CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 (edited) So after losing four straight and seemingly falling out of the wild-card chase, Montreal pulls off an improbable four-game sweep of the Phillies to tie them for the wild-card lead (pending a Florida loss, which seems likely as of right now). In the process, they average over 20,000 at Olympic Stadium for the four games, including 20,030 for a Thursday afternoon game(!). Now the questions: - Can the Expos hang on and make their first postseason in 22 years? Their seven games in San Juan certainly aren't going to help, and the schedule isn't terribly favourable, but if they can get through the next four series (@Fla, @Phi, Fla @ SJ, ChC @ SJ), they get seven games against the Mets and finish up at Cincinnati. Certainly doable...and no strike to fuck things up this time around. - WHY can't the Expos find a buyer? I mean, there ARE people with money to throw around on sports teams (witness Eugene Melnyk this week)...if they can get a stadium built, they have a ton of good talent to build around. This could be a very exciting team for years to come, and this week is proving that fans will come out to watch a team with a chance to win. They should average around 25-30K for the two remaining series at the Big O, if they're still in contention when they come back. Edited August 29, 2003 by CanadianChris Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob E Dangerously 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 I'm sure Bud Selig will "encourage" this situation. Watch out for Jim Wolf's crew. Jim is the brother of a player on the Phillies Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 How many days until Selig calls the Expos an "aberration"? Hey he called my A's that back in 2000...so much for that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 Expos tied for the Wildcard lead, Brewers 10 straight wins. Bud Selig is a f'n genius. The Expos appear to be one of the few teams in the NL that wants the wildcard. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted August 29, 2003 what does Brewers 10 straight wins have to do with selig? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lightning Flik 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 Actually, what would be really awesome is if Les Expos actually won the World Series. Sure, farfetched, but after all they are going through with having to play their home games in two different cities, have the most limiting budget out there (as because the League handles it), and having to have not that great of a fan support behind it in Montreal. Would be a nice "fairy tale win". Although a LOT of thing would have to go right for this to happen. At least them having a shot at the playoffs is a start. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 what does Brewers 10 straight wins have to do with selig? Well he does still owns them...oh wait I forgot his daughter owns the team...sure she does. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 (edited) Well, they're a horrible road team, but they're playing in Florida and Philly at the right time, since both of them are struggling. It sucks that they only have 6 games left in Montreal, so any excitement that can be generated there will be minimized since they wont be back there for a few weeks. Well, at least the good folks in Puerto Rico will be able to see important baseball games. Edited August 29, 2003 by treble charged Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dogbert 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 If the Expos make the playoffs, they will draw crwods to the Big O in droves. We're talking 50 000 and possibly more, like in 1979 when they were drawing 80K. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 The NL Wildcard has 7 teams within a game and a half. That would be remarkable if all those teams are in the race the last week of the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 If the Expos make the playoffs, does San Juan get any playoff games? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 No, all the games would be in Montreal, thankfully. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 Alou vs is former team. Nice little storyline there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 If the Expos do make it and play the Giants, they'd definitely have a shot. They swept the season series from them (keep in mind, though, that the 4 of those games Bonds stayed home to be with his dad, but it's still impressive). So yeah, go Expos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 After looking at the standings today, I have just one question... What do they do if there's an eight way tie between the Expos, Phillies, Marlins, Astros, Cardinals, Cubs, Diamondbacks and Dodgers at the end of the season? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BobbyWhioux Report post Posted August 29, 2003 Elimination Chamber? Sorry. I don't know what they'd do in the event of an 8 way tie. But I do know I probably wouldn't like it. If Selig's All-Star game ideas are any indicator... Let's hope there's a clear cut wild card winner. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tom 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 I imagine head-to-head records would be the first tiebreaker, so I guess they'd have to compile each team's record against the other seven. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 Well, the thing of it is, baseball doesn't have tiebreakers, unless both teams are heading to the playoffs regardless (i.e. two teams tie for a division title, but the second-place team would win the wild card). They have one-game playoffs at the end of the season. Remember Randy Johnson reaching for the sky after Seattle finished off California for good in 1995? The Mets beating out the Reds in 2000 for The Wild Card No One Wanted? Heck, even the Shot Heard Round The World in 1951 was in a National League playoff. I would laugh my ass off if they had to do a mini-tournament just to decide who gets to advance to the real thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 Elimination Chamber? Yep. Selig's lining the infield with chains as we speak. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted August 29, 2003 why was cincy/ny a Playoff no one wanted? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 From my copy of Total Baseball, the Mets lost 7 straight games right before the regular season, and the Reds lost 2 games to Milwaukee before winning the final game (notable for a nearly six hour rain delay). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted August 29, 2003 Even more notable was the field crew converted the football stadium back to a baseball field dispite rain and cold weather Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 I would laugh my ass off if they had to do a mini-tournament just to decide who gets to advance to the real thing. A mini-tournament would rule the fucking world. I don't think the Phillies are going to be a part of anything like that though. After Bowa's went ballistic on them they are either going to rally and win it outright or fall completely apart and get Bowa fired. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted August 29, 2003 They should have a lethal Lottery for it too with the Eight teams... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 In all seriousness, I expect SOMEONE to put a winning streak together. An eight game tie is highly unlikely in any case. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 With an eight team tie you'd have the added problem of a three way tie for the N.L. Central title. But that is incredibly unlikely and I think at "best" there could be a three way tie for the Wild Card. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2003 If four teams are tied for the wild card, this is indeed a mini tournament, one game apiece. Having the division winners complicates things to an extent I really can't figure out at this point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
