Breezin'

[SCUDSBROTHER]

DODGERS find their bats in Colorado.11-4. THE Backbreaker was rookie catcher Russel Martin's clutch triple with 2 outs/bases loaded in the 6th.He may not have the offensive numbers of some other rookies,but while most rookies(Ethier included)are getting tight in the last month of a pennant race,this guy is playing like a veteran.Their record with him calling a game behind the plate is very good.Dodgers like to play these people.13th win against the Rocks this year.PHILS lose.Much thanks to the Nationals.

[Gander]

San Diego takes care if the slumping Cardinals. Man that team is terrible. They dont deserve a playoff spot even though some "so called experts" think they do and will still make it.

Astros win their 7th straight. 1.5 games behind.

But a team that couldn't find even .500 baseball with a search warrant all year long does "deserve" one?
Blah, in my opinion it really doesnt matter. I can't see either team going every far.
I personally hate the playoff system with the three divisions and the wild card.
Its become closer and closer to the NBA and NHL. And this is a glaring reason why.
The NFL with its wildcards I can completely understand, in the NFL they only play 16 games and one tough beat on a bad call or injuries can prevent a truly good team from winning a division. But lets face it guys, a team like the Stros who can't even break .500 all year long? Well, I just think its awful.
In baseball they play 162 games, far more than enough time to prove who belongs in post season. I know that because of the money it won't ever change. But they really should shorten the season if .500 teams are gonna make the playoffs. Its really unfair to the teams who play good ball all season long.

[Gander]

If the teams that play at such a high % all year long (like the Mets and Yankees) cant beat a team like Houston or St. Louis in the playoffs, they arent for real. Wildcard teams have won how many of the world series since the inception of the rule? I personally like the rule. It provides another late season race and gives us some reason to watch the last few weeks when most of the divisions are all wrapped up.

I cant see how you cant like the Astros to be competitive in the palyoffs with their 1-2-3 starters, all coming in hot, and their offense coming in hot too.
Please explain how you cant take them as a threat.

Originally Posted by Gander

If the teams that play at such a high % all year long (like the Mets and Yankees) cant beat a team like Houston or St. Louis in the playoffs, they arent for real. Wildcard teams have won how many of the world series since the inception of the rule? I personally like the rule. It provides another late season race and gives us some reason to watch the last few weeks when most of the divisions are all wrapped up.

I cant see how you cant like the Astros to be competitive in the palyoffs with their 1-2-3 starters, all coming in hot, and their offense coming in hot too.
Please explain how you cant take them as a threat.

Well Tim in a short series(which is where I have the biggest problem with the current playoff format) any team with a hot 1-2 starting pitching staff can beat a superior team. Baseball isn't played like that all year long, with only 3 guys needing to be good ptchers, if it isn't played like that all year long, why should it be played like that in the playoffs?
The least they could do is make it a 7 game series where its inherently much more fair.

[Gander]

That we agree on.

How about this Mike:

Shorten the regular season by 30-40 games.

Make the playoff series all 7 game series.

Invite the Major League's teams with the best 8 records.

That said, I am still rooting for any team like the Astros who dont give up. On Sep 20th they were 8.5 games back of the Cards. Today they are 1.5. Wow.

I know if my proposed new format was put in place the Astros would already be out of it.

[Gander]

I also think the Astros are almost equally as tough in a 7 game series when guys like Clemens, Oswalt and Pettite are pitching as good as they have been. Without a doubt they would be the team to beat in the NL if they get in, in my opinion.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by Gander

I also think the Astros are almost equally as tough in a 7 game series when guys like Clemens, Oswalt and Pettite are pitching as good as they have been. Without a doubt they would be the team to beat in the NL if they get in, in my opinion.

I can't believe you enjoy watching the Stros in the Post.They were offensively pathetic in the post last year.They are one of the most boring teams I have ever seen play.Either way,the STROS or Cards go down quickly to the Pads in the post.Pads are tough right now.

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

I can't believe you enjoy watching the Stros in the Post.They were offensively pathetic in the post last year.They are one of the most boring teams I have ever seen play.Either way,the STROS or Cards go down quickly to the Pads in the post.Pads are tough right now.

I just have to agree. Tim I really don't get the whole not giving up thing. I mean, you make it sound as if the Cards blowing 6 in a row and Larussa shutting them down too early in the season(three weeks ago, before realizing last week that it was not over yet) has nothing to do with it.
Lets just say its not gonna be made into an inspirational movie titled the Astros who wouldn't give up.
And the 5 game series is complete bull****. Your Red Sox would have been swept in one the year they won the World Series.
Its not right becuse GM's are forced to build teams based on a 5 man rotation all year long. Thats how a 162 game schedule is played.
To reward mediocre teams who have a hot pitcher or two is ridiculous.
The Astros "didn't give up" all year long and couldn't break .500 baseball.

[Gander]

Your completely wrong and I know thats a concept hard to grasp. Tony Larussa shutting down his team with 3 weeks to go? That would be news to him I am sure. Thats the most absurd thing I have read on here in a while. I doubt Tony Larussa ever thought he had this thing wrapped up. The Cardinals have been as inconsistent as the Astros this year. They have lost 7 or more in a row 3 different times this season.

Why even play the playoffs and World Series, rather just award the team with the best record in baseball the title as champs?

Your Red Sox would have been swept in one the year they won the World Series.

Thats just sour grapes. I'm sure all of the Yankee's titles were earned and none of them ever would have been in jeopardy if they had all 7 game series.
I'm done.