MLB Tuesday September 30, 2008- One Game Playoff Edition

[huh?]

<table width="700" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"><tr class="stathead"><td colspan="6">Monday, September 29, 2008</td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td>RESULT</td><td>WIN</td><td>LOSS</td><td>SAVE</td><td colspan="2">ATT.</td></tr><tr class="evenrow"><td ><a href="/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280929104">at Chicago Sox 8, Detroit 2</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7297">Floyd</a> (17-8) </td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?statsId=8140">Galarraga</a> (13-7) </td><td></td><td colspan="2">35,923</td></tr><tr class="oddrow"><td >Chicago Cubs, at Houston</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td colspan="2">N/A</td></tr></table>
<table class="tablehead" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr class="stathead"><td colspan="6">Tuesday, September 30, 2008</td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td>TEAMS</td><td align="right">TIME (ET)</td><td>NAT TV</td><td>RESOURCES</td><td>PITCHERS</td></tr><tr class="evenrow"><td><a href="/mlb/preview?gameId=280930104">Minnesota at Chicago Sox</a></td><td align="right">7:30 PM</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td><a href="http://www.stubhub.com/chicago-white-sox-tickets/" onclick="this.href=this.href+'?gcid=C12289x450&gtkw=Chicago+White+Sox'" title="Chicago White Sox Tickets">Tickets</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;92999071;16443180;q?http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/cities/index?city=chicago&startDate=20080930">Travel</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?statsId=8120">Blackburn</a> vs <a href="/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7808">Danks</a></td></tr><tr class="stathead"><td colspan="6">Wednesday, October 1, 2008</td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td>TEAMS</td><td align="right">TIME (ET)</td><td>NAT TV</td><td>RESOURCES</td><td>PITCHERS</td></tr><tr class="evenrow"><td>Milwaukee at Philadelphia</td><td align="right">3:00 PM</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td><a href="http://www.stubhub.com/philadelphia-phillies-tickets/" onclick="this.href=this.href+'?gcid=C12289x450&gtkw=Philadelphia+Phillies'" title="Philadelphia Phillies Tickets">Tickets</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;92999071;16443180;q?http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/cities/index?city=philadelphia&startDate=20081001">Travel</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7926">Gallardo</a> vs <a href="/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7509">Hamels</a></td></tr><tr class="oddrow"><td>LA Dodgers at Chicago Cubs</td><td align="right">6:30 PM</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td><a href="http://www.stubhub.com/chicago-cubs-tickets/" onclick="this.href=this.href+'?gcid=C12289x450&gtkw=Chicago+Cubs'" title="Chicago Cubs Tickets">Tickets</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;92999071;16443180;q?http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/cities/index?city=chicago&startDate=20081001">Travel</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5801">Lowe</a> vs <a href="/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6006">Dempster</a></td></tr><tr class="evenrow"><td>Boston at LA Angels</td><td align="right">10:00 PM</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td><a href="http://www.stubhub.com/los-angeles-angels-tickets/" onclick="this.href=this.href+'?gcid=C12289x450&gtkw=Los+Angeles+Angels'" title="Los Angeles Angels Tickets">Tickets</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;92999071;16443180;q?http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/cities/index?city=los-angeles&startDate=20081001">Travel</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7790">Lester</a> vs <a href="/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6953">Lackey</a></td></tr></table>

[huh?]

For the 2nd consecutive year there is a one game playoff to get into the dance. This time in the AL. The winner gets to go to the Trop and play before a sellout crowd of bandwagon fans ringing cowbells!

Woo-hoo!

[Flashback]

Again, thanks Huh? for going the distance :)

[Quack]

Is this not even on national television?

[sundog]

is this not even on national television?

tbs

[starman9000]

Sorry for doubting your dedication yesterday huh? :)

[db27]

I'm building my whole day around this, sox don't let me down!!! Yesterday was great, time to make up for the last couple weeks of suck.

[bunkaroo]

I believe I'll treat myself to some beer and pizza tonight, and the outcome of the came will determine if I keep it down or vomit all over the TV. :D

[sundog]

I believe I'll treat myself to some beer and pizza tonight, and the outcome of the came will determine if I keep it down or vomit all over the TV.

I've found that no matter the outcome, a typical 2008 White Sox game induces equal parts retching and cheering...

Sometimes simultaneously.

It's nice though, having last night's bottom of the sixth saved on the DVR, conspicuously as a syndicated "Two and a Half Men". I rewatched the grand slam a few times.

[cardsfan111]

Perhaps this has been brought up before...

Why not take head-to-head play into consideration as to determining home field advantage in a 1-game playoff? Sure, I know MLB likes to have these things worked out ahead of time, but a coin flip to determine such a major benefit to a game that decides if you advance. Seems like it could be handled a little bit better if you ask me. :shrug:

[El Scorcho]

Perhaps this has been brought up before...

Why not take head-to-head play into consideration as to determining home field advantage in a 1-game playoff? Sure, I know MLB likes to have these things worked out ahead of time, but a coin flip to determine such a major benefit to a game that decides if you advance. Seems like it could be handled a little bit better if you ask me. :shrug:

Because sometimes teams that end up tied for the wildcard play an unbalanced schedule against each other (Team A playing 6 home games, Team B playing 3) so there's an inherent advantage there.

[starman9000]

It's seems a little odd that the stats for these games count towards the regular season, but I guess it wouldn't make sense to put them in the playoff stats either.

It's not likely, but tonight, Pedroia could win the batting title if Mauer goes 0-7, and Morneau could end up with the lead in RBI with a big night. If there was a more significant historical stat on the line, I imagine there would be some outrage.

[rabbit77]

What I want to know is how did the Assistant GM for the White Sox (actually his son) win the right to call the coin flip?

[starman9000]

What I want to know is how did the Assistant GM for the White Sox (actually his son) win the right to call the coin flip?

Really? A better head to head record should at least win the right for the coin toss!! ;)

Oh wait, I guess there record was probably better at that time. Either way, it's time to hire that kid.

[cardsfan111]

I just figure there's got to be a better way to do HFA than a coin flip. How about whoever was in first on September 1? August 1? Better record within the division? It would make more sense to reward a team for something they've done that didn't involve just calling "tails."

[twikoff]

I just figure there's got to be a better way to do HFA than a coin flip. How about whoever was in first on September 1? August 1? Better record within the division? It would make more sense to reward a team for something they've done that didn't involve just calling "tails."

they could base it on how those team's players did in the all star game ;)

[Sorraffy]

they could base it on how those team's players did in the all star game ;)

With that it would go to the Twins:

Twins All Star players:
Mauer - 1 at bat, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1.000 avg
Nathan - 1 inning pitched, 1 strikeout, 0.00 era
Morneau - 4 at bats, 2 runs, 2 hits, 1 walk, .500 avg

White Sox All Star players (all reserves):
Crede - 1 at bat, .000 avg
Quentin - 4 at bats, 1 strikeout, .000 avg

:)

[nickdawgy]

I am pulling for the Twins.

[Rogue588]

The winner gets to go to the Trop and play before a sellout crowd...Has it been confirmed that it's sold out?

[huh?]

Has it been confirmed that it's sold out?

No, I'm taking a leap of faith :)

[huh?]

I wish TBS would put Cal Ripken as the color commentator for the game instead of in studio. He's actually pretty good.

Dick Stockton might be the worst broadcaster in the history of baseball.

[huh?]

I think Dick Stockton just said Chicago was the baseball capital of the country.

Wow.

[huh?]

Dick Stockton calls every other pitch a 'breaking" pitch. I guess in his mind there are no sliders, curve balls, cutters (which a lot of Blackburns are) or change ups.

Annoying.

[huh?]

Wow Griffey almost overthrew home on that play.

Nice play.

[Spicollidriver1]

I never really saw stockton as a baseball guy

[nevermind]

Still better than Harrelson :lol:

[rocketsauce]

Still better than Harrelson :lol:

"I invented the batting glove!!!!!"

Mercy!

[chrisih8u]

If you have to give your fans little props to use, they are shitty fans.

[rocketsauce]

If you have to give your fans little props to use, they are shitty fans.

Ya SteelersTwinsAngelsDiamondbacksWhiteSox fans

[Deftones]

now this is playoff baseball. good match so far. both teams showed up!

[huh?]

The blackout doesn't really look all that intimidating.

[bunkaroo]

No kidding. What a game so far.

Thankfully we've had some good even-handed pitch calling at the plate.

[bunkaroo]

Thome was due!

[huh?]

Thome crushed that.

