Sunday, September 22, 2013

Oh those Indians !

Who dat ? Who has climbed into the Wild Card ?


The Clevelands have caught up to the Rangers, who while not quite in free fall, are certainly making it easier on those below them. The Rays had a pitching gem pitched last night, an 8 and a third game tossed by Mr. Cobb.


The Tribe had 7 shutout innings from reclamation project Scott Kazmir over the Astros, who really want the calender to move faster.



The schedule for them Indians is way too favorable, give them a week and they may have passes the Rays.  This might set up an interesting AL playoff match up as follows.


If the A's can catch Boston and have the best record, they would play the Tribe. Setting up the Tigers and Sox, in a real pick'em series.  Tiger pitching I think would prevail. If Sox and Tribe win, it sets up Francona against his old team.

Watch the Tribe in the last 8-9 games, and just so I can say I said so, there is a chance of a 3 way chance of a tie in the AL Wild card, and NL Central, if the Cards falter. 

I see the Cards winning outright, and the Pirates hosting a one game playoff with the Reds, the other races are done, and they are setting up rotations and will rest veterans with the call ups.

After the Indians and Eric Bedard finish off the Astros, they get the sad sack White Sox, who are destined for the laundry, as there sox are dirty.

After a deuce with Chicago, they finish with the Twins, the 2nd worst record. 

Here come the Tribe.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

September or Bust


For most teams, the season final few days represents a chance to show coaches and scouts that they belong.

A base hit beaten out, that extra stretch to get to first, or reach that fly ball. Some rookies get forgotten, some leave the fall with a chance, a chance to impress. They hope the tape shows they have some promise.

Their winter will be a long cold winter in wait.  Perhaps some team will tap them on the shoulder and whisper "winter ball".  That chance to fly to Arizona, South America, to extend their dreams awhile longer.

Some winters there is no call, and they train, the work themselves in hope to get a spring opportunity. Work hard a coach says, "I will coach, and they bust their butts from October to February, maybe the phone will ring for them. 

Some old players simply hope to get a gig in Winter Ball to show the scouts they have something left to give. Some power, some quickness, some skill. They learned to conquer the inside pitch, and can make the throw to the plate.  Some just want the season not to end.

The dreamers are many, and the ones who enjoy the free beer, the beaches, the sights, and the adulation of fervent fans in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia and Mexico.



For the rest of us, it's just a bloody cold winter.

October baseball is an exclusive club, full of high expectations, crowded parks, cool nights, and cameras in faces. The images broadcast around the world.  Nothing wrong with that, any players dream to play deep into October.


Scouts and coaches will break down the film and decide if certain players need winter ball to develop skills.

And some will settle for 3 months of training, somewhere in the sun where they can prepare for next spring. Life will renew itself, as it always does.

And others will lay on the beach wishing it was them, and just dream.





Friday, September 20, 2013

They're at the final turn...

Time to celebrate.

In Boston, they made the post season after finishing last...last.

In Dodgertown...they won the NL West, and celebrated in the Zona outfield pool.

Soon the Tigers will be next, and Atheltics and Braves.

The Cards, Reds and Pirates I think will all make it, but the Nationals still have a shot.



Teams still to decide are the Rays, the Rangers, and the hopefuls, the Orioles, Yankees, Indians and the Royals. The Indians have the easiest schedule down the stretch, but are still chasing the Rays and Rangers.  I think one of the Rays or Rangers will falter, but no idea which. The Tribe I think will  be the recipient of good fortune and playing non contenders.




As the NFL begins, it means that the regular season is ending.  It may go down to the final week, I think the National League Central will depend on the Reds staying relevant. The Reds are really working to keep the Nats at bay, and to try and beat out the other Wild Card holder to get the 1 game at home.  Frankly, I think the Pirates will win the wild card if they don't win the division.

And it all comes down to key hits, and starting pitching, doesn't it ?


Too early to pick favorites, but Tigers, Red Sox and Dodgers are all top of my list, with the Cards in the mix with the pedigree of post season mojo.

2 weeks left, much can happen, but 6 AL Wild Card contenders, I'd bet that the herd will culled down to 3-4 after next week, if that.

A Ranger and Rays win streak will eliminate the Yanks, Royals and O's, as mentioned I think the Tribe will battle to the end.





Monday, September 2, 2013

Tight Races

Races are close, so tight its like a big pile up.

Cards keep fighting with the Pirates and Red Sox and the Rays war on into September.  30 days and roughly 25 games, praying for good weather.
Hoping in tight races that the other guy gets rained out, and gets double headers.


Twins have dealt off some usable pieces, but as you can see, they keep the faith. They enter the month on a youth movement. Other than Mauer, you are hard pressed to recognize their players.
However, like the photo, its fun to watch the young players. They are tight. Okay, nuff said.

Jays are largely doing the same thing.  Edwin and Reyes play on, but they have kids in many spots, but oh I like the Twins.

 
After watching the races today, we see the races tighten more, The Cards win, the Rays as well and so another day off the schedule.

So much fun in September.

As Septmber rolls in

As September appears on the horizon, a few teams continue to scramble for able bodies, and teams ready to call up players for extended try outs, the game reaches it's final push.


Old vets push for one more month, young players try and make their mark. That is the Babe at the far left end of the Red Sox dugout step.



Baseball is ready for celebrations in September, emotional wins against immense odds. Teams win all year long yet September wins, walk offs seem bigger. Teams celebrate each and every win.

Them Pirates , will they hang on, they added Morneau, who will give them a vet in the dugout, someone who has been through tough Septembers, they have a young stud in McCutcheon and a pitching to finish.

Check back in a few days.