MLB Postseason and World Series thread

[mania]

Vlad signed with Texas where he had always played well, but I also think a ton of his better play this year was from trying to prove the Angels wrong and to prove his doubters wrong. He had an inspiration to show up the team he left. He wanted to stay in Anaheim, but he didn't get the two-year deal that the Rangers gave him. I think had he stayed in Anaheim, yeah he would have been better last season, but I don't think he'd be as good as he was in Texas.

Actually, the deal with the Rangers has a mutual option, it's not a 2 year commitment. After the season he's had, even with his August slump, I think he'll test the free agent water.

[Viper]

Meanwhile at Target Field, CC Sabathia is slowly falling apart before everyone's eyes.

You were saying

I still am.

[scottysprings]

Meanwhile at Target Field, CC Sabathia is slowly falling apart before everyone's eyes.

You were saying

I still am.

I hardly would consider 2 earned runs through five and two-thirds "falling apart". Walking in a run on 4 straight pitches, maybe

[Still MIGHTY]

Vlad signed with Texas where he had always played well, but I also think a ton of his better play this year was from trying to prove the Angels wrong and to prove his doubters wrong. He had an inspiration to show up the team he left. He wanted to stay in Anaheim, but he didn't get the two-year deal that the Rangers gave him. I think had he stayed in Anaheim, yeah he would have been better last season, but I don't think he'd be as good as he was in Texas.

Actually, the deal with the Rangers has a mutual option, it's not a 2 year commitment. After the season he's had, even with his August slump, I think he'll test the free agent water.

Ah I didn't know that. I thought it was the full two. I always questioned why the Angels never gave him a one-year with another option, and thought Vlad chose because of the full two. Now I really am annoyed at the Angels front office

And if he does want to test free agency, Matsui won't be back (Hint hint Vladdy )

[dfwabel]

Vlad signed with Texas where he had always played well, but I also think a ton of his better play this year was from trying to prove the Angels wrong and to prove his doubters wrong. He had an inspiration to show up the team he left. He wanted to stay in Anaheim, but he didn't get the two-year deal that the Rangers gave him. I think had he stayed in Anaheim, yeah he would have been better last season, but I don't think he'd be as good as he was in Texas.

Actually, the deal with the Rangers has a mutual option, it's not a 2 year commitment. After the season he's had, even with his August slump, I think he'll test the free agent water.

In 2009, Vlad made $15M with LAA. The Rangers signed him for $5.5M this year. For 2011, the option is for $9M while the buyout is just $1M. He may try to get (and receive) 2 years for $11-12M, but nobody will pay him 2 for $18M.

[Cujo]

And with the 'Tex Message', the Yankees all but secure another postseason comeback win vs. Minnesota.

Yep. Same ol' Twinkies.

[infrared41]

Well, this sucks. I didn't see us beating Cliff Lee anyway, but I didn't think we'd be drummed this badly.

Also, can someone explain to me again why the Angels thought they no longer needed Bad Vlad?

Last season, Vlad was riddled with injuries. He looked old. He looked unmotivated. He had his good stretches, but it wasn't the same Vlad. They were going to take him back on a one-year deal, but Vlad wanted a two-year deal. Based on his season last year and what the Angels thought were durability issues, the Angels wouldn't bite on a two-year deal, and thought that Matsui could do as well as Vlad could have done with their same brittle natures.

Vlad signed with Texas where he had always played well, but I also think a ton of his better play this year was from trying to prove the Angels wrong and to prove his doubters wrong. He had an inspiration to show up the team he left. He wanted to stay in Anaheim, but he didn't get the two-year deal that the Rangers gave him. I think had he stayed in Anaheim, yeah he would have been better last season, but I don't think he'd be as good as he was in Texas.

Thanks for that but it was a rhetorical question.

[Still MIGHTY]

Well, this sucks. I didn't see us beating Cliff Lee anyway, but I didn't think we'd be drummed this badly.

Also, can someone explain to me again why the Angels thought they no longer needed Bad Vlad?

Last season, Vlad was riddled with injuries. He looked old. He looked unmotivated. He had his good stretches, but it wasn't the same Vlad. They were going to take him back on a one-year deal, but Vlad wanted a two-year deal. Based on his season last year and what the Angels thought were durability issues, the Angels wouldn't bite on a two-year deal, and thought that Matsui could do as well as Vlad could have done with their same brittle natures.

