InGameNow

Ranking October’s Pitching Staffs

September 30th, 2008 | By Sean Finerty Posted in MLB

Pitching wins championships. Period. Nothing’s more important than the guy toeing the rubber - if he’s off, your team heads to clubhouse along with the Yankees and Mets. If he’s throwing gems, get your finger sized. So with that in mind, here’s how we rank the pitching staff for each team in the playoffs:

8. Chicago White Sox/Minnesota Twins

While we’re still waiting to see which team will emerge as the AL Central Champs, we do know that either team will boast the weakest rotation in October. That’s what happens when nearly every pitcher has double-digit losses. For the White Sox, Mark Buehrle is a nice pitcher, but he’s no ace. The rest of the rotation is a far cry from the 2005 White Sox that steamrolled through the postseason. The Twins? They’ve got Francisco Liriano and…um…uh…is Brad Radke still around? But seriously, they might as well throw Radke when they have to rely on guys like Nick Blackburn (11-10, 4.14 ERA) and Kevin Slowey (12-11, 3.99 ERA).

7.  Philadelphia Phillies

How did Philly make the playoffs?  Oh yeah, the Mets blew the last week of the season.  Jamie Moyer is solid, posting a 16-7 record this year.  After that, things get very weak.  Hamels (14-10) and Kendrick (11-9) are not going to carry the the Phillies very far.  Worse, should this team make it to the NL championship, they will have to rely on Brett Myers as their 4th starter.  It is bad news when your 4th guy is 10-13 with a 4.55 ERA.

6. Los Angeles Dodgers

Is Manny Ramirez pitching? Seriously though - Derek Lowe is the #1 pitcher in baseball over the last several weeks winning six of his last eight starts and only losing to the Brewers (one run through eight innings) and the Nationals (two runs over eight innings). He is baseball’s best pitcher in that period and no one knows it. But after Lowe - who is proven in October - the lineup is sketchy. Maddux is awesome… if this was 1998. And Billingsly lost three of his last four starts - including to the Giants and Rockies. So it really does all come down to Manny Ramirez and his bat.

5. Tampa Bay Rays

The talent the Rays bring to the postseason rotation is second to none.  But, obviously, it’s the lack of experience that makes this bunch a huge question mark.  We all know Scott Kazmir, James Shields, and Matt Garza can get boatload of strikeouts, with 454 K’s between them in 552 combined IP.  But it’s the IP that’s the problem - we know Shields can go deep into games, contributing 215 innings to that combined total, but both Kazmir (152.1) and Garza (184.2) are less effective.  The inability of guys like Kazmir and Garza to go deep into games past the 5th or 6th innings means a lot of stress on a bullpen that’s not anything spectacular to begin with.

4.  Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers enter the postseason with perhaps the hottest man on the planet in C.C. Sabathia. Sabathia picked up a very impressive 11 wins since moving to Milwaukee to go along with 128 K’s and a 1.65 ERA. The Brew Crew doesn’t let up from there when they throw their second ace, Ben Sheets (13-9, 3.08 ERA).  As if that wasn’t scary enough, phenom Yovani Gallardo made his return to the rotation last thursday against Pittsburgh, throwing 4 innings and picking up 7 punchouts with just 1 earned run.

3. Boston Red Sox

I would rank the Red Sox #1 if this was posted before Josh Beckett’s strained oblique muscle… which really pins the Sox in tough position. But here is why you would rather have the Sox rotation than any other: they have been there and done it. Would you rather have a bunch of first-time playoff guys? Obviously not. You want Jon Lester - who was clinched the Red Sox World Series last year and had a remarkable year. You want Mr. October Josh Beckett - who is a new man come October 1st. And you want Dice K - who will get 2nd in the Cy Young this year. And Wakefield adds versatility that no one else has: he can start, eat innings, go short rest, etc… because whe you throw 50 mph - your arm doesn’t get tired.

2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

When you’re talking one through five, the Angels have arguably the best rotation in all of baseball. But in a shortened series where you typically throw out just your top 3 guys, the Halos fall a shade short of the likes of the Chicago Cubs. Still, John Lackey has become one of the most dependable starting pitchers since winning Game 7 of the 2002 World Series as a rookie.  With Ervin Santana finally tapping into some of his potential and Joe Saunders pitching very effectively, the Angels still have one of the better staffs in October.

1.  Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have the best rotation in baseball.  Ryan Dempster (17-6, 2.96 ERA), Carlos Zambrano (14-6, 3.91 ERA), Rich Harden (5-1 1.77 ERA), and Ted Lilly (17-9, 4.09 ERA) stack up better than any other team’s starting 4.  The Cubs starters have a combined 53-22 record, puting them 31 games over .500!   Harden was an excellent aquisition, allowing the team to keep a 4 man rotation throughout the playoffs.  Due to mid-season injurys, Zambrano’s numbers are a poor indicator of just how dominating he is right now.  Dempster and Lilly rank 12th and 15th in strikeouts in the entire MLB.  The Cubs have the starting pitching to end their 100 year drought.

Lane Kiffin Fired

September 30th, 2008 | By Jack Newhouse Posted in NFL

The Oakland Raiders dropped Lane Kiffin today. 

This should surprise no one.  He was 5-15 in his time under Al Davis.

Oakland is going to try and scumbag Kiffin out of the remainder of his contract.

Ouch!!!!

Doesn’t really matter who the coach is.  Oakland sucks!

Getting ready for the MLB playoffs

September 30th, 2008 | By Giovanni Albanese Posted in MLB

The playoffs are here. After beginning the season in March in Japan between the defending champion Boston Red Sox versus the Oakland Athletics and stretching all the way to September 29 between the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers. Everyone has now completed 162 games. In fact, game 163 is necessary for both the White Sox and Twins to decide the final American League participant in the postseason (a postseason that doesn’t include the New York Yankees for the first time since 1993).

This playoff includes four new teams — Tampa Bay, the AL Central representative, Milwaukee and Los Angeles Dodgers — and four returning teams from the 2007 season — Boston, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia.

So, who will represent the AL and NL in the World Series? Who will prevail as the World Series champion?

Not as simple as it seems, but here’s how it will happen, through the nonexpert brain I have.

In the ALDS, the matchups feature the two returning teams from the ‘07 postseason in an ALDS rematch, Boston and Los Angeles. Last year, the Red Sox held homefield advantage and rode that all the way through the playoffs to a World Series title, including a sweep of the Angels along the way. This year, the Angels have the advantage of homefield throughout the playoffs. And, while last year the Angels were facing injuries to derail their playoff chances, the Red Sox have injuries to key players on their roster this year. Not to mention the Angels obliterated the Sox in their season series. That said, the pitching matchups are great for the entire series. I envision this going five games, with the Angels winning 3-2.

The other series will see the Tampa Bay Rays and their 97-win club battling the winner of the Chicago White Sox - Minnesota Twins game on Tuesday evening. The winner of this game will leave the regular season — a 163-game regular season — with 89 wins. The Rays have a strong pitching staff, great defense and a lot of energy in their method of play. Both the White Sox and Twins have gone through many ebbs and flows throughout the season. And, while the White Sox and Twins having the experience edge over the Rays, their quality of team doesn’t match that of the Rays, at least not in 2008. The Rays will make this series look surprisingly simple, as if they’ve been here before. 3-1 the final series count.

In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers will make their first postseason appearance since the early 1980s. They will be matched up against the NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies. The Brewers pose a formiddable lineup and a superior pitching staff. The Phillies lineup is strong top to bottom and a decent pitching staff. It will be interesting to see whose weaker link will step up to help their team prevail in the series. With CC Sabathia pitching Game 2 and potentially a do-or-die Game 5 in the series, I don’t see any way the Brewers don’t advance into the NLCS. Brewers win 3-2.

The other series of the NL matches up two teams with rich history: the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs are the team to beat in the NL while the Dodgers won their weak NL West division. However, the Dodgers were beginning to heat up towards the end of the season with the addition of Manny Ramirez, whom they acquired via a trade with Boston on July 31. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, they got matched up with the team with the most depth and talent in the National League. Any other team and I would say the Dodgers advance; but this is the Cubs. Chicago boasts a better pitching staff, better defense, better bench, better lineup. Chicago wins this series, 3-1.

The ALCS then would matchup the 100-win Angels verse the inexperienced AL East champion-Rays. The Cindarella story will end for the Rays here as the Angels are too strong a team on both sides of the ball for them to succeed. A good subplot to this story will be Joe Maddon, disciple of the Mike Scoscia family tree of coaches, going head to head. Their style of play is the same and their teams are both athletic and have several ways to defeat you. However, the talent level on the Angels is far superior than that of the Rays. With the spotlight shining on the Rays, as odd as that sounds from a literal sense, they will crumble. Angels advance to their first World Series since 2002, prevailing 4-1.

In the NLCS, both representatives from the NL Central will face off. While the Brewers have a strong pitching staff, the injury to Ben Sheets makes them weaker. And while it’s the pitching staff that advanced them to the NLCS, that was only a best-of-five series where CC Sabathia got them two wins. To expect two wins on top of a potential two wins by CC seems too much of a task for the Brewers’ staff, especially with a lineup that puts the ball in play and forces you to play defense. The Cubs make it to the World Series for the first time in over 60 years, winning this series, 4-1.

And while the Billy Goat and Rally Monkey will be the talk of the town in the 2008 World Series, the play on the field will be what we all remember years down the road. The Angels and Cubs match up very well. Both teams have great starting pitching, good defense and strong hitters throughout the lineup. Both teams have great benches and managers who have been here before. The bullpens on each staff are reliable. What this will come down to is homefield advantage. The Angels, thanks to the classic All-Star-Game victory by the American League in mid July, will have that edge. Therefore, since the teams are a wash, I see the Angels playing their second 7-game World Series in this decade. They won the 2002 World Series against the San Francisco Giants in 7 games with the homefield advantage. In 2008, they will do the same, with the opponent from Chicago. L.A. Angels are your 2008 World Series champs, winning 4-3.

Guide to Jumping on the Chicago Cubs Bandwagon

September 30th, 2008 | By Jack Newhouse Posted in MLB

This post was co-wrote by our friends at The Ted Lilly Fan Club

Now, with the Cubs about to start this year’s MLB playoffs, we wanted to take a quick moment to welcome all you new Cubs fans and educate the good folks on how best to attach your fortunes to the Cubs Bandwagon.

First thing’s first: safety is paramount here. If you’re going to jump on the bandwagon, please be sure to watch your footing, grab the handrails for support and look both ways before crossing the street. Seriously, we are not kidding here. Wrigleyville will be the drunk driving capitol of the country this month.

Next, we need you to brush up on some Cubs background information in advance of the playoffs:

Wrigley Field: This one is pretty easy but Wrigley Field is the home of the Cubs and considered a baseball shrine—just be sure to head the tragic tale of NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon who mistakenly called it Wrigley Stadium. But, honestly, we can’t really blame Jeff—guy just turns left all day long.

History: Cubs have a long and storied history. Yes, people have made a lot of news about the 100-year curse, the Billy Goat and Steve Bartman but there are a number of other important historical tidbits to know. An example: Tinkers Evers Chance is NOT a Chicago-based law firm nor the name of your neighbor that graduated from Williams. It actually refers to Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers and Frank Chance who were all part of the Cubs’ World Series winning teams in 1907 and 1908.

Bartman: A failed abortion that single handily ruined our teams chances against the Marlins in 2003. Never, ever, ever, never say his name in the Friendly Confines. If you hear his name this month, think of what it is like to put tin foil in your mouth. Simply make that face, and say nothing. Cubs fans will understand.

We also have a number of traditions and rituals that you should know about before the playoffs start.

First, we throw the ball back onto the field if the opposing team hits a home run so, if John Q Dodger hits a HR and you catch it, don’t take the ball and try to sell it on Craig’s List: LA. Throw it back or we’ll tear your heart out of your listless soul. We’re serious, we’ve recently developed a machine to do this and, yes, it does run on perpetual motion.

Second, Despite the large, quasi-obnoxious Budweiser roof top, we are an Old Style town so be prepared to throw down a few bucks for a quasi-tasty, quasi-not macrobrew. And, no one but creepy old guys who belong on “To Catch a Predator” buy the mai tais at Wrigley.

However, like U.S. Ryder Cup team proved this month, history means a whole lot of nothing (quick note: American Ryder Cup wives were sooooooo much better looking than the Euro counterparts).

Cubs Roster:In this period of globalism, the Chicago Cubs roster reflects the spirit of the world (truth be told, we ripped off that language from Chicago’s application for the 2016 Olympics). We have a French contingent, some Creole mix and representatives from Latin American. We have a mix of old and new; power and style and a wonderful love for the game. The Glue? A Six-Foot Tall Crafty Veteran from Torrance, CA

Celebrity Factor:You’ll see plenty of celebrities at Wrigley this time of year, both good and bad. You see, the Cubs in the playoffs attracts attention hungry B list Chicago quasi native actors/actresses to Wrigley like teenage girls to a Hannah Montana album signing. For the sake of order, if you see Seth Meyer at Wrigley please do not ask him to sign your DVD of Journey to the Center of the Earth. Sorry kids, going to Northwestern doesn’t mean you’re a Chicagoan… looking at you Zach Braff.

But not all celebrity sitings are bad, odds are you’ll see someone like Joe Mantegna or Dennis Franz at the ball park buying a hot dog and old style. Feel free to purchase that for them and tell them you loved Bleacher Bums. As for Eddie Veddar’s new Cubs song? We’re not going to address that yet–we’re still upset at Pearl Jam for their “Binaural” CD…

Wrigleyville Neighborhood: What you need to know about Wrigleyville can be summed up in one word: fratastic. So be sure to bust our your favorite visor or Cubs hat (to be worn backwards), your Sigma Chi Barn Dance T-Shirt and a pair of cut off camo shorts and you’ll fit in fine at any of the local bars like the Cubby Bear, Casey Morans or Murphy’s Bleachers (our pregame fav). Whatever you do, make sure to check out the waitresses at Moe’s Cantina!

So your MLB team didn’t make the playoffs… now what?

September 29th, 2008 | By Dan Posted in Uncategorized

It’s that time of year again. Your team put in a valiant effort to the end, or sucked balls all season, either way they’re not going to the playoffs. And neither are you. So now what do you do with your October?

10. Well if you’re a New York Yankees fan you can always buck up and root for the cross town Mets in a show of New York solidarity… oh wait…

9. You can take up knitting. Crochet is really a big turn on with the ladies. They love it when men are domestic.

8. You can switch to rooting for your local NFL team. Unless you live in the following municipalities:
-Los Angeles
-Oakland
-St. Louis
-Detroit
-San Francisco
-Kansas City
-Houston
-Cincinnati
-Miami
To root for your NFL teams at this point is just going to make you hate life more than you already do.

7. Start planning your Halloween costume. It’s never too early to visit one of those SPIRIT stores that pop up every October and pick yourself up a nice Hannibal Lecter costume. You can even get creative and dress up in it while calling your team’s GM threatening to eat his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti if he doesn’t use the offseason buy a bullpen that actually knows how to pitch a baseball.

6. You can start rooting for your favorite NCAA team. However be aware that if they’re in the top 25 odds are they’ll be upset by some no name school in some “sure thing” game and you’ll be back to square one all over again.

5. You can find your nearest Cubs fan and ask him or her what they use to deal with disappointing Octobers year after year. They should be able to point you in the direction of a “reputable” dealer.

4. You could always use your new found free time and the money you saved on those pesky playoff tickets to help the less fortunate… pffft, like you’d do that with your time.

3. Use the extra money you saved on tickets to buy your significant other a nice negligee. Now that’s more like it! Nothing like a little extra curricular activity to take the mind off your pain. Just make sure Baseball Tonight isn’t on the TV when you’re on the couch doing the nasty, it may ruin the mood.

2. Fatten your ass up and hibernate until the spring. It works for bears, why shouldn’t it work for you?

1. Root for the the Cubs and Red Sox to meet in the series. The gates of hell will open and devour us all when the Cubs and Sox face each other in the Fall Classic. Then you won’t have to deal with the rest of October. Or the rest of your pitiful life rooting for your pathetic team that didn’t make the playoffs this year, and let’s face it, won’t make them next year or the year after or the year after….

Top Ten Running Backs, After week 4 (By Rushing Yards)

September 29th, 2008 | By John Griffith Posted in Uncategorized

The NFL has been underway for a little while now, and everyone knows that in order to be a playoff team, you have to be able to grind it out on the ground.  With that in mind, who are the top ten running backs of the season so far, by efficiency.  We will examine these ten, and exactly what they mean to their teams.

10.  Marion Barber-  Marion the Barbarian, he is finally getting his chance to be an every down back and he is showing that he is worth it every time they call his number.  Its amazing that he gets the type of yardage that he does, considering the amount of weapons that the Cowboys have on offense.  Marion is the driving force behind the cowboys attack and he just as hard as anyone in the league.  Barber has 311 yards on the season.

9.  Julius Jones-  This is a little Ironic considering that he was a Cowboy just last season, but he is now in Seattle and he is having quite the season thus far.  JJ seems to fit well into the scheme, and is thriving as an every down back.  The Seahwaks have struggled early, but behind Julius Jones, they should make the playoffs this year.  Jones has rushed for 312 yards on the season. 

8.  Earnest Graham-  The Bucs running back is having a very efficient year thus far and Tampa Bay is sitting nicley with a 3-1 record.  Graham runs with passion and the Bucs are finding ways to win football games in the NFL.  If Graham keeps running this way, look to see The Bucs win the NFC South.

7.  Chris Johnson-  This Rookie is playing like a veteran this season, and has the second most total rushing yards by a rookie so far this season.  Tennessee is undefeated, and Johnson is the motor that keeps their offense running.  He is quick, deceptive, and just finds a way to get yards.  So lets give some appreciation to on of two rookies on the list, well done Mr.  Johnson.  Johnson has 337 rushing yards on the season.

6.  Matt Forte-  The Top Rookie on the list is Mr.  Forte, out of Tulane.  Just by watching him run the ball, you would think that he has been in the NFL for at least 2-3 years now, but yes as surprising as it is, he is just a rookie.  The Bears are relying on their rushing attack this season, and are currently sitting at 500 with a 2-2 record.  Forte has 347 rushing yards on the season.

5.  Clinton Portis-  Clinton Portis has been a top rated back in the league for a few years now, and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.  Portis is a nightmare for defenses around the leauge, and since Jason Campbell has been playing well, the Skins are right in the hunt in the NFC East.  If the Redskins do make the playoffs, Portis will be the main reason why they do.  Portis has rushed for 369 yards on the seson.

4.  Frank Gore-  How about the 49ers this season?  They are playing some pretty good football, and the running attack is squarley on broad shoulders on tailback Frank Gore.  He is proving to be one of the top backs in the league and he is running like it this season.  Gore has also rushed for 369 yards on the season.

3.  Larry Johnson-  This back has torn up  defenses since he graduated from Penn State, and needs no introduction.  Larry Johnson is a staple and someone that can be counted on by fans year in and out.  The Cheifs may not be the best team in the NFL but Johnson could be the best back, and if anyone can turn a season around it is Larry Johnson.  Johnson has rushed for 415 yards on the season.

2.  Adrian Peterson-  This is my personal pick for the best back in the NFL.  He has the total package, and displays it on almost every sunday.  The rare combination of speed and power is why this young back finds himself with the second most rushing yards in the NFL so far.  Peterson is the most valubale player on his team, and even though they are sitting at 1-3, give the ball to Peterson and anything can happen.  Peterson has rushed for 420 yards on the season.

1.  Michael Turner-  The running back with the most rushing yards so far this young season belongs to Michael Turner.  This Dirty Bird rusher is why the Falcons have won two games with a rookie at QB.  Turner in his 5th year out of Northern Illinois, is leading the NFL in yards, and running like he wants no one to catch up.  He has been mega for the Falcons, and he might just be able to run Atlanta into the playoffs this season if he keeps getting the ball.  Turner has rushed for 422 yards this season.