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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 29, 2011 15:36:53 GMT -5
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Post by Coldwarrior on Sept 29, 2011 15:47:35 GMT -5
BOSTON iz kaput. It's hard to feel sorry for Boston. After all, if it wasn't for that town we would have a pretty decent public medical plan here today.
Tampa scares me far more than the Yankees. The Tigers and Tampa have the same "Never say die" spirit. However the Tigers have more plus a better batting lineup.
If the Yankees can't beat Verlander and Fister twice each, they will lose. Two other Tigers starters are doing OK. Peralta pitched well last night and won. All they have to do is keep the Tigers in the game for 6 innings. Then the bullpen comes in and shuts the door.
I'm rooting for the Diamondbacks to go all the way to the top in the National League so they can play the Tigers in the World Series. One of the DBacks starting pitchers is dating my nephews daughter. I met him last Christmas. Nice guy. Told him to learn how to throw the knuckle ball. Do that well and a pitcher can have a very long career in the majors. I figure if a pitcher can throw a changeup, they can throw a knuckle ball. Besides Kirk Gibson is the DBack's manager and Alan Trammel is the bench coach. Two favorites still around this town. They always get a warm welcome when they come here and they will if we reach the World Series together.
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Post by Flying Horse on Oct 1, 2011 14:32:32 GMT -5
MLB Playoffs
Yanks pick up where they left off -- in weather delay.
After having 22 games affectd by weather during the regular season, the Yankees opened the posteason with a game that was suspended because of heavy rain. The Yankees and the Detroit Tigers played one and a half innings at the Stadium in Game 1 of the American League division series before downpours struck, washing away an intriguing matchup of aces between C. C. Sabathia and Justin Verlander. The game was delayed 1 hour 17 minutes before it was suspended; it will resume in the second inning Saturday at 8:37 p.m., with the score tied, 1-1. The pitchers, however, will no longer be Sabathia and Verlander. Instead, Ivan Nova will face Doug Fister, and the Yankees will bat first, in the bottom of the second inning.
Rays continue their run with rout of Rangers.
The aura surrounding the adrenaline-fueled Tampa Bay Rays shifted to wonderment Friday. Now the question is when they might come crashing back to baseball reality instead of making more history. Showing no emotional letdown after claiming a most improbable wild-card spot, the Rays clobbered the Texas Rangers, 9-0, in Game 1 of their American League division series, and did so behind the rookie left-handed pitcher Matt Moore and the light-hitting catcher Kelly Shoppach, two players who barely knew each other a few weeks ago. But the Yanks knew Moore, who struck out 11 of them in a game during the regular season. Side Note: Cooper Stone threw the ceremonial first pitch to Josh Hamilton before the game. Cooper, the 6-year-old son of Shannon Stone, a firefighter from Brownwood, Tex., was with his father when he fell over the left-field wall while reaching for a souvenir ball thrown to his son by Josh Hamilton on July 7. Stone died of his injuries. Since the death, Josh Hamilton has established a personal relationship with the family and the Rangers raised all railings throughout their ballpark 42 inches.
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Post by a on Oct 1, 2011 17:12:57 GMT -5
I'm watching the Michigan State vs Ohio State game and the announcer just called Ohio State's offense "staggeringly pathetic." lol
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Post by a on Oct 1, 2011 18:10:19 GMT -5
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Post by Flying Horse on Oct 2, 2011 9:29:39 GMT -5
IIF- -So what about Mizzou? Syracuse lost in OT 19-16 to Rutgers!
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Post by Flying Horse on Oct 2, 2011 9:53:24 GMT -5
MLB Playoffs
AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES: 1. Worth the wait for Yanks. Cano's grand salm helps NY crush Detroit in suspended Game 1 of their ALDS day after rainout.
After their rainout the day before, Robinson Cano and the New York Yankees slammed their way to a 9-3 blowout. Cano hit his grand slam and drove in 6 runs and rookie starter Ivan Nova pitched brilliantly into the 9th as a relief pitcher. A day after rain wiped out aces Justin Verlander (who gave up one run) and C.C. Sabathia (also 1 run) after only 1 1/2 innings, play resumed in the bottom of the 2nd with two new pitchers, no national anthem -- all Yankees. Along with Curtis Granderson, Cano is one of New York's two leading contenders for AL MVP — and he showed why. Yankees manager Joe Girardi moved the slugger up from f5th to erd in the lineup for the playoffs to get him more protection and pitches to hit. Smart move so far. "They put you third, so you want to do your job there. You don't want to let your manager down," Cano said. "I did my job today and hopefully I can continue doing it." NOTEs: It was the 50th anniversary of Roger Maris' record-breaking 61st home run at the old Yankee Stadium on the final day of the 1961 season. Freddy Garcia gets the 2nd game start for the Yankees today while Max Scherzer takes the ball for the Tigers.
2. Rangers tie series by topping Rays 8-6 in ALDS Game 2.
Aided by a big miscue from home-plate umpire Kerwin Danley, the Rangers overcame a 3-0 deficit and defeated the Rays to even the ALDS at one game each. When the game was tied 3-3 that was when umpire Danley goofed. With Texas runners on 1st and 2nd, David Murphy hit a little nubber that spun off home plate and rolled into fair territory. The catcher picked it up and threw Murphy out at first. BUT Danley had signaled foul ball right away, making it a dead ball and taking the out off the board. The Rays' pitcher, James Shield, proceeded to throw 2 wild pitches and one run scored, making the score 4-3 and they added another before Shield got out of the inning 5-3. The Rangers managed to keep hitting afterwards. Ian Kinsler had a two-run double in the sixth to make it 7-3. Evan Longoria came back with a three-run homer off Koji Uehara in the seventh, to bring the Rays within a run, but the Rangers scored an insurance run when Mitch Moreland homered in the eighth. Neftali Feliz protected the two-run lead in the ninth. NOTES: Game 3 in the best-of-five series is scheduled for Monday in St. Pete with Colby Lewis facing David Price - Price gave up six runs — five earned — in four innings in what looked like a must-win start Wednesday against the Yankees. Price is also 0-3 with a 5.67 ERA in six career regular-season starts against the Rangers, and he lost to them twice in the ALDS last year, amassing a 4.97 ERA. “Big Game” James has allowed 11 runs over 9 1/3 innings in his last two postseason starts, both against the Rangers. He’s now 2-4 with a 4.98 ERA lifetime in October.
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Post by Flying Horse on Oct 2, 2011 10:51:18 GMT -5
MLB Playoffs
NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES.
1. Phillies bats explode in 11-6 Game 1 victory over Cardinals.
If you want to beat Roy Halladay, you have to get to him early. That's the common thought around baseball and it's back ed by the stats. The Cards followed that strategy to near-perfection in the early going, plating three runs in the top of the first inning courtesy of a Lance Berkman home run. But the St. Louis bats quickly went silent and the Phillies were able to rally in a major way against starter Kyle Lohse and the Redbirds’ bullpen. Jimmy Rollins went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and Chase Utley went 3-for-5 with three runs scored. Hunter Pence drove in two runs, Raul Ibanez drove in three, and Ryan Howard drove in four. After Berkman’s homer, Halladay retired 23 of the next 24 batters he faced. And 21 batters in a row. Only two balls left the infield. And the Phillies, MLB's best team during the regular season, grabbed a convincing 11-6 victory. NOTES: Matt Holliday was able to pinch-hit late in the game, suggesting he might be ready to return to starting left field duties in either Game 2 or 3 of this series. Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET. Cliff Lee will face Chris Carpenter.
2. Yovani Gallardo, Prince Fielder lead Brewers past Diamondbacks in Game 1 victory.
Yovani Gallardo ended the regular season as one of the hottest pitchers in baseball, allowing two runs or less in each of his last three starts while posting a ridiculous 36/3 K/BB ratio over 20 1/3 innings. He was equally brilliant this afternoon in Milwaukee, tossing eight innings of one-run ball in a 4-1 victory over Arizona. Gallardo allowed just four hits whle striking out nine and walking only one. The only run scored on a solo homer by Ryan Roberts in the top of the 8th. John Axford tossed a perfect top of the 9th for the save. Ryan Braun and prince Fielder combined for five of the Brewers' eight hits. NOTES: Gallardo's nine K's tied him with Don Sutton ('82) for the franchise record for strikeouts in a postseason game. The Brewers will try to keep the pressure on tomorrow when they send Zack Greinke (16-6, 3.83 ERA) to the hill against Daniel Hudson (16-12, 3.49 ERA). Greinke will be pitching on short rest for the second straight start, but if Ron Roenicke’s crew can leave home with two victories, they should be in very good shape in this series.
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Post by a on Oct 2, 2011 11:13:13 GMT -5
No game yesterday, we get Kansas State next week.
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Post by a on Oct 2, 2011 11:16:35 GMT -5
I stayed up too late watching Wisconsin trounce Nebraska but it was well worth it!
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Post by Flying Horse on Oct 2, 2011 11:49:40 GMT -5
:-/I'm afraid that I didn't watch much football yesterday, other than Syracuse off and on. ;)Baseball's my first love and I will watch the postseason games before anything else. :PI'll watch the Buffalo/Cincinnati game @ 1 until the Yankee game starts @ 2:30, then drop in on the Giants/Arizone @ 4, briefly.
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Post by Flying Horse on Oct 2, 2011 18:46:29 GMT -5
MLB Divisional Playoffs
AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES: 1. Tigers shut down Yankees 5-3 to even series,
Scherzer takes no-hitter into sixth inning and closer Jose Valverde held off a furious New York 9th-inning rally for Detroit win. Miguel Cabrera's two-run homer in the first off Freddy Garcia gave Scherzer an early edge, and the Tigers took a 4-0 lead into the eighth. Curtis Granderson hit a solo homer off Tigers reliever Joaquin Benoit in the eighth. Pretty soon, the rain - and all the drama - filled Yankee Stadium. NOTES: Game 3 is Monday at Detroit. In an ace rematch, of sorts, C.C. Sabathia is scheduled to start for the Yankees against Justin Verlander, who faced each other in the series opener Friday night's suspended game. The Tigers handed the Yankees a rare day-game defeat. New York was a major league best 44-12 (.786) during the afternoon in the regular season, the best winning percentage in the modern era.
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Post by Coldwarrior on Oct 3, 2011 9:19:03 GMT -5
It's 56 degees with slight rain around Detroit. 30% chance of light rain for the ballgame but that means 70% chance it won't. Gonna be a pitching duel tonite. Verlander doesn't usually try to strike every one out early. He's content to let his infield get the outs. But with guys on base and threatening, he can wing a hundred mile fastball when he warms up. Interesting matchup is Granderson vs. Verlander. I think the Copa has the deepest centerfield in the league and Austin Jackson covers it as well as anyone including Granderson. But Granderson has a lot of experience there. It's a nice park. Along the walkway behind centerfield are statues of Kaline, Kell, and a few other Tiger greats. Theres a little resturant behind right center on the upper deck. There might be a tendency to pitch around Cabrerra but if they do, they will find out too late it is a bad idea. Martinez and Avila will probably do much better at home. What is surprising is Cabrerra's speed. No one expects a big guy like him to steal second but he does if the pitcher isn't paying attention. All the Tigers play heads up ball and take every advantage available. Not sure who is going to pitch the next game but if Fister is ready, it may be all over for the Yankees. Awwww Another manager gets fired. The White Sox manager got canned and I presume the shellacking the Tigers gave them had something to do with it. Cleveland was busted too. That guy's on the bubble. Steinbrenner fired his manager who lost the 7th game of the World Series and hired the manager who beat them. Of course George is gone but they are still the Yankees, very unforgiving to say the least or the most. Let's root for Texas, the Rays still scared me. Josh Collmenter pitches for the Dbacks Tuesday at home. He either wins or the Dbacks season is over. Hope he does well and he can control his new pitch. He doesn't have a blazing fastball but good control. He very seldom walks anyone. But Milwaukee has some hot bats. We will see. Prediction: Philly and Detroit in the World Series. If Phillys lose a game at home, they lose the series. Unless it rains like in New York. The Yanks were lucky.
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Post by Flying Horse on Oct 3, 2011 13:42:57 GMT -5
Troubled Ohio State on verge of collapse.
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Post by a on Oct 3, 2011 14:10:29 GMT -5
I believe that happened yesterday.
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Post by Coldwarrior on Oct 3, 2011 19:05:23 GMT -5
My WOW cable tv is having a problem. I'm not receiving the station which has the baseball games. I get the Wings game which would normally assuage my rage but this year the Tigers are hunting and it is the Wings first game of the season. I tried to call, busy, busy, busy. I emailed them but they say expect an answer in 48 hours. That's comforting. So I have to listen to it on the radio. Ironically, their bill came today. I think I'll start disputing something or other. I have to look up the president of the company, The people that work there are just trying to make a living but the big guy needs some heat for the bucks he's getting. Why didn't they pick the Jerry Lewis Telethon for doing their repairs. Nobody watchs that. I'll bet FOX Propaganda station is on. This must be a Republican plot. g.w. bush must be on WOW's board of directors. He's the problem. RAGE, Rage, Rage. Peg probably has a RAGE poem handy. Maybe that would help.
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Post by Coldwarrior on Oct 3, 2011 20:09:31 GMT -5
So the Great Spartans of Michigan State University beat Ohio State and they are on the verge of collapse? Dreadful. Hope they recover in time to whoop the Wolverines. Normally, people expect a resident of this state to root for a university from this state against all others. NOT ME. I not only want U of M ot lose but I want them to lose in the last second of all games on a disputed call. My loathing is both wide and deep.
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Post by Flying Horse on Oct 3, 2011 20:54:13 GMT -5
Wow, CW. what did Michigan do to you? I dislike the ACC and in agony over Syracuse joining them, but nothing like your feelings for the maize and blue.
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Post by Coldwarrior on Oct 4, 2011 6:07:12 GMT -5
Peg, Other than U of Michigan rooters being arrogant, they are not as good as advertised. During Schembeclers heyday with Woody Hayes, Duffy Dougherty from MSU had a better won loss record against both schools than either of them will admit. Schembeckler inheirited a schedule from Bump Elliott which was packed with creampuff games. He was a better coach than Elliott so they crushed the non-conference teams so everyone went mad saying he was the greatest coach in the world. The only time Michigan won the Rose Bowl was when Bo had a heart attack and his assistant played John Wangler as quarterback. Wanger was a passing quarterback which never suited Bo's game plan. I coached little kids in flag football. One of the kids fathers was a highschool football coach. He told me his school had a foreign kid who could kick field goals like Pele. The kid was poor and couldn't afford college so they called Bo to see if U of M would give him a chance at a football scholarship. Bo said a football team shouldn't need field goals to win games. So the kid went to some junior college with a football team and set some field goal records. A Notre Dame scout saw him and Notre Dame gave him a scholarship. Not long after that, Notre Dame played Michigan which Notre Dame won 18-0. Every point in the game came from the 6 field goals kicked by that kid. Even today, Michigans non-conference schedule is comprised of gimmees with the exception of ND and they aren't doing that good recently. Then the Michigan boosters make a big deal out of a lopsided score. Small schools don't mind getting trounced. They get a check big enough to pay for their entire program. But Michigan makes it sound like they beat Southern Cal or Alabama. They only recently started to play other Michigan schools like Eastern, Western and Central which are better teams and the money stays within our state borders. MSU has been doing that for a long time. Sometimes losing. These other Michigan schools are always in the hunt within their own conferences. When MSU does whip U of M, Michigan fans say the game is unimportant to them as their main rival is OSU. But if they win, they want a banner flying over the Big Mac bridge. One year, MSU beat U of M and lost to OSU. In the Big Ten conference OSU and U of M were tied in won loss so the board had to pick which school went to the Rose Bowl. MSU had the swing vote and picked OSU because that's who beat them and figured Ohio was better. U of M people had a fit. They thought MSU betrayed the state. Incredible. I think that was MSU's finest hour. It's still funny.
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Post by Coldwarrior on Oct 4, 2011 6:14:15 GMT -5
How about those Tigers? WOW fixed their problem so I was able to watch the game on TV around the 3rd inning on. Verlander gets better as the game goes on. He was probably pressing near the end. He has a tendency to get excited by the crowd and loses some control. But all's well that ends with me being happy. Tonite, it's Portello pitching for the Tigers. He's no Verlander so the Yanks might get some hits or a lot of them. But if he can survive 5 innings, the bull pen which is well rested because of Verlander can platoon a bunch of hotshots to get to the 9th and then Papa Grande comes in to kill the bull. On other hand, the Tigers bats might explode. They scored over 10 runs a game quite often this past season but that was against teams less talented than the Yankees. So who knows.
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