7:36 AM on October 13, 2018


I'm not sure I agree with you a hundred percent on your police work, there, Lou.
posted by bondcliff at 5:47 PM on October 13, 2018 [1 favorite]


Workman's ERA for the series is now 108.0.

w00t
posted by bukvich at 8:54 PM on October 13, 2018


Sigh, that sure wasn't what I was hoping for. But never seen an umpire get hit by a throw like that, so there's that.
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:22 PM on October 13, 2018


That was not a good game. Baseball is not a game that can be played well when it is 48 degrees and breezy and damp outside. I know it is too much to ask but if they played the game during the day time that at least triples the probability that things won't be gross.

I hate the Dodgers and I am rooting for decent world series weather so the Brewers get zero love from me.
posted by bukvich at 5:59 AM on October 14, 2018


I hate the Dodgers and I am rooting for decent world series weather so the Brewers get zero love from me.

The Brewers have a roof, at least. But, yeah, I’m rooting against the Red Sox simply because of the inevitable cold and wet in Boston. Not that Fenway is pretty in summer sun either.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:28 PM on October 14, 2018


This game is killing me and I'm not even a Sox fan. Poor David Price, it started so well for him and then he leaves after giving up four runs in four innings. I just hope they can hold on to win in the end. (They're ahead 5-4 in the sixth right now.)
posted by languagehat at 6:21 PM on October 14, 2018


!
posted by bondcliff at 7:59 PM on October 14, 2018


Boston's starting pitcher is from Alvin Texas. I found this out this morning on ESPN.

Here is the you tube of Nolan Ryan and Ventura to get everybody loose.
posted by bukvich at 8:03 AM on October 16, 2018


Two hit batters in a row and then JBJ with the grand slam!
posted by bondcliff at 5:26 PM on October 16, 2018 [1 favorite]


aye aye aye aye aye aye aye
posted by bukvich at 5:28 PM on October 16, 2018


Meanwhile, over on Fox, Joe Buck is asking Alexa what time {insert show Fox is promoting} comes on, or when the next game is.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:27 AM on October 17, 2018


ALEXA, WHOSE FATHER IS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY?
posted by Huffy Puffy at 8:42 AM on October 17, 2018 [2 favorites]


Manny Machado is the villain of this year's postseason. Don't @ me.
posted by rocketman at 9:47 AM on October 17, 2018 [1 favorite]


Ooh man, Manny Machado. I've never gone from zero to hate so quickly.
posted by silverstatue at 1:15 PM on October 17, 2018


TIL you can hit a ball out of the park into the stands and be called out. What the actual fuck.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 6:06 PM on October 17, 2018


He would have caught that if the fan didn't cause his glove to close up. Good call by West.

(and yes, I'm sure I would feel exactly the opposite if I were rooting for Houston)

I think it fired them up though.
posted by bondcliff at 7:24 PM on October 17, 2018


Jesus Christ Kimbrel
posted by bondcliff at 10:07 PM on October 17, 2018 [1 favorite]


Gaaaaaah omg. What a game, jeeeez!
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:17 PM on October 17, 2018


I literally want to kidnap Kimbrel and shove him in a closet. Just so he can stop giving me heart attacks Every. Fucking. Time. I love Cora but man I yell his name in vain a lot these past 2 weeks.
posted by danapiper at 10:27 PM on October 17, 2018 [1 favorite]


So, I'm going to make 2 comments here. Comment the First is that it really cut the tension to watch the fans behind home plate make fun of Craig Kimbrel. I know the Phillies fans started it, but it's still funny.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 5:17 AM on October 18, 2018


Second comment is where the rules lawyering happens.

Official Baseball Rules [pdf]; the spectator interference rule is 6.01(e) on page 67. Here's the text:
(e)
Spectator Interference
When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of
interference.

APPROVED RULING: If spectator interference clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball, the umpire shall declare the batter out.

Rule 6.01(e ) Comment: There is a difference between a ball which has been thrown or batted into the stands, touching a spectator thereby being out of play even though it rebounds onto the field and a spectator going onto the field or reaching over, under or through a barrier and touching a ball in play or touching or otherwise interfering with a player. In the latter case it is clearly intentional and shall be dealt with as intentional interference as in Rule 6.01 (d). Batter and runners shall be placed where in the umpire’s judgment they would have been had the interference not occurred. No interference shall be allowed when a fielder reaches over a
fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk. However, should a spectator reach out on the playing field side of such fence, railing or rope, and plainly prevent the fielder from catching the ball, then the batsman should be called out for the spectator’s interference.
I always heard that on the stands-side of the fence a fan is allowed to play the ball (whether they should or not is a strategic decision that they definitely will not make correctly in real time; cf. Bartman), but that you're not allowed to reach out over the fence, to the field-side to touch the ball. Mookie reached over the fence into the stands.

