A Shout Out

Okay, this post is part shout out to (our first?) regular blog reader and part homage to a fantastic baseball guy. Is there any better coach in MLB than Dave Duncan? The Cardinals are in first place in what is, in my opinion, the second-toughest division in baseball, and their rotation is: Kyle Lohse, Todd Wellemeyer, Joel Piniero, a Chris Carpenter that has more cuts in his arm than a suicidal 15-year old girl, and Adam Wainwright. They have gone through 3 closers in 40 games, and their best pitching prospect went Jean Claude Van de Velde...and is now a power hitting outfielder! Yet they are in first place. How is this possible?

Imagine if they were to go out and trade for Peavy! He would be a good fit: National League team, but not in the West. They have a surplus of Major League ready young guys who can be traded. They are undoubtedly going to be competitors for the NL crown. St. Louis is a crazy baseball town (which seems like something that would appeal to Peavy). I could see that actually working. How good would that team look then?!!

Speaking of reclamation projects, did you notice that Lamar Odom is in fact not dead? Who would have thought?! If he plays like he did in Game 5 throughout the rest of the playoffs, you can just put the Lakers name on the Larry O'Brien Trophy now.

Today is Mr. and Mrs. Penny's 5th anniversary, and it sure would be a good present if the Lake-show would book a trip to the NBA Finals.

The Golden Pipes of Bob Costas

Dodgers and Cubbies tonight on The Network. Called by the esteemed duo of Bob Costas and Dan Pleasac (who I think does an excellent job on MLB Tonight). Costas calling a Dodgers game brings back the memories of those old playoff series that were on NBC.

As an aside, it is interesting to note that the Dodgers have not lost when they play on the same day that the Lakers have a playoff game. Wish I could say the same thing for the Lakers.....

Un-Doc Like

You know you are good when this is considered an off night:


Halladay
IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
7.0 8 3 3 2 5 1 2.63

Not this Again

I don't know that I can take another playoff series like this.

I thought after Game One the Lakers were in a great position. The Thuggets seemed a much better matchup for L.A. than the Rockets, and the Lakers seemed to have the intensity that was lacking against Houston. I could even live with the swiss cheese defense because of the up-and-down nature of the game.

After Game Two, my feelings are totally reversed. The Nuggets are exploiting every Laker weakness. I really am not sure Pau is tough enough to win an NBA championship, notwithstanding his fantastic skill level. Fisher is a shell of himself, and that is an insult to shells everywhere.

What concerns me most is the propensity for blowing leads. Yes this is the NBA and yes teams are always making runs, but the Lakers show no killer instinct at all. That is troubling. I foresee a tough, tough Game 3 in Denver, and then pray that L.A. can bounce back in Game 4. No matter what, though, I am going to be a wreck all series.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Landing in sports purgatory couldn't have happened to a more deserving Sooner. Have fun with the worst organization in sports, Blake!

Roids or Not, the Guy Can Rake

Much to the joy of Team Stockel -- A-Rod homers in his fourth straight.

Did the Mets throw that game?

I'm not sure I've ever seen a team give away a baseball game in one inning quite like that. Let's examine.

Top 11th: NY Mets
- R. Martinez lined out to center
- R. Castro lined out to left
- R. Church singled to left
- A. Pagan singled to deep right center, R. Church out at third

The Mets appeared to take a 3-2 lead in the top of the 11th on Pagan's gapper to the wall. Church scores from first base easily - except for the fact that he clearly missed third base on the way home. I've never seen a base runner look so guilty. The Dodgers quickly picked up on it, tagged the base, and the inning was over. A horrendous mistake by an established big-league player, but shit happens, right?

Bottom 11th: LA Dodgers
- M. Loretta walked
- X. Paul safe at first on center fielder C. Beltran's fielding error, M. Loretta to third, X. Paul to second
- J. Pierre intentionally walked
- R. Furcal flied out to left
- O. Hudson reached on fielder's choice, M. Loretta scored, X. Paul to third, J. Pierre to second on first baseman J. Reed's throwing error

This is where things get crazy. After Loretta leads off with a walk, Xavier Paul hits a routine fly ball to left center field. Beltran and Pagan converge on it, both of them making it there in time to catch the ball. Beltran clearly calls off Pagan, but the ball falls innocently between them. Hmm. Beltran picks it up and rifles it into the infield. There's now runners on 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. The Dodgers then intentionally walk Ted Williams.....err....Juan Pierre to load the bases.

The Mets then bring in Beltran to play a 5th infielder spot. Furcal flies out to shallow left and Loretta decides not to test Pagan's arm. Hudson then hits a ground ball directly to Jeremy Reed, who has an easy throw home to get the force out and preserve the tie. Of course, Reed throws it five feet wide of the catcher. Loretta scores and the Dodgers win.

Sheesh. I'm only half-joking about the possibility that the Mets "black-soxed" it last night. However, the alternative for the Mets ain't all that appealing. A little league team would be embarrassed by that 11th inning. The Dodgers will certainly take it though.