Baseball Aholics

AL West Preview From an Angels Fans Perspective

2008-04-03T07:57:00.001-07:00

Not a single regular season pitch was even thrown and already I was in panic mode. The problem being the fact that knowing who was going to be throwing that first pitch, and many, many subsequent pitches, had been thrown (pun intended) into some serious and ever increasing doubt. We knew for sometime that Kelvim Escobar was going to have plenty of time to update his Myspace page early in the season, but the disturbing news that he has a tear in his throwing shoulder that may end his season completely, and possibly his career, had cast an Ervin Santana shaped shadow over the Angels’ long-term season goals. Couple this with John Lackey’s triceps injury that will keep him from even picking up a baseball for two to three weeks and that shadow may turn into a full-blown eclipse. Oh, and just a little side note, Scot Shields will begin the season on the DL also. Awesome.

Like any clear thinking American sports fan I reacted to this news by doing what comes naturally. I freaked out. When I came to three days later, I realized I needed to look at the situation a little more rationally. How are they going to weather this April storm and where will they be by the time we see those May flowers I’ve heard so much about? The Angels pride themselves on depth, a justified self-congratulations. But you don’t just pick up 18 game winners off the scrap heap. Fortunately for the Angels, their scrap heap is loaded with potential classics (is there a more frightening word in the American sports lexicon than “potential”?).

Ervin Santana. The mere mention of his name causes a torrent of conflicting emotions for this Angels fan. So much potential (there’s that word again), so much fear (for me). In light of the current situation I’d settle for ¾ of the 2006 Santana. Just give the lineup a chance to make things interesting. Let’s just start there. In the sage words of Dr. Leo Marvin, baby steps. He has the physical skills to be very good, even to something approaching great, the question is whether his head will be screwed on right to make that happen. Some have made the suggestion Ervin should only pitch at home given his ridiculous home/road splits (For his career - Home: ERA – 3.14, WHIP – 1.17, Away: ERA – 7.14, WHIP – 1.63), though Scioscia has, rightfully, nixed any such idea.

Dustin Moseley will be filling the final spot in the rotation, a role he filled rather ably at points last year. But last year he was filling holes left by far less talented pitchers than either Lackey or Escobar. So while he may perform courageously in the interim this season, no one’s expecting him to make us forget who we’re really missing. If Moseley does falter, the Angels have a potential ace waiting in the wings (OK, that pun was not intended) in Nick Adenhart. He was up and down this spring, but definitely showed flashes that make Angel fans smile to themselves in their sleep.

Now we know who will be carrying the torch in our 1-2’s absence, but that shadow still looms. Is it enough to still win the division? Only time will tell for sure—duh—but I submit that the division title is still very much the Angels’ to lose. Let’s take a look at the facts.

Texas doesn’t even enter this conversation. Let’s talk about that. They did nothing in the offseason to improve their perennial weakness, starting pitching. They did add Josh Hamilton to the OF, so I guess the old “we’ll bludgeon our way to a pennant” strategy still holds sway in the Ranger front office. Oh, those Texans. In a way it’s almost loveable.
Threat assessment: none.

Oakland on the other hand did make some major moves. Unfortunately for the A’s faithful they involved trading away all of their good players. As an Angels fan, I was obviously thrilled. I do not bow to the altar of Billy Beane and his sabermetrics mumbo-jumbo. (Before you Rob Neyer reading Athletic supporters dismiss me as a backward mystic who believes mathematics to be some sort of wicked sorcery spawned by Lucifer himself, let me assure you my tongue is planted firmly in my cheek. Everyone knows math is very useful for calculating batting average.) However, he does have an uncanny ability to occasionally turn what looks like a pile of nothing into something, which always makes me nervous. I mean any guy that can win a division title with Scott Hatteberg on the roster, let alone as a starter, must be doing something right, right? That said, it would take a wizard of Gandalf the Grey proportions to turn this year’s pile into anything significant. The only way they can remotely threaten the Halos this season is if Harden and Crosby can somehow remain healthy for the duration, which, as any self-respecting baseball fan worth a strained Harden oblique can attest, is a physical impossibility. Even if that were somehow possible, the odds would still be something akin to those of Jeremy Giambi teaching sliding practice at A’s camp next spring. If you want to hear me anxiously worry about Oakland as contender, come back in two years…when they’re in Fremont.
Threat assessment: minimal.

Seattle looked like they were for real last year until a colossal late season collapse which, not coincidently, began with a sweep at the hands of the Halos at Safeco. If all the Angels were a picture of perfect health, I wouldn’t be worried much at all, but given the current state of affairs I’m just a touch concerned. Just a skosh, a smidgen really. The M’s have a solid rotation and a strong bullpen, and though their lineup is decent the team is not without question marks. Can Miguel Batista really win 16 games again? Is King Felix finally ready to ascend the throne? Can Richie Sexson rebound, and by rebound I mean hit .230? And perhaps most importantly, how the crap is he making $3M more than Ichiro!? Top to bottom the Angels’ lineup is much stronger and the fact that just about everyone coming off their bench could start for a fair amount of big league teams, including pretty much all of those in the National League, bodes well for when the injury bug bites. Tell me, who would you rather have coming off the pine Juan Rivera or Charlton Jimerson? Actually, now that I think about it, I may opt for Jimerson just so I can hear if the P.A. guy can say his name without snickering.
Threat assessment: moderate.

Of course all of this depends on Lackey coming back by mid-May, Santana not completely imploding, Moseley/Adenhart being at least somewhere north of terrible, the rest of the rotation (Weaver, Saunders, and Garland) performing up to expectations, and Reggie Willits not putting banana peels and ball bearings in front of every other outfielders locker in an attempt to injure them thus increasing his playing time and removing the looming fear of being sent down to AAA and having to ride smelly buses and eat at Chick-Fil-A after getting a taste of the Big Show last season.

But what fun would baseball be, or team blogs for that matter, if everything was a done deal before the season started? Well, if it meant the Angels would always win the division, then I guess that would best be characterized as awesome.

Tis the season

2008-03-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better than the smell of freshly cut grass and hotdogs. It is the sign that spring is here. Generally speaking, there is a huge lull from after the Super Bowl until March madness. That is generally the time when I really begin to get uber excited about baseball season!!

This year is quite different for me as a fan. I am honestly hard pressed between being super stoked and super bummed all at the same time. I am super stoked because for the first time since '93, I don't have to deal with having one Barry Lamar Bonds. That is a huge relief. For the first time in 6 years, I don't have to feel guilty about loving the Gigantes! I can actually just enjoy watching the Giants reek!

That brings me to the part about being way bummed. This is the first year that it has hit me that I am basically a West version of a Royals fan (I can't believe I just said that). My team is already 50 games under .500 and the season hasn't kicked off yet. The way I see it though is that I can Gigantes tickets whenever I want at rock bottom prices!

Still though, the baseball fan that I am is excited to sit back on a warm summer night with a Mt. Dew watching some baseball with Kruk & Kuip or Miller & Morgan, or anyone for that matter. I can't wait to hear take me out to the ball game and someone saying, "Play ball." It should be awesome to see and it should be an exciting season. I guess since my team is down I will just jump on the anti-Yankeees, Dodgers, Bosox band wagon and ride that baby all the way through the fall classic!!

Tony Gwynn Jr.