Anyway, Joe West is on the Huffy Puffy Will Forget Who's On His Enemies List By Next Week, along with all the Astros relievers who can't throw strikes anymore (WHICH IS ALL OF THEM).
posted by Huffy Puffy at 5:26 AM on October 18, 2018


A) My heart can't take much more of this. I didn't get to watch the game last night, but yeesh.

B) This Sox fan thinks that Joe West made the wrong call on that fan interference. That ball was in the stands and Mookie didn't have any more right to it than the fan. I mean, I'll take it, but it was a bad call.

C) The Kimbrel chicken wing thing is funny and good.
posted by Rock Steady at 5:38 AM on October 18, 2018 [2 favorites]


Comment the First is that it really cut the tension to watch the fans behind home plate make fun of Craig Kimbrel.

I hadn't seen that before and it's the funniest thing ever. It was nice to find myself laughing at 1:00 AM on work night watching Kimbrel choke again.
posted by bondcliff at 7:04 AM on October 18, 2018


Game 5. I can't enjoy a 4-0 lead in the 6th knowing that Kimbrel will probably come in and blow it.
posted by bondcliff at 7:30 PM on October 18, 2018


Gah!
posted by bondcliff at 8:39 PM on October 18, 2018


Does anyone read the posts down here?
posted by bondcliff at 8:39 PM on October 18, 2018 [1 favorite]


Hey Bondcliff, how about those Red Sox?
posted by bondcliff at 8:51 PM on October 18, 2018


Hey Bondcliff, how about those Red Sox?

I know, right? If there's one thing nobody doesn't hate, it's when a Boston sports team wins a thing.
posted by bondcliff at 8:52 PM on October 18, 2018 [1 favorite]


Hey Bondcliff, how about those Red Sox?
posted by photoelectric at 8:56 PM on October 18, 2018 [1 favorite]


Woooooooooooooooo! Man I enjoy this team.
posted by LobsterMitten at 8:59 PM on October 18, 2018


Hey Bondcliff, how about those Red Sox?

I know, right?
posted by bondcliff at 8:59 PM on October 18, 2018 [1 favorite]


I'm so glad they're going to the series, after the season they put up.
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:01 PM on October 18, 2018 [1 favorite]


It really has been a fun season. I'm really happy for Alex Cora and I hope they can take it all the way.
posted by bondcliff at 9:04 PM on October 18, 2018


If I can't watch my beloved A's play in the World Series, the almost as beloved Red Sox are going to be just about as fun to watch!
posted by photoelectric at 10:26 PM on October 18, 2018


I want the Sox to beat whoever they face, but I'm conflicted about who I want them to face. I'd love for them to crush the fucking Dodgers, but on the other hand I'd love for the fucking Dodgers to lose earlier to the Brewers and skulk home in shame and humiliation. Ah well, go Sox!
posted by languagehat at 6:08 AM on October 19, 2018


The Astros lost four straight games and if the series had continued I wonder how long it would have run. Way to show the grit guys try not to get too fat and fluxed up on your vacation.

Congratulations to the Red Sox. They are hotter than hell right now and the odds in Vegas have got be close to 2:1 when they get set in the next couple days.
posted by bukvich at 7:11 AM on October 19, 2018


Red Sox have long been my second favorite team and I love seeing them do good but....oh my Brewers. Come on guys! Don't give up! It would be amazing to have my two favorite teams face each other in the WS.

Fingers crossed that we pull off a miracle tonight.
posted by silverstatue at 7:58 AM on October 19, 2018 [1 favorite]


I'd love to play the Dodgers in the Series. It turns out we beat them once before, 102 years ago, when they were called the Brooklyn Robins.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:43 AM on October 19, 2018


Hoping for Brewers/Sox, that way even if the Sox lose there will be something to feel good about.
posted by LobsterMitten at 12:18 PM on October 19, 2018 [2 favorites]


Red Sox have long been my second favorite team and I love seeing them do good but....oh my Brewers. Come on guys! Don't give up! It would be amazing to have my two favorite teams face each other in the WS.

Fingers crossed that we pull off a miracle tonight.


Enjoy your miracle. Game 7 tomorrow.
posted by non canadian guy at 9:16 PM on October 19, 2018


Man there have been some impressive outfield catches in these series.
posted by LobsterMitten at 6:58 PM on October 20, 2018 [1 favorite]


Well, that was a good game, and I can't begrudge Dave Roberts anything. So, Dodgers, okay.

It's funny, usually we watch on a small screen, either a laptop or a phone. But for these last few we've been putting the games up on the living room tv, and it's really nice to watch on the bigger screen, sitting on the couch, pottering around with some other small task. That's how we used to watch baseball all the time (back in the olden days of... a few years ago), and we've gotten away from it, but it's nice to have occasion to do it again.
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:32 PM on October 20, 2018


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