Major League Baseball - 2011 Season

[Sylar]

Final: Chicago White Sox 2-18 Detroit Tigers :thumbsup:

[Sylar]

BIG win for us last night in Cleveland. Only our second win at Progressive this year.

Fister ended the night with 14 K's and only gave up 2 runs, one of which was as a result of him trying to pick off a runner at 2nd. The ever-reliable PAPA GRANDE got yet another save to seal it.

If we could take the next 2 games, I'd be delighted, but I somehow fancy the Indians to get at least 1 of them against Porcello, but Verlander is set to go on Wednesday, so fingers crossed we can get 2/3!

[Andy74]

I am finding it a bit wrong. Just... Tv, interviews, thousands of people in the crowd..? They are like 12 years old!!

It's the whole basis on which sport is grounded for the US though. Junior and High School games with serious competition and big crowds, up through college and then on to the pro games.

If we wanted to replicate the draft system for example we just couldn't as where would we be drafting from? Secondary Schools? Universities?

I like the whole High School and College emphasis on sport to be honest.

Saying that I couldn't watch the LLWS either!

[Sylar]

Genuinely didn't expect us to win last night for some reason, but Rick Porcello had a great night, giving up only 4 hits and 1 earned run, as we romped to a 10-1 victory, opening up an 8.5 game lead.

If Justin Verlander can rack up another win tonight, we're going to be in a superb position for some post-season, and our other pitching is getting great just in time, with Verlander, Porcello, Fister and Scherzer all having convincing winning records

[Sylar]

And Verlander notches no.22 for the season, as V-Mart rips a slam to give us an 8-6 win and a series sweep over the Indians in Cleveland, giving us a 9.5 game lead!

Stunning from JV!

[Haymaker]

It's the whole basis on which sport is grounded for the US though. Junior and High School games with serious competition and big crowds, up through college and then on to the pro games.

If we wanted to replicate the draft system for example we just couldn't as where would we be drafting from? Secondary Schools? Universities?

I like the whole High School and College emphasis on sport to be honest.

Saying that I couldn't watch the LLWS either!

Yeah I get all the college and high school stuff but these are really young kids in front of huge crowds! It is just a bit weird and wrong! IMHO of course.

[Dirkster23]

And Verlander notches no.22 for the season, as V-Mart rips a slam to give us an 8-6 win and a series sweep over the Indians in Cleveland, giving us a 9.5 game lead!Stunning from JV! Is the AL Central now a farce?

[Sylar]

Is the AL Central now a farce?

Can't say yet - I've watched us toss bigger leads :greengrin

[Shrekko]

The AL East is an utter farce this year.

Whoo- it's all happening in the AL East this week. Positions 1,2 and 3 still undecided and lots of inter-division games on with some great pitching match-ups (check out the next 2 Boston v Tampa games). Being 2nd might not even be enough for the wildcard so it's all to play for!

How's that AL Central for excitement in the next fortnight? :wink:

[DH1875]

Mo Rivera :thumbsup:

[Sylar]

Whoo- it's all happening in the AL East this week. Positions 1,2 and 3 still undecided and lots of inter-division games on with some great pitching match-ups (check out the next 2 Boston v Tampa games). Being 2nd might not even be enough for the wildcard so it's all to play for!

How's that AL Central for excitement in the next fortnight? :wink:

The humble pie sure is tasty with extra cream.

When I posted that, it looked all but assured that the Yankees and Red Sox would run away with it, but wow, Boston didn't half blow it in spectacular fashion.

Post-season gets underway tomorrow for the AL (and Saturday for the NL) and we couldn't have been given a harder start to be honest, though lets be honest, who DOESN'T want to see Verlander go against Sabbathia!

Fixtures, following completion of all regular season games and qualifying berths:

AL

Detroit Tigers @ New York Yankees
Tampa Bay Rays @ Texas Rangers

NL

St Louis Cardinals @ Philadelphia Phillies
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Milwaukee Brewers

If we can navigate past the Yankees, I can see us making the World Series, as we've had great records against both Tampa and Texas this year, but getting past New York is going to be tough.

[Shrekko]

The humble pie sure is tasty with extra cream.

When I posted that, it looked all but assured that the Yankees and Red Sox would run away with it, but wow, Boston didn't half blow it in spectacular fashion.

Post-season gets underway tomorrow for the AL (and Saturday for the NL) and we couldn't have been given a harder start to be honest, though lets be honest, who DOESN'T want to see Verlander go against Sabbathia!

Fixtures, following completion of all regular season games and qualifying berths:

AL

Detroit Tigers @ New York Yankees
Tampa Bay Rays @ Texas Rangers

NL

St Louis Cardinals @ Philadelphia Phillies
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Milwaukee Brewers

If we can navigate past the Yankees, I can see us making the World Series, as we've had great records against both Tampa and Texas this year, but getting past New York is going to be tough.

Don't worry about humble pie mate- looks like I may be way off about AL MVP so I cant talk :greengrin

I must admit, baseball can be a long grind at times, but sometimes it can be unbelievable for drama and things happening you just don't expect. In truth nobody can say they expected the Red Sox to collapse like that, but sometimes it looks like the script is written in this sport- last night was incredible.

I think all 4 teams in the AL have a 25% chance of reaching the World Series, I really do. They all have their strengths. I'm also finding the NL more attractive than normal this season and you've got 4 really good teams still left with a lot of the big stars of the league.

I hate the best of 5 first rounds which I think are a lottery. You and me TSSF are on opposite sides for what could be an unbelievable series. For the Yankees CC Sabathia is clearly the key guy going up against the best pitcher in the AL and it's time for him to show why he earns the money he does- I'm not always convinced about him in the big spots but know he's capable of wining any game. The rest of our rotation is hard to predict- Nova is brilliant but a rookie, Freddy Garcia is wily but occasionally can be knocked around if his fastball location is poor as he needs to be ahead on counts to use all the off-speed stuff to good effect.

[DH1875]

:bye::bye::bye: Boston Redsox :tee hee::tee hee:

[Haymaker]

:bye::bye::bye: Boston Redsox :tee hee::tee hee:

:grr:

[Sylar]

Ugh - game 1 rained out and then all was looking well in game 2, until up steps Robinson Cano to slam the Yankees into a 1 game lead. I fancied Fister to get the win too, as since the trade, his numbers have actually been better than JV!

[Shrekko]

Ugh - game 1 rained out and then all was looking well in game 2, until up steps Robinson Cano to slam the Yankees into a 1 game lead. I fancied Fister to get the win too, as since the trade, his numbers have actually been better than JV!

All was looking well when you were pretty much behind all night? :greengrin

Fister pitched well- he must be gutted. In my biased opinion he ran into the most talented player in the AL on a good night so no disgrace.

Tonight's the biggie though and could well decide who goes through.

[Sylar]

All was looking well when you were pretty much behind all night? :greengrin

Fister pitched well- he must be gutted. In my biased opinion he ran into the most talented player in the AL on a good night so no disgrace.

Tonight's the biggie though and could well decide who goes through.

He hadn't given much up at all and then "boom" - we were certainly hanging in there until the 6th. Yankees came up big when it mattered at the plate, so nope, no shame in losing to them at all - were the better team when it mattered.

Agree with your final point - Scherzer has had a decent season, but I fancy the Yankees to go 2-0 tonight :agree:

[Sylar]

I think Valverde just about stopped my heart in the bottom of the 9th inning. It looked like it was going to be "one of those finishes", with Avila dropping a routine foul ball after slipping in the on-deck circle, but we hold on to tie the series at 1-1, prior to Verlander starting in Commerica tomorrow night.

[Shrekko]

Well 1-1 and advantage Tigers IMO. Verlander in game 3 and Burnett in game 4- need I say more.

Good game tonight though- much more exciting at the end than I thought it would be.

A-Rod looks to be lining up a typical A-Rod post season and Miguel Cabrera showing him how real superstars do it.

[Sylar]

Well 1-1 and advantage Tigers IMO. Verlander in game 3 and Burnett in game 4- need I say more.

Good game tonight though- much more exciting at the end than I thought it would be.

A-Rod looks to be lining up a typical A-Rod post season and Miguel Cabrera showing him how real superstars do it.

