Dish Network has announced that the subscribers in the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico will receive the Major League Baseball World Series and the
National League Championship (NLCS) Series in Spanish Laungauge on FOX
Sports Espanol. The satcaster will offer these
Dish Network Offers Fox Sports Espanol's NLCS And World Series Previews in Puerto Rico
So my predictions for this this postseason weren't 100% right, but I was at 50%, which is more than I can say for last year's abominable picks.
A quick recap...
ALDS:
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
My prediction: Angels in 5
Reality: Red Sox in 4
This postseason loss to the Red Sox was far more annoying than the sweeps of 2004 and 2007, because the 2008 Angels were a much better team than the 2008 Red Sox. And the dumbest decision ever by Mike Scioscia was what ultimately got the team eliminated from the postseason.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox
My prediction: Rays in 4
Reality: Rays in 4
Tampa is for real and they do not lose at home. Keep that in mind.
NLDS:
Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
My prediction: Cubs in 3
Reality: Dodgers in 3
Right number of games, TOTALLY wrong team. Not a single sports writer I've ever seen, read, or heard, predicted this result. Even those who picked L.A. to win, didn't pick them in a 3-game sweep. It's not even necessarily that the Dodgers are a better team. I think that was only clearly established in game 3 at Chavez Ravine. But the games at Wrigley when the Cubs fumbled balls all over the place, had their pitchers melt down, etc. It was like they were cursed or something.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Milwaukee Brewers
My prediction: Phillies in 4
Reality: Phillies in 4
The Brewers aren't much of a playoff team without Sabathia, and ironically Sabathia didn't help them out. You can only pitch on short rest consecutively so many times before you wear out.
So now it's down to 4 teams and here are my picks:
ALCS:
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
This is a tough pick. The Rays won the regular season matchup for the second time in franchise history, 10-8. Tampa also beat Boston in the regular season series in 1999, 9 games to 4.
One of the keys to this stat is that of the 18 games played between these two teams, only 2 of them were won by the visiting team. Each team won a total of one game at the opposition's home park.
Because the Rays are for real, and Boston is very tough in the postseason lately, as well as defending World Champions, I expect this series to be completely based on home-field advantage. Tampa is not only a very good team, but they are a team that knows how to play on the artificial turf at the Tropicana Dome. They don't lose there, and that's going to be important in beating Boston since as the AL East winners, they possess home-field advantage over Boston.
My prediction: Tampa Bay in 7 games.
NLCS:
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Here's the bottom line...
Manny Ramirez.
Manny Ramirez is a proven postseason performer and winner. His impact on the team has not only been noted in the regular season with both stats and clubhouse chemistry, but clearly it's carried over into the postseason. Manny had 2 HRs in the Chicago series, and he's going to be just as dangerous in the NLCS, although I did hear that the Phillies' pitching staff has been the most successful against Manny this season in shutting him down.
In 10 games this season, Manny Ramirez was held to a .212 BA (7 for 33) with 1 HR by Philadelphia.
At Citizen's Bank Park, the numbers get worse. In 6 of those 10 games, Manny hit .136 (3 for 22).
So if any team is able to shut down Manny Ramirez, it's the Phillies.
Of course, there are a lot of other players who play for the Dodgers, and they've all been playing a lot better ever since Manny joined the team.
Looking at the regular season matchups, each team swept the opposition on their own home field in 4 games. All 8 of those games were played in August, when Manny Ramirez was already on the team. The Phillies won 4 at home, the Dodgers won 4 at home. There's certainly a strong home-field advantage implication based on the how the two teams played each other during the regular season.
Breaking this down even further... the Phillies have the better bullpen, the Dodgers have the better starters. The power advantage goes to the Phillies, but the overall hitting goes to the Dodgers.
