Hey Boston, go beat L.A., again.
So far it's been a rotten postseason for So Cal baseball. The Dodgers and their hordes of low/no-class Raider fans and gang members still looking for fights and crimes to commit at sporting events are happy, but Angel fans are most certainly not, and with good reason.
Despite possessing the best regular-season record in baseball at 100-62, also the best record in franchise history, the Angels find themselves in an all-too familiar situation down 0-2 to the Boston Red Sox in the 2008 ALDS.
In my predictions post, I neglected to mention that these two teams had also faced each other in the 1986 ALCS in addition to the 2004 and 2007 series. Since trailing 3-1 in the 1986 ALCS, Boston has won 11 straight playoff games against Los Angeles, including first-round sweeps in 2004 and 2007 en route to World Series championships. On Friday, the Red Sox set a record for most postseason victories (11) in a row over one opponent.
Game 2 of this Angels-Red Sox series was probably the most exciting postseason game this year, with the Angels down 5-1 early in the game. They continued to score a run here and there until finally tying the game 5-5 in the 8th inning off of Jonathan Papelbon, only to have their closer Frankie Rodriguez give up a 2-run blast to J.D. Drew in the top of the 9th, which gave Boston the 7-5 victory.
With the Angels entering Fenway Park in an elimination game, things do not look good, especially when they're about to face the best currently active postseason pitcher in Josh Beckett. He posted a 1.20 ERA winning all four of his postseason starts last year. Beckett, who was also named MVP of the 2003 World Series with the Florida Marlins, is 6-2 with a 1.73 ERA in 10 career postseason games. If Curt Schilling was still pitching for Boston, this would be even more frightening than it already is.
If there's any "good news" about Beckett as far as the Angels are concerned, it's that he hasn't pitched in 2 weeks due to back problems. Still, he's healthy enough to pitch tonight.
Joe Saunders will be pitching for the Angels tonight. Saunders has had a great regular season (17-7, 3.41) in 2008, but this is his first postseason start and it's on enemy grounds.
Manager Mike Scioscia has a big task ahead of him, and this could be a big task in years to come when the Angels can't shake the rally monkey off its back.
But, that's why they play the games. So, onto the liveblogging!
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(All times Pacific)
Top of 1st Inning:
4:29pm: Chone Figgins lines the first pitch he sees down the rightfield line, which is touched by at least one fan as the ball bounced into the seats and then back out into RF. Figgins ends up with a ground-rule double.
4:34pm: Garrett Anderson strikes out looking at a curveball go by him on a 3-2 count. 1 out.
4:38pm: Mark Teixeira strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
4:39pm: Vladimir Guerrero takes a walk as Josh Beckett throws him primarily outside pitches that even Vladdy can't be coaxed into chasing.
4:42pm: Torii Hunter needs to put the Angels ahead right now. With Beckett pitching, there's not going to be a whole lot of opportunities.
4:45pm: With a 2-2 count, Jason Varitek has a quick talk on the mound with Josh Beckett about getting their signals straight.
4:46pm: Torii Hunter hits a grounder right between 1st and 2nd base. 2B Dustin Pedroia is able to knock the ball down but Josh Beckett is late to first as Torii Hunter makes it to 1st base. Pedroia holds onto the ball keeping Figgins at 3rd base. Bases loaded and 2 outs for Juan Rivera.
4:48pm: Juan Rivera swings 3-0 but fouls it back. 3-1 count. Rivera better not swing again.
4:49pm: Juan Rivera takes my advice and takes a bases loaded walk. Chone Figgins scores. Angels go up 1-0. Beckett has thrown 27 pitches so far.
4:50pm: The Chicago White Sox just won game 3 over the Tampa Bay Rays by a final score of 5-3. The White Sox are still down 2 games to 1.
4:51pm: Mike Napoli grounds out to SS Jed Lowrie who flips to 2B Dustin Pedroia for the force at 2nd. 6-4. 3 out.
Bottom of 1st Inning:
4:52pm: Leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury scalds a 0-1 pitch down the 1st-base line but it's stopped by a diving Mark Teixeira who makes a great play to save an extra-base hit. Tex takes it to the bag himself for the out. 1 out.
4:55pm: On an 0-1 pitch, Joe Saunders hits Dustin Pedroia on the right shin. Pedroia takes his base. The Boston crowd drunkenly chants "MVP" at Pedroia.
4:56pm: David Ortiz skies the first pitch he sees to deep straightaway center, but Torii Hunter brings it down. 2 outs.
4:58pm: Kevin Youkilis grounds to SS Erick Aybar, who flips to 2B Howie Kendrick for the force. 6-4. 3 outs.
Top of 2nd Inning:
5:02pm: Howie Kendrick leads off for the Angels, and he is not having a good postseason at all. With a propensity to strike out way too much for a good hitter, Kendrick has been swinging at junk lately and Boston knows it.
5:03pm: Howie Kendrick grounds to 3B Mike Lowell. Lowell's throw to 1st is poor as it bounces, but Youkilis fields it without a problem. 5-3. 1 out.
5:05pm: Erick Aybar hits a weak chopper down the 1st base line right into the glove of a charging Kevin Youkilis who tags Aybar out as he tries to spin out of the baseline. 2 outs.
5:07pm: Chone Figgins takes a 3-2 pitch into centerfield for a single.
5:09pm: With Garrett Anderson batting, Chone Figgins steals 2nd base on a swinging strike 1. Varitek's throw bounces into Pedroia's glove.
5:11pm: Garrett Anderson works out a walk. Runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 out. Mark Teixeira comes to the plate and the Angels need to crack Beckett open.
5:12pm: Mark Teixeria grounds out to 3B Mike Lowell who throws onto 2B Dustin Pedroia for the force play. 5-4. 3 outs.
Bottom of 2nd Inning:
5:16pm: Jason Bay grounds out to 3B Chone Figgins. 5-3. 1 out.
5:19pm: Mike Lowell strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
5:21pm: Jed Lowrie works out a walk.
5:25pm: After fouling off a number of pitches, Jason Varitek lines a 3-2 pitch into leftfield for a single. Jed Lowrie stops at 2nd base.
5:26pm: Coco Crisp is up with runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 out. Crisp has very good numbers against Joe Saunders at .294 (5 for 17) with 5 of those hits consisting of 4 doubles and a homerun.
5:28pm: Joe Saunders walks Coco Crisp on 4 straight balls. Bases are now loaded for Jacoby Ellsbury.
5:31pm: In the ultimate in shitty defense, Jacoby Ellsbury hits a sky pop to shallow centerfield which should have been caught by either CF Torii Hunter or 2B Howie Kendrick. But instead, no one catches it and 3 runs score. That's unfuckingbelievable. Since no one touched the ball, Ellsbury gets a single. Red Sox go up 3-1.
5:33pm: Dustin Pedroia grounds out to SS Erick Aybar who flips to 2B Howie Kendrick for the force. 6-4. 3 out.
Top of 3rd Inning:
5:36pm: Vladimir Guerrero hits the first pitch from Josh Beckett down the leftfield line for a leadoff double.
5:38pm: Torii Hunter can't hold his check swing on a breaking ball in the dirt and strikes out. 1 out.
5:42pm: Juan Rivera fouls out to 1B Kevin Youkilis. 2 outs. Amazing how this Angels team reminds me of the Mets in that they can't convert runners in scoring position into a run.
5:44pm: Sure enough, TBS provides the data that backs up my feeling. The Angels are 7 for 50 with runners in scoring position over the last 6 postseason games (this year and last).
5:46pm: With Mike Napoli batting, Vladimir Guerrero moves himself over by stealing 3rd base on a 2-2 pitch which ended up being a ball.
5:47pm: Mike Napoli BOMBS a 3-2 breaking ball pitch over the Green Monster for a 2-run HR. Angels tie the game up at 3 a piece.
5:48pm: Good 'ol Howie Kendrick strikes out on 3 pitches. If the Angels somehow manage to win this game, I sure hope Kendrick is NOT playing 2B during Game 4. 3 outs.
Bottom of 3rd Inning:
5:51pm: David Ortiz flies out to CF Torii Hunter. 1 out.
5:53pm: Kevin Youkilis draws a walk.
5:55pm: Jason Bay flies out to RF Juan Rivera. 2 outs. TBS is showing the replay of the 3-run single that fell in between Howie Kendrick and Torii Hunter earlier. It sure looks like Howie Kendrick was the one who royally fucked up considering his glove was in the air and was closer to the ball. Plus Torii Hunter never called him off, but Kendrick stopped pursuing the ball just steps away from him. Ridiculous.
5:56pm: Jason Varitek flies out to RF Juan Rivera. 3 outs.
Top of 4th Inning:
5:59pm: Erick Aybar lines out to CF Coco Crisp. 1 out.
6:02pm: Chone Figgins has Josh Beckett's number tonight as he singles to RF.
6:04pm: Garrett Anderson puts a ride into a shot that goes to the warning track in straightaway CF, but Coco Crisp makes the catch just short of the wall. 2 outs.
6:07pm: Mark Teixeira hits a weak grounder to 1B Kevin Youkilis who fields it closer to the infield grass in between bases, tosses to Josh Beckett covering first but Beckett misses the base with his foot and Teixeria beats it out for an infield single. Chone Figgins to 2nd.
6:08pm: Josh Beckett is up to 87 pitches at this point, and there is action in the Red Sox bullpen with Manny Delcarmen throwing.
6:10pm: Jason Varitek goes out to the mound for his 53rd meeting with Josh Beckett.
6:11pm: Vladimir Guerrero takes 4 straight balls for a walk. The Angels again have bases loaded with 2 outs. Pitching coach John Farrell goes out to the mound to make sure Beckett is ok, and give Manny Delcarmen a little more warmup time.
6:12pm: Torii Hunter hits a ground ball up the middle but it's fielded by 2B Dustin Pedroia, who tosses to SS Jed Lowrie at 2B for the force. 3 outs. Angels leave 'em loaded again.
Bottom of 4th Inning:
6:16pm: Jed Lowrie scalds the first pitch he sees past a diving 3B Chone Figgins into leftfield for a leadoff single.
6:19pm: Jason Varitek grounds into a 5-4-3 DP. 3B Chone Figgins to 2B Howie Kendrick to 1B Mark Teixeira. 2 outs.
6:20pm: TBS broadcasters note that Manny Delcarmen is no longer warming up and that Josh Beckett will likely come out to pitch the 5th.
6:21pm: Coco Crisp grounds out to 3B Chone Figgins. 5-3. 3 outs.
Top of 5th Inning:
6:23pm: Beckett is back for the 5th even though he'll be passing the 100-pitch mark after this inning. Still, it's a tie game and he's getting the big outs when they count.
6:24pm: Juan Rivera strikes out swinging at the high heat. 1 out.
6:26pm: Mike Napoli turns on a Josh Beckett high fastball and it just clears the Green Monster wall and into the seats for a solo HR. The Angels go up 4-3. TBS announcers Buck Martinez and Chip Caray note that this is the first time Napoli has ever faced Josh Beckett. Looks like Napoli has his number.
6:27pm: Howie Kendrick manages to smash a single past a diving SS Jed Lowrie into centerfield.
6:29pm: With Howie Kendrick running on the pitch, Erick Aybar drives a ball into right-centerfield but Coco Crisp tracks it down. Crisp tries to double off Kendrick at first, but the ball hits Kendrick and deflects into foul terrritory. Kendrick stays at first as Kevin Youkilis goes after the ball. 2 outs.
6:32pm: Josh Beckett strikes out Chone Figgins. 3 outs.
Bottom of 5th Inning:
6:36pm: Jacoby Ellsbury hits a ball to the Monster wall but LF Garrett Anderson overruns it by an inch and the ball goes off his glove, hits the wall and Ellsbury ends up at 2nd with a leadoff double.
6:39pm: Dustin Pedroia fouls out to C Mike Napoli just a foot away from the Red Sox on-deck circle. 1 out.
6:40pm: TBS sideline announcer Craig Sager reports that Josh Beckett is done for the game.
