12/22/24
October 01, 2006
MLB's Postseason eight is set: Who would have expected this setup at the allstar-break.
posted by kidrayter2005 to baseball at 05:48 PM - 54 comments
I was in St. Louis over the past week and made it to two games. I got the general impression that the fans there don't expect a whole lot from the Cardinals. That said, they will probably get two starts from Carpenter, so who knows -- as they say, anything can happen in a short series. As of today (and I reserve the right to change my mind on this one), I think we will see the Padres and Yankees in the World Series, with a similar outcome as in 1998. qbert, DJE, someone else -- can we get a playoff pick em going in the locker room?
posted by holden at 06:51 PM on October 01, 2006
Looks like the "The Hex" bit Detroit again. (Sorry about the shameless plug.) Anyway, I'd bet on a Twins-Yankees ALCS, with the Twins taking it with Santana and a far superior bullpen (not to mention #34 still looking over them). The NL is tougher to handicap, though I don't see St. Louis surviving round one, and I don't think the NL winner (whoever it is) stands a chance in the World Series. The Mets might have had a chance with Pedro, but without him, they may not make the Series.
posted by TheQatarian at 07:37 PM on October 01, 2006
Last time they won it all Padres: Never. They were one of the four expansion clubs in 1969, so that's 36 years without one (excluding the 1994 strike year). San Diego lost to the Tigers in 1984 and was swept by the Yankees in 1998. Found my team for this year. Go Padres!!!11!!1 sry bout the !!1! bit but ive never actually done it before and WOW did that feel good
posted by Folkways at 07:45 PM on October 01, 2006
Minnesota and the Mets. Al Franken wins.
posted by diastematic at 07:46 PM on October 01, 2006
Minnesota and the Mets. Al Franken wins. GOD help us all.
posted by tommybiden at 07:53 PM on October 01, 2006
As A Yankees fan, I can't help but wonder how solid the Yanks will be down the stretch. They have had plenty of chances to rest down the stretch, but with Johnson hurt and Mo still a slight question mark, their pitching isn't looking all that solid. With that said, the offense looks great, rested, and explosive. Detroit shouldn't be too hard to beat considering they have no momentum going, but then again they have a great team as well. I predict that the Yankees and Padres will go to the World Series this year, and will hope that the Yanks win it all. **Wishfull thinking**
posted by Kendall at 08:24 PM on October 01, 2006
Subway Series 2! that is what I am going with. Yankees have just hit there stride and even without Pedro the Mets are the best NL team. But they aren't better than the yankees. I am calling it Yankees in 5 games.
posted by kidrayter2005 at 08:29 PM on October 01, 2006
Well, the Tiges may not have won the AL Central, but I am happy that they now have a chance to take down the Yankees. /Midwest blood...boiling...must...hate...the Yankees...!!!
posted by NoMich at 08:56 PM on October 01, 2006
Well, I continuously picked AGAINST the White Sox last year, so everyone put their money on someone other than the A's because I think they are going to win it all. My guesses: Yankees over the Tigers : the Tigers went 40-41 since July 1st. The Yankees have gone 52-32 in the same span. With everyone healthy(er), they wear out the Tiger pitching. A's over the Twins: Experience and a rejuvenated Big Hurt win over my pick for 2007 World Series champion (if Liriano comes back healthy) Padres over the Cardinals : it's really come down to Pujols and his average teammates, and the Padres seem more complete. Dodgers over the Mets : no Pedro? No chance, especially with Lowe and Maddux getting in gear. A's over the Yankees - the classic big money vs little money war, and David slays Goliath. Dodgers over the Padres - Just a gut feeling on this one. A's over the Dodgers - And Billy Beane taunts Joe Morgan from the champagne soaked clubhouse when it is over. TV prediction: much will be made about ARod and Jeter, in terms of "clutch", but ARod will outperform Jeter at the plate. However, it will be forgotten as ARod makes an error that costs the team a game, while Jeter makes a couple that don't.
posted by grum@work at 09:33 PM on October 01, 2006
Yankees blow away the fading Tigers, then dispose of the Twins in six. World Series will be quick work with the Yankees handling whatever team from the obviously inferior other league shows up as fodder in five games
posted by jm_mosier at 09:55 PM on October 01, 2006
Tigers in five. Its better to face New York in 5 than 7.People say Detroit is in a slump. I don't see the Yanks red hot now either.
