MLB Playoffs: ALCS Game Five, NLCS Game Four, Wednesday 10/20

by Al Yellon on Oct 20, 2010 12:00 PM CDT in Chicago Cubs Game Threads

Marcus Thames of the Yankees goes up to make a play on a ball hit by Josh Hamilton of the Rangers in Game Four of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 19 2010. Home run? Or not? (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Hard to believe, perhaps, but in just a few hours, the Yankees could be going home for the winter and the Rangers could be going to the World Series for the first time in their history.

There have, though, been quite a number of teams in recent years that have had a three-games-to-one lead in a league championship series and who did not win. The 2007 Indians, for example. Or the 2004 Yankees, who had a 3-0 lead before it was 3-1.

And another team we are very familiar with. Enough about that. The Yankees have CC Sabathia going today and he's never easy to get through, despite his bad performance in Game One. This series could still go the limit.

As far as the NLCS is concerned, the Phillies are putting a lot of their faith in Joe Blanton, who hasn't been very good the last two postseasons and who will be making his first start since October 3 -- 17 days ago. The Phillies pretty much have to win today; going down three games to one and having to face Tim Lincecum in Game Five -- even with Roy Halladay on your side -- would not be an easy task.

Now, about the two disputed home run hits last night. It wasn't clear to me that the one that was actually reviewed was foul, though it was called that way. It looked like the ball might have grazed the foul pole -- appeared to have a slight change of direction. Regarding the one nearly caught by Nelson Cruz, the announcers explained that it wasn't reviewed because there was no fan interference called on the field. But isn't this exactly what review is for? It did look like the ball was in the seats; it hit the top of the wall, though as Jon Miller helpfully pointed out on ESPN radio, there's no yellow line on that wall. Once the ball is actually in the seats, it's fair game.

3 pm CDT, TBS: Rangers at Yankees. Rangers lead series 3-1. Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling and John Smoltz.

MLB.com Gameday for ALCS Game Five

SB Nation game preview for ALCS Game Five

7 pm CDT, Fox: Phillies at Giants. Giants lead series 2-1. Announcers: Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

MLB.com Gameday for NLCS Game Four

SB Nation game preview for NLCS Game Four

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Comments

Agree...

If you are not going to review the Cano homerun…there is no reason to have replay. Thank goodness it did not really play into the outcome

"All I want is food and creative love" - Rusted Root

by TheRiot Police on Oct 20, 2010 12:04 PM CDT reply actions

And Spectator Interference is reviewable today

I think it should have been reviewed. There was contact and the umpire needed to see if the contact by the fans occurred inside the park, or over the wall. The fact that the ball was a home run is inconsequential.

The freeze frame and graphic from ESPN last night showed that it occurred in the field of play.

"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.

by RiskyBusiness on Oct 20, 2010 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Fortunately, as noted, it had little impact on the result.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 20, 2010 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

what about the HBP on Swisher

it clearly hit his pant leg, which is part of him. He might not have realized it even. That was with bases loaded and only 1 out. he proceded to hit a infield pop up for 2nd out.

"Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical." -Yogi Berra

by imacubman on Oct 20, 2010 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions

That, too.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 20, 2010 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

There is no reason...

…why the Cano HR should not have been reviewed. In my opinion, the ump who failed to defer to replay in that situation should be out for the rest of the playoffs. Terrible judgment. It is situations like that—high stakes, playoff series—that absolutely cry out for replay use.

Here’s a look at the classless goons celebrating and taunting Cruz:

by cwpettis on Oct 20, 2010 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Berkman's fair vs. foul HR

Was clearly foul from the replay. It disappears behind the foul pole and below the top of the pole. I think the only question was if it was over the top of the pole. If not for that, easy foul call because if it was fair, it would have hit the screen.

"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.

by RiskyBusiness on Oct 20, 2010 12:45 PM CDT reply actions

I dunno.

I thought the replay showed it slightly change direction as it passed the pole, meaning it grazed the pole. That would have made it fair.

A ball that hits the pole doesn’t necessarily have to hit the screen if it’s fair. It can hit the pole itself.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 20, 2010 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Ah - that's true

I know they showed a centerfield camera shot that definitely showed the ball going behind the pole. And they did discuss that the ball might have nicked the pole.

That game had enough baseball oddities for a week – possible spectator interference on HR, HR fair/foul call, possible spectator intereference on a foul ball, broken bat twirling at Texiera while he starts a 3-6-1 DP, walking batter and then HR by Molina.

"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.

by RiskyBusiness on Oct 20, 2010 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Worst Name in MLB:

Madison Bumgarner

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Oct 20, 2010 12:52 PM CDT reply actions

Best name:

Champ Summers

There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?

by Zeke on Oct 20, 2010 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmmmm....

And another team we are very familiar with.

I wonder of which team you speak? Let me think. Hmmmm….

There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?

by Zeke on Oct 20, 2010 1:31 PM CDT reply actions

The Cubs silly! :D

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
"My favorite food is Macaroni and Cheese, from the blue box." Geovany Soto
"They played like son of a guns......lord have mercy." Mike Quade

by Cubbiegoon on Oct 20, 2010 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Doh!

There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary and there are 108 stitches in a baseball. Who says baseball isn't a religion?

by Zeke on Oct 20, 2010 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions

I am pleasantly surprised

with the way the Rangers have come back after that series opening loss. I thought they were dead after that. They have clearly appeared to be the better team this series; think of how close the Yankees have come to being swept in four games. Of course I always enjoy watching the Yankees lose. Hope the Rangers can close it out tonight.

I think the Yankees have just looked old and tired the last three games.

by qccub on Oct 20, 2010 1:32 PM CDT reply actions

Like the guys on ESPN said

when any team isn’t scoring runs, they look old and tired. Cubs have been there, too, the last couple of years.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Oct 20, 2010 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Kung Fu Panda is highly enjoyable to watch play baseball.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Oct 20, 2010 9:12 PM CDT reply actions

You know,

I was beginning to wonder if anyone would stop by this thread.

What is the score of the Giants-Phillies game?

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Oct 20, 2010 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions

5-4 Giants after six.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 20, 2010 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Oswalt in for the 9th to preserve the tie.

Playoff baseball is awesome.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Oct 20, 2010 10:29 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Oswalt wasn't awesome, though.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 21, 2010 7:28 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm with you though

I don’t understand the people who say that they are done with baseball when the Cubs season ends. I love the playoffs. This year so far has been very enjoyable.

There was a discussion here a few years ago I believe about whether people were Cubs fans first or baseball fans first. I’m in the baseball fan first group.

John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.

by rlpete on Oct 21, 2010 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm with you, too.

Though I would put myself in a “Cubs fan first” category, I love baseball in all its forms. The playoffs have been very good this year, as you point out. Glad there’s at least another week and a half left.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 21, 2010 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions