NLDS Game 1 Open Thread (10/1/11): Diamondbacks-Brewers, Phillies-Cardi(wait, why?)nals
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Oct 1, 2011 1:16 PM EDT
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PrintARI @ MIL
2 pm, Miller Park
Yovani Gallardo vs. Ian Kennedy
TBS, MLB.tv
STL @ PHI
5 pm, Citizens Bank Park
TBS, Postseason.tv
There are also AL games on tonight. Much closer to primetime.
#
The Senior Circuit, appropriately, has an early bird game today featuring a franchise from a retirement state. The Diamondbacks and Brewers lead off and represent two teams on which I wish no specific harm. In fact, I might catch myself rooting for the Brewers in my own begrudging, jealous way.
We're not so different, us and them. The Brewers have one of their pillars locked up through next decade, while the window on their slugging first baseman is closing this year. It's not hard to draw a few parallels between the Reds and a team they swept to open the 2011 season. The Reds played the Crew 16 times this year and their periodic meetings served as a good barometer for the Reds' declining fortunes. After cutting down the would-be co-favorites in the division with the Opening Sweep, the Reds played them to a 8-8 record as the Brewers accelerated out of reach.
The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, represent an entire state. And one that is heavily armed. Seems unfair. But there are some striking similarities between the Reds and the D-Backs too. No one expected them to compete this year, but with a youthful ensemble cast and an offense led by their Jay Bruce-ian right fielder, they won their division and punctuated the season to the fever pitch of a walk-off home run.
The Cardinals and Phillies we've already spent the better part of the last two seasons kvetching about. My kvetching muscle is sore. AUTOCOMPLETE paragraph: Philadelphia's Phillies, a baseball team from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home of Iron Tasty Kakes and the Liberty Bell. Grievances are: Being good, humiliating the Reds repeatedly, Cliff Lee didn't bother to run out that grounder, Chase Utley pretended to be hit by a fastball in 2010 NLDS. The St. Louis Cardinals are a baseball team from the state where St. Louis is, home of some buildings. Grievances are [system error. abort, retry, fail?] I chose retry. But that's not an option in life, is it? Just like Starbucks, must move FORWARD.
I've decided who I'll be rooting for in the NL. I will say, though, that having both the Cardinals and Brewers win would validate the NL Central and make the Reds' 3rd place finish very slightly more palatable. Quick dirty rooting Decider after the jump.
Diamondbacks
PROS: Kirk Gibson, Snakes
CONS: Won World Series after 4 years of existence (get in line), Unless I'm mistaken, further playoff success will put Thom Brennaman and Diamondbacks and commentating on a crash course
Brewers
PROS: Non-threatening fellow NL Central and post-Industrial Midwestern team
CONS: Shoulda been us
Phillies
PROS: Playing the Cardinals, Halladay has chance to dilute 2010 no-hitter with perfect game, "Deserve" to win and losing would upset order in Universe
CONS: "Deserve" to win and losing would upset order in Universe
Cardinals
n/a
Selected former Reds:
Arthur Rhodes, Cardinals
Kyle Lohse, Cardinals
Jerry Hairston, Brewers
Micah Owings, Diamondbacks
Willy Bloomquist, Diamondbacks
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Phillies 63
WLBs 63
38 innings, game called for sunrise, both bullpens destroyed, Utley hot in elbow with 100mph fastball.
As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball.
by Ram27 on Oct 1, 2011 1:22 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
There's a fault line around Philadelphia, right?
I’m rooting for the gaping hole in the earth.
Is there a mod so powerful he can ban himself?
THAT explains more than it doesn't--
Wait, no, now I’m just more confused than ever.
Is there a mod so powerful he can ban himself?
Whew!
I’d have been here sooner, but the padlock on jch’s basement was a bitch!
That's what she said!
by Raven Riley on Oct 1, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Thank goodness.
There’s something about your presence that’s just so reassuring.
Is there a mod so powerful he can ban himself?
Comfort is my M.O.!
That's what she said!
I wonder what ol pete thinks of this
Cherry Hudson Time starting over Mcgahehehehehe today.
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
Cherry
is the only one to get on base for the Brewers today. So far, anyway.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
God I miss playoff baseball that involves the Reds
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
Those are always a fun three days
by Brendanukkah on Oct 1, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Four days! Four!
/
There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Arredondo. They were shining there for you and me, for liberty, Arredondo.
I bet
Brian Cashman is kicking himself for trading IPK. Everyone wanted Joba. He flat-out refused to trade him. Take Hughes, Take Kennedy. Joba is untouchable.
Shoulda traded Joba. :-P
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Joba's also very difficult to trade with
Luke Skywalker couldn’t get a frozen Han Solo from him, not even for these two droids.
by Brendanukkah on Oct 1, 2011 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Brewers 6
DBacks 3
There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Arredondo. They were shining there for you and me, for liberty, Arredondo.
How high are you?
There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Arredondo. They were shining there for you and me, for liberty, Arredondo.
The amount of brilliance in the world is so awe-inspiring sometimes that it becomes completely overwhelming.
But other times, you realize that most people dedicate their minds to Call of Duty or to photoshopping ducks, and you find yourself crying for a different reason.
by Cuetotally Amazing on Oct 1, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
anyone have a link for a stream?
FirstRow wants me to download a program to watch the game
Let a man come in and do the Popcorn.
Try this
http://finalball.com/sports/baseball/baseball.php
Looks like it’s working
Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."
holy cow
That one went out in the deepest part of the park.
Little guy with a big swing.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
81-1 leading after 8
guess who gave them the blemish?
yes, that’s right, the Reds…so long ago
by Howie Feltersnatch on Oct 1, 2011 4:51 PM EDT reply actions
There goes the perfect game
and no hitter and shut out
/fucking Berkman
by Howie Feltersnatch on Oct 1, 2011 5:18 PM EDT reply actions
and Kyle Lohse
is no-hitting the Phillies.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
article from the McPaper
about the Moneyball actors.
Walking onto the Oakland Coliseum set of Moneyball, Scott Hatteberg immediately noticed a familiar figure in the batter’s box. The actor had Hatteberg’s beard, his build and even his Oakland A’s uniform.
“And he moved around exactly like I did,” Hatteberg says. “My kids just froze and stared at him. It was surreal to say the least. I had never seen myself play before.”
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
does the actor have a name
or is it just the actor?
by Howie Feltersnatch on Oct 1, 2011 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
it says in the article
It’s Parks and Recreation actor Chris Pratt.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
yeah, i'm lazy
i would like to see that movie though. says on IMDB he and his wife have a dead bug collection together. too bad crolfer, one in a million they say…:)
by Howie Feltersnatch on Oct 1, 2011 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey Bubba
now’s your chance, go to Brooklyn Bridge, and go to work!
"Life is such a vapid world pool of nothing"-Eddie Pepitone
hooray, a hit
i’m of the think from above. i hope they play a 5 game series of all extra inning baseball, decimating both bullpens
by Howie Feltersnatch on Oct 1, 2011 5:57 PM EDT reply actions
hahahaha
Defense wins championships.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
lol Freeze
those are the plays that makes this worth watching
by Howie Feltersnatch on Oct 1, 2011 6:03 PM EDT reply actions
why is Holliday not in the lineup?
anybody know? playing knifey spoony?
by Howie Feltersnatch on Oct 1, 2011 6:04 PM EDT reply actions
thx
injured patting eachother on the back for Atl choking i’m sure
by Howie Feltersnatch on Oct 1, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
It would have been too confusing to have Halladay and Holliday in the same game.
Kind of like the 2009 trade deadline. (Seriously, was I the only one confused by that?)
by the finest muffins on Oct 2, 2011 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Lohse
By some measures, he’s been the Cardinals’ ace this year. Lower ERA and WHIP than any of the other starters, including Carp. Lowest average against, too.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
his first half of the season was incredible
really picked up for Wainwright and Carp (and Pujols for that matter). to think of all the blown games, they’d been ahead all year if not for their bullpen
also fuck the cardinals
by Howie Feltersnatch on Oct 1, 2011 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Furcal is injured as well
Hamstring, but he’s playing anyway. I wonder if it’s affecting his defense.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Phillies finally making a game of it
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
I'm kind of surprised they left him in that long
He’d clearly lost it this inning.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
God, I hate rooting for the Phillies.
But it’s ABC time. Anybody But Cardinals.
by ams78 on Oct 1, 2011 6:44 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Come on, Consolation Bracket
Mgr., Red Reporter
"Every office I've been in, there has been a guy with weird scars that he needs to explain to you—'it was one of those old Xerox machines, with a lot of razors in it'... or a pale person with a novel of supernatural erotica that keeps getting left on the printer. Major League lineups need those guys, too." - David Roth
by RijoSaboCaseyWKRP on Oct 1, 2011 7:01 PM EDT reply actions
bailed on the Cards game
Our future ace is starting for the Rays.
Rays already have a 1-0 lead over the Rangers. Derek Holland walked in a run.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
The Rays haven't lost in Arlington in the last two playoff series
Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."
According to Hal McCoy, the Reds tried for Pence at the deadline
But the Astros wanted Chapman and Meso. Could you imagine if they’d made that deal? We’d still be on the outside looking in.
<a href=“http:// ”http://www.daytondailynews.com/dayton-sports/cincinnati-reds/ask-hal-reds-made-a-play-for-pence-but-phillies-balked-1262575.html?cxtype=rss_reds&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">http://www.daytondailynews.com/dayton-sports/cincinnati-reds/ask-hal-reds-made-a-play-for-pence-but-phillies-balked-1262575.html?cxtype=rss_reds&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter" target="new">
Phillies gave up two top 5 picks for him and two minor prospects
Bart: "Dad, what's a Muppet?"
Homer: "Well, it's not quite a mop, not quite a puppet, but man... (laughs, then pauses) So, to answer you question, I don't know."
The Phillies
gave up some good prospects. Their #2 and #3 prospects, IIRC. Plus others. So Chapman and Meso might be comparable. Or maybe Meso and Yonder.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
The difference is
Everyone the Phils gave up is years away from the bigs. And they are pitchers, meaning there is a lot of risk there.
Meso, being a catcher, a top 15 prospect, and MLB ready, makes him worth way more than anyone the Phillies gave up.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
I think we have a tendency to WAY overvalue our own guys
(This wasn’t disagreeing with Meso being incredibly valuable, but rather in general.)
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
Well yeah, us and every other fanbase
Whenever somebody talks about trading your two top prospects (I know Chapman’s not a prospect, but still) I know I want more than one good outfielder.
There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Arredondo. They were shining there for you and me, for liberty, Arredondo.
Sometimes that's true.
But if anything, I think I have a tendency to way overvalue big-leage readiness.
To me, the best C prospect in baseball, who also happens to be MLB ready right now, is worth a hell of a lot more than a very good pitcher who hasn’t gotten out of A ball yet.
It feels so nice to be back to normal
Doesn't seem that crazy
You know what you have with the Sam LeCure’s and Matt Maloney’s of the world, they are ready to play right now, the risk of a flame out is limited, the risk of an injury long before the hit the big leagues is null.
Ty Howington, Kyle Lotzker, Chris Grueller, and the like all demonstrate low level talent that has been delayed or derailed by major injuries long before they were big league ready.
"Life is such a vapid world pool of nothing"-Eddie Pepitone
yeah, I think everyone does
I still remember how upset Yankee fans were at losing Brandon Claussen. :-)
I think it’s true even of guys who are “big league ready,” like Mesoraco and Alonso. There’s less risk they’ll be total busts, but there’s still no guarantee. I think the fans and even the organization tend to be more sure their own players will be productive than other teams are.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Reds could use some of what Robby Cano's got
He’s otherworldly with the bases loaded. Another grand slam tonight.
The funny thing is, earlier in his career, the knock on him was he was didn’t hit well with the bases loaded. I guess he’d gotten over it.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
rumor from the twitter
Joel Sherman tweeted:
I am shocked, but in last 36 hrs every exec talk to says believe #Redsox will give permssion and Theo will go to #Cubs to be GM
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Sucks to be us...
The Cubs with lots of money are dangerous to themselves, but the Cubs with lots of money and an intelligent GM are dangerous to the division.
by Cuetotally Amazing on Oct 2, 2011 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah
I wonder if Francona is going with him.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Where can we get one of these youthful wonder-boy GMs?
Perhaps Jamie Ramsey is up for it? Cy Schourek, maybe?
by Cuetotally Amazing on Oct 2, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
if Cy gets the nod
there damn well better be a RR corporate box comped!
Tequila and pancakes, anyone?
by Kevin Mitchell is Batman on Oct 2, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
wait...what?
Unless you want a team full of silly names and 28-year-old prospects, this is the absolute worst decision you can make. I’m #TeamSlyde myself.
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
looking at theo epstein at the press conference
and then seeing the way the brewers & rays managers look, it made me wish the reds would employ some better looking people.
baseball needs more stylish people in their clubhouses. it would make the game seem less old & boring to young people.
I will say that Dusty is a stylish dude, in his way.
But yes, I agree that most of the people who run baseball teams look like they just got back from a sales conference in Peoria.
by Cuetotally Amazing on Oct 3, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
well, except the one in the leather pants...
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
It's funny, he once sat in front of me on a plane from Boston to Cincinnati,
when I was going home the same day that Winter Meetings ended. And while he didn’t have leather pants on, he was with a tall, extremely fake looking blonde wearing leather pants and a leopard print top. That guy is a walking cliche.
by Cuetotally Amazing on Oct 3, 2011 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Glad the Cards lost
But I’m not taking too much joy in it
by Red_Poodle on Oct 1, 2011 11:47 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
still no sign of Fay's article on who he'd keep and who he'd get rid of
(or is that who he thinks the Reds will keep and get rid of?)
Anyway, he said the column would be printed yesterday, but there’s no sign of it yet.
There is this, though:
To trade or not to trade Votto or Alonso
He says it makes no sense to have both Votto and Alonso on the roster.
Reasons to trade Joey: He’s more valuable, and therefore will bring more in return. He is not likely to re-sign after his contract is over, because the Reds can’t afford him. His salary will be a burden even before his contract is over.
Reasons to trade Alonso: Votto has become an elite first baseman defensively, and has plus speed for the position. Alonso doesn’t. Alonso is also not guaranteed to hit as well as Votto; his production fell off toward the end.
There’s also a poll. Small sample size so far, but at the moment, “trade Votto” is winning, with “trade Alonso” and “trade neither” tied for second. One person wants to trade both.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
Trade both???
And bring back Roberto Petagine maybe? I wonder who that would be?
by ThisonebelongstotheReds on Oct 2, 2011 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions
You know what's crummy?
If they trade Votto and if (a big IF) Alonso ends up as good as Votto, then we are going to relive this all over again in 5ish years. I understand and appreciate Erardi’s argument that success isn’t really about the money, and that Tampa Bay is the best object lesson to that effect. But it just really sucks that we have to have this conversation while 6-8 other teams can watch and lick their chops. I’d still be pretty in favor of Banana Bob locking Votto up to a Ryan Braun-style contract in a couple years, if possible. Some guys (Prince Fielder) are great but not the type you can build a team around. But Votto at $20+m/year with a supporting cast of very well-chosen but affordable guys seems worth it. It would be like last year, without $12m going to Cordero.
by Cuetotally Amazing on Oct 2, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
keep an eye on Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols
The deals they get this winter will tell us what we have to pay to keep Joey.
All Things Bubba: Because how can you not love a baseball player named Bubba?
I was just looking at Braun's contract again.
How did they do that? I remember everyone freaking out when it happened, but I guess I’m okay with committing money like that to someone like Braun or Votto, versus committing money like that to 10-years-in Griffey or Fielder.
by Cuetotally Amazing on Oct 2, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
They signed him right after his first year, which I think wasn't even a complete year
They basically did a copy/paste from Longoria’s deal, which came just a few weeks earlier.
by ken on Oct 2, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Griffey's deal ended up being a bust, sure
But when it was signed everyone thought it would be a steal. Shit happens, unfortunately.
"Wait, you think I'm being mean to the pretend orangutan?" -- battlekow
I would never give any player that many years
Justin Morneau is why, any player can have a career ending or altering injury at any time.
"Life is such a vapid world pool of nothing"-Eddie Pepitone
I think this is incredibly important.
Uggla priced BP out of town, it looks like. After the Fielder and Pujols contracts, there will a) be some teams who wanted a premium 1b who didn’t get one and b) a better idea of Votto’s monetary value. That’s a good mix.
"You said 'walks' twice."
"I like walks."
sitting here at work ... i miss Reds baseball
no matter how crappy it was this year
Individuality: Always remember that you are unique. Just like everybody else.
by joshuar9476 on Oct 2, 2011 1:10 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
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