Duck-Billed Catechist Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 Nice matchup tonight in Chicago. Cliff Lee vs. John Danks.They both went 8 innings, giving up one run. Casey Blake hits a homerun in the top of the 10th. Alexei Ramirez hits one out with 2 outs in the bottom of the 10th. Dewayne Wise pinch-hits, singles, steals second, and gets knocked in by Orlando Cabrera. Awesome. Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 That 10th inning was so freakin fantastic - I haven't been so excited listening to a game on the radio in ages. Link to post Share on other sites
Smokestack Joe Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 obvious to say the the TB Rays are the story of the year. im really enjoying it. im rooting for them in the AL East. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cousin Tupelo Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 obvious to say the the TB Rays are the story of the year. im really enjoying it. im rooting for them in the AL East.I've been curious about something for a while, does anyone believe there's less parity in the AL as opposed to the NL, and if not, do elite AL teams benefit more from playing struggling AL teams? Also are the elite AL teams still decidedly better against the elite NL teams? Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 My full ballot: ALC: Mauer1B: Youkilis2B: Kinsler3B: A-RodSS: YoungOF: Hamilton, Dye, Ordonez (homer pick)DH: Thome NLC: McCann1B: Berkman2B: Utley3B: ChipperSS: HanleyOF: Dunn, Ludwick, Braun Thanks for all the Ranger love, but Bradley should probably be going to. He may be a looney nut job, but he's having a hell of a season. Link to post Share on other sites
mfwahl Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 I've been curious about something for a while, does anyone believe there's less parity in the AL as opposed to the NL, and if not, do elite AL teams benefit more from playing struggling AL teams? Also are the elite AL teams still decidedly better against the elite NL teams?As of late, the NL is more competitive than the AL in my opinion. In each division, there are at least three teams that are competitive. In the AL there's usually a couple teams dominating. nd the AL is whooping NL in interleague. Don't know how elite teams fare (elite teams change and that's subjective anyway) Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cousin Tupelo Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 As of late, the NL is more competitive than the AL in my opinion. In each division, there are at least three teams that are competitive. In the AL there's usually a couple teams dominating. nd the AL is whooping NL in interleague. Don't know how elite teams fare (elite teams change and that's subjective anyway)True about subjective. I figure the Cubs' plight with TB may have been the same at home as they managed with the Sox at Wrigley. I can't see putting a lot of stock in interleague play -- although of course that is the best measure-for-measure of how the two leagues fare. I don't know that the teams get up for it as the fans do -- quotes from both the Sox and Cubs sounded like they were relieved to be done with it and there's pressure forced on them. NL is definitely competitive, but I also see interesting races shaping up across the board. When the landscape changes at the trading deadline, I anticipate there's going to be some excellent pennant races down to the wire. Link to post Share on other sites
MrRain422 Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Thanks for all the Ranger love, but Bradley should probably be going to. He may be a looney nut job, but he's having a hell of a season. Bradley is having an excellent year and deserves to be on the All Star team, though I'm not sure if he deserves the starting spot. Hamilton is having an amazing year though, as is Kinsler. I voted for Young basically because that position just isn't as deep as it used to be and he's putting in his typical very good season. Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 AL teams (generally) are better than the NL teams (generally). Period. The consistent domination in interleague play provides enough of a sample size to reach that conclusion. That may change shortly, as the NL does have a lot of good, young talent (some of that probably has to do with NL teams generally having better draft position in the first round.). Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Peter Gammons says Berkman will win the triple crown this year. Link to post Share on other sites
rareair Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 props to the marlins. yes, my excitement is fantasy inspired, but to get a win for nolesco with 2 outs in the 7th coming off of a rain delay is certainly appreciated. go marlins go. . . hey miami what do you say, the fish are going to win today. . . Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 props to the marlins. yes, my excitement is fantasy inspired, but to get a win for nolesco with 2 outs in the 7th coming off of a rain delay is certainly appreciated. go marlins go. . . hey miami what do you say, the fish are going to win today. . . On an Alfredo Amezaga homer from the right side of the plate. He's one of those guys that isn't great but is so much fun to watch. They always cut to him in the dugout messing with the other players. It's great. Also, hats off to Hanley for being the first Marlin to be NL Player Of The Month since Conine in 95. Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Again with the DRays! Man, they're on it. Link to post Share on other sites
Duck-Billed Catechist Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 Adam Russell got his first mlb win last night. He got his second tonight. I wonder how many times that has happened. Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Again with the DRays! Man, they're on it. I have a friend who is absolutely seething right now because the Rays played "Sweet Caroline" after the win. What do you guys think? Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 I have a friend who is absolutely seething right now because the Rays played "Sweet Caroline" after the win. What do you guys think?That was a little sharp, but all in good fun. Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 That was a little sharp, but all in good fun. "I seriously can't believe the Rays played Sweet Caroline at the end. I'm stunned. What a bunch of fucking disrespectful clowns. I love them celebrating first the first week of July. Defines the quality of the organization." I guess not. Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn_skurj Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 "I seriously can't believe the Rays played Sweet Caroline at the end. I'm stunned. What a bunch of fucking disrespectful clowns. I love them celebrating first the first week of July. Defines the quality of the organization." I guess not.If I was a Red Sox fan I'd be a little pissed too. We shall see - a lot of baseball yet to be played. Link to post Share on other sites
MrRain422 Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Pretty sure the Red Sox don't own that song. I don't know if its really premature for Tampa fans (all 3 of them) to celebrate anyway. Sure, they haven't even made the playoffs yet, but they've already accomplished a whole lot more this year than they have in the previous 10. I can't fault the Rays and their fans for being excited. Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 I also think it's a nice little rivalry they are building here, and this can only help. This is certainly more entertaining than Yankees-Sox. At least there is some kind of philosophical difference. Link to post Share on other sites
MrRain422 Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Agreed. It's always fun when new teams get into the mix, and no team has been in the mix less than the (Devil) Rays. The fact that there's all this tension with Boston makes it even more exciting. I hope they can keep it up. I'd much rather see Boston vs. Tampa on TV 45 times per season for a couple of seasons instead of Boston vs. New York. Link to post Share on other sites
bobbob1313 Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Until April of 2009, when ESPN beats the fuck out of this rivalry too... Link to post Share on other sites
MrRain422 Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Yeah, but by then the Rays vs. Orioles rivalry that will dominate the next decade should be heating up. Link to post Share on other sites
tugmoose Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 So how's MLB gonna work it to get the Rays, Bosox and Yankees into the playoffs? Surely they can't let Yankee Stadium die without one more October. Maybe the Yanks can buy their way in. Link to post Share on other sites
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