2008-02-14T09:02:00.000-08:00

Here's a very cool article about Tony Gwynn Jr.'s hit off Trevor Hoffman last year that helped bump the Padres out of the playoffs. Gwynn has known Hoffman since he was a kid and practically idolized him. Pretty good stuff.

Steroids Erases Memories

2008-01-16T13:19:00.000-08:00

No, not the user's memory, the fan's. Great column from Bill Simmons this week on the topic. Read him here and then read me here:

The memory that I keep thinking about, through all this steroids crap, is McGwire's 62nd. I'm not a Cardinals fan, but I'm a baseball fan and the numbers and the history mean something to me. So I remember being very excited to be able to witness this moment. I was at my parents house with my dad, my uncle, both huge baseball fans, and my cousin who was probably about seven. When Big Mac came up, I remember my uncle saying to him, "I want you to watch this so you'll remember it." I remember it so clearly. The ball uncharacteristically barely clearing the wall, Mac almost missing 1st base, the awkward, yet special moment of McGwire and Sosa hugging and doing Sammy's chest thump, peace thing, McGwire's son coming out to greet him and then Mac paying his respects to the Maris family. It was a great moment and until recently a fond memory. Now I don't know how to feel about it. Looking back, we should have known something was up with those two, but at the time, whether willfully or not, we ignored the signs and just drank in that sweet moment, the kind that makes us all love sports so much.

This is actually an email I sent to the Sports Guy after reading his column.

The State of the Giants

2007-12-14T03:14:00.000-08:00

December 13th, 2007

The San Francisco Chronicle

"The Giants, in their first significant move to shape a team without Barry Bonds, signed free-agent center fielder Aaron Rowand to a five-year, $60 million contract on Wednesday.

For that significant investment, in both years and dollars, the Giants have secured a fifth-place hitter, an All-Star, a Gold Glove center fielder and, equally important, a personable and emotional leader who will be asked to infuse the clubhouse with the "warrior mentality" that manager Bruce Bochy complained it lacked last season."

What's everyone thoughts about the signing and about what else the Giants should do to improve the team for next season. I for one feel that given the market, and what Rowand was expected to get from other teams ($70-$80 for 5 years), $12 mil a year isn't too bad. I've liked the guy since he was on the White Sox and his full speed collision with the center field wall in Philadelphia is still fresh in my memory and is one of my favorite catches. of all time The Giants obviously need a lot of work after finishing in last place, but at least with the Rowand signing, Sabean is refusing to listening to anymore trade proposals for our two studs, Lincecum and Cain. I feel that they should try to fill the 3B hole through trade or a non-tender player (take a chance on someone cheap), sign another veteran for the bullpen and let most of the kids play and learn as they go. I think with our core of pitching we will bev ery, very good in a few years. We can always supply the offense with a bat or two through free agency next year and the year after when the market is different. I have patience and I except the Giants to suck for a while, but if we let the kids play and build over the next few years instead of trading away our young talent, then we can be competitive, and possibly win a championship. Pitching wins championships, not a super offense (ie Yankees). Anyways, enough of my ranting, what are your guys thoughts???

Curt Schilling's Blog

2007-12-11T18:03:00.000-08:00

Anybody ever read Curt Schilling's blog? I've only read one post (he's voting for John McCain), but he's a pretty good writer. Is it weird for a professional athlete to have a blog? Check it out.

Angels Workin' It

2007-12-03T23:03:00.000-08:00

Well my boys' new GM has been busy. This is so odd. In all his years Stoneman made I think one trade of any significance, and that was a deal he really had to do (Jose Guillen for Juan Rivera & Macier Izturis). I don't think he was a bad GM, just a little...dull. This new guy Tony Reagins seems eager to put his stamp on things. He's made a couple big splashed already. Here's how I grade them.

Orlando Cabrera for John Garland - B

I was disappointed at first, but this is really a pretty good move. Cabrera had a pretty good year last year at the plate for him, won the Gold Glove at short, and was a team leader in the clubhouse, but he probably hit his peak. His glove will be good for a few more years, but I doubt he'll hit that well again. Garlands no ace, but he's not supposed to be. He'll make a very good back-end of the rotation guy, his numbers have been a little better than league average, and he gives the Halos a plethora of solid starters. They can use that in a trade or go into the season with a contingency in case of injury. Not a bad position to be in, especially considering what kind of money even mediocre pitchers are getting. I'll miss OC, but like a great man once said, its business, not personal.

Signed Torii Hunter for 5 years, $90M - C+

This definitely makes the Angles better this year and probably the next. I think they overpaid some and I'm a little concerned that in years four and five of this deal we'll have an average centerfielder who bats .265, 16 HR, 84 RBI and makes about $18M a year. Maybe I'm wrong. I hope I'm wrong. But, if the Angels win the World Series somewhere in there I won't mind it so much.

The next item on the shopping list is Miguel Cabrera. Now that would be a nice Christmas present. The price is steep, reportedly up-and-coming hit machine Howie Kendrick, catcher Jeff Mathis, either Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana, and top pitching prospect Nick Adenhart. A tall order, yes, but probably worth it given Carbrera is only 24 and supposedly just entering his prime! It was said the teams had reached a deal on two occasions only to have the Marlins up the ante at the last minute. Most of the ESPN analysts I've heard today expect some deal to be worked out. Which would make the '08 Angels lineup look something like this:

1 - Chone Figgins - 2B

2 - Gary Matthews - DH/LF/RF

3 - Vladdy - RF/DH

4 - Miguel Cabrera - 3B

5 - Torii Hunter - CF

6 - Garret Anderson -LF/DH

7 - Casey Kotchman - 1B

8 - Mike Napoli - C

9 -Macier Izturis/Eric Aybar - SS

John Lackey

Kelvim Escobar

Jered Weaver

John Garland

Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana (whichever one isn't traded for Cabrera)

K-Rod

Scot Shields

Justin Speier

Not too shabby. Oh, and apparently they're eyeing Johan Santana also. I have no idea what they would have to part with for him, especially if they get Cabrera. Should be interesting.

Move The Fences Back

2007-11-15T14:55:00.000-08:00

Looks like the San Quentin Giants may be landing a high-profile free agent in the near future.

I can dream

2007-11-01T20:44:00.000-07:00

Just a few moments ago I saw on the headlines on ESPN.com that Brian Sabean for the Giants said that getting A-Rod was a reach, but he would explore the option. By that statement I am judging that the chances for the Giants to get A-Rod would be slim to none. I am just going to warn you that I am about to use some thick sarcasm here... Why wouldn't A-Rod want to go to the Giants. He would be on an instant loser for the next few years. On top of that, his production would probably go down being he is a rightie and Pac Bell, I mean SBC, I mean At&t park is not right handed friendly.

Other than that, he would be stupid to not sign with the Giants. There are several other suitors that would be better for him. The Cubs come to mind as being the front runner. They would give A-Rod the part ownership and they have the cash to spend. They also seem like they are close to getting over the hump possibly. Another good possibility might be the Angels as much as it hurts me to say that. That would be scary if the Angels got A-Rod. I wouldn't mind having him or Vlad. Which reminds me, Vlad was the steal of this century. What were the Giants thinking? They weren't obviously. Everytime I see Vlad I cringe.