6:42pm: Joe Saunders strikes out Big Papi David Ortiz with the high heat. 2 outs.
6:45pm: Kevin Youkilis crushes a pitch off the centerfield wall for a double that scores Jacoby Ellsbury from 2nd and ties up the game 4-4. 12 of Boston's 15 runs in this ALDS series have come with 2 outs. Jose Arredondo begins to warm up in the Angels' bullpen.
6:50pm: Jason Bay walks, and that's it for Joe Saunders.
6:53pm: Jose Arredondo is on in relief to pitch against Mike Lowell with runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 out.
6:55pm: After working a full count, Mike Lowell lays off an outside corner fastball which happens to be strike 3. 3 outs.
Top of 6th Inning:
6:59pm: The flamethrowing Manny Delcarmen is in to pitch for Boston. Garrett Anderson leads off.
7:00pm: Garrett Anderson hits a broken bat grounder to 1B Kevin Youkilis. Youkilis races to the bag to beat Anderson by sliding into it to avoid a collision. 1 out.
7:02pm: Mark Teixeira hits a grounder at 1B Kevin Youkilis who takes it to the bag without a race. 2 outs.
7:05pm: Vladimir Guerrero grounds out to 2B Dustin Pedroia. 4-3. 3 outs.
Bottom of 6th Inning:
7:10pm: Jose Arredondo gets Jed Lowrie to strikeout swinging at a 3-2 fastball. 1 out.
7:11pm: Jason Varitek strikes out looking. That's 3 Ks for Arredondo. 2 outs.
7:14pm: Coco Crisp grounds out to 2B Howie Kendrick. 4-3. 3 outs.
Top of 7th Inning:
7:18pm: Torii Hunter strikes out swinging. 1 out.
7:20pm: Juan Rivera grounds out to SS Jed Lowrie. 6-3. 2 outs.
7:21pm: Mike Napoli gets hit by Manny Delcarmen's first pitch. The ball grazes his jersey, but that's enough to give him first base. It's doubtful that it was intentional since the Sox can't afford to be allowing baserunners in a tie game.
7:22pm: Howie Kendrick slaps a single past 1st base into RF and a jumping Mike Napoli trying to avoid the ball. Napoli to 2nd. That's all for Manny Delcarmen.
7:24pm: Lefty setup man Hideki Okajima is on in relief for the Red Sox.
7:25pm: Erick Aybar hits a broken bat weak grounder right at 3B Mike Lowell, who steps on third for the 3rd out.
Bottom of 7th Inning:
7:29pm: Reggie Willits replaces Juan Rivera in RF as a defensive replacement. Not like Rivera was doing much with the bat anyways other than taking the bases loaded walk that scored the first Angel run.
7:31pm: Jose Arredondo throws 4 straight balls to Jacoby Ellsbury, giving him a dangerous leadoff walk. Darren Oliver and Scot Shields get up in the Angel bullpen. Pitching coach Mike Butcher goes to the mound to talk to Arredondo, noting that Ellsbury is a dangerous basestealing threat.
7:34pm: Arredondo throws back to 1st base 3 times in a row to keep Ellsbury honest before throwing a pitch for strike 1.
7:35pm: Dustin Pedroia flies out to shallow center where Torii Hunter is there to make the catch. 1 out.
7:36pm: That will be all for Jose Arredondo with lefty David Ortiz coming up. Angels manager Mike Scioscia brings in lefty reliever Darren Oliver, knowing that Ortiz's numbers against lefty pitchers this year are not good.
7:40pm: With David Ortiz batting, Jacoby Ellsbury steals 2nd base easily but slides so hard that he comes off the bag and Erick Aybar keeps the tag on him without pushing him off the base. A huge 2nd out for the Angels.
7:41pm: David Ortiz works out a walk on a 3-2 count. And that's it for Darren Oliver with righty Kevin Youkilis coming up. Righty Scot Shields comes on in relief for the Angels.
7:44pm: Scot Shields strikes out Kevin Youkilis. 3 outs.
Top of 8th Inning:
7:51pm: Chone Figgins lines a ball into right-centerfield but CF Coco Crisp easily tracks it down. 1 out.
7:53pm: Garrett Anderson grounds out to 1B Kevin Youkilis who tosses to Hideki Okajima covering first just in time to get Anderson out. 3-1. 2 outs.
7:55pm: Mark Teixeira lines a ball at 3B Mike Lowell that deflects off of his glove into leftfield for a single. That's all for
lefty Hideki Okajima as righties Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter will bat next for Los Angeles. Red Sox manager Terry Francona makes the call to the bullpen for righty Justin Masterson.
8:01pm: Justin Masterson gets Vladimir Guerrero swinging at a 3-2 fastball that Vlad can't connect on and he strikes out in a big spot. *sigh* 3 outs.
Bottom of 8th Inning:
8:05pm: Jason Bay skies a flyball into the leftfield corner where LF Garrett Anderson is there to make the catch. 1 out.
8:06pm: Mike Lowell grounds out meekly to 2B Howie Kendrick. 4-3. 2 outs.
8:07pm: Scot Shields strikes out Jed Lowrie on 3 nasty breaking balls. 3 outs.
Top of 9th Inning:
8:09pm: I'd be surprised if Jonathan Papelbon doesn't come on to pitch the top of the 9th for Boston. Still, he pitched 1.1 innings on Friday night in Anaheim, so who knows.
8:11pm: Justin Masterson remains in the game, as there's no need to go to Papelbon yet. Torii Hunter hits a grounder down the leftfield line, LF Jason Bay fields it and throws to Dustin Pedroia at 2nd base to easily get Torii Hunter who is out by a mile. Hunter's hurt knee clearly slowed him down on the basepaths since he normally would get to 2nd without a problem. 1 out.
8:13pm: Lefty Kendry Morales is in to pinch-hit for RF Reggie Willits. He grounds it to 1B Kevin Youkilis who makes the toss to a covering Justin Masterson for the out. 3-1. 2 outs.
8:15pm: Mike Napoli hits a broken-bat grounder past the mound to 2B Dustin Pedroia. The shattered bat just misses Justin Masterson, but Pedroia makes the throw to 1st for the out., 4-3. 3 outs.
Bottom of 9th Inning:
8:19pm: Scot Shields remains on the mound for the 9th. Lefty J.D. Drew, aka: Hero of Game 2, is on to pinch-hit for Jason Varitek's spot.
8:20pm: J.D. Drew strikes out swinging at the high heat. 1 out.
8:22pm: Coco Crisp takes a 3-2 pitch into centerfield but right at Torii Hunter. 2 outs.
8:23pm: Jacoby Ellsbury skies a flyball into RF, but Gary Matthews Jr., now playing RF although the announcers never mentioned that, makes the catch. 3 outs. We're going to extra innings.
Top of 10th Inning:
8:25pm: Jonathan Papelbon is now in to pitch for Boston. Backup catcher Kevin Cash replaces Jason Varitek behind the plate.
8:27pm: Howie Kendrick tries to bunt his way on but it goes right to 3B Mike Lowell, almost on a fly. Lowell makes the throw to first. 5-3. 1 out.
8:28pm: We're told that current Angels postseason roster is 2 for 48 against Papelbon. *gulp*
8:29pm: Make that 2 for 49, or is it 2 for 50? Erick Aybar grounds back to Papelbon. 1-3. 2 outs.
8:33pm: Fenway explodes as Chone Figgins strikes out looking. I hate Jonathan Papelbon. 3 outs.
Bottom of 10th Inning:
8:35pm: Frankie Rodriguez is on to pitch in relief for the Angels. I know it's not an ideal situation for K-Rod, but he cannot blow this one.
8:37pm: In Frankie's last two postseason appearances, he gave up game-winning HRs. Friday night to J.D. Drew, and in last year's ALDS Game 3 clincher to Manny Ramirez.
8:38pm: Dustin Pedroia strikes out swinging. 1 out.
8:42pm: David Ortiz has a nice at-bat against K-Rod before walking on a full count.
8:44pm: Kevin Youkilis sees a fastball, changeup, (0-2 count) fouled-off fastball, fouled-off fastball, curveball lined to CF for a base hit single. David Ortiz moves to 2nd base. This would be a good time to pinch-run for David Ortiz but it isn't happening.
8:48pm: Jason Bay strikes out swinging at K-Rod's breaking ball. 2 outs.
8:49pm: TBS Announcer Buck Martinez also wonders why Ortiz isn't being pinch-run for with Mark Kotsay still available on the bench.
8:50pm: 3-2 count to Mike Lowell with 2 outs will allow David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis a headstart on the bases.
8:52pm: Mike Lowell walks as he doesn't swing at a low and outside fastball. Alex Cora is in to pinch-run for Mike Lowell at 1B.
8:53pm: Bases loaded. 2 outs. Frankie Rodriguez vs. Jed Lowrie, now batting lefty. The Fenway fatifhful get very very loud.
8:54pm: Even louder when Frankie can't find the strike zone with 2 balls.
8:55pm: MIRACLE! Jed Lowrie flies out to RF Gary Matthews Jr. 3 outs! Frankie is pumped, although the Angels need to take this momentum and score some motherfucking runs in the 11th. Frankie threw 30+ pitches that inning, so it's questionable if he can pitch the bottom of the 11th.
Top of 11th Inning:
8:58pm: Defensive adjustments for Boston. Jed Lowrie moves over to 3B in place of Mike Lowell, Alex Cora replaces Lowrie at SS. Jonathan Papelbon stays in for another inning.
9:01pm: Jonathan Papelbon strikes out Garrett Anderson on a 3-2 fastball. 1 out. Both team's bullpens have been fantastic. If only Howie Kendrick had caught that Jacoby Ellsbury fly ball back in the 2nd inning, the Angels would've already won the game!!!
9:04pm: Paul Byrd is warming up in the Red Sox bullpen, preparing for some long relief if necessary.
9:05pm: Mark Teixeira works a 3-2 count and manages to walk. The first walk given up by Papelbon since July 5. Holy crap.
9:06pm: Vladimir Guerrero hits the first pitch back up the middle into CF for a base hit. Teixeira goes to 2nd base.
9:08pm: Torii Hunter flies out to RF Jacoby Ellsbury. The runners do not advance. 2 outs.
9:10pm: Javier Lopez joins Paul Byrd in the Red Sox bullpen.
9:11pm: Gary Matthews Jr. strikes out swinging at the high heat, to the surprise of no one. 3 outs.
Bottom of 11th Inning:
9:14pm: Jered Weaver is in to pitch in long relief for the Angels. He has not pitched a game since September 23.
9:15pm: Mark Kotsay is in to pinch-hit for catcher Kevin Cash.
9:16pm: Mark Kotsay strikes out swinging at a 3-2 pitch. 1 out.
9:17pm: Coco Crisp lines a ball into CF for a single.
9:19pm: Jered Weaver strikes out Jacoby Ellsbury looking at an outside pitch, but the ump gave Weaver the call. 2 outs.
9:20pm: Jered Weaver throws over to 1st base several times to keep Coco Crisp from taking 2nd base. They even pitchout on the first pitch to Dustin Pedroia, but Crisp doesn't go.
9:22pm: The next pitch is a strike, but Coco Crisp steals 2nd base on the pitch with ease. A base hit to the outfield should win the game for Boston. All the more important for Weaver to get Pedroia out right now.
9:23pm: Dustin Pedroia rockets a ball right at 3B Chone Figgins who fields it and throws to first for the 3rd out. 5-3. WHEW!!!!!!!!
Top of 12th Inning:
9:26pm: Lefty Javier Lopez is in to pitch for Boston. David Ross is in behind the plate at catcher.
9:27pm: It's amazing that with 13 hits through , the Angels have only been able to score 4 runs. And by amazing, I kinda mean pathetic.
9:29pm: Mike Napoli shoots a grounder through the hole between 3rd and SS for a leadoff single. Howie Kendrick should be up here to bunt.
9:30pm: Howie Kendrick bunts the first pitch down the 1st-base line where it is cleanly fielded by Lopez, who throws over to 1st base for the out. 1-3. Napoli successfully moves to 2nd base in scoring position. Can the Angels CONVERT?!?!!?
