Yeah, I remember that. I also thought that the AL East would be a dogfight to the end, as it is proving to be. I honestly thought all 5 teams would stay in it, although I don't think I really believed Baltimore could hang in there all season. Happy to be proved wrong for my lack of faith in that regard. Hard to predict how things will transpire for any team, no matter how good they are, because of so many intangibles, especially the all-important injury bug. Along those lines, it looks to me like Pettitte has made a great return, just in time for the Yanks starting staff. As you say, NY and Baltimore will fight it out, with Toronto and the Red Sox having a big influence on the outcome. The difference may come down to the last series with Baltimore having to play the Rays on the road, and NY having Boston at home. It is a roller coaster ride that keeps getting better. -- Al
Baseball 2012 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter lancer
- Start date
Louis Badolato
Lieutenant General
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2005
- Messages
- 17,351
I don't think there is any question it will come down to the last series. If Buck Showalter doesn't win manager of the year, it will be a travesty.
As an aside, Derek Jeter extended his hit streak to 18 games. In his career, he has 46 hit streaks of 10 games or more in his career. He is 4 hits away from reaching 3,300 hits in 18 seasons (only 17 really, he only had 100 at bats in 1995) - only the 10th player in major league history to reach this milestone.
The decision to shut down Strasburg seems to have had a negative impact on the Nats beyond the loss of his pitching. The whole team has played very uninspired ball since his last start on Sept.7, which the Nats lost. They are only 8-9 since that date and their lead is now down to 4 games over Atlanta. A 4 game lead with 8 to go should be enough, but the Nats seem to be intent on backing into the playoffs. Sub-.500 ball the last few weeks is NOT how a team wants to go into the playoffs, especially having to play the opening games on the road thanks to the wacko playoff schedule. I hope Davey can light a fire under them and get them back to the superior ball thay played up until September, otherwise it could be a short playoff for DC.{sm5} --Al
NL about set with it's playoff teams. The Cards have the inside rail for the last position with a 4.5 game lead and only 7-8 games left. Tall order for LA or Milwaukee to catch them now. The AL is still a crapshoot. Nobody has even clinched a playoff spot yet, much less a division title. Still 8 teams in the hunt. Fun, fun, fun. -- Al
jazzeum
Four Star General
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2005
- Messages
- 38,434
For the AL WC, it's a four team race for two spots. With 8 games to go the Rays are still technically in it but a 3 game deficit is almost prohibitive at this point. However, they could play spoiler as last three games are with Os. They have to play White Sox before, who are desperate themselves. Os have better schedule with four against Jays and Red Sox. I would give them edge for one position. However, they only have a 2 game lead over the Angels who have 5 games with the Mariners as opposed to As who have 5 with Rangers. If Angels can cut lead to 1 before they meet Rangers, whether the 1 game deficit is against Os or As, they will have a great chance to get in.
jazzeum
Four Star General
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2005
- Messages
- 38,434
Assessing manager of the year, http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/22/assessing-manager-of-the-year-races/
I would probably award it to both Buck and Bob Melvin. Hard to not pick both.
I would probably award it to both Buck and Bob Melvin. Hard to not pick both.
Evidently Kepner has a short memory in regards to the Nats. Nobody had them picked above Philly, Atlanta, or Miami, for that matter. To say the the Nats position was expected is just wrong. I know I am biased here, but Davey Johnson should win this, hands down. Buck should win in the AL. Again, a bit of bias, but he's earned it. -- Al
jazzeum
Four Star General
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2005
- Messages
- 38,434
Status quo after last night's games except that Os and As get to knock off one game off the schedule and White Sox are in major trouble. Watching Leyland is like watching Belichek.
Highlight of the day: R.A. Dickey, the likely Cy Young winner, goes for his 20th. Mets haven't had a 20 game winner since Frankie V.
Highlight of the day: R.A. Dickey, the likely Cy Young winner, goes for his 20th. Mets haven't had a 20 game winner since Frankie V.
jazzeum
Four Star General
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2005
- Messages
- 38,434
Dickey has had a tremendous year and will probably walkoff with the CY award, but there is another with a small chance. Gio Gonzalez, the 'forgotten' Nats lefty, won his 21st game yesterday, as well. :wink2::smile2: -- Al
jazzeum
Four Star General
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2005
- Messages
- 38,434
Gio has a chance but his stats, not just wins and losses, which is not the deciding factor anymore (i.e., King Felix a couple of years ago), are just not as good as R.A.'s, who is first in strikeouts, second in ERA (2.69 to Kershaw's 2.68), first in complete games, first in shutouts, second in winning percentage, has a better WHIP (second in the NL, 1.05 to Kershaw's 1.04) than Gio and did it for a losing team.
No argument, Brad. Dickey deserves it and will probably win it, but I have to cheer for the home team pitcher.^&grin -- Al
Once again, the O's win but so do the Yanks, so the O's remain 1 game back with 5 to go, and the AL WC race is still up for grabs although the O's are in good shape, as are the A's. Angels still are alive but are on life support, 2 games back of the last WC position with only the 5 games left. In the NL, everything is set except the last WC team where the Cards are in the driver's seat, 3 games up on the Dodgers with 5 to go. Also, the Nats still haven't clinched the division title as they continue to back up to it. They lost, big, to the Cards last night but were still able to reduce their magic number to 2 because the Braves lost also. Looks like the Nats chance at 100 wins is gone as they would have to win all their remaining 5 games to reach it. That would have been a neat accomplishment, but the playoffs are the real achievment for them.:wink2: Just as an opinion, I wouldn't want to be the team that has to face the no-name O's in the playoffs. They just keep winning and they are deadly in close games. Their patchwork starting pitching rotation might be a weakness, but they do have 3 decent guys going right now, and that should be enough for the playoffs, especially with their bullpen. -- Al
jazzeum
Four Star General
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2005
- Messages
- 38,434
With five games to go, I would say the Os are in as the WC but probably not as the Div winner. As will probably hold on. Halos only shot is if they are 1 out with 3 to play. Trumbo may have waken up so that could help.
On the good side Mets ruined Chipper's night in Atlanta. A little bit of payback for all these years.
On the good side Mets ruined Chipper's night in Atlanta. A little bit of payback for all these years.
jazzeum
Four Star General
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2005
- Messages
- 38,434
I hope the Mets oblige you with the Nats. Speaking of the Nats, if you go to the New York Times sports section, there are a couple of articles on the Nats, including mention of that last game by the Senators in 1971, one which, as you know Al, I attended and one I'll never forget.
I think the White Sox are done and I think the As will do it. Just when I thought the Angels might gain a game in the loss column, they come back and tie the hapless Mariners. To think either the Angels or Rangers can sweep a double header today is too much to ask. The most I can hope for is status quo at the end of the day (two games back in the loss and see where we go).
I think the White Sox are done and I think the As will do it. Just when I thought the Angels might gain a game in the loss column, they come back and tie the hapless Mariners. To think either the Angels or Rangers can sweep a double header today is too much to ask. The most I can hope for is status quo at the end of the day (two games back in the loss and see where we go).
Brad, I will be pulling for the Mets, big time, but Atlanta has that wonderboy, Medlen, pitching. I hope the Mets can knock him out. I well remember the Senator's last game, and should have been at it, but our transportation to the game fell through at the last minute, so we ended up watching it on TV. I still hate Bob Short.:rolleyes2: I hope your Angels pull through, but it is going to be tough with only the 4 games remaining. -- Al
jazzeum
Four Star General
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2005
- Messages
- 38,434
Oh, and by the way, Mike Trout hit his 30th HR today to join the 30 30 club. With four games to go, he only needs to score 5 more runs to tie for the rookie record in runs scored. Some guy named DiMaggio leads that list.
