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Playoff Gameday Thread #6: 10/6/08

Me_-_sp_studio_tiny by snakecharmer on

MLB Postseason on SB Nation

The National League Championship Series was set yesterday. Jeff Suppan's post-season experience was of no help, as the Phillies homered the Brewers right out of the series on their way to a 6-2 win. They get ready to host the Dodgers starting on Thursday. Today brings the possibilities of deciding the ALCS teams - or of going to Game 5s in both.

 

2:05pm AZT, TBS

Series: 2-1, Rays

rays_medium

Andy Sonnanstine
RHP, 13-9, 4.38
sox_medium

Gavin Floyd
RHP, 17-8, 3.84

Andy Sonnanstine - who? Not a big name pitcher, but one the Rays need to rely on today. He didn't end the season on a positive note (losing his last 3) but he has handled the White Sox nicely this season, going 1-0 with a sub-3 ERA in 4 starts. But the White Sox finally hit with runners in scoring position yesterday to stave off elimination for at least one more day. They have been energized by their home crowd and send out the young Gavin Floyd to make his post-season debut (as will Sonnanstine) and keep the Rays from getting their big hits in scoring position. (Yahoo lists 17 LOB yesterday.) The Rays need to not let their loss disparage them, and the Sox need to keep their offense going. Should be an interesting matchup.

 

5:35pm AZT, TBS

Series: 2-1, Sox

laa_medium

John Lackey
RHP, 12-5, 3.75

Series: 0-1, 2.70
bos_medium

Jon Lester
LHP, 16-6, 3.21

Series: 1-0, 0.00

This is a rematch of Game 1 of this series. Can I just copy what I wrote then? ;) Probably not, as I don't think it played out as expected. This was a great low-scoring pitchers' duel. Jon Lester allowed 6 hits but only 1 unearned run, and John Lackey gave up 4 hits but 3 walks and 2 earned runs. Last night's 12-inning affair (won by the Angels) combined with the starters' short starts may have taxed the bullpen. This is particularly important for K-Rod, who threw over 33 pitches in one inning, and Papelbon, who threw 31 pitches in two innings. If Boston can keep Mike Napoli from hitting moon shots tonight,  Boston has a good shot of winning this one.

 

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I think so

I just got home, but about to head off to school. Looks like the Rays will be advancing to the ALCS, though.

We are gonna get drunk with Adam Dunn and we're gonna head-butt some damn kangaroos.

by soco on Oct 6, 2008 6:49 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I was wondering where you were!

It was strange having nobody rooting against me. ;)

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 6:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I was at work

where I have no interwebs to enterain me. Now I’m frantically trying to finish an essay before I go to class in an hour.

We are gonna get drunk with Adam Dunn and we're gonna head-butt some damn kangaroos.

by soco on Oct 6, 2008 7:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hahaha

Gabe Gross leaps perfectly and robs Pierzynski of a home run!

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 5:21 PM EDT   0 recs

BOOOOOOOOOOOOO

We are gonna get drunk with Adam Dunn and we're gonna head-butt some damn kangaroos.

by soco on Oct 6, 2008 6:49 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Go Rays

I wonder if dropping the word “Devil” from their name made all the difference?

by Jim McLennan on Oct 6, 2008 5:30 PM EDT   0 recs

Not that it seems to have bothered

The New Jersey Devils. Or helped the San Diego Padres.

by Jim McLennan on Oct 6, 2008 5:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It made them sound better

“Tampa Bay Rays” is smooth, almost melodious. “Tampa Bay Devil Rays” sounds kinda clumsy. Although it does earn points for authentic local flavor.

I’m not sure what it does for their cosmic brownie points though.

"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson

by Scrbl on Oct 6, 2008 6:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The last time I checked..

Tampa Bay didn’t even have a player named Ray on its roster.

Rockin' October

by Charlie77 on Oct 6, 2008 8:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I wonder has a team ever

Gone from the worst record in the league one year, to the World Series the next? I know the 2000 D-backs reached the playoffs, but they weren’t the worst team in the league in 1999, just the worst in their division.

by Jim McLennan on Oct 6, 2008 5:39 PM EDT   0 recs

I think they were saying

that the best turnaround was the Red Sox (a while ago) with a 33 or 34 game improvement. I don’t think they made it to the world series though….

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 5:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe best in the AL

Ours was 35 games in 1999. Of course, we almost went bankrupt in the process, I don’t think the Rays have spent in quite the same fashion as Jerry C!

by Jim McLennan on Oct 6, 2008 5:45 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Who is this

Jerry C you speak of?

Sounds like a winning sort of fellow ;-)

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 6:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I just found

what I think is the biggest turnaround in terms of games. The 1899 Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) placed 1st in the NL, 50.5 games ahead of their 1898 record (10th in a 12 team league).

They didnt win the World Series either, but hey, who can blame them.

There was no World Series :-)

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 7:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not sure

In terms of standings, the 69 Mets won the series after finishing 9th in a 10 team league the year previous. The 67 Red Sox lost the series after finishing ninth also. The Washington Senators of the 1920’s were notoriously up and down, but never went worst to first. So, I’m not sure.

