Warning!! It's Baaaaaack!! Off-topic Baseball Thread '08 !!

[ChuckElias]

Sox are in the playoffs and will get the Angels in the first round. The Angels' history against the Sox in the postseason is not good, so this will be an interesting series.

The Rays win the division, which I still can't believe, even though they've been pretty steady all season, with only a couple weeks where they faltered. They'll Chicago or Minnesota. That's a pretty interesting battle in itself.

Phillies clinched the division yesterday, leaving the Mets and Brewers to fight it out for the wild card. Cubbies finish with the best record in the NL.

Sadly, without Dan -- and the Yankees -- around, this thread doesn't seem to generate the interest that it once did. I'll check in a couple times through the playoffs, especially if the Sox make a run at the World Series, but it may have run its course. Either way, enjoy the October baseball!!

[BillyMac]

As the season winds down, despite their second place finish in the division, I feel very good about Boston's season. They have the fourth best record in all of baseball despite injuries to Schilling, Lugo, Ortiz, Lowell, Drew, Casey, Matsuzaka, Beckett, Wakefield, and Youkilis throughout the season. The trade of Ramirez didn't seem to hurt the Sox, although there's talk of Manny getting some MVP votes in the National League. Theo did a nice job picking up Bay, Kotsay, and Byrd to fill some holes during the later part of the season. No matter what happens to the Sox in the playoffs, the future looks bright. Youkilis and Pedroia will both get votes for American League MVP. Although he won't win it, Matsuzaka, will get some votes for Cy Young. Several young players have contributed this season: Lowrie, Ellsbury, Pedroia, Masterson, and Lester; and will be back next year.

As a fan of baseball in general, the playoffs have the potential to be very interesting. Will the Amazing Mets miss the playoffs again. Will the Brewers, a small market team, make the playoffs? The Yankees, without Torre, miss the playoffs, while the Dodgers, with Torre, have the potential to go far. Tampa Bay, and the Twins, both with small payrolls, have done quite well. And, how about those Cubs? Maybe this will be their year, as it was for the Red Sox in 2004. Imagine World Series baseball in Wrigley Field, the second best park in the majors. My supervisor is a bigger Red Sox fan than me (a proud fan since 1967), and he said that even he could get excited about a Cubs championship.

[mick]

The White Sox slammed the Detroit Tigers 8-2, forcing a one-game playoff Tuesday night (7:37 ET) at U.S. Cellular Field against the Minnesota Twins. - usatoday.com

Let's see, Gardenhire or Guillen ....
Go Twins.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseb...x-tigers_N.htm

[CoachP]

Originally Posted by mick

The White Sox slammed the Detroit Tigers 8-2, forcing a one-game playoff Tuesday night (7:37 ET) at U.S. Cellular Field against the Minnesota Twins. - usatoday.com

Let's see, Gardenhire or Guillen ....
Go Twins.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseb...x-tigers_N.htm

From April 3rd's Baseball prospectus.....

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/ar...articleid=7307

Tigers in first, Miguel Cabrera MVP and Verlander Cy Young

[tjones1]

In the closing weekend of the season, I made a trip up north to take two more stadiums off my list. For the season, I have visted ten different stadiums.

Over the weekend, on Saturday I saw the Indians do battle with the White Sox at US Cellular Field. Fairly nice pack, and I enjoyed my time there.

After the game, we headed up to Milwaukee for Sunday's action. I saw the Cubs and Brewers iron it out at Miller Park. In addition, I was able to see a pitching clinic put on by CC Sabathia.

Miller Park is an extremely nice place!! If you get a chance, I would suggest going.

[JRutledge]

It does not look like this is the year.

Peace

[ChuckElias]

I'm really surprised at these first two games have gone for the Sox. (And for the Cubs, but for different reasons.) I'm trying not to get too excited. They can't play that well for another 9 games in a row.

Typical Dice-K, by the way. 5 or so innings, 100+ pitches, force the bullpen to work for it. Fortunately, the bullpen did the job (although, technically, Pap gets a really tough blown save) and Drew provided the power in the 9th. (Not that I saw it. I was asleep at 11:15.)

[Nevadaref]

will have to wait til next year!

[ChuckElias]

Lester is the man! Sox and Rays both win yesterday, setting up a really interesting ALCS. The most exciting thing is that I may actually be able to stay awake long enough to see all of the games! All East coast start times. Woo-hoo!

So back in March, what were the Vegas odds that Jed Lowrie would drive in the winning run, which would be scored by Jason Bay, to advance the Red Sox who would face the Tampa Bay Rays?!?!?! But Pedroia finally broke the slump and hit one off the wall, driving in an important run.

I'm going to wander off to the baseball side now and see if they're talking about the tag and dropped ball by Veritek.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by mick

The White Sox slammed the Detroit Tigers 8-2, forcing a one-game playoff Tuesday night (7:37 ET) at U.S. Cellular Field against the Minnesota Twins. - usatoday.com

Well, look at the bright side - your Tigers were involved in the race to the very end.

Originally Posted by mick

Let's see, Gardenhire or Guillen ....
Go Twins.

I might have to agree with you on this one, even though an all-Chicago Series would be fun to watch.

Ok, my Cubbies have made it to the post-season. I'm doing all I can to help - I've got a goat ready to grill. (I hope it tastes better than crow...)

[Adam]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Ok, my Cubbies have made it to the post-season. I'm doing all I can to help - I've got a goat ready to grill. (I hope it tastes better than with crow...)

Fixed it for you.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Fixed it for you.

Thanks for the fix. Now I can invite a couple of Cardinal fans over for dinner...

[Adam]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Thanks for the fix. Now I can invite a couple of Cardinal fans over for dinner...

Always glad to help.

[Lcubed48]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Thanks for the fix. Now I can invite a couple of Cardinal fans over for dinner...

I hope that you will be serving that with a nice Chianti!!
I do so prefer Reds.