MLB Monday October 6, 2008

[huh?]

<table width="700" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"><tr class="stathead"><td colspan="6">Sunday, October 5, 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=281005108">Philadelphia 6, at Milwaukee 2</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6132">Blanton</a> (1-0) </td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3294">Suppan</a> (0-1) </td><td></td><td colspan="2">43,934</td></tr><tr class="oddrow"><td ><a href="/mlb/boxscore?gameId=281005104">at Chicago Sox 5, Tampa Bay 3</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28508">Danks</a> (1-0) </td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28528">Garza</a> (0-1) </td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5910">Jenks</a> (1) </td><td colspan="2">40,142</td></tr><tr class="evenrow"><td ><a href="/mlb/boxscore?gameId=281005102">LA Angels 5, at Boston 4</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6479">Weaver</a> (1-0) </td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5388">Lopez</a> (0-1) </td><td></td><td colspan="2">39,067</td></tr></table>
<table class="tablehead" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr class="stathead"><td colspan="6">Monday, October 6, 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=281006104">Tampa Bay at Chicago Sox</a></td><td align="right">5:07 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=20081006">Travel</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28708">Sonnanstine</a> vs <a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5922">Floyd</a></td></tr><tr class="oddrow"><td><a href="/mlb/preview?gameId=281006102">LA Angels at Boston</a></td><td align="right">8:37 PM</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td><a href="http://www.stubhub.com/boston-red-sox-tickets/" onclick="this.href=this.href+'?gcid=C12289x450&gtkw=Boston+Red+Sox'" title="Boston Red 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=boston&startDate=20081006">Travel</a></td><td><a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5203">Lackey</a> vs <a href="/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28487">Lester</a></td></tr></table>

[huh?]

ALDS

Red Sox vs. Angles Red Sox Lead 2-1
Rays vs. White Sox Rays Lead 2-1

NLDS

Phillies vs. Brewers Phillies Win 3-1
Dodgers vs. Cubs Dodgers Win 3-0

[rabbit77]

I was rooting for the Red Sox last night so I could selfishly catch the Rays/White Sox game in prime time.

Let's go White Sox! Win today and take it back to Tampa.

[Goat3001]

Nice win by LAAAAAA. Let's see if they can keep it rolling and put up a few runs on Lester and take the series back to Anaheim. I have a feeling that one of the teams will have an easy win tonight. Not sure who, but either Lackey or Lester will have a rough outing.

Way to go Phillies. Not sure who I'm rooting for in the NLCS. Part of me is a little bitter that Torre is having all this success but the other part of me wants to see him win. Then again, I also like the Phillies.

[CRM114]

Will the Dodger home games be on at ridiculous west coast times, i.e. 10:00 PM EST?

[bunkaroo]

I heard on the news yesterday Tampa Bay has never faced Floyd. Hopefully the Sox can take advantage of that.

I'll be home at 4pm today to catch the game.

[Dave7393]

Part of me is a little bitter that Torre is having all this success but the other part of me wants to see him win.

They did an unscientific poll on WFAN last week, and overwhelmingly (something like 10 to 1), Yanks fans wanted Torre to win.

If you think that Torre got a raw deal and the shit end from the Yanks (and who doesn't?) I don't know how any Yanks fan wouldn't want Torre to win.

Even though I'm a Mets fan, I always thought Torre was a class act, and I also have no respect whatsoever for Hank and Hal. I hope he takes them all the way.

[FantasticVSDoom]

Hell, at least if they go back to Anaheim, we know the games will end earlier...

[McHawkson]

Hell, at least if they go back to Anaheim, we know the games will end earlier...

Don't you mean Los Angeles?

[Dave7393]

Don't you mean Los Angeles?

I still call them the California Angels. Problem solved. :)

[starman9000]

That's too limiting. Should be the California Angels of the Pacific Rim.

[fumanstan]

Will the Dodger home games be on at ridiculous west coast times, i.e. 10:00 PM EST?

God I hope so. I'd like to actually be able to watch games.

[wildcatlh]

Will the Dodger home games be on at ridiculous west coast times, i.e. 10:00 PM EST?

Game 3 at Los Angeles is an 8 PM eastern start on Sunday.

I'm assuming there won't be any starts later than 8 PM. FOX has the series, and they're going to want everything in prime time on the east coast.

[FantasticVSDoom]

Don't you mean Los Angeles?

Fuck, I never get that right...

[CRM114]

Game 3 at Los Angeles is an 8 PM eastern start on Sunday.

I'm assuming there won't be any starts later than 8 PM. FOX has the series, and they're going to want everything in prime time on the east coast.

That's beautiful. :)

[CRM114]

I still call them the California Angels. Problem solved. :)

They're not the California Angels? :lol: That wacky American League.

[fumanstan]

Game 3 at Los Angeles is an 8 PM eastern start on Sunday.

I'm assuming there won't be any starts later than 8 PM. FOX has the series, and they're going to want everything in prime time on the east coast.

Ugh, even at 8 that means missing 1/4 to 1/3 of the game for most people on the west coast who are still working 6. Weekend isn't a big deal, but for weekdays that sucks.

