Decision to remove Greinke will haunt Hinch

[Auggie]

mlb.com

The final two games of the World Series were an exercise in frustration -- and ultimately dejection -- for manager AJ Hinch, who watched his bullpen allow eight runs over 6 2/3 innings in home losses during Games 6 and 7 to the Nationals, who rallied late in Wednesday night's Game 7 to beat the Astros, 6-2, and win their first World Series.

A star-studded Houston team that was looking to win its second World Series title in three seasons came up one game short -- or three innings short in the case of Game 7. The Astros, riding a great start by Zack Greinke, carried a 2-0 lead into the seventh inning before the walls caved in on their pitching staff.

Greinke was pulled after 80 pitches, following a solo homer by Anthony Rendon and a walk to Juan Soto, and Will Harris -- who earlier in the Series was dubbed as Hinch’s “panic button” -- gave up a crushing two-run homer to Howie Kendrick that put the Nationals ahead, 3-2. It continued from there. Roberto Osuna gave up a run in the eighth and Joe Smith allowed a pair in the ninth.

FULL STORY: https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-lose-world-series-after-bullpen-falters

I thought Greinke's pitches lost some of their movement by the 7th inning. Rendon's home run was hit on such a pitch, and I wasn't surprised Hinch lifted him.

I thought for sure we'd see Cole (but glad we didn't).

What would a blown save be without controversy?

[underpants]

1. On the other side they left 10 on base while Greinke was in shutdown mode

Max was pitching out of the stretch all night. 5 innings 103 pitches 7 hits 4 walks BUT he kept them to two runs. Granted some of that is on the Astros AND they hit some rocket shots that went right at the outfielders.

[JanetLovesObama]

2. Yep !

[Loge23]

3. The LOBs killed them.

Leave 'em on early and lose late.
If the Astros were able to bring in a few more runs, it would have IMO changed the whole equation with Greinke.
Instead, we had a tight game and that magnifies decisions like Hinch made.
Credit the Nats with the tenacity to come back.

[Kingofalldems]

4. He's been a 5 to six inning pitcher.

The shocker from here is not bringing Cole into the game.