LOS ANGELES ANGELS v. BOSTON RED SOX Game 1: Wed. Oct. 3 @ Fenway Park Game 2: Fri. Oct. 5 @ Fenway Park Game 3: Sun. Oct. 7 @ Angel Stadium Game 4 (if necessary): Mon. Oct. 8 @ Angel Stadium Game 5 (if necessary): Wed. Oct. 10 @ Fenway Park
NEW YORK YANKEES v. CLEVELAND INDIANS Game 1: Thurs. Oct. 4 @ Jacobs Field Game 2: Fri. Oct. 5 @ Jacobs Field Game 3: Sun. Oct. 7 @ Yankee Stadium Game 4 (if necessary): Mon. Oct. 8 @ Yankee Stadium Game 5 (if necessary: Wed. Oct. 10 @ Jacobs Field
I always felt the Red Sox/Angels series would be decided by who gets homefield advantage. Guess what? Boston won. The Angels' pitching staff is something to be feared...unless they're at Fenway. John Lackey, Anaheim's probable Game 1 starter, is an abysmal 1-6 lifetime against the Sox and 1-4 with an 8.38 (!) ERA at Fenway. He gave up 6 runs in the first inning in his last Fenway start. I sincerely hope someone realizes this and saves him for Game 3 at Anaheim. Kelvim Escobar (who's coming into this series banged up, but has had zero starts against Boston) is a wild card at best, and Jered Weaver (12.46 ERA at Fenway, 6.97 ERA against Boston overall) is no better, and the Sox absolutely shredded the Angels bullpen in the regular season. This could easily be a repeat of Boston's '04 massacre of the Halos. And this is coming from the biggest Angels booster on this board. As long as Boston's bullpen can stay solid (and with Eric Gagne, that's a big question mark), they should take this series in 4.
X-FACTOR: Scot Shields, the Angels' go-to 8th inning setup guy since 2002. He's coming into this series with a 3.86 ERA for the season, but a 7.36 (!) ERA since the All-Star break. He's also got a 20.25 (!!) ERA at Fenway this year and a 8.10 ERA against Boston overall. You Sox fans think you have it bad with Gagne? You don't know 8th inning misery!
For the other series, the annual A-Rod watch begins. His incredible MVP season will mean jack to New Yorkers if he falls asleep in October again. Cleveland's my dark horse pick to win it all and I think their young bats can come through. Sabathia will lead the way for the young pitching staff and I think this series will make a star out of Rafael Betancourt (ERA 1.47). Also look out for Paul Byrd, who carried the Angels' pitching staff in his last October appearance, including coming through in Game 1 of the '05 ALCS, where he pitched a gem and won the game for a team that had literally less than 24 hours of rest (they spent most of that 24 hours flying to Chicago) against a rested White Sox team. This man is clutch! Indians win in 5.
Interesting that the Sox opted for the early series rather than the extra day off. I guess with an extra day off anyway compared to previous years' Tuesday DCS start and the fear of Detroit Tigers Rust Disease settling in they wanted to get back out on the field right away.
I will be very interested to see how Fausto Carmona performs. This is a guy who was an abysmal closer for the Indians last year. He has been lights out as a starter this year, but what will happen to him under the bright lights against the big bad Yankees? To me he is the key to this series more than any other guy. If he's on his game the Indians have the pitching to win this series. If not, it looks bad for them. I'm going to say Indians in 4, A-Rod has a good series but not enough to carry the Yanks, and he heads off to Wrigley Field in the offseason signing the new richest contract in baseball history.
In the other series, Boston looks like they should win, but they have looked out of sorts for a while now. I expect the Red Sox to advance. But honestly, this series just feels weird to me. I think whomever wins this series is going to lose to whomever wins the other series in the ALCS.
Originally posted by spfI will be very interested to see how Fausto Carmona performs. This is a guy who was an abysmal closer for the Indians last year. He has been lights out as a starter this year, but what will happen to him under the bright lights against the big bad Yankees? To me he is the key to this series more than any other guy. If he's on his game the Indians have the pitching to win this series. If not, it looks bad for them. I'm going to say Indians in 4, A-Rod has a good series but not enough to carry the Yanks, and he heads off to Wrigley Field in the offseason signing the new richest contract in baseball history.
In the other series, Boston looks like they should win, but they have looked out of sorts for a while now. I expect the Red Sox to advance. But honestly, this series just feels weird to me. I think whomever wins this series is going to lose to whomever wins the other series in the ALCS.
Having monitored Fausto from his time with the Good Ol' Lake County Captains down the street from work, last year was the fluke, not the norm for him. This year was much more what I've come to expect from him.