The only ray of hope that I have for the Giants and A-Rod is Scott Boras. You might be asking yourself how Scott Boras could help? Here's why. Last year at this time he raked the Giants over the coals by getting them to sign an 11 game winner. His name is Barry Zito. He got a 126 million dollar contract. Let me repeat that. He got a 126 million dollar contract!!!!! If Boras could get the Giants to pay that for Zito, imagine what he could get for A-Rod. Maybe another name change to the stadium, 50% ownership and A-Rod's own dugout and clubhouse. That and a 20 years 1 billion dollar contract. The crazy thing is that A-Rod might be worth it.

The Cold of Winter

2007-10-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

And so its done. Another baseball season in the books, and the chill of winter begins to set in. Some random thoughts on the 2007 season....

Its disappointing that the Rockies didn't fare better in the Series. The Red Sox were just too hot.

Speaking of the Sox, I pulled for them in 2004 and even this season I hoped they would hold off the Yankees and win the division. But now I'm done. The Red Sox are moving into Yankee territory as far as Evil Empires go. They've had their fun, now I'm sick of them. Unfortunately, this is not an aging team's last hurrah. It could be the start of a mini-dynasty or worse. And if there's one thing no one outside New England wants, its another Massachusettes based sports dynasty.

A-rod has removed all doubt that he is a tremendous egotist. He's got the "Look-at-me" attitude of a spoiled nine-year old. He wants to be bigger than the game, he thinks he is bigger than the game. Announcing the opt-out halfway through a deciding World Series game? ESPN's Buster Olney is right. Whoever signs this guy better be prepared to have everything else, including winning, be placed on the back burner behind the Alex Rodriguez Show. Though those 50 home runs look pretty good behind Vladdy...hmmmmmm.

Tacos for All! (Maybe)

2007-10-24T17:11:00.001-07:00

If any player on the Rockies or Bo Sox steals a base in tonights (10/24/07) game - everybody in America gets a free taco from Taco Bell. This is why I watch baseball!

Ando’s Superfrantasticamazinglyaccurate 2007 World Series Preview

2007-10-23T22:15:00.000-07:00

I did the first of these World Series previews way back in that magical, thrilling, stupendous October of 2002. My beloved Angels were taking on the Giants, placing me, a wine country citizen for most of my natural life, squarely in the heart of enemy territory. But still I soldiered on. I skipped doing one in 2003 because who cares about the Yankees and Marlins. Am I right or am I right? I picked up the torch again in ’04 and have kept the streak alive ever since. That’s right, three entire years. Why not make it a fourth?

This year’s Series presents some intriguing questions: can the Rockies keep their hot streak going? Can Josh Beckett possibly continue his utter domination? Will Manny being Manny finally catch up with Manny and bite Manny in Manny’s rear? And perhaps most important, can a team wearing purple really win a championship? It hasn’t worked for the Vikings (0-4 in Super Bowls). Here’s the match up as I see it.

Catchers –

For the Bo Sox will be the ramblin’ wreck from Georgia Tech, Jason Veritek. The Sox captain had a mediocre year at the plate, mostly due to being, in fact, a mediocre hitter. He hasn’t faired any better in the postseason, batting only .243 with one homer. But he is a good receiver and is the type of guy who is capable of getting the key hit.

Fortunately for the Red Sox, the Rockies will counter with Yorvit Torrealba whose greatest claim to fame is not hitting well enough for the Giants to think he could handle full time duty and making them feel compelled to trade away Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano, and Boof Bonser to the twins for the hated AJ Pierzeiouxayeski. Way to go Yorvit.

Advantage: Sox

First Base –

Kevin Youkilis, first sacker for the Sox, is the type of guy you love if he’s on your team, you hate if he’s not. You look at his season numbers and they ain’t all that impressive. A .288 BA, 16 HR, 88 RBI. They aren’t terrible, but there are a whole lot of guys that have similar numbers. And yet he always seems to be the guy that’s getting the big hit, or the big walk, or the big something. It’s really pretty annoying. He also plays a sparkling first base. Yes, I said sparkling.
In the NL park, I imagine David Ortiz will be playing first, which is always something of an adventure. It should be interesting to see how he does, especially with his bad knees. But he’ll probably hit 12 HRs so I guess that will make up for it.

If this were, say, 1999-2004, there would be no comparison here, at least as far as Youkilis is concerned. In that span there were few players who put up gaudier numbers than Peyton Manning’s former backup QB, Todd Helton. Since then, not so much. He went from averaging almost 37 HR, and 125 RBI in that six year stretch, to about 18 HR, and 85 RBI in the last three years. Whether that’s the humidor, steroids, age, or the fact that his middle name is Lynn, I don’t know. He’s still a good hitter, just not nearly as good.

Advantage: Rox (barely) in Boston, Sox in Colorado

Second Base –

Red Sox rookie Dustin Pedroia will be getting the starts at the 2 bag and is from the David Eckstein/Craig Biggio School. He’s probably a little more talented than Eckstein and a little less talented than Biggio, but he’s fun to watch. A scrapper in the purest sense. A likely Rookie of the Year candidate in the AL, he’s had some big hits this postseason, especially his two run homer over the Monster in Game 7.

The Rockies will counter with Kaz Matsui. Much like the Sony Betamax and Minidisc players, Matsui was a highly anticipated Japanese import that bombed, through no fault of its own. All three are or were fine products and in many cases superior to their counterparts, but the market (NY Mets in Matsui’s case) just wasn’t ready. However, unlike Beta and the Mnidisc, Matsui eventually caught on, in Colorado, and has become very successful. Besides being a key cog in a very slick fielding Rockies infield, Matsui has been a catalyst in the offense, setting the table and stealing bases.

Advantage: Push

Third Base –

As I mentioned in the diary, Mike Lowell was basically a throw-in in the deal that brought Josh Beckett to Boston. As also mentioned in said diary, he’s been pretty darn good, hitting 40 bombs and driving in 200 in the past two years. This begs the question, has there ever been a trade that benefited both teams as much as that one. Florida dumped Lowell’s big contract along with Beckett, and got phenom, future superstar, and possible championship cornerstone Hanely Ramierez in return, while Beckett has nearly single-handedly pitched the Sox to the World Series. Crazy. He’s hit very well in the postseason, batting well over .300 and driving in 11. He’s also got championship pedigree, having been with the Marlins in ’03.

After having a breakout season last year, Rockies 3rd baseman Garrett Atkins started off ’07 pretty sluggishly. However, he bounced back to put up some very solid numbers. He’s struggled in the postseason, batting under .200 and Colorado will need him to step it up. And if you take the first letter of his first name and put it at the beginning of this last name it spells Gatkins, which is a flippin’ sweet nickname.

Advantage: Push

Shortstop –

Somehow Sox SS Julio Lugo managed to drive in 73 runs while batting .237 out of the number nine spot. At the bargain-basement price of 8.25 million dollars. That’s a joke. That is not a bargain. Lugo is probably a better hitter than that in real life, but this is not real life, it’s the playoffs and so Lugo is batting .229. He’ll steal a bag or two and play decent defense, but still, 8.25 million?

Compare that 8.25 million to Troy Tulowitzki’s salary of $381,000. This kid is going to be good for a long time. In this his rookie campaign, he went yard 24 times, drove in 99, and hit a solid .291. Not to mention that he plays an outstanding SS and has a howitzer for an arm. I attribute his success to me having dropped him off my fantasy team. Only because of Ryan Braun’s pact with the Prince of Darkness will Troy not win the Rookie of the Year. He’s stumbled in the playoffs, but I predict he will come around in a big way. Which of course means he won’t. But I still think he will. Do you follow?

