2007 MLB Playoffs Thread

[Young Drachma]

Rockies v. Phillies are on TBS right now. October is here!

[Young Drachma]

Rockies are up 3-0 with the bases loaded. Cole Hamels just walked home a run in the top of the 2nd with 2 outs.

[EagleFan]

Yay, they made contact!!!

Hey, it's the small victories... :)

[CraigSca]

Anyone attempting to watch this online via TBS' Hotcorner? It's eminently unwatchable. It's a mosaic of 4 screens, one of which is two "hosts" yapping and taking emails from fans while the game is going on. Of course, the audio used for all 4 screens is the two hosts waxing poetic on Joe from Bayonne's email.

[Young Drachma]

I'm still confused as to why baseball thought showing playoff games on TBS was a good idea.

[Logan]

I'm still confused as to why baseball thought showing playoff games on TBS was a good idea.

Well, it has gotten us some earlier games with the lack of a need for prime time.

[Young Drachma]

True, true.

[Young Drachma]

Looks like we've got a ballgame on our hands.

[Lathum]

I hate Philadelphia.

and I don't mean the Phillies, I mean Philadelphia.

I hate everything about it.

[bosshogg23]

I hate Philadelphia.

and I don't mean the Phillies, I mean Philadelphia.

I hate everything about it.

People from Philadelphia hate Philadelphia, get in line :D

[Lathum]

People from Philadelphia hate Philadelphia, get in line :D

lol

I like rocky, rocky is cool.

[korme]

tbs hd baby!!

[EagleFan]

I hate Philadelphia.

and I don't mean the Phillies, I mean Philadelphia.

I hate everything about it.

What happened? Did the city turn you down or something? Stood you up for the prom? Picked on you as a kid?

[astrosfan64]

I hate Philadelphia.

and I don't mean the Phillies, I mean Philadelphia.

I hate everything about it.

We hate you right back.

[astrosfan64]

THIS FUCKING UMPIRE IS TERRIBLE

[EagleFan]

THIS FUCKING UMPIRE IS TERRIBLE

I was thinking that about the Phillies hitters actually. What is with Utley today?

[Karlifornia]

The Phillies crowd doesn't seem to realize that this is a playoff game. Reminds me of Braves playoff crowds.

[Karlifornia]

LOL....fans with front row seats leaving in a 2 run game in the bottom of the 9th. WTF? All it takes is a bloop and a blast, people.

[astrosfan64]

I was thinking that about the Phillies hitters actually. What is with Utley today?

Shhhh it is a long standing tradition in philly to blame the umps, or the league, before the players. I know for a fact that the NHL has had it out for the flyers for years. :mad:

[Young Drachma]

Good the Rockies got the first one out of the way.

[Buccaneer]

Go any teams except the Cubs and Yankees.

[Butter]

Go any teams except the Cubs and Yankees.

And Red Sox.

[JeeberD]

Go any teams except the Cubs and Yankees.


One of the rare times that Bucc and I agree on something.

I'm rooting hardest for the Rockies, though. Moved to Denver just in time for their first season, and I've been to way more of their games than I have Astros games (though none in the last eight years or so...only player left is Helton).

[Crapshoot]

My rooting interests (in order): Red Sox, Indians, Phillies.
My rooting dislikes: Angels, Yanks, Cubs,

Indifference to disdain: Rockies, D-Backs.

[Chief Rum]

Never really paid attention to just how good tonight's pitching matchup is at Fenway. Not only do we have the seeming CY Young favorite versus the AL ERA leader, we also have the 2003 World Series MVP against one of only two pitchers in baseball history to start and win a WS Game Seven as a rookie.

Of course, Lackey has looked a bit shakey so far. Go Halos!

[BishopMVP]

Phantom tag at 2nd there on Lugo.

Lackey looking shaky as always at Fenway, but only given up 1 run thru 2.

[Logan]

Phantom tag at 2nd there on Lugo.

He got me on it. Granted, I'm not 5 feet away like that ump, but I thought he snapped the tag down onto his chest before he got the foot in.

[SirFozzie]

HOOAH! Papi!

[Crapshoot]

Never really paid attention to just how good tonight's pitching matchup is at Fenway. Not only do we have the seeming CY Young favorite versus the AL ERA leader, we also have the 2003 World Series MVP against one of only two pitchers in baseball history to start and win a WS Game Seven as a rookie.

Of course, Lackey has looked a bit shakey so far. Go Halos!

I didn't realize C.C. Sabathia was a Red Sox ...:confused:

But yeah, its a hell of a matchup.

[BishopMVP]

He got me on it. Granted, I'm not 5 feet away like that ump, but I thought he snapped the tag down onto his chest before he got the foot in.Maybe, I don't have DVR on this TV, so I only saw the one replay, but it looked safe to me. Not a big deal. (Just wait until CB Bucknor is behind the plate.)

Papi curls one around the pole. 3-0 Sox. 2nd half .600 OPS Youkilis is gone it appears, replaced with 1st half .900 OPS Youkilis.

And Lackey's career #'s at Fenway - 1-4 (7 GS), 7.46 ERA, 35IP, 59H, 7HR, 25Ks, 12BB, 1.032 OPSa

[BishopMVP]

I didn't realize C.C. Sabathia was a Red Sox ...:confused:

But yeah, its a hell of a matchup.C.C. should be the favorite, but given the writers who vote for it, Beckett getting 20 wins plus playing in Boston will probably be enough.

[SirFozzie]

4-0.. Lackey is just cursed here, I guess.

[Chief Rum]

I didn't realize C.C. Sabathia was a Red Sox ...:confused:

But yeah, its a hell of a matchup.

Was a hell of a matchup. :(

If you think everyone thinks Sabathia is the favorite, you must be watching completely different media than I am (not saying I agree, just repeating what I hear).

[Chief Rum]

I just wanted to take this moment to applaud Scioscia's move last week to sit his regulars and play backups for the last week of the season, instead of his regulars, removing all chance the Angels would avoid starting the Divisional Series in Fenway, against a team that plays them like they play the Yankees, and which is dominant at home. Way to go, Mike!

[BishopMVP]

I just wanted to take this moment to applaud Scioscia's move last week to sit his regulars and play backups for the last week of the season, instead of his regulars, removing all chance the Angels would avoid starting the Divisional Series in Fenway, against a team that plays them like they play the Yankees, and which is dominant at home. Way to go, Mike!I don't know what it is about these two teams, but I absolutely dread playing the Angels in Anaheim, but have no fear whatsoever in Fenway. Playing Cleveland or NY there doesn't seem to be the same home/road split in performance. Given the difference in this series, I really don't get why the teams weren't going harder for homefield advantage.

[Logan]

Maybe, I don't have DVR on this TV, so I only saw the one replay, but it looked safe to me. Not a big deal. (Just wait until CB Bucknor is behind the plate.)

No, he was definitely safe. I was just saying that his quick tag fooled me into thinking he got him, even though it turned out to be an ole!

[sterlingice]

I'm glad Steve Stone gets some national games. Always one of my favorites :)

SI

[Chief Rum]

I don't know what it is about these two teams, but I absolutely dread playing the Angels in Anaheim, but have no fear whatsoever in Fenway. Playing Cleveland or NY there doesn't seem to be the same home/road split in performance. Given the difference in this series, I really don't get why the teams weren't going harder for homefield advantage.

Agreed. There is no place I would rather start a five game series less than at Fenway playing the Red Sox, especially as the Angels. What Scioscia did would be kinda like Torre saying last week, "Hey, let's totally tank it and be sure to go to Angel Stadium next week!" Makes no sense at all. It would make more sense for the Chargers to want to go back to play the Pats in New England than for the Angels want to play the Red Sox in Fenway.

I was annoyed as heck last week with his decision, and now I'm pretty pissed. And trust me, I love Mike Scioscia as much as any straight man can love another man he has never met in a nonsexual manner. ;)

[Chief Rum]

No, he was definitely safe. I was just saying that his quick tag fooled me into thinking he got him, even though it turned out to be an ole!

I thought he was safe, too. Weird call there by the umps.

BTW, I know it counts just the same, but I feel sorta shorted when I see a big bomber like Ortiz get a chintzy dinger into the corner with the claustrophobically close right field foul pole. I mean, if we're going to get beat by Ortiz, I want the guy to kill the ball, none of that wimpy stuff. :)

That was a Chone Figgins homerun.

[SirFozzie]

I thought he was safe, too. Weird call there by the umps.

BTW, I know it counts just the same, but I feel sorta shorted when I see a big bomber like Ortiz get a chintzy dinger into the corner with the claustrophobically close right field foul pole. I mean, if we're going to get beat by Ortiz, I want the guy to kill the ball, none of that wimpy stuff. :)

That was a Chone Figgins homerun.

Be honest though, that was far enough back that would have been a homer in about 25 ballparks..

[Chief Rum]

Be honest though, that was far enough back that would have been a homer in about 25 ballparks..

Nope, without the absurd stuck in corner, that would have been a fairly long foul ball in just about every other ballpark. :D

Strangely enough, one ballpark with a similar corner and which probably would have had that be a homerun is...Angel Stadium.

[BishopMVP]

Guess we don't have to wait for CB to be behind the plate for hitters to start complaining about strikes.... Manny's looked to be one, but the call on Youk seemed low and outside.

[BishopMVP]

I take that back. Neither of those were close.

[BishopMVP]

Wow. I'm loving the announcers and studio guys (particularly Ripken.) ++ compared to Fox.

[sterlingice]

Ok, so what about these "gamebreaks" or whatever they are calling them? It's kindof like they are trying to make it feel like football with a halftime studio show or something. But I kindof like it.

SI

[Logan]

Ok, so what about these "gamebreaks" or whatever they are calling them? It's kindof like they are trying to make it feel like football with a halftime studio show or something. But I kindof like it.

SI

Speaking of, it's nice to know that John Cougar Mellancamp has now invaded baseball.

[Chief Rum]

Wow. I'm loving the announcers and studio guys (particularly Ripken.) ++ compared to Fox.

My favorite part was where one of them said "the Angels can't wait to get their Rod in the game."

[Young Drachma]

Ok, so what about these "gamebreaks" or whatever they are calling them? It's kindof like they are trying to make it feel like football with a halftime studio show or something. But I kindof like it.

SI

It is better than the same commercials over and over.

I like the format of playing the games back to back to back.

[Chief Rum]

UCLA side note. That flat buns commercial is on here (is that being shown nationally? do they show the same commercial, but for Hardee's east of Colorado?).

All that said--if you get the chance to look up pictures of UCLA super frosh Kevin Love, I think he looks a lot like the guy on the right in those flat buns commercials.

[Logan]

Ok, what the fuck is with this Jose Mota sideline reporter?

[miami_fan]

Ok, what the fuck is with this Jose Mota sideline reporter?

I have been asking myself the same damn question all game.

[molson]

Ok, what the fuck is with this Jose Mota sideline reporter?

He's hilarious. I actually find myself looking forward to his next segment. His delivery is over the top, yet he says nothing interesting. It feels like we could break into Youtube territory at any moment.

[miami_fan]

Ahhh I see he is a PBP guy for the Angels.

[sterlingice]

I like the format of playing the games back to back to back.

Amen.

SI

[Logan]

He's hilarious. I actually find myself looking forward to his next segment. His delivery is over the top, yet he says nothing interesting. It feels like we could break into Youtube territory at any moment.

I'm not trying to be a dick here, but he sounds like he just walked out of an "English as a Second Language" class with the way he pauses after damn near every word.

[Chief Rum]

Ok, what the fuck is with this Jose Mota sideline reporter?

West Coast bias.

[Young Drachma]

Beckett is glad to be back in the post-season it seems.

[Young Drachma]

Anyone going to any of the games this postseason?

[Chief Rum]

I'm not trying to be a dick here, but he sounds like he just walked out of an "English as a Second Language" class with the way he pauses after damn near every word.

Actually, he's very well spoken. Much more than his father.

That said, yeah, sometimes us Angels fans would rather watch grass grow. You want utter comedy? Put Mota next to Hudler. You can almost see the Wonder Dog sucking the life out of Mota to feed his own enthusiasm.

[Logan]

Anyone going to any of the games this postseason?

I would've, if not for the greatest collapse of all time. :(

[Chief Rum]

Anyone going to any of the games this postseason?

I might get tickets to Game Four. So...no.

[SirFozzie]

that was one of the best games I've ever seen, pitching wise.

[Chief Rum]

Great game for Beckett. Good start for the Sox. The good news is that this is just one game. We knew coming in that if we split the series in Fenway, we would be looking good coming back to Anaheim. We have one more chance here, and I like our pitching matchup on Friday much better than tonight's.

[sterlingice]

Anyone going to any of the games this postseason?

Yeah, I have tickets to all of the Royals postseason games ;)

SI

[Young Drachma]

I said this postseason. ;) Not 2027.

[SirFozzie]

Woah. What was that guy who the Umps were yelling at in that box behind home plate flashing? It almost looked like one of those Moonite devices that so frightened Boston this summer. That's freakin bizarre.

[ISiddiqui]

I said this postseason. ;) Not 2027.

Optimist.

[Arles]

Dbacks game was a blast last night. I was very impressed with all the DBacks fans in attendance. Driving to the park, I heard on the radio how the Cubs fans would nearly outnumber DBacks fans. When I got there, it was about 6-1 Arizona-Chicago.

Given how young the DBacks are, getting that first win is big. Here's hoping Pinella continues to pull successful starters early from here on out ;)

[TroyF]

KAZ MATSUI. Woo hoo.

[Young Drachma]

Wow. I've got tickets to Game 3 and was hoping it might be a possible series closeout game. Awesome.

[Young Drachma]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071004&content_id=2249499&vkey=ps2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

What a great bunch of guys.

Coolbaugh family voted playoff share
Rockies remember Minor League coach killed by foul ball
By Thomas Harding / MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA -- The Rockies weren't too busy winning to try to help a family through the worst kind of loss.
Manager Clint Hurdle revealed Thursday that the team last week voted a full playoff share to Amanda Coolbaugh, whose husband, Mike Coolbaugh, was killed when hit by a foul ball while coaching first base for the Rockies' Double-A Tulsa squad on July 22.

Hurdle said the gesture "speaks to their awareness, speaks to their passion, speaks to their ... I don't know, everything good about them."

Rookie shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who was with Hurdle at a press conference when the manager revealed the players' decision, said some of the veteran players brought up the idea and the rest of the squad agreed.

"We decided as a team ... it was the right thing to do," Tulowitzki said.

At the time of the incident, Coolbaugh, 35, and his wife had two children, Joseph, 5, and Jacob, 3, and were expecting their third child this month.

[DanGarion]

Are these idiots doing the game on right now (Phillies vs. Rockies) the same morons that do games on WGN?

[Young Drachma]

Well, Rox go up 2-0 in the Series. These boys are on a mission, apparently.

[Logan]

I take the smallest bit of comfort in knowing both the Mets and Phils will probably win the same number of postseason games this year.

[Buccaneer]

How did the Rockies get so hot the past few weeks? Did they get someone back from injuries or something?

[Young Drachma]

Not really. I think you have to figure that while they are a young team, they have veterans in the right spots. Helton's been here forever. Matsui's been around the block. The pitching staff is the real mystery. It's a bunch of unheralded guys outside of Francis, none of them are #1 starter material and yet, they're making stuff happen.

Ubaldo Jimenez did give them a spark in the rotation down the stretch, but I think they've just learned to come together as a team. Most of the core were here last year, they didn't make a ton of changes or it's guys who came from within. Well and Tulowitzki knocked off Clint Barmes and has been on fire all year, despite being a rookie, which doesn't really hurt either.

[Young Drachma]

Sabathia gets out of a real jam in the top of the 5th with the bases loaded. Good work.

[Young Drachma]

I wondered if that was Tony Gwynn in the booth with them. I don't think I mind him in there. I do however, mind that graphic that tells you how much of a lead the runner has. Does that really enhance our viewing experience?

[Young Drachma]

Geez. How does the Indians drummer get that drum into the stadium? Isn't it heavy?

[Young Drachma]

Wrong guy. I dunno why I thought that was Ryan Garko.

[Young Drachma]

Oh, that's why. He was next in the order. But I'm all for the Yankees losing. Go Indians.

[Young Drachma]

But damn if Chief Wahoo isn't about the most offensive thing you ever did see.

[Buccaneer]

But damn if Chief Wahoo isn't about the most offensive thing you ever did see.

But seeing that the Indians are beating the Yanks is not (the most offensive).

[Young Drachma]

Why is LeBron wearing a Yankees cap? What a goofball.

[Young Drachma]

Man, Kenny Lofton is dialed in. I forgot he played for the Yankees not too long ago. Not that I think that matters to him, he's probably just happy to be back in Cleveland and in the playoffs.

[Sublime 2]

Anyone going to any of the games this postseason?

I was at Fenway last night!!! Whoo!

[Young Drachma]

Wow. This Jensen Lewis kid has an interesting windup, but he's throwing straight heat. Geez.

[TroyF]

How did the Rockies get so hot the past few weeks? Did they get someone back from injuries or something?

1) They got unexpected hot starts from a couple of call up pitchers. After getting a series of starters hurt, Jimenez and Morales gave them a solid group of starters. Even Mark Redmon pitched out of his mind.

2) Speaking of pitching out of their mind, the bullpen went crazy. Corpas, Fuentes, Hawkins, Herges, etc. Whatever the situation, whatever they needed, they got. Every single time.

3) The bats just all came to life at the same time. Look at these numbers for the month of September: (AVG, OBP, SLG)

Holliday .367, .448, .796
Helton .390, .488, .619
Hawpe .316, .400, .537
Tulo .273, .341, .518
Atkins .390, .448, .562

That's the 2-6 hitters in the lineup. And they were doing that in places like Petco Park and Dodger Stadium, not just Coors Field. They simply caught fire.

4) They always had the defense. They don't give teams extra outs and they make some spectacular plays in the field. (especially Tulowitzki)

Put that mix together along with a little "belief" and you have a seriously dangerous team. Starting pitching, bullpen, hot bats, defense and a group that believes they can win no matter what happens? Now you combine that with a lot of the kids stupid enough to not understand they should be in this situation? Frightening.

I think if someone were to just pound them in a game it might blow the entire thing up. I figured the Phillies had a good chance to do just that. Didn't happen. I'm not sure if the Cubs or D-Backs have the bats to really pull it off. It may take one of the AL powerhouses to do it. (I think the Rockies pitching is still suspect in big games and I think a team like the Red Sox, Indians or Yankees could destroy them. (of course of that, only the Indians and Red Sox could also shut down the Rocks)

All in all, I think they get to the WS now. I think they get beat if they play the Red Sox or Indians. I think they beat the Angles. And I think a series with the Yankees would be a toss up. Of course, one unexpected thing to end the run and suspend belief for a few hours could change all of that.

[Crapshoot]

Eric Wedge is an idiot - using his 3 best relievers with large leads? If you don't have faith in your pitching scrubs, don't put them on the roster!

[Young Drachma]

Many, Grady Sizemore sure can burn those basepaths.

[Logan]

Ugh. Did anyone else hear that disaster of a "joke?"

[Young Drachma]

No, I had it on mute. What did he say? I'm still laughing at the gnats beating the Yankees.

[Logan]

Something along the lines of "We saw the 'Nats' cause a lot of trouble in the NL last week too."

[Young Drachma]

LOL. Stupid commentators. I guess at least it's not Tim McCarver.

[Young Drachma]

And I haven't minded Tony Gwynn in there.

[Young Drachma]

Wow. Nice grab by Mienkietwicz. Damn.

[Calis]

So I just turned this on. What the hell is with the gnats? Is this normal for Cleveland?

Would be terrible to play in.

[Young Drachma]

Annnndd we're tied.

[Young Drachma]

Those overhead view of third to home is actually really, really cool.

[Logan]

So I just turned this on. What the hell is with the gnats? Is this normal for Cleveland?

Would be terrible to play in.

Started getting bad at the top of this inning, and has gotten worse as it's moved along.

[Young Drachma]

Canadian Solider Ants. Hilarious! How rare.

[Young Drachma]

Well not rare. But male ants and the Yankees playoff hopes are seemingly going to have a similar lifespan if the Tribe find a way to score again.

[Young Drachma]

"Listen to this crowd, it's sounds like an English Premier soccer game."

Uhh...sounds like a baseball game to me.

[Young Drachma]

I wondered where CHamberlin was from, thinking (wrongly) he was Hispanic. But apparently, he's Native American. Carmona doesn't seem to have the problems with the bugs, but he's from the D.R. Not surprised.

[Young Drachma]

Wow. A-Rod strikes out with a runner in scoring position in the 9th.

Big. surprise.

[Logan]

Sadly this is the first time I've seen Carmona pitch outside of highlights. Wish I'd seen more.

[Atocep]

Who went and taught Torre how to use Rivera properly?

[MikeVic]

Juuuust a bit high. Haha.

[Young Drachma]

Nothing like bodychecks at first base.

[molson]

Who went and taught Torre how to use Rivera properly?

I had a little chat with him before the game about that. He often seeks my counsel.

[Young Drachma]

Ugh. That might come back to haunt them.

[Young Drachma]

Or not. Indians win!

[Young Drachma]

Hafner finally comes up clutch.

[Rizon]

There's nothing better than watching the faces of a dejected Yankee. Fuck those posers.

[Buccaneer]

wahoo!

[Celeval]

That was one hell of a game.

[Lathum]

There's nothing better than watching the faces of a dejected Yankee. Fuck those posers.

+1

[MikeVic]

Don't worry Angels fans... Escobar learned something from Juan Guzman.

[molson]

Dice-K has not been inspiring confidence for the last two months.

Which I really think makes this game a must-win for the Angles. Dice-K is very beatable, they have to get the job done.

[samifan24]

That was one hell of a game.

Oh man. I'm happy my Tribe are up 2-0 but wow that almost felt like a loss.

