The ALCS and the NLCS gets underway this weekend and boy what an excited feeling this is for many fans in New York, Texas, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Almost 7 months ago the 2010 baseball seasons was just beginning and now were at the point where every game, every pitch and every at bat mean something. The ALCS this year feathers the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers, the NLCS this feathers the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants. One team on each side will win and meet for the 2010 World Series, which teams will that be, we’ll I don't know but I'm sure we will find out soon enough.
Now the Yankees and Rangers have a little bit of history to talk about. The Yankees have seen the Rangers in the postseason but only in the ALDS back in 1996, 1998, and 1999 and three of those times both teams saw each other in the playoffs the Yankees came out on top and beat the Rangers. This time around I think this series will go 6 or 7 games only because they match up so well together. The Yankees have a power house hitting team and the Rangers have a power house hitting team as well. The Yankees pitching might have the edge in this series only because of the Yankees have a pitcher in the name of Andy Pettitte who has been here and has done this so many times in his career. As for the Rangers they have a guy in the name of Cliff Lee who has done this before with the Phillies last year and has pitched really well in the postseason. After Cliff Lee they have C.J. Wilson who for the most part has been really good this year but after him the Rangers pitching staff adds questions. Do I think the Rangers can beat the Yankees sure but it's going to be how they beat the Yankees in playing small ball and steal runs or will their pitching hold them to win a ball game. The Yankees on the other hand will not have home field advantage until Games 3, 4, and 5 so it's important for the Yankees to win at least one game in Texas. My pick to win the ALCS it’s a tough one but I'm going to pick the Rangers in 7 games.
Now a lot of talk has been said about this pitching matchup in Game 1 of the NLCS between the Phillies and the Giants, The "DOC" vs. The "FREAK". Roy Halladay vs. Tim Lincecum a rematch of the 2009 All-Star pitching matchup but this time it's on a bigger stage. With both of these pitchers winning CY Young awards in their career's this year was their debut of pitching in the postseason and many people asked how would they both respond. Well Roy Halladay threw the second no-hitter in postseason history and Tim Lincecum threw a 2 hit complete game shutout, I think they answered everyone's questions. I mean these two pitch are the probably the two best right handed pitchers in the game as we speak. This is a match up that whoever scores first will win the ball game no question about it. It might only take 1 or 2 runs to win this game ball. Now we know that the Phillies have the best one, two, three punch in baseball but don't forget about the Giants one, two, three punch as well. I think the Phillies have a better hitting team then the Giants but if you make a mistake the Giants will make you pay for it. I think this might be one of best NLCS series' that we have seen in awhile and I think it will come down to who has the best pitching in this series. My pick to win the NLCS is the Phillies in 6 games. Then again it's so hard for me to say that because when I look at the Phillies pitching staff I say to myself "they can't lose. There just too good".
ALCS Game 1 Yankees at Texas October 15th 8:00 p.m. on TBS.
C.C Sabathia vs. C.J Wilson
ALCS Game 2 Yankees at Texas October 16th 4:00 p.m. on TBS.
Phil Hughes vs. Coby Lewis
ALCS Game 3 Rangers at New York October 18th 8:00 p.m. on TBS.
Cliff Lee vs. Andy Pettitte
ALCS Game 4 Rangers at New York October 19th 8:00 p.m. on TBS.
NLCS Game 1 Giants at Philadelphia October 16th 7:30 p.m. on FOX.
Tim Lincecum vs. Roy Halladay
NLCS Game 2 Giants at Philadelphia October 17th 8:00 p.m. om FOX.
Jonathan Sanchez vs. Cole Hamels
NLCS Game 3 Phillies at San Francisco October 19th 4:00 p.m. on FOX.
Roy Oswalt vs. Matt Cain
BEYOND BASEBALL - Where you live, read, and die baseball.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Rangers Win, Rangers Win!!
So the ALDS between the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers was by far one of the best Division Series' in the postseason this year. The Texas Rangers took Games 1 and 2 in Tampa, then the Rays came back and took Games 3 and 4 in Texas. So both teams weren't able to get things done at home and that would set up a Game 5 in Tampa and a rematch of Game 1 between pitchers David Price and Cliff Lee. This game was a low scoring game that would set up for an excited finish but for only one team and that team was the Texas Rangers. The score was 3-1 Rangers heading into the top of 9th inning when Ian Kinsler would hit a 2 run home run to put the Rangers up 5-1 and that's how it would end. David Price would yet again be the losing pitcher in Game 5 going 6 innings, gave up 8 hits, 3 earn runs, 6 strikeouts, and threw 104 pitches. Cliff Lee on the other side is a whole different story being the winner in both Games 1 and 5, Lee pitched a complete game, gave up 6 hits, 1 earn run, 11 strikeouts, and threw 120 pitches. The guy is just that good and to think this is his second time in his career that he's pitching in the postseason is just not fair. Cliff Lee this year in the postseason has an ERA of 1.13, overall ERA of a 1.44. Lee has 6 wins in 7 starts, 4 wins in 5 starts with the Phillies last year, and 2 wins with the Rangers, hats off to the Tampa Bay Rays who had an outstanding year winning their second division title in three years in a tough American League East division.
So the Texas Rangers beat the American League East Champions, the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night by a score of 5-1 and won their first ever postseason series in team history. The Texas Rangers have always been a laughing team in baseball and were never really that good. They got to the postseason three times before the 2010 season and lost in the ALDS to the 96' Yankees, 98' Yankees, and 99' Yankees. All three of those Yankee teams won the World Series and this time around the Texas Rangers will move on to the ALCS for the first time and play who else the New York Yankees only this time they have number one starting pitcher who has faced them and has owned them in his career and that's Cliff Lee. The Texas Rangers got Lee during the trade deadline this year and boy he helped out this team big time helping the Rangers win their first AL West Division title since 1999. The Rangers almost remind me off the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays a team that went from worst to first and now have a name for themselves in the American League and are no longer a push over but also remember the Rangers have to get pass a team that has been there and done that. The 27 time World Series Champion New York Yankees know what it's like to play on the big stage and for the Texas Ranger well they are about to find out what it's like to play in a big stage game.
Yes the Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Rays but the Rangers still have a few more steps to go and if they get to 2010 World Series it won't get an easier playing against the San Francisco Giants or the Philadelphia Phillies. That's one match up that many sports writer would like to see Roy Halladay vs. Cliff Lee, the best right handed pitcher vs. the best left handed pitcher, Halladay the guy who replaced Lee in Philadelphia. A match up that goes above and beyond baseball, a match up that scares me when I think about it, a match up that the baseball God's would like to see. Lee coming back to Philly out on a mission to win a World Series title and to prove that you should have never gotten rid of me because I will only come back to haunt you. Roy Halladay on the other hand is on a mission like no other and that's to win a World Series title as well and I'm sure if the Phillies get there he won't worry about anything else but the problem at hand. Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are by far the two aces you want on your team and to think that the Phillies almost had that one - two punch in Philly almost amazes me but in the end it wasn't meant to be. Instead we got the H2O combo in Philly Halladay, Hamels, and Oswalt, once again, congrats to the Texas Rangers on beating the Tampa Bay Rays and good-luck in the ALCS against the New York Yankees.
So the Texas Rangers beat the American League East Champions, the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night by a score of 5-1 and won their first ever postseason series in team history. The Texas Rangers have always been a laughing team in baseball and were never really that good. They got to the postseason three times before the 2010 season and lost in the ALDS to the 96' Yankees, 98' Yankees, and 99' Yankees. All three of those Yankee teams won the World Series and this time around the Texas Rangers will move on to the ALCS for the first time and play who else the New York Yankees only this time they have number one starting pitcher who has faced them and has owned them in his career and that's Cliff Lee. The Texas Rangers got Lee during the trade deadline this year and boy he helped out this team big time helping the Rangers win their first AL West Division title since 1999. The Rangers almost remind me off the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays a team that went from worst to first and now have a name for themselves in the American League and are no longer a push over but also remember the Rangers have to get pass a team that has been there and done that. The 27 time World Series Champion New York Yankees know what it's like to play on the big stage and for the Texas Ranger well they are about to find out what it's like to play in a big stage game.
Yes the Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Rays but the Rangers still have a few more steps to go and if they get to 2010 World Series it won't get an easier playing against the San Francisco Giants or the Philadelphia Phillies. That's one match up that many sports writer would like to see Roy Halladay vs. Cliff Lee, the best right handed pitcher vs. the best left handed pitcher, Halladay the guy who replaced Lee in Philadelphia. A match up that goes above and beyond baseball, a match up that scares me when I think about it, a match up that the baseball God's would like to see. Lee coming back to Philly out on a mission to win a World Series title and to prove that you should have never gotten rid of me because I will only come back to haunt you. Roy Halladay on the other hand is on a mission like no other and that's to win a World Series title as well and I'm sure if the Phillies get there he won't worry about anything else but the problem at hand. Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are by far the two aces you want on your team and to think that the Phillies almost had that one - two punch in Philly almost amazes me but in the end it wasn't meant to be. Instead we got the H2O combo in Philly Halladay, Hamels, and Oswalt, once again, congrats to the Texas Rangers on beating the Tampa Bay Rays and good-luck in the ALCS against the New York Yankees.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Twins: The Team to Sweep.
So on Saturday night it was a chance for the Minnesota Twins to keep their playoff hopes alive against the New York Yankees and in this game it was either win or go home. The Twins would send out young Brain Desnsing who is great pitching to lefty's as for the Yankees they would send out young Phil Hughes who was making his first postseason start and he had it working all night long. As for Desnsing well he didn’t shine that good, already down 2-0 Yankees DH Marcus Thames would hit a 2 run home run in the 4th inning to put the Yanks up 4-0. Duensing would only last 3.1 innings pitched, gave up 7 hits, 5 earn runs, 1 strikeout, and threw 58 pitches. Phil Hughes on the other hand would last 7 strong innings, gave up 4 hits, 0 earn runs, 6 strikeouts, threw 99 pitches. Later in the 7th inning Nick Swisher would add the icing to the cake and hit a solo home run to make it a 6-0 ball game and that would be it.
