Saturday, October 4, 2008

The Pennant Race - 10/4

2-0 is the running theme in this year's playoffs. All four series are 2-0 thus far, with an even split between the home and road teams.

ALDS

The Angels clearly must have thought they would be playing the Yankees again this year. Apparently they freaked out when they heard they were playing the Red Sox, because they have their backs to the wall after losing two straight at home. Last night was a perfect example of why Francisco Rodriguez, aka K-Rod, is no Mariano Rivera. Though Mo struggled in tie games this year, K-Rod failed on a much bigger stage last night. Trailing 4-0 after one inning, the Angels rallied to tie the game at 5-5 in the eighth before J.D. Drew took K-Rod deep in the ninth with a man aboard.

The series continues Monday night in Boston with John Lackey facing Josh Beckett.

The Rays are on the brink of winning their first playoff series after Friday's 6-2 win over the White Sox. Scott Kazmir struggled with his control in the first inning and was unfortunate to escape down just 2-0. Aki Iwamura's 2-run home run off of Mark Buerhle in the fifth inning gave the Rays a 3-2 lead and the Rays added three more in the eighth to put the game away.

The Rays can close the series out in Chicago on Sunday afternoon with Matt Garza against John Danks.


NLDS

Jinx or no jinx, the Cubs woes continue. The Cubs committed three errors that led to five unearned runs as the Dodgers pounded Chicago 10-3. Manny Ramirez homered for the second straight game and Chad Billingsley allowed one run while striking out seven in six innings of work. The Wrigley faithful were fired up with Carlos Zambrano on the mound, but were all doom and gloom when it was over.

CC Sabathia can only work his magic so many times. Coming back on three days rest again, the Phillies jumped on the Brewers ace for five runs in the second inning. Shane Victorino delivered the big blow with a grand slam. Phillies starter Brett Myers allowed just two hits over seven innings for the win. Victorino added a pair of singles, a walk, and a two stolen bases.

2 comments:

  1. Mr. T and his gang will clinch the NL Champion in the blinking of an eye if Chase Utley and Pat Burrell don't stop impersonating Playoff Mode A-Rod.
    While the whole world eruptes in celebration, an immature man named Hank is shrieking at the top of his voice in engulfing fury somewhere in the core of night.

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  2. There's little doubt the Red Sox will beat up the Angels again and advance to ALCS tonight.
    I guess the rally monkey is simply no match to
    Big Brown's jockey.

    ReplyDelete