Gfaze

I was surprised!

Scottman111

First person in the world to predict that Valentine would be fired

Doom878

Now the Fish wanna can Guillen. I understand we sucked and the old Cubans hate him but I'm not down with firing managers after a year. It tells others we are not committed IMO.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

I have never been a fan of his. Were their problems his fault?

Doom878

They traded away some players because of lack of production or they would be free agents. Hanley seemed to have went back down to his level in LA. The Tigers deal was because they were pending free agents. Bell blew a ton of games. The starters especially Johnson had down years. The hitting from some players was non-existent even though Stanton had a monster year. A rumor is that Marlins upper management didn't like his professionalism. It's hard to say how much of it was his fault.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

^^^^

Personally I think it was a flawed team from the start. Add to that a flammable manager, no chemistry and confusion in the club house and you have a recipe for a poor performing team.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

So, we know who got the NL wild card, but the AL wc game is still close. Baltimore is up 3-1 in the bottom of the 8th.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Francesa said he prefers facing Baltimore. I don't know.

2001AudiS4

I didn't read through the thread but have a question. I don't really watch any sports anymore. Too much business and not about the game anymore for my liking. Anyway, I see that the cardinals and braves were tied for the wild card. The braves had won 6 more games than the cardinals, and lost 6 less. The braves winning percentage of .580 was also higher obviously, with the cardinals being .543. How were these teams tied?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Its this new stupid format that MLB came up with. There are now two wild cards in each league. Now they are guaranteeing an additional game every season for the two teams in each league.

There very well could have been two additional games in the AL, had the Orioles and Yankees ended up tied. If that were to happen, they would play a tie breaker for the AL East title. The loser would play the Wild Card playoff game. Its stupid, and its just a money grab for MLB.


Also, seems as though the Rangers just killed their chances of advancing.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Congrats Baltimore. See you Sunday!

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Congrats to the Orioles for advancing. Definitely quite a few surprises this year.

Now hopefully the Yankees pitching can keep them in check

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Baseball blows anyways. People get paid $25 million a year to stand around for 3 hours a day and do nothing. /rant

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Bummed about the Rangers, huh?

Gfaze

You my friend need to watch some A's games. The way this team plays is the way it should always be played. They just flat out like to compete and have fun. Who else would dare smash a pie into the manager and general manager's face? And then proceed to drench the GM with tons of beer?

That's almost half of the A's payroll!

Ant$

as a Phillies fan, let me say that it's been nice not having to face him the past few years. :-D

2001AudiS4

No thanks. That new rule about the wild card is utterly retarded. All so they can get an extra game in? I will bet they went on record saying it is to get more cities involved in the race. BS. It's all about them making some more money on those two extra games every year. I always hated the Braves, but they got screwed by this new rule. Even the worst team can beat the best team on any given day. The body of work throughout the season was thrown down the drain because of that one game. I have no interest in watching the game with that system in place.

I also am sure the A's had fun, and I know they don't have a Yankees type payroll, but even the least paid player on that team is making more than probably anyone on here, at least almost everyone. I would be having a shit ton of fun too if I were bringing in that money. Problem, it really is all about the money. Take the salaries away, or knock them down to "real world" levels, and lets see how any of the teams do. I guarantee that a large majority of players would just retire.

Recently, the only sport I watched was college basketball. Unfortunately, that has become so commercialized and has nothing to do with the game anymore, that I am no longer watching that either. It is a shame, as I have always loved sports, and loved playing in my younger days. I played because it was fun, and nothing more. It's just not like that in the pros or even collegiate level, not anymore.

subinf

Seems like it.

subinf

And when did the replacement refs put on umpire uniforms? Awful call.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

I assume youre talking about the infield fly call against the Braves? I agree.

Scottman111

Best part is, the guy that made the call is defending it instead of owning up to his mistake. SS had to have been 50 feet from the infield

Whatever, can't wait for tonight.

Scottman111

Not to mention, the new wild card games also screwed up the home field advantage this year that we were talking about a few pages back

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

WTF Oakland??

sasha

Orioles!!!

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

I can't wait to leave work and go watch the game. Im going to miss the first few innings though

Scottman111

Reds are looking nasty! Couldn't watch the game last night, but was able to listen to the 9th inning on the radio...was definitely sweating bullets.

Haven't seen Arroyo have movement on his pitches like this in my life, and I've probably watched a hundred of his starts over the years. Filthy!

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Arroyo was a beast tonight.


Yanks up 1-0 in the series thanks to the 5 run 9th, but most importantly, CCs performance

paz840

iTrader: (2)

Cincy looks scary right now. Bronson was dealing last night.
Hope to see them play the Nats in the NLCS.

Scottman111

Would be a good series.

You never know what you'll get with Arroyo, but smart move pitching him on the road. I know a few fly balls last night would've been a homer or double at home.

Was going to go to one of the division series games, but now am thinking about using that money to go to an NLCS home game instead (only $35 more a ticket).

Scottman111

I wonder why they would make today's Reds / Giants game start at ~5:30 Eastern Time? People here are barely off work and the rest of the time zones are still at work. I'm sure it has to do with the other games, but still

Gfaze

Leaving for the game in Oakland in a few hours to get started with some tailgating. That stadium is going to be LOUD! I may not have a voice by the end of the game.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Its better then these 8pm games that dont end until midnight

Have fun! Im actually pulling for the As. I dont like Detroit.

Scottman111

Rolen looks like an old man that needs a day off. And Hanigan is always solid behind the plate, don't know what happened with that passed ball.

Anyways, deciding on which NLCS game to go to.

Scottman111

I disagree...hate watching TV while the sun is still out, even if it baseball

And same for me, hoping for the A's and O's to win.


Have fun, I'll be watching!!

Scottman111

I thought I saw something last night during the Yankees game about Nick Swisher being 0 for 32 or 33 in his postseason career. Is that accurate??

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Hes been horrible in the post season, but I think hes gotten a few hits at the very least.

Joe5.0

Tigers bats have been quiet this series, they'll need to wake up soon because I def dont want to see a game 5.

A's playing some defense tonight......

Costco

I just wanted to drop in here, during playoff time (just a coincidence) to cheer for my A's! WOO WOO YEAH GO A'S

Scottman111

I figured it out, it was batting with RISP he was 0 for 30 something. He's a career .169 hitter in 156 plate appearances Won't help his free agency arguments.


And to clarify, the Tigers are one of my neutral teams, I just don't like Prince

Scottman111

Beware...fair weather fan!!!



Just bought two tickets to game 3 of the NLCS