The Dodgers have Joe Torre as their manager, who definitely has a LOT more postseason managerial experience than Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. Joe Torre is my pick for NL Manager of the Year, having kept a very mediocre team afloat and relatively competitive during the first half of the 2008 regular season, improved clubhouse relations between the young players (Ethier, Martin, Loney, DeWitt, Kemp) and the veterans (Kent, Garciaparra, Furcal, Lowe) and then successfully managed a controversial Manny Ramirez, who from most accounts, improved clubhouse relations across the board to the point that his newly-found position as a clubhouse leader has carried the team to new heights.
There's also the momentum factor that favors the Dodgers. Not so much because they won in 3 and Phillies won in 4, but because the Cubs weren't supposed to lose that series, nevermind getting swept.
I really really really hope I am wrong about my prediction, because I loathe the Dodgers and their know-nothing no-class scumbag fans with every last breath. But...
My prediction: Dodgers in 6 games.
Especially when the fucking season is on the line.
The Angels were on the verge of a miraculous comeback in Game 4 against the Red Sox.
With the score tied 2-2, Kendry Morales led off the 9th inning with a double off the Green Monster.
Reggie Willits then was inserted as a pinch-runner.
Howie Kendrick sac bunted Reggie Willits over to 3rd. 1 out.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia calls for the suicide squeeze with Erick Aybar at the plate. Aybar bunts and misses, Willits is fucked as Jason Varitek chases him back to 3rd base and makes the tag.
The squeeze play is a very risky call in any game, with the risk factor far too great in most situations to call for it. A sac fly is far preferable. Even a hard groundball on the infield would likely have scored a speedy Reggie Willits from 3rd base. At least having Erick Aybar swinging for contact ultimately forces the defense to make a perfect throw to Varitek at catcher, Varitek to make the catch cleanly and tag out Willits AND hold onto the ball.
Almost any number of scenarios would have been preferable to a goddamned suicide squeeze.
Part of the blame goes to Angels' SS Erick Aybar for not even making contact on the bunt, but the failure of the Angels to win Game 4 falls squarely on manager Mike Scioscia for calling such a foolish play.
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!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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!!!!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
God I fucking hope not.
In what has to be the most shocking upset in the postseason over the last... 20 years, the Dodgers were the ones doing the sweeping of the Cubs, instead of vice versa.
The team that won the least regular season games of all playoff teams, beat the NL-best Chicago Cubs in 3 straight games.
While everyone and their mother has been predicting "this is the year" for the Chicago Cubs to win the World Series, I was not going that far, as I believe Lou Piniella is not the manager the Cubs need to get there no matter how well they perform in the regular season. But all that aside, the Cubs should not have been swept by the Dodgers of all teams.
The first two games at Wrigley, which were thought to be games that the Cubs had locked up with ease, were laughers (or in the case of Cub fans, criers) considering the whupping that the Dodgers put on the Cubs.
In Game 1, Derek Lowe managed to outpitch Ryan Dempster, and the rest of the Cubs bullpen didn't help matters. And the inability to score more than 2 runs in that game (thanks to a Mark DeRosa HR) was all their offense could muster.
The Cubs defense let them down bigtime in Game 2, leading to numerous errors that gave the Dodgers game 2. While Manny Ramirez hit solo HRs in each of the games at Wrigley, the Dodger offense consisted of 17 runs scored over those two games. Even Manny can't do all that by himself.
Game 3 was the most competitive in the series, with the Dodgers winning by a final score of 3-1. Hiroki Kuroda shut down the Cub bats through 6.1 IP, and their bullpen of Cory Wade and Jonathan Broxton held the lead (Wade gave up 1 ER) leading the Dodgers to their first postseason series win in 20 years.
Remember, this is a team that made a habit out of losing in the 1st round. That habit is unfortunately, no more.
With this momentum, the Dodgers have to be taken a lot more seriously in an NLCS matchup against the Phillies, and heavily favored against the Brewers if Milwaukee can rebound.
On Sunday, I will ATTEMPT to do some liveblogging of the playoff games, but we'll see how many I can do.
Fucking Dodgers. Why won't you die?
