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Down the Stretch - AL Style

Frayed Knot Sep 04 2012 06:44 AM

This whole thing looks like it could get fun over the final month - and my version of 'Triple Happiness' (or more) these days involves NYM wins, MFY losses, and some combination of Tampa wins, Baltimore wins, and Oakland wins. EAST Yanx - their one-time 10 game lead has shrunk to 1 over Bal’mer, 2.5 over Tampa 9 games vs Balt & Tampa over the next 12 days Finish “easy” with final 10 games v Minn, Tor & Bos CENTRAL ChiSox1 game lead over Detroit despite just getting swept by Tigers 4 games at Tigers next week WEST Texas - 4.0 game lead over Oakland, 8.5 ahead of Angels 7 left v A’s including final 3 of the season WC 1 - Oakland - tied w/Yanx for 2nd best record in AL: 2 - Baltimore, 1 game back ---------------------------------------- Tampa, currently 1.5 games out of playoffs Detroit, 3.0 games out

Ceetar Sep 04 2012 06:54 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

In the 'hope they miss the playoffs' bit, Oakland may soon go ahead of the AL East for first WC spot. I keep hearing the strength of schedule argument for the Yankees. Remind them that the 2007 Mets had the soft Marlins and Nats to finish off with. The Twins have long been beat upon by the Yankees, just two years ago eliminated in the playoffs. They're gonna just roll over for them? The Red Sox are?

Frayed Knot Sep 04 2012 07:29 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Ceetar wrote: The [Twins] are gonna just roll over for them? The Red Sox are? Rollover? - No. Currently suck? - Yes And while the Yanx are playing those teams the Rays & O's will be playing each other. And, no, none of that is a guarantee, but it is an advantage.

Ceetar Sep 04 2012 07:36 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Frayed Knot wrote: Ceetar wrote: The [Twins] are gonna just roll over for them? The Red Sox are? Rollover? - No. Currently suck? - Yes And while the Yanx are playing those teams the Rays & O's will be playing each other. And, no, none of that is a guarantee, but it is an advantage. right, I'm just saying that it's possible those teams won't have mailed it in already. sure, they play each other which bodes well for making the playoffs, but it also means one of them will win, which puts the pressure on for the division.

Frayed Knot Sep 04 2012 01:50 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Interesting mix of teams fighting things out over there. You've got a couple teams that have trouble scoring, a couple more who aren't as good at preventing, and Baltimore which seemingly isn't very good at either yet has won 20 of their last 31 TEAM RS RA TEX 1st 7th NYY 4th 4th CHIW 5th 5th OAK 9th 2nd TB 11th 1st DET 6th 6th BALT 10th 9th Those are current ranks among all AL teams.

HahnSolo Sep 04 2012 02:08 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Frayed Knot wrote: Ceetar wrote: The [Twins] are gonna just roll over for them? The Red Sox are? Rollover? - No. Currently suck? - Yes And while the Yanx are playing those teams the Rays & O's will be playing each other. And, no, none of that is a guarantee, but it is an advantage. The Twins rolling over and dying for the Yankees is as much a certainty as death, taxes, and a Lindsey Lohan relapse.

Frayed Knot Sep 04 2012 02:22 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Now what would make you say such a mean thing? -- I mean aside from the whole 20-41 regular season record over the last decade and their four straight 1st round playoff exits (2-12 overall) whenever they see pinstripes. And those were from mostly Good Twins teams.

Frayed Knot Sep 04 2012 08:15 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

And there's a tie atop the AL East -- with Tampa lurking just 1-1/2 games behind!!

Frayed Knot Sep 07 2012 07:23 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Yanx and O's got their long weekend started last night so go into Friday tied and with a 1/2 game lead on Oakland and a 2.0 game lead on Tampa for WC spots. Tampa hosts Texas for a three-gamer Oakland had been 20-10 since August 1st largely on the strength of their pitching but just gave up 21 runs in getting swept by an Angels team trying to stay in the mix. That series included Oak pitcher Brandon McCarthy getting a fractured skull courtesy of a liner off his noggin. On the other side, the Angels are going to be without ace Jered Weaver for at least one start as a result of him taking a liner off his pitching shoulder. Texas leads West by 5.5 over Oakland and 8.0 over LAA Oakland now heads to Seattle In the Central, where neither team seems to want to pull away, the ChiSox and their slim 1-game lead host KC for the weekend while Detroit will post late scores from Anaheim. Those teams are currently sitting 2 & 3 games out of the 2nd WC spot so winning the division seems to be especially crucial.

Edgy MD Sep 07 2012 07:26 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Detroit is gonna surge. A lot of manly men there.

Frayed Knot Sep 07 2012 07:35 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

That's what virtually everyone has been predicting for that team since soon after opening day. But instead they sort of just muddled along and took until mid-August to reach 10 games-over .500 and they've spent all of two days alone in 1st place the whole season in a not-exactly tough division. Doesn't mean a surge from them still won't happen, it's just sort of already considered overdue.

Frayed Knot Sep 10 2012 07:43 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

[u:2a3294to]EAST[/u:2a3294to] So the big matchup of the weekend contained some exciting ball but, in the end, a 2-2 split and still a 1-game lead for the MFYs Tampa had the tougher task hosting Texas, but managed to take 2-of-3 with one extra-inning game going each way before a James Shields shut out and three BJ Upton HRs did in the Rangers on Sunday. Skanks now head to Boston for a three-gamer starting Tuesday. Teixeira not only ended the game the other night and got robbed doing it - but he re-injured his calf on that play and is likely out for the week, and maybe longer. Rays also get today off but then go to Baltimore and then to the Bronx for three games each - and will at least start the week with David Price questionable as to his next start [u:2a3294to]WEST[/u:2a3294to] The West got a bit more interesting this weekend as, while the Rangers were losing 2-of-3 in Tampa, both the A's & Angels got out their brooms. A's took care of Seattle including a Saturday thumping of King Felix. And the Angels took all three from Detroit including a Saturday thumping of Verlander. Oakland now just 3 games behind Texas; LAA 6.5 [u:2a3294to]CENTRAL[/u:2a3294to] And while Detroit was getting swept out west, the ChiSox took full advantage of that situation by ... losing 2 of 3 to Kansas City and only upping their lead from 1 game to 2 A four-game head-to-head starts in Detroit tonight and the loser of this division has lots of WC competition ahead of them. Adam Dunn 'day to day' with strained oblique (cue Keith rant about too much exercise) [u:2a3294to]WILD CARD[/u:2a3294to] #1 - A's #2 - Baltimore 1.5 games back ------------------------- Tampa & LAA both 1 game behind Baltimore Detroit 4.5 games back

Edgy MD Sep 10 2012 12:09 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Detroit is delaying their surge.

