MLB Playoffs... October baseball!

Captain Beefheart · 10-01-2007, 03:31 AM

The four teams in the playoffs from the American League are all legit World Series contenders. But baseball is full of surprises. I remember last year Yankee fans were thrilled to be playing the Tigers who chocked a 10 game lead down the stretch, until the Tigers were playing in the ALCS and their team was fishing. Who would have guessed an 83-win Cardinals team would have gone through the Padres, Mets and Tigers?

MLB and the genius of Bud Selig i'm guessing in their wise wisdom gave Boston the chance to pick whom to play between the Angels and Indians. So the question turns out did Boston pick the schedule most detrimental to the Yankees rather than the one most beneficial to themselves?

Boston's projected rotation would probably be: Beckett, Dice-K, Schilling-[Beckett Game 4 in LA. Buchholz lockdown and absence is sad but i'm not even sure he'd pitch in a short series] Halos: Lackey, Escobar, Weaver, Sanders/Bartolo?]. Red Sox's lineup is stacked and it will be interesting if they decide to put Manny in the 2 hole and Lowell protecting Big Papi(in all fairness and to everyone's surprise Lowell's has probably been their best hitter). Haven't seen much from the Halos this year but i'm guessing it's more of the same: fundamentally sound, hit and run, move runners over, good bullpen tho i'm aware of Shields not so great fortune this year.

Boston in 4.

Cleveland/Yankees: The Yankees are on a roll and Cleveland save Lofton/Nixon don't have much playoff experience. The Jake will be buzzing for the first time in years and I like the combo of Sabathia/Carmona and a revitalized Westbrook in the second half of the season. Bullpen questions and the inexperience of most of their young stars Sizemore, Hafner, Martinez, Garko, Peralta etc will dig them a hole.

The key will be the first two games. Wang's home/road splits are alarming, especially his ERA on the road as opposed to Yankee Stadium. If the Indians manage to get the first two and go back to New York with a lead who knows?

As I mentioned earlier if the postseason is a crapshoot, then the LDS, at five games, is roulette.

In the NL well i'm just crossing my fingers for a Rockies/Phillies series. Coors Field, Citizens BallPark. With both teams fielding mediocre starting pitching the games could turn into shootout.

Ox · 10-01-2007, 12:49 PM

The AL is tough to pick...since the all star game, Boston has been at best mediocre, while the Yanks and Cleveland have been good. The Angels have Guerrero and an underrated pitching staff.

Will Cleveland fold now that the hot spotlight in shining on them? I'm going with the Yanks in this one, tho I like both teams. A-Rod needs to snap out of his post season funk.

I'm going with Cal in the other match up, simply because of their pitching. Tho A Boston/ New York revenge match would cause me to call in sick to work so I could see it.

In the NL, well...sorry, but I'm a Cub's fan and don't care about anything else....I dream of a Yankee/ Cubs World Series.....with the Cubs coming from behind in the bottom of the 9th inning in the 7th game with some nobody cracking a grand slam to win it.....

IzzyJr · 10-01-2007, 02:09 PM

The Mets held a seven-game lead in the division with 17 games left, but somehow found a way to become the first team in MLB history to squander a lead that large in such a short period of time.

Reading that makes me wonder "What happened to my team?!"..Well, not that much. It was clearly poor pitching...Them Phillies are lucky.

Quick picks (no stats involved):

Rockies/Padres over Phillies
Cubs over D-backs
Red Sox over Angels
Indians over Yankees (this one was tough...riiiight

)

I'll add in Yankee Stadium to your dream Ox. Hope you don't mind. I just want to be there when it happens.

Ox · 10-01-2007, 02:41 PM

I don't know what to say about the Mets. I thought they were a given, esp after that near no hitter the other day. Today's cover of the New York Post was something......

I'll add in Yankee Stadium to your dream Ox. Hope you don't mind. I just want to be there when it happens.