My 2008 MLB playoff bracket is not looking very good at the moment thanks to the Dodgers.
To me though, it just furthers the ridiculousness of playing a best-of-five series after a six month / 162 game regular season. In baseball especially, all playoff series should be seven games.
I guess this is how the Cubbies curse will have to be broken...by getting down 0-2 in the Divisional Series. It's a bit dramatic for my liking though.
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.
It's the Milwaukee Brewers, not the New York Mets.
The Brewers were wild card contenders for pretty much the entire season until September came and they faced... that's right, the New York Mets. They then lost series to the Reds, got swept by the Phillies, lost more games to the Cubs and Reds.
The Brewers have so far amassed a 9-16 record in the month of September, and it is THEIR awful month alone has allowed the 2nd-place NL East team (now the NY Mets) to backdoor themselves into an NL Wild Card spot.
To demonstrate this, the Brewers' worst month of the entire season was May, when they went 13-16 in their only sub-.500 month of the entire season. If the Brewers had "only" won even 12 games in the month of September so far, the Mets would have already been eliminated from the postseason. While the Mets have not had a great September, they are still having a winning month at 13-11.
This is the Milwaukee Brewers team that in 2007, led the NL Central for most of 2007 until they ultimately failed down the stretch and lost the division to the Cubs by 2 games.
This is the Milwaukee Brewers team that in 2008, pushed the big red panic button and fired manager Ned Yost with only 12 games remaining in the season because they went into the aforementioned free fall.
The 2008 Brewers went for it all by obtaining CC Sabathia in a rental trade, and now find themselves clinging to the 6'7" Cy Young candidate as their last hope against the NL-best Chicago Cubs. And on 3 days rest. And the Cubs are 2-0 against Sabathia lifetime in 3 career starts.
If the Brewers miss the playoffs this year, when you think of 2008 collapses, look to Milwaukee, not Flushing.
]]>Optimist: The Mets should be able to get into the playoffs as the NL Wild Card.
Pessimist: The only reason the Mets might win the NL Wild Card is because of the Brewers collapse.
Optimist: The Brewers are in free fall.
Pessimist: So are the Mets.
Optimist: If the Mets get into the playoffs, it's a blank slate when you're in the postseason.
Pessimist: It's going to take a miracle for the Mets to get past a far superior Cubs team.
Optimist: The Mets have enough offense to be successful in the playoffs.
Pessimist: Unless they are facing top-tier pitchers, or absolute nobody pitchers.
Optimist: Luis Ayala has been pretty damn good in the closer role.
Pessimist: The rest of the pen still sucks.
Optimist: Pitching wins in the postseason. We have Johan Santana and Oliver Perez.
Pessimist: Mike Pelfrey in September, Pedro Martinez the last two months.
Optimist: It's great that Jerry Manuel is the Mets manager.
Pessimist: Not even Jerry Manuel can fix this team.
Optimist: We still have 7 games to go.
Pessimist: We still have 7 games to lose.
DodgersCentral.com is the central source of Los Angeles Dodgers news, rumors, apparel, merchandise, tickets, blogs and more! Dodgers Central has a large selection from Los Angeles Dodgers apparel, merchandise, memorabilia and more in its shop from retailers like FansEdge.com, CBSStore, Fathead and SidelineTix.com. Stay in touch with fans from accross the internet at Dodgers Central's Message Boards and blog. DodgersCentral.com, your 'sportal' to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
]]>Ichiro got his 200th hit in Kansas City yesterday -- the eighth straight season he's accomplished this, tying a major league record.
Ichiro and Kansas City always bring to mind this great interview with Bob Costas:
Cliff Corcoran at Bronx Banter wrote a brutally frank piece about the new Yankee Stadium that will open for business next season. And reading the details, it looks like ALL business in The Bronx.
Will zillionaires in New York spend the ca$h to see a third-place team? Yeah, probably...
Game 3 of the final series between the Mets and Phillies during the regular season all comes down to this.