Fman99 Sep 10 2012 02:08 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Edgy DC wrote: Detroit is delaying their surge. I find it helps to think about baseball.

Fman99 Sep 10 2012 04:10 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Markakis out for the rest of 2012 due to a broken thumb. Weak.

Frayed Knot Sep 11 2012 07:53 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Tigers delayed their surge for at least one more night by getting stomped 6-1 by the ChiSox - now are 3 full games back. Rick Procello of Detroit seemed to be cruising along with a 1-0 lead until a 6th inning error set up back-to-back HRs by Rios (3R) and Pierzynski (Solo) I neglected to note yesterday that the A's & Angels started their 2nd head-to-head September series last night. Angels swept last week in Oakland handing the A's (43-18 since July 1) their only 3 losses in the last 16 games In Anaheim this time, Oakland draws first blood by beating Dan Haren 3-1

Frayed Knot Sep 11 2012 08:26 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Yanquis lose, Thuuuuuuuu Yanquis lose!! Walk-off RBI single by Ellsbury in bottom 9 Baltimore beat Tampa so there's a tie back in the East. Tampa stays 2 games back, only behind two teams instead of one

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 11 2012 08:27 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Watching the MFYs lose to the Sawx just never gets old. Michael Kay can barely contain the tears.

Ceetar Sep 11 2012 08:55 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Watching the MFYs lose to the Sawx just never gets old. Michael Kay can barely contain the tears. I love it. They were pretty much guaranteed a little breathing room on someone if they win 2/3, and they drop the first one. The Angels are tied with the Rays, so it's actually two teams putting on the pressure.

bmfc1 Sep 12 2012 05:27 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Kay's 5 PM essay/speech/monologue was something like it's time for the MFYs to step up, they're playing a team that isn't trying, no excuses, they have to take at least 2 of 3 in this series.

The Second Spitter Sep 12 2012 08:17 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Real playoff atmosphere in Baltimore. 2-2 Bot 8th.

Frayed Knot Sep 12 2012 08:30 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

5-3 Yanx in the 8th in Fenway -- but Jeter out of the game after hitting into a GiDP and then limping awkwardly past 1st with a bad ankle / foot / leg??

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 12 2012 08:31 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Bullshit call goes MFY way. I wonder if Texiera will ask about Alfonzo Marquez' plans for later.

Frayed Knot Sep 12 2012 08:34 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Bullshit call goes MFY way. I wonder if Texiera will ask about Alfonzo Marquez' plans for later. Think Ross was mad enough? I first saw the ump's dark hair and, matched with the bad call, assumed it was Angel Hernandez. oe: and now Bobby gets tossed too.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 12 2012 08:35 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Sep 12 2012 08:38 PM

Frayed Knot wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Bullshit call goes MFY way. I wonder if Texiera will ask about Alfonzo Marquez' plans for later. Think Ross was mad enough? I first saw the ump's dark hair and, matched with the bad call, assumed it was Angel Hernandez. BobbyV's out, too, for yelling from the dugout... that Marquez was staring into the dugout is a pretty big Ump-trying-to-make-this-an-Umpshow tipoff.

Frayed Knot Sep 12 2012 08:37 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

All five Yanx runs tonight via HRs I wonder how many of their fans are going to complain after the game about their one-dimensional offense?

The Second Spitter Sep 12 2012 08:40 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Machado fakes out Thompson who gets caught in a run down between 3rd and Home. 2-2, Bot 9th. Watch-out for this play on Baseball Tonight. Go Birds!

The Second Spitter Sep 12 2012 08:43 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

More heroics by Machado, who gets a lead off hit. Now sacrificed to 2nd.

Frayed Knot Sep 12 2012 08:44 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Great play by the 20 y/o !! I don't even know who to root for in this series. Tampa winning tonight could tighten it all up and they have the Yanx next.

The Second Spitter Sep 12 2012 08:45 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

O's win, O's win, O's win!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 12 2012 08:46 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Go O's.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 12 2012 08:46 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

The Second Spitter wrote: Machado fakes out Thompson who gets caught in a run down between 3rd and Home. 2-2, Bot 9th. Watch-out for this play on Baseball Tonight. Go Birds! Just caught it on MLB Network's cut-in-- bellissima. A beautiful bit of baseball justice, too, as Thompson should've been called out on his steal of second.

The Second Spitter Sep 12 2012 08:49 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Yeah, he was out by a mile.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 12 2012 08:53 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Salty homers to lead off the bottom of the 9th. 5-4

bmfc1 Sep 13 2012 05:30 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

The Second Spitter wrote: O's win, O's win, O's win! I just made plans with an old friend to go to the Orioles game on the 24th (if they're still in it). I don't mind the O's and certainly want them to beat out the MFYs so I will do my best to cheer them on. I want to remember what important September games are like.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 13 2012 07:23 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: The Second Spitter wrote: Machado fakes out Thompson who gets caught in a run down between 3rd and Home. 2-2, Bot 9th. Watch-out for this play on Baseball Tonight. Go Birds! Just caught it on MLB Network's cut-in-- bellissima. A beautiful bit of baseball justice, too, as Thompson should've been called out on his steal of second. That was an awesome play. I must have watched it 20 times.

Frayed Knot Sep 13 2012 10:43 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

The late night development from last night was that Oakland took its third straight from Anaheim (game 4 is this afternoon) and now have a full two-game lead on the theoretical loser of the Yanqui/Orioles log jam and are five games ahead of current WC #2 Tampa. Hell, they're closer to winning their division right now (3 games in back of Texas) than they are to missing the playoffs entirely.

Edgy MD Sep 13 2012 01:06 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

I love me a good second half Oakland surge.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 13 2012 01:42 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Rays & O's go the 9th tied 2-2

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 13 2012 02:15 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

The always-reliable Luis Ayala provides a scoreless inning and its onto the bottom of the 10th.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 13 2012 02:48 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

onto the 12th

G-Fafif Sep 13 2012 03:31 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

O's load bases in 13th with nobody out, can't score. But it's not the same as the Mets doing that.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 13 2012 04:33 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Well, no, it's not. Because they actually score runs at home, and they eventually won. Your turn, MFYs. (Things Metly aside, this is going to be a fun month.)

The Second Spitter Sep 13 2012 07:04 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Hey Red Sux, score a frigging run!

Frayed Knot Sep 14 2012 07:45 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Soxx suxx, what can ya do? They were lucky enough to get the first game win via the walk-off. Taking two of three was probably too much to ask although they did hang close in all of them. Doesn't help when Pedroia, one of their few real players they have left up there, has to leave in the middle of game 2 because his wife is popping out a kid. When are these players going to learn that they have to abstain from sex in the off-season?!? It's not like I was watching the entire game(s) so maybe there's a logical explanation, but how does Joe Madden [u:2eppi0u5]Twice[/u:2eppi0u5] wind up losing his DH and needs to have his pitcher batting in the middle of a pennant race - especially during September expanded roster games? And it's not like I'm watching every Rays game so that's just twice that I happened to see in the last week. It happened in yesterday's game and I saw one last week where the same thing occurred. For all I know there may have been others. Rays in the Bronx this weekend. Price v Sabathia tonight. Ivan Nova returns tomorrow. Pettitte expected to return on Tuesday. Final game of ChiSox - Tigers got rained out last night. They'll make it up on Monday but lose the scheduled Verlander-v-Sale match-up. Both teams now get a break between now and Monday as the Sox go to Minnesota and the Tigers to Cleveland. Oakland finally lost a road game after 12 straight as tried for a 4-game sweep of Anaheim. Texas lost too so that race tightens up a bit. Oakland now hosts Baltimore for the weekend (cross-country flight following a 14-inning game for the O's) Anaheim is in KC, Texas hosts Seattle.

Frayed Knot Sep 16 2012 08:03 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Tampa probably played its way out of the playoff picture by getting skunked by the likes of Ivan Nova and Rookie Caroca while losing 2 of 3 to the Yanx and 5 of 6 to their main contenders if you go back to the previous series when they got swept by the O's. They now sit 5 back of the Yanx & 4 behind Baltimore and 4 back of the 2nd WC spot. Yeah they were further out last year but also had fewer teams in the way. ChiSox sweep Minnesota to stretch their Central lead over Detroit to 2 games.

The Second Spitter Sep 17 2012 07:59 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

A horrible thought occurred to me. Adam Dunn's gonna be a Hall of Famer. He's a shoe-in for 500 homers (currently 404) and is a legit chance for 600. His lifetime SLG is > 500. He's also likely to surpass Reggie's career whiff record in the next two years.

metsmarathon Sep 17 2012 09:46 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

well, that oughtta get some people to rethink the whole 'round number' thingy.

The Second Spitter Sep 18 2012 10:05 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

O's bats have Mets disease tonight.

The Second Spitter Sep 19 2012 01:40 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Somebody please kill this game. O's tied it in the 9th. We are at the top of the 18th. Mariners 0-18 with RISP. edit: O's finally score a run. Hallelujah. edit 2: and another run. 4-2 O's. edit 3: [youtube:d5px9ucd]L03JVPaZpyc[/youtube:d5px9ucd] Edit 4: 14th straight in extras for the O's

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 19 2012 05:14 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Holy shit.

The Second Spitter Sep 19 2012 05:35 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

These Orioles have true grit, but Buck annihilated his bullpen for no good reason by over-managing, specifically PRing for Davis in the 9th after he tied the game (with a single!) and then giving the green light to hitters to hack away with the bases loaded against a pitcher who was throwing change-up after change-up out of the strike zone.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Sep 19 2012 07:10 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

The Second Spitter wrote: These Orioles have true grit, but Buck annihilated his bullpen for no good reason by over-managing, specifically PRing for Davis in the 9th after he tied the game (with a single!) and then giving the green light to hitters to hack away with the bases loaded against a pitcher who was throwing change-up after change-up out of the strike zone. I saw that inning. That was just plain weird.

Edgy MD Sep 19 2012 07:15 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

I don't get how managers don't use the take sign more. I don't get how hitters don't on their own, but using it strategically as a team in an extra-inning war of attrition is the way to go.