The Yankees would win the ALDS and sweep the Twins for the second straight year by a score of 6-1. The Yankees won this division series as the wild card team but they played this series like the division winners and they are the first team to move on the ALCS (American League Championship Series). They will either the Tampa Bay Rays or the Texas Rangers, Rangers lead that series 2-1. So this series was expected so much more and for this series to at least go 4 or 5 games but only went 3 games once again. The Yanks had another clean sweep and almost everyone thought the Twins would play the Yankees better since last year they were out in the first 3 games but it looked like history would repeat itself. Just seems like the Yankees have the Twins number and the Twins just cannot get pass the Yankees no matter how better they get.
The Twins had a great 2010 season winning the Central Division by 6 games over the White Sox with a 94-68 record. At one point of the year the Twins found themselves 3.5 games out of first but fought back and came back to win their division and what a great season they had without their star first baseman Justin Morneau and closer Joe Nathan. Also the Twins didn't have a 100% Joe Mauer and they still overcame a lot of flows. So Twins fans you'll have to wait till next year, but luck in the 2011 season.
The Yankees would win the ALDS and sweep the Twins for the second straight year by a score of 6-1. The Yankees won this division series as the wild card team but they played this series like the division winners and they are the first team to move on the ALCS (American League Championship Series). They will either the Tampa Bay Rays or the Texas Rangers, Rangers lead that series 2-1. So this series was expected so much more and for this series to at least go 4 or 5 games but only went 3 games once again. The Yanks had another clean sweep and almost everyone thought the Twins would play the Yankees better since last year they were out in the first 3 games but it looked like history would repeat itself. Just seems like the Yankees have the Twins number and the Twins just cannot get pass the Yankees no matter how better they get.
The Twins had a great 2010 season winning the Central Division by 6 games over the White Sox with a 94-68 record. At one point of the year the Twins found themselves 3.5 games out of first but fought back and came back to win their division and what a great season they had without their star first baseman Justin Morneau and closer Joe Nathan. Also the Twins didn't have a 100% Joe Mauer and they still overcame a lot of flows. So Twins fans you'll have to wait till next year, but luck in the 2011 season.
Friday, October 8, 2010
1,2,3 Tim Lincecum.
So far in the playoffs we have seen some great performances and why should Thursday night be any different from the rest? I mean when you have the strikeout king and the 2 time CY Young award on the mound it's going to be a fun game to watch. Tim Lincecum was making his first ever postseason start in his career and he didn't disappoint at all!
Game 1 of the NLDS between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants was the Tim Lincecum show. Pitching against Lincecum was Derek Lowe who has been in the postseason more times than he can count. In the 4th inning Cody Ross would hit an RBI single to give the Gaints a 1-0 lead and that's all they would need, the Gaints would let Lincecum take over from there. Derek Lowe would only last 5.1 innings pitched, gave up 4 hits, 1 earn run, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts, and threw 96 pitches. Those walks will kill you in a playoff game and it did. Lincecum pitched a 2 hit complete game shutout with 14 strikeouts, WOW!! If Tim Lincecum looked nervous he did not show it at all, for the 26 year old this is what he lives for, to pitch on the big stage and help his team to try to win a World Series title. The Giants would Game 1 by a score of 1-0 and now lead the series 1-0. Game 2 will be on tonight, pitching for the Giants will be Matt Cain and going for the Braves will be Tommy Hnason that game will start right after Game 2 between the Reds and Phillies game starts at 6:07 p.m. followed up by the Braves and Giants at 9:37 p.m. on TBS.
Game 1 of the NLDS between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants was the Tim Lincecum show. Pitching against Lincecum was Derek Lowe who has been in the postseason more times than he can count. In the 4th inning Cody Ross would hit an RBI single to give the Gaints a 1-0 lead and that's all they would need, the Gaints would let Lincecum take over from there. Derek Lowe would only last 5.1 innings pitched, gave up 4 hits, 1 earn run, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts, and threw 96 pitches. Those walks will kill you in a playoff game and it did. Lincecum pitched a 2 hit complete game shutout with 14 strikeouts, WOW!! If Tim Lincecum looked nervous he did not show it at all, for the 26 year old this is what he lives for, to pitch on the big stage and help his team to try to win a World Series title. The Giants would Game 1 by a score of 1-0 and now lead the series 1-0. Game 2 will be on tonight, pitching for the Giants will be Matt Cain and going for the Braves will be Tommy Hnason that game will start right after Game 2 between the Reds and Phillies game starts at 6:07 p.m. followed up by the Braves and Giants at 9:37 p.m. on TBS.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
ALDS NO SWEAT!
The ALDS hasn't really been that exciting to watch as both the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees have taken over both of their series’ with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins.
We start with Game 1 between the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays and it was all Rangers in this one. Both teams had their aces pitching, for the Rangers Cliff Lee would pitch against David Price going for the Rays. Lee would work early with a 2-0 lead then Nelson Cruz would hit a solo home run in the 3rd inning and Bengie Molina would follow up with a solo home run in the 4th inning to make it a 4-0 Rangers lead. David Price would only last 6.2 innings, giving up 9 hits, 4 earn runs, 8 strikeouts, and threw 107 pitches. Cliff Lee went 7 strong innings, gave up 5 hits, 1 earn run, 10 strikeouts, threw 104 pitches and would win Game 1 by a score of 5-1. The Rangers would take a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2 pitching for the Rangers was young C.J. Wilson, pitching for the Rays was James Shields which was a questionable move thinking maybe Matt Garza or Jeff Niemann would start in Game 2. Once again in this game it was all Rangers beating up on the Rays pitching staff. In the 4th inning Ian Kinsler hit a solo home run to make it a 2-0 Rangers lead. Then in the 5th inning with 2 runners on Michael Young would go deep and now make it a 5-0 Rangers lead and that would be it for Shields who only lasted 4.1 innings pitched, gave up 4 hits, 4 earn runs, 2 strikeouts, threw 68 pitches. Meanwhile C.J. Wilson would just pick up from where Cliff Lee left off and went 6.1 innings pitched, gave up 2 hits, no earn runs, 7 strikeouts, threw 104 pitches and would win Game 2 by a score of 6-0. So the Rangers lead the series 2-0 heading back to Texas knowing one more win and they will head to the ALCS for the first time in team history. As for the Rays who had the best record in the American League will need to win 2 ball games in Texas to force a Game 5 in Tampa but if not the American League East Champs will have to pack up and hang up their jersey for the 2010 season. Game 3 between the Rangers and Rays will be on Saturday at 5:07 p.m. on TBS, pitching for the Rays will be Matt Garza to help keep the Rays playoff hopes alive and going for the Rangers will be Coby Lewis who will try to wrap things up for the Rangers.
Now to Game 1 between the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees, this one was a heart breaker for the Twins. Pitching for the Twins was Francisco Liriano going for the Yankees was ace C.C. Sabathia. The Twins would take an early 3-0 lead in thanks to a Michael Cuddyer 2 run home run back in the 2nd inning. That would only last in till the 6th inning when the Yankees bats would come alive; Robinson Cano would hit a RBI single to make it a 3-1 Twins lead. Jorge Posada would then hit a RBI single to make it a 3-2 ball game. Curtis Granderson the next batter would hit a 2 run RBI triple to give the Yankees a 4-3 lead and that would be all for Francisco Liriano. Liriano went 5.2 innings pitched, gave up 6 hits, 4 earn runs, 7 strikeouts, and threw 106 pitches. In the bottom of the 6th inning the Twins would tie the game up at 4 on a Danny Valencia walk and C.C.'s night would be done. Sabathia would only go 6 innings, gave up 5 hits, 3 earn runs, 5 strikeouts, and threw 111 pitches. In the very next inning the Twins would give it back to the Yankees on a Mark Teixeira 2 run home run and put the Yankees up 6-4 and that's how it would end. The Yankees would win Game 1 and take a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2 pitching for the Twins was Carl Pavano going against former teammate Andy Pettitte. We start things off in the 5th inning score tied 1-1 but that was about to change from the bat of Lance Berkman would hit a solo home run to put the Yanks in front 2-1. In the 6th inning the "O-DOG" Orlando Hudson would tie the ball game up at 2 with a solo home run. Berkman would later hit an RBI double to put the Yankees in front yet again making the score 3-2. Pavano's day would be done going only 6 innings, gave up 10 hits, 4 earn runs, 3 strikeouts, and threw 93 pitches. Andy Pettitte on the other hand went 7 strong innings, gave up 5 hits, 2 earn runs, 4 strikeouts, and threw 88 pitches. The Yankees would win Game 2 by a score of 5-2 and now lead the series 2-0. So the Twins who played so great at home lost in back to backs game and it looks like signs are pointing back to last year’s postseason where the Yanks took care of the Twins in 3 games. As for the Yankees it must feel good heading home leading the series 2-0 and just one more win and they will move on to the ALCS and play against either the Texas Rangers or the Tampa Bay Rays. Game 3 will be on Saturday night at 8:37 p.m. on TBS, pitching for the Twins to keep their postseason hopes alive will be Brain Duensing and going for the Yankees will be young pitcher Phil Hughes to wrap the series up.
We start with Game 1 between the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays and it was all Rangers in this one. Both teams had their aces pitching, for the Rangers Cliff Lee would pitch against David Price going for the Rays. Lee would work early with a 2-0 lead then Nelson Cruz would hit a solo home run in the 3rd inning and Bengie Molina would follow up with a solo home run in the 4th inning to make it a 4-0 Rangers lead. David Price would only last 6.2 innings, giving up 9 hits, 4 earn runs, 8 strikeouts, and threw 107 pitches. Cliff Lee went 7 strong innings, gave up 5 hits, 1 earn run, 10 strikeouts, threw 104 pitches and would win Game 1 by a score of 5-1. The Rangers would take a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2 pitching for the Rangers was young C.J. Wilson, pitching for the Rays was James Shields which was a questionable move thinking maybe Matt Garza or Jeff Niemann would start in Game 2. Once again in this game it was all Rangers beating up on the Rays pitching staff. In the 4th inning Ian Kinsler hit a solo home run to make it a 2-0 Rangers lead. Then in the 5th inning with 2 runners on Michael Young would go deep and now make it a 5-0 Rangers lead and that would be it for Shields who only lasted 4.1 innings pitched, gave up 4 hits, 4 earn runs, 2 strikeouts, threw 68 pitches. Meanwhile C.J. Wilson would just pick up from where Cliff Lee left off and went 6.1 innings pitched, gave up 2 hits, no earn runs, 7 strikeouts, threw 104 pitches and would win Game 2 by a score of 6-0. So the Rangers lead the series 2-0 heading back to Texas knowing one more win and they will head to the ALCS for the first time in team history. As for the Rays who had the best record in the American League will need to win 2 ball games in Texas to force a Game 5 in Tampa but if not the American League East Champs will have to pack up and hang up their jersey for the 2010 season. Game 3 between the Rangers and Rays will be on Saturday at 5:07 p.m. on TBS, pitching for the Rays will be Matt Garza to help keep the Rays playoff hopes alive and going for the Rangers will be Coby Lewis who will try to wrap things up for the Rangers.
Now to Game 1 between the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees, this one was a heart breaker for the Twins. Pitching for the Twins was Francisco Liriano going for the Yankees was ace C.C. Sabathia. The Twins would take an early 3-0 lead in thanks to a Michael Cuddyer 2 run home run back in the 2nd inning. That would only last in till the 6th inning when the Yankees bats would come alive; Robinson Cano would hit a RBI single to make it a 3-1 Twins lead. Jorge Posada would then hit a RBI single to make it a 3-2 ball game. Curtis Granderson the next batter would hit a 2 run RBI triple to give the Yankees a 4-3 lead and that would be all for Francisco Liriano. Liriano went 5.2 innings pitched, gave up 6 hits, 4 earn runs, 7 strikeouts, and threw 106 pitches. In the bottom of the 6th inning the Twins would tie the game up at 4 on a Danny Valencia walk and C.C.'s night would be done. Sabathia would only go 6 innings, gave up 5 hits, 3 earn runs, 5 strikeouts, and threw 111 pitches. In the very next inning the Twins would give it back to the Yankees on a Mark Teixeira 2 run home run and put the Yankees up 6-4 and that's how it would end. The Yankees would win Game 1 and take a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2 pitching for the Twins was Carl Pavano going against former teammate Andy Pettitte. We start things off in the 5th inning score tied 1-1 but that was about to change from the bat of Lance Berkman would hit a solo home run to put the Yanks in front 2-1. In the 6th inning the "O-DOG" Orlando Hudson would tie the ball game up at 2 with a solo home run. Berkman would later hit an RBI double to put the Yankees in front yet again making the score 3-2. Pavano's day would be done going only 6 innings, gave up 10 hits, 4 earn runs, 3 strikeouts, and threw 93 pitches. Andy Pettitte on the other hand went 7 strong innings, gave up 5 hits, 2 earn runs, 4 strikeouts, and threw 88 pitches. The Yankees would win Game 2 by a score of 5-2 and now lead the series 2-0. So the Twins who played so great at home lost in back to backs game and it looks like signs are pointing back to last year’s postseason where the Yanks took care of the Twins in 3 games. As for the Yankees it must feel good heading home leading the series 2-0 and just one more win and they will move on to the ALCS and play against either the Texas Rangers or the Tampa Bay Rays. Game 3 will be on Saturday night at 8:37 p.m. on TBS, pitching for the Twins to keep their postseason hopes alive will be Brain Duensing and going for the Yankees will be young pitcher Phil Hughes to wrap the series up.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
DOC-TOBER!!!!
Well if you didn't think "the year of the pitcher" wasn't going to get any better, well it did on October 6th, 2010. Earlier this year on May 29th, 2010 Roy Halladay threw a perfect game and became the 20th pitcher in MLB history to throw a perfect game. Well this year we have seen a whole lot of great pitching performances; this year 5 different pitchers threw no-hitters or perfect games. We start with Ubaldo Jimenez on April 17th, 2010 (NO-HITTER), Dallas Braden on May 9th, 2010 (PERFECT GAME), Roy Halladay on May 29th, 2010 (PREFECT GAME), Edwin Jackson on June 25th, 2010 (NO-HITTER), Matt Garza on July 26th, 2010 (NO-HITTER), and now Roy Halladay again on October 6th, 2010 (NO-HITTER). What makes this no-hitter better than the rest is that he did it in the first game of his first postseason appearance. That was one of the many questions that people asked "How good will Roy Halladay be in the postseason" well he answered that pretty well. Halladay became the 2nd pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the postseason since Don Larson threw a perfect game in the 1956 World Series for the New York Yankees. Halladay also became the 5th pitcher to throw 2 no-hitters in a calender year. Welcome to the history books Mr. "DOC" Halladay.
So everyone talked about how good the Reds bats are and how they’re going to be a tough out at every at bat well on Wednesday night they looked like they had no idea what was going on, swinging and looking at balls everywhere. The last time the Reds were no-hit was back in 1971. Halladay almost had a perfect game but gave up a walk to Jay Bruce and that's really when everyone said I don't it will happen now but Halladay stayed calmed and just pitched his game the way he knew how. Also have to give a lot of created to catcher Carlos Ruiz who caught last night’s game because if it wasn't for him then he Halladay could have maybe thrown the wrong pitch. But Ruiz knew what Halladay should throw to this Reds team and got the job done. Halladay had 8 strikeouts and threw only 104 pitches. Not only did Halladay pitch wonderful but he got himself a RBI single in the 2nd inning to give the Phils a 2-0 lead with 2 outs. Then Victorino got a 2 run RBI single to make a 4-0 Phils lead. The Phillies would win but win with a no-hitter and celebrate to a Game 1 win by a score of 4-0 and now lead the series 1-0. What a statement to make in Halladay's first postseason game.
The Phillies will play Game 2 of the NLDS on Friday night, pitching for the Reds will be Bronson Arroyo and going for the Phillies will be ace number 2 in Roy Oswalt. Game time starts at 6:07 p.m. TBS.
This is beyond unbelievable, this is beyond baseball.
So everyone talked about how good the Reds bats are and how they’re going to be a tough out at every at bat well on Wednesday night they looked like they had no idea what was going on, swinging and looking at balls everywhere. The last time the Reds were no-hit was back in 1971. Halladay almost had a perfect game but gave up a walk to Jay Bruce and that's really when everyone said I don't it will happen now but Halladay stayed calmed and just pitched his game the way he knew how. Also have to give a lot of created to catcher Carlos Ruiz who caught last night’s game because if it wasn't for him then he Halladay could have maybe thrown the wrong pitch. But Ruiz knew what Halladay should throw to this Reds team and got the job done. Halladay had 8 strikeouts and threw only 104 pitches. Not only did Halladay pitch wonderful but he got himself a RBI single in the 2nd inning to give the Phils a 2-0 lead with 2 outs. Then Victorino got a 2 run RBI single to make a 4-0 Phils lead. The Phillies would win but win with a no-hitter and celebrate to a Game 1 win by a score of 4-0 and now lead the series 1-0. What a statement to make in Halladay's first postseason game.
The Phillies will play Game 2 of the NLDS on Friday night, pitching for the Reds will be Bronson Arroyo and going for the Phillies will be ace number 2 in Roy Oswalt. Game time starts at 6:07 p.m. TBS.
This is beyond unbelievable, this is beyond baseball.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Playoff Break Down.
So yesterday afternoon was a crazy finish in baseball to a team that came back and won the NL West division to another team that won its second division title in 3 years. It was everything we'd expect this season. We start things off with the New York Yankees taking on the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees would get hammered 8-4, so if the Tampa Bay Rays win they will win the AL East title. Over to Tampa and they were taking on the Royals and they Rays would beat the Royals 3-2 and win their second division title in 3 years, so that also means that Rays will have home advantage throughout the postseason accept the World Series if they make it that far. As for the defending World Champions they would have to settle for the wild card spot. This is the Yankees first wild card spot since 2007 and they lost in the ALDS to the Cleveland Indians.
We move things to the National League East where the Atlanta Braves were hosting the Phillies. Now with a Braves win and Padres lost the Braves will win the NL wild card. But if a Padres win and Braves win there would be a 3 ways tie for the NL West and the NL Wild Card. Confusing I know, but back to the action the Braves would beat the Phillies 8-7 and the Braves would have to wait their destiny. Now to the National League West where both the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants would have their own fate in their hands. If the Padres would beat the Giants it would cause a 1 game playoff on Monday for the NL West division title and the winner of that game would have to take on the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday for the NL Wild Card. In this case nothing like that happened and the Giants beat the Padres 3-0 and knocked off the team who had a 6 1/2 game lead in the division on August 25th will no longer have postseason dreams. The Giants will head to the postseason for the first time since 2003 and that was also the last time the Giants won their division. For the Braves the head into the postseason as the wild card team and the last time they went to the postseason was back in 2005. Also this is the first time in team history the Braves will be a wild card team in the postseason.
So this is what it looks like for the ALDS the Tampa Bay Rays will host the Texas Rangers and the Minnesota Twins will host the New York Yankees. For the NLDS the Philadelphia Phillies will host the Cincinnati Reds, this is the first time the Reds have been in the postseason since 1995 and San Francisco Giants will host the Atlanta Braves. The ALDS and NLDS is a 5 game series first team to win 3 games will head onto the ALCS and NLCS (American League Championship Series and National League Championship Series).
Wednesday October 6th.
Game 1 of the ALDS will start off with the Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay. Starting pitcher in Game 1 for the Rangers will be Cliff Lee who this year had an ERA of 3.18, 12 wins, 9 losses, and 185 strikeouts. For the Rays they will throw David Price who this year had an excellent year with a 2.72 ERA, 19 wins, 6 losses. Price is runner up for the AL CY Young. Game 1 will start at 1:37 p.m. on TBS.
Game 1 of the NLDS will start off with the Cincinnati Reds at Philadelphia. Starting for the Reds in Game 1 will be Edinson Volquez who had an ERA of 4.31, 4 wins, 3 losses, and 67 strikeouts. For the Phils they will throw ace number 1 in Roy Halladay who had a fantastic year for Phillies and first time in the NL with a 2.44 ERA, 21 wins, 10 losses, and 219 strikeouts. Halladay looks like the NL CY Young award winner. Game 1 will start at 5:07 p.m. on TBS.
Game 1 of the ALDS will be the New York Yankees at Minnesota. The Yankees will start their big dog C.C. Sabathia who had a great year with a 3.18 ERA, 21 wins, 7 losses, and 197 strikeouts, he also in the running for the AL CY Young award. For the Twins they will throw Francisco Liriano who this year had a 3.62 ERA went 14-10, with 201 strikeouts. A rematch for last year’s ALDS and be sure to expect this one to go more than 3 games. Game 1 will start at 8:37 p.m. on TBS
Thursday October 7th
Game 2 of the ALDS between the Rangers and Rays will start at 2:37 p.m. on TBS. The Rangers will start C.J. Wilson who had an ERA of 3.35, 15 wins, 8 losses, and 170 strikeouts. As for the Rays they will throw Matt Garza who went 15-10, 150 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.91.
Game 2 of the ALDS between the Yankees and Twins will start at 6:07 p.m. on TBS. The Yankees are unsure on who will start Game 2 but expect it to be A.J. Burnett or Phil Hughes. I wouldn't think they would go with Andy Pettitte because of starting lefty - lefty in both Game 1 and 2, but hey you never know. As for the Twins they will go with Carl Pavano who had a great 2010 year with an ERA of 3.75, 17 wins, 11 losses, and 117 strikeouts.
Game 1 of the NLDS the Atlanta Braves at San Francisco. The Braves will start sinker baller Derek Lowe who this year had an ERA of 4.00, 16 wins, 12 losses, and 136 strikeouts. For the Giants they start their ace and back to back CY Young award winner Tim Lincecum who had a rocky year but none the less still one of the best with an ERA of 3.43, 16 wins, 10 losses, 231 strikeouts. Game 1 will start at 9:37 p.m. on TBS.
Friday October 8th
Game 2 of the NLDS between the Reds and Phillies will start at 6:07 p.m. on TBS. The Reds will send out Bronson Arroyo to the mound who went 17-10, 121 strikeouts, and had a 3.88 ERA. For the Fightin' Philis they start ace number 2 in Roy Oswalt who has been very with the Phillies with an 2.76 ERA, 13 wins, 13 losses (7-1 with the Phillies this year), and 193 strikeouts.
Game 2 of the NLDS between the Braves and Giants will start at 9:37 p.m. on TBS. The Braves will start Tommy Hanson who this year had an ERA of 3.33, 10 wins, 11 losses, and 173 strikeouts. For the Giants they will start Matt Cain who has been very good with an ERA of 3.14, 13 wins, 10 losses, 177 strikeouts.
Saturday October 9th
Game 3 of the ALDS between the Rangers and Rays will start at 5:07 p.m. on TBS. Game 3 will take place in Texas for the first time since 1999, the Rays will throw out rookie pitcher Wade Davis who had an 4.14 ERA, 12 wins, 11 losses, 107 strikeouts. For the Rangers they will send out Coby Lewis who went 12-13, 196 strikeouts, and had an ERA of 3.72.
Game 3 of the ALDS between the Yankees and Twins will start at 8:37 p.m. on TBS.
Game 3 will take place in New York as they still don't know who will start Game 3 and if Burnett starts Game 2 expect to see Phil Hughes or Andy Pettitte. I'm 90% sure it might be Pettitte only because he has pitched in the postseason before but I wouldn’t be surprised if they start Hughes. For the Twin they will start Brain Duensing coming out of the bull pen. Not so sure this is a good move for the Twins but I guess will see what happens. Duensing had an ERA of 2.62 in the pen.
So there you have it for games 1-3 for the ALDS and games 1 and 2 for the NLDS. This is beyond the postseason, this is beyond baseball.
We move things to the National League East where the Atlanta Braves were hosting the Phillies. Now with a Braves win and Padres lost the Braves will win the NL wild card. But if a Padres win and Braves win there would be a 3 ways tie for the NL West and the NL Wild Card. Confusing I know, but back to the action the Braves would beat the Phillies 8-7 and the Braves would have to wait their destiny. Now to the National League West where both the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants would have their own fate in their hands. If the Padres would beat the Giants it would cause a 1 game playoff on Monday for the NL West division title and the winner of that game would have to take on the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday for the NL Wild Card. In this case nothing like that happened and the Giants beat the Padres 3-0 and knocked off the team who had a 6 1/2 game lead in the division on August 25th will no longer have postseason dreams. The Giants will head to the postseason for the first time since 2003 and that was also the last time the Giants won their division. For the Braves the head into the postseason as the wild card team and the last time they went to the postseason was back in 2005. Also this is the first time in team history the Braves will be a wild card team in the postseason.
So this is what it looks like for the ALDS the Tampa Bay Rays will host the Texas Rangers and the Minnesota Twins will host the New York Yankees. For the NLDS the Philadelphia Phillies will host the Cincinnati Reds, this is the first time the Reds have been in the postseason since 1995 and San Francisco Giants will host the Atlanta Braves. The ALDS and NLDS is a 5 game series first team to win 3 games will head onto the ALCS and NLCS (American League Championship Series and National League Championship Series).
Wednesday October 6th.
Game 1 of the ALDS will start off with the Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay. Starting pitcher in Game 1 for the Rangers will be Cliff Lee who this year had an ERA of 3.18, 12 wins, 9 losses, and 185 strikeouts. For the Rays they will throw David Price who this year had an excellent year with a 2.72 ERA, 19 wins, 6 losses. Price is runner up for the AL CY Young. Game 1 will start at 1:37 p.m. on TBS.
Game 1 of the NLDS will start off with the Cincinnati Reds at Philadelphia. Starting for the Reds in Game 1 will be Edinson Volquez who had an ERA of 4.31, 4 wins, 3 losses, and 67 strikeouts. For the Phils they will throw ace number 1 in Roy Halladay who had a fantastic year for Phillies and first time in the NL with a 2.44 ERA, 21 wins, 10 losses, and 219 strikeouts. Halladay looks like the NL CY Young award winner. Game 1 will start at 5:07 p.m. on TBS.
Game 1 of the ALDS will be the New York Yankees at Minnesota. The Yankees will start their big dog C.C. Sabathia who had a great year with a 3.18 ERA, 21 wins, 7 losses, and 197 strikeouts, he also in the running for the AL CY Young award. For the Twins they will throw Francisco Liriano who this year had a 3.62 ERA went 14-10, with 201 strikeouts. A rematch for last year’s ALDS and be sure to expect this one to go more than 3 games. Game 1 will start at 8:37 p.m. on TBS
Thursday October 7th
Game 2 of the ALDS between the Rangers and Rays will start at 2:37 p.m. on TBS. The Rangers will start C.J. Wilson who had an ERA of 3.35, 15 wins, 8 losses, and 170 strikeouts. As for the Rays they will throw Matt Garza who went 15-10, 150 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.91.
Game 2 of the ALDS between the Yankees and Twins will start at 6:07 p.m. on TBS. The Yankees are unsure on who will start Game 2 but expect it to be A.J. Burnett or Phil Hughes. I wouldn't think they would go with Andy Pettitte because of starting lefty - lefty in both Game 1 and 2, but hey you never know. As for the Twins they will go with Carl Pavano who had a great 2010 year with an ERA of 3.75, 17 wins, 11 losses, and 117 strikeouts.
Game 1 of the NLDS the Atlanta Braves at San Francisco. The Braves will start sinker baller Derek Lowe who this year had an ERA of 4.00, 16 wins, 12 losses, and 136 strikeouts. For the Giants they start their ace and back to back CY Young award winner Tim Lincecum who had a rocky year but none the less still one of the best with an ERA of 3.43, 16 wins, 10 losses, 231 strikeouts. Game 1 will start at 9:37 p.m. on TBS.
Friday October 8th
Game 2 of the NLDS between the Reds and Phillies will start at 6:07 p.m. on TBS. The Reds will send out Bronson Arroyo to the mound who went 17-10, 121 strikeouts, and had a 3.88 ERA. For the Fightin' Philis they start ace number 2 in Roy Oswalt who has been very with the Phillies with an 2.76 ERA, 13 wins, 13 losses (7-1 with the Phillies this year), and 193 strikeouts.
Game 2 of the NLDS between the Braves and Giants will start at 9:37 p.m. on TBS. The Braves will start Tommy Hanson who this year had an ERA of 3.33, 10 wins, 11 losses, and 173 strikeouts. For the Giants they will start Matt Cain who has been very good with an ERA of 3.14, 13 wins, 10 losses, 177 strikeouts.
Saturday October 9th
Game 3 of the ALDS between the Rangers and Rays will start at 5:07 p.m. on TBS. Game 3 will take place in Texas for the first time since 1999, the Rays will throw out rookie pitcher Wade Davis who had an 4.14 ERA, 12 wins, 11 losses, 107 strikeouts. For the Rangers they will send out Coby Lewis who went 12-13, 196 strikeouts, and had an ERA of 3.72.
Game 3 of the ALDS between the Yankees and Twins will start at 8:37 p.m. on TBS.
Game 3 will take place in New York as they still don't know who will start Game 3 and if Burnett starts Game 2 expect to see Phil Hughes or Andy Pettitte. I'm 90% sure it might be Pettitte only because he has pitched in the postseason before but I wouldn’t be surprised if they start Hughes. For the Twin they will start Brain Duensing coming out of the bull pen. Not so sure this is a good move for the Twins but I guess will see what happens. Duensing had an ERA of 2.62 in the pen.
So there you have it for games 1-3 for the ALDS and games 1 and 2 for the NLDS. This is beyond the postseason, this is beyond baseball.
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