posted by sickleguy at 10:09 PM on October 01, 2006
From Bud Selig's standpoint, an ideal postseason would see the Yankees facing the Dodgers for the crown, thus keeping the nation's #1 & #2 markets in for the long haul. With that in mind, let's trot out the "conspiracy theorist's" predictions.... - AL - A's/Twins: Twins in 4 Yankees/Tigers: Tigers takes a 1-1 series tie into Detroit when a freak accident involving the rain tarp and folding chairs decimates their team. Detroit is forced to cobble together a roster of of minor league callups for the final two games. Yankees in 4. Yankees/Twins: The night before the first game, 14 Twins, including Santana and most of the starting lineup, contract food poisoning at the New York hotel where they are staying (which happens to be owned by one of Steinbrenner's cousins) and are unavailable for the first two games, which the Yankess win by a combined score of 38 to 3. Yankees in 5. - NL - Padres/Cards: Padres in 3. Mets/Dodgers: Orlando Hernandez is "mistaken" for Pedro Martinez and given rotator cuff surgery. Dodgers in 5. Dodgers/Padres (the coup de grace): After the Padres take a 2-0 series lead at Petco, a joint sting operation by the MLB and the FBI reveals that the entire Padres organization is a front for an illegal PED ring. Selig calls it a "major breakthrough in the war on steroids", and reviles the franchise as a "blight on baseball and professional sports". Dodgers win by forfeit, though controversy continues to swirl next February, when it becomes clear that the evidence was planted by a former executive bent on revenge. Mark my words....
posted by cybermac at 12:20 AM on October 02, 2006
I don't see the Yanks red hot now either. ... which sounds to me like a Tigers fan trying to find the silver lining ;-) Home-field was sewn up two days ago, nothing left to play for, Torre's just resting his guys. Take those last two meaningless games out of the equation and they're a very respectable 18-10 for the final month. The Tigers are 12-16, with motivation. I'm no Yankees fan, and the Tigers are a great Cinderella story, but, as Lord Vader once told me, "Don't underestimate the power of the dark side".
posted by cybermac at 12:47 AM on October 02, 2006
it's goin 2 b the the dodgers n the world series. they have good bats n all around players, players that can play any poision, kent, lugo, nomar. also good pitching starters n the bullpen.the mets r good but there pitchers arnt to dominate for playoff play. i hate 2 say it but the evil empire has a good chance 2. the way they came back 2 take the divison, there payroll i mean there players, just the pitching is a little shaky. the tigers have no expirence but that can be n there favior, i like the a's go cali. good bats n great players, swisher, thomas west coast big popi.
posted by cali-fan4life at 01:51 AM on October 02, 2006
Over the past week at Athletics Nation (A's blog), lots of fans have been praying for a matchup with the Tigers. Not that playing Detroit would be a ton easier, but at least there's no Santana over there. Now everyone's just saying "We're all gonna die!!!" That said, I pick the A's in 6 over the Padres.
posted by Bixby23 at 04:27 AM on October 02, 2006
I really can't see the Tigers advancing past the first round, not after they have played like crap and blown it down the stretch. Many people thought they had homefield locked up but now they're only the wildcard. Not to mention, if a team loses two against the Blue Jays and two against the Royals when it really counts, how can they expected to take three or four games against a playoff team?
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 05:21 AM on October 02, 2006
califan 4-life: we use English here, not AOL-speak.
posted by tieguy at 07:04 AM on October 02, 2006
califan 4-life: we use English here, not AOL-speak. Thank you!
posted by dyams at 07:23 AM on October 02, 2006
Who would have expected this setup at the allstar break. Other than the Twins, not that many surprises. To me the fact that there were no 20 game winners this season is a bigger surprise. Anyone know the last time that happened? A's finally stay hot through the postseason to win it all.
posted by mjkredliner at 08:44 AM on October 02, 2006
Nice choke job Tigers...I knew it would happen, as it seems to happen to all Michigan sports teams. I think our teams are like our economy here in this state...crappy.
posted by sydney2006 at 09:03 AM on October 02, 2006
To me the fact that there were no 20 game winners this season is a bigger surprise. Anyone know the last time that happened? I can't find the article, but I read somewhere this weekend, 1880 was the last time there were no twenty game winners. (strike and lockout seasons excepted)
posted by tommybiden at 10:52 AM on October 02, 2006
Nice choke job Tigers...I knew it would happen, as it seems to happen to all Michigan sports teams. I think our teams are like our economy here in this state...crappy. You mean, just like their fans' attitudes? Holy crap, if the Blue Jays were in the playoffs, I'd be loopy on bus fumes, even if they'd slipped from a sure hold on first to the wild card. The Tigers are SEVEN wins from the World Series, enjoy!
