Baseball Thread Rated X -- Mature Audiences Only

Brother, did the Phils ever dodge a bullet there.

 

Barely, and only because they got a 2-run lead this time.

The Nats had the bases loaded with nobody out, but a sac fly and a double-play finally finished it.

Phillies are in the same boat as the Astros now: did they win the battle tonight, only to lose the war?

 

Is it just me, or does J-Ro get overlooked quite a bit on the national scene as a difference-maker?

It might just be me, but name me a better 2B-SS combo than Utley-Rollins.

 

None.

 

Wow, I thought you were going to say Uggla and Ramirez, Columbo.

 

Exactly what I would expect from the rubes around here.

 

OK, I'm officially concerned. The NL now becomes a crapshoot. Mets still have just as good a chance to win it as anyone else, however. Everyone else is at least as flawed as they are, if not more.

It will be interesting to see if the Mets have the guts to leave Pedro off the roster entirely for the first round. Forget Game 1, I don't see how you can pitch him at all after this outing. He's obviously not ready.

 

Preach on brother Columbo!!!

It's hard to put into words how much I'm going to enjoy October (Sorry broadway and other Met fans, it's nothing personal).

I thought this team dodged a bullet when it became obvious it would face the NL Central winner in the first round. I no longer even think that can spare the Mets a deilcious first-round exit.

Suck it, Jeffy.

 

In looking at the Yankees line-up versus Santana, I'm just not sure he can win. Santana is known for pulling himself out of games once his pitch count reaches 100. The guy doesn't pitch any longer, no matter what.

With batters like Damon, Abreu and Giambi in teh line-up, I just don't see how he can go deep in the game.

This then brings in the relievers who will definitely caugh up a run or two extra before it can even reach Nathan.

After Santana, what do the Twins have?

 

For what it's worth -- and probably not much -- the prediction here is (sorry HB, sorry spnited) the Mets will be eliminated in the first round. No one is going into the playoffs with more pitching questions than they are.

That's all from me.

 

The best bullpen is baseball, according to Peter Gammons, Buster Olney and others who make their living reporting on the sport.