2017 MLB Thread

Tony Bensley · **Reply #25 on:** October 07, 2017, 10:10:24 PM

Quote from: Tony Bensley on October 06, 2017, 11:17:00 PM

I suspect the Cubs (Who won Game 1 in shutout fashion!) will also make quick work of the Nats because well, they're the Nats, and folding in the post season is what they do!

Well, it seems that the Nats proved me wrong, at least today, in their late innings comeback against the Cubs, whose bullpen obviously failed them huge!

We'll see what happens when this NLDS shifts to Wrigley?

CHEERS!

Tony Bensley · **Reply #26 on:** October 08, 2017, 02:17:22 PM

Speaking of folding, that's just what the Red Sox appear to be doing against the Astros, down 2-0 in the series, and 3-0 in the 1st inning of Game 3! Quite frankly, I'm a bit shocked!

CHEERS!

Tony Bensley · **Reply #27 on:** October 08, 2017, 06:35:10 PM

Quote from: Tony Bensley on October 08, 2017, 02:17:22 PM

Speaking of folding, that's just what the Red Sox appear to be doing against the Astros, down 2-0 in the series, and 3-0 in the 1st inning of Game 3! Quite frankly, I'm a bit shocked!

OK, David Price shutting down the Astros for 4 innings in a postseason game (Huh?

) was actually MORE shocking, and the Red Sox live to play another game!

I know it's Columbus weekend, but I'd love to read others takes on how the Division series are playing out.

CHEERS!

metaldams · **Reply #28 on:** October 08, 2017, 09:01:01 PM

The Red Sox are actually playing better than I thought with today's win. I expected them to get swept. I'm just glad they won a game and think winning an elimination game is a good experience for the young core they have. Don't think they'll win this year, though.

As far as David Price, he's been bad in the postseason as a starter, but in a relief role, he's been better. As a Red Sox fan, I remember this all too well in 2008. Price was fantastic today, definitely his greatest Red Sox moment to date.

Tony Bensley · **Reply #29 on:** October 09, 2017, 03:38:10 PM

Houston just pulled ahead of Boston in the 8th. This might be the end of the season for Red Sox nation?

Tony Bensley · **Reply #30 on:** October 09, 2017, 09:19:25 PM

Sadly, the Yankees are confirming my worst fears, leading the Indians 7-3 in the 7th. They seem poised to tie up their ALDS.

At least the Cubs managed to eke out a win today, so there's that.

CHEERS!

Shemp_Diesel · **Reply #31 on:** October 10, 2017, 07:54:45 AM

Not sure what I expected from the first round, but so far it's pretty anti-climatic. Dodgers make short work of the D-backs, Astros take out the Sawx. Maybe the only shock so far is the Yanks hanging around with Cleveland.

If the Cubs close it out today, I wouldn't shed a tear...

Tony Bensley · **Reply #32 on:** October 10, 2017, 02:00:57 PM

Quote from: Shemp_Diesel on October 10, 2017, 07:54:45 AM

Not sure what I expected from the first round, but so far it's pretty anti-climatic. Dodgers make short work of the D-backs, Astros take out the Sawx. Maybe the only shock so far is the Yanks hanging around with Cleveland.

If the Cubs close it out today, I wouldn't shed a tear...

Neither would I, but I'm afraid the Yankees may confound the so-called experts and end up winning it all, anyways! As far as I'm concerned, the Yankees demonstrated being past mere rebuilding with last year's resigning of powerhouse closer Aroldis Chapman. They WANT #28 THIS year!

Again, I hope to be proven wrong, and that Cleveland will ultimately prevail in tomorrow's game on their home turf. The Indians had better not be behind in the 8th inning, though!

CHEERS!

Lefty · **Reply #33 on:** October 10, 2017, 02:42:33 PM

So much for Yankees vs. Red Sox, disappointing no one but the networks, but unfortunately, the Yankees are still alive and probably should have won the series already, which they probably will tomorrow night unless they can sign Joba the Hut Chamberlain to pitch for them.

As for the Red Sox's elimination, they may be able to thank St. Paul native Mark Wegner, but I was hoping that it would have ended with a player thrown out at second base by 20 feet trying to stretch a single into a double, if you know what (or whom) I mean. (And I cannot believe that the Phillies would even consider that boob to be their next manager.)

Tony Bensley · **Reply #34 on:** October 11, 2017, 06:38:27 PM

As I type this, the Nats are slamming the Cubs 5-0 at Wrigley. It appears that THIS rain induced postponement may have, indeed hurt their chances.

Hopefully, the Indians will fare better on their home turf later this evening?

CHEERS!

EDIT: Cleveland is down 3-0 to NY in the 5th! Does playing at home mean nothing today? DAMN!

Tony Bensley · **Reply #35 on:** October 11, 2017, 09:46:12 PM

Quote from: Tony Bensley on October 10, 2017, 02:00:57 PM

I'm afraid the Yankees may confound the so-called experts and end up winning it all, anyways! As far as I'm concerned, the Yankees demonstrated being past mere rebuilding with last year's resigning of powerhouse closer Aroldis Chapman. They WANT #28 THIS year!

Again, I hope to be proven wrong, and that Cleveland will ultimately prevail in tomorrow's game on their home turf. The Indians had better not be behind in the 8th inning, though!

Well, it's going into the 8th inning with the Indians behind the Yankees 3-2. This doesn't bode well for Cleveland, I'm afraid!

I wanna be proven wrong, DAMN IT!!!!

Tony Bensley · **Reply #36 on:** October 11, 2017, 11:01:32 PM

Well, tonight's heartbreaking loss for Cleveland makes it 6 consecutive closing out games they failed to win, dating back to last year's World Series!

And the same pitcher on the mound that got the save for the first of these, also closed them out in the latest Cleveland clinching loss - Aroldis Chapman!

What gets me are the voices in Social Media saying the Houston Astros winning the ALCS just got a lot easier with the undeserving Yankees getting in instead of the heavily favored Indians! In my opinion, they just DON'T get it....yet!

CHEERS!

Shemp_Diesel · **Reply #37 on:** October 12, 2017, 09:21:06 AM

John Farrell getting fired, after the Sawx make the playoffs again? Maybe there's a story behind it...

Anyways, Astros/Yankees shouldn't be so bad, I guess... $:-\$

Tony Bensley · **Reply #38 on:** October 12, 2017, 09:59:15 AM

Quote from: Shemp_Diesel on October 12, 2017, 09:21:06 AM

John Farrell getting fired, after the Sawx make the playoffs again? Maybe there's a story behind it...

Anyways, Astros/Yankees shouldn't be so bad, I guess... $:-\$

Given that not that much was expected of the Red Sox this year, Farrell's firing strikes me as a bit of an overreaction on the part of management.

On the other hand, with the Indians latest choke job, who knows what the future for Terry Francona might hold? His job might be safe for now, but who knows?

Now, can the Cubs win in Washington today? I thought they would have made quick work of the Nats, but no!

CHEERS!

Tony Bensley · **Reply #39 on:** October 12, 2017, 09:11:45 PM

The Cubs are currently leading the Nats 6-4 in the top of the 5th, but the game has been a see-saw battle, thus far! Kyle Hendricks is obviously not at his best, having surrendered 4 runs.

Will try and post again after the game.

CHEERS!

Tony Bensley · **Reply #40 on:** October 13, 2017, 12:01:08 AM

Well, the Cubs hung on to win 9-8, with a little help from a questionable overturning of an initially safe back at first call that went against Lodston of the Nats. Both teams burned through most of their respective pitching staffs in a 9 inning game that lasted over 4.5 hours!

Chicago and LA are set to commence their NLCS rematch Saturday 8PM at Dodger Stadium, while NY and Houston are scheduled to play Game 1 of the ALCS tonight at 8PM, at Minute Maid Park.

CHEERS!

Tony Bensley · **Reply #41 on:** October 20, 2017, 09:26:37 PM

Regarding the NLCS, I don't have much to say other than, unlike last year, the Cubs simply had nothing left against the Dodgers after just barely squeaking by the Nationals. It's too bad that Vin Scully no longer calls the Dodger games.

I'm hoping that Houston can hang on tonight against New York, although I suspect the Yankees will win Game 7, as the remaining available Astros starters have had zero success against them in this series. In my opinion, for Houston to have ANY chance in a Game 7 situation against New York, they'll have to score early and score often, something that has eluded them throughout this ALCS series!

Of course, Houston has to wrap up tonight's game first! They were leading the Yankees 3-0 at the end of 6, the last time I checked. It's too bad that Justin Verlander can't also pitch Game 7!

CHEERS!

Tony Bensley · **Reply #42 on:** October 21, 2017, 08:59:50 PM

In the Bottom of the 5th in Game 7, Houston is leading New York 2-0, with Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia out of the game!

There's still a lot of game left, but so far, the Astros have given me reason to hope for a Yankee elimination. Should New York lose, I suspect a lot of the blame will be focused on their manager's shortcomings, along with Aaron Judge's penchant for striking out a ton, although he hasn't done as much of it in the ALCS.

CHEERS!

metaldams · **Reply #43 on:** October 21, 2017, 10:25:04 PM

Thank God, the Yankees lose. Boston losing I can take with 3 World Series in the last 14 seasons, the Yankees winning I can't. Have to say though, for a team some were picking to be last place to make it to game 7 of the ALCS is impressive. They have a good young core of players and will be a thorn for several more years. That losing team I've been waiting for for 25 years will have to wait much longer.

Tony Bensley · **Reply #44 on:** October 21, 2017, 10:29:29 PM

WOW! Houston Astros pitching held the NY Yankees to 1 run in the last 2 games, while New York's bullpen caved!

So the Astros are the first MLB Team to win Pennants in both the National and American Leagues! It would have been real interesting if the Chicago Cubs could have repeated, as that would have also meant Houston having faced both NL and AL Chicago teams in the World Series! Still, LA was definitely overdue for another World Series appearance.

It's Game 1 at Dodger Stadium Tuesday night!

CHEERS!

Lefty · **Reply #45 on:** October 22, 2017, 10:46:43 AM

Well, I was half-right with my prediction on who would be in the World Series. I was waiting for the "hump-ires" to make things go the Yankees' way, but fortunately it didn't happen. Joe Schmuck is unhappy, so that's a good thing as well. As for the championship, Houston winning would be a feel-good story after Hurricane Harvey wrecked the city.

Now the Yankees are just as good as the Mets and the Phillies this year!

Tony Bensley · **Reply #46 on:** October 22, 2017, 11:08:56 AM

The bottom line was the Yankees near complete inability to score runs in Houston. Perhaps, they just couldn't handle the Texas heat?

I agree that the Astros winning the World Series would be a really nice thing for a city that has recently suffered such horrific devastation.

CHEERS!

stoogerascalfan62 · **Reply #47 on:** October 23, 2017, 01:47:59 PM

I don't know who to pull for in the series.

Tony Bensley · **Reply #48 on:** October 24, 2017, 10:14:39 AM

Quote from: stoogerascalfan62 on October 23, 2017, 01:47:59 PM

I don't know who to pull for in the series.

I'm pulling for Houston, since they've never won before, and it would be nice to see Verlander on a Championship team while still in his prime.

That said, I don't think the Dodgers winning would upset me much, either. I'm happy that the Yankees got taken down, so I'm good!

CHEERS!

metaldams · **Reply #49 on:** October 24, 2017, 06:22:07 PM

Quote from: Tony Bensley on October 24, 2017, 10:14:39 AM

I'm pulling for Houston, since they've never won before, and it would be nice to see Verlander on a Championship team while still in his prime.

That said, I don't think the Dodgers winning would upset me much, either. I'm happy that the Yankees got taken down, so I'm good!

CHEERS!

Agree 100%