The Phillies won the first two games of the series and have shrunk the Mets NL East-division lead to 1 game. If the Phillies complete the sweep at Shea, they will be tied for first place as the two teams go their separate ways. The Mets have a 2-game series against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Phillies return home to face the Marlins in a 3-game set Monday through Wednesday.
A lot is going to be made of this series, but even if the Mets lose this game, there are still 19 games remaining for both teams, and it's very likely going to be a race that goes down to the final week, or even day unless one team... ahem... collapses.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(All times Pacific)
Top of 1st Inning:
5:11pm: Jimmy Rollins grounds sharply to SS Jose Reyes. 6-3. 1 out.
5:12pm: ESPN's Jon Miller reads off a bunch of stats as to how many times Santana has pitched well only to have the Mets' bullpen blow it for him. *sigh*
5:13pm: Chase Utley lines a single into centerfield.
5:14pm: Jayson Werth is up, and he hits lefties VERY well this season, especially with the longball. He has 15 HRs in 2008 against lefty pitching, which leads the majors.
5:15pm: Johan Santana falls behind Jayson Werth going 2-0, 2-1, 3-1, and ends up walking him.
5:17pm: Ryan Howard singles to leftfield scoring Chase Utley from 2nd easily. Jayson Werth to 2nd. Phillies go up 1-0.
5:18pm: Met-killer Pat Burrell is up. Although he's slumping something fierce over the last month. Burrell has 42 HRs against the Mets, the most among all active players.
5:20pm: Johan Santana is having trouble throwing strikes. 20 pitches in the inning so far 11 of them are balls.
5:22pm: Pat Burrell thinks he just saw ball 4, but it was clearly strike 3 that went into Schneider's mitt. 2 out.
5:23pm: Shane Victorino flies out to deep centerfield. 3 out.
Bottom of 1st Inning:
5:28pm: Jose Reyes pops out to 2B Chase Utley. 1 out.
5:30pm: Ryan Church fights off a high fastball and hits it into LF for a single.
5:31pm: David Wright, swinging an 0-2 pitch, fouls it off but also hits catcher Chris Coste's glove on his swing, triggering a catcher's interference call from the home plate umpire. David Wright automatically gets 1st base, Ryan Church moves to 2nd.
5:33pm: Phillies manager Charlie Manuel is out to argue and gets the toss for his argument. The fans pop huge and a "LETS GO METS" chant erupts.
5:34pm: Carlos Beltran lines a ball down the leftfield line. Ryan Church scores easily. David Wright beats the tag of Pedro Feliz at 3rd base, Carlos Beltran to 2nd on the throw. Tie game 1-1. Bench coach (acting manager) Jimmy Williams is out to argue the call at 3rd. Replays show Wright may have been out but it's tough to tell. No ejection this time.
5:37pm: Carlos Delgado grounds a ball up the middle for a single, driving in David Wright and Carlos Beltran. 3-1 Mets.
5:39pm: Fernando Tatis grounds a ball up the middle but SS Jimmy Rollins makes a nice play to field the ball, toss to Utley at 2nd for an out, but Tatis beats the throw to 1st. 2 out.
5:41pm: Cole Hamels strikes out Damion Easley. Pretty exciting inning to start this one. Mets up 3-1, a rare catcher's interference call, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel ejected, and Cole Hamels looks very hittable. Hopefully moreso than Santana.
Top of 2nd Inning:
5:45pm: Pedro Feliz goes down swinging at a Johan Santana changeup. 1 out.
5:46pm: Chris Coste takes a trot down to 1st base.
5:47pm: Cole Hamels lays down a bunt in front of Johan Santana who fields it cleanly, fires to Reyes at 2B for the out. Reyes throws to Easley covering 1B, but Hamels beats the throw. 2 out.
5:49pm: Jimmy Rollins grounds to 3B David Wright. 5-3. 3 out.
Bottom of 2nd Inning:
5:52pm: Brian Schneider strikes out swinging. 1 out.