I don't mind, tho if it's hit in Chicago, I could drive 6 hrs and join the celebration...

Btw....how come you're from the Bronx and root against the Yanks?

IzzyJr · 10-01-2007, 03:33 PM

Maine ticked me off. He decided to pitch well when it was too late. Why couldn't he have done it sooner?

I'll buy the (root) beer.

Several reasons.

1 - I don't like the arrogance.
2 - I don't like how the media here makes them out to be THE team in New York.
3 - I usually root for the underdog.
4 - I knew a die-hard fan back in the late '80s who showed so much passion for the Mets that he made me a fan. I've been one since.

Captain Beefheart · 10-01-2007, 11:18 PM

Padres wouldn't smell it against Philly. The Rockies are the only team with enough firepower in the lineup to shoot it out against the Phillies.

And as a Met fan, why the heck did we trade Heath Bell for a 6th outfielder again?

Hurdle needs to learn not to double switch their star third basemen out of the game. No Atkins for the rest of the game. And it would be sad if Holliday's misjudged flyball ends up costing the Rocks.

Ox: After Manny went MIA for the second straight year I thought Boston would collapse again, but they hanged tuff and with Elisbury comming out of nowhere, Manny in the 2 hole and J.D Drew's late resurgance/hot streak I would pick them over the Halos. Especially since Lackey has always stunk up the joint at Fenway, Escobar has shoulder troubes etc..

Ox · 10-02-2007, 12:33 AM

You might be right about the Sox. i have a hard time figuring out the Angels and it might be because they play on the west coast and only come into my orbit the 2 times a year my Tigers play them. And a Yankee/ Red Sox repeat would make for good t.v., esp if it went 5.

And IzzyJr...I can understand your reasons. One of the things I loved about the Tiger/ Yankee series last year was my Tigers coming back and throughly defeating them after everyone assumed the Yanks would sweep.

Now if my Tigers had played better in the World series......

It might have been the worst World Series in my lifetime.

This year i cannot help but root for the Cubs. Talk about an underdog!

IzzyJr · 10-02-2007, 04:29 AM

I gotta make this correction: Why couldn't he have done it sooner? to Why couldn't he have done it earlier in the season.

CB: Haven't we always gone for players that weren't needed?

Ox: You typing of sweep reminds me of what I call(ed) the "reverse sweep" Boston pulled off in '04. Now that one was sweeter.

Hey, the Cubs are in the playoffs which is one step closer to making and winning the Series. Knowing sports anything is possible. And I feel your pain when it comes to World Series losses. We had the opportunity to take care of the Yankees but failed to do so...Before I forget...

Yankee Stadium version: The score is 7-4 Cubs. Forgetting it was actually the top of the 9th the Cubs take the field. With two men out the Yankees manage to load the bases. Their overpaid player#4 crushes a 3-2 pitch. It's going..going.....caught by Some Nobody who makes a spectacular leaping catch to end the game. Cubs take the Series 4-3. Players celebrate by drinking (root) beer bought by IzzyJr.

Ox · 10-02-2007, 09:40 AM

Izzy that would do too!

Just to see a cub championship, tho I'd like it best if it were come-from-behind and dramatic.

If I'm not mistaken Colorado beat the Padres in extra innings, so the playoff field is set.

Bring the excitement on......

Because I work Evenings and nights and won't see much of the games, you guys will have to let me know who looks good and who looks weak.

misterx91578 · 10-02-2007, 09:27 PM

lets go dbacks

Captain Beefheart · 10-03-2007, 12:13 AM

How are the Cubs underdogs?. They are big market team(did the Tribune already sell them?). They play in Wrigley field, get coverage from WGN, sell out pretty much every game at Wrigley. Along with the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers can afford to go after any big free agent on the market(there are rumors they're offering Arod a 10 year contract worth about 300 mill plus other assets).