Vlad signed with Texas where he had always played well, but I also think a ton of his better play this year was from trying to prove the Angels wrong and to prove his doubters wrong. He had an inspiration to show up the team he left. He wanted to stay in Anaheim, but he didn't get the two-year deal that the Rangers gave him. I think had he stayed in Anaheim, yeah he would have been better last season, but I don't think he'd be as good as he was in Texas.

Thanks for that but it was a rhetorical question.

Ah, well you're rhetorically welcome.

[TopCat]

One of the worst feelings in the world is seeing your team blow a lead when deep down you know they just aren't going to come back.

[Cujo]

The NFL has the San Diego Chargers. The NHL has the San Jose Sharks. And Major League Baseball has the Minnesota Twins.

Legit question here: Does Roy Halladay go into The Hall as a Blue Jay, or now as a Philadelphia Phillie? I'm leaning towards the latter.

[NJTank]

The NFL has the San Diego Chargers. The NHL has the San Jose Sharks. And Major League Baseball has the Minnesota Twins.

Legit question here: Does Roy Halladay go into The Hall as a Blue Jay, or now as a Philadelphia Phillie? I'm leaning towards the latter.

The only problem with that statement is the Twins are always facing the Yankees it seems, and they just can't beat the Yankees.

Its too early to call Halladay a Hall of Famer, he still has more to do, but if he puts together four or five solid years in Philly and wins another Cy Young or two beyond this year I will agree.

[FiddySicks]

The only NL team that has a shot to beat them is the Giants and that's only because of Lincecum.

I don't think the Giants have the lineup to do it. The pitching matches up pretty well, but I think the Phillies have a stronger lineup and will be able to get the edge in potential pitching duels.

I agree. The Giants need to find their bats immediately in the post season and they need to stay hot all the way through. That's the only way this team has any chance at going all the way. I'm confident that they can hang with Phillies, though. They played them six times and split the series, including handing Roy Halladay his first loss of the season. Atlanta is the matchup that I can't figure out. The Giants played them in their home opener this year and won the series 2-1, but that was all they saw of Atlanta. If the Giants can get to Atlanta's bullpen early, I think they'll win it without too much of a problem. But if Lincecum or Cain happen to serve up a big fat mistake to a guy like Brian McCann, then they're gonna have problem.

[Sport]

The only NL team that has a shot to beat them is the Giants and that's only because of Lincecum.

I don't think the Giants have the lineup to do it. The pitching matches up pretty well, but I think the Phillies have a stronger lineup and will be able to get the edge in potential pitching duels.

I'm confident that they can hang with Phillies, though. They played them six times and split the series, including handing Roy Halladay his first loss of the season.

That's what I thought. The Reds also gave Halladay a loss, and managed 13 hits off of him in an earlier game. From here on out I'm taking everything I know about the regular season and I'm throwing it out the window. The series isn't over, but if the Reds lose to another one of the Phillies pitchers then you can book it.

The Reds were hoping and guessing at the plate last night. I've never seen a team swing and miss so many times. That's what sucks about being a fan. You're a helpless witness to the sight of your team getting absolutely dominated. I just want to see one win in the playoffs. I'm 0 for the last 12 playoff games that my teams have played in. You'd think in that span that one of them would accidentally win a game. It's getting to the point where I'm thinking about not even watching.

[WJMorris3]

The NFL has the San Diego Chargers. The NHL has the San Jose Sharks. And Major League Baseball has the Minnesota Twins.

Legit question here: Does Roy Halladay go into The Hall as a Blue Jay, or now as a Philadelphia Phillie? I'm leaning towards the latter.

I don't think he's a Hall of Famer at all. Who knows if he's juicing or not - he's playing in the steroid era, so his accomplishments must be tainted.

[Gary]

The NFL has the San Diego Chargers. The NHL has the San Jose Sharks. And Major League Baseball has the Minnesota Twins.

Legit question here: Does Roy Halladay go into The Hall as a Blue Jay, or now as a Philadelphia Phillie? I'm leaning towards the latter.

I don't think he's a Hall of Famer at all. Who knows if he's juicing or not - he's playing in the steroid era, so his accomplishments must be tainted.