Better then the 6:30 EST start time I guess :(

[nickdawgy]

Don't you mean Los Angeles?

Since they play in Anaheim, I don't think he does.

Good try wth the stale LA Angels of Anaheim blah blah name joke, though.

As for tonight, the last time Lackey pitched at Fenway, he pitched great and the Angels prevailed.

The last time Lester pitched against the Angels at Fenway, he didn't pitch well, and the Angels won. That's also the last time the Sox lost a home game he started.

So I am hoping the trend continues.

[McHawkson]

They're not the California Angels? :lol: That wacky American League.

Were. They were California Angels till Disney bought the team, they changed it to Anaheim Angels. Then some {removed by moderator} bought the team and called it "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim." -rolleyes-

moderator note: McHawkson, please refrain from making comments like this on DVDTalk.

[CRM114]

Ugh, even at 8 that means missing 1/4 to 1/3 of the game for most people on the west coast who are still working 6. Weekend isn't a big deal, but for weekdays that sucks.

Better then the 6:30 EST start time I guess :(

Yeah, try starting a game at 10PM when you need to work the next day.

[Aphex Twin]

Always fun to go back and read this:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2008/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3617228

[Quake1028]

Yeah, try starting a game at 10PM when you need to work the next day.

Home team fans shouldn't have to cater to you.

[Mad Dawg]

I have a feeling that one of the teams will have an easy win tonight. Not sure who, but either Lackey or Lester will have a rough outing.

I hope you're right...except in the Sox' favor of course. :) I just can't take these close games. I watched the end in bed last, then was up for 3 more hours after on pure adrenaline like a zombie. A grumpy zombie, which if movies have taught me anything, is one of the worst kind.

[movielib]

Reading through this thread I'm wondering if the Rays and White Sox have the day off.

[fumanstan]

Yeah, try starting a game at 10PM when you need to work the next day.

I stay up past 12 regularly with work the next day, so it wouldn't bother me to stay awake to watch a game until 1 AM that much since I don't expect 5 hour marathons to occur every game.

It's easier to stay up late to watch a game then to skip work. :shrug:

[rabbit77]

Reading through this thread I'm wondering if the Rays and White Sox have the day off.

There's only like 4 white sox fans on this board, and no Rays fans.

Start the game already!!! I dug out my walkman radio from like 10 years ago and brought it in to work so I'm getting a live audio feed this time around.

[movielib]

There's only like 4 white sox fans on this board, and no Rays fans.

Start the game already!!! I dug out my walkman radio from like 10 years ago and brought it in to work so I'm getting a live audio feed this time around.
I made a bunch of calls and got someone to cover for me so I'm watching at home.

Go Sox!

[bunkaroo]

Of course the one guy who has seen Floyd hits a HR right away. Nuts. Still contained it to 1 run for the inning. Floyd usually takes a couple to get locked in.

[Rogue588]

They did an unscientific poll on WFAN last week, and overwhelmingly (something like 10 to 1), Yanks fans wanted Torre to win.

If you think that Torre got a raw deal and the shit end from the Yanks (and who doesn't?) I don't know how any Yanks fan wouldn't want Torre to win.

Even though I'm a Mets fan, I always thought Torre was a class act, and I also have no respect whatsoever for Hank and Hal. I hope he takes them all the way.QFT. Why are you bitter Goat?

Were. They were California Angels till Disney bought the team, they changed it to Anaheim Angels. Then some {removed by moderator} bought the team and called it "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim." -rolleyes-Surfing around on Wikipedia to get the "history" of the frequent name change, found this:

At the same time they announced the name change, the Angels aggressively marketed themselves to Los Angeles, buying space on nearly 500 billboards in the area that read simply "City of ANGELS" in the team's wordmark. The Dodgers countered with their own billboard campaign, featuring the slogan “LA Baseball”, and putting Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles on special giveaway merchandise for Opening Day 2005. :lol:

[Mad Dawg]

Upton knows Floyd, alright. Floyd's just lucky he only knows him with the bases empty so far.

[bunkaroo]

I think it may be time to pitch around Upton.

[bunkaroo]

Wow just bad defense. Floyd obviously doesn't have it today, plus he seems to not be getting some calls Sonnanstine is getting.

These guys need to start hitting.

[nickdawgy]

Were. They were California Angels till Disney bought the team, they changed it to Anaheim Angels. Then some {removed by moderator} bought the team and called it "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim." -rolleyes-


Some {removed by moderator}? Wow.

moderator note: Agreed and removed from all posts.

[chrisih8u]

Mike Lowell is out of the series. And if the Sox can make it to the ALCS, he won't be playing in that either.

[Mad Dawg]

Mike Lowell is out of the series. And if the Sox can make it to the ALCS, he won't be playing in that either.

It certainly sounds like the right thing to do, even though it sucks. He has been clearly overmatched at the plate and in pain. He's a hell of a gamer, though. :up:

[Tommy Ceez]

There's only like 4 white sox fans on this board, and no Rays fans.

