*OFFICIAL* MLB 2013 thread

[manly]

My dream scenario is TB making the real playoffs, beating the redsox and then having to come to oakland to play the A's.

That's assuming our A's can get past Scherzer, Sanchez and the Tigers #3 JV lol. Oh btw they can score some runs as well.

Based on the playoff record of Moneyballing, I always have modest expectations for the postseason. :/

 

[jalaram]

I guess I'm one of the few to be happy with the Rays winning.

ESPN pointed out that Texas wasn't at full strength and the pitching staff worn from the weekend. Still, one has to be impressed with the old-school 118 pitch CG by Price who IIRC had a double digit ERA at that stadium.

 

[BudAshes]

That's assuming our A's can get past Scherzer, Sanchez and the Tigers #3 JV lol. Oh btw they can score some runs as well.

Based on the playoff record of Moneyballing, I always have modest expectations for the postseason. :/

The A's managed to score 19 runs in 34 innings against those guys this year. Just have to hope we can continue the dominance.

 

[ScoobMaster]

PIRATES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yea Baby!

 

[Jeffg010]

This how Pirates fans do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgyQRsLFSag

 

[iRONic]

Fuckin' Tampa Bay...

Worst match up for Boston.

 

[Jeffg010]

I'm starting to feel that the Pirates have a chance at winning the whole thing. Watching them destroy the reds both pitching and hitting was on point. The Pirates have become a HR hitting team and at any moment change the game. The pitching is outstanding. Liriano was making the reds look silly with how they were chasing everything that was out of the strike zone. They started to back off in the 4th but Liriano was hitting his fastball in the strike zone. He had them fooled all game.

If Liriano, Burnett and Cole are on top of their pitches I see no team getting anything going off of them. After that it gets dicey but with 3 guys who pitch like they are aces it will be tough on any one.

 

[jalaram]

Fuckin' Tampa Bay...

Worst match up for Boston.

I wouldn't go that far. Detroit and Oakland both have pretty scary lineups. Plus, you guys are ahead 12-7 this year against us. However, I understand what you're saying in that TB and Bahston have met up way too often since 2008.

 

[iRONic]

I wouldn't go that far. Detroit and Oakland both have pretty scary lineups. Plus, you guys are ahead 12-7 this year against us. However, I understand what you're saying in that TB and Bahston have met up way too often since 2008.

I should have said "Worst ALDS match up for Boston."

Elite LHP has been kryptonite to these Red Sox . Rays have that.

 

[acheron]

Ugh, that game. Better luck to the Indians next year. AL Central is shaping up pretty well between Detroit and Cleveland, and even Kansas City isn't too far away.



Worst possible WS matchup would be Rays-Cardinals.

Also Rays-Braves would suck.

Even Rays-Dodgers wouldn't be very good.

(Fuck Tampa Bay, is what I'm getting at.)

 

[iRONic]

Oh man... Now there's the AJ Burnett that I remember.

 

[raystorm]

Dusty Baker was canned by the Reds today. Yesterday's games were blowouts so hopefully today's games will be more entertaining.

Hopefully the Pirates can make some noise today.

 

[acheron]

Pirates looking good so far. *knock on wood*

 

[Anubis]

Go sox

 

[BrokenVisage]

My new favorite gif

 

[manly]

I wouldn't go that far. Detroit and Oakland both have pretty scary lineups. Plus, you guys are ahead 12-7 this year against us. However, I understand what you're saying in that TB and Bahston have met up way too often since 2008.

How's Oakland's line-up scary? They have just one .300 batter in JD, the talented Cespedes was somewhere around .240 for the season and Brandon Moss with some pop in his bat to lead the way in HRs. Way too many sub .260 batters to scare anybody.

The pitching was solid but as soon as an A's starter resembles a top of the rotation guy, he's quickly traded out of town for the next potential reload. As I suggested earlier, the Moneyball A's have done well in the regular season over the years but haven't had much postseason success. Obviously, they can't even afford to lose to JV tonight.

Edit:
4th in total runs and slugging, so I could be underrating the offense. But I still don't think Moneyball has proven to be able to "manufacture runs" when you're facing the best pitchers during the postseason.

 

[BudAshes]

How's Oakland's line-up scary? They have just one .300 batter in JD, the talented Cespedes was somewhere around .240 for the season and Brandon Moss with some pop in his bat to lead the way in HRs. Way too many sub .260 batters to scare anybody.

The pitching was solid but as soon as an A's starter resembles a top of the rotation guy, he's quickly traded out of town for the next potential reload. As I suggested earlier, the Moneyball A's have done well in the regular season over the years but haven't had much postseason success. Obviously, they can't even afford to lose to JV tonight.

Edit:
4th in total runs and slugging, so I could be underrating the offense. But I still don't think Moneyball has proven to be able to "manufacture runs" when you're facing the best pitchers during the postseason.

Baseball is a sport rigged against teams like the the A's. The fact that Tamba Bay and Oakland are even in the playoffs is a testament to their organizations strengths. If the A's ever move to situation where they can increase payroll or were forced to be sold to an owner willing to spend some bucks, they would be one of the best teams every year.

Also batting average is pretty silly stat to be quoting as the reason the A's won't win. Everyone knows this.

 

[BUTCH1]

Amazing game for Big Papi, consider this fact, David price ad given up 2 home runs THIS YEAR to lefties and gave up 2 today to Papi. Now they must win a 3 remaining games to advance, I don't see it happening..

 

[iRONic]

David Price hates nerds.

 

[BUTCH1]

Bad Idea by Bucholz to even pitch to Longoria in that situation, throw ball well out of the zone and see if he'll chase, if not he gets the walk and you avoid what you didn't' want to happen, a 3-run jack..

 

[acheron]

Fuck Tampa Bay

this.

 

[iRONic]

Bad Idea by Bucholz to even pitch to Longoria in that situation, throw ball well out of the zone and see if he'll chase, if not he gets the walk and you avoid what you didn't' want to happen, a 3-run jack..

That's on John Farrell. IW Longoria, pitch to Myers.

Whatever, it's baseball. Boston wins tonight.

 

[SP33Demon]

Exciting night for baseball my friends. 3 games, all elimination! And who's talking that shit about the A's now? Detroit has to win the next two or they go home. This is why baseball is the best sport in the world, compare payrolls between the two.

 

[jalaram]

Obviously, Boston was the better team going into the series, but still proud of the Rays for the great season and winning so many elimination games.

 

[rcpratt]

Tense game last night. The stadium was rather grumpy after four innings of being no-hit. Glad they came through.

JV in 5.