In today's game:

Dodgers 9, Wankees 4! :D :D :D :D


Also, the Redsox beat the Giants in San Fran.

In today's game:

Dodgers 9, Wankees 4! :D :D :D :D


Also, the Redsox beat the Giants in San Fran.

All good news.

After all my complaints against David Ortiz, I have to say he's doing better. Hit his 16th HR of the year ( Pujols has 16 as well) and is no longer batting .170, but .250.
Hope he can keep it up.

Hope Manny does well against the Yanks tonight, he has done well in the past against Pettite.

I am so angry I could scream right now. And I bet most of the Dodgers players are, too.

Clayton Kershaw threw 100 pitches through 7 innings against the Evil Empire. He clearly deserved to win the game. Especially with a 6-2 lead going into the bottom of the 9th. And what does Broxton do? He gets the leadoff man out, Mark Texeira, but then it all falls apart. And then in extra innings, George Sherrill hands the game to the E.E. Plus, the umpires made some disputed calls, especially the home plate umpire. I think Torre should've left Belisario in to pitch the 9th; he was clearly effective in the 8th inning. If I were Torre, I would've kept Belisario in, and then if things got out of hand, then turn to Broxton as a last resort.

I'm gonna have a long list of smite-ees in the appropriate thread, if I ever get there.

Yankees lose, Red Sox win, Cards win...happy day in MLB for me.
Pujols has another big day.

^ Excellent.

Now if the Dodgers can beat the Jints again, then it'll be a happy day in MLB for me as well. Even happier if John Ely can break out of his winless skid.

^ Excellent.

Now if the Dodgers can beat the Jints again, then it'll be a happy day in MLB for me as well. Even happier if John Ely can break out of his winless skid.


So far things are going well for L.A. Ely pitched 7 innings, giving up only 1 earned run, that's pretty good.

So far things are going well for L.A. Ely pitched 7 innings, giving up only 1 earned run, that's pretty good.

Yes, and now it is the 8th inning, with L.A. up 4-1. Ramon Troncoso came in and got one out...and now George Sherrill has gotten the other two.

Now going to the 9th; LAD should tack on some insurance runs and pray that Broxton doesn't blow it in the bottom of the 9th.

Okay, Dodgers went quietly in the 9th. It'll be up to Justin Miller, a rookie, to close things out.

Actually, Justin Miller is new to the Dodgers this year. Still, he needs to get two more outs. He just got 1 guy out, but not without issuing a solo homer to somebody else.

^ They won. Ron Bellisario got the final out.

And LAD won their game this afternoon, thereby completing a sweep of the Giants in San Fran!!! :D

Oh, and the Mariners handed the Yuckees a goose-egg in the Bronx earlier, with Felix Hernandez achieving a complete-game shutout. :D ;D >:D

Right now the Dodgers aren't doing so well in Arizona against the cellar dweller Diamondbacks, who have Kirk Gibson as their new manager. There are already three runs on the board for the Dbacks against Hiroki Kuroda, who is clearly struggling.


Edit: 1st inning is finally over! But not without Kuroda making 41 total pitches. He ain't gonna last very long.

...yep, I was right. Kuroda was lifted before the end of the 2nd inning, after being bombarded with 6 total Arizona runs. I think this was his worst regular-season outing. Dodgers ended up with 5 of their own while the Dbacks put up a total of 12.

2 best teams in baseball..Yankees & Red Sox..**yawn**
Nice 3-way battle this year with Tampa.

Reds leading Cards by 1.5 games. Didn't see that one coming back in April.

The Error-zona Diamondbacks commited half a dozen errors in last night's game, leading the Dodgers (who scored a total of 14 runs, a big chunk of which were unearned) to a near-shutout victory. The only Arizona run was a leadoff homer in the 9th off Jon Broxton, who had not pitched since blowing a four-run lead against the Evil Empire last weekend.

Tampa beat Red Sox tonight to pull into 2nd place in the American league east.

Dodgers fail to recover from a 6-run deficit given them in the 3rd inning, thanks to Joe Torre not lifting John Ely in the 2nd inning. Ely seems to do great against teams within the NL West, but outside the division he's not so good at all. After Ely surrendered half a dozen runs in 3 innings, the relievers shut down the Marlins for the rest of the game, while L.A. managed to pull within one run and lose 6-5. :-\\

Boston just fumbled the ball in 3 games Vs T bay.
Bad for them.

After pulling out a big win last night against the Marlins, the Dodgers are in danger of laying a goose-egg tonight. This would be their 9th one this year (I think) and 4th one on their home turf. Not a good thing.

Dodgers win their home opener against the Cubs to keep pace with the Padres, Giants, and Rockies (who all won their respective games). Clayton Kershaw pitches 8 innings, striking out a dozen and throwing 97 pitches altogether, and Broxton nails down the save (which I wish he coulda done against the Yankees not too long ago, when Kershaw had pitched a gem).

So Cliff Lee is now a member of the....







Texas Rangers.

Once again, John Ely gives up half a dozen runs in less than three full innings of pitching...this time to the Cubbies (who were up 6-0 at one point). Dodgers fail to fully overcome deficit, and lose 7-3 (I think). Ely seems to do well against teams in his own division (NL West), but he's gotta be able to get guys out regardless of what team they play for.

So Cliff Lee is now a member of the....




Texas Rangers.

Better than being with the Yankees, I suppose.

Better than being with the Yankees, I suppose.

Eh, the Yankees already got some big name starters.

I'm surprised the Dodgers didn't try to acquire him. What they need is a true ace starting pitcher. If they can't get one this year, then they should definitely get one during the 2010-11 offseason.

So the Dodgers close out the series with the Cubs by shutting them out 7-nothing. Vicente Padilla went 8 strong innings, throwing 106 pitches, and Hong-Chih Kuo (who will replace Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward on the NL All-Star roster) pitched the ninth.

All-star break
Best team in Baseball: The Evil Empire.
Best team in NL: Atlanta.

All-star break
Best team in Baseball: The Evil Empire.
Best team in NL: Atlanta.

The two teams I despise the most.

The two teams I despise the most.

At least the Dodgers won today on your birthday.

At least the Dodgers won today on your birthday.

Yes, and I enjoyed watching the whole game on ESPN tonight. O0 Padilla had a no-hitter through five innings (I think) and then in the sixth inning a Cubs batter broke through. At least the shutout was intact, although a couple of Cubs runners got to third. Also, Carlos Silva (the CHC starting pitcher) got tossed in the second inning for arguing a play that could've gotten a runner out.

Well...tonight, the National League did something for the first time in 14 years...













They won an All-Star game!!!

That's right, the curse is finally over for them. It mostly had to do with the NL pitching, and the AL's inability to cash in runners who were in scoring position. Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann knocked in all of the NL's three runs...in the same pitch, and was named series MVP. Most all the other National Leaguers did great, too...except for Hong-chih Kuo (who pitches for my L.A. Dodger team), who threw a ball too high in attempt to get a runner out; this led to an unearned run (the only one scored by the AL).

So this means whichever team wins the NL pennant will host Games 1 and 2 of the World Series. I'd like for it to be my team, but they gotta play well for the remainder of this season.

Well...tonight, the National League did something for the first time in 14 years...




They won an All-Star game!!!

That's right, the curse is finally over for them. It mostly had to do with the NL pitching, and the AL's inability to cash in runners who were in scoring position. Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann knocked in all of the NL's three runs...in the same pitch, and was named series MVP. Most all the other National Leaguers did great, too...except for Hong-chih Kuo (who pitches for my L.A. Dodger team), who threw a ball too high in attempt to get a runner out; this led to an unearned run (the only one scored by the AL).

So this means whichever team wins the NL pennant will host Games 1 and 2 of the World Series. I'd like for it to be my team, but they gotta play well for the remainder of this season.

I don't usually watch the All-Star game anymore, but it's good the NL gets home filed advantage, that means we only see the DH for max 3 games.
It's been almost 40 years since the DH. 2 leagues, 2 different rules. It's just dumb.

Red Sox getting beat up by Texas, now 6.5 games back of the friggin evil empire.

And the Dud-gers have already dropped the first two games of their series in St. Louie... hopefully they can split the series right down the middle by winning their game this afternoon and then again tomorrow. Problem is, they don't have adequate pitching. Of course, Ely stunk his last couple times up, so they demoted him to the minors and will need a new fifth starter come Monday; rumor is that it'll be James McDonald, who mostly pitched in relief last year.

...and no such luck today. LAD couldn't get one lousy run on the board today in a hot St. Louis. (Of course, the Dodgers have had trouble in the confines of St. Louis over the last few years.) Kuroda pitched pretty well, giving up only one run...but Adam Wainwright just completely shut down the Dudgers' offense.

...and no such luck today. LAD couldn't get one lousy run on the board today in a hot St. Louis. (Of course, the Dodgers have had trouble in the confines of St. Louis over the last few years.) Kuroda pitched pretty well, giving up only one run...but Adam Wainwright just completely shut down the Dudgers' offense.

It's about time STL puts a streak together. They still haven't passed surprising Cincinnati yet.

And as I mentioned in at least one other thread yesterday, Jon Broxton was asked to get a five-out save, but of course he let it get away in the ninth inning. >:( Broxton should know that he is not being paid to relinquish a lead given him by his teammates. He is being paid to help save games in which his team gets a lead. What's more, Vicente Padilla (who surely deserved to win) pitched well, not allowing any runs to the Cardinals. This is not the first time that Broxton has blown it.

STL cards hit 4 HR's today (including Pujols) and they have won 6 in a row.

James McDonald, who has replaced John Ely in the rotation, only went five innings in tonight's LAD game, but threw 90 pitches and allowed four runs. So he will either lose or have nothing to do with the decision. Dodgers have not won since my birthday.

Lou Piniella to retire at season's end.
Some Cubs fans wish he'd go now...

Angels take care of the Evil Empire tonight, bigtime. 10 to 2!! >:D >:D >:D

Angels take care of the Evil Empire tonight, bigtime. 10 to 2!! >:D >:D >:D

Yes, and STL beat Philly again. Philly is not a .500 ball club but their record is almost there.
I just looked and the Dodgers are in 4th place. When was the last time that occurred this late in the season?

I just looked and the Dodgers are in 4th place.

Yes, that is their consequence for dropping five in a row...hopefully that won't turn into six after tonight's game.



When was the last time that occurred this late in the season?

I don't remember. But at least they still have a winning record.

Broxton's gonna lose it again. :-[

Joe Torre needs to get a clue that Broxton is not an effective closer. That's what I think, at least.

Broxton's gonna lose it again. :-[

Joe Torre needs to get a clue that Broxton is not an effective closer. That's what I think, at least.

You were correct, the bullpen blew it.

You were correct, the bullpen blew it.

Of course; I was watching the game while posting on the computer at the same time. My parents were also watching and they, too, were disappointed in the Dodgers' inability to tack on insurance runs and preserve their lead.

The trade deadline is fast approaching and I think LAD should acquire an effective starting pitcher and a decent closer. But there ain't too many options available....

They are teasing me

Step 1:Just when I think the Red Sox are in contention, they go on a short losing streak.
Step 2: Just when I think the season is a bust, they go on a short winning streak, bringing me false hope ( that Red Sox fans know all too well)

Now repeat Step 1 again.

Now 7 games back of the Evil Empire.

That's surreal. Frank Verdi, Bob Sheppard, George Steinbrenner, and now Ralph Houk. Four Yankees died within a month...

That's surreal. Frank Verdi, Bob Sheppard, George Steinbrenner, and now Ralph Houk. Four Yankees died within a month...

Very Surreal.

Dodgers finally won one last night. Chad Billingsley went the distance and shut out the Giants 2-zip, throwing 125 total pitches and picking up his second career complete-game shutout (the only other one of which was achieved two years ago, also against the Giants). Don Mattingly acted as manager in place of Joe Torre, who was serving a one-game suspension for his actions in Tuesday night's game.

I just watched another 2-0 Dodger win. This time it was LAD defeating the Mets, with Hiroki Kuroda going eight innings, throwing 116 pitches and holding the Mets to only five hits. Hong-Chih Kuo pitched the 9th to nail down the win.

The 2 best teams in the NL are: Atlanta and San Diego? No one saw that coming.

The Pods won again today over the Pirates, who already unsurprisingly sunk to the bottom of the NL Central a while ago. And the Knaves (Braves) beat the Marlins again.

Also, my L.A. Dodgers won in 13 innings this afternoon, thanks to a walk-off homerun by James Loney. Both the Mets and the Dodgers had opportunities to score in the late innings but couldn't cash anybody in. I'm glad my team came through.


Oh, and the Evil Empire lost to the Kansas City Royals in a game played early in the day.

I think the Dodgers may have found a new reliable closer...one by the name of Kenley Jansen, who pitched a perfect 9th inning to preserve a 1-0 victory over the New York Mets. Jansen (who wears jersey number 74; I don't think any other Dodgers have worn that number) came up yesterday as a reliever in yesterday's extra-inning game and pitched very well (although I didn't see it, cuz I had somewhere to go), so today he was asked to close out today's game in the 9th inning, and he retired all three batters he faced. I'm so glad Toree asked him and not Broxton to do the job, cuz I'm sure Broxton would've expletived it up.

Also, the Angels and Arizona Dbacks made a trade involving starting pitchers: Joe Saunders goes from Anaheim to Arizona; Dan Haren goes from Arizona to Anaheim.

Red Sox now 8 games out of first.

Bye bye first place...

Dodgers, I think, are 6 games outta first in the NL West. They'd been in fourth place heading into the weekend series, but took 3 out of 4 from the Mets and leapfrogged over the slumping Rockies, who got swept in Philadelphia. Now they are behind the Jints and Padres; starting tomorrow they play the Padres for three in San Diego, then they play three in San Francisco beginning on Friday. A chance to catch their division rivals.

Albert Pujols goes 0-5 today and is batting .296.
Don't remember the last time he's below .300

Last night, John Lackey pitched in Angel Stadium for the first time as a visiting pitcher, and beat his former team, but the Sox' offense didn't come alive till the seventh inning.

And again, the Dodgers won by a score of two to nothing, this time in San Diego against Jon Garland (who was briefly a member of the Dodgers last year late in the season), and Jonathan Broxton picked up a save for the first time in two weeks. Everytime Broxton takes the mound in the 9th with his team up by however many runs, I do feel a little uneasy, but this time he got the job done.

Roy Oswalt says goodbye to Houston and hello to Fiddledelphia.

Miguel Tejada says goodbye to Baltimore and hello to San Diego...so he'll be seeing my team next week!

And I just found out that Matt Capps, who signed a deal with the Washington Nationals last offseason as their new closer, has just been traded to the Twinnesota Mins?!


Oh, and A-Roid remains stuck on 599 career home runs.

Right now the Dodgers-Giants game should be underway; L.A. reportedly received two longtime Chicago Cubs players -- infielder Ryan Theriot and starting pitcher Ted Lilly -- in exchange for second baseman Blake Dewitt and two minor leaguers. Now there is no more "Casey Blake DeWitt" on the Dodgers. (Casey Blake is still there, at third base, but Blake DeWitt is no longer with LAD, so the "before-and-after" combination is lost.) Hopefully Ted Lilly will provide his new team with some decent starting pitching, despite posting a losing record with CHC this year.

Have the Dudgers forgotten how to score runs or something? Up until today, Matt Cain had never beaten the Dodgers; he was 0-8 coming into today's game. Now, that statement is no longer true; he earned a win, going 8 strong innings (I think). Ryan Theriot fails to do anything good in his LAD debut.

Looks like another bad night for the Dud-gers, even though they're back on their home turf now. I don't know why they acquired Scott Posednik; yeah he runs the bases well, but the guy can't seem to hit for cryin out loud!

Also, the home plate umpire must have a few loose screws; he's been calling a lot of pitches strikes that 9 out of 10 people would disagree with. The Padres are getting everything their way, and the Dodgers are getting screwed.


Edit: The game's over. 8-P

Dodgers finally won again last night! :) :D Ted Lilly, making his Dodger debut, ran into a little bit of trouble in the 1st inning after issuing a solo homer to Miguel Tejada and a single to the next guy....but he retired 20 batters after that and got the win after Jon Broxton (bite my tongue) saved a one-run lead.


Oh, and the Tampa Bay Rays now own the best record in the MLB; they passed up the slumping Evil Empire (and btw, A-Roid is still stuck on 599 home runs).

Last night the Dodgers scored 9 runs in a game for the first time since...maybe sometime before the All-Star break! What's more, Vicente Padilla went the distance as he took a no-hitter into the 7th inning, only to have it broken up by two consecutive base hits. But he allowed absolutely no runs, and LAD won 9-nothing. Padilla even helped his own cause, by getting two base hits and an RBI, and even scoring a run! This was only the fourth CG for Padilla, all of which have been shutouts.

This doesn't look like the Dodgers' night. They've wasted several opportunities to score runners (especially in a first-and-third situation), and they've expletived up each time. Worse, they can't capitalize on the Rockies' loss to the Pirates from earlier today. All they've got is a danged goose egg, and with Heath Bell on the mound for the bottom of the 9th, it don't look too promising. :(

After dropping the opener to the Nationals on Friday, the Dodgers won two in a row yesterday and today, giving Ted Lilly his second win in his second start since LAD acquired him. Final score of today's game was 8-3. :) In other events, they have designated veteran outfielder Garret Anderson for assignment, which means they will most likely say goodbye to him. :-\\ Anderson was kinda slumping this year, with a batting average in the .180's, since he wasn't used much as a starter (he was mainly used for that purpose when Manny was on the DL); and since this is his 17th season in the majors, he might consider retiring. During his 15 years with the Angels, he was pretty much an everyday player.

Newest Dodgers player Jay Gibbons smacks his first home run in 3 years to lead the Dodgers to a 15-9 victory over the Phillies in Philadelphia. I cannot remember the last time the Dodgers had scored that many runs in a game. Their win, coupled with the Rockies' 1-0 loss to the Mets, moves the Dodgers back up into 3rd place in the NL West division.

Well, the Dodgers ended up giving back third place; tonight they could not score against the Foolies. That coupled with the Rockies defeating the Mets in Citi Field put the Rockies back atop the Dodgers. :-\\

Dodgers built up a 9-2 lead in today's game, but the darn bullpen couldn't hold on to it. I am sick of Joe Torre making stupid decisions as manager that cost us games. The bullpen couldn't stop the Phils from rallying in the 8th inning, when they cut the deficit to 9-6, and after L.A. went 1-2-3 in the 9th, he handed the ball to Broxton to try to close it out. Big mistake! A closer's job is not to keep letting people get on base; his job is to shut them down! And Broxton seems incapable of that lately. I knew he'd screw it up and give the Foolies the winning run.

Good news for Dodger fans...Jonathan Broxton has been lifted from the closer's role, and he will be temporarily replaced by Hong-chih Kuo (who has certainly been more effective as of late).

Bad news for Dodger fans...Joe Torre will continue to use Broxton, but only in non-save situations, such as when his team is trailing (like today, for instance...but at least he was able to survive an inning, unlike last night). Even worse news: LAD was blanked 1-zip in their series opener in Atlanta.

As usual, Pujols in challenging the triple crown this year. He's 1st in RBIs, 2nd in HRs (2 behing Votto) and he's batting .315, 4th in the league.
By the way, .315 is well below his career average.

Dodgers won by a run in yesterday's game over the Knaves, but today was a completely different story. Atlanta chased poor Vicente Padilla (who was brilliant in his last two starts) for eight runs in less than five innings, but L.A. only got one run, on a bases-loaded double play (there was nobody out prior to the DP, so the run could score). It was 10-1 in the 8th inning; I knew it wouldn't look too promising, so I just turned it off after that. The Cubs-Cardinals game was much more interesting IMO.

...by the way, the Braves really tortured the Dudgers yesterday; final score was 13 to 1! :o

They play one more game today, and then it's back to L.A. to host the Rockies and the Reds.

Interesting year in the NL, the usual suspects (St. Louis, Philly, Dodgers) usally are ahead in their divisions at this point, maybe even a healthy lead. Philly is really batting with ATL, Dodgers seem to be out of contention unless a miracle happens, and STL is battling with Cinci.

So, the Dodgers come home to shut out the Rockies after a dismal road trip to Philly and Atlanta. We're still in a home run drought, though.


Oh, and the Pittsburgh Pirates now own the worst record in the Major League; the Baltimorioles have been improving since Buck Showalter took over the managerial position.

And so, After Octavio Don't Tell blew it in the top of the 10th inning that allowed a go-ahead run to score for the Rockies to beat the Dodgers 3-2, Ted Lilly pitches a complete game shutout tonight, striking out 11 batters, en route to a 2-0 victory. Lilly is now 4-0 since joining the Dodgers almost three weeks ago; Reed Johnson hits his first home run in 14 months.

So, the Dodgers come home to shut out the Rockies after a dismal road trip to Philly and Atlanta. We're still in a home run drought, though.


Oh, and the Pittsburgh Pirates now own the worst record in the Major League; the Baltimorioles have been improving since Buck Showalter took over the managerial position.

When I was growing up, Pittsburgh and Baltimore were two of the best teams.

When I was growing up, Pittsburgh and Baltimore were two of the best teams.

That's right; they faced off in the World Series twice in the 70's! Pirates won both times (1971 and 1979).

Times have certainly changed. I think the Pirates have already guaranteed an 18th straight losing season this year.

Well...the Cincinnati Reds win a game at Dodger Stadium for the first time in 5 years. :( L.A. didn't have their best stuff, and Carlos Monasterios (subbing for sidelined starter Vicente Padilla, who has gone on the DL for the second time this year) didn't last too long.

On a better note, Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners limited the Evil Empire Yankes to only four hits, denying them any runs!!! :D :D

Well...the Cincinnati Reds win a game at Dodger Stadium for the first time in 5 years. :( L.A. didn't have their best stuff, and Carlos Monasterios (subbing for sidelined starter Vicente Padilla, who has gone on the DL for the second time this year) didn't last too long.

On a better note, Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners limited the Evil Empire Yankes to only four hits, denying them any runs!!! :D :D

Cincinnati has been red hot recently, pulling away a little from STL.

Cincinnati has been red hot recently, pulling away a little from STL.

That's right; they recently swept the cellar-dweller Dbacks in Arizona this week, and the Cardinals seem to be sinking, having just dropped 5 straight.

That's right; they recently swept the cellar-dweller Dbacks in Arizona this week, and the Cardinals seem to be sinking, having just dropped 5 straight.

They  (STL) are 4.5 games behind Cinci now. They were tied ( it seems) just a week ago.

Dodgers smack two pairs of back-to-back home runs en route to an 8-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, giving Chad Billingsley his 10th win of the season and handing Jonny Cueto his fourth loss (chasing him after 4 innings). This, coupled with the Cardinals' victory over the Giants, cuts a game off the Reds' lead in the NL Central and puts the Dodgers one game closer to the Rockies and Padres, who lost to the Dbacks and Brewers, respectively. The win for L.A. also means that they can't lose 100 games this year. 8)

I hope Cincinnati would bring a new generation of The Big Red Machine!

I hope Cincinnati would bring a new generation of The Big Red Machine!

Well, they beat the Dudgers 5-2 today to win a season series from them... :-\\

I hope Cincinnati would bring a new generation of The Big Red Machine!

Led by Votto.
But they aren't a Bench, Rose, Morgan, Perez big red machine of the 70s yet.

With Baltimore's pitching from 1969 to 1974, and the reds hitting, combine those two teams and they would have won 120 games each year with several world series

Oh, and Lou Pinella has decided to retire from baseball management today, stepping down as manager of the Chicago Cubs as soon as today's game finished. He'd initially intended to manage the team through the end of the season this year, and then call it a managerial career, but a family situation back home was the reason for his decision to step down today. In a career spanning nearly a quarter of a century, he managed the New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds (managing the team to a World Series title in 1990), Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays (back when they had "Devil" in their name) and Chicago Cubs, with gaps in 1989 and 2006.

Glad to see the Dodgers win the opener of a three-game series in Milwaukee. Ted Lilly has won all 5 of his starts in a Dodger uniform. 8)

STL loses to baseball's worst team today. They are making it difficult on themselves.

STL loses to baseball's worst team today. They are making it difficult on themselves.

Of course, the NL Central seems to be a weak division, with four teams (out of six) with losing records. That division will undoubtedly be won by either the Reds or the Cardinals.

But as for the Reds, they've already dropped the first two games in San Fran to the Jints, after taking two of three from the Dodgers. I hope the Reds can win this afternoon to avoid a sweep.

Manny Ramirez may not be wearing a Dodger uniform much longer. He was placed on waivers today, and a few American League teams are contemplating claiming him, including the Chicago White Sox. I think he will likely go to an AL team and be their DH... by 2011. (That is, either he will go to such a team before this season is over, or go there during the offseason and be part of their lineup when the 2011 season begins.) He has done fairly well for the Dodgers, even though this year he's been on the DL three times. But then again, after last year's 50-game drug suspension, he hasn't been quite the same. :-\\

STL loses again to the Pirates...

...and CIN beats the Giants in what at first appeared to be a runaway game, but the Giants rallied from a 9-run deficit to force the game into extra innings, but the Reds prevailed in the 12th inning. This puts the Reds just one more game atop the Cardinals.

In another wild game played today, the Rockies also rallied from a 10-1 deficit to beat the Atlanta Braves 12-10, scoring the go-ahead runs in the 8th inning.

All right!! Dodgers completed a sweep of the Brewers in Milwaukee today. This was the first time in 7 years that the Dodgers swept a road series from the Brewers. It also gives them a perfect 3-0 record on their current roadtrip; tomorrow in Colorado they will face Ubaldo Jimenez, who has only lost four games this year, while winning seventeen. (The first of those losses happened at Dodger Stadium on Mother's Day.)

Albert Pujols hits HR number 400 today, albeit in a loss.

Albert Pujols hits HR number 400 today, albeit in a loss.

...in extra innings to the Washonals. I'd seen on the MLB Network bottomline that it was 10-10 in the 10th inning, then into the 11th and 12th innings, but the Nats finally won it in 13.

Manny Ramirez may not be wearing a Dodger uniform much longer. He was placed on waivers today, and a few American League teams are contemplating claiming him, including the Chicago White Sox. I think he will likely go to an AL team and be their DH... by 2011. (That is, either he will go to such a team before this season is over, or go there during the offseason and be part of their lineup when the 2011 season begins.) He has done fairly well for the Dodgers, even though this year he's been on the DL three times. But then again, after last year's 50-game drug suspension, he hasn't been quite the same. :-\\

He could be gone as soon as today (I hope this link works, cuz the URL is pretty long)

Wonder where Manny will go next.