Frayed Knot Sep 19 2012 07:50 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Just looking over the O's/M's box score, there was a lot of odd stuff going on. Mostly there was a whole lot of late-inning bunting going on including Seattle players popping out twice trying to bunt runners over. And the only sac bunt that really paid off was Buck bunting while down by two runs with no outs in the 9th. A 2-RBI singled followed but that would have driven me nuts had I been watching. In the 18th the O's got a lead-off walk and then a single and Buck chose not to bunt either time ... and that paid off for him too with an RBI single and later an RBI ground-out. Dude is leading a charmed life these days. Being September each manager was able to trot out 8 pitchers - and Buck, god love him, was able to hold off using his closer until the save situation came around in the bottom of the 18th as the rest of his pen kept the Mariners scoreless from the 6th inning on. Winning 14-straight extra-innings games (especially with 9 of them being on the road) is just unreal - but they're not undefeated this year in extras. In the first week of the season they lost at home on consecutive days in the 12th & 10th innings to ... the MFYs

Frayed Knot Sep 19 2012 09:09 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

In response to both last night's eight pitcher game and their every-game-counts pennant/WC race, the Orioles are calling up 19 y/o Dylan Bundy. Bundy, a RHP who was 2011's 4th overall pick in the draft out of a high school in Oklahoma, didn't start his pro career until this season where he began the year in low-A ball (for 8 starts & 30 innings) progressing to high-A (12 starts & 57 innings) and briefly to AA (3 & 17)

MFS62 Sep 19 2012 09:24 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

O's manager Buck Showalter doesn't sleep in the office much any more: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/orioles-ma ... nkees.html But after last night's game, he may have wanted to. Later

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 19 2012 12:52 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Frayed Knot wrote: In response to both last night's eight pitcher game and their every-game-counts pennant/WC race, the Orioles are calling up 19 y/o Dylan Bundy. Bundy, a RHP who was 2011's 4th overall pick in the draft out of a high school in Oklahoma, didn't start his pro career until this season where he began the year in low-A ball (for 8 starts & 30 innings) progressing to high-A (12 starts & 57 innings) and briefly to AA (3 & 17) Love it. Please let him be the one who no-hits the MFYs in the play-in game.

HahnSolo Sep 19 2012 01:35 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

In the first game of a day-nighter at MFY Toilet 3, Toronto trailed 3-0 entering the 8th. Despite managing 2 doubles, 2 singles, and a walk in the frame, the Jays only get 2 runs across. Now 3-2 Yanks bottom 8, with old friend Darren Oliver in the game.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 19 2012 01:40 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Robertson somehow mixed in two whiffs among the doubles and singles. Now of course the MFYs add some insurance. Fug.

HahnSolo Sep 19 2012 01:45 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

And of course, with 2 out and nobody on, Oliver gives up a ground rule double to ichiro and a run-scoring hit to Swisher. 4-2 Yanks, top 9.

Frayed Knot Sep 19 2012 01:49 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

That ground-rule double by Ichiro traveled about 150 ft The pain in the Toronto half of the 8th is that they hit several just-missed liners: one foul by about a foot with two on and one a bases-loaded liner right at Ichiro in LF. Also that Yanqui pitchers throwing balls anywhere within 7 inches of the zone were getting the calls.

The Second Spitter Sep 19 2012 11:58 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

The Orioles love O-vertime....that's 15 straight in extra innings. Anybody think Mike Scioscia will finally get boned in the offseason? I do.

Edgy MD Sep 20 2012 06:30 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Just got a vote of confidence from his GM. That can't be good.

Frayed Knot Sep 20 2012 07:16 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Another exciting O's game too late for east coast eyes. - the first good thing here is that this was a Felix Hernandez game. You gotta figure that Yanx fans already had this one in the loss column for the birds. Congrats to O's hurler Joe Saunders who matched Felix inning for inning (1 run over 8) - 3 more scoreless innings for the O's pen to add to there 11-2/3 zeros the night before. I wonder what it's like to live in that world? - The 11th inning HR by (former Mariner) Adam (I'm not Pacman) Jones was his 4th extra-innings HR of the year. Do the Mets even have 4 extra inning runs this season? - After serving up the 11th inning HR, the M's got the first two runners on but first a GiDP, then a walk, then a caught stealing ended the game. I do know what it's like to live in that world.

bmfc1 Sep 20 2012 08:07 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

The Second Spitter wrote: Anybody think Mike Scioscia will finally get boned in the offseason? I do. Scioscia and Leyland are vulnerable. (Perhaps more vulnerable than TC, which is sad.)

HahnSolo Sep 20 2012 09:00 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

If you are a prospective manager, wouldn't Anaheim be a great landing spot? Lots of pieces, lots of talent, and management that started to show last offseason that they will spend money. Maybe they'll take TC back if we offer him.

Frayed Knot Sep 20 2012 10:07 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Scoscia has a contract through [u:2uq3gtxy]2017[/u:2uq3gtxy] - which kind of argues against an off-season whacking. Leyland, on the other hand, is the subject of speculation in Detroit newspapers today saying that if the Tigers were to miss the playoffs this year that he'd be let go, possibly in favor of Terry Francona.

The Second Spitter Sep 20 2012 07:41 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

BJs blow.... And what do you know, the MFY face them again in a 4 game series to end the reg season. Frayed Knot wrote: Scoscia has a contract through 2017 - which kind of argues against an off-season whacking. Christ, they may as well give him tenure.

Frayed Knot Sep 21 2012 07:27 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Oakland and Baltimore start the day tied for the two WC spots -- 4.5 games ahead of Angels; 5.5 up on Tampa; 7.0 up on Tigers And we get a couple cases of competitor vs competitor action going on this weekend. Oakland at Yanx Yanx have a 1 game lead on Orioles. A's just lost 2 of 3 to Detroit and are 4 games behind Texas in the West ChiSox visit Angels Chicago has a 2-game edge on Detroit despite coming off losing 2 of 3 to KC For the A's it's WC or bust The rest: Tigers host Twins Orioles at Boston Rays host Jays Texas at Seattle

Frayed Knot Sep 22 2012 03:13 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

They're in the 12th inning in Boston - and the O's have scored three times and are still batting. They're in the 11th inning in da Bronx tied at 5 and, yes, these were both 1:10 starts

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 22 2012 03:31 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

O's win. A's MFYs still tied in 12th.

Frayed Knot Sep 22 2012 03:39 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

If they get to the 14th inning in YSIII, do they re-do the 7th inning stretch thing and have all the ushers herd the patrons into their chairs and forbid them to move again?

