Former Hogs in Pro Ball

[JHicks3636]

I would be shocked if it was anyone else than who is going to win the AL Cy Young.

Problem is he will have to go on 3 days rest.

[ucahogfan]

Problem is he will have to go on 3 days rest.

It is win or go home on Tuesday.  Have to give your ace the ball even on short rest.

[Dr. Starcs]

Dallas will start in New York Tuesday.

[ErieHog]

I would be shocked if it was anyone else than who is going to win the AL Cy Young.

David Price isn't pitching.

[JHicks3636]

It will be Keuchel
http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/153163052/astros-tab-dallas-keuchel-in-al-wild-card-game

[flippinhogmana]

I would be shocked if it was anyone else than who is going to win the AL Cy Young.

He's got my vote, and not just cause he is a hog: Only twenty game winner in that league (the only other one is a 22 game winner in the national); pitched on short rest and got his twentieth in a game that was the deciding game in getting his team in the playoffs; top or near the top in so many statistical categories, etc. 

[ucahogfan]

David Price isn't pitching.

Kuechel has been better this year, but it will be a close race.  Won't surprise me to see Price win, but it seems like Donaldson has more of the award steam from the Jays.

[JHicks3636]

Kuechel goes 6 innings to get the win against the Yankees in the wildcard playoff game. Astros win 3-0. Kuechel will pitch game 3 against Kansas City in the best-of-5 series. He will be pitching at home where he has not lost this year.

[flippinhogmana]

Thanks for the report jhicks, 1+ for your thinking of us and informing us.  I knew they were playing tonight and Dallas was pitching but I got super busy and completely forgot to watch.

[Razorback7281]

This is pretty good.

[89ALUM]

Big Number 60 takes the mound at 3:10 this afternoon in Houston, where DK is ONLY 15-0 with a 1.46 ERA.  That has to really give this young Astros team confidence to get up for this game.

I think if the 'Stros can get a victory today, they will have a clear path to the ALCS.  If either divisional round series goes the full five games, then Houston can schedule Dallas to pitch game one, four and seven.  In that case, I REALLY like their chances to get to the World Series.

[Wisco Pig]

I agree, 89ALUM.   Also, it's hard to overstate how improved the Astros are.   From 2011-13, they had a combined record of 162-324 (.333), which is one of the 10 worst performances in MLB over a three-year period since 1901.   Here's the full list of the worst three-year stretches for each franchise, if you're interested:

http://groundballwitheyes.blogspot.com/2013/10/worst-teams-baseball-history-astros.html

When you mix in the Rangers' terrible performance last season and then consider the Astros' long history in the NL, a Texas-Houston series for the AL pennant would be one of the unlikeliest playoff match-ups I can recall.

(This probably belongs in the Major League Baseball discussion.   Sorry about that.)

[chiefsfan]

In case any of you guys are interested, Matt Reynolds has been called up by the Mets to replace Ruben Tejada, and will be in uniform for game 3 of the NLDS for his Major League debut tomorrow.

[89ALUM]

In case any of you guys are interested, Matt Reynolds has been called up by the Mets to replace Ruben Tejada, and will be in uniform for game 3 of the NLDS for his Major League debut tomorrow.

Thanks for spotting this.  Go Matt!  +1 for you sir.

[flippinhogmana]

In case any of you guys are interested, Matt Reynolds has been called up by the Mets to replace Ruben Tejada, and will be in uniform for game 3 of the NLDS for his Major League debut tomorrow.

Outstanding! I wasnt aware that could still happen.

[Wisco Pig]

Proud day for Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa.   Keuchel and Reynolds are both graduates.

[chiefsfan]

Outstanding! I wasnt aware that could still happen.

Reynolds was in Organization as of August 31st, even though not on 40 man.  Mets had to get permission from MLB to place him on 40 man roster, but since Tejada is out for the rest of the season, and could be normally placed on the 60 day DL, permission was given.

If he plays, he'll be the 2nd player ever to make his major league debut in the postseason.

[89ALUM]

Dallas Keuchel goes 7 strong innings for the win.  Royals are now on the ropes.

[flippinhogmana]

Proud day for Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa.   Keuchel and Reynolds are both graduates.

I knew Dallas was from BK but I had forgotten that Matt was...thanks for the reminder...1+

[flippinhogmana]

Final thoughts on this season-

It seems a shame that Dallas Keuchel's season ended like it did-giving up the three run shot in the elimination game to KC.  But since they were already down two runs and it was a forlorn hope that he could hold it and perhaps they could get back in the game, it shouldn't hurt his Cy Young chances.

Another former hog now eliminated is Mike Bolsinger with the Mets eliminating the Dodgers.  I dont know if Mike was even on the playoff roster, but I assume he was.

But in irony of ironies, the only razorback still in it to get to the World Series is the late, late call up Matt Reynolds-Good luck to you Matt, hope your Mets make it past the Cubs and you get a WS ring.

[Wisco Pig]

'Tis a shame about the Astros, Flip.  However, the Cy Young ballots are cast before postseason begins, so Keuchel's work in the playoffs -- good and bad -- neither helps nor hurts him.   See question #5 on the FAQ page of the baseball writers site:

http://bbwaa.com/voting-faq/

Go Matt!   WPS.

[flippinhogmana]

For Dallas the Cy Young would be a nice consolation prize for not making the world series...For Matt making the world series would be a nice consolation prize for having to labor all year in the minors...