[Deftones]

yeah, that was pretty much crushed.

[db27]

yeah thome!! what a shot, great game thus far!!

[bunkaroo]

Dammit we needed more runs there.

[rocketsauce]

I agree the Twins need to get their offense going

[bunkaroo]

Wow 8 innings from Danks - unbelievable.

[nickdawgy]

The Twins must have the Mets mentality on this game.

[nickdawgy]

Wow 8 innings from Danks - unbelievable.

And only 2 hits.

[db27]

Danks indeed has been on fire

[db27]

do it again thome!!

[Deftones]

wow. what a fitting end to the game. great fucking catch.

[nevermind]

What a game.

Congrats Sox - you guys earned this one. :up:

[db27]

OHHHHHHH YEAH!!! Great Catch!!!!

[bunkaroo]

Wow - if Griffey was still in that ball doesn't get caught - Anderson for the win!

I'm numb.

Props to the Twins for taking it right to us with the pitching tonight.

[Deftones]

while i don't want to see any Chicago team win, there's no two more deserving guys that should win the world series in Ken Griffey Jr. and Jim Thome.

[nickdawgy]

Twins offense still in MN.

[nickdawgy]

while i don't want to see any Chicago team win, there's no two more deserving guys that should win the world series in Ken Griffey Jr. and Jim Thome.

I have to agree with you, but it is Chicago....

[db27]

Wow - if Griffey was still in that ball doesn't get caught - Anderson for the win!

I'm numb.

Props to the Twins for taking it right to us with the pitching tonight.

Very true, Ozzie made the right move at the right time tonight.

[starman9000]

I watched the game at a bar tonight and was fine until I got into the car and heard the radio guys praising how courageous the Twins were tonight. :hairpull:

Nothing against the Sox, who deserved the win, but the Twins looked like a bunch of d-bags the last month and were lucky to even be in this position. Courageous my ass. Morneau was looked like the same deer in headlights he has looked for the past 3 weeks. At least Blackburn, Mijares, and Span showed up to play.

[fumanstan]

Darn, was hoping the Twins won since Ozzie annoys the shit out of me. Still, hope to see Griffey do well.

[movielib]

As a Sox fan for 50 years it was great to see this win. Danks pitched the game of his life, at least up to now. Jenks didn't blow it like last week.

I think the White Sox are by far the weakest team in the AL playoffs. But what the hell, anything can happen in a few short series. The Cardinals won it after an 83 win season.

Go Sox!

[rabbit77]

What a gem from Danks. I knew he had it in him.

I <3 1-0 games. (First 1-0 win for the Sox this year)

Here are some shots I took from my season seats

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3244/2903903916_289b2724b3.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2903064871_54a9e03a73.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/2903058621_78324efd28.jpg?v=0
Thome's blast

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/2903907124_487d2ebf75.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2903905952_49ca18cb8c.jpg?v=0
My friend's O-face (I'm on the right)

[bunkaroo]

Awesome pics - cool that you got to go. My connection for unused season tickets went dry not surprisingly.

[mgbfan]

Congrats to the Sox. Figured the home team would win this game. Was not expecting 1-0, though. Very entertaining game.

[Setzer]

I watched the game at a bar tonight and was fine until I got into the car and heard the radio guys praising how courageous the Twins were tonight. :hairpull:

Nothing against the Sox, who deserved the win, but the Twins looked like a bunch of d-bags the last month and were lucky to even be in this position. Courageous my ass. Morneau was looked like the same deer in headlights he has looked for the past 3 weeks. At least Blackburn, Mijares, and Span showed up to play.

I was really hoping the Twins would win tonight.....but it shouldn't have come down to this. They shot themselves in the foot by losing 2 of 3 at home vs. KC.

Anyways, I hope the Rays kick the shit out of the Sox.

[starman9000]

What a gem from Danks. I knew he had it in him.

I <3 1-0 games. (First 1-0 win for the Sox this year)

I hate them...well I hate them this year (we lost 5 1-0 games :( )

I was really hoping the Twins would win tonight.....but it shouldn't have come down to this. They shot themselves in the foot by losing 2 of 3 at home vs. KC.


Yep, losing to KC was lame. (as well as their struggles against Oakland, Seattle, Baltimore and Cleveland to lead into the Chicago series.)

[B.A.]

That sucked.