Comments on: And That Happened: Monday’s scores and highlights

By: indaburg

indaburg — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:08:20 +0000

Here is another Rays’ fan take on this. The Orioles split a doubleheader with the Sox so the Rays neither lost nor gained ground. Good job, O’s. (No sarcasm intended.) A split was the most I expected from a .400 team battling the vastly superior Sox team. Hopefully, the O’s can pull off another win today and the Rays can take care of business against the Yankees.

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:08:21 +0000

Gentlemen-

The beloved A’s have 3 starting tonight against your probable playoff opponent. I’ll be sure to call it as I see it in reports on those games, so be sure to check in around noon your time.

The Rangers haven’t clinched yet, I think their magic number is at least 4, so expect them to play reasonably hard against the A’s. And coming from Safeco, they should be somewhat adjusted to the Pacific time zone and hitting in a pitcher’s park. Only one day game for Josh to worry about also.

Matchups are:

Holland v. Harden
Wilson v. McCarthy
Lewis v. Cahill

McCarthy is throwing the best of the 3 A’s pitchers right now.

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:36:43 +0000

Well, technically, they are because if they win, they are in. Will it be tough? Yeah of course, but they dug themselves this hole so now if they are good enough, they will dig themselves out of it. And if they don’t get it, there will be nobody to blame but themselves. I’m with you on the this being interesting though…always fun to have meaningful games in late September.

By: Ari Collins

Ari Collins — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:26:28 +0000

But that extra game the Rays have to play is within their 4-games-against-the-Yankees-in-3-days stretch. I’m not sure how “in control of their own destiny” they really are.

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:07:47 +0000

Hi uyf – Now it kind of comes down to who we want and have to prepare for in the ALDS. And want has nothing to do with what will happen. Looks like the Rangers which is fine by me, they don’t look as sharp as last year, but I don’t watch them every day.
Tigers sources tell me that the rotation isn’t as good as the record indicates after Verlander. Scherzer is good, Porcello iffy. The late inning offense is what ours should (and used) to be. However, this is against AL Central teams primarily.
And Girardi and Cashman should pick the roster carefully, not on the basis of pride (Grumpy) or money (AJ).

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:06:04 +0000

Playoff matchup would be nice, although I don’t want the Giants anywhere near it. Let the Braves and Cards knock themselves around, but I’ll still be pulling for the Braves since I want the young and dumb D-Backs in the NLDS. Let the Brewers fight with the Braves and then see what happens. Either way, though, would be fine because I’m not afraid of anybody except the Giants.

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:04:14 +0000

Perhaps we should be talking about a play-off match-up for the WC. With the Braves tougher schedule and the Giants on fire, it sure isn’t out of the question. How about a 3-way tie for the WC? Is it a coin flip for the bye? I believe that is so, and that usually occurs about a week before the season’s end. Sure is fun to be in the conversation.

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:58:39 +0000

1 in the loss column, ari. Only 1 in the loss column. Meaning that the Red Sox only have to lose one more game for the Rays to be in control of their own destiny.

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:57:07 +0000

OK, well while we are speculating, assuming the Braves don’t go COMPLETELY in the tank, and the final game is needed, since it is “Carp”s game, he won’t be pitching in the NLDS until game 3 unless he goes on short rest on Sunday, Oct 2nd. Do you think he will do that and will he be as effective on short rest?

By: Ari Collins

Ari Collins — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:55:48 +0000

For all the panic, 2 games up with only 8 to play is a pretty tough lead for the Rays to make up, especially with a harder schedule. Glad the Rays are making it interesting, though. Both for the fans’ sake and so people pay attention to how very very good the team is.

Also, Ellsbury’s inside-the-parker was neat. Really rooting for him to hit two more homes and reach the previously-unfathomable total of 30 HRs.

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:50:46 +0000

Not out there guaranteeing anything Fior, just fun speculation. I am quite aware that we still have an uphill battle, complicated by the Giants on our heels. But the schedule does favor us, and the 3 out of 4 in Philly was a necessary ingredient in an unlikely scenario, that up til a few days ago, looked grim. Remember the ol’ 91% chance? It now looks about 40-60 and we do have that fickle seductress Momentum on our side.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:47:11 +0000

To yankeesfanlen, how are you doing today my friend? It is kind of comical to hear fans cheer a double play by a Yankee player while the game was still within reach by the opposing team. But like you said the fans wanted to see Mo make his record breaking save, and that they did.

As for our “friend” AJ Burnett, if yesterdays performance wasn’t the final straw to show Girardi the AJ needs to be relegated to the “pigpen” then I don’t know what it will take. As a starter he’s as useless as “knots on a log”. And I think I am not the only Yankee fan who might have that opinion.

By: Ari Collins

Ari Collins — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:47:01 +0000

Damn those Red Sox hitters for choosing when they get their hits poorly! Perhaps they’re even choosing SELFISHLY!!

Oi.

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:35:35 +0000

“Not to get ahead of myself, but St. Louis may go with Carp then Lohse, save Garcia for game 3 at home. Then back to Carp for a possible game 4 and then who knows in a game 5. ”

Seriously, Potatoman? You are setting up the Cardinals rotation for the NLDS when they are 2 games out in the loss column with 9 games to play? Ugh. Then you have “Carp” starting game one when he, if the rotation stays how it is, will likely be pitching the final game of the year on Wednesday the 28th. So he is going to pitch on 3 days rest in game one of the NLDS? Wait, I’m actually debating the game 1 starter for the Cardinals with you, when the Cardinals aren’t even leading for the WC????? Ugh on me now.

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:34:54 +0000

“Not to get ahead of myself, but St. Louis may go with Carp then Lohse, save Garcia for game 3 at home. Then back to Carp for a possible game 4 and then who knows in a game 5. ”

By: halladaysbiceps

halladaysbiceps — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:32:53 +0000

I tell to what, spuds. Your Cards played with some huge stones these past 4 games. Pujols, who normally kills the Phillies, had another big series against us. Carpenter and Garcia looked great. I like your Cardinals club a lot.

I will be pulling for the Cardinals to win the wild card. They play baseball with a certain swagger that I like.

By: phukyouk

phukyouk — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:28:02 +0000

lets not forget the 2000 Yankees.. they did the same thing except for like the last 3 weeks. the Phils are not over exerting themselves so that they are ready for the playoffs plain and simple. trust me when i tell you that its better that Doc got it out of his system now rather than next week. dont get me wrong.. ALMOST nothing would make me happier than to see the Phils lose in the first round but they will show up and the WS, If the Yanks or Tigers make it, will be VERY VERY interesting

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:26:35 +0000

Well “Cepts, this is one time when you are getting it right. Losing this series at home to St. Louis, not only keeps the Cards hopes alive, it should be a concern seeing how the Red Birds may well be your first round match-up. It is still an uphill battle for sure, but we go home to face the Mets and Cubs and finish in Houston so a 6-3 finish is probable, and the sputtering Bravos may well go 3-5 or worse. Lots to be decided in the final series vs the Phightens’.

Of course their are many more positives than negatives, for the soon to be 100 win Pheelies but losing this series cannot but help the Cards confidence. I believe that makes 7 out of 10 this year with 7 being in Philly. Yes, you were without Howard for most of the series, but St. Louis was also missing Holliday, pretty much of a wash.

The biggest confidence boost was the outing by Lohse. He not only shut down the Philadelphia nine, he pitched around some awful defense, by the usually sure-handed Punto and Furcal. Series starts on the 1st of October with two in Philly, then on to the WC team for two after a day off. Not to get ahead of myself, but St. Louis may go with Carp then Lohse, save Garcia for game 3 at home. Then back to Carp for a possible game 4 and then who knows in a game 5.

But we have greater concerns, especially with the Giants breathing down our necks. Will be rootin’ for the Dodgers and Phillies in the next 10 days, who would have thunk it?

By: Francisco (FC)

Francisco (FC) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:08:21 +0000

I would say rest and heal for the next 4 or 5, and then the last 5 or 6 play all your regulars everyday, get them into rhythm and comfortable at the plate. Of course I say that with 0 experience in managing a baseball team. The closest I’ve ever come has been my statis-pro-baseball cards and being pieces of flimsy card-stock they really never complain about going 10 or 20 games in a row and my ace reliever can save 6 or 7 games in a row without a hitch.

By: gb4ever0811

gb4ever0811 — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:03:20 +0000

I am in complete agreement with Mr. Halladay’s Biceps. They need to play like they mean it for at least some of these games. Go Phils!!

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:01:41 +0000

FC, I’m frankly shocked they haven’t jumped on hitt a little more. His comment above just sounds so crazy to me…as if Buck managed the season poorly by not pitching Matusz against the Rays but then throwing him to the wolves against the Red Sox. I mean…come on dude…I know you are a Rays fan, but you can’t kill Buck for that. Such a silly statement.

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:58:13 +0000

Yeah, I see what you are saying. They are 15-7 in their last 22 games though. I think it is unfair to say they are playing flat or like bums based on 2 games against Carpenter and Lohse…after they just poured champagne all over themselves all night Saturday night and were clearly hungover Sunday night. I didn’t expect them to win and they didn’t. Then last night, as you wrote, they don’t have Mr. Lucky and they still almost came back and won with the tying run on base in the bottom of the 9th. Usually when Doc pitches, 3 runs is enough, but last night it wasn’t. I’m not going to say that Doc is flat or pitching like a bum right now. Your problem is that you live and die with every single game and while that is admirable when the games count, it just sounds silly when they do not. But it is your prerogative and I would never tell you how to root for the Phillies.

I’ll just say this…keep your eye on the prize man. WS Champs 2011. And that trophy being hoisted up will happen whether they lose the next 10 or win the next 10. As far as I am concerned, these last 10 games are like pre-season football…completely meaningless.

By: Francisco (FC)

Francisco (FC) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:56:18 +0000

I’m going to stick a sign there (<– SARCASM) before they jump on you Chris.

By: halladaysbiceps

halladaysbiceps — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:50:40 +0000

Chris, I think you are misunderstanding where I’m coming from. I’m not even thinking about the playoffs right now. I’m just commenting on what I see on the field the last 2 nights. It’s September 20th and Phillies still have 10 games to play. I still want to see some good baseball on a nightly basis over that stretch. Is that too much to ask? I am just watching a game and commenting that I don’t like how they are playing right now. I don’t need to see them win out. I just want to see them be more clutch at the plate and knock in some of the 500 runners left on base that they have had on base the last few nights.

You keep on using the word overreacting. It’s not overreaction. I’m calling the last few games as I see it. They are playing flat baseball right now. This has nothing to do about October. It’s about the here and now.

Do you now understand where I’m coming from?

By: Chris Fiorentino

Chris Fiorentino — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:41:18 +0000

FC I’m not saying it is a conscientious turn it on turn it off thing. It is human nature. I don’t think they should stop trying to win. All I am saying is that no matter what happens the rest of the way, it will have ZERO influence on what they do in the NLDS. Period. If they score 10 runs a game for the next 10 games, it won’t make me any more confident going into the playoffs so why would i let them struggling make me feel any less confident???

HB “According to you, it sounds like I should stop watching the regular season and wait to watch another Phillies game in October.”

If you are going to worry about how they are playing every single pitch of every single inning, then this is probably a good idea. Wait for the NLDS to start so that you aren’t overreacting every night to a team that clearly is preparing for the playoffs having clinched everything they possibly can without their #1 run producer in the line-up.

Let me ask you this…if they win out, will you be more confident in them than you already are?

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:40:19 +0000

For a moment, Nick Swisher was confused about why he was applauded for grounding into a double play. Maybe the 40,400 fans were misidentifying him as Beep-beep. Then he realized he had just saved Mo’s “save”
Ah, the conumdrum of the Universe. All those games vs. the Rays.But we are absolved- BoSox fate is their own.
Just NEVER pitch AJ Burnout again.

By: heynerdlinger

heynerdlinger — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:39:13 +0000

Papelbon still hasn’t had a save opportunity this month

Well, except for last Friday.

By: halladaysbiceps

halladaysbiceps — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:33:20 +0000

Chris,

People keep saying that these games have no implication for the playoffs. Chris, where have I said that? All I’m saying is I don’t like how they are playing right now. They are laying back and playing the game with no fire. I can see it as I watched the last couple of nights.

It’s called game-by-game analysis. If you want to call it overracting, you can. I call it watching a game and being angry about what I am seeing on the field.

According to you, it sounds like I should stop watching the regular season and wait to watch another Phillies game in October.

By: Francisco (FC)

Francisco (FC) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:32:56 +0000

All true, still if they’re going to mail it then till the rest of the season why watch or even bother going to the games, you know, just forfeit? I disagree on the whole turn it on, turn it off. Even Charlie says that the layover between the NLDS and NLCS affected his hitters. He’d better play his starting lineup everyday in the last 5 or 6 games if he wants his team in any kind of shape or focus for the postseason.

By: Francisco (FC)

Francisco (FC) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:30:24 +0000

They’re playing like bums! Right Mickey?

Mickey: Bums I tells ya, those other players are hungry, these guys? They haven’t been hungry since they got their rings. The worst thing happened to them that could happen to any team, they got civilized…