Advantage: Rox

Left Field –

This is where the superstars will roam in this series. Manny Ramirez had a down year, no question about it. He only hit 20 homers and failed to drive in at least 100 runs for the first time in ten years. But despite that, and despite his ill-advised sound bites, and despite his enigmatic personality, Manny can still hit a baseball often and far. In the playoffs he’s batting an even .400 with four bombs. As much as his post-home run preening may be obnoxious (to Red Sox fans also, as he showed by hitting the worlds longest single the other night in Cleveland) the dude is a professional hitter capable of single-handedly dominating a game. Oh, and he’s the all-time postseason home run leader. So, he’s done this before.

Meanwhile, high in the mists Rocky Mountains, a new power has emerged. In the last couple of seasons Matt Holiday has quietly become one of the most feared hitters in baseball and this season, first by his All-Star weekend Home Run Derby performance and now by his postseason heroics, he is thrusting himself into the national consciousness. Matt Holiday is awesome. It’ll be no “holiday” for the Red Sox pitching staff. Get it, holiday?

Advantage: Sox by a Manny Ramirez dreadlock

Center Field –

Patrolling center for the Sox will likely be breakfast cereal tycoon Coco Crisp, though rookie Jacoby Ellsbury started the last two games against Cleveland. Combined they are Cocobury (co-co-berry). Now that sounds like a good cereal. Cocobury will give the Sox solid defense and good speed on the base paths. Crisp has no power and I’m not sure about this Ellsbury kid’s pop. But neither of them will be expected to hit the big fly. Their job will be to get on at the top of the order and make trouble for Torrealba and the Rockies’ pitching staff.

The Rockies counter with mostly Willy Tavares, with a dash of Ryan Spilborghs thrown in. Now before you say, “Ryan what?” let me say, exactly. Actually, I looked up this kid’s numbers and they’re not bad. He hit 11 homers in less than 300 AB’s, so he gives them a power dimension in center that they don’t have with Tavares who has six home runs in his entire career. Tavares has had a couple big catches this postseason and covers more ground in the field. It’ll be interesting to see how Rockies manager Clint Hurdle plays this one. So far it’s been pretty much from the gut, and his gut appears to be quite clairvoyant since it’s paid off pretty well.

Advantage: Sox by a hair

Right Field –

Oh, J.D. Drew. What can we say about you? You were hated as a rookie for holding out after the draft, not wanting to play in Philly. You’ve been maligned for being injury prone and personality free. You were scorned after opting out of your Dodger contract after having a big year (for you). You’ve been tormented this year for not living up to your new monster deal. And then you hit a grand slam and everyone loves you. At least in Boston…for now. Drew is immensely talented and immensely disappointing most of the time. He hit pretty well against the Indians, but can it last?

Who in the world is Bradley Bonet Hawpe? I predict this question is asked approximately 537,683 times during this World Series. As with probably most of guys on this team, few outside the greater Denver area have any clue who Brad Hawpe is. They’ll see his numbers pop up on the graphic during his first at-bat and be astounded. Hawpe hit 29 bombs, drove in over a 100, and hit .290. That’s pretty good for a nobody. Too bad Scott Boras isn’t his agent or maybe he’d have a Drew-like contract ($14 mill as opposed to $400,000).

Advantage: Rox

Starting Pitching –

If you looked at the names on the rosters, most folks would say the Red Sox have a clear advantage, and they probably do. But the gap isn’t as wide as most people think. Josh Beckett is without peer, but the rest of the Sox rotation has a lot of question marks. Curt Schilling has been pretty good, but this is not the bloody sock Schil. Does he still have it? Dice-K Matsusaka has electric stuff but is erratic and may be close to burned out. Can he get it together? Tim Wakefield has been left off the WS roster, which means youngster John Lester will probably get at least one start. Lester is talented and is a great story having come back from cancer, but what can the Red Sox realistically expect? Pencil in two wins on Beckett’s starts, but there are no guarantees for the rest of the staff.

With all the questions surrounding the Red Sox rotation, Colorado’s doesn’t exactly instill confidence either. None of their likely starters had an ERA under 4.00 for the season. As unheralded as their everyday players are, their pitchers are probably even more unknown. Jeff Francis? I thought that was a hockey player. Josh Fogg and Ubaldo Jimenez? Seriously? Ubaldo? Aaron Cook is still alive? Now, that’s not to say they are bad pitchers, none of them had an ERA over about 4.50 either. Fogg, Jimenez, and Francis have all pitched exceptionally well in the postseason with ERA’s well under 3.00. The question is can they stay hot? If Jeff Weaver and that Reyes guy from St. Louis could do it, you’ve got to think these guys may have a chance too, right? Then again, the Arizona Diamondbacks are not the Boston Red Sox. But the Phillies kind of are. Sorta.

Advantage: Sox

Bullpen –

What may have been problematic in years past for the Sox, could now be considered a strength. Statistically, the Red Sox had the best bullpen in baseball. Besides Jonathan Papelbon’s emergence as perhaps the games best closer, the Sox have a strong crew in front of him of Manny Delcarmen (ERA 2.05), lefty Hideki Okajima (held right handed batters to an .182 AVG.), and capable middle relief and mop-up men Mike Timlin and Javier Lopez. If Terry Francona can resist the urge to put Eric Gagne in the game at any point, the pen should be solid. If he doesn’t, then the odds are 3-1 a Sox fan takes Gagne out with a high-powered rifle from the top of the Coke bottle as he makes his way to the mound.

Relief pitchers are, almost by definition, relatively unknown and unappreciated. So if you happen to be a reliever for the Colorado Rockies, you’re really unknown and unappreciated. And like their starting pitching counterparts, this Rockies bullpen has been outstanding in the playoffs, caring an ERA under 2.00 into the Series. Can this hodge-podge of up-and-comers, has-beens, and never-were’s continue their success? Time will tell friends, time will tell.

Advantage: Sox

Bench –

The Sox boast a pretty solid bench. They’ll have speed if they need it from either Crisp or Ellsbury. They have a reliable backup catcher and they have Carrot Top to help keep things loose in the dugout. What, that’s Bobby Kielty? That’s probably for the best. Carrot Top would bring the suspicion of steroids to the clubhouse. Have you seen that guy’s arms! In Colorado it’ll be even stronger as they’ll likely have Youkilis to pinch hit in the late innings.

The Rockies subs aren’t nearly as strong. In Boston I would assume that both Tavares and Spillborghs will be in the lineup, which makes their bench on the road even shallower. Backup catcher Chris Iannetta is a prospect, but didn’t show much during the regular season, but I wouldn’t expect much at this point. That’s right Ianetta, I’m calling you out! Prove me wrong!

Advantage: Sox

Manager –

Francona will have the benefit of having been here before, which really isn’t good for much. The Boston public and media haven’t harkened back to their Revolutionary roots and tarred and feathered him for anything yet, so he must be doing a pretty good job. The one major knock that I’ve heard on him is that he is sometimes too loyal. If he lets this affect his leaving a pitcher in too long against a frenzied Rockies offense it could spell trouble.

