2008 MLB Playoffs

[BillD1984]

Ozzie's choices for game 1 will be Mark Buehrle on 3 days rest or Javier Vazquez.

 

[BillD1984]

WEDNESDAY'S PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS

Brewers (Yovani Gallardo...0-0....1.88) @ Phillies (Cole Hamels...14-10....3.09) 3:07pm ET

Dodgers (Derek Lowe...14-11....3.24) @ Cubs (Ryan Dempster...17-6....2.96) 6:37pm ET

Red Sox (Jon Lester...16-6....3.21) @ Angels (John Lackey...12-5....3.75) 10:07pm ET


THURSDAY'S PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS

White Sox (TBA) @ Rays (James Shields...14-8....3.56) 2:37pm ET

Brewers (C.C. Sabathia...17-10....2.70) @ Phillies (Brett Myers...10-13....4.55) 6:07pm ET

Dodgers (Chad Billingsley...16-10....3.14) @ Cubs (Carlos Zambrano...14-6....3.91) 9:37pm ET


FRIDAY'S PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS

White Sox (TBA) @ Rays (Scott Kazmir...12-8....3.49) 6:07pm ET

Red Sox (Daisuke Matsuzaka...18-3....2.90) @ Angels (Ervin Santana...16-7....3.49) 9:37pm ET

 

[KCK_Halo]

It's too bad that the game is tonight in Anaheim. We are experiencing 100 degrees PLUS in some inland areas this week and the ball would be FLYING out of Angel Stadium in that hot, dry air today.

 

[SideshowBob]

This is the strangest playoff year in a long time for me.

The teams I usually root against in the playoffs (Yankees, Cardinals) are not in.

The Brewers and Rays are in.

When was the last time you can recall such a weird postseason of October baseball?

Last year? The Rockies and Diamondbacks coming out of the NL West? The Indians being the team to take the AL Central?

Or how about a few years ago when the Tigers made the World Series?

MLB has plenty of variety in recent years.

 

[Sparkman]

Ozzie's choices for game 1 will be Mark Buehrle on 3 days rest or Javier Vazquez.

White Sox Announced Rotation


Game 1 Vasquez
Game 2 Buehrle
Game 3 Floyd
Game 4 Danks
Game 5 Vasquez (I think it will be Buehrle)!

 

[BillD1984]

White Sox Announced Rotation


Game 1 Vasquez
Game 2 Buehrle
Game 3 Floyd
Game 4 Danks
Game 5 Vasquez (I think it will be Buehrle)!

This makes sense for the ChiSox. Pitching both Vasquez and Buehrle on regular rest, then they have Floyd and Danks (who have been great this year) for the games in Chicago, and then can go back to Buehrle on three days rest if it's a must win.

If the ChiSox can somehow get game 1, I like their chances a lot.

 

[KCK_Halo]

I haveta admit, the series I am really going to enjoy is the Dodgers vs. Cubs. I can sit back and watch and just purely enjoy it. Rooting for the Cubbies but won't cry if L.A. wins.

Now, this OTHER SoCal series starting tonight...I can't really say I'm going to enjoy it. I will be a bundle of nerves and then some come the National Anthemn tonight here.:yikes

 

[brainfry]

I don't usually get into the predicting business, but I'll go out on that limb today:

Phillies in 4
Cubs in 4
Angels in 5
White Sox in 5

 

[SabresRule]

I wonder which team is going to take on the role of 'team most fans are rooting for to lose.'

Since the Yankees aren't in, someone's gotta wear the black hat.

 

[boomer69]

I wonder which team is going to take on the role of 'team most fans are rooting for to lose.'

Since the Yankees aren't in, someone's gotta wear the black hat.

For me, at least, that would be the Cubs!!!...:down

 

[BillD1984]

What a gem Hamels is pitching today!


It's looking like Sabathia will be counted on ONCE AGAIN to save the Brewers season.

 

[SabresRule]

What a gem Hamels is pitching today!

Shades of Josh Beckett against the Angels last year?

 

[BillD1984]

Shades of Josh Beckett against the Angels last year?

Yes, definitely. But I thought game 5 in the ALCS vs. the Indians, was Beckett's best game last year.

 

[BillD1984]

Was just looking at the Red Sox ALDS roster released by Francona today.

Surprisingly, the Sox are carrying three catchers (Jason Varitek, Kevin Cash, and David Ross), and only ten pitchers. I guess it's probably because the Red Sox need only three starters in this series.

BTW, both Paul Byrd and Tim Wakefield will pitch out of the bullpen in this series.

 

[BillD1984]

FACTOID OF THE DAY:

There's been 26 NLDS series since MLB started playing this round in 1995.

Out of the 26 series, the winner of game 1 has gone on to win 23 of those series.

 

[SabresRule]

FACTOID OF THE DAY:

There's been 26 NLDS series since MLB started playing this round in 1995.

Out of the 26 series, the winner of game 1 has gone on to win 23 of those series.

What were the three series where the game 1 winner screwed it up?

 

[BillD1984]

What were the three series where the game 1 winner screwed it up?

Sabres, great minds think alike. I'm trying to figure that out right now!

 

[BillD1984]

What were the three series where the game 1 winner screwed it up?

Found it!

Two out of the three times, this dubious distinction happened to the Giants:

2000 vs. the Mets- San Francisco wins first game, Mets win the next three.

2003 vs. the Marlins- again SF wins the first game only to lose the next three.

The other time it happened was 1999, the Astros won game 1 vs. the Braves only to lose the next three.

 

[SabresRule]

Phillies win the first game.

Brad Lidge, though it was not easy, has STILL not blown a save!

The last time he blew a save, I think Randy Moss was still with the Raiders.

 

[BillD1984]

Game over! Phillies can take a deep breath.