The MLB Thread

[Allan]

Wilson picks up the save for the Giants as they progress into the NLCS to face the Phillies, winning 3-2 on the night and 3-1 in the series.

 

The Braves will reflect on some indifferent fielding and a total lack of hitting throughout the series. Only Brian McCann can come out of the series with any positives.

 

The series was dominated by the pitching staffs on both sides.

 

Just 1 game left to go in the divisional series, and that sees the Rays host the Rangers for the right to face the Yankees in the ALCS.

 

Should be some cracking pitching match ups when the Giants play the Phillies, and you'd imagine that Lincecum against Halladay will be the pick of the bunch. I certainly wouldn't want to be facing either pitcher given their current form.

 

I'm glad that the Braves made into the post season at least, it's a nice send off for the legendary Bobby Cox, though I'm obviously disappointed that we couldn't progress deeper into the play-offs to give him a farewell that he'd never forget.

[Guest ShoePiss]

Ah Bobby Cox, don't know if you get the post game stuff. Touching interview with him right now.

[Allan]

Ah Bobby Cox, don't know if you get the post game stuff. Touching interview with him right now.

 

I'm sat in work mate, been following the last 2 games on MLB.com Gameday.

[Allan]

Texas have taken an early lead in game 5. The speedy Elvis Andrus, product of the Braves farm system, has scored the first run off a Josh Hamilton groundout.

[Allan]

Tampa have tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the 3rd. An RBI single from Ben Zobrist leveling things up again.

[Allan]

The Rangers take the lead once more in the top of the 4th. Nelson Cruz steals 3rd base and then scores on a throwing error from the Rays catcher, Kelly Shoppach.

[Allan]

Ian Kinsler drives in the 3rd run of the game for Texas, so they now lead 3-1 on the night going into the 7th.

[Allan]

Ian Kinsler may have put this series to bed for the Rangers, as he hits a 2 run homer to left field that makes it 5-1 in the top of the 9th.

[Allan]

The Rangers won game 5, 5-1, to win the series 3-2.

 

Cliff Lee threw a complete game to pick up his 2nd post season victory.

 

The Championship Series will now be contested as follows:

 

ALCS - New York Yankees vs Texas Rangers

 

NLCS - Philadelphia Phillies vs San Francisco Giants.

[neko]

cliff lee - what a pitcher.

 

 

Girardi Unsure If CC Sabathia Can Walk Out To Mound On 3 Days' Rest

 

 

NEW YORK—Yankees manager Joe Girardi admitted to reporters Wednesday that he still had doubts that starter CC Sabathia could muster the energy and strength to endure walking to the mound on just three days' rest. "I'm fairly sure he can make it about halfway to the mound, but he's going to be exhausted," said Girardi, expressing concerns about the wear and tear on his ace pitcher's body. "Usually he only makes it without collapsing on four days' rest, but this is the ALCS, so he might just have to gut it out. Either way, we are going to keep a close eye on his step count." Girardi said he planned to have Sabathia conserve energy by sitting down between pitches, and intended to have seven or eight players carry the 2007 Cy Young winner into the dugout after each inning.

[Josef Svejk]

Go Giants!

 

Stadium looking awesome, beautiful day. Wish I was there, garlic fries and all...

[Haan'sThunderbolt]

What a performance from Cliff Lee - 13 strike outs, and he even allowed a walk, and a hit....

Can the Yankees hit back tonight? Thought it was funny that the Yankees hitting coach said they had a strategy for Lee.......

[RedKnight]

Hope not, love to see a Rangers/Giants World Series.

[Josef Svejk]

Hope not, love to see a Rangers/Giants World Series.

 

Me too! As a Giants fan, a hater of the Yankees, and a well-wisher to any sports organisation that`s been violated by Thomas Hicks...

[Allan]

Yankees won game 5 last night, taking the series back to the Bronx trailing the Rangers 3-2 in the series.

 

The Giants edged a step closer to their first World Series in many moons, as they won game 4 against the Phillies to go 3-1 up in the series. The Phillies need to win game 5 in San Fran to stand any chance of progressing.

 

Looking forward to a Cliff Lee vs Tim Lincecum dual in game 1 of the World Series....

[Josef Svejk]

Great game in San Francisco last night. And the right result!

[WrongIslander]

Lee v Lincecum is what we all want to see. Great to see the "lesser" sides in front and hopefully in the world series.

[Guest ShoePiss]

There's a real strong team spirit with the Giants, did you see that celebration last night? Hope they can finish it off today!

[Allan]

The Giants have to overcome a certain Roy 'Doc' Halladay tonight, though they have Tim 'The Freak' Lincecum up against him. Should be another interesting game.

[Allan]

Giants have an early lead courtesy of a Buster Posey force out RBI.

 

Lincecum has retired the first 6 Phillies batters as well, so a good start for El Gigantes.

[Allan]

Phillies take the lead in the top of the third thanks to an Aubrey Huff fielding error which allowed Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez to score.

[Allan]

More problems for the Giants now as the Phillies extend their lead to 3-1, after Shane Victorino comes home from 2nd on a Placido Polanco RBI single to left.

 

The error by Huff allowing the 2 runs to score and Victorino to advance to 2nd may cost the Giants dearly.

[Allan]

Bottom of the 4th and a Cody Ross RBI double scoring Pat Burrell has reduced the deficit to 3-2 in favour of the Phillies.

 

Game on!

[Allan]

Top of the 9th and Jayson Werth may have wrapped up the game for the Phillies with a solo shot to right to give the Phillies a 2 run cushion. 4-2 Phillies, runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 out.

[Allan]

Brad Lidge comes into the game to close it out for the Phillies and picks up the save that sees the series head back to Philadelphia for game 6. Giants lead the NLCS 3-2.

 

Game 6 between the Rangers and Yankees in the ALCS tonight, with the Yanks' Phil Hughes up against Colby Lewis for the Rangers.