NLCS Game 1, ALCS Game 2: Brewers/Cardinals, Rangers/Tigers

by Al Yellon on Oct 9, 2011 1:00 PM CDT in Chicago Cubs Game Threads

Neftali Feliz of the Texas Rangers celebrates with Mike Napoli after the final out of the Rangers the 3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers in Game One of the American League Championship Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 8, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Saturday night's Rangers/Tigers game was the 20th played this postseason. It was the ninth decided by one run -- an extremely high ratio. This tells you, among other things, how evenly matched the teams in these playoffs appear to be. We could be looking at two championship series that both go seven games. That would be refreshing; in 2004, both LCS went seven games. Since then, in the 12 LCS from 2005-2010, only three -- Mets/Cardinals in 2006, Red Sox/Indians in 2007 and Red Sox/Rays in 2008 -- have gone the distance. And no World Series has had a seventh game since 2002.

The close games are good for baseball. The rain, not so much. Saturday night's game, including the rain delays, lasted five hours from start to finish. And guess what? It might rain there again tonight.

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Comments

If the Brewers and the Cardinals figure out how to both lose, then I'll feel a little better... ;-)

If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.

by eths on Oct 9, 2011 1:07 PM CDT reply actions

The only good thing about Brewers-Cardinals

Is that it should bring some relief from comments about the weak-ass NL Central.

"Wait, are you saying I'm a sunshine-pumping, koolaid-drinking, Soriano-loving, rainbow-rising, unicorn-riding, double-clutching, Sweet Lou-backing, Hendry-supporting, hey hey whaddya saying, Cubs are going all the waying, glass is overflowing, Rothschild is all-knowing, Cubs fan? - ballhawk

by vonde6 on Oct 9, 2011 2:04 PM CDT reply actions

true story

I have a friend who is relentless about how weak the NL central is. He’s a Red Sox fan and I’m not unhappy with the postseason thus far for that reason alone. Can I get myself enthused enough to support either the Cards or Crew… ..absolutely no way.

"OFFENCE IS TO WEAK" -- cooltrev

by mrtobby on Oct 9, 2011 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions

The only World Series I didn't watch was in 2003.

After the Cubs and Red Sox were eliminated, I honestly could care less about the Marlins/Yankees World Series that year.

by jeffmills1972 on Oct 9, 2011 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions

NL Central is so weak...

one NL Central team is going to be going to the World Series.

by ddoubleheader on Oct 10, 2011 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions

@MLB on Twitter

BREAKING: Game 2 of the Tigers-Rangers ALCS has been postponed to Monday at 4:19 PM ET.

If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.

by eths on Oct 9, 2011 2:33 PM CDT reply actions

Go Brewers?

Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween Night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents.

by katie casey on Oct 9, 2011 2:41 PM CDT reply actions

Yes, go, Brewers.

The further away, the better. And take the Cardinals with you.

by MN exile on Oct 9, 2011 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions

And please don't come back

If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.

by eths on Oct 9, 2011 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Go Brewers, go away Cardinals...

"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"--The Brain

by brook on Oct 9, 2011 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Nyjer Morgan is Milton Bradley.

Only Morgan’s team is more successful.

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

by dtpollitt on Oct 9, 2011 3:11 PM CDT reply actions

Nyjer Morgan is

Milton Bradley, only with better stats and minus the insanity. Still an a-hole and a hothead.

by ddoubleheader on Oct 10, 2011 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions

I know who I'm cheering for.

Umpires. They get my loyalty over the brewers and cardinals.

We'll miss you Big Boy. #10 for Hall of Fame.

by mrcubsfan on Oct 9, 2011 3:23 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I wanna see them hussle

around the bases and try to slide into a base. Might be amusing.

by ddoubleheader on Oct 10, 2011 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Holy shit Braun hit the tar outta that.

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

by dtpollitt on Oct 9, 2011 3:23 PM CDT reply actions

Fielder hit!

GOOD WORK, LARUSSA! DICKHEAD.

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

by dtpollitt on Oct 9, 2011 3:24 PM CDT reply actions

Go Brewers

by cubsfaninatl on Oct 9, 2011 3:40 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

10 comments?

just goes to prove if the cubs ain’t in the postseason then they just dont matter.

by NOMAR on Oct 9, 2011 4:48 PM CDT reply actions

OH MY GOD PRINCE FIELDER

I BOW BEFORE YOU

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

by dtpollitt on Oct 9, 2011 4:52 PM CDT reply actions

Dang, he really hit the kitty out of that one.

If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.

by eths on Oct 9, 2011 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah, he smoked that one

by vonde6 on Oct 9, 2011 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Cardinals defense very Cubisque

If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.

by eths on Oct 9, 2011 4:56 PM CDT reply actions

Wow I forgot how exciting good baseball can be.

I hate the Cubs.

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

by dtpollitt on Oct 9, 2011 4:59 PM CDT reply actions

Have some feel good - it helps, it really does...

If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.

by eths on Oct 9, 2011 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Incredible at-bat by Betancourt.

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

by dtpollitt on Oct 9, 2011 5:01 PM CDT reply actions

Holy crap this is going to drive Tony LaRussa to drink.

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

by dtpollitt on Oct 9, 2011 5:03 PM CDT reply actions

VEB - A nice place to lurk right now.... ;-)

If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.

by eths on Oct 9, 2011 5:07 PM CDT reply actions

Linky?

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

by dtpollitt on Oct 9, 2011 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions

She means the SBN Cards blog – www.vivaelbirdos.com

"Prince Fielder is too fat even for the Oakland A’s" - Billy Beane

by ol Pete on Oct 9, 2011 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions

I had a sex change procedure? I never knew...

If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.

by eths on Oct 9, 2011 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions

You're a he?

Sorry, its hard to keep up with gender on the internet.

"Prince Fielder is too fat even for the Oakland A’s" - Billy Beane

by ol Pete on Oct 9, 2011 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Last time I looked... ::looks down:: ...I was... ;-)

If the Cubs still have a chance, no matter how small, it’s still Go Cubs, damn the math and pass the KoolAid.

by eths on Oct 9, 2011 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions

ol Pete!

Are you also a Badger fan / alum?

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

by dtpollitt on Oct 9, 2011 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions

I did go there

I wasn’t into sports at the time though. I actually had field level passes to football games too. Of course at that time they weren’t very good, but I did notice the huge pom-pon squad.

"Prince Fielder is too fat even for the Oakland A’s" - Billy Beane

by ol Pete on Oct 9, 2011 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions