A few days ago, an HHS reader noticed that Eddie Collins had a season in 1910 with 81 runs, RBI and steals, and suggested this would be a good idea for one of my quizzes. So, as we wait for the deciding NLDS game tonight, why not?

None of these players had a triple crown season. But, they all had a season with a matched set of counting stats. What were those seasons? For bonus marks, what rookie had a matched set of 3 counting stats this season (min. 20 of each) that has never before been accomplished?

Hint: the matched counting stats are not the same for all these players. But, there is a common link connecting all of them.

Congratulations to aweb and Andrew (and others) who quickly identified that these players all had a season with their extra-base hit total matching two other counting stats. And congrats to Richard Chester for identifying Evan Gattis as the answer to the bonus question with his 21 HR, 2B and BB this season. The seasons are after the jump.

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Last night in St. Pete, the Red Sox trailed the Rays, 4-3 in the top of the ninth.  Fernando Rodney opened the frame with six balls in seven pitches, walking Will Middlebrooks (who gave way to pinch runner Xander Bogaerts), and falling behind Jacoby Ellsbury, who then blooped a single into shallow left.

Read on for more and to weigh in on John Farrell’s strategy.

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With his Dodgers on the brink of advancing to the NLCS, manager Don Mattingly named Clayton Kershaw to start game 4. It will be his first-ever start with less than four days’ rest. Kershaw had one relief outing on three days’ rest back in 2008, at the end of his rookie year, allowing three baserunners in one inning, but no runs.

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@Athletics 1, Tigers 0 (series tied, 1-1) — After winning the opener, Jim Leyland was playing with house money, and it showed. The key play of the game, before Oakland’s walk-off 9th, came in the top of the 5th inning, Tigers on the corners with one out, and leadoff man Austin Jackson at bat. On a full count, Leyland sent the runner from first base — an aggressive, almost devil-may-care stratagem. Jackson swung through a fastball for his third strikeout, and Stephen Vogt’s peg nailed Jose Iglesias to end the inning.

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Pirates 7, @Cardinals 1 — Put that in your RISP pipe, Cardinals — and look out, Tyler Chatwood! Counting today’s go-ahead RBI — the first such by a Bucs postseason pitcher — Gerrit Cole is 4 for 9 with runners in scoring position, 6 RBI. With a 6-1 lead after 6 innings (thanks, Pedro), Cole was lifted at just 86 pitches, perhaps with an eye to a potential Game 5 on Wednesday.

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Bartolo Colon allowed just 10 first-inning runs in 30 starts this year — but a 1.40 WHIP.

Here’s an assortment of notable players, with a common thread connecting them. What is the career accomplishment of which each of these players can boast?

Hint: the career accomplishment includes a particular feat that each player accomplished in his career, plus something else about his career that distinguishes the player from all others with the same feat.

Congratulations to John Autin! He correctly identified (with a little help) that these are the last active players to have homered in the traditional ballparks in use before the 1950s franchise relocations. The particulars are after the jump.

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A few quick notes of mine below the line.

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This post is for voting and discussion in the 32nd round of balloting for the Circle of Greats.  This round adds to the ballot those players born in 1943 who were not added in the previous round.  Rules and lists are after the jump. Continue reading →

It may not have been passionately dramatic, but this round continued the recent trend of pitchers taking the top several vote-getting spots.  Steve Carlton, freed of the competition from Tom Seaver he faced in the previous round, surged to the top spot, solidly ahead of Nolan Ryan and Jim Palmer, who landed in second and third places respectively.  Carlton becomes the 31st inductee into the High Heat Stats Circle of Greats (COG).   More on Lefty and the voting after the jump. Continue reading →

Will Salazar last 5 innings? Will Longo leave the park? Do you remember Cobb’s season debut? Our comment lines are open!

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Tampa advances to the ALDS on road wins against teams riding streaks of 7 and 10 wins.

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