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Re: The MLB Thread
I called the A's being better than people thought, but even I never thought with them being 13.5 games back at June 30th, that they'd comeback and not only get better, but WIN the division.
The craziness of it all?
The ONLY time this entire season the A's occupied 1st place in the AL West... was on the final day and final seconds of the year when they completed their final game.
Just crazy. But good for them, what a great story. I will without a doubt be rooting for them to beat the Tigers.
Re: The MLB Thread
Playoff bracket shapes up like this:
Wild Card:
FRI:
(NL) St. Louis Cardinals vs. Atlanta Braves -- 5:00p
(AL) Baltimore Orioles vs. Texas Rangers -- 8:30p
Division Series:
SAT:
(AL) Oakland Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers -- 6pm
(NL) Cinncinnati Reds vs. San Franscisco Giants -- 9:30pm
Re: The MLB Thread
Okay i'm confused. Can anyone explain to me why the Tigers and Giants have been given home-field advantage in the Division Series, when both of them had lesser records than the A's & Reds?
I thought the best team got home field advantage? Am I missing something? I been watching baseball all my life -- what changed?
Re: The MLB Thread
Is the LDS still best of 5? I think I remember them talking about the format being changed. The team with the better record still has home field advantage but the series starts at the team with the lesser record. First 2 games are there, then 3 at the A's/Reds. It was criticized quite a bit in the beginning, and people think they may have to change it in the future. I think they want to avoid trips across country, off days, etc that they'd encounter with a 2-2-1 format.
Re: The MLB Thread
Is the LDS still best of 5? I think I remember them talking about the format being changed. The team with the better record still has home field advantage but the series starts at the team with the lesser record. First 2 games are there, then 3 at the A's/Reds. It was criticized quite a bit in the beginning, and people think they may have to change it in the future. I think they want to avoid trips across country, off days, etc that they'd encounter with a 2-2-1 format.
That's what I assumed, was they were opting for the 2-3 format in order to avoid that 2-2-1 format that was absolutely stupid in the LDS. Traveling cross-country, for just one game at the end, plus an off-day. Lame.
But at the same time, kicking off the first two games and giving home field advantage (sorry, but that's what it is) to the lesser team is baseball socialism. I don't like that at all. It's not fair, and it's not right.
I know it it's even lamer, but for example:
What about the concept of doing Game 1 at Detroit, with the Tigers as home team. Just one.
Then traveling to Oakland, and giving the A's true home field advantage with 3 straight games (Games 2, 3 & 4) in Oakland. Then another day off, and the finale being done back in Detroit.
Most series would, without a doubt be decided in those Games 2-4 section.
P.S.
Thanks Bromero for confirming faldor's system. Good to be talking baseball again.
Re: The MLB Thread
I'm cheering for the A's the most this year, as i've always liked them, and their amazing regular season run helps as well. If they don't pan out i'll be rooting for Nationals, Reds, and Orioles as well
I was a fan of the 2-2-1 system, another off day here or there would definetly help, but home field advantage for games 3, 4, and 5? Give me a break...
Re: The MLB Thread
faldor wrote:Is the LDS still best of 5? I think I remember them talking about the format being changed. The team with the better record still has home field advantage but the series starts at the team with the lesser record. First 2 games are there, then 3 at the A's/Reds. It was criticized quite a bit in the beginning, and people think they may have to change it in the future. I think they want to avoid trips across country, off days, etc that they'd encounter with a 2-2-1 format.
That's what I assumed, was they were opting for the 2-3 format in order to avoid that 2-2-1 format that was absolutely stupid in the LDS. Traveling cross-country, for just one game at the end, plus an off-day. Lame.
But at the same time, kicking off the first two games and giving home field advantage (sorry, but that's what it is) to the lesser team is baseball socialism. I don't like that at all. It's not fair, and it's not right.
I know it it's even lamer, but for example:
What about the concept of doing Game 1 at Detroit, with the Tigers as home team. Just one.
Then traveling to Oakland, and giving the A's true home field advantage with 3 straight games (Games 2, 3 & 4) in Oakland. Then another day off, and the finale being done back in Detroit.
Most series would, without a doubt be decided in those Games 2-4 section.
P.S.
Thanks Bromero for confirming faldor's system. Good to be talking baseball again.
I think 2-2-1 is the fairest way to do it, taking the traveling out of the equation. It's tough starting on the road, no doubt. If the home team holds serve, all they have to do is win 1 on the road. However, on the flip side. If you can steal one of the 2 road games, you only have to win two out of three back at home.
I know what you're saying with games 2-4, but it'd be a tough sell having the opening AND closing game of a series at the home of the team with the worse record.
I'm also pulling for the A's, for now. My allegiance could change, especially if they get booted. One thing is for sure, the only team I don't want to see win, is the Yankees. I'd be fine with anyone else. So we'll see how things unfold and see if one team grabs me more than another. But the A's have a bunch of ex Red Sox on the squad, so I might as well cheer for the at the start. Not to mention, they've been a great story this year, especially down the stretch.
Re: The MLB Thread
Yeah, 2-2-1 is ultimately the best way. I never had a real problem with the old format. Don't know why they'd really change. Oh well, that's typical Bud Selig for you. He's probably the most stable of the major sports commissioners right now. NFL just had the referee fuckup/bountygate. The NHL is looking at another missed season due to labor issues.
There are a couple of really interesting division series that have a LCS feel to them. In the NL, I find SF-CIN very intriguing. I expect CIN to win but with the Giants starters you have to give them a chance.
And in the AL, Tigers-As. Do the young upstarts have enough to beat the older more experienced Tigers? I have a hard time picking a winner on this one. On the one hand, I almost always pick the small market team. On the other hand, the Tigers have a whole bunch of former Pirates. I think I going to side the As, since I don't think they've won a playoff series since 1990. I think Detroit's lack of range in the infield could play a major role in this one.
Tomorrow's Wild Card playoff game in the AL has the same feel/storyline. The experienced playoff tested team vs the upstarts/suprising team. I have to pick Texas only because they are at home.
Don't really care about any of the two NL teams fighting it out in the other wild card game. Rooting for Washington to beat whoever wins the game.
Manager Firing:
Bobby Valentine fired by Red Sox. Top choice of Boston is supposedly Toronto skipper John Farrell. They'll need to compensate Toronto if they want to hire Farrell.
Ozzie Guillen is supposed to be fired from the Marlins soon. I wonder if the Marlins have any interest in Bobby V again. They were interested before.
Jim Tracy might get the ax in Colorado.
The Cleveland job opened up before the end of the season. Terry Francona is interviewing this week or next week. Sandy Alomar Jr. (former Indians catcher) is the frontrunner.
I guess the Angels will keep Schoshia partially because he has a contract that runs through 2018.
Re: The MLB Thread
Well...
Shocker in Arlington, I know they've been struggling as of late, but they pulled all the strings to win that game but couldn't. Kudos to the Orioles who continue to do the impossible
Feel bad for Braves fans, got robbed of Chippers final game as an MLB Player