Start the game already!!! I dug out my walkman radio from like 10 years ago and brought it in to work so I'm getting a live audio feed this time around.

Live audio feed :lol: is that what we're calling 'listening to the radio' these days?

[McHawkson]

Some {removed by moderator}? Wow.

I was Anaheim Angels fan, I was season ticket holder for 10 years till Arturo Moreno bought the team and changed the team name to Los Angeles. I stopped following Angels and MLB. I only come in here to see if Angels lost, so that I can make fun of them.

moderator note: Make fun of the Angels name change all you want, but leave race out of it.

[rabbit77]

Live audio feed :lol: is that what we're calling 'listening to the radio' these days?

I thought that sounded kind of off...

Oh, look! The Bears are in first!

[drmoze]

How many 25-and-under players are the Red Sox starting today? That's one reason I love this team. :up:

[movielib]

I'm rooting for the Rays to win it all now. If it couldn't be the White Sox, I'd like to see someone who's never done it before.

[fumanstan]

How many 25-and-under players are the Red Sox starting today? That's one reason I love this team. :up:

You love strapping young men under 25. Gotcha. :up: :p

[nickdawgy]

I was Anaheim Angels fan, I was season ticket holder for 10 years till Arturo Moreno bought the team and changed the team name to Los Angeles. I stopped following Angels and MLB. I only come in here to see if Angels lost, so that I can make fun of them.

moderator note: Make fun of the Angels name change all you want, but leave race out of it.


You hate the team because they changed their name. That's just...odd.

[bunkaroo]

Congrats to the Rays. The played us hard and executed when we didn't. We got out played.

Not sure what happened to our bats. I'd like to think we'd have fared better with Quentin around and Contreras healthy, but who knows.

I'm hoping for the Red Sox to take their series now as I think a Rays-Red Sox ALCS will be a hell of a series to watch.

[nickdawgy]

I'm rooting for the Rays to win it all now. If it couldn't be the White Sox, I'd like to see someone who's never done it before.

Angels-Dodgers-Rays is my preference.

[lordwow]

Ugh.

[tofferman]

I hate players swinging at the first pitch with men on base. Why not make the pitcher work Kotsay!

[nickdawgy]

Maybe he talked to Mickey Hatcher.

[lordwow]

Wasn't it Wade Boggs who never swung at 1st pitches?

[nickdawgy]

Vlad swings too much on the first pitch.

[nickdawgy]

Here comes a k that will make Vlad look silly.

[lordwow]

Vlad does have amazing range.

[lordwow]

God that ump needs to move.

[chrisih8u]

A hearty fuck you to Dennis Drinkwater, the rich douchebag behind home plate who won't stand even though everyone else in the ballpark is.

[nickdawgy]

Good at bat by Vlad, no matter what the result.

[nickdawgy]

4 LOB already :lol:

[nickdawgy]

At least the Angels are making Lester throw alot of pitches. His PC is over 50 now. I hope they continue to be patient.

[lordwow]

Drinkwater is annoying:

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/10/08/this_giant_sox_fan_is_a_fixture_behind_the_plate/

Game day ritual: Dines on lamb chops, salmon, or shrimp at The Capital Grille most nights before heading over to Fenway.

Exit strategy: The regulars who sit around him call him ''eight and two-thirds" for his habit of leaving his seat with one out remaining in the bottom of the ninth and making a bee-line for the ramp near the right-field concourse to watch the last out. Then he ducks to his car. ''I'm on 93 before most people have left the park."

The complete opposite of almost everyone in Fenway. Fenway is probably the most "into" the game of any place I've been.

[nickdawgy]

Does he do that if it's a tie game, or just if the Sox are ahead or behind?

[nickdawgy]

Bats are breaking like crazy in this series.

[lordwow]

He leaves as long as the game is not a tie. He says he'll turn around and watch "if something exciting happens"

[nickdawgy]

Lester looking good again, Angels helping his cause a bit.

[chrisih8u]

He doesnt do it if they are tied, but when everyone is celebrating, he is knocking people over (literally) to get out 1st.

[nickdawgy]

Alot of ground ball outs as well. 7 for the Angels, 5 for the BoSox.

[nickdawgy]

Lackey is falling behind alot.

[nickdawgy]

Damn, they should have at least gotten Ortiz.

[nickdawgy]

If Drew goes yard here, I will smash my TV.

[nickdawgy]

Two more LOB, same old story.

[fumanstan]

I only watched the end of the last game and just tuned in now, but wow that's some inconsistent strike calls.

[nickdawgy]

Yeah the last two pitches Tex saw were in the same spot.

I really dislike it when the pitcher (no matter what team) starts to run for the dugout when he thinks he struck the batter out.

[nickdawgy]

These teams can't go scoreless for long. Both teams have already dodged major bullets.

[nickdawgy]

Now watch Boston show the Angels what to do when you have RISP.

[nickdawgy]

Lackey's control is terrible now.

[lordwow]

Nice.

[nickdawgy]

Well, that may be all the Sox need with Lester pitching and the Angel batters "hitting."

