the sox will be champs

by lboros on Oct 2, 2007 9:47 AM EDT in News Comment 146 comments

the playoffs haven't even begun, and already two teams have met gruesome fates --- epic choke jobs. the field is now set, and the poll is up to determine which team gets the honor of our official endorsement. . . . . in a shocking development, the rockies have a massive early lead in the voting. who saw that coming? last night's memorable win was the second walkoff 9-8 victory in colorado's incredible 14-1 sprint to the finish; back on september 18 they trailed 8-7 vs the dodgers heading into the 9th and won on a 2-out, 2-run dinger by todd helton, completing a doubleheader sweep. when this rally began, the rocks were in 4th place in the nl west and 4th in the wild-card chase; they scored 102 runs in the 15 games (including that one the holliday didn't score in the 13th last night), or just shy of 7 per game, while allowing just 51, or about 3.5 per game.

so let's run a little contest: name the 4 lds winners, the 2 lcs winners, and the world series winner; state the score in games of each series. my picks as follows:

cubs v diamondbacks
very interesting matchup. arizona has the best starting pitcher in the series and the lock-downest bullpen on the nl side of the bracket; the cubs have the better manager and by far the more potent lineup. i figure b webb is good for at least one win, and the dbacks' bullpen is probably good for another; and i can easily imagine ryan dempster blowing a late lead. so it's very tempting to pick arizona . . . . but i'm gonna go with the cubs, because their bats give them a greater margin for error. they can overcome a bad pitching performance or a blown save and still win the game; i don't think that the dbacks can. if they don't get great pitching on a given day, they are hosed --- with their offense (14th in the league in runs scored) they aren't going to win many 5-4 or 6-5 games this month. plus, there's a glaring gap here in run differential --- cubs + 62, dbacks -20. i'll take the cubs in 5 games.

rockies v phils
last night's game may have just been a warmup; 9-8 could end up looking like a pitcher's duel in this series. the phils led the league in scoring, and the rockies finished 2d; they were 13th and 8th, respectively, in era. the phils have the best starting pitcher (hamels) in this series (and he'll be available twice), plus better overall rotation depth; the rockies have jeff francis (an extremely underrated pitcher) and the better bullpen. neither manager strikes me as particularly shrewd. of all the outstanding young players who will be on display in this series, troy tulowitzki impresses me the most. he wears #2 because he grew up idolizing jeter, and he reminds me of jeter --- the guy's a presence, and he won't back down. on account of that, and the phils' extremely untrustworthy bullpen, i'm taking the rockies in 4.

yankees v indians
i know so little about the american league [UPDATE --- including what the matchups are] . . . . i do know that these american league teams are embarassingly better than their nl counterparts. you've probably realized by now that not a single one of the national league playoff teams would have qualified for the playoffs in the al --- the nl's best team (arizona, with 90 wins) would have finished 4 games back of the worst american-league qualifier. . . . . i'll take the yanks in this series because a) they had a run differential of nearly +200, and b) the indians have joe borowski closing out their games. i hate to diss my countryman and (no doubt) very distant cousin --- he's got the right demeanor to close out games, but he just doesn't have the stuff. cc and fausto are great equalizers and could singlehandedly win the series for cleveland. i'm still taking the yanks in 4.

red sox v angels
the red sox' run differential was even better than the yankees', at +210. they have a deeper pitching staff than the angels, as well as the single best starting pitcher in the series (beckett). it's been shown that power-hitting teams like the sox have a bit of an edge in october over slap-n-run teams like the angels; whether that will manifest in this particular 5-game series, i don't really know. but i'll pretend that i do: sox in 3.

beyond the first round, i'll take the cubs over the rockies in 5, and the sox over the yankees in 6, and the sox over the cubs in 5, with the former cursee denying the reigning one. fox will be happy w/ the ratings, anyway. . . . . . hope all the games are as interesting as last night's was. but no need for them to run 13 innings . . . . .

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Big Problem

The Yankees are playing the Indians, the Sox are playing the Angels.

by Quel on Oct 2, 2007 9:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

oops . . . . .

by lboros on Oct 2, 2007 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My Predictions

Cubs/DBacks
I'll take the D-Backs in 4! I see Webb winning two on his own and Demster losing one on his own. I like the D-Backs pitching a lot better and that is what matter is October.

Rockies/Phils
Phils in 5. Most interesting series...no pitching besides Hamels in the whole thing. I like Philly's offense a lot better, but the big MO is on the Rockies side...thats what makes it go 5.

Phils/DBacks
Philly in 6. I see webb and hamels canceling each other out, both winning 2 games. The Phillys are the only team that can cancel out a pitching staff and besides Webb, I dont see anyone holding down Utley/Rollins(08 MVP)/Howard/Rowand. Phils hold on in some high scoring affairs.

Yanks/Indians
Yanks in 5... CC wins 1 and Carmona ends 1. Yanks get the advantage in the pen and in the offense.

Halos/BoSox
I like this series...probably the toughest to call...I'll take halos in 5. and that is just because I hate Schilling and dont want to hear him talk anymore! Pretty evenly matched series in my mind.

Yanks/Halos
Yanks in 7...Just dont see the Halos solving A-rod and Jeter.

WORLD SERIES
Yanks in 6 over Philly.
Philly can hit, but Yanks only team that can match that. Phils will win 1 games with Hamels and one with the Off. alone...other than that Yanks dominate the games Hamels doesnt throw. God it hurts to say the Yanks are going to win.

by BigLance29 on Oct 2, 2007 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Predictions

First off I think Holliday scored (Barrett dropped that ball so Holliday could touch the plate easily even after that and still be safe).

Now for predictions I don't want to get into specific scores but I predict:

Zona in 4 over the Cubs, I think if Webb can start twice Zona has it in the bag, they also have homefield advantage to win the first two before heading to Wrigley.

Rox in 3, they are hot and while the Phils are too I just feel a sweep is coming.

Indians in 3 I think the Yanks will falter, a young rotation, an old Clemens and an anti October ARod, I fully expect a very early exit.

Angels in 5, this is the series that will be most exciting to me, Weaver and Dice K while both are really still new pitchers to MLB it will be fun to watch em.

Rox in 6 over Zona momentum will be lost at first but they get 3 at home in the middle of a 7 game series, they are great offensively at home, as long as they can get one road win I think the Rox have it.

Angels over Indians in 7, another exciting nail bitter, but who knows like lboros I know so little about the AL.

Rox over Angels in 5, again they have 3 at home in the middle of this series.

by StLHugo on Oct 2, 2007 9:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Barrett actually tagged Holliday

after the ump called him safe. So if he didn't get the call, he was gonna be out.

So says, The Dude

by Titus Pullo on Oct 2, 2007 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

After

That was after the call though, if no call had been made I have no doubt that Holliday would have been able to get over too it.

by StLHugo on Oct 2, 2007 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But Holliday made zero effort to touch the plate,

he just laid there.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Oct 2, 2007 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The fact that Holliday could have touched the

plate doesn't mean that he did. From the 2 angles I saw, he didn't appear to touch the plate. Barrett clearly picked up the ball and tagged Holliday. I wish there was another angle from which to view the play. McClellan was right there but I sure haven't seen Holliday touch the plate and I have seen Barrett tag Holliday with the ball.

by chuckb on Oct 2, 2007 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want to know

where the hell was Bud Black, arguing that call?

by MdRedbirdFreak on Oct 2, 2007 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Replay

I have only seen the replay twice early this morning with groggy eyes so I didn't see Barrett tag Holliday. But I still think that either he did touch it and knew it or he could have touched it but didn't because of the call (or to sell the call).

by StLHugo on Oct 2, 2007 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They missed the HR

by Atkins in the 8th anyways.

by silent_bob on Oct 2, 2007 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

From "Umpiring 101"...

McClellan was in perfect position to make the call... his delay in making the call was most likely due to being "blocked" from seeing Barrett drop the ball. As soon as McClellan saw the ball was "loose" (that is, not caught), he called Holliday safe.

The TV angles were lousy on that play... the cameras used by TBS both had the play going away from the lens. The umpire, however, had the play coming toward him! I dunno if Holliday touched the plate or not from those replays; but I'm sure Timmy Mac did!

Or, he could have been thinking, "Jayzus, I've been out here for 13 freakin' innings already... If I call this guy out, who knows how long it'll take these donkeys to finish the game... Hell with it, he's safe!" Nahhhhh.... (grin)

"In this game, don't nobody know nuthin' about nuthin'." -- attributed to Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra

by The Ol Goaler on Oct 2, 2007 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hey goaler

i agree with you, i think the ump made the call as soon as he saw the ball was dropped, because i believe barrett was between him and the ball for a second there, and that is why the call was delayed

as far as whether holliday could have went back and touched, i dont think so, he looked out of it to me, i mean did you see the place on his chin?

Pujols is the greatest Cardinal in my lifetime.

by bigcardsfan5 on Oct 2, 2007 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Disagree

Phils over Rockies (in 5) (though this is a tough pick; is momentum versus super-momentum; never seen this happen before)

Cubs over Diamondbacks

Indians over Yanks (in 4)

Rox over Angels (in 3)

Phils over Cubs (in 5)

Indians over Rox in a 7-game classic

Indians over Phils (in 6)

So says, The Dude

by Titus Pullo on Oct 2, 2007 9:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sox not Rox

by StLHugo on Oct 2, 2007 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

huh?

do the Indians get to go to two separate World Series? and win them both?

by tdawg on Oct 2, 2007 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what do I know?

Not much, but here are my predictions:

Cubs in 4
Phils in 5

Yanks in 3
Angels in 5

Cubs in 6 (as much as I hate to write that . . .)
Yanks in 7

Yanks over the Cubs in 5 (in a Series that I can hardly bear to watch)

by tdawg on Oct 2, 2007 9:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Who Picked the Yankess?!!

Three VEB community members voted to choose the Yankees as the sites adopted team. Who was it? Fess up you three.

We should know if we have Yankees fans among us.

So says, The Dude

by Titus Pullo on Oct 2, 2007 9:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

'Twas I...

I like the Yankees. So shoot me. I like the Cardinals more - a lot more. But when it comes down to it, Yankee Pride is a bigger draw to me than Red Sox b.s., baseball for retirees in AZ, teams with identity crises (Angels), and the threat of snow in the WS (Rox).

The Cubs eat poop.

there is no secret weapon...there is only Oquendo.

by bukowski on Oct 2, 2007 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I choose the Phillies, but...

Better the Yankees than the Red Soxs.

by JMedwick on Oct 2, 2007 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did

they were my dad's team and have been my second-favorite for that reason. I also enjoy how much they are the most-hated team in baseball these days. it's almost like rooting for the underdog.

Acquire some runs!

by madding on Oct 2, 2007 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Predix

Cubs over Dbacks
Rox over Phils
Tribe over Yank-offs
Sox over Angels

Rox over Cubs
Sox over Tribe

Sox over Rox

And you have no idea how much it pains me to see the Rouge Hose go there again.

I was in Boston over the weekend and I had to watch all the dancing on the field in Fenway Friday night. Mark my words, if the Sox keep that crap going through the playoffs they will complete the process of making themselves just as hated as the Yankees.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Oct 2, 2007 10:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

...ohhhh??

Thats the way they've got it over on the Dispatch Cardinal board, you must be an avid reader over there? Are they not already as hated....didnt know that? Is there really a PROCESS teams go thru to become hated?? Lets not go down that road agin, please!

Youth movement or not, I want Carpenter, Speezio JEd and Rolen back in '08...yeah, those old guys that play the game like pros.

by cardschinmusic on Oct 3, 2007 4:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please not the Sox

I hate the Sox and live in Boston. Anyone but them....

by jroman on Oct 2, 2007 10:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. I'm trying to put my

finger on what it is that bugs me so much about them ... maybe it's the attitude that everyone everywhere is supposed to be happy for them and their fans.

Or maybe the self-absorption, I'm not sure. And I don't know if its the team or the fans that set me off either. I just know I get a strong negative visceral reaction to them.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Oct 2, 2007 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto

Live in Mass. and can't stand the Sox either. I think it's the self-absorption and lack of realization that having a $145 million team salary is the reason they're so good. I also hate the 4.5 hour abominations that Yankees-Red Sox games have become. Bah!

by Yellow Dog on Oct 2, 2007 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

....but you said....

....oh, lets not go down that road where the east coast teams are villianized for their fans behavior and sound like we're posting on the St Lou Dispatch board or something '...freak"...LOL!

Youth movement or not, I want Carpenter, Speezio JEd and Rolen back in '08...yeah, those old guys that play the game like pros.

by cardschinmusic on Oct 3, 2007 4:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the amazing kreskin

or however you spell it says...

rox over phils
cubs over dbacks

cubs over rox

indians over yanks
sox over angels

sox over indians

cubs over sox. there, i said it.

Future Redbirds

by erik on Oct 2, 2007 10:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

sorry, forgot

rox over phils in 4
cubs over dbacks in 5

indians over yanks in 4
sox over angels in 3

sox over indians in 6

cubs over sox in 7

Future Redbirds

by erik on Oct 2, 2007 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and you call yourself a cardinal fan

tsk tsk tsk... hang your head in shame...
(i am actually only kidding, and admire your courage... sort of)

When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say?

by RosevilleRedbird on Oct 2, 2007 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Predictions

Phils in 5
Cubs in 4

Yanks in 4
Angels in 5

Cubs in 6 (my heart hurts)
Angels in 6

Angels in 6

I really think the winner of that Sox/LA series goes to the World Series, and no National League team is going to win the World Series... but then they said that last, year, too.

"I don't believe what I just saw!" ~ Jack Buck

by itsalemmon1019 on Oct 2, 2007 10:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I know Carp will be good in game 1

but how do you guys thisnk weaver will do in game 2??? better yet, if we get past the pads again, can we even compete with the mets??? how will wainwright do as closer??? this postseason makes me nervous.....the last thin g i wanna see if someone like beltran batting late in a game against wainwright....and even if we get there...we may have start reyes in a world series game.....or weaver in a clincher...i'm not sure how this thing is gonna turn out.....whatever we do, it appears eckstien, rolen and molina will not contribute if they play the way they've been playing......

go rockies or philles.....

I was there, Ice cold Busch stadium, section 597, row 10, seat 4...October 27, 2006 when Wainwright nailed down long awaited #10

by MississippiCardMan on Oct 2, 2007 10:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rockies pitching

Everyone mentions the big bats of the Rockies, but if you look closer, its their pitching that has been more dominant.

Rockies' OPS+ is 103
Rockies' ERA+ is 110

The St. Louis Cardinals- 11 time World Champions!

by Zubin on Oct 2, 2007 10:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think I'm going to have to

agree w/ Larry all the way around (though I really don't want to hear for 6 months all the Cubs crap about finally making it to a WS).

Cubs in 4
Rockies in 5

Sox in 4
Yanks in 4

Cubs over Rockies in 6
Sox over Yanks in 6

Sox over Cubs in 6

But I'd really like to see Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales pitching deep into October.

by chuckb on Oct 2, 2007 10:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mediocore NL

We all know that the NL has been pretty average this year, but is there a way to put it in perspective for all time?

For example, best team had 90 wins (d-backs), worst had 68 (pirates). When was the last time there was only a separation of 22 wins between the best and worst team in the league? Or for playoff teams, 90 for dbacks and 85 for the Cubs, 5 games. Or possibly the win average of the playoff teams.

Basically, is there any good metric to describe it?

by Quel on Oct 2, 2007 10:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Predictions

First off, it is a shame that the Rockies are playing the Phills, because otherwise I would be rooting for both to make it to the NLCS.