The Rockies are helmed by the swarthy, gum-popping Clint Hurdle (I’ve always wanted to describe someone as swarthy). I knew precisely nothing about Hurdle prior to these playoffs, but what I’ve seen I like. He’s an upbeat guy, he believes in his team and they appear to be buying whatever he’s selling. Winning 21 out of 22 makes for easy salesmanship.

Advantage: Push

So there it is. I think this could be a very entertaining series. When a team is playing with as much confidence as the Rockies are right now, they have no idea that they are supposed to be the underdog. This Red Sox team is a very complete, well-rounded team and right now is getting contributions from all over the lineup. Both teams seem to be hitting on all cylinders at the right time. Eight out of ten experts on ESPN are picking the Red Sox and on paper that looks like the smart pick. But this is baseball, the less you think about it the better.

Rockies in six

Didn't I Say That Already?

2007-10-19T09:49:00.001-07:00

Tony LaRussa with the Yankees? I believe I said it first.

ALCS Running Diary

2007-10-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

No, not from me. This one is actually funny. From Bill Simmons of course. Here's a sample:

8:49: Fox shows the obligatory "Kenny Lofton has played for all these teams" montage, as mandated by its contract with Major League Baseball. All I can say is this: I was making "Cool Papa Bell" jokes about Lofton four years ago, and he's still chugging along and hitting postseason homers. It's amazing. I'm putting him on the sleeper list for my "Mitchell Report Fantasy Draft" next week, along with Ed Hochuli, Carrot Top and Dr. Dre.

And here's the link to the rest.

Rocktober Continues

2007-10-15T22:58:00.000-07:00

We have one dance partner now for the World Series. I don't think that the term HOT even comes close to describing the Colorado Rockies. Nuclear maybe, but hot is too light a term for this team. After winning 12 of 13 to force a tie-breaker with the Padres for the Wild Card spot the Rockies swept the "hot" Phillies, and then equally swept the NL West Champ Diamondbacks.

I'm not a betting man but whoever the Rockies play between the Indians and BoSox better be on high alert. This Colorado team has heart, and they want it bad.

Baker Watch... Is my face Red?

2007-10-13T20:16:00.000-07:00

Looks like Dusty Baker is going to stay in the NL Central and manage the Reds for the next three years. I think that's great for the Cubs actually. Bronson Arroyo can kiss his arm goodbye after Baker wears it out after having him pitch 300 innings next season. Catch the ESPN report here. On a further note of personal opinion Baker sitting in the Reds dugout with the toothpick and a red jacket is not going to look good.

McCovey Chronicles

2007-10-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

There's a good post over on McCovey Chronicles about the dilema Giants fans are/should be feeling about this years NLCS. Funny stuff. Here's a sample:

Since the Rockies came into the league, they've done nothing but torment the Giants. And watching games in pre-humidor Coors was torture - sheer torture. Even at the height of the Coors offensive explosion, the grounds crew would cut the grass short so more ground balls would get through. It was arena baseball, and it sucked away over a hundred hours of my life. I could have used that time to do charity work for sick children. Why do the Colorado Rockies hate sick children? Now that they have the humidor, the games are much more watchable. But it's hard to really trust them. Shenanigans might a been transpirin' this whole time.
Advantage: Diamondbacks

Thanks to Jeremy for spurcing up the place.

Bad Sportsmanship

2007-10-11T20:43:00.000-07:00

While I'm thinking about it, the fans at the D-backs vs. Rockies game are classless. Clearly Upton was interfering with the throw to first and should have been called out along with runner to first. However Phoenix's fans throwing objects on the field and the large amount of "boos" that could be heard from a call that was not all that controversial was bush league. Shame on you D-backs fans. I would expect something like that out of Dodgers fans, but not you.

The Highlight of the Playoffs

2007-10-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, the best part of the playoffs (and TBS's coverage) so far has been seeing the suits that TBS's Craig Sager wears. Which one has been your favorite so far?

Questions?

2007-10-10T10:30:00.000-07:00

Re: League Championship Series

Can Joe Borowski hold a late lead?
Will the long layoff cool the Rockies off?
Can Sabathia and Carmona slow down Manny Ortez?
Will the Diamondbacks succome to the follies of youth?
Will Dice-K continue pitching erraticly?
Can someone other than Brandon Webb pitch a big game for the D-backs?
Can either of the NL teams beat the AL in the World Series?
Will a key reliever injure themselves while playing Guitar Hero like last year?
Who will be the unexpected hero of these series?
Can another long-suffering franchise end its Championship drought, or will it be one of the upstarts?
Does Schilling have another Bloody Sock moment in him at 41?

Anybody else got any questions? Or answers?

The Final Season

2007-10-08T22:15:00.000-07:00

This being a baseball blog and all, I thought this trailer of an upcoming film looked great. Could it beat The Natural as the best baseball movie of all time?? We'll see.

Torre's Last Stand

2007-10-08T17:28:00.000-07:00

Is this it for the Yankee's manager Joe Torre? It's 5:30pm and the Yankees are down 4-0 in the bottom of the second... we will see.

The Fall

2007-10-08T13:06:00.000-07:00

A lot of people enjoy the seasons. They love fall, winter, spring, and summer. That is not how I think of seasons. I think of them as follows: football, basketball, and baseball. When I think of the fall though, I think of the baseball playoffs. Right about the time that the leaves change colors, you know it is time for the playoffs.

Now normally I am all over this, but this year it is a lot harder. It could be that this is true because of my new job, if you can even call it that. It could also be because my team, the Giants is or was horrific this past season. I definitely think that all those things have played an important part in the process. Still though, it could just be that I am sick of the Red Sox and the Yankees and I haven't been able to get my mind around the fact that the Rockies or the Diamondbacks are going to be in the World Series!

Are you kidding me! The team from Colorado and a young Diamondback team. This just sounds crazy, but that is what makes the playoffs so special. The playoffs are what make household names out of Ryan Garko or Chris Young. That is what I love about the playoffs. The tension mounting with each pitch. The mind wandering to see if the batter will hit the game winning single or if the closer will whiff him on 3 pitches. This kind of drama is unmatched in sports in my opinion. All this to say that now that the LCS series are about to kick in, I am hoping to get more into it. That and I need to watch it on a sweet TV with some sweet homies. So, if you're not watching, there is something terribly wrong, terribly wrong!!

Angels/Sox

2007-10-07T12:09:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know coming back to win the series is a lot to ask, so I won't ask it. What I do ask is just one victory. Let's at least try to keep things respectable by getting one win. I like the matchup today at home. Vlad's back in right which is a good sign. One win. That's all I want. Good start. Weaver goes 1-2-3 and looked good doing it. Go Halos!

Ummmm....

2007-10-06T17:33:00.001-07:00

ALDS Game 2 Angels vs. Red Sox Running Diary

2007-10-06T16:09:00.000-07:00

For tonight’s Angels/Red Sox game, I thought I’d take a page (some might say steal a page, but whatever) from the great Bill Simmons and do a running diary as I watch the game. I’ve never done this before, so we’ll see how it goes. Being a Red Sox fan, I wonder if Bill will be doing one of his own tonight. Maybe we’re going head to head. Well, don’t worry Bill, I only have, like, twelve readers. Your seat atop the running-diarist ziggurat is secure. Consider this an homage. Let’s get to the game shall we?

