Retweet of the Day - October 31, 2013

The Boston Red Sox won Game 6 of the World Series at Fenway Park last night. The win clinched the 2013 World Series title for the Red Sox. Of course, as it was mentioned repeatedly, then some more, in the media, the Red Sox last World Series clinching win at Fenway, before their home fans was in 1918.

This might be the most manufactured sports story I have heard all year long. They closed the series out at home. So what? How many fan bases, like the Chicago Cubs for instance (last World Series championship: 1908) could die in peace if they clinched the World Series in Japan?

Today, we have two Retweet of the Day offerings. The first, from Tommy Flynn (‏@tflynn72)

"drink every time they bring up that the sox won the WS at fenway for the first time since 1918"

and the second from Ryan Blacquiere ‏(@RyanWilliamXI):

""Party like it's 1918" So drink a massive amount before the Christian Temperance Movement pushes through Prohibition in 1920."

These folks could have used a little prohibition.

Image from www.peachridgeglass.com

95 Years in the Making

One game…the Boston Red Sox are just one World Series win away from winning a World Series in front of their home fans for the first time since 1918. The Red Sox undid generations of disappointment and heartbreak by breaking The Curse of the Babe in 2004 by sweeping the same St. Louis Cardinals franchise that they are dueling in this year’s World Series. That triumph, closed out in St. Louis in Game 4 of that series, followed four days in October in which they completed a historic comeback from down three games to none to beat the New York Yankees in seven games in the 2004 American League Championship series.

Not only was “The Curse” over, but the Red Sox were a mini-dynasty in the making. The Red Sox were the front runners in the American League every year until 2012, when the team underwent a major management and personnel overhaul. The Red Sox won another championship, eliminating the Colorado Rockies by completing a four game sweep at Coors Field in Denver.

This year, Red Sox fans have a chance to see their team win the ultimate prize at Fenway Park. Such a win would extinguish any last vestige of the “The Curse” – the declaration of Hall of Famer and former Red Sox pitcher & outfielder Babe Ruth, who had just set the MLB single season home run record with 29, that the Red Sox would never win another World Series after selling his contract to the New York Yankees following the 1919 season. It only took 86 years to prove Ruth wrong.

HISTORY, PREFERABLY IN MODERATION

A World Series Championship won by the Red Sox at Fenway Park would be historic for several reasons. These include the history of the park itself (in service since 1912), the legacy of the franchise, and the futility of the team celebrating a World Series championship in their own park. Of course, Red Sox fans need not get caught up in too much history, which has only begun to smile upon them recently.

The Red Sox, since 1918, had won the American League pennant four times prior to their breakthrough 2004 season. Four times, they were eliminated in seven games (twice by the Cardinals). The two of those Game 7 disappointments ended with a visiting team, not the Red Sox, popping champagne bottles and celebrating at Fenway.

Of course, arguably the cruelest twist of Red Sox World Series fate was not in a Game 7, but was in a Game 6. For those of you who are under the age of 35 or not lifelong baseball fans, the Red Sox led the New York Mets three games to two in the 1986 World Series. The Mets trailed by two runs with two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the 10^th inning at Shea Stadium. Three quick singles later, the winning run, Ray Knight was at first base while the tying run, Kevin Mitchell, was at third.

Red Sox reliever Bob Stanley served up a wild pitch that allowed Mitchell to score and tie the game and send Knight into scoring position at second base. Mets outfielder Mookie Wilson was at bat. He hit an easy dribbler down the first base line. All Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner had to do was pick the ball up, step on the bag, and the Red Sox would get another chance to win in the 11^th inning.

If you don’t know what happened, why tell you, when I can show you (see video at the end)? The Mets would go on to win Game 7 and the World Series the following night, 8-5, with a late inning surge.