9:31pm: This game has now gone past the 5-hour mark. But what a great game it is. Even greater if the Angels an score right now.
9:32pm: Erick Aybar bloop singles a ball to centerfield! Mike Napoli scores easily from 2nd base, Angels go up 5-4. FINALLY!!
9:33pm: Martinez and Caray note that the Angels could use some insurance since they'll be facing Ortiz, Youkilis and Bay in the bottom of the 12th.
9:34pm: Chone Figgins strikes out looking at an inside fastball. 2 outs.
9:35pm: Garrett Anderson grounds an 0-2 pitch through the hole on the right side for a single to RF. Aybar goes to 3rd on the base hit.
9:36pm: Mark Teixeira grounds an 0-1 pitch to SS Alex Cora, who flips to 2B Dustin Pedroia for the force out. 6-4. 3 outs.
Bottom of 12th Inning:
9:39pm: Jered Weaver is still pitching for the Angels. David Ortiz has some wicked hahd numbers against him too, batting .471 (8 for 17) with 3 HRs over his career.
9:41pm: David Ortiz takes a 3-2 count and turns it into a leadoff walk. However, now there's no one that can pinch-run for Ortiz, and a double-play ball is super important.
9:42pm: Apparently Sean Casey is the only person left on the Boston bench, but he is no faster than Ortiz.
9:43pm: Another 3-2 count, now to Kevin Youkilis....
9:44pm: Kevin Youkilis skies a ball to CF Torii Hunter. 1 out. There is a heavy layer of mist that has settled upon Fenway Park.
9:46pm: Jason Bay strikes out looking at an inside fastball. FUCK YEAH! 2 outs.
9:47pm: Alex Cora slaps a grounder back at 3B Chone Figgins who makes a great play, turns around, fires to first and throws out Cora. 5-3. 3 outs. ANGELS WIN!!!!!!
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Your winners in a thrilling heart-attack-inducing game, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by a final score of 5-4 in 12 innings.
With their backs up against the wall, the Angels held on to beat the Red Sox despite some shoddy defense. They didn't let Josh Beckett own them, and Mike Napoli certainly didn't, with 2 bomb shots off of Beckett.
But this game meant a lot for the Angels. Winning meant avoiding elimination. Winning meant avoiding getting swept for the third time in a row by the Red Sox. Winning meant stopping the 11-game postseason winning streak that the Red Sox had over the Angels that dates back to 1986. Winning meant everything to LAA.
Tomorrow's game 4 at Fenway will be a game 1 rematch of Jon Lester vs John Lackey, hopefully with a very different
result.
Hey Boston, go beat L.A., again.
Well, the Mets once again miss the postseason, but there's still plenty of great baseball to be played in October.
Last year my predictions for the 1st round were pretty much wrong across the board, so maybe this year I'll get some right?
ALDS:
Los Angeles Angels vs Boston Red Sox.
These two teams have met in the playoffs twice before. 2004 in the ALDS, and 2007 in the ALDS.
Both times, Boston swept the Angels 3-0.
However, in 2004 and 2007, Boston had the advantage over the Angels in regular season play. In 2004, Boston won the season series 5-4. In 2007, Boston won the season series 6-4.
In 2008, the Angels won the season series 8-1. That's not even close. The Angels were able to go into Fenway and win. The Angels had identical records at home and away in 2008, 50-31. They are also the ONLY AL team in the postseason with a winning record on the road.
The Red Sox may not have Josh Beckett available to go, they don't have Manny or Schilling anymore, and they are not as good of a team as they have been in the past. J.D. Drew may not be available either with a bad back. Mike Lowell is hurt, etc.
With Mark Teixiera, the Angels are a deeper team with power, something they've lacked in postseasons of the past.
Also, this time the Angels possess home-field advantage, which they did not have in 2004 or 2007 against Boston.
All of the tangibles heavily favor the Angels, but Boston is still gonna be tough.
My prediction: Angels in 5 games.
ALDS:
Chicago White Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays
Regular season, Tampa won the season series 6-4.
Tampa has a slight advantage in that they are a little more well-rested than the White Sox, having finished up play on Sunday. Chicago will get a break on Wednesday before beginning the series in Tampa at the Trop, where Tampa is practically unbeatable with the best home record in the majors at 57-24.
The White Sox also posted a terrible 4-16 record in games on artificial turf this season. Which means they did very poorly when playing in Toronto, Minnesota, and Tampa Bay.
Too many ignorant fans still think Tampa Bay lucked their way into the postseason, as opposed to recognizing that they're a very very good team. Tampa's only real question mark is their bullpen right now.
My prediction: Tampa in 4 games.
NLDS:
Philadelphia Phillies vs Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee nearly missed the postseason with a terrible September. Only a winning series against the Chicago Cubs, coupled with the Mets losing series against the Florida Marlins, allowed them to win the wild card.
The Brewers have a very tough offense, but they're also very weak on pitching once CC Sabathia is no longer on the mound. And now #2 starter Ben Sheets is out of the postseason with a torn muscle near his pitching elbow.
The Brewers bullpen is frankly, dogshit compared to the Phillies' pen. Brad Lidge may have had playoff chokes in the past, but Albert Pujols is nowhere to be found in the playoffs this year.
The Phillies also will have home-field advantage. I give the Brewers one win in the series, figuring it's the one Sabathia pitches.
My prediction: Philadelphia in 4 games.
NLDS:
Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers
The L.A. Dodgers have won a total of 1 playoff game in 20 years since their 1988 World Championship. That 1 game was in the 2004 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals, when Jose Lima pitched a CG SHO 4-0 win over the Cards.
In 1995, 1996, 2004, and 2006, the Dodgers made the playoffs. And they were swept 3 of those 4 times (Cubs, Braves, Mets) in first-round 3-0 laughers.
The 2008 Dodgers have the worst regular season record of all the playoff teams at 84-78, fattened up in September on the very weak NL West (and Pirates) by going 17-8 when it counted. A lot of that success was due to the Manny Ramirez effect. Manny batted just under .400 since joining the Dodgers on August 1, and he (as well as Casey Blake) have been huge contributors to the success of the Blue Crew.
