The OFFICIAL 2006 MLB Discussion Thread
 

Well, America's favorite pasttime is just around the corner now. The buzz is in the air already, with both A-Rod and The Boss calling for a championship, and perennial powerhouse, Pittsburgh, looks to make another strong run at it.

Seriously, though, I'm looking forward to another fun and exciting baseball season. Some of my favorites coming in have to be St. Louis, who so narrowly missed out two years back, and look to be even stronger this year.

Also, what do you guys think about Bonds going for one last season? Do you want to see him break Ruth and Aaron's records? I know I sure as hell don't want to see an *alleged* steroid user (Fucking look at him when he was on Pittsburgh, then look at a photo of him now. Foreheads do not grow that much in adulthood.) stomping all over one of the greatest records in all of sports.

So, discuss.

Hahahaha, the Pirates are going to be out of the playoff run in May/June. We both know it. :)

The Red Sox are an interesting story. Sure they'll probably still be among the top 2 in the AL East, but will they make the playoffs? I'm more curious about the O's and the Jays...will they threaten to crack the top 2 midway through the season?

As for Bonds, I really don't care. The major records won't be legitimately broken ever again it seems, so whether he breaks it or not is irrelevant and probably a mtter of time either way. (At least Ruth's number is easily surpassable.)

I hope the Astros go to the World Series again this year. I hope they win or at the very least not get swept like last year. The Astros getting swept really hurt.

xman25

As the resident Braves fan, I always have great expectations going into spring training and by year end I am typically mildly disappointed. But that's ok, to me in baseball, it is the journey which is important, not the destination.

Well since baseball is here I will make my predictions. Yankees go back to the series this year and win one again. Most likely this will end being a subway World Series again. The Mets have brought in some top notch talent. The Yankees were truly lacking a good defensive CF last year as Bernie was getting older and slower. Now with Damon at least that hole will not be as empty. Damon is much quicker in CF, the only question mark in my mind about him is his weak arm.

I predict that the Mets will be the biggest dissapointment of the year, and will be missing the playoffs. Either that or an early exit.

RESIDENT? Umm no.

Anyway, looking forward to the Braves owning again. Hudson was just named the starter by the way.

Well since the Orioles are well known as a clutch baseball team, I'm confident they'll be a dominant presence in the AL East, bringing New York and Boston to their knees.

I sure hope we break .500 for the first time in a billion years. At least Curly (Sidney Ponson) is finally gone.

As a Canadian baseball fanatic, I'm definitely excited about the Jays new line up. Yet, being a life long Red Sox devotee, I expect the worst. I hate to admit it, but the Yankees line up is looking awfully good this year. I expect them to take the ALC, and if this happens, I'd love to see the Mets win a subway series (yeah, right).

Capo I know you are like me and you are a legit Pittsburgh fan, but even I know that the Pirates will never get to the playoffs for as long as I live. It dosen't matter who they sign or how many dicks they suck it will never happen.

I think Capo was being sarcastic there. =P

Wojo it is the same way for the KC Royals fans here in KS. They suffer through year after year after year of the same old crap.

Thank god I like the Yanks.

I was being sarcastic, but I do think we might be able to pull off 3rd or 4th in the division, even though our signings were all old, over-the-hill players. Still, gotta root for them Buccos.

Heh yeah I kind of catch the sarcasm now. Good thing Pirate tickets are cheap. I just go to see PNC Park to be honest. It's a really nice place.

It's fucking beautiful, and you know that's hard to achieve in the desolate wasteland that is Pittsburgh. Seats behind homeplate on the second level make for a great view of the field, and the skyline. I love it, epecially since my mom gets tickets from her clients all the time. Also, I may be able to get tickets to the All Star Game and hopefully the Home Run Derby. I can't wait!

P.S.: World Baseball Classic: not a bad idea. Too bad the names are dropping like flies, but there's still a lot of talent in there.

No shit. Manny, Pedro, and Vlad all out for the Dominican. It's too bad really.
What I'm really waiting to see is if a team like South Africa, with no players who have ever been in a professional system, can compete in the slightest with any other nation. I expect not, but it would be interesting to see all the Major League stars falling to a bunch of unknowns.

