Alive for Five
What an amazing week-and-a-half of baseball we’ve had, courtesy of the wild card format. The playoff picture wasn't decided until the season's final day, when four different games decided the postseason fate of four different teams. The Braves and Red Sox went home, while the Cardinals and Rays, who were both left for dead a month ago, advanced to the postseason.
Thanks to the wild card the first round consists of four, five-game division series. For the third time in MLB history, the division series offer three different Game 5 scenarios.
In the American League, the Texas Rangers hit four solo home runs, three of them by Adrian Beltre, to beat the Tampa Bay Rays three games to one. Rays manager Joe Maddon Tweeted this following the game: “Had a postgame toast in the clubhouse. Told them I couldn’t be more proud. Back in April I toasted the best 0-6 team ever. I was right.”
The Rangers await the winner of the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers match-up. The Yankees and Tigers have gone back and forth all series and are tied at two games apiece. Game 5 takes place at 7 p.m. today. Detroit is starting Doug Fister, whom they acquired in a mid-season trade from the Seattle Mariners. Fister is 0-1 in the playoffs with a 11.57 ERA. The Yankees are starting Ivan Nova, who beat Fister in the rain-suspended Game 1. Gazettextra.com user "Badgerlvr" added the "Anyone But the Yankees" fan to the Fan List in my previous post and I would classify myself as that type of fan. Go Detroit!
In the National League the Cardinals and Phillies have also alternated victories to put their series at 2-2. Game 5 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday night in Philadelphia; Chris Carpenter (0-0) will face Roy Halladay (1-0). I have no preference who wins this game. I would welcome and enjoy a seven-game series against either team.
The third and final Game 5 is the one most of us await. The Milwaukee Brewers were the only team to take a 2-0 lead but, after dropping two out in Arizona, find themselves in a win-or-go-home game to be played tomorrow afternoon (4:07 p.m.). This will be the same match-up we had in the Brewers' Game 1 victory as Yovani Gallardo (1-0) takes on Ian Kennedy (0-1). So far this series has proven the value of home-field advantage for the Crew.
Home-field advantage would be the only reason I would have a preference in who wins the Cardinals/Phillies series. We finished six games ahead of the Cardinals in the regular season, which means if they beat the Phils, Game 1 of the National League Championship Series will be played Sunday in Miller Park . If the Phillies win the NLDS, the Crew's first home game will be Wednesday. I know, we need to win this series first -- but I’m just stating the facts, ma’am.
Not quite the level of drama as a World Series Game 7, but we have three Game 5s in the next two days. Will you tune into any or all? Which teams will advance to the next round?
Tim Thompson is a carsalesman, farmer, and huge fan of the Milwaukee Brewers. He lives in Milton area with his wife and two kids. Tim is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Oct 7, 2011 at 9:36 a.m.
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Win or lose the 3 million plus fans in the seats make this a successful season. Of course it would be more successful if they win but saying the season is a failure if they don't is an overreaction. Some of you listen to Homer too much. ;-)
Oct 7, 2011 at 8:04 a.m.
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I understand why a first round loss is a failure. Absolutely. I just wouldnt label the entire season a failure. I saw 35 games this year and with the exception of one stolen bike, there was a ton of stuff to celebrate and put in the memory bank.
We have most of this same team coming back next season. Prince is huge no doubt, but if Casey can return to his play last year, and if Gamel can finally step up, theres no reason this is a one shot deal. We have a perennial MVP candidate locked up til 2020!!
Godfather: I appreciate the concern, it's more of a mental rest that I need when it comes to the Crew and since I don't spend a whole lot of time thinking, I'm well rested;)
Oct 7, 2011 at 7:16 a.m.
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Without a doubt, all of the pressure is on the Brewers, and as a fan, I wouldn't want it any other way. They will get a chance to show what they are made of. Either they are going to end up moving on, or be labeled "chokers"(which means Failure). Bring it on, go Crew!!
Oct 6, 2011 at 10:59 p.m.
