The MLB playoffs started on Tuesday, I'll be writing about the playoffs a lot through the World Series. As 5 of my teams have reached the postseason, I'll have a lot of mixed feelings as the playoffs continue. As long as they don't play each other I'll be cheering for the Dodgers, Red Sox, Braves, Pirates and A's in that order. I'd prefer the Dodgers win the World Series, but would be happy if any one of "my" teams win the whole thing.
I'll continue to write my Dodgers Dailies on the days that the Dodgers play, their first playoff game is Thursday in Hotlanta.
On Tuesday the Pirates beat the Reds 6-2 in a rocking PNC Park, the Pirates first postseason win since 1992. (That was 21 years ago! Let that sink into your head! I was still living at home and wouldn't be married for a couple more years.) Pittsburgh's offense was powered by home runs. Marlon Byrd has been in the Major Leagues for 11 years, but this was his first career playoff game. In his first postseason at bat, Byrd hit a home run. What a great way to start the playoffs and is that an omen of things to come?
No stranger to the playoffs, being a former Dodger and Yankee, Russell Martin also hit a homer in that same inning. The Pirates lead 2-0 at the end of the second inning and held on to the lead for the rest of the game. The Pirates added a run in the 3rd inning and 2 runs in the 4th inning. Martin hit his second homer of the game in the 7th inning, that gave the Pirates a 6-1 lead.
Francisco Liriano had a solid outing, keeping the explosive Reds bats quiet. He only allowed 4 hits and 1 run in a solid 90 pitch outing. I'm hoping this isn't Liriano's only postseason victory, since they are next playing the Cardinals. Pirates closer Jason Grilli pitched the 9th inning, getting 3 outs on 7 pitches. As the Pirates were ahead by 4 runs when Grilli entered the game, Grilli isn't rewarded with an official save.
The Pirates and Cardinals start their NLDS on Thursday afternoon in St. Louis. The playoff tough Cardinals will obviously be the heavy favorite in this series over the Pirates newbies. I'll be cheering for the Pirates all the way and I'm so glad the playoffs are finally here!
On Monday Tampa Bay beat Texas in Texas, as the Rangers choked again. Surprisingly the Rangers will be bringing manager Ron Washington back. It's got to be good to be a professional head coach in Texas as you can be mediocre and still keep your job. Jason Garrett continues to be the Cowboys head coach, although in his 4 seasons this team is mediocre in every way.
The AL Wild Card will be played Wednesday night. Even a more surprising team than the Pirates will be hosting the AL Wild Card. The Cleveland Indians, who won their final 10 regular season games, will be hosting the Rays. Not a big fan or hater of either, but I'm cheering for the Indians tonight. The "winner" of this game will go on the road to play the high scoring Red Sox starting Friday. Game 1 of that series will be Friday afternoon.
Other baseball notes involving my teams, the Chicago Cubs fired their manager of two years. Dale Sveum took the fall after compiling a 127-197 record in his two years. It seems he's being a bit of a scapegoat for the Cubs problems. I would think, at least hope, the Cubs will have a lot more talent in Year 3 of Theo Epstein. Who is a manager that will come in and do better than Sveum.
Currently Alex Rodriguez's suspension hearing is going on, it should go on for a few more days. It could take several weeks to return a decision. It seems he claimed that Biogenesis founder Tony Bosch duped him. Rodriguez claims the supplements he took he was told were legal. ARod when your career is finally over, I highly suggest you go into politics. You already have the lying and the doing anything to cover your ass tricks down. Mr. Rodriguez, my not friend, you are a piece of crap. It blows me away he's so deluded (another trait he shares with most politicians) that he won't take responsibility for all his poor choices. I see the master of denial next helping OJ find "the real killers".
Also you know that the Yankees are hoping that Rodriguez doesn't
With all my baseball heavy blogs I haven't written much about football this season, although I follow it just as closely. My sons and I have been enjoying my season tickets to BYU games this season. One of the teams I follow is the USC Trojans. After the Trojans gave up 62 points Lane Kiffin was fired, it's probably the right decision. See Jerry Jones that's what you do with a head coach that does a poor or mediocre job. I hope the person who commented the other day that the Cowboys would be Kiffin's next job was only joking. Obviously the commenter was, but that did send a chill up my spine. Jones has a history of hiring horrible head coaches although Kiffin probably isn't next in line. But I wouldn't put anything past Jerruh. Jones already hired Kiffin's father, Monte, last season. The senior Kiffin was hired by Dallas after his defense was exposed multiple times at USC. No one has ever confused Jones with a football genius, except for himself.
2013 was suppose to finally, no really, be the year that the Cowboys would return to glory. People drinking Jones' kool aid continued to have faith. I don't understand how anyone can have faith in a GM who's failed year after year, it's been 17 years of Jones showing that he's clueless. The Cowboys are 2-2 and have the high scoring Broncos coming to town. The Broncos will roll to an easy victory, which quarter will they break the 40 point mark? Dallas will drop to 2-3 and still be at least tied for first in the incredibly pathetic NFC East. It appears that 8 wins could win that division this season.
One of Jones' many weaknesses as a GM is falling in love with injury prone players. Anthony Spencer is already out for the season after only playing a few plays. Jay Ratliff will miss at least 6 games due to being on injured reserve. Honestly I expect Ratliff to not play much this season at all. The tissue soft Miles Austin missed last week's game because of his tender hamstrings, who knows how many games he'll end up missing?
So far other injury prone players, Sean Lee and DeMarco Murray, have played well and been healthy. However I guarantee that at least once of them will miss games because of injuries this season. The Cowboys very thin offensive line has held up fairly well through 4 games. But if that thin offensive line loses a significant piece then the Cowboys will even be more in a world of hurt.
Jerry Jones it's time for you to fire yourself. Isn't 17 years of mediocrity enough for you? It's more than enough for Cowboys fans. We love our Cowboys but despise you and what you have done to this once proud franchise.
themusicaddict
No comments:
Post a Comment