It could be a case of "who makes less mistakes" in game 4, as I'm not comfortable when Porcello is on the mound for us. Don't get me wrong, he's a decent pitcher, but when he makes mistakes, they're usually BIG mistakes.

He's 2-2 vs the Yankees in the last 10 years, whereas AJ has a 4-2 record against the Tigs in the same time period.

Sets up a good 2 game stretch in D-town.

[Sylar]

And the Tigers lead the series 2-1, after Verlander gets the win 5-4.

A win from Rick Porcello tonight and Yankee stadium can switch the lights out til next season.

Fingers crossed, but without much optimism...

[Shrekko]

And the Tigers lead the series 2-1, after Verlander gets the win 5-4.

A win from Rick Porcello tonight and Yankee stadium can switch the lights out til next season.

Fingers crossed, but without much optimism...

Always better to appear cautious eh? :wink: You must already be in the next round in your mind surely?

Baseball does have a habit of not going to the form book despite endless predictions, over analysis and pontificating. However I'm a believer in momentum and it's all with the Tigers. The big boys are doing their job and they're also getting unexpected contributions from guys like Inge, Young and Scherzer. Yankees are sadly getting the expected contributions from Messrs Rodriquez, Teixera and Swisher, three of their worst Yankee post season hitters of all time and now the season rests in the hands of AJ Burnett..... hold on to your hats!!

[CFC]

Iirc Burnett was pish last season in the ALCS v the Rangers, not ideal to be starting him in a do or die game surely

[Sylar]

Always better to appear cautious eh? :wink: You must already be in the next round in your mind surely?

Baseball does have a habit of not going to the form book despite endless predictions, over analysis and pontificating. However I'm a believer in momentum and it's all with the Tigers. The big boys are doing their job and they're also getting unexpected contributions from guys like Inge, Young and Scherzer. Yankees are sadly getting the expected contributions from Messrs Rodriquez, Teixera and Swisher, three of their worst Yankee post season hitters of all time and now the season rests in the hands of AJ Burnett..... hold on to your hats!!

Not at all, I'm genuinely still apprehensive about the series, as if we lose tonight, we're done, as I can't see us getting a win if it goes back to New York and Porcello has been quite hot and cold this year.

We are putting up runs, which is nice, but if your offense gets head of us, we don't have enough in the bullpen to retrieve a situation. We have a superb closer in Valverde (not quite Rivera mind you :wink:), but it would be silly to have it in mind as already being there. I wouldn't be surprised if A-Rod, Teixera or Swisher blew out of their slumps in the next 3 games to be honest :greengrin

If we DO get past you, I like our chances in the ALCS - we've had a great record against Texas this year, both at home and on the road (the series in Arlington was a joy to behold for Tiger offense) and we do have good momentum just now. It would be great to capitalise on it and take care of business tonight though!

[CFC]

Iirc Burnett was pish last season in the ALCS v the Rangers, not ideal to be starting him in a do or die game surelyNot too shabby from Burnett after all though Granderson bailed him out massively with a huge play early on, 4 hits and one earned run in 5 and a bit innings. The Yankees tore the Tigers bullpen a new one, cant be good for Detroits confidence heading back to NY.

[Sylar]

Typical Tigers - when expectations are high, we crumble.

I'd imagine New York will progress now.

[Sylar]

If it wasn't for the rain delay, we'd be going into game 5 with Justin Verlander starting on the mound, and I'd feel a lot more confident ahead of tonight. However, Fister has had good numbers since his trade and will just need to put the opening game behind him and focus on getting it done tonight.

Having said that, Nova has had a superb season for the Yankees and I expect nothing other than a Yankees win tonight.

All series' other than Texas and Tampa (which is already done) are tied at 2-2 and will go to the decider. I'm amazed, as I thought the Phillies would have dispatched the Cards without much huffing and puffing, but it's gone to the death.

Beginning to fancy a Yankees vs Phillies/Cards World Series...

[CFC]

If it wasn't for the rain delay, we'd be going into game 5 with Justin Verlander starting on the mound, and I'd feel a lot more confident ahead of tonight. However, Fister has had good numbers since his trade and will just need to put the opening game behind him and focus on getting it done tonight.Having said that, Nova has had a superb season for the Yankees and I expect nothing other than a Yankees win tonight.I'm amazed, as I thought the Phillies would have dispatched the Cards without much huffing and puffingBy all accounts that series was supposed to (on paper) be swept by the Phillies wasnt it?

