EVIL~! alkeiper

They are still leading the series but mentally they are dead now. History proven over time and time again that in similar situations, you don't brush it off and win the next game. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Like when the Diamondbacks lost the series after blowing two ninth inning leads to the Yankees in back to back games?

It's hard to tell what will happen. What I do know is that may have been the best game of the postseason. If not for the 18 inning game, it wouldn't be close.

Let's hope Lidge doesn't kill himself. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hasn't it been proven that Moore didn't kill himself over that game? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Indeed. Moore had many personal problems beyond baseball.

LaRussa probably told him to strike out.

Just out of curiosity, how is this LaRussa's fault?

Live AIM chat tonight at tsmbaseball.

Looking at the numbers, four of the five umpires had strikeout and walk rates almost exactly the league average. The only exception was Eddings, who appears very pitcher friendly.

I have a feeling he might be nursing an injury.

What a stupid, stupid theory. Games are not fixed, and it would be impossible to do so.

Shame to see his career end like this. Houston was a pretty good player in his prime, but all anyone remembers is his huge contract.

Quite a few people don't even know about their postseason heartaches. The Astros 25 years ago took a three-run lead into the 8th inning of the final game of the NLCS, with Nolan Ryan on the hill. The Phillies scored five however and went on to win. There's the 1986 NLCS. The Astros lost seven consecutive postseason series, more than any team except the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Buehrle threw just 99 pitches, and none of the others threw more than 120. Given that the ChiSox now have five days of rest, I think there's no cause for concern.

The idea that an analyst with the last name "Kiper" could miss that makes me very sad (it's pronounced exactly like mine).

Tremendous accomplishment for the Chicago White Sox. First pennant for them and for the city as a whole since 1959, as I am sure you have all heard. I do think fans will get behind this team. It's a nice story.

Because the White Sox don't have easily identifiable former stars such as Billy Williams and Ernie Banks. Those players add personality to the Cubs' legend.

Because Fox and MLB have made little to no effort to expose fans to teams and players outside of their own markets. Every week Fox shows a Yankee game. I can see that anytime. Games from divisions on the other side of the country are not treated as big events until the postseason, and that hurts their marketability.

Analysts have been picking Houston since this postseason started. Having a great front three is great, but A. It is not the only aspect of a club, B. the Cardinals' staff is really damned good as well, and C. historically great pitching rotations do not dominate the postseason. The Braves played Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz into one world championship. Why do we still fall for it?

For what it's worth... This is what worries me. The Phillies are currently working on a contract with Billy Wagner, and possibly trading Jim Thome. Do they think they have better solutions to these issues than anyone they hire as the new general manager. Not to defend Wade at this point, but I get the feeling that firing him was not so much a baseball decision as it was simply a PR move.

Pinella's not the only one. Once I saw that pitch coming in I thought, "he's crushing that one."

You're absolutely right. If Bagwell isn't going to be used in a game tying situation, what's the point of having him on the roster?

That's enough of the side conversations guys. If you really have a problem with another poster or their fandom, take it to Hardcore Discussion.

Number two. The Astros were first.

In Ozzie Guillen's postgame interview, he stated that Jenks was coming out for the tenth inning.

Paul believing it doesn't make it so. Championships have been lost on assumptions.

I just want to point out that there's no way for the home plate umpire to see the ball clearly in Josh Paul's glove or not. Looking at it again, Paul caught it and that's my conclusion until proven otherwise. But John Kruk does have a good point about it. The umpire did not (or may have not) called Pierzynski out verbally. Pierzynski played heads-up baseball and took advantage. Also, even without this play, it's still 50/50 that the White Sox win.