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2013 World Series -- what say you?

galaxy27galaxy27 Posts: 7,868 ✭✭✭✭✭
Methinks this is going to be a hell of a series. I've thought about it and thought about it, and I just can't foresee a scenario of less than six games. I predict a split in Boston, STL taking two of three back home, and I honestly don't have much of a lean from G6 on. Just the way I like it.

I think the X factor could quite possibly be the return of Allen Craig. By all accounts he's going to DH and pinch hit, and if his bat remotely resembles his pre-injury production, he could very well prove to be the added offensive spark to augment four potential starts from Wainwright & Wacca.

But man, there's just something to be said about the intestinal fortitude of the Sox. When they were down five runs in G2 with Scherzer dealing, I told my girlfriend the series was over. Then they proceeded to get off the deck, punch Detroit in the mouth and completely flip the series.

From the lineups to starting pitching to the bullpens, any discernible advantage is slight, in my opinion. With that said, I reluctantly say the Cards in 7.



you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet

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Comments

  • cardinals in 7
  • Should be a heck of a series, too bad I won't be seeing the ends of the games with approximate ending times of around midnight. Waaaa
  • jdip9jdip9 Posts: 1,894 ✭✭✭
    Sox in 6.

    Craig coming back scares me a little, though. He is a beast.
  • I like sox in 6 as well.
    Dansco BU washie set empty holes:
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  • perkdogperkdog Posts: 30,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I am not jinxing them!

    GO SOX!!! image
  • Red Sox in five
  • MCMLVToppsMCMLVTopps Posts: 4,840 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'll go with Sox in six...mostly because I want them to win it in Fenway. Gotta say, a sweep by the Sox is a distinct possibility given their ability to score late in the game.

    There's definitely some "magic in the air" for the Sox having gone from a disastrous last place in 2012 to the WS in 2013.
  • MCMLVToppsMCMLVTopps Posts: 4,840 ✭✭✭✭✭
    According to the Boston Globe...Yaz will throw out the first pitch tonight and will be joined at the mound by Luis Tiant, both of course Boston icons, I expect quite a reaction from the fans.

    Gonna be good stuff!!!
  • telephoto1telephoto1 Posts: 4,898 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's no secret I'm a Cardinal fan but the Bosox are going to be a tough adversary. They have more power but we might have a slight edge in pitching. And Boston is a ton at home, so the home field advantage might be the scale-tipper in a long series. STL needs to come out swinging tonight.

    RIP Mom- 1932-2012
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,097 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Red Sox in 4.

    Shane

  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭
    I say it's not fair a team has to lose. They should all circle home plate, share pizza and root beers, while singing Kumbaya.
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • 1985fan1985fan Posts: 1,952 ✭✭


    << <i>I say it's not fair a team has to lose. They should all circle home plate, share pizza and root beers, while singing Kumbaya. >>



    Coming froman Astros fan I'm not surprised.

    Sox in 6, hoping for a Boston sweep though.
  • orioles93orioles93 Posts: 3,474 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sox in 7
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  • BarndogBarndog Posts: 20,492 ✭✭✭✭✭
    MLB needs to replace Dana Demuth now. He either bet on the Cardinals or is incredibly blind. He could just be stupid
  • jeffcbayjeffcbay Posts: 8,949 ✭✭✭✭
    I can't stand Joe Buck...


  • << <i>I can't stand Joe Buck... >>

    With the TV volume turned all the way down, I listen to the feed through XM Radio. Mccarver is absolutely horrible!!!!
  • sparky64sparky64 Posts: 7,036 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I completely agree with the previous two posts and have for several years.

    I enjoy all baseball announcers around the country but can not take these two.

    I tried again this series but nothing has changed and gotten worse in fact.

    "If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"

    My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress

  • galaxy27galaxy27 Posts: 7,868 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Strike that, I can envision a scenario now. Boston wins 8-1 over St. Louis, and in other news, Hanley's ribs feel considerably better.

    Karma can be ruthless sometimes.

    you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet

  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭
    I'm happy for the City of Boston. Would probably pull for the Cards any other year but since the Bruins came up short, the fans deserve a Sox win.
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,097 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I say Wacha Wacha Wacha!

    Shane

  • sparky64sparky64 Posts: 7,036 ✭✭✭✭✭
    After game 2, I'd say you got yourself a Series now.
    Looking forward to see how it plays out.

    "If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"

    My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress

  • St Louis in 7 games
  • Love John Farrell , but he should have started Daniel Nava in left , instead of Gomes. Better defensive player and as a left hand batter , had a better shot at hitting Wacha. No guarantee, but I think the 7th inning ends with Nava throwing out Kozma at the plate. Taz in the8th and Koji in the 9th . 2-0 Sox. Hind site is 20/20, but I said this before the game.

    Is there anyone out there, that hates Fox miking up players for interviews during the live play. Just outrageous to take away from live play in the playoffs and World Series to hear from players chatter! I hit the. Mute button the moment Buck starts the interview!
  • What is up with the HP umpire? If it was an option - he would be sent back to the minors after this game. Balls are strikes, strikes are balls - WOW - this'll be his last post season.
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,097 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have never seen an ending like that in my life. Wow.

    Shane

  • 1985fan1985fan Posts: 1,952 ✭✭
    Looks like the umpiring crew has money on the Cardinals.
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Looks like the umpiring crew has money on the Cardinals. >>



    I am sure that is why they reversed a call at second in game one....which you never see, but it was the right call. Boston should have loaded the bases and created a force play at home so the catcher does not have to tag the runner at home, then the throw to third is easy to make.....plus do not throw the ball to left field in addition to the obstruction call at third. I am sure people in Boston do not like it, but Boston made it harder on themselves than it needed to be.....
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
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  • thenavarrothenavarro Posts: 7,497 ✭✭✭
    Great ending. Was a fun couple of entertaining innings to watch.
    Buying US Presidential autographs
  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭
    The wussification of sports has consequences and this is only the beginning.

    image
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • swartz1swartz1 Posts: 4,911 ✭✭✭
    Great game - good call...


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  • MCMLVToppsMCMLVTopps Posts: 4,840 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice post Stown!!

    After watching the play several times... "IN THE ACT OF FIELDING THE BALL" "It is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire as to whether the fielder is in the act of fielding the ball. This is found in rule 2.0

    Additionally, the comment to Rule 7.09(j), adds that "obstruction by a fielder attempting to field a ball should be called only in VERY FLAGRANT AND VIOLENT cases because the rules give him the right of way, but of course such "right of way" is not a license to, for example, intentionally trip the runner even though fielding the ball".

    Given the magnitude of the importance of the game, I think it was a stretch to call obstruction. Middlebrooks was clearly in the "act" of fielding the ball as he was stretching to catch the bad throw from Saltalamacchia. His contact was not flagrant or violent. Isn't getting off the ground a part of completing the act of fielding the ball? Or is he supposed to lay on the ground? Judgment of the umpire...really?

    Sad to see that an umpire's opinion ended that game.

    It would appear that I am biased being a lifelong Red Sox fan, but had the situation been reversed, I would have felt the Cards got screwed as well.

    The UBER BONEHEAD move was not allowing Napoli to bat !!!! Why would you not make the double switch and bring your slugger into the game instead of surrendering a precious out???? What could Farrell have been thinking??

    Tough loss !!
  • itzagoneritzagoner Posts: 8,753 ✭✭


    << <i>What is up with the HP umpire? If it was an option - he would be sent back to the minors after this game. Balls are strikes, strikes are balls - WOW - this'll be his last post season. >>



    yup. Demuth was pitiful behind the plate. lest we forget he was also the only guy in Fenway who thought Kozma caught the ball.

    as for that dude who mentioned Allen Craig playing a key role in this series, nice call. though we may have seen the last of him. image
  • galaxy27galaxy27 Posts: 7,868 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I was at the game last night, and to call the ending strange would be a grave understatement. When the winning run scores and there's no simultaneous explosion from the home fans, it's uncanny. When I saw Craig stumble over Middlebrooks, I was almost positive the game was over due to the call that was ultimately made. But then I saw myriad signals from the plate ump and pandemonium around home, and for one of the few times in my life I was longing for McCarver's voice. It actually required me to look at the scoreboard to ascertain the outcome.

    I had a pretty good vantage point on that throw, and I personally think Saltalamacchia should have swallowed it. It appeared to be ill-advised, but perhaps someone who saw multiple slo-mos can shed some light on that. As for the obstruction call itself, from everything that I've absorbed in the past 9-10 hours, Middlebrooks' rights were endless -- until the ball went by him. Once that happened, the act of fielding the ball ceased and he was essentially in no man's land.

    Great game. Insane game. Felt like the Cards should have put it away many times over, but as the game wore on it sure seemed like Boston was destined to win. With Wainwright looming in G5 at home and Wacha in G6, it goes without saying that today's game is a must for the Sox.

    you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet

  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Nice post Stown!!

    After watching the play several times... "IN THE ACT OF FIELDING THE BALL" "It is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire as to whether the fielder is in the act of fielding the ball. This is found in rule 2.0

    Additionally, the comment to Rule 7.09(j), adds that "obstruction by a fielder attempting to field a ball should be called only in VERY FLAGRANT AND VIOLENT cases because the rules give him the right of way, but of course such "right of way" is not a license to, for example, intentionally trip the runner even though fielding the ball".

    Given the magnitude of the importance of the game, I think it was a stretch to call obstruction. Middlebrooks was clearly in the "act" of fielding the ball as he was stretching to catch the bad throw from Saltalamacchia. His contact was not flagrant or violent. Isn't getting off the ground a part of completing the act of fielding the ball? Or is he supposed to lay on the ground? Judgment of the umpire...really?

    Sad to see that an umpire's opinion ended that game.

    It would appear that I am biased being a lifelong Red Sox fan, but had the situation been reversed, I would have felt the Cards got screwed as well.

    The UBER BONEHEAD move was not allowing Napoli to bat !!!! Why would you not make the double switch and bring your slugger into the game instead of surrendering a precious out???? What could Farrell have been thinking??

    Tough loss !! >>



    Once the ball got by the thirdbaseman the Red Sox were screwed since the act of fielding was no longer in play............

    Rule 2.00 (Obstruction) Comment: If a fielder is about to receive a thrown ball and if the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder so he must occupy his position to receive the ball he may be considered &#147;in the act of fielding a ball.&#148; It is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire as to whether a fielder is in the act of fielding a ball. After a fielder has made an attempt to field a ball and missed, he can no longer be in the &#147;act of fielding&#148; the ball. For example: If an infielder dives at a ground ball and the ball passes him and he continues to lie on the ground and delays the progress of the runner, he very likely has obstructed the runner.
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • telephoto1telephoto1 Posts: 4,898 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The salient portion of the rule quoted above pretty much says it all. Once Saltalamacchia overthrew his target, then Middlebrooks was no longer in the act of fielding. Pure and simple. I do feel a little bad for Middlebrooks-he was unfortunately in the wrong place in the wrong time due to the way things played out. I also don't think he raised his legs on purpose to trip Craig... although it doesn't matter. Obstruction is like speeding; intent doesn't have to be shown or proven. What stinks is that Craig may have aggravated his foot injury. And if you look at the GIF clip above it's fairly obvious that absent tripping over Middlebrooks, Craig would have scored anyway.

    The comments about "wussification" are just silly; this rule has been in place for decades... it's just that the last time a game ended this way was a regular season game back in the 70s so most people had no frame of reference.

    That said, although this play will be the one all the wailing is about, ultimately this play shouldn't have been the one that decided the game. Both teams squandered scoring opportunities earlier (most notably the Cards stranding the bases loaded...AGAIN), and I'm still scratching my head as to why Boston had their pitcher batting (for the first time, ever!) with a solid hitter in Napoli sitting on the bench. Bad managing there IMO.

    I'm hopeful that we have a good competitive game tonight and that a Little League game doesn't break out at some point- like it has in each of the last 3 games.

    RIP Mom- 1932-2012
  • TabeTabe Posts: 6,064 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The umps got the call 100% right. It's written right into the rule. Plus, though intent doesn't matter, I am convinced Middlebrooks tripped Craig on purpose. You can see him stick his legs right up into Craig's path. Gutsy call and to not make it would have been a shame.
  • zendudezendude Posts: 208 ✭✭

    I agree. The umpires made the right call. Why did Middlebrooks raise his legs up like that? That's not how a person gets up off the ground or gets out of the way. You would push yourself up with your arms. I believe Middlebrooks actions were intentional.
  • PiggsPiggs Posts: 1,938 ✭✭✭✭
    I blame Saltalamacchia totally for that play. should have never thrown to third. He can't hit either.
  • CNoteCNote Posts: 2,070
    Having no interest in either team, I think the ump got the call right. How is the 3B kicking his legs helping his process of getting up? Only after he tangles up the runner do you see him actually making an effort to lift himself from the ground. Intentional or not, correct call.

    However, from the sound of it, this wasn't even the biggest problem in the game.
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,097 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I am an obvious Cardinals fan. I also think that the right call was made (shocking, I know).

    I am not saying that Middlebrooks lifted his legs in order to trip Craig on purpose, however, I do think that Rich Eisen's tweet about it was pretty funny. Here is the tweet -


    "Everyone get down on floor on your stomach. Then get up. Was your first move to kick up your heels? Thought not."

    Shane

  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I am an obvious Cardinals fan. I also think that the right call was made (shocking, I know).

    I am not saying that Middlebrooks lifted his legs in order to trip Craig on purpose, however, I do think that Rich Eisen's tweet about it was pretty funny. Here is the tweet -


    "Everyone get down on floor on your stomach. Then get up. Was your first move to kick up your heels? Thought not." >>



    Middlebrook must do girl pushups, that was the explanation I heard!
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • 1985fan1985fan Posts: 1,952 ✭✭
    It was apparent to me that Middlebrooks was trying to get his legs out of the way, and the loose interpretation of a rule that already has tons of vague writing in it to begin with was the outcome.
  • Another weird ending tonight.
  • stevebaystevebay Posts: 289 ✭✭✭
    Deja vu...

    Reminisence of the 2006 NLCS when Beltran left his bat on his shoulder (on a called strike 3 from Wainwright)....

    Beltran's bat on his shoulder as the game ends tonight!

    Wow.
  • Great Series with weird endings! Hope the Sox Walk off with a strange win in game six or seven. Even Fox dam miked interviews during the game can not ruin a great World Series!
  • PiggsPiggs Posts: 1,938 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Deja vu...

    Reminisence of the 2006 NLCS when Beltran left his bat on his shoulder (on a called strike 3 from Wainwright)....

    Beltran's bat on his shoulder as the game ends tonight!

    Wow. >>



    Now this is a stretch.
  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭


    << <i>The umps got the call 100% right. It's written right into the rule. Plus, though intent doesn't matter, I am convinced Middlebrooks tripped Craig on purpose. You can see him stick his legs right up into Craig's path. Gutsy call and to not make it would have been a shame. >>



    If the rule states a fielder becomes an obstacle *immediately* after missing a play, regardless of circumstances, then so be it. I could be mistaken but don't believe the rules specifically address this situation and in the end, it was a judgement call. This is the best angle I've seen and IMO, it appears that the 3rd base ump didn't even see the play and Craig was running out of the baseline.

    image

    With the series being tied up again, it's a moot point. However, if there isn't a rule that specifically addresses this circumstance, MLB should discuss it during the off-season.

    * edited because I accidentally quoted the wrong person
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • wrestlingcardkingwrestlingcardking Posts: 4,555 ✭✭✭✭
    Pretty convenient to take the snapshot that you wanted....if you took a frame by frame over time you can see the umpire looking before looking away......
    BUYING Frank Gotch T229 Kopec
    Looking to BUY n332 1889 SF Hess cards and high grade cards from 19th century especially. "Once you have wrestled everything else in life is easy" Dan Gable
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,097 ✭✭✭✭✭
    In the above picture, Allen Craig hasn't even tripped yet. He is only getting up from sliding. When Craig trips, the umpire is looking right at the play. The home plate umpire was as well. That picture at that instant is irrelevant.

    Shane

  • galaxy27galaxy27 Posts: 7,868 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This is David Ortiz's world and everyone else is just living in it. As a hardball junkie with no allegiances, I live for players who get in these types of zones. Dude is not only putting immense pressure on Cardinal pitching every time he comes up, but his impact extends beyond his at-bats. Top 5 - Papi raps a double and rattles Lynn's world. Next two guys walk. Top 6 - he walks and Gomes lowers the boom. Top 8 - another hit and Gomes walks.

    If the Sox win, em vee pee.

    you'll never be able to outrun a bad diet

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