[lordwow]

Peddddy!

[chrisih8u]

Bout time, Pedroia :up:

[Quake1028]

Kendrick is awful.

[nickdawgy]

And the wheels come off the bus.

[nickdawgy]

Kendrick is awful.

Yeah, he's been terrible this series at the plate and on the field.

[lordwow]

Niceeeee Kotsay

[nickdawgy]

Normally two runs wouldn't be a big thing, but the Angels mailed this one in. Lackey pitched a great game, and once again the Angels offense and defense let him down.

[Quake1028]

So Okajima-Masterson-Papelbon to close this thing down?

[nickdawgy]

Lester could probably finish the way things are going.

The Angels have never scored a run off Papelbon. Ever.

[chrisih8u]

So Okajima-Masterson-Papelbon to close this thing down?


I say send Lester back out.

[Quake1028]

Angels have to break through here. Is Papelbon limited to one inning tonight after going 2 last night?

[chrisih8u]

7 shutout innings. :up: ACE

[chrisih8u]

Send him out in the 8th with a 1 baserunner leash?

[FantasticVSDoom]

Now the jitters really start to hit...

[Quake1028]

Back to the old reliable Okajima-Papelbon combo.

[Quake1028]

All I want for Christmas is a C.C. and a Tex. Thanks.

[Quake1028]

I'm of course biased but Boston has the douchiest looking fans in the league :p.

[Quake1028]

Back to the old reliable Okajima-Papelbon combo.

Scratch that, was right the first time.

[chrisih8u]

Oki scares me. Wow, guess he scares Tito, too.

[tofferman]

Tito's loyalty can be his greatest liability. I would have let Lester finish the game...

[Quake1028]

Ruh roh.

[Quake1028]

Lester was at 109 pitches. He did his work.

[chrisih8u]

Oh, fuck. Bring in Papelbon. This isnt about 4 outs, its about 1.

[FantasticVSDoom]

For fuck sake's...

[Quake1028]

Tie game!!!111

[Quake1028]

Show more of dejected Boston douchebags plz.

[FantasticVSDoom]

What is so fucking hard about bringing your best pitcher to finish the series out?

[lordwow]

Christ, better get some coffee brewing.

[Quake1028]

What is so fucking hard about bringing your best pitcher to finish the series out?

Tito wasn't even thinking about Papelbon. He was ready to bring on Delcarmen and his gas can first.

[tofferman]

Lester was at 109 pitches. He did his work.

If Lester finishes the game with the win, he gets several days of rest. In an elimination game for the Angels, why change what was working so well. I don't understand it and it may cost the Red Sox the series.

You can't manage the playoffs like the regular season. Tito just did...

[nickdawgy]

Still, with Boston being at home, and Shields on the mound, every pitch from the 9th on is a potential walk-off.

[FantasticVSDoom]

Exact mirror of last night...

[Quake1028]

No reason to possibly risk a 24 year old arm by having him go possibly 130+ pitches just to get out of the 8th inning, IMO.

[nickdawgy]

Kendrick needs to make everyone forget about how much he's sucked this series, and get a big hit.

[nickdawgy]

Is Papelbon coming on now? I'd bring him in for sure.

[nickdawgy]

Morales PH'ing? That means either GMJ or Wilits in RF now.

[nickdawgy]

Nice, nice, nice.

Now I'd bring in Papelbon.

[Quake1028]

Is Papelbon even warming yet?

[Robert]

FUCK YOU MASTERSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:mad:

[lordwow]

Oh christ.

[Quake1028]

Who is coming in? Delcarmen?

[nickdawgy]

I know Kendrick is 0 for the century, but still.

[chrisih8u]

Again he waits until someone is on 3rd before bringing in Papelbon. How'd that work out yesterday??

And it's not Papelbon? I guess he's unavailable tonight?

[nickdawgy]

Well that works. Small ball got them the go ahead last night. Can Aybar be the hero two straight nights?

[nickdawgy]

Again he waits until someone is on 3rd before bringing in Papelbon. How'd that work out yesterday??

Yeah, pretty bad managing. Scioscia has done his share as well. Maybe he didn't want Papelbon to allow a run again, since this would go to Masterson.

[Quake1028]

Here comes the gas can.

[nickdawgy]

Papelbon scares me, though. He's an awesome closer.

[Quake1028]

:lol:

[lordwow]

rotfl

[nickdawgy]

Maybe he's saving Paelbon for a possible save situation if there is a game 5?

[chrisih8u]

Tuck rule?

[nickdawgy]

Aybar sucks.

[Quake1028]

I hate the squeeze there. If that guy can't put the ball in the outfield to score the run he shouldn't be on the team.

[FantasticVSDoom]

Well its good to know that its not only the Sox that can fuck golden scoring situations up...

[nickdawgy]

Well that was a gift. Can the Angels possibly fuck up more then they have this series? Is it humanly possible?

[lordwow]

Here we go...

[McHawkson]

You hate the team because they changed their name. That's just...odd.

Well, excuse me for being loyal to OC. -rolleyes-

[nickdawgy]

Congrats Sox fans.