5:38 - I won’t say the Angels have to win this game, but it’s close. They did have the best home record in baseball this year and they have beat on Schilling a little bit this year. But in order to win two at home they’d have to beat Beckett, who’s been channeling ‘01 vintage Schilling of late. So a win tonight is BIG.

5:40 - First pitch to Chone Figgins: strike one.

5:42 - Figgins = K. Not a terrible at-bat, he fouled off several pitches, but certainly not the start I was hoping for.

5:43 - Dice-K does some weird three-mini thrusts of the pelvis thing in his windup. It’s a little unnerving. No, it’s a lot unnerving.

5:45 - Sox fans “Aaaaaah” angrily at a pitch waaaaaay outside on a 1-2 count. Idiots.

5:46 - A shot of Garret Anderson in the Angel dugout. He looks like a pirate. Apparently he has pink-eye or something. Oh, and Cabrera draws a walk. Good AB.

5:47 - Vlad swings at a pitch that almost hit the first base coach. Gotta love this guy.

5:49 - TBS doesn’t have a radar gun reading. How can you not have a radar gun reading? Lame.

5:50 - Angels doing a good job of fouling off some good pitches. They’ve always been a good two-strike hitting team during the Scioscia era and the more pitches they see from Dice-K early the better.

5:51- For the Regulars, remember when I posted a picture from when I had poison oak? That’s what Anderson looks like. Pretty hilarious actually…unless he can’t see. That’ll make it tough to hit, field, and run in the right direction.

5:53 - Seems to be OK, he just ripped a single. Runners at the corners, two outs (Vlad popped up).

5:54 - And now the leagues most feared #5 hitter, Frodo Baggins–I mean Macier Izturis. Only six home runs on the year, but a .406 batting average with runners in scoring position.

5:57 - Full count aaannnd…called strike three. Crap. No runs, but not a total loss of an inning. At least Dice-K threw over thirty pitches.

6:00 - Kelvim Escobar taking the mound for the Angels tonight. Can’t wait for those ultra-tight closeups of his acne. That’s the one time I’m glad I don’t have hi-def. That and whenever I’m watching Mama’s Family.

6:01 - First batter, Dustin Pedroia, grounds out, one away.

6:02 - Escobar goes up 0-2 on Youkilis than walks him. Lackey got a head 0-2 on a lot of batters early on Wednesday but couldn’t put them away and it cost him. Hopefully we’re not developing a pattern.

6:05 - Ugh! There’s the first close-up. Get that guy some Clearasil.

6:06 - Ortiz singles to left. Could really use a double-play here. C’mon Manny, help us out.

6:07 - After he retires, I think Manny has a future as a lead singer for a Bob Marley tribute band.

6:10 -Manny flies out to center, 2 down, Mike Lowell up next.

6:11 - I think Lowell could hold his own in a George Clooney look-a-like contest. He wouldn’t win, but he’d do OK.

6:12 - Lowell walks, bases juiced. [Deep breath]

6:13 - J.D. Drew base hit up the middle, 2-0 Boston. [More deep breaths] Drew is one of those guys who’s been lousy all year, but you just have a feeling he’s going to hurt you. Maybe that’s because he just did, I don’t know.

6:15 - The umpires strike zone seems to have changed already. He was giving the low strike at first, but hasn’t the last few batters. Nothing makes for fun baseball like some inconsistent umpiring, mmmm boy!

6:16 - Varitek lines out, inning over, damage minimized.

6:17 - Flipping over to the Yankee/Indian game, still 1-1 in the 11th. Joba Chamberlain was clearly bothered by the bug infestation in the 8th. Now at last the rest of the league knows his weakness, pestilence!

6:21 - Casey Kotchman leading off the second.

6:22 - Dice-K is definitely having control problems. The Angels aren’t a team that walks a lot, but if they’re smart and play their game they should be able to get to this guy.

6:23 - Kotchman walks, Cuban defector Kendry Morales up. This guys a solid hitter, good to see him in the lineup tonight.

6:24 - Broadcaster bringing up Shea Hillenbran. That guy was a bum for us. An absolute blackhole. Which is little odd when you think about it. He hit 21 home runs last year, but was just terrible for the Angels. What makes a guy go down the crapper so quickly? Wonder if he’ll bounce back.

6:25 - Morales rips a single, Kotchman to third.

6:26 - Good situation for the Angels to get those two runs back immediately. Runners at the corners, no outs, and line drive machine Howie Kendrick up.

6:27 - Or not. Three pitch strike out. Nice AB Howie! Now it’s up to Jeff Mathis, owner of a .211 batting average, and that frightens me.

6:30 - OK, the nerves are kicking in. This is the kind of situation where if you don’t get at least one run in, it can suck the wind right out of your sails for the whole game. We need to get at least one here.

6:31 - We got our one. Morales was on the move to stay out of the DP, Kotchman scores, Mathis out at first.

6:32 - Alright, time to get Figgy wit it!

6:33 - Terrible strike call. Outside and neck high. This ump is not instilling confidence.

6:33 - Figgins slaps one to left, Morales scores, Manny misplays it and Chone is into 2nd. We needed that. Yankees just lost in the bottom of the 11th.

6:34 - Cabrera smokes a double, Figgins scores, 3-2 Angels. Apparently they’re figured out Dice-K. He’s up to almost 60 pitches in the second inning. Eggg-celent!

6:36 - Vladdy up…and out. Inning over.

6:38 - I love this E! True Hollywood Story-style Geico commercial about Jed Clampett. Great stuff. Geico consistently has the best commercials. I’m proud to call them my auto insurance provider.

6:40 - Ok, let’s see how Escobar responds with the lead.

6:41 - Oh, TBS does have a radar gun reading. My bad TBS (Coco Crip strikes out).

6:43 - BTW, if you would like to know more about Kelvim Escobar check out his Myspace (www.myspace.com/kelvim). It’s very…um…revealing. Consider that your warning.

6:44 - Three up, three down. Great inning from Mysapcobar.

6:47 - Pink-eye Anderson leads off with a bloop double to right. And then is promptly thrown out at third on an Izturis grounder to the shortstop. Guess his swollen eyeball didn’t allow him to see that the ball was hit within three feet of him. Awesome.

6:49 - This umpire is starting to squeeze both these guys. The last two pitches sure looked like strikes to me.

6:51 - Izturis steals second then Kotchman bounces out, moving Izzy to third, two out. Another run here to pick up Anderson would be nice.

6:52 - Morales flies out to end the inning. Anderson’s baserunning gaffe didn’t hurt them that much.

6:55 - Sonic trivia question: What four pitchers have an 18 win season and 38 saves in another season? Any guesses?

6:56 -Esco’s starting to look really good. Just made Youkilis look goofy on a strikeout. After the first inning, TBS showed Cabrera talking to Escobar in the dugout and ever since he’s pitched much more aggressively. Cabrera’s an underrated guy for those who don’t follow the Angels. He’s key to this team not only as a gold glove caliber SS and pretty good number two hitter, but as a team leader and a bridge between the English speakers and the Spanish speakers. You could call him the glue of this team. He’s filled that role left by Darin Erstad very nicely. And he hits above .250. He’s not all intangibles, he’s got the tangibles too.

6:59 - Ortiz is up and draws a walk. And another disheartening closeup of Escobar’s pock marks. Shudder.

7:01 - Escobar blows a 97 mph heater past Manny for strike three, two out. Me likey.