Really Will? Really? You just have to find ways of tainting your team don't you

[WJMorris3]

The NFL has the San Diego Chargers. The NHL has the San Jose Sharks. And Major League Baseball has the Minnesota Twins.

Legit question here: Does Roy Halladay go into The Hall as a Blue Jay, or now as a Philadelphia Phillie? I'm leaning towards the latter.

I don't think he's a Hall of Famer at all. Who knows if he's juicing or not - he's playing in the steroid era, so his accomplishments must be tainted.

Really Will? Really? You just have to find ways of tainting your team don't you

I don't know if Albert Pujols or Jose Bautista aren't juicing, either, and after people like Bonds and McGwire, I see no reason to extend the benefit of the doubt.

[BaltimoreFan]

The only NL team that has a shot to beat them is the Giants and that's only because of Lincecum.

I don't think the Giants have the lineup to do it. The pitching matches up pretty well, but I think the Phillies have a stronger lineup and will be able to get the edge in potential pitching duels.

I agree. The Giants need to find their bats immediately in the post season and they need to stay hot all the way through. That's the only way this team has any chance at going all the way. I'm confident that they can hang with Phillies, though. They played them six times and split the series, including handing Roy Halladay his first loss of the season. Atlanta is the matchup that I can't figure out. The Giants played them in their home opener this year and won the series 2-1, but that was all they saw of Atlanta. If the Giants can get to Atlanta's bullpen early, I think they'll win it without too much of a problem. But if Lincecum or Cain happen to serve up a big fat mistake to a guy like Brian McCann, then they're gonna have problem.

I picked the Braves to win the series, but only because I think the team will step up for Bobby Cox. In the postseason, its crazy stuff like that that wins out.

When it comes down to it, I think the Phillies and Yankees are the two most complete teams. The Rangers are my dark horse, as I feel they have a strong lineup and I think their pitchers may overachieve (I guess its the Nolan Ryan factor). I'd hate to see a rematch of last year's World Series, but in reality it will probably be the best matchup to watch.

[knnhrvy16]

The NFL has the San Diego Chargers. The NHL has the San Jose Sharks. And Major League Baseball has the Minnesota Twins.

Legit question here: Does Roy Halladay go into The Hall as a Blue Jay, or now as a Philadelphia Phillie? I'm leaning towards the latter.

I don't think he's a Hall of Famer at all. Who knows if he's juicing or not - he's playing in the steroid era, so his accomplishments must be tainted.

Really Will? Really? You just have to find ways of tainting your team don't you

I don't know if Albert Pujols or Jose Bautista aren't juicing, either, and after people like Bonds and McGwire, I see no reason to extend the benefit of the doubt.

So I guess we should automatically assume that every player takes steroids. C'mon dude, really? Yeah it's the steroid era, but it dosen't mean every single player who has a great season or better juices up. There is such a thing as work ethic and talent these days, shocking, but they still exist.

[dfwabel]

Willy Aybar is back on the playoff roster as Baldelli has "left leg fatigue". He will start as DH today.

I know that Rocco has been battling CFS for a few years, but would he be replaced with this medical exemption if he did not go 0-fer yesterday?

[BBTV]

The NFL has the San Diego Chargers. The NHL has the San Jose Sharks. And Major League Baseball has the Minnesota Twins.

Legit question here: Does Roy Halladay go into The Hall as a Blue Jay, or now as a Philadelphia Phillie? I'm leaning towards the latter.

I don't think he's a Hall of Famer at all. Who knows if he's juicing or not - he's playing in the steroid era, so his accomplishments must be tainted.

Really Will? Really? You just have to find ways of tainting your team don't you

I don't know if Albert Pujols or Jose Bautista aren't juicing, either, and after people like Bonds and McGwire, I see no reason to extend the benefit of the doubt.

So I guess we should automatically assume that every player takes steroids. C'mon dude, really? Yeah it's the steroid era, but it dosen't mean every single player who has a great season or better juices up. There is such a thing as work ethic and talent these days, shocking, but they still exist.

You can't show me a single player that has tested positive for Work Ethic or Talent. I could show you dozens that have tested positive for Steroids.

Will is right - we don't know about Halladay... or anyone else. That being said, if he's taking something, even if it's just Work Ethic or Talent, I hope he keeps taking it. I don't care if his heart explodes right on the field, as long as it's late in a game and he has a shutout when it happens, everything would be cool.