#pitching-strategy

#pitching-strategy

I'm rather grateful that none of the divisional series in either league were sweeps, and particularly happy that the Cubs are still going. Friday is the final game for the AL side, as the Tigers try to advance to the championship series against the Mariners in Seattle after pissing away the division. The Cubs then play on Saturday in Milwaukee,

Another day, another win-or-go-home Game 5 in the 2025 MLB playoffs! The Brewers entered the series as the favorite -- and the NL's top overall seed. But after taking a commanding 2-0 lead, their NL Central rival Cubs evened the series with two wins at Wrigley Field. Now we're back in Milwaukee -- with the winner moving on to face the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL pennant.

For Glasnow, yes, but also for the Dodgers. It would eliminate the possibility of the Dodgers playing for their lives on Saturday, amid the deafening decibels of Citizens Bank Park. And it would vindicate the Dodgers' strategy of all but mothballing an elite starting pitcher for almost three weeks and then handing him the ball and asking him to win them the division series.

We know the games mean a little bit more when the Toronto Blue Jays are actively trying to match up their pitchers against specific competition. It's also been a while since they've had the luxury of being able to say they are truly six starters deep and any one of them can give the Blue Jays a chance to win on any given night.

"We're looking for guys with stuff, you know, guys that have performed well... a combination of both is really where our focus was. We feel like we got several guys that have that. Eriq Swan, a really big guy with big stuff, strikes a lot of guys out, has velocity, can spin the ball..."

Matt Gage returns to the Giants via a minor league deal, having navigated through nine organizations prior to rejoining the team, showcasing resilience and potential.

Facing Francisco Lindor, Carlos Rodón began with a back-foot slider that misled the hitter from anticipating a fastball, leading to a foul tip.

Richard Fitts finally earned his first major league win, employing a breaking ball-heavy approach against lefties, which proved effective against the struggling Rockies.

Bello's reliance on the cutter, which he effectively mixed and located, proved pivotal in his shutout against the Yankees, showcasing his ability to adapt.

The Braves made a strategic decision to option Bryce Elder to Triple-A and call up Dylan Dodd, only to send Dodd back after a short stint.

When healthy, Chris Sale has been good, with an epic-tier career defined by a fastball-slider repertoire that confounds hitters.