One thing's for sure: the Washington Nationals' highly anticipated rookie pitcher, Stephen Strasburg, will likely have to undergo Tommy John surgery. Since the recovery period for that operation is usually a year to a year and a half, he probably won't pitch again until the 2012 season.

Wonder where Manny will go next.

He's still a member of the Dodgers, but he wasn't in the lineup again tonight. However, he did come out as a pinch hitter late in the game to bat for Billingsley...only to strike out with a runner on first. They still have until Tuesday at 10:30 in the morning (Pacific Time) to negotiate a deal with the White Sox.

One thing's for sure: the Washington Nationals' highly anticipated rookie pitcher, Stephen Strasburg, will likely have to undergo Tommy John surgery. Since the recovery period for that operation is usually a year to a year and a half, he probably won't pitch again until the 2012 season.

And Washington blew out STL today.

Cubs --> #6 pick!  WOOHOO!

Mannywood --> White Sox

STL loses 3 out of 4 to Washington. I don't get it.

Mannywood --> White Sox

Yup. I heard it on the radio this evening.

I ain't gonna miss him. He hasn't done much for my team this year.

So Ted Lilly gets handed his first loss in a Dodger uniform. Oh well; I knew it was gonna happen sooner or later. The last pitcher to win his first six starts in a Dodger uniform was Kazuhisu Ishii, who did so back in 2002 before getting a no-decision and then a loss.

And the Angels got swept by the Baltimorioles, after trading away their closer Brian Fuentes to the Twinnesota Mins. ::) Guess they're just flat out giving up.

So yesterday it was official for LAD...Manny has left the building.

He should be making his White Sox debut right about now.

So yesterday it was official for LAD...Manny has left the building.

He should be making his White Sox debut right about now.

I heard he is not in the starting lineup.

I heard he is not in the starting lineup.

Ok... maybe they'll use him in tomorrow's game. I just know that he's officially with them now. If they don't use him in the starting lineup, maybe he can pinch-hit. But if they do use him in the SL, he'd most likely be a DH.


Anyhoo, in yesterday's game, Hiroki Kuroda's 10th win = Roy Halladay's 10th loss. Kuroda had a no-hitter going through 7 innings, but in the 8th with 1 out, Shane Victorino broke through with a base hit. Still, Hong-chih Kuo relieved him and retired the last four Phillie batters.
Tonight's game is a completely different story. :-\\

Looks like the Phils have taken two of three in Dodger Stadium. :-[


Oh, and Manny is 1 for 3 with a strikeout in his CWS debut (which was today).

STL is a train wreck right now.

The MVP and Cy Young will be hard to chose this year, although Votto has a slight advantage for NL MVP. Jimenez does not have the CY Young locked up anymore in the NL

Neither does Tim Lincecum (for the NL) or Cliff Lee (for the AL). Both of them are struggling as of late too. Lee, who is currently a Texas Ranger, might have trouble in the playoffs, especially if the Rangers are pitted against the E.E. Still, I must root for any team that plays the New York Yankes.

Neither does Tim Lincecum (for the NL) or Cliff Lee (for the AL). Both of them are struggling as of late too. Lee, who is currently a Texas Ranger, might have trouble in the playoffs, especially if the Rangers are pitted against the E.E. Still, I must root for any team that plays the New York Yankes.

CC Sabathia looks good right now.

CC Sabathia looks good right now.

I was just thinking that; he could very well win 20 games this year (bite my tongue) (unlike last year), since he picked up his 19th victory of the season in his last start. The next team he pitches against needs to get to him.

Here is something interesting...the White Sox & Red Sox just played a doubleheader (making up a game that was rained out yesterday), and the White Sox won both games by a score of 3-1. The Battle of the Soxes continues tomorrow; maybe Boston will rebound. ??? :-\\

Here is something interesting...the White Sox & Red Sox just played a doubleheader (making up a game that was rained out yesterday), and the White Sox won both games by a score of 3-1. The Battle of the Soxes continues tomorrow; maybe Boston will rebound. ??? :-\\

Red Sox are done this year. I just hope someone can beat the Yankees. It's no fun cheering for Goliath. Yankees winning is like having George W Bush president for 30 years.

Red Sox are done this year. I just hope someone can beat the Yankees. It's no fun cheering for Goliath. Yankees winning is like having George W Bush president for 30 years.

Yep, they sure seem like it.

If the Yankes and the Tampa Rays play any more games together this year, maybe Tampa can take care of 'em. (I can't keep track of their schedule.)


Dodgers seem to be done this year, too. Ted Lilly left the game with a lead tonight, but Broxton expletived it up in the 9th. 8-P 8-P 8-P

Yep, they sure seem like it.

If the Yankes and the Tampa Rays play any more games together this year, maybe Tampa can take care of 'em. (I can't keep track of their schedule.)


Dodgers seem to be done this year, too. Ted Lilly left the game with a lead tonight, but Broxton expletived it up in the 9th. 8-P 8-P 8-P

Broston is not having a good year. Dodgers will look for a new closer in 2011. Will Joe Torre still be there. hmmm...

Broston is not having a good year. Dodgers will look for a new closer in 2011. Will Joe Torre still be there. hmmm...

No he isn't. He was great in the All-Star Game, but seems to have really gone downhill, which is why Torre removed him from the closer's role. Tonight Kuo entered the game during the 8th inning, but couldn't stick around for the 9th because his spot was due up in the bottom of the 8th (I think?). You're absolutely right, the team definitely needs a better closer in 2011 if Kuo doesn't get the position. They should get rid of some of their relievers (including Broxton and Octavio Don't Tell) and get better ones.

No he isn't. He was great in the All-Star Game, but seems to have really gone downhill, which is why Torre removed him from the closer's role. Tonight Kuo entered the game during the 8th inning, but couldn't stick around for the 9th because his spot was due up in the bottom of the 8th (I think?). You're absolutely right, the team definitely needs a better closer in 2011 if Kuo doesn't get the position. They should get rid of some of their relievers (including Broxton and Octavio Don't Tell) and get better ones.

Wonder if Joe Torre should follow Piniella's lead and hang them up.

Red Sox are done this year.

Well...today they got swept. Jon Papelbon blew his 7th save in the year as the Whitesox chased him for four runs in the 9th, to sweep the Battle Of The Soxes in Fenway Park.


And my team was laying a goose-egg against the Jints in tonight's game. :P Now the Jints trail the slumping Padres (who've lost their 10th in a row today) by only one game. Tomorrow the Dodgers go to San Diego to play three games with the Padres; I wonder if the Pods' 10-game skid will come to an end tomorrow against my team. ::)

^...well, I was right. :( Padres ended their 10-game skid last night, by defeating the Dodgers 4-2 at Petco Park. This also means my team is back at a break-even record, 69 wins and 69 losses.

I know that there have been times when a Joe Torre-managed team did not reach the postseason, but has a Torre-managed team ever finished the season with a losing record?

Trevor Hoffman achieved his 600th career save tonight, becoming the first pitcher ever to reach that milestone.

Trevor Hoffman achieved his 600th career save tonight, becoming the first pitcher ever to reach that milestone.

That's quite an achievement.

That's quite an achievement.

Most of his career saves were recorded while he was a member of the Padres....a team that won again tonight, handing my Dudgers a losing record for the first time since the early part of the season.

Revisiting my post from earlier...


I know that there have been times when a Joe Torre-managed team did not reach the postseason, but has a Torre-managed team ever finished the season with a losing record?

I still don't know the answer to this (altho I could look it up), but it would be somewhat odd if it happened this year. Fourteen straight seasons he carried a team...with a winning record... to the postseason, but I don't see 'em making it this year (even if they do make a miraculous comeback).

Dodgers' bats went silent again yesterday...and laid another stinking goose egg to the Padres, who completed a sweep after ending a ten-game skid. >:( :P

I sure hope my team can rebound in Houston tonight and this weekend; it would be embarrassing for them to finish with more losses than wins.

Yes!! Andre Ethier just broke out of a home-run/RBI drought, giving the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead in Houston. However, it's only the 102nd homer hit by the team this year.

Yes!! Andre Ethier just broke out of a home-run/RBI drought, giving the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead in Houston. However, it's only the 102nd homer hit by the team this year.

I think the Blue Jays have hit more HR's at home than that.

I think the Blue Jays have hit more HR's at home than that.

Yes, they have some good hitters on their team. I think one of their players, Jose Bautista (I think his name is?) leads the majors in home runs.

Yes, they have some good hitters on their team. I think one of their players, Jose Bautista (I think his name is?) leads the majors in home runs.

Yes, he has 43 I think. He leads the AL by approx 10 HR's, 2nd best is Pujols, around 35 or 36 HRs, the last time I checked.

