This is the truth. We have to win two games, in the home of the Rays, to go to the World Series. We have to win two games against the team who was the best at home all damn year.

Real Feels, Real Fears

Look folks, I want to be real. Like everyone else, I was riding that win real high on Thursday and starting to have that terrifying hope. Then, once the game got postponed on Friday, I was gripped by fear and doubt.

I want the Guards to go all the way. We haven’t won a World Series since 1948, the year my father was born. He died in 2019, never seeing them win it all. My grandmother was born in 1920, the first time we. She saw the second win with my infant father. But she died in 2013.

Me? I was born in ‘77. Rick Manning, one of the beloved Druncles, played in the opening season game, and Eck pitched. Three days after I was born, Eck threw a no-hitter. But it was not the best year for the ‘Guards.

Famine or Fly Ball

With the exception of Saturday’s game, the pitching staff has really done an amazing job this series. The starters (except for Big Rig) have gotten roughed up and the boys from the ‘Pen had saved the day.

Here’s the problem. The arms are wearing down. You can see it with Parker Messick’s control slipping, and Espino’s walks. Everyone has thrown more games than ever before, and throwing those high leverage games of the Post Season will tire a pitcher out damn fast.

The only pitchers who seem to be hanging in are Gaddis and Smith. Everyone else has been used all over the place, except Bibee, and … well that’s pretty damn telling, in my opinion.

Pop Out Problems

How the flying f**k can our entire team suck at hitting a changeup?

Seriously, y’all, these are professional ball players. There are two things you have to be able to hit: Fastballs and Changeups. The last two games, we can’t hit either. And worse than that, we’re not being patient at the plate.

One of things the Guards must do is get to the Rays’ bullpen, and the only way to do that is either hit the ever loving bejesus out of the ball, or take as many pitches as possible. And again, we ain’t doin’ that.

We are getting hits, but not clutch hits.

If we do get men on base, we aren’t getting in the follow-up hits to bring them home. And dear god, we are hitting so many damn grounders and pop-ups!

Errors in the Infield

Look, Bazzana is great. I love the kid. But he’s clearly still growing as a player, and his fielding is his weaker point. While Kwan and Halpin are insanely good in the field, Angel Martinez and Travis Bazzana … not so much.

Even so, the errors are killing us. Even José, who is still recovering from that hamate surgery, is bobbling. Chase DeLauter overran the ball, twice. Bazzer slipped and fell.

And all that gets worse now that we’re going to St. Pete for two more games that we absolutely must, without a doubt, win.

I’m Scared

I’ve watched or listened pretty much every game this season. I nearly always listen to Hammy (the times I listen to the TV are when Hammy is out and Rosey gets some dud like Chris Jimenez).

I love these guys, I root for this year in the good and the bad years.

I had a lot of hope going into Friday. I had cautious optimism going into Saturday. I have real fear that this is as close as we get.

I want the boys to rally, but the heart of the matter is that our batting sucks. We cannot win if we do not hit.

Pour a rum for Jobu and wave a chicken in supplication. But don’t forget.

Fuck you, Jobu. I do it myself.

Game five and (hopefully) six are Monday and Tuesday in St. Pete.

Let’s go, Guards!