Life is full of circumstances. Teams that won their division and got a bye have to deal with the schedule.

Injuries happen. Trades happen. Prospects emerge. The ASB is an issue that needs to be done away with, if the WC break is an issue. Teams that get players into the AllStar game get a huge advantage, like the Rangers because they keep playing without a break... *sarcasm* Injuries can be an issue in those extra games.

The Asstros had a huge advantage having made the playoffs in 2022... Why is that not neutralized?

Rangers picked up Monty at the Trade deadline. O's didn't and are disadvantaged...

We are advantaged because we have Bochy.

Truth is... there is no crying in Baseball. "TAKE OCTOBER."

I don't remember anyone trying to throw games to get into the WC round. This is just hindsight scatter shooting.

BassCowboy33 said:

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I'm loving the media whiners complaining that the bye punishes teams with the best record. Smoltz's crying about how the Rangers being able to throw Montgomery in G2 was "unfair", despite them having to throw a bullpen game in G1 is next-level copium. Out here in the ATL, lots of people complaining that the bye puts the Braves at a disadvantage.

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Losers always whine about doing their best. Winners go home and **** the prom queen.

They like to forget that we were a tie breaker away from the #2 seed. We had 5 all stars go on the DL in the second half. Our Pythagorean W/L based on production was better than the Orioles.

hawk1689 said:

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BassCowboy33 said:

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I'm loving the media whiners complaining that the bye punishes teams with the best record. Smoltz's crying about how the Rangers being able to throw Montgomery in G2 was "unfair", despite them having to throw a bullpen game in G1 is next-level copium. Out here in the ATL, lots of people complaining that the bye puts the Braves at a disadvantage.

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Losers always whine about doing their best. Winners go home and **** the prom queen.

They like to forget that we were a tie breaker away from the #2 seed. We had 5 all stars go on the DL in the second half. Our Pythagorean W/L based on production was better than the Orioles.

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Yep yep.

Nobody felt bad for us when Degrom / Scherzer / Eovaldi went down. Nobody felt bad for us when nearly all of the all stars we sent to Seattle ended up on the disabled list at the same time. If anything, teams we played at the time like Milwaukee and the Twinkies smelled blood in the water and went after us even harder.

Fast forward to today, we appear to have turned things around and righted the ship, now people are *****ing. Screw them. Run right thru this playoff bracket and jam it down their throats.

Who is heading to the park tomorrow? I'll buy any regulars a beer.

Proposition Joe said:

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Who is heading to the park tomorrow? I'll buy any regulars a beer.

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I agree winning your division should be an advantage but that Athletic article was silly. Tampa won more games than Houston (or us if we had won the last day) are we going to argue about that next?

Grapesoda2525 said:

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MrCoachEricTaylor said:

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Guys… I really miss watching the Rangers play.

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Should be enjoying the off day while we are riding high.

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I should be, but I'm still making myself not watch them while we're winning. Still haven't watched since the last loss to Seattle!

hawk1689 said:

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BassCowboy33 said:

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I'm loving the media whiners complaining that the bye punishes teams with the best record. Smoltz's crying about how the Rangers being able to throw Montgomery in G2 was "unfair", despite them having to throw a bullpen game in G1 is next-level copium. Out here in the ATL, lots of people complaining that the bye puts the Braves at a disadvantage.

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Losers always whine about doing their best. Winners go home and **** the prom queen.

They like to forget that we were a tie breaker away from the #2 seed. We had 5 all stars go on the DL in the second half. Our Pythagorean W/L based on production was better than the Orioles.

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This is pretty good, lol.

New playoff format:

Wild card teams play a 7 inning game within three hours of the conclusion of game 162. The top seeded teams will await the winner—but not too long.

If the higher seed loses, they get one “mulligan” which allows them to cancel the result and repeat the game.

— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) October 9, 2023

BassCowboy33 said:

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gigem1223 said:

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So haven't seen this posted yet but your Texas Rangers are now the betting favorites to win the World Series at +360.

I got $20 on them at +1800 in June.

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That's a bit surprising. I still think the bullpen will cost them a series. And I know we're riding high, but if Eovaldi doesn't pull out a win tomorrow, the Rangers' Game 4 starter is probably Perez, and then another bullpen game for Game 5.

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If there is a game 5, it would be Friday. Montgomery could pitch on regular rest on Friday. Plus he only had 88 pitches Sunday, so it's not like he went over his usual range and needs an extra day.

BassCowboy33 said:

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gigem1223 said:

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So haven't seen this posted yet but your Texas Rangers are now the betting favorites to win the World Series at +360.

I got $20 on them at +1800 in June.

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That's a bit surprising. I still think the bullpen will cost them a series. And I know we're riding high, but if Eovaldi doesn't pull out a win tomorrow, the Rangers' Game 4 starter is probably Perez, and then another bullpen game for Game 5.

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Montgomery would be on normal rest for game 5. Why would they throw a bullpen game?

And with one swing of the Bat... all the chatter about WC advantage disappears.

It's just so stupid.....no one on the planet would switch places with us.

7 roads games to end the season
3 game series vs Tampa
5 game series where Baltimore is the home team

But WE have the advantage because we are playing so many do or die games?!?!?!!

DeangeloVickers said:

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It's just so stupid.....no one on the planet would switch places with us.

7 roads games to end the season
3 game series vs Tampa
5 game series where Baltimore is the home team

But WE have the advantage because we are playing so many do or die games?!?!?!!

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They mentioned something during the games on Saturday. Jonah has played everyone of the games since the Team took down Seattle with 7 games remaining. He said he's playing on pure adrenaline right now.

It can't be easy for these guys. Saturday was the first time they have been home in two weeks, playing high leverage games and basically win or go home scenarios.

I do think too much time off can hurt a team that is firing on all cylinders but like some have said the teams that ran away with divisions have been resting people for weeks. It could affect their mentality. I know sometimes with me that laziness begets more laziness.