Billy_Buck

Alrighty then. No More Screwing Around time is here.

But, that is clearly, to me, talking about a caught third strike. I don't think that rule is applicable to a passed ball/wild pitch situation. That was my thought reading the article this morning and then I saw Jerry Layne's comments which pretty much align with that... https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2017/10/12/nationals-hurt-by-crucial-missed-call-in-do-or-die-nlds-game-5/?utm_term=.f9db9a51f822 Yeah, I pulled out the rule book this morning to try to understand this better and IMO, a lot of people (MLBN etc) are ripping the "Rules Comment" out of context and applying it as if it's the entirety of the rule. I think the rule is constructed such that (1)-(4) define batter's interference; the Comment being parsed is there to define how batter's interference should affect runners on base. So... the only of the (1)-(4) interference conditions that could be applicable here is "(3) He [batter] interferes with the catcher's fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter's box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher's play at home base." Then the special case in the comment would be relevant, such as if the backswing caused a dropped 3rd strike on a steal attempt. Indeed, earlier in the same Comment it states that if a batter interferes with the catcher, "the batter is out"; and I haven't heard anyone say he should've been out. Said differently, it's: "If batter interferes with the catcher and that interference is backswing contact, it's a dead ball and runners return to their base," NOT "Backswing contact is a dead ball, in any and all circumstances, full stop." That's how I'm reading Layne--no interference despite the contact, thus the rule isn't applicable--and makes sense to me. Fun way to get a gift run, at any rate. 8-)

"Son, you may hear some old myths and legends about a 'Cubs curse'. It's all LIES. They've ALWAYS been in the LCS, as long as I can remember! We'd pencil them in with every new year's calendar! I think it goes all the way back to Abner Doubleday's time."

Only Game 7 tops it. I'd rank NLCS clinch over this. That's no knock against this one by any means.

NEVER IN DOUBT, MY FRIENDS! IT WAS NEVER IN DOUBT! (Narrator: But in truth, it was always in doubt.)

Oh my hugeness!

Well, regardless... I guess this is better than being a 60- or 70-win team year in and year out.

Seems like forever since cubs pitcher been ahead in count

Oh boy. How does this end well?

1 pitch dp works too, OK thx

Maybe, I dunno, throw a strike?

Here's hoping that was the highest leverage of the 7 (now 6!) outs remaining

TBS demands it, I suspect

DP pls

OK, WiFi was shoddy, so what've I missed? * scrolls through play log * Uh. I'll take a double of your strongest. No--make it a triple.

I'll be in flight most of the game (helloooo WiFi), out of DC no less. Fully expect a Cubs W to celebrate on the other side, something like 6-2 but whatever, just survive and advance. Enjoy!

Pretty impressive win I gotta admit, overcoming all that mold.

Hey, OK. I'll take whatever tactical victories we get.

[tweet] [/tweet]Leave the poor guy alone. He doesn't want the ball. We should honor his wish.

Hahahahahahahahaha! YESSSS! No hits for forever. 4 errors. Base running gaffes. Still a W. Rizzo with a not so subtle dig at Dusty: "I don't think you pitch to me right there." :yahoo:

Rizzo comes through with the MONSTER bloop single! (then wtf, but...)

ALL RISE for the LaStella walk

I know the pen was the obvious move. But I just love press conferences with a pissy Dusty being second-guessed.

"Dusty, any regrets about not leaving Max in there to face Schwarber? Seemed pretty dominant until Zobrist?"

That was an awful two-bagger, Zo. Pathetic.