5:55pm: Johan Santana lines a 3-2 pitch down the leftfield line. If not for 3B Pedro Feliz knocking it down, it would have been a double for Santana. However, he'll settle for a single.
5:56pm: Jose Reyes is not looking good at the plate against Cole Hamels.
5:57pm: Jose Reyes hits a weak groundball to SS Jimmy Rollins who tosses the ball to Chase Utley at 2B, but Utley comes way off the bag and Santana is safe at 2nd. That should be ruled an error on Utley as there was no need for him to field the toss from Rollins that way.
5:58pm: Ryan Church hits a grounder back to pitcher Cole Hamels, but he can' t field it cleanly as it goes off his glove. Bases loaded for the Mets and that may end up rule being an infield single. David Wright to the plate with bases full and 1 out.
6:01pm: Miller and Morgan note David Wright's less-than-stellar numbers with bases loaded. And sure enough, Wright goes down swinging on a 3-2 fastball from Hamels. 2 out.
6:02pm; Carlos Beltran swings at the first pitch and fouls out to 1B Ryan Howard. Phillies escape the jam. 3 out.
Top of 3rd Inning:
6:06pm: Johan Santana strikes out Chase Utley. 1 out.
6:08pm: Johan Santana strikes out Jayson Werth on 3 pitches. 2 outs.
6:09pm: Ryan Howard crushes the first pitch he sees from Santana into the LF bleachers for his 40th HR of the season. Mets lead cut to 3-2.
6:10pm: Pat Burrell strikes out swinging. Santana ends up striking out the side but gives up the dinger to Howard. 3 out.
Bottom of 3rd Inning:
6:12pm: Carlos Delgado hits a scoreboard moonshot SLAMMA LAMMA DING DONG, which is all the more dramatic considering the piece ESPN just did on him, explaining how the Mets were trying to figure out what to do with Carlos after his subpar first half. Mets up 4-2.
6:15pm: Fernando Tatis hits a hard lineshot into the glove of CF Shane Victorino. 1 out.
6:16pm: Damion Easley breaks his bat with a bloop shot to shallow center which is tracked down and caught by SS Jimmy Rollins. 2 out.
6:18pm: Brian Schneider smokes a shot into centerfield which almost gets past CF Shane Victorino, but Schneider is limited to the single.
6:20pm: Johan Santana grounds out to 3B Pedro Feliz who throws to Utley for the forceout at 2nd. 3 out.
Top of 4th Inning:
6:24pm: Shane Victorino foul pops to 1B Carlos Delgado. 1 out.
6:25pm: Pedro Feliz pops out to 2B Damion Easley. 2 out.
6:26pm: Chris Coste grounds to 3B David Wright. 5-3. 3 out. A very economical 7-pitch inning for Johan Santana.
Bottom of 4th Inning:
6:28pm: Cole Hamels is going to be lucky to go 5 innings this game with his pitch count now above 80.
6:29pm: Jose Reyes continues to look horrible against Cole Hamels, swinging at a pitch in the dirt for strike 3. 1 out.
6:30pm: Ryan Church grounds out sharply to 1B Ryan Howard who runs to the bag for out 2.
6:31pm: David Wright flies out to 2B Chase Utley in shallow left-center. 3 out.
Top of 5th Inning:
6:34pm: Johan Santana strikes out Cole Hamels, which is now 6 K's through 5.1 IP. 1 out.
6:36pm: Jimmy Rollins grounds to SS Jose Reyes. 6-3. 2 out.
6:38pm: Chase Utley flies out to LF Fernando Tatis. 3 out.
Bottom of 5th Inning:
6:43pm: Carlos Beltran goes down swinging. 1 out.
6:45pm: Carlos Delgado crushes yet another moonshot off of Cole Hamels' first pitch. This time off a changeup instead of the curveball. Mets up 5-2.
6:46pm: Fernando Tatis grounds out to 3B Pedro Feliz. 5-3. 2 out.