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Tim, If the Brewers lose game 5, the season will be a failure. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and that is mine. FYI, I am a diehard Brewer fan. We invested too much to accept a 1st round loss.
Oct 6, 2011 at 10:29 p.m.
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Good luck tomorrow Tim.....get plenty of rest for your elimination game.
Oct 6, 2011 at 7:18 p.m.
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Cardinals in 7 over the Yanks. Would love to see the Cards take on the Brewers. Made a lot of money off of that one in the 80's. GO CARDS!!
Oct 6, 2011 at 6:22 p.m.
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I hope Yo goes for it. Retros would be a cool touch for game 5.
Oct 6, 2011 at 5:25 p.m.
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FYI: yo will be working on 5 days rest.
courtesy of 'Disciples of Uecker' blog...
Over 33 career starts and 215.2 innings on five days rest, Gallardo has a 20-5 record and a 2.30 ERA, and the success doesn’t stop with the traditional, surface-scratching statistics. His 3.34 K/BB ratio in these starts is well above his career mark of 2.68. He has allowed a .610 OPS as opposed to a .695 OPS on four days rest (67 starts, 403.2 innings), good for a 77 tOPS+ — that is, Gallardo allows 77% as much offensive production on five days rest as he does overall.
This year, it’s been more of the same. In 11 starts on five days rest, Gallardo has been nothing short of elite: 74.1 innings pitched, a 1.70 ERA, a 75-to-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio, only five home runs allowed, and a 2.82 FIP.
http://disciplesofuecker.com/five-a-good...
Oct 6, 2011 at 5:20 p.m.
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kenny_powers: I tweeted some people who know some people regarding retro uni's and was told "doubtful, but it'll be Yo's decision"
Oct 6, 2011 at 4:46 p.m.
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The game in a nutshell...have the pitchers throw strikes so they don't walk batters and then throw grand slam gopher balls when behind in the count.
I really don't want to see the Brewers as the only National league team to lose a first round series after jumping out to a 2-0 lead.
If the Crew wins, then we need St. Louis so we have the home field, which, apparently, is pretty damn important to the Brewers.
Oct 6, 2011 at 4:37 p.m.
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I will definitely make every attempt to watch all three game 5’s. My predictions:
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Yankees (unfortunately) knock off the Tigers tonight (7-4)
Phillies and Halladay beat St. Louis on Friday (3-1)
The Crew uses home field advantage to cruise to a victory over the D-Backs (8-2)
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Rangers over the Yankees in 5 in the ALDS
Phillies over the Crew in 6 in the NLDS
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Phillies in 7 over the Rangers
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Question – Does anyone know if the Brewers are wearing “Retro Jerseys” since it is a Friday night home game?
Oct 6, 2011 at 3:46 p.m.
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the loss would probably be more disappointing indeed, but i think the home field mojo you speak of puts the pressure on the d-backs. when at home the crew is as cool as the other side of the pillow:)
Oct 6, 2011 at 3:25 p.m.
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I respectfully disagree Grandy. In a win or go home game, the pressure is equal. I'm confident if you asked the players they would agree. I also don't agree that the results of the post season will determine whether this was a successful season. There are MANY things we could discuss about this year that I think makes it a successful season regardless of playoff results. More successful?? Absolutely, but if it's not a success its a fail right?? and this season was certainly not a fail. Just sayin...
Oct 6, 2011 at 2:07 p.m.
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The season in a nut shell. Win at home, lose on the road.
I'm so glad we are at home for game five. It is always exciting to go to the edge.
Oct 6, 2011 at 12:19 p.m.
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Something long time fans of the crew have waited years to see.
Oct 6, 2011 at 12:15 p.m.
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Believe me I will be watching as much baseball as I can. All games are exciting and c'mon Brewers get the win tomorrow!!!! I BELIEVE!
Oct 6, 2011 at 11:33 a.m.
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Sure would like to see a Brewers - Tigers World Series.
Oct 6, 2011 at 10:10 a.m.
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Since the wildcard format was introduced teams with 2-0 leads are 19-0. I'd hate to see that streak broken.
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