I know the playoffs have been going on for a few days but it really gets going in earnest today with four games, including the playoff debut of Anthony Rendon.

I always like playing a game of thinking whom MLB wants in the World Series. And there is no question to me that baseball desperately wants the Dodgers back in the Series. It's hard to believe it's been 26 years since they've last played in a World Series (just to show how long it's been - that was the Kirk Gibson PH HR series). With Kershaw and Puig, and the LA market, that's a no-brainer although the NL probably won't be too disappointed with whomever wins the NL divisional title.

The AL is probably a different story. If the Dodgers aren't there, then baseball bigwigs are probably hoping for the Angels. But an all-Los Angeles World Series might be a bit too regional. I doubt baseball wants the Royals or Tigers - maybe the Orioles would be a fun storyline. I also think baseball wants someone like Mike Trout to take over the postseason and become the next face of the sport, now that Derek Jeter has retired.

But so far, it hasn't been a great start for Trout or the Angels.

A B-W Parkway Series (Nationals-Orioles) or, as you mentioned, an I-5 Series (Dodgers-Angels) would have the best descriptive names.

With it's "Havoc on the Basepaths" approach, KC is exciting to watch.

Second day in a row that without his mirrors Joba Chamberlin is batted around like a piñata.

(10-03-2014 02:44 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  Second day in a row that without his mirrors Joba Chamberlin is batted around like a piñata.

Gotta have a semblance of a bullpen if you wanna play with the big boys in October. Really thought the Tigers would pull this one out.

(10-03-2014 03:01 PM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  

(10-03-2014 02:44 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  Second day in a row that without his mirrors Joba Chamberlin is batted around like a piñata.

Gotta have a semblance of a bullpen if you wanna play with the big boys in October. Really thought the Tigers would pull this one out.

How many years has that been said about the Tigers...they got an approaching over the hill Nathan and they can't even get to him before the game is gone. The front office has built a great team but has failed big time in the area of the bullpen. Any team that has to rely on Valverde for two years in a row has something wrong with its thought process.

Rendon with a leadoff single in the 8th (his first hit in 4 at-bats) but the Nats don't score so they're down 3-2 in the 9th. Nice job of hitting on a 1-2 pitch for the single, but he should have gone to 3rd on a single by LaRoche later in the inning with one out. Desmond struck out after the single so I guess the baserunning didn't cost Washington, but I wonder if Desmond would have taken a different approach at the plate if the runners were at 1st and 3rd and 1 out, instead of 1st and 2nd.

(10-03-2014 03:06 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  

(10-03-2014 03:01 PM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  

(10-03-2014 02:44 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  Second day in a row that without his mirrors Joba Chamberlin is batted around like a piñata.

Gotta have a semblance of a bullpen if you wanna play with the big boys in October. Really thought the Tigers would pull this one out.

How many years has that been said about the Tigers...they got an approaching over the hill Nathan and they can't even get to him before the game is gone. The front office has built a great team but has failed big time in the area of the bullpen. Any team that has to rely on Valverde for two years in a row has something wrong with its thought process.

Regular season is about starters, playoffs are about bullpen. That's why Atlanta went to 14 consecutive playoffs as division champions and won only one World Series in that stretch.

Difficult to believe that as hard as Detroit has tried to put together a top team everywhere else, they've been willing to hobble along with a really bad bullpen, particularly considering that there have been better options out there at fairly reasonable prices. It's like buying a Lamborghini and putting only three tires on it.

Good gosh I'm still numb from the Cardinals-Dodgers Game 1.

You would have thought Kershaw was on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week. By the way two of tonight's heroes, Grichick and Carpenter are from the Houston area.

Crazy start already to the playoffs. I think Kershaw is the first pitcher ever to allow 7 runs in consecutive playoff appearances? And we've had two games already with teams scoring eight runs in an inning? I'm all for the underdog, but I'm not sure I want a St. Louis vs. San Francisco NLCS as those two teams have had plenty of recent postseason success. Kansas City vs. Baltimore might not be the match-up the TV networks want, but it would be an exciting series with two towns who haven't had success in baseball in a long time.

(10-03-2014 10:42 PM)Orange County Owl Wrote:  Good gosh I'm still numb from the Cardinals-Dodgers Game 1.

At 6-1 in the bottom of the 5th I had to tune out of the game, but obviously feeling pretty good with Kershaw dominating. Tuned back in at 10-6 in the 8th. Funny thing is, I was pissed but not exactly surprised. All I could think, looking at the score alone, was "OK, was it Howell or Wilson?" It seems like the only way the Dodgers won late in the season was by scoring a ton of runs or by getting a starter to (or through) the 8th inning so that Jansen could finish.

What a ridiculous game.

The play offs so far have been amazing. The Nats probably have the best talent on the field, but the Giants are very gritty in October. The Cards just never say die and the Dodgers got a little comfortable about Kershaw. Both series may go 5 games.

In the AL, it is a new day. Kansas City is overdue and the Angels look like a high priced bust (hey if the lousy Astros could beat them, it is not surprising.) Baltimore has one of the most powerful lineups we've seen in a while whereas the Tigers overrated rotation and terrible bullpen are taking a toll. KC and Baltimore should win in 3 or 4 games.

Game 2: AR with RBI single to give Nats lead. After 3: 1-0

The score thru 8 innings:
San Francisco Giants 3 hits
Anthony Rendon 4 hits

The Nats' manager blew the game last night when he took Zimmerman out and put Storen in. But Rendon is on his way to being a superstar.

(10-05-2014 04:31 PM)NolaOwl Wrote:  The Nats' manager blew the game last night when he took Zimmerman out and put Storen in. But Rendon is on his way to being a superstar.

I agree: Rookie manager mistake

Exit Stage Right

Ditto for the Angels. Pujols has no chance for ALCS or World Series again this year.

Nats 3 outs from a win to force game 4. But Storen in. Uh oh

Nats force a game 4. AR hitting / playing well (.467 avg for the series). Did not figure into the scoring this game.

Game 3 was won when Giants Bumgarner attempted to get an out at 3rd on a bunt play and threw it away. Typical college game error, but here it is in the MLB playoffs.