[Young Drachma]

Don't worry Angels fans... Escobar learned something from Juan Guzman.

Hehehehe....#45 lives on.

Now if only we could send J.P. Riccardi to Baltimore or something, life would be good.

[ISiddiqui]

So bugs helped the Yankees lose? Is this proof that God hates the Yankees? ;)

[TroyF]

Wow. A-Rod strikes out with a runner in scoring position in the 9th.

Big. surprise.

Anyone who knows me knows I can't stand the Yankees. I'm not a big fan of ARod either. (though I recognize how good he is)

But sometimes he gets a lot of undeserved crap and this is one of those times.

After a Jeter single in the fourth innning, the Yankees had 1 BB (which was promtly wiped out by a double play the next hitter), a guy reach on an error and a weak ass infield single that the SS didn't move in quick enough on.

I don't think ANY player in the big leagues gets a hit off Carmona there. He was simply dominant and to laugh it off as another ARod choke job is more than a little unfair. Lets give the kid credit. Earlier in the same inning, he made Jeter look like a little leaguer with a couple of horrific swings. Jeter won't get crap, ARod will take al of it.

Don't get me wrong, ARod deserves some crap. He makes more than the gross GNP of some small countries. And he hasn't stepped up in the playoffs. But he had a lot of help sucking today. A lot of players with big contracts sucked every bit as bad as he did.

[Young Drachma]

I agreed that he doesn't deserve the crap he gets. Especially this year. Without them, playoffs isn't even a word they use in a sentence.

Not a fan of his, but if Ted Rogers wanted to him $300 million over 10 years to finish his career in Toronto, I'd be the first one cheering the move..

My commentary was mostly reflecting the way it'll get spun by the media. Though I did love how the commentators were trying to tell us about how clutch he was in April, as if that mattered now.

[SirFozzie]

Now THAT'S home field advantage. If that catcher's reaching into the stands, you have as much right to the ball as they do.

Earned the Red Sox a run eventually :)

[molson]

A-Rod's the best player in baseball.

I'd love to see him in Boston.

[Chief Rum]

I have a healthy respect for the quality Papelbon brings to the mound. But listening to these announcers, you would think Boston brought in God to pitch here.

[korme]

Fantastic first 3 days of playoff baseball, might I just say.

[Chief Rum]

Scioscia took Vlad out? WTF? My two choices here are stupid managierial move (yuck) or Vlad is hurt (shit). I don't like my choices.

[Chief Rum]

Contusion to the shoulder. Damn it, Vlad gets beaned so much. :(

[Celeval]

Even more fantastic if you include Monday night. Great October baseball so far.

[Chief Rum]

Sorry Coco didn't catch that, what did you say? lol...

BTW, has that ever happened before in baseball history? A Coco just flew out to a Chone.

[SirFozzie]

MANNY FUCKING RAMIREZ!

[MizzouRah]

WOW!!!!!

That was a B O M B!!!!

[Young Drachma]

I just had a feeling when they walked Ortiz to get to Manny...that it was gonna be a wrap and sure enough...

[molson]

Manny talking to the media??

[Young Drachma]

The walkoff home run is the coolest thing in sports.

[Chief Rum]

Yup, saw that one coming, too. How many times can you tease a guy with Manny's pedigree and expect to survive? Good game for the Sox. Winnable for both sides. We go home with our backs against the wall. But at least we'll be home.

[Young Drachma]

Even more fantastic if you include Monday night. Great October baseball so far.

+1

I wish it was on regular TV, so all of America could see it and yet, I realize that we'd never get back-to-back games if it weren't setup how it is.

[molson]

The Angels really needed that one - now they have to beat both Schilling and Beckett (on regular rest) to force a game 5.

[SirFozzie]

17 year old Danny Vinik was the one who stole the ball from the angels catcher. Vinik is the son of one of the Red Sox owners limited partners

[RPI-Fan]

A bug infestation costing the Yankees the game, some schmuck kid outjumping the Angels hotshot catcher to cost the Angels... what a night!

[Galaril]

Wow Manny has 22 Hrs in the postseason? I thought Reggie Jackson had the record 18? That statistic on Manny was flashed by TBS who I don't trust at all the way they have fucked up the broadcasts up to now.

[SirFozzie]

A bug infestation costing the Yankees the game, some schmuck kid outjumping the Angels hotshot catcher to cost the Angels... what a night!

Love this picture

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/1005/mlb_a_mathis_275.jpg

[molson]

Wow Manny has 22 Hrs in the postseason? I thought Reggie Jackson had the record 18? That statistic on Manny was flashed by TBS who I don't trust at all the way they have fucked up the broadcasts up to now.

They said he's now one behind the record-holder, Bernie Williams. (Obviously, the newer guys have a huge advantage, it'd be interesting to see a ranking of all time postseason HRs by rate, either per AB or game.)

[Galaril]

They said he's now one behind the record-holder, Bernie Williams. (Obviously, the newer guys have a huge advantage, it'd be interesting to see a ranking of all time postseason HRs by rate, either per AB or game.)


Thnaks for that and you are right about the rate. That was a MONSTER homerun it looked to be a good 20-30 feet above the Green Monster when it left the park.

[TroyF]

Add me to the list of those who saw it coming. Sometimes you just get a feeling. When you keep walking one all star to get to another, you know eventually the other guy is going to step it up. That ball was just crushed.

FWIW: Manny, coming into this season, had hit .258 during the post season in his career. .354 OBP and a .490 SLG. 82 total post season games.

For comparison, Babe Ruth appeared in 41 post season games, hit .326, .467 OBP, .744 SLG (Yikes) and slugged 15 HR.

[RPI-Fan]

FWIW: Manny, coming into this season, had hit .258 during the post season in his career. .354 OBP and a .490 SLG. 82 total post season games.


Also FWIW, ARod, coming into tonight, had hit .276 during the post-season in his career, .366 OBP, and .478 SLG (36 games). Where are all those people giving Manny shit???

[DaddyTorgo]

Manny's a riot. That ball still prolly hasn't touched down. He hit that thing and didn't even move...he just stood there and raised his arms in the air and smiled.

[molson]

Also FWIW, ARod, coming into tonight, had hit .276 during the post-season in his career, .366 OBP, and .478 SLG (36 games). Where are all those people giving Manny shit???

I remember Manny having some horrible playoff series with the Indians (wasn't he hitless in the entire '99 5-game ALDS against Boston?). He's been much better with Boston. A-Rod's struggles have been more recent (though overrated).

Edit: I added up Manny's playoff stats with the Sox:

.312 Avg, 8 HRs, 25 RBIs in 125 ABs.

So that's why Manny doesn't get shit.

[Galaril]

How manny RBis and HRs has AROD had in the playoffs might be more telling?

[Desmond]

I remember Manny having some horrible playoff series with the Indians (wasn't he hitless in the entire '99 5-game ALDS against Boston?). He's been much better with Boston. A-Rod's struggles have been more recent (though overrated).

Edit: I added up Manny's playoff stats with the Sox:

.312 Avg, 8 HRs, 25 RBIs in 125 ABs.

So that's why Manny doesn't get shit.

The ring he's got is also a nice factor.

[Young Drachma]

I'm heading to Denver for Game 3. We'll see how this goes....

[TroyF]

How manny RBis and HRs has AROD had in the playoffs might be more telling?

6 HR and 16 RBI in 37 games

Funny thing is, he crushes balls in the LCS. His horrific numbers are almost all LDS related. 23 career games in the LDS he's hit .238, .319 OBP and only 2 HR.

14 games of the LCS, he's hit .315, .413 OBP and .611 SLG.

I'm not an ARod fan, but he still takes to much crap over this. The Yankees have just faced two Cy Young calibur pitchers. As a team, they have had 8 hits in 20 innings of play. (and 8 more baserunners via the walk) They've struck out 17 times. Only one Yankee player has 2 hits in this series. (Abreu, whose second hit was an infield single fielded poorly by the SS)

1/3 of the lineup hasn't gotten a single hit. (ARod, Posada, Matsui) 2 of the 4 NY runs in the series are off of mistake pitches to guys the Indians didn't really fear hitting it out on them. Cano hit a bomb. But ARod is taking the crap for this? (I've read some of the articles from the NY papers today. Simply ridiculous)

Keep in mind here, I understand that ARod is going to get criticism because of his contract and his history with NY in the postseason. I just think at times it gets to a ridiculous level. I hope sometime down the line he has a big postseason and shuts a lot of people up. I just hope it isn't with the Yankees. :)

[bulletsponge]

I hope sometime down the line he has a big postseason and shuts a lot of people up. I just hope it isn't with the Yankees.


ditto, i hope he has a monster postseason against the Yankees

[Galaril]

Yeah wow those stats are pretty good for MOST players but I guess when the guy hits nearly 60 homeruns and 160 RBIs they aren't that great and since he has been with the Yankees he hasn't done much. He does seem to kill the ball in alot of meaningless situations.

[sterlingice]

Well, considering the league so far is hitting .219 (115/524, if my thumbnail math is correct) in the playoffs vs .268 in the regular season, maybe it's time to cut the guy a little slack. Again, obviously batting average is not a great stat but it's a pretty obvious reminder that there are a lot better pitchers in the playoffs so expected even identical rate stats in the playoffs vs the regular season is just plain ludicrous. Much less expecting better.

SI

[sterlingice]

And with that, there go the Cubs into the night.

SI

[sterlingice]

Ok, who turned out the lights in Colorado?

SI

[Radii]

And with that, there go the Cubs into the night.


What an awful series. How many times did the Cubs get the leadoff man on base in this series and fail to score? I think the announcers said they were 1 for 23 with runners in scoring position. FOUR double plays in game 3, argh.

[JonInMiddleGA]

How many times did the Cubs get the leadoff man on base in this series and fail to score?

I hate it when people ask questions that I'm just curious enough to figure out the answer to.

Game 1 - 3rd, 5th, 6th (scored) = 1 of 3 scored
Game 2 - 2nd (scored), 5th = 1 of 2 scored
Game 3 - 1st, 2nd, 4th (scored), 5th = 1 of 4 scored

9 of 27 leadoff batters reached, 3 of 9 scored.

[ISiddiqui]

And the Rockies move on to face the D-Backs in an NL West battle in the NLCS!

[Galaril]

Ha-ha Phillies fans thought they were going to roll right over the Rocks. Good for them. Congrats to all the Rockies fans and good luck until the WS against (hopefully) my Red Sox.

[Young Drachma]

Well, I went to a baseball game and a hockey crowd broke out.

[Karlifornia]

Rockies/Dbacks NLCS.....I'm pretty sure reruns of "Still Standing" will draw comparable audiences. Poor TBS....They need to pray for Yankees/Red Sox.

[Young Drachma]

We were joking about that tonight. "The worst possible series. The one no one wants to see. Oh well."

I don't weep for TBS or FOX.

Here are pics (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2040079&l=9c68e&id=45202235) from tonight's game, if you're into such things.

Playoff baseball is quite an experience, I must say. I really enjoyed that. I imagine it'd be pretty intense in a "baseball city" but...for what they lack in playoff experience, the local populace make up for it in exhuberance. It was pretty rockin' from start to finish, that's for sure.

[Galaril]

Rockies/Dbacks NLCS.....I'm pretty sure reruns of "Still Standing" will draw comparable audiences. Poor TBS....They need to pray for Yankees/Red Sox.

TBS is fucked. It doesn't matter who wins the AL series' since FOX holds rights to the ALCS.

[Galaril]

I just wondered how you could market a Indians D'backs WS?

[sterlingice]

I just wondered how you could market a Indians D'backs WS?

I find the Rockies really compelling so I'll take them in the World Series if that's who we get. On the AL side, I think all 4 of those teams are somewhat well known, tho Cleveland is the lowest rung on there since they haven't had much success in the last 5 years.

Arizona does kindof stink up the joint but that's because they kindof fluked their way into the best record in the league and no one's really sure how that happened. They have Brandon Webb included in a collection of guys that had a negative run differential. It boggles the mind.

Back to the ratings issue, this is the problem with running what amounts to local northeastern sports news as national in scope the rest of the year on ESPN, Fox, etc. They promo the hell out of New York, Boston, etc for cheap, short term gains. If you have practically every ESPN and FOX game at one of about 5 major markets all year, that's all people are going to see and that's all nationally people will "care" about it come playoff time. Why show, say a Jeff Francis-Brandon Webb regular season game when their respective teams are in the playoff chase when you can show some Yankees/Red Sox tilt between their 5th starters just because it's the "greatest rivalry" (sic) out there?

SI

[sterlingice]

We were joking about that tonight. "The worst possible series. The one no one wants to see. Oh well."

I don't weep for TBS or FOX.

Here are pics (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2040079&l=9c68e&id=45202235) from tonight's game, if you're into such things.

Playoff baseball is quite an experience, I must say. I really enjoyed that. I imagine it'd be pretty intense in a "baseball city" but...for what they lack in playoff experience, the local populace make up for it in exhuberance. It was pretty rockin' from start to finish, that's for sure.

So did you trip over a power cord on your way to get a hot dog in the 2nd inning there? ;)

SI

[JonInMiddleGA]

I just wondered how you could market a Indians D'backs WS?

You couldn't.

[TroyF]

Any WS without the Yankees or Red Sox is going to be difficult to market. With those two teams, you have enough of a fan base nationally to draw viewers. And there is enough of a "hate" base that you'll get a lot more people cheering for them to lose.

The Angels give you a decent fan base in LA, but they aren't popular enough to hate. At least you have LA.

But the Indians vs. Dbacks/Rockies? For die hard baseball fans, that's a decent matchup. (Carmona, Sabathia vs. Webb or the Rockies bats make for good TV viewing) The casual baseball fan not from Cleveland, Arizona or Colorado? Low ratings here we come. . .

[Young Drachma]

So did you trip over a power cord on your way to get a hot dog in the 2nd inning there? ;)

SI

Hahaha..nope. Was just in my seat watching. It was cool to see the field with no stadium lights. The players got off that field fast as hell, though.

[MikeVic]

Know what would be a marketable series? Jays vs Expos.

[Young Drachma]

Know what would be a marketable series? Jays vs Expos.

With glowing hearts
We see thee rise
The TRUE NORTH strong and free!

I'd settle for just an all-Canadian Stanley Cup Final.

::sigh::

[MikeVic]

With glowing hearts
We see thee rise
The TRUE NORTH strong and free!

I'd settle for just an all-Canadian Stanley Cup Final.

::sigh::

Awesome. If we had some kind of list of favourites, you'd be on it right now. My dream after the Jays two good years was for a Jays-Expos World Series. Will never happen now!

[Young Drachma]

I became a Jays fan for no good reason around '91. Jack Morris showing up (he was my favourite player at the time) in '92 sealed the deal for me. I was lucky, I guess. And the team's success from '82 to then gave me a lot of lore to build on and to get excited about. Then it all went to pot.

One of my best friends growing up (and to this day) is a Canadian and that bolstered my interest, but, I just think hockey is such a pasttime that it's a shame what Bettman did to the sport under the guise of saving it and the fact that he still has a job just bugs the hell out of me.

But yes, an Expos-Jays World Series would've been great, especially since Montreal supported that team well until it was apparent that corrupt Bud and his boys had it out for them. At least an American city is now suffering under that fraud Jeffrey Loria, rather than continuing to rip the hearts out of people who are clearly sports fans, just don't want some huckster coming trying to lie to them about what his intentions are. In retrospect, it wasn't the best place for a baseball team in the first place..but...no one told them to do that. I think somewhere in Western Canada with a domed park would've been much better as a viable 2nd Canadian option.

I hope when the Marlins move, he sells the team and goes back to doing blow or whatever it is he was doing before he decided he wanted to be a baseball owner.

[molson]

Back to the ratings issue, this is the problem with running what amounts to local northeastern sports news as national in scope the rest of the year on ESPN, Fox, etc. They promo the hell out of New York, Boston, etc for cheap, short term gains. If you have practically every ESPN and FOX game at one of about 5 major markets all year, that's all people are going to see and that's all nationally people will "care" about it come playoff time. Why show, say a Jeff Francis-Brandon Webb regular season game when their respective teams are in the playoff chase when you can show some Yankees/Red Sox tilt between their 5th starters just because it's the "greatest rivalry" (sic) out there?

SI

I think that whole angle is a little overstated, but to the extent that it exists, you make it sound like ESPN is covering Boston/NY as some kind of charity case. The northeast is the population center of the United States, and it's transplants are all over the place. (It's amazing how many other 20-somethings from the northeast ended up here in Idaho). You're asking tv networks to leave money on the table by showing smaller market teams for some kind of future investment? If they Yankees and Red Sox were leaving the league or something, I'd see your point, but big markets have always driven sports TV business.

The New York market is more than just a big city - it includes almost 20 million people. That's 10 times Denver.

That being said, two major markets facing off in a championship series is sometimes too much of a good thing. Yankees/Mets in 2000 was horribly rated outside greater NYC (though again, if you can get a big piece of 20 million caring about the series - who cares about Pittsburgh or Detroit?). Red Sox/Rockies is probably the best matchup on the table right now, in terms of national interest.

[Chief Rum]

Great save by Weaver getting those strikeouts to get out of the rally.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Red Sox/Rockies is probably the best matchup on the table right now, in terms of national interest.

I'm not sure Arizona-Boston might not be better, or at least as good.

The Phoenix DMA is now about 20% larger than Denver (as of the recent Nielsen market estimates (http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.3437240b94cacebc3a81e810d8a062a0/?vgnextoid=130547f8b5264010VgnVCM100000880a260aRCRD#)) and I'm not sure that the Rockies generate any greater interest outside their home market these days than do the D'Backs.

[Chief Rum]

Figgins was probably safe but tough to tell. Leading foot definitely in before the tag, but it looked like he missed the bag with that leg. If his knee is first to touch the bag, I think he's out, because Lowell had the tag on by then.

[molson]

I'm not sure Arizona-Boston might not be better, or at least as good.

The Phoenix DMA is now about 20% larger than Denver (as of the recent Nielsen market estimates (http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.3437240b94cacebc3a81e810d8a062a0/?vgnextoid=130547f8b5264010VgnVCM100000880a260aRCRD#)) and I'm not sure that the Rockies generate any greater interest outside their home market these days than do the D'Backs.

The only reason I think the Rockies would generate extra interest is how they got to the playoffs. They're a great story - I think a lot of people would tune in to root for them to take down the the Red Sox or Yankees.

[molson]

Geez:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2007/news/story?id=3052904

"His job is on the line," Steinbrenner told The Bergen Record. "I think we're paying him a lot of money. He's the highest-paid manager in baseball, so I don't think we'd take him back if we don't win this series."

What a dope.

[DaddyTorgo]

eh...2-0 Sox now. Back to back bombs by Ortiz (hard) and Manny (crushed another)

[Chief Rum]

Are you watching, Bill Stoneman? This is why it's important to get some power. Other teams beat your teams with it. It doesn't mean stop using the speed and the small ball. But get a sack and get us a freakin' hitter to hit behind Guerrero.

And speaking of which, from Scioscia's decision to rest players in the last week rather than going for home field, to his decisions in this series to put guys like Izturis at 5, and Willits of all people in the cleanup spot, if we lose this, as it appears to me, it is all on him and Stoneman. Just some awful decision making from a normally extremely intelligent basbeall man.

[Chief Rum]

Oh okay, Willits was an injury replacement. Somehow I missed that. Yuk, though. I stand by the other comments.

[sterlingice]

I hear there's a 3B who might be on the market this offseason who has a bit of pop in his bat, CR. Oh yeah, but he doesn't hit 1.000 in the playoffs ;)

SI

[molson]

I hear there's a 3B who might be on the market this offseason who has a bit of pop in his bat, CR. Oh yeah, but he doesn't hit 1.000 in the playoffs ;)

SI

Mike Lowell?

[Chief Rum]

I hear there's a 3B who might be on the market this offseason who has a bit of pop in his bat, CR. Oh yeah, but he doesn't hit 1.000 in the playoffs ;)

SI

Heh, yeah, I know, and the Angels are probaby the most often mentioned team when it comes to him (besides his current team). I just don't see how we can come up with $30 M a year. And what does that do for the rest of the team, particularly Guerrero. Vlad's contract runs out in '09 (assuming we pick up the option). If ARod's grabbing 30-something, how much do we give Vlad, who the team probably owes a lot more to fo rwhat he has been for this franchise since he came over.

Sure, we're in LA over here, but I don't know that we can afford that much.

[Chief Rum]

Mike Lowell?

I would take Mike Lowell right now in a heartbeat. Most legit hitter Stoneman would have gotten since Vlad, which is sad.

[Logan]

Are you watching, Bill Stoneman? This is why it's important to get some power. Other teams beat your teams with it. It doesn't mean stop using the speed and the small ball. But get a sack and get us a freakin' hitter to hit behind Guerrero.

Makes you wonder how bad of shape your team would be in if 29 other teams weren't scared of Vlad's back when he was a FA.

[sterlingice]

Heh, yeah, I know, and the Angels are probaby the most often mentioned team when it comes to him (besides his current team). I just don't see how we can come up with $30 M a year. And what does that do for the rest of the team, particularly Guerrero. Vlad's contract runs out in '09 (assuming we pick up the option). If ARod's grabbing 30-something, how much do we give Vlad, who the team probably owes a lot more to fo rwhat he has been for this franchise since he came over.

Sure, we're in LA over here, but I don't know that we can afford that much.

Oh, c'mon. We all know he's coming to KC to play SS and anchor our lineup ;) :( :( :(

SI

[Chief Rum]

Makes you wonder how bad of shape your team would be in if 29 other teams weren't scared of Vlad's back when he was a FA.

Well, we have to give credit where it's due, even if the management team has done an awful job otherwise procuring legit hitters. They took a chance and it worked. Other teams should be kicking themselves over that.

[Logan]

5 years, $70 million was very cheap.

[Chief Rum]

5 years, $70 million was very cheap.

Actually for then it was about right. Teams were a lot more stingy then in the wake of the 2002 labor deal, and the madness of the 2000 FA season (the one where ARod and Manny got their money).

Since then, baseball has seen record attendances and revenues and teams have gone a little nutso with spending. So for the time, it was a lot of money for that market. It's only in retrospect that it looks like a particularly good deal.

[sterlingice]

Since this game is over now...

For as close as these playoffs looked on paper, probably as open coming in as ever in recent history, it's really odd that we've had 3 sweeps and another team trying for a 4th tonight.

SI

[Young Drachma]

Since this game is over now...

For as close as these playoffs looked on paper, probably as open coming in as ever in recent history, it's really odd that we've had 3 sweeps and another team trying for a 4th tonight.

SI

+1

Indeed, what a strange turn of events. I do like it, given it's been sweeps by teams that no one really favored except in the case of the Red Sox (And even that wasn't a forgone conclusion.

I'm sure it'll get the clamoring for the Division Series to be best-of-seven in full swing again. Not that I think in any of these cases, it would've mattered much. I think the short series is a nice to weed out the pretenders and in other sports, it might lead to fluke wins, but in baseball..I figure that after 162 (or more) games, you don't need too many games to decide 'who belongs'.

If they shortened the season to 148 games, I could down for an either longer division series or preferably, a wild card series that's just a best-of-three between the two wild cards (and let the 3 division champs in as normal)

[Young Drachma]

It's been a lot of fun having baseball on every night, though.

[DeToxRox]

Red Sox vs Indians is such a worst case scenario. Ugh.

[Young Drachma]

Red Sox vs Indians is such a worst case scenario. Ugh.

Save for '04, it'd be compelling. But maybe the Indians need to get past the demons of the Red Sox before trying to exorcise their own streak.

[SirFozzie]

Mighty nice of the Sox and Angels to finish at 37 after the hour, just when the Yanks/Indians are starting

[Young Drachma]

Geez, swap to the Yankees game and uh..nice throw, Jeter.

[Buccaneer]

Red Sox vs Indians is such a worst case scenario. Ugh.

As oppose to what?? The Tigers? Would Angels vs Indians been better??

[Chief Rum]

As oppose to what?? The Tigers? Would Angels vs Indians been better??

YES! @#$%&

[Chief Rum]

Kudos to the BoSox, BTW. Their talent really showed in this series. We got beat, plain and simple.

There are a lot of factors to bring up. I feel losing Matthews for the series, Anderson for the last game (and with a bad eye through all of them, talk about a weird injury, right in line with Angels history), and Kotchman for the last game as well really hurt us. And we were still affected by Rivera's lack of presence this entire year. Sure, he was here at the end, but how much of a difference does it make to have his 20-plus homer power available all season?

But even if we had all of those guys, maybe we take a game. Maybe if we're lucky, we take two, and force it to five. But I still don't see us winning that series most times even with a fully healthy roster.

Which says a lot about out management and what they need to do. Because they haven't been doing it, and I can only pray watching us get swept by the Red Sox again will convince them they need to step it up. Division championships aren't enough anymore.

Great series again to the Red Sox, although, no, I won't be rooting for you. I am rooting for Indians-Rockies now. But you guys have a terrific team, and have to be considered the favorite at this point.

[Young Drachma]

I love how all of the Bronx has to come to the mound to talk to the Rocket.

[Young Drachma]

Wow. Needless to say, this probably isn't how he wanted to go out for good.

[terpkristin]

I love how all of the Bronx has to come to the mound to talk to the Rocket.

and pull him :D

/tk

[Young Drachma]

So when they fire Torre after this game are they going to finally make Donnie Baseball the manager?

[Big Fo]

I would prefer a best of seven in the first round, although that has nothing to do with all the sweeps taking place this postseason. Compared to hockey and basketball using best of sevens with 82 game schedules it just seems like too much of a crapshoot to me.

I missed the substitution while I was eating dinner, was Clemens injured or was it a strategic decision?

[Big Fo]

Damn, even if all four series end in sweeps there won't be baseball on until Thursday, what am I supposed to watch on weeknights now?

[Young Drachma]

Oh I meant to mention this. So last night when they did the player introductions for both teams, they introduced everybody in uniform. I mean, the bullpen catcher, the video coordinators for both teams and everything. I imagine the team decides who they want introduced and said person puts on a team jacket and pants and have at it.

But it was pretty funny/cool when the Rockies had their Assistant Video Coordinator announced as part of the introductions. I don't remember when they announced the bullpen catcher for both teams, but they did..and they said his number, too. I think he went when they named the base coaches.

[ISiddiqui]

Damn Yankees... 5-3, lighting up Westbrook.

[BishopMVP]

Damn, even if all four series end in sweeps there won't be baseball on until Thursday, what am I supposed to watch on weeknights now?Very disappointing. Just start the new series 2 days after the ALDS ends.... oh well, it's not my biggest complaint regarding TV issues (Tim McCarver again! :eek: )

If the Angels pick up another bat this offseason, they're one of the favorites.

[Critch]

I'm going to have to punch my tv if I ever see that Frank TV advert again.

[Lathum]

I'm going to have to punch my tv if I ever see that Frank TV advert again.

+1

[Logan]

I'm going to have to punch my tv if I ever see that Frank TV advert again.

Well, it's been 10 minutes. There should be at least 3 broken TVs in your house.

[miami_fan]

I'm going to have to punch my tv if I ever see that Frank TV advert again.

+1

[BishopMVP]

First Nixon, now Cano not getting the glove down... poor fundamentals going on now.

[Crapshoot]

+1

+100. Seriously - why would baseball be dumb enough to put its post-season on cable, and initially without HD?

[BishopMVP]

TBSHD started up just in time here in Mass... would have been riots otherwise I guess.

Frank TV I have no idea how that's gonna be a good show. I guess he's decent stand-up and at impressisons, but how that translates into a show I have no idea, nor intend to find out.

[Young Drachma]

Man, seriously. Those ads are irritating. So is having the post-season -- especially one this exciting so far -- on cable.

[ISiddiqui]

Being in Atlanta, I didn't have to worry about TBSHD. I just wondered if they'd actually bring the HD cameras ;). TBSHD has called itself an HD channel while showing only a handful of Braves games (and like nothing else) in HD.

[JonInMiddleGA]

+100. Seriously - why would baseball be dumb enough to put its post-season on cable, and initially without HD?

Umm ... $$$

And I have to think the networks were pretty pleased that a cable network stepped up & was willing to pay since there's a pretty good chance that any of the major broadcast networks would have had to risk putting early round games on that actually draw lower ratings than their regular primetime programs and would have been paying for the "privilege". Not to mention pissing off their affiliates royally as in many markets MLB is a really tough sell.

I really don't think baseball is all that far from being all cable except maybe for the WS and the A-S game.

[RPI-Fan]

I've had every single postseason game in HD???

[Galaril]

First off, I am glad the Sox' won but am not going to brag about kicking the Angels are anything since I think if they hadn't had a ton of injuries to kep players this would have been amuch closer series. Yankees game remined me slightly of the year the Sox had there comeback against NY in 2005. My advice to Cleveland win the next game! You will LOSE if you go to game five against this team no matter where you play. I have tickets to the first game of the ALCS in Boston and hope we get the Yankees;) But if we get the Indians no prob. Just happy we are still in it. Good to see Manny and Ortiz as well as Lowell/Drew all hitting.

[TroyF]

First off, I am glad the Sox' won but am not going to brag about kicking the Angels are anything since I think if they hadn't had a ton of injuries to kep players this would have been amuch closer series. Yankees game remined me slightly of the year the Sox had there comeback against NY in 2005. My advice to Cleveland win the next game! You will LOSE if you go to game five against this team no matter where you play. I have tickets to the first game of the ALCS in Boston and hope we get the Yankees;) But if we get the Indians no prob. Just happy we are still in it. Good to see Manny and Ortiz as well as Lowell/Drew all hitting.

I dunno if I buy that. I know that'll be the talk. Lose tomorrow and it's NY's to lose. But Cleveland in that scenario Cleveland will be:

1) Playing at home
2) Starting a Cy Young candidate on normal rest
3) Facing either a pitcher who has been lit up like a roman candle in 2 of his last 4 starts or a 35 year old on short rest.

Even if Cleveland loses tomorrow, I think they are still the favorites to go to the ALCS. Doesn't mean the Yankees won't win it. We all know they have the talent to sweep through everything. . . but I think if I'm Cleveland, I'm more than happy to take my chances with a rested Sabathia vs. ANY starting pitcher the Yankees throw out at me.

[Jas_lov]

Wang will pitch tomorrow for the Yankees on 3 days rest. Cleveland should counter with Sabathia. If it goes to game 5, it takes place on Wednesday so Carmona and Pettitte will be on full rest. The Yankees will likely crush Byrd so it makes sense to me to go with Sabathia and Carmona.

[TroyF]

Wang will pitch tomorrow for the Yankees on 3 days rest. Cleveland should counter with Sabathia. If it goes to game 5, it takes place on Wednesday so Carmona and Pettitte will be on full rest. The Yankees will likely crush Byrd so it makes sense to me to go with Sabathia and Carmona.

Given all those parameters, I'd have to agree. Start Sabathia a little short and have him and Carmona go full throttle in game five if you need it.

[molson]

Umm ... $$$

And I have to think the networks were pretty pleased that a cable network stepped up & was willing to pay since there's a pretty good chance that any of the major broadcast networks would have had to risk putting early round games on that actually draw lower ratings than their regular primetime programs and would have been paying for the "privilege". Not to mention pissing off their affiliates royally as in many markets MLB is a really tough sell.

I really don't think baseball is all that far from being all cable except maybe for the WS and the A-S game.

Definitely - FOX has had the MLB playoffs the last 5 years or so, and every year, they've had to hold off their fall season premieres until November. That got harder and harder to justify.

FOX took losses on their early sports contracts because they wanted to be seen as part of the "big 4". Remember when they first got the NFL - people couldn't believe it, they thought they'd have Al Bundy doing play by play. Now that they've arrived as a major network, it makes no sense to run Divisional Series Baseball in primetime.

[Jas_lov]

And Wedge confirms that the Indians are going with Byrd in game 4. It's his funeral I guess. I don't know why you wouldn't use your Cy Young pitcher in game 4 and if it came to a game 5 you'd have Carmona who shut down the Yankees in game 2. Byrd faced the Yankees once this season and he didn't make it past the 2nd inning. Facing Andy Pettitte in the deciding game after he shut you down in game 2 is not something I'd look forward to.

[Young Drachma]

I think Wang will get shelled on 3 days rest.

[Jas_lov]

He might get shelled again. But one thing to keep in mind is that Wang pitches much better at home. His ERA is 2.75 at home this year and 4.91 on the road. Maybe they don't cut the grass before he pitches or something. He doesn't really have much of a history of pitching on short rest so we won't know until tomorrow I guess. But can you really count on Wang going out there and getting bombed again? You put Byrd out there and there's a good chance that he gets bombed as well, all so you can save Sabathia for game 5 and leave Carmona on the bench?

[TroyF]

I dont think I've ever seen a pitcher have less command and get more felatio by the announcers than I just saw. I like the way the guy pitches, but they couldn't stop talking about how he'd settled down after the Sizemore bomb. Ummm, guys, he just gave up 3 hits to the first 7 hitters and had a 20+ pitch inning. Seemings on how he's coming off three days rest, he needs to get it together quick or the Yankees are in trouble. (though the Yankees are going to lite Byrd up)

Question for the Yankee fans: Who does Torre go to if Wang continues to struggle? Hughes is probably unavailable. Who is left?

[Lathum]

ANOTHER ABOMB FROM A....

oh wait...

lol

[Lathum]

I <3 Kenny Lofton

[TroyF]

ANOTHER ABOMB FROM A....

oh wait...

lol


I say ARod takes a bit much on the crap, but that at bat was horrific. After pitch #2 to ARod, the score should have been 3-2 Yankees. The last swing was horrible as well.

Posada followed that up with an equally poor at bat.

[Lathum]

I say ARod takes a bit much on the crap, but that at bat was horrific. After pitch #2 to ARod, the score should have been 3-2 Yankees. The last swing was horrible as well.

Posada followed that up with an equally poor at bat.

I think he deserves it all.

he makes 25 million and is aweful in the playoffs in a big spot

[Lathum]

Wang looks horrid

[saldana]

I dont think I've ever seen a pitcher have less command and get more felatio by the announcers than I just saw. I like the way the guy pitches, but they couldn't stop talking about how he'd settled down after the Sizemore bomb. Ummm, guys, he just gave up 3 hits to the first 7 hitters and had a 20+ pitch inning. Seemings on how he's coming off three days rest, he needs to get it together quick or the Yankees are in trouble. (though the Yankees are going to lite Byrd up)

Question for the Yankee fans: Who does Torre go to if Wang continues to struggle? Hughes is probably unavailable. Who is left?

kennedy or mussina

[wade moore]

As a Sox fan - that sure looked like a foul to me.

[Lathum]

the ump blew that call but hey, now all the Yankee fans will have an excuse why they got blew out

[TroyF]

Wang looks horrid

Beyond horrid. Lost in all of the "did it hit him or not" is that Wang threw two pitches to a guy clearly trying to bunt. One was two inches off the dirt, the other was so far inside that it we don't know for sure what happened with it.

Now Mussina comes into the game. He'd better have his A game tonight or it won't matter how much the Yankees pound Byrd.

[TroyF]

He held them to two, but threw 21 pitches himself. You have to admire the Indians at bats in this series. It's like watching those old Yankees teams. You get out of the inning happy it wasn't worse than what it was and realize you just gave up a couple of runs and threw 30+ pitches.

Yankees aren't dead yet. I still think Byrd gets lit up. But I wouldn't wait to long to make the move. I don't think the Indians are done scoring tonight.

[Young Drachma]

I think Wang will get shelled on 3 days rest.

Totally saw it coming.

[Young Drachma]

Just got home from work and was pleased to see that the Yanks were down. Indians need to end this thing here tonight. It's still early yet and the Yanks are trying to start a rally now, but...if Byrd can get out of this inning, they'll have to start all over again. We'll see...

[Young Drachma]

Oh right. I love how Johnny Damon is the new Yankee hero. Hilarious.

[Logan]

Bruce Froeming was clearly sleeping. When a viewer can easily identify a guy not checking his swing from the center field cam, it's bad.

[Young Drachma]

Yeah, and it's funny when the put the camera back on him and he was looking like "what? it's Yankee Stadium. I'm not gonna get beat up."

[Lathum]

I would walk Jeter intentionaly here to pitch to Arod