6:47pm: Damion Easley hits a hard shot to LF that bounces up against the wall for a double.
6:48pm: With a base open, Cole Hamels gives the IBB to Brian Schneider so they can face Johan Santana.
6:49pm: ESPN's Jon Miller says Carlos Delgado's 2nd HR went an estimated 460 feet. Wow.
6:50pm: Johan Santana strikes out swinging on Cole Hamel's 109th pitch. 3 out.
Top of 6th Inning:
6:53pm: Jayson Werth grounds out to 3B David Wright who makes a very nice play and throw onto 1st for the out. 1 out.
6:55pm: Ryan Howard flies out to CF Carlos Beltran. 2 out.
6:58pm: Pat Burrell works out a walk.
6:59pm: Shane Victorino flies out to RF Ryan Church. 3 out.
Bottom of 6th Inning:
7:02pm: Now pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies is right-hander Clay Condrey. Maybe Jose Reyes can start hitting better now.
7:03pm: Or not. Reyes breaks his bat with a grounder to 2B Chase Utley. 4-3. 1 out.
7:05pm: Ryan Church strikes out swinging. 2 out.
7:06pm: David Wright grounds the first pitch he sees from Condrey right to SS Jimmy Rollins. 6-3. 3 out.
Top of 7th Inning:
7:08pm: Pedro Feliz grounds a ball past Carlos Delgado into RF for a single.
7:09pm: With Johan Santana nearing 100 pitches, this will surely be his final inning.
7:10pm: Chris Coste flies out to CF Carlos Beltran. 1 out.
7:11pm: Carlos Ruiz in to pinch-hit for Clay Condrey.
7:13pm: Ruiz grounds out to David Wright who makes a diving stop, gets up and throws to Easley for the out. Easley throws on to Delgado at first but Ruiz beats it easily. 2 out.
7:15pm: Jimmy Rollins lines a 3-2 pitch directly at David Wright for the third out. Santana throws 110 pitches for the night through 7, and he's done. Another very good outing from Johan.
Bottom of 7th Inning:
7:20pm: In relief for the Phillies is right-hander Rudy Seanez.
7:21pm: Carlos Beltran just misses a HR by a bit as he hits a long flyball to the warning track, but Jayson Werth catches it. 1 out.
7:22pm: The fans chant "MVP" at Carlos Delgado, which he may be for the Mets team, but certainly a joke if they think it's for the National League. Mind you, a good percentage of these "fans" are the same asshats who were busy booing Delgado in May, demanding his release, and parroting the words "Bring up Mike Carp!" until their empty heads exploded.
7:23pm: It is noted that no Met has ever hit 3 HR in one game at Shea Stadium.
7:24pm: Carlos Delgado strikes out swinging. 2 out.
7:26pm: Jon Miller notes that no one is pitching in the Mets bullpen, which indicates Santana is going another frame.
7:27pm: Fernando Tatis skies a shot into left-centerfield, but it's caught by Shane Victorino. 3 out.
Top of 8th Inning:
7:29pm: Johan Santana pitching another inning to the heart of the Phillies order. Utley, Werth and Howard. Endy Chavez is in LF as a defensive replacement for Fernando Tatis.
7:31pm: Chase Utley grounds out to 1B Carlos Delgado who jogs to the bag for the out.
7:32pm: Jayson Werth pounds a ball to deep CF for a double. Mets manager Jerry Manuel goes to the mound to get Johan Santana, who gets the standing ovation from the Shea fans. Santana even tips his cap to the 1st-base side fans. Sometimes lefty-specialist Pedro Feliciano is coming in from the bullpen to face lefty powerhouse Ryan Howard.
7:36pm: Ryan Howard grounds out to 1B Carlos Delgado who jogs to the bag for the out. Jayson Werth goes to 3rd on the play. That's all for Pedro Feliciano. Jerry Manuel to the mound for the pitching change as righty Brian Stokes is in to face righty Pat Burrell.
7:39pm: Pat Burrell breaks his bat on the first pitch he sees from Brian Stokes, grounding out to SS Jose Reyes. 6-3. 3 out.
Bottom of 8th Inning:
7:42pm: Luis Ayala is warming up in the bullpen for the 9th. Ayala may be the closer for the rest of the season if Wagner's setback today is as serious as is being reported.
7:43pm: Damion Easley hits a ball over CF Shane Victorino's head that goes just past his glove for a leadoff stand-up triple.
7:45pm: Brian Schneider hits a long fly ball into RF caught by Jayson Werth, but Damion Easley tags up easily to expand the Mets lead to 6-2. 1 out.
7:46pm: Marlon Anderson is in to pinch-hit for Brian Stokes.
7:47pm: Marlon Anderson fouls off two pitches before swinging through the third and striking out. 2 out.
7:48pm: Jose Reyes grounds out to 1B Ryan Howard who is a step away from the bag when he fields it. 3 out.
Top of 9th Inning:
7:51pm: Luis Ayala is on to pitch the 9th in a non-save situation.
7:52pm: Shane Victorino hits an excellent unintentional swinging bunt which deadens downs the 3rd-base line. Catcher Brian Schneider fields it and tries to throw out Victorino at 1st, but the throw sails over Delgado into RF and bounces into the stands. Victorino to 2nd on the error.
7:53pm: Greg Dobbs is in to pinch-hit for Pedro Feliz. Dobbs flies out to CF Carlos Beltran. 1 out.
7:54pm: Righty pitchers Al Reyes and Joe Smith are warming up in the Mets bullpen. Lefty Matt Stairs is on to pinch-hit for Chris Coste.
7:55pm: Matt Stairs basically does the same thing Shane Victorino did. A swinging bunt, except the ball goes further up the third-base line for an infield hit. David Wright knows he has no chance so he lets the ball go. Victorino to 3rd base on the play. The hide is torn off on this ball.
7:57pm: Tadahito Iguchi is in to pinch-run for Matt Stairs. Andy Tracy is in to pinch-hit for Rudy Seanez.
7:58pm: Andy Tracy hits a flyball to deep LF which Endy Chavez catches near the wall with a slight jump. Victorino tags up. Mets lead cut by one, but they're still up 6-3. 2 out.
7:59pm: Luis Ayala gets the dramatic strikeout game-ender with Rollins swinging and missing. 3 out. GAME OVER. Mets win 6-3.
-----------------------------------------------
With the Mets victory, they lose the series but gain a division lead back on the Phillies to 2 games.
The two teams will not meet again this season, and with Milwaukee looking to be the NL Wildcard team at this point, they can't face each other in the postseason either.
More importantly, the Mets win the season series from Philadelphia 12-7, something they did not do in 2007 when they went 6-12 against the Phillies.
The next 19 games will be very important to both teams, which I believe will go down to the final week. The Mets have a 4-game series against the Chicago Cubs Sep 22-25 which the Mets are going to have to dominate if the Phillies are still in the race 2 weeks from now, and with their upcoming schedule, there's no reason to expect that they won't be.
]]>“A lot of people talk about Manny leaving. I wish Pedroia was leaving,” - Ozzie Guillen
Through the end of May, Jesse Litsch was 7-1 with 3.18 ERA. Now, after going 1-6 and 6.12 in June and July, the sophomore right-hander is on his way back to Syracuse for some seasoning. Don’t fret, though, Jays fans, he’ll be back in due time.
One thing that stands out about Litsch is he acts like he belongs in the big leagues. Unlike his replacement, David Purcey, Litsch has never looked nervous in his time in Toronto, as was especially evident in his memorable debut last June against Baltimore. In that game, Litsch allowed just four hits and a run while coming up one out short of a complete game.
