04/23/24
September 27, 2013
SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
For these teams, before this final series is played:
Reds:
Home winning % (2013): .636
Road winning % (2013): .500
Pirates:
Home winning % (2013): .617
Road winning % (2013): .526
I'd say it's more important for the Reds to get home field advantage than the Pirates.
posted by grum@work at 08:15 AM on September 27, 2013
Wow thanks for the stats Grum. I was planning on looking some up later but figured someone here would beat me to it.
posted by Debo270 at 09:28 AM on September 27, 2013
I'd say it's more important for the Reds to get home field advantage than the Pirates.
Since they (presumably) will be playing one another, as they have done frequently this season, we can probably boil this down to that:
In Cincinnati, the Reds went 4-3 (with 3 to play)
In Pittsburgh, the Pirates went 5-4, though the Reds won 2 out of 3 last week.
That looks like a toss-up, though I'm sure both will want this game at home. I suppose a more interesting question is if the teams will pitch this series to try to set up the rotation for the 1-game playoff (and subsequent playoffs), or if they will pitch to win the series and get home field.
posted by bender at 10:02 AM on September 27, 2013
WNBA Star Diana Taurasi Gets Whistled For Kissing Opponent
posted by BornIcon at 11:59 AM on September 27, 2013
I suppose a more interesting question is if the teams will pitch this series to try to set up the rotation for the 1-game playoff (and subsequent playoffs), or if they will pitch to win the series and get home field.
I think you have to pitch the series - in addition to the slight home field advantage, the Pirates need a jolt of confidence heading into the postseason - to have lost 2 of 3 already recently to the Reds, plus another series, AND being on the road is a lot to overcome.
A one-game playoff certainly is a bit of a craps shoot, but I'd still rather come in feeling hot.
posted by dfleming at 12:07 PM on September 27, 2013
I think the Bucs need to win the series to win the playoff game. Cincy has bullied the Bucs all year. Chapman hits cutch every time he faces him. The Pirates need to set the tone that they are not going to take Cincy's crap.
posted by Debo270 at 12:19 PM on September 27, 2013
To expand a bit on grum's work, look at some of the stats for individual pitchers. In Pittsburgh's case, Liriano has an ERA of 1.47 at home and 4.33 on the road. Of course, Cole and Locke have pitched a little better on the road. It's not quite as noticeable for the Reds, but a cursory look shows some difference. I looked at pitchers because of the situation in Boston, where John Lackey is probably going to be one of your top 3. His home ERA is 2.47, while it is 4.48 on the road. Team ERA does not seem to be drastically different for Pittsburgh or Cincinnati, but there is a difference nonetheless.
posted by Howard_T at 03:08 PM on September 27, 2013
An explanation of why baseball's tax rules are keeping the Angels from locking up Mike Trout.
posted by yerfatma at 06:08 PM on September 27, 2013
Playoff baseball basically starts for Pittsburgh tonight. The winner of the Pirates Reds series will get home field for the 1 game Playoff (either could still win the division if they win out and Cards lose out). How important is home field for that game in the eyes of the spofi's??