As we enter quite possibly the final week of meaningful regular season games, call it before the playoffs are set. Post up your analysis and reasons for your pick too. Remember FLAGS fly forever!
GED10DaD
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Rangers, baby!
Dammmm Yankees. I wish they had more guys I could hate so I could mojo them out of the playoffs but...
Rivera, Granderson, Sabathia. Even long time evil empire haters gotta tip their caps to these guys.
Rivera, Granderson, Sabathia. Even long time evil empire haters gotta tip their caps to these guys.
I am going with Detroit, because I like them and because they have less pressure than others.
I really want to go with Detroit...Leyland is my favorite Skipper and Verlander is having an incredible year...BUT, I have a feeling the Evil Empire in NY with all those weapons will come through and Win the American League pennant again, but lose to Philly in the WS.
I had to cast the first vote for the Rays - IMO I would have a 1 in 4 chance picking any of the current leaders, as I think any one of them could win the pennant depending on how hot they are.
So no problem going with a longer shot in the Rays just in case they pull the miracle they are working towards.
So no problem going with a longer shot in the Rays just in case they pull the miracle they are working towards.
I don't know who will win it but I am seriously concerned about my Red Sox.
quote:I don't know who will win it but I am seriously concerned about my Red Sox.
biggerpapi - I hear you loud and clear. If I watch tonight's game, I'll have to close my eyes.
My wife is tiring of my Red Sox rants which have been at an all time high the last few weeks. Despite my ranting, I think they will the Wild Card and the AL pennant. When push comes to shove Francona will know what buttons to push.
I share your concerns about the Red Sox... They seem to only have two gears, bad & good. Very little in between.
They better win a game here and there over the next few weeks or they'll be watching the playoffs on TV...
They better win a game here and there over the next few weeks or they'll be watching the playoffs on TV...
Yankees of course.
Should the Yankees win the AL East ad the best record in the AL, Joe Girardi has to be manager of the year.
Yanks were picked by every so-called expert to finish 3rd or 4th in the division this year. I think they're in denial over at Red Sox Central (ESPN) but the world series favorite might be shut out of the playoffs. I don't think so but it's possible. Nobody expected Yanks to do what they're doing this year. Despite all the major injuries, the starting pitching staff in tatters by not having anyone
after Sabathia, they are on pace to have the second best record in all of baseball.
While I'm not big on Girardi nd sometinmes he makes me shake my head on stuff he does, this may be his best season ever as a manager.
Should the Yankees win the AL East ad the best record in the AL, Joe Girardi has to be manager of the year.
Yanks were picked by every so-called expert to finish 3rd or 4th in the division this year. I think they're in denial over at Red Sox Central (ESPN) but the world series favorite might be shut out of the playoffs. I don't think so but it's possible. Nobody expected Yanks to do what they're doing this year. Despite all the major injuries, the starting pitching staff in tatters by not having anyone
after Sabathia, they are on pace to have the second best record in all of baseball.
While I'm not big on Girardi nd sometinmes he makes me shake my head on stuff he does, this may be his best season ever as a manager.
Sorry guys, the Yankees are going to win the pennant. Mariano Rivera, and the whole bullpen will take them home.
quote:Originally posted by zombywoof:
Yankees of course.
Should the Yankees win the AL East ad the best record in the AL, Joe Girardi has to be manager of the year.
Yanks were picked by every so-called expert to finish 3rd or 4th in the division this year. I think they're in denial over at Red Sox Central (ESPN) but the world series favorite might be shut out of the playoffs. I don't think so but it's possible. Nobody expected Yanks to do what they're doing this year. Despite all the major injuries, the starting pitching staff in tatters by not having anyone
after Sabathia, they are on pace to have the second best record in all of baseball.
While I'm not big on Girardi nd sometinmes he makes me shake my head on stuff he does, this may be his best season ever as a manager.
Zom, Seriously? I'm a tribe fan, so no dog in this fight but...
Before the season, everyone I heard had the Sox, Phils and Yanks clearly heads above the rest in all of baseball. Yanks 3rd or 4th in AL East??? Huh? All three took hits to thier rotation during the season as most teams do. Yes, the yanks had a few question marks in the rotation to begin with but was there any doubt they wouldn't buy quality fixes like they and no other team can? Had experiments with Garcia and Colon not worked out, they'd have just bought new options before the deadline.
It should be almost impossible for a yank mgr to qualify for mgr of the year. They are always provided with the very best tools needed to get the job done, and then some. There is the expected outcome or there is failure.
Have you compared your current lineup, rotation and pen to other teams lately? Allstar, sure HOF, Allstar, Allstar and sure HOF, sure future allstar, previous allstar, etc. Cy, Cy, Allstar, best closer of all time, etc.
Propose an entire roster swap with any team in baseball and see how your fellow fans react.
"Nobody expected the yanks to do what they are doing this year". Come on now.
Meh for the AL.
Go NL
Go NL
quote:Originally posted by cabbagedad:quote:Originally posted by zombywoof:
Yankees of course.
Should the Yankees win the AL East ad the best record in the AL, Joe Girardi has to be manager of the year.
Yanks were picked by every so-called expert to finish 3rd or 4th in the division this year. I think they're in denial over at Red Sox Central (ESPN) but the world series favorite might be shut out of the playoffs. I don't think so but it's possible. Nobody expected Yanks to do what they're doing this year. Despite all the major injuries, the starting pitching staff in tatters by not having anyone
after Sabathia, they are on pace to have the second best record in all of baseball.
While I'm not big on Girardi nd sometinmes he makes me shake my head on stuff he does, this may be his best season ever as a manager.
Zom, Seriously? I'm a tribe fan, so no dog in this fight but...
Before the season, everyone I heard had the Sox, Phils and Yanks clearly heads above the rest in all of baseball. Yanks 3rd or 4th in AL East??? Huh? All three took hits to thier rotation during the season as most teams do. Yes, the yanks had a few question marks in the rotation to begin with but was there any doubt they wouldn't buy quality fixes like they and no other team can? Had experiments with Garcia and Colon not worked out, they'd have just bought new options before the deadline.
It should be almost impossible for a yank mgr to qualify for mgr of the year. They are always provided with the very best tools needed to get the job done, and then some. There is the expected outcome or there is failure.
Have you compared your current lineup, rotation and pen to other teams lately? Allstar, sure HOF, Allstar, Allstar and sure HOF, sure future allstar, previous allstar, etc. Cy, Cy, Allstar, best closer of all time, etc.
Propose an entire roster swap with any team in baseball and see how your fellow fans react.
"Nobody expected the yanks to do what they are doing this year". Come on now.
Yes..All the so-called baseball experts picked the Yanks behind TB and Boston. They said trhis was the year there'll be no NYY playoff baseball. Nobody gave Yankee pitching staff a shot. The only two pitchers were Sabathia & Moe. Everyone else was a huge question mark.
You can't ignore Girardi as Mgr of the year because he manages the Yankees. They played better than they were supposed to and a whole lot of rookies contributed this year so the manager deserves credit for that. Who else in the American League deserves it this year? Leland/Detroit, probably and maybe Scioscia/Anaheim if they make the playoffs but that's about it. Yanks play in toughest division in all of baseball.
Yankees clinch the AL East with a sweep of the Rays. The Sox lose, but still extended their wildcard lead over the Rays at 2.5 games. The Los Angeles Angels also are 2.5 games behind. The RANGERS magic number is 3, after another beat down of the A's (12 of last 13).
As an interesting side:
In March 2011, TX Ranger's President Nolan Ryan predicted a 90-95 win season for the Rangers. Most called that prediction foolish. The 2010 Team went 90-72, so they've matched their wins from last year and made Ryan a Soothsayer!
Let's GO R A N G E R S !!! GED10DaD
As an interesting side:
In March 2011, TX Ranger's President Nolan Ryan predicted a 90-95 win season for the Rangers. Most called that prediction foolish. The 2010 Team went 90-72, so they've matched their wins from last year and made Ryan a Soothsayer!
Let's GO R A N G E R S !!! GED10DaD
Here come the Rangers!
The Rangers have a nicely balanced team although the staff is kind of young. Last years experience in the playoffs will certainly help them this year. One unsung hero has been Napoli who has over a 1000 OPS as a catcher. Great pickup there.
Ellsbury comes through in the 14th to split the doubleheader at the Bronx luxury wiffle ball stadium! What a great year Ellsbury is having. Sox remain 1 gameup over the Rays with 3 to play. Rays are at Yankees, and Sox at Orioles. Who said the Wildcard wasn't going to be exciting? Sox have Beckett, Bedard and TBD on the bump which ins't exactly building my confidence. Although, it makes for good theatre.
You know that fellow who ran around Camden last night and flipped off the Red Sox dugout... Someone wittier than I said it looked like Theo.
If I wasn't so lazy, I would go back and find all the people that said the Rangers were idiots for signing Beltre. Where would the Rangers be without Beltre and Napoli? Nolan Ryan and John Daniels do not get near the credit they deserve for being baseball's best front office duo. 
And...... down the stretch they come!
It will be interesting to see how a 1 GM play-in affects the ALDS pitching rotations?!?
GED10DaD
It will be interesting to see how a 1 GM play-in affects the ALDS pitching rotations?!?
GED10DaDquote:Originally posted by GunEmDown10:
And...... down the stretch they come!
It will be interesting to see how a 1 GM play-in affects the ALDS pitching rotations?!?
If the Rays are placed in that position after tonights game, they might use Maverick on Ready-5 (young Matt Moore) to pitch that game, and a month ago he wasn't even on the roster! He started and pitched 5 innings (0 ER, 11 K) in Yankee stadium to earn his first MLB W last week. I'm hoping the Rays win tonight and we get to see what happens.
The pitching match-up tonight is David Price versus Johnny All-Bullpen-Staff for the Yankees, so we will have to see how that works out. Gotta like how Maddon has kept the team loose during the last month.
Go Rays!
quote:Originally posted by biggerpapi:
I don't know who will win it but I am seriously concerned about my Red Sox.
HAHAHAHA...I don't blame you. Lester on 3 day's rest?
Plus, Soriano and Rivera are "resting" tonight for the Yankees. I love it!
quote:Originally posted by Backstop-17:quote:Originally posted by GunEmDown10:
And...... down the stretch they come!
It will be interesting to see how a 1 GM play-in affects the ALDS pitching rotations?!?
If the Rays are placed in that position after tonights game, they might use Maverick on Ready-5 (young Matt Moore) to pitch that game, and a month ago he wasn't even on the roster! He started and pitched 5 innings (0 ER, 11 K) in Yankee stadium to earn his first MLB W last week. I'm hoping the Rays win tonight and we get to see what happens.
The pitching match-up tonight is David Price versus Johnny All-Bullpen-Staff for the Yankees, so we will have to see how that works out. Gotta like how Maddon has kept the team loose during the last month.
Go Rays!
If anyone other than Joe Maddon wins Manager of the year this year in the AL, then they might as well get rid of the award. The strength of the Rays is their ability to draft and develop players. In addition to Matt Moore, Desmond Jennings has provided a huge spark to their club.
quote:Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
If anyone other than Joe Maddon wins Manager of the year this year in the AL, then they might as well get rid of the award. The strength of the Rays is their ability to draft and develop players. In addition to Matt Moore, Desmond Jennings has provided a huge spark to their club.
I agree CD. Maddon has done a great job with TB. IMHO, the NL award winner should be Kirk Gibson...but Ron Roenicke (Brewers) will definitely be in the discussion.
Roenicke, Maddon, and Bud Black (Padres Manager) were on Mike Scioscia's coaching staff just a few years ago with the Angels.
Rangers & Tigers still in the race. IT's TIME, again! Flags fly F O R E V E R.....
GED10DaD
My apologies to my good buddy JH, but
Atta boy Tigers!
Atta boy Tigers!
Yankee bats went silent at the wrong times for one game, and it cost them. Remember, those bats won them 97 games during the regular season. I think Girardi made all the right moves.
Somebody should be fired and rehired just for old times sake, and a tribute to George.
Somebody should be fired and rehired just for old times sake, and a tribute to George.
Valverde!!!!!
My favorite ARod stikerouter.
My favorite enchilada sauce.
My favorite classical composer.
He's got it all!!!
My favorite ARod stikerouter.
My favorite enchilada sauce.
My favorite classical composer.
He's got it all!!!
My son and I are long time Red Sox fans. So of course we were rooting for the Tigers.
It doesn't hurt that Verlander grew up not too far from here.
I love watching that guy pitch. 100+mph deep into a game. Wanting to keep the ball in his hand to win. I miss that kind of mentality.
I had a coach tell me once that as a pitcher, if you DON'T want to be the one on the mound, with the game on the line, you need to start looking at other positions to play.
It doesn't hurt that Verlander grew up not too far from here.
I love watching that guy pitch. 100+mph deep into a game. Wanting to keep the ball in his hand to win. I miss that kind of mentality.
I had a coach tell me once that as a pitcher, if you DON'T want to be the one on the mound, with the game on the line, you need to start looking at other positions to play.
Well folks... 31% picked the TIGERS, 35% picked the RANGERS.... that's the way baseball go!
Flags Fly FOREVER.
GED10DaD
BTW - I saw Napoli's girlfriend last night.... he's got ALOT of self-confidence.
Flags Fly FOREVER.
GED10DaD
BTW - I saw Napoli's girlfriend last night.... he's got ALOT of self-confidence.