# MLB Postseason prediction and playoff talk thread! **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 30, 2008, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833 "2008-09-30T12:46:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/221 "2008-10-17T03:52:59Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > I’m gonna take bets on the Sox being the first team to come back from a 4 games to 1 deficit. > > Any takers? Heckyeah. If the Sox lose this game, to go down 4-1, but come back to win the series - -I’ll pay whatever you want. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/222 "2008-10-17T04:03:22Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > They don’t need to! The game is tied at 7 going into the 9th! > > Never say die, Sox, never say die! Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/223 "2008-10-17T04:04:03Z")
This is the kind of attitude I was hoping for out of the Dodgers yesterday. No matter what the outcome, kudos to the Sox for fighting back like this. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/224 "2008-10-17T04:17:24Z")
Well, if there was one team that could blow a 7 run lead, it’s Tampa Bay. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/225 "2008-10-17T04:17:26Z")
Well, that was unexpected. See you Saturday in Tampa. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/226 "2008-10-17T04:18:41Z")
Well, that sucked. The Rays should have wrapped it up tonight. I sincerely, desperately hope Boston doesn’t come back and win this series, because it would make their fans even more unbearable than they already are. Plus, i’d really like to see Tampa in the World Series. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/227 "2008-10-17T04:30:32Z")
I’d already checked out (like I did in 2004 and 2007, what can I say?) but I kept checking on the game. I came back for the 7th, 8th, and 9th. I guess it continues. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/228 "2008-10-17T05:11:59Z")
That’s one hell of a comeback from the Sox! Down 7-0 in the 7th and they ended up winning without any extra innings. Nice job, Boston! ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/229 "2008-10-17T05:42:40Z")
I was really hoping the Rays would win this one by a wide margin like they did the first two games at Fenway. If for no other reason than that I would then be able to send a letter to Mariners’ announcers Dave Niehaus and Rick Rizzs asking them to stop with the “NO LEAD IS SAFE IN THIS BALLPARK!!!111eleventy” crap every time my Mariners blow a lead in Boston. A lead is _perfectly_ safe in Fenway … if the team with the lead is any damn good\*. Harrumph. It’s the players, not the park, dammit. At least I no longer have to listen to Niehaus fellating Manny Ramir… [checks '09 schedule] … oh, we’re playing the NL West in interleague play in '09 :smack: - Of course, this is the same reason I’m glad the Yankees are moving into a new ballpark - hopefully the Mariners’ announcers will stop prostrating themselves and genuflecting and offering up burnt offerings every time they walk into the place. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/230 "2008-10-17T09:26:33Z")
Wow! I admit, I shut the set with the Sawks down 5-0. Just couldn’t watch my team going down like that. Wow. Just wow. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/231 "2008-10-17T10:05:14Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > I was really hoping the Rays would win this one by a wide margin like they did the first two games at Fenway. If for no other reason than that I would then be able to send a letter to Mariners’ announcers Dave Niehaus and Rick Rizzs asking them to stop with the “NO LEAD IS SAFE IN THIS BALLPARK!!!111eleventy” crap every time my Mariners blow a lead in Boston. A lead is _perfectly_ safe in Fenway … if the team with the lead is any damn good\*. Harrumph. It’s the players, not the park, dammit. At least I no longer have to listen to Niehaus fellating Manny Ramir… [checks '09 schedule] … oh, we’re playing the NL West in interleague play in '09 :smack: > > - Of course, this is the same reason I’m glad the Yankees are moving into a new ballpark - hopefully the Mariners’ announcers will stop prostrating themselves and genuflecting and offering up burnt offerings every time they walk into the place. Hmmm, let’s see. The team that will still likely be the world series participant this year from the American League just gave up 8 runs in three innings. I’d say they are a pretty damn good team, and I’d say that the lead wasn’t safe. Now, would the result have been different in a more cavernous stadium? Hard to say. But Fenway does offer some advantages for scoring piles of runs quickly. So I’d have to say that your thesis is missing a bit of factual support. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/232 "2008-10-17T12:29:32Z")
I’m not a very happy camper, but what a comeback. Wow! ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/233 "2008-10-17T13:28:48Z")
So I set the DVR to record the game. I’m busy playing a little _Madden '09_, so I didn’t start to actually watch the game until about 20 minutes in … on my own little DVR delay. After it got to about 5 - 0, I had one last beer and I accepted the inevitable and fall asleep on the couch. I woke up to see that it was now the bottom of the eighth, the score is 7 - 6 Rays, with Crisp up and Kotsay on second. What the hell happened?!? Why ask why … Crisp gets a hit and the score is tied. Oh this is so exciting I could just about shit in my … … friggin’ recording ended. I frantically search for the right channel for the live game … Great Caesar’s Ghost I don’t even know what time it is. I get there just in time to see Drew being interviewed after the game. I missed the 9th entirely! Damn it! However … 'tis an omen. We now have them right where we want them. The only thing left in my book is the inevitable sweep of the Phillies. Yay. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/234 "2008-10-17T13:33:33Z")
See, the Citgo sign fire was an omen. The Red Sox offense finally caught fire too. Now all that’s needed is to something to douse the flames pouring from the starting rotation and bullpen. Maybe Sarah Palin’s witch doctor could be called on to banish any evil spirits from the visitors’ dugout at Tropicana Field. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/235 "2008-10-17T13:50:18Z")
[QUOTE=RickJay] The Phillies are probably just as good a hitting team as Tampa Bay. They scored more runs despite playing in the non-DH league. [/quote] Well, I _meant_ “right now,” as in “during the playoffs,” since the Rays have more runs scored in the playoffs than the Phillies, but you’re right of course. What causes me the greatest amount of agita is that Phillies _never seem to get any hits until there are two outs_. It’s not _true_, of course, it just _seems_ like it. [QUOTE=Jack Batty] However … ‘tis an omen. We now have them right where we want them. The only thing left in my book is the inevitable sweep of the Phillies. [/QUOTE] Out of curiosity, why is a sweep of the Phillies “inevitable”? Not trying to cause trouble, just askin’. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/236 "2008-10-17T14:11:03Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > However … 'tis an omen. We now have them right where we want them. The only thing left in my book is the inevitable sweep of the Phillies. > > Yay. > [@rockle](#): > > Out of curiosity, why is a sweep of the Phillies “inevitable”? Not trying to cause trouble, just askin’. Not to speak for **Jack** , but the Red Sox pattern this decade is to come back from a deep hole in the ALCS, then sweep the World Series. Of course, we still have to win two more games, and Beckett scares the crap out of me (in all the wrong ways). ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/237 "2008-10-17T14:14:54Z")
> [@rockle](#): > > Well, I _meant_ “right now,” as in “during the playoffs,” since the Rays have more runs scored in the playoffs than the Phillies, but you’re right of course. What causes me the greatest amount of agita is that Phillies _never seem to get any hits until there are two outs_. Stuff like that makes me nervous, too. It’s just that it never lasts. It’s never the odds on bet. During the first third of the season the Blue Jays could not hit with men on base. It was beyond any sort of normal little slump; it was almost surreal. At one point they were hitting something like .277 without men in scoring position, and .203 with men in scoring position, and this in two months, hundreds and hundreds of at bats. Everyone talked about how they were cowards and losers. You know what happened? They spent the rest of the season hitting basically as well with men in scoring position as without. It’s all just flukey stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/238 "2008-10-17T14:19:21Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > Not to speak for **Jack** , but the Red Sox pattern this decade is to come back from a deep hole in the ALCS, then sweep the World Series. Bingo. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/239 "2008-10-17T14:25:41Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > Not to speak for **Jack** , but the Red Sox pattern this decade is to come back from a deep hole in the ALCS, then sweep the World Series. Don’t all teams win that way? > [@](#): > > Of course, we still have to win two more games, and Beckett scares the crap out of me (in all the wrong ways). Amen, brother. It’s still a long way to go. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833/240 "2008-10-17T14:30:25Z")
I just wanted to point out that the tying run in the bottom of the 8th scored on a timing play – it was vital for the umpires to note whether or not the runner crossed the plate before the tag at 2B. It wasn’t close – but can you imagine if it was? Wouldn’t have wanted to make that call. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-postseason-prediction-and-playoff-talk-thread/465833.md?page=13)