But so has facing teams like the Giants, Padres and Rockies so often in the 2nd half.
The Cubs on the other hand, are the best team in the NL, beat the Dodgers 5 out of 7 times in the regular season, (the Wrigley series was in May without Manny or Blake on the team, and as such, the Dodgers scored 1 run in each game of that Cubs sweep) and are a superior team in every imaginable way.
Then there's the Wrigley advantage. Cubs will have home field advantage, and them losing at Wrigley isn't happening. The only real question mark is Carlos Zambrano's health. Zambrano probably will only need one start in this series, and he won't be pitching the opener.
Dodgers starter Derek Lowe has gone 5-1 with a 0.94 ERA in his last nine starts, which is the best run of any pitcher in the majors over that time period. He even outpitched Zambrano at Wrigley in May, only to have closer Takashi Saito blow the game for him.
With Lowe on the mound, it's probably the Dodgers' best chance to win a game. Except I don't see it happening since he'll be facing Ryan Dempster.
My prediction:
The Dodgers will continue their record of being 1st-round losers, being swept by the Chicago Cubs in 3 games.
“A lot of people talk about Manny leaving. I wish Pedroia was leaving,” - Ozzie Guillen
Always nice to confirm the train sounds are real
Sean admits he is becoming a Benedict Arnold...
Well I have to tell you I was bad this week and rooted for the Tampa Bay Rays. I coudn't help myself! Call me a frontrunner fan if you will, I love Underdogs and the fact Stefan and I have familial relations intimately involved with the team didn't help! I even wore my Rays jersey last night as a good luck charm... and it worked since I put it on (no joke) just as the 7th inning started... boom 6 runs!
The Rays swept my beloved Boston Red Sox 3 - 0 this week in a historic moment for this normally weak team. Each game was a tension filled game we expect from our sporting events! The July 1 - 3, 2008 games will be a immortal part of Rays history because it basically placed the Rays somewhere they had never been before.
Game 3 personally gave us great heroes in Evan Longoria (ain't he cute?) and Jason Bartlett. Congrats Rays on capitalizing on your lead in the American League East!!! I expect Red Sox Nation to burn me in effigy or put a hit out on me now (sad face).
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Sean is conflicted...
I have been a huge Boston Red Sox fan over the years. I own a piece of the Green Monster as well as a piece of the 2004 World Series bench amongst other memorabilia from the Red Sox! And in the spirit of family unity I have also in the last 2 years become a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays... it helps that Stefan's brother is a broadcaster for them. All of a sudden though the Rays have gotten not just good but great after 10 years of languishing at the bottom. They are so good that they just overtook the Red Sox for the lead in the American League East! Stefan and I witnessed the win that did it for them too in Pittsburgh against the limping Pirates at PNC Park with our friends Tim and Roxanne this weekend!
Tonight the Red Sox and Rays start a three game series in a match up that truly matters in the nature of the standings. FoxSports and Sports Illustrated columnists just today (June 30, 2008) called the Rays the best team in baseball this week (although subjective). It's gotten so bad I find myself listening to more Rays games and knowing Rays players better than my own beloved Sox! I hate appearing as a frontrunner fan, but family pride seems to be winning out this season... as is my love of the underdog. I even ordered an Evan Longoria rookie card! Oh the betrayal!
Who to root for??!! The Sox? Or the underdog Rays??!!
Agony!
I hope that the games are classics given the stakes!
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Submitted by jacolily.
The MLB All-Star game is a little over a month away. Voting began on May 1, which is way too early to make All-Star picks, but as of June 10, with the latest results available, and the timing right, here are my votes and analysis for the 2008 All-Stars.
Keep in mind that there is still a lot of baseball left to be played between now and the end of the initial voting period which ends on July 2. Player performances can drastically change over that time period, so a ballot submitted then could look a lot different than one submitted on June 10.
American League:
1B Current Leaders (as of June 9, 2008)
1. Kevin Youkilis (Boston)
926,758
2. Justin Morneau (Minnesota) 678,037
3. Jason Giambi (New York) 437,656
4. Carlos Pena (Tampa Bay) 296,769
5. Paul Konerko (Chicago)
270,410
My Pick: Justin Morneau (Minnesota)
Kevin Youkilis is practically neck-and-neck with Justin Morneau in stats across the board, so either one is a fine choice.
The Angels' Casey Kotchman should be getting more votes than he has, leading all AL 1B in BA (currently .307) and has been consistently good all season. The Tigers' Carlos Guillen is also a good pick, but he's since been moved out of 1B for the defensively-challenged Miguel Cabrera, who this year would be a terrible pick at any position.
Paul Konerko isn't remotely reasonable in that spot when he's been hitting under .220 practically the entire season, and doesn't have the power numbers that a Jason Giambi has to justify the votes. Carlos Pena is also a bad choice here, as he has more HRs than Konerko, but similar BA. Pena leads all AL 1B in strikeouts, and is also on the DL. A terrible choice.
2B Current Leaders (as of June 9, 2008)
1. Dustin Pedroia (Boston) 809,114
2. Ian Kinsler (Texas)
512,894
3. Robinson Cano (New York) 512,045
4. Placido Polanco (Detroit) 333,336
5. Brian Roberts (Baltimore) 233,752
My Pick: Ian Kinsler (Texas)
Red Sox nation may be stuffing the ballots here, but these results are completely absurd. Kinsler has better stats than Pedroia across the board to the point that it's ridiculous to vote for anyone BUT Ian Kinsler at this point. Brian Roberts would be a better pick than Pedroia, but still not close to Kinsler.
Robinson Cano is having a terrible year and doesn't even belong in the top 5. This category is a joke if Kinsler doesn't win. There's not a single justifiable reason for anyone else to get it.