7:02 - The broadcasters are talking bout how Mike Lowell was basically a throw-in in the Beckett deal. Lowell’s two year Red Sox totals: 40 home runs, 200 RBI, .300 BA, highest fielding percentage for a third basemen all-time. Not bad.

7:03 - But he grounds out here, inning over. Keep it up Pock Mark!

7:09 - Kendrick leads off with a smash to left and then Mathis immediately pops out to the catcher. Sweet.

7:11 - Big defensive play by Youkilis to get Figgins. Instead of first and third and one out, it’s runner on second with two outs. That could be a killer.

7:12 - It is. Cabrera bounces out, inning over.

7:16 - Sonic trivia answer: Dennis Eckersley, John Smoltz, Derek Lowe, and Kelvim Escobar. I had three out of four, which, according to Meatloaf, ain’t bad. Or was that two out of three?

7:19 - Escobar gets two quick outs before Crisp reaches on a bunt single.

7:24 - Esco strikes out Lugo looking then does some sort of sweet samurai knee dip thing. Now that’s playoff baseball!

7:27 - Vlad grounds out. He can’t seem to figure Dice-K out. We need him to get going, badly.

7:29 - Pausing to eat dinner while I watch. Hold on.

7:40 - I’m back. You didn’t miss much. Izturis singled and stole second, Kotchman almost killed the Angels trainer with a foul ball then singled. Dice-K was lifted for a reliever and Morales grounded out. Exciting stuff.

7:42 - Esco needs to keep this going since the offense…oh, well there’s a double from Pedroia. No matter what happens this inning Escobar doesn’t pitch the next inning. He’s up to almost 100 pitches already.

7:45 - Youkilis moves Pedroia to third with a check swing bunt and the Angels will walk Ortiz to get to Manny. It seems odd to walk anyone to get to pitch to Manny Ramierez, but this is the smart play. Manny hits under .200 against Escobar and it sets up the DP. Plus Ortiz finished up the season batting somewhere around .700.

7:47 - First pitch: foul.

7:47 - Second pitch: popped up behind the plate. Mathis went into the stands and had a play but some stupid fan robbed him. Stupid fan. 0-2 count.

7:48 - Third pitch: foul.

7:50 - Fourth pitch: ball one.

7:50 - Fifth pitch: BARELY a ball. That was close. Dang it.

7:51 - Sixth pitch: almost hit him, ball three.

7:51- Payoff pitch: in the dirt, ball four. I hate that fan.

7:53 - Lowell rips one to CF for a sac fly. Tie game. I really hate that fan.

7:54 - When ever something like that happens, like a stupid fan stealing an out from the visiting team, it seems like something big always happens next. It’s really irritating. Unless you’re rooting for the home team. Which I am not.

7:55 - Ooooh, Fenway Park celebrity sighting! Sitting behind Stupid Interfering Fan is Steven King. He looks like a character from one of his novels. As in, he looks like he is no longer among the living. A very creepy looking fella.

7:58 - Good AB here from J.D. “I sucked all year but still terrify Andy Bauer in the playoffs” Drew. He’s fouled off some tough pitches. I don’t like him.

7:59 - Whew! Bounce out to first. Considering how long and agonizing that inning was, we’re lucky to be tied. Really need to jump star the offense. Right now.

8:02 - Kendrick leading off the sixth. I think he was 50 Cent’s stunt double in Get Rich or Die Tryin’. If he wasn’t, he should’ve been.

8:04 - Apparently Fitty ain’t much of a ball player. Kendrick grounds out.

8:05 - Mathis pops up, two out. [sigh]

8:06 - Looks like Scot Shields will pitch the sixth for the Angels. For the past four years I’ve been very comfortable with this, except that for the past couple of months Scot has really struggled. He makes me a tad nervous these days.

8:08 - Figgins strikes out, inning over. [ppbbbbbt]

8:10 - Is Ernie Johnson the dorkiest looking sports broadcaster of all time? Or is it Joe Buck? I think there should be a contest.

8:12 - Wow! Shields looks good. He just K’d Varitek who looked totally overmatched.

8:13 - Wow! Shields looks bad. He just walked Crisp on five pitches.

8:16 - The broadcasters make a good observation. This years Red Sox are probably the most complete team they’ve had, even more so maybe than 2004. They’ve go the power hitters (Ortiz, Manny, Lowell), they run a little bit, actually much more than they have in the past (Crisp, Lugo) and their bullpen was statistically the best in the league this year, where in the past it’d been an achilles heel before they got to the closer.

8:19 Angels get out of the inning on a baserunning blunder by Crisp. The batter flew out to center as Crisp took off for second. But then Crisp couldn’t find the ball and as he tried to go back to first, he didn’t retouch second base, which he had passed, and was called out. Lucky break.

8:22 - This next inning is huge for the Angels. The heart of the order will be up, probably the best chance to score.

8:24 - Cabrera flies out. Vladdy up…and takes a pitch he could’ve ripped.

8:25 - And now he gets beaned in the shoulder. Oooh, and the stink eye he just gave the pitcher (though it definitely wasn’t on purpose). Vlad’s gotten hit a lot this year, especially lately. I think he’s tired of it. I’m tired of it.

8:27 - Anderson needs to come through right here. He’s facing Hideki Okajima, a crafty lefty. GA hits lefties pretty well, so let’s see what Pink Eye can do.

8:29 - Fans angerly “Aaaaahh” a ball that nearly hit Anderson. Did you really think that was a strike?

8:32 - Fly out, two down. [Deep breath] Now its up to Frodo Izturis to complete the quest for the elusive go ahead run. Godspeed.

8:36 - Quest over. At least for this inning. Mighty Frodo has struck out!

8:37 - Ah, another Geico commercial, geco version. I prefer the cavemen. I give that Cavemen TV show on ABC about six weeks. Love the commercials, but those are thirty seconds long, not thirty minutes. There’s only so many times regular, everyday things done by cavemen men can be funny. “Hey look, the cavemen is doing the laundry! Hysterical!”

8:40 - When they do the “This broadcast is the exclusive property of Major League Baseball…” disclaimer, am I violating it by verbally describing the game to somebody. Does that count as desciminating? What if you do a running diary on the Internet?

8:41 - Shields still in, one out.

8:42 - Two down, Big Papi at the bat and Scioscia is leaving Shields in. Ortiz is a lefty and the Angels have lefty pitcher Darren Oliver ready in the bullpen. Hmmmmm. I’m scared.

8:45 - Result = base on balls. Scoty was down 3-0, got to a full count, then lost him.

8:47 - Now he goes 3-0 on Manny. Nerves…becoming…frayed. Ball four. Like I said before, up until a couple months ago, I would’ve taken my chances with Shields against just about anybody. Now, I’m soiling myself on every pitch.

8:48 - Scioscia leaves Shields in against Lowell. 0-2 count so far.

8:50 - Geez Louise!! Lowell battles back to a full count, then flies out to center. My heart just exploded.

8:55 - Interesting fact: the Red Sox actually have two designated hitters. One of them just happens to play left field. Manny just turned a routine flyball into an adventure, overrunning it and then snatching it off his shoe tops at the last second. I think three elderly Sox fans just had heart attacks.

8:58 - I think Scioscio should have brought Juan Rivera in to pinch hit for Morales here. He hit lefties very well and Morales is having to bat right handed now, which is not his strongest side.

