But that's what you imply when you say they were on cruise control. Perhaps you're not saying what you mean?This team never plays without passion or energy, but they went 14-14 last September with 91 wins to win the central. Right now they are 13-7 this September with 92 wins and likely will have to come close to winning out to get into the wild card spot. The team is different and the scenarios are way different. To me personally it felt like going into the playoffs it was more of the we got this and they let their guard down while this season they have been fighting all of September and mentally they are ready for the playoffs because of it. Not a knock on the players but they just didn't have that same attitude in my mind at the end of the season as they do now.
I also feel the young guys we have like Plesac have also helped with their attitudes keep this team together. They had to go through so much and I think that has made this unit stronger plus when you have rookies like Plesac who aren't afraid to go after anyone then guys added like Reyes (who from what I can has a big smile and likes to keep things fun) and Puig, who has a ton of passion and attitude as well. This team I feel even with the injuries may be more dangerous than the better rosters we have in 17 and 18 just because of the way the clubhouse is in my mind.
But that's what you imply when you say they were on cruise control. Perhaps you're not saying what you mean?
My understanding is that he was talking about last year re: cruise control and this year re: always plays with passion.
Just my two cents, but I have long thought that sports message board interactions would be more civil if everyone read every post as though it began with "In my opinion . . ."
It's an especially weird argument for baseball. Football, basketball to some extent, and hockey require a lot more passion.I've always found it to be a lame argument to say that a team is "lacking energy" or "playing without passion" just because they're losing, or not playing as well as you want them to.
Edited by mod - thread cleanup
Currently tied with the Rays for that second wild card spot. This has been a fun and frustrating ride. Let’s get this.
My understanding is that he was talking about last year re: cruise control and this year re: always plays with passion.
Just my two cents, but I have long thought that sports message board interactions would be more civil if everyone read every post as though it began with "In my opinion . . ."
There's literally a pinned thread in this section debunking the myths surrounding playoff baseball with the whole idea of "playing well down the stretch=more playoff success"The 2014 Giants were 13-12 in September and lost 9 of their final 15 games. Won the World Series
The 2015 Royals were 15-17 in September and won their final 5 games. Won the World Series
The 2017 Astros were 18-11 in September and won 15 of their final 19. Won the World Series
The 2018 Red Sox were 15-11 in September and lost 5 of their final 8 games. Won the World Series
The 2017 Dodgers went 13-17 in September and the 2018 Dodgers went 19-9 in September. Both teams made the World Series
Notice a trend? I don't either
The 2014 Giants were 13-12 in September and lost 9 of their final 15 games. Won the World Series
The 2015 Royals were 15-17 in September and won their final 5 games. Won the World Series
The 2017 Astros were 18-11 in September and won 15 of their final 19. Won the World Series
The 2018 Red Sox were 15-11 in September and lost 5 of their final 8 games. Won the World Series
The 2017 Dodgers went 13-17 in September and the 2018 Dodgers went 19-9 in September. Both teams made the World Series
Notice a trend? I don't either