Category: MLB (Page 305 of 448)

      Rays to face Phillies in 2008 World Series

      October 19, 2008 /

      Matt GarzaWith their 3-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Game 7 Sunday night, the Tampa Bay Rays are going to the World Series for the first time in the history of their franchise.

      There was no choke from the bullpen this time as reliever David Price struck out J.D. Drew with the bases loaded to end the top of the eighth, then (after putting the first guy on) retired the BoSox in the ninth. Starter Matt Garza was amazing for Tampa, limiting Boston to just one run on two hits. It was the second time he baffled the Red Sox this series, holding them to just two runs in 13 innings.

      I’ll take full credit/blame for Tampa Bay’s victory. I wrote after Boston’s Game 6 victory that the Red Sox were a virtual lock to head to the World Series. As I wrote in that post, I wasn’t necessarily rooting against the Red Sox, but I appreciate how the Rays built their team over the year. They’ve done it with youth and through their farm system and they should be commended for doing so in a league that sometimes rewards teams for being able to spend the most money.

      A Tampa-Philadelphia World Series certainly isn’t the most glamorous matchup the postseason could have produced (and it’s no doubt killing the TV networks), but the Rays were the story of the year and it’ll be exciting to see if they can cap this amazing season off by winning a championship.

      MLB

      Red Sox will complete the comeback now

      October 19, 2008 /

      The Boston Red Sox are going to the World Series. There’s just no doubt about it. And yes, this isn’t a misprint; they still need one more victory in Game 7 to officially close out the Tampa Bay Rays.

      But after their 4-2 win in Game 6 and their dramatic come-from-behind win in Game 5, is there any doubt in anyone else’s mind that the BoSox are heading back to the World Series?

      Boston has all the momentum and postseason experience to close the Rays out. Tampa has had two opportunities (none bigger than when they led 7-0 in the top of the seventh in Game 5) to put the nail in the coffin and they couldn’t do it. What makes anyone thing they’ll do it Sunday night against Jon Lester? What, because they absolutely hammered Lester in Game 3? Because Matt Garza has been the rock of the rotation outside of Scott Kazmir? None of that matters when your back is against the wall and you have to fight your way out of a hole. (And make no mistake about it – the Rays are in a hole. Even though the series is tied, they’ve lost all the momentum after their Game 5 loss.)

      As a neutral fan, I’d love to see the Rays win. I’d rather see the club that built their team through the draft and farm system go to the WS than the one that bid over $51 million just to talk to a pitcher, than another $52 million just to sign him. Not that Boston doesn’t, but Tampa deserves to play for a championship after being the doormats in the AL East since their existence. But Boston did it to the Yankees, then again last year to the Indians and now they’ll do it against the Rays. They’ll complete their comeback and face the Philadelphia Phillies in this year’s Fall Classic. There’s no doubt about it.

      MLB

      Pitt to star in “Moneyball” movie

      October 18, 2008 /

      Life is good if Brad Pitt is rumored to be playing you in a major motion picture. Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane must be smiling today as the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that a project is “being developed” for Pitt to play him in a movie based on “Moneyball,” a book depicting Beane’s method of running the A’s in the 2002 season.

      Humorously, Beane commented on similarities between Pitt and himself:

      “I think it has really come down to the common denominator that we both have twins,” said Beane, whose wife, Tara, gave birth to a boy and girl in January.

      The rights to the best-selling book were purchased by Columbia Pictures in 2004. Oscar award-winning actor Robert Duvall is under consideration to play Art Howe, who was the A’s manager at that time.

      MLB, Rumors & Gossip, Television

      Couch Potato Alert: 10/17

      October 17, 2008 /

      Ohio State vs. Michigan State
      Ohio State cannot afford to look past the Spartans this week in anticipation of their game against Penn State on October 25th. The Buckeyes will be back in the national title chase if they win their next two games, and who would have predicted that after their loss to Southern Cal? Michigan State has the ultimate workhorse Javon Ringer, an Ohio native that leads the nation in rushing with 1,112 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. He has quietly become a viable Heisman Trophy candidate. Regional coverage will begin Saturday at 3:30 PM ET on the ABC/ESPN family of networks.

      Missouri vs. Texas
      Texas is No. 1 in the polls during the regular season for the first time since 1984. But coach Mack Brown can remind his players that the 1984 squad went on to lose four of their last five games to finish 7-4-1 and out of the national title hunt. History is working against Missouri, as the Tigers are 0-10 lifetime vs. No.1 teams, and are winless in Austin since 1896. That’s right…1896. This game pits Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel trying to re-establish himself in the Heisman race against Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy, who some believe is the Heisman front-runner. National coverage will begin Saturday at 8 PM ET on ABC.

      Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
      Baseball fans have been lulled to sleep this post-season by uninspiring play, with no series going one game beyond the required number. And with nine outs remaining, Tampa’s bullpen fell apart and blew a seven-run lead in an 8-7 loss to the Boston Red Sox in Game Five. We now have a series to watch. The never give-up Red Sox could force a Game Seven if struggling post-season ace Josh Beckett can muster a victory against James Shields in Tampa Bay. Game Six will begin Saturday at 8 PM ET and if necessary Game Seven will begin Sunday at 8 PM ET. Both games can be seen on TBS.

      Bullz-Eye Sports Channel, College Football, Couch Potato Alert, MLB, Television

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