If anything you could say they've underachieved and that history hasn't been fair with them(Bartman). The Diamondbacks are underrated, apart from Webb the rest of the starters aren't anything to write home about, but they have a nice core of relievers. Most of the batting lineup are unknowns to the casual fan as is the fact they have sum of the best prospects in the minors.

Ox · 10-03-2007, 01:14 AM

How are the Cubs underdogs?

Yes all true...but the Cubs always find a way to lose and leave their fans hoping that someday things will change.

Wasn't it 4 or 5 years ago that the Cubs were on their way to the World Series, when one of their own fans leaned over the rail and interfered with the play, costing them the game and series?

misterx91578 · 10-03-2007, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Beefheart

How are the Cubs underdogs?. They are big market team(did the Tribune already sell them?). They play in Wrigley field, get coverage from WGN, sell out pretty much every game at Wrigley. Along with the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers can afford to go after any big free agent on the market(there are rumors they're offering Arod a 10 year contract worth about 300 mill plus other assets).

If anything you could say they've underachieved and that history hasn't been fair with them(Bartman). The Diamondbacks are underrated, apart from Webb the rest of the starters aren't anything to write home about, but they have a nice core of relievers. Most of the batting lineup are unknowns to the casual fan as is the fact they have sum of the best prospects in the minors.

they will all soon learn about the diamondback

Ox · 10-03-2007, 01:20 AM

For me it'll be a learning experience, cause again they play out west and i rarely follow those teams because their games end so late.

Captain Beefheart · 10-03-2007, 02:06 AM

You're reffering to the Bartman incident. For all the curse and scapegoating sorrounding that play i'm not even sure to this day that Alou catches that ball. And well Gonzalez booted the roller which was the real turnaround.

Arizona's lineup isn't that threatening and got worse after Hudson went down with an injury. Justin Upton wasn't as highly toued prospect as his brother and his year has been sort of dissapointing, same goes for Stephen Drew. Byrnes has been a monster, and rightfully got an extension for what hopefully doesn't pan out as a "career year".

Captain Beefheart · 10-03-2007, 02:20 AM

For those that missed the end of the Rockies/Padres tie breaker:

misterx91578 · 10-03-2007, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Beefheart

You're reffering to the Bartman incident. For all the curse and scapegoating sorrounding that play i'm not even sure to this day that Alou catches that ball. And well Gonzalez booted the roller which was the real turnaround.

Arizona's lineup isn't that threatening and got worse after Hudson went down with an injury. Justin Upton wasn't as highly toued prospect as his brother and his year has been sort of dissapointing, same goes for Stephen Drew. Byrnes has been a monster, and rightfully got an extension for what hopefully doesn't pan out as a "career year".

as a dback fan im not to pleased with the amount of money they gave Brynes and here is a guy to watch for Mark Reynolds if he hits well the dbacks usually win and Drew's bat looks like it finally might be showing some life

Captain Beefheart · 10-03-2007, 04:17 AM

I'm a little surpised that he extended without testing the free agent market. If the market is like last year where J.D Drew and Boras pretty much ripped Theo a new one, he could have gotten a 5 year deal in the area of 45 mill. The D-backs have an outfield surfplus with Quentin, Uptong, Young, Gonzalez for next year.

Byrnes has had a few .800 OPS seasons and is one of the few guys who can steal at a good rate.

misterx91578 · 10-03-2007, 12:44 PM

I would rather have spent the 30million on other needs. So it looks like Quentin will most likely be dealt in the offseason and Gonzalez will most likely start the year in triple a

have you seen Byrnes 2nd half numbers

Captain Beefheart · 10-03-2007, 02:50 PM

You're right, there's a huge drop off from his projection after the all-star. Still good round numbers all across the table, especially the 50 SB.

That's odd, how the hell did Arizona get into the playoffs, Randy hasn't pitched for more than 4 months, the offense looking at the numbers is aenimic. Was it more due to suckness of the division? When the season started the Dodgers would were the favorites.

