What you guys say is quite true. However, I think that making the choice to put them on at the same time sends a bad message about the quality of the product. Playoff games should be an event that every baseball fan wants to watch. And I’m not saying one of the games needs to be a noon start; begin the each game (if east coast/west coast) at 6 pm local time. That way you get a double-header, most of each game will be in prime time, and unless there’s extra innings most fans will be able to watch most of both games. And the earlier start time (for the east coast, if not the west) will allow the game to get the jump on other networks’ primetime shows–a compelling game would have a chance to gain and hold the audience and ding the other channels’ ratings. Doesn’t that make sense to anyone else?
The problem with that plan is that 6 p.m. is the news hour, and there are enough Fox stations with newscasts to make that a bad plan. Throw in that 7 p.m. is usually prime syndication time for the affiliates, and they’re not going to want to bump that programming for baseball.
The real problem is that Fox has both LCS in the first place. If it were split among two networks, it wouldn’t be an issue.
**brianjedi ** is correct – the affiliates make more money from the news and syndicated shows than they will for the game (many more local ads), so they aren’t going to want to give up that income.
Weekends are less of an issue, especially since you can begin a game at 1:00 EDT and have it over in plenty of time for the news.
Well. As of the end of game 2, it’s lookin’ pretty good. The Tigers are looking solid and seem to have taken a good punch from the Athletics and kept on ticking. As of this point, I don’t see the series going past 5 games.
The Mets’ bullpen has pitched more innings than their starters? Christ…that’s weird. Their offense scares me, more specifically, their top 4. The Cardinals don’t particularly scare me. Of course, that’s why they play the games. We’ll see how that plays out.
Fox’s idea to play both games at the same time is really stupid planning. I agree with Not A Tame Lion’s assessment of how Fox feels about these games.
How can La Russa act like he’s on the fence about starting Carpenter in game 2? If he doesn’t, that he’s honoring some arbitrary system of rigidity over logic.
Although, I have a hard time believing it was “logic” that led Jim Leyland to start Alexis Gomez last night. Leyland’s having a post season that is reminiscent of some of Torre’s in the late 90’s. . .every decision he makes just turns out perfect, no matter how odd it may look on the surface.
Hey, the Cards didn’t lose last night!
I think it’s a pretty safe bet that Carp will get the nod for game 2 and Suppan for game 3 back home. That gives us a marginally better chance and I just don’t see La Russa not going with the numbers (Suppan being better at home).
Last words on the scheduling thing: the local news at 6 argument doesn’t really fly, because last I checked, an 8pm start on the east coast means a 5pm start on the west coast, so local news gets pre-empted anyway on FOX stations in the Bay Area, LA, San Diego, Seattle, and other markets not quite so large. (I know the FOX stations in SF and SD have local news; I’m assuming on the other cities.) I know there are large markets on the east coast, but there’s money to be made out here, too. What’s good for one side should be good for the other.
I’m weirdly calm about Oakland’s so far wretched performance. Don’t know why; I don’t really expect them to come back and win the series. Maybe it really is a “just happy to be here” kind of thing. They’ve accomplished the mission, so to speak, in winning the division and setting themselves up for continued success in future seasons.
Or maybe it’s just that the Tigers are too appealing in themselves, in that they’re not part of the “Yanks and Sox” bullshit that’s been overshadowing baseball so much the last few years. They’re refreshing, Leyland is a hoot to watch manage, and they really showed something by overcoming themselves and the Yankees last round. Like I said before, no shame in losing to Detroit, if it comes to that.
Friday night will be the deciding factor. If Harden comes back and is “on,” the A’s can get right back in it. If not, more championship rioting in Detroit.
This thread’s been surprisingly quiet lately…
Perhaps everyone is shocked by Detroit sweeping the A’s and the Cardinals escaping from New York with a split.
I thought the Tigers would drop game 4. The level they’ve been playing has been incredible and I figured it was time for a little letdown, although the Tigers just had to win one more game.
Obviously, they won. Good dramatic fashion.
A text message from a buddy of mine after the game :“Is there rioting in Detroit yet?”
No, not yet. We’re looking for kindling though. Hide your cars for the World Series. They’re as good as flipped.
I’ve got dibs on that big ass plasma screen tv in the window!
And Steve Lyons was fired for his stupid comments made during last night’s game:
NYTimes story (reg required)
I heard those comments, and said “WTF?!” at the time. At least it’s one less dumbass announcer on TV.
Oh crap. I missed the thread on this subject.
And I looked, too.
It’s funny how there have been so many series-ending homers in recent years. From 1903 to 1993 there were three; Mazeroski in 1960, Chambliss in 1976, and Carter in 1993.
Recently we’ve had Pratt in 2000, Ortiz in 2004, Burke last year, Aaron Boone in 2003, now Ordonez, and I think I’m missing one or two more.
The Tigers are now just the second team to go from a sub-.300 winning percentage to World Series participant within three years.
The 1911 Braves (though they were known as the Boston Rustlers at the time) went 44-107 and finished in last place, 54 games behind the pennant-winning NY Giants.
In 1914, the Braves (by then called the Boston Braves) went 94-59, finishing 10 1/2 games ahead of the Giants to claim the pennant. They were in last place as late as July 18th when they were 35-43. From that point on, they went 59-16 and, though they were huge underdogs against the formidable Athletics, swept the World Series to complete the most miraculous turnaround in baseball history.
In 92 years of baseball since then, the Tigers are the first to go from epic badness to pennant winners in such a short time. I’ve also been enjoying watching them play. I’m happy for them.
You’re probably thinking of two series-extending HRs: Jim Edmonds’s “uppercut at his eyeballs” 2-run walkoff in Game 6 of the 2004 NLCS, and The Lidge Homer from last year’s NLCS.
I won’t miss Lyons, but I didn’t think his comment merited firing. Then again, I like offending people.
So as it turned out, the A’s had no chance against Detroit. I thought otherwise, but (shrug) what are ya gonna do?
In other news, I know what Ken Macha won’t be doing from now on. I’m strangely ambivalent on that, too. Can’t really argue with his record, but he was never particularly inspiring as a manager, either.
I’m still hoping the Cardinals pull this series out. No predictions, though–I’ve learned my lesson.
Simply a function of there being more postseason games.
It’s official: Game 5 is postponed to 8:17 tomorrow due to rain across most of the eastern half of the country.
Wake up, thread! John Maine outpitched Chris Carpenter! The same John Maine who’s only worth half of Kris Benson! So logic would tell you that Oliver Perez (apparently having the worst W-L record of any pitcher to start a postseason game ever), who’s only worth half of Xavier Nady, is going to outpitch Jeff Suppan, who just shut out the Mets through 8 a few days ago! Maybe they’ll win on a Cliff Floyd triple!
So, Albert, how poorly did Maine pitch? Jose Reyes hit more home runs than you yesterday.
Looking forward to tonight’s game.
I was at last night’s game sitting next to a couple of Cards fans. What a great night at Shea. I loved seeing big shot Albert coming up quite empty again. Of course, Mr. Wagner is getting on my nerves.
Tonight should be a fun one. The is nothing like a game seven. Lets go Mets!