There are auras of Red Sox history surrounding Game 6 and Game 7 (if necessary) of the 2013 World Series at Fenway. Once the first pitch is thrown, the history is just that – history. But lifelong fans of Red Sox and baseball will not be able to ignore the looming specters of baseball’s past serving as a backdrop to the concluding game(s) of this series.

The most infamous play in Red Sox history.

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Something in the Air

Four games down…up to three remaining. The Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals are tied at two games apiece in the 2013 World Series. That the teams with the best regular season records in their respective leagues are tied after four games is not surprising. How these well managed, veteran teams got to this point is.

Games 1 and 2 of the series were steered to their outcomes by a bevy of costly errors by the Cardinals and Red Sox, respectively. Game 3 went to the Cardinals on Saturday night after Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia overthrew his third baseman, Will Middlebrooks, in an attempt to tag out Allen Craig of the Cardinals. After the error, Middlebrooks picked his legs up; Craig momentarily tripped over them but continued running toward home plate. The throw reached Saltalamacchia in time to tag Craig by multiple steps, yet Craig was called safe by means of an obstruction call against Middlebrooks by third base umpire Jim Joyce. 

Craig was already "safe". 1

Game 4 ended with Cardinals right fielder Carlos Beltran, one of the best postseason hitters of all-time, at bat with the Cardinals trailing by two runs with two outs and pinch-runner Kolten Wong on first base. The threat of Wong stealing second base or scoring seemed inconsequential, as there were two outs and Beltran represented the tying run. Yet Mike Napoli continued to cover first base as Wong took his lead, leaving a larger gap between the second baseman and Napoli in the infield. It ended up deciding the game as Wong was caught napping after taking a huge lead and was picked off by Red Sox closer Koji Uehara.

Wong's choice was wrong. 2

WHAT’S NEXT?

Game 5 of any playoff series tied at 2-2 in any sport is pivotal as the winner usually goes on to win the entire series. After the first two games were heavily influenced by careless and/or hyper-aggressive errors by the losing teams, Games 3 and 4 were ended under very unusual circumstances. These two teams played the best regular season baseball in their leagues, so the fact that the series is close was likely expected by many. The fact that the slightest change in circumstances late in games is deciding games is not surprising either. It’s is almost Halloween. We should expect the unexpected in the remaining games of the World Series.    

It's that time of year. 3

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Retweet of the Day - October 28, 2013

The World Series is getting just plain weird. The first two games were defined by a comedy of errors seldom seen at the high school level. Game 3 was decided by a walk-off obstruction call in St. Louis by third base umpire Jim Joyce. Game 4 ended when Cardinals pinch-runner Kolten Wong was picked off at first base with two out in the bottom of the 9th.

The Cards trailed by two runs with G.O.A.T. post season hitter Carlos Beltran at the plate. The Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals head into tonight's Game 5 of the 2013 World Series tied at two games apiece. Of course, we could count on the Twittersphere to go for the lowest hanging fruit in an attempt to be clever. Wong made an error in judgment taking such a huge lead with Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli covering the bag, facilitating the ensuing pickoff and the end of the game.

Wong was wrong. And the the nomenclature of the runner was not lost...not even a little bit. I'm just as guilty. Today's retweet, by John Campbell ‏(@J_Boogie5) make a similar observation while slipping in a not-so-subtle contribution to the pun collection:

"All of these puns about Kolten Wong getting picked off are just downright Wong..."

Red Sox closer Koji Uehara earned the save in Game 4 by picking off Kolten Wong to end the game. The irony (and opportunity for 3rd grade humor) keeps piling up.

Image from www.thebiglead.com

Retweet of the Day - October 25, 2013

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha has been the star of the post season. At a position in a game that benefits players with experience, particularly in October, the 22-year-old rookie has dazzled fans and broadcasters alike. Some just cannot get past the fact that a pitcher so young is pitching so well on the world's biggest stage.

Today's retweet, from katherine trahan (‏@kat_trahan2) takes note of the media bro-mance with Wacha and the fascination over his youth:

"Yall for everytime the commentators say wacha is only 22, drink. You'd be drunk."

This guy was tuned in last night.

Image from www.guaranteedmx.com

The Count is 1-1

These MLB players are getting more and more clever at skirting the PED tests. Steroids? HGH? Female fertility drugs? Deer antler spray? Nonsense. Rookie Michael Wacha and the young Cardinals pitchers have good, old-fashioned ice water in their veins.

ONCE IS A COINCIDENCE, TWICE IS A PATTERN, THREE TIMES IS A TREND

Through four starts in the 2013 postseason, 22-year-old Wacha has a 4-0 record and an ERA of 1.00. Wacha’s win last night at Fenway Park is just the latest in a long line of early-career postseason conquests. His playoff starts have come in high-pressure situations.

Last night, a Cardinals loss would have put his team down 0-2 in the best-of-seven series heading back to St. Louis. He pitched seven scoreless innings in the closeout Game 6 against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS and took a shutout into the 7^th inning in Game 2 of that series. Facing elimination at the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 4 of the NLDS, Wacha pitched into the 8^th inning and only gave up one run.

Wacha has been as cool as they come. 1

REINFORCEMENTS

It’s impressive to have one rookie who can live up to the moment of a critical World Series game on the road. When a team has three, age 23 or younger, who can chew up all nine innings and win, the windows of opportunity to beat them are small, more like doggie doors. Not only did 22-year-old relief pitcher Carlos Martinez and 23-year-old closer Trevor Rosenthal finish what Wacha started, they allowed the other members of the bullpen to rest, available to be fresh in case of a tougher managerial chess match later in the series.    

Martinez = "Money" in Game 2. Catcher Yadier Molina, right, agrees. 2

BRING IN THE CLOWNS

As flawless as Red Sox starter Jon Lester was in Game 1 and as bafflingly brilliant as Wacha continued to be in Game 2, the difference maker was comedic ineptitude in the field by the losing team. The Cardinals were able to take the lead for good on double throwing errors in the 7^th inning by relief pitcher Craig Breslow and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The ball ended up in the stands and the Cardinals ended up with a two run late inning lead. The Cardinals’ defensive butterflies in Game 1 put them out of the game almost as soon as it started.

One error is bad; Salty is about to make it much worse. The phrase "cut your losses" is cliche' for a reason.

GATEWAY TO A TITLE

Games 3, 4, and 5 will all be played at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. There is no guarantee that this series will go back to Boston. St. Louis not only gained confidence in Game 2, they took away Boston’s home field advantage. A playoff series doesn’t “really” start until the home team loses. It’s on!

4

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It Only Counts Once

The Boston Red Sox scored what was boxing’s equivalent of an early round knockout in Game 1 of the 2013 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Red Sox fans at Fenway were delighted to slovenly defense and a properly, but rare, overturned call that facilitated an early 3-0 Boston lead. The Sox never looked back, winning 8-1. The Cards’ only score came off of a cheap solo home run by Matt Holiday off Ryan Dempster in the 9th inning, with the game in hand.  

LIGHTNING DOESN’T STRIKE THE SAME PLACE TWICE

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright was horrendous. The expression “He didn’t have his best stuff,” was tossed around postgame shows like the phrase “Sorry for your loss,” at a funeral. That was being kind. Wainwright didn’t have any stuff and didn’t even look like an MLB starting pitcher, let alone an ace.

Whether it was the weather, the Fenway Park atmosphere, travel fatigue, rust, or some combination thereof, Wainwright looked nothing like he has all season long. It could not have come at a worse time. However, I would not count on seeing him toss another clunker like that in Game 5 (if necessary).

The Cardinals were a comedy of errors on defense. Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina put the excitement back into the routine infield popup. A sure double play ball turned fielder’s choice turned error by Cards shortstop Pete Kozma (on an overruled call by the umpires) kicked off the mudslide. The Cardinals had the fewest errors in the National League in the regular season. They committed three errors last night, two by Kozma.

"I got it. I got it! I GOT IT!!" ... Yep...the Cards "got it". 1

ALL ZEROES 

Tonight, the Red Sox and Cardinals do it all over again. Rookie Michael Wacha, who is having a postseason for the ages gets the ball against the veteran John Lackey. Last night is in the rear view and the rookie, Wacha, has demonstrated a short-term memory and a naiveté to the magnitude of the moment during the postseason.

As bad as the Red Sox’s flogging of the Cardinals was, it is all meaningless now. The series doesn’t “really” start until someone loses at home and the Redbirds have won their share of games on the road in the playoffs. Despite an ugly opening salvo to the Fall Classic and in spite of the fact that the Red Sox have not lost a World Series game since 1986, let’s not start planning for a parade in Boston yet.

Red Sox fans old enough to remember can personally testify that it is better to get the blunders out of the way in Game 1 than, say...up three games to two in Game 6 with a lead and two outs in the 9th inning. 2

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Retweet of the Day - October 24, 2013

The Boston Red Sox plucked the St. Louis Cardinals, 8-1, in Game 1 of the 2013 World Series at Fenway Park last night. There were very few things that went right for St. Louis. Shaky pitching and sloppy play on defense put the Cardinals in an early hole from which they would never recover.

There was one highlight, though. In the bottom of the second innings, with the Red Sox already leading 4-0, Boston designated hitter David "Big Papi" Ortiz hit a 1 RBI sacrifice fly to right field with the bases loaded to drive in catcher David Ross. It would have been Papi's second grand slam of the playoffs if not for a remarkable catch by Cardinals right fielder Carlos Beltran.

If this situation smacks of something familiar, it is because it is familiar. Torii Hunter of the Detroit Tigers made a bold effort to rob Ortiz of his Grand Slam that tied Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. Hunter flipped over the short outfield wall, right in front of a police officer in the bullpen who cheered the home run  first and helped the clearly endangered Hunter later (if at all).

Today's retweet is from MLB Memes (@MLBMeme): 

"Carlos Beltran and Torii Hunter. Know the difference! #WorldSeries . pic.twitter.com/7JiBq1FPYU"

Image from https://twitter.com/MLBMeme

Must See Sports - Fourth Weekend of October 2013

Last week's advantage/disadvantage record, excluding series: 2-6 
Last week's advantage/disadvantage record in series: 0-2
2013 Advantage/Disadvantage Record, excluding series: 67-56

2013 Advantage/Disadvantage Record (series only): 21-13-4

Wednesday, October 23

Major League Baseball

2013 World Series - Game 1
St. Louis Cardinals at Boston Red Sox
Adam Wainwright (2-1, 1.57 ERA, 20 Ks in postseason) - Cardinals vs Jon Lester (2-1, 2.33 ERA in postseason) - Red Sox

The Cards and Red Sox have been their best in the National and American Leagues, respectively. It is fitting that they are in the 2013 World Series. These teams are as equal, on paper, as two MLB teams could possibly be. When that is the case, the difference between winning and losing comes down to starting pitching, as it has throughout the playoffs.

When the chips are down, my money is always going to be on Adam Wainwright. He pitches with more power, manages pivotal games situations, and has been more clutch all year relative to Jon Lester. Boston's starters are very good, but they often rely on the bullpen to help them out of jams and finish games. Lester is no exception. In Game 1, that plays into the hands of Wainwright and the Cardinals.

Advantages: Game - Cardinals, Series - Red Sox

This could be epic! 1

Thursday, October 24

Major League Baseball

2013 World Series - Game 2
St. Louis Cardinals at Boston Red Sox
Michael Wacha (3-0, 0.43 ERA, 22 Ks in postseason) - Cardinals vs John Lackey (2-0, 3.00 ERA in postseason) - Red Sox

John Lackey has been very good in October. Michael Wacha, the rookie, has been lights out. At some point the moment of the World Series and the pressure of pitching on the road is bound to show when Wacha pitches. The Red Sox lineup, especially from a power standpoint, is a step up from the Dodgers, whom Wacha dominated. I expect Wacha and the Cards to be brought a little closer to Earth in Game 2.

Advantage: Red Sox

2013 NLCS Most Valuable Player Michael Wacha swam well in the deep end of the pool against the Dodgers. 2

Saturday, October 26


Major League Baseball

2013 World Series - Game 3
Boston Red Sox at St. Louis Cardinals
Clay Buchholz (0-0, 5.40 ERA in postseason) - Red Sox vs Joe Kelly (0-1, 4.41 ERA in postseason) - Cardinals

Both pitchers put up very impressive numbers in the regular season. Both showed cracks in the postseason. I like Kelly's chances better at home in this game.

Advantage: Cardinals

Buchholz's strength has not been in his hair this postseason. 3

NCAA Football

#10 Texas Tech Red Raiders at #15 Oklahoma Sooners

With all of the focus on Alabama, Oregon, and Florida State, the continued presence of Texas Tech among the ranks of the unbeaten has flown quietly under the radar. The 7-0 Red Raiders will be put to the test in Norman, Oklahoma this weekend against the Big XII rival Sooners.

Tech has only put the screws to one conference opponent this season and only has one win against a ranked team. This contest, along with the following week's game against #19 Oklahoma State and a November matchup with #8 Baylor, also currently unbeaten, should be more telling.

Tech's offense is one dimensional, averaging over 400 yards per game in the air, but it is a dimension nobody has solved. The Red Raiders have a problem that any team would like to have: two capable, producing freshman quarterbacks. Baker Mayfield (1,488 yds., 8 TD, 5 INT, 66% comp.) was the opening day starter. He has a knee injury and is expected to sit behind Davis Webb (1,427 yds., 11 TD, 5 INT, 61% comp.) this weekend. Both can light up the stat sheet.

Oklahoma is going to try to pound the ball with senior running backs Brennan Clay (496 yds., 3 TD, 6.3 avg.) and Damien Williams (315 yds., 3 TD, 4.0 avg.) and out-physical Texas Tech with their defense. It has worked every week, save for their stunning upset loss to Texas two weeks ago. This game is in Oklahoma. Texas Tech has yet to face a true road test this year. I am not suggesting the Red Raiders have been smoke and mirrors, but I do think their unbeaten record gets smoked out on Saturday.

Advantage: Oklahoma

Expect heavy doses of Brennan Clay if the
Red Raiders don't score early and often. 3

#21 South Carolina Gamecocks at #5 Missouri Tigers

Missouri is making believers out of doubters. When starting quarterback James Franklin went down with a shoulder injury, freshman Maty Mauk (336 yds., 1 TD, 1 INT, 55%) did enough to get the Tigers a win against the fierce Florida Gators' defense. The Gamecocks are reeling after an upset loss at Tennessee.

Connor Shaw (1,307, 11 TD, 1 INT, 63% comp.) is out for South Carolina with a knee sprain. They will miss his legs as much as his arm. Dylan Thompson (421 yds., 2 TD, 2 INT, 57% comp.) will get the ball for the Cocks, and he'll likely be giving the ball to Mike Davis (879 yds., 10 TD, 6.7 avg.) often.

I think Mizzou can key in on Davis, knowing that he is coming. Considering that the Tigers are at home and that their Plan B at quarterback fills in more of the holes left by the injured starter than S.C.'s Plan B, I'm taking the Tigers in this one.

Advantage: Missouri



#12 UCLA Bruins at #3 Oregon Ducks

Expect a whole lotta offense in this game as Brent Hundley (1,661 yds., 13 TD, 6 INT, 67% comp.) of the Bruins will match wits against Oregon's Marcus Mariota (2,051 yds., 19 TD, 0 INT, 62% comp.). Stanford demonstrated, last week, that Hundley could be stifled with the right defensive plan (and personnel). Oregon, unlike years past, plays a little D this year. Meanwhile, nobody has stifled Mariota yet. UCLA has the talent, but I am not picking against Oregon in Eugene until someone actually beats them there. Don't hold your breath.

Advantage: Oregon 

There should be a lot of cheering on both sides as I expect a lot of touchdowns. 4

Sunday, October 27

Major League Baseball

2013 World Series - Game 4
Boston Red Sox at St. Louis Cardinals
Jake Peavy (0-1, 8.31 ERA in postseason) - Red Sox vs Lance Lynn (2-1, 5.40 ERA in postseason) - Cardinals

Peavy's ERA is wildly inflated from a three inning shelling at the hands of the Detroit Tigers. Lynn's win count is boosted from a relief appearance in the NLCS. I like Peavy and his experience against Lynn and his occasional inconsistency.

Advantage: Red Sox


NFL


New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals continue to be part of Must See Sports matchups because they keep winning. I can't say I expected the same for the New York Jets when the season started. The Jets are not only alive and well, they have a winning record entering the eighth week of the season. Rumors of their imminent demise, and that of Head Coach Rex Ryan, were greatly exaggerated.

Expect this to be a low scoring affair. Neither team throws the ball more than necessary. Both teams play smothering defense. There are two difference makers that I see in this game. First, the Bengals are at home. Second, I don't think the Jets have found their true identity on offense yet, though rookie QB Geno Smith (1,723, 8 TD, 11 INT, 58% comp.) continues to come up big in big situations.

Advantage: Bengals


Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions

The Cowboys have won two games in a row. One more, and that's called a "winning streak". Quotes from the movie "Major League" aside the Cowboys face yet another test to demonstrate whether they have the ability to be a serious contender in the NFC, or just be the best team in a bad division.

The Lions were nipped on the last play of the game by the Bengals. Expect the Lions to continue their one-dimensional passing attack against the Cowboys. Expect the same from the Cowboys as running back DeMarco Murray (428 yds., 3 TD, 6.8 avg.) is listed as "questionable" with a knee injury.

A lot of this game will depend or whether or not Murray plays. Detroit has had trouble stopping the run, though they contained the Bengals well last week. This game is in Detroit and the
Lions got a real test and a near miss against one of the best teams in the AFC. I expect to see the same old "okay" Cowboys on Sunday. The score may be close, but I think the Lions rebound this week.

Advantage: Lions

If the Bengals couldn't stop Megatron, I don't see how the Cowboys are going to do much better. 5

Monday, October 28


Major League Baseball

2013 World Series - Game 5 (if necessary)
Boston Red Sox at St. Louis Cardinals

The probable starters have not been named yet, but I expect Wainwright to get the ball in St. Louis should a fifth game be necessary. I'll take the Cards in spite of not knowing the Red Sox starter for Game 5. John Lackey would be up in the rotation, but given that the game would be at St. Louis and not knowing what the status of the series will be by then, it is just a guess.

Advantage: Cardinals


Tuesday, October 29

NBA

Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat

The NBA is back, baby! So is Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (22 PPG, 8 APG in 2012) after missing all of last season with a knee injury sustained during the 2012 NBA playoffs.

Still, give me LeBron James (27 PPG, 7 APG, 8 RPG in 2013) and the two-time defending champion Heatles at home, charged up on opening night.

Advantage: Heat

It's about time! 6

Wednesday, October 30

Major League Baseball

2013 World Series - Game 6 (if necessary)
St. Louis Cardinals at Boston Red Sox

If this series goes to a sixth and/or seventh game, I expect the Red Sox to take both games at Fenway, especially if Wainwright starts in a Game 5.

Advantage: Red Sox

Can the Red Sox make this smiling girl a little happier? 7

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