Reports: Mets Sign Garcia, Ricketts to buy Cubs

According to this report, the NY Mets have signed or will sign Freddy Garcia to a minor league deal.

Garcia had been considering the Yankees as well; had he signed, it would have likely forced Andy Pettitte out.

The closer it gets to Spring Training, the more it seems like Pettitte really is the only option the Yankees want to consider, though Pettitte apparently wants more money and the Yankees aren't biting.

***

In other news, the Ricketts family has won the bidding war to buy the Chicago Cubs.

Perhaps new ownership will spur the Cubs on to...

Eh, who am I kidding--these are the Cubs!

Just joking.

Good luck to the Ricketts family--and remember, leave the baseball to the baseball people!

Learning to Live With the Designated Hitter

In a poll on ESPN.com today, the question posed is about which change you would most like to see in sports.

The four options are:

BCS
Designated Hitter
NBA travel enforcement
NFL Overtime.

It's perhaps not surprising that the BCS is running away with the lead, with 79% of the very un-scientific vote, but the poll does bring up an interesting point--reminding us that the designated hitter was never embraced by everyone and still has its detractors.

I admit that until last season, I had never really given much thought to the rule.

The idea that one league had it and one league did not made enough sense to me--if I really cared that much, I could go and become a fan of the National League.

Then, on a hot day last June, I saw why the designated hitter could be a good thing. Had the Yankees been playing in an American League ballpark, Chien Ming Wang would have never had to run the bases and while no one can say for sure, it is certainly possible that Wang would have never injured his foot.

In the American League, I thought, this would never happen.

Never mind that my support for the DH rule, no matter how momentary, could cause me to lose all credibility as a baseball purist; a Yankee was hurt because there was no DH and this was a horror of horrors.

It even prompted this quote from Hank Steinbrenner:

"I've got my pitchers running the bases, and one of them gets hurt. He's going to be out. I don't like that, and it's about time they address it. That was a rule from the 1800s."

More than a few months removed from that event, however, it's easier to provide a clearer picture.

The designated hitter was introduced to the MLB in 1973, and it's now used in the majority of the world's professional leagues.

Surely, then, something so widespread couldn't be bad for the game, right?

I asked my friend, Steven Lord, a Mets fan, what he thought, and he offered this take:

I don't like it. I'm an NL person. I feel that if you play the field, you should have to hit. I feel that in the NL, pitchers have to think twice about going after a person because they know that they will have to stand in the box. I like the strategy involved with it: bunting, double switches...hell, even Tony LaRussa has added a new element to it with batting his pitcher 8th....it adds an extra element to the game.

From a sentimental point of view, that argument would hold a lot of weight.

It does make a manager have to think, it does mean that pitchers have to think before (intentionally) beaning someone, and it does mean that hitters need to be able to field, and fielders hit.

However, if you consider the years since the strike, you discover the following: Since 1994, NL teams have won the World Series in 95, 97, 01, 03, 06 and 08...six years out of fourteen, and in those years, they managed to win the World Series in less than six games just twice, in 06 and 08.

Meanwhile, the American League has won World Series in 96, 98, 99, 00, 02, 04, 05 and 07, and failed to do so in a sweep or five games only twice (96 and 02).

If we also consider the results of the All Star games since the strike and the composite results of interleague play (all time results are: 1387–1317, AL), it becomes fairly clear that the American League is the better league.

While the Designated Hitter itself can not be solely responsible for this, some of the consequences of its implementation are.

The most simple way of putting it is that theoretically the DH improves a team's offense, which means the team's opponent needs to adjust and improve its pitching, a backlash response, if you will.

Whether or not that is actually what happened is up for debate, but what is not is that the DH, when used, can alter the way a game is played. As the traditional narrative goes, if you like bunts, stolen bases and the running game, the National League (or the Anaheim Angels) are for you; if you like big home runs and lots of scoring, the American League is what you want to follow.

So is the DH a good thing?

It remains a question with no clear answer. From the perspective of safety for a pitcher, and for the caliber of hitting, it seems to be yes, but from the perspective of tradition and sentimentality-which, when referring to baseball cannot be understated-the answer is still no.


****

The Yankees have signed Nady to a one year deal which basically doubles his salary from last year.

From the "Did you Know?" files...(including Doubleheader Notes 13 September 2001)

The Houston Astros are 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, and the way things are going for the Phillies and the Brewers, it's certainly not an undoable task...

***

The Yankees dropped the first game of their double-header today, 7-1, which might be a death knell to Mussina's quest for 20--he should get at least three more starts but he would have to win all three. It's not impossible, but it is a tall order.

The Yanks were much better in the second game, coming back from down 4-1 to win. Phil Coke was excellent in relief of Sidney Ponson.

Derek Jeter seems to have decided that he needs to break Lou Gehrig's Yankee Stadium hits record. He came into today needing nine hits, and he's whittled that down to three. If I remember correctly, they have all been singles.

***

Meanwhile, Syracuse football continues to be a national embarrassment.

Crystal Gazin'

Well, with 2007 wrapping up, I thought it's about time for some 2008 predictions...


Baltimore Orioles: Become the first team in history to lose a game by 35 runs. Finishes at about the same number games back of the Yankees and Red Sox.

Boston Red Sox: Someone hacks into http://www.38pitches.com and posts liberal rhetoric. Story is covered for three weeks with no interruptions by Fox News.

New York Yankees: Joba, Phil and Ian conspire to get Jeter to (finally) tie the not. The ceremony occurs at the Home Run Derby.

Tampa Bay Rays: Without the 'Devil' in their name, they go on a tear, finishing third in the division with at .500 record. (Also, the boldest prediction in the lot).

Toronto Blue Jays: Manages to keep their pitching staff healthy for the entire season, but it's not much use as the bats fail to do their bit.


Chicago White Sox: After losing 17-2 in Detroit, Ozzie Guillen attempts to go on one of his trade mark rants, but a nasty case of laryngitis prevents him from saying anything. Network execs at ESPN are baffled.

Cleveland Indians: In the ultimate karmic revenge, the October Midges prevent Kenny Lofton (still playing), from getting a two-out hit in game five of the 08 ALDS.

Detroit Tigers: Start out as the best team in the league, before Willis goes down with an injury and Miggy's fielding causes some game-costing errors, and then fail to win a game after the All Star Break, once again completing the collapse of the century.

Kansas City Royals: Out-perform the St. Louis Cardinals to become the best team in Missouri.

Minnesota Twins: End up starting the season with Johan Santana, who pitches to a .500 record at the break, and the team is thus unable to trade hime. Twins finish last in the division, inciting riots in the Twin Cities.


Anaheim Angels (I don't call 'em otherwise): No longer the best team in Southern California, they enter a deal with Disney to produce Angels in the Outfield: Roid Rage.

Oakland Athletics: Having fleeced Arizona, Billy Beane wins executive of the year, even as his team misses the postseason for the second year running after (again) injuries decimate the team.

Seattle Mariners: Ichiro becomes the first player in major league history to have eight hits in a nine-inning game, but the Mariners still lose.

Texas Rangers: As the team strives to repeat its 30-run performance, they forget that bit about pitching, so when 30 runs are scored in a game they play, it's the other team that scores them.



Atlanta Braves: Still trying to reclaim the glory of the 1990s.

Florida Marlins: With all the young guys from Detroit, the Marlins, right on their five-year schedule, re-appear in the World Series.

New York Mets: Still reeling from the worst-ever September collapse, the Mets go until June before winning back-to-back games. No discernible roster changes to the pitching staff, though Minaya does manage to sign a few +35 sluggers who spend most of their time on the bench.

Philadelphia Phillies: The defending NL East champions cannot beat the youth of the Marlins, but end up taking the Wild Card anyway.

Washington Nationals: In his first start with his new team, Tyler Clippard pitches a no-hitter.


Chicago Cubs: 100 years since 1908, they'll reach the NLCS, game seven against the Marlins, in Florida, where there's a guy with tickets on the 1st base line by the name of Steve Bartman...

