LCS game day thread

Ah... the grouchy "games are too late" sportswriters

On the West Coast, I love having playoff games start at 8:30 ET, it means that I can listen on the way home from work. I like Rangers games starting at 9:30 your time, because I get them at 7:30 my time. But that is just being selfish… But really – just because Peter Gammons can’t stay up until 2 AM anymore doesn’t mean that some 12 year old kid can’t.

Really, if you wanted to do something about games going until 2 AM, then you have to address the Red Sox and Yankees. The reason AL games take forever is because those two teams are incredibly slow. The Red Sox are almost unbearable to watch they are so slow. Stupid “take walks” philosophy making games boring

by JBImaknee on Oct 13, 2008 3:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah, the rangers never walk

by Save us on Oct 13, 2008 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow.

upton is a bad man.

by tyd3311 on Oct 13, 2008 4:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Evan Longoria

goes deeeeep over the Monstah. Rays 5, Rod Sex 0.

It's baseball. You don't always get what you want, and you don't always want what you get. --Ed Coffin

by txranger7 on Oct 13, 2008 4:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That place is quiet.

by shroomer on Oct 13, 2008 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mic will be happy

I think she’s pulling for the Rays

A Texas Designer's Map of the World

by hurlerhurley on Oct 13, 2008 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me toooo

and I’m just checking in while between sessions at a conference.

Got the text alerts on my phone and almost cheered out loud :D

"You got a guy coming up there who can’t hit water if he fell out of a boat." - Tom Grieve on Richie Sexson, 5.8.2008
"I’ve been a Rangers fan all my life and I can tell you there’s been plenty of fucking crying in baseball…" - WhipSmart, 6.3.08
"When it comes to Jeff Mathis, the story ends with us putting one in his earhole." - AJM, 7.7.08

by lisa w on Oct 13, 2008 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm fixin to leave work

so I’ll be ready for the NLCS game tonight. I think it’s 7:30 our time.

I’m cheering on for the Dodgers. Lowe takes the hill on 3 days rest.

A Texas Designer's Map of the World

by hurlerhurley on Oct 13, 2008 4:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

and yes I'll be bbl

here tonight for the game thread or whatever is going on.

A Texas Designer's Map of the World

by hurlerhurley on Oct 13, 2008 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is awesome.

Go Rays.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Oct 13, 2008 4:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I don’t think I can emphasize enough how much I want Tampa to win this series.

by JBImaknee on Oct 13, 2008 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just want Kevin Youkilis to fail.

by tyd3311 on Oct 13, 2008 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if you need a little laughter

and are home from work, check it.

by clark on Oct 13, 2008 5:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That

is a great video.

by jwiscarson on Oct 13, 2008 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OT: Jamey Wright

Elias projects he is a Type B reliever.

"They shouldn't throw at me. I'm the father of five or six kids."
-Tito Fuentes, after getting hit by a pitch.

by Haeger Champ on Oct 13, 2008 5:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

These late games suck ass

The east coast always gets screwed.

Up yours Adam, you freedom hater.

Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.

by Brian Thomas on Oct 13, 2008 5:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Okay, who is the guy in the TBS booth who sounds exactly like James Woods?

It’s not James Woods, is it? Cause it sounds like it is. If you’re watching you know who I’m talking about. One of the guys sounds exactly like James Woods. In fact I can’t stress enough just exactly how much that guy sounds like James F’ing Woods. If that’s not him, that’s uncanny. If it is, why is James Woods doing color on a playoff baseball game?

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Oct 13, 2008 5:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

isn't it

Ron Darling?

The play by play is Chip Caray (Harry’s son), Buck Martinez is in the booth as well. And sweet Craig Sager is on the field.

"They shouldn't throw at me. I'm the father of five or six kids."
-Tito Fuentes, after getting hit by a pitch.

by Haeger Champ on Oct 13, 2008 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Craig Sager = boundless sartorial temerity

Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.

by Brian Thomas on Oct 13, 2008 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dammit, Sauce

Just once I’d like to get through an entire BCT post without having to consult a thesaurus. Do you talk like that in real life? Cause if someone ever said boundless sartorial temerity to me in the course of a regular conversation I’d stop being friends with them on the spot.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Oct 13, 2008 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like language

Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.

by Brian Thomas on Oct 14, 2008 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yah, it's Ron Darling I think. (I think Buck Martinez is the higher pitched voice guy.)

Man he sounds like James Woods. I actually had myself convinced it was him. Sounds just like him. It’s creepy.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Oct 13, 2008 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does Buck Martinez sound like Christopher Walken to you?

Nothing pithy here. Please move long.

by WyoRanger on Oct 13, 2008 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

why is fenway

so quiet?

by cashman on Oct 13, 2008 5:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

somebody had to do it.

by RachelB on Oct 13, 2008 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's nice to hear Fenway so quiet.

by jwiscarson on Oct 13, 2008 6:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I like this quote

“The Fenway Faithful are leaving for the exits.”

by aggierangerfan00 on Oct 13, 2008 6:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Funny

I was just wondering if the Red Sox would’ve been better off going for the DP rather than getting the runner at the plate. But then I thought “what are the odds the batter hits a HR after the play? It’s Baldelli, anyway…”

by chrisR on Oct 13, 2008 6:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Fantasy Baseball

A couple of years ago, one of the guys I played fantasy baseball with called his team “Rocco’s Ball Deli”.

It's baseball. You don't always get what you want, and you don't always want what you get. --Ed Coffin

by txranger7 on Oct 13, 2008 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rocco

Mama Mia

by shroomer on Oct 13, 2008 6:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

that guy's had it tough

good for him for making a big time contribution in the playoffs.

by alon91 on Oct 13, 2008 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guess what

According to that Bajek guy, Jamey Wright will be a Type B FA.

by chrisR on Oct 13, 2008 6:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

re:

Link.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Oct 13, 2008 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

D'oh!

by chrisR on Oct 13, 2008 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whichever TB pitcher they just showed on TBS

(Andy Sonnanstine, maybe?) looks like a complete nervous wreck. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a baseball player with that sort of panicked expression on his face before. Biting at the fingers on his glove was pretty weird too.

by jwiscarson on Oct 13, 2008 6:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah that was sonnanstine.

by cashman on Oct 13, 2008 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

he’s going tomorrow, so i guess thats not a good sign

In reference to how good the Steelers have been in their history: "No one is even close to them."- Steal Home

by hinduplaya on Oct 13, 2008 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Slightly random.

But today I decided to dig in to Derek Holland’s end-of-year stats for the first time.

JESUS!

by philkid3 on Oct 13, 2008 7:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I think he might be.

Don’t you just want to make sweet, sweet love to that K/bb ratio?

And his tRA+ in Frisco was 271. That. Is. Nuts.

The guy just put up freaking video game numbers.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Oct 13, 2008 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could he be.....that long awaited ace

Other teams talk about but the Rangers never get to experience as one of their own?

A bunch of midgets with no arms could pitch better than us. -iorange555

by boomer1 on Oct 13, 2008 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We could actually have two of those players.

Here’s an excerpt from some reason Baseball Prospectus niftyness.

A great deal of the e-mails and chat questions that I receive concern pitching statistics, with most writers wanting to know what numbers they should look at when evaluating prospects, and which are more relevant than others. My answer usually begins with the caveat that you really have to have scouting reports, and that you can never judge minor leaguers at any level by numbers alone. While it’s still baseball, the minor league game is very different than the major league version, and there are certain skill sets that can lead to great-looking numbers in the minors, with little or no promise of big-league success.

That said, there are numbers that I do look at, and they involve keeping the ball out of play (strikeouts), and keeping runners off base (hit and walk rates). Combining those things, I use a simplistic measurement I call MBN, or Missed Bat Number. The simple formula is K-H-BB, or strikeouts minus baserunners allowed. Divide that by innings pitched and one gets MBR or Missed Bats Ratio. On a basic level, any positive number (which would indicate more strikeouts than runners allowed) is outstanding, and the all-time major league record is +116 by Pedro Martinez in his ridiculous 1999 season that included 313 strikeouts against only 128 hits and 32 walks. No ERA qualifier this year had a positive number, although Tim Lincecum came as close as one can get with 265 strikeouts, 182 hits allowed and 84 walks, for a -1. Falling just short of the innings minimum, Rich Harden was by far the most dominant starter in the big leagues this year, compiling a +24 mark in 148 innings by allowing just 96 hits, walking 61 and punching out 181. Closers are often in the positive range, as this year’s leader among relievers was Mariano Rivera, with an amazing +30 in just 70 2/3 innings.

Getting back to prospects and the minors, there were 11 players with 100 or more innings who compiled a positive MBN, and here they are, ordered by MBR, and with a discussion on just how real it is in each instance.

. . .

3. Neftali Feliz, RHP, Rangers

Stats: +23 at Low-A (82-55-28-106); -10 at Double-A (45.1-34-23-47); MBR: 0.10

While he had a slightly negative number at Double-A mostly due to some command issues, Feliz remains one of the most dominant arms in the minors, and more than held his own in the Texas League as a 20-year-old. He’s still doing it mostly on the strength of an upper-90s fastball that grades up even more because of its movement and location, but he did make process with his secondary pitches as well, flashing a plus slider and much improved changeup as the season wore on.

. . .

7. Derek Holland, LHP, Rangers

Stats: -15 at Low-A (93.2-77-29-91); +12 at High-A (31-20-5-37); +9 at Double-A (26-14-6-29); MBR: 0.04

Holland had the biggest breakout performance of the year, and actually got better at each level as the season wore on. A moderately obscure draft-and-follow going into the year, Holland shocked everyone by suddenly firing mid-90s fastballs, getting up as high as 98 as the season wore on. He’s also my favorite kind of breakout player, because when you ask the Rangers themselves to explain the sudden increase, the answers basically amount to, “don’t know, but I’m not complaining about it.”

by philkid3 on Oct 13, 2008 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pray for no injuries

The farm system is so stacked right now even after all the call ups this year. All hail JD for understanding how to build a farm system.

A bunch of midgets with no arms could pitch better than us. -iorange555

by boomer1 on Oct 13, 2008 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brace for Josey Wales.

by philkid3 on Oct 13, 2008 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yah but JD didn't scout those guys, and acquiring guys that young is all about GOOD SCOUTING.

You think a nerd-boy office dwelling executive like JD actually saw either of those guys or even knew who they were before he acquired them? Hell no! He was probably out buying donut mixings when the real heroes (the scouts) were out getting those two steals all lined up. All the Boy Blunder did was put down his baking implements long enough to mutter the names his scouts fed to him into some cell phone. He’s a hack. [/Josey Wales]

How was that?

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Oct 13, 2008 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

+1

Very good. Even mentioned donuts.

by philkid3 on Oct 13, 2008 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice

worked in Boy Blunder also.

A bunch of midgets with no arms could pitch better than us. -iorange555

by boomer1 on Oct 13, 2008 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice one

Although I would award bonus points for mentioning “the show”, or anyone’s “arm rejecting the notion of taking the ball every fifth day”.

by jwiscarson on Oct 14, 2008 1:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

'the show"

Evidently when Josey renegotiated his contract with hate.com there was a 3 “the shows” per post clause.

Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.

by Brian Thomas on Oct 14, 2008 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

AND THREE HOME RUNS!

Goodness!

I’m a Rangers fan, so I have trouble shaking the overwhelming smell of “bust” and/or “future success. . . elsewhere,” but I’m still excited.

by philkid3 on Oct 13, 2008 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is anyone else getting extremely tired of the "Rocky" music

playing after every inning the Phils do something good?

by TxStCa on Oct 13, 2008 7:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes

That is annoying.

A Lonestar in California

"M’s fans are such weenies." - Zywica

by lonestarJon on Oct 13, 2008 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hahahaha

Just watched the ALCS game in about 30 minutes on my DVR.

That was fun.

I am the motherfucking shore patrol, motherfucker! I am the motherfucking shore patrol! Give this man a beer.

by TheBZA on Oct 13, 2008 7:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the Ho

Just checking in to see if anyone is excited to see our old friend Mr. Park. I’m assuming everyone’s gone.

by hca4 on Oct 13, 2008 9:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I just turned it on.

And forgot he was on a roster. And there goes the lead.

I am the motherfucking shore patrol, motherfucker! I am the motherfucking shore patrol! Give this man a beer.

by TheBZA on Oct 13, 2008 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Same old Ho

Giving up runs like he was draining a beer bong on the south side of Korea.

A bunch of midgets with no arms could pitch better than us. -iorange555

by boomer1 on Oct 13, 2008 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

ROFLMFAO

Rec this man.

A Lonestar in California

"M’s fans are such weenies." - Zywica

by lonestarJon on Oct 13, 2008 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Familiar sight for the HO...

being pulled after giving up runs with men on base.

You think his kids thank Tom Hicks every night before they go to bed in their mansion with all the toys they could ever want?

by TxStCa on Oct 13, 2008 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow...

heck of a catch by Ethier.

by TxStCa on Oct 13, 2008 9:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I've always liked him a lot

That was just a spectacular catch. They’ll be talking about that for the rest of the series.

A Lonestar in California

"M’s fans are such weenies." - Zywica

by lonestarJon on Oct 13, 2008 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hell of a catch

A bunch of midgets with no arms could pitch better than us. -iorange555

by boomer1 on Oct 13, 2008 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blake bails out the Ho

A bunch of midgets with no arms could pitch better than us. -iorange555

by boomer1 on Oct 13, 2008 9:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Casey "The Best Beard in Baseball" Blake

needs to be the Rangers 3rd baseman next year. I’m convinced. Sign him to a 2 year deal and if Andrus is ready by the break or ’10, trade Blake for more prospects. Is that totally out of the realm of possiblity?

by TxStCa on Oct 13, 2008 9:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

.269 EQA in 2007

EQA of around .280 this year.

Dewan has him at -5 each of the past two years at 3B. Which means about 4-5 runs below average.

BP has him at 6 runs above average for his position on the year (although he had about 20 games at 1B for the Indians, which impacts the average for position).

Basically, in a year where he turned 35 and improved over the previous year, he was an average third baseman. Maybe a couple of runs above average.

To get him to sign here on a 2 year deal, you are probably talking about $18-20 million.

Is that really that much better than sticking Davis at 3B, going with Cat or Blalock at 1B, and waiting a year for Andrus?

by Adam J. Morris on Oct 13, 2008 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No it's not

Blake makes no sense at all for us.

A Lonestar in California

"M’s fans are such weenies." - Zywica

by lonestarJon on Oct 13, 2008 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you're gonna go ahead and assume in all further discussions

that Franchise Face is gonna end up moving to 3b at some point in the near future?

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Oct 13, 2008 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guess it was totally out of the realm of possiblity...

Good points, though, the only question with Andrus is will FACE actually move out of the hole?

I guess another option would be

by TxStCa on Oct 13, 2008 10:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The benefit

From bringing in Casey Blake might best be described as gaining about 1500 fans in Indianola, Iowa, and another 3,000 from the rest of the state. No blip on attendance, but add a couple of TV stations (Des Moines and Iowa City) to the broadcast network. Casey has basically met or exceeded expectations since his trade from Minnesota to Cleveland.

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

by Ed Coffin on Oct 13, 2008 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I think Young will move

To 3B, but probably not in 2009.

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

by Ed Coffin on Oct 13, 2008 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As bad as I want to see the Manny vs. the Sawx in the WS

I can’t bring myself to root for the Red Sux.

by TxStCa on Oct 13, 2008 9:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

OK

I see the point of IBB’ing Manny

but it is getting OOOOOLD

"You got a guy coming up there who can’t hit water if he fell out of a boat." - Tom Grieve on Richie Sexson, 5.8.2008
"I’ve been a Rangers fan all my life and I can tell you there’s been plenty of fucking crying in baseball…" - WhipSmart, 6.3.08
"When it comes to Jeff Mathis, the story ends with us putting one in his earhole." - AJM, 7.7.08

by lisa w on Oct 13, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I dunno what to say about the Phillies

But they look like a team whose back is broken all of a sudden. They can’t pitch, cant hit and can’t field. Helluva turnaround in just two nights from the way it started.

A Lonestar in California

"M’s fans are such weenies." - Zywica

by lonestarJon on Oct 13, 2008 9:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice play by Utley right there though

A bunch of midgets with no arms could pitch better than us. -iorange555

by boomer1 on Oct 13, 2008 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah no kidding

That rivals the Either catch for play of the night.

A Lonestar in California

"M’s fans are such weenies." - Zywica

by lonestarJon on Oct 13, 2008 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Utley's heads up DP

Turned the game around.

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

by Ed Coffin on Oct 13, 2008 11:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They're gonna look like they can pitch the next game

When Cole Hamels goes for ‘em. Or at least it’ll help.

That’s gonna be the big one for them assuming they lose this game. If they lose game 5 with Hamels on the mound then they go back to Philly needing to win two straight, one of which they’re gonna have to start Methuselah Moyer. He’s looked brutal his last two times out.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Oct 13, 2008 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

A Lonestar in California

"M’s fans are such weenies." - Zywica

by lonestarJon on Oct 13, 2008 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also

Jimmy Rollins sucks right now. Bigtime. If their defense wouldn’t take a big hit by doing it, I think they need to sit him for a game.

A Lonestar in California

"M’s fans are such weenies." - Zywica

by lonestarJon on Oct 13, 2008 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OT: Browns helping the Cowboys tonight

26-14 Browns

A bunch of midgets with no arms could pitch better than us. -iorange555

by boomer1 on Oct 13, 2008 10:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Eli Manning just threw an INT

Browns defender took it 94 yards the other way for a TD. Browns 35, NY Giants 14. Woo Hoo!

It's baseball. You don't always get what you want, and you don't always want what you get. --Ed Coffin

by txranger7 on Oct 13, 2008 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cowboys need all the help they can get

A bunch of midgets with no arms could pitch better than us. -iorange555

by boomer1 on Oct 13, 2008 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

WOW

Shane Victorino with a little Hawiian punch! That might be a series changer there.

C’mon Phils!

A Lonestar in California

"M’s fans are such weenies." - Zywica

by lonestarJon on Oct 13, 2008 10:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Rocky music is now getting on my nerves

Yet another reason to want the Phillies to lose.

A bunch of midgets with no arms could pitch better than us. -iorange555

by boomer1 on Oct 13, 2008 10:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I've been getting my mute button on all series long

I just hate Joe Buck so much.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Oct 13, 2008 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN!!!

Holy crap that was belted.

A Lonestar in California

"M’s fans are such weenies." - Zywica

by lonestarJon on Oct 13, 2008 10:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

that was...

dare i say…

Hamilton-esque.

"You got a guy coming up there who can’t hit water if he fell out of a boat." - Tom Grieve on Richie Sexson, 5.8.2008
"I’ve been a Rangers fan all my life and I can tell you there’s been plenty of fucking crying in baseball…" - WhipSmart, 6.3.08
"When it comes to Jeff Mathis, the story ends with us putting one in his earhole." - AJM, 7.7.08

by lisa w on Oct 13, 2008 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Kent lines out to end it

What a turnaround. I haven’t seen a game’s momentum swing from one side to the other that fast since… well, since one of our myriad of seesaw games in the regular season.

Phils up 3-1 with Hamels going to the mound to clinch in game 5 now… the Dodgers are in bigtime trouble.

A Lonestar in California

"M’s fans are such weenies." - Zywica

by lonestarJon on Oct 13, 2008 11:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs