MLB 2007 - World Series

[asleepathewheel]

I hoped they checked the bat for foreign substances A lead tipped bat....

[Imran Siddiqui]

Woot!!

The Mets actually won and the Phils lost! Back to 2.5 game lead (*knocks on wood*)

[Arrian]

Apparently it works...

So Imran, what's wrong with the Mets?

-Arrian

[Arrian]

It was nice to watch the Yanks win a 2-1 ballgame (granted, most of the O's are mailing it in) while Papelbon gives up a grand slam and the Sox lose again.

1.5 back in the division. Off day today

Then the Jays come to town. They just swept the Red Sox, which oddly enough gives me some hope. Surely they're due to lose some games? The pitchers they throw at the Yanks are damn good. On the flip side, these games are at home, and the Yanks play well at home.

I'm surprised the division race has gotten this close. I would still be surprised if the Yanks catch the Sox... but it's distinctly possible now.

Now it's the Sox who are banged up. It's the Sox who are having bullpen issues. It's the Sox whose starters are suddenly suspect (except Beckett).

-Arrian

[MichaeltheGreat]

At least they couldn't lose ground yesterday.

It's actually not that bad, once you get past the initial shock. This is just part of the Red Sox religion, with some more examples of why Epstein sucks, outside of his draft/player development work.

How many games would have different results but for the Gagme trade? I guess the good news is that they won't try to keep him around.

Four badly blown games by Gagme, compared to good defensive OF work by Murphy (Murphy >>>> Moss defensively) and a few quality starts by Gabbard to give starters some extra rest. Given Schill's, Wake's and Matsubaka's meltdowns in September, I'd say Gabbard would be at least +2 games plus at least three of four avoided blown games without Gagme.


Who will be next year's SOY (Shortstop of the year)?

What other dickhead moves will Epstein make in the off-season?

Does Manny have enough saved for retirement, or will he be motivated next year?

Will Epstein **** up the opportunity to re-sign Lowell?

[Arrian]

The reality is that even if the Sox lose the division, they will still get the WC. So it's not really all that meaningful.

Far more meaningful is getting these guys healthy (and/or rested, in the case of the pitchers who aren't actually "hurt") for the playoffs:

Manny
Ortiz (rest that knee)
Okajima
Matsuzaka

Get those guys right, and "Gagme" shouldn't be an issue. He can watch as Manny Delcarmen does his job, and likely does it well...

For the Yanks... they have some guys who could also use some rest:

ARod (serious slump, has played almost every game)
Jeter (banged up - nagging leg injuries)
Matsui (knee)
Posada (catcher, took a monstrous hit up at Fenway)
Giambi (foot), although one could also argue it's important to get him some ABs...

-Arrian

[Stuie]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Woot!!

The Phillies actually won and the Mets lost! Back to 1.5 game lead (*knocks on wood*)

Fixed.

[Stuie]

So the Mets have the Nats and Marlins (plus one against the Cardinals) the rest of the way. I don't like the Phillies' chances for the division.

The Padres on the other hand finish with seven games on the road versus the Giants and Brewers. The Brewers have an awesome home record and are still playing meaningful baseball. Of course, they were also swept by the Padres in San Diego earlier this year.

Anyway, if the Phils can keep scoring runs to compensate for the horrid pitching, the wild card looks very doable. Once into October though, all bets are off.

[Imran Siddiqui]

It's going to be close... hopefully the Mets can right themselves and this was just a St. Louis/Detroit 2006 like swoon in September.

Stuie and I may be throwing stuff at TVs, though, a few times in the next few games!!

[SlowwHand]

I don't care who wins the Series, as long as it's not the Yankees. I hate them. I hate them more than any other team in any other sport. I hate King George.

[Guynemer]

.

[MichaeltheGreat]

[Arrian]

1.5 back still, with 7 to play. The half game is resolved this afternoon. Tough matchup for the Yanks - Clemens vs. Burnett (who has been owning them lately).

Jesus can go **** himself. I'm a Yankees fan. Obviously my soul is given to Satan anyway, right?

-Arrian

[Arrian]

Yay wildcard! Obviously we were punished for my blasphemy...

Burnett scratched and friggin Jesse Litsch owns the vaunted Yankee offense. 4-1 Jays. Meh.

-Arrian

[Guynemer]

MFY.