MLB Playoffs thread

[filsdepac]

I think the Phillies are a great team and their front line starters are as good as it gets.

One team people are overlooking is Texas. They are finally healthy after struggling with injuries by key players all season long. Yet they still ran away with their division and won 90 games.

They rolled out a lineup today that looked like this:

Elvis Andrus
Michael Young
Josh Hamilton
Vladimir Guerrerro
Nelson Cruz
Ian Kinsler
Jeff Franceour
Jorgen Cantu
Bengie Molina

That is pretty tough top to bottom.

It's funny that their 9th hitter was the Giants' cleanup hitter last year.

[Parrot Head]

I think the Phillies are a great team and their front line starters are as good as it gets.

One team people are overlooking is Texas. They are finally healthy after struggling with injuries by key players all season long. Yet they still ran away with their division and won 90 games.

They rolled out a lineup today that looked like this:

Elvis Andrus
Michael Young
Josh Hamilton
Vladimir Guerrerro
Nelson Cruz
Ian Kinsler
Jeff Francoeur
Jorge Cantu
Bengie Molina

That is pretty tough top to bottom.

Frenchy even came through for them. They picked him up at the right time -- get a good streak out of him before it falls apart. I'm not trying to be on rough on the guy and wish it would have worked out with the Braves -- great story -- but it fell apart and then again in NY. But I'll still root for him.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Frenchy even came through for them. They picked him up at the right time -- get a good streak out of him before it falls apart. I'm not trying to be on rough on the guy and wish it would have worked out with the Braves -- great story -- but it fell apart and then again in NY. But I'll still root for him.

He is just not a good player. You are right though, he could help if he has another hot streak. He just isn't a consistently good player.

[CardiacCoug]

That was cool watching the last few innings of Halladay's no-no.

I would love to see the Twins finally take down the Yankees, but I don't think they can do it. I honestly can't figure out why the Twins have been as good as they have been without Morneau.

[cougjunkie]

Lincecum does his best to match Halladay.

Complete game, shutout, 14ks, 2 hits and only 1 walk.

He was filthy tonight, absolutely disgusting. That was vintage Lincecum making guys look stupid all night long.

[CardiacCoug]

Lincecum does his best to match Halladay.

Complete game, shutout, 14ks, 2 hits and only 1 walk.

He was filthy tonight, absolutely disgusting. That was vintage Lincecum making guys look stupid all night long.

Yeah, Lincecum was a stud tonight. Some great pitching performances so far in the playoffs -- Cliff Lee, Halladay, Lincecum. C.J. Wilson for the Rangers was solid today, too.

[Parrot Head]

Big props to Lincecum on tonight's performance. I haven't seen him pitch much, being on the opposite coast, but I wish I had paid more attention the few seasons. That is some nasty stuff -- how much Strike 3s were in the dirt? That last one on Heyward in the 9th was a mess.

A few years ago, my wife got us Braves-Giants tix at PacBell for my birthday and it happened to fall on a night that Maddux was pitching. I gladly timed any food or restroom runs during the top of the inning while the Braves were batting so that I wouldn't miss the chance to see Maddux pitch. I'd do the same for Timmy.

Now, let's rough up Cain and the rest of them tomorrow!


Oh, and Posey was dead out at 2nd on that steal attempt.

[filsdepac]

Big props to Lincecum on tonight's performance. I haven't seen him pitch much, being on the opposite coast, but I wish I had paid more attention the few seasons. That is some nasty stuff -- how much Strike 3s were in the dirt? That last one on Heyward in the 9th was a mess.

A few years ago, my wife got us Braves-Giants tix at PacBell for my birthday and it happened to fall on a night that Maddux was pitching. I gladly timed any food or restroom runs during the top of the inning while the Braves were batting so that I wouldn't miss the chance to see Maddux pitch. I'd do the same for Timmy.

Now, let's rough up Cain and the rest of them tomorrow!


Oh, and Posey was dead out at 2nd on that steal attempt.

Posey was out, but why did Cox walk Sandoval to get to the clutch hitting Ross? I realize Panda bats left, but who cares, he was obviously clueless in his first at bat. As I mentioned to CJ, if you walk Panda, might as well walk Ross with two outs to get to Lincecum. I realize that'd put Posey at 3rd, but I can't remember the last Lincecum hit.

I would think the next time the Braves get a leadoff double, they will bunt the guy to third. This series is all about small ball and it should be exciting with the baseball minds of these two managers.

And for tonight, look for me in the lower deck, right field under the K signs, since there should be plenty. YES WE CAIN!

[cougjunkie]

Posey was out, but why did Cox walk Sandoval to get to the clutch hitting Ross? I realize Panda bats left, but who cares, he was obviously clueless in his first at bat. As I mentioned to CJ, if you walk Panda, might as well walk Ross with two outs to get to Lincecum. I realize that'd put Posey at 3rd, but I can't remember the last Lincecum hit.

I would think the next time the Braves get a leadoff double, they will bunt the guy to third. This series is all about small ball and it should be exciting with the baseball minds of these two managers.

And for tonight, look for me in the lower deck, right field under the K signs, since there should be plenty. YES WE CAIN!

I agree on the small ball. But its hard when you get a lead off double and have Heyward hitting 2nd to take the bat out of his hand and have him bunt.

Also Posey was out that is correct, I see how the umpire missed it. However Infante has to make that play at third that was a routine groundball that he whiffed so bad on they gave Ross a hit.

[filsdepac]

I agree on the small ball. But its hard when you get a lead off double and have Heyward hitting 2nd to take the bat out of his hand and have him bunt.

Also Posey was out that is correct, I see how the umpire missed it. However Infante has to make that play at third that was a routine groundball that he whiffed so bad on they gave Ross a hit.

That's true, I forgot Heyward was batting second. All the credit to Timmy though, 12Ks and the balls that were hit were all routine (although a couple fly balls scared me at first).

[creekster]

That's true, I forgot Heyward was batting second. All the credit to Timmy though, 12Ks and the balls that were hit were all routine (although a couple fly balls scared me at first).

Didn't he have 14 Ks?

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Sucks to be so close, as a Braves fan, in Game 1. I had just written that one off as an certain loss. Lincecum vs. Lowe, Prado and Chipper out depleting an already weak lineup...and then to lose 1-0...that one hurt.

What seemed odd to me was having McCann bat behind Lee. No idea what was behind that decision. Will be even more perplexed if it stays that way today vs. Cain.

[filsdepac]

Didn't he have 14 Ks?

Yes. I think my mind was stuck on 12 b/c that was thru 8 innings, and ESPN.com at that time said he had 120 Ks.

[YOhio]

Reds showing a bit of life tonight.

[YOhio]

Dang. Blew a great opportunity with two on, no outs and Votto, Rolen and Nix at the plate.