St. Louis v/s Atlanta: Lohse (16-3, 2.86) v/s Medlen (10-1, 1.57)...

You could almost call this a gimme by the numbers since St. Louis has a losing record on the road (38-43), and Atlanta has won 24 straight when Medlen pitches (nice record). Plus, Atlanta is not too shabby at home (48-33). BUT! this is a one game playoff. Think of it as Game 7 - Win, you move on. Lose, you go home hating the Wild Card format.

What's your call?

Braves all the way.

Well, here we are... The Wild Card games played out (Cardinals). The best thing to come out of the Wild Card game? MLB Winter meetings will have a rule 'enhancement' on the agenda. How do you call a pop up over 200 feet away from home plate an infield fly?

So, moving on, the Cardinals gave one away to the Nats and Reds are playing like they want to win it all. Even die hard Reds fans were impressed with Arroyo last night! We'll know for sure by Friday night. But good money is being bet on the Reds to advance and even money with the Nats/Cardinals.

Will the Cardinals grab their magic again? Will the Nats keep reaching for the stars? Can the Giants wake up in time or will the Reds just sweep them under the rug?

I'm hoping the Reds can keep it going. They have certainly looked impressive the first two games.

I know this goes against my usual stance of positivity - however it is professional so that changes things - I figured it was only a matter of time until the Braves crashed before winning the World Series, as always - I also wasn't surprised the Cards beat them in the one-game playoff (I think this needs to be tweaked somehow - maybe 2 or 3) -
HOWEVER - that infield fly rule call was the worst I have seen in my 60 years of baseball - Hey I have been tossed from games for arguing much less -

Understood about the format. Thank goodness it is only this year and done... There are more than a couple managers/executives who did not want to see this format. MLB/MLBPA agreed to it this one year because TV deals were already locked in before they approved Wild Card. It will change next year. This 2-3 format with the visiting team gets the first 2 games is for the birds (and I don't mean the Orioles).

And yep - that was a pretty blatant miss. I expect to see a rules 'enhancement' approved this winter. Something along the lines of defining how far in the outfield is considered 'normal effort'... A 220 ft infield fly?!! Wow! there will be discussions during the winter meetings over that one.

Now, let's break out the brooms and look for a Reds Sweep tomorrow!

the SS took 15 strides into left field - not back-peddling baby steps - 15 strides and still didn't get to the ball - terrible but the Braves had their chances ---

havefunkc - sorry about your Reds --- really thought they would pull it out in the bottom of the 9th ---

WVAPPeer wrote:havefunkc - sorry about your Reds --- really thought they would pull it out in the bottom of the 9th ---

What a tremendous disappointment.

Unfortunately, I called this Tuesday night after they wasted Bailey's gem in the 10th. Still hard to take though. I really think the Cards are going to win it all again. And I can't stomach the thoughts of watching that happen again.

appst89 wrote:

WVAPPeer wrote:havefunkc - sorry about your Reds --- really thought they would pull it out in the bottom of the 9th ---

What a tremendous disappointment.

Unfortunately, I called this Tuesday night after they wasted Bailey's gem in the 10th. Still hard to take though. I really think the Cards are going to win it all again. And I can't stomach the thoughts of watching that happen again.

Back in the old days I used to like the Giants - once they made Barry Bonds the face of the organization I have despised them since ---

WHAT AN AB BY JASON WERTH --- WOW!!!

GREAT TO SEE SOME HAPPINESS IN OUR NATIONS CAPITOL !!!

"Back in the old days I used to like the Giants - once they made Barry Bonds the face of the organization I have despised them since ---"

I have liked the Giants ever since my youth when Mays, McCovey, Marichal, and Hal Lanier (Denton native) played for them. I did not think they could pull this series out when they lost the first two at home rather convincingly. Buster Posey is really coming up big for the Giants. He has had a heck of a comeback from that devastating injury last year. Their hitting still concerns me though.

eggers76 wrote:"Back in the old days I used to like the Giants - once they made Barry Bonds the face of the organization I have despised them since ---"

I have liked the Giants ever since my youth when Mays, McCovey, Marichal, and Hal Lanier (Denton native) played for them. I did not think they could pull this series out when they lost the first two at home rather convincingly. Buster Posey is really coming up big for the Giants. He has had a heck of a comeback from that devastating injury last year. Their hitting still concerns me though.

yep - back in the day - also Jim Ray Hart - Willie and Al Kaline my favorite 2 players - Loved McCovey's big swing - woulda hated to have to bat against Marichal or as John Roseboro might say - he hated having Marichal taking a bat to his head --- it will take time for me to forget Barry Bonds and the Giants ---