Yeah, I thought the Dominican was going to win for sure, but now it looks like the US might be able to snag this one. Glad A-Rod chose to play for us. And, yeah, this was a great idea, especially considering the US can't even qualify for the Olympics with the shitty turnout it gets.

That happens in other sports all the time (Olympic basketball, for example).

Born and raised in St. Louis. Looking forward to the new stadium and another great year.

I turn my back on Bonds. He's a Grade-A asshole and does not deserve to get any honorable home run record. I wish him nothing but the worst of injuries to keep him from playing.

Red Sox will fall horribly, not making the playoffs. Blue Jays and Mets will do amazing this year.

I'm looking at the Yankees (who did well this offseason) to make the playoffs and even the World Series.

Another Subway series would be a great watch and this year it's entirely possible.

No way, you must be on crack. The Mets were a great disappointment when they acquired Mo Vaughn and Roberto Alomar. They made a few key aquisitions last year, not all of them worked out, but still, they were in the rebuilding process. This is their year. They got a closer. They got a deeper bullpen. They have new power added with the speed of Reyes and the consistency of Wright. This is their year.

Additional Post

Hey, I managed to line up the "this is their year's"

Wow! It's already that time of the year again. I'd be happy if the Cubs lost their first game and the White Sox win their first game.

Man, I've been a Braves fan since you were in diapers.

But seriously, I think Hudson is going to have a big year this year, and I expect Chipper and Andruw to both put up monster seasons, keeping the pressure off of the younger guys like Francoeur and McCann. I don't know why people are suggesting that Giles wouldn't be a good leadoff hitter. He is a solid hitter who gets on base and can make a pitcher work. Just because he doesn't have blazing speed, apparently he is not leadoff material. A lineup of Giles, Renteria, Chipper, Andruw, LaRoche, Francoeur, McCann, Langerhans sounds like a good recipe for success to me. We've just got to get lucky with some overachieving performances from a few bullpen guys.

A friend of mine is trying to get us box seats for the home opener, so I'm really hoping that happens. Either way, I am going to the home opener. Too bad I'll be seeing the number 4 starter...

Finally....a thread I could get used to...

I saw baseball on TV today and was already hooked, I've signed up for a few fantasy baseball leagues (If anyone is looking for another person to join their league...) and am ready to start watching my favorite stars: Francisco Rodriguez and Miguel Cabrera!!! Otherwise I was grown on Cal Ripken and have been an Orioles fan for quite some time...we'll see what happens with that.....

As for my thoughts on this season, I'm still hoping for the Yankees to not win the AL East (and I think the Red Sox can finally do it). As for some of the stars, I'm hoping that my 40-40 favorites will finally come through....Hopefully Beltran has a better season, Vlad, and A-Rod...

So everyone in the world knows Bonds' secret. Except for himself. Anyone else still wishing him a horrible injury?

Yeah, for like 5 years running. Maybe when he hits homerun 713, he will blow out both knees during his trot.

$5 says his ego weighs his fat injected ass down and he doesn't even start the season.

Um, his ego is what has gotten him into this mess in the first place, so if you really want to just give away five dollars, just go give it to your favorite charity or something, I don't really need it.

Anybody interested in salary cap fantasy baseball? Me and some friends start a league on the MLB site every year, but are always short a few people to fill the league. Any takers would be great. If you're interested, go here and sign up.

Hey, the Shef is on roids (or was.) One more reason to hate the yankees.

Sorry had to bump this...

WOO HOO baseball season is officially open. Some great performances today..

Pujols 2 hrs
Stellar pitching by aces Oswalt and Peavy. And best of all, the Mets won!

Um. Go Yankees! 15-2 win on opening day against the As.

Johnson pitched well, though Zito didn't do so hot. Grandslam by A-Rod did him in.


As for the rest of the MLB, Oswalt and Peavy pitched amazingly, however Sabathia may be on the DL with a strain. Colon did well, though the Angels couldn't back him up with runs.

Anyone watch the Braves and Dodgers game? It was pretty good near the end.

Wow did Oliver Perez have a game yesterday. He may have only pitched 5 1/3, but during that time he had 9 strikeouts, and allowed only one run. We may have lost, but with pitching like this, the season looks semi-promising. Our "strong" bullpen dissapointed me, though. Could have gotten that win if it wasn't for them.

Yeah that was quite a performance.

