Word Series: Who Will Win? [Archive]

ducks

10-19-2008, 10:59 PM

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—Down to their last chance, the Tampa Bay Rays left no doubt they were World Series-worthy, after all.

The young Rays completed a stunning run to their first pennant, holding off the defending champion Boston Red Sox 3-1 Sunday night behind Matt Garza’s masterful pitching in Game 7 of the AL championship series.

The Rays nearly let it slip away when they blew a seven-run lead late in Game 5 and lost meekly Saturday night. But when rookie David Price struck out J.D. Drew with the bases loaded to end the eighth inning, Tampa Bay showed it had plenty of resolve, too.

Long baseball’s doormat, the Rays were a 200-1 shot to win the title before the season. Now, they’ll host the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 Wednesday night.

AFBlue

10-19-2008, 11:58 PM

Or perhaps the better question is, will anyone watch?

R.I.P. 2008 Sox

Rays are the best story in baseball. I GUARANTEE this will get better ratings than a Phils/Red Sox WS would've gotten.

Lots of intriguing storylines...especially on the Rays side (worst to first, quirky manager, young players, CATWALKS! :lol)

T Park

10-20-2008, 01:38 PM

Or perhaps the better question is, will anyone watch?

R.I.P. 2008 Sox

Who gives a shit if people are so narrow minded and stupid that they won't watch two fantastic teams that have great story lines in what will be a very very competitive World Series!??!

That being said I take the Phillies in 7, Philly BP > TB Bullpen

ATRAIN

10-20-2008, 01:41 PM

Rays in 6 and yes ill be watching.

IronMexican

10-20-2008, 01:46 PM

Go Rays!

baseline bum

10-20-2008, 04:22 PM

I'm guessing it'll be the Rays, but I'll go for Philly since I like National League baseball far more than American League.

AFBlue

10-20-2008, 07:18 PM

I'm gonna say Rays in 5....

Rays SP >>>>>>>>>>> Phils SP (except for Hamels). So by the time it gets handed off to the bullpens, I think the Rays offense will have given their bullpen a significant cushion.

I also think the Rays SP have seen power-hitters consistently throughout the year and in this playoff. Guys like Howard, Utley, and Burrell won't intimidate.

FromWayDowntown

10-20-2008, 07:44 PM

It is funny to see a media that was foaming at the mouth over an LA/BOS World Series now try to convince people that they should watch a TB/PHIL World Series. Regardless of the sport, I've never understood the media's interest in "selling" certain teams as watchable throughout a season. It seems perfectly understandable, in our lemming culture, that many would decide against watching an event that they would otherwise be intrigued by if they've been told all year that the teams in that event are "boring" or "unwatchable" or otherwise not worthy of anyone's attention. Why not just cover the story without editorializing about the relative sexiness of teams?

With that said, I'm picking the Rays in 6, mostly because I believe in Hamels but think that the Rays, unlike the mostly offensively-challenged Dodgers (save Manny), will be able to score runs against the Phils pitching staff and render Lidge a non-factor.

JamStone

10-20-2008, 07:57 PM

Ryan Howard is due to have a few big games. Shane Victorino is one of my new favorite players. I like the Rays pitching staff more, but I like Philly's offense to be able to hit that pitching staff reasonably well. Tough call.

I'd like Tampa to win, but I have a feeling Philly takes it.

benefactor

10-20-2008, 08:38 PM

Go Rays! Die Brad Lidge!

http://www.thefightins.com/wp-content/images_05_08/chamomiles/pujols_and_Lidge.jpg

Purple & Gold

10-20-2008, 09:20 PM

Go Rays!!! :clap:clap

gaKNOW!blee

10-20-2008, 09:24 PM

DarkReign

10-20-2008, 09:55 PM

lefty

10-20-2008, 09:55 PM

Rays

They have talent, but they also showed mental strength vs Bosox

ducks

10-20-2008, 11:10 PM

Vegas odds favor Rays to win Series over Phillies
By OSKAR GARCIA, Associated Press Writer
7 hours, 33 minutes ago

Buzz Up PrintLAS VEGAS (AP)—Las Vegas sports books favor the Tampa Bay Rays to win the World Series over the Philadelphia Phillies and would owe huge payouts if the American League champions prevail.

Oddsmakers say enough bettors took the Rays early in the year at long-shot prices to force books to adjust lines to encourage bets on the Phillies.

Sean Van Patten at Las Vegas Sports Consultants says the Rays are favored at minus-$1.35, meaning a gambler would need to bet $1.35 to be paid $1 if Tampa Bay wins.

Van Patten puts the Phillies at plus-$1.15, meaning a $1 bet would earn $1.15 if Philadelphia wins.

“What we’re also trying to protect here is even more Tampa Bay money coming in,” Van Patten said. “What we’re trying to do is maybe get a little buyback on the Phillies.”

Las Vegas Hilton race and sports book director Jay Kornegay says before the start of the season the Rays were a 200-1 shot for the title.

“It’s a significant number for a futures book, but it’s nothing that’s going to shut down the book or anything,” Kornegay told The Associated Press. “It might dim the lights.”

Kornegay would not specify how much the Hilton sports book stood to lose if the Phillies win, but said other sports books offered even longer odds on the Rays winning a championship.

The Rays were slightly pricier at the Hilton at minus-$1.40, with the Phillies at plus-$1.20, Kornegay said.

The situation sports books are facing with the Rays is similar to 1991, when sports books lost millions of dollars on futures bets because of the Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins, Kornegay said. Both teams rebounded from last-place showings the year before to reach the World Series. Minnesota won the series in seven games.

“We have learned our lesson that we don’t open these teams at 500-1 until the season starts and we realize what they have and what kind of team they have,” Kornegay said. “This year, I’m going to guess it’s probably in the millions range if you accumulate all the liability across the state.”

The Rays were heavy underdogs in the American League East mainly because of high expectations for the Boston Red Sox, which swept the Colorado Rockies in the 2007 World Series, and the New York Yankees.

cherylsteele

10-21-2008, 03:30 AM

Who gives a shit if people are so narrow minded and stupid that they won't watch two fantastic teams that have great story lines in what will be a very very competitive World Series!??!

That being said I take the Phillies in 7, Philly BP > TB Bullpen
Kinda describes the NBA too doesn't it?

MajorMike

10-21-2008, 07:59 AM

Seriously, the Red Sox were like a fad. Everyone jumped on the bandwagon when they were trying to break the jinx. Once they did, they weren't the feel good story anymore. Then Mannygate starts happening and people reflect on how Boston treated Nomar the same way and Curt Schilling has nothing to do while he is rehabbing so he keeps opening his yapper and people are just plain tired of hearing about the Red Sox. When 90% of why they were popular in the 1st place (the anti-Yankee) doesn't even make the playoffs, it just isn't a very good story anymore.

Reggie Miller

10-21-2008, 08:50 AM

I said it another thread.

Same thing that happened to the Tigers and Rockies is going to happen to the Phillies...

When you wait, you lose.

4 or 5 or 6 days is much too long for hitters to keep their timing. Maybe I eat my words, but I am putting money on this.

Yep. Rest is for football. (Unless you are Tony Dungy's Colts, but that's another story.) Looking back, Piniella probably should have played his starters more the last week. If nothing else, the Cubs would have probably drawn the Mets.

Rays in 6.

It won't be easy. As we have seen, neither team can hit LHP consistently. The Phillies have a better bullpen, but I give Tampa the edge in starting pitching. They'll need it, because their pen could give the Good Humor man an ulcer. That's my big concern; I can easily see Tampa coughing up a game late again.

Reggie Miller

10-21-2008, 08:53 AM

Keep hating on the Phils starting rotation....they arent as bad as everyone makes them out to be. They kept the Phillies in the NL East race while the bats were dead.

I know you Astros fans just keep waiting for Lidge to blow one, but its not gonna happen.

If Upton walks up to the plate in an Albert Pujols mask, I guarantee Lidge wets himself.

AFBlue

10-21-2008, 06:05 PM

Don't know if it's been posted elsewhere, but Phillies were 4-11 against the AL in interleague play this year. They were 2-4 against AL East opponents (Red Sox and Blue Jays).

Rays on the other hand had winning records against all AL opponents the Phillies faced.

I understand the matchups are different between these two teams than any other, but it doesn't look promising for the Phils.

deadratsam

10-22-2008, 09:36 AM

I'm an Astros fan and Brad Lidge is the reason I'm rooting for the Phillies.

Dr. Gonzo

10-22-2008, 11:46 AM

I'm an Astros fan and I don't really care about Brad Lidge anymore. I think he has done well for himself after being traded and that's good for him.

I'm going with the Rays in 7 even though I would love to have an NL team win it.

lefty

10-22-2008, 11:03 PM

Underdogs calmly, calmly win game 1

T Park

10-22-2008, 11:26 PM

Keep hating on the Phils starting rotation....they arent as bad as everyone makes them out to be. They kept the Phillies in the NL East race while the bats were dead.

I know you Astros fans just keep waiting for Lidge to blow one, but its not gonna happen.

The Phillie's rotation is bad outside of Hamels.

Moyer is garbage and Meyers is hit and miss and Blanton is mediocre at best. The Rays are gonna win the next 3 easily.

T Park

10-22-2008, 11:27 PM

I don't understand why an Astros fan would hate lidge...

1Parker1

10-23-2008, 06:29 AM

:elephant

FromWayDowntown

10-23-2008, 11:00 AM

Good win for the Phillies, even if somewhat predictable with Hamels getting the ball.

The Rays blew some chances in Game 1 to beat Hamels on their own, but the uncalled balk (which seemed pretty clearly to be a balk) seems like a significant play in hindsight. Instead of down 1 with a runner on 2nd with nobody out and Longoria, Crawford, and Aybar due up, the Rays had nobody on, 1 out and that group coming to the plate. Tough to manufacture from there -- much easier if Pena gets 2nd as he should have.