[fumanstan]

Wow, nice catch.

[Quake1028]

Series!

[lordwow]

Bay gotta be that MVP. Or Lester

[FantasticVSDoom]

:banana: Fucking last 2 innings killed me...

[Quake1028]

Pin that one directly on the manager.

[tofferman]

About fucking time!

[nickdawgy]

That hurts. If Aybar makes contact, the Angels go up.

[Quake1028]

Lester should be MVP.

[chrisih8u]

:banana: YEAH!!!!! :banana:

A series against LAA isnt complete without a walkoff! :banana:

[Deftones]

wow. sucks for the Angels. they really had momentum if they won this game. Rays gotta love it. they get home field!

[chrisih8u]

There is no DS MVP.

[nickdawgy]

MVP Kendrick, or Aybar. Hard to choose.

[FantasticVSDoom]

I actually do feel bad for the Angels... The Sox just have their number.

[nickdawgy]

There is no DS MVP.

There's no trophy given...but there's always an MVP.

[El Scorcho]

suck my big fat hairy fucking balls, angels

/not bitter over 2002 or anything

[nickdawgy]

I actually do feel bad for the Angels... The Sox just have their number.

I don't feel bad for them. Their stupid mistakes cost them.

[Quake1028]

Well if there was it would be Lester :p.

[Mad Dawg]

I can't believe....what I just saw...

That inning went from euphoria to sheer heartbreak to euphoria again. :banana: :banana:

What a friggin play by Tex.

[McHawkson]

That should teach Angels for using Los Angeles name. Fucking traitors.

[Quake1028]

Dude, get the fuck over it already.

[Canadian Bacon]

Dude, get the fuck over it already.

no kidding
it's just a name

[Arpeggi]

I was Anaheim Angels fan, I was season ticket holder for 10 years till Arturo Moreno bought the team and changed the team name to Los Angeles. I stopped following Angels and MLB. I only come in here to see if Angels lost, so that I can make fun of them.



Same. Fuck the Angels.

[FantasticVSDoom]

So what's the over/under on fights during the ALCS?

[Arpeggi]

That should teach Angels for using Los Angeles name. Fucking traitors.

Yes.

[lordwow]

I just loving crushing the Angels in the postseason :cool:

[nickdawgy]

Same. Fuck the Angels.

:lol:

It's almost time for the NBA season. I eagerly await your "Lakers will go 82-0" prediction.

[fumanstan]

:lol: @ abandoning your team because of a name.

[Deftones]

:lol:

It's almost time for the NBA season. I eagerly await your "Lakers will go 82-0" prediction.


i lol'd

[nickdawgy]

I just loving crushing the Angels in the postseason :cool:

Yeah, because the Sox really killed them. I wish the games would have been closer.

[Canadian Bacon]

:lol:

It's almost time for the NBA season. I eagerly await your "Lakers will go 82-0" prediction.

but
but
but!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

he's a Clippers Fan
he's still pissed at the Lakers after they changed it to LA when they left Minnesota all those decades ago.

[nickdawgy]

The Angels were the LA Angels in the beginning, in case you people were unaware.

[El Scorcho]

stupid fucking ESPN commercials, I now expect every interview to end with a comment about the 'buffet being pretty robust'

[McHawkson]

The Angels were the LA Angels in the beginning, in case you people were unaware.

When they were playing IN Los Angeles - now Angels are playing in Anaheim..... I mean hello!

[Quake1028]

Again, WHO THE FUCK CARES? The Rays don't play in Tampa either. I'm sure there are plenty of other examples of this.

[Dr_Evil]

Nice to see Bay playing well in the playoffs. As a pirates fan, I'd like to see him win a ring.

[Flashback]

I can't believe....what I just saw...

That inning went from euphoria to sheer heartbreak to euphoria again. :banana: :banana:

What a friggin play by Tex.

I was the same way (just got back) ... god knows the angry "other" Sox fans were not happy when I was cheering. F them!

[El Scorcho]

Again, WHO THE FUCK CARES? The Rays don't play in Tampa either. I'm sure there are plenty of other examples of this.

The New Jersey Giants respectfully disagree

[chrisih8u]

Fuckin crybaby.

"We lost to a team that's not better than us," growled pitcher John Lackey, who gave up two runs and seven hits in seven innings. "We are a better team than they are. The last two days, we shouldn't have given up anything."

"[Sunday] night they scored three runs on a pop fly that was called a hit, which was a joke," Lackey said, referring to Ellsbury's pop that fell between center fielder Torii Hunter and second baseman Howie Kendrick in Game 3.

"[Monday] night they scored on a broken-bat ground ball and a fly ball that anywhere else in America is an out, and he's fist-pumping on second base like he did something great."

Asked to describe his feelings, Lackey said, "Like I want to throw somebody through a wall."