posted by tommybiden at 10:56 AM on October 02, 2006
Syd, I don't know about "all Michigan sports teams", but I agree with you about the Tigers...and our economy. The Tigers were on fire the first half, but less than average since. Their second half performance has been a roller coaster ride. They play a brilliant game and win by 8, followed by a game where they get shut out and have two errors, then they score in double digits the next one (and lose). Now they have the Yanks (the one team that's had their number all year) in the first round. How's their post season look? Let's spell it out. D-O-N-E.
posted by ctal1999 at 11:00 AM on October 02, 2006
I was off by 9 years, 1871 was the last time there were no 20 game winners. Albert Goodwill Spalding led the National Association with a 19-10 record for the Boston Red Stockings, the team finished with a 20-10 record.
posted by tommybiden at 11:02 AM on October 02, 2006
TT, you'd have a point, except that the way they've been playing, they'd need 15-20 games to garner those 7 wins. Since the odds are that they won't win 3 against the Yanks, I'm not holding my breath. It's not that I won't be thrilled if they pull it off, but I'm not going to lie and say that I expect it. They've sucked for two decades. They seem to be turning around, but I don't think that most of the youngsters are ready for the pressure of October yet. When expectations got high (Oh, home field is pretty much a lock for the Tigers), they started to stumble and, IMO, it was due in large part to the pressure of meeting those expectations. There's a lot of talent there, and with a bit more seasoning, it's my hope that Leyland can drag the organization out of the cycle of finding ways to lose. I just don't see them going any further with it this year.
posted by ctal1999 at 11:14 AM on October 02, 2006
USA Today about no 20 game winners.
posted by SummersEve at 11:19 AM on October 02, 2006
Nice choke job Tigers...I knew it would happen, as it seems to happen to all Michigan sports teams. I think our teams are like our economy here in this state...crappy. Wuh? So winning the NBA title a couple of years ago, and the run of NHL titles just a few years back is an indication of "choking"?
posted by grum@work at 11:28 AM on October 02, 2006
Detroit fans are more negative than Boston fans. Awesome!
posted by jerseygirl at 12:37 PM on October 02, 2006
Hey, all I'm saying is just when something seems to be getting started (Dynasty) the bottom falls out ('99 & '03 Wings, '05 & '06 Pistons). State always blows it on or around the Michigan game and, well, the Wolves' themselves always seem to run out of gas somewhere around January 1. The Leos, uh, all I can say is 49 years and counting. As much as the Tigers have sucked for so many years (13) I am not satisfied with a wild card, sorry guys.
posted by sydney2006 at 01:39 PM on October 02, 2006
Wildcard seemed to have worked well for the 1997 Marlins, the 2002 Angels, the 2003 Marlins and the 2004 Red Sox. It's nice to win the division, but you want a chance at the post-season, no matter how you get there.
posted by jerseygirl at 02:17 PM on October 02, 2006
Thank you for every Detroit outsider for calling our fans bad, since it saves me the time. I am absolutely thrilled by the Tigers making the playoffs and grateful for our recent string of Hockey and Bball success, but even I must admit grumbling out loud after the Tigers loss on Sunday. My theory is that we are never satisfied as sports fans because we are subjected to the Lions every year. That said, Tigers vs. San Diego in an '84 rematch. If it happens, this is a prediction, if not, I was just talking out loud about how cool this would be.
posted by gradys_kitchen at 02:18 PM on October 02, 2006
Hey jerseygirl, can I have your #?
posted by sydney2006 at 02:27 PM on October 02, 2006
State always blows it on or around the Michigan game In order for Michigan State to factor in to your theory, they would have to actually get something started. 4-0 record with wins over MAC teams doesn't count.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 02:27 PM on October 02, 2006
Hey jerseygirl, can I have your #? posted by sydney2006 at 2:27 PM CDT on October 2 Yes of course you can. I wish we had a message system here so I wouldn't have to broadcast it, but what the heck. Its 617-867-5309. Ask for Jenny.
posted by jerseygirl at 02:31 PM on October 02, 2006
867-5309...Jenny, I got your number!
posted by sydney2006 at 02:43 PM on October 02, 2006
Good work, grasshopper.
posted by jerseygirl at 02:44 PM on October 02, 2006
Listen, Cybermac,the Tigers have one of the best records in baseball as far as World Series go. In my long lifetime they have only let me down once in the post season;ie the 87 loss to Minnesota.So I don't care about the Darkside. The Yankees are the best team money can buy but as their record shows, that usually isn't enough.