SS Current Leaders (as of June 9, 2008)
1. Derek Jeter (New York)
1,218,881
2. Michael Young (Texas)
533,582
3. Edgar Renteria (Detroit)
365,269
4. Julio Lugo (Boston)
281,408
5. Orlando Cabrera (Chicago) 271,702
My Pick: Michael Young (Texas)
Derek Jeter is in this spot for two reasons. One, legacy at the position. Two, the All-Star game is in Yankee Stadium, so he's getting a LOT of hometown voting. But again, the fans are completely wrong and should be ashamed for voting this way.
This is a terrible pick when Michael Young's numbers trump Jeter's across the board in the same way Kinsler's stats obliterate the entire field at 2B.
The Rangers' middle infield is clearly getting short-changed in the voting because they're not a major market like New York or Boston, even though Young and Kinsler are the ONLY reasonable choices at these two positions.
3B Current Leaders (as of June 9, 2008)
1. Alex Rodriguez (New York)
1,109,916
2. Mike Lowell (Boston)
584,563
3. Miguel Cabrera (Detroit)
379,813
4. Joe Crede (Chicago)
334,024
5. Scott Rolen (Toronto)
204,472
My Pick: Alex Rodriguez (New York)
A-Rod's stint on the DL makes his stats this season seem on the weak side. What, ONLY 10 HRs? But he's still the best pick at the position. Mike Lowell also spent time on the DL this season, but his stats don't compare to A-Rod's in the least.
Miguel Cabrera isn't at 3B anymore, and even if he were, doesn't have the stats to warrant the votes.
The only other slightly reasonable pick at 3B is Chicago's Joe Crede, who leads all AL 3B with 14 HR and has a very good .291 BA.
C Current Leaders (as of June 9, 2008)
1. Jason Varitek (Boston)
681,451
2. Joe Mauer (Minnesota)
630,372
3. Ivan Rodriguez (Detroit)
505,645
4. Jorge Posada (New York)
445,455
5. Victor Martinez (Cleveland)
321,063
My Pick: Dioner Navarro (Tampa Bay)
Based on stats, there are only two reasonable choices at what is a fairly weak field of catchers. Joe Mauer, and the Rays' Dioner Navarro, who despite a .349 BA leading all catchers, and has been hitting well over .300 all season, doesn't crack the top 5, which is ridiculous.
Varitek is a poor choice here, as he is every year. Red Sox Nation continues to try and flood the All-Star team with their players, even when very few of them should be involved.
Both Rodriguez and Varitek get votes based on how they performed 7 years ago, instead of in 2008. Jorge Posada spent a fair amount of time on the DL this season, and while he is hitting .311, hasn't played enough this year to matchup with Mauer and Navarro's stats.
DH Current Leaders (as of June 9, 2008)
1. David Ortiz (Boston)
1,261,879
2. Hideki Matsui (New York)
672,267
3. Jim Thome (Chicago)
403,881
4. Gary Sheffield (Detroit)
192,557
5. Frank Catalanotto (Texas)
188,622
My Pick: Hideki Matsui (New York)
David Ortiz is a great pick except he's on the DL and may be done for the season. Gary Sheffield is also on the DL, but is not a good pick at all this year.
Jim Thome has very good power numbers but that's about all. He's hitting .212 and strikes out at a very high rate.
Matsui is hitting .323 with 6 HR, 29 RBIs and a 1-to-1 BB/K ratio. With Ortiz out of the mix, no one else should get a vote except for Hideki Matsui.
OF Current Leaders (as of June 9, 2008)
1. Manny Ramirez (Boston)
1,179,884
2. Josh Hamilton (Texas)
922,220
3. Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle)
696,176
4. Vladimir Guerrero (Los Angeles) 610,877
5. Bobby Abreu (New York)
545,852
6. Magglio Ordonez (Detroit)
512,245
7. Johnny Damon (New York)
444,973
8. Melky Cabrera (New York)
439,893
9. Torii Hunter (Los Angeles)
421,694
10. Grady Sizemore (Cleveland)
410,465
My Picks: Josh Hamilton (Texas), (write-in) Carlos Quentin (Chicago), Manny Ramirez (Boston)
Josh Hamilton is having an amazing season so far, 17 HR, 69 RBIs (wow), and .315 BA. Clearly deserves the vote.
Carlos Quentin is an unfortunate victim of not being on the ballot, so he's not getting the votes. He'll definitely make the team thanks to the players' voting, but fans should be writing him in at a faster clip. If I could write-in Milton Bradley (Texas) as well, I would.
And Manny Ramirez is a fine choice this season based on his numbers.
There are a good number of options for the AL outfield. I have no quarrel with guys like Ichiro, Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu making the top 10.
There are still people on the list though, who shouldn't be. Vladimir Guerrero is having a very mediocre season. Melky Cabrera is good, but is no All-Star. Torii Hunter isn't having the season that other better players are.
Pitching:
Fans of course, don't get to vote for pitchers in the All-Star game. But here
are my 10 picks in case the players need some guidance. J 5 starters, 5
relievers, in no particular order.
Starters: Cliff Lee (Cleveland), Roy Halladay (Toronto), Ervin Santana, (Los Angeles), Scott Kazmir (Tampa Bay), Jose Contreras (Chicago).
Relievers: Mariano Rivera (New York), Frankie Rodriguez (Los Angeles), Jonathan Papelbon (Boston), George Sherrill (Baltimore), Joakim Soria (Kansas City)
So, in conclusion, my AL ballot:
C: Dioner Navarro (Tampa Bay)
1B: Justin Morneau (Minnesota)
2B: Ian Kinsler (Texas)
SS: Michael Young (Texas)
3B: Alex Rodriguez (New York)
DH: Hideki Matsui (New York)
OF: Josh Hamilton (Texas), (write-in) Carlos Quentin (Chicago), Manny Ramirez
(Boston)
Overall, the fan voting is leading to some absolutely terrible choices so far at 2B, SS and C positions, picking 3 guys who don’t belong starting.
Onto the National League Ballot!!!
1B Current Leaders (as of June 10, 2008)
1. Lance Berkman (Houston) 1,046,249
2. Derrick Lee (Chicago) 771,516
3. Albert Pujols (St. Louis) 700,777
4. Ryan Howard (Philadelphia) 368,012
5. Prince Fielder (Milwaukee) 317,039
My Pick: Lance Berkman (Houston)
Berkman is the best pick of them all by far, although I wouldn’t necessarily spit on someone for voting for Pujols, Lee, or San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez.