Anyways here we go:

NLDS:
Phillies over Rockies in 5 games
Cubs over D-Backs in 4 games

ALDS:
Red Soxs over Angels in 4 games
Indians over Yankees in 5 games

NLCS:
Cubs over Phillies in 6 games

ALCS:
Indians over Red Soxs in 6 games

World Series:
Indians over Cubs in 5 games

by JMedwick on Oct 2, 2007 10:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My Guess

Cubs over d-backs
Rox over Phils

Yanks over Indians
Angels over BoSox

Cubs over Rox
Yanks over Angels

Yanks over Cubs

by sdelek on Oct 2, 2007 10:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Viva El Predicciones

NLDS:
Cubs over DBacks in 4
Rockies over Phillies in 5

NLCS:
Cubs over Rockies in 6 (yuck)

ALDS:
Angels over Red Sox in 5
Indians over Yankees in 4

ALCS:
Indians over Angels in 7

World Series:
Indians sweep

"Well, no one's perfect. Only one guy was ever perfect, Jack, and they nailed him to a tree!"

by lightbulb on Oct 2, 2007 10:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Throw the stats out the window...

As Scott Rolen said, the Cards were probably the worst team in the playoffs last year. Don't try to figure it out, but October baseball is just crazy!

Okay the Cubs will probably squeak by the DBacks.
And the Rockies will take care of Philly with ease.

The Indians will hammer the Yanks.
And the Angels will take care of Boston.

The Rockies with their super momentum will sweep the Cubs.
And the Indians will bring the rain on the Angels.

Then finally the Indians will come up victorious in a hard fought Fall classic that will require all 7 games over the Rockies.

by ArachNerd on Oct 2, 2007 10:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope

you're right.

by spants on Oct 2, 2007 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Joe Bo

I won't predict the outcome of all the series, but I think Joe Borowski is going to have a great run. It's just been that kind of year where somebody like him is going to surprise all of us.

by raisin on Oct 2, 2007 10:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Let's See...

D-backs upset Cubs in 4
Philly takes Rox in 5

Yanks beat The Tribe in 5
Red Hose crush Angels in 3

Philly knocks out D-Backs in 6
Red Hose sneak past Yanks in 7

Red Hose kill Philly in 5

Different route than LB, but same result. And I should say, once the Cubs are blessedly out, I really couldn't care less who wins it all. If it comes down to Cubs vs Tribe or Angels or Yanks or Red Hose, sorry, but I will use all the Jedi mind tricks at my disposal to ensure an AL victory. Other than that, good luck to all participants.

by rockin redbird on Oct 2, 2007 10:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Who Knows? Here goes...

NLDS:
Rockies def. Phillies in 4 games
Cubs def. D-Backs in 5 games

ALDS:
Red Soxs def. Angels in 5 games
Indians def. Yankees in 5 games

NLCS:
Rockies def. Cubs in 6 games

ALCS:
Indians def. Red Soxs in 6 games

World Series:
Indians def. Rockies in 7 games

"Requiescat In Pace - 2007 Zombie Cardinals"

by AustinBOB on Oct 2, 2007 10:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Here we go...

American League

Yankees over Indians in five
Red Sox over Angels in four

(ALCS) Yankees over Red Sox in six

National League

Arizona over Cubs in five
Phils over Rockies in five

(NLCS) Arizona over Phillies in seven

And the winner of the world series is...

The Yankees win in six over the D-Backs

This is way better than March Madness!

Let me get this straight...Rowand over Pujols??? Really, Tony?

by cardzfan24 on Oct 2, 2007 10:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

...well..

I guess if youre not much of a college basketball fan, March Madness is not much fun, period?

Youth movement or not, I want Carpenter, Speezio JEd and Rolen back in '08...yeah, those old guys that play the game like pros.

by cardschinmusic on Oct 3, 2007 6:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A-rod

I kinda of want to see him do well, or at least better than Jeter (which, btw, he has done the last two Octobers). I just think he gets an awful bum rap quite often.

Hey A-rod! If you come to St. Louis we will love you, and never* boo you, and you can hit behind the best hitter in the game!

Just the thought of that kind of protection behind Pujols... wow

*as soon as the newness of Busch III wears off and the true baseball fans return

"...but If I can do some damage and help my team win, I'm going to stay in there" -Albert

by BigMOman on Oct 2, 2007 10:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Predictions

D-Backs over Cubs in 5
Rockies over Phills in 4

Indians over Yanks in 4
Red Sox over Angels in 4

Rockies over D-Backs in 6
Indians over Red Sox in 7

Indians over Rockies in 6.

"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer." - Ted Williams

by WiscCard on Oct 2, 2007 10:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, here goes

DBacks in 4, Zambrano loses 2 games.
Rox in 5, absolute shoot outs.

Angels in 4, Dice-K continues to struggle.
Indians in 5, Yankees come close but not seeing Sabathia in 4 years hurts them.

Rox over DBacks in 6.
Indians over Angels in 5.

Indians over DBacks in 6.

Indians break curse. Giants and Cubs weep.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 2, 2007 10:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like the way you think

about Fat Z.

by sdrone on Oct 2, 2007 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about...

Cubs over AZ in 4
Phils over CO in 4

Yanks over Tribe in 5
Angels surprise Boston in 4

Phils over Cubs in 7
Yankees beat the Angels in 6

And what the heck, Phightins win it all over the Yanks in 7.

Parade down Broad Street shocking for the absence of even a single E-A-G-L-E-S cheer, although a scattering of boo's is heard when Pat Burrell doesn't wave with appropriate gusto.

by Tudor 85 on Oct 2, 2007 10:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely wrong predictions

I'm never right about this stuff, but here goes anyway:

Phillies over Rox in 3 (I'm going with the "series which should be great usually fizzle out" idea)
D-Backs over Cubs in 4
Indians over Yankees in 5
Angels over Red Sox in 4

D-Backs over Phillies in 5
Angels over Indians in 7

D-Backs over Angels in 6

Actually, I'm hoping I'm wrong -- I'm kind of rooting for the Indians (even with all the attendant mascot issues that will be raised)

by nybirdgirl on Oct 2, 2007 11:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Playoff prediction

NLDS:
Rockies def. Phillies in 4 games
D-Backs def. Cubs in 4 games

ALDS:
Red Sox def. Angels in 5 games
Yankees def. Indians in 5 games

NLCS:
D-Backs def. Rockies in 6 games

ALCS:
Yankees def. Red Sox in 7 games

World Series:
Yankees def. D-Backs in 7 games

by jomfa on Oct 2, 2007 11:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i hope i'm wrong about the cubs

ALDS
indians over yanks in 5
sox over angels in 4

NLDS
baby bears over baby-backs in 5
phils over rox in 5

LCS
indians over sox in 6
cubs over phils in 7

WS
indians over cubs in 7

as for the cubs, the bigger the build-up, the more satisfying the let-down will be. let's see if d-lee can be the new bill buckner. or if dempster can be the next mitch williams.

by _pistol_ on Oct 2, 2007 11:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tourney:

NLDS:
Phillies over Rockies in five
Cubs over D-Backs in four

ALDS:
Indians over Yankees in five
Red Sox over Angels in three

NLCS:
Phillies over Cubs in seven

ALCS:
Indians over Red Sox in six

Series:
Indians over the Phils in five for the title.

Well, let's go to the old mill anyway -- get some cider!

by Alxfritz on Oct 2, 2007 11:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's a crapshoot...

NLDS:
Phillies over Rockies in 4
Cubs over D-Backs in 3

ALDS:
Indians over Yankees in 4 (Fox execs cry)
Angels over Red Sox in 5 (Fox execs sob)

NLCS:
Phillies over Cubs in 6 (Fox execs lie on floor wailing)

ALCS:
Indians over Angels in 5

Series:
Indians over Phillies in 7 (even fewer people care than last years Cards-Tigers matchup)

by Yellow Dog on Oct 2, 2007 11:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Going out on a limb here...