The Phillies got 8 hits, but oddly, they all came from 4 hitters -- each of whom had 2 hits (not sure I've ever seen that before). If the Phillies get production from the bottom 1/3 of their lineup, the series gets very difficult for the Rays, I think.

Reggie Miller

10-23-2008, 11:00 AM

I don't understand why an Astros fan would hate lidge...

I don't either. He melted down against Pujols in 2005, but they made the World Series anyway. Lidge had nothing to do with the Astros losing to the White Sox.

IIRC, he really struggled in 2006, but he didn't cost the team a trip to the playoffs or anything.

Reggie Miller

10-23-2008, 11:05 AM

gaKNOW!blee

10-23-2008, 11:57 AM

The Phillie's rotation is bad outside of Hamels.

Moyer is garbage and Meyers is hit and miss and Blanton is mediocre at best. The Rays are gonna win the next 3 easily.

Moyer is garbage? 16 wins and a 3.7 ERA is pretty damn good, even if he has struggled in the postseason. Myers really isnt hit and miss lately....since coming back from the minors he only had 2 bad games and has been good in the postseason. Yeah, Blanton's not great but its like everyone on the Rays staff are Cy Young candidates either.

The Phils bullpen is better and their lineup is better, not to mention they have the best pitcher, the best setup man, and the best closer.

Be ready to eat your words. And didnt lidge lose two games in the Astros world series? maybe thats why they wouldnt like him?

FromWayDowntown

10-23-2008, 02:45 PM

+1

I think Maddon is crazy like a fox. Hamels would likely beat whoever the Rays sent out there. Why not use Kazmir? If "good" Kazmir shows up, you have a chance (see last night). If "bad" Kazmir takes the mound, you are still guaranteeing favorable match-ups against Moyer, Myers, and Blanton.

I started to wonder why not just use Sonnastine as the sacrificial lamb in that spot and generally keep his rotation sound, but I think you're absolutely right about the Kazmir logic.

It's going to be interesting to see if Manuel changes his approach, particularly if rain postpones Game 3 on Saturday. If there's a rainout, would Manuel bring back Hamels in Game 3 or 4 and then try to have him ready to go again for a potential Game 7, while pitching twice on short rest?

Reggie Miller

10-23-2008, 03:13 PM

Moyer is garbage? 16 wins and a 3.7 ERA is pretty damn good, even if he has struggled in the postseason. Myers really isnt hit and miss lately....since coming back from the minors he only had 2 bad games and has been good in the postseason. Yeah, Blanton's not great but its like everyone on the Rays staff are Cy Young candidates either.

The Phils bullpen is better and their lineup is better, not to mention they have the best pitcher, the best setup man, and the best closer.

Be ready to eat your words. And didnt lidge lose two games in the Astros world series? maybe thats why they wouldnt like him?

Lidge got hung with two of the losses on paper, but I don't think anyone who watched those games really felt like he was ultimately responsible. Look at the box scores:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2005_WS.shtml

Game 4 was 1-0 for crying out loud. Even if Lidge doesn't give up the run, the Astros still can't win without scoring a run. The Astros didn't score a run during their last fifteen innings in the WS, all AT HOME! I guess I can't really argue with someone who wants to blame Lidge (two Ls are two Ls), but was he supposed to carry the offense as well?

I'm not trying to start an argument. I'm just saying those were "team losses," as the saying goes.

Reggie Miller

10-23-2008, 03:29 PM

I started to wonder why not just use Sonnastine as the sacrificial lamb in that spot and generally keep his rotation sound, but I think you're absolutely right about the Kazmir logic.

It's going to be interesting to see if Manuel changes his approach, particularly if rain postpones Game 3 on Saturday. If there's a rainout, would Manuel bring back Hamels in Game 3 or 4 and then try to have him ready to go again for a potential Game 7, while pitching twice on short rest?

I thought about that as well, and I came up with two answers:

1) Kazmir is nominally their ace, and this way the status quo is preserved; and

2) Their least effective starter so far in the postseason is the sacrificial lamb, while preserving "face" for everyone.

Reggie Miller

10-23-2008, 03:36 PM

I started to wonder why not just use Sonnastine as the sacrificial lamb in that spot and generally keep his rotation sound, but I think you're absolutely right about the Kazmir logic.

It's going to be interesting to see if Manuel changes his approach, particularly if rain postpones Game 3 on Saturday. If there's a rainout, would Manuel bring back Hamels in Game 3 or 4 and then try to have him ready to go again for a potential Game 7, while pitching twice on short rest?

Personally, I would pitch Hamels in Game 4 if Game 3 is rained out. That would only be short rest in a potential Game 7. Yes, it makes the rest before Game 7 a little too short, but here's my thinking. You have to get to a Game 7 for it to matter. While the potential for abusing the pitcher is there; you're looking at a one-time deal. (Either way, Hamels wouldn't have another start before Spring 2009.)

