I like the flip-flop of Cano and Teix. At long last.

Yikes, what to make of that photo?

[1] Truth.

If Colon's a balloon (and I have yet to see evidence otherwise), I'd hate to think where that tear could be, especially if it's new...

Oh, I'd like to share with certain Banterites (you know who you are) a sentiment expressed today by my brother-in-law, who also used to play bass for a local cover band in Connectdadots: "Screw you, Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame! Until Rush is inducted you're a shallow sham." >;)

[4] Wait, Rush isn't in the R-n-R Hall of Fame?

I don't even LIKE Rush and I think that's a travesty.

7) Yeah. Agreed. Just goes to show that a Hall of Fame or an Oscar, Emmy or MVP is all just a bunch of horseshit.

[8] Funny you should mention that, because I was thinking the same thing about the schmack from "baseball pundits" who all agreed Tampa would not catch Boston.

speaking of balloons or ballooning up - seems like phil has put on some weight - he looked pretty hefty around the midsection when they showed him in the pen last night.

[9] Well, it's like staying with a pair of face cards when the dealer shows a 6.

The math is the math, doesn't mean the dealer isn't going to turn over a face and pull a 5 and send you home unhappy ...

I'm kinda hoping the Sox and Rays have to play a tiebreaker.

I don't know who would pitch for Boston...

[11] Yeah, the math was pretty solid. That's what fascinates me about this situation. The pundits seemed to rely solely on the math without seeing the defeat in the eyes of the Boston players. The psychology trumped the math. And I don't understand why people who follow baseball think it can be reduced to math. It can't.

Teix admits he's been trying to pull the ball too much.

Gee, Teix, you don't say!

[12] Kinda???
That's all I can think about. If they play that game, the winner is going to be completely screwed up for their ALDS.

Jesus really does remind me of Manny with his swing.

[15] I know, right?!

[14] haha yeah. that short porch has tempted many a lh hitter.

[13] Momentum is tomorrow's starting pitcher.

Unless, of course, you're talking about MO-mentum, which is completely different ...

[14] File under:

::facepalm::

From LoHud:

Teixeira said he’s been working with Kevin Long on changing his approach against right-handers. He’s squared up his stance a little bit, and he’s trying to use the whole field a little more. He admitted that the right-field porch at Yankee Stadium became a little too tempting and got him into some bad habits after his strong 2009 season. Now the defensive shift is frustrating him, and Teixeira is trying to correct the problem without losing his power.

File under: ABOUT FUCKING TIME.

Word.

Whether it's Tampa or Boston, they're going to lose to Texas or Detroit. Can't believe that's not set either.

[23] I don't believe that at all.

Fate's a fickle bitch and ANY team in the hunt right now could be hoisting the trophy at the end of the season.

[23] Wow, that's right, not set yet. Which one of them owns the tie-breaker? That race is really important, because the Yankees are a much tougher draw than the WC, obviously.

Insightful comment Kay, whoever wins the tiebreaker gets in?

[26] Suddenly the word 'tiebreaker' makes sense to me. I never noticed that before, tie... breaker. Huh.

1-0 ORIOLES!!!

[24] Verlander and Fister are scary good right now. Texas is tough, though didn't the Yankees do well against them this year?

[27] Heh.

Boston and Atlanta behind already.

Quick toad!

:!

This is interesting -- if the Sox lose, then we want to win. If they win, we kinda want to lose.

tigers own the tiebreaker - they were 6-3 vs. texas.

Attaboy. That's our Nuñe5.

I was looking at Fangraphs. Nuñe5 has a negative WAR. He's worse than a replacement player.

[34] Thanks, and hello. :-)

Jesus, Alex!

What do you want?

A fucking invitation!?!?!?!?

[35] Not that they're wrong in that case, but do you believe WAR?

I don't ...

[38] Eh. The defense portion is noise, as far as I'm concerned. But it's nice to have confirmation of the obvious.

[36] you are welcome and hello :}

Well, good for JD.

Ho hum.

This is a strange feeling.

ZoBRIS, the Jewish Slasher!

Colon is more like ASS tonight ...

Definitely pumpkin time.

Red Sox up 2-1 after an Ellsbury 2 run home run.

So...where the SWB Yankees going to play next year?

Bodie goes DEEP!!!

[46] That dude is carrying them. Amazing.

[47] Embarrassed to admit that I didn't know they were moving.

Russell is a man with no limbs in the dried leaves
Homer is a man with no limbs flying over a fence

Russell=Homer.

I'm with you RI, if Boston wins, Yanks have to lose. This is emotionally draining.

[49] They're not moving. PNC Field needs drainage improvements. (Probably more than ever after Irene.) They won't be able to play there next year while the work is being done.

They wanted to play in Newark, but the Mets blocked them. They made several offers, but the Mets still said no.

That seemingly rules out a lot of other places they were considering, like the Staten Island Yankees ballpark. I would imagine the Mets can block that, too.

I want the Yankees to win so I'm rooting for the Os to beat Boston. I think tie breaker between Boston and the Rays would be exciting. Ideally, Boston would lose sending Red Sox fans into a meltdown.

Out ...then ... safe!!!

[47] A real faux pas that the Mets prevent the SWB Yanks from playing one year in Newark. The A level team there now is draining money for the city, and it would be a good thing for "Newark On The Move".

[52] Yes, that would be the ideal outcome, I agree. The fun of the playoff game, the extra wear on the Rays... and the bitter, cold winter for RSN, winning the label of Greatest Chokahs Evah.

Jeez, every time I start thinking Maddon is a good manager, he does something stupid like this. Moron.

Fuck him up, Alex.

Strange days. Maddon is a fucking douche.

[56] Really? I think this a totally defensible move. Cano is hot, Alex is VERY much not, plus the sidedness issue with Hellickson.

[52] [55] I like the way you think.

Ha.
Eat shit, Maddon.

Tough pitch to take there, but it saves face for Arod.

O.k. Mark, hurt 'em

[58] Free base runner. So early in the game, it's a terrible move.

So, okay, it worked out. But still terrible.

[62] Right now, Tex is only hurting 'em on the field.

[54] Yeah, it's too bad. Newark really wanted it.

The Yankees promised it was for only one year, and even offered to let the Mets relocate any of their teams into the NYC area if it ever became necessary, even a hundred years from now. They still said no. The only explanation they offered was, "It's our right." Which it is.

No idea now where the SWB Yanks will play next year. There was some talk of using the old Ottawa Lynx ballpark in Canada. If that's the way they go, I'm not going to be seeing any SWB home games next year.

[65] You know, I never felt the hostility towards the Mets organization that so many Yankees fans do. Who could not be grateful for 1986? But this is a real dick move.

65] Well if they go the Ottawa route, the International League would be back to truth in advertising.

Big three run homer for the Sox. Now up 5-1.

There must be some SW Connecticut venue the SWB team could use for a year. No?

[68] Big Jewish home run! It must be Jewish Homer Night.

5-1 Red Sox.

LAH-VAUGHN-WHEY with the HR.

[70] Shana Tova!

[72] Hey yeah! Tomorrow?

[69] Haven't heard about any CT ballparks.

There was some talk about Rochester, NY. Sharing the Rochester Redwings ballpark.

[73] Sundown

Braves losing. Boston winning.

The double tiebreaker is shaping up nicely!

Weird Lottery Commercial. Win a million, "buy" a hot girl when you're a schlub? This is a government agency advertising with that kind of sentiment?

There was much buzz in Rochester about he SWB Yankees playing here next year. I thought the big club was supposed to make a decision a few weeks ago. I lost track.

Haiku Recap, anyone? Mr OK Jazz TOKYO has a change-of-season-cold but is chained to the desk here at AMCE, Investigations Japan Branch.. :(

[74] What about Norwich?

[74] Whoops. Ya' beat me to it. ; )

[80] They have a Giants affiliate, I believe. Anyway the old Navigators stadium is occupied.

[79] Recap: zzzzzz.
Martin hit, nobody else for us. Big Jewish Homer. Another in Tampa by the bad guys.

[82] Big Ugky Youkilis is back? Thought he was on the DL for good this season?
Looks like it will go down to 162 for Tampa & Bahhhhston..

[83] No! Different Jew! New catcher, Lavarnway.

C'mon Brett, we want #50!

[83] No, the new Jew, Lavornay (sp?) playing for the slightly injured Salty hit the homer for the Best Team Evah.

I like how the Yankees are now poised to rally, just in case the Orioles do. And there's Ace. Man, he is pitching a lot. But Francona doesn't have a lot of good options.

One pitch, one out for Ace. Now two down, runners in the corners for the O's.

So conflicted....... : /

No dancing with the umpires

[86] Yeah, close :-)

WIth the O's coming back (Bedard out of the game), so should the Yanks.

O's rally snuffed out. Now ours has to fizzle too.

[91] [92] Heh. You are waaaaaaay behind.

(90) LOL, too lazy to switch to another website to confirm the spelling. Please forgive me.

[94] It's a crazy name. I believe it's actually a corruption of "Livernois". Something like that. So in a way you were right -- the 'w' has no business being there.

[77] They know their target audience. Most people who buy lottery tix are not that bright. Well, how could they be.

[84][86] Thought Boston had a quota for non-WASPS? :)
I'm still waiting for those Indian pitchers to move up the Pittsburgh farm system..but not holding my breath..

Who starts for Boston and Tampa tomorrow?

[97] That's only for the fans these days.

I can't believe tomorrow's the last night of the year we'll here MK say "driven."

[98] Exactly! And anyway, not WASPs. They've always had plenty of Catholics.

Hey, Mr. OK, I had a look at the Fangraphs power ranking...

The answer is that the Sox have a whole lot of WAR on their roster. The fact that the players have sucked badly in September doesn't show up much, because of all the 'ballast' of the whole season.
It makes sense.

[100] But..I really don't understand that. They have players with great stats over the course of the season, but how can any system say they are a better team than Tampa, Detroit, Texas, Phillies, Milwaukee at this point of the season..is this not a flaw?

Two Baltimore pitchers combine to walk the bases loaded around two outs, and Lavarnway is up again...

[101] The system isn't rating their current streak. It's rating their whole season.
And anyway, you know how much sabermetricians love to 'regress' stats!

Well that's a good sign!

Holy fuck! Lavarnway almost had himself three more rbi. Great catch.

SUBMARINEFACE with the HOLYFUCKINGSHIT catch!

[100] Not always, the Patricians of Boston burned down the Seminary in 1820's in attempt to drive out the Catholics (read Irish).

[100] Not always, the Patricians of Boston burned down the Seminary in 1820's in attempt to drive out the Catholics (read Irish).

How the fuck did Tex not score???
Go Rays

Since you all started mentioning it, I'm getting really annoyed by Kay's bad fly-ball calls. It's like he has no clue where the ball is going.

[107] But even then the Irish ruled in Fenway! :-)

At the very least, this helps Nova's Rookie-of-the-Year chances

Well that sucks.

[103] But that's even more perplexing..Over the course of the whole season the Sox are not one of the top-5 teams, clearly. Yanks, Phils, Rangers, Detoit and Milwaukee all better..I just don't get it.

Well that's something you don't see every day.

Except for the triple play, of course

Holy Shit-tah!

[99] But we're going to get an awful lot of awful TBS & Fox announcers.

Well, now.

Triple Play? Wow..

[114] They aren't? I'd say they were, clearly.

Shit, a triple play?

Really?

Shows me for watching the Sox vs Orioles.

[114] I agree. They've sucked since the all-star break. They sucked the first 2 weeks of the season. And they've uber sucked this last month.

[114] You think the Sox have had a worse year on the whole than Detroit? I don't think so. Not Milwaukee, either.

One interesting thing is that the Sox have under-performed their OBS, OPS, etc. That is, they've hit weakly in clutch situations. So their WAR and other such stats are higher than you'd think, given their overall production. And, they've scored more runs than any team in baseball, so the geeky estimation of the offensive power is really high.

[111] Yeah, they were relegated to the swamps.

How about that, a TRIPLE PLAY to maybe save the Rays year.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.

FUCK.

Seriously, though, STOP DIVING INTO FIRST BODIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, no, Michael, Lavarnway did not "hit a bullet to right". It was a pop fly that almost dropped.

This might be the only time in our lifetimes that a Yankee team suffers a triple play, and it doesn't give us the shakes.

[121] 34-36 since the All Star break makes them a top-5 team?

Uh oh.
We have to lose, I'm afraid. Crawford triple, Scutaro homer.

[129] Uh.
No, it's not a "since the all star break" thing. It's a "whole season" thing.
Did you notice that they've scored more runs than any other team? And that the Red Sox hitters have been, over the whole season, far more productive than the hitters on any other team? This is the key.

Be nice to see : finish at .500, play SWB tomorrow.

[129] You're double counting, on top of selective end points.

[131] What he said.

[131][134] Seen their pitching numbers? Those count too! Cannot fathom how anyone would say they are a better team than Texas or Philadelphia now, as FanGraphs rankins do. Better than Philly??!!?

[135] Uh, "better than Philly"?

Not even close to what you were claiming in [114].

[136] Sorry trying to multi-task here and was unclear. What I meant is, I do not understand, still, how FanGraphs ranking system puts Boston ahead of both Philly and Texas. Yes, they have great cumulative WAR "O" stats, etc for the whole season. But their pitching stinks, and they are 6-19 in September..great teams don't blow 9 game leads in September by going 6-19..and losing repeatedly to Baltimore!

[137] Their pitching doesn't actually stink. Over the whole season their starters were excellent -- better than the Rays.

I don't really understand what you're basing this on. I mean, you haven't given even one piece of evidence! And I know you haven't watched the Phillies all season, or anything like that. So, gimme something here. The Red Sox individual player stats are a whole lot better than the Phils, it's not close. Admittedly it's hard to compare NL vs. AL, but to the extent it's possible the Red Sox really do have better parts.

Oh, and please, "great teams don't" blah blah blah, that's silly. I hope you aren't going to say that the Yankees aren't a great team because great teams don't go 5-11 against the Red Sox...

great teams don't blow 9 game leads in September by going 6-19..and losing repeatedly to Baltimore!

I'm old enough to have witnessed the 2000 Yankees, I think what you're saying is nonsense.

Hoooooooboy.

Well well.

Huh.

Not sure what to think.

This is a very strange feeling.

[140] Soriano can't be trusted in a big spot. That's what I think. Oi!

[138] Eh? ESPN has Tampa's pitching ranked second over the whole season, Boston ranked ninth..Phillies have one of the best rotations we've seen in years and the NL East is not awful (not as good as AL East, will give you that).

And it's not silly! 6-19 in September and blowing a NINE game lead..that is apalling. Their pitching in September has been putrid, they've given John Lackey 28 starts..great teams do not give 28 starts to guys with +6.00 ERAs! I'm just not getting all your Sox love..

[140] It's bad in the sense that the So part of the SoRoMo equation has collapsed ... again.

Oh, Sori.

So I guess Soriano is rusty.

[139] Not nonsense. It just proves that not all World Series winners are great teams, and not all great teams win the World Series. What is so non-sensical about that?

[140] Preserves the tie. Tiebreaker on Thursday.

Soriano playing the secret double agent for his old team. I'm glad it was him that gave up the necessary runs, and not Hama or Mo.

[146] If you're stuck on "great teams" you're jousting at a windmill most of us have long since passed beyond.

But, suit yourself.

[141] I think we have to trust him. Aside from Sabathia no body is going to give us 8 innings.

[146] ????
So, then, why did you say, "Great teams don't blow 9 game leads in September..."??? The only conclusion you can draw from that is, the Red Sox are not a great team. Okay. So what? Who said they were a great team?

As to [142], look at what I said: their starters have been better than the Rays'. Did you mean to deny that? My point was not that the staff has been better than the Rays'. You said that Boston's pitching "stinks". That's definitely not true, and you haven't given any evidence for it at all.

Really the only point you've made is that the Red Sox have been really bad in September. Given that I've pointed out (over and over and over again) that the Fangraphs ranking is based on the whole season, it's just puzzling why you keep bringing up one segment of the season.

I hope Arod is playing possum in advance of the Post Season.

[150] Doesn't matter. If they give us seven, we got Da Hamma.

[150] Well, we might have to pitch him but we don't have to trust him.

(And Kay is funny sometimes: "I just want to tell you I was totally against it.")

[149] Perhaps. But you guys seem to be stuck on the stats train that says JD Drew is a great player and Boston is still great despite blowing a 9 game lead. Like Bill Parcells says, you are what your record says you are.. (ok, I'm being combatitive a bit, I do see you guys points..but don't think you get mine..)

[152] Yes. His evening has been troubling. He does not look confident at the plate.

[155] STRAW MAN much?

Hey, RI, did YOU say something about JD Drew, I know *I* didn't ...

22 K for a game you're fighting for the WC? Move the team.

[155] Yes, I will frankly admit that I don't get your point.

Oh, and this was a good one:

you guys seem to be stuck on the stats train that says JD Drew is a great player

I take it you do not evaluate JD Drew based on his stats. And I'm pretty sure you don't watch him play a lot. So, how exactly do you evaluate him?

And if you want to know what I actually think about JD Drew, you could just ask -- that's a little more polite than just making something up and attributing it to me.

Whooooooaaaaaa... another Jewish homer in Camden Yards!

[155] I am with you. It's a matter of factual numbers vs. aesthetics in my honest opinion. It doen't make sense to me that a power ranking can have a team ranked top 2 but could miss the playoffs. Anyhow........my 2 cents.

[151] Their starters have been better than Tampa's? I'l need to check the stats on that one, would be incredibly surpising given all the starts Lackey, Wakefield and Miller have made.

[157] Not you guys, but a lot of that out there among the stats guys.

[158] Yesterday it was 18,700, I think. Incredible!

Hey, RI, did YOU say something about JD Drew, I know *I* didn't ...

And if you want to know what I actually think about JD Drew, you could just ask -- that's a little more polite than just making something up and attributing it to me.

Yeah, I'm going to jump the gun a bit and state that's a "NO" ...

[155] Maybe I'm old school, but I believe what I see, not what can be conjured up. Cano is a better player than Padroia, I know that, even if the advanced stats say it isn't so, These are human beings playing a game, so I agree with you. There is a collective reason Boston has stunk in September and been mediocre since july. Boston is not a top 5 team in MLB, IMHO.

[162] Okay! If you actually do check numbers, cool! (But be careful, as soon as you start that kind of thing you will almost immediately start to believe that JD Drew is a great player...)

[163] Yet I heard all this noise about how excited and loud they were when they stayed to watch the sox on the big screen. What a joke.

[159] Don't get testy, I wasn't attributing anything, just lumping you in with the "defend JD Drew" crowd! No offense intended! (Mr. OK Jazz is a peaceful man, I assure you!)

As for Drew, I've watched him a lot though as we got Boston games on tv here the last few years because of Dice K. When he plays he's ok, but never reached 500 ABS even one season with the Sox.

But why are we arguing anyways? Let's just enjoy the end of a great season. I'm still torn on who to root for..honestly think the Rays are scarier team in a short season with that pitching..

[168] Right, Drew doesn't play enough to be a great player, I agree. And this year, he wasn't good when he did play. But earlier in his career he was extremely valuable.
But of course, I didn't watch him all those years, so probably I don't know what I'm talking about. You can only tell how good a player is by watching him.

I think the Rays are a little scarier, too. But I'm mainly rooting for the tie.

[167} Give credit to the few that do give a shit.

[158] I believe that the Rays should move to Portland, Or and play obviously in the AL West; The Marlins change to the AL East, and Pittsburgh change to the NL East. That will give equal divisions in both leagues.

Portland is by far the largest market without a MLB team, and would give the Mariners a natural rival.

Ohhh, that was *so* gratifying!

Fuck you, Jack.

[169] "But of course, I didn't watch him all those years, so probably I don't know what I'm talking about. You can only tell how good a player is by watching him."

That was a huge bait which I am not falling for! You can't call me Joe Morgan, I'm halfway into the new stats revolution, just not all the way yet..

whoa. i got a tiny bit of static on the radio. through the white noise, i heard boston was up 7-3 (at the time) and we were up 3-2 w/ soriano about to start the inning.

strangely, i had mixed feelings. then said, oh well, shit sox won't be strong in the playoffs anyhow. then, the leadoff walk. then a long ab, where sori couldn't put away longo. got outta the car before the ab ended.

now i'm home and see we're losing. i had a feeling sori would...come thru? is that how to put it?!

anyway, braves got crushed...again. i heard in the car - where the reception was pristine! - cards down by 5. then, they scored 5 in that frame.

maybe i shoulda listened to a cd instead...

[170] Do the M's sell out, though? You wouldn't want to add competition in a market that's already stretched.

Oooh, strange play in Baltimore.

[172] Damn.

:-)

bart looked a little hittable, but otherwise alright.

how was he in reality?

[173] Thelarmis, you can take some joy in the fact that it has been Huge Jewish Hitting Night.

[177] Lavarnway. I won't make you guess. Two homers.

[176] He looked kind of tired, but he didn't blow.

[177] lavarnway? i doubt youk played? maybe our boy kinsler? i dig ryan braun and he's having a monstrous season.

i'm just getting home and STARVING. i'll catch up on all the baseball news here in a quick minute...

oh crap, we hit into a bases loaded triple play???

fuck the heck?!

[178] in his first start? christ, i hate the fuggin' shit sox.

at least he didn't hit a grand slam on his first pitch. whatever happened to nava? 1 A.B. and then straight to the hall of fame? i guess he retired and is waiting 5 years. there a statue of him outside the Fens yet?

8-6 Boston!

Orioles still aren't dead!!!

[175] http://www.firejoemorgan.com/search/label/scrappy

"I'm telling you, he just looks like a ball player out there, hustlin' and scrappin' and playing winning baseball. I'd take ten of him before some of these home run divas we have in the game now" - paraphrase of Rob Dibble radio spot I once heard.

ooh, 2 more runs for balltumor.

c'mon boids!!!

8-6

Well this isn't right. The Orioles wait until our game is over to stage a rally??? That's just not fair. They should have done it earlier, then we could still have won.
Well, they're still underdogs here, but damn, Bard. Holy shit.

[183] hey buddy!

[174] Considering their futility lately, no. They average about 25K per game. Portland is too distant from Seattle to effect normal attendance.

[183] Wow, Bard must be hurt, right? He's just not the same guy recently. Can Andino continue to be a Sawx killer?

[187] Yo, Bro!

ellsbury hit *another* fuckin' homer???

fuck the heck?!

[189] They say no, it's psychological. I have absolutely no idea. Head, arm, mechanics, could be anything. He went from being awesome -- their version of D-Rob -- to really, really terrible.

[170] Problem is Portland is a more do your own thing in good weather town. I lived there in the early 1990s and went to a number of Beavers games (talk about missing a marketing opportunity) it's not a baseball town. People would rather bike or hike than go to a game.

wow, jomerun javy w/ a complete game victory and 9 more K's in what might possibly be his last start ever.

Can someone give me a recap of how various guys looked? Pitchers, hitters...

Colon?

Was Soriano awful?

I really like Soriano and tend to trust him. What happened? Can't say I'm heartbroken - and if the time comes, I will explain exactly why, but I don't want to talk about it prematurely.

Iow, as to [195], please take mercy on a guy who was stuck in class...

stros up 6-5

[185] We're rooting for the tie at the end, then Tampa can win in the one game playoff on Thursday.

With the Yankees losing, "Let's Go Sox?"

tigers lookin' tough...

[195] Overall: boring game.
Colon: not terrible.
Soriano: terrible.

Highlight Yankee-wise: Russell Martin hit a homer.
Highlight baseball-wise: Russell Martin hit into a triple play.