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Evil is triumphing over good all over the place in the LDS. The Braves knocked off the Brewers yesterday while Astros dispatched the White Sox. Meanwhile, late last night the Dodgers forced Game Five against the Giants. Game Five will be Thursday at 9:07 PM.
“This is what baseball wants.”
“This is what baseball wants.”#Dodgers. Giants. Game 5.
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) October 13, 2021
Dave Roberts with a few of his takeaways following tonight's win. pic.twitter.com/pDfxvn4EuZ
The Braves are without Jorge Soler.
Braves outfielder Jorge Soler has tested positive for COVID-19. He’s no longer on Atlanta’s NLDS roster.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) October 12, 2021
TLR says the Astros have a character deficit, which is both true and also some mouth puckeringly sour grapes.
https://t.co/8rQ6pgeE55 Astros completely undressed Chicago White Sox manger Larussa.
— Robert P Hester (@RobertPHester1) October 13, 2021
Is this sour grapes too? Or is it just facts is facts? Either way, below is the Umpire Scorecard on Ron Kulpa’s Rays/Red Sox Game Four zone. It actually wasn’t as bad as I thought, but it was still abysmal, and is just unacceptable for a playoff game. Robo umps can’t get here soon enough.
Umpire: Ron Kulpa
— Umpire Scorecards (@UmpScorecards) October 12, 2021
Final: Red Sox 6, Rays 5#DirtyWater // #RaysUp#BOSvsTB // #TBvsBOS pic.twitter.com/bIoNh0wGzA
Shane McClanahan was not happy about losing.
Imagine watching this video, seeing Shane pitch and then hearing that he sat on the field and watched the Red Sox celebration silently I would be TERRIFIED of next year pic.twitter.com/CljwKllQrl
— Wes (@WesNoNo) October 12, 2021
Some perspective from Joe Sheehan and Jeff Sullivan.
the major reason why so many good players seem to let people down in the playoffs is because everyone is good and almost everyone has to lose
— Jeff Sullivan (@based_ball) October 13, 2021
White Sox starters went 11 2/3 innings in four games. Obviously you can’t rely on veterans in the playoffs.
— Joe Sheehan (@joe_sheehan) October 12, 2021
R.J. on the Rays’ roster churn, and Wander.
2021 MLB playoffs: Rays' roster will churn after early exit, but Wander Franco proved he's a sure thing https://t.co/bcM6SirQsa
— CBS Sports MLB (@CBSSportsMLB) October 12, 2021
Erik Neander joins Neil.
#Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander & @TBTimes_Rays join @neilsolondz to wrap up 2021 & preview what will be a busy offseason.https://t.co/lqYXXPnN8N
— RaysRadio (@RaysRadio) October 13, 2021
The Times ran an editorial that could have been written by Stu.
The Tampa Bay Rays loss hurts. Losing the Rays would hurt a lot more | Editorial https://t.co/5a4oZ6jdKv
— Opinion by Tampa Bay Times (@TBTimes_Opinion) October 13, 2021
Fanatics may be moving in on RSNs.
Fanatics is reportedly interested in getting involved in the sports media world, and RSNs (including the floundering Sinclair-owned Bally Sports networks) may be a prime targethttps://t.co/cAExx7aX3n
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 11, 2021
In non-baseball news, the fallout continued for Jon Gruden for his gobsmackingly racist, sexist, and homophobic remarks, as the Bucs will be taking down his name from the Ring of Honor.
The #Bucs are removing Jon Gruden from their ring of honor. pic.twitter.com/kIV6vj1i5y
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 12, 2021
The Lightning raised the Stanley Cup banner before last night’s opener.
Unlike last season, the 2020-21 banner was unveiled and raised to the rafters all on opening night, in front of a capacity crowd.https://t.co/5q2tt5097z
— Tampa Bay Times (@TB_Times) October 13, 2021
Also, anthem singer Sonya Bryson-Kirksey, who spent a month in the hospital with COVID this offseason, returned with a rousing rendition.
Love to see it ❤️ https://t.co/z8Miuarg1S
— 10 Tampa Bay (@10TampaBay) October 12, 2021
Finally, this doggo is not a stuffed animal.
Go on, I know you want to rub this belly
— 9GAG (@9GAG) October 12, 2021
arang2o_o | IG pic.twitter.com/QC4mGS4HWA