Cincinnati Reds: Griffey's team continues to remain irrelevant, that is, until Bud Selig resigns and the new commish decides to maybe reinstate Pete Rose...

Houston Astros: Rocket announces his return and for the first time in history, pitches in same game as his son.

Milwaukee Brewers: They go back to being the Brewers of old.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Regret non-tendering Josh Phelps as he gets the hit that puts Pittsburgh out of division contention.

St. Louis Cardinals: The combined efforts of Albert Pujols and Rick Ankiel are not quite enough to carry the team past the all-star break.


Arizona Diamondbacks: Dan Haren goes down early with an injury, but the Diamondbacks, having spent their farm system to get him, are unable to cope.

Colorado Rockies: Last year's miracle team attempts to repeat the feat, but, sadly, is unable to win 21 of 22 games.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Scott Proctor is in hiding by June.

San Diego Padres: The Padres turn out to have completed the Off-Season move of the decade when Mark Prior pitches to a 23 game win mark.

San Francisco Giants: With no Barry Bonds, nearly everyone outside of the Bay Area simply forgets that this team does, in fact, exist.

It's a Small League After All...

Not much new in Yankee land, so some news stories around the league you may have missed...

Dan Haren to 'Zona. The price for Arizona? Most of its present and future farm system. Remember when the Yankees used to think that was a good idea? Yea? Well, I'm glad the Yanks don't any more.

Jim Edmonds to Padres. Remember when this guy was good?


Phillies interested in Mike Cameron Wow, the center field market must be really thin...




SPORTSTALKNY moves back to its regular timeslot this week at 9 PM on Wednesday. Our guests are Ed Willes, author of The Rebel League, and former major league pitcher and coach Mark Littell, also the inventor of the 'nutty buddy'.

Tune in, turn on, have fun.

What with the Shenanigans and the Going Ons...

First things first, since enough of you are asking:

I had two finals yesterday. I thought the first one would be easy and the second would be hard, so, of course, the first one was hard and the second one was easy. I know a lot more about Aerica and World War Two than I realized I did, and it came in very, very handy.

Anyway.

There is (for once, and maybe the only time this winter) not a whole heaping of news concerning the Yankees, but that does not mean there isn't news elsewhere. So, in case you haven't been paying too much attention, here are some of the bigger stories around the league:

Kosuke Fukudome to come Stateside. Fukudome is regarded as one of the best Japanese outfielders; interested teams include the Padres, White Sox and Chicago Cubs.

I'm not sure, but I believe the correct pronunciation of his surname would be something like 'Foo-koo-doh-may'. However, I've never studied Japanese, so I might not to be the one whose advice you take.


Paul Lo Duca agrees to one-year deal with Nationals. This now means that the Nats have taken Milledge, Lo Duca and Clippard, all from New York. It will...uh...be interesting to see how these moves pan out, especially the Milledge one, considering the Nats got him for almost nothing.


Gagné and Brewers finalize one-year $10 million contract. Well, if you honestly thought Gagné would stay in Boston after the disaster of last August and September...

At least, in the National League, Gagné will only see his old team either during interleague play or the World Series. It'll probably do him some good to be away from Boston.

Rangers set to add Bradley to line-up. Bradley, if you forgot, was the dude whose season came to an end last year after a rather interesting confrontation with an umpire...



The big news we are a-waiting is, of course, the release of the Mitchell Report, possibly Thursday. I am singularly amazed it hasn't already been linked.

All About Barry (Again)

It's generally a bad idea to make posts about things that are highly emotional right after you find out about it--so that's why my Bonds post last afternoon was so short.

So I've had a day to think about it.

There is, of course, a lot you could say about the indictment. You can argue that 'okay, finally something is being done about steroids" or that "Why did they wait until now", or even "they're only going after Barry because he's Barry."

Truth is, it's a bit of everything.

Steroids are a real problem. They are a big problem. Barry Bonds is an easy target. Barry Bonds is a good target. The government has proof that Bonds did use steroids.

There is no question that this has suddenly become the biggest story of the off season (and not A-Rod...wow, I almost feel bad for Scott Boras. Almost.) and that it could, if it goes to trial and Bonds is proven guilty, be something that shakes the sport for a long time to come.


However, Barry Bonds is not Micheal Vick. Bonds did not harm another human being, did not desecrate property, did not harm animals, did not cause tangible damage. It is important to remember this when weighing whether or not Bonds deserves to be criminally prosecuted. Remember that Bill Clinton perjured himself while President, and simply ended up impeached, not incarcerated.

What Barry Bonds did do, however, is hurt an idea, and perhaps an ideal. He hurt the idea that men could do truly great feats, like hit 756 home runs, on nothing more than talent and honed skill. He hurt the idea that it was possible to have heroes that were human doing things that were not human. He hurt the idea that the home run record was sacred, that only someone touched by divine grace such as Hank Aaron could touch it.

So what should happen to Bonds?

Well, it seems the worst has happened. Before 2000, Bonds would easily be a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame. Now, despite the record, he will probably end up in the limb of Mark McGuire, Pete Rose and those others who let things slightly less than legal, slightly hubraic (I just invented a word!) overwhelm their on-field accomplishments.

Bonds will never be able to fully separate or exonerate himself from the steroid allegations. He has become a symbol, a caricature of everything we see wrong with baseball today.

Perhaps, in some sense, that is punishment enough.

Bonds Might Need THAT Sort of Bond

Well, free wireless at the airport has many uses. Such as, I can now tell you all that according to the Enterprise-Record,

Barry Bonds has been indicted on perjury and obstruction charges

I could go on about how this has completely made my day, if not my week, but I have a feeling that would be juvenile.

Seriously, though, this is one crazy off season. Wow. Battery dying, must go.

Rox N' Sox (2007 World Series Preview)

Presenting Rebecca's 2007 World Series preview, written in verse to celebrate the rhyming of Sox and Rox.

Ahem:

They’re bonkers in Boston for the Sox,
Crazed in Colorado for the Rox.
To the World Series they will go,
Whether through wind, rain, sleet or snow.

The Rockies have been on an amazing run,
Of the past twenty-two, they won twenty-one.
Against the wall, Boston made an attack
Three games to one, they came all the way back.

Boston has pitchers like Beckett and Schilling,
But the Rockies’ offense can make a killing,
With hitters like Holliday and Tulowitzki
To come up against Paplebon and Hideki.

Boston has Manny, Ortiz and Youkilis,
But the Rockies have pitchers like Jeff Francis.
Josh Fogg might be the Dragon-slayer,
But Pedroia is quite the player.

The Rockies play a mile high,
Where balls sail far into the sky,
But Boston has their home at Fenway,
Where since 1912 they come to play.

So who is it going to be in the end?
On certain factors it will all depend.
Colorado has had nine days to rest
While Boston has had to play at their best.

If the Rockies can stay hot,
Beating them Boston will not.
But if the contest comes down to the bullpen,
It will be Boston in five, six or seven.



(I would love a Colorado sweep, but if Beckett and Schilling can deliver, then Boston, who has home field advantage, will probably pull out. Let's hope the Rockies remain hot.)

Rock Around the Clock (NLCS game 4 postgame notes)

This is short because it's late and I'm supposed to go to class tomorrow.

The Colorado Rockies are the National League Champions.

While some outside of that great state may have expected it, I certainly wasn't one of them....but the Rockies deserve it.

They played their hearts out, never gave up, never gave in, and it paid off big time.

Arizona, in a classic case of 'too little, too late' , did make it close, but close is not good enough. For all the hailing of Micah Owings, it was the Rockies, and the pitcher that they did not mention, that are playing for it all.

....and this entire time I'm thinking, Todd Helton really wants to lift the Cup right about now...

Which, I believe, is a universal signal for bedtime.

See you all later today/tomorrow depending on your time zone!

Rocking to the Beat of Their Own Drum (NLCS Game 3 Postgame Notes)

In today's News of the Absurd:

The Colorado Rockies are one game from the World Series.

Let me repeat.

The Colorado Rockies are one game from the World Series.

Whatever you thought, going into the 2007 baseball season, I can pretty much guarantee that it wasn't that, but that's exactly what it is.

Colorado's out pitched, out hit, out clutched and out fundamentaled so far, so unless Arizona has an '04 Sox in them, they're stuck, and judging from tonight, Coors Field isn't the driest or warmest place to play baseball in October.

The Rockies are playing so well right now they nearly turned a triple play, and it felt like the double play was a disappointment.

Livan Hernandez was good but Josh Fogg was excellent. Arizona got on base, but Colorado scored. Arizona hit into three double plays in the first three innings. Colorado didn't.

The most interesting part of the whole thing is how into it the Colorado fans are. You don't think of Colorado as a baseball place in the way that you do Boston, New York, Chicago...you think of Broncos and Avalanche...but the fans at Coors Field tonight, even in the pouring rain and chill, were as into it as fans can get.

If the question right now is who wants it more?, the answer is Colorado.

Plain, simple and rock hard.

(I promise, I'll stop the rock related puns as soon as the Rockies are eliminated...)

Rock(ies) and Roll (NLCS Game Two Postgame notes)

Well, if I'm going to stay up to three AM watching a baseball game, I should thank Colorado and Arizona to make it a good one!

An old-fashioned pitcher's duel is the best way to describe the game, and, well, the Rockies seem utterly immune to losing. Even when their 'pen blows a one run lead in the ninth, on the road, the Rockies shrug it off like no big deal and win in eleven.

If Arizona has any hope of beating Colorado now, they'll have to do it on the road and at Coors field...which will be anything but an easy task.

Seriously. 19-1 in the last 20 games? It's almost as if we should be asking 'why are we playing the NLCS this year?', but, of course, if we did, Arizona would just go and win four straight.


Arizona's not up against a wall yet, but in the world of baseball metaphors, they're certainly on the warning track.

Arizona pitched well last night, but Colorado pitched better, and the deeper into the series that we go, the bigger the fact looms that Colorado's got the deeper pitching staff.

I think, right now, the D-backs have got to be hoping that there's some sort of rain or snow out. Right now, it seems like their only chance to win a game...



Back later with more. Going to go eat something first.

Rock On, Colorado! (2007 NLCS Game One postgame notes)

Okay, I'm no great fan of Colorado. Mostly, this has to do with hockey, and the Broncos in 1998, but the point remains, that for me to support a team from Colorado takes considerable effort.

However, when Arizona's fans did one of the most un-classy things possible--throwing objects such as water bottles on the field--I decided that I wanted Colorado to win the game.

After all, why not?


Brandon Webb simply just did not have it...he seemed spot on in the first, but quickly came apart.
'
Arizona had chances to get runs back on offense, but like the Yankees' LDS offense (excepting game three), they were simply anemic. They did that whole GIDP thing way too much, which is painful to watch if you're trying to support that team.

On the other hand, Colorado did everything right.

They got the big hits, pitched well enough, and ran the bases like a playoff team.


Colorado deserved this one. Rock on!



That's it from me tonight; tomorrow we've got ALCS preview, Friday's 'You Learn Something New' (YLSN) in which I will pick a baseball concept/idea/rule/term I don't understand and figure out how to explain it, and ALCS Game One recap. I'll be watching ALCS Game One with my friend who is a Red Sox fan, so I may or may not have some extra insight.

Snake bites or Mountain Lions? (NLCS preview)

Arizona Diamondbacks. Colorado Rockies. If you asked anyone on June 1st what these two teams would be doing on 11 October, chances are you would have said "golfing".

You would have been wrong. Very, very wrong.

Tonight these two teams will be squaring off in the NLCS, and even though it's anything but a purist's dream (We could have had Cubs-Phillies!), it's going to be a good series.

Both teams are young. Both teams are incredibly hot--Colorado seems to be on the verge of eliminating 'lose' from its vocabulary and a Diamondbacks team that was supposed to finish no better than third was the only 90 game winner.

So, who's going to take the series?

I have no idea. However, I will be shocked if either team wins it in five games or less. I can't see Arizona winning at Coors Field; I can't see Colorado sweeping.

Players you want to watch: Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki (no, I don't know how to spell that), Brandon Webb, Micah Owings.

If I had to go and guess as to who's going to win, I'd have to go with Colorado. Arizona probably should have lost game two against Chicago, but Colorado more or less decimated the much-better Phillies.

Still, four days off for Colorado doesn't bode well for their winning streak...except that Arizona's done the same thing as well.

Again, the NLCS is not a purist's dream, but it should be entertaining to watch just the same. If you're a Yankee fan, on principle, you should probably be supporting the Rockies.


NFL picks coming shortly, but I'm hungry and want to eat something first.

Wrangled at Wrigley (LDS notes 6 October 07)

You think you know pain.

You think that you, the Yankee fan, memories of '01 and '04 still etched firmly in your mind, know heartbreak.

You think you know the depths of despair.

You think you know Postseason heartbreak.


You know nothing.


Ninety-nine years now The Chicago Cubs have gone without a World Series title.

If it's not billy goats, it's black cats, if it's not black cats, it's Steve Bartman, if it's not Steve Bartman, it's those @#$@-ing double plays.

What else do you say?

The Cubs had their chances tonight, they had multiple innings of more than one man on base with less than two out, but they grounded into four double plays.

You want to celebrate for 'Zona, a young team that is the National League's only 90-win record, a team that deserves a shot at the LCS, but instead you find yourself mourning for the Cubs yet again.

Just to be clear: This is the purist in me talking. I'm a die-hard Yankee fan. If it came to a Yankees-Cubs World Series, I'd sell my soul before rooting against the Yankees. That said, if the Yankees don't win a World Series, I want it to be the Cubs. The Cubs are the one team the Yankees could lose to, and I wouldn't feel like retching.

They deserve so much better than they've gotten.

The signs at Wrigley say 'It's Gonna Happen', and it will. Nothing lasts forever...but for the faithful in Chicago, for that legion of fans that, well, would make the list of world's-oldest-people if they remember the last time rings were handed out...

...they will all have to suffer through the long, cold, bitter Chicago winter yet again.


(On a positive note, the Bulls should be pretty good this year).



Less than 24 hours until we find out if the Yankees live to fight another day. Leave the discussion about next year until next year. Let's get through tomorrow first.

Postseason Scores and Stuffs, 3 October 2007

The Rockies beat the Phillies 4-2, in Philadelphia. The Rockies are more or less the one team no one wants to play right now; and Jeff Francis had a great game, making only two mistakes.

Chase Utley had four strikeouts, more or less the opposite of 'clutch'.

Cole Hammels did not pitch that poorly for Philadelphia, but one bad inning in the second cost them dearly. Philadelphia allowed just two hits outside of that inning, a home run and a base hit in the ninth.


Boston beat the Angels, 4-0. The Angels played like they're hurting, and Beckett was...well, let's just say he brought back some very unpleasant memories of 2003.

However, the unpleasant memories of Beckett are not nearly as unpleasant as the memories of Ortiz...and that he went 2-3 makes me very, very unhappy.


One more game to go, but I probably won't stay up for the entire thing. I'll either edit that into this post or put something up tomorrow morning.

[EDIT]: The Cubs/Diamondbacks game is the most exciting game of the day. A one-one tie into the seventh, Arizona pulled two ahead with a home run and a RBI.

Now, it's top of the ninth, Chicago up at bat, one on and two out, Soriano up...might as well stay awake to see how this one ends!


Side note: I know there are some that disagree with me, but I'm actually enjoying the TBS coverage. It's no-nonsense, and the announcers aren't afraid to be critical of the teams. I didn't so much enjoy the rehashing of 2004, but what else would you expect in a Boston game?

Also, the game breaks mid-innings are much more enjoyable than commercials.

Sizing Up the NL Final Four

Well, this one is a lot harder because I know very little about the National League. Please do yourself a favor and don't use this post to make your NL picks...


Arizona Diamondbacks: Not quite the team from 2001, but young, and they know how to win. They have the best record in the National League, so Chicago has its hands full.

Strengths: Webb gems. Brandon Webb is my vote for NL Cy Young; three straight shut outs is beyond impressive. He can be the spark for this team, and propel them to a World Series.

Weaknesses: Inexperience. Arizona is a YOUNG team. Justin Upton is only nineteen! Like Cleveland, the playoffs are likely to be a growing experience as much as anything else.

Chicago Cubs: For a while it didn't seem like anyone wanted to win the NL Central, but eventually the Cubs decided to do it. Billy Goats better watch out.

Strengths: They're due. Oh, dear G-d are they due. Note: This is a cover for the fact that I can't really name any Cubs players aside from Soriano, Lee, Zambrano and Lilly...If Zambrano's on, the Cubs will be hard to beat.

Weaknesses: History. Billy goats, black cats, what have you, and a 105 year-long drought. As long as Steve Bartman stays clear of Wrigley, I guess they have a chance...

Colorado Rockies: Fourteen out of fifteen isn't just hot. Fourteen out of fifteen is you-don't-even-have-to-touch-home-plate-to-win hot. People better start taking them seriously now...

Strengths: Momentum, and geography. The Rockies need to ride their momentum for all it's worth, because it's capable of carrying them far. Also, playing at Coors Field at home means they're used to the altitude, which will likely provide a bonus.

Weaknesses: Inexperience. I'm not sure anyone on the current Rockies roster have playoff experience...maybe Kaz Matsui when he was with the Mets? I'm not sure about this so you guys have to help me out!

Philadelphia Phillies: Simply put, they shouldn't be here right now, but they are. It's what makes baseball the greatest sport, ever...

Strengths: Lady Luck. You don't survive injuries to your second basemen, your all-star slugger and G-d knows who else and no real pitching staff to speak of aside from Cole Hammels without some help from above.

Weaknesses: Lady Luck. Lady doesn't stay around forever...


Not going to try to make predictions here, because my gut tells me that every team's going to win and we all know that's not possible...


Anyway, enjoy tonight.

If what happened last night means anything, we're in for one of the best Octobers ever. Hold onto your hats folks, it's going to be one wild ride...

One Hell of a Finish

Sometime back in late July or early August, I said it was going to be one hell of a finish.

Looks like I was right.

We got to four games back a couple of times back in August, but couldn't break through that barrier, so when going into last weekend's series at Boston, it felt like we'd have to sweep to have a chance at winning the division.

Apparently, this isn't the case. The AL East has gone from the most 'over' division now to one of the closest.

It has the feeling of one of those seasons where everything will be decided on September 30.

Coincidentally, that's the football game my friend and I got tickets for...go timing!

Anyway.

It's kind of funny--everyone considered the AL East was out of reach. Even Brian Cashman had said "we just need to get in"...but you can't help but feel that people in Boston are getting very anxious.

However, when I said 'one hell of a finish', I wasn't just talking about the Yankees...

At the time, Seattle and Detroit were in the division mixes, and while this is no longer the case, they certainly made things very interesting for a while.

In the National League, well, this is where it's just as good:

The Mets, who have been in first place since May, have seen their division lead whittled away to 1.5 games. Yeah. 1.5. Should the Phillies make the playoffs--and if the Mets and Phillies keep playing the same way, they will--Charlie Manuel deserves votes for manager of the year. You would have thought that with the injury to Chase Utley, they'd be done, but then they go and sweep the Mets...

The NL Central, otherwise known as The Division No One Wants To Win, is a virtual deadlock between the Cubs and the Brewers, and, for a while, the Cardinals as well. It's horrible that the Brewers and Cubs don't have any more games together, but at the beginning of the season, did anyone have them finishing 1-2 in the division? Thought not.

The NL West as well is going to come down to the wire between San Diego and Arizona. Personally, I'm rooting for Arizona.


There's some payback from 2001 that needs doing.

The most satisfying scenario for the Yankees here on out?

Beating the Angels, ALDS.
Beating the Sox (preferably less than 7) in the ALCS.
Beating Arizona ALCS.

That's payback for 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, all wrapped up in one October...