“Michael Jackson, everybody wants to see how he looks in a uniform. With Michael Jordan, we tried that and that don’t work either. It’s true. If you don’t win, you’re not going to bring anybody to the ballpark, I don’t care who you [sign].”
–Ozzie Guillen about putting Michael Jackson in a White Sox uniform for some strange reason (Chicago Sun-Times).
What’s that famous Chicago saying (about the Cubs): There’s always next year. That’s how Cardinal Fan’s are feeling after the last 2 seasons. Everyone is down due to a combination of the loss to the Astros and the demolition of Busch Stadium. What can you do though?
The World Series this year should be interesting for a few reasons. First, there aren’t a group of huge sluggers. Last year, there was Manny, Ortiz, Pujols, Edmonds, Walker amoung others. This year there is Paul Konerko and Lance Berkman. Secondly, we are going to have some of the best pitching match ups in recent history. The top 3 for each team have been great this year, and even better in the post-season. Next, these 2 teams were not supposed to be in the playoffs at the beginning of the season, let alone in the World Series. Lastly, none of the “Big Teams” (Yankees, Red Sox, Braves, Cardinals, etc) are left playing. It will be interesting to see how the public responds.
The Rumors
Manny Ramirez has not requested a trade (yet), but he said he would like to go to the Indians or the Angels…The Red Sox have offered Ramirez to the Mets for Carlos Beltran; the Mets are not high on Ramirez’s list to play for…Paul Konerko’s father said the White Sox had all year to negotiate a contract extension with his son and did not attempt it; they are saying there will be no home town discount for the Sox…Ray King has asked the Cardinals to trade him since he didn’t appear in a post season game; King’s father died before the NLCS and he would have stayed with family if he knew he wasn’t pitching…David Wells has requested a trade to the West Coast since he wants to be near his home to end his career…
Manager Hot Seats: Orel Hershiser has been given permission to speak with the Dodgers about their open manager spot…Leo Mazzone is going to be the pitching coach for the Orioles and long time friend Sam Perlozzo; the Braves will received a low level prospect in return…Padres GM Kevin Towers has interviewed with the Diamondbacks about their GM spot…
The Series that Was:
Astros 4, Cardinals 2
This looked like the Cardinals of the World Series last year; the Cardinal bats just didn’t work. The Astros won with superior pitching (the Cardinals weren’t pitching horrible either) and timely hits. The Astros made the Cards pay for mistakes. Many thought that the Cardinals had a shot after Albert Pujols hit his mighty home run in Game 5, but Roy Oswalt, the series MVP, owned the Cards in Game 6.
White Sox 4, Angels 1
Another series where superior pitching dominated a quiet line up. Vladimir Guerrero only was able to get a handful of groundball hits. Part of the problem was the horrible travel schedule. The other problem was the Game 2-5 White Sox Starters all threw complete games. The starters actually got 133 of the 135 outs of the series.
The Series that Will Be:
The World Series
Game 1 – Saturday, Oct. 22 @ 8:00
Game 2 – Sunday, Oct. 23 @ 8:10
Game 3 – Tuesday, Oct. 25 @ 8:30
Game 4 – Wednesday, Oct. 26 @ 8:25
Game 5 – Thursday, Oct. 27 @ 8:25*
Game 6 – Saturday, Oct. 29 @ 7:55*
Game 7 – Sunday, Oct. 30 @ 7:55*
(* If necessary)
Starting Pitchers
(career record and ERA vs. opponent)
Astros: Roger Clemens (17-8, 3.34), Andy Pettitte (10-7, 4.28), Roy Oswalt (Never Faced), Brandon Backe (0-0, 4.15)
White Sox: Jose Contreras (Never Faced), Mark Buehrle (Never Faced), Jon Garland (Never Faced), Freddy Garcia (0-1, 3.38)
Edge: White Sox. The Game 4 starter for the White Sox is the difference maker.
Bullpens
Astros: Ezequiel Astacio, Mike Gallo, Brad Lidge (C), Chad Qualls, Wandy Rodriguez, Russ Springer, Dan Wheeler.
White Sox: Neal Cotts, Dustin Hermanson, Orlando Hernandez, Bobby Jenks (C), Damaso Marte, Cliff Politte, Luis Vizcaino.
Edge: Equal. The Astros have Lidge and most of the relievers have gotten work in the last few weeks. The White Sox have an overall better pen.
Line-Ups
(career average, HR, RBIs vs. opponent)
Astros:
Craig Biggio, 2B – .333, 1, 5
Willy Taveras, CF – Never Faced
Lance Berkman, LF – .250, 0, 0
Morgan Ensberg, 3B – Never Faced
Chris Burke, DH – Never Faced
Mike Lamb, 1B – .256, 0, 3
Jason Lane, RF – Never Faced
Adam Everett, SS – Never Faced
Brad Ausmus, C – .276, 2, 14
White Sox:
Scott Podsednik, LF – .289, 7, 18
Tadahito Iguchi, 2B – Never Faced
Jermaine Dye, RF – .315, 2, 8
Paul Konerko, 1B – .333, 2, 6
Carl Everett, DH – .237, 3, 7
Aaron Rowand, CF – Never Faced
AJ Pierzynski, C – .400, 0, 4
Joe Crede, 3B – Never Faced
Jose Uribe, SS – .292, 0, 1
Edge: White Sox. The Astros have Berkman, Biggio, and not much else. The White Sox have a more rounded team, and better defense.
Bench
Astros: Raul Chavez, Jeff Bagwell, Eric Bruntlett, Jose Vizcaino, Orlando Palmeiro.
White Sox: Chris Widger, Geoff Blum, Willie Harris, Pablo Ozuna, Timo Perez.
Edge: Astros. While Bagwell is a shell of his former self, he is still a good player. Palmeiro has World Series experience (Angels). Bruntlett is a good defensive replacement. The White Sox have very few guys who could affect the series (and have gotten very little playing time in the postseason).
Results – White Sox in 6. The Sox have the overall better team and are well rested.
AFL Update
Through 10/20/2005.
American Division Standings
1. Surprise Scorpions (9-4)
2. Mesa Solar Sox (5-8)
3. Peoria Saguaros (2-11)
National Division Standings
1. Phoenix Desert Dogs (10-4)
2. Peoria Javelinas (7-6)
3. Grand Canyon (7-7)
League Leaders
Avg – Brendan Harris (Saguaros) – .563
Runs – Stephen Drew (Desert Dogs) – 16
HRs – Brandon Wood (Scorpions) – 9
RBIs – Brandon Wood (Scorpions) – 21
SBs – Josh Anderson (Scorpions) – 5
Wins – Jonah Bayliss (Scorpions) – 3
Saves – Jim Miller (Javelinas), Casey Daigle (Desert Dogs), John Koronka (Solar Sox) – 2
ERA – Adam Loewen (Javelinas) – 0.00
Ks – Scott Mathieson – 22
Links
RotoChamps can take care of all your fantasy needs if they ever start to update it.
Dr Jay talks playoff baseball and talks A-Rod.
Phillip has more pre-season basektball.
Todd looks at fantasy football players.
Rev Sick has no love for Sean Gannon.
Patrick gets feedback on his little stunt.
Nickpreviewed last weeks football, and wrapped it up Monday.
The Forums
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