He did, however, struggle at points last season, but bounced back, which makes it all the more possible to believe his latest rough stretch is just another hiccup on his road to becoming an established major league starter. In his fourth start of 2007, Litsch gave up five runs and failed to get out of the first inning against the Yankees, and was subsequently sent to the minors afterwards. He was recalled a month later, and responded with four quality starts in his first five outings. Then, after losing his first three starts of September, Litsch finished the season by allowing just three runs in his final three starts, two of which were against Boston and New York.
Purcey has struggled mightily in his two starts with the Jays this season, surrendering nine runs and 11 walks in just seven-and-a-third innings. Both, however, were spot starts, and the former first round draft pick’s confidence should benefit from having an established spot in the rotation, at least for the time being. He’s been great at Syracuse thus far, going 8-6 with a 2.69 ERA in 19 starts, and was a starting pitcher in last week’s International League All-Star Game.
I’m not sure this move is in any way a sign of whether or not the team thinks it has a shot at competing the rest of the season. At this point in time, it just looks as though Purcey has earned a chance to start regularly, and Litsch has shown he’s in need of some work on the farm. In the long run, both should benefit from the move.
]]>
Jays fans, this just in: Adam Lind doesn’t suck. You see,
these are the things you discover when you decide to give a prospect more than
19 at-bats in the big leagues before sending him down, figuring he’s not ready.
That, of course, is what the Jays’ savvy, motivated team of front office
personnel did when Lind managed just one hit in his first six starts, afraid of
how his .053 average would project over a full season.
Lind was recalled when Cito Gaston stepped in as manager, and as you’ve likely noticed, he’s raking. Since returning June 22, he’s hitting .346 with five homers and 22 RBIs, easily the Jays’ most productive hitter in the time frame. Gaston, who, to his credit, has given Lind the chance John Gibbons (and the rest of the team’s front office, I’d assume) didn’t, seems to have noticed the production, and has moved him from the number nine spot in the order to the hallowed seven hole in recent games.
Lind had the best game of his young career last night against the Orioles, smacking four hits, including a home run, and driving in three runs. He’s hit in 10 of his last 11 games, including another three hit performance two weeks ago, also against Baltimore. His last hit of that game was a walk-off single, giving the Jays a 6-5 win.
Much was made about the Jays’ decision to keep Shannon Stewart over Reed Johnson this spring. As much as Toronto fans seem to love Johnson, Lind is the team’s future in left field, and whoever started the season would’ve only served as a stopgap until Lind’s time came. Well, that time looks like it’s now.
]]>So I clocked out from work at 5:00 PM. It was the eighth inning of the baseball All-Star Game in The Bronx, New York. I was thinking of hanging out at one of the local bars in Waikiki to catch the end but figured I might spend a little too much during "happy hour."
Instead I went down to Shirokiya and decided to watch the remainder of the contest there. By this time (about 5:40 PM) it was the ninth inning, and the American League had already tied the game! A 50-ish lady was also hanging out at the HDTV setup but instead listening to the radio broadcast (probably ESPN). Understandable since Joe Buck and Tim McCarver can get on your nerves after a while.
Unfortunately there's usually a lag between the radio broadcast and the TV, at least two or three seconds. And EVERY time something of consequence happened she'd blurt out the result: STRIKE-OUT! or HE CAUGHT THE BALL! Umm, yeah thanks for spoiling things!
I didn't get that upset because the 9th inning turned to the 10th and then 11th... Past 7:00 PM in Hawaii meant 1:00 AM in the Big Apple. I noticed from her reactions that she had a rooting interest for the American League. Turned out she's a Kansas native and a lifelong Royals fan who followed the misadventures of the KC Athletics in the fifties and sixties. She still has a soft spot for Lou Pinella since he debuted with the Royals in '69, winning the A.L. Rookie of the Year.
Back to the game... Inning after inning the A.L. had the winning run in scoring position but just couldn't get the job done. My bones were aching from standing for damn near two hours. Finally, a "sacrifice" fly in the 15th frame brought in the winning run and my National Leaguers lost AGAIN!