Who will make the playoffs in the National League?

[trader220]

Anyone want to take a stab?

[Porsche_monkey]

Well obviously no one gives a flying f about baseball so answer this:

1. Have you ever seen a worse check than the flying blind-side elbow Downie gave us on Wednesday?

2. What is a reasonable punishment for a charging, elbowing, late hit that you leave your feet for and nearly kill someone?

3. Did this make the Philly news?

4. Guess who will be the starting goalie for the Canadiens this year?

A lot more interesting than baseball, right?

[trader220]

Yes but baseball is my number 2 sport and it would be nice to see a playoff game for the first time since 1993 in baseball.

I saw the check, Downie wont be making the Flyers anyway. I am sure the NHL will come down hard on him because he just looked for the first Sen he saw and cheap shotted him. Do you think the Sens will waste time and effort tryng to go after a Flyer in the regulr season? This was in the philly papers and dismissed pretty quickly on the sports radio shows since no one thiks Downei will make the team. Speculation is tha Forseberg will return here after the new year. He's been seen playing golf with Holmgren over at Pine Valley and other exclusive courses in the area.

Who's going to start for the Habs? I give Pat Roy Jr ?

[Porsche_monkey]

A lot people think that Carrie Price has won the spot. He was the goalie on Canada's national Jr. team two years ago, he played in the AHL last year was MVP for the league. He is labelled as the next great goalie, so Pat Roy Jr is basically correct.

I say Downie gets 40 games, NHL or AHL. He's a head case. He cross-checked his own team-mate in the mouth in Jr hockey. All because the kid was 'dogging it' at practice and resisted the standard hazing. He's got that crazy 'watch-out' look in his eyes.

I have heard that Forsberg feels obligated to go to Philly becuaue he never really performed there. I suspect he will end up back there. But as great as he was, he is no longer young and I will bet he won't be a significant factor in the play-offs. But don't be suprised to see him in a Canuck uniform either, or even crazier Toronto.

Back to baseball now.....unsubscribed.

[pwd72s]

Me too...noting that baseball posts get few responses here...

Go Oregon State Beavers! No, not the football team...baseball. I'd love to see 'em "three pete" The college world series in 2008. I'm not sure if anybody's done that before.

(edit) Just looked it up...USC won the championship in '70, '71, '72, '73, and '74. It'll be damned tough for anyone to beat that....a FIVE pete!

[CJFusco]

Originally Posted by PBH

Well obviously no one gives a flying f about baseball so answer this:

1. Have you ever seen a worse check than the flying blind-side elbow Downie gave us on Wednesday?

2. What is a reasonable punishment for a charging, elbowing, late hit that you leave your feet for and nearly kill someone?

3. Did this make the Philly news?

4. Guess who will be the starting goalie for the Canadiens this year?

A lot more interesting than baseball, right?

Judging by a lot of the threads in the past, a lot of people here give a flying F about baseball. I have no problem with hockey, but come on, you can't say "who gives a flying F about baseball" and then try to hijack the thread with HOCKEY talk! It's barely a televised sport anymore!

To answer the original topic, Cubs, Padres, Diamondbacks, and Phillies. I can't believe how badly the Mets tanked this year. I wanted the Dodgers to make it, but if they can't be there at least the Cubbies can.

The AL picture is already set in stone: Angels, Red Sox, Yankees, Cleaveland.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I'll take a stab at the baseball question.

Since you're from Philly I'll assume you have an interest in opinions on the Phillies. The Phillies are a good team and I think they have a good chance to make the playoffs. They can hit as well as San Diego and your respective bullpens are probably about a wash statistically. Naturally as a Dodgers fan I watch the Padres closely and frankly I think they've played over their heads. I do NOT think the same is true of the Snakes or the Rockies.

Right now, the Rockies are playing lights out baseball. They are doing EVERYTHING well and they have a murderers row in the heart of their batting order. I think they may be the surprise of the baseball season and I think they're for real. The only reason they might NOT do well is they are young and if they take their own good press too seriously, they may falter.

My call is Mets, but barely and gasping for breath.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Chicago Cubs
San Diego Padres

[CJFusco]

Good picks, Dan. It really is a wash between the Phils and Mets, but I think the Mets have better pitching. That being said, they just aren't playing well right now -- but could be a playoff force with a few days' rest. Too bad it looks like they might not make it.