Yes, he has 43 I think. He leads the AL by approx 10 HR's, 2nd best is Pujols, around 35 or 36 HRs, the last time I checked.

Well, I can tell you that Pujols hit a homer in tonight's game in Atlanta against the Braves; I saw part of that on MLB Network earlier.

Well, I can tell you that Pujols hit a homer in tonight's game in Atlanta against the Braves; I saw part of that on MLB Network earlier.

I think that makes 37 now for him.
I know he's my favorite player and has been for a few years. The guy has played in the league 10 years. He's hit at least 32HR's every year, and knocked in 100 runs every year ( he's at 99 now, I expect him to get at least 1 more this year) His lowest BA in 10 years is this year, he's at .313 now. At least 100 runs scored every year except for 2007 ( he scored 99 runs)
He's 30, has over 400HRs, 1200 RBI s in his career. If he's healthy for the next 7 to 10 years...big numbers.

I think that makes 37 now for him.
I know he's my favorite player and has been for a few years. The guy has played in the league 10 years. He's hit at least 32HR's every year, and knocked in 100 runs every year ( he's at 99 now, I expect him to get at least 1 more this year) His lowest BA in 10 years is this year, he's at .313 now. At least 100 runs scored every year except for 2007 ( he scored 99 runs)
He's 30, has over 400HRs, 1200 RBI s in his career. If he's healthy for the next 7 to 10 years...big numbers.

Yep, he's only half a year my senior. I hope he can stay healthy as long as possible and put up some big numbers. I wonder where he'll rank on the all-time home run list when he retires.

Yes!! Andre Ethier just broke out of a home-run/RBI drought, giving the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead in Houston. However, it's only the 102nd homer hit by the team this year.

But unfortunately it got overshadowed by a 3-run homer by the Stros in the 6th inning. No other scoring was done by either team after that. :( Dodgers can't seem to keep a lead. Did they forget how to score runs or even win?!?

Now my team has SIX L's in a row. 8-P 8-P 8-P 8-P 8-P 8-P

Final score in Houston:

Houston Astros 2, Los Angeles Dodgers...












4!

That's right, my team has finally broken out of a losing streak. They won in 11 innings, thanks to a 2-run homer by Jay Gibbons. The winning pitcher was Octavio Dotel.

Hiroki Kuroda pitched well for the most part, allowing only one run. He left the game leading, but the bullpen allowed the tying run to score, thereby denying him his 11th victory. Part of the problem is that when starters pitch well and leave with a lead, the relievers can't seem to preserve that lead.

Pujols over 100RBIs again this year.

Dodgers ended up settling for a split of the series against the Astros in Houston. They are still two games below .500.

Apparently Joe Torre has managed teams that have finished with a losing record, but that was in his days of managing the Atlanta Braves in the early 80's.

Even better...Cliff Lee is back on the winning track and has just helped his Texas Rangers to a sweep of the EE! >:D

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100912&content_id=14598182&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Even better...Cliff Lee is back on the winning track and has just helped his Texas Rangers to a sweep of the EE! >:D

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100912&content_id=14598182&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Texas or Tampa are my hopes for beating the Yanks this year. Yanks are still considered the fromnt runner for me.
Pujols hits HR # 38 today, Hope he gets to 40 again this year. Both Votto and he are pretty much out of the triple crown. Gonzalez ( Rockies) has a pretty decent BA now.

Texas or Tampa are my hopes for beating the Yanks this year. Yanks are still considered the fromnt runner for me.

Yep, seems like Tex is going to win the AL West division this year. They went through the entire decade of the 00's without a playoff appearance. Angels had won the division for most of 2002 through '09 (exceptions in 2003 and '06 when the Athletics won it); guess it's time for someone else to get a chance. Still, I must root for whichever team is paired with the Yankees in the ALDS. With three weeks left in the regular season, the wildcard is becoming more and more out of reach for either of the Sox teams.



Pujols hits HR # 38 today, Hope he gets to 40 again this year. Both Votto and he are pretty much out of the triple crown. Gonzalez ( Rockies) has a pretty decent BA now.

Oh, Car-Go? Yep, he's doing quite well this year. He could very well help his team reach the playoffs; if any team overtakes the Padres, I hope it's the Rockies and not the Jints.

Nice pitching matchup so far between Sabathia & Price. 0-0 in the 7th, 3 hits combined. This game is for 1st place.

Nice pitching matchup so far between Sabathia & Price. 0-0 in the 7th, 3 hits combined. This game is for 1st place.

Tampa won that game in the bottom of the 11th, on a leadoff homer by Reid Brignac! :D :D Now Tampa leads the AL East by half a game over the EE!

...but tonight they gave it back in extra innings as Jorge Posada hit a game-winning homer in the 10th. Bah! >:( 8-P


On a plus note, however, Clayton Kershaw pitched his first complete game -- a shutout -- as the Dodgers downed the Giants in San Fran, 1-0! :D

Nice series between NY and Tampa. Close games.

^I think they play one more game today? I hope TB can win that one.

...and they did! Another one-run game in St. Petersburg, but Rafael Soriano was able to nail it down in the 9th inning, after the lead fluctuated a couple times during the game. TB 4, NYY 3.

Rays are back in first place again!!! :D

SF Giants are on the verge of going into sole possession of first place. http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/14/puke.gif http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/14/puke.gif


Padres were blanked in STL earlier, and Giants have been giving Dudgers a bad time tonight.

SF Giants are on the verge of going into sole possession of first place. http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/14/puke.gif http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/14/puke.gif


Padres were blanked in STL earlier, and Giants have been giving Dudgers a bad time tonight.

Guess you wouldn't be happy with a Giants/Yankees World series.  They have met a few times before, but the last time was in the early 60s.

Guess you wouldn't be happy with a Giants/Yankees World series.  They have met a few times before, but the last time was in the early 60s.

If that did come to fruition, I would root for the Giants. You know why? Because I root for any MLB team that plays the Yankees.

Yep, they last met in 1962 in the WS, but the E.E. won.

In 2002, when the Giants were paired with the Braves in the NLDS, I cheered for the Giants because I didn't want the Braves and their tomohawk chant moving on. And that series worked in my favor. However, the Jints also won the NLCS over the Cardinals...and I was going to cheer for the Angels in the World Series anyway.

MLB: I read a report today that Joe Torre is stepping down at season's end, Mattingly will take over in 2011.

MLB: I read a report today that Joe Torre is stepping down at season's end, Mattingly will take over in 2011.

For sure?

I had a feeling Mattingly would be a likely candidate to succeed Joe if he didn't continue as manager.

For sure?

I had a feeling Mattingly would be a likely candidate to succeed Joe if he didn't continue as manager.

It's not a "for sure" yet, but it's on Yahoo sports.

It's not a "for sure" yet, but it's on Yahoo sports.

One thing I know for sure is that the 2011 season will begin on Friday April 1 for most teams, as I mentioned the other day in LSTE. Also, during the first round of interleague play (May 20-22), there will be a Cubs at Redsox series for the first time since the 1918 World Series.

One thing I know for sure is that the 2011 season will begin on Friday April 1 for most teams, as I mentioned the other day in LSTE. Also, during the first round of interleague play (May 20-22), there will be a Cubs at Redsox series for the first time since the 1918 World Series.

Cubs & Red Sox. That will attract some attention. I'd like to see a game.

MLB: I read a report today that Joe Torre is stepping down at season's end, Mattingly will take over in 2011.

Well, last night it was confirmed for sure, that Mr. Torre will officially step down at season's end, with Don Mattingly to succeed him.

As if another loss to the Rockies helped... ::)

Seems like the Dodgers have just flat out given up on this year. :\'( :\'( They got tortured by the Rockies this afternoon 12-2...in a game that did not air live on TV. (I think it would have been on FOX out here if both teams were in the playoff race; instead, they showed the Padres-Cardinals game, which SD won.) It was tape-delayed, but I did not care to see it, since I saw a few "spoilers" at about 2PM or so. Plus, I had somewhere to go later this afternoon.

Seems like the Dodgers have just flat out given up on this year. :\'( :\'( They got tortured by the Rockies this afternoon 12-2...in a game that did not air live on TV. (I think it would have been on FOX out here if both teams were in the playoff race; instead, they showed the Padres-Cardinals game, which SD won.) It was tape-delayed, but I did not care to see it, since I saw a few "spoilers" at about 2PM or so. Plus, I had somewhere to go later this afternoon.

I saw the hi-lights on TV.  Nice to hear Vin Scully's voice ( I think he called the game)

I saw the hi-lights on TV.  Nice to hear Vin Scully's voice ( I think he called the game)

Yes. Vinny always calls the Dodger home games, as well as the road games against NL West opponents. The same goes for when they play in AL West stadiums, except for that of the Texas Rangers (where they played last year for the first time since 2000), since it is east of Denver. He used to call all the Dodgers games, but in recent years he has cut down his work schedule.