D-Backs over the Cubs in 5
Phillies over the Rox in 4

Sox over the Angels in 5
Yankees over the Tribe 4

Phillies over the D-Backs 6
Yankees over the Sox: 6

Yankees over the Phillies: 5

by Brock20 on Oct 2, 2007 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Question:

How would the tie-breaker system have worked if the Mets would have won on Sunday? I ask because 4 teams, the Mets, Rockies, Phils, and Padres would have ended the season with the same record (89-73).

I'm too lazy to look it up.

by silent_bob on Oct 2, 2007 11:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the Mets

would have played the Phils yesterday for the NL east. Then, there would have been a 3 way tie for the WC. The Rocks due to some tiebreaker would have been able to choose whether to play 2 at home or 1 (Wed.) on the road. 2 teams would have played today for the right to host the 3rd tomorrow. The winner of this free-for-all would have been the Wild Card. Would've been fun!

by chuckb on Oct 2, 2007 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Usually bad at this...

...but here goes:

NLDS:
Flubs over Snakes in 5
Rox over Philly in 4

ALDS:
Sox sweep Halos in 3
Yanks over Tribe in 5

NLCS:
Cubbies over Rox in 6

ALCS:
Yanks over Sox in 7

WS:
Cubs in 7. Here endeth the curse.

Actually, I'll be rooting for the Rockies, but as others have mentioned - I've had a nagging feeling about the Cubbies since Spring Training.

by SmashedAtoms on Oct 2, 2007 11:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

picks

Phils over Rox.
Angels over Sox
Cubs beat 'Backs
Yanks by Injuns waxed

Tribe gives Halos shakes
Small Bears maul Snakes

When winter's cold is great
Native Americans will celebrate
(like it's 1948)

by templetown on Oct 2, 2007 12:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cardinals and Eckstein

50 comments and only two (minor) references to the Cardinals - impressive.

For those not worn out of the redbirds, the Post-Dispatch mentioned we are going after Springer and expressed interest in Eckstein (link). Oh yeah - TLR is saying nothing - big whoop.

I'm hoping Eckstein talk is simply PR to make it look like we didn't simply trash him. He's a great guy, but we need better defense from that position considering his minor offensive contributions.

by enoscountry on Oct 2, 2007 12:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ugh - this disgusts me to write, but

at least it's not Boston

Phillies over Rockies in 4
Cubs over Diamondbacks in 3

Cubs over Phillies in 5

Yankees over Indians in 4
Angels over Red Sox in 5

Yankees over Angels in 6

And in a series that is a dream for TV ratings and a nightmare for me to have to choose someone to root for,

Yankees over Cubs in 5.

Please don't let the Cubs win the World Series, God.

by Zack Morris on Oct 2, 2007 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My predictions

NLDS:
DBacks over Cubs in 5
Rockies over Phillies in 4

ALDS:
Red Sox over Angels in 5
Indians over Yankees in 4

NLCS:
Rockies over DBacks in 5

ALCS:
Indians over Red Sox in 7

World Series:
Indians Over Rockies in 5

Miller sucks.

by Ankiels Missing Curveball on Oct 2, 2007 12:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Pix/Picks/Pyxx

(That last one for the Metalheads)

OK, here goes:

Rockies/Phils: Rockies in 4
Cubs/DBacks: Cubs in 4

Yanks/Indians: Yanks in 5
Sox/'gels: Sox in 4

Rox/Cubs: Rox in 6
Yanks/Sox: Sox in 6

Rox/Sox: Sox in 6

by glennrwordman on Oct 2, 2007 12:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Here I go

NLDS:
Dbax beat Cubs in four
Phillies beat Rockies in five

ALDS:
Sox sweep angels
Yankees beat Indians in five

NLCS:
Phillies beat Dbax in seven

ALCS:
Sox over Yankees in six

WS:
Phillies over Red Sox in seven

by Valatan on Oct 2, 2007 12:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

here you go

What I want to happen:

Diamondbacks over Cubs
Phillies over Rockies

Angels over Red Sox
Indians over Yankees

Phillies over Diamondbacks

Indians over Angels

Phillies over Indians

What will happen:

Cubs over Diamondbacks 3-1
Rockies over Phillies 3-2

Angels over Red Sox 3-1
Yankees over Indians 3-2

Cubs over Rockies 4-2
Angels over Yankees 4-1

Angels over Cubs 4-1

Re-acquire Edgar Renteria

by Mr Redbird on Oct 2, 2007 12:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And yes

Of course that means that Angels will be celebrating a World Series win on Wrigley Field, further showing that God hates the Cubs.

Re-acquire Edgar Renteria

by Mr Redbird on Oct 2, 2007 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Appropriate

I'm sure you mean, "in" or "at" Wrigley Field.

And that would be quite fitting, seeing as how the Angels used to play at another Wrigley Field.

by flynn on Oct 2, 2007 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

PLAYOFFS???

YER TALKIN' FREAKIN' PLAYOFFS???!!! (insert generic Jim Mora joke here...)

Two words:
Crap.
Shoot.

The Sawks have troubles in their bullpen (who is the pod-person who's kidnapped the real Eric Gagne, and what have you done with him?)

Ditto the Tribe; Joe Borowski makes coffee nervous...

The Haloes lack boppers not named "Vladimir"...

The Yankees are counting on a freakin' rookie named "Jabba" outta their pen! (I don't care how he spells it... having a "Hutt" pitching for the "Evil Empire" is too good a line to pass up!)

The Phillies have "Hamels and Moyer and dat's all we got fo'yer..."

Wha' hoppens if somebody steals the Rockies' humidor? YIKES!!!

The D-Backs are awfully young; how will they play now that they're on "the radar"?

And the Cubs are STILL... The Cubs!

For further insightful analysis, see the Jedi Master (Baseball Division) quote below:

(Should be fun, though!)

"In this game, don't nobody know nuthin' about nuthin'." -- attributed to Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra

by The Ol Goaler on Oct 2, 2007 12:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rox dominating VEB Poll

well, at least the morally fashionable Cards fans turned Cubs fans aren't in the majority.

But seriously, what is with America's obsession with the under dog?

Go EVIL EMPIRE!

by rocKStark5 on Oct 2, 2007 12:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The underdog thing

is because once upon a time, before the U.S. was the U.S., we were the underdogs.

Yankee fans must've fallen asleep during history class.

by spants on Oct 2, 2007 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ahahahah

Americans are NOTORIOUS for not giving a flying fuck about history. I'm sure the average american joe likes cheering for the underdog and likes watching movies like Rocky because of the revolutionary war :-/

by rocKStark5 on Oct 2, 2007 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm

I think you are right and wrong all at the same time. The American Dream has always been about the guy trying to achieve things that no one thought possible, thus the underdog story being loved. This Dream is rooted back before the revolution, back when people were fleeing persecution in England. Therefore his thoughts are right on that the history of this country is what fuels the underdog love. I also agree with you that American's seem too hell bent on the here and now sometimes that history is pushed to the wayside but our culture is very much rooted in that history they don't care about.

by StLHugo on Oct 2, 2007 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the irony of it is

Everybody can empathize with the underdog all they want but in reality they're just projecting.

The way non-new yorkers feel about the Yankees pretty much summarizes how the world feels about America. A giant capitalist juggernaut that feeds off weaker opponents that fuels one sided rivalries.

by rocKStark5 on Oct 2, 2007 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hate of the Yankees

While I completely agree on your assessment of others my personal dislike of the Yanks comes from the fact that they have far too many "fans" how many Yankees hats do you see all over the place on the heads of people that can't even name half their roster. How many fantasy players that don't know anything about players see the NYY and assume that player is good? That is why I don't like the Yankees, and that is not their fault at all I just refuse to be part of that.

by StLHugo on Oct 2, 2007 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think

it's intentional, or conscious. As small children we are taught so much about American history (some of it false) and the oppression Americans faced as minions of Britain. I think there is a historical trend there, flying fuck or no.

Hey, you asked a question about why Americans liked to root for the underdog; I offered a plausible theory.

by spants on Oct 3, 2007 3:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Basically

what I'm trying to say is that it's shaped the collective character of the nation's people for many generations. I root for the underdog because my father did, because his father did, because his father did, etc. It's a cultural thing rooted in HISTORY.

by spants on Oct 3, 2007 3:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Time out, brah'

don't take it personally, I just didn't buy into history thing considering ever since the Revolutionary war America has always been considered a superpower bully. If people root for the dog because they think America is one,it's delusional at best.

by rocKStark5 on Oct 3, 2007 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Check yourself

America had no offshore imperialistic interest until the Philippines circa 1900, never had an overly large military force until WWII and considered itself an isolationist country leading up to WWI and II. It was comprised of lower class immigrants from various, and often poor, European countries that moved to, tamed, built and thrived in America. Many of these immigrants moved from feudal systems, or the remnants of feudal systems to thrive in their new land. That seems like a lot of underdog stories to me, and even though America isn't alone in this perception of loving the underdog, we damned sure deserve it.

I love lamp

by Some witty name on Oct 3, 2007 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Especially since

so many American citizens are still underdogs.

by spants on Oct 3, 2007 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

perception is reality.

A lot longer then most of us have been around, the world has viewed the US as a super power and in more recent decades a World Police bully. I honestly don't see how people NOT see how absurd it is Americans trying to play an underdog card because of our great-great-great grandparents struggles.

Ask a random Euro-donk if they think the general consensus of their country thinks America is a beloved underdog country that everybody is pulling for.

by rocKStark5 on Oct 3, 2007 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pay attention

to the news: the majority of Americans ARE underdogs. I'm not going to get into a political discussion because it's inappropriate. But if you think the average American has it better than your average European, you're mistaken.

Besides, we owe everyone and their mom money. Lots of money.

by spants on Oct 4, 2007 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not that I give a rat's ass about...

FOX and Bud Selig, but if you don't have at least two series that are some combination of Red Sox/Yankees/Cubs/Phils (and the Phils are a ratings stretch), this postseason is going to be 2005-bad in the numbers column.

Worst-case scenario, the Cubs, Sox and Yanks are all bounced before the LCS. The Rox are a great story (as are most of these teams), but a D-Backs/Rockies LCS will get buried , as would LA/Cleveland. I'd like to say I'd watch every pitch of such matchups, but...

"I don't believe what I just saw!" ~ Jack Buck

by itsalemmon1019 on Oct 2, 2007 12:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree

I would love to say I will watch every game, but the truth is I won't. My wife is a Cards fan not a baseball fan so we watch Cards games but when it comes to just plan ole ball she would rather watch something else.

by StLHugo on Oct 2, 2007 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So in other words, you are

part of the problem! (At least you admit it.) First, it shouldn't matter how bad Fox's ratings are, unless you happen to own Fox stock or work for Fox, of course. And second, you're essentially saying that you don't want to see non-glamour teams.

All I know is that one of the best WS I've ever seen was Twins-Braves in 1991, and fans who took that approach missed some great baseball.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Oct 2, 2007 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never said

I didn't want to see non-"glamour" teams, whatever those are. Nothing puts me to sleep faster than the idea of the Yankees in the series. I was merely speculating on the ratings potential, not expressing a preference. I simply can't remember a post-season that had more "huh?" factor for the casual fan. I know who Troy Tulowitski and Fausto Carmona are, but someone who finds "Scooter" informative probably doesn't.

As for not watching every pitch, at this point in my life ANY non-Cardinals baseball is background noise... not that I won't have the games on and get engrossed in a good series.

"I don't believe what I just saw!" ~ Jack Buck

by itsalemmon1019 on Oct 2, 2007 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love it

when 2 teams that, supposedly, are bad for TV end up making it to the WS. That's reason enough to pull for the Rockies and Indians. People can bitch about how the ratings are down or whatever, as if means a damned thing when it comes to how good the baseball is. If people only watch b/c the Cubs, Red Sox, or Yanks are playing, what the hell do I care? Bud may, Fox does, but I don't. I'll watch good baseball and take a little joy from Bud's and Rupert's angst!

by chuckb on Oct 2, 2007 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The NLCS

will get buried in the ratings anyway, because it's on TBS this year. (Says the disgruntled non-cable having baseball fan.)

by nybirdgirl on Oct 2, 2007 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want riots

and my in-laws to crap their pants.. I don't care how they get there, but a cubs vs red sox series would be fun as hell for 2 weeks. The week of the series and the week after with all the news reports of rioting in both cities after the outcome.

by Birds on the Matt on Oct 2, 2007 12:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It is amazing

how close that came to happening in '03. That would have been an incredible Series.

Well, let's go to the old mill anyway -- get some cider!

by Alxfritz on Oct 2, 2007 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

my picks

Dbacks in 5 (Webb would probably get two starts, plus the inescapable presence of Jason Marquis on the Cubs)

Phillies in 5 (Really tough one to call. Comparable pitching, but Philadelphia has the better ace in Hamels. I'm going with the Phils just because they're a little older and more experienced.)

Indians in 4 (Possibility of Sabbathia and Carmona twice in a 5 game series? Puh-leeze.)

BoSox in 4 (Boston's got the best pitching in the AL, Vlad's banged up, and Anaheim is relying on the sometimes-inconsistent Jered Weaver in game 3.)

LCS:

Phillies in 6 (These two teams matchup pretty well. Both have one proven ace, and their second-best pitcher is a soft-tossing lefty. Again, gotta go with the Phils here because of experience.)

Indians in 7 (I think Sabbathia, Carmona, Beckett, and Schilling all pitch twice, and teams split those games. It's gonna come down to what other pitcher on the team can step up and give a good start. Plus, invariably, the series will come down to a crucial J.D. Drew at bat, and he'll probably go down looking.)

WS:

Phils in 6 (The Chase Utleyness of this Philadelphia team will win out here. Hamels will pitch well and they'll grind out a couple more victories. Plus, the Joe Borowski Effect will finally come into play here and cost Cleveland a game late.)

by Jhusk on Oct 2, 2007 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A roll of the dice...

NLDS...

Rox over Phillies in 5...
People will question whether the Rox have lost momentum.

Cubs over DBacks in 4...
The Cubs roll easily and Lou will keep his cool.

ALDS...

The Sox over the Angels in 3.
The Sox get to Lackey early and set the tone for the series. Vlad slumps and so goes the Angels offense.

The Yankees outslug the Tribe in some close ones and take 3/5 even though Sabathia wins two.

NLCS...
DEja Vu...the Cubs will take the first game, then a 2-1 lead, then 3-2 and lose the series to the Rox. I will probably spare my Cub fan friends any over the top ribbing. Gotta be painful. Lou will be ejected twice and have a major media blow up.

ALCS...

In a prime time media dream the Sox will face the Yankees. The Sox will be heavy favorites. The ALCS will get every night slot causing the NLCS to be almost entirely day games. The Yankees will advance in 6. ARod will rocket his contract value for his renegotiation pending his opt-out clause.

The WS...

Will be billed as youth vs old sluggers, small market vs giant, and everyone but Rob Neyer will pick the Yankees. Unfortunately, they will be right. However, the series will be very close with several late comebacks by the Rockies. The Rox will lose dramatically in the seventh game. This will endear the Rox to thier fan base and America in general...coming so close to slaying Goliath following such a valiant run. It will turn the Colorado franchise around rocketing season ticket sales for the next several years and allowing the Rockies to lock up it's franchise players for the next decade.

by RedbirdRay on Oct 2, 2007 1:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

predictions

NLDS:
D-Backs over Cubs in 5
Phils over Rockies in 4

NLCS:
Phils over D-Backs in 6

ALDS:
Sox over Angels in 4
Indians over Yanks in 5

ALCS:
Indians over Sox in 6

WS:
Indians over Phils in 5

I just can't in good faith put the cubs or sox in the series, i think my head would explode if it in fact happens

foot soldier in the memphis mafia.....

by CarolinaCardinal on Oct 2, 2007 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

PIX

NLDS:

Cubs over Dbax 3-1. Zambrano & Lilly will be tough to beat. Dbax will win Gaem 3 but Cubs close it out in Game 4 at home.

Phils over the Rox 3-2. Hamels wins two games and Phils win another behind veteran Moyer making young Rox chase.

ALDS:

Sox sweep Halos. Angels struggle in Fenway (especially Lackey) and Sox advance.

Indians over Yanks 3-2. The fact that Sabathia is a lefty against that lefty-dominated NYY lineup is the defference maker in this series.

NLCS:

Phils over the Cubs 4-2. Phils consistently outscore a Cubs lineup that can't/won't take a walk.

Yanks over Sox 4-3. Unless the Sox use Jon Lester for 2 games, the Yanks will end up outscoring the Sox.

WORLD SERIES:

Phils over Yanks 4-1. Hamels and Moyer make life difficult for Yanks lineup.

by indakind on Oct 2, 2007 1:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

OOPS

Just realized I mixed up my Yankees and Indians. Anyway, I meant to say Yanks over Indians 3-2. While Sabathia will win 2 vs. Yanks...Yanks roll against Carmona and Westbrook.

by indakind on Oct 2, 2007 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

my picks

dbacks over cubs in 5
phils over rox (sorry lb) in 5

red sox over angels in 4
yanks over indians in 5

phils over dbacks in 7
yanks over sox in 6

yanks over phils in 6

Pujols is the greatest Cardinal in my lifetime.

by bigcardsfan5 on Oct 2, 2007 1:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am amazed

that so many have already made picks and there is so little consensus.

First of all, when you get to the post-season, anything can happen. The best team rarely wins. Predictions based on numbers garner no better results than relying on gut feelings. So I am going with my heart. That said, here goes:

NLDS:
D-backs over Cubs in 4 (Big Z flames out spectacularly)
Phillies over Rockies in 5 (this was tough; momentum vs. momentum and all)
ALDS:
Indians over Yanks in 4 (that's what happens when you count on Clemens at this point in his career)
Angels over BoSox in 5 (Angels seem to find a way to win, but this one will be tough)

NLCS:
Phillies over D-backs in 7 (mo' betta' bats)
ALCS:
Indians over Angels in 7 (no reason, I just think they can)

WS:
Indians over Phillies in 7 (it's their year, I think)

But I picked the Rockies as the team VEB should endorse. Go figure!

by cardsgirl95 on Oct 2, 2007 1:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My Sure-To-Be-Lousy Predictions

D-Backs over Cubs in 4. This is mostly out of sentimentality, but I think the Cubs strike out too much and I know they have no closer. I am hoping for a Zambrano freak out in Game 1 and that will be that.

Phillies over Rockies in 4. In a match-up of offense against offense, I take the Phils, despite the fact that the Rockies give up almost half a run less per game. I think the Rockies' late season run will wind up taking more out of them than the Phillies' run did.

Yanks over Indians in 3. Fricken Yankee mojo will put a quick end to the Indians, who can't have much in the way of post-season experience. Plus, don't they have Borowski closing?

BoSox over Angels in 5. Best match-up, but I think the Manny question is trumped by the Vlad question, as Vlad is way more important to the Angels' offense. If Gagne stays on the bench, I give the advantage to the BoSox.

Yankees over BoSox in 7. The shocking thing is that I think Boston might actually have more question marks with pitching than the Yankees.

Phillies over D-Backs in 6. For once, I think offense will trump pitching in a post-season series.

Yankees over Phillies in 5. While I hate the thought of a AL win and I hate the thought of a Yankees win even more, the AL is so much better, it is ridiculous. The Yankees won't pull and Detroit and crap the bed against an inferior NL team.

Anyways, those are my two cents.

by bdub78 on Oct 2, 2007 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

if these guys

end up being the 2007 World Champs, i will quit watching baseball and start watching hockey (again).

your 2007 Cubbies

RankMyTattoo

by Supergus on Oct 2, 2007 2:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Please tell me the Cardinals NEVER do that stuff

it's terrible.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 2, 2007 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think most teams do that.

Wasn't there some story a week or so ago about a team leaving Toronto (dunno if it was the blue jays) and a rookie having trouble going through customs because of his wacky costume?

by sdrone on Oct 2, 2007 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yankees

And SI.com posted photos of the Yankees rookies as characters from the Wizard of Oz. Shelley Duncan was the Scarecrow. I think someone posted a diary about it. It's all silly, but still funny, if you ask me.

by cardsgirlinAR on Oct 2, 2007 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

predictions

NLDS
dbacks over cubs in 5 -dbacks just seem to know how to win, i am still scratching my head as to how the cardinals got swept by them

phillies over rockies in 5- i think howard utley and rollins are too much to overcome for colorados pitchers

ALDS
yanks over indians in 4- yanks have dominated the indians all year cant see that changing now

red sox over angels in 4- angels are good but lackey has struggled in fenway and escobar struggled in september

NLCS
phillies over dbacks in 6- once again howard utley and rollins are too much

ALCS
yankees over red sox in 7- yanks lineup will beat up on pitches not named beckett

World Series
Yankees over Phillies in 5- yanks have better blend of pitching and hitting

by truemun12 on Oct 2, 2007 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This really has nothing to do with anything...

other than the fact it is about ARod who is in the playoffs but I found this hilarious:

"When is he just going to say, 'I'm the baddest [dude] out there?' " Orioles first baseman Kevin Millar says. " 'I hit .320 with 40 and 130 RBIs, every [stupid] year, and what about it?' What is anyone going to say to that? Nobody can challenge him in this game because nobody else is that good. He spent a lot of time trying to be liked. I just want him to say, 'Don't [mess] with me, because none of you [guys] can do what I do.' That's all he has to do, 'cause he's a straight-up gangster."

funny stuff from Keven Millar...

"Back in the day when I played, a pitcher had 3 pitches: a fastball, a curveball, a slider, a changeup and a good sinker pitch." - Mike Shannon

by nomar34 on Oct 2, 2007 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm too lazy to pick this morning,

so I'll just list the teams in order of my preference (fave to least fave):

Rockies
Indians
Angels (I'm in L.A. now, so why not)
Phillies
Diamondbacks
Red Sox
Yankees
Cubs

If any in the top 3 win the Series, I'll be happy.

If any in the bottom three win, I'll be sad.

If #8 wins, I'll be bald.

The anti-cubs beard lives!

by effin fisk on Oct 2, 2007 3:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll play

D-Backs over Cubs in 4 (Webb gets the better of Z twice, Marquis shows why he was left off our playoff roster last season)
Phillies over Rockies in 5 (And I voted for the Rox... I just think they're over-matched here)
Phillies over D-Backs in 5 (Pitching be damned, the D-Backs just can't keep pace with all those runs)

Indians over Yankees in 3 (Joe Torree and ARod are run out of town)
Red Sox over Angels in 4 (Angels realize Vlad is their only hitter)
Indians over Red Sox in 4 (Rupert Murdoch rolls over in his gra.. Er...)

Series
Indians over Phillies in 6 (It's their year)

by stl tyler on Oct 2, 2007 3:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rocky Mountain High... almost.

D-Backs and Cubs:
Both teams have good pitching with ERA+ of 114 and 113, tops in the senior cicuit. But the edge has to go to the D-Back with Webb going twice for them in 5 games. The Cubs have an obvious ofensive edge, (OPS+ of 97 compared to 88), unfortunately the series won't go long enough for that to be a factor. D-Backs in 5.

Phillies and Rockies:
Most everyone see a match-up between two great offenses. But I don't see that. Instead I see the Philles with OPS+ of 112 and the Rockies with an OPS+ of 104. On the flip side the Rockies may have the best defense in the NL and an ERA+ of 110 to go with it. Philly has averagish ERA+ of 96. This one is probably the toughest call. I think the Phillies should be phavored, but I'll say Rockies in 4.

