2019 Series #34 | Indians @ Royals | July 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th

[The Oi]

Funny when pitchers lose their cool, and they throw at hitters. Seemingly not that bad. Bauer just throws the ball over the wall, and the entire sports world is shitting themselves over it.

I thought it was funny as hell Tito came out and goes "What the fuck is wrong with you" and Bauer immediately pats him on the shoulder "that's on me, my bad". That was funny. I laughed when I saw it.

Bauer had a shitty day. Look all the really bad breaks he had before that. I can't really blame him for snapping a bit. He lost his shit there.

He didn't take it out on anyone. He apologized. He owned it. But fuck no, I'm not upset with him. He made a mistake, but hardly a big deal at all.

This is actually a good point.

Usually pitcher temper tantrums end in a result that could literally kill a person. This one ended in a potential souvenir if someone wants to put in the effort.

 

[Stark]

I was impressed by the throw

Went back and watched the throw a few times too and where it landed. Bauer has an absolute cannon. I probably would’ve hit Mercado in the back of the head if I did that. Bauer threw it 100+ feet past that.

He’s lucky he didn’t blow a shoulder out the way he threw it.

 

[Joe Charboneau]

When you watch that whole 5th inning a few times. You could see it brewing. First all those dribblers and bloops for hits. The ball being lost in the sun. Then the play where he tried to flip the ball and whiffed. The last hit he missed the ball by a few inches. I can completely understand why he finally exploded. It was one of the worst innings from hell i have ever seen a pitcher have. The whole thing now seems kind of harmless and comical to me.. Look, say what you will about Trevor this year, whether hes an ace, or isnt, all i know is when i picture trading Bauer to me that means a whole lot more of Adam Plutko in a Playoff race. Ill pass, Trevor needs to stay.

 

[Derek]

Again, I'm not a stats guy, but the "quality start," as I understand it, is a little dubious since it comes out to a 4.50 ERA. Isn't there some advanced version of it that's supposed to be more accurate?

Bauer's WHIP is 1.16, not far off from last year. But his FIP is 4.19 vs. last year's 2.44 on account of him giving up more HR and walks. (He's tied for #10 in HR and he's tied for first in walks allowed.) But, he's also top ten in K's. His WAR is 2.4, which has him tied for #35.

So while it's unfair to say he either blows up or pitches a gem, it's not hard to see why folks don't think he's really been consistent either. There's kind of feast or famine aspect to his game this year. Most people here see that. It doesn't mean he's useless and we should ship him out.

I'm not really concerned with the moral argument about his tantrum today, I'm concerned with what it says about his ability to help this team in high-pressure situations...which today was absolutely not. I don't care if it was hot out or he was sick. He caught a few bad breaks and imploded when he was being taken out during a regular season game against the Royals. It's legit to ask: If this happens today, what does he do in the playoffs? He's got an albeit limited track record of numbskullery when it matters. He hasn't proven himself any different to me. Antics like today just reinforce that.

So would I feel incredibly confident about a playoff series with healthy Bieber in Game 1 and Bauer in Game 2?

I'd feel good about Game 1.

Yes, the worst possible quality start is 6IP with 3ER allowed which is a 4.50 ERA. But, that kind of makes my point for me, because that’s far from a blow up, and also not a shutout. He’s had many starts in the middle of the road.

If the playoffs started tomorrow, I’d want Bauer pitching game 1, Clevinger game 2, and Bieber game 3.

The fact that you guys value no playoff experience (Bieber), over Bauer is odd to me.

Bauer, by my count, has been shelled 4 times this year. Bieber has been shelled 3 times. Prior to yesterday’s start, they had been equals for the entire year with Bauer simply providing more innings.

 

[Urban]

Yes, the worst possible quality start is 6IP with 3ER allowed which is a 4.50 ERA. But, that kind of makes my point for me, because that’s far from a blow up, and also not a shutout. He’s had many starts in the middle of the road.

If the playoffs started tomorrow, I’d want Bauer pitching game 1, Clevinger game 2, and Bieber game 3.

The fact that you guys value no playoff experience (Bieber), over Bauer is odd to me.

Bauer, by my count, has been shelled 4 times this year. Bieber has been shelled 3 times. Prior to yesterday’s start, they had been equals for the entire year with Bauer simply providing more innings.

Right, to reinforce this: 13 of Bauer's 15 quality starts were 2 ER or less. One was the 6 IP 3ER outing, like you mentioned, and the other was 6-2/3 IP with 3 ER

 

[sportscoach]

Disagree with this. Beating the shit out of a water cooler still isn't a great thing to do, but pretty much nobody at the ballpark or on television really sees you do it, and it's not disrespectful as hell to your manager and the opposing team.

Everybody in the world saw Bauer launch that ball. Water coolers get punched every week.

I think it's better to at least attempt to hide your frustrations in the dugout then to hold up play by launching two baseballs, scare the shit out of your second basemen, and disrespect your manager by not respecting his decision to pull you when you don't have it and launching the ball.

Personally I get what ya guys are saying, but Francona handled the aftermath well and Bauer did seem to apologize sincerely about it. I am just saying it wasn't as big of deal as people make it out to be since we all know Bauer didn't do it to disrespect Francona, but it was done out of frustration at the situation and at himself.

 

[sportscoach]

Sure, okay. Kevin Millwood had a great season here at 9-11. All I'm saying is Bauer either blows up or pitches a gem. Do any of you want that going into the post season? Especially Game 1 or 2? I don't.

Dude no offense but this is a really, really bad take, he went 9-11 with a 2.86 ERA.... It was likely one of the best seasons of his career, and the team around him blew it since he went below .500 with that type of ERA. He even got Cy Young votes!!

I was impressed by the throw

I mean looking at his throw, it was kind of impressive! Maybe put him in the OF for sac fly situations since you know he can hit the catcher form anywhere on the field!

 

[chuck0609]

Yes, the worst possible quality start is 6IP with 3ER allowed which is a 4.50 ERA. But, that kind of makes my point for me, because that’s far from a blow up, and also not a shutout. He’s had many starts in the middle of the road.

If the playoffs started tomorrow, I’d want Bauer pitching game 1, Clevinger game 2, and Bieber game 3.

The fact that you guys value no playoff experience (Bieber), over Bauer is odd to me.

Bauer, by my count, has been shelled 4 times this year. Bieber has been shelled 3 times. Prior to yesterday’s start, they had been equals for the entire year with Bauer simply providing more innings.

Hypothetical- if Kluber comes back and makes a few quality starts, does he start the wild card game or a game 1?

 

[sportscoach]

Hypothetical- if Kluber comes back and makes a few quality starts, does he start the wild card game or a game 1?

Depends on how he is looking. We likely will go with 11 pitchers in the 5 game series, so 3 starters, a 4th if needed, then 7 Relievers, so if Kluber is dominant, he will be put onto the playoff team, if he looks like he did at the beginning of the season, then he likely isnt on it.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Hypothetical- if Kluber comes back and makes a few quality starts, does he start the wild card game or a game 1?

Kluber, even if he somehow comes back at best-case scenario form, likely doesn't open as our game 1 starter.

That's probably between Bauer and Bieber right now.

 

[Urban]

wrong thread

 

[sportscoach]

My guess for what happens next, with Danny Salazar:

• Today or tomorrow, Danny Salazar assigned to Cleveland and AJ Cole is DFA'd
• Thursday morning, after Plutko's Wednesday night start, Hunter Wood called up to Cleveland and Adam Plutko optioned to Columbus
• Salazar & Wood combo becomes the team's 5th starter

Greg Allen and Tyler Olson seem next in line as casualties if the Indians add a bat/arm

Does Salazar still have an option left? I cannot remember if he does.

 

[Coyote]

Right, to reinforce this: 13 of Bauer's 15 quality starts were 2 ER or less. One was the 6 IP 3ER outing, like you mentioned, and the other was 6-2/3 IP with 3 ER

That was another criticism of the "quality start" stat that I saw: it doesn't do enough to acknowledge excellent starts. Just pointing out there might be better stats to use in Bauer's defense. Like I said, I thought there was some advanced version of it that was more accurate/detailed.

 

[Huber.]

Does Salazar still have an option left? I cannot remember if he does.

No.

 

[Lee]

Went back and watched the throw a few times too and where it landed. Bauer has an absolute cannon. I probably would’ve hit Mercado in the back of the head if I did that. Bauer threw it 100+ feet past that.

He’s lucky he didn’t blow a shoulder out the way he threw it.

There is a big difference between us then......I would have hit Lindor by accident if I threw it.