I honestly believe that if Philadelphia wins this thing, it will be because they get three quality starts from Hamels.

FromWayDowntown

10-23-2008, 04:19 PM

I thought about that as well, and I came up with two answers:

1) Kazmir is nominally their ace, and this way the status quo is preserved; and

2) Their least effective starter so far in the postseason is the sacrificial lamb, while preserving "face" for everyone.

There may also have been some thought to giving the Game 1 nod to Kazmir because he's been as close to a face of the franchise as the Rays have had and is certainly the most historically significant pitcher in the history of the organization to this point. That would be terrible strategic reasoning, but the symbolism works where it also happens to coincide with an acceptable strategy choice, I think.

In either event, I think you're right that the Phillies are going to need at least 2 and probably 3 quality outings from Hamels -- unless Upton, Longoria, and Aybar keep thinking that they can hit 6-run homers with nobody on base.

Vinnie_Johnson

10-23-2008, 05:14 PM

Oh Baseball I thought this was a scrabble contest of words.

DisgruntledLionFan#54,927

10-23-2008, 05:21 PM

And you can't form the word Tigers with the tiles, so WGAF?

Rays, because Philly deserves another 100 years without a title.

dirk4mvp

10-23-2008, 05:30 PM

Is there something Price did to warrant all this media coverage he's been getting?

IronMexican

10-23-2008, 06:49 PM

Is there something Price did to warrant all this media coverage he's been getting?

#1 overall pick last year. So when someone shines this early in their career, it's a big deal.

Reggie Miller

10-23-2008, 08:09 PM

And you can't form the word Tigers with the tiles, so WGAF?

Rays, because Philly deserves another 100 years without a title.

The Phillies won the World Series in 1980. Mike Schmidt, Pete Rose, Greg Luzinski, Gary Maddox, Tug McGraw, and Steve Carlton were on that team.

I believe you are thinking of the Chicago Cubs.

DisgruntledLionFan#54,927

10-23-2008, 08:39 PM

The Phillies won the World Series in 1980. Mike Schmidt, Pete Rose, Greg Luzinski, Gary Maddox, Tug McGraw, and Steve Carlton were on that team.

I believe you are thinking of the Chicago Cubs.

No, I was thinking of the entire city of Philadelphia. They haven't won a title in any of the four major sports in 100 years(combined of course).

dirk4mvp

10-23-2008, 08:44 PM

#1 overall pick last year. So when someone shines this early in their career, it's a big deal.

Even so, he's been highly overrated lately.

Reggie Miller

10-23-2008, 10:24 PM

No, I was thinking of the entire city of Philadelphia. They haven't won a title in any of the four major sports in 100 years(combined of course).

Huh? That most be the most arbitrary definition I have heard in a long time (and I am a Cubs fan).

I'm going to look this up as I go, because the Red Wings and Pistons do count...

Last Title by City in the Big 4:

Philadelphia NHL = 1975 (33)
Detroit NHL = 2008 (0)

Philadelphia MLB = 1980 (28)
Detroit MLB = 1984 (24)

Philadelphia NBA = 1983 (25)
Detroit NBA = 2004 (4)

Philadelphia NFL = 1960 (48)
Detroit NFL = 1957 (51)

That's a combined 134 years without a title, or just 25 (1983). Clearly, you were full of shit and didn't want to admit you were winging it. (It happens to the best of us.)

In your defense, Detroit has been more successful than Philadelphia in living memory.

IronMexican

10-23-2008, 10:33 PM

Even so, he's been highly overrated lately.

It just comes with the hype of being the #1 pick.

Reggie Miller

10-23-2008, 10:36 PM

Baldelli DID NOT go around by any definition I have seen. The head of the bat did not break the plane, nor did his wrists break. I hate Rocco, but I hate Joe Buck and Tim McCarver a lot more.

The Ray Bays earned this win. Fuck the FOX Network.

ducks

10-23-2008, 10:50 PM

Even so, he's been highly overrated lately.

not nearly as much as manny

dirk4mvp

10-23-2008, 11:07 PM

not nearly as much as manny

Manny's one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. He's more relevant than the entire D'bags franchise as a whole.

ducks

10-23-2008, 11:15 PM

I thought we were talking about price and the world series

dirk4mvp

10-23-2008, 11:18 PM

I thought we were talking about price and the world series

not nearly as much as manny

do you have a brain?

ducks

10-23-2008, 11:20 PM

DisgruntledLionFan#54,927

10-23-2008, 11:55 PM

Huh? That most be the most arbitrary definition I have heard in a long time (and I am a Cubs fan).

I'm going to look this up as I go, because the Red Wings and Pistons do count...

Last Title by City in the Big 4:

Philadelphia NHL = 1975 (33)
Detroit NHL = 2008 (0)

Philadelphia MLB = 1980 (28)
Detroit MLB = 1984 (24)

Philadelphia NBA = 1983 (25)
Detroit NBA = 2004 (4)

Philadelphia NFL = 1960 (48)
Detroit NFL = 1957 (51)

That's a combined 134 years without a title, or just 25 (1983). Clearly, you were full of shit and didn't want to admit you were winging it. (It happens to the best of us.)

In your defense, Detroit has been more successful than Philadelphia in living memory.

Put simply: They haven't won a title since '83. There are four major sports teams. Counting labor strike seasons, that's 100 years(seasons) without a title. Detroit would be on a one season drought by January 2009(Lions).

Don't listen to me, listen to PhillyFans:

The Cubs have gone 100 years without a World Series title, but at least their fans have had the Bulls and the Bears, even the Blackhawks, to provide them an occasional ultimate thrill. Philadelphia has gone a combined 100 seasons without a championship in any major professional sport -- 25 fruitless years in a row for the Phillies, Eagles, 76ers and Flyers, easily the longest wait for any of the 13 metropolitan areas with four major professional sports teams. As The Philly Fan relates in the play's final scene, "We are the most loyal goddam fans in the world, and we just want a championship, that's all. That's not askin' a lot. Not when ya got four teams.... When's our turn?"

Just a few more:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/more/05/14/philadelphia.drought/index.html

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/38662-philadelphia-100-seasons-of-losingand-heres-why

And winging it is what I do best.

FromWayDowntown

10-24-2008, 12:02 AM

do you ?

you said price was overrated
I just said not as much as manny

I did not bring about another team just a player that is overrated

the d-backs are not overated
everyone said the dodgers would overtake them in sept due to their cake schedule

Yup -- all that stuff about Manny being the best right handed hitter of this generation -- all imagined. And all of those post-season appearances, the 4 World Series appearances, the 2 World Series rings? Never really happened.

Anyone who thinks that Manny Ramirez is a great, great player must have the intelligence of one who thinks that Lebron James is horribly overrated.

IronMexican

10-24-2008, 12:15 AM

Ducks is the best poster on ST.

Reggie Miller

10-24-2008, 12:18 AM

Put simply: They haven't won a title since '83. There are four major sports teams. Counting labor strike seasons, that's 100 years(seasons) without a title. Detroit would be on a two season drought by January 2009(Tigers, Lions).

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/more/05/14/philadelphia.drought/index.html

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/38662-philadelphia-100-seasons-of-losingand-heres-why

And winging it is what I do best.

Huh.

You have to admit that this is a very NOVEL means of measurement. How do you compare cities that do not have teams in all four major sports, etc.?

I blame the previously cited authors/articles that did not demonstrate the benefit of a first rate education. Seriously...

Reggie Miller

10-24-2008, 12:22 AM

Yup -- all that stuff about Manny being the best right handed hitter of this generation -- all imagined. And all of those post-season appearances, the 4 World Series appearances, the 2 World Series rings? Never really happened.

Anyone who thinks that Manny Ramirez is a great, great player must have the intelligence of one who thinks that Lebron James is horribly overrated.

You wound me. I think Ramirez is the best RH hitter of his generation, AND I think LBJ is horribly overrated.

Admittedly, I consider myself a better judge of baseball talent.

Horry For 3!

10-24-2008, 12:23 AM

I am goin for the Rays. I have been on their bandwagon since 2006.

DisgruntledLionFan#54,927

10-24-2008, 12:29 AM

Huh.

You have to admit that this is a very NOVEL means of measurement. How do you compare cities that do not have teams in all four major sports, etc.?

I blame the previously cited authors/articles that did not demonstrate the benefit of a first rate education. Seriously...

My original comment was just a throwaway comment. I've never thought of a city's sports teams in terms of combining all of their lost seasons.

But whatever keeps PhillyFan pissing and moaning works in my book.

Reggie Miller

10-24-2008, 12:32 AM

I have been on the bandwagon for the Tampa Bay area to just get any ol' MLB team since 1989. Local ownership (mostly the St. Pete Times) almost bought the SF Giants, but Bonds went to SF, which scotched the deal. When Miami got the Marlins in 1993, I thought that Bud Selig was going to be assassinated. (Not a bad idea.)

As of today, I have seen more Metallica concerts and Tampa Bay Lightning games in the Sun Coast Dome (now Tropicana Field) than I have seen MLB games.

Reggie Miller

10-24-2008, 12:44 AM

My original comment was just a throwaway comment. I've never thought of a city's sports teams in terms of combining all of their lost seasons.

But whatever keeps PhillyFan pissing and moaning works in my book.

Fair enough.

Originally, I honestly thought you were confusing two dubious records: the Cubs' 100 year streak with the Phillies' overall worse NL record.

I actually learned quite a bit from looking into this. For example, I had no idea that the Lions and Eagles had been around for so long.

dirk4mvp

10-24-2008, 12:49 AM

You wound me. I think Ramirez is the best RH hitter of his generation, AND I think LBJ is horribly overrated.

Admittedly, I consider myself a better judge of baseball talent.

