Ready for the Major League Baseball Playoffs?

[mr_pikachu]

Well, the MLB playoffs are over! Congratulations to the Chicago White Sox, the 2005 World Series Champions!

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(EDIT: These are the final winners of each division and the wild card. Teams eliminated from the playoffs have been crossed out.)

AL East W-L
NY Yankees 95-67

AL Central W-L
x-Chicago White Sox 99-63

AL West W-L
LA Angels of Anaheim 95-67

AL Wild Card W-L
Boston Red Sox 95-67


NL East W-L
Atlanta Braves 90-72

NL Central W-L
x-St. Louis Cardinals 100-62

NL West W-L
San Diego Padres 82-80

NL Wild Card W-L
Houston Astros 89-73


Note:
x = Clinched Highest League record.


The Playoff Picture - FINAL RESULTS

AL Division Series

Boston Red Sox (95-67) vs.
Chicago White Sox (99-63)
Chicago wins 3-0

New York Yankees (95-67) vs.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (95-67)
Los Angeles wins 3-2

NL Division Series

San Diego Padres (82-80) vs.
St. Louis Cardinals (100-62)
St. Louis wins 3-0

Houston Astros (89-73) vs.
Atlanta Braves (90-72)
Houston wins 3-1


AL Championship Series
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (95-67) vs.
Chicago White Sox (99-63)
Game 1: Los Angeles 3, Chicago 2
Game 2: Los Angeles 1, Chicago 2
Game 3: Chicago 5, Los Angeles 2
Game 4: Chicago 8, Los Angeles 3
Game 5: Chicago 6, Los Angeles 3
Chicago wins 4-1

NL Championship Series
Houston Astros (89-73) vs.
St. Louis Cardinals (100-62)
Game 1: Houston 3, St. Louis 5
Game 2: Houston 4, St. Louis 1
Game 3: St. Louis 3, Houston 4
Game 4: St. Louis 1, Houston 2
Game 5: St. Louis 5, Houston 4
Game 6: Houston 5, St. Louis 1
Houston wins 4-2


World Series
Houston Astros (89-73) vs.
Chicago White Sox (99-63)
Game 1: Houston 3, Chicago 5
Game 2: Houston 6, Chicago 7
Game 3: Chicago 7, Houston 5 (14 innings)
Game 4: Chicago 1, Houston 0
Chicago wins 4-0

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I, personally, am really looking forward to this year's playoffs. Hopefully the Cards can make amends for their collapse in last year's World Series! And in Cardinals news, Pujols' 40th homer of the season (and 200th of his career) was a grand slam! Awesome!

How about you? Who're you going for this time around? What are your thoughts?


EDIT: Color-coding added for the four remaining teams. Woo.

[Zak]

"Why not us again, eh?"

Sox 8)

EDIT: RED Sox, not White.

[Knight of Time]

I assume you mean the Red Sox, Zak?

Seeing as they are probably going to finish with the AL's best record, I'm going for the White Sox. I'd sure love to see them face Boston in the first round, a Red Sox-White Sox matchup would be so cool.

But, aside from the White Sox, I'm also going for the Yankees, as they are another favourite team of mine.

Edit: I really hate to break the news to any Indians fans here (especially you, N1CF), but the Tribe's chances of reaching the post-season are in jeopardy now. They just lost another game to the White Sox, and the Yanks now have another division title...

[dratinihaunter13]

maaaan, the royals are never gonna be good again

i guess i'll go for the angels of anaheim. vlad guerrero mis amigos =D

[MToolen]

I'm a hometown kind of guy. Thus, I'm a Cardinals fan. And, really, what are reasons not to?

Our bullpen, I know, but we get through...

[mr_pikachu]

Well, the MLB announced that the Red Sox will get the Wild Card for the second year in a row, and the Yankees will repeat as division championships. Thus, here are the matchups for the playoffs:


AL
Boston Red Sox (95-67)
Chicago White Sox (99-63)

New York Yankees (95-67)
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (95-67)


NL
San Diego Padres (82-80)
St. Louis Cardinals (100-62)

Houston Astros (89-73)
Atlanta Braves (90-72)


Also, remember that the AL has once again won home field advantage for whatever team represents it in the World Series.

This should be interesting to watch. Go Cardinals!

[Drusilla]

GO, HOUSTON, GO!!

Brandon Backe graduated from my high school, and his dad works with my ex's dad :biggrin:


Astros >>>>>>> Cardinals!!!!

[Craig]

Jays are not in playoffs so I refuse to take an opinion.

But in all seriousness, i've always been a Yankees type of guy

[Jeff]

Without Baltimore on there, it doens't matter to me, just as long as the Yankees don't win.

[mr_pikachu]

Unless the Sox series does a 180, it's looking like Buckner's curse is just entering another chapter. Yanks/Angels seems like a coin toss. If the Cardinals don't sweep San Diego, it'll be an embarrassment (well, to me, anyway). And the 'stros look like they could beat Atlanta for the second year in a row.

Here's how the division series currently stand:

Yankees 1, Angels 1
White Sox 2, Red Sox 0
Astros 1, Braves 0
Cardinals 1, Padres 0

Also, I'll be continuing to update that first post as the playoffs continue. Aside from a few extensive studying days next week (with exams and all), I should be able to get the new info up daily.


EDIT: In other MLB news, Kenny Rogers, the Texas Rangers pitcher who sent a cameraman to the hospital in an incident earlier this year, is being sued by that cameraman. The Rangers are also listed in the suit for being negligent and not properly controlling Rogers, whose actions are "consistent with someone with a severe anger management problem," according to the cameraman's lawyer. A related note is that Rogers is not being offered a contract by the Rangers for 2006. This is the article where I found the information.

[Master of Paradox]

I'm sorry... what's "baseball"?

Just kidding. I really don't care about sports that much, but as I'm obliged to have an opinion should anyone ask, put me down as supporting the Yankees. (I enjoy making people irritated.)

[mr_pikachu]

It's official: There will be a new champion this year. Chicago just completed a three-game sweep of their Sox counterparts, so Boston's been eliminated and the Chicago White Sox advance to the AL Championship. The other AL series will continue in 20 minutes, as the Yankees and Angels both try to shift the series in their favor. (It's currently a 1-1 tie.)

[-/Deathborn/-]

New York Yankees. W00t.


At least the Red Sox got eliminated. I really, really despise them. But a bit glad they got that World Series trophy, though, now they can shut it with that dang excuse called a "curse". Sheeesh.

[Knight of Time]

Well, another team's hopes of winning a division series went down the drain.

A few minutes ago, I noticed on Yahoo! Sports that the Houston Astros once again eliminated the Atlanta Braves, taking Game 4 7-6 in 18 innings.

Poor Braves...it seems like Houston is getting the better of them all of a sudden.

[mr_pikachu]

WHOA.

To expand on what Kyle said, the 18-inning, 5 hour and 50 minute marathon between the Braves and Astros was the longest postseason game in history in both innings and total time. There were an unbelievable 553 pitches thrown, 299 of them by Houston hurlers. The 23 players used by the Astros ties the most players ever used by a single team in a postseason game. And if that weren't enough, this is only the Astros' second playoff series win of all time - their first was last year, when they also beat the Braves in the NL Division Series. And to add to the feeling of deja vu, they met the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship series that year, too.

Yeah. Just thought that with all the records, this was really noteworthy. Also note that if the Astros defeat the Cardinals this time around, they'll earn their first ever World Series appearance. St. Louis, on the other hand, is trying to make up for their embarrassing showing in last year's WS.

This should be very, very interesting. Now, only the Yankees/Angels series has yet to be decided; once that's done, we can move on to the League Championship Series.


EDIT: Oh, and I just found out that Lance Berkman's grand slam in Game 4 and Chris Burke's series winning home run in the same marathon match were caught by THE SAME GUY.

If that's not magical, nothin' is.

[Drusilla]

*hyper dance*

GOOOOOOO 'STROS!!!!!!!!

*maniacal laughter*

We're going to win the World Series, I just know it!

[Number1ChanseyFan]

Meh, it was really disappointing to see the Indians choke the last week of the season. Well, not as disappointing as the 1997 World Series was, but still disappointing. Typical Indians... they always play good until the games really matter, and then they choke. lol

As for who I want to win, I guess I will say the Cardinals, although being down 3-1 in their series with Houston, that isn't too likely. It would be cool for the Cards to win it all in the last season at Busch Stadium. Originally, I was rooting for the Padres to win it all. What's not to love about the worst team ever to make the playoffs?! As everybody can tell, I love the Indians, so I guess I just must have some kind of obsession with bad teams. ^_^

But, in all honesty, all I care about in the end is that the winner of the NLCS wins the World Series, whether it be Houston or St. Louis. The White Sox are my number 1 least favorite baseball team in the entire world, (The Minnesota Twins are a close number 2!!) I really can't stand them at all!! When their manager, Ozzie Guillen was making that choke sign during the last game of the year against the Indians, I didn't like them any better. Guillen is a really annoying person who needs to learn how to act like a professional.

[mr_pikachu]

It ain't over 'til it's over, folks!

Down to their last out, behind 4-2 to Houston with Eckstein and Edmonds on base, Pujols jacks an absolute bomb to left to win Game 5 of the NLCS and send the series back to St. Louis!

We'll see you on our turf, Astros fans!


EDIT: Also notable is that Eckstein's single and Edmonds' walk both came after the second out. So no one on, one out from the World Series, and the 'stros can't wrap it up.


EDIT2: And what kind of a fan would I be if I couldn't provide the first story around about the event to back up my claims?

[Wergoheb]

I'm still shocked my precious padres were swept... Erm... I mean Red Sox.

Meh... I'm not convinced the Astros can outhit the white sox. Heck, I turned my back, and the Astros are starting 3 people I have never heard of... I figure St. Louis could put up more of a fight thoug... and seeing how I no longer care, I say Take it to game 7... x2

[.hacker]

GO, WHITE SOX ,GO!!!! You're in the world series now!!

[Drusilla]

We'll see you on our turf, Astros fans!

Damn straight, and we're gonna whale on St. Louis! GO 'STROS!!!!

[.hacker]

It's the top of the 8th, and Astros lead 5-1 over Cardinals. Cardinals can still take the lead like they did on Monday, but the chances are diminishing.

Watch the cardinals prove me wrong... >_>

*Update*

The Astros are going to the World Series! Now, it's up to the White Sox to take the championship! GO, WHITE SOX, GO!!!

BTW...

Busch Stadium is gonna be meeting a new friend....

[dratinihaunter13]

stros win. cards... not again lol. i'll go for the white sox in this world series because i was born right outside chicago and i don't like texans at ALL.

[.hacker]

i'll go for the white sox in this world series because i was born right outside chicago

Same here. I was born in Chicago. So, that's why I'm cheering for the White Sox.

[mr_pikachu]

The Chicago White Sox, who haven't won the World Series since 1917.
The Houston Astros, who have never played in the October classic.

These two teams will meet on baseball's biggest stage this Saturday.

Who will win? No one can be sure. But one thing is certain. This October, someone is going to make history.

[Drusilla]

stros win. cards... not again lol. i'll go for the white sox in this world series because i was born right outside chicago and i don't like texans at ALL.

Martin, I'm hurt... ;_;

[homeofmew]

HOUSTON WON! YAYS!

[Number1ChanseyFan]

Who will win? No one can be sure. But one thing is certain. This October, someone is going to make history.

And hopefully, the Astros will see to it that the White Sox aren't the ones making the history!!

Let's go 'Stros!! Hang the White Sox out to dry!!

This is the most excited I have been about a World Series since 1997 when Cleveland was in it, because I want to see the Sox lose sooooooo much!!

[Knight of Time]

IMO, seeing that St. Louis didn't make it to the World Series, it doesn't matter to me whether the White Sox or Astros win it all because after all, history is going to be made (so either Chicago will have their first WS victory since 1906 I think, or Houston will have their first WS victory ever in their history).

IOW, it's hard for me to go for either team now.

[MToolen]

Meh, I'll take my position now like I have every time the St. Louis Blues have gone to the playoffs...

Go White Sox! Win because you're not the Astros!

[Pokemaster Ash]

And I make one of my rare posts...

The White Sox haven't won the World Series since 1917, though they were last in it in '59. It's the Cubs who have had it worse (haven't been there since '30-something, haven't won since '08).

Now I'm a Chicago guy. I like the Cubs AND the White Sox (a mortal sin in some people's books). However if, say, they both were in the World Series (odds of which...probably more than what Boston pulled off last year), I'll root for the Cubs.

In this case though, GO WHITE SOX!!! Avenge the Cubs and show 'em what Chicago's really made of!

[.hacker]

The White Sox are currently leading the World Series 2-0. According to records, the last 11 out of 12 teams with 2-0 leads in the World Series has won. I'm not saying the White Sox have it clinched, but their odds of winning are just getting better and better.

[mr_pikachu]

With a 2-0 deficit and the Rocket hurt, the Astros are indeed in dire straits. However, anything can and will happen in baseball. The Red Sox came back from a 3-0 deficit and won eight consecutive games last year. Some guy named Chris Burke ended an 18-inning marathon to win this year's NLDS. Can a potentially Clemens-less Houston win the World Series? Only time will tell.

[Number1ChanseyFan]

Hopefully, the Astros can rebound with an off day today, and getting to play at home now for the next three days. Roy Oswalt starts Tuesday, and he has been excellent this postseason. The White Sox should also be hurt by losing their DH. Unfortunately for the Astros, Bagwell didn't do much for them in the DH spot, so they aren't going to lose as much as the White Sox will by losing the DH. Plus, the Astros are used to playing without the DH. It is gonna be tough for the Astros if Clemens can't go in Game 5... Brandon Backe is their weakest starter, and he goes on Wednesday, and if the Astros have to use someone to start Game 5 like Wandy Rodriguez, who wasn't impressive in the regular season or in his long relief appearance in Game 1, the Astros could be in trouble. I certainly hope that the Astros can pull this off though. Tuesday is gonna be huge. Oswalt must stop the White Sox momentum.

BTW, somebody should check Podsednik for steroids...

[mr_pikachu]

If Clemens can't pitch Game 5, the 'stros could always shift to a three-man rotation of Pettite, Oswalt and Backe. Pettitte and Oswalt could throw on three days rest for Games 5 and 6 if necessary, followed by either Backe or Clemens (if he's healthy by then) for a possible Game 7. (Or Clemens could start Game 6 followed by Oswalt in Game 7 if Clemens is healthy enough after the homestand.) It'll make things tougher, but it's doable.

IMO, managing the injury to the Rocket in conjunction with the two off days could be critical for Houston. We'll see how well they handle it.

[dratinihaunter13]

*appears* did someone say they needed a DH? looks like those stros got some new obstacles. 2-0 isn't too bad, but Game 3 is usually the big one. The tone setter. i consider it a must win for the stros.
and sorry to hurt you dru, but i guess every texan i've met's just rubbed me the wrong way. without me ever asking to be rubbed in the first place :redface:

[Pokemaster Ash]

BTW, somebody should check Podsednik for steroids...

...You're kidding, right? Podsednik ain't a giant like Barry Bonds (or at least how he was). You're probably just steamed 'cause Lidge gave up another game winning shot (though the one Pujols nailed almost was blown out of Minute Maid Park...).

In all seriousness, anyone can get lucky and smack one out with a good swing and the right pitch to hit. That's what Podsednik did, he got a good pitch to hit and swung at it...and smacked it into the stands to end the game.

[Number1ChanseyFan]

...You're kidding, right? Podsednik ain't a giant like Barry Bonds (or at least how he was). You're probably just steamed 'cause Lidge gave up another game winning shot (though the one Pujols nailed almost was blown out of Minute Maid Park...).

In all seriousness, anyone can get lucky and smack one out with a good swing and the right pitch to hit. That's what Podsednik did, he got a good pitch to hit and swung at it...and smacked it into the stands to end the game.

Yeah, I was just kidding. It's just driving me crazy about all of the good luck that has been happening to the White Sox during the entire playoffs. I swear the White Sox bribed those umpires or something. Everything is going their way.

It is just frustrating when you are a fan of a team that always disappoints, (the Indians) and your number 1 rival is having a dream season!!

[mr_pikachu]

By winning Game 3 of the World Series, the White Sox have done three things.

• Won the longest game in World Series history by both time (5:41) and innings (14).
• Won the first World Series game ever played in Texas.
• Set themselves up for a potential sweep of the series in Game 4, which would break an 88-year World Series championship drought.

If the Astros want to win their first MLB title, they'll have to do something no baseball team has done before: Come back from a 3-0 deficit in the World Series. (The Red Sox recovered from being down 3-0 in a best-of-seven series, but they did it in the 2004 ALCS.)


Expected Game 4 starters:
White Sox - Garcia (2-0, 3.21 ERA)
Astros - Backe (0-0, 4.91 ERA)

[.hacker]

I think it's possible to say that the White Sox will be this year's champions. They may not win today's game, but they only have to win one of the next four games. That's great odds for the White Sox.

GO, WHITE SOX, GO!!!