Game 162 Rig-Job Blog

Well, they did get rid of the Best Racist Fans in Baseball yesterday in St. Louis, but they have created a double-playoff scenario, with both the NL Central and West heading for possible Monday tiebreakers...

I am expecting shenanigans.  

• This created a problem for the Dodgers, to determine exactly who they wanted to pitch today.  They eventually went with Rich Hill, ready to hold back the #2 starter Buehler for any potential playoffs or the play-in game.
• 12:25 PDT:  Which appears to be a good call.  Although the Dodgers got 2 in the top of the first and held San Francisco for a 2-0 lead, Colorado got 2 on Washington.
• And, oh by the way...  there was talk in Washington on Friday that Max Scherzer wanted to pitch on Sunday to specifically fuck up the Rockies' season.  Well, that got about as far as either Dave "I slept with your wife" Martinez or the Commissioner's office -- Washington trotted out Erick Fedde, he of an over 5 ERA...
• St. Louis also got 2 in the first on Chicago for a 2-0 lead before the Cubbies came to bat.
• And also in the background is that if Cobb County loses, the National League West winner is the 2 seed.  Philadelphia has at least 2 in the bottom of the first for a 2-0 lead.
• 12:30 PDT:  And Milwaukee has just snagged a 2-0 lead of their own.
• 12:45 PDT:  Settling down to watch the Milwaukee game on the free MLB.TV streams they always do for the final weekend.  2-0 a very popular open:  All five games relevant to the seeding and playoffs are 2-0. 
• And just as I type that, the Dodgers make it 3-0 and threatening for more in the third.
• Excuse me, forget three...  Make it SIX! 
• Nope.  NINE!!!
• 2:55 PM:  It's basically all over but the tiebreakers.  Dodgers put 15 on the Giants in winning.  Colorado has nine on what's left of Washington (and the main rig-job is shelving Scherzer for some strange reason! *cough*)  Brewers have 10 on Detroit and the Cubs up 9-4...  Almost the complete opposite of that classic 2011 "Game 162".
• 1:00 PDT:  Cobb County threatening.  Halved the Philly lead to 2-1.
• And we're headed for an NL West playoff, as the Martinez-Manfred conspiracy has apparently worked.  Two dingers and Colorado is already up 4-0 themselves. 
• Seemed like the ump was a little pleased at calling the Strike 3 there for the 2nd out in the 4th against St. Louis -- still 2-0. 
• 1:20 PDT:  And the Cubs have squared St. Louis and the Brewers just added another for 3-0.  And the Dodgers are already at 10 and trying to send a message to Colorado. 
• And are they beginning to manipulate the double tiebreaker?  3-2 Cubs in the 3rd. 
• 1:30 PDT:  And now 4-2. 
• 1:40 PDT:  And get Dodger Stadium ready for Monday, it's 7-0 Colorado! 
• So as the Redskins are losing to the Broncos by one touchdown, the Rams/Chargers are defeating the 49ers by TWO touchdowns... Oh...  wait, nevermind.  But it is LA 14 - SF 0, in a BASEBALL GAME. 
• 3:30 PM PDT:  Dodgers/Rockies confirmed for tomorrow (Buehler vs. Marquez).  Brewers won.  Combined total margin in the three shutouts, THIRTY-EIGHT.  Cubs up 10-5 top 8. 
• 4:15 PM PDT:  And the 10-5 was the final.  Game 163 is a doubleheader Double-Chance Battle Royal, tomorrow and Tuesday.  Cubs-Brewers and Dodgers-Rockies, winners are the 1 and 2 respectively.  Losers play Tuesday for the 4.