This Week in Baseball

[Matt Young]

For the second night in a row, the Angels and Blue Jays go to extras. The Angels led 1-0 going into the bottom of the 9th, but Toronto tied it up and we're headed into the top of the 10th in a minute.

[treble]

Yeah, I was going to write something earlier about how great a pitcher's duel it had been, but then Rivera went and hit a triple, so I thought I had jinxed it.

[Fökai]

Any good statistician will tell you that n=2 just isn't high enough, but somehow Jay Mariotti and whoever else will swear that Dontrelle just "can't pitch in the second half."

 

Drives me crazy.

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Well, this is his third year (as you know), so it's a pattern nonetheless. The writers just take the easy road of saying that "his arm wears down over the season, as evidenced by 2003 and 2004", so even though their point is retarded, it holds to a degree.

 

EDIT: This is especially considering that he SUCKED in the last three starts, all after the ASB. I mean, if Dontrelle kept struggling going into September, the criticisms would've only gotten worse.

[EVIL~! alkeiper]

ESPN.com reports the Yankees have acquired P Shawn Chacon from the Rockies for two minor leaguers. I think this is likely a steal for the Yanks.

[Matt Young]

Yeah, I was going to write something earlier about how great a pitcher's duel it had been, but then Rivera went and hit a triple, so I thought I had jinxed it.

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Still, I give props to the Jays' CF for a sweet attempt at a diving catch.

 

EDIT: And just after I posted that, Greg Zaun made a nice sliding catch and nearly crashed into the dugout.

[Matt Young]

Wow, amazing play by Darin Erstad.

[Vern Gagne]

ESPN.com reports the Yankees have acquired P Shawn Chacon from the Rockies for two minor leaguers.  I think this is likely a steal for the Yanks.

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I'd have more confidence if the Yankees had a good pitching coach. Hampton and Kile both had good pitching coaches to help them after they got out of Colorado.

[Brett Favre]

The Yankees finally go young. Hip, hip, hooray.

[Matt Young]

This game is excellent, and is going into the 15th. It need to end quickly, though. Smackdown starts in 10 minutes.

[CanadianChris]

Going to the 17th now. This is now the longest game ever played in Toronto.

[The Czech Republic]

That's your problem, Mik, you're listening to Jay Mariotti. You should know better.

[MarvinisaLunatic]

Orioles lost 2-1.

 

Im just really depressed. They are 51-50, and depending on what the Jays do (still tied in the 17th), they could be in sole possession of 4th place.

 

Ponson injured his thumb, so I doubt there will be any trade for him, and he'll probably have to go on the DL (maybe the Os will get lucky and he'll stay there).

[Bruiser Chong]

Astros are now tied for first in the NL WC race. Even though I can't stand them, it's been an amazing comeback.

[CanadianChris]

I give up. This game could very well go 20, although with Pete Walker pitching his third inning, and only the God-awful Brandon League remaining in the Jays bullpen, I sort of doubt it.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe]

I wish that game was on TV here, I caught it on the ESPNews bottomline.

[The Czech Republic]

This Astros thing is driving me up a wall. This should not be happening. The pressure is really on the Cubs now to not fuck up in August.

[CanadianChris]

OK, I lied.

 

Jays have the winning run at 3rd with 1 out.

[Guest Smues]

Is it just me or are the Braves like never on TBS anymore? Every time I want to watch a Braves game for whatever reason, they're always on Turner South or Fox Sports Atlanta that day.

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They usually front load the TBS schedule with a lot of April/May Braves games and not near as many the 2nd half of the season.

[CanadianChris]

IT'S OVER!!!

 

Jays win 2-1 in 18.

[bob_barron]

Jays win

[Mik]

Hey, Czech, there is another team that is only 2.5 out of the Wild Card that looks like they might be putting it together. Cubs have a lot to worry about.

[Matt Young]

Shit... The Jays won, AND I missed the finish to watch Smackdown.

[Fartsauce]

I just had a heart attack watching that game. I wanted to kill Hillenbrand when he pulled a Hinske. Great game that both teams deserved to win.

[The Czech Republic]

Hey, Czech, there is another team that is only 2.5 out of the Wild Card that looks like they might be putting it together. Cubs have a lot to worry about.

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Hey, if they can just FUCKING HIT WITH RUNNERS AT THIRD AND NOT FLY OUT THREE TIMES, we'll be in business. And yeah, it's a close race.

[Mik]

To be honest, I am still holding out hope for a run at the NL East. There's a lot of games left with the Braves to make up ground. Although a run at the WC is much more realistic.

[The Czech Republic]

The NL East is a still a crapshoot, but the only team that can run away with it is the Braves, I feel. Barring the Cubs getting their shit together, the wild card will come out of the East.

[Conspiracy_Victim]

The NL East is a still a crapshoot, but the only team that can run away with it is the Braves, I feel. Barring the Cubs getting their shit together, the wild card will come out of the East.

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So it's either the Cubs, Mets, or Nats in your opinion. What gives you any indication that the Cubs will catch the Astros? Not trying to be combative, I'm actually curious.

[The Czech Republic]

The Cubs still have 11 games with the Astros, I believe. Likewise, St. Louis. If the Cubs can be bothered into putting together a good run and win these important games, they can get back in it. Or they can take themselves right back out. It hinges on Prior, Maddux, and Zambrano having good outings, Hollandsworth having his playing time drastically reduced in favor of Matt Murton or a new arrival, and the bullpen, the bullpen, the bullpen. Good gawd.

 

I mean, look at the team. It's not a bad team at all. Lee, Walker, Barrett, Burnitz, Ramirez are all highly capable of doing some excellent hitting. They're just not doing it at the right time: they're batting <.200 with runners in scoring position and it drives me up a wall. Also, Dusty Baker seems to not know when to run which style. The wind is blowing out and he's got everyone bunting, the wind is blowing in and they're swinging for the fences. Frustrating stuff. The potential is definitely there for this team to make the postseason, it's a matter of catching the teams they need to catch and playing...well I won't ask for smart baseball yet. We'll start with playing not-retarded baseball and take baby steps from there.

[Fuzzy Dunlop]

Rumor on ESPN Radio that the Cubs are trying to get Soriano.

 

No matter what, the WC comes down to Stros, Cubs, Marlins. Nats won't stay in it, Braves'll win the East.

[The Czech Republic]

Soriano would be good, but what would we be giving up for him? I'm apprehensive towards parting with Murton. Walker doesn't appear to be producing, Patterson can go and never return, Ramirez, Burnitz, Barrett, and Lee are untouchable. As for pitchers, they're all fair game except Prior, Maddux, Zambrano, Dempster, Rusch, and Mitre.