8:59 - I was right. Morales strikes out. And the Sox are bringing in their closer, Jonathan Papelbon to finish off the eigth. This guy is really, really good.

9:02 - Howie Kendrick up aaannnnd…error! He reaches on a bad throw. Is this the break we need?

9:03 - Mathis should be pinch hit for here. I don’t like this non-move at all.

9:04 - Kendrick steals second. Now with him in scoring position, Rivera comes on to pinch hit. We NEED to capitalize on this. We need a hit here badly.

9:07 - FYI, I’m hugging a pillow.

9:08 - Kendrick steals third. Now I’ll settle for a wild pitch.

9:09 - Full count. (Still hugging pillow…)

9:10 - Holy crap!! It was called ball four, but it looked an awful lot like strike three. Reggie Willits to run for Rivera. Figgins at bat. Figgy, don’t fail me now!

9:11 - Willits steals second. (Still hugging pillow…)

9:13 - Called strike three. Big breaking ball on the outside corner. I realize that guys get frozen when their looking for a certain pitch and get something else, but I hate, absolutely hate when they take a called third strike with men in scoring position. Do you think we’re going to get another chance like this against Papelbon in the ninth? Arrrgghh!! (Ripping my pillow to shreds.)

9:15 - I guess the silver lining of that inning is that Papelbon did throw a lot of pitches, almost twenty. So, we’ve got that going for us.

9:20 - Very bad news. Vlad has been pulled. Very, very bad news. Especially since his spot is due up second next inning. Apparently its related to the beanball he took to the shoulder. Very, very, very bad news. I’m starting to feel a little nauseus.

9:22 - On a positive note, Justin Speier just threw a perfect eigth.

9:24 - Ah, that’s reassuring. A closeup of Anderson’s swollen eye. Very encouraging.

9:26 - The umpire just called a pitch a strike that almost hit Cabrera in the face. Neither team can be loving this guy right now.

9:27 - Cabrera pops out, Mike Napoli hitting for Vladdy.

9:28 - Napoli has a fat face. Hopefully that translates into ninth inning home runs.

9:29 - Nope. Ninth inning pop ups. Two outs, here comes cyclops.

9:34 - One Eyed Willy obviously didn’t get the memo that everyone is supposed to pop out in the ninth and draws a walk. Izturis gets things back on plan and pops out to the shortstop. Good work guys.

9:37 - And to keep the streak of good fortune alive, Speier gives up a single to Lugo to start the ninth.

9:38 - Pedroia gets Lugo to second on a broken bat hit-and-run, but is out at first. That’s it for Speier, in comes K-Rod.

9:40 - I’m hugging my pillow again.

9:41 - Lugo almost picked off second. That would have been nice.

9:43 - K-Rod strikes out Youkilis! Now the IBB to Ortiz and we’ll take our chances with Manny.

9:44 - Manny is only 2 for 9 against K-Rod with four strikeou…

9:45 - Now it’s 3 for 10. Including a home run. Game over. 6-3, Red Sox. I have to go cry myself to sleep now.

Understanding Cubs Fans

2007-10-06T09:21:00.001-07:00

I promise not make all my posts about the Cubs, but since they are in the playoffs (for one more day) I thought this article on their cursed history was very helpful. Enjoy the games today!

The Cubs Demise... and Nasty Flies

2007-10-06T05:56:00.000-07:00

If you saw the Indians vs. Yankees game last night you would have noticed that the star of the game wasn't any player. It was the insects. Millions of little tiny moth-like flies invaded the Jake last night and make quite a mess of the whole baseball atmosphere. But it might have been the most unique natural phenomenon during a baseball game I have ever seen. I kept wondering how many of those little insects were splattered all over the ball as it was hurled from the mound to home.

In other news today is the third game of the Cubs vs. Diamondbacks series in Chicago. It's been four years since Wrigley field had any playoff baseball and no doubt a crucial game for the Cubs in this series. I'm not optimistic. It's not because of any curse, or Bartman or any such history of failure (and I can tell you about Cubs and failure). The reason I am not optimistic is because Arizona is a good team, really good. I am surprised by the NL West this year. I guess I shouldn't be but with the miserable Giants just a few minutes away I suppose reality was skewed and I thought that the West was mediocre. Actually it was Central that was mediocre with the Cubs only 3 games above .500. Arizona was the only team in the NL to win 90 games this season. I don't like the fact that Cubs might go down today but lets be real. Arizona over the long-haul of the season has been the better club, and they are hitting the ball well at just the right time.

Chicago on the other hand has been off and on all season. They almost gave the Central back to Milwaukee at the end, and have looked more like a wild-card team that barely got in than a Division Champion. The bats in spots 2-5 have been very quiet in this series and that's always a problem for a team in October (ask the Yankees and A-Rod). Arizona is the better team.

Let Bartman be served papers, make a Billy Goat day at Wrigley, do whatever you can to cheer for the Cubs, but know that we are going to have to wait until next year.

Prognostications

2007-10-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

I, Ando, peering deeply, reverently, into my crystal ball, have witnessed the following conclusions to tonights Major League Baseball playoff games:

#1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - 5. Boston Red Sox - 3.

Breakdown- Having never faced Dice-K before, the Angels will struggle at first to get things going and will trail 2-0 early. Finally, in the fourth, Chone Figgins will get on, steal second, and will be subsequently driven in, sparking a scrappy inning where the Angels grind out four runs on a combination of infield hits, a hit-and-run, and at least one Boston error. The Sox will pull within one in the sixth with a home run from J.D. Drew. But the Angels will answer in the top of the seventh with a home run from Juan Rivera. Escobar, having pitched brilliantly for seven innings will yield to the bullpen where Scot Shields, Justin Speier, and Frankie Rodriguez will make things interesting, but ultimately hold down the fort giving the Halos a series tying victory before heading back to the Left Coast.

#2. New York Yankees - 7. Cleveland Indians - 4.

Breakdown- Indians phenom Fausto Carmona will have his hands full with a relentless Yankees lineup. He'll give up at least one run in the first inning, and be gone by the fourth, trailing by four runs. Meanwhile, Yankees pitcher Andy Petite will look like the Petite of old for six solid innings, surrendering only two runs, one unearned. Trailing in the seventh, the Indians will show signs of life, scoring two runs off Yankee middle relief until Joba Chamberlain is brought in to put out the fire. The big offensive contributors for the Yanks will be Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter, each with a pair of RBI and at least one homer between them. Alex Rodriguez will continue to struggle in the postseason.

Baseball Fans Unite!

2007-10-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

This blog is dedicated to the best sport man has ever devised...badmitton. Whoops, I mean baseball. It's not team specific, it's not league specific, it's just baseball specific. And what better time to launch a baseball themed weblog than during the postseason.

I'm currently watching Game 1 of the Indians vs. Yankees series, in which the Indians are beating the Evil Empire, as I predicted to Brad earlier this afternoon. Though I missed on the Rockies/Phillies game today (final score Rockies 10 Phillies 5). The Colorado Rockies? What the crap! Good for them. Oh, and the Indians just scored again and now lead 10-3.

So how's that for an intro? I hope to get all my baseball loving buddies to be contributors and maybe we'll get some chatter going. Until next time, Yankees suck!

(Oh, and here's Bill Simmons' 25 people to watch in the AL playoffs column. Good stuff.)