I really was pulling for the Dodgers this year. It's hard for a Red Sox fan not to, with names like Lowe, Garciaparra, Little, and Mueller attached to the team.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks CJ. It was a tough year for us. Our vets were too old and our kids were too young to take a leadership role and all that woulda been relatively okay but our starting pitching (which to be honest, I wasn't all that thrilled about to begin with) blew up in our face like a joke cigar.

If I were an American League fan I'd be a Red Sox fan, no question. Why? Don't get mad but I actually LIKED that they were perennially strong teams but never won the big dance. Guess I like rooting for the underdog. But the BIG reason is you guys HATE the friggin Yankees and I LOVE hating them. I pray to God if we ever get back to the World Series it is against the Yankees and we just spank 'em and send them home crying (yes, I AM dreaming .....currently....give us time!)
CJ, Just out of curiosity, how do you see it playing out?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by CJFusco

Good picks, Dan. It really is a wash between the Phils and Mets, but I think the Mets have better pitching.

Oh and P.S. The big diff to me between Mets and Phils right now is Mets are choking and gasping to their final record while the Phils are playing some good ball to get to the same record. I think the Mets are a more talented team and for that reason I am picking the Mets. BUT....the most talented team (occasionally) doesn't mean Jack! If I were a Phillies fan that would be foremost in my mind.

Just think '88 Dodgers. Much as I love that team they were in NO WAY the best team in the NL much less all of baseball. They should not have been able to beat that Mets team and certainly not the A's...but they did!

[MRM]

Those are my teams, too. Dodgers in the National League and Boston in the American. Can you remember where you were when Kirk Gibson hit his home run? First year of law school, sitting on my bed watching it on a 12 inch black and white my parents bought me for $50. The Dodgers have been out of it since July 4th, but I like the Cubs to hold on. And even the Red Sox look like they have a better than even chance to win the division. Hope I don't jinx them by saying that.

[CJFusco]

How do I REALLY see it playing out? Or what do I want to happen?

Obviously, I want the Sox to win it again. A Cubs/Sox WS would be a dream come true, but it would be hard to root against the Cubbies.

In all honest objectivity, it is gonna be hard to beat the Yankees in a series right now. They are hot, they are hitting, and their pitching has improved dramatically. Just because Mariano blew a save tonight doesn't mean it's gonna be a trend.

I think the Angels would beat the Yanks in a short series. Other than that, I can see the Yankees going all the way. If the Yanks are eliminated by the Sox, Angels, or Indians, I think the Red Sox have the best chances of winning it all. I think the Cubs and Phils/Mets would have a shot, but the Diamondbacks and Padres? Pretenders if you ask me.

Of course, stranger things have happened.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by MRM

Those are my teams, too. Dodgers in the National League and Boston in the American. Can you remember where you were when Kirk Gibson hit his home run? First year of law school, sitting on my bed watching it on a 12 inch black and white my parents bought me for $50. The Dodgers have been out of it since July 4th, but I like the Cubs to hold on. And even the Red Sox look like they have a better than even chance to win the division. Hope I don't jinx them by saying that.

Check the stats, Dodgers were in first place in LATE July, not thsat it makes the slightest difference now, damn!

I HAD to go to a work thing at a restaurant and I was trying to be subtle about going to the bar constantly to check on the game. I had just gone back to my table and I was licking my wounds over our impending loss of Game 1 when I hear this ROAR from the bar. I spilled my water glass and almost turned over the table getting to the bar!

CJ, Yeah, the Yankees ARE playing great ball but with Manny back you don't think you've got the horses to take it to them? I think the Angels really are very strong. I agree the Padres do NOT have the horses and will fold like a house of cards, not so certain the same is true of the Snakes. IF the Rockies get in, watch out. No offense to anyone but I don't think the Cubs will get beyond the first round.

Can someone post a definitive BASEBALL PLAYOFF thread next week? Can we keep all the idiot name callers out and those of us that LOVE the game spend some time enjoying the beauty that the playoffs are? Personally, I really, really like that you guys are passionate about your teams but true enough baseball men to appreciate a talented team when you see one. I really hate how many Angels band wagon jumpers there are here in SoCal since '02. Yes the Angels ARE a good team and I've got nothnig but good things to say about them, but I am a Dodgers fan and that will not change. I take an interest in the Angels but I live and die with the Dodgers. I hope you guys feel the same about your teams.

[CJFusco]

Yup, I do. If the Sox get eliminated, I will be rooting for the Cubbies and against the Yanks.

Yes, I do think the Sox have the ability to beat any team in the playoffs, but I don't want to sell the Yankees short either. Both teams improved their personell dramatically in the 2nd half with young-stud callups like Ellsbury and Chamberlain. Both teams can beat you with power or with speed. Both teams have phenomenal pitching staffs (on paper at least), and lights-out closers. But it's baseball, and even Florida Marlinses and Arizona Diamondbacks and 1969 Mets come out of nowhere and win it all once in awhile.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by CJFusco

If the Sox get eliminated, I will be rooting...against the Yanks.

I love you man...and yes as a matter of fact I DO want your Bud!

Originally Posted by CJFusco

Yes, I do think the Sox have the ability to beat any team in the playoffs, but I don't want to sell the Yankees short either. Both teams improved their personell dramatically in the 2nd half with young-stud callups like Ellsbury and Chamberlain. Both teams can beat you with power or with speed. Both teams have phenomenal pitching staffs (on paper at least), and lights-out closers. But it's baseball, and even Florida Marlinses and Arizona Diamondbacks and 1969 Mets come out of nowhere and win it all once in awhile.

Totally agree anything can happen. Even though I am an NL fan, I (unfortunately) do not think the current teams can play well with the Angels, Sox nor Yankees. These are frankyl some very complete teams. They can beat other teams in a variety of ways....which of course is why they are so great.

You guys gonna get Arod? Some vibe Dodgers will make a run at him if he's available. I don't think he will seriously consider the NL, UNLESS Boras gets in his head and uses his itsy, bitsy teeny ego telling him he can change the balance of power in the leagues single handedly and by extension the entire game so his name will be remembered in the same vein as Ruth, Jordan, etc. Not that I think its true, but I think he MIGHT be susceptible to that "logic". If nothing else, the winter ARod and Bonds sweepstakes will be fun to watch.

[CJFusco]

It will be interesting to see what happens to A-Rod. There is some talk that he wants out of New York (big fish in a big pond, I guess), and he has expressed serious interest in Boston in the past (not that the Red Sox are a small pond, of course...).

The question is what does one do with Mike Lowell, who is in a contract year and is seeming to improve with age? He had a phenomenal year - his numbers are right there with Ortiz's. Not A-Rod numbers, of course, but he already is at home in Boston, the fans love him, and he is well-liked in the clubhouse. A-Rod is a player on a level that can only be touched by a handful in the game (even Pujols fell short this year), but he is widely considered clubhouse poison... and then there is that "curse of A-Rod" thing (every team does better once they get rid of him).

There is a lot of speculation in the Boston media about this. One common theory is that the Sox acquire A-Rod, drop Lugo somehow, and have A-Rod play SS. That would give you an infield of Mike Lowell, A-Rod, Pedroia, and Youkilis - and a batting order featuring Manny, Ortiz, and A-Rod in a row. Of course, the Sox would have to move some money around to make that happen (not re-signing Schilling?).

It will be interesting to see how it plays out. My bet is that A-Rod is still in pinstripes next year.

[Dan in Pasadena]

CJ, What do you do with Mike Lowell? You trade him to the DODGERS! We are in desperate need of a middle-of-the-order bat. In all seriousness, I think they would be quite interested in Lowell. As I said above their IS some talk of the Dodgers being interested in ARod but I doubt it'll happen. If no other reason, our GM, Ned Coletti is seriously pissed off at Jeff Boras over the J.D. Drew thing last off season. How're you liking HIM on your team? He's a real peach, huh?! But as for ARod you never know I suppose. I am sure the Dodgers will make a lot of noise about going after him if he opts our of his Yankees contract but I don't think they will REALLY pursuer him. NO question I want his on-field talent, just not his sensitive ego and diva-ish ways. Anyway, I don't see ARod as a Red Sox kind of player. As for his being clubhouse poison? With our clubhouse filled with kids it wouldn't be the best situation to add that kind of player in there. Plus one of our kids, Matt Kemp, is a budding star but also seems to have a budding attitude. I HATE that. The last thing anyone needs is another Sheffield or Milton Bradley kind of temperment!

I actually came back to this thread because of my prediction to watch out for the Rockies and sure enough, they forced a one game playoff, albeit with the help of the Madres....uh...er...the Padres! I see the Rockies beating the Padres handily tonight and who the hell would have thought two teams coming out of the NL this year would be the Phillies and the Rockies?...or Arizona?, OR San Diego?! Just goes to show baseball is among the most interesting games. Man, I LOVE baseball. Your thoughts?