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2008 MLB Playoffs thread

post #1 of 220
9/30/08 at 6:41am
Thread Starter 
Anyone excited about the MLB playoffs this year?

Will the Cubs finally win the big one, or will the Angels deliver another killing blow to Cubs nation.

Can other teams sneak into the World Series?
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post #2 of 220
9/30/08 at 7:02am

re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Let's go Phillies! clap, clap, clap-clap-clap!

Yeah. I'm ready despite the fact that I'll have to watch the TBS games on fuzzy-vision since I only have HD over-the-air.
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post #3 of 220
9/30/08 at 8:27am

re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

I'm a Cubs fan and can't wait for things to get started. It's going to be an exciting time in Chicago with the Cubs in for sure, The White Sox may be in later today...and the Cubs arch-rival Brewers already in and only 60 miles up the road.

The TV situation once again sucks the big one though. Tomorrow's game starts shortly after quitting time which barely gives me enough time to either get home or get to a sports bar and watch the introductions. Thursday's game doesn't start until 8:00 which is the latest game start ever at Wrigley (I'm not sure how they got clearance to start that late) and will require me to stay up well past my usual bedtime....and I won't even start on Saturday's start time. I'm hoping the Cubs can win it all and then I can just give up on MLB's greed and focus on my other interests.
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post #4 of 220
9/30/08 at 8:43am

re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Peterson
Tomorrow's game starts shortly after quitting time which barely gives me enough time to either get home or get to a sports bar and watch the introductions. Thursday's game doesn't start until 8:00 which is the latest game start ever at Wrigley (I'm not sure how they got clearance to start that late) and will require me to stay up well past my usual bedtime.
So, when's the ten-minute window that would be okay?

Making things work out across the country is an unenviable task; I've already resigned myself to being useless at work Thursday after a 10pm ET start Wednesday and getting a late start Saturday (9:30pm Friday! Yay!).

The Angels/Sox series has me a little worried. Last year, Red Sox fans justifiably mocked the Angels after their manager said they have to score runs by making outs, as the Red Sox strategy of scoring runs by stringing together a bunch of multiple-base hits proved more sound. This year, I don't think the Angels are as good as their record even if they are hitting better (Rodriguez broke the saves record because his team seldom blows another team out, and that's playing in a pretty crappy division), but the Sox are playing down a couple guys, especially if Beckett really isn't ready for game 3.
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post #5 of 220
9/30/08 at 9:59am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Sun
Anyone excited about the MLB playoffs this year?

Not really.

However, I'd like to see a Tampa-LA series. Maybe they can get Hank Steinbrenner to throw out the first ball?
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post #6 of 220
9/30/08 at 10:00am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

I'm excited to see this year's playoffs. I don't know what it is exactly, but I think the baseball playoffs bring the most excitement of all the sports. And this year will be so much better, because the Yankees are not in it.

This can be the season for the Phillies, to at least make it to the World Series. Now whether they can win it all, is another story. I like their chances against the Brewers.

I think the Rays will be pooping on everyone's party this postseason.
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post #7 of 220
9/30/08 at 11:34am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

So, when's the ten-minute window that would be okay?


I realize what you're saying is partly in jest, but my main point is that MLB did not use to have an allergy to showing two games at once. How many people really watch every game? I distinctly remember flipping channels to keep up with multiple games which was only a minor inconvenience. Now I have to re-adjust my work and sleep schedules to catch either game which is a major inconvenience. Only one of the first two games starts during what I consider primetime for either team and that's game two and it's prime-time for the away team - (5:30 & 3:30 for game 1) and (6:30 & 8:30 for game 2)....and neither starts at time similar to when the Cubs normally play. I'd rather have the day games so that I can listen at work instead of staying up until midnight.

I know that it sounds like a minor gripe, but it's really a pain in the ass and it's something that they only started doing in recent years.
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post #8 of 220
9/30/08 at 11:52am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Spreading the games out is not something that just started in recent years, though - in prior years there were more afternoon games, because both LCSes would be carried by the same network. The first time two playoff games were scheduled for the same time was about five years ago, when Fox had one and FX had the other, and many people loudly complained about that. It's just exacerbated by the third round of playoffs and the networks' desire to not punt their entire prime time schedule on the west coast.
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post #9 of 220
9/30/08 at 11:59am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

It's just exacerbated by the third round of playoffs and the networks' desire to not punt their entire prime time schedule on the west coast.


What is exactly considered primetime by the networks? I think my biggest problem is that my definition of primetime is nowhere near what the networks think. My exposure to network TV is pretty much the baseball playoffs each year and that's it. I have no use for 99.9% of their programming.
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post #10 of 220
9/30/08 at 1:34pm

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Technically, 7:30pm - 11:00pm ET/PT. Start a 3-hour game at 8pm ET - which a great many east-coasters complain about being too late - and you're showing King of the Hill re-runs or something on the west coast. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any solution that doesn't annoy baseball fans somewhere.

(I take it a sign of baseball's inherent superiority and importance that nobody seems to complain about crappy hours for football or basketball, even though their start times are often worse)
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post #11 of 220
9/30/08 at 2:28pm

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Seaver
Technically, 7:30pm - 11:00pm ET/PT. Start a 3-hour game at 8pm ET - which a great many east-coasters complain about being too late - and you're showing King of the Hill re-runs or something on the west coast. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any solution that doesn't annoy baseball fans somewhere.

(I take it a sign of baseball's inherent superiority and importance that nobody seems to complain about crappy hours for football or basketball, even though their start times are often worse)
I take it the exact opposite: Many people hated the old Monday Night Football schedule that would have games ending well past midnight. But because the quality of the product was so high, the people still watched.

Now the first Brewers playoff game in 26 years is being played at 2 in the afternoon on a Wednesday. There are a lot of fans out there, but many of them will still be at work. It doesn't make sense to me. Put the games on a time people can watch them! Who gives a crap if the NL and AL games are on at the same time?
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post #12 of 220
9/30/08 at 10:59pm

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Since the White Sox won, here's the playoff matchups:

American League

Chicago vs. Tampa Bay

L.A.A.O.A. vs. Boston

National League

L.A.D. vs. Chicago

Milwaukee vs. Philadelphia

My predictions:

Division Series:
Red Sox over Angels in 5.
Rays over Sox in 4.
Cubs over Dodgers in 4.
Phillies over Brewers in 5.

League Championship Series
Cubs over Phillies in 6.
Red Sox over Rays in 7.

World Series
Cubs over Red Sox in 7.
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post #13 of 220
10/1/08 at 5:11am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Who gives a crap if the NL and AL games are on at the same time?
This pretty wel summarizes my thoughts. I couldn't care less about the AL until the World Series and it really stinks that I'll probably miss at least part of some of my team's games so that they don't overlap any of them.

Oh well, it is what it is for now.

I like your picks Zachary!! I wish that I had as much confidence in the Cubs as you do. A lifetime of failure (Cubs-wise) doesn't do much for the self esteem.

I pretty much agree with all of your picks, but I tend to think that Tampa is going to some how make it to the World Series. The Red Sox experience should trump them, but the Rays seem to be a team of destiny in a similar way that the Cubs are.
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post #14 of 220
10/1/08 at 8:17am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

I'll take Red Sox over the Angels.
Rays over the White Sox.

Phillies over Brewers.
Cubs over Dodgers.

Red Sox over Rays (this is the toughest pick for me...but I'll let my heart over-rule my head and figure that the Sox' experience should finally overtake the Rays' upstartedness...but the Rays sure played the Sox tough in September...)

Cubs over Phillies. (Another tough choice)

Red Sox over Cubs in the WS.
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post #15 of 220
10/1/08 at 8:43am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

I'm one of those people that usually enjoy watching the games, even though my team is not in it.

My prediction...

NL
Phillies over Brewers in 4
Cubs over Dodgers in 5

Phillies over Cubs in 7

AL
Rays over White Sox in 4
Red Sox over Angels in 5

Rays over Red Sox in 6

World Series
Phillies over Rays in 7

(I know the people at FOX want either Dodgers-Red Sox or Cubs-Red Sox in the WS, but they won't get it.)
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post #16 of 220
10/2/08 at 8:53am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

So who stayed up late to watch the Red Sox/Angels game?

Vlad's base running error, is a sign that the Halos will be eliminated in the 1st round once again.

Also, Brad Lidge is starting to make me feel nervous, putting tying runs on base in his last few appearances. He can't keep dodging bullets as the playoffs go on.
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post #17 of 220
10/2/08 at 9:10am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Ugh.

I know it's only the first game, but that definitely wasn't the kind of start I wanted to see from the Cubs. Demptser waits until now to have pretty much his worse outing of the year. Soriano leaves his bat at home. I'm hoping this will be the kick in the butt they need to get them through the playoffs.
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post #18 of 220
10/2/08 at 4:40pm

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Congrats to the Rays, winning their first-ever playoff game. And Longoria hits a HR in each of his first 2 ABs. He's gonna be a stud in his prime (he's almost there now).

Not a good start for the Cubs. Dempster was great all season at home, then gets bombed in game 1. And now Zambrano's going in game 2 and I'm convinced Piniella ruined him for the season letting him throw that no-hitter after not pitching in nearly 2 weeks due to tendinitis. I think yesterday's loss did the Cubs in. I think they're looking at another sweep this year.

Speaking of the Cubs, they may have a new curse to add to the already-lengthy list: the Curse of Dick Stockton. After yesterday's loss, the Cubs have now lost 7 straight games called by Dick Stockton, starting with last year's LDS sweep. Just 1 more person for Cubs fans to blame since the playoff losses have nothing to do with lack of offense (like Soriano and Fukudome's combined 0-9 at the top of order on Wednesday).
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post #19 of 220
10/2/08 at 4:58pm

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Walter C
So who stayed up late to watch the Red Sox/Angels game?

Vlad's base running error, is a sign that the Halos will be eliminated in the 1st round once again.

I was there, Walter. Game pretty much ended at 1:30am for me.

Vlad's boner was a head-scratcher. He was lucky Youk didn't catch the ball and then double him off first. He was extremely lucky to have been standing at second base. Why he then decided to try for third will be a mystery. I wonder if he had anything to say about it after the game?

It looks like Jason Bay likes playing in the post-season. Interviewed after the game (and asked about if he prepared any differently for the post-season) he said, "Well, ya know, it's not like I've got anyplace better to be." Or something to that effect.
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post #20 of 220
10/2/08 at 10:02pm

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Dodgers Postseason Wins
1989-2007: 1 win
October 1st and 2nd, 2008: 2 wins

With these two playoff games, Manny is back to hitting .400 in 55 games.
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post #21 of 220
10/2/08 at 11:11pm

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

I don't think anyone outside of Dodger Nation thought that the Dodgers would be up 2-0 on the Cubs. Now the Cubs have to do what only one other team has done (2001 Yankees vs. A's): Come back from a 2-0 deficit in a best of 5 series. Saturday night is going to be one long tense night in Cubbie Nation.
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post #22 of 220
10/3/08 at 8:21am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon
It looks like Jason Bay likes playing in the post-season. Interviewed after the game (and asked about if he prepared any differently for the post-season) he said, "Well, ya know, it's not like I've got anyplace better to be." Or something to that effect.

And it shows, making every moment count, after wasting away in Pittsburgh.

And the Cubs won't come back, but they should win 1 game in LA, since it looks like Lowe will be pitching on 3 days rest. Then again, I'm not too sure about Harden and Lilly are up to the task.

The Phillies up 2-0, and they can close it out at Miller Park. If they make it to the NLCS, hopefully they will go with a 4-man rotation. We can pretty much say that Sabathia is spent.
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post #23 of 220
10/3/08 at 11:28am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott_J
Congrats to the Rays, winning their first-ever playoff game. And Longoria hits a HR in each of his first 2 ABs. He's gonna be a stud in his prime (he's almost there now).

That was a fun game. I was sitting just to the foul-side of the left-field pole, so those Longoria bombs (and the White Sox homer in the 9th) came down not too far from me.

It was a hell of an atmosphere. I've never seen anything like it at a baseball game. Very football-ish crowd (we tske football seriously in Florida). Every single 2-strike pitch was treated by the crowd as if it was for the final out of the game.
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post #24 of 220
10/3/08 at 5:35pm

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZacharyTait
I don't think anyone outside of Dodger Nation thought that the Dodgers would be up 2-0 on the Cubs. Now the Cubs have to do what only one other team has done (2001 Yankees vs. A's): Come back from a 2-0 deficit in a best of 5 series. Saturday night is going to be one long tense night in Cubbie Nation.
I'm as big a Cubs fan as there is and I know they won't comeback. ALthough I did buy my NLCS tickets today anyways. LOL

By the way, you are incorrect in that the 1984 Padres cameback from a 2-0 deficit to win a best of 5. (It was against the Cubs.)
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post #25 of 220
10/3/08 at 7:07pm

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

So, how about those Rays? Kaz had a shaky first inning, but really straightened out after that. Nothing this team does surprises me anymore. It was great to see Upton, Crawford and Baldelli getting back into form.

Hopefully Pena's eye injury will be healed by Game 3.
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post #26 of 220
10/4/08 at 9:06am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZacharyTait
I don't think anyone outside of Dodger Nation thought that the Dodgers would be up 2-0 on the Cubs. Now the Cubs have to do what only one other team has done (2001 Yankees vs. A's): Come back from a 2-0 deficit in a best of 5 series. Saturday night is going to be one long tense night in Cubbie Nation.

Unless you are refering to the fact that the cubs and yankees both started the series off at home then you are mistaken my friend. The redsox were the first to do so when they came back from two down to beat the indians in 99 with the spectacular perdro performance in game 5.
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post #27 of 220
10/4/08 at 9:56am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by bugmenot
Unless you are refering to the fact that the cubs and yankees both started the series off at home then you are mistaken my friend. The redsox were the first to do so when they came back from two down to beat the indians in 99 with the spectacular perdro performance in game 5.

Yes I was. I forgot to put that distinction in there.

From ESPN's recap of Cubs/Dodgers Game 2:

Chicago became the 23rd major league team to lose the first two games at home in a best-of-five playoff series, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Only one has come back to win -- the 2001 New York Yankees against Oakland.
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post #28 of 220
10/4/08 at 10:14pm

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Way to go Cubbies.

100 seasons and counting.

Wait till next year......
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post #29 of 220
10/4/08 at 10:47pm

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

The Cubs thoroughly embarrassed themselves in this series. And knowing that overpaid choke artists such as Soriano and Zambrano are locked up for years is depressing.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Sam Zell fire GM Jim Hendry tonight.
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post #30 of 220
10/5/08 at 5:05am

Re: 2008 MLB Playoffs thread

Here's the problem with the Cubs: they have the wrong manager.

Lou Piniella is just too "wound up" psychologically to lead this team in a playoff situation, as witnessed by the losses in the playoffs this year and last year.

What the Cubs really need is a manage that either posesses the calm demeanor needed to deal with the team's history of losing in the past (read: Terry Francona) or just oblivious to the whole "curse" thing (read: Ozzie Guillèn). Piniella, alas, can't seem to do either.
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