[Shrekko]

If it wasn't for the rain delay, we'd be going into game 5 with Justin Verlander starting on the mound, and I'd feel a lot more confident ahead of tonight. However, Fister has had good numbers since his trade and will just need to put the opening game behind him and focus on getting it done tonight.

Having said that, Nova has had a superb season for the Yankees and I expect nothing other than a Yankees win tonight.

All series' other than Texas and Tampa (which is already done) are tied at 2-2 and will go to the decider. I'm amazed, as I thought the Phillies would have dispatched the Cards without much huffing and puffing, but it's gone to the death.

Beginning to fancy a Yankees vs Phillies/Cards World Series...

Your first paragraph assumes that Verlander wins game 1. Otherwise Nova v Fister in game 2 might have been 2-0 Yankees and the series might be over already- who knows?

You're playing Tigers chances down again but it's 50/50 for me. Yankees would normally win this game but the pressure at home on them could make this difficult. A-Rod was being booed in game 2- rightly in my opinion, although Mr. Teixiera must be glad to have him to hide behind, so it could get fraught tonight if Tigers can jump into a lead.

It's been a top series and if things go wrong for the Yanks tonight I can accept it, as although some of our hitters have performed horribly the team has fought hard, showed character and in the main played some very good baseball. Early post season exits in recent years have been horribly predictable and lacklustre.

[Sylar]

How the hell did we just win that? That was the most nervous I've ever been, watching out pitching staff trying to get it done - the amount of chances we gave the Yankees to get it done and then managed to get out again was unbelievable! I thought Jeter had gave the Yanks the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 8th, but thank goodness the ball died at the track...

Bring on the Rangers! :thumbsup:

[Shrekko]

How the hell did we just win that? That was the most nervous I've ever been, watching out pitching staff trying to get it done - the amount of chances we gave the Yankees to get it done and then managed to get out again was unbelievable! I thought Jeter had gave the Yanks the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 8th, but thank goodness the ball died at the track...

Bring on the Rangers! :thumbsup:

Aye bottom the 7th and bases loaded, one out, who else would you want batting than your clean up man?- he of the 275 million bucks contract? The guy's a joke.

Well done to the Tigers, but one thing that concerned me all year was the amount of close games the Yankees lost and that trend continued in this series. Despite Girardi's ridiculous pitching changes, I really think they should have won last night. Fister was probably less impressive than he was in game 1 but they let him off the hook. I'm vey disappointed with the performances of the big names in the team except Cano of course. Sometimes the difference in tight matches is having guys who really know how to step into the spotlight- with A-Rod and Teixiera tied up for the next 5/6 years I believe that the Yankees will not be in the winners circle for a long time to come.

Anyway- I enjoyed the season overall and good luck to fans of teams who are still in with a shout. Tigers have a very good chance.

[Sylar]

Well, all games now decided:

Arizona Diamondbacks 2-3 Milwaukee Brewers (Milwaukee win series 3-2)
St Louis Cardinals 1-0 Philadelphia Phillies (St Louis win series 3-2) [pretty shocked at this to be honest!]

So it's: ALCS - Texas Rangers vs Detroit Tigers and NLCS - St Louis Cardinals vs Milwaukee Brewers

[Sylar]

Game 1 to Texas, and finally a team manages to stop Justin Verlander.

Game was horribly interrupted by rain delays, which firstly stopped the Texas momentum (who were 3-0 up at that point) and allowed us to get it to 3-2, then just as we were building momentum, having just scored the 2 runs, yet another rain for an hour and 20 minutes, completely disrupted any momentum we had built.

Game 2 tonight, before we go to a 3 game series in Detroit. A win tonight would be VERY welcome indeed...

[Sylar]

Game 2 postponed on account of the rain, so we go tonight at 9.15pm.

Milwaukee beat St Louis 9-6 in the NLCS game 1.

[Sylar]

Cheerio World Series. Texas lead 2-0 after a grand slam in the 11th inning won them the game.

Nothing other than 3 wins in Detroit will give us a shot.

St Louis levelled their series with Milwaukee last night, winning 12-3.

[Sylar]

Good start - Detroit 5-2 Texas, with Fister getting the win - huge night for Cabby.

Same again tonight please!

[Sylar]

Ah well, looks like it's going to be the Texas Rangers representing the AL in the World Series, barring a comeback of epic proportions.

Best pitching staff in the AL all season and we come undone against a side we owned during the regular season.

Very disappointing.

[CFC]

Ah well, looks like it's going to be the Texas Rangers representing the AL in the World Series, barring a comeback of epic proportions.Best pitching staff in the AL all season and we come undone against a side we owned during the regular season.Very disappointing.Not to rub it in but very, very similar to the Jets-Patriots last season mate. You've still a fighting chance mind though Cruz's bat is ominous now.

[Sylar]

The chance is reducing on a pitch by pitch basis. Already 1-0 down and a combination of Wilson's pitching and the Rangers' infield are ensuring this is going to be more than difficult.

[Sylar]

And we're still alive! 7-5, puts the series to 3-2, but we need to win back to back tomorrow and then Sunday in Texas.

Milwaukee and St Louis are tied at 2-2, following the Brewers 4-2 win last night.

[Sylar]

Wow - Texas seal with World Series berth in style, hammering us 15-5 in Arlington.

Ah well, it was a good season for us and hopefully one we can build on next year. A new 3B, replace Rick Porcello and bolster the bullpen would be a good start, as Texas really beat on it when the starters went out. Too many games we lost over this series in the late innings and even extras!

[Sylar]

World Series is underway and home-field advantage seems to have started off as the order of the day, with the Cardinals winning 3-2 over the Rangers.

[hibsbollah]

Two teams i have no time for at all for the world series; Dubya's team vs the dirty birds. Its like trying to choose a favourite between the old firm :greengrin

[James.]

Always gotta root for the NL team - even when it's the Cards!

[hibsbollah]

Always gotta root for the NL team - even when it's the Cards! Have to agree...by the thinnest baw hair :greengrin

[CFC]

Looks like Rangers bats deserting them like this time last year. And what about the Molina brothers? One of them in the world serirs ebery year seemingly.

[Sylar]

Rangers turn it around in the 9th inning to win 2-1 and tie the series at 1-1!

[Sylar]

And as the series moves to Arlington, St Louis batter Texas in game 3, 16-7, with Albert Pujols hitting 3 homers, become the first person to do this in the post-season since Reggie Jackson or Babe Ruth!

[heretoday]

Cards seem to be losing concentration for some reason.

[heretoday]

Cards have to do something. Otherwise they are Donald Ducked.

[heretoday]

The game is tied at 3.

[heretoday]

Great play by Holliday.

[heretoday]

Again with lack of concentration. Cost a run.

[heretoday]

St Louis crowd are like Hibs crowd. Sitting on their hands.

[heretoday]

Lewis out.

[heretoday]

It's 9-9

[heretoday]

The Cards did it......The Cards did it.

[James.]

Cards have to do something. Otherwise they are Donald Ducked.

2 runs in the 9th to tie it and a walk off home run in the 11th. Nice comeback from St Louis!

[Sylar]

What a game - was beginning to think it was never going to end though! Tired this morning!

[heretoday]

I'm going to do it again tonight! What I love about baseball is the tension between pitcher and batter. It used to be like that with cricket but I've given up on that.

Cricket is not the honest game it used to be.

[heretoday]

It's 2-0 to the Rangers. Hey, isn't it obvious I'm supporting the Cardinals?

[Andy74]

The pitching in the last 3 or 4 games has been a shambles! Made it interesting though. 3-2 Cards now going into the 4th.

[James.]

The Cardinals win their 11th World Series title. Well deserved, they've been highly entertaining over the course of the series.

[Sylar]

Wonder what odds you'd get now on Pujol$ staying with the Cardinals?

I agree, well deserved win for them.

Roll on late February/March when we do it all over again and the Detroit Tigers win the 2012 World Series :greengrin

[Sylar]

All hail Justin Verlander - AL Cy Young AND MVP winner for the year.

An absolutely sensational season and I really hope we keep a hold of him between now and March - we can only improve :agree: