2009 World Series, California Dreaming?
by javaball on Oct 12, 2009 12:26 PM PDT
41 comments
I have a sneaking suspicion that the 2009 World Series might be an all-California event this year. The last two times that happened were when the A's defeated the Giants in 1989 and the Angels beat the Giants in 2002. (Thanks to bobnothing and jeffro for the correction).
The AL Pennant
The LA Angels will face the Yankees in the ALCS. The Angels have a winning regular-season record against New York in the past decade or so. The two teams met twice before in the postseason, and LA won both times, in 2002 ALDS (3-1) and in 2005 ALDS (3-2). In addition, Yankee's ace Sabathia has been a postseason disappointment (2007 ALCS and 2008 NLDS), so it's likely that LA will win the AL pennant.
The NL Pennant
Phillies are leading Rockies 2-1 in the NLDS and Cliff Lee is lined up for Game 4. In Game 1, Lee had a complete game victory against the Rockies, even though things might be different the second time around, I still think the Phillies will pull off a win somehow. However, if the series goes the distance, it might turn in the Rockies favor, as the injuries to the Phillies pitching staff are piling up.
If the Phillies survive, the problem with their pitching staff will make them ineffective against the Dodgers. If the Rockies win, the Dodgers with solid pitching and a potent lineup will still have an advantage over them. So I would pick the Dodgers to win the NL pennant
UPDATE:
The Phillies eliminated the Rockies in a thriller. They held a one-run lead till the bottom of the 8th inning, when an error by Phillies shortstop Rollins led to a three-run inning for the Rockies. Huston Street came in the top of the 9th to close the game, but gave up three runs with two outs instead. Phillies used two pitchers to close the game in the bottom of the 9th. Kudos to Manuel for trusting the right men at the right time.
The World Series
If this indeed turns out to be an all-California affair, i.e.,"the Freeway Series", there is no question which team the AN will root for. But, if history repeats itself, the Angels will win it all. As the last team who swept the Red Sox in the postseason went on to win the World Series, the 2005 White Sox.
What's your pick?
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The only WS since 1988 that I haven't watched
by Manstein on Oct 12, 2009 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I watched it
It was hard to keep u-p with who I wanted to lose… each ahlf inning I wanted every batter to strike out and every pitcher to get rocked…
by jeffro on Oct 12, 2009 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
2002 was the famous...
Roommate hogged the TV so I had to walk down to the King’s X to watch it Series.
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
by BleedGreen on Oct 12, 2009 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please, anything but a Freeway Series
we in the losin baseball binness. and cousin, binness is a boomin.
by walk off bunt on Oct 12, 2009 2:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yankees-Phillies would be crazy
That WS match-up would probably challenge the all-time HR record.
by Manstein on Oct 12, 2009 3:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Turnpike Series
What’s good for New Jersey is good for the game.
by Mark H on Oct 12, 2009 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It would be easier to get from one venue to the other
than a freeway series
by Future Ed on Oct 12, 2009 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
“In addition, Yankee’s ace Sabathia has been a postseason disappointment (2007 ALCS and 2008 NLDS), so it’s likely that LA will win the AL pennant.”
I don’t reply to much, its unneeded on a site that is usually on top of things… but really? I mean I stay quite on prediections mostly, but really? You’re pinning their hopes on one pitcher who is a boarderline Cy young candidate this year… on youre pinning his hopes on past years’ numbers when he didn’t have the bats behind him he has now?
Dude… if you want a freeway series then just say it… your predictions can do better…
Where's your picket fence, Love?
by Tim Blekicks on Oct 12, 2009 7:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Sabathia won the Cy Young Award in 2007, but in the 2007 ALCS, he was 0–2 with10.45 ERA. In the 2008 NLDS, he was 0-1,12.27 ERA.
The Yankees have always had powerful lineups, but the Angels have consistently beaten them in both the regular seasons and the playoffs.
Of course, one can say that the historical stats don’t mean much, as the Angels have proven by sweeping the Red Sox, who dominated them in previous playoffs. As far as predictions go, mine is as good as any other.
In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.
by javaball on Oct 12, 2009 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Both of those years
he threw 279.2 innings
by Future Ed on Oct 12, 2009 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, 241 IP in 2007 and 253 IP in 2008. This year he pitched 230 innings. About the same workload. Endurance may be a concern for him.
In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.
by javaball on Oct 13, 2009 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the last 4 starts in 2008 were all on 3 days rest. 2007 it looks like regular 4 days. In 2009, the yankees have given 5 and 4 days rest though september.
Yeah, I think he gets gassed after a lot of work, but more importantly the concentration of work at the end of the season. The Yankees have given him lost of rest this september, I bet he’ll be OK.
by Future Ed on Oct 13, 2009 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rooting Interests
I’m rooting for the Yankees and the Phillies for sure.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Oct 12, 2009 7:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Mos Def Quote
“Like Michael Jackson said, you are not alone.” — “Mathematics” by Mos Def
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Oct 12, 2009 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who are you rooting for between the two?
In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.
by javaball on Oct 12, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yankees and Phillies
I’d root for the Phillies if both of those teams were to make it to the World Series.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Oct 12, 2009 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rooting for the Yankees?
oh RRS that’s just not right.
by sirbed on Oct 12, 2009 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
same
I'm here to talk about the past.
by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 12, 2009 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What do you have against the Dodgers?
In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.
by javaball on Oct 12, 2009 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
1988?
"Since other people actually read these threads, though, probably best that your particular brand of wrongness not go completely unchallenged." - PT
There are differing opinions on me. According to Iglew "DFA is PT with a sense of humor. PT is DFA with introspective self-doubt. I like them both" but according to sirbed Im "The Stats Killer"
by designatedforassignment on Oct 12, 2009 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This playoffs is like the worst of all possible worlds
California nightmare, more like. Or maybe “Hotel California.” You can check out any time you want, but you can never leave.
Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving
by PaulThomas on Oct 12, 2009 10:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
go Phillies?
"Since other people actually read these threads, though, probably best that your particular brand of wrongness not go completely unchallenged." - PT
There are differing opinions on me. According to Iglew "DFA is PT with a sense of humor. PT is DFA with introspective self-doubt. I like them both" but according to sirbed Im "The Stats Killer"
by designatedforassignment on Oct 12, 2009 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the Rockies and Twins should play a set of seven friendlies.
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
by nevermoor on Oct 13, 2009 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
na the Rockies only hire christians so the Twins were the only team I could in good conscious root for.
"Since other people actually read these threads, though, probably best that your particular brand of wrongness not go completely unchallenged." - PT
There are differing opinions on me. According to Iglew "DFA is PT with a sense of humor. PT is DFA with introspective self-doubt. I like them both" but according to sirbed Im "The Stats Killer"
by designatedforassignment on Oct 13, 2009 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Then root for 'em
It beats rooting for any of the teams still playing.
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
by nevermoor on Oct 13, 2009 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Talk about the worst of all worlds.
If I had to choose gun to my head – I’d probably say pull the trigger.
by DeJay on Oct 13, 2009 2:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't care who wins, as long as it's not the slegnA
Or the Yankees, or the Dodgers.
Wait, what?
Hey Al, just go away, baby.
by doctorK on Oct 13, 2009 9:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
All along I've had Dodgers v. Yankees...
It’s a Bud Selig wet dream…the largest market on the East Coast faces the largest market on the West Coast. Joe Torre faces his former team. Manny faces the Yankees again. LA v NY. The storylines go on and on. Also, when I’m not an A’s fan, I’m a Dodgers fan. They’ve been my NL team since birth. So I’d enjoy seeing them in the World Series since the A’s can’t go this year.
Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you're AWESOME!
by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 13, 2009 10:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
There's storylines with the other teams too.
Not as sexy maybe, but they’re there.
I'm here to talk about the past.
by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 13, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like the Phillies, all decked out in skimpy negligees,
against the Angels, with Scioscia attired in whips and chains?
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 Oct 13, 2009 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm
Why are you basing your projections for the AL pennant on what completely different Angels and Yankees teams did in 2002 and 2005 rather than the actual teams playing?
by eastbayexpat on Oct 13, 2009 3:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Looking at the historical trend is one of many ways to make projections. It is as good as any other. Besides, the teams are not that different from those in 2002 and 2005. A few key players are still on the same team.
Nothing really stands out from their regular season stats this year. All evidence point to a close series. The Angels may have a slight edge in the starting rotation, but are weaker in the bullpen than the Yankees.
In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.
by javaball on Oct 13, 2009 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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