- Seamheads breaks down the AL MVP candidates
- Bye bye Joe Torre.
- Not only is Cubs manager Mike Quade 24-12 as manager but with tonight’s win, Carlos Zambrano is 8-0 in his last 10 starts. I haven’t gotten the memo yet. Are we supposed to start liking him again?
- I know the media is drooling over the idea of a “wacky” three-way tie but let’s keep it simple. Maybe the Giants will win on Sunday.
- oh and bye bye Mike Lowell, too.
Tag: playoffs
ALCS Beat: “C.C.’s the real deal, man”
Sloppy.
That’s the adjective I keep seeing repeated in the headlines regarding the Los Angeles Angels play last night in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees. The Angels, who bested their error record during the regular season with only 85 miscues, made some pretty nasty and costly ones in Friday night’s game. Like a botched routine popup that ended up to be an rbi single.
I’ll admit I was rooting for Big John Lackey. But it’s hard to give that kind of edge to the Yankees and expect to win because you know the Yanks will step in and seize the advantage. With the way C.C. Sabathia was pitching last night, that was kiss of death. True, Sabathia has had issues with the Angels during the regular season (0-2, 9 ER in 13 1/3 innings though he did strike out 11). But that was all ancient history and as they say it’s a brand new season when it comes to the playoffs. Sabathia went 8 innings last night against the Halos allowing only 4 hits and just one run (an rbi single by Kendry Morales). Sabathia walked one and struck out seven.
Torii Hunter had begrudging praise for Sabathia (in reference to the mid-40s temperature):
"CC was the cold weather. He was pitching his butt off. CC’s the real deal, man."
Other ALCS Bits:
- Speaking of mid-40 degree weather, yes, it was that cold. And we’re only in the beginning of the League Championship Series. The MLB Postseason schedule is set till November 5 (assuming all games are played). It’s going to get a whole lot colder unless the Angels and Dodgers pull it off.
Jim Caple of ESPN has a tongue in cheek article about how HE feels about the postseason schedule.
- Apparently, singer Ronan Tynan was a late scratch for singing God Bless America in last night’s game for making an anti-Semitic remark.
- Anyone care what Nick Swisher has to say? If so, check out MLB.com’s Q&A with him posted today.
2006 NLDS StL v. SD Game 1 Linescore of the Day: Albert Pujols
2 for 4, HR, 2 rbis
San Diego Padres meet Albert Pujols.
Prince Albert continues his torrid pace into the post-season. His two-run homer broke a two-all tie. Cardinals win. Simple as that.
To say that the Cardinals needed to win this game is an understatement. After their losing ways toward the end of the season, I’ll bet it felt good to have this under their belt. Having Carpenter going for them in Game 1 is a blessing. He allowed only one run in six and a third.
From here out, it may get a little sticky. The rest of the Cards’ staff will not be a sure thing and they can’t expect Pujols to do it all in every game.
The teams get a day off and continue on Thursday.