boobshaw 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2003 Wait a second... am I the only who missed the conversation about this? (As a "rabid" Astros fan) What is everyone's problem with the Houston Astros? I will be the first one to admit that the Cubs have a great team. I will be the first to admit that Houston lacks starting pitching and consistency from half of their bullpen, but it seems like no one, NO ONE believes the 'Stros will or can pull it out in the Central. Granted, they have the toughest schedule for the rest of the season, but they have been known to pull it out in September and hit the playoffs before they choke the first round of the playoffs. That's the key. The choke comes DURING the playoffs, not BEFORE. I would love to see the Cubbies win the wildcard, but c'mon, the Cubs as a whole can be VERY inconsistent at times. Damnit people, AGREE WITH ME! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted September 16, 2003 I will be the first one to admit that the Cubs have a great team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2003 I'll bite. The Astros Run differential is much better than the Cubs, and they've got a 1 1/2 game lead. Braves-Astros in the playoffs. WHO CHOKES?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2003 Considering the Astros have a richer history of choking (at least the Braves have won a World Series) I think they'll win Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ghettoman Report post Posted September 16, 2003 Might seem dumb but I got a question... In terms of play off brackets, who does the wild card play in the first round? How do they determine who plays who? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2003 Eric Gagne could have been a Blue Jay!?!?! Son of a bitch. As for who the wild card team plays, it's the team with the best record in the league, unless that team is in their own division, then, they play the division winner with the 2nd best record. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingPK 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2003 Never mind. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ghettoman Report post Posted September 16, 2003 So in this case that means no Bosox/Yankees round 1 battle? Good, what better ALCS than that. And does anyone else disagree with the idea that Loaiza should be CY Young over Hallady because his team is winning? What more can you do than win the games you play? I just don't get that.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2003 So in this case that means no Bosox/Yankees round 1 battle? Good, what better ALCS than that. And does anyone else disagree with the idea that Loaiza should be CY Young over Hallady because his team is winning? What more can you do than win the games you play? I just don't get that.... I would say pretty much everyone does at this point. Or at least everyone with a clue. Halladay's had a clearly better year. It's like Clemens winning those two Cys with the Blue Jays...no one seriously considered anyone else for the award, did they? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2003 I think one thing you've got to look at is what teams they've pitched against. Halladay's had to face the Yankees and Red Sox 10 or 11 times all year, while Loaiza's faced Detroit 5 times, I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2003 So in this case that means no Bosox/Yankees round 1 battle? Good, what better ALCS than that. And does anyone else disagree with the idea that Loaiza should be CY Young over Hallady because his team is winning? What more can you do than win the games you play? I just don't get that.... I would say pretty much everyone does at this point. Or at least everyone with a clue. I wouldn't quite go that far. Loaiza: 19-7 2.73 ERA 204.2 IP Halladay: 20-6 3.30 ERA 243 IP I would vote Halladay because of the aforementioned competition he faces and the extra 40 innings. But I don't think it would be that far fetched, if the Sox stay in the hunt or not, that Loaiza (who has a better WHIP and K/IP) gets it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2003 Last time I checked Loaiza had more quality starts and ranked higher than Halladay in Wins when his team scores less than 3 runs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2003 Last time I checked Loaiza had more quality starts and ranked higher than Halladay in Wins when his team scores less than 3 runs. Let's look at those starts: QUALITY STARTS FOR LOAIZA: Detroit (6...SIX!!) Minnesota (3) Kansas City (2) Baltimore (2) Oakland (2) Tampa Bay (2) Toronto Arizona Los Angeles Boston Texas Anaheim NY Yankees NON-QUALITY STARTS: Seattle San Diego Chicago Cubs Cleveland (start before last) Minnesota (last start) And for Halladay: QUALITY STARTS: Boston (3) NY Yankees (3) Baltimore (2) Detroit (2) Tampa Bay (2) Kansas City (2) Minnesota Anaheim Chicago WS Cincinnati Pittsburgh Montreal Seattle Oakland NON-QUALITY STARTS: NY Yankees (2; 1 was 1/3 of an inning short) Boston (3) Texas (2) Montreal Chicago WS Anaheim Oakland A LOT more quality starts against great offensive teams (six - nearly seven - against the Red Sox and Yankees alone) for Halladay. In fact, 13 of Halladay's 33 starts came against the other 3 teams in the top 4 in runs scored in the AL (NY, Boston and Texas - Toronto is the fourth), and 20 of 33 against teams in the top half in either league. Loaiza has just ten. Hell, with six starts against the freaking Tigers, plus starts against the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Angels and Indians, I'd be shocked if he DIDN'T have more quality starts. As for wins when their teams score less than 3 runs...how many times does Toronto score less than three runs versus Chicago? Another misleading stat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mik 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 Let's hope things get turned around in Philadelphia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 Time for the Nelson Muntz laugh. I had a thought while at work. Thanks to the impending hurricane, there's a chance that Thursday's game might get rained out. Should that happen, the teams would have to make up the game the day after the season, assuming the game effects the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 Bah...the Canadian bias on Halladay! Okay time to show my bias...where is the Keith Foulke love? Not that I want him to win because then the A's definently won't be able to sign him. I can't imagine though he won't get some first place votes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 13-0 Phillies. Still wouldn't let Mesa get in there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 Its just one game. Tomorrow is another crucial game. A win, and we're in 1st. A loss, and we're back where we started. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 Knowing the Phillies, they'll be 2-hit & shut out tomorrow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 Bah...the Canadian bias on Halladay! Okay time to show my bias...where is the Keith Foulke love? Not that I want him to win because then the A's definently won't be able to sign him. I can't imagine though he won't get some first place votes. Foulke has had a great year. However he has blown 5 saves, which isn't horrible. It's just a closer has to be dominate (Eck, Gagne if he win Cy Young). Happy Night. Loiaza's chances are slipping. If he was sick before the game than he shouldn't of started. Garland was fully rested, and it Loaiza might of needed an extra days rest. AL MVP: Who is your choice? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 Alex Rodriguez. Spare the "winning team" bullshit. The man has flat out dominated. He LEADS the AL in slugging, and plays shortstop. 16 steals as well. There's nothing A-Rod doesn't do well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 I'll get laughed at for this, but Aubrey Huff has quietly put together quite a good season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 He's not winning. The writers don't vote for players on losing teams. That's just how it is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 They did last year. People forget that Alex finished 2nd in the voting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 It's too bad too. Hits 182 2B 46 3B 1 HR 31 RBI 102 BB 49 K 71 SB 2 CS 3 OBP .366 SLG .551 AVG .311 Not bad for a 26 year old three year veteran. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 Aubrey Huff is indeed a good hitter, but there are a few problems. First, there are players clearly better by the raw stats, and second, he suffers from playing at DH alot. (Or badly at thrid....I don't have the position data handy). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 Right Field a lot lately, but he has DH'ed and done 1B. If he doesn't win it this year (which he probably won't), he's a future MVP for sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 They did last year. People forget that Alex finished 2nd in the voting. He still didn't win though. The writers have shown in the last dozen years that winning is crucial for an MVP winner. That's the winner. That says nothing about 2nd, or 3rd or anywhere else in the voting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 Its funny because my uncle (who is a diehard Philly sports fan) thinks the Phillies will win all six against the Marlins, then lose the six against the Reds & Braves and somehow end up in a one game playoff against the Marlins. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2003 Al your support of A-Rod this year is odd because Carlos Delgado is having the better year and Manny Ramirez (who IS on a winning team) leads the A.L. in ops. Fact is A-Rod numbers are slightly down this year so if he doesn't win it last year he certainly shouldn't win it this year. I'm starting to get a vibe though since no one has broken out like Tejada did last year that A-Rod might get a sympathy MVP this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
