12:42 AM Eastern
Wow.
I’ve mentioned before that every single time the Tampa Bay Rays have been counted out this year, they have risen to the challenge and made their doubters eat it. They lost seven in a row leading up to the all-star break, falling from five games up in the A.L. East to half a game behind the Red Sox, but they were back in top spot after winning their first game post-break and never relinquished their position again. When Evan Longoria broke his wrist the first week of August, many sounded the death knell, and when Carl Crawford got hurt two days later, we were sure. Nice run, but wait until next year.
Well……not so much. Without both Crawford and Longoria, the Rays went 16-11 and held onto first place, losing just two games off their lead. Included in those 27 games were 18 against teams with winning records, and12 of those were on the road.
When the playoffs began, it was supposed to be a whole different animal, but the Rays handled the White Sox very easily.
When the ALCS began, well, it was the Boston Red Sox, and the Sox sent a huge message in the opening game of the series. Daisuke Matsuzaka took a no-hitter into the 7th and Boston won the game 2-0. But the Rays came back by beating the hell out of the Sox the next three games by a combined score of 31-13.
When the Rays blew a 7-0 lead with two out in the 7th inning of Game 5, losing the chance to put the Red Sox away for good, we heard it again. There was no way that Boston was going to lose this series, especially after the Red Sox won Game 6.
Not so much.
I found it hilarious that I was one of the only ones on today’s pre-pre-game show who wasn’t saying that the Red Sox had it locked up, especially given that I’ve been one of the most vocal of the Rays doubters all season long. Did I think the Red Sox would win? I definitely did. Did I think they were destined to? Heck, no. Momentum only means as much as Matt Garza going out there and throwing seven innings of two-hitter.
It’s amazing that the Red Sox managed to win nine straight ALCS games when facing elimination, and it seemed as though they were set up nicely to go for a tenth in a row, but they didn’t take advantage of their few opportunities tonight and the Rays’ pitching did a fantastic job.
And David Price? You’ve got to be kidding me. He hasn’t exactly been Tampa’s Francisco Rodriguez thus far in the playoffs, having made just two appearances totalling a single inning prior to tonight (though he did get the win in Game 2), but with just 15 big-league innings under his belt, he was asked to get the last four outs of Game 7 and he was unbelieveable.
I was wondering what Joe Maddon was doing in the top of the 8th when, leading 3-1, he went to Dan Wheeler with a runner on first and nobody out. Was he going to ask his closer to throw two innings, even after Thursday night’s meltdown? Was he going to let him pitch to David Ortiz? Nope. Maddon went to J.P. Howell for Ortiz, and Howell got him on a ground ball. He then went to Chad Bradford with two on and two out to face Kevin Youkilis, which I thought was a great move for two reasons: 1 – Bradford kills righties (.255/.289/.295) and B – Bradford just plain doesn’t give up home runs, and a home run was the only thing that could give the Sox the lead at that point. But when Bradford walked Youkilis to load the bases, it was Grant Balfour time, right? At the very least, Trever Miller, because the lefty J.D. Drew was coming to the plate.
Nope. Maddon went against pretty much everything he’s ever done, channeling the memories of K-Rod from back when Maddon was the Angels’ bench coach in 2002, and went to the kid. Price immediately got ahead of Drew 0-2 with a pair of filthy sliders, and wound up striking him out on a half-swing to end the inning. Great job, go take a shower and let’s get Balfour in there to finish things up, no? Well, no.
Price came back out to the mound to start the 9th, and stuck around after a lead-off walk to Jason Bay to strike out Mark Kotsay looking and Jason Varitek swinging, and then get pinch-hitter Jed Lowrie to ground to second to end the game and the American League season.
It was a performance for which there aren’t enough superlatives. Rookies with less than five weeks of big-league time tend not to even be asked to join a club in the playoffs, let alone play at all, let alone perform in a huge situation. Price won a lot of fans tonight, and deservedly so.
So did Joe Maddon. He didn’t panic, didn’t overmanage (despite how that top of the 8th looked), and wasn’t afraid to go against convention to do what he felt was best. Many, many managers and coaches would be so terrified of the reaction from the fans/press/whatever that they would NEVER stray so far from the script, but Maddon rightly figured that he had nothing to lose. If it didn’t work out, well, the Red Sox were “destined” to win the series anyway. It did, and now he’s the man who will guide the World Series favourites starting on Wednesday night.
Congratulations to the Rays, they have earned every bit of it. Whether or not they caught lightning in a bottle with their bullpen this year and guys like Cliff Floyd, Eric Hinske and Willy Aybar (come on – a double and a homer in Game 7 of the ALCS? Really?) among others, they’re deserving American League champions and should be the people’s choice to roll over the probably-too-well-rested Phillies in the World Series.
I’m really looking forward to the Fall Classic – these are two teams that can pitch and can hit the ball out of the ballpark. Aybar’s homer tonight was the Rays’ 16th of the ALCS alone, which is a record. B.J. Upton needs to hit one World Series homer to tie Barry Bonds and Carlos Beltran for the all-time record for home runs in a single post-season, with eight. Longoria needs two. Perhaps more impressively, Upton needs just two World Series home runs to have his playoff total equal his REGULAR SEASON total, accomplished in 145 games.
We’ll be on the air at 7:05 PM Eastern on Wednesday night with the Blue Jay A Day Pre-Pre-Game Show on the Fan590 and this very website, and I’m hoping that for the first two games of the World Series, we’ll have Roy Halladay and Vernon Wells for you. However, while I’m hopeful, I’m not confident that either one of them will agree to do it, so I have Adam Lind ready to step in for Game 1 should the need arise (he’s already said he’d do it).
Here’s tonight’s pre-pre-game, complete with Jets-Raiders updates, for your listening pleasure:
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Rational, reasonable comments are always welcome!
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Hey Mike. I will admit that I was like most people when I lied when I thought(I lie in my thoughts also) that it was a foregone conclusion that Boston would win game 7. So much so that I decided it wasn’t worth watching the game because I was tired and just decided that I would watch the world series instead. However I also still thought Boston would win when they were down 7-0 and I ended up getting that right on, also I read the blog and listened to the pre-pre game show so there is no shame to be had on me.
MW: Gotcha
- Matt from BCBlue Jay World is much brighter. Having learned, from respected sources, both Paul Godfrey and J.P. Riccardi report to Paul Beeston before doing anything. The Rays needed help in the Bullpen; they fixed that. Toronto has more assets than the need. The Rays needed help in the Starting Corp; they fixed that. Toronto is YET to do that, but still has more assets. The Rays had good hitting, assets in the outfield to trade. Toronto has poor hitting, assets in pitching to trade. The Rays filled defensive holes; Toronto must fill offensive holes. Why is J.P. so terrified to make a big trade. Good drafting is slowly rebuilding the minors. Right now, our assets are pitchers. Three BIG MOVES are all that’s needed to take Toronto to the post-season.
MW: Thing is, the Rays fixed their bullpen by getting retreads like Grant Balfour and J.P. Howell to have the seasons of their lives. They fixed the starting corps by dealing Delmon Young, which was a big, gutsy move, and they fixed the defense by having Evan Longoria ready to play. I don’t think that Ricciardi is afraid of making a big trade, and I think his history shows that.
- Richard SpackmanMike, re your comment about Upton’s approach to equalling his regular season HR total in the post-season:
Given that Bartlett has ALREADY reached that milestone, does that make Bartlett a better hitter than Upton?
(Just kidding, of course).
MW: I found that hilarious, but when a guy only hits one home run in a season, he doesn’t have that far to go. Scott Podsednik has Bartlett beat, though – he didn’t hit a single homer in 2005, then took Brad Lidge deep in the bottom of the 9th of Game 2 of the World Series.
- NormTwice last night, I saw the world series champs, while down 2 runs, with 1 runner on base, attempt a bunt. Also, down 2 runs, with a runner on first and third, Ortiz being the runner on first, Francona doesn’t put a runner in. The tv broadcasters claim, if you run for Ortiz and they tie the game, you lose his bat for extra innings. Rediculous logic. Don’t you play to tie the game to get it to extra innings and then worry about who to bring in for Ortiz? When watching a game in Tampa, one of the first things I notice is that you can’t hear their famous heckler. You are so used to seing about 6,000 fans at a game that this guys voice sticks out like a sore thumb, but when the stadium is full you can’t hear him. What do you think the chances are of Hinske being put on the world series roster? They may need a bat off the bench in the national league park. Me thinks David Price won’t be taken off to make room for him though. The word unbelievable gets used in sports way too often, but what the Rays have accomplished is close. The most wins before this in franchise history was 70, and now this? It is pretty close to unbelievable. It’s also a great story and it would be cool to watch it continue a while longer. Go Rays!
MW: Ortiz was never on first with a runner on third in the game. In the 8th, he was on second with two out and a runner on first, so he should be able to score on a single, and he wasn’t even the tying run. Hinske didn’t make it onto the roster, though I thought he had a shot given the Phillies’ homer-friendly park and Joe Maddon’s lack of confidence in Gabe Gross defensively.
- Dan from ElmvaleWhat a game, Mike!
I’m not going to lie though, I am SCARED of that Rays staff next year…
Kazmir, Shields, Garza, Price with Sonnanstein being the “weak link”, even though he had more wins than any of the others this year, which may mean he has the luck of a Gus Chacin or something.
In any case, good for the Rays, I am so happy the Sox are NOT going to win this year, let’s now hope Matty Stairs can bring a championship back north of the border and more specifically to the East Coast!
- LukeThe only thing that makes losing money OK is the thought of sad Redsox fans & Papplebon/Youkilus crying.
- slobberfacemike,
i’ve got 4 things i want to get out there today..
1. garza. correct me if i’m wrong but is he not their 3 or 4th starter in the rotation?
don’t get me wrong, not in my books he isn’t. those 4 starts vs. the jays this yr. basically 30 ip and what was was it, 1 earned run maybe 2?
beats haaladay hd. to hd. twice incl. a nine inning 90 pitch 1-0 shutout that i was at here. i remember later on in the yr. he finally lost a game to the jays but still went 8-9 innings and only gave up 1-2 runs i think. put his record to 11-9 (or 12-10) i believe at the time and i’m thinkin’ how is this guy on a team with the 2nd best record in the al with only a 11-9 record with the stuff he showed vs. the jays. i mean i realize he had their # but still, that kind of electric stuff and on a team beating up everybody and only that to show. i found it to be quite unbelievable.
then you watch him pitch those 2 starts hd. up vs. lester in this series & wins both (and a game 7 with complete dominance to boot) i don’t get it mike… how he’s regarded as their 3-4th best starter is beyond me.
god that kid can locate his fastball with such precision. something to see no doubt. i think he’s their best.. i have all yr.
2. and how’s that team going to possibly look with this price kid from last night perhaps plugged into their starting rotation next yr.. don’t think the plans are for a 1st pick overall to be put in the pen, closer or not…
that’s certainly a scary team going forward… side note, clearly it must be nice to be drafting sidney crosby types for 10 yrs straight. (look at pitt. just 1 or 2 of them with malkin incl. & look where they are.. how about 7-8 more) god think about it and the rays got rid of josh hamilton and the young kid in minny from the garza trade as well. to quote will ferrell “it’s absolutely mind bottling….”
3. the tampa fans. i’m sorry but the hypocriticalness (word?) of it all.. 40 k or so (full house for sure) with their ray’s jerseys on and hats and holding up their signs pledging allegiance to their favourite team. holding their hands in front of them in a preying position hoping that their boys can just hang on for them, looking like the red sox nation out there, after having 150 games with attendance in the 10k range. funny to see at the very least. now march onto the world series they go, what incredible loyalty.
4. never ever saw or new, who the ownership and management group was for the rays.
all there accepting the alcs trophy last night on stage last night.
the main principal owner, the pres. and the vp. of bb operations. 3 young jewish guys obviously, clearly successful, movie star type looks it seemed, what a vibrant young group they have in place there. never knew. that’s cool to see.
curious what the main guy’s financial background is mike. he looked to be the oldest of the 3 but couldn’t have been more than early 40′s if i had to guess.
sorry i went on today but would love to hear your feedback on my 4 points if you’re able..
darrell.
MW: I’m wondering what the fact that Sternberg, Silverman and Friedman (assuming Silverman is) are Jewish has to do with anything.
- darrell bishopWOW – what a spectacular game / series. Definitely a treat to watch. I think you made a great point too – Maddon didn’t over-manage the 7-9th, but rather used resources in a timely fashion. BUT – it left me thinking about Game 5 – do you think he undermanaged (or at least under-reacted) in the latter stages of Game 5 (wrt pitching and Balfour/Wheeler?), or was it just a spot of bad luck? Was Maddon’s GM7 managing in any way a reaction to the nightmarish end of GM5?
MW: I don’t think Maddon messed up Game 5, nor do I think it was bad luck. I think the Red Sox beat his bullpen that night. The only thing in Game 7 that might have been a reaction to Game 5 was not using Balfour.
- DCBWhich of these free agents do you think the Yankees are least likely to sign in the off season?
Manny Ramirez
CC Sabathia
Mark Teixeira
(I know it’s well within reason they could sign all three.)
MW: I’d say Manny is the least likely of the three, then Sabathia, then Tex.
- JasonHey Mike,
Perhaps your doubts are the Rays good luck charm? Could you please start doubting the 2009 Jays right now? Please?
In all seriousness, while I was half-cheering for the Rays up until this point (if the Angels had knocked off the Red Sox, I would have stopped cheering for them them) now there’s no way I want see them win. They remind me a bit of the 1985 Jays team and a loss to Boston would have been on-script with them. Worst to World Series doesn’t have that same something… a team needs a few struggles to build a fan base (see the other Florida team) and if the Rays win now, I don’t think it’ll help the franchise much in the long run. Although, as a Jays fan, I ought to be hoping they sink right back into oblivion, right? I’m so conflicted.
Also, if you get Halladay on could you ask him if he consciously move away from his “pitch to contact” philosophy? If not, then I wonder if he can explain his increased K rate? I’ve never seen/heard him answer that question and on his stat line, that really jumps out. I’d love to get in and talk to him myself, but I never have the luck to get on JaysTalk even when the lines are supposed to be open.
Thanks.
MW: Halladay’s not going to be on the BJADPPGS this year, he’s not accessible this week, unfortunately. As for the worst to World Series thing, usually it’s true that teams do take their knocks every once in a while before the ultimate success, but the Marlins didn’t, nor did the Diamondbacks, really, so it happens sometimes. The Marlins certainly haven’t built a fan base, though, not sure why you used them as an example there.
- Christopher TaylorHi Mike, I just seen that the Jay’s have a RHP in the AFL named Mike Macdonald, I remeber playing against a Mike Macdonald who pitched for Burlington that was wicked good would you know if it is the same guy? or would you know if this Mike Macdonald is from Burlington?
MW: This Mike MacDonald, who is turning 27 next week, is from Maine.
- Dan MIt’s scary to think that Tampa has a boatload of prospects waiting behind some of these guys.
For the Blue Jays, I would take many years of rebuilding (losing) for one big run at the prize like the Rays this year. Oakland is doing the same.
MW: I don’t think you would, once that losing was going on.
- Jim BI have finally decided to catch up on your blog, and all I can do is laugh..you make it seem like you were so right about the Rays (I have suggested it before, I was not counting them out in game 7..) yes Mike, you are so smart and so noble, you had the Rays pegged for dead weeks into the season, even if caller after caller had suggested “this team has some talent” must be hard to swallow that these “idiot” callers are you so often referred to them as have a better eye for baseball than you..
I think you hit the nail on the head, people aren’t putting this Rays thing in your face because they are mean, or miserable, it is because you SO STRONGLY scoffed at the idea of the Rays being even “decent” let alone amazing, and made callers feel stupid for suggesting anything positive about them, you were so certain (stop with the crystal ball guilt trip – you were CERTAIN they were garbage, you were not simply geussing with a fortune teller)
I have said many times you have set this up for yourself by the way you handled this, you know as sure as you are sitting there and my goodness you must feel dumb..my friends and I laugh about it every day
Who is going to suck next year? I will put 1 million on that team to win the WS
MW: See, this is what I have to put up with. Never ONCE did I say the Rays were “garbage” or that they “suck”, or weren’t even “decent”. What I said was that I didn’t think they were good enough to win yet, and that I thought that they’d fade out of the race well before decision time.
- Laughing So HardHey Mike,
I really enjoyed the baseball coverage by TBS. Really great to hear Buck Martinez’ analysis. He’s one of the best in the business. Who are some of your favourite TV broadcasters/analysists?
MW: I don’t really get to hear any of the TV broadcasters’ work, unfortunately.
- MarkCongrats to the Rays. I wish them well in the series.
I would like to offer the frustrated Jays fans a little bit of hope.
Since the last time that the Jays have made the playoffs, there have been only 4 teams that have not made the postseason.
Drum Roll Please …..
They are our beloved Blue Jays, the Royals, the Pirates and the Nationals.
On the surface you could make this comparison. The Jays are due to make the playoffs simply based on the law of averages.
Also, the Jays major league team and their minor league prospects are better than the Royals, Pirates and Nats.
If the team can avoid the injury bug that has followed this team the last few years, I believe that they are poised to find their way back to the postseason.
I have enjoyed reading the blog this year. I think that you do a wonderful job on the Jays Talk too.
Go Jays Go!!!
from the 96 Jaysfan
MW: Thanks. I don’t think saying that the Jays are better off than the Royals, Pirates and Nationals gives Jays fans much solace, though.
- Keith BanksMike,
I was glad to see the Rays win. As much as I love to hate the Sox and would rather see the Jays pull them off their throne, it was just good to see. I disagree with one caller. I think this is going to be a great world series. Like the Rays, people kept saying the Phils were not for real. I heard that Bengie Molina is on the trade block, any chance of a return to Toronto? Thanks Mike
MW: I hope not.
- JustinHey Mike
Great ballgame last night, i’m very happy for the Rays and their fans after years of dwelling in the basement. Garza was amazing and Price shuts the door. So much for bringing the kids along slowly, no doubt Price starts out in the Rays rotation next year. Price may turn out to be the diffence in the World Series as well, as he will be counted on to come out of the pen to retire Utley and Howard. Should be a great series.
I see some similarities between the Rays and the Jays. Last year, Tampa had holes at short and in the rotation, so Friedman makes a bold move, and trades one of their top prospects to bring in Garza and Barlett. A year later, Price shuts down the Sox and the Rays are off to the series. Any chance JP will make a similar deal to plug the holes and maybe we can see Ricky Romero closing out the 2009 ALCS?
MW: I don’t think we’ll see Ricky Romero pulling a David Price, but I don’t see why J.P. wouldn’t make that kind of deal if it became available.
- rickMike…Even if Boston had comeback to take the ALCS, would you still believe that 2004′s comeback would’ve been more dramatic?…being down 3-0 in games against N.Y. coming off a 19-8 drubbing in Game 3 and trailing in the 9th inn. of Game 4 with Mariano Rivera on the mound?…That’s just spooky and when Joe Buck said in extra innings when describing the winning run ” We’ll see you later on tonite”(It was past midnight) I think it was a tribute to his dad and his famous call of Kirby Puckett’s 12 inn. homer off Atlanta’s Charlie Liebrandt in the ’91 WS. Do you concur, Mike?
P.S. I think Dave Winfield also contributed to Mr. Liebrandt’s World Series woes the next year, to the pleasure of all Blue Jays’fans.
MW: There’s no question that the 2004 comeback would have been more dramatic. Far more dramatic.
- chris m.The David Price experience is exactly what’s so endearing about these Rays – it’s so compelling to watch these untested youngsters rise to the occasion over and over again. Who needs ‘veteran leadership’? Who needs ‘playoff experience’? And then there’s the biggest cliche-buster of them all, Joe Maddon. The guys in the booth were panting for the sacrifice bunt before Buck remembered that Maddon called for the bunt only 23 times all season. He left Price in the game when everyone thought Balfour was on his way. He put Kazmir ahead of Shields in the rotation. I love a guy who’s willing to make gut decisions no matter what the ‘book’ says.
Imagination, confidence, and enthusiasm. How can anyone not root for these guys?
MW: Maddon is a very, very easy guy for whom to root.
- GrrbearCan you try to get Travis Snider or David Purcey on the BJADPPGS (Is that how you spell it?) I want to see how the “younger” guys of this ball club feel for the next season.
Thanks Mike
MW: Depends on how long the World Series goes.
- TheSunkenZealotin the past 10 years we’ve seen a dot com bubble, a real estate bubble, and a commodities bubble. at what point do we get a salary bubble in pro sports?
MW: When TV networks or baseball teams start going under.
- roccobHi Mike,
Given that the last playoff glory for both the Blue Jays and Phillies was the 1993 Series and both teams suffered lean years afterwards, I’d be interested to see one of the Toronto baseball writers do a story on the two paths the teams took after that and how it resulted in the Phillies getting back to the World Series sooner than us.
That’s a very long, but grammatically correct sentence. I think.
Go Tampa.
MW: Not bad. It’s not a bad idea, but being in the N.L. East rather than the A.L. East has had a lot to do with it.
- Oz RobMike you were as wrong about the Rays as you are about the Jays having good hitters that have just had a bad year. Nothing to worry about. The truth of the matter is the Jays hitters stink and they will continue to stink. There’s no nice way to put it. Please, admit your error and finally acknowlege this.
MW: Your act is tired, Vito. Almost all negative, all the time, and not a word from you when things are going well.
- Vito From HamiltonI too was blown away by the move to Price. I knew he was there but thought for sure that he wouldn’t be seeing game action unless it went to a twelfth inning or something, and they absolutely needed an arm.
There’s been a lot of talk about what the Rays might do with him. Do you think they’ll throw him right in the rotation next year, or maybe just leave him in the pen and try to turn him into another F. Rodriguez (and also keep the innings off his arm)? If Tampa has one potential weakness heading into next year, it might be the closer spot, what with Percival being ancient, Balfour coming out of nowhere and relatively unproven, and Dan Wheeler being Dan Wheeler.
MW: I think there’s a better chance of Edwin Jackson being the closer next year than Price. I think he moves into the rotation.
- Flaming MoeRegardless of how the Rays fare in the World Series, will they consider going after a front-line closer for next year? If so, is BJ Ryan someone they might take a gamble on? Unless JP refuses to trade within the division.
MW: I don’t know that they’re ready to up the payroll that much.
- Joe N.What a ballgame! I think the Jays could’ve been that team making the world series with their pitching. That game could go down for the ages and despite everyone doubting it, Tampa did it. They went against all odds and they won. Good for them. At least all the losses from the Jays to Tampa brought some good out of it. We got to see the mbeat Boston!!!! THanks for another amazing year Mike.
MW: Thanks. But I don’t think that game goes down in history or anything beyond the result.
- WarrenBrett Cecil and, like, Brian Wolfe to Texas for Chris Davis?
This trade plus signing Manny would give us a potentially very good offense, I would think. Not that this scenario would ever happen.
MW: I’d rather have Cecil than Davis.
- PeteMike,
I’ve heard rumours about Peavey and the jay, but i believe it isnt going to happen. Price will be too steep and he is likely unwilling to move to the AL and north. But what about Bedard? Where is his value at now? He didnt pitch that bad in Sea, they just played like crap.
MW: He didn’t pitch that badly in Seattle, it’s true, but he didn’t pitch that well or that often, and his shoulder is a big issue right now. His value is very low.
- JWI know you don’t like to make predictions and given the odd bit of backlash who can blame you but….
Is Tampa a long term powerhouse or a one hit wonder as far as seasons go? I know you’ve wondered about this yourself given the implications to the Jays’ hopes going forward.
Not asking for a ‘prediction’…just an opinion.
What do you think and why?
MW: I don’t think the Rays are either one. I think that they’ll be a good team for a while, but not a powerhouse.
- marcMike…If I said I saw Jamie Moyer pitch for Texas in 1990 at Skydome, would you be a pal and not call me old?…..thanks in advance!
- chris m.It’s like Christmas Eve today, climatically and baseballically!
It’s nice to see that Maddon managed Game 7, like, ah, Game 7. Context is everything.
Using 5 pitchers in the 8th inning of a nominal regular season game might be overkill (ref. Larussa/Tosca), but in Game 7, going with the hurler he thought gave T-Bay the best chance at holding the slim lead instead of sticking with pigeon-holed “setup men” or solitary “situational lefties” was simply the most logical course of action.
In fact it occurred to me now that their bullpen indirectly prepared for that moment during the whole season with Percival out for 2 DL stints: Wheeler and Balfour have been de facto closers and setup men while Howell, Miller, Bradford and others have been brought in in various innings all season long.
Against all geomancy, he brings in Price(!) in the eighth, the No. 1 college pick just last year. Simply put, his dominant performance did not remind me of tragic former No. 1 pick Brien Taylor.
- Adrian, co-alumnusHey Mike…
Just looked at some of your predictions for the 2008 season..Congrats on the AL rookie of the year award..Longoria should have that one in the bag..Jair Jurrjens may have a chance but Fukudome and Soto may have the edge..Gotta like some of the names for the NL rookie of the year award..Are we allowed to say Fukudome on the blog?..Try saying Jair Jurrjens 5 times fast..
Looks like the dreaded Gibbons for Manager of the Year award was well ..a little off..But all in all I thought your predictions made sense but this season didn’t make sense..Hands up if you predicted a Phillies-Rays match up?..
I like the Rays in this one..The Phillies have pitched pretty good in the postseason but I think sooner or later their pitching will falter..The Rays can put out 3 very good starters and the Phillies realistically have one..How about you?..Dare to predict?
MW: I predicted Longoria? Hmmm, that surprises me. I don’t think you can not like the Rays in this one – they came out of the toughest division in the tougher league and didn’t have the week-long layoff. However, I’ve been picking against the Rays all year…….
- gumpWhat I have taken out of this series is simple. In the American league, the East is the Beast.
The Angels won 100 games, best in baseball. They were the only team of the 4 American league playoff teams to have a winning record on the road and had the best record against the East. Result…easily defeated by the Boston Redsox.
The thought among most so called experts was when it comes to the playoffs, the Redsox are simply the class of the American league and the team to beat.
The Rays easily beat the Central division champs… The Chicago Whitesox. Setting up an all East ALCS. At this point…the best series by far. This was a series had just about everything. Blow outs, close games, homeruns, great pitching, great defence, some big errors, clutch hits, a Redsox 3-1 series comeback including possibly the greatest comeback in postseason history in game 5. I think the Rays pitching (starters and relief) won this series. Joe Maddon at times had me second guessing him with his use of the bullpen…namely game 7 of coarse, however Maddon doesn’t to me seem like the guy who relies on the percentages…more just a feeling on who’s looking good.
The Rays bullpen doesn’t have a true closer, or set up man…its truly a bullpen by committee at this point.
Hey Mike is the AL East just that much better?, and is Maddon a genius or just lucky…maybe both ?
MW: The A.L. East IS that much better, but I don’t think that these short series wins have really proved that. As for Maddon, he’s definitely a smart baseball guy, but a genius? Don’t forget that his career record as a manager before this season was 127-197.
- Micke from LondonMike,
Can’t wait to hear the Vernon Wells interview tonight. I see that Mark Prior is probably going to be ready for the 2009 season. Any chance the Jays give him a shot at becoming the comeback player of the year? I also saw that Mark Mulder was rehabbing, but I think Prior would be a better low-risk high-reward player at this point. What are your thoughts. Thanks
MW: I have always been a huge Prior fan. I think he’s a great guy at whom to take a low-risk high-reward shot.
- JustinMike…..Just thinking about the possible Jay starting rotation for next season and when I came to Jesse Litsch, a name from the past came to mind out of the blue…Bill Risley.. I haven’t thought of that name in years, but I guess they are both kind of stocky “physique-wise” and his name just appeared to me, although I know they were very different in styles and arms. Risley, I recall, was a hard thrower, but his fastball was quite straight. Loved his arm in Seattle and when we got him, was excited. After one fair season for Toronto, he just levelled out and was ineffective. Mike…what became of Risley if you recall?..Thanks
MW: He kept getting hurt, never was as good as he could have been – not with the Jays, anyway.
- chris m.hmmm. ya good point mike.
just an interesting dynamic is all i really meant to be honest.
presuming they are in fact jewish and all in their 30′s & 40′s. just not real prevalent from what i’ve observed in any sport, particularly the age of the group.
shoulda just said 3 young guys. but that’d be discrimanatory based on their apparent ages as well..
really sorry for that sounding peculiar to you.
still would love to hear any feedback you might share on some of the other points i was asking you about if you wouldn’t mind.
MW: I was going to go back and check it out, but not after the accusation on the next post.
- darrell bishopMike….I’m a few days late in thanking you for your complimentary words regarding my story of my meeting with Dave Collins back in ’83..I appreciate that. Thanks Mike.
- chris m.