For weeks I’ve been thinking that if the Yanks play the Tigers in the ALDS they’ll lose. Too much pitching from the Tigers, too much Miguel Cabrera. I’ve held to that, but last night, as I tried to fall asleep I started to change my mind. This is a series the Yanks can win. Yeah, the Yanks should fear the Tigers but the Tigers should also be ascared of the Yanks.
I like Freddy Garcia pitching Game 3 in Comerica more than down in Texas. I like C.C. holding his own against Verlander. I like the Yankees’ offense, even if I think that Cabrera, win or lose, will be the best player in the playoffs this year.
Here’s the guy that worries me. Doug Fister. Game 2 is the series. He’s been great since joining the Tigers. But he’s got to pitch on the big stage in New York now. Still, he’s the guy that scares me.
If the Yanks win Game 2 I think they advance. If not, even if they win Game 1, I think they’ll lose.
I admire your optimism Alex. Can't share it, but admire it.
I've been so wed to the negativity that I figured, what the hell, the Yanks should be tough too, man.
the Yanks have surprised me all year (Colon? Garcia??) and I never thought they'd make the playoffs.
Something strange about this team.
I've got a feeling.
I'm certainly going to root for them and hope they win, just that I won't be upset if they go out in the ALDS, and I mean that in a "they ran into another good team that's not unlikeable" way. Sort of like losing to Texas last year. and not like losing to the Angels or the Red Sox.
Now if they get past Detroit, then it's all the way. Even against Philly.
Fear is for fans of other teams.
Fister's numbers at D-Town are good, but look at who he's pitched against. Since august 3rd he's faced only 2 good teams, Texas once and Tampa Bay once. He got the Indians four times, KC twice, Oakland, Minnesota and Baltimore once.
5) I fear every team. Or maybe fear is the wrong word. I respect every team and and am never over confident.
6) Thanks. That's good info.
"I fear both the Tigers of Detroit and the Indians of Cleveland."
There are just those few lines about baseball in The Old Man and the Sea, but they are so memorable that I almost think of it as a baseball book.
I was a bit panicky last night about Detroit in the first round, but then I had the following thought: In 2006, Johan and Liriano were the two-headed boogeyman of the short series and we all wanted Detroit instead. So the Yankees got Detroit and lost. Meanwhile, the much-feared Twins fell to the A's. It's not the best postseason to dwell upon, but I'll take CC against Verlander anyday and then hope for the best in Game 2. As Suzyn has learned time and again, you just can't predict baseball.
That said, I'm still a pessimist and bracing myself for an early exit this year.
As long as no one on the Yanks tells the press that it's time to panic, I'm good with choosing the Yanks to win the first round.
Wow, Soxaholix is particularly brilliant today. A heap of broken images.
[10] Oh, that was all a misunderstanding. Papi was actually saying that it was time to picnic. Pedy brought the root beer, Jacoby brought potato salad; Carl brought the ants.
David Waldstein tweet, via LoHud:
So that should make a few Banterers happy.
Proctor's locker has been cleared out. Phew. Though I thank him for what he did last night.
[14] He's a man. Players going to respect him a lot for that, even if don't want him in the pen next year.
Yanks won't be fisting hits against Fister, his bubble is about to burst. Yanks in 4!
Hangover this morning from company party yesterday. Looking forward to a long, slow morning or reading about all the events of yesterday and previews of tomorrow!
Theo: "It shouldn't have been this way. We were 7-20 in September. If we go 9-18, we're where we want to be. Nine and 18, that's winning a third of your games. The worst teams in baseball win a third of their games. No excuse. We did this to ourselves.''
So sayeth the Genius!
Damn, Joe Maddon is starting Matt Moore in tomorrow night's LDS Game 1.
This is just so insanely ballsy, unbelievable sack.
3rd game of Moore's career.
1 game, 3 innings of relief IN FENWAY PARK in a must have game.
2nd game, 1st start, IN YANKEE STADIUM, in a must have game.
3rd game ... 2nd start, in Game 1 of the LDS.
The crazy thing? With Shields and Price a no go, Moore's probably the right choice for the job.
Oops, I was wrong ... he made his debut in Baltimore, the game in Boston was his 2nd appearance.
So far, against BAL, BOS, and NYY, he's thrown:
9 innings
9 hits
3 walks
15 strikeouts
[18] Wow..
Wait..did Jesus not make the postseason roster???
Just watched the end of the Yankee game. Incredible!
[21] No, he did, he just won't see much use this series.
The Tigers only have 2 LHP, both relievers.
Posada will get the start at DH in all of the games.
Given their splits, it's the right move, I think.
[23] Ah, good to hear that. Misunderstood someone on Twitter asking about why Posada over Jesus. I hope he's still get some ABs.
End of the O's - Sox game was insane. Well done by the O's, they played hard the end of the season, deserved to celebrate that win.
Don't look now, looks like there's going to be some Cashman drama coming down the pike.
Seems the honey badger got caught with his hand in someone else's pot of honey ...
[25] Oohhh...squeaky clean Catholic Brian Cashman really does have a gangsta-playa "Cash-Money" doppleganger?? It'll be odd to have post-season drama not centered on A-Rod..
jesus will prolly pinch hit against cokey.
[25] do tell!
[25 The news should focus on people who aren't. I just don't give a fuck about people's personal lives. It may be good for a quick chuckle, but if they're with the good guys I don't care. If they are NOT on my side, I make fun of them, but I don't actually believe it's important. I'll probably still make fun of Cashman, too, if it's true. But I hope it's not grounds for sending him packing.
[28] wha happened?!
ah, i see. an affair from spring '09. why does this have to come out now? whatevs...
it was kinda like the shit sox the other year in the playoffs. who were they facing, Indians? something about paul byrd? flustered him before game 7, or something. then, signed him the next year. i can't remember fully.
it's all a bunch o' bollocks. more fodder with which timmay can annoy us. it certainly won't affect the players...
that affair is a-rod's fault anyway.
this is really cool:
curtis is the first player in major-league history with 25 stolen bases, 25 doubles, 10 triples and 40 homers in a season.
Looks like the fallout begins ... Terry Francona has asked the Red Sox NOT to exercise his option for next year.
[32] huh. how bout that.
would be fun if genius boy wonder heads ovah to da cubs.
[33] Speaking of the boy genius, check out thealarmis special holding a recorder behind Epstein as he speaks in this clip
http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/7033881/red-sox-dealing-hurt-ages
it should autoplay first, but if it doesn't, click on the link for the Epstein: Take a Close Look at Things video.
Video goes Crawford, Paplebon, Epstein.
[34] yeah, i saw that! she's a definite hottie. did you see the "thelarmis special" i emailed you? holy fucking WOW!!!
[32] Whoa, already?? Tito can walk into any job he wants after a year off, I'm sure. Or maybe Cubs right now?
[34] That's Heidi Watney, NESN reporter
[35] =)
[37] I wondered if it was.
[37] Oh, clearly no relation to Jody Watley then.
I don't see any news about Francona yet, where you guys read that?
Ah, the "Boston lacked chemistry" nonsense is starting!
http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/7036983/underachieving-boston-red-sox-flunked-chemistry
I love these, perfect for a lazy afternoon home alone with a "headache".
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/7952063-419/tito-wants-out-of-beantown.html
[40] Yeah, saw that as well.
[41] Thanks.
Wow, even some Boy Wonder bashing going on..I think Theo is wildly overrated but no one was criticizing the Crawford deal last offseason, everyone had Sox as major favorites..easy to pile on the guy now.
Couple more of these then time to read about the Tigers!
"Talented, richly compensated players did not perform, starting with Lackey, who simply cannot return to this team or this city next year. Not only is he coming off the worst season a Red Sox starting pitcher has ever submitted, but he's a miserable, dim, finger-pointing, unaccountable wretch of a teammate, and those may be his good qualities. " C.Finn, boston.com
:)
[43] Here you go
http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/7037796/signs-point-end-terry-francona-boston-red-sox
[44] C. Finn = Cult of Basebaal???
; )
[46] "..unaccountable wretch of a teammate.."? No, our friend cult would be just a wee bit more profane? :)
[47] cult is quite the professional when he's writing for a paying job!
[47][48]
=)
[16] Whatchew have? Like 3 beers?
[50] Sorry, that's one over your limit. ;>)