I love postseason baseball.
The city of Pittsburgh and PNC Park were center stage last night as the Pittsburgh Pirates got into the postseason, albeit a one-game wild card playoff game, against the Cincinnati Reds. The Pirates will be hanging ut much longer than just one game, after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 6-2. Marlon Byrd and Russell Martin homered twice and Marlon Byrd also connected long distance in the win. Francisco Liriano continued to shine at PNC Park. Liriano was 8-1 during the regular season this year, and was brilliant again last night, giving up just four hits and one run in seven innings of work before turning it over to the bullpen.
The Pirates are a great story:
Tonight, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Indians will meet in the AL Wild Card playoff game in Cleveland. The Indians will open up with 23-year-old Danny Salazar while 25-year-old Alex Cobb starts for the Rays. The Indians come into this series as the hottest team in baseball, having won their final 10 games in the regular season, outscoring their opponents 57-24. Understand, however, that the streak came against the Astros, White Sox, and Twins, three of the worst teams in baseball. Just saying. The Rays just keep on keeping on, behind their manager, Joe Maddon. Looking at the pitchers, Salazar is a hard thrower, who struck out 65 batters in 52 2/3 innings, and opponents only hit .226 against him. Cobb has been the Rays’ best pitcher, with an 11-3 record and a 2.76 ERA in 22 starts this season. He missed two months on the DL after getting hit in the head with a line drive. When he came back, he was 5-1 with a 2.41 ERA. Terry Francona has done a great job with the Indians this year, and it would be fun to see him return to Boston to manage against the Red Sox. However, I believe their season ends here against the Rays. These guys just win. I’ll go with Tampa Bay to advance to the next round.
Both NL division series will start on Thursday. The Pirates will be in St. Louis to take on the Cardinals, while the Atlanta Braves host the LA Dodgers. Game time in St. Louis is set for 5:00 pm, while the game in Atlanta is scheduled to start at 8:30. Game two of both these series will be the following day, on Friday at 1:00 pm in St. Louis and 6:00 pm in Atlanta. Both of the AL division series will start on Friday. The Tampa Bay Rays or the Cleveland Indians will be in Boston to take on the Red Sox, while the Detroit Tigers visit the Oakland A’s on Friday. The game in Boston will start at 3:00 pm, while the game in Oakland will get under way at 9:30 pm. Tomorrow, I will preview and give you my picks for all four series . . . Pirates-Cardinals, Tigers-A’s, Dodgers-Braves, and Rays-Red Sox.
Here is the complete post season schedule in MLB:
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: Russell Martin of the Pirates homered twice last night as the Pirates beat the Reds in the NL Wild Card playoff game. Who was the last catcher to hit two home runs in a postseason game? The answer comes later, alligator.
In other baseball news, more managers are in the news:
A tough decision looming for Fredi Gonzalez and the Braves:
In a story that I wish would just go away, Alex Rodriguez’ grievance hearing appealing his suspension got started yesterday:
Let’s go to the gridiron:
Here is this week’s schedule of games in the NFL.
More on the Dolphins:
Armando Salguero has more:
Here is the complete schedule for week 5 in the NFL:
Here are the game capsules and summaries from this week’s games in the NFL:
Week 4 NFL Capsules and Game Summaries
Week 4 NFL Capsules and Game Summaries
I ended this past week 3-4, both against the spread and straight up. Too many picks made with my heart, and not my head. Regardless, my season numbers so far are still very good: 16-10-2 against the spread, and 20-8 straight up.
Here’s ESPN’s NFL Nation Blog, with more news from all around the league:
Of course, we can all continue to sleep at night, knowing full well that Aaron Hernandez remains in jail, where he belongs.
In college football, the University of Miami Hurricanes are back on the practice field as they prepare to take on Georgia Tech this Saturday in their first ACC game this season. Kickoff is at 3:30 pm at the Seven-Names Stadium. You can watch the game on ESPN-U.
Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan have all the latest from Coral Gables:
FIU enjoyed a bye week this week, and their next game will be in Hattiesburg, on Saturday, October 5th, starting at 4:00 pm, against the Golden Eagles of Southern Mississippi. Could be the week they win a game? Southern Mississippi is favored to win by 16 points over the Panthers. No TV or Radio.
Here’s the latest from FIU, courtesy of David J. Neal:
Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and FSU:
From Gainesville and the University of Florida:
Here are the NCAA Football rankings for this week and they include Florida State (#8), Miami (#14), and Florida (#18).
Here is the complete schedule in College Football for week 6, including TV info:
In Miami Heat news, training camp is now open for business:
We’ve heard this before, but David Beckham is still trying to bring a MLS franchise back to Miami:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I’m selling three lots totaling a little over five acres in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, overlooking the New River, a quick 35-minute drive from Boone and Blowing Rock. Click here to see some photos and feel free to contact me if you have any questions:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: Russell Martin of the Pirates homered twice last night as the Pirates beat the Reds in the NL Wild Card playoff game. Who was the last catcher to hit two home runs in a postseason game?
Kelly Shoppach did it for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011. Another interesting stat: Martin became the first player to hit two home runs in a postseason game in Pittsburgh since Mickey Mantle back in 1960. Tell me again why the Yankees didn’t try to keep Martin after last season.
Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day.
No comments:
Post a Comment