It was really that huge trade in August of 2012 when the Boston Red Sox started to turn their luck around. They managed to get rid of several large contracts and free up enough financial space to rebuild for the near the future. Who knew that near future meant 2013.
After an abysmal 2012 and an off season of rebuilding which included hiring a new manager, the Sox managed to have a rebound 2013 season finishing first in the AL East with a 97-65 record. They then proceeded to clear through the ALDS beating out the Tampa Bay Rays in four games and then beating the Detroit Tigers in Six games in the ALCS. That lead them to the World Series.
They got a 3-2 series lead over the St. Louis Cardinals entering tonight and wanted to put it away in game six with the Fenway crowd cheering them on. They struck first in the 3rd inning with a three-run triple by Shane Victorino who had not had a hit in the series before that. Boston would then add three more runs in the 4th inning with Victorino hitting an RBI single. All six runs would be counted against Michael Wacha who had been a solid postseason starter until this point.
That was all the Sox would score but it was enough. John Lackey, the game six starter for Boston, only allowed one earned run in the 7th on an RBI single by Carlos Beltran. The bullpen would come in to finish the 7th and the game.
The game and the series would end with Sox closer Koji Uehara striking out Matt Carpenter. Boston wins the game 6-1 and takes the series 4-2. The Red Sox win their 8th World Series title in franchise history and clinch their first World Series title at home since 1918.
What an historic run for the Red Sox throughout this postseason and a great World Series to watch. Of course, David Ortiz was named the World Series MVP. No hitter was hotter during this series than Big Papi. This cements Ortiz's legacy in Boston further with this being his third World Series title with the team.
Congrats to the city of the Boston and the Red Sox organization on another world title. NOW LETS PARTY LIKE IT 1918!!!
Showing posts with label World Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Series. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Astros Win Opener and My Picks for the Season
The Baseball season is here at last. Finally I can out from winter hibernation.
The season began last night with an American League West match up between the Texas Rangers and the newest member of the AL, the Houston Astros. They might make less than Alex Rodriguez combined but they certainly know how to start the season off right. They were up 4-2 yesterday in the bottom of the 6th when Rick Ankiel managed to hit a three run home run to basically seal the victory for the 'stros. Houston wins their first game as part of the America League 8-2.
As for season predictions, lets stick with the AL West for a second and just say I fully expect the Angels to float away with it. The Rangers are weaker and the Angel's are stronger while the A's might challenge them for the top spot. Tommy Hanson might be more of an impact than Josh Hamilton's bat but that lineup is to be the one to fear now in the AL West.
Moving to the AL Central, how could you not pick the Detroit Tigers. They were impressive leading up to the World Series and it's not likely they won't manage to win the division. The team I'm watching, however, is the Indians. They started off well last season and then fell off the face of the earth. I would like to see if Terry Francona will be able to get this club back on pace.
The AL East, all the attention is going to the Toronto Blue Jays after scoring big at that clearance sale the Marlins were having. It might be them or the Rays but don't forget about the O's or the Yanks either. The O's will want to prove last year wasn't a fluke while the Yankees are, uh, well let's just say to never underestimate the Dark Side. Everyone but my Red Sox seems to have a fair shot at the division crown heading into the race. My pick is ultimately the Rays but their hitting has to come alive just enough in order for that to work. Great pitching may win titles but you still have to get to October first with fair hitting.
Moving to the National League East, all signs point to the Washington Nationals (that's right, the "Nationals") will take the division with Strasburg coming off the leash and Bryce Harper set for a sophomore year. The intrigue here, however, is with Atlanta and the arrival of the Upton brothers in the outfield. If their pitching comes through, they might be able to challenge the Nationals. Still picking Washington, however.
In the NL Central, I'm going bold in saying the Milwaukee Brewers will take the division. There has been no repeat winner in the division for a few years now and I think the Brewers could surprise some with Yovani Gallardo and Kyle Lohse in the Rotation. You can't sleep on St. Louis or Cincinnati but I'm going with Milwaukee.
Lastly, the NL West and who else am I going to pick besides the San Francisco Giants? Nobody. Go Giants!!!
Perhaps the Dodgers do present a challenge with Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke in their rotation but Kershaw is the only one there that is consistent. While Greinke will probably end up with an ERA around the 3's, the rest of the rotation is shaky. They can't be written off completely but they will likely be playing in the Wild Card playoff game.
As for my World Series picks, Rays over Giants. I love my Giants and seeing how they will themselves through the playoffs last year, I can't ignore them for another pennant. Plus they've played a season after winning a title before and are used to it. But I have a feeling about the Rays and their rotation. They'll be playing playoff type baseball all year round like the Giants usually do and they have a better rotation as well. Got to pick the Rays.
P.S. Don't kill me at the Park, Giants fans. Look at my Final Four picks: I'M WRONG ALL THE TIME!!!
The season began last night with an American League West match up between the Texas Rangers and the newest member of the AL, the Houston Astros. They might make less than Alex Rodriguez combined but they certainly know how to start the season off right. They were up 4-2 yesterday in the bottom of the 6th when Rick Ankiel managed to hit a three run home run to basically seal the victory for the 'stros. Houston wins their first game as part of the America League 8-2.
As for season predictions, lets stick with the AL West for a second and just say I fully expect the Angels to float away with it. The Rangers are weaker and the Angel's are stronger while the A's might challenge them for the top spot. Tommy Hanson might be more of an impact than Josh Hamilton's bat but that lineup is to be the one to fear now in the AL West.
Moving to the AL Central, how could you not pick the Detroit Tigers. They were impressive leading up to the World Series and it's not likely they won't manage to win the division. The team I'm watching, however, is the Indians. They started off well last season and then fell off the face of the earth. I would like to see if Terry Francona will be able to get this club back on pace.
The AL East, all the attention is going to the Toronto Blue Jays after scoring big at that clearance sale the Marlins were having. It might be them or the Rays but don't forget about the O's or the Yanks either. The O's will want to prove last year wasn't a fluke while the Yankees are, uh, well let's just say to never underestimate the Dark Side. Everyone but my Red Sox seems to have a fair shot at the division crown heading into the race. My pick is ultimately the Rays but their hitting has to come alive just enough in order for that to work. Great pitching may win titles but you still have to get to October first with fair hitting.
Moving to the National League East, all signs point to the Washington Nationals (that's right, the "Nationals") will take the division with Strasburg coming off the leash and Bryce Harper set for a sophomore year. The intrigue here, however, is with Atlanta and the arrival of the Upton brothers in the outfield. If their pitching comes through, they might be able to challenge the Nationals. Still picking Washington, however.
In the NL Central, I'm going bold in saying the Milwaukee Brewers will take the division. There has been no repeat winner in the division for a few years now and I think the Brewers could surprise some with Yovani Gallardo and Kyle Lohse in the Rotation. You can't sleep on St. Louis or Cincinnati but I'm going with Milwaukee.
Lastly, the NL West and who else am I going to pick besides the San Francisco Giants? Nobody. Go Giants!!!
Perhaps the Dodgers do present a challenge with Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke in their rotation but Kershaw is the only one there that is consistent. While Greinke will probably end up with an ERA around the 3's, the rest of the rotation is shaky. They can't be written off completely but they will likely be playing in the Wild Card playoff game.
As for my World Series picks, Rays over Giants. I love my Giants and seeing how they will themselves through the playoffs last year, I can't ignore them for another pennant. Plus they've played a season after winning a title before and are used to it. But I have a feeling about the Rays and their rotation. They'll be playing playoff type baseball all year round like the Giants usually do and they have a better rotation as well. Got to pick the Rays.
P.S. Don't kill me at the Park, Giants fans. Look at my Final Four picks: I'M WRONG ALL THE TIME!!!
Friday, March 29, 2013
$167 Million Deal for Buster Posey
Buster Posey and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a 9 year $167 million contract. The contract covers 2013-21 with a club option for 2022. It also comes with a no trade clause. Buster Posey has been an essential player in each of the Giants two World Series Seasons. He was also named 2012 NL MVP last year after batting .336 with 24 home runs and 103 RBI's.
The man behind the plate gets the contract he has richly deserved. Posey's been a valuable part of the Giants but had been paid peanuts until now. I'm not trying to knock the team for that because all ball clubs can do it and will. I'm just glad that Buster was able to get his big payday, especially after that home plate collision in May of 2011.
The pitching seems stable for now and the Giants have locked up their biggest position player for 9 years. Just now need to figure out what to do with Timmy what with his contract coming to end. A lot of that will be determined after this season and seeing if Timmy can bounce back after an awful 2012 season.
The man behind the plate gets the contract he has richly deserved. Posey's been a valuable part of the Giants but had been paid peanuts until now. I'm not trying to knock the team for that because all ball clubs can do it and will. I'm just glad that Buster was able to get his big payday, especially after that home plate collision in May of 2011.
The pitching seems stable for now and the Giants have locked up their biggest position player for 9 years. Just now need to figure out what to do with Timmy what with his contract coming to end. A lot of that will be determined after this season and seeing if Timmy can bounce back after an awful 2012 season.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Still So Much to See with the World Ending
As the end of the world is nigh, there is so much that I wish I could've seen in the sports world before our time was up. Here are the top ten things I was still waiting to see before the apocalypse came.
10. The NHL to come back. Be nice for Hockey to at least make the list.
9. The Sharks win the Stanley C… HA HA HA HA YEAH RIGHT!!!!
8. Mayweather v. Pacquiao. We wanted it for years but the promoters were always just too much of a tease like Justin Bieber (he's gay, get over him).
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Well it's been a good life anyway having seen the SF Giants and the Red Sox each win a pair of titles, see Chelsea win the Champions Cup, and to see Mark Sanchez get Butt Slapped in the face by his own lineman. Or was it a "Tight End"?
10. The NHL to come back. Be nice for Hockey to at least make the list.
9. The Sharks win the Stanley C… HA HA HA HA YEAH RIGHT!!!!
8. Mayweather v. Pacquiao. We wanted it for years but the promoters were always just too much of a tease like Justin Bieber (he's gay, get over him).
7. See if Tim Tebow could be a good QB/player in the NFL throughout a career. If the heavens can help it, they might just postpone the apocalypse to just see if the "other" son of god can be a starter in the pros.
6. See if any of the PED users got into the Baseball Hall of
Fame. It doesn’t look good for any of the potential candidates from the steroid
era but I’m sure most of them were just happy not to go to jail.
5. The other woman finally step forward and identify Ben Roethlisberger
as her rapist. That and say Kobe joined in. See you a**holes in hell.
4. See the Cubs win the World Series. This is really the only significant thing in baseball that I would like to see happen. Them not winning in over a 100 years is the true disaster here.
3. Derek Jeter retiring from baseball. This I would've LOVE to see happen. I was going to throw a
great party with chips, dip, and a roast of Jeter. No, an actual roasting of
Jeter. He would’ve tasted so good in pinstripes.
2. 49ers win super bowl. While I was actually alive for three of
the 49ers super bowl victories, I was too young to appreciate or even be aware
of any of them. I’ve just been around for the heartache really.
1.The US get to the Semis of the World Cup. This one is more
of a dream than anything else. To win it would be the Impossible Dream.
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Well it's been a good life anyway having seen the SF Giants and the Red Sox each win a pair of titles, see Chelsea win the Champions Cup, and to see Mark Sanchez get Butt Slapped in the face by his own lineman. Or was it a "Tight End"?
It's been fun while it lasted. Now if you don't mind I got to try and die without my virginity. I don't want to go out like Tebow.
P.S. If the world doesn't end, be sure to click here for a preview of this weekend's 49ers game. Also be sure to check out the 49ers Section at Prosportsblogging.com for my take on the team before and after every game.
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