Athletics Nation: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Around SBN: Reflections on the Best Blazers Month In Forever Bar-right-arrows

Open Game Thread: The (Real) Last Game of the Season

Baseball_tiny by baseballgirl on

After emerging victorious after last night's should-have-been-a-meaningless-game-but-played-like-a-playoff-game contest, the White Sox have extended their season at least one more day, as they have given themselves yet one more chance to play in October.

Tied with a regular-season record of 88-74, the two unlikely competitors in the AL Central will meet this afternoon in the ultimate baseball game; one will advance to the ALDS against Tampa Bay, and one will go home to start the off-season. Even in the playoffs themselves, teams get to play at least three games. But this is one--and only one--to decide an 162-game season.

And bonus stats for fantasy players!

Of course, any fan of the White Sox will tell you that they shouldn't be here at all; that the Sox should have wrapped up the division during the last series with Minnesota. And it's true; all they needed was one win, and the division crown was theirs. But the Twins, with other ideas, completed a three-game sweep of the White Sox, to the delight of the home crowd, earning the right to play tonight.

For the fourth straight game, the White Sox will be starting a pitcher on 3 days rest, as John Danks takes the mound against Nick Blackburn for what will be the last game before the playoffs. Those start tomorrow, and they're gonna be good!

And hey...no dome tonight! (Can you imagine an all-domed ALDS; what has happened to baseball?)

Lineups:

Minnesota Twins

Span, RF
Casilla, 2B
Mauer, C
Morneau, 1B
Cuddyer, DH
Young, LF
Harris, 3B
Punto, SS
Gomez, CF

Chicago White Sox

Cabrera, SS
Wise, LF
Dye, RF
Thome, DH
Konerko, 1B
Griffey Jr. CF
Ramirez, 2B
Pierzynski, C
Uribe, 3B

Let's go whatever-team-you're-rooting-for!!!!

0 recs | Comment 283 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Yay, bonus baseball - day 2!

If I don't comment on your comment how will you know you are completely wrong? -Rocktopus

by pam5981 on Sep 30, 2008 4:20 PM PDT   0 recs

I know! I LOVE IT!!!!

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Sep 30, 2008 4:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Apparently nobody else agrees with us.

Where are youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu?

If I don't comment on your comment how will you know you are completely wrong? -Rocktopus

by pam5981 on Sep 30, 2008 4:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm here!

The game can start now.

by whiteshoes40 on Sep 30, 2008 4:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

bonus baseball!! yay!!!

(sorry, was getting my car smogged)

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Sep 30, 2008 5:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Makes me wonder

if the pitching-on-3-days-rest trend will stick. Seems we’ve seen quite a bit of it this past week with some actual success (ok, small sample size people, come and get me).

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Sep 30, 2008 4:30 PM PDT   0 recs

It's not the game you pitch on 3-days rest that usually matters

It’s the next game or three that seem to be affected.

by thejd44 on Sep 30, 2008 4:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Is that Ron Darling who just said Torii Hunter was the Twins' best player?

Apparently he’s not familiar with the catcher and first baseman.

by thejd44 on Sep 30, 2008 4:33 PM PDT   0 recs

Hahaha...

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Sep 30, 2008 4:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It would've made more sense to do a "white out"

Because from far away, everybody wearing black just makes the park look empty.

by thejd44 on Sep 30, 2008 4:36 PM PDT   0 recs

Could you imaging this being the A's?

I wouldn’t be able to handle it.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 4:36 PM PDT   0 recs

No kidding.

Pretty sure I would’ve exploded by now.

by whiteshoes40 on Sep 30, 2008 4:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd need to be scraped off the ceiling.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 4:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

OT: I missed last night's Prison Break

I have it waiting here to watch. Is it good enough to watch it during this game or should I just wait until after The Shield later on?

by thejd44 on Sep 30, 2008 4:40 PM PDT   0 recs

Wait till later. It wasn’t the best episode ever.

by justarebelheart on Sep 30, 2008 4:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A low-tech, non-Flash game log

is here at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune site. for anyone else who’s at work in a Gameday-unfriendly environment.

Don't blame me, I voted for Bill King.

by Englishmajor on Sep 30, 2008 4:40 PM PDT   0 recs

I object to a non-A's game thread on AN

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Sep 30, 2008 4:40 PM PDT   0 recs

You were out voted.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 4:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I could say something snarky in reply

but you’re not worth it.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Sep 30, 2008 4:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ow.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 4:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I object to no A's game in October

dammit

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Sep 30, 2008 4:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Me too, but no one gave me a vote!

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Sep 30, 2008 4:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Schedule's bad enough as is

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Sep 30, 2008 4:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Since we got an official Anthem download...

I thinking maybe I should use AN’s power to have a few A’s exhibition games during winter.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 4:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That'd be good.

You should work on that.

by whiteshoes40 on Sep 30, 2008 4:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'll see what I can do.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 4:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ouch.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 4:41 PM PDT   0 recs

Is the game on ESPN?

Eveland rocks! Eveland rocks! Somewhere Drew Carey just smiled.

by miggyk2 on Sep 30, 2008 4:42 PM PDT   0 recs

TBS

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Sep 30, 2008 4:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You know, I don't think so.

Did you check TBS? I think it’s on there, but I don’t remember where I heard that.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 4:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It is too bad Swisher isn't playing tonight

(for the Twins)

Eveland rocks! Eveland rocks! Somewhere Drew Carey just smiled.

by miggyk2 on Sep 30, 2008 4:46 PM PDT   0 recs

I would be pissed if Wise tried to get into my 2 hole

Eveland rocks! Eveland rocks! Somewhere Drew Carey just smiled.

by miggyk2 on Sep 30, 2008 4:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Did you have to go there?

Although I think you’ve got the numbers mixed up if you’re talking about pissing and the #2 hole

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Sep 30, 2008 4:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ugh, Harold Reynolds is doing it, too

Why do people assume Wise is really fast? Is it because he’s black? He’s a pretty decent defensive player, but he’s not that fast at all.

by thejd44 on Sep 30, 2008 4:48 PM PDT   0 recs

Just give up!

You are out!

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 4:49 PM PDT   0 recs

What's that?

What the catcher told every A’s hitter when they stepped into the batter’s box?

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Sep 30, 2008 4:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No

what the ump told every A’s hitter when they stepped into the batter’s box.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Sep 30, 2008 6:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Basically.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 4:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, for some reason even though Griffey and Wise suck and Swisher has been unlucky

Guillen would rather have the worst defensive CF in baseball out there.

Their best lineup would have Brian Anderson in center for defense and Swisher in left. Don’t really understand it, but I hope it comes back to haunt them.

by thejd44 on Sep 30, 2008 4:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hi Jermaine!

It seems like forever ago that he was on the A’s.

by whiteshoes40 on Sep 30, 2008 4:51 PM PDT   0 recs

Wow, GameDay mini is adorable.

If I don't comment on your comment how will you know you are completely wrong? -Rocktopus

by pam5981 on Sep 30, 2008 4:55 PM PDT   0 recs

No more fantasy stats

Yahoo! isn’t considering today or yesterday as a regular season game. Oh well I won my league, I’m happy.

by thesteve9x on Sep 30, 2008 4:56 PM PDT   0 recs

I just saw the new Arby's commercial -

They really know how to target a market.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Sep 30, 2008 4:59 PM PDT   0 recs

What market is that?

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Sep 30, 2008 5:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The $5 vaule meal?

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 5:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I missed it.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 5:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It'll be on again

and you will think of Nico

by thesteve9x on Sep 30, 2008 5:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I switched over to House. :(

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 5:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

or maybe you get different commercials in MO

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Sep 30, 2008 5:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It's the same commercial.

It was just on FOX.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 5:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

no swisher again

beane should try to make a 1 for 1 trade, ryan sweeney for swisher.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Sep 30, 2008 5:03 PM PDT   0 recs

really, i thought most ANers (not me) were pissed off when the a's traded swisher

getting gio and FDLS out of it would be nice.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Sep 30, 2008 5:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i'm confused, you were not disappointed by what?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Sep 30, 2008 5:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

why? it was a great trade at the time and even with FDLS getting injured it's still looking good

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Sep 30, 2008 5:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Swish was one of my favorite players

Even if it was a good trade, doesn’t mean I wasn’t disappointed to see him go.

by thesteve9x on Sep 30, 2008 5:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The excess X-chromosome rage would be unbearable

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Sep 30, 2008 5:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

lol

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Sep 30, 2008 5:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And we all know Sweeney is hotter.

Who says that?

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Sep 30, 2008 5:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If Swish were to come back,

he’d have to get younger and hotter and parade around in a devil girl costume to make up for the loss of Ryan.

Not that there’s anything wrong with Swish, and I was sad when he was traded… but I get easily attached to players, and RyRy is one of my new favorites. Which, I’m sure, has been obvious.

by whiteshoes40 on Sep 30, 2008 5:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, what she said.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 5:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah!!!!111!!111

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Sep 30, 2008 5:11 PM PDT