The Sports Bar

[Master Hayes 1]

Hey James, with the back to back losses by the Pack, the Bears today, and the Vikes win the division race has gotten a little tighter.

Edited October 18, 2010 by Master Hayes

[Mara 29]

Nah... Texas over New York; San Fran over Philly. Then Texas/San Fran in the World Series. Probably Texas, but I wouldn't care if the Giants took it. I just really don't want the Phillies to win the series this year. No offense to you. (Just offense to Polanco).

I love having Poly at 3rd and batting 2nd. We haven't had a pure number 2 hitter in a while. I was worried about his defense at 3rd, but he's been so solid this season.

Phils have 8 more games to win. They'll take it, all the way. And Poly will be the MVP of the World Series

I hope to hell not. Defectors and traitors don't deserve wins and awards.

< is not a fan of players who leave for the sole reason of wanting to win a championship

Hey James, with the back to back losses by the Pack, the Bears today, and the Vikes win the division race has gotten a little tighter.

If only the Lions could make it even more interesting.

And it could be, if they didn't get so many dang penalties. They're basically shooting themselves in the foot with those. A 1-5 could easily be a 3-3 record. Or better.

Edited October 18, 2010 by Mara

[Master Hayes 1]

Mara the Lions should be 2-4. That call in week 1,for the game winning TD, against the Bears was terrible.

[James the Defender 7]

Hey James, with the back to back losses by the Pack, the Bears today, and the Vikes win the division race has gotten a little tighter.

Heck yeah! It's going to be really interesting down the stretch later on in the season! The Packers are getting CB Al Harris and SS Atari Bigby back possibly for the game this week or next week. They also signed S Anthony Smith. It's going to be a great division!

Nah... Texas over New York; San Fran over Philly. Then Texas/San Fran in the World Series. Probably Texas, but I wouldn't care if the Giants took it. I just really don't want the Phillies to win the series this year. No offense to you. (Just offense to Polanco).

I love having Poly at 3rd and batting 2nd. We haven't had a pure number 2 hitter in a while. I was worried about his defense at 3rd, but he's been so solid this season.

Phils have 8 more games to win. They'll take it, all the way. And Poly will be the MVP of the World Series

I hope to hell not. Defectors and traitors don't deserve wins and awards.

< is not a fan of players who leave for the sole reason of wanting to win a championship.

Isn't that why every player is playing? Don't they want to win a championship or two? Don't you think as kids these guys were in their backyards swinging at the World Series walk-off or pitching the final strike, hitting their knees and hugging the catcher, being bowled over like Lidge in '08? Championships are their ultimate goal. Championships are the stuff of dreams, however trite that may sound.

Was I angry at Favre for going to the Vikes? Sure I was, at first, because they're the enemy, but you know what? He's a gamer and he wants to win Super Bowls. Now, I don't hate him b/c he's a traitor, just because he's in Purple and Yellow. (No offense, Hayes, I'm just a fan, )

Halladay left Toronto to be a Phillie because he wanted to win a World Series. CC and Lee left Cleveland for the same reason. Oswalt left Houston because he wanted to win another championship and Philadelphia represented his greatest chance to do so. These guys want to win. Placido is no different, neither is Raul Ibanez, or Mike Sweeney. These guys want to win, especially those who have never won it all, like Polanco.

What I'm not a fan of is players who leave solely for money, ala Albert Haynesworth leaving the Titans for the Redskins. Here's my emoticon for the Redskins: Come on, Albert, really?

[Mara 29]

Yeah, but I don't think usually their ONLY reason for leaving and joining a new team is to win a championship. Yes, partly, but not solely. And then there are the players that you know are just doing it for the ring, not because they like the coaches or the players or the franchise. That, to me, is completely selfish. Especially when said player hops from team to team almost every year.

I respect players more who stay in it for the long haul, knowing that the group of guys on the team they are with are worth it more than just solely getting a sparkly ring. Championships are just bonus.

But those are just my thoughts. No need for you to agree with me.

[James the Defender 7]

If Philly keeps playing like this, you'll get your wish... :(

[Mara 29]

Perhaps. But it's more than just a wish. I just honestly think the Giants are a better team this year.

Anyway... 'Canes finally got another win, whoo.

[Mara 29]

Perhaps. But it's more than just a wish. I just honestly think the Giants are a better team this year.

And Cody Ross, man, he's awesome. (Used to play over here in the minors).

Anyway... 'Canes finally got another win, whoo.

Edited October 20, 2010 by Mara

[James the Defender 7]

Really? You honestly believe that? I'm looking at this from a analyst's standpoint, not a fan standpoint. You're going to tell me you honestly believe Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez is a better trio than Halladay, Hamels, Oswalt? You believe their lineup is better than Philadelphia's? Cody Ross is their best hitter? Seriously? The Phillie's offense is slumping right now. The Giants are in the weaker division and won 91 games to the Phillies 97. It took the Giants until the last game of the season to win their division and they were just about knocked out of it...by the Padres...the Padres, who have more of a lackluster offense than the Giants do. The Giants have mustered 8 runs in 4 games in the NLCS, four from Cody Ross alone. (3 RBI, one run) The Phillies have 9. Please...Giants better than the Phillies... Philadelphia's offense has been lacking lately and we don't know why. This lineup has a Rookie of the Year (Ryan Howard), MVPs (Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins), a two-in-a-row gold glover (Shane Victorino), several perennial All-Stars (Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Carolos Ruiz, and others), and a silver-slugger award winner (Chase Utley). The Giants offense? Uh, not that kind of pedigree. The Phillies are the best team in the league. They're simply slumping right now. As for all season...please...they had the best record in the majors, that counts for plenty when you play 162 games a year. They're not lightening in a bottle...they're really good players. Why aren't they going for the sweep tonight? Who knows? Lack of heart? Lack of drive? Low testosterone? Gas? I don't know! All I know is they'd better do something, fast...especially if they plan to play in the World Series against the Rangers.

[Mara 29]

Good teams on paper don't always equal good teams in real life.

Heck, just look at how the Tigers performed this season (esp. before the All Star break). They looked good on paper. And where are they now? We've got the AL Rookie of the Year (by the Sporting News) sitting at home. Plus, an MVP candidate, also sitting at home.

There's a lot more variables at work when you get two teams on a baseball diamond than just numbers and awards.

I mean, heck, the Lions are a better team than their record shows, as well.

If they didn't get a bazillion penalties a game, who knows?

Edited October 21, 2010 by Mara

[Princess 35]

Finally, the Wings played again last night. Whomever made the schedule this year is a huge moron?

[James the Defender 7]

But you're talking all year. How does one judge that? By wins? PHI: 97, SF:91. That doesn't tell the story? Okay.

(Please don't just blow though these stats, my research took a long time. Appreciate it, I beg of you. Please...)

The Phillies were better than the Giants in: [For batting] Runs (PHI:722-SF:697), Hits (PHI:1451-SF1411), Doubles (290-284), Triples (34-30), HR (166-62), RBI (736-660), Walks (560-487), K (1064-1099), Stolen bases (104-55), OBP (.322-.321), SLG (.413-.408), AVG (.260-.257); [For Pitching] Complete Games (14-6), Shutouts (21-17), Walks (419-578.) Nobody had more complete games than Philly--closest competitor was the Mets with 8--and shutouts.

Halladay v. Lincecum this regular season:

Doc: Record 21-10, ERA .244, Complete Games 9, Shutouts 4, IP 250.2, Hits 231, ER 68, HR 24, BB 30, K 219, AVG .245, Walks and Hits per Innings Pitched (WHIP) 1.04. (Additional highlight: Pitched a perfect game)

Lincecum: Record 16-10, ERA 3.43, Complete Games 1, Shutouts 1, IP 212.1, Hits 194, ER 81, HR 18, BB 76, K 231, AVG .242, WHIP 1.27

Oswalt v. Cain this regular season:

Oswalt: Record 13-13 (7-1 with the Phillies,) ERA 2.76 (1.74), Complete Games 2 (1), Shutouts 2 (1), IP 211.2, H 162, ER 65, HR 19, BB 55, K 193, AVG. 213, WHIP: 1.03

Cain: 13-11, ERA: 2.76 Complete Games 2, Shutouts 2, IP 233.1, H 181, ER 78, HR 22, BB 61, K 177, AVG .221, WHIP 1.08

Sanchez v. Hamels this regular season:

Hamels: Record 12-11, ERA 3.06, Complete Games 1, Shutouts 0, IP 208.2, H 185, ER 71, HR 26, BB 61, K 211, AVG .237, WHIP 1.18

Sanchez: Record 13-9, ERA 3.07, Complete Games 0, Shutouts 0, IP 193.1, H 142, ER 66, HR 21, BB 96, K 205, AVG .204, WHIP 1.23

My eyes are cross from looking at all those stats, lol. But I think they say it all. Throughout the season the Phillies were heads and shoulders the better team. This NLCS? Who knows? The Giants look better offensively, pitching looks comparable, SF defense looks better, the Giants bullpen blows the Phillies 'pen out of the water...no contest there, and the Giants just plain look hungrier. But the Phils are lurking. Doc pitched on one leg last night. Oswalt goes Saturday. If they win, Hames v. Cain on Sunday. Going to be very, very interesting.

Go, Phillies...Go!

Edited October 22, 2010 by James the Defender

[Mara 29]

*shrugs* I was just saying that there's more to winning/good teams than just stats and numbers, what's on paper.

At any given game, the variables are always different. And I don't mean just the pitcher.

Say you take two teams, the same exact lineup, same conditions, and play two different games. Will the outcome be exactly the same both times?

Anyway, let's move on to something more interesting... like the rash of fines in the NFL.

Or the Canucks' Rypien who assaulted a fan.

And I agree, Prin. This NHL schedule is whacked out. The 'Canes had like 3-4 days between games, and then played two games in a row. I know there's travel time and stuff. But it's weird.

[Master Hayes 1]

James, when did Halladay pitch a perfect game? I remember the no-hitter he threw in his first postseason start, but he walked a batter that game, so no perfect game.

[James the Defender 7]

In the regular season against the Marlins. May 29th. Doc's perfect remedy

And, in closing, (since you had a closing argument ), those stats are telling. They were the better offensive team and the big 3 pitching was better for the Phils than their big 3. It's more than "stats on paper," they're hard facts. Do the teams with the best stats always win? No, not always, but there's no doubt they were the best team in the regular season. The postseason is a whole different beast, ala Chicago Cubs 2008 (101 wins, knocked out in the NLDS.) Stats tell plenty about who the best team was in the regular season.

Anyway, on to the NFL. I agree with suspensions for hits to the head, but not any other "vicious" hit. The head should be protected, nothing else from these hits.

Seriously...that's strike 3? Who can blame Howard for taking a ball...Just goes to show that officiating needs to reviewed and some Umpires need to go...This whole series...officiating's been awful...

Edited October 24, 2010 by James the Defender

[Mara 29]

*shrug* I just personally don't pull a whole lot of stock into stats.

Giants v Rangers... I'm thinking Rangers in 6.

[James the Defender 7]

Rangers in 6, I agree...the first thing we've agreed on in a while.

[Mara 29]

Heh. It's only a random guess on my part.

(Though I did get the ALCS and NLCS right on my guesses. )

[James the Defender 7]

I did too! Just the wrong result on both ends

The Phils and Yanks should play a 3rd place game.

[Mara 29]

Hahaha. :p

[Master Hayes 1]

Looks like Texas doesn't have an answer yet against the Gaints, which is too bad cause I think it would be cool if the Rangers win the Series.

On a brighter note, my Wild picked up a nice win against Ovi and the Caps. Final was 2-1. :cool2:

[Princess 35]

Wings sucked it up last night

[Ayingel 24]

Stupid Vikings waived stupid Moss. Stupid.

[Mara 29]

Well, looks like my World Series prediction is going bad.

'Canes are playing mediocre (but better than they started last season).

And the Lions won their second game of the season.

Strange things are afoot.

[James the Defender 7]

Packers beat one of the two best teams in the NFL...and the Vikings lost...yes...I love it... Packers first in the NFC North and they have as many wins as the conference leader. Go, Pack, Go!