Frayed Knot Sep 22 2012 03:59 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Jeter flies out with the bases loaded and two outs and it's on to the 13th -- But the best part was Kay's logic prior to the at bat: He talked about how "everyone knows" that Jeter doesn't let moments like this overwhelm him and how the game doesn't speed up for him in such situations. "He might not always come through but if he doesn't it won't be because of the pressure". The perfect can't-lose argument.

Frayed Knot Sep 22 2012 04:03 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Oooooh - and then right after Jeter's non-choke Freddie Garcia gives up: Single - HR - HR on about five pitches to start the 13th No word yet on whether Johnny Gomes and Yeonis Cespedes got lucky or simply failed to let the moment overwhelm them.

Edgy MD Sep 22 2012 07:45 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

What a story. O's winning a million extra-inning games in a row. Here's to a Baltimore-DC World Series.

Frayed Knot Sep 22 2012 08:37 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Be nice if they could avoid the WC play-in game and the risk of their run being cut-off barely 24 hours after the season ends ... but the Yanx came back in their game after giving up 4 in the top of the 13th and then won it in the 14th following a series of plays almost too ridiculous to describe. So the O's stay one back of the Yanx with Oakland, losers of two straight 1-run games in the Bronx, starting to hear footsteps.

Edgy MD Sep 23 2012 06:22 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Blowing a four-run lead in extra innings to the Yankees? I expect that nonsense from the Twins... and the Mets... but come on, Oakland.

MFS62 Sep 23 2012 07:58 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Judging by the highlights I saw, if the A's can field ground balls cleanly, they win the game two or three different times. Ugh. Later

Frayed Knot Sep 23 2012 09:41 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

The error which ended the game (Oakland's 3rd) was obviously a killer but it was just one part of a whole mess towards the end and in extra innings. But both teams blew numerous chances up to that point (NYY = 17 LOBs & 4/17 w/RiSP ... Oak = 13 LOBs & 3/16 w/RiSP) so you can play coulda/shoulda forever with this one. The best part was the Yanx using their last non-catcher on the bench, a guy making his ML debut in fact, as a pinch-runner in the 14th -- which, considering it's September and they called up like 45 guys to sit on the bench, tells you how Girardi was playing it. So this pr - Melky Mesa - was in for Eric Chavez after his lead-off single and got to 2nd via a sac bunt, and IW. ARod then smacks a one-out single up the middle and there's no doubt on either side that the winning run is going to score ... except that Mesa misses 3rd base!!. Missed it by at least 2 feet in fact which is probably the only thing that saved him. That it was so obvious he missed it meant he had to go back and touch it which killed any chance of scoring. Meanwhile ARod is standing at 1st wondering what happened and why the BB-gods keep conspiring to not allow him to be a MFY hero. Mesa was then forced at home on a bases-loaded grounder (almost an A's error on that one too) for the 2nd out, and then it was the bases-loaded grounder which followed that one that the 1st baseman kicked (had an easy unassisted play) to lose the game. The killer for the A's of course was not shutting off the bottom of the 13th after grabbing a 4-run lead via 3 consecutive HRs, and in allowing three HRs to Yanx old enough to collect AARP cards with their RBIs: one from Ichiro (38) and two from Ibanez (40). Not surprising that Ichiro already more HRs w/Yanx (5) this year than w/Seattle (4) in about 40% of the ABs. Who (besides everyone) saw that coming?

MFS62 Sep 23 2012 12:11 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

I had the misfortune to hear part of the wrap-up show. (The station was on when I got into my wife's car.) When I heard Sterling say "Ichiro, better than ever", I realized he has probably never even glanced at a stat book. Its one of his lowest season BAs ever, John. Then I quickly turned the station. I didn't hear the final score until we got home. Later

Edgy MD Sep 24 2012 08:03 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Hey, Boston, stop helping the Yankees.

Frayed Knot Sep 24 2012 12:11 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Eh, Bobby V's boys took just one of three from the O's, the same record they compiled against the Yanx recently. Now if Toronto start giving them a hard time after laying down for the Yanx (and for just about everyone lately) then you've got a beef. The O's - 1 game behind the Yanx, 1 game ahead of Oakland - have a four game set with Toronto at Camden starting with a good old fashioned twi-night DH later today. Yanx are in Minnesota Oakland goes to Texas

The Second Spitter Sep 24 2012 08:35 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Damn you O's . Bases loaded 0 outs, they only manage to score one run. Toronto then put up 4 in the next inning.

Edgy MD Sep 24 2012 08:51 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Minny not getting it done against the Yankees.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 24 2012 08:56 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

They left a ton of guys on in the early innings, making Pettitte look as though he was having a strong outing. Tying run on deck now but 2 outs, 2 strikes, in the 9th.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 24 2012 08:57 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

aaaaaand that's it. Thanks for nothing (again), Land of 10,000 Lakes.

The Second Spitter Sep 25 2012 08:29 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

MFY implosion alert!

Frayed Knot Sep 26 2012 07:14 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

O's remain 1.5 games back of Yanx for AL East and Oakland sits a 1/2 game behind them for WC #2 But the Angels have climbed to 2 games in back of Oakland and the Rays, after going 1-7 in the games where it really mattered, have now won six straight and are one game behind LAA ChiSox & Tigers are in a dead heat in their contest to see who can suck more coming down the stretch by stumbling against the likes of KC and Cleveland

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 26 2012 12:33 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Twinkies offering typical resistance in rubber game.