Ryan Howard doesn’t deserve to be on the All-Star team with a .214 BA. Prince Fielder isn’t putting up the numbers that other more worthy candidates are.
2B Current Leaders (as of June 10, 2008)
1. Chase Utley (Philadelphia) 1,284,961
2. Mark DeRosa (Chicago) 589,637
3. Kazuo Matsui (Houston) 523,335
4. Dan Uggla (Florida) 366,848
5. Orlando Hudson (Arizona) 333,998
My Pick: Chase Utley (Philadelphia)
Up until recently, no one was even remotely close to being a reasonable option OTHER than Chase Utley.
Florida’s Dan Uggla has experienced an offensive surge which is still short of Utley’s numbers, but would make a good option as a backup. DeRosa is a good hitter but doesn’t have the power of Utley or Uggla.
SS Current Leaders (as of June 10, 2008)
1. Miguel Tejada (Houston) 726,835
2. Hanley Ramirez (Florida) 607,528
3. Ryan Theriot (Chicago) 583,433
4. Jose Reyes (New York) 498,007
5. Jimmy Rollins (Philadelphia) 442,885
My Pick: Hanley Ramirez (Florida)
Up until he went on the DL in early May, Rafael Furcal of the Los Angeles Dodgers was having an All-Star caliber start to his season. Alas, he’s been out for over a month now and there’s no definitive timetable on when he’ll return.
With the current field of shortstops, it’s really a 2-man race and the fans have it right for once. Miguel Tejada and Hanley Ramirez are the best options. Jose Reyes has improved greatly from his slow April, but he’s still not as good a choice as Ramirez or Tejada.
I give the edge to Hanley because of the power numbers (14 HRs compared to Tejada’s 7), but don’t find Tejada to be a bad pick since he’s been hitting hover .300 most of the season.
Ryan Theriot and Jimmy Rollins are good choices, but not the best. Atlanta’s Yuniel Escobar is at the same level.
3B (Current Leaders (as of June 10, 2008)
1. Chipper Jones (Atlanta) 1,110,171
2. Aramis Ramirez (Chicago) 726,973
3. David Wright (New York) 655,105
4. Ty Wigginton (Houston) 359,989
5. Mark Reynolds (Arizona) 292,702
My Pick: Chipper Jones (Atlanta)
Open and shut. Chipper Jones is hitting .420 on June 10 and leads all NL 3B with 15 HRs. Any other vote is retarded. Seriously. And I HATE Chipper Jones.
C (Current Leaders (as of June 10, 2008)
1. Geovany Soto (Chicago) 969,853
2. Brian McCann (Atlanta) 578,276
3. Yadier Molina (St. Louis) 458,084
4. J.R. Towles (Houston) 367,248
5. Russell Martin (Los Angeles) 350,694
My Pick: Brian McCann (Atlanta)
Brian McCann and Geovany Soto are the top 2 in the voting, and either one would be a good choice at starting catcher. Currently McCann has the better numbers, but they’re so close, either one would be fine.
Yadier Molina is hitting .295, but older brother Bengie Molina is hitting .333 with better overall numbers. Bengie isn’t in the top 5 votegetters.
J.R. Towles might be the most ridiculous pick ever, with a .145 BA. Embarrassing.
Russell Martin is hitting very well but doesn’t have the
power numbers of Soto or McCann. He still should be higher in the voting than
Molina or Towles.
OF (Current Leaders (as of June 9, 2008)
1. Alfonso Soriano (Chicago) 1,088,866
2. Kosuke Fukudome (Chicago) 918,262
3. Ken Griffey Jr. (Cincinnati) 775,759
4. Carlos Lee (Houston) 587,027
5. Carlos Beltran (New York) 518,838
6. Ryan Braun (Milwaukee) 514,913
7. Matt Holliday (Colorado) 507,628
8. Hunter Pence (Houston) 500,857
9. Pat Burrell (Philadelphia) 487,131
10. Rick Ankiel (St. Louis) 478,136
My Picks: Ryan Braun (Milwaukee), Alfonso Soriano (Chicago), Ryan Ludwick (St. Louis)
This is an interesting result that the fans have put together. Kosuke Fukudome has become a fan favorite of the Cubs and had a very good start to the season but has cooled off considerably. He’s probably good enough to be a reserve OF, but in no way should be a starter.
Ken Griffey Jr. is a nostalgia pick but doesn’t have the numbers to warrant being here.
Carlos Beltran is a ridiculous choice unless you’re voting for the best defensive CF of the bunch. Otherwise, he has no business on the team having the nothing season he’s having.
Matt Holliday would probably be one of my picks if not for him being on the DL.
Carlos Lee’s BA isn’t good enough to warrant so many votes, although Astros fans are clearly voting in big numbers when guys like J.R. Towles, Kazuo Matsui and Carlos Lee are garnering as many votes as they’ve gotten.
A lot of absurd people in the top 10 here, as opposed to the AL’s top 10, which are mostly good picks.
Pitchers:
5 starters and 5 relievers, in no particular order.
Starters: Edinson Volquez (Cincinnati), Tim Lincecum (San Francisco), Brandon Webb (Arizona), Ben Sheets (Milwaukee), Ryan Dempster (Chicago).
Relievers: Billy Wagner (New York), Brad Lidge (Philadelphia), Kerry Wood (Chicago), Matt Capps (Pittsburgh), Brandon Lyon (Arizona).
So, in conclusion, my NL ballot:
C: Brian McCann (Atlanta)
1B: Lance Berkman (Houston)
2B: Chase Utley (Philadelphia)
SS: Hanley Ramirez (Florida)
3B: Chipper Jones (Atlanta)
OF: Ryan Braun (Milwaukee), Alfonso Soriano (Chicago), Ryan Ludwick (St. Louis)
Overall, the fans have put together much better picks for the NL starters except in the Outfield, with only Alfonso Soriano being deserving of starting in the current top 3 votegetters.
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