posted by sickleguy at 03:00 PM on October 02, 2006
I don't know if I was just looking and listening in the wrong places, but this season had an unbelievable last two weeks in both leagues (sans the AL West & NL East) and it didn't seem to get the hype and coverage it deserved on a nationwide basis. I hope the playoff season matches the last two weeks. It is time for baseball!!
posted by jaygolf at 03:55 PM on October 02, 2006
Its going to be a fun post season AL/ Twins in 5 Detriot in 3 or Yankees in 5! ( I cant decide) Despite the talent and payroll, I dont see the Yanks as the strongest/best team NL Padres in 4 Dodgers in 5
posted by daddisamm at 05:27 PM on October 02, 2006
Jersey - Tommy Two tone (I'm not sure that is the correct spelling). Come on guys, am I the only one playing name that tune here? As a Kansas City guy, I have to say that the Royals salvaged a very, very small amount of dignity toward the end of the season with a respectable showing against the White Sox and an even better showing against the Tigers. It is, however, ironic how many former Royals are involved in the post season this year.
posted by hawkguy at 07:10 PM on October 02, 2006
I think you've got it Sherlock (hawkguy). Maybe Matt Stairs paid off some former teammates, or maybe they paid him to pay the Tiger bullpen to tip pitches? hmmmmm. Jenny, that number was no longer in service...you got another?
posted by sydney2006 at 07:28 PM on October 02, 2006
Actually, the operater told me that # had been changed
posted by sydney2006 at 07:32 PM on October 02, 2006
Actually, the operater told me that # had been changed ... And the game is joined. Now, you will have to decipher a series of clues, each more cunning than its predecessor. (*sits back in patent leather chair; forms steeple with fingertips*)
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:51 PM on October 02, 2006
A clue my dear watson, she just shut you down! ouch, a burn on sportsfilter.
posted by kidrayter2005 at 07:55 PM on October 02, 2006
Try (281) 330-8004. Ask for Mike.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 08:34 PM on October 02, 2006
Padres in 3
posted by budman13 at 09:49 PM on October 02, 2006
I hope all of ya don't think that all Michigan/Detroit fans are that bad. Matter of fact, I think we have one of the best sports states in the country! Who's got an argument? I am friggin ecstatic that the Tigers made the playoffs. The Royals were just pissed that they had to watch two of their divisional pals celebrate in their stadium, two days in a row! That's tough. The cats losin the division does suck though, don't get me wrong. Sunday was the longest crappiest game ever! Not only did we blow the friggin game, we couldn't celebrate, it went 12 innings and I was stuck with standing room tickets! Anyway, sorry 'bout the ramble but.... Tiges over Skanks, A's over Twinkies, Nomar beats up on Pedro-less Mets Padres over Cards Detroit celebrates down Woodward just as Wings get on a roll and the Pistons startin off strong. Good times.
posted by chriskartwheel at 10:36 PM on October 02, 2006
Ok, I'm out...for now. SEE YA, next time on sportsfilter theatre!
posted by sydney2006 at 10:44 PM on October 02, 2006
Nice choke job Tigers...I knew it would happen... I'll take this season. You can have the 2003 season. I'm bummed that they didn't win the division, but they made the friggin' playoffs! Enjoy the moment. I was sixteen the last time they made the playoffs.
posted by wingnut4life at 12:05 AM on October 03, 2006
And the A's are one small step farther along the playoff road after today...
posted by irunfromclones at 02:51 PM on October 03, 2006
Any win over Santana is more than a small step.
posted by jojomfd1 at 03:26 PM on October 03, 2006
A's took a second step today. Mark Kotsay's inside-the-park home run was the first at the Metrodome in a while. Four years. To the day. Last one by Ray Durham. Of the A's. Against the Twins in the ALDS. A's won 6-3. That's just weird.
posted by BullpenPro at 03:29 PM on October 04, 2006
Great stat.
posted by mjkredliner at 08:03 PM on October 04, 2006
It's nice the Yanks don't have to face Johan Santana yet. Hopefully he'll be out by the ALCS. I still can't believe the Tigers didn't win the division. At the All-Star break most everyone thought it would be impossible for them to falter. I'm still glad they made the post-season. The NL looks like a mess, though. The Cards have been miserable, for the most part, and the Mets have some questions and can't really feel like they're "peaking." But, as it is every year, anything can happen in the playoffs. Hopefully it will be memorable and exciting.