10-01-2007, 03:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
Captain Beefheart Mu nótahu Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In a West End town, a dead end world Posts: 3,662 My Profile	MLB Playoffs... October baseball! The four teams in the playoffs from the American League are all legit World Series contenders. But baseball is full of surprises. I remember last year Yankee fans were thrilled to be playing the Tigers who chocked a 10 game lead down the stretch, until the Tigers were playing in the ALCS and their team was fishing. Who would have guessed an 83-win Cardinals team would have gone through the Padres, Mets and Tigers? MLB and the genius of Bud Selig i'm guessing in their wise wisdom gave Boston the chance to pick whom to play between the Angels and Indians. So the question turns out did Boston pick the schedule most detrimental to the Yankees rather than the one most beneficial to themselves? Boston's projected rotation would probably be: Beckett, Dice-K, Schilling-[Beckett Game 4 in LA. Buchholz lockdown and absence is sad but i'm not even sure he'd pitch in a short series] Halos: Lackey, Escobar, Weaver, Sanders/Bartolo?]. Red Sox's lineup is stacked and it will be interesting if they decide to put Manny in the 2 hole and Lowell protecting Big Papi(in all fairness and to everyone's surprise Lowell's has probably been their best hitter). Haven't seen much from the Halos this year but i'm guessing it's more of the same: fundamentally sound, hit and run, move runners over, good bullpen tho i'm aware of Shields not so great fortune this year. Boston in 4. Cleveland/Yankees: The Yankees are on a roll and Cleveland save Lofton/Nixon don't have much playoff experience. The Jake will be buzzing for the first time in years and I like the combo of Sabathia/Carmona and a revitalized Westbrook in the second half of the season. Bullpen questions and the inexperience of most of their young stars Sizemore, Hafner, Martinez, Garko, Peralta etc will dig them a hole. The key will be the first two games. Wang's home/road splits are alarming, especially his ERA on the road as opposed to Yankee Stadium. If the Indians manage to get the first two and go back to New York with a lead who knows? As I mentioned earlier if the postseason is a crapshoot, then the LDS, at five games, is roulette. In the NL well i'm just crossing my fingers for a Rockies/Phillies series. Coors Field, Citizens BallPark. With both teams fielding mediocre starting pitching the games could turn into shootout. Last edited by Captain Beefheart : 10-01-2007 at 03:36 AM.

10-01-2007, 12:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ox Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Metro/Detroit USA Posts: 2,087 My Profile	The AL is tough to pick...since the all star game, Boston has been at best mediocre, while the Yanks and Cleveland have been good. The Angels have Guerrero and an underrated pitching staff. Will Cleveland fold now that the hot spotlight in shining on them? I'm going with the Yanks in this one, tho I like both teams. A-Rod needs to snap out of his post season funk. I'm going with Cal in the other match up, simply because of their pitching. Tho A Boston/ New York revenge match would cause me to call in sick to work so I could see it. In the NL, well...sorry, but I'm a Cub's fan and don't care about anything else....I dream of a Yankee/ Cubs World Series.....with the Cubs coming from behind in the bottom of the 9th inning in the 7th game with some nobody cracking a grand slam to win it..... Last edited by Ox : 10-01-2007 at 12:53 PM.

10-01-2007, 11:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Captain Beefheart Mu nótahu Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In a West End town, a dead end world Posts: 3,662 My Profile	Padres wouldn't smell it against Philly. The Rockies are the only team with enough firepower in the lineup to shoot it out against the Phillies. And as a Met fan, why the heck did we trade Heath Bell for a 6th outfielder again? Hurdle needs to learn not to double switch their star third basemen out of the game. No Atkins for the rest of the game. And it would be sad if Holliday's misjudged flyball ends up costing the Rocks. Ox: After Manny went MIA for the second straight year I thought Boston would collapse again, but they hanged tuff and with Elisbury comming out of nowhere, Manny in the 2 hole and J.D Drew's late resurgance/hot streak I would pick them over the Halos. Especially since Lackey has always stunk up the joint at Fenway, Escobar has shoulder troubes etc.. Last edited by Captain Beefheart : 10-01-2007 at 11:22 PM.

10-02-2007, 09:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
Ox Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Metro/Detroit USA Posts: 2,087 My Profile	Izzy that would do too! Just to see a cub championship, tho I'd like it best if it were come-from-behind and dramatic. If I'm not mistaken Colorado beat the Padres in extra innings, so the playoff field is set. Bring the excitement on...... Because I work Evenings and nights and won't see much of the games, you guys will have to let me know who looks good and who looks weak. Last edited by Ox : 10-02-2007 at 09:42 AM.

10-03-2007, 01:14 AM	#12 (permalink)
Ox Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Metro/Detroit USA Posts: 2,087 My Profile	How are the Cubs underdogs? Yes all true...but the Cubs always find a way to lose and leave their fans hoping that someday things will change. Wasn't it 4 or 5 years ago that the Cubs were on their way to the World Series, when one of their own fans leaned over the rail and interfered with the play, costing them the game and series? Last edited by Ox : 10-03-2007 at 01:19 AM.

10-01-2007, 02:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
IzzyJr Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Bronx Posts: 101 My Profile	The Mets held a seven-game lead in the division with 17 games left, but somehow found a way to become the first team in MLB history to squander a lead that large in such a short period of time. Reading that makes me wonder "What happened to my team?!"..Well, not that much. It was clearly poor pitching...Them Phillies are lucky. Quick picks (no stats involved): Rockies/Padres over Phillies Cubs over D-backs Red Sox over Angels Indians over Yankees (this one was tough...riiiight ) I'll add in Yankee Stadium to your dream Ox. Hope you don't mind. I just want to be there when it happens.

10-01-2007, 02:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ox Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Metro/Detroit USA Posts: 2,087 My Profile	I don't know what to say about the Mets. I thought they were a given, esp after that near no hitter the other day. Today's cover of the New York Post was something...... I'll add in Yankee Stadium to your dream Ox. Hope you don't mind. I just want to be there when it happens. I don't mind, tho if it's hit in Chicago, I could drive 6 hrs and join the celebration... Btw....how come you're from the Bronx and root against the Yanks?

10-01-2007, 03:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
IzzyJr Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Bronx Posts: 101 My Profile	Maine ticked me off. He decided to pitch well when it was too late. Why couldn't he have done it sooner? I'll buy the (root) beer. Several reasons. 1 - I don't like the arrogance. 2 - I don't like how the media here makes them out to be THE team in New York. 3 - I usually root for the underdog. 4 - I knew a die-hard fan back in the late '80s who showed so much passion for the Mets that he made me a fan. I've been one since.

10-02-2007, 12:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
Ox Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Metro/Detroit USA Posts: 2,087 My Profile	You might be right about the Sox. i have a hard time figuring out the Angels and it might be because they play on the west coast and only come into my orbit the 2 times a year my Tigers play them. And a Yankee/ Red Sox repeat would make for good t.v., esp if it went 5. And IzzyJr...I can understand your reasons. One of the things I loved about the Tiger/ Yankee series last year was my Tigers coming back and throughly defeating them after everyone assumed the Yanks would sweep. Now if my Tigers had played better in the World series...... It might have been the worst World Series in my lifetime. This year i cannot help but root for the Cubs. Talk about an underdog!

10-02-2007, 04:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
IzzyJr Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Bronx Posts: 101 My Profile	I gotta make this correction: Why couldn't he have done it sooner? to Why couldn't he have done it earlier in the season. CB: Haven't we always gone for players that weren't needed? Ox: You typing of sweep reminds me of what I call(ed) the "reverse sweep" Boston pulled off in '04. Now that one was sweeter. Hey, the Cubs are in the playoffs which is one step closer to making and winning the Series. Knowing sports anything is possible. And I feel your pain when it comes to World Series losses. We had the opportunity to take care of the Yankees but failed to do so...Before I forget... Yankee Stadium version: The score is 7-4 Cubs. Forgetting it was actually the top of the 9th the Cubs take the field. With two men out the Yankees manage to load the bases. Their overpaid player#4 crushes a 3-2 pitch. It's going..going.....caught by Some Nobody who makes a spectacular leaping catch to end the game. Cubs take the Series 4-3. Players celebrate by drinking (root) beer bought by IzzyJr.

10-02-2007, 09:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
misterx91578 Hottie Lover Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 559 My Profile	lets go dbacks

10-03-2007, 12:13 AM	#11 (permalink)
Captain Beefheart Mu nótahu Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In a West End town, a dead end world Posts: 3,662 My Profile	How are the Cubs underdogs?. They are big market team(did the Tribune already sell them?). They play in Wrigley field, get coverage from WGN, sell out pretty much every game at Wrigley. Along with the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers can afford to go after any big free agent on the market(there are rumors they're offering Arod a 10 year contract worth about 300 mill plus other assets). If anything you could say they've underachieved and that history hasn't been fair with them(Bartman). The Diamondbacks are underrated, apart from Webb the rest of the starters aren't anything to write home about, but they have a nice core of relievers. Most of the batting lineup are unknowns to the casual fan as is the fact they have sum of the best prospects in the minors.

10-03-2007, 01:20 AM	#14 (permalink)
Ox Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Metro/Detroit USA Posts: 2,087 My Profile	For me it'll be a learning experience, cause again they play out west and i rarely follow those teams because their games end so late.

10-03-2007, 02:06 AM	#15 (permalink)
Captain Beefheart Mu nótahu Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In a West End town, a dead end world Posts: 3,662 My Profile	You're reffering to the Bartman incident. For all the curse and scapegoating sorrounding that play i'm not even sure to this day that Alou catches that ball. And well Gonzalez booted the roller which was the real turnaround. Arizona's lineup isn't that threatening and got worse after Hudson went down with an injury. Justin Upton wasn't as highly toued prospect as his brother and his year has been sort of dissapointing, same goes for Stephen Drew. Byrnes has been a monster, and rightfully got an extension for what hopefully doesn't pan out as a "career year".

10-03-2007, 02:20 AM	#16 (permalink)
Captain Beefheart Mu nótahu Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In a West End town, a dead end world Posts: 3,662 My Profile	For those that missed the end of the Rockies/Padres tie breaker: Last edited by Captain Beefheart : 10-03-2007 at 02:21 AM.

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10-03-2007, 04:17 AM	#18 (permalink)
Captain Beefheart Mu nótahu Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In a West End town, a dead end world Posts: 3,662 My Profile	I'm a little surpised that he extended without testing the free agent market. If the market is like last year where J.D Drew and Boras pretty much ripped Theo a new one, he could have gotten a 5 year deal in the area of 45 mill. The D-backs have an outfield surfplus with Quentin, Uptong, Young, Gonzalez for next year. Byrnes has had a few .800 OPS seasons and is one of the few guys who can steal at a good rate.

10-03-2007, 12:44 PM	#19 (permalink)
misterx91578 Hottie Lover Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 559 My Profile	I would rather have spent the 30million on other needs. So it looks like Quentin will most likely be dealt in the offseason and Gonzalez will most likely start the year in triple a have you seen Byrnes 2nd half numbers Last edited by misterx91578 : 10-03-2007 at 12:57 PM.

10-03-2007, 02:50 PM	#20 (permalink)
Captain Beefheart Mu nótahu Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In a West End town, a dead end world Posts: 3,662 My Profile	You're right, there's a huge drop off from his projection after the all-star. Still good round numbers all across the table, especially the 50 SB. That's odd, how the hell did Arizona get into the playoffs, Randy hasn't pitched for more than 4 months, the offense looking at the numbers is aenimic. Was it more due to suckness of the division? When the season started the Dodgers would were the favorites.