Toronto's Molina just had a sickening long homer off of Santana, putting them in the lead. Interesting tidbit: the Jays have the highest opening day win stats of all time, with .724.

Yeah, that was definitely a pretty typical Oliver performance. Throw a ton of pitches, get a bunch of strikeouts, and be dominant for about 6 innings before getting tired and leaving the game.

If the Pirates can get to Mike Gonzalez in the ninth, they will be alright.

I'm expecting a great season from the Yankees. Hopefully the White Sox do as good as they did last year. I'm wishing the Cubs bad luck. :asthanos:

Just finished watching the Blue Jays opener.

Some real good stuff shown by the Blue Jays. 14 hits. As well Halladay showing not his best but good stuff to keep the Twins at 3 runs a piece. I'm really surprised by B.J. Ryan's stuff. He's really accurate with his pitches. Too bad the umpire looked like he was a bit picky on location :tpg: Troy Glaus showed some of his defensive capability. Molina showed us his power with his 1st home run of the season. Alex Rios changed his stance and hit a home run as well.

Here's to hope that the Blue Jays do well this season and things are looking up right now.

-_-. Typical Mets bullpen right there. I'm suprised it was Wagner who let it go into extra innings, but after him, their bullpen is really bad.

Well, Gagne is having elbow surgery again. Needless to say, this has hurt my bullpen on a couple of different fantasy teams.

Luckily, the person immediately before me drafted him in my league, just as I was about to. Wasn't happy at the time, but not so bad now.

I immediately went to the free agent list to see if Baez was still available. In one league of my four, he was actually available, so that was pretty lucky.

I picked up Josh Willingham that round instead, who has proved to be a hell of a bargain. How many catcher's play the field when they're not behind the plate?

I'm really disappointed with Tom Gordon, but then again, he's with the Phillies so it'll be tough for him to get a lot of saves. He was better off setting up for Riveria IMO.

Buccos really came close in this game tonight. Umpires ended up determining it, although they definitely chose the right outcome. We came through in the clutch twice, but, in the end, the Reds got us by one. Good game to watch, and I hope to see a win in the next couple days.

Jason Kendall and Paul LoDuca come to mind, though I don't think either of them have done that in the past couple of years. But Willingham is a solid guy to take up your C spot. In my drafts, I waited until round 18 or later to pick up Ramon Hernandez or LoDuca.

I was thinking LoDuca at first, as well. I have two catcher spots, so I ended up with Willingham and Kenji Johjima, Seattle's Japanese league all star import, who's also been a good pickup.

2 catcher spots? never saw that in a league before. I have Lo Duca on my team. He's a pretty solid hitter.

I know. We have six pitchers and two spots for each position.

Christ, that was one long ass inning between the Braves and Giants. It only took like 40 minutes to get through the 7th inning. Eight runs on only two hits. Way to go Giants. Heh


Haha, the giants should just give up now, I think.

Yeah, I watched that shit, despite the fact that I was tired, the wine was making me sleepy, and I had to work early this morning. I enjoyed that inning last night a whole hell of a lot more than I have enjoyed this afternoon's game, let me tell you. At least Bonds hasn't homered.

Bonds is not allowed to break Ruth nor Aaron - it's already stated by law.


You know what's amusing - The Detroit Tigers are 5-0, and it looks like the New York Yankees are going to be 1-4 (This is coming from a Yankee fan). We really should have never gotten Jaret Wright...

Opening Day at Fenway gets going with a REALLY SHITTY rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" by some child who was a Jimmy Fund patient. They're gonna lose.

(More support for the theory that children should not get involved in major sports events. Super Bowl XXXIX's coin toss was the worst I've seen yet.)

So many baseball fans on this board -_-.

How about Chris Shelton? I honestly thought he'd just have a few good games, nothing big. But here he is a good week into his monster tear at the plate and he has another homerun today. How long will this last? I think he's going to pull a Brian Roberts type season of last year. He'll be hot for a good few months, but then slowly cool off until his stats are in the middle of everyone, with all the usual names at the top.

Maybe if the Pirate's front office wasn't fucking terrible, we'd still have Chris Shelton. But no...This just goes down in the long line of their terrible decisions.