Frayed Knot Sep 27 2012 08:51 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

But the O's hit 7 HRs in a rout of Toronto as the Yanx & Baltimore continue to either both win or both lose on the same day for seemingly the 45th day in a row. Now, unfortunately, it becomes the Yanx turn to kick the shit out of the Blue Jays (4 game series) before they get ... Minnesota again!!! Detroit completed a sweep of KC while the ChiSox were losing to the Native Americans which puts the Tigers in 1st place alone for the first time since their late July sweep of Chicago (they quickly fell back) and prior to that it was May 1st. One could argue that this is the long anticipated surge that most expected at some point from Detroit except that even this 3-game streak makes them only 6-5 over their last 11. Their main weapon lately has been the White Sox losing 7 of 8 (to KC, LAA & Cleveland)

Frayed Knot Sep 27 2012 01:34 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Tigers blow a 4-0 lead but then score in the bottom of the 9th with the help of [u:1wthh375]the 5th KC error[/u:1wthh375] of the day. First place alone for them for at least one more day. Oakland is in Texas and currently down 9-4 in the 4th

Frayed Knot Sep 27 2012 09:37 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Yanx get shut-out in Toronto Baltimore gains a half-game by sitting out tonight and so are just 1 game out But Tampa beats the ChiSox on a 9th inning HR by Evan Longoria so they gain a full game in the East and pull to within 3 games of Baltimore and 4 in back of the Yanx, but just 2 games behind Oakland (who lost to Texas) for WC #2 And the ChiSox are now 2 full games in back of Detroit

metirish Sep 28 2012 06:10 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

ChiSox picked a bad time to go 2-8 in their last 10.

Mets – Willets Point Sep 28 2012 10:11 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Is there still a theoretical chance that if say the Orioles, A's, and Angels win the rest of their games and the Yankees go 0-for-6 that the Yankees could be on the outs? I'm sure there are other permutations, I just like daydreaming about a new "Greatest Collapse Ever" that involves the Yankees.

metsmarathon Sep 28 2012 11:02 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

eh, the yankees already own the greatest collapse ever.

Mets – Willets Point Sep 28 2012 11:08 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Well, then they would "Greatest Regular Season Collapse" to their trophy cabinet.

HahnSolo Sep 28 2012 11:40 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Mets – Willets Point wrote: Is there still a theoretical chance that if say the Orioles, A's, and Angels win the rest of their games and the Yankees go 0-for-6 that the Yankees could be on the outs? I'm sure there are other permutations, I just like daydreaming about a new "Greatest Collapse Ever" that involves the Yankees. I think their division magic # is 4; their playoff magic # is 3 (or maybe it's 5 and 4). So, while not likely, it is not totally impossible. The biggest hurdle to the collapse is that they are playing their perennial lapdogs Toronto and Minnesota.

Frayed Knot Sep 28 2012 11:55 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Mets – Willets Point wrote: Is there still a theoretical chance that if say the Orioles, A's, and Angels win the rest of their games and the Yankees go 0-for-6 that the Yankees could be on the outs? I'm sure there are other permutations, I just like daydreaming about a new "Greatest Collapse Ever" that involves the Yankees. Yes, any or all of those teams (but not the Chi/Det Central loser) can catch or pass the Yanx - including both Tampa & Baltimore even though they finish against each other although at that point you start to get into pretty specific needed outcomes. Bottom line is that with 6 games left to play for each of the contenders: the Yanx have 90 wins so obviously that's your minimum benchmark if they lose out Baltimore right now sits at 89 wins Oakland = 88 Tampa = 86 LAA = 86 The odds of all that is of course pretty slim, although we just need two of them to happen or, failing that, either Balt or Tampa to catch them which would be enough to throw them into the dreaded play-in game and make them burn Sabathia just to move on, or burn him in a desperate last-ditch effort to win the division and have to play the play-in game with say Ivan Nova on the mound.

The Second Spitter Sep 28 2012 09:22 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Orioles fail to become the first 90 win team with negative run differential in 80 odd years.

Frayed Knot Sep 28 2012 09:44 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Finally got on the plus side I see. Friday: East - Yanx win, O's win, Rays lose Yanx still with one game lead over Bal'mer. Rays, who had won 8 straight coming into tonight, are now virtually dead And I don't want to say the Blue Jays suck or anything, but against the Yanx tonight they had 3 doubles, 2 singles, plus a walk in the first two innings alone ... and yet found a way not to score. Central - Sox win, Tigers lose Tigers down to one-game lead

bmfc1 Sep 29 2012 02:05 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

The MFYs lose to Toronto 3-2 so with a win tonight, the Orioles move into a tie for 1st place. BOS: Doubront (11-9, 4.91) BAL: Johnson (4-0, 1.62)

Fman99 Sep 29 2012 07:54 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

bmfc1 wrote: The MFYs lose to Toronto 3-2 so with a win tonight, the Orioles move into a tie for 1st place. BOS: Doubront (11-9, 4.91) BAL: Johnson (4-0, 1.62) Defensive replacement Endy Chavez taking a hit away from some BoSox scrub in the top of the 9th with a diving catch, O's win 4-3 and tie up the MFYs.

themetfairy Sep 29 2012 07:55 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

And Baltimore is tied for first place!

Frayed Knot Sep 29 2012 08:00 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Orioles blew an early lead in that one but then pushed across the lead run again. Oakland also wins so are 1 game back of the two-team East tie-up Tampa also wins and sits 4 in back of Yanx/Balt and 3 behind Oakland for WC #2 - but they face Baltimore Mon-Wed so we're all going to be rooting against them anyway. Anaheim at Texas rained out. Two games tomorrow I presume. Detroit wins - ChiSox lose. 2 game Tiger lead again

The Second Spitter Sep 29 2012 09:50 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Is the tie-breaker predetermined or will there be a playoff game if they're both tied for 1st in the division ?

Frayed Knot Sep 30 2012 06:15 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Unlike previous years when there was really no difference between winning the division and getting in via the WC, now if there's a tie for Div winner/WC there [u:eapewhff]WILL[/u:eapewhff] be a tie-breaking play-off game to determine which is which based on the idea that the advantage of being the winner is so pronounced. There will NOT be play an extra game if it's merely to determine home field among the two WC teams.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 30 2012 07:42 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

I'd love to see the Yankees, Orioles, A's, and Angels all finish with the same record. What a mess that would make!

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 30 2012 12:39 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

MFYs down 5-1; O's up 5-0.

Frayed Knot Sep 30 2012 02:39 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

O's hang on but Toronto blows their lead all to hell and the AL East remains tied. O's then hung around on the field after their game ended as they and their fans watched as the scoreboard played the final inning of the Angels/Rangers game. Baltimore would have clinched some kind of playoff slot had Texas won but, while they were watching, LAA scored twice w/2 out in the 9th to win.

Frayed Knot Sep 30 2012 08:40 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

West: Angels drop the night-cap to Texas Rangers clinch at least a spot in the playoffs but need one more win for the division Angels can not win the division and can do no better than tie for WC #2 - at 3 games behind Oakland their 'tragic number' is one. Oakland will at least play past Wednesday as they can only be caught by LAA and/or Tampa but not passed for WC #2 slot Texas finishes at Oakland; Angels in Seattle Central: Detroit won 2-1 via a Prince 2R HR in the 8th ChiSox lost (again!) and can no longer be a WC but can at best tie for the Central lead. The magic/tragic number here is also 1. Tigers finish at KC; Sox at Cleveland East: Both Birds & Yanx clinch a playoff spot. Each can be caught and/or passed by each other and Oakland but not by anyone else. Tampa needs to run the table and get help just to tie Oakland for WC #2 Orioles go to Tampa; Yanx host Minnesota

John Cougar Lunchbucket Sep 30 2012 09:15 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Actually MFYs host Boston. Big FU to Toronto for blowing that lead this afternoon.

metirish Oct 01 2012 05:22 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Just flipped to YES, the starting nine for Boston?, wow, I know Ross and Buckholz, never heard of the others ....it looks like a Spring Training squad ...

Frayed Knot Oct 01 2012 05:58 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

No Pedroia or Ellsbury even. And, gee, only 3 HRs served up by Buchholz so far!!

metirish Oct 01 2012 08:13 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

I am certain Gary said that Baltimore scored two in the 9th to take 5-3 lead......well no, in fact Tampa won 5-3.........damn

Frayed Knot Oct 01 2012 08:19 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

metirish wrote: I am certain Gary said that Baltimore scored two in the 9th to take 5-3 lead......well no, in fact Tampa won 5-3.........damn The O's went into the 9th down 5-1, and immediately scored twice, then put the next two hitters on all with no outs. Then, with the tying runs on and the go-ahead at the plate ... they went K, K, 1-3

Frayed Knot Oct 02 2012 06:34 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Oakland winning Monday night puts them into the post-season while eliminating both Tampa & LAA even though both of them won Things still left to be decided: - Yanx one game up on Baltimore for East champ vs WC - Texas one game up on Oakland for West champ vs WC. Because these two play each other this one, unlike the East, can't end in a tie. A's need both - Various home-field questions The better division winner gets the WC survivor instead of Detroit: Yanx & Texas currently with identical records and I have no idea how they'll handle it if things stay that way The better WC team hosts the play-in game: O's & A's currently with even records

duan Oct 02 2012 08:51 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

what nearly happened, and would have been totally head splittingly hilarious was a 5 way tie for two divisions and two wild cards. How'd they have worked out them apples.

Edgy MD Oct 02 2012 09:06 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

I don't know, but I'm pretty sure however they did, the odd team out wouldn't have been the Yankees.

MFS62 Oct 02 2012 09:07 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

duan wrote: what nearly happened, and would have been totally head splittingly hilarious was a 5 way tie for two divisions and two wild cards. How'd they have worked out them apples. Bud will say its the team with the best record in Spring Training games. Later

Frayed Knot Oct 02 2012 07:40 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Baltimore has won (1-0) Yanx are losing (2-1 in the 8th) No matter the outcome in the Bronx tonight, the AL East is going to come down to game 162 on Wednesday Both will be night games.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 02 2012 07:42 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Exciting stuff. Between this Mets rally, the O's 1-0 victory on MLB TV and the MFYs-Bosox in the rain, I'm all buzzy.

Frayed Knot Oct 02 2012 07:45 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

James Shields for the Rays: CG 2-hitter, 0 BB, [u:18utdrua]15Ks[/u:18utdrua] ... and the loss

Fman99 Oct 02 2012 07:48 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Yeah, baby, insurance run for Boston courtesy of a joke home run to right by James Loney.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 02 2012 07:48 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Loney smashes one off Soriano and it's 3-1 in the 9th. GO SOX

Fman99 Oct 02 2012 08:02 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

And Ibanez ties it up with another joke home run to the same part of the stadium. Stupid crappy Red Sox. I'm switching to the Mets.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 02 2012 08:11 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Now that was a joke home run to right.

bmfc1 Oct 02 2012 08:16 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

The Ibanez HR isn't even to the warning track at CF, right?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 02 2012 08:17 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Wow, MFYs load them upo with 1 out but don;t score more and they are also going to xtras.

Edgy MD Oct 02 2012 08:18 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Someday, players will routinely and publicly speak of YSIII of "That Joke of a Ballpark."

Frayed Knot Oct 02 2012 08:26 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

The difference with this game being played in October? The Yanx have used four relievers so far - and still have [u:34n4ldh1]eight[/u:34n4ldh1] left.

Frayed Knot Oct 02 2012 08:39 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Yanx go quietly in the 10th Derek Lowe on for the 11th

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 02 2012 09:05 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

No rain delay but a bird delay.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 02 2012 09:18 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

I never saw a thing

Frayed Knot Oct 02 2012 09:21 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

You can't get 2-strikes up on Francisco's Cervelli's 1st ML AB of the season ... and then walk him ... and then walk the next guy ... and then give up a game winning P.O.S. single to Ibanez. All of it, of course, after two were out and nobody on. Yeah, this season is Valentine's fault.

seawolf17 Oct 02 2012 09:35 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Gah, yuck the Fankees. This always happens.

Frayed Knot Oct 02 2012 09:41 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Eh, no biggie. Tonight's result will just make tomorrow's reversal and the need for a one-game play-in to see who goes to the one-game play-in that much more satisfying.

metirish Oct 03 2012 06:25 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

The Ibanez HR was a joke.....even the Loney HR that ended up in the top deck looked like a fly ball off the bat, but it just carried.......David Cone is not all that engaging as a color guy....repeats what has just been said a lot.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 03 2012 06:38 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

metirish wrote: The Ibanez HR was a joke.....even the Loney HR that ended up in the top deck looked like a fly ball off the bat, but it just carried.......David Cone is not all that engaging as a color guy....repeats what has just been said a lot. He has moments; he's obviously smart, and not without stories... plus, for a jock, he's surprisingly open to what statistical analysis has to offer. Perhaps, like Ronnie, he just needs a different booth?

metirish Oct 03 2012 06:45 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Agree, Kay never sets the color guys up(from what I hear last night anyway).....actually, Cone called the Inanez HR , next swing it was gone....

Frayed Knot Oct 03 2012 06:57 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Oakland downs Texas and they're all tied up out west. One game for Div/WC - 3:35 this afternoon Rangers have been in 1st place every day since day 4 of the season Oakland was 13 out on June 30

HahnSolo Oct 03 2012 07:24 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Little Solo getting ready for school and watching SportsCenter, sees the Ibanez HR highlight and opines: "That's why I hate that stadium. Cheap home run."

themetfairy Oct 03 2012 07:40 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

You're raising that kid well, Han.

metirish Oct 03 2012 08:42 AM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Outstanding Han

themetfairy Oct 03 2012 02:00 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

The A's take an early 1-0 lead over Texas.

themetfairy Oct 03 2012 02:32 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Texas got that back and more - they're up 4-1 in the third.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 03 2012 02:41 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Bobby V wrecked his bike in Central Park, will spend last night as Boston mgr in bandages.

Frayed Knot Oct 03 2012 03:05 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

And Oakland has tied it back up 5-5 in the 4th!!

Frayed Knot Oct 03 2012 03:06 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Bobby V wrecked his bike in Central Park, will spend last night as Boston mgr in bandages. Will his arm be in a sling to match the one on his ass?

Ashie62 Oct 03 2012 03:12 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

HAMILTON DROPPED THE BALL!

Frayed Knot Oct 03 2012 03:13 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

And Josh Hamilton drops a fly ball and it's 7-5 Oakland who are still batting in the 4th.

Ashie62 Oct 03 2012 03:14 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

The Oakland sun claims another victim wtg Josh....

Edgy MD Oct 03 2012 03:18 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

NY Times wrote: In the final days of one of the most painful seasons of his career, Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine on Tuesday lay entangled with his bicycle at the bottom of a ditch next to the Central Park Reservoir. Related On the wet, slippery path, Valentine was reading a text on his phone from Dustin Pedroia, the Red Sox second baseman, and riding his bicycle. When he looked up, he had to swerve to avoid the umbrellas of two French tourists walking in front of him. That's just... holy crap.

Frayed Knot Oct 03 2012 03:22 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Ashie62 wrote: The Oakland sun claims another victim wtg Josh.... Don't it make Josh's blue eyes bluer? HIs was actually one of three dropped pops (three that I know of anyway) so far in that game.

Ashie62 Oct 03 2012 04:11 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Great game...Have not seen one moment like this at Citifield since it opened...and these are the A's The A's are that much better than the Mets?

Kong76 Oct 03 2012 04:42 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Oct 03 2012 04:50 PM

A's just pulled the finger out of the dyke!

themetfairy Oct 03 2012 04:44 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Isn't that something Fman would say?

Kong76 Oct 03 2012 04:58 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Perhaps

DocTee Oct 03 2012 05:20 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Not only was Oakland 5 back with 9 to play and 13 back in August, this is the first time all season they have been alone in first. Unreal-- five rookies in their rotation, 130+ HR since the All-Star Game, and the second-best record in MLB since June 1.

Ashie62 Oct 03 2012 05:21 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

themetfairy wrote: Isn't that something Fman would say? Well played..

Gwreck Oct 03 2012 05:21 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Oakland wins. Here's your scorecard for tonight: 1. NYY wins. Matchups are NYY vs. Wildcard; OAK vs. DET 2. NYY loss, BAL loss. Matchups are OAK vs. Wildcard, NYY vs. DET 3. NYY loss, BAL wins. Matchups are OAK vs. Wildcard, Tiebreak winner vs. DET Tiebreak game is at Baltimore on Thursday, 7:10 PM. AL Wildcard game is Friday at 8:37 PM TEX at NYY or BAL at TEX

bmfc1 Oct 03 2012 05:41 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Another cheap homerun gives the MFYs the lead... cheap meaning that it wouldn't even have reached the warning track at most ballparks.

Mets – Willets Point Oct 04 2012 02:06 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Am I right in interpreting this schedule to mean that the AL Wild Card winner will play the Yankees even if it's Baltimore? In previous years teams from the same division were not allowed to meet in the Divisional Series, but if that's changed, I approve.

seawolf17 Oct 04 2012 02:07 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

They changed the divisional rule this year, yes.

Mets – Willets Point Oct 04 2012 02:08 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

seawolf17 wrote: They changed the divisional rule this year, yes. Sweet!

bmfc1 Oct 04 2012 02:08 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

MFY fan in my office (I'm in DC) is giddy about seeing his team in Baltimore on Sunday and Monday... if the Orioles win tomorrow night.

Fman99 Oct 04 2012 06:59 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

Kong76 wrote: A's just pulled the finger out of the dyke! This is where it all begins...

Fman99 Oct 04 2012 06:59 PM Re: Down the Stretch - AL Style

themetfairy wrote: Isn't that something Fman would say? Oh, you guys!