Yes. Vinny always calls the Dodger home games, as well as the road games against NL West opponents. The same goes for when they play in AL West stadiums, except for that of the Texas Rangers (where they played last year for the first time since 2000), since it is east of Denver. He used to call all the Dodgers games, but in recent years he has cut down his work schedule.

Vin is getting up there in age.

Vin is getting up there in age.

Yes, he's almost 83. But the fans all love him.

Today the Rockies were going for a sweep of the Dodgers, chasing poor Clayton Kershaw through 4 innings, but the Dodgers got him off the hook in the 9th and failed to score the winning run, sending the game to extra innings.

Hey...Dodgers actually win it, in extra innings (11 to be exact), 7-6. Finally they get their 73rd win, which means they can't lose 90 games. Their magic # for elimination from playoff contention now stands at 2.

Hey...Dodgers actually win it, in extra innings (11 to be exact), 7-6. Finally they get their 73rd win, which means they can't lose 90 games. Their magic # for elimination from playoff contention now stands at 2.

If San Diego , Colorado and SF play eachother, one of them has to win, so the magic number is less than 2.

If San Diego , Colorado and SF play eachother, one of them has to win, so the magic number is less than 2.


yeah. But L.A. cannot get the wildcard, since the most they can win now is 85, and the Braves already have 86 wins. The NLW-leading Jints have 84 wins, and they do not play the Dudgers anymore this year. The Padres will come to Dodger Stadium for a three-game series beginning tomorrow, while the Jints go to Chicago to play the Cubs, and the Rockies go to Arizona (who have already clinched last place in the NLW).
After the Dodgers finish their series with the Pods, they go to Arizona and Colorado, and then finish the regular season at home with the Dbacks.

Still, I don't see the Dodgers getting higher than 3rd place.

Tampa Rays play a four-game series in Wankee Stadium this week; first game is already underway. It's a battle for the top spot in the AL East. I'd love for Tampa to do a number on the Evil Empire.

Tampa Rays play a four-game series in Wankee Stadium this week; first game is already underway. It's a battle for the top spot in the AL East. I'd love for Tampa to do a number on the Evil Empire.

Sad news, The Evil Empire won tonight.

Sad news, The Evil Empire won tonight.

Yep, they did. 8-P Tampa had the tying run at the plate in at least one inning, but that was with two out, and he failed to reach base.

They have another shot tonight.

Dodgers have really stunk so far tonight. They are already losing 5-0 to the Padres, who gave poor Chad Billingsley a bad time; it just doesn't look good for them.

They will need to make lots of improvements to the team before the start of the 2011 season. For one thing, get rid of Broxton. They already sent Dotel to the Rockies (he even pitched in relief against his former team on Sunday!); he wasn't too good for the Dodgers anyway. ::) Ronnie Belliard was "designated for assignment a couple weeks or so ago; he wasn't producing much for the team anyways.

Yankees win again.
Sadness
Frank unhappy.

Yankees win again.
Sadness
Frank unhappy.

Jeffrey unhappy too. Now their lead has extended to TWO and a half games. 8-P 8-P

AL: It's a little early, but if Tampa doesn't catch NY, looks like a Yankess/Rangers series, and a Tampa/Twins series.
NL: Philly & Cincy have pretty much wrapped up the division titles. Right now looks like Philly will play wild card winner, and Cincy will play NL west winner.

Well, the first of the six divisions has been clinched, namely the AL Central. The Twins won last night to secure that spot.

In the N.L....Dodgers are officially out of it, having laid a goose-egg to the Pods last night, coupled with the Jints defeating the Chicago Flubs. So this means that for the first time in 15 years, a Torre-managed team has failed to make the playoffs. :-\\ I kinda saw that coming, from the way the DUD-gers have been playing this year.

Right now: Tampa has an early 1-0 lead into the 3rd inning in Bronx; they got their run in the 1st. Braves and Phils scoreless in the 6th.

I really want the Rays to win the AL game that matters.

...and the Rays took care of the Wankees in last night's game! :D And the Phils beat the Knaves yet again 1-0 to extend their lead over them and lower their magic # even more.

Woo hoo!! Rays beat the Wankees 10-3 in the teams' last meeting of the season, handing P.P. Sabathia a loss. This gives Tampa the series win, and homefield advantage if the teams should have a tiebreaker playoff at the end of play Oct 3rd.

Elsewhere, Dodgers avert a sweep by the Padres by beating them 3-1; Hiroki Kuroda went 8 strong innings to earn a long-deserved win. This knocks the Padres out of first place again because the Giants routed the Chicago Flubs 13 to goose-egg in Wrigley Field earlier today.

Pujold hits HR number 40 and 41 yesterday. and Ichiro reaches 200 hits for 10th year in a row.

The American League wildcard winner will definitely come from the East division. The Redsox still have a chance at it, but it'll most likely be the E.E. or Tampa Bay. (One of those two teams will likely win the AL East division.)

Tampa is now slightly ahead in the AL east, hope Boston beats NY all weekend so that Tampa can oull away.

^that'd be great! :D

Elsewhere, Padres take over the NL Wildcard lead by beating the Reds (coupled with the Braves' loss to the Nationals, who are on the brink of clinching last place in the NL East), and remain half a game back of the Jints in the NL West, since SF and Tim Lincecum won in Colorado. And in the AL West, a victory for the Rangers over the A's today would give TEX its first division title in 11 years.

^that'd be great! :D

Elsewhere, Padres take over the NL Wildcard lead by beating the Reds (coupled with the Braves' loss to the Nationals, who are on the brink of clinching last place in the NL East), and remain half a game back of the Jints in the NL West, since SF and Tim Lincecum won in Colorado. And in the AL West, a victory for the Rangers over the A's today would give TEX its first division title in 11 years.

Good for Texas.

Boston leading NY 4-0 right now.

Boston beats Wankees 7-3. Tampas beat Mariners 9-1. Things are looking better in the AL East.

Texas gets it done with a victory over Oakland. So now another division race is complete.

The Cleveland Steamers are getting pwned by the Royals as we speak.

And this winter...Progressive Field will be a Winter Carnival.

Dodgers are not going to have a winning record this year...thanks to Jon Broxton giving up a two-run homer to Chris Young in the bottom of 8th. ::) The best they can do is break even, which would happen if they win the rest of their games. When Don Mattingly takes over as manager next year, he should designate Broxton for assignment; he's not very good at all anymore. Or send him to another team during the offseason.

Tampa lost today, but Boston is leading 1-0 over the evil empire. Hope Boston does Tampa a favor, again.

Uh-oh, now it's 2-1 E.E. in the 7th :o

Ooh now it's a nailbiter. 3-2 Sox in the bottom 9th with 1 out, but now the bases is loaded. Is Jon Papelbon changing his last name to Broxton? He hasn't been too good in saving games lately.

Ooh now it's a nailbiter. 3-2 Sox in the bottom 9th with 1 out, but now the bases is loaded. Is Jon Papelbon changing his last name to Broxton? He hasn't been too good in saving games lately.

The evil empire, like that bee that keeps bugging you and your family around the house and you just can't kill, wins again.

So, Tampa is the only team with a chance of winning 100 games this year. (unless NY & Tampa finish at 99-63 and have a playoff game, then NY has a chance)

The evil empire, like that bee that keeps bugging you and your family around the house and you just can't kill, wins again.

Yep, they pulled it out in the 10th inning. 8-P

Toronto does their job and beats NY, but Tampa doesn't fair well against the Orioles.

Toronto does their job and beats NY, but Tampa doesn't fair well against the Orioles.

Also, Boston wins a Battle Of The Soxes to stay alive in the race. Now they have 69 losses, and the Wankees have 93 wins. If the E.E. loses the rest of their games and the Redsox win the rest of theirs, they'll both finish in second place with a 93-69 record. (Assuming Tampa wins another game.) Then they'll have to play a tiebreaker game to determine the AL Wildcard winner.


Also, btw, no one can win 100 games now, thanks to Tampa's loss to the Baltimorioles.

Well, the Reds are going to see the postseason for the first time since the mid-1990's. By defeating the Houston Astros tonight, they clinch the NL Central.


Oh, and the E.E. won tonight, so the Redsox are out of the race. E.E. and Tampa are gonna win the AL East division and AL Wildcard, in some order. I will definitely root for the Rangers or the Twins in the ALDS (whichever team plays the EE).

Reds are in. STL out. Boston already out. Sadness.

Now the NL West is still up for grabs between the Giants and Padres (personally I'm hoping the Pods can get back in there), and the NL wildcard is up for grabs between the Padres and the Knaves (and possibly the Giants if the Pads overtake them again). Personally I'd rather see the Giants in the playoffs rather than the Braves, cuz the Tomohawk Chant annoys me.

Dodgers complete a sweep in Colorado to stave off a guaranteed-losing season. Afterwards, all members of the Colorado Rockies team personnel congratulated Joe Torre on his managerial career.

Dodgers complete a sweep in Colorado to stave off a guaranteed-losing season. Afterwards, all members of the Colorado Rockies team personnel congratulated Joe Torre on his managerial career.

And Colorado's chances of making the post season is pretty slim right now.

And Colorado's chances of making the post season is pretty slim right now.

Actually I think they're eliminated altogether. The wildcard race is now between the Padres and the Knaves (and possibly the Giants if the Pods knock them outta first). Braves (who lead the wildcard) have 90 wins, and the Rockies now have 75 losses. Giants, I think, have 89 wins coming into tonight's game. So no postseason action for the Rockies this year. :(

Actually I think they're eliminated altogether. The wildcard race is now between the Padres and the Knaves (and possibly the Giants if the Pods knock them outta first). Braves (who lead the wildcard) have 90 wins, and the Rockies now have 75 losses. Giants, I think, have 89 wins coming into tonight's game. So no postseason action for the Rockies this year. :(

I think this will be an exciting post season.

I think this will be an exciting post season.

I always like to see an interesting mix of teams... it gets boring with the same ones year after year. The Rangers and the Reds will be in it for the first time in more than a decade, and the Tampa Rays will be in it for the second time in franchise history. I hope we see some good serieses.

I just realized something...there are two active MLB players named Chris Young! :o One is a pitcher for the San Diego Padres (but he was sidelined much of this year), and the other is an outfielder for the Arizona Dbacks! (Difference is their middle names.) I wonder if they have ever faced each other??

I always like to see an interesting mix of teams... it gets boring with the same ones year after year. The Rangers and the Reds will be in it for the first time in more than a decade, and the Tampa Rays will be in it for the second time in franchise history. I hope we see some good serieses.

And NYY is in for the 15th time in 16 years. The only time they missed was just not long agao when both Tampa & Boston got into the post season, I think. Was that the year Tampa lost to Philadelphia in the WS?

And NYY is in for the 15th time in 16 years. The only time they missed was just not long agao when both Tampa & Boston got into the post season, I think. Was that the year Tampa lost to Philadelphia in the WS?

Yes, 2008.

Yes, 2008.

Philadelphia could win it again. I haven't seen the stats, but they might just be the hottest team in the 2nd half.

Philadelphia could win it again. I haven't seen the stats, but they might just be the hottest team in the 2nd half.

Especially in the National League. We'll see how well they fare in the NLDS. They have some of the same players as they did last year and the year before, and they put on quite a show. There's also a chance they could meet up with Tampa Bay again.

Especially in the National League. We'll see how well they fare in the NLDS. They have some of the same players as they did last year and the year before, and they put on quite a show. There's also a chance they could meet up with Tampa Bay again.

I'd like to see that.

Ooh...Padres, by losing to the Flubs yesterday, are on the brink of playoff elimination. The best they can do now is sweep the Giants this weekend, which would finish them in a first-place tie atop the NL West, and hope that the Philles sweep the Knaves.

Ooh...Padres, by losing to the Flubs yesterday, are on the brink of playoff elimination. The best they can do now is sweep the Giants this weekend, which would finish them in a first-place tie atop the NL West, and hope that the Philles sweep the Knaves.

Philly and Cinci will hope for the sweep by San Diego, wear out both starting rotations/relief pitchers so that Philly and Cincy have an advantage. (If Atlanta gets swept by Philly)

Philly and Cinci will hope for the sweep by San Diego, wear out both starting rotations/relief pitchers so that Philly and Cincy have an advantage. (If Atlanta gets swept by Philly)

That's what I'm hoping for, cuz I don't wanna see the Bravos. If they get in, I'll just root for whatever team plays them.

Padres beat Giants to stay alive, while Phillies hold off Braves to help 'em.


Dodgers...meanwhile...are now guaranteed a losing record, thanks to Joe Torre for sending John "The Dud" Ely to the mound instead of Clayton Kershaw. It's so depressing; seems like he's just given up on the team altogether, knowing that he's gonna step down from the managerial position after Sunday's game. :-[

NY ahead of Tampa by 1/2 a game. They have a chnace to sweep Boston tonight, leading in the 8th 6-4  :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[

Red Sox came back to beat NY, so TB and NY are tied, one gane left.

Yep, the remaining races are still tight as ever!

Padres defeated the Gints 4-2 this afternoon while the Braves lost to the Phillies by a touchdown (7-0), putting the Pods and Braves in a tie for the NL wildcard, and the Pods 1 game behind the Jints for the NL West crown!

If the Padres and Braves both win tomorrow, then they and the Giants would all finish with a record of 91-71. Since this would put the Giants and Padres in a tie for the NL West title and with the Braves for the NL wildcard, it would be a three-way tie, but the division title must be decided first. So the Padres and Gints would play a one-game playoff on Monday in San Diego (since the Pads won the head-to-head season series against the Gints), and the winner of that game would go play the Braves in Atlanta on Tuesday. (IOW, one team would play a 164th game!)

If the Padres win and the Knaves lose tomorrow, then only the Padres and Gints would finish at 91-71, and the Braves would be out altogether. That's what I hope happens. SF and SD would still play a tiebreaker in San Diego on Monday, and the winner of that game would be crowned NL West champ, and the loser would win the wildcard.

If the Padres and Braves both lose tomorrow, then they'd be tied for the NL wildcard at 90-72, and the Padres would fly to Atlanta for the wildcard playoff on Monday (since the Braves won their season series against the Padres). The Giants would win the NL West division with a record of 92-70.

And of course, the American League East division and wildcard winner will be, in some order, the Wankees and Rays. If they finish in a tie (ie, if they both win or both lose tomorrow), then they'd play a tiebreaker in Tampa on Monday, with the winner of that match winning the division and the loser winning the wildcard. If one team wins and the other team loses, then...you know the story.

And of course, the American League East division and wildcard winner will be, in some order, the Wankees and Rays. If they finish in a tie (ie, if they both win or both lose tomorrow), then they'd play a tiebreaker in Tampa on Monday, with the winner of that match winning the division and the loser winning the wildcard. If one team wins and the other team loses, then...you know the story.

An exciting last day.

Well... there will be no game 163 for any teams this year.



Braves won; so did the Giants. This means bye bye Padres. :\'( That ten-game skid of theirs from August 26 to September 5 (which preceded a three-game sweep of the Dodgers) was a disappointment that cost them first place and made it hard for them to get back into first. So the Gints win the NL West division, and the Knaves win the NL Wildcard. 8-P

What's more, the Giants and Braves will be paired up in one half of the NLDS, which means I will have to cheer for the Giants in that series (something that I don't normally do), just like I did in 2002. And the Reds will be paired with the Phillies in the other half. I'm rooting for Cincy in that series.


Yankeez lost; Rays won; this gives the AL East crown to Tampa Bay, and the AL wildcard to the Evil Empire. Yankees will be paired with Twins in one half of the ALDS, so I will cheer for the Twins; Rangers will play the Tampa Rays. I'm okay with either of those teams, but I'd like to see Tampa win.

giants-twins would be a very interesting world series!

I'd like to see Twins Vs Tampa, and Tampa winning in the AL
FOr the NL, the only team that can beat the Phillies, is the Philles ( if they self destruct)

I'd like to see Twins Vs Tampa, and Tampa winning in the AL

Yeah, I'd like those teams to advance to the ALCS.

And for the NLCS I'd like Giants vs Reds, and root for Cincy.

But that's to be determined. The DSes need to be played out first.

Yeah, I'd like those teams to advance to the ALCS.

And for the NLCS I'd like Giants vs Reds, and root for Cincy.

But that's to be determined. The DSes need to be played out first.

Yah, but Philly looks good though. I would not bet against them.

Yah, but Philly looks good though. I would not bet against them.

I know; they could reach the World Series for a third straight year. If so, then the Series would open in their ballpark this time, rather than in the AL champion's park.

If the NLCS should come down to Philly vs. Knaves, I will by all means cheer for Philly (just like I did in 1993) because I detest the Braves' tomohawk Chant. But if it's Giants and Phils, then I may be torn.

Texas Rangers' Cliff Lee pitches good ball en route to a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Ray Bays. I was hoping Tampa could win, but they didn't do any scoring until a solo shot by Ben Zobrist late in the game.

Roy Halladay has a no-hit bid through 7 innings for Phillies against Cincinnati, whose starter Edinson Volquez couldn't survive the second inning. Game is still in progress; I will resume watching it shortly.

Evil Empire vs Minnesota Twins later on. Hopefully the Twinkies can come through this time, unlike the last three occasions in which the teams met in postseason.

Texas Rangers' Cliff Lee pitches good ball en route to a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Ray Bays. I was hoping Tampa could win, but they didn't do any scoring until a solo shot by Ben Zobrist late in the game.

Roy Halladay has a no-hit bid through 7 innings for Phillies against Cincinnati, whose starter Edinson Volquez couldn't survive the second inning. Game is still in progress; I will resume watching it shortly.

Evil Empire vs Minnesota Twins later on. Hopefully the Twinkies can come through this time, unlike the last three occasions in which the teams met in postseason.

No surprise that Cliff Lee & Halladay pitched well and won their games.  Nice to see Halladay pitch a no-hitter.

I'm going for the Reds since they're closer to the team with the worst attendance of the year...and that's the Cleveland Steamers Baseball Club.

Looks like there's either a $1 Beer Night or a remake of "Major League".

No surprise that Cliff Lee & Halladay pitched well and won their games.  Nice to see Halladay pitch a no-hitter.

Oh yes! It was only the second no-hitter in postseason history, the only other one being Don Larsen's perfect game of the 1956 World Series.

Halladay only allowed one baserunner, and that was by means of a walk. He only had a couple other three-ball counts, I think.

I just wished that the Twins hadn't coughed up their lead over the Evil Empire, who now lead the game in the 7th inning. 8-P

^Darn it, it's all over. >:( 8-P

The Twinnesota Mins need to rebound tomorrow, otherwise they'll head into the Bronx with two strikes against them.

Tampa Ray Bays are now on the brink of elimination; they laid a goose-egg in Game Two of their ALDS against the Texas Rangers.

UGH! Now the Wankees are up two games to none. 8-P >:(

Giants just won their game, taking a 1-0 lead in their series. Tim Lincecum went 8 innings, and then handed the ball to a certain relief pitcher who shares his name with a certain Beach Boy, and that was that.

There was an article in our local paper the other day, "Who are you cheering for?" The writer of the column said "Minnesota now, but whoever plays the Yankees, they are the team everyone loves to hate, unless you are from NY"  And the whole article just continues along that thread. I liked it.
They are the Yankees. They win more often that not. They are good when it counts. Sure hope someone beats them.  

There was an article in our local paper the other day, "Who are you cheering for?" The writer of the column said "Minnesota now, but whoever plays the Yankees, they are the team everyone loves to hate, unless you are from NY"  And the whole article just continues along that thread. I liked it.

Sounds great!! :D I love it.



They are the Yankees. They win more often that not. They are good when it counts. Sure hope someone beats them.  

I hope so too. Especially since they got into the wildcard spot this year.
I may have to cheer for the Texas Rangers to get into their first World Series ever. Or if Tampa rebounds from their current 2-games-to-none deficit, I'll cheer for them in the ALCS.

Sounds great!! :D I love it.

I hope so too. Especially since they got into the wildcard spot this year.
I may have to cheer for the Texas Rangers to get into their first World Series ever. Or if Tampa rebounds from their current 2-games-to-none deficit, I'll cheer for them in the ALCS.

I am hoping Philly can take it over NY.

I am hoping Philly can take it over NY.

Something I wish they could have done last year.

But if the Rangers should reach the World Series for the first time ever, and the Phils capture their third straight pennant, then the Game One starters would undoubtedly be Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay. Lee would be pitching against a team he was a member of in last year's World Series! (And he'd be the visiting pitcher once again, since the NL has HFA* in this year's series.)



*HFA=home field advantage.

Nobody wanted to watch The Indians this year, they had the worst attendance this year as well as the worst attendance at Progressive Field History!

Reds took an early lead in their ballgame against the Phils, but a comedy of errors in the 7th inning gave the game back to the Phils, who won 7-4 to take a 2-games-to-none series lead to Cincy.

And the Jints look like they're gonna have to settle for a series split against the Knaves unless they can perform a miracle. They had a chance to win it in the 10th with bases loaded with 1 out, but Buster Posey grounded into a 5-4-3 double play... darnit! >:(

I can sleep easier when the Braves and Wankees are not both involved in the postseason.

Phillies and Yankees are playing well right now.

If the Giants can't overtake the Knaves, then hopefully the Phillies can.

Reds took an early lead in their ballgame against the Phils, but a comedy of errors in the 7th inning gave the game back to the Phils, who won 7-4 to take a 2-games-to-none series lead to Cincy.

And the Jints look like they're gonna have to settle for a series split against the Knaves unless they can perform a miracle. They had a chance to win it in the 10th with bases loaded with 1 out, but Buster Posey grounded into a 5-4-3 double play... darnit! >:(

I can sleep easier when the Braves and Wankees are not both involved in the postseason.


Grr...looks like The Big Red Machine isn't that big right now...(I wonder if there's a Pete Rose Curse)?

Grr...looks like The Big Red Machine isn't that big right now...(I wonder if there's a Pete Rose Curse)?

Don't think so, Reds won in 1990 after Pete retired. They beat the heavily favored Oakland A's that year.

Don't think so, Reds won in 1990 after Pete retired. They beat the heavily favored Oakland A's that year.

Yep; Rose had been barred from the game a year earlier after it was revealed he gambled on it. I think he would have retired anyway had he not been caught.

Twins can't seem to beat the Evil Empire in the postseason. Now they are toast.

Tampa Bay stays alive one more day; and their Game Four with the Texas Rangers is in progress as I make this post.

Tampa stays alive once again, defeating Texas 5-2 and forcing a deciding Game Five in Tampa on Tuesday. So far, the visiting team has won every game in that series.

Philly ends the reds season. Waiting for San Fran or Atl.

I hope it's San Fran.

I hope it's San Fran.

Could be , they are up 2-1 on Atlanta.

Could be , they are up 2-1 on Atlanta.


And they have a chance to close it out today. If not, then the series goes back to San Fran on Wednesday; Tim Lincecum is scheduled to take the mound on that day if the game is necessary.

So...now it's all over for the Atlanta Braves, and Bobby Cox. Jints won their game 3-2, the series 3 games to 1, and advance to the NLCS to face the Phils.

After the game, everyone in Turner Field, including the SF Giants players, saluted Cox as he prepared to walk off the field.

I hope Tampa wins tonight, I think they will prove a stronger opposition to the E.E. than Texas.

I hope Tampa wins tonight, I think they will prove a stronger opposition to the E.E. than Texas.

Yeah, I think that might be the better matchup. Up to this point, I hadn't cared which team wins tonight, but maybe Tampa should. They'll have to outsmart Cliff Lee though.

Well...up until now, the visiting team has never won every game of a postseason series.

The Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays changed that tonight. (Actually, the Rangers were mostly responsible.) Rangers won tonight's game 5-1, to win their half of the ALDS 3 games to 2. More importantly, it's their first ever postseason series win.

That means I'm gonna be cheering for the Rangers in the ALCS, which begins Friday night at Rangers Ballpark In Arlington.

Aarhghhh! >:( 8-P The Rangers took an early 5-0 lead (which was good, especially since CCyalater Sabathia was pushed around early in the game), but in the 8th inning, the Evil Empire struck back and snatched the lead away and kept it, thereby taking Game One of the ALCS! >:( Curse those needles and pinstripes.

Yeh, its' sad. ...but gotta give credit to NY, coming back from 5-0. They don't give up.

Yeh, its' sad. ...but gotta give credit to NY, coming back from 5-0. They don't give up.

That's true. Unfortunately they don't. I'm just sick of them dominating all the time; they've been to the World Series 40 times; that's well more than anyone else. I hope the Rangers can restore order tonight and not let a substantial lead get away. Darren Oliver shouldn't have been on the ALCS roster, especially in last nite's game.

Rangers win by 5 runs this time, to even up the series at 1 game apiece. YES! :D

Gints take Game One of the NLCS against the Phillies.

Rangers win by 5 runs this time, to even up the series at 1 game apiece. YES! :D

Gints take Game One of the NLCS against the Phillies.

I realy can't foresee a Texas /SAn Fran WS.

I realy can't foresee a Texas /San Fran WS.

Maybe not, but it would be interesting. One thing's for sure: I do want Tex in there; it'd be the first time ever for them. Not only that, it's because they are battling the E.E. for that spot.

If it's a Philles-Rangers WS, I wonder if the Game One starters would be Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee?? I guess that might depend on how long since each man's most recent start prior to the WS.

Philly ties in the NLCS at 1 apiece.

Cliff Lee is piching next for Texas. Great chance to go up 2 games to 1.

Philly ties in the NLCS at 1 apiece.

Yep! So in both LCSes, a Game Five will officially be necessary.





Cliff Lee is piching next for Texas. Great chance to go up 2 games to 1.

yeah...especially since he is unbeaten in 6 postseason starts! Deny Andy Pettitte his 20th postseason win! >:D

Cliff Lee: still unbeaten in postseason career. Eight solid innings tonight.

Yankees: nothing doing against Texas pitching tonight, except for a couple of base hits and a walk. 15 hitters strike out (13 of which were fanned by Lee).

Rangers: 2 runs in first inning, courtesy of Josh Hamilton's bat (homer off Andy Pettitte); 6 runs in ninth inning off Yankee relief pitchers. Team now halfway to reaching World Series (up two games to one).

8-0 Texas. Best day this post season, so far.

SF, surprises me by taking a 2-1 series lead.

SF, surprises me by taking a 2-1 series lead.

Sorta does for me too. I kinda expected Cole Hamels to struggle today, given that it was a day game in SF. The commentators on MLB Network mentioned that last night in discussing the series.