I think the Brian Roberts analogy is correct. I have been a huge BR fan for a few years now, so I was very happy that he basically carried my fantasy team last April {15th round pick that year :rock:}. But since I had been a huge BR fan for a couple of years, I knew exactly what he was capable of, which wasn't MVP caliber numbers, so I fully expected him to cool off. Brian Roberts is a .300/10/60 guy who can score you 100 runs and steal you 30 bags. His six homers {or whatever it was} last April was an obvious abberation, as it seemed like some balls that in the past were doubles were going over the fence.

I think we'll see something similar from Shelton {though obviously Shelton is a different kind of player than BR}. I think most "experts" agree that Shelton is a guy who will hit, what, around 30 to 35 homers a year? So his fast start might bump him up above that a little. Similar to how Derek Lee rode a hot start to 46 homers last year. I think Shelton is the real deal, but let's be serious, he won't hit 95 homers this year. Pujols on the other hand...

Yeah I sure love the Mets fans, bashing the Braves like crazy on the Official Message boards, and then the Braves preceding to waste them like wut. Like usual.

Yeah and word is that Chipper, Giles, and Renteria will all be back next week. If the starting pitching keeps doing well {Soriano just led off with a homer against Smoltz as I type this}, then the Braves will be alright.

Bonds homers 712th....I think I'm the only one looking forward to him breaking some records as it seems...

You, sir, are a sick fuck.

Jeter's 2000th hit was an error.

Hahaha.

Bottom of the 18th inning and the Pirates beat the Astros 8-7. I dont think I ever witnessed a ball game go that long.

Barry Bonds hits number 715 off Byung-Hung "I've gone from goat to hero more times than anyone in the history of baseball and now I'm the guy who gave up a record homerun" Kim.

And Barry's arms, like tree trunks, have grown just a little bit more.

I was hoping he would blow out both knees on the trot around the bases, but alas, it was not so.

Why do I watch the Orioles? They always find new ways to lose. Ever since the end of the 1998 season we've just constantly thrown games in the stupidest ways. This series the Yankees are bringing out our worst once again with errors from our two all-stars that led to both loses so far. At least no one fell down on their way to home plate.

Actually, that would be the end of the 1997 season...:cow: 1998 was a complete wash as well, once word got out that Ray Miller was a flake when it came to managing. It's sad when the highlight of the year was our closer effectively ending Tino Martinez's season with a 100mph fastball to the upper back and igniting an all-out brawl.

Also, we were pretty creative in the 97 playoffs as well...Highlights include a game-winning steal of home and Mussina striking out 15 guys en route to a loss versus a weak-ass Cleveland team with no pitching.

Let's just write this season off, pray we sign Zito (to go with the rest of our collection of ex-Atheletics), dump Matos and Millar, let Markakis develop, and come in fresh next year...

At least we can all be glad we don't live in Kansas City.

Dunno...I always liked Kaufman Stadium. I always look forward to home runs (mostly by visiting teams) going out near the fountains.

Camden Yards needs a fountain...

Point taken. I meant at least we're not Royals fans. Even the Orioles are doing better than .250.

True...I just look at it as neither team is going to make the playoffs. At least the few KC fans who tune in get to watch the cool-looking fountains every night...

Truthfully though, I would MUCH rather us be in the Central division, away from playing Boston and New York 40 games a year (and Toronto's not looking too bad with all of those free agents). KC is probably closer to turning things around than we are, once they get their upper management straightened out, simply because there's more bad teams in the central (or at least ones that can't afford $20 million players and still have enough to spend on the rest of the team).

Just look at the spectacular Detroit Tigers this year...

Dang, the Chicago White Sox are starting to pick up a losing streak.

Now that the all star break is over, I'm looking forward to the Tigers continuing their winning ways. After years of watching them getting worse and worse, it's good to finally see the team have a good year.

Everyone is discounting the Yankees right now. MISTAKE. I won't believe they're not in the playoffs until the playoffs begin.

There's no way the Yankees are making the playoffs. Boston is just too tough, and you can all but discount the wild card, with how competative the AL Central is this year.

Let's hope so. Now maybe if the damn Blue Jays could pull to the front...

I agree completely. I can't even remember the last time the Yankees didn't snag the playoffs SOMEHOW.

I think Boston is going to lose out to the Yanks in the end. Seeing how well the Yankees are doing with only 3 (maybe 4 since Wright has been pretty good recently) starting pitchers and without Sheffield and Matsui (hell even Damon's been out some). They're only a half game back right now.

Though yeah, the AL Central has been crazy. Detroit and Chicago will both make it. Detroit's pitching - amazing for the most part.

Chipper Jones starts hitting, tying a 79 or so year old record for most consecutive games with an extra base hit, and the Braves start winning. Not a coincidence that the Braves' success hinges on Chipper's offensive production picking up. I hope they can continue putting up 10+ runs a game, because lord knows they need to if they want to win, with that pitching staff.

God knows I'm rooting for them. They've been my favorite team ever since the Pirates have failed to compete (think: my entire life). They're only 5 1/2 games back of the Wild Card spot right now, and with the way they're playing, I feel they have a good shot at making the playoffs. They may not win the division for the first time in 15 years, but at least theyhave a shot at being in the playoffs.

Ha, the Pirates. WINNERS.

I was at last night's 1-0 barnburner-of-a-win for the Red Sox over the Royals. Gotta tell you, a one-hitter is not exciting when the pitcher gives up the hit early and doesn't pitch all nine innings. Jon Lester and Jonathan Papelbon are the future of the Red Sox.

Peter Gammons has been saying that for a couple years now. And to think, if Boston had made the A-rod trade a couple years ago, Lester would have been included. Think they're happy to have Lester and Manny instead of Alex "Knoblauch" Rodriguez?

They can keep him as he is right now, sure. But he'd be playing shortstop and we'd have Magglio Ordonez if all the pieces fell into place. Even then, yeah, I'd still rather have Lester and Manny.

The team would look a whole lot different if they had gotten A-rod, that is for sure.

• Magglio would have left for free agency after his 2 month stay with the team.
• Renteria would not have signed
• Renteria would not have been traded, along with like $12 million, for Marte.
• Marte would not have been flipped to Cleveland for Crisp.

Instead, you would have probably seen Boston go hard for JD Drew after the 2004 season. Then when Damon leaves after the 2005 season, you see JD move to center. Hanley Ramirez is even more expendable with A-rod manning short, so you still are likely to see the Beckett & Lowell deal. Now there is an opening in left field, which can basically be filled by any warm body who can hit.

And there's no telling what the Yankees would look like right now if they don't swap Soriano for A-rod.

Stuff like this is part of why I love baseball. All the possibilities, all the what-ifs, all the speculation about off the field stuff.

You read it here, first: A-Rod is not going to be traded.

Stupid baseball pundits. O HAY LOOK THE YANKEES ARE BACK AFTER TRADING FOR GUYS.

No.

And the Pirates continue their annual purge of salary. Sean Casey and Craig Wilson are both gone, and both were first basemen. That's pretty puzzling. We did get Shawn Chacon in return for Wilson, which is good considering our lack of starting pitching. It's not like he'll make too much of a difference, though. We traded away Kip Wells, as well, another starting pitcher. That Kevin McClatchey sure runs a top-notch franchise- but what does he care? He's still making money! Hell, the games were sold out all weekend! Ugh!

I just want to say that David Ortiz is a heavy Dominican JESUS. The man is uncanny. That shot tonight was fucking ridiculous.

The Pirates are a team I'd like to see do well one of these years. Even though I'm primarily a Detroit fan, for some reason, I've always pulled for Pittsburgh teams secondly.

Speaking of Detroit though, they did pick up Casey, a guy who I followed for a while the past two years for having him on fantasy baseball teams. He should be a solid addition for them, especially with Shelton struggling the past while. The Tigers unfortunately had their second straight four error game today and lost. Hopefully they can pull themselves back together before other teams start gaining ground on them.

Since Casey is from this area I've been watching him for a long time. I followed him more closely than ever when he was acquired by the Pirates. The absolute best thing about him is his patience in the box. He always seems to work the count and make the pitcher work to get him out.

Casey goes 2/5 with a home run in his first game here. Good start. Guillen also hit for the cycle. I'm so glad Detroit has a good team this year. Any of the past ten years, after a 4 error performance, the Tigers would've mulled over it all week and pieced together a 7 game losing streak.

Tied with the damn Evil Empire again. Why can't those guys just bugger off to the AL Central or something. Leave us the Blue Jays for playmates. Or just have a whole team of E Rod. I could deal with that.

Technically the Yankees are leading the division .606 to .604. .002 is the difference between 1st and 2nd in the AL East.

And it's Javy Lopez to the rescue! -_-

Dfish... make it stop. Make the bad men stop!

I like how Greg Maddux is the best pitcher EVER along with Cy Young, I mean why even lie. Oh and don't give me other pitchers with a billion more strikeouts or a few wins.

Oh and Chipper dlin is no good. Wild Card braves better make a run. They have essentially the same lineup as last year, yet better on offense. But no pitching lol for some reason/

um...roger clemens...i just had to say it...he's amazing...he beats maddux on a career scale in everything except era (by 0.05)

Once a player reaches a certain point of greatness, it is stupid to try to say he is better or worse than some other very great player. If you had to decide between Maddux in his prime, or Clemens in his prime, there is absolutely no way that you can make the wrong choice.

It's been a bad past 15 years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdLRf...elated&search=

Also, click here.

At least you have a team though.

That's awesome, knk. One of the few times The Onion has made me laugh.

Is it just me...or has pitching lost something overall...

I was doing a little research, and it seems that this year (thus far), there is a significant number less of starting pitchers with lower ERA's...especially from last year to this year, as 13 less players of qualified innings pitched have ERAs under 4.00. I see that home run numbers are not much larger than past years, so increasing hitter ability seems to be not much of an influence...

I realize that compared historically, pitchers are pitching less innings and the bullpen is (I think) utilized more, but I think pitchers should be just that sharper in their early few innings than having to deal with 100+ pitch outings...

I'm a real fan of pitching, regardless if its on a favorite team, but its kinda depressing to see (and it hurts in the fantasy baseball realm too!)

does anyone think the same??

Game 2 of tonight's day-night doubleheader between the Sox and Yankees entered the 9th inning as the longest 9-inning game in MLB history.

Boston got the shit raped out of them. UGH.

Okay, so maybe I'm not showing it here, but on another board, I'm mashing the keyboard in frantic hype over the Cardinals baseball season. :\

Tomorrow. We SHALL do it. :\

My Braves tried to help out last night against Clemens, but Houston came back and took tonight's game.

On a related note, I went to the Braves-Astros game last night, because it could be Clemens' last game. We sat about 15 rows back, in the section between the screen and the third base side dugout, so we were pretty close to the action. It was a pretty quick and fairly good game to watch, especially since the Braves pulled out the victory over a Hall of Fame pitcher whom I do not respect any further than his statistical achievements. I enjoyed the fact that I got to see another Hall of Fame player hit a homer, Biggio, and got to watch a player who has quickly become one of my favorites in the game, Brian McCann.

Predictions for playoffs:

Tigers over Yanks in 5
A's over Twins in 4
A's in ALCS in 6

Pads over Cards in 3
Mets over Dodgers in 4 (will be interesting with no Pedro)
Pads take Mets in 6 or 7

A's win series in 5

Always been an A's fan. I'm glad to see Detroit make it and I'm definitely pulling for them over the Yanks (the Yanks starting pitching will be their downfall, I predict), but I'll never root against the A's.

Cards look awful right now and the Mets are extremely vulnerable with no real ace to fall back on. Dodgers and Padres aren't great, but they're consistant, have solid starters and not missing any huge parts.

I won't lie, I'd love to see the Mets take the Yankees out in 4, but I don't think it'll happen. If the Subway Series doesn't happen, I'd love to see the Twins win this year. They're the only MLB team in a day's drive.

Damn it Tigers! You just had to win one stinking game against the Royals to face Oakland. Now they have to play the Yankees in the first round. Well, hopefully two of my playoff wishes will come true at the same time - Tigers advancing, and Yankees losing.

Well, since the Mets' ace is pretty much Tom Glavine these days, I don't expect them to do all that well. TG is long past his ace days.

Ahh, that sweet Atlanta victory.

Cards are pulling the upset, as expected. A's were my pick over the Twins, with them losing to NY. Cards over Mets for the NL and a Cardinals World Series win. Padres down by two games in minutes after this post! :D

Amazing how limp the Padres lineup has been...I feel like I could pitch through them, the way they're going. Cards are the perfect example of a great team that goes streaky too much.

I'm calling it right now: Detroit kills NY tonight. Randy Johnson has no chance of having a decent outing with his back. Only way he wins is if Detroit swings too much at crap pitches and hopefully Leyland is lecturing his players right now NOT to do that.

Detroit in an even 5.

Currently 1-0 Oakland. Bye bye Minnesota.

And uh...yeah, never thought the Dodgers had a real shot at the Mets.

Oakland hit another homerun, they're up 4-0 now. They're looking to run away with this game.

And I don't see Johnson pitching too well tonight. I'm sure he'll throw some good stuff even with a sore back, because he's Randy Johnson, but I can't imagine him making a lengthy start tonight. New York will have to rely heavily on their bullpen in this game, which is the weak point of the team. Too bad I'll be at work from 6-1 and I'll miss the whole game.

Anyone else watching Yankees-Tigers? I haven't been this excited about a game other than the Red Sox in a long time, probably ever. Abreu looked like he didn't know what he was supposed to do in the last K Rogers threw. Cheering for the Tigers, here.

Loving every second of it (I'm even taping it). Kenny Rogers is my new favorite non-Oriole player.

Seeing all of the so-called experts backpeddling on their claims on how the Yankees are going to destroy everyone is always nice to see.

I kinda expected Randy Johnson to pitch horribly. Bad back and he's been pitching poorly quite a lot. Detroit was eating up his pitches.

I just got home from work, and I had to miss the game. Glad to hear the Tigers won again. Take that, Yankees!

I looked at ESPN's website. They had 19 experts make predictions before the playoffs began, all 19 picked the Yankees to win this series, the only team picked by everyone. And 6 picked them to win the World Series (It should be added 7 of them picked the Twins to win the World Series. Whoops). Also, the poll of the day that was on ESPN's baseball area of the site today asked which team would win their series first. The A's, Mets, Cards, and Yankees were the choices. Apparently even when the series was tied, the Tigers couldn't win the series. The Yankees were so ridiculously assumed to come out of this series with no trouble, that it is almost mind boggling.

That's what happens when you have a surprise team going against a team with the storied history as the Yanks do and who've been to the playoffs for the past...11 years. The people covering the stuff just get lazy and make assumptions. They conveniently forgot the Yanks have no starting pitching (Wang is a fluke, Mussina is useless in the postseason and Johnson is old, inconsistant and hurt), no middle relief, a powerful line-up that falters every post season and a veteran team that almost seems bored to death to be there. I really thought Toronto or Boston would have overtaken them this year (Orioles are still a few years away...heh).

Honestly, seeing the "experts" screw up like that is the sweetest part of seeing the Yankees lose...After the 1996 WS win, everyone turned so "Pro-Yankees", it made me sick to my stomach. Fox Baseball would go on and on about how the Yankees overcame the odds and what not (conveniently forgetting the only reason they won in 1996 was because of Jeffrey Maier, not to mention their payroll). Then they got beat in the 97 division series and it was a great feeling to watch everyone backpeddling as to why the Indians were great.

The Yankees lose!

THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YANKEES LOSE!

Definitely like the Tigers now. I was on them by default as a Red Sox fan.

(This was posted before Posada's 2-run homerun. Heh.)

I'm a very happy man tonight. My buddy who's a big Yanks fan went out to his cabin last night before the game had started and is going to return Monday only find that his team is out. I'm taking the fantasy pool this year.

Nothing more needs to be said. :edgarrock: :edgarrock: :edgarrock:

That said, I stand by my pick of Oakland to go to the World Series. Although...Detroit looks pretty damn scary right about now. Should be a low-scoring game with these pitching staffs.

So far, I've been dead on with predictions, Pads and Cards aside (though I still think San Diego could pull the series out if they were to...I dunno...HIT THE FUCKING BASEBALL AND SCORE SOME RUNS!)

I'm more scared about the Tigers facing Oakland than I was the Yankees. Hopefully Detroit doesn't feel invincible, otherwise they could end up in a quick letdown against Oakland, who looks kind of like a similar team to Detroit.

And man, it felt good not only watching the Yankees get embarassed, but by my team.

Eww Yankees, what the hell were you guys doing?

I'm looking at a pitching overhaul this off-season by the Yankees, and a couple of moves.


I was a little shocked by Oakland's sweep of Minnesota, but they look like a team on fire. This year's World Series shall be interesting.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwright, Padres 2 for 31 with runners in scoring position.

Bring on the Mets and their lefties....

Holy crap...

Cory Lidle died after he crashed into a NYC building with his plane...


Article

Headline in Boston the next day: "Yankees Crash and Burn: Lidle Follows Suit."

That was wrong. :\

More cancelled games for the Cards means more rest for Carpenter. :D More rest means a better chance to see him twice!

Tigers are now up 2-0. Their chances of making the World Series are growing increasingly stronger!

What an ending to the game!

Alright, my predictions are now shot to hell, but...

Good shit, Detroit!

Oh man, this is so great. What a way to win the series. I am really looking forward to the World Series now.

And looking at the World Series schedule, thank god no games are being played on Fridays. I work every Friday, and have missed a handful of playoff games because of being at work.

And look at that, Cardinals won again tonight in a convincing victory. What happened to the team that barely finished above .500?

We're still gonna be the underdogs in the World Series. :\

That was a wild game between the Cardinals and the Mets last night. It all came down to the final inning. I don't follow baseball all that much. But I have to admit, the playoffs are quite enjoyable to view.

I hope to watch more in the coming days.

Cardinals NL Champs, why lie? :D

(I forsee a very very very very early morning coming up for me to wait downtown)

There's still at least one game left, so you never know - but I'm seeing the same thing.

A second consecutive uncharacteristic performance by Carpenter is extremely unlikely.

Maine is going to have his....maine maimed.

(I C WUT U DID THAR!)

Nail-biter here...Pujols pops up with 2 on against a lefty.

I'm feeling the Mets score in this next inning...They definitely have the momentum.

And Valentin taking the shot to the face was cool...He didn't know what zip code first base was in.

Edit: Shit, Perez is staying!? Damn...Ballsy move.

Jesus Christ... that was the single most amazing catch I think I've ever seen. Man, think of how that scenario would have been different if that ball went two inches farther. O.o

Have fun golfing Mets. :biggrin:

Losers

Weaver taking the mound tonight. All I gotta say is...if we beat Rogers tonight, this is as good as done. Go Cardinals!

Well, Rogers threw 8 more innings of shutout baseball. And now we've got a series!

Kenny Rogers is downright EVIL...He's also my favorite non-Oriole player now. GO KENNY!

Notice that no one answered the question about the crap on his hand in the first inning...Fox announcers asked both him and Leyland and never got an answer (and La Russa said at the press conference his guys thought some funky stuff was going on with the ball, so it wasn't a direct accusation).

The scary thing about young pitching...The Tigers aren't too far away from becoming a dominant team. They already have an Oakland-esque "Big Three", then Rogers then...Um, some guy. But look how far Mulder/Huson/Zito went alone. And the Tigers actually have $$$ to spend, unlike Oakland, so they could conceivable get better in the off-season.

Of course, the Orioles have the intimidating combination of Bedard/Cabrera/Loewen, with Kris Benson for back-up and look how bad we finished...But we'll get better! We can't get worse! (although maybe if we hit rock-bottom, our ownership will finally wake up, like Detroit's did).

LaRussa basically said "Screw it, we'll beat them without getting him ejected from the series."

Tonight was just more evidence of that. 2 down, 2 to go.

Looking at the weather here and the forecast for Detroit, this World Series might not finish until Halloween or perhaps even into November.

More like...Detroit lost the World Series. Can't win if you don't hit and keep trying to throw the ball in the stands.

Congrats to Jeff Weaver for being THE MAN in two games...He was really the key for the Cardinals, since their staff was so thin behind Carpenter.

This is good for Pujols...The thing that seems to seperate the greats from the really-goods is always whether or not they have a championship. So now that Pujols has a ring...

As long as it ain't the Yankees...

Wow! Cardinals did it! That is awesome! Watched a few games with them playing this post season and was quite impressed. They deserve to win like that. They dominated almost the entire series.

Wow, 24 years since their last World Series Championship. Long time ago that was.

If only they could have done this 2 years ago, as well. =/

The Tigers really blew this one. I was pulling for them, too. It would have been nice to see all of the old Pirates win one. It's a shame.

Should close this thread.

Don't really know what difference it makes, but ok!