Collectively, Da Box had a good first round, selecting three of the four DS winners (stumbling only on the irresistible allure of the Fightin' Twins).
On to the LCS...
New York vs. Boston
Game 1 (Yankee Stadium): Schilling vs. Mussina
Game 2 (Yankee Stadium): Martinez vs. Lieber
Game 3 (Fenway Park): Arroyo vs. Brown
Game 4 (Fenway Park): Wakefield vs. Vazquez
Game 5 (Fenway Park, if nec.): Schilling vs. Mussina
Game 6 (Yankee Stadium, if nec.): Martinez vs. Lieber
Game 7 (Yankee Stadium, if nec.): Arroyo vs. Brown
St. Louis vs. Houston
Game 1 (Busch Stadium): Munro vs. Williams
Game 2 (Busch Stadium): Backe vs. Morris
Game 3 (Minute Maid Park): Clemens vs. Marquis
Game 4 (Minute Maid Park): Oswalt vs. Suppan
Game 5 (Minute Maid Park, if nec.): Munro vs. Williams
Game 6 (Busch Stadium, if nec.): Backe vs. Morris
Game 7 (Busch Stadium, if nec.): Clemens vs. Marquis
On to the LCS...
New York vs. Boston
Game 1 (Yankee Stadium): Schilling vs. Mussina
Game 2 (Yankee Stadium): Martinez vs. Lieber
Game 3 (Fenway Park): Arroyo vs. Brown
Game 4 (Fenway Park): Wakefield vs. Vazquez
Game 5 (Fenway Park, if nec.): Schilling vs. Mussina
Game 6 (Yankee Stadium, if nec.): Martinez vs. Lieber
Game 7 (Yankee Stadium, if nec.): Arroyo vs. Brown
St. Louis vs. Houston
Game 1 (Busch Stadium): Munro vs. Williams
Game 2 (Busch Stadium): Backe vs. Morris
Game 3 (Minute Maid Park): Clemens vs. Marquis
Game 4 (Minute Maid Park): Oswalt vs. Suppan
Game 5 (Minute Maid Park, if nec.): Munro vs. Williams
Game 6 (Busch Stadium, if nec.): Backe vs. Morris
Game 7 (Busch Stadium, if nec.): Clemens vs. Marquis
Yanks v. St. Louis
Me Grimlock hates the Yanks, but hates the Red Sox more. St. Louis will beat either of them. As someone said earlier, the Red Sox losing is one of baseball's most hallowed traditions. Plus, it's enjoyable to watch the Red Sox Nation implode. It must be the feeling Leafs haters get every spring.
Me Grimlock hates the Yanks, but hates the Red Sox more. St. Louis will beat either of them. As someone said earlier, the Red Sox losing is one of baseball's most hallowed traditions. Plus, it's enjoyable to watch the Red Sox Nation implode. It must be the feeling Leafs haters get every spring.
I'll pick Yanks v St. Louis too...
Three of the four Schilling/Martinez starts are in Yankee Stadium. I think the Yanks can win 2 of those and 2 of the other three starts. The game 7 situation has to favor NY.
Houston's bullpen has been shaky at best. They can rake but I think they'll run out of mojo against a really good & balanced StL team. Also, the rotation is messed up due to the last series. If only Pettite and Miller were healthy... then they would surely be the WS favorite with Backe and Munro back in the bullpen.
Three of the four Schilling/Martinez starts are in Yankee Stadium. I think the Yanks can win 2 of those and 2 of the other three starts. The game 7 situation has to favor NY.
Houston's bullpen has been shaky at best. They can rake but I think they'll run out of mojo against a really good & balanced StL team. Also, the rotation is messed up due to the last series. If only Pettite and Miller were healthy... then they would surely be the WS favorite with Backe and Munro back in the bullpen.
I went with Sox/Stros.
Houston is that redhot team that is supposed to surprise people by getting to the WS, and the Sox are just due.
Houston is that redhot team that is supposed to surprise people by getting to the WS, and the Sox are just due.
Red Sox vs Cardinals
I think the Red Sox starting pitching will be enough to get them by the Yankees and well, the Cards are the Cards :)
I think the Red Sox starting pitching will be enough to get them by the Yankees and well, the Cards are the Cards :)
In all honestly, St.Louis' pitching rotation is "average" in theory. No real ace, or a pitcher that will overpower anyone on the opposing team but they always find a way to keep themselves in. Having a lineup that secures 6 runs per game kinda helps too. Houston on the other hand is against the wall thanks to Garner. Munro/Backe for the first two games and then Clemens and Oswalt in Houston. If Houston can find a way to win a game in St.Louis it would be a "small miracle" and secure atleast a 5 run advantage and turn the ball over to Lidge.. It's almost painful to confess that I was still nervous with a 6 run advantage yesterday.
For Houston, Beltran is probably the catalyst of the team as he showed in the Atlanta series. If I were Garner i'd probably worry about Womack getting on base and creating scoring opportunities for the Cards, also the 6-7-8 hitters which are no "walk overs"(especially Renteria)
I'd say Cards vs. Yankees.
For Houston, Beltran is probably the catalyst of the team as he showed in the Atlanta series. If I were Garner i'd probably worry about Womack getting on base and creating scoring opportunities for the Cards, also the 6-7-8 hitters which are no "walk overs"(especially Renteria)
I'd say Cards vs. Yankees.
Its 1967 all over again. Just without Bob Gibson.
Cardinals in 5
Red Sox in 6
I went 2 for 4 in the LDS, which is awfully good for me. And I'm in the mood for blaming Ron Gardenhire on one of my misses...
Cardinals in 5
Red Sox in 6
I went 2 for 4 in the LDS, which is awfully good for me. And I'm in the mood for blaming Ron Gardenhire on one of my misses...
I think it'll be 1964 all over again. Sadly, also without Bob Gibson.
Cardinals in six, Yankees in seven.
With the ALCS so evenly matched, it ultimately comes down to Yankees and Red Sox. History demonstrates who the safer bet is.
Cardinals in six, Yankees in seven.
With the ALCS so evenly matched, it ultimately comes down to Yankees and Red Sox. History demonstrates who the safer bet is.
Red Sox over Yankees in 6.
Boston is the better team, and their curse is weaker. Most important of all, the curse of the Boonebino is just starting up for the Yankees.
Cardinals over Astros in 5
Cards offense too powerful. The only chance the 'Stros have is if Miller and Pettite are magically able to pitch, to go along with Clemens and Oswalt.
Another thing that will kill Houston is the lack of depth in their pen (unlike previous years). Cardinals hitting will likely prevent Clemens and Oswalt from going more than 5-6 innings, and will absolutely feast on the poor Astro relievers who'll have the impossible task of getting the ball to Lidge.
I hope that St Louis wins because I need to see Walker win a World Series, but can't help but crave for the potential irony in Roger Clemens going into Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park, and beating either team.
Boston is the better team, and their curse is weaker. Most important of all, the curse of the Boonebino is just starting up for the Yankees.
Cardinals over Astros in 5
Cards offense too powerful. The only chance the 'Stros have is if Miller and Pettite are magically able to pitch, to go along with Clemens and Oswalt.
Another thing that will kill Houston is the lack of depth in their pen (unlike previous years). Cardinals hitting will likely prevent Clemens and Oswalt from going more than 5-6 innings, and will absolutely feast on the poor Astro relievers who'll have the impossible task of getting the ball to Lidge.
I hope that St Louis wins because I need to see Walker win a World Series, but can't help but crave for the potential irony in Roger Clemens going into Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park, and beating either team.
Game 1 (Busch Stadium): Munro vs. Williams
Game 2 (Busch Stadium): Backe vs. Morris
Game 5 (Minute Maid Park, if nec.): Munro vs. Williams
Game 6 (Busch Stadium, if nec.): Backe vs. Morris
When I read this, I had to blink twice to make sure that I saw it right. Munro pitching twice, and Backe pitching twice in St. Louis will doom the Astros. People may say that the Redbirds rotation is a house of Cards that the Astros offense will blow over, but even if Clemens and Oswalt win three games, it's still over. And I haven't even throught about their relief pitching. I'll also take the Red Sox, but I really have no idea what will happen in the ALCS.
Game 2 (Busch Stadium): Backe vs. Morris
Game 5 (Minute Maid Park, if nec.): Munro vs. Williams
Game 6 (Busch Stadium, if nec.): Backe vs. Morris
When I read this, I had to blink twice to make sure that I saw it right. Munro pitching twice, and Backe pitching twice in St. Louis will doom the Astros. People may say that the Redbirds rotation is a house of Cards that the Astros offense will blow over, but even if Clemens and Oswalt win three games, it's still over. And I haven't even throught about their relief pitching. I'll also take the Red Sox, but I really have no idea what will happen in the ALCS.
CORRECTION
It seems like Brandon Backe will start Games 1 and 5, and Pete Munro will start Games 2 and 6. To match up, the Cardinals may flip Marquis and Morris, putting Marquis against Munro both times.
So it may go
Backe vs Williams
Munro vs Marquis
Clemens vs Morris
Oswalt vs Suppan
Backe vs Williams
Munro vs Marquis
Clemens vs Morris.
It seems like Brandon Backe will start Games 1 and 5, and Pete Munro will start Games 2 and 6. To match up, the Cardinals may flip Marquis and Morris, putting Marquis against Munro both times.
So it may go
Backe vs Williams
Munro vs Marquis
Clemens vs Morris
Oswalt vs Suppan
Backe vs Williams
Munro vs Marquis
Clemens vs Morris.
Collectively, Da Box had a good first round, selecting three of the four DS winners (stumbling only on the irresistible allure of the Fightin' Twins).
Whups, pardon me...
Whups, pardon me...
Seventy-five percent of you are taking the Red Sox? Now, that's just pure Yankee-hating. The series is incredibly evenly matched, and even if most of the votes so far came before the game last night, I don't see any way you all can think the Yankees are more of a favorite over the Red Sox than the Cardinals are over the Astros (70% currently) ...
That said, I'm picking Yankees/Astros, mostly to watch GW Bush fumble trying to talk about Houston baseball ... "I think Roger Clements, he works hard ... and I read about the Oswald Miller guy on the Internets. Bagfell and Biggy-o, they've been around since I traded Sammy Sosa. Hehehehehe."
That said, I'm picking Yankees/Astros, mostly to watch GW Bush fumble trying to talk about Houston baseball ... "I think Roger Clements, he works hard ... and I read about the Oswald Miller guy on the Internets. Bagfell and Biggy-o, they've been around since I traded Sammy Sosa. Hehehehehe."
Now, that's just pure Yankee-hating
Oh, spare me the theatrics. I hate the damn Red Sox more than the Yankees; doesn't mean I think they won't win. Obviously, I think a lot less of their chances after last night, but still...
Oh, spare me the theatrics. I hate the damn Red Sox more than the Yankees; doesn't mean I think they won't win. Obviously, I think a lot less of their chances after last night, but still...
Mick, I'm also surprised by the vote. But for the umpteenth time, the Yankees can't exert Goliath power and expect to be loved like David.
Lately, I've been part of several conversations when somebody starts ripping on the Yankees, and the Yankee fans almost uniformly become upset and hurt, particularly by charges of "fans feel a sense of entitlement" or "the Yankees buy success."
Why protest? It's a weak case in opposition at best. I'll give you the same consolation I give to Yankee fans:
Take comfort in your excellent, excellent ballclub. And the fact that it will be a long, long time before your club isn't at the very heights of contention.
Isn't that enough? Why do you also need to be loved?
Lately, I've been part of several conversations when somebody starts ripping on the Yankees, and the Yankee fans almost uniformly become upset and hurt, particularly by charges of "fans feel a sense of entitlement" or "the Yankees buy success."
Why protest? It's a weak case in opposition at best. I'll give you the same consolation I give to Yankee fans:
Take comfort in your excellent, excellent ballclub. And the fact that it will be a long, long time before your club isn't at the very heights of contention.
Isn't that enough? Why do you also need to be loved?
You're misreading me. I'm not upset ... there's likely nothing the NYY would like more than to be underrated, in any forum.
I said I was surprised. Box participants have generally proved to be quite logical and fair-minded in their attitudes toward, well, virtually anything non-Bronx baseball-related. Objectively, I think these two teams are massively evenly matched and if pressed to wager actual dollars before yesterday, I likely would have laid them on Shcilling's and Martinez's five starts in a short series.
Given how evenly matched the teams are, I conclude that the only thing leading a full three-quarters of Box participants to pick against them, rather than a more expected 50-55% is the personal level ... the Yankee-hating. That's hardly "theatrics." And while some people here have gone out of their way to point out they hate both the Yankees and Red Sox, I am guessing that a "Since someone has to, who would you rather see win and get served up to the Cardinals?" poll would probably land 80/20 Sox.
I'm getting a theme here that every time I point out the vitriole to the Yankees -- not even complain, just recognize it -- that I am accused of wanting it both ways. Not at all.
The numbers seem incongruous with the matchup. That's fairly hard to dispute.
I said I was surprised. Box participants have generally proved to be quite logical and fair-minded in their attitudes toward, well, virtually anything non-Bronx baseball-related. Objectively, I think these two teams are massively evenly matched and if pressed to wager actual dollars before yesterday, I likely would have laid them on Shcilling's and Martinez's five starts in a short series.
Given how evenly matched the teams are, I conclude that the only thing leading a full three-quarters of Box participants to pick against them, rather than a more expected 50-55% is the personal level ... the Yankee-hating. That's hardly "theatrics." And while some people here have gone out of their way to point out they hate both the Yankees and Red Sox, I am guessing that a "Since someone has to, who would you rather see win and get served up to the Cardinals?" poll would probably land 80/20 Sox.
I'm getting a theme here that every time I point out the vitriole to the Yankees -- not even complain, just recognize it -- that I am accused of wanting it both ways. Not at all.
The numbers seem incongruous with the matchup. That's fairly hard to dispute.
OK, Mick. I hate the Yankees. I hate the Sox. Picked the Twins and Angels to win the division series, so my credibility and judgment is very much in question.
With all that in mind, here was my thought process when choosing the Sox. The Yanks won as much as they did this season because of their superior bullpen. Rivera was overused during the season (and showed it in the division series), and the Yanks will pay a price for it this time, against a Sox offence that goes deep into counts and will wear out a bullpen. That's the cold logical analysis.
The emotional analysis, oddly enough, favours the Yanks. Notwithstanding all of the above, somehow the Yanks always find a way to win and the Sox find a way to lose.
I chose the logic over emotion, but as we know, things don't always work out that way.
With all that in mind, here was my thought process when choosing the Sox. The Yanks won as much as they did this season because of their superior bullpen. Rivera was overused during the season (and showed it in the division series), and the Yanks will pay a price for it this time, against a Sox offence that goes deep into counts and will wear out a bullpen. That's the cold logical analysis.
The emotional analysis, oddly enough, favours the Yanks. Notwithstanding all of the above, somehow the Yanks always find a way to win and the Sox find a way to lose.
I chose the logic over emotion, but as we know, things don't always work out that way.
Logically, it seemed about as close to a saw-off as you can get. So I picked the Yankees, under very sound "when in doubt" principles.