NATIONAL PASTIME
Latest Blog Entries
Dodgers complete improbable sweep
The Cubs entered the postseason with the Senior Circuit's best record, and left it with their century-long championship drought intact. Hiroki Kuroda tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings and James Loney provided all the support he'd need with a two-run first-inning double as the Dodgers completed the sweep and punched their ticket to their first NLCS since 1988 with a 3-1 victory at Dodger Stadium. Starter Dave Bush came up big for Milwaukee in the other N.L. series as the Brew Crew kept its season alive with a 4-1 win over the Phillies. By Jay LeBlanc.
KILL - Dodgers complete improbable sweep
The Cubs entered the postseason with the Senior Circuit's best record, and left it with their century-long championship drought intact. Hiroki Kuroda tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings and James Loney provided all the support he'd need with a two-run first-inning double as Dodgers completed the sweep and punched their ticket to their first NLCS since 1988 with a 3-1 victory at Dodger Stadium. Starter Dave Bush came up big for Milwaukee in the other N.L. series as the Brew Crew kept its season alive with a 4-1 win over the Phillies. By Jay LeBlanc.
Drew the hero as Sox outlast Angels
J.D. Drew's two-run bomb to dead-center in the top of the ninth inning off new all-time single-season saves leader Francisco Rodriguez broke a 5-5 tie and proved to be the winning margin as the Red Sox took a 2-0 lead in the American League Division Series. The Angels' backs are firmly planted against the wall as the series shifts to Fenway Park, where Josh Beckett is expected to take the hill Sunday night for Boston. In the other A.L. series, Akinori Iwamura's two-run homer in the fifth put the Rays up for good as they went on to defeat the White Sox 6-2 to take a 2-0 lead as the series moves to Chicago. By Jay LeBlanc.
KILL - Drew the hero as Sox top Angels
J.D. Drew's two-run bomb to dead-center in the top of the ninth inning off new all-time single-season saves leader Francisco Rodriguez broke a 5-5 tie and proved to be the winning margin as the Red Sox beat the Angels 7-5 to take a 2-0 lead in the American League Division Series. The Angels' backs are firmly planted against the wall as the series shifts to Fenway, where Josh Beckett is expected to take the hill Sunday night for the Red Sox. In the other A.L. first-round series, Akinori Iwamura's two-run homer put the Rays up for good as they went on to defeat the White Sox 6-2 to take a 2-0 lead as the series moves to Chicago. By Jay LeBlanc.
Cubs, Brewers facing elimination
So much for the Cubs being unbeatable at home. The Dodgers embarrassed Lou Piniella's club at Wrigley for the second straight night, this time by a 10-3 score, to take a 2-0 lead as their NLDS series heads to the West Coast. Home field advantage worked out for the Phillies, however, as Shane Victorino's grand slam off CC Sabathia - who, it turns out, is human after all - propelled Philadelphia to a 5-2 win and gave them a 2-0 lead as the series shifts to Milwaukee. In the A.L., Evan Longoria went deep in his first two at bats in support of James Shields as the Rays took Game 1 against the White Sox 6-4. By Jay LeBlanc.
Epic postseason performances
The 2008 playoffs kicked off yesterday, and only time will tell how memorable this year's postseason will be. The storylines to this point - from the Rays' improbable run to the Brewers' late-season comeback to the one-game playoff between the Twins and White Sox - are spectacular. But the question is, Will something happen during the next several weeks that will make this year's playoffs stick out in the minds of baseball fans for years to come? Only time will tell. For now, as we anxiously wait to see how the 2008 postseason plays out, let's take a look back at some of the greatest performances in playoff history. By Nick Leco.
Dodgers surprise Cubs at Wrigley
James Loney's fifth-inning grand slam off Cubs starter Ryan Dempster erased a 2-0 deficit and gave the Dodgers a lead they would never relinquish as L.A. went on to take Game 1 by a 7-2 score. The loss came as a shock to the Cubs - who went 55-26 at Wrigley Field in the regular season - but was probably less surprising to their long-suffering fans. Elsewhere, Cole Hamels pitched the Phillies to a Game 1 win over the Brewers and Jason Bay's two-run blast provided all the offense starter Jon Lester would need as Boston topped the Angels. By Jay LeBlanc.
Division Series predictions
Just about every sports fan secretly believes they're Nostradamus. It's why sportsbooks thrive, millions play in fantasy leagues and crinkled $20 bills reluctantly change hands at work every Monday during football season. The truth, however, is that we watch sports because of its unpredictability; with apologies to "The Hills," sports are the closest thing to actual reality TV. So, if we're all just making educated guesses, what's the point of airing them out? Because it's fun, that's why. Before we all change our minds, here are the National Pastime staff's first round picks.
Who's got the goods?
With the White Sox staking their claim to the A.L. Central crown in Game 163 and earning a date with Tampa Bay, our matchups are finally set. This postseason promises to put the finishing touches on what has been a glorious year for baseball, so make sure to finagle some couch allowance from the wife or get that DVR set up - you won't want to miss the next 30 days of baseball. So, which of the eight surviving teams has the goods to get the job done? Glad you asked. By Sean Raposa.
KILL - Epic postseason performances
The 2008 playoffs kicked off yesterday, and only time will tell how memorable this year's postseason will be. The storylines to this point are spectacular, from the Rays' improbable run to the Brewers' late-season comeback to the one-game playoff between the Twins and White Sox. But the question is, Will something happen during the next several weeks that will make this year's playoffs stick out in the minds of baseball fans for years to come? Only time will tell. But for now, as we anxiously wait to see how the 2008 postseason plays out, let's take a look back at some the greatest performances in playoff history. By Nick Leco.
KILL - Division Series predictions
Just about every sports fan secretly believes they're Nostradamus. It's why sportsbooks thrive, millions play in fantasy leagues and crinkled $20 bills reluctantly change hands at work every Monday during football season. The truth, however, is that we watch sports because of its unpredictability; with apologies to "The Hills," sports are the closest thing to actual reality TV. So, if we're all just making educated guesses, what's the point of airing them out? Because it's fun, that's why. Before we all change our minds, here are the National Pastime staff's Division Series picks.
KILL - Playoff shakedown: Who's got the goods?
With the White Sox staking their claim to the A.L. Central crown in Game 163 and earning a date with Tampa Bay, our matchups are finally set. This postseason promises to put the finishing touches on what has been a glorious year for baseball, so make sure to finagle some couch allowance from the wife or get that DVR set up. You won't want to miss the next 30 days of baseball, for "there's only one October!" So, which of the eight surviving teams has the goods to get the job done? Glad you asked. By Sean Raposa.
Raise your glasses ...
Make no mistake about it: Every one of this year's playoff teams will have a legitimate chance to hoist the World Series trophy. On the flip side, none of them are immune from the possibility of a crushing first-round defeat. So now, while the ending eludes us, and while fans of all the playoff teams - and even one that'll be left out - still believe this is the year, let's offer a toast to the contenders. Reaching the playoffs earns your team that first sip; enjoy it. After that, is their glass half full or half empty? You decide. By Jay LeBlanc.
It's football season in the Big Apple
... but World Series dreams are still alive for fans of baseball's seven surviving squads - and one team yet to be determined. While Hank Steinbrenner rants and raves and the Mets sit and stew over yet another September swoon, the Cubs will look to erase the pain of a century's worth of postseason heartbreak. The BoSox are looking to defend their title, while the Brew Crew is set for its first October appearance since 1982 after punching its ticket in dramatic fashion on the regular season's final day. Nobody knows what the coming weeks will bring, but one thing is for sure - it'll be fun to watch it play out. By Tom Stad.
KILL - Raise your glasses...
Make no mistake about it: Every one of this year's playoff teams will have a legitimate chance to hoist the World Series trophy. On the flip side, none of them are immune from the possibility of a crushing first-round defeat. So now, while the ending eludes us, and while fans of all the playoff teams - and even one that'll be left out - still believe this is the year, let's offer a toast to the contenders. Reaching the playoffs earns your team that first sip; enjoy it. After that, is their glass half full or half empty? You decide. By Jay LeBlanc.
