2011 Playoffs Thread

[ELCABALLO45]

Braun just missed a fat hanger and swung right through it. So frustrating.

How awesome was that strike one call that completely changed that at bat? Thanks blue.

 

Yeah, calls the first pitch low. Second pitch is even lower and he calls it a strike, not even close. It has been like this all series though, it's like they are flipping a coin.

[Sammys Boombox]

Braun just missed a fat hanger and swung right through it. So frustrating.

How awesome was that strike one call that completely changed that at bat? Thanks blue.

 

Exactly. Really bad strike just now to Pujols too.

 

Did they forget to go over defense in ST? Really annoying to listen to announcers that have no clue what they're talking about too. That should have been an easy pick for a MLB 1B.

[ELCABALLO45]

Rickie, it's freakin Albert Pujols running. Dude hasn't ran out a ground ball in 4 years. Yet he rushes it.

[illiniguy]

Braun just missed a fat hanger and swung right through it. So frustrating.

How awesome was that strike one call that completely changed that at bat? Thanks blue.

 

Exactly. Really bad strike just now to Pujols too.

 

Did they forget to go over defense in ST? Really annoying to listen to announcers that have no clue what they're talking about too. That should have been an easy pick for a MLB 1B.

Yeah this guys zone is terrible.

[ELCABALLO45]

Pujols needs one in his ribs.

[Sammys Boombox]

Even if they get out of this inning without allowing a run, Greinke is now throwing a lot more pitches.

[ELCABALLO45]

Huge out.

 

I can't stand listening to these rednecks chant "YADI".

[Sammy Sofa]

So you'd feel better if they won the WS after dominating the regular season handily and then sweeping through the playoffs uncontested?

Yes I would. I'm tired of them losing their ace and winning the world series. They did it in 06 and they're possibly going to do it again this year.

 

Why would it be better if they were better?

 

Because it seems like everything has to go exactly perfect for the Cubs to win a World Series (or even be in the position the Cardinals are in now). However, once again, the Cardinals are in a season where they shouldn't be contending for a World Series and are knocking on the door of a pennant.

 

Like 2003 for the Cubs?

 

Teams sneak in and make runs. It happens a lot.

 

I just don't know why it would be "better" to see a dominating Cardinals team. A dominating Cardinals steam has much better chance to be bad news for a long time. If they win this, meh, so what? Yeah, it sucks, but in this new Theo-driven realm I say let them enjoy their backdoor shenanigans (yeah, that's right). That time will be done soon.

Edited October 15, 2011 by Sammy Sofa

[ELCABALLO45]

No TBS, I will not watch the Big Bang Theory.

[Sammys Boombox]

So you'd feel better if they won the WS after dominating the regular season handily and then sweeping through the playoffs uncontested?

Yes I would. I'm tired of them losing their ace and winning the world series. They did it in 06 and they're possibly going to do it again this year.

 

Why would it be better if they were better?

 

Because it seems like everything has to go exactly perfect for the Cubs to win a World Series (or even be in the position the Cardinals are in now). However, once again, the Cardinals are in a season where they shouldn't be contending for a World Series and are knocking on the door of a pennant.

 

Like 2003 for the Cubs? Hell, I know the 2007 team was swept in the first round, but they had little business even making the playoffs, much less winning the division.

 

I just don't know why it would be "better" to see a dominating Cardinals team. A dominating Cardinals steam has much better chance to be bad news for a long time. If they win this, meh, so what? Yeah, it sucks, but in this new Theo-driven realm I say let them enjoy their backdoor shenanigans (yeah, that's right). That time will be done soon.

 

There's not a right or a wrong here. From an overall perspective it is better that the Cardinals were not a juggernaut this season. But at the moment it's frustrating because they have a chance to win without being that good. This isn't just about how good the teams are, but how they got where they are. The 2003 and 2007 Cubs didn't take advantage of a ridiculous collapse to get into the postseason. The 2003 Cubs won most of their playoff games because they had stellar starts, not because the opponents were kicking the ball all over the place and aces were having meltdowns. The Cardinals have had everything handed to them in the last few weeks.

 

EDIT: Most of the annoyance is not just how they got where they are, but how the opponents are playing against them in the playoffs.

Edited October 15, 2011 by Sammy's Boombox

[Sammy Sofa]

Well, no, they had things go their way in terms of postseason competitors and they won a bunch of baseball games themselves. It's not like teams just show up and are handed victories. They've played hard to get to this point. And was the Braves' collapse even all that dramatic? They ended up 4 games over their pythag. Yeah, they lost a ton of games at the end, but they were REALLY overachieving at the rate they were going.

 

I get what you're saying; I just disagree. It's not like I'm happy they're where they are, but I'm sure as [expletive] glad they didn't actually dominate to get to this point.

Edited October 15, 2011 by Sammy Sofa

[ELCABALLO45]

This is why no matter how well you are playing, no one can like you Yuni.

[ELCABALLO45]

Greinke just threw a fastball inside to Pujols. TLR probably will complain about that after the game.

[erik316wttn]

Oh my God I hate the Cardinals so damn much.

[ELCABALLO45]

Brewers terrible defense catching up to them in a big way.

[El Duderino]

this game is making me nauseous.

[Sammys Boombox]

Well, no, they had things go their way in terms of postseason competitors and they won a bunch of baseball games themselves. It's not like teams just show up and are handed victories. They've played hard to get to this point. And was the Braves' collapse even all that dramatic? They ended up 4 games over their pythag. Yeah, they lost a ton of games at the end, but they were REALLY overachieving at the rate they were going.

 

I get what you're saying; I just disagree. It's not like I'm happy they're where they are, but I'm sure as [expletive] glad they didn't actually dominate to get to this point.

 

They may have ended up over their pythag, but the collapse is definitely monumental because their performance during September was far below what they had done all season. Sure, they were playing over their heads the first five months, but not by a large enough amount for anybody to expect them to collapse the way they did. Obviously the Cardinals are playing well, but they are definitely not meeting as much resistance as you would expect in the playoffs. They have been handed 4 runs tonight. They are winning by 4. They pounded the Brewers in Game 2, but other than that, they've relied on the Brewers mistakes to stay in this series.

 

EDIT: Not to mention the Braves collapse was greatly influenced by injuries to the rotation. The bottom line is that it's frustrating they are here because so much had to happen for them to be here. A lot of it is how they have played, but most of it is how other teams played.

[Sammy Sofa]

Well, no, they had things go their way in terms of postseason competitors and they won a bunch of baseball games themselves. It's not like teams just show up and are handed victories. They've played hard to get to this point. And was the Braves' collapse even all that dramatic? They ended up 4 games over their pythag. Yeah, they lost a ton of games at the end, but they were REALLY overachieving at the rate they were going.

 

I get what you're saying; I just disagree. It's not like I'm happy they're where they are, but I'm sure as [expletive] glad they didn't actually dominate to get to this point.

 

They may have ended up over their pythag, but the collapse is definitely monumental because their performance during September was far below what they had done all season. Sure, they were playing over their heads the first five months, but not by a large enough amount for anybody to expect them to collapse the way they did. Obviously the Cardinals are playing well, but they are definitely not meeting as much resistance as you would expect in the playoffs. They have been handed 4 runs tonight. They are winning by 4. They pounded the Brewers in Game 2, but other than that, they've relied on the Brewers mistakes to stay in this series.

 

That's the kind of stuff that happens in the playoffs nearly every year. Sometimes it goes the Cardinals' way. Sometimes it doesn't. I mean, we sit here on the one hand damning them for making the playoffs with "undeserving" teams, yet they are also the team that lost the first World Series anyone had lost to the Red Sox in nearly a century (swept, no less, after winning 105 games in the regular season). They play in a division that gave up back to back division wins to the Cubs. They have their share of luck, and they have their share of decent team construction. People can cry about the luck all they want, but not every team is as poorly constructed as the Cubs are 9 times out of 10.

[ELCABALLO45]

BFIB

[Sammys Boombox]

Well, no, they had things go their way in terms of postseason competitors and they won a bunch of baseball games themselves. It's not like teams just show up and are handed victories. They've played hard to get to this point. And was the Braves' collapse even all that dramatic? They ended up 4 games over their pythag. Yeah, they lost a ton of games at the end, but they were REALLY overachieving at the rate they were going.

 

I get what you're saying; I just disagree. It's not like I'm happy they're where they are, but I'm sure as [expletive] glad they didn't actually dominate to get to this point.

 

They may have ended up over their pythag, but the collapse is definitely monumental because their performance during September was far below what they had done all season. Sure, they were playing over their heads the first five months, but not by a large enough amount for anybody to expect them to collapse the way they did. Obviously the Cardinals are playing well, but they are definitely not meeting as much resistance as you would expect in the playoffs. They have been handed 4 runs tonight. They are winning by 4. They pounded the Brewers in Game 2, but other than that, they've relied on the Brewers mistakes to stay in this series.

 

That's the kind of stuff that happens in the playoffs nearly every year. Sometimes it goes the Cardinals' way. Sometimes it doesn't. I mean, we sit here on the one hand damning them for making the playoffs with "undeserving" teams, yet they are also the team that lost the first World Series anyone had lost to the Red Sox in nearly a century (swept, no less, after winning 105 games in the regular season). They play in a division that gave up back to back division wins to the Cubs. They have their share of luck, and they have their share of decent team construction. People can cry about the luck all they want, but not every team is as poorly constructed as the Cubs are 9 times out of 10.

 

They're obviously well-constructed. The key to success is getting to the playoffs consistently by consistently winning around 90 games a season. The playoffs are such a crap-shoot. That's why they get in these situations, because they're constantly in the playoffs. It doesn't mean I can't be pissed when the other teams makes it easy on them.

[Sammy Sofa]

Well, no, they had things go their way in terms of postseason competitors and they won a bunch of baseball games themselves. It's not like teams just show up and are handed victories. They've played hard to get to this point. And was the Braves' collapse even all that dramatic? They ended up 4 games over their pythag. Yeah, they lost a ton of games at the end, but they were REALLY overachieving at the rate they were going.

 

I get what you're saying; I just disagree. It's not like I'm happy they're where they are, but I'm sure as [expletive] glad they didn't actually dominate to get to this point.

 

They may have ended up over their pythag, but the collapse is definitely monumental because their performance during September was far below what they had done all season. Sure, they were playing over their heads the first five months, but not by a large enough amount for anybody to expect them to collapse the way they did. Obviously the Cardinals are playing well, but they are definitely not meeting as much resistance as you would expect in the playoffs. They have been handed 4 runs tonight. They are winning by 4. They pounded the Brewers in Game 2, but other than that, they've relied on the Brewers mistakes to stay in this series.

 

That's the kind of stuff that happens in the playoffs nearly every year. Sometimes it goes the Cardinals' way. Sometimes it doesn't. I mean, we sit here on the one hand damning them for making the playoffs with "undeserving" teams, yet they are also the team that lost the first World Series anyone had lost to the Red Sox in nearly a century (swept, no less, after winning 105 games in the regular season). They play in a division that gave up back to back division wins to the Cubs. They have their share of luck, and they have their share of decent team construction. People can cry about the luck all they want, but not every team is as poorly constructed as the Cubs are 9 times out of 10.

 

They're obviously well-constructed. The key to success is getting to the playoffs consistently by consistently winning around 90 games a season. The playoffs are such a crap-shoot. That's why they get in these situations, because they're constantly in the playoffs. It doesn't mean I can't be pissed when the other teams makes it easy on them.

 

Well, I never said you couldn't be. I'm just explaining why I'd rather hate them for what they are than for being some kind of baseball boogeyman (not saying that you are doing this).

[Sammys Boombox]

Wipe that grin off your face, Fielder. Why would you even swing the bat against him? He's not going to throw a strike and has owned you by throwing the ball nowhere near the plate!

[illiniguy]

I think really I just loathe Tony Larussa.

[Sammy Sofa]

I think really I just loathe Tony Larussa.

 

Well, that's just common sense.

[Soul]

So you'd feel better if they won the WS after dominating the regular season handily and then sweeping through the playoffs uncontested?

Yes I would. I'm tired of them losing their ace and winning the world series. They did it in 06 and they're possibly going to do it again this year.

 

Why would it be better if they were better?

 

Because it seems like everything has to go exactly perfect for the Cubs to win a World Series (or even be in the position the Cardinals are in now). However, once again, the Cardinals are in a season where they shouldn't be contending for a World Series and are knocking on the door of a pennant.

 

Obviously they both would be frustrating, and it would suck for the Cardinals to be running away with the division during the regular season, but for me it's more annoying that they're in the position they're in because of the ineptitude of Atlanta, Philadelphia, and the Brewers over the last few weeks.

 

I don't even care anymore. I just want to live in a world where they aren't good.

 

Any reality where they somehow win is painful to me. Especially when we aren't in the playoffs to have a say in the matter.

 

Theo - please rescue us from this nightmare.