People are making a big to-do about the Tribe pitching, however I am concerned about the hitting. CC and Fausto have every chance of pitching lights-out, but have just as much chance of getting no run support. I really hope Asdrubal Cabrera keeps up his clutch hitting in the postseason.
Tribe in 4, Sox in 4.
"As you may have read in Robert Parker's Wine Newsletter, 'Donaghy Estates tastes like the urine of Satan, after a hefty portion of asparagus.'" Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock
Red Sox vs. Angels: A week and a half ago, I might have picked against Boston. Actually I wouldn't have, but I would have had grave doubts. They actually have everyone back, and miraculously JD Drew has decided to join the team. Boston in 4.
Indians vs. Yankees: Sabathia hasn't pitched against the Yankees in 2 years, but has putrid career numbers against them. I don't trust Joe Borowski in a big spot. The Yankees historically play excellent ball at Jacobs Field. Indians in 4 as they clinch in the Bronx as the Curse of Mattingly will come through yet again.
Originally posted by PeterStorkInteresting that the Sox opted for the early series rather than the extra day off. I guess with an extra day off anyway compared to previous years' Tuesday DCS start and the fear of Detroit Tigers Rust Disease settling in they wanted to get back out on the field right away.
I am thinking the Sox picked the early series because it has three off days, while the late series has only two off days. The off day in the middle is more important to them than the extra day off before the series begins, methinks.
CRZ had to edit my profile and close my table for me before, but I did this one all by myself with Frosty's help!
Originally posted by redsoxnationIndians vs. Yankees: Sabathia hasn't pitched against the Yankees in 2 years, but has putrid career numbers against them. I don't trust Joe Borowski in a big spot. The Yankees historically play excellent ball at Jacobs Field. Indians in 4 as they clinch in the Bronx as the Curse of Mattingly will come through yet again.
No way was I making the same mistake that I did last year, with the elation I felt with the Yanks drawing Detroit in the first round last year. Cleveland is a great team, everyone knows it, and CC/Carmona is a daunting duo, with a way-better-than-solid lineup. That said, the Yanks have a better top-to-bottom lineup, just as good starters, and Mo/Joba in the pen. Barring a total fiasco, I see the Yanks winning the series. Hey, if the lineup and starters totally choke (sports.espn.go.com), it wouldn't be the first time. Wang and Pettitte had way solid years. I'd take the Yanks lineup this year over Clevelands, and I'd take Mo/Joba over Borowski/whoever. The rest of NY's pen makes me queasy, but if I see Farnsworthless, Bruney, or Villone in the game, chances are its a blowout one way or the other, and I'll sleep a tiny bit better with Hughes in the pen in case Clemens craps the bed. For what it's worth, I take the Yanks in 5.
I'm not a fan of these matchups. As It's False pointed out, the Angels don't do well against Boston. Given that my whole rooting focus this offseason is anti-Yankees, I would've much rather seen LA face New York, as the Angels have had their number over the last couple of years. If it gets to Yankees/Red Sox, who knows what the hell will end up happening. Hopefully the Tribe can take care of business early. Travis Hafner is finally (FINALLY) coming around after a year of ruining everyone's fantasy teams. Maybe the ALDS can be his coming-out party.
I will really, really laugh heartily if A-Rod goes .120 in the playoffs again.
I hate the way the Angels play baseball, I hate the way Mike Scioscia manages, and I think it's a travesty that they keep making it to the playoffs. That said, I'm very glad to face them in the first round. Red Sox in three.
The Yankees and Indians are so loaded with questions that it's impossible to feel really good about either team. Is Roger healthy? If he is, does it matter? Is Fausto Carmona the real deal? Can Joe Borowski hold a lead? Will people say stupid things about A-Rod again if he hits balls right at defenders? Will anyone say anything about Derek Jeter if he hits balls right at defenders? Can anyone outside of Cleveland name an Indians position player other than Pronk or Grady Sizemore?
You wanted the best, you got... Out of Context Quote of the Week.
"The Mexican rebels aren't running it back for touchdowns, so it's close." (thecubsfan)
Originally posted by GugsCan anyone outside of Cleveland name an Indians position player other than Pronk or Grady Sizemore?
Josh Barfield. Hey, he doesn't have to be a good position player.
The Angels just can't win in Boston, although I'm not all that confident in what Matsuzaka might have left in the tank. But the way Beckett, et al. are pitching, I'm not sure it matters. Red Sox in four, three if everyone actually shows up at the games.
As for the Indians, if their bullpen can keep shortening games (The Two Rafaels have been pretty good at this, no?) then Sabathia and Carmona should be more than enough pitching. Cleveland in four.
Well, it went about as well as expected for the Angels, as Boston won 4-0. Lackey performed better than I thought he would, but that's like saying getting kicked in the nuts feels better than getting clubbed to a pulp. I don't think those Youkilis and Ortiz home runs have hit the ground yet.
Fun fact, the Angels have lost four straight playoff games dating back to '05 in which the opposing starting pitcher went the full frame. It's one thing to lose, but it's demoralizing when your guys can't even chase the starter.
On a positive note, though, Ervin Santana looked pretty decent for a guy that got absolutely shelled on the road all season.
EDIT: One day later, the Indians cream the Yankees 12-3. The pressure's really on Fausto now, because I wouldn't feel safe about flying to Yankee Stadium with a 1-1 series tie.
A-Rod Watch 2007: 0-2 with 2 BB. And so it begins. Of course, superstar Derek Jeter went 0-4, but I have a feeling everyone will conveniently ignore that stat.
Sweet. Cleveland 12, Yankers 3. The Indians say, "Hello!" to the rest of the world.
As a Cleveland fan, I couldn't have asked for a better result. CC didn't have it tonight, yet they only gave up the three runs. Fantastic!
Time for young Fausto to turn it on this evening.
Stats for tonight: Pettite is 0-2 with a 7.94 ERA in postseason appearances at the Jake, however he beat the Tribe earlier this year, only giving up 2 runs. That lineup did not have Pronk or Lofton.
"As you may have read in Robert Parker's Wine Newsletter, 'Donaghy Estates tastes like the urine of Satan, after a hefty portion of asparagus.'" Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock
I'l say this - he's been up front about being a Yankers fan for years now, so I don't hold that against him. However, parading around the Jake on national TV like that is probably not the wisest thing to be doing image-wise. Quite a few Clevelanders I've seen on another board are rather upset about the whole thing.
Besides, I can enjoy his pouting as much as any other Yankee fan's.
"As you may have read in Robert Parker's Wine Newsletter, 'Donaghy Estates tastes like the urine of Satan, after a hefty portion of asparagus.'" Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock
Originally posted by whateverI'l say this - he's been up front about being a Yankers fan for years now, so I don't hold that against him. However, parading around the Jake on national TV like that is probably not the wisest thing to be doing image-wise. Quite a few Clevelanders I've seen on another board are rather upset about the whole thing.
Besides, I can enjoy his pouting as much as any other Yankee fan's.
It may hurt his image in NE Ohio but nationally no. King James wants a national image because that is where the money is. Plus he's not a troublemaker and probably was just having fun. Isn't he also a Cowboys fan?
Originally posted by whateverI'l say this - he's been up front about being a Yankers fan for years now, so I don't hold that against him. However, parading around the Jake on national TV like that is probably not the wisest thing to be doing image-wise. Quite a few Clevelanders I've seen on another board are rather upset about the whole thing.
Besides, I can enjoy his pouting as much as any other Yankee fan's.
It may hurt his image in NE Ohio but nationally no. King James wants a national image because that is where the money is. Plus he's not a troublemaker and probably was just having fun. Isn't he also a Cowboys fan?
A Yankees and Cowboys fan??? Lame. Those are the two worst fans in the world. He probably was a Bulls fan too. Oh, wait...he's #23.
Wow. That says a lot about someone when they grow up in the same state as TWO baseball and football teams, and cheer for the Yankees and the Cowboys. I'll bet he was a Bulls fan too.
EDIT: Great minds.
(edited by hansen9j on 5.10.07 1300) A Knight of Prosperity. And also a Communist.
Correct to you both! I just read an interview where he admitted to be an unabashed front-runner. Bulls, Cowboys, Yankers, etc.
I don't care what he's a fan of, just win us a championship.
"As you may have read in Robert Parker's Wine Newsletter, 'Donaghy Estates tastes like the urine of Satan, after a hefty portion of asparagus.'" Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock
Originally posted by whateverCorrect to you both! I just read an interview where he admitted to be an unabashed front-runner. Bulls, Cowboys, Yankers, etc.
I don't care what he's a fan of, just win us a championship.
My father followed that logic when he started following sports in the late 50's. He became a Braves, Packers and Lakers fan. (Forget the similar geography; he grew up in Southern Illinois.)
The most important thing is that he rooted for those first two teams through the dark days of the 70s and 80s, never relenting. His faith was rewarded in the mid 90s.
We don't know if James would have the same loyalty, but I'll give him a pass for now.