Who knows, maybe he's just been getting lucky all these years by swinging that stick at the ball.

And after finally reading the article Manny Being Manipulated, I've been brainwashed to believe Manny's demise in Boston is the fault of Scott Boras.

FromWayDowntown

10-24-2008, 11:04 AM

Who knows, maybe he's just been getting lucky all these years by swinging that stick at the ball.

And after finally reading the article Manny Being Manipulated, I've been brainwashed to believe Manny's demise in Boston is the fault of Scott Boras.

For all of the villians of baseball, there is perhaps nobody who is a greater villian than Scott Boras. I'm not sure that even Bud Selig or Don Fehr -- for all that they've done poorly -- can hold a candle to the problems that Boras and his ilk create.

DarkReign

10-24-2008, 04:41 PM

Ducks is the best poster on ST.

For the illiterate people who havent discovered Spellcheck, yeah.

Reggie Miller

10-25-2008, 08:46 PM

Well, we're finally underway with Game 3 at 9:45 EST.

The Philadelphia fans are being real asses during the player intros. What's new?

EDIT: Good grief. We're still not underway. They insist on going through all of the pre-game crap, despite a two-hour delay.

Reggie Miller

10-25-2008, 09:59 PM

If the Rays lose this game, lack of effort and execution won't be at issue. Tune in now! This is shaping up to be an awesome game.

lefty

10-25-2008, 11:59 PM

Upton is amazing

Reggie Miller

10-26-2008, 12:05 AM

Upton is amazing

Upton just single-handedly carried this team into a tie.

Logan

10-26-2008, 01:18 AM

Phils Outlast Rain, Rays to Take Edge
By BEN WALKER
PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 25) - First it was wet, then it got wild for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Carlos Ruiz finished off a madcap ninth inning with an infield single with the bases loaded, and the Phillies outlasted the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 early Sunday in Game 3 of the World Series for a 2-1 lead.
This was midnight madness and then some on a rainy night that pushed the start to 10:06 p.m. and it wrapped up at 1:47 a.m. Ruiz, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard homered for the Phils, but it took three kooky plays to win it.

http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/images/2008/10/26/f4i8Snmn.jpg

It all came down to this: Rays reliever J.P. Howell hit Eric Bruntlett with a pitch to start the ninth. Enter Grant Balfour, who threw a wild pitch that caromed off the backstop to catcher Dioner Navarro, whose throw trying to get Bruntlett skipped into center field.
With Bruntlett on third, the Rays issued two intentional walks. Ruiz followed with a nubber down the line and third baseman Evan Longoria charged. He dived for the ball, and rushed an underhanded flip home that sailed over Navarro's head.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-10-26 01:56:04

lefty

10-26-2008, 07:45 PM

Wow

lefty

10-26-2008, 07:51 PM

Great 1st inning

tlongII

10-26-2008, 07:57 PM

Just how bad have these umps been? They clearly missed the tag at 3rd base.

lefty

10-26-2008, 08:05 PM

Just how bad have these umps been? They clearly missed the tag at 3rd base.

Really bad

I thought he wasn't safe

tlongII

10-26-2008, 08:27 PM

Baseball definitely needs to expand the use of instant replay.

lefty

10-26-2008, 09:07 PM

Baseball definitely needs to expand the use of instant replay.

Yes.

But for that particular play, it wasn't necessary

ducks

10-26-2008, 10:18 PM

bad refs
cost the rays game 4
they pressed after the bad calls

rays should be back
I still think they can win it all
they have to relex

lefty

10-26-2008, 10:19 PM

Woooooooooo

dirk4mvp

10-26-2008, 10:20 PM

Phillies are startin to crush em

lefty

10-26-2008, 10:26 PM

I'm glad I voted Phillies :D

dirk4mvp

10-26-2008, 10:28 PM

:lmao

Is Hamels pitching tomorrow?

lefty

10-26-2008, 10:33 PM

:lmao

Is Hamels pitching tomorrow?

Yup

Couldn't ask for a better planning

dirk4mvp

10-26-2008, 10:40 PM

Yup

Couldn't ask for a better planning

They might as well start planning their parade route :downspin:

lefty

10-26-2008, 10:44 PM

They might as well start planning their parade route :downspin:

I hope they don't get overconfident

dirk4mvp

10-26-2008, 10:47 PM

I hope they don't get overconfident

Upton will try his best Wade impersonation, but if Howard is still swingin a hot bat like that the Rays can forget about it.

gaKNOW!blee

10-26-2008, 10:58 PM

bad refs
cost the rays game 4
they pressed after the bad calls

rays should be back
I still think they can win it all
they have to relex

What are you talking about?

That was ONE run, the Phillies scored 9 more. And that call was no worse than the two in game two and the one last night.

And good thing for the Rays their starting pitcher is so much better than the Phillies.:lmao

ducks

10-26-2008, 11:33 PM

usually the team that scores first wins in baseball
rays get out of the first inning without giving up a run
they feel confident
phillies think here we go again leaving runners on base
pitchers get more confident
then throw 0's up

ducks

10-26-2008, 11:34 PM

rays are batting .183 since game 5 against boston
pitching has not been a the big problem

Logan

10-26-2008, 11:56 PM

With rout of Rays, Phils one win from title
Howard homers twice; Blanton, Werth also go deep in Game 4
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA -- The sight of Joe Blanton's surprising, but fitting home run "trot" said it all: Everything has skewed heavily in Philadelphia's favor.

Sunday night's 10-2 win over the Rays in Game 4 at Citizens Bank Park placed the Phillies one victory away, meaning somewhere among the scent of frying cheesesteaks is the pleasant aroma of the franchise's second World Series championship.
In Game 5 on Monday night, Cole Hamels, 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA this postseason, will have the chance to seal the win for a city starved for a championship. The Sixers in 1983 were Philadelphia's last major sports team to win a title. If the ace lefty delivers, he will enhance his credentials for World Series MVP honors.

At stake is the franchise's second World Series championship in its 125-year history.

On Sunday night, Blanton waltzed through a powerful Rays lineup, with the exception of solo homers to Carl Crawford and pinch-hitter Eric Hinske. The Rays set an American League record with 25 postseason homers -- but only three have come against the Phillies.

The two hit Sunday were footnotes

Continuing the Phils' run of solid starting pitching, Blanton retired the first five hitters, striking out three. Never really in a jam, Blanton was able to pitch with a lead from the second inning on.

The advantage came courtesy of a first-inning run, when Jimmy Rollins laced a leadoff double and advanced to third on a fly to right. Chase Utley walked and Ryan Howard to hit a chopper to the mound that Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine fielded cleanly.

Catching Rollins in a rundown between home and third, Sonnanstine threw to third baseman Evan Longoria, but the late throw made it appear to third-base umpire Tim Welke that a tag wasn't made. Rollins was called safe, though replays showed him to be out.

A walk to Pat Burrell put the Phillies up, 1-0. An error by second baseman Akinori Iwamura leading off the third helped the Phillies increase their lead to 2-0, and Howard smacked a three-run homer in the fourth for a 5-1 lead.

Adding to his banner night, Blanton smacked a 2-1 pitch from Edwin Jackson over the left-field fence in the fifth, the first of his career, and the first World Series home run by a Phillies pitcher. It was also the first Fall Classic homer by a pitcher since Ken Holtzman in 1974. Philadelphia has one other postseason homer, by Steve Carlton in Game 3 of the 1978 National League Championship Series.

The ball exited quickly and Blanton stutter-stepped uncomfortably around the bases to thunderous roars from 45,903 towel-waving fans. He was fine on the mound, too, allowing two earned runs in six-plus innings.

In the eighth, Jayson Werth and Howard each added two-run shots.

http://img.fannation.com/images/ap/2008/10/26/21/200810262109761793202-p2-660x660.jpg

IronMexican

10-27-2008, 02:12 AM

I have a hard time seeing Tampa win with Hamels on the mound. I thill think they can, though.

DarkReign

10-27-2008, 09:21 AM

...bah, what the hell do I know about baseball, anyway.

Looks like the Tigers and Rockies have no excuses anymore. Sad day, indeed.

Congrats Philly!

With Hamels on the mound, the party is over.

bostonguy

10-27-2008, 11:53 AM

While the Drays had a great magical run, it was all for nothing. While they beat the Red Sox, it looks like they are going to finish the season the same way Boston did this year...ringless. DRAYS had a great season but none of it means anything without the ring. I hope they prove me wrong and win the next 3, but I just dont see it.

deadratsam

10-27-2008, 01:01 PM

I thought that in baseball, you do get a ring for winning the league championship.

J.T.

10-27-2008, 01:03 PM

It would be cool if the Phillies try on Cinderella's glass slipper and break it into a million pieces because their giant foot makes it shatter under pressure, but part of me kind of wants to see that same scene happen in St. Petersburg. Home team fans crying on national television usually makes for some pretty good "owned" pictures.

But honestly it doesn't matter because if the Rays do end up losing at home, no professional sports team's fans in any league or sport produce owned pictures quite as well as Phoenix Suns fans.

JamStone

10-27-2008, 04:06 PM

Lmao, more people have voted since the Phillies have gone up 3-1. It's gotten closer.

What kind of spelling trophy is there for the Word Series?

lefty

10-27-2008, 05:44 PM

Lmao, more people have voted since the Phillies have gone up 3-1. It's gotten closer.

What kind of spelling trophy is there for the Word Series?

I voted Philly before the series started :D

Poll should have been closed just before the 1st pitch

tlongII

10-27-2008, 06:29 PM

If the Rays can get an early lead the Phillies will be in trouble. Their collars will get tight.

lefty

10-27-2008, 08:05 PM

Baldelli wearing a hat = Luke Wilson

FromWayDowntown

10-27-2008, 09:43 PM

Suspending the game after the Rays tied it wasn't at all predictable. At least the Phillies won't win a title by having won a rain-shortened game.

IronMexican

10-27-2008, 10:27 PM

Suspending the game after the Rays tied it wasn't at all predictable. At least the Phillies won't win a title by having won a rain-shortened game.

I would have been pissed if it ended that way.

Horry For 3!

10-28-2008, 12:18 AM

I was telling people that whoever won game 1 is gonna win it all. Looks like that is gonna come true.

ducks

10-28-2008, 09:11 AM

rays win game 5
go home
some how manage game 6 win
all the pressure is in phillies

Reggie Miller

10-28-2008, 09:17 AM

Suspending the game after the Rays tied it wasn't at all predictable. At least the Phillies won't win a title by having won a rain-shortened game.

Actually, I was watching the game with a young lady who knows nothing about baseball, and she called it. ("They'll call the game the second Tampa ties it.")

Later of course, we find out that Selig and the two teams had an agreement not to let weather settle the Series. ?!?!?!?!

Why didn't the public or the players know this last night? Bumblin' Bud strikes again. Even when he does something right, he manages to fuck it up. Sigh....

Reggie Miller

10-28-2008, 09:20 AM

rays win game 5
go home
some how manage game 6 win
all the pressure is in phillies

The weather effectively wiped out a Hamels start. (The game is tied, and he can't be used tonight.) I actually feel better about Tampa's chances now than I did after Game 4.

FromWayDowntown

10-28-2008, 11:30 AM

Actually, I was watching the game with a young lady who knows nothing about baseball, and she called it. ("They'll call the game the second Tampa ties it.")

Later of course, we find out that Selig and the two teams had an agreement not to let weather settle the Series. ?!?!?!?!

Why didn't the public or the players know this last night? Bumblin' Bud strikes again. Even when he does something right, he manages to fuck it up. Sigh....

Bud's judgment is notoriously tone-deaf and this is still another example of that. At least the teams knew that he was changing the rules for this game -- when I originally heard that the game would be completed no matter what, I thought that the teams hadn't been advised of that decision. I'm actually quite surprised that Bud had the wherewithal to tell Maddon and Manuel what was up.

FromWayDowntown

10-28-2008, 11:36 AM

The weather effectively wiped out a Hamels start. (The game is tied, and he can't be used tonight.) I actually feel better about Tampa's chances now than I did after Game 4.

That occurred to me, too. Tampa can, if Maddon so chooses, run Price out to "start" the resumption of Game 5 and match him up with Philly's middle of the pen or maybe a starter like Happ. Tampa has all of its pen other than Balfour -- although Maddon could also save Price and "start" Balfour tonight (or tomorrow night) to get maximum use from his pen.

I thought Tampa would win this series fairly easily, and I've been proven wrong -- particularly by the ineffectiveness of Pena and Longoria (though both managed to get hits before intermission). I think that the Phillies have earned the benefit of the doubt and are likely to win the Series. But Tampa has to be pleased that it essentially negated Hamels' second start and gave itself a chance to get Game 5 and head back home with Shields and Garza ready to go.

IronMexican

10-28-2008, 11:51 AM

Is anyone gonna watch this with NBA basketball on, though?

lefty

10-29-2008, 07:50 PM

Wow.

What a mistake by Tampa

lefty

10-29-2008, 09:13 PM

Damn I was right

Congrats Phillies !!!!

Purple & Gold

10-29-2008, 11:54 PM

Congratz to the Phillies.

Next year it'll be the Dodgers!!!!

JamStone

10-30-2008, 01:30 AM

bostonguy

10-30-2008, 01:35 AM

resistanze

10-30-2008, 11:04 AM

Props to the Phillies. They earned it.

As for Tampa:

Yes they turned their franchise around. Yes they eliminated the White and Red Sox. Problem is they didnt finish the job which means it was all for nothing since they didnt close the season with a championship. They have a nice young team that should be back in the mix, but there are no promises they will be back in the world series.

BTW The last 2 teams to beat Boston in the ALCS lost in the world series. The 2004 Curse of the Yankees and now the 2003/2008 ALCS curse.
I don't know why you keep reiterating this, I haven't heard the Rays or anyone else say "Well at least they beat Boston."

There's no promises an team will be in the world series, that's a gven. You just gotta go out and compete next season and see how it goes.

Reggie Miller

10-30-2008, 02:00 PM

Props to the Phillies. They earned it.

As for Tampa:

Yes they turned their franchise around. Yes they eliminated the White and Red Sox. Problem is they didnt finish the job which means it was all for nothing since they didnt close the season with a championship. They have a nice young team that should be back in the mix, but there are no promises they will be back in the world series.

BTW The last 2 teams to beat Boston in the ALCS lost in the world series. The 2004 Curse of the Yankees and now the 2003/2008 ALCS curse.

You forgot about the 2005 White Sox, who rolled over the Red Sox in three straight in the ALDS and won the World Series. Apparently, beating the juggernaut didn't wear them out...