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 6:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

ANOTHER HR for BJ!!

Third time in two days! Rays up 2-0!

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 5:52 PM EDT   0 recs

Let's hope this augurs well

For his kid bro doing the same during the playoffs for an expansion franchise in a couple of years. :-)

by Jim McLennan on Oct 6, 2008 5:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Tampa scores again!!

Double and and error for Floyd scores Crawford from first!

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 6:12 PM EDT   0 recs

Looking good for the Rays now

Not over yet, but it’s 4-0 now, and they’re still batting.

by Jim McLennan on Oct 6, 2008 6:14 PM EDT   0 recs

The Rays get that run back!! 5-1!

This team is looking good….

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 6:36 PM EDT   0 recs

Another HR for the Sox

This time, it’s Dye. But again it was a solo shot.

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 7:01 PM EDT   0 recs

Dotel in

and gives up a leadoff double. Hahaha.. one batter, adios Dotel!

(Not a fan of Dotel, in case you couldn’t tell.)

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 7:14 PM EDT   0 recs

Hehe

Nice play on words… or do you really want to know?

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 7:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Had to leave the computer for a while

(ie wasnt ignoring you)

Lay it on me. Why does Octavio make you go Achhh?

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 8:07 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No worries!

Dotel is kind of like a Richie Sexson for Oakland. He played for Oakland several years back and was no good. We traded for him mid-season, he was okay but not terribly consistent. He was big on imploding in close games. Yet we gave him a big contract and the next year he was out for the season after like a month for elbow surgery. We couldn’t trade him, he left as a FA that off-season. So basically, he was no help to us at all, and Oakland likes to see him struggle. Yes, we’re mean.

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 8:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Down with Dotel

is what I say! It’s all coming together for me. Thanks!

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 8:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hehe, you're welcome!

It was a long time ago but it’s one of those things that, as a fan, you just never let go. :D

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 8:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oooh, drama!!

A REALLY close non-strike-3 call to Peña results in an extended at-bat and RBI single. Six to twooooo…. in the 7th.

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 7:24 PM EDT   0 recs

Glad the game's been going well while I was gone

I’m currently looking up recipes for tiramisu.

"Now, this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard [Hank Steinbrenner] say, and this is the third time I've said that this season."

by kishi on Oct 6, 2008 8:04 PM EDT   0 recs

mmhhh....dessert of the gods

Have you tried Olive Garden’s Tirimasu shake? It’s delicious and fits in a cup.

Rockin' October

by Charlie77 on Oct 6, 2008 8:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Why is tiramisu

unlike anyone on this board?

A) It agrees with me.

Wah Hahhhhhhhhhaaaaahaaaaaaahaaahahahahahahaha!

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 8:14 PM EDT   0 recs

B)

It’s a delicious foodstuff made from the flesh of gods.

We are gonna get drunk with Adam Dunn and we're gonna head-butt some damn kangaroos.

by soco on Oct 6, 2008 11:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Sounds like

it might be time to nibble on mrssoco again ;-)

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 11:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Mmm...

though she’s not reading this right now, so she might be a little mad if I interrupt her stories for a bite.

We are gonna get drunk with Adam Dunn and we're gonna head-butt some damn kangaroos.

by soco on Oct 6, 2008 11:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

STRIKEOUT!!

RAYS TO THE ALCS!!!!!

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 8:20 PM EDT   0 recs

Hard not to root for

our sister expansion franchise. They’re a great story.

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 8:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Boooooooooooo

We are gonna get drunk with Adam Dunn and we're gonna head-butt some damn kangaroos.

by soco on Oct 6, 2008 11:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

6th expansion team to win their first post-season series

I didn’t see who the others were, I think Milwaukee and San Diego were in that list.

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 8:21 PM EDT   0 recs

Hmm, not good for Boston

Lowell placed on the DL for ALDS & ALCS.

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 8:32 PM EDT   0 recs

Wouldnt mind

watching the Angels come back. Both are well run teams, but Boston’s kinda supplanted the Yankees as the big spending bogeyman, in my eyes.

Villian Heirarchy (worst to most angelic)

Dodgers
Red Sox
Angels
Phillies
Angel Rays

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 8:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I would agree with that

Although I really am torn on the placement for the Red Sox and Angels. I don’t know which one I’d rather see lose more. As Evil Empire #2, I don’t like Boston, but as an AL West team fan, I don’t like Anaheim. I guess at this point I root for Game 5 so we get a game on Wednesday!

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 8:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Somewhat agree

Dodgers
Red Sox
Rays
Angels
Phillies

I can’t bring myself to cheer totally for the Rays, since as noted before, I’d rather we remain the youngest team with a World Series ring. The presence of the Dodgers atop the list, probably explains why the Phillies are at the bottom of it…

by Jim McLennan on Oct 6, 2008 9:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I hear ya

I guess the Rays dont threaten me, seeing as we’ll always be the quicker to get there.

At least we’re one mind on the Dodgers.

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 9:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, that's my thought too

We’re not going to lose our spot of “youngest to win a title” until more expansion teams come about. I fully support us remaining the youngest! But I know what you mean about wanting to stay the “most recent”, I guess, the “latest” team to win a title. To me, tho, it’s not as important as the youngest.

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 9:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not sure

how much I buy that argument. Sure the Red Sox buy a lot of talent, but they also develop or trade for minor leaguers that become excellent players. I’d say it’s more their fanbase and media that deserve the scorn, not the team.

We are gonna get drunk with Adam Dunn and we're gonna head-butt some damn kangaroos.

by soco on Oct 6, 2008 11:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The fanbase is my main annoyance

They went from “beleaguered martyrs” to “arrogant jackasses” in the blink of an eye.

"Now, this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard [Hank Steinbrenner] say, and this is the third time I've said that this season."

by kishi on Oct 6, 2008 11:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Very true

but that’s more of a fanbase annoyance to me. It seems Boston fans are cut from a particular cloth that includes Cubs fans and yes, even Bills fans.

We are gonna get drunk with Adam Dunn and we're gonna head-butt some damn kangaroos.

by soco on Oct 6, 2008 11:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree with both you

and kishi, and said the Sox were “well run”. You guys nailed my source of annoyance better than I did.

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 11:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Actually,

I just looked up the two team’s salaries, and they’re closer than I thought.

Red Sox still ahead, but suffice it to say, both sufficiently EVIL for passionate condemnation!

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 8:50 PM EDT   0 recs

Ooh, hey I remember last season

that much was made of the Rockies’ low salary rank. 26th, or somewhere thereabouts. Were they the lowest to advance to the WS? NLCS? Well this year’s Rays are 29th! And yet I haven’t heard a peep about it.

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 8:59 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I've heard the Rays payroll

referenced a few times.

The 29th rank would be a record if they won the pennant.

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 9:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh okay, neat

I just seem to remember it being a much bigger deal last year. Here’s hoping they go on and set the record! :) ::knock on wood::

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 9:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Howie Kendrick

bears a striking resemblance to, like, half our lineup.

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 8:58 PM EDT   0 recs

Since I have the floor

I thought I might inquire if anyone would be interested in purchasing from the fine array of surprisingly affordable AMWAY products?

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 9:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Are they still going?

A guy at college tried to get me to sign up. Could have sworn they’d got shut down by now. Or replaced by…is it Quixtar or something like that?

by Jim McLennan on Oct 6, 2008 9:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'll count you

as a “maybe” then?

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 9:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I've ordered you a supply

of Satinique, our salon quality total hair car system. It’s total, Jim. You’ll love it.

Satinique is endorsed by internationally reknowned hair stylist, Scotsman John Gillespie. His refreshing approach and philosophy make him the ideal spokesperson for the SATINQUE brand.

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 10:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Replaced by Quixtar.

My parents had an unfortunate short stay with them a few years ago. No good came of it.

by Azreous on Oct 6, 2008 11:45 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Just been working

On the “Play of the Year” nominations. Fun to go back and look over some of the candidates, including plays we’d forgotten about. Remember Reynolds’ three-run homer to tie it up in Shea with two outs in the ninth?

by Jim McLennan on Oct 6, 2008 9:20 PM EDT   0 recs

It's funny you mention that one

I was going to nominate that earlier but got sidetracked. I think for “get up out of your chair and yell "yeah!” at the top of your lungs" pizzazz, that was it for me. Sure, we lost, but a great moment, especially since Wagner was pitching better at the time. And to hear the boos at Shea. Priceless.

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 9:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

And the faces of the Mets' fans in the stands

They looked like someone just shot their dog, or something. Children were crying. Fathers consoling. Just after everyone was methodically clapping the Mets to victory. I didnt even care that much whether we won at that point – it just really made me laugh.

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 9:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Angels dodge a bullet

Two on with one out, but Drew flies out deep and Bay is also retired, with the go-ahead run on third. Still scoreless after four. This game is looking every bit as tight as last night’s.

by Jim McLennan on Oct 6, 2008 9:50 PM EDT   0 recs

Two of the three best

teams in baseball, I think. Maybe the two best.

High quality series and kinda getting the feeling the winner here should win it all.

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 9:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Boston takes the lead

Only one run, but feels a lot more in this game.

by Jim McLennan on Oct 6, 2008 10:12 PM EDT   0 recs

Make that 2-0

Angels need to stop the bleeding before it’s terminal.

by Jim McLennan on Oct 6, 2008 10:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Every time

I watch Lester (which isnt that often), he looks pretty unhittable. Excellent control to go with his stuff.

by Diamondhacks on Oct 6, 2008 10:20 PM EDT   0 recs

Nine outs left for the Angels

Or their season will be over almost as quickly as the NL’s “best” team…

by Jim McLennan on Oct 6, 2008 10:23 PM EDT   0 recs

I think that's

the only real reason I’m rooting for Boston tonight, is to see the ‘best’ teams both ousted. :)

by snakecharmer on Oct 6, 2008 10:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

What is

this weird power the Red Sox have over the Angels?

"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson

by Scrbl on Oct 6, 2008 10:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs