MLB League Championship Thread

[sahyder1]

Yeah, it's not bumping out anything super important so I figuered we start another poll just to see how the views have shifted (Any way to bring back the polls only option Kliq?). I guess continue talking LDS in the other thread and leave this one for LCS.

Angels in 6

Astros in 6

Edited October 11, 2005 by Testing New Name Feature

[naiwf]

I'm sticking with the Cardinals although I'm not nearly as confident in that pick anymore.

Angels in 7 - I fully expect them to be down 2-0 due to lack of rest, so the only way I can see them holding off is to win game 7 in Chicago.

Cardinals in 6 - Houston's lack of offense will kill them. I see a couple of 2-1, 3-2 type losses.

I think Mike Scioscia is the best manager in MLB, so he's an easy pick here.

Lidge is Mariano's heir apparent and will have no problem going 6 outs or more if need be. Sadly, I don't expect him to be used much in this series.

Cleveland has the best chance to win a WS in the next couple of years since the Cubs are choke artists, the ChiSox won't get it this year which is their only chance, and the Giants are dead in the water for the next decade if they don't win it next year (and they won't).

I'm actually more excited to see who wins since it's not going to be the Yankees or Boston. Neither team was the best in the league this year and both got bumped by supposedly "inferior" squads, so it's going to be nice to see someone else win for once. I know the Angels won 3 years ago but that was a completely different team who got hot at the right time. In order of personal interest I'd go with the Angels, Astros, Cards and then White Sox but I don't actively hate any of the remaining teams so it's all good.

Edited October 11, 2005 by naiwf

[gunnar hendershow]

I'm going with the Astros now, who I had winning the NL before. So might as well stick with them beating the Cards in 7. White Sox will win in 6 due to a 2-0 lead early in the series.

Cleveland is my pick to win a World Series first, they could do it next year.

Tony LaRussa I'd trust because I'm a big fan of his. Scioscia and he are the two best managers in baseball, LaRussa gets the nod due to experience only.

And I'd trust Brad Lidge over anyone else outside of Mariano anyday.

[The Mask of Norro]

Honestly, I'm reaaaaally going to chance it here and call Astros in 5 games. It's doubtful, but damn I'd be happy if it happened.

Angels in 6, I really can't see them losing this one for some reason.

Astros-Angels in the series...I'm calling it, and hoping for it

[sahyder1]

3 games in 3 days in 3 different time zones. What can you say....this team is just that crazy. Great game tonight. Both of the SPs definitely far exceeded my expectations. As each days go by I love our bullpen more and more. Anderson is having himself a nice little postseason here. I had some doubts with his injuries and all but the bat seems to be there. It's amazing that the Angels haven't really gotten a solid offensive game from Vlad. Taking the homefield back is big. Taking the game with the weak link in our rotation is bigger. Let's see what Washburn can bring out tomorrow although I'm less worried now with a rested Donnely and Escobar.

[Disengager]

I'm going for Astros/White Sox world series. The White Sox's just have the pitching. Contreras, Garland, Buehrle, Garcia, repeat. Yeah, I like it. As far as the Astros go, I think they can take the cardinals in 7 and correct the mistakes they made from last year. Overall, I'm not sure which would win between White Sox/Astros, but I almost don't really care because I love both teams. I'd like to see Clemens go out on top, but then again, I'd like to see Clemens pitch until he's 50.

[gunnar hendershow]

I'm not a fan of the Angels nor a hater of the White Sox.

But that was BULLLLLSHIIIIIIT.

[sahyder1]

I'm not a fan of the Angels nor a hater of the White Sox.

But that was BULLLLLSHIIIIIIT.

[reyrey619]

The fact that it didn't seem that he caught the ball really is not the issue. The fact that the umpire did not say the ball was dropped, and called him out, is the problem. The umpires in this postseason have not been good at all, and this is the worst of all the calls.

[The Handsome Hero]

man you just know the Angels White Sox series is going to be a classic...both have good pitching...play for one run...and have the two best coaches of the year in the game...should be priceless

[Tarheels.]

Cards in 4

Sox in 6

I think this will be a nice World Series, Sox have really surprised me so far. I knew they had some decent pitching and they had some talented players but I didn't think that they would make it to the ALCS. I think they'll barely take out the Angels. It comes down to who plays the hardest and right now I think that the Sox want it more. Coming off of their first playoff win in a loooong time, and i belive one of their first play off sweeps. They've got the skills to go all the way but they can't match up against the Cardinals. Astro's have a nice bull pen but they don't have many big bats. Sure they got some runs off of the braves bull pen but they don't exactly have some of the best pitchers. Cardinals have great pitchers and some BIG bats. Cards win the world sereis.

[The Mask of Norro]

Damn this is nerve-wracking...we've still got a ways to go in this game and are up by two, I'll be happy if we can just keep it that wa--oh God damn it Molina hit a double.

Come on, don't let these guys score now! >_<

[sahyder1]

Yet another Web Gem from Edmonds.....has anyone in history of baseball made more catches like those then this man

[The Mask of Norro]

Yet another Web Gem from Edmonds.....has anyone in history of baseball made more catches like those then this man

I want my 'Stros to win, but there's no denying that that was a beautiful catch...loved that play.

[The Mask of Norro]

And THERE IT WAS!

Astros take it home baby! Way to go team!

Three games at home now, we've got a much better chance at winning the World Series now then we did last year, that's for sure.

GO STROS GO!

[Guest Snyper]

Hell Yea go 'stros. Got my tickets for game 4 (Standing Room Only unfortunently) against the cards, and I was at the game that went 18 against the braves. As long as they contain Big Albert, I think we can go to the big dance.

[sahyder1]

Umpire: I should have made stronger call

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Given another chance, umpire Doug Eddings said he would've been more emphatic in making the call that helped the Chicago White Sox win Game 2 of the American League Championship Series.

"The only thing I'm down on myself is I should have sold it either way," Eddings said Thursday. Chicago beat the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 to pull even in the best-of-seven series on Wednesday night.

"I should have either said, `No catch,' or, if I did have a catch, that he was out. Which I never said: `He's out,"' Eddings said.

Eddings talked to reporters from The New York Times, New York Post, Los Angeles Times and Sports Illustrated at the airport after taking a flight to the West Coast. He was escorted by two Orange County sheriffs and a Major League Baseball security officer as he exited the flight from Chicago.

White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski struck out swinging with two outs in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday night, but he hustled to first and was safe because Eddings ruled the pitch was not gloved cleanly.

Thinking the inning was over, Angels catcher Josh Paul had rolled the ball to the mound with the Angels already coming off the field. Eddings' call stood and Pierzynski scored the winning run on Joe Crede's double.

Eddings told the newspaper that he planned to change his style to more clearly reflect the difference between calling a strike and calling a batter out.

Plate umpires are trained to shout "No catch!" or indicate that the ball is in play after a swinging strike; Eddings, who has maintained that he was right in saying the ball hit the dirt before Paul gloved it, was silent.

Mike Port, baseball's vice president of umpiring, told The Associated Press on Thursday that Eddings did nothing wrong and that umpires are not required to audibly call "No catch."

[TheSqauredCircleMessiah]

ALCS-I could really care less about these two teams but I'm enjoying this series. I'm thinking Chicago is going to wrap it up in 6. They just have better pitching. They have clearly the superior starting rotation, and that's if Bartolo Colon healthy. The Angels rotation is just a wreck. The ChiSox have better hitters too. That lineup one through nine is dangerous. You get past by Vlad and Cabrera, and the Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim of Orange County of California of America of North America of the Western Hemisphere of Earth are not a threatening offensive team.

The NLCS is a toss up. The Astros have the best pitching I've seen since the heyday of Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, & Avery. Brad Lidge is lights out. But, the Cards pitching is not that far behind. So the edge goes to the Red Birds due to these words: Albert Puljos, Jim Edmonds, Larry Walker, Reggie Sanders, etc etc. Cards in 7.

[sahyder1]

Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim of Orange County of California of America of North America of the Western Hemisphere of Earth

Edited October 15, 2005 by Testing New Name Feature

[The Mask of Norro]

Really, these are four very close teams in skill. Saying Angels don't have an offense is like saying White Sox's defense must be shitty then to find a challenge in them.

I'm sticking to my original call for the Series--Angels and 'Stros. Personally, I think the call that umpire made was bullshit against the Angels...but what can you do? We've got an 18-inning pre-championship game between the 'Stros and the Braves going down in history, and we've got one of the most controversial calls made by an umpire in recent time going down in history.

The race the the World Series is very interesting this year.