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The Road to the World Series: MLB Playoffs Thread!
- Thread starter Desperado
- Start date
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carbonbased
Member
Goddamn.
Alex Anderson
Member
Keep Rolen, Rolen, Rolen, Rolen, Rolen. Woulda been nice seeing Roger own the Red Sox, oh well. At least Boston has to play the best team in baseball.
Escape Goat
Member
If only I still lived 15 mins outside st louis 
And it's over.
Thanks for the wild ride, Astros.
Astros win NL Central in 2005. I mean come on, how many players had career years for the Cards? Tony WOMACK was good for them for crying out loud. You can't expect them all to be that good again.
There are some issues we need to address though. Namely the bullpen.
Thanks for the wild ride, Astros.
Astros win NL Central in 2005. I mean come on, how many players had career years for the Cards? Tony WOMACK was good for them for crying out loud. You can't expect them all to be that good again.
There are some issues we need to address though. Namely the bullpen.
the 1st pitch swinging that Houston was doing through out the series bothered me a lot. especially from the big hitters. it just seemed like they didnt want to work any of the pitchers no matter how shaky they looked throwing to other batters.
they really just got outplayed in so many ways in this game. bunts, a HR, singles, doubles, about the only thing the Cards didnt do was turn a double play. it was Houstons game to lose though. they had the early lead.
they really just got outplayed in so many ways in this game. bunts, a HR, singles, doubles, about the only thing the Cards didnt do was turn a double play. it was Houstons game to lose though. they had the early lead.
Matrix
LeBron loves his girlfriend. There is no other woman in the world hed rather have. The problem is, Dwyanes not a woman.
Thanks for breaking my heart and the lining of my colon again Astros,I'm kinda used to it and expected it.
Congrats to the Cards and Sox,atleast now I dont have to watch the Stros lose in the WS....that might have been a harder pill to swallow.
Congrats to the Cards and Sox,atleast now I dont have to watch the Stros lose in the WS....that might have been a harder pill to swallow.
Ninja Scooter said:
even worse.. they made the move because they thought they COULDN'T make it to the world series with him (i.e. his offense was not good enough to make the difference whereas trading him for defense would make the team better overall). How bad would that feel? Knowing that you were the one thing that was preventing your team from getting into the world series?
also I posted this at the beginning of the playoffs:
"My Power Rankings
1. Yankees
2. Red Sox
3. Angels
4. St. Louis
5. Atlanta
6. Houston
7. Twins
8. Dodgers
I still think the Sox are built to beat the Yankees in the post season but it's hard to imagine the Yankees losing a single game. They look flippin focused right now. St. Louis looks deadly but the Angels, Sox and Yankees have all been there and know what it takes to win. Atlanta just doesn't have the pitching to compete.. but they know how to win and should give the 'Stros a run for their money. Atlanta will benefit from the home field and may even edge out a series victory. The Dodgers are a the real wild cards here... they may end up pulling a Marlins and surprising everyone this postseason but I just think they're too weak all over the place. Their only dominating player is Gagne and he may not get a sinlge inning in. I think Beltre will choke during the playoffs and without him they have no chance to keep up the the offensive machine of the Cardinals.
St. Louis and the Sox or Yankees... I have no clue who's going to come out the AL right now. But who ever does will beat up on the Cardinals and urinate all over them. It'll be an ugly World Series."
Matrix said:
I can confirm this... when the Yanks swept the Padres.. that was a bittersweet playoffs. Such dramatics to even get to the WS, beating Randy Johnson twice, etc... but getting swept broke my heart and almost negated the whole experience.
I haven't been able to get on the internet for a bit, so I'll post my impressions for both Red Sox-Yankees and Cardinals-Astros.
Red Sox and Yankees. Surely that was among the most beautiful ownings in sports history. I've never seen a team collapse so hard as the Yankees. And I'm a Braves fan, so I have experience with that. The Red Sox wanted it more and they won. They deserved to.
Since the Braves and for the past 4 seasons, the Yankees have trouble getting to/winning the World Series, maybe Atlanta and New York fans should create the Always Make It to the Playoffs, But Never Win The Big One club.
As for the Cardinals/Astros, glad the Astros lost since they knocked out the Braves. A Clemens in Boston scenario would have been good, but considering his history he certainly doesn't deserve to take part in such a historic event.
Red Sox and Yankees. Surely that was among the most beautiful ownings in sports history. I've never seen a team collapse so hard as the Yankees. And I'm a Braves fan, so I have experience with that.
The Red Sox wanted it more and they won. They deserved to.Since the Braves and for the past 4 seasons, the Yankees have trouble getting to/winning the World Series, maybe Atlanta and New York fans should create the Always Make It to the Playoffs, But Never Win The Big One club.
As for the Cardinals/Astros, glad the Astros lost since they knocked out the Braves. A Clemens in Boston scenario would have been good, but considering his history he certainly doesn't deserve to take part in such a historic event.
I feel for you Stros fans. Reminded me of Cubbies. They seemed to have all the magic on their side and had to play the best team by record anyway, in the league. Cubs were playing the best second half team. Game 6 was a killer meanwhile with it on the verge of being the Astros. Lots of heroes on that team too. Then lost at the end and having a lead at some point. Great season though in one that I didnt expect them to be contending.
And can someone check on Miguel? I hope he's okay.
edit: oh good.. he's alive
And can someone check on Miguel? I hope he's okay.
edit: oh good.. he's alive
ConfusingJazz
Member
Well, shit.
Good year 'stros, we'll get em next year.
Baseball is painful.
PLEASE STAY BELTRAN, WE NEED YOU!
Good year 'stros, we'll get em next year.
Baseball is painful.
PLEASE STAY BELTRAN, WE NEED YOU!
Looking forward to next year...
NL Central Standings 2005
Cubs/Astros NLCS.
I really think the starting pitching will stay healthy next year. Thus, we won't go into a horrible midseason slump. Offense won't be as good [without kent] but won't need to be. We'll get a bullpen [I hope.]
-----
Oswalt comes on strong after healing from all the shit this year. Roger cools off [I'm PRAYING he comes back], but still has a strong year. Backe breaks out [and learns how to pitch on the road lol.] Pettitte won't be the same kind of pitcher due to the surgery, but will still be good. Miller is a big question mark, we might not even keep him. There's no way of knowing how good [or bad] he'll be.
Wheeler finds his place as setup man. He's not a strikeout pitcher, and now realizes that. Lidge would have at least 45 saves anyway this year if not for Dotel [who had 17 SVO.] I'm being conservative on Lidge's numbers, he might be even better.
We resign Beltran. Kent is let go. Biggio's option is picked up. Burke comes in, and is about like Everett last year offensively. Everett finds a bit more power [he showed signs of this this year before getting hurt.] Our defense up the middle improves exponentially. Ausmus still stinks at the plate, but we need him for Backe [and, well, Clemens and Pettitte since they need him.] Lamb and Ensberg split time auditioning at 3B, with Lamb working alot on his D and getting much better [like Aramis Ramirez did.] If Ensberg doesn't produce more than I predict, then he might be traded mid-season or after next year. Beltran becomes more patient at the plate than this year, hitting less home runs but batting for a better average. Still a SB machine. Berkman ups his power numbers, but draws about the same amount of walks without Kent protecting him. Garner runs the offense with lots of stealing, hit & run, etc. with Burke and Everett in the lineup. Experiments with some lineup changes:
Biggio
Everett/Burke
Beltran
Berkman
Bagwell [might respond better to the 5-spot than this year]
Lamb/Ensberg
Everett/Burke
Ausmus[/Chavez]
As for the Cubs...I expect Prior/Wood to be back in form. Zambrano I think will not have as good a year as this year, great nonetheless. Not so sure about how their offense will look though. And who the hell's gonna be their closer?
NL Central Standings 2005
Code:
Astros 96-66
Cubs 95-67 [Wild Card]
Cardinals 92-70
Brewers 80-82
Pirates 77-85
Reds 70-92Cubs/Astros NLCS.
I really think the starting pitching will stay healthy next year. Thus, we won't go into a horrible midseason slump. Offense won't be as good [without kent] but won't need to be. We'll get a bullpen [I hope.]
-----
Code:
Oswalt 21-6 2.70-2.90 ERA [~220 K]
Clemens 16-6 3.10-3.30 ERA
Backe 15-6 3.40-3.60 ERA
Pettitte 15-5 3.40-3.60 ERA
Miller 12-8 3.90-4.10 ERA
Wheeler 2.60-2.80 ERA
Lidge 45+ SV 1.50-1.70 ERA [~145 K]Oswalt comes on strong after healing from all the shit this year. Roger cools off [I'm PRAYING he comes back], but still has a strong year. Backe breaks out [and learns how to pitch on the road lol.] Pettitte won't be the same kind of pitcher due to the surgery, but will still be good. Miller is a big question mark, we might not even keep him. There's no way of knowing how good [or bad] he'll be.
Wheeler finds his place as setup man. He's not a strikeout pitcher, and now realizes that. Lidge would have at least 45 saves anyway this year if not for Dotel [who had 17 SVO.] I'm being conservative on Lidge's numbers, he might be even better.
Code:
Beltran .280-.290 31 HR 103 RBI [43 SB]
Berkman .305-.315 37 HR 122 RBI
Biggio .275-.285 19 HR
Bagwell .280-.290 27 HR
Ensberg .270-.280 13 HR
Lamb .285-.295 20 HR
Everett .270-.280 14 HR 23 SB
Burke .270-.280 7 HR 34 SB
Ausmus .245-.255 5 HRWe resign Beltran. Kent is let go. Biggio's option is picked up. Burke comes in, and is about like Everett last year offensively. Everett finds a bit more power [he showed signs of this this year before getting hurt.] Our defense up the middle improves exponentially. Ausmus still stinks at the plate, but we need him for Backe [and, well, Clemens and Pettitte since they need him.] Lamb and Ensberg split time auditioning at 3B, with Lamb working alot on his D and getting much better [like Aramis Ramirez did.] If Ensberg doesn't produce more than I predict, then he might be traded mid-season or after next year. Beltran becomes more patient at the plate than this year, hitting less home runs but batting for a better average. Still a SB machine. Berkman ups his power numbers, but draws about the same amount of walks without Kent protecting him. Garner runs the offense with lots of stealing, hit & run, etc. with Burke and Everett in the lineup. Experiments with some lineup changes:
Biggio
Everett/Burke
Beltran
Berkman
Bagwell [might respond better to the 5-spot than this year]
Lamb/Ensberg
Everett/Burke
Ausmus[/Chavez]
As for the Cubs...I expect Prior/Wood to be back in form. Zambrano I think will not have as good a year as this year, great nonetheless. Not so sure about how their offense will look though. And who the hell's gonna be their closer?
Code:
Prior 21-8 2.70-2.90 ERA
Wood 18-6 3.00-3.20 ERA
Zambrano 16-6 3.00-3.20 ERA
Maddux 15-11 4.00-4.20 ERA
?carbonbased
Member
It was a good season, Astros. You came from behind like no one could expected, stood in front of insurmountable odds, and still managed to come one win from the World Series. Garner, you turned the team around and led them to their first postseason series win ever. Congrats. Beltran, you are a god, and no team will love you as much as Houston, so please stay. Berkman, you did your best. Biggio, Bagwell, I hope you two are able to get rings, because we know you sure as hell deserve them. Backe, I can't wait to see what kind of pitcher you develop into. Pettitte, stay healthy. And Clemens, you've got plenty of rings, stop yer poutin'. Here's to next year!
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