Indians and Yankess:
Cleveland won the most games in regular season for a reason, but the Yankees have been the best team in the second half. I'll take the Yankees in 4.

Red Sox and Angels:
Reluctantly I'll go with the Sox in 4.

NLCS:
Rockies in 6.

ALCS:
Yankees in 7.

World Series.
Rockies come back from 0-3 to win the last two at Coors, but fall in game 6. A-Rod hits 6 homeruns, but somehow Jetter is MVP.

The St. Louis Cardinals- 11 time World Champions!

by Zubin on Oct 2, 2007 4:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

predictions

dbacks over cubs in 5
phillies over rockies in 5
sox over halos in 4
yankees over indians in 5
dbacks over phillies in 6
yankees over sox in 6
yankees over dbacks in 6

by johnstonburg on Oct 2, 2007 4:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

based on

a combination of knowledge, intuition and bullshit:

nlds

rox over phils in 5 - my colorado boys love the drama!

dbax over small bears in 3 - just because i can't root for or predict that the cubs win.

nlcs

dbax over rox in 6 - at some point the magic runs out - almost happened last night with holliday's awful play and jorge julio's craptastic performance.

alds

indians over yanks in 4 - pitching, pitching, pitching. indians' strengths over yankees' weaknesses.

angels over sox in 5 - let's remember that boston tried to choke away the division title and have starting pitching, bullpen, and offensive woes. the j.d. drew factor.

alcs

indians over angels in 5 - why not?

indians over dbax in 5 - the al field is certainly stronger and the dbax run differential finally catches up with them.

by sdesserman on Oct 2, 2007 4:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

my predictions

phillies 3, rockies 2
cubs 3, diamondbacks 1
red sox 3, angels 1
indians 3, yankees 0

phillies 4, cubs 2
indians 4, red sox 3
NLCS MVP: brett myers
ALCS MVP: travis hafner

indians 4, phillies 2
WS MVP: captain cheeseburger

by moboiler on Oct 2, 2007 5:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

All right, here we go.

Rockies over the Phillies in 4. I think at some point, the Phils pen is going to come into play and hurt them; Brian Fuentes will have a huge series against Utley, Howard, et. al.

DBacks over Cubs in 5. This one will be hard fought, but I like Webb twice, plus the whole Dempster vs. Dbacks pen issue. Arizona doesn't have the offense, but they'll just squeak by, I believe.

Yankees over the Indians in 5. I like Cleveland's chances here, with their big two pitchers each pitching twice in the series, but the Yanks superior bullpen, and their offense, will beat out the Indians just enough.

Sawx over the Angels. Boston just has too much pitching. The Angels are good, but not quite good enough. Plus, things just have a way of happening in Fenway.

Rockies over the Dbacks in 6. Webb will have a rough outing, the Rockies will keep their insane momentum going, and Colorado will just bash their way past Arizona. It'll be ugly, but the Rox will get it done.

Yanks over the Red Sox in 7. I have no baseball reason for this call, I just think the universe will move back into alignment for this one. Plus, the Yankees will finally get their postseason revenge on Josh Beckett.

World Series- Yanks over the Rockies in 6. The Rockies will fight valiantly, and several of their young players will get to make their names on the big stage, but, in the end, the superior AL team will just be too much to handle. Look for Petitte and Wang to both have big series, and ARod to make himself even more money with a great postseason. Chamberlain is ready for his close up, and everyone will get a good look at the next Clemens.

MVPs
NLCS- Troy Tulowitzki
ALCS- Jorge Posada (finally)
WS- Joba Chamberlain (a la KRod in 2002)

Free to a good home.

by the red baron on Oct 2, 2007 5:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

more predictions

Phils in 5
Cubs in 4
Red Sox in 3
Yankees in 3

Phillies in 7
Red Sox in 7

Red Sox in 6

(but I'm rooting for the Rockies anyway)

TSF

by TedSimmonsFan on Oct 2, 2007 6:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Did anybody catch

that the Cubs are talking about Marquis possibly being off the playoff roster? Forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere, but that would be how many times for him? 3 in the last 4 seasons?

TSF

by TedSimmonsFan on Oct 2, 2007 6:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that is genuinly funny

maybe they have been watching the marquis the tee playoff highlights

"Textbooks are Soviet propaganda" - Rev. Jerry Falwell

by elirock83 on Oct 2, 2007 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know why they would

He's pitched decently for them. He definitely isn't taking a 6.02 ERA into the postseason like he was for us last year (strangely enough, I have that number memorized...). I wouldn't give him the ball to start, but he could be useful in a pinch.

In no way would I let Steve Trachsel near the mound under any circumstances. Pitchers who give up homeruns to Jeff Suppan in the postseason (just last year!) do not deserve to be in said postseason.

Re-acquire Edgar Renteria

by Mr Redbird on Oct 2, 2007 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This just in -

Marquis IS ON THE PLAYOFF ROSTER, but will not start ... at least in the first round. (can you spell "mop up" ?)

Uncle Lou is a tender-hearted manager, obviously, and doesn't want to crush the soul of the impressionable, but lousy, pitcher, who has to be one of the Cub starters in '08.

by Urban Pawnee on Oct 2, 2007 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

UPDATE:

He blamed his final game poor showing (4 runs in 2/3 inning) on some heavy partying the previous day from the champagne celebration, and shouldn't be held accountable.

by Urban Pawnee on Oct 3, 2007 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe they're looking more at his recent trends

He had a 6.21 ERA in September, and a 16.2 ERA over his last three starts. And really, for the whole season he's been getting worse each month; if you take away April and May he really hasn't been good this year. Which isn't to say that he wasn't really good in those months, but you'd rather have a playoff starter trending up rather than trending into the toilet.

by BTown Birds fan on Oct 2, 2007 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just noticed that last appearance by Marquis

wasn't a start - he gave up 4 ER in 0.2 IP in relief of Lilly. So he has a 16.2 ERA in his last three appearances.

by BTown Birds fan on Oct 2, 2007 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That last game was a staff start......

they were trying to get as many arms as possible a little work to be sharp for the playoffs. Lilly was pulled early on; he gave up no runs, the rest of the relievers except Marquis and Dempster pitched well.
I'm not going to dump on Marquis; he always starts slow, finishes weak-but overall he pitched better for the Cubs this year than he did last year for the Cards. If I were Marquis, I'd look into my off season conditioning. It might help him stay stronger the whole year. He's always going to have a blow up from time to time because when he loses the strike zone, he can't seem to figure out how to get it back.
I wish him no ill will, even if he is a Cub now.

by jillsinmo on Oct 2, 2007 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Marquis

I heard he was pitching out of the pen. I believe it came down to Marquis and Marshall. The way Steve Stone put it was the Cubs have Marquis for 2 more years unlike the Cardinals last year. There is no way the Cubs could have left him off the PS roster as it would have caused alot of problems for a guy you will rely on to be a #4 or #5 starter the next two years. He is getting paid a lot of $$ too. It just would be easier to let him on the PS roster and not use him. They have no confidence in him pitching out of the pen so he will not see the field unless it is a blowout as I can tell.

by ICbirdfan on Oct 2, 2007 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perfect summary of our season

Actually, via Jayson Stark:

Does it sum up the Cardinals' year that Aaron Miles made more pitching appearances (two) than Chris Carpenter (one), or what?

Re-acquire Edgar Renteria

by Mr Redbird on Oct 2, 2007 7:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

wow, 2?

I can't remember both.

by sdrone on Oct 2, 2007 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One was a week ago

the other was in Oakland.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 2, 2007 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

nahh not in oakland

i was there. speez pitched the 8th inning of the june 15th game...
but miles did pitch 2 games...

When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say?

by RosevilleRedbird on Oct 2, 2007 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Washington then?

It was a Saturday night, I know that cause I was out and came home to find on my DVR that I had missed one of the more awesome moments of the season.

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Oct 2, 2007 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Playoff prognostications

How can a true Cardinal fan pick the Cubs? Diamondbacks win it in 5.

