Major League Baseball Nlcs / Alcs Playoffs!

[Narachon]

Anyway, for those four or Five Baseball fans out there in Thaivisa land, it is now the Champisonship series of the American and National League teams this week, after the National and American Leauge division series playoffs ended last monday with LA beating New York in a Decisive Game 5 ( Ok, My Yankees have been eliminated from the playoffs.... I can write a long post about my feelings about that, but I'll spare you all )

I'm not so much into the series as last year, with the Yankees and the Red Sox, but hey, I'm a Baseball fan! I'm still all about the series!

In the ALCS....It's going to be a tough game between the Angels and the White Sox, they are basically National league type teams playing in the in the American League, with similar type of play. Things are going to get dicey though, especially after what happened in Game 2 of the ALCS playoffs.... Controvery with ( was switching between the St. Louis/ Astros game which some FOX Network TV programmer in their infinite wisdom decided to have the games aired at the same time... ) the Base Umpire's call was in question.... Home plate Umpire Eddings said he didn't call White Sox A.J. Pierzynski out? Strike three, but not out? Weird seeing all the position player of the Angels coming off the field, thinking the inning was over.... But the White Sox DID take advantage of the mess to win the game...

So...

ALCS Series tied 1-1

No Contoversy in the National ( Or "Normal" ) League Game 1 of the St. Louis / Astros matchup!

5-3

I actually like both these teams! But St. Louis is just going to overpower Houston in the long run, I'm afraid..

What is my prediction?

Cardinals( NLCS winners ) and White Sox ( ALCS winners ) for the world series!

Edited October 13, 2005 by Narachon

[Narachon]

Uhhhhh....Can some kindly Moderator / Admin be kind enough to fix my poll table....Please?

Thanks!

( I thought everything was in order..... )

The poll should look like this....

1 ) St. Louis Cardinals / Chicago White Sox

2) St. Louis Cardinals / Los Angeles Angels at Anahiem

3 ) Houston Astros / Chicago White Sox

4 ) Houston Astros / Los Angeles Angels at Anahiem

5 ) I don't really care, I'm not American and / or into Baseball.....Soccer ( "Football" ) is the only game for me!

Thanks!

[tuky]

Done mate. Let me know if it needs anymore tweaking!

[Khutan]

I have been a Sox fan ever since a member of my family took me to a game and he was supporting the team to beat the SOX. I bought the gear and the Sox won.

Sadly (for him) his team lost.

And yes you see me walking aroung BKK with a SOX shirt.

[doninusa]

crap. the rocket just got too much of the plate and the cards have tied it at 2 in the 6th. Go rockets. Perhaps the sox will be too much in the series however.

[Narachon]

And yes you see me walking aroung BKK with a SOX shirt.

And Which "SOX" is that?

The Red or the White?

I won't hold it against you if it is the former....

[Narachon]

crap.  the rocket just got too much of the plate and the cards have tied it at 2 in the 6th.  Go rockets.  Perhaps the sox will be too much in the series however.

Yeah, it was a double header of games today, NLCS and ALCS right afterwards ( on the same network, at that! )

Rocket did pretty good for six innings ( wish he was still with the Yanks! ) ...Made up for his blowing the game 7 of last years NLCS.... Clemens helped Houston win game 3 and take the 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series of the National League Championship Series!

Now They only need two more wins to reach the World series for the first time in the franchise's 44-year history! I admit , I thought that the Cardinals were gonna walk over Houston like they did last year! I already voted in the Poll that they would win the NLCS pennant....

It looks good for the Astros.....But if the Cards can win the rest of the Games....But that does not look like it will happen, with all their injuries on their Roster ( you see that spill that Cardinals left fielder Reggie Sanders took back in game two last thursday? )

Astros win over the St. Louis Cardinals , 4-3...

Now in the ALCS...

It certainly looks like it's "CHI - TIME" in Anaheim now!

Last night, Chicago5 - Angels 2

Today, 8 - 2

The White Sox just have the stronger bullpen... And great starting pitchers!

As for the Angels... It does not look too good for them now....

Where is the "Rally Monkey" when you need him...

Vladdie is the Angels "Go -To" Guy, but he hasn't been up to par during this series, unlike last weeks ALDS, unfortunately...

Another Double Header tomorrow....Game 5 of the ALCS, and Game 4 of the NLCS...I have to go to a fancy dinner Sunday afternoon, but I'm going to be bringing a portable TV ( also to see the New York Giants/ Dallas Cowboys football game too! ).

Looks like it's gonna be the White Sox winning tomorrow...

...And as for the Houston/ St. Louis game?

[Narachon]

Done mate. Let me know if it needs anymore tweaking!

Can you also get rid of the " · [ Standard ] · Linear+ " thing up there in the thread title?

Thanks!

[calibanjr.]

Done mate. Let me know if it needs anymore tweaking!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can you also get rid of the " · [ Standard ] · Linear+ " thing up there in the thread title?

Thanks!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm a Red Sox fan, satisfied that the Sox have won before I died (not the case for many) and I'm rooting for the White Sox. They play serious ball in all aspects of the game. I hate Roger (if you knew the Sox, you'd know why) I hate Tony Larussa, and the Angels won two years ago and it's a sh*t baseball (and sports) town amyway.

[markt]

I hope Chicago win it all, 1917 is a long time ago..............

Although remember, the Cubs were up 3-1 Vs. Florida in '03.

Edited October 16, 2005 by markt

[Narachon]

I guess It is going to be "CHI -TIME" starting now!

White Sox beat the Angels 6-3, thereby winning the ALCS, and getting the Pennant!

I think these guys haven't been to a World Series since the Eisenhower Administration!

I wonder what happened to the Angels?

Anyway, Congrats to Chicago, it has been a long time coming!

As for the other guys in the National leauge series....

I Missed the NLCS game earlier in the day....But I heard that the Astros won once again.. 2-1...

The Cardinals seem to have collapsed.......They are three games back now....Only team I know that came back from such a deficit to win a Champisonship series were the Re...Re...Those guys from Boston last year around this time.....And that was in the American League!

I heard Larussa was ejected tonight... I don't remember the last time a Manager was tossed out in a Postseason game...

I heard that even a Cardinal player, Jim Edmonds was thrown out of the game too, for arguing with the same ump!!

And I thought earlier in this series that St. Louis was going to go all the way...Oh well.. There will be a game tomorrow night...Possibly the last for the series, if Houston keeps their momentum....

So half of my predictions of the Poll came true....But ye have to wait until the last game of the NLCS to finish, so we can next go to the first game of the Fall Classic next Saturday.....

[sriracha john]

It's a SOX back to backer...

and it's only justice (not Dave) that the RED version won it all for the first time in a loooooong time last year and this year the WHITE version will win it all for the first time in a looooong time.

If they do, it will complete the circle and all will be right in the cosmos and the world will be a better place in which to live.

Go CHI TOWN!

Edited October 17, 2005 by sriracha john

[Storekeeper]

The pitching match ups for an Astros vs White Sox WS has the potential for a no hitter. Go AStros...I hope

[markt]

Chicago starting pitchers: four straight complete games in the ALCS.

It must be getting lonely in their bullpen...

[The_Moog]

Where can we see the World Series in Bangkok? (I don't have ESPN cable).

Witthayu Road, early Sukhumvit area?

[mrbojangles]

What's the difference between Baseball and Rounders

[Narachon]

What's the difference between Baseball and Rounders   

I have no idea, dude.

I never even heard of the thing until recently at this Forum.

Hey, Markt, can you "field" this one?

[Davey]

What's the difference between Baseball and Rounders   

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The 'pitchers' (as I believe they are called) otherwise known as the people who throw the ball, in rounders they bowl underarm, in baseball, they don't (I think). Also, you get paid a lot more if you're a baseball player as opposed to being a rounders 'player'

If there is something else which seperates these two 'sports' I would like to know

[markt]

Rounders. It is a childrens' game for both boys & girls. In children i mean up to the age of 10. After that the boys can play cricket, if they wish.

The bases, of which there are five i believe, are not bags but poles.

The bats are tiny, about the size of a baseball bats' handle, and made of wood.

The pitcher throws slow and underarm. If the batter swings and misses, they automatically get a walk to first base. The way to score a run, or a rounder, is to hit a home run. I think that is the only way a rounder can be scored, so i cannot see what the point of getting a walk to first, as when the runner reaches back home, the run doesn't count, as they never completed the bases in one full, non-stop circuit. ??

Also, i believe the game has many different rules and variations depending where it is played.

I suppose there is a website about it?

[markt]

I suppose there is a website about it?

Simplified Rules

Teams

Games shall be played between 2 teams.

A team consisting of a maximum of 15 players and a minimum of 6 of whom no more than 9 may be on the field at one time.

Batter

Wait in the backward area well away from 4th Post.

If out, wait in the backward area well away from 1st Post.

You will have one good ball bowled to you.

No Ball if:

Not smooth underarm action.

Ball is above head or below knee.

Ball bounces on way to you.

Is wide or straight at body.

The bowler's foot is outside the square during the bowling action.

You can take a normal run on a no ball, but once you reach 1st Post you cannot return. You score in the normal way.

Scoring

1 rounder if 4th Post reached and touched before next ball is bowled.

1 rounder if 4th Post reached on no ball (you cannot be caught out).

1/2 rounder if 4th Post reached without hitting the ball.

1/2 rounder if 2nd Post reached after hitting the ball (you stay at 1st whilst ball is in the backward area).

Penalty 1/2 rounder for an obstruction by a fielder.

Penalty 1/2 rounder for 2 consecutive no balls (to the same batter).

1 rounder for a backward hit if 4th Post reached (you stay at 1st whilst ball is in the backward area).

Out When

Caught.

Foot over front/back line of batting square before missing or hitting a good ball.

Running inside Post (unless obstructed).

The Post you are running to is stumped.

You lose contact with the post during bowler's action when he has possession in his square.

You overtake.

You obstruct (you have right of way on track only).

Running Around The Track - Please Carry The Bat

If you stop at a post you must keep contact with the Post, hand or bat. If you do not, the fielding side can stump the following Post to put you out.

You can run on to a post even if it has been previously stumped.

(You do not score if you do it on 4th Post).

When the bowler has the ball in his square, you cannot move on, but if you are between Posts, you can carry on to the next.

You cannot have two batters at a Post. The umpire will ask the first to run on when second one makes contact.

At a Post, you do not have to move on for every ball bowled.

You can move on as soon as the ball leaves the bowler's hand, this includes no balls.

You must touch 4th Post on getting home.

[Narachon]

Going back to Baseball...

Looks like the NLCS isn't over yet, even though Astros were one out to go to World Series.....Thanks to the Cardinals' Albert Pujols...

Who'd a thought?

Simply Incredible what he did!

The Astrodome was completely silent after the Cardinals won....Maybe they will be able to force a Game a 6 and to come back like the Red Sox last year inthe ALCS...

Well, it looks like it's back to St . Louis next wednesday!

[TRIPxCORE]

Pujols was quite impressive last night in keeping the Cardinals in it. Especially considering that Brad Lidge normally owns the Cards. I really don't want Houston to get in, I don't think they deserve it. They are really a sh*t team that can't hit at all. Their pitching is good I admit but a very one-dimensional team. Normally the Cards are my mortal enemy since I am a Cubs fan but I appreciate the good, fundemental baseball they play. So if I have to choose between the two teams left in the NL, I have to go with the Cards. That other Chicago team, the White Sox, are already in. Whoever makes it into the series with them I hope they kick their ass**.

[Storekeeper]

The Arizona Diamondbacks were very one dimensional when the won it all. And they really only had the two pitchers...Schilling and Johnson. So Houston should be ashamed if the can't get one win out of Oswalt and Clemens.

[TRIPxCORE]

I admire what Clemens is able to do at his age. Oswalt I do not like. I think he is just a little arrogant pri*k. Pettite has loads of experience which should benefit him and Lidge is a great closer. All their hitters suck. I don't even think Berkman is all that good.

[Narachon]

I admire what Clemens is able to do at his age.  Oswalt I do not like.  I think he is just a little arrogant pri*k.  Pettite has loads of experience which should benefit him and Lidge is a great closer.  All their hitters suck.  I don't even think Berkman is all that good.

If Cards starter for tonight Mark Mulder helps St. Louis force a game 7, The Rocket will be starting Tomorrow night. Ueah, I'm surprised he still has it at his age, but his age is showing.

Lidge was a great ace closer for the Astros...Well, before last monday night....

Look at his expression of disbelief in the above picture!

Anyway, we'll see how tonight's game goes......St. Louis has the momentum, and has done well at home games, plus Mulder does well at night and at home too.

But Oswalt is a really good pitcher - won like 20 games in the past two seasons, and has also done well playing the Cardinals home games...

I like the Astros, but I'm rooting for St. Louis in this series......

( On an unrelated note, Joe Giradi is now the new manager for the Florida Marlins? I heard the rumors that he was leaving the Yankees bench coach position for a new job in Florida, but I thought he was going to go to the Tampa Devil Rays.... )

[markt]

( On an unrelated note, Joe Giradi is now the new manager for the Florida Marlins? I heard the rumors that he was leaving the Yankees bench coach position for a new job in Florida, but I thought he was going to go to the Tampa Devil Rays.... )

Bold choice by Florida, seeing as Girardi has no managerial experience.

Also, another post-season miss by Tony LaRussa. He is now 4-7 in the LCS with Chicago, Oakland & St.Louis. - 1-3 in the WS.

Edited October 20, 2005 by markt

[dekestone]

I am here in Chicago on a two week leave from Thailand and this city is going nuts. Grew up on the south side and my dad and uncles were all Sox fans so this is really special. Tried to get tickets for games 1 and/or 2 thru the internet but of course pretty hopeless. The "ticket brokers" are asking for thousands, really outrageous.

Anyway, just being in the area, maybe a neighborhood bar, ought to be really special sat and Sun night.

[TRIPxCORE]

In unrelated news, can you believe that the Orioles were able to get Leo Mazzone away from the Braves where he has been for so long? IMO, he is the finest pitching coach in baseball today and I would love to have him on the Cubs. I can't believe he left like that.

[Narachon]

In unrelated news, can you believe that the Orioles were able to get Leo Mazzone away from the Braves where he has been for so long?  IMO, he is the finest pitching coach in baseball today and I would love to have him on the Cubs.  I can't believe he left like that. 

Yeah, The Yanks were also trying to get Mazzone to replace resently departed Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, but it seems that their talks ended witout an offer. Mazzone's contract with the Braves expires in November, I think , and I heard that the Orioles current manager, Sam Perlozzo, is a close friend of Mazzone's, so in the end, it was really no surprise he's going to Baltimore... Yeah, either that , or go back to Atlanta for the 17th year....

Me Yanks now need both a Bench coach AND a Pitching coach....

Maybe George can get Lee Mazzilli back, he's not doing anything since he was, errr..."replaced" by Mazzone last August...

Oh Well...

Anyway...Now, back to related news.....

Yes, if you haven't heard by now, the Houston Astros won game 6 of the National Leauge Championship Series...5-1

First time in their entire francise history (44years)....Congratulations to them!

I had predicted that the Cards would win, like last year, but I was wrong. Too bad, it was to be the last game played in the Cards stadium, before it is torn down..

The Astros Offense finally got to the level of their pitching......Speaking of Astros Pitching, even Pujols couldn't get any hits past Oswalt.....He did great, no wonder he got MVP....As for Mark Mulder, I wonder what happened? After retiring 6 hitters, His control just dissapeared....Oh Well, maybe he and the Cardinals just got tired...

Ok, now, we have two championship teams from the two leagues squaring off tomorrow....

( Too bad my Yankees are sitting this one out...Yet again... )

So at Chicago's Wireless Field for Game 1......

The American League Champions the Chicago White Sox play against...

The National Leauge Champions, Houston Astros..

Who will win the World Series?

Time to open up another Baseball Thread tomorrow......

It's going to be an interesting series!

( Thanks for everyone who voted in the poll, by the way, and if you didn't well, hey, what can I say, sorry this isn't yet another "Football" thread.. )