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Post by Allen Wiener on May 19, 2013 17:10:37 GMT -5
With the season one-fourth over, things around the beltway are a real snooze. The Nats haven't measured up to 10% of the pre-season press hype, which had them already in the World Series and Strasburg (who has won a grand total of two games) as the next Walter Johnson. Only Harper has lived up to the hype. The rest of the pitching is good, but they can't score runs at all. Ryan Zimmerman is so bad at third that you almost rely on an unearned run per game from his lousy fielding. The Orioles, IMO, were playing over their heads for a while, which is the only reason they even look like they are in contention. Forget 'em. The Red Sox have surprised me if only because they are not at rock bottom and are actually improved since last year, which is a surprise. I still don't think they have it all together. Meanwhile, the Stinkees, who were supposed to be over-the-hill, old, creaky, washed up, overly-injured and generally past it, are in first place and look likely to win the division (again; yawn). Of course, the AL East is not what it once was and not all that competitive. Right now, the Rangers look like the team to beat in the AL and have the best chance of making it all the way to the Series. Detroit and Cleveland may surprise us yet, however. In the NL, I've got my eye firmly on the Cardinals, who look like they could win it all again. The Giants pitching has been so dicey (and, lately, really lousy) that they don't look to be in a position to repeat as champions. Most divisions remain competitive and there is still a long way to go, but this is how it looks to me right now. Of course, bear in mind, that some numbskull in my neighborhood has been running a chain saw non-stop most of the day. There aren't enough trees in this entire county to provide that much cutting work! What the heck is he doing over there? ? My head is splitting!
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Post by loucapitano on May 26, 2013 13:31:04 GMT -5
Allen, I still look at my Yankees each day and exclaim, "who the heck are these guys? And how come they keep winning?" At this time last season, the Yanks with a its first string All Star team was about 24 and 21. This year with a fourth string team they're 30 and 18. Go figure! Can they keep it up? That's why they play the game. But yesterday's 11th inning win against the Rays took the sting out of the disappointments in Baltimore. As for headaches, try Martini's and earplugs. Works great for me. So far, so good in Yankee Land. ;D Boo-hoo Rangers, Knicks, Islanders and Nets...and same ole Mets.
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Post by Allen Wiener on May 27, 2013 8:57:03 GMT -5
The Os will need a new closer if Johnson doesn't stop blowing games. Yesterday was physically painful. They play the Nats today, who are finally hitting. Should be fun.
I think everyone's scratching their heads about the Yanks. Also, the Sox were supposed to be eliminated by now. Instead they keep pulling rabbits out in the 9th. Yesterday was sweet. Buchholtz, Lester and a surprisingly rejuvenated Lackey have made the difference. They didn't give up on Ellsbury, who was slumping forever, and he's finally started to deliver as lead off man. But can they keep it up?
See you at the ball yard!
I'll try the martinis and ear plugs!!
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Post by loucapitano on Jul 2, 2013 19:33:33 GMT -5
Allen: Are the Twins the only team we can beat? I got a bad feeling about the rest of the season after the drubbing your O's gave us last week. We leave more guys on base, no matter how weak their pitcher is, he'll get a key pop-up or double play and escape. It's especially galling when there's bases loaded, no outs and the heart of the order coming to bat. Rest assured, that pressure seems to destroy our starters and empower the opposition. Can't wait for football. Giants Only (Not the Green Scream Machine) But who knows. We've had major comebacks after the All-Star Game, which Mariano should close for an AL victory.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 3, 2013 12:40:07 GMT -5
The Os-Yanks series was great! Of course, I'm prejudiced, but two of the games were really close. Os had to NY this weekend, so the Yanks get another crack at them.
I'm very surprised by the Os this year; I had thought last year was a fluke and they were playing over their heads. But here they are again. On the other hand, everyone around here expected the Nats to be world beaters and shoot straight to the playoffs with 100 or so wins. Ha! It is THEY who seem to have been playing over their heads last year! It's painful to watch them fritter away one stellar Strasburg outing after another. If he isn't signed by the Yanks or someone else the second he's eligible, I'll eat my Orioles hat.
The Red Sox are the real surprise to me. I thought they'd eventually turn around, but they are seriously for real. Everything seems to be working for them. Lester has been a bit spotty, but Bucholtz has really blossomed and Lackey has made a surprising return to life. And, boy, can they score runs!
And what about the Pirates? I sure didn't see that coming! In the back of my mind, I envision another Orioles-Pirates World Series. If that comes about, boy do we owe those guys a real shellacking!
All in all, baseball really seems to have reached parity, or as close to it as we're likely to get. There are no really "great" teams; just some teams that are better than most of the others. Hence, several very tight division races. Makes for great baseball!
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Post by loucapitano on Jul 3, 2013 13:59:02 GMT -5
That's right, we do get the O's at home this weekend. Ah Revenge! The taste is sweet... You're right about team parity. At least in the AL East. One of our Newsday Sports columists insists the AL East will be: Toronto, Baltimore, Yanks, Rays and Boston. In other words, he's sticking to his April predictions. The only part I agree with is that there will be only six games between 1st and last in this tight division. My wife has a soft spot for the Pirates because it's been so long for them. Real Underdogs. I'm still bitter about their beating the Yanks in the WS. (What year was that? '61", '62? I'm too lazy to look up.) The winning teams now are the ones where the pitching and offense support each other. The Yanks really suffered from that in June. Baltimore and Boston seemed to thrive. Let the Season Go On for Great Baseball!!!
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 7, 2013 16:38:01 GMT -5
Well, the Os pulled one out that I still can't believe! Then again, the Os had no business losing Friday night's game and wouldn't have if Johnson hadn't blown it. But, seeing as how things worked out today, and that even Rivera can blow one now and again, and Johnson redeemed himself, I'll take it! Like I say - this is what parity does. I now think anyone could win this thing and the Os are as good as any of the other AL teams. Still about half a season to go, so I may yet be proven totally off base here!
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Post by loucapitano on Jul 7, 2013 19:00:27 GMT -5
We're even. Both our closers blew a game. I knew we would not sweep Baltimore. But talk about quiet bats for both sides. Except, even when you shut down Davis, Jones et al can get you. Cano was our only threat and look how often he was walked. Maybe some recovered guys can help. Anyway, enjoy the All-Star break, I can't see much purpose for the game, just restup and come out swinging for the next half. Boston is due for a slump, aren't they?
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 8, 2013 16:21:26 GMT -5
Boston is in a slump. They lost 2 in LA and blew a big 9th inning lead in one of them. The Os hitting has also slackened lately from what it was. Intertingly, the Nats, who haven't hit all year, have suddenly busted loose since Harper returned. The ups & downs of the long season.
Nope, I don't care about the ASG eithe, but it's a good idea to take a break.
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Post by loucapitano on Jul 14, 2013 18:37:12 GMT -5
What a mess in Yankee Land. Now Jeter is out again. I wonder what will happen to Granderson when he returns? Talk about bad breaks (sic). Anyway, this All Star Break may heal some wounds and jump start a new season. Then again, I'm waiting for Cano to hurt himself in this exceptionally stupid "Home Run Derby." Has anyone noticed that this year, defenses have been better than ever? And a number of pitchers have shown ability far beyond expectation. Yet, overall, batting sucks. One of our local sportscasters blames it on the lack or reduction of PEDs. It raises some questions about the batting slumps of the last few seasons. Time to lower the pitcher's mound to six inches? Just an idle thought. But lack of hitting seems to immediately diminish ticket sales, and that's the real holy grail of baseball. Any suggestions?
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Post by loucapitano on Jul 17, 2013 18:58:48 GMT -5
Can you believe they hit Cano in the ASG? If that didn't scare Cashman's and Gerardi's hair off completely, I don't know what will. I'm glad the American League won. Home Field advantage has apparently be helpful in the last few WS wins. The honor and ovation given Rivera was so sincere and heartwarming. I'm glad I watched the game...at first to see if Cano was OK and then to see Mariano pitch. Next stop, Boston! A series like this can be a real momentum builder or killer for September. Best of luck to all during the second BB season. As they say in round two on Jeopardy, "the scores can really change!"
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 17, 2013 19:31:57 GMT -5
Looking forward to continued good pennant races. Opening NY-BoSox series should be interesting. Sox had a poor West Coast trip prior to the break. Os still in there, but I fear they lack serious pitching. Still, great to see Davis having a career year.
The only thing I find duller than tge ASG is the dopey HR derby.
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Post by Bill Yowell on Jul 18, 2013 7:45:07 GMT -5
I didn't watch the whole game, but did flip back and forth between what I was more interested in and the ASG to check on the score. I did watch the last two innings to see if the AL could hold on. Why did Leland put Mariano in in the 8th instead of allowing him to close, since that is what he is known for. Just seems to me that it would have made for an even better end to his ALL-Star career. I am not, nor have I ever been a Yanks fan, but I sure do appreciate greatness and the Yanks have certainly had their share of the giants of baseball over the years. Mariano is just the latest.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 18, 2013 16:25:05 GMT -5
I also wondered why he didn't close the game. Ironically, when the ASG was held at Yankee Stadium a few years ago, Paplebon was put in to pitch the 8th so that Rivera could close in the 9th. The fans booed Pap mercilessly and I just don't get that.
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Post by loucapitano on Jul 18, 2013 19:49:17 GMT -5
I think Leland was thinking of a 2 - 0 eighth inning that the NL could tie and lose Mariano a "save situation." So Mariano became set-up man (1 - 2 - 3) for a future Hall of Famer (who I wish was on the Yankees.) At least, that's the way the NY papers portrayed it. Sorry about booing Pap. But he was a real thorn in the Yankee's for years until we finally learned to hit him.
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