Phillies, the Team with 10,000 Losses, advances in 5 games!

Indians in 4, Yanks have no pitching.

Red Sox are too old, Angels in 4.

by treborsgonecruising on Oct 2, 2007 7:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nearly 20% of vebers vote for the bush league?

no excuse for that.

Play Roy Hobbs Everyday!

by Birds on the Bat on Oct 2, 2007 8:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Predictions

Dbacks over Cubs in 4
Phils over Rox in 5

Yankees over Indians in 4
Sox over Angels in 3

Phils over Dbacks in 6
Yankees over Sox in 6

Yankees over Phils in 6

by jfs on Oct 2, 2007 10:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Little late but my picks

Cubs over Diamondbacks in 4
Phillies over Rockies in 5
Yankees over Indians in 4
Red Sox over Angels in 5

Philles over Cubs in 6
NLCS MVP: Ryan Howard

Yankees over Red Sox in 6
ALCS MVP: Bobby Abreu

*World Series**
Yankees over Phillies in 5
World Series MVP: A-ROD after he hits 5 HRs in the series.

by KYCards on Oct 2, 2007 10:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

picks

dbacks in 4
rox in 4
indians in 5
sox in 5

dbacks in 6
indians in 7

indians in 6

by stlcardinalsfang on Oct 2, 2007 10:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Based on the poll

I'd say it's safe to assume that most of VEB is pulling for the winner of the Phils/Rox NLDS series...

Re-acquire Edgar Renteria

by Mr Redbird on Oct 2, 2007 10:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I've gotta say

I don't think the Sox will make the Series, let alone win it.

Oh, and I am a fan of us endorsing the Rockies for the time being.

On with the youth movement!

by aet15 on Oct 2, 2007 11:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm in

1st round:
Phils in 5 vs. Rox (best div series ends with game 5 in bottom half of extras)

Cubs in 4 vs. Snakes (Fan the hype, prep for the fall)

Sox in 4 vs. Los Anaheim of Purgatory Mouseketeers (just because)

Tribe in 4 vs. Derek and the A-Rod'os (the desired outcome must be imagined before it can happen)

So for the championship series:

Phils in 5 vs. Little Bears & Goats (because ignominious defeat comes yet again to the house of bubble gum)

Blood Sox in 7 vs. A-Rod and the Opt Outs (media interests thwarted earlier hopes of another early exit of the Yorkers, because their demise at Fenway will rate better)

Which sets up an improbable finale, and the winner is:

Youz Guys in 6 vs. the South Siders (so all the talk'n heads can be wrong again, and why not)

I didn't give any scores, but I'll bet I'm alone on this set of predictions. Go NL, and if A-Rod gets shut down I'm more than okay with that, and if the north-siders make an early showing to disprove the comedy central wrap it's okay, but enough is enough.

Play Roy Hobbs Everyday!

by Birds on the Bat on Oct 3, 2007 12:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

better late than never

or something like that

snakes on a plane in 3

philly cheese stake's in 5

yankee doodle dandy's in 5

boston cream pie's in 3

and then,,,,

snakes on a plane eat the cheese stake's in 6

yankee doodle dandy's have some boston cream pie for desert in 7

and then,,,,,

yankee doodle dandy's stomp all over the snakes on a plane in 6 and get their revenge for 01

and then,,,

NO AND THEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson And That's A Winner!

by gdm426 on Oct 3, 2007 5:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

my picks

Cubs vs. D'Backs.

I look at this basically the same way lboros does, that Webb and the pen can account for a win or two for Arizona, but otherwise this series is all about the Cubs. They've got the deeper rotation, much better offense, and more veteran players. I'll take Cubs in 4.

Rockies v. Phillies

The Phillies have, arguably, the three best offensive players on the NL side of the bracket. They've also got Cole Hamels. I know Colorado's been hot, but I think they'll fizzle out against the Phillies and their triumvirate of Rollins-Utley-Howard. I'll take the Phillies to sweep this series.

Yanks v. Indians

I just have a feeling that the Yankees will return to glory this year. The Indians seem like the team that could dominate with pitching and win it all, but I'll play the fool and pick the Yankees anyway. Yanks in 4.

Angels v. Red Sox

This one is the one I'm most unsure about. The Red Sox seem like the better team in almost every way, but this is the one time I am going to take the rotation over the hitting. Angels in 5.

NLCS: Phillies over Cubs in 6.
ALCS: Yankees over Angels in 7.

World Series: Yankees over Phillies in a very anticlimactic sweep.

by mtalken on Oct 3, 2007 8:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Cards made Stark's list

in too many bad ways.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3041066

by sdrone on Oct 3, 2007 10:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i was going to say something about this

you know it was a bad year when three pitchers on his "cy-yuk" list started multiple games for the cardinals.

by stlcardinalsfang on Oct 3, 2007 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think

that this has been linked about 3 times now but no harm in doing it again. Also I think the Aaron Miles story at the end sums it up quite nicely.

by StLHugo on Oct 3, 2007 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My predictions:

Angels over Red Sox in 4
Indians over Yanks in 4
Phils over Rocks in 5
Snakes over Cubs in 4

Halos over Injuns in 7
Phils over Snakes in 6

La Angels of Orange County Anaheim Southern California North America (or whatever their name is)over the Phils in 6

Happy 100th birthday Gene Autry!

by Ignatius J Reilly on Oct 3, 2007 11:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

playoff predictions

d'backs-cubs
------------
d'backs in 4

phils-rockies
------------
rockies in 5
***i would do pretty much anything to see tulowitzki in a cards uniform...

native americans-yankees
-----------------------
indians in 5

angels-red sox
--------------
red sox in 4

rockies-d'backs
--------------
rockies in 7

native americans-red sox
-----------------------
indians in 6

tribe-rockies
-------------
rockies in 7

yeah, i'm serious...

larussa for mayor, pujols for president...

by redbirds6 on Oct 3, 2007 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My Predictions

NLDS
DBacks over Cubbies in 5
Phillies over Rockies in 4

ALDS
Tribes over Yanks in 4
Sox over Angels in 3

NLCS
Phillies over Dbacks in 6

ALCS
Tribes over Sox in 6

WS
Tribes over Phillies in 6

by richardcjy on Oct 3, 2007 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Last Minute Predictions

With 20-something minutes until NLDS first pitch:

NLDS
DBacks over Cubs in 4
Rockies over Phillies in 4

ALDS
Sox over Angels in 5
Indians over Yankees in 3 (thankfully)

NLCS
DBacks over Rockies in 6
Indians over Sox in 7

WS
Indians over DBacks in 4

Trayton

Rooting on the Cardinals one off-season transaction at a time!

by ColinMacLeod on Oct 3, 2007 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

procrastinator weighing in

NLDS:
D'backs over Cubs in 4
Rockies over Phillies in 5

ALDS:
Sox over Angels in 3
Indians over Yanks in 5

NLCS:
Rockies over D'backs in 6
Indians over Sox in 5

WS:
Rockies over Indians in 5

by acham8206 on Oct 3, 2007 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just under the wire

with my predictions:

What I'd like to see.......

DBacks over Cubs in 3
Rox over Phils in 5
Tribe over Yanks in 3
Halos over RSox in3

Rox over DBacks in 7
Tribe over Halos in 7

Rox over Tribe in 7

What I think will happen........

Cubs over DBacks in 4
Phils over Rox in 5
Yanks over Tribe in 4
RSox over Halos in 4

Cubs over Phils in 6
RSox over Yanks in 6

RSox over Cubs in 6

by LuBrock20 on Oct 3, 2007 3:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A little late...

(Rockies lead the Phils in Game 1)

Dbacks over Cubs in 4
Phils over Rox in 4
Tribe over Yanks in 5
Angels over Sox in 4

Phils over Dbacks in 6
Angels over Tribe in 5

Angels over Phils in 4

Ease LaDunketty out gently, thank him profusely, and... Hire Antonetti!!!

by guayzimi on Oct 3, 2007 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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