"I'm [ticked], I'm upset, this one's going to be with me for a while," Hunter said. "It doesn't feel good, because we're a better team than they are. But they're moving on."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-angels7-2008oct07,0,5294788.story

[lordwow]

rotfl

"That's not fair, I mean, one of the 3 Angels standing there should have caught it"

[cardsfan111]

It's easy to see why the Angels are upset at losing, but they're a victim of their own success. They won 100 games this year. But, they've probably received their fair share of luck this season. Based on their run differential, you'd project them to have 88 wins. Instead, they won a ton of close games (hence Rodriguez' inflated saves total). You could say they were due to lose a few close games. And none of this is meant to take anything away from their team/season, but to make bold statements about being better than the Sox is based only on the standings, and nothing else.

[fumanstan]

They are a better team, just not when they face them head to head :p

[Goat3001]

Fuckin crybaby.

"We lost to a team that's not better than us," growled pitcher John Lackey, who gave up two runs and seven hits in seven innings. "We are a better team than they are. The last two days, we shouldn't have given up anything."

"[Sunday] night they scored three runs on a pop fly that was called a hit, which was a joke," Lackey said, referring to Ellsbury's pop that fell between center fielder Torii Hunter and second baseman Howie Kendrick in Game 3.

"[Monday] night they scored on a broken-bat ground ball and a fly ball that anywhere else in America is an out, and he's fist-pumping on second base like he did something great."

Asked to describe his feelings, Lackey said, "Like I want to throw somebody through a wall."


"I'm [ticked], I'm upset, this one's going to be with me for a while," Hunter said. "It doesn't feel good, because we're a better team than they are. But they're moving on."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-angels7-2008oct07,0,5294788.story


What's wrong with thinking that you're the better team? Before the series started everyone thought so. The Angels did sweep them twice this season. They were confident (maybe overconfident) going in and they're pissed because they thought they were the better team. If there is anything wrong with what Lackey said he shouldn't blame it on the bloop hits by the Sox but should blame it on the lack of timely hitting and bad defense on the Angels part. I see no issue with thinking you're the better team than the one you're facing... you should think that.

[El Scorcho]

rotfl

"That's not fair, I mean, one of the 3 Angels standing there should have caught it"

"And what's also not fair is that we had five extra base hits during the series and that we hit .200 with RISP with a SLG% of .275! We deserved better!"

[El Scorcho]

Congrats to the fuckwad Angels for beating up the tards in the AL West all year long and earning themselves a massive 4 extra games more than the Mariners. Nice job! You can now surreptitiously put on your Dodgers hats for the next week.

[Qui Gon Jim]

It's easy to see why the Angels are upset at losing, but they're a victim of their own success. They won 100 games this year. But, they've probably received their fair share of luck this season. Based on their run differential, you'd project them to have 88 wins. Instead, they won a ton of close games (hence Rodriguez' inflated saves total). You could say they were due to lose a few close games. And none of this is meant to take anything away from their team/season, but to make bold statements about being better than the Sox is based only on the standings, and nothing else.

I so totally agree here. Rodriguez had such huge numbers because they were close so often. I think the Sox and the Angels were pretty evenly matched up here, and things tipped in Boston's favor. That's baseball. These two are just, as Chris said, fucking crybabies.

I think Bos and TB are pretty evenly matched as well. Makes for entertaining baseball, IMO.

[fumanstan]

Yeah, but calling out the "fist pumping on second base" thing is kinda lame though.

Most teams when they lose still think they're the better team. And in a 5 game series, it's easy for the better team to lose.

[Qui Gon Jim]

Congrats to the fuckwad Angels for beating up the tards in the AL West all year long and earning themselves a massive 4 extra games more than the Mariners. Nice job! You can now surreptitiously put on your Dodgers hats for the next week.

LOL. This is a bit extreme, but I sort of agree that LAAAA had it a bit easier, divisional opposition wise, than BOS and TB did, battling with each other, and with the Yanks a constant presence in the "objects are closer than they appear" rear-view mirror.

[Qui Gon Jim]

Yeah, but calling out the "fist pumping on second base" thing is kinda lame though.

Agreed. At least he didn't blow out a knee bitching about a call.

[El Scorcho]

Baseball really needs to make the DS 7 games and get rid of breaks in between games.

[tofferman]

Most teams when they lose still think they're the better team. And in a 5 game series, it's easy for the better team to lose.

For many reasons, the Division Series going from a five game matchup to seven games is only a matter of time.

[Quake1028]

LOL. This is a bit extreme, but I sort of agree that LAAAA had it a bit easier, divisional opposition wise, than BOS and TB did, battling with each other, and with the Yanks a constant presence in the "objects are closer than they appear" rear-view mirror.

You are being way too kind to the AL West. Toronto would have finished 7 games ahead of Seattle in that division, and they were FOURTH in the AL East. And that's with playing 3 90 win or almost 90 win teams 18 or 19 times each.

[Quake1028]

For many reasons, the Division Series going from a five game matchup to seven games is only a matter of time.

I hope so. I hate the 5 game structure. It makes a hot pitcher or a cold batter way too prominent in a series, and really turns things into a crapshoot.

[starman9000]

5 games is plenty. Do you also want to follow Boras' wishes for the World Series and make it last for 3 months or whatever?

[Quake1028]

5 games is not plenty. Why is 5 games plenty for the first round but not for any other round? Do as Scorcho says, eliminate the unneeded days off and the playoffs wouldn't last any longer than they do now.

[starman9000]

5 is plenty for the later rounds too. Why is 7 the magic number?

I'd actually be in favor of getting rid of the first round and all the divisions. Let the top 2 play for the pennant.

[Setzer]

Congrats to the fuckwad Angels for beating up the tards in the AL West all year long and earning themselves a massive 4 extra games more than the Mariners. Nice job! You can now surreptitiously put on your Dodgers hats for the next week.

First off, grats to the Red Sox on making it to the ALCS. Angels fucked themselves in the ass and deserved to lose this series. Lack of hits with runners in scoring position, stupid errors on the field, and poor managing decisions cost them. It's their own damn fault and they have nobody to blame but themselves.

Secondly, in response to El Scorcho, who thinks the only reason the Angels are in the play-offs is for the fact they play in the AL West. Let's see the breakdown of their record, shall we?

vs. AL West - 36-21(.631)
vs. AL Central - 24-17(.585)
vs. AL East - 30-16(.652)
vs. NL - 10-8(.556)

Am I reading this correctly......the Angels had a higher winning pct vs. the toughest division in the AL??? Even higher than within their own division??!! :eek:

It's a good thing they weren't in the AL East, they probably wouldn't have made the play-offs. :rolleyes:

Lastly, where the fuck are the Giants? Are they still recovering from 2002?

[Dave7393]

5 is plenty for the later rounds too. Why is 7 the magic number?

There's really no good reason to have a five game series at all-- they only did it to squeeze it in between the regular season and the LCS, which isn't a good reason, IMO. Seven games has been the WS standard for generations, and having each post-season series match that seems reasonable in terms of game play, but it's not done simply because of the overall length of the season.

I'd actually be in favor of getting rid of the first round and all the divisions. Let the top 2 play for the pennant.

That's what they did before realignment, but it's impossible now, with three divisions in each league. What do you mean by the "top 2?" Even if you dumped the Wild Card, you're still leaving out a whole division.

[Arpeggi]

First off, grats to the Red Sox on making it to the ALCS. Angels fucked themselves in the ass and deserved to lose this series. Lack of hits with runners in scoring position, stupid errors on the field, and poor managing decisions cost them. It's their own damn fault and they have nobody to blame but themselves.

Secondly, in response to El Scorcho, who thinks the only reason the Angels are in the play-offs is for the fact they play in the AL West. Let's see the breakdown of their record, shall we?

vs. AL West - 36-21(.631)
vs. AL Central - 24-17(.585)
vs. AL East - 30-16(.652)
vs. NL - 10-8(.556)

Am I reading this correctly......the Angels had a higher winning pct vs. the toughest division in the AL??? Even higher than within their own division??!! :eek:

It's a good thing they weren't in the AL East, they probably wouldn't have made the play-offs. :rolleyes:

Lastly, where the fuck are the Giants? Are they still recovering from 2002?


You sound mad. Calm down.

[El Scorcho]

Secondly, in response to El Scorcho, who thinks the only reason the Angels are in the play-offs is for the fact they play in the AL West. Let's see the breakdown of their record, shall we?

vs. AL West - 36-21(.631)
vs. AL Central - 24-17(.585)
vs. AL East - 30-16(.652)
vs. NL - 10-8(.556)

Am I reading this correctly......the Angels had a higher winning pct vs. the toughest division in the AL??? Even higher than within their own division??!! :eek:

It's a good thing they weren't in the AL East, they probably wouldn't have made the play-offs. :rolleyes:

Lastly, where the fuck are the Giants? Are they still recovering from 2002?

I never said any of this or even implied it so I won't address anything you said but I'm glad you took time out of your day to get all pissy and look up stats. :lol: Good to know you turn petulant with both your baseball AND basketball teams!

[starman9000]

That's what they did before realignment, but it's impossible now, with three divisions in each league. What do you mean by the "top 2?" Even if you dumped the Wild Card, you're still leaving out a whole division.

I know it can't happen. But yeah, either drop down to 2 divisions or have no divisions and let the top 2 for each league play to get to the Series.

Again, I know it's not realistic. And actually it would probably be a bad thing, as 75% of the teams would be essentially done playing half way through the season.

[Goat3001]

^I think baseball gets enough shit for having an unfair advantage to big market teams. If you cut the number of playoff teams from 8 to 4 and had only the very top 2 teams play in each league then you're taking even more fans away from the games. The Twins were right there in the race until the end of the season but they would have been long out of it if they changed the playoff format.

I've pretty much grown up in the wild card era and I think its a great system personally. That includes the 5 game DS, but I wouldn't be opposed to having that go to 7 games either. It makes the DS harder to win than the World Series.

[starman9000]

Yeah, I know it would never work. You'd have to eliminate teams in general. Just dreaming of the old days. I like the system the way it is now.

[Tommy_Harn]

As a Mets fan, I'm all for trimming off a few games from the end of the regular season to make room for seven-game LDS series. Shit, why not just start the playoffs on Labor Day? :)

[Goat3001]

As a Mets fan, I'm all for trimming off a few games from the end of the regular season to make room for seven-game LDS series. Shit, why not just start the playoffs on Labor Day? :)

Because then the Mets would choke in August.

[Tommy_Harn]

Because then the Mets would choke in August.

I guess then, using your logic, the Yankees would be done by National Read a Book Day (September 6th- enough time to lose in five games of a best-of-seven LDS, depending on what date Labor day falls on in a given year).

[achau9598]

Do it (sort of) like hockey .. 2 divisions (AL/NL), 2 points for a win, 1 point for each team when there is a tie after 9 innings (with 1 point going to winner after that). Top 8 point teams go to playoffs.

[Goat3001]

I guess then, using your logic, the Yankees would be done by National Read a Book Day (September 6th- enough time to lose in five games of a best-of-seven LDS, depending on what date Labor day falls on in a given year).

:lol: Yep. Sounds about right.

[Goat3001]

Do it (sort of) like hockey .. 2 divisions (AL/NL), 2 points for a win, 1 point for each team when there is a tie after 9 innings (with 1 point going to winner after that). Top 8 point teams go to playoffs.

I really hope thats a joke.

[achau9598]

I really hope thats a joke.

Why not? If you took the wins that each team had this season (not counting any extra-inning games) the playoffs would begin like this ...

LAA (1) vs CLE (8)
TB (2) vs TOR (7)
BOS (3) vs MIN (6)
NYY (4) vs CHW (5)

CHC (1) vs FLA (8)
PHI (2) vs LAD (7)
MIL (3) vs HOU (6)
NYM (4) vs STL (5)

Not a whole lot different than the teams that made the playoffs this year.

[Goat3001]

^Yes, but the reason there is a point system in hockey is because there are ties. Before the point system when a team was tied at the end of the game they would just get a notch in the tie column. So whenever a game went into OT, neither team would play to score. They just played defense so they wouldn't get knocked with the loss and essentially played to tie. So they introduced the point system. Both teams would get a point for going into OT and the winner would get two points, giving them incentive to score.

Needless to say there are no ties in baseball and it would be ridiculous to reward teams for going into extra innings.

Maybe you mean something more like the old basketball system where the top 8 records make the playoffs. That is what you have above, not the hockey system. To each his own but I would hate to see 8 teams in the MLB playoffs. That's my biggest pet peeve about basketball playoffs too. That's half the league making it, too many if you ask me. Maybe the top 4 records wouldn't be such a bad idea though, regardless of division. Of course that would lead to issues with the unbalanced schedule.

[Goat3001]

Dice-K starting game 1 for the Sox with Beckett going game 2. I'm too lazy to figure out how many days of rest each of the big 3 Sox starters are getting but I'm surprised they're not making a push to start Lester in game 2 over Beckett.

Beckett's been hurt and didn't have the best outing against the Angels. Dice-K doesn't stay in games long enough. The Sox may be in a world of hurt if Dice-K can only go 5 and Beckett only goes 5 the next day. Also this way you can only use Lester once in the 7 game series.

But hey, I never managed a team to two World Series so what do I know.

[Red Dog]

Why not? If you took the wins that each team had this season (not counting any extra-inning games) the playoffs would begin like this ...

LAA (1) vs CLE (8)
TB (2) vs TOR (7)
BOS (3) vs MIN (6)
NYY (4) vs CHW (5)

CHC (1) vs FLA (8)
PHI (2) vs LAD (7)
MIL (3) vs HOU (6)
NYM (4) vs STL (5)

Not a whole lot different than the teams that made the playoffs this year.



Why even bother having a regular season. I don't even start watching hockey until the postseason because the regular season is pretty meaningless.

[Flashback]

Not a whole lot different than the teams that made the playoffs this year.

My god 16 teams playing in the playoffs? That would definitely kill the game
for me. Like RD - NHL and even the NBA has made (imho) the regular season just about useless.

You want the top 4 from each league fine ... but that is it.

Figure out what do with the DH rule for BOTH leagues. That is my #1 request.

[Quake1028]

Dice-K starting game 1 for the Sox with Beckett going game 2. I'm too lazy to figure out how many days of rest each of the big 3 Sox starters are getting but I'm surprised they're not making a push to start Lester in game 2 over Beckett.

Beckett's been hurt and didn't have the best outing against the Angels. Dice-K doesn't stay in games long enough. The Sox may be in a world of hurt if Dice-K can only go 5 and Beckett only goes 5 the next day. Also this way you can only use Lester once in the 7 game series.

But hey, I never managed a team to two World Series so what do I know.

Couldn't Lester go 3 and 7? I figure there will be a travel day in there, so that would be full rest.

[Flashback]

Couldn't Lester go 3 and 7? I figure there will be a travel day in there, so that would be full rest.

Easily.

[Goat3001]

Oh. Right. Didn't factor in the off day... Well then. Screw you guys... I'm going home.