Well, the Dodgers are in the WS. You’ve got to fancy them from here, considering they’ll now go into the series with well rested pitchers, as opposed to the yanks/astros who will have played at least 4 more postseason games. By the way, has anyone gone the entire postseason unbeaten? A lot of baseball still to be played, but could these Dodgers do it?
Well considering they lost a game to the Cubs in the series just gone I would say not.
Well, the Dodgers are in the WS. You’ve got to fancy them from here, considering they’ll now go into the series with well rested pitchers, as opposed to the yanks/astros who will have played at least 4 more postseason games. By the way, has anyone gone the entire postseason unbeaten? A lot of baseball still to be played, but could these Dodgers do it?
Well, the Dodgers are in the WS. You’ve got to fancy them from here, considering they’ll now go into the series with well rested pitchers, as opposed to the yanks/astros who will have played at least 4 more postseason games. By the way, has anyone gone the entire postseason unbeaten? A lot of baseball still to be played, but could these Dodgers do it?
Well considering they lost a game to the Cubs in the series just gone I would say not.
Well, the Dodgers are in the WS. You’ve got to fancy them from here, considering they’ll now go into the series with well rested pitchers, as opposed to the yanks/astros who will have played at least 4 more postseason games. By the way, has anyone gone the entire postseason unbeaten? A lot of baseball still to be played, but could these Dodgers do it?
Already lost a game to the Cubs, 4 - 1 remember
D’oh! Away on a school trip in Sri Lanka, so intermittent internet - could’ve sworn it said ‘Dodgers lead series 3-0’ while the last game was going on...
Oh well. Still fancy them. Like the Cubs last year, they’ve been the best team this season. And like Damo says - anyone but the Yankees.
Should be an exciting series. Both teams are very strong offensively with good starting pitching. But as a Dodgers fan I think our Bullpen is better than Houston's and we also have the extra home game which could be decisive as we haven't lost at home in the Post Season. Dodgers in 6.
After a lot of hype on 5Live I watched some live on telly early this morning. I don't appreciate the finer points of the game admittedly but very little happened apart from the guy hitting the first ball for a home run. Amazed to hear the price of tickets on the black market. For me the most interesting thing was seeing Jerry Seinfeld in the crowd. Each to their own, I won't be watching again.
After a lot of hype on 5Live I watched some live on telly early this morning. I don't appreciate the finer points of the game admittedly but very little happened apart from the guy hitting the first ball for a home run. Amazed to hear the price of tickets on the black market. For me the most interesting thing was seeing Jerry Seinfeld in the crowd. Each to their own, I won't be watching again.
That’s fair enough @Riviera However, I wouldn’t take one game as a yardstick, especially a low scoring game like last night. Baseball is a long game so, like cricket, you can watch while doing other stuff, if you know what I mean - you can chat, go off to the bar, fill in a scorecard, that sort of thing. When watching at home, I generally mark books or browse the internet while watching.
Having said all this, the big turning point for me when I first got into it was learning some of the basic rules - some of which are not that obvious to a layman - and suddenly the game became more interesting. As time went on, I learned about tactics, types of pitch, obscure rules and general points of interest and my baseball viewing experience is so much richer for this.
Yet, despite this now longstanding love of the game, there are still games where I lose interest. Low scoring games, dull games, games with very little riding on them, games between teams where I am unbothered by who wins, you know the sort of thing. This doesn’t mean the game is boring, just maybe that particular game wasn’t the best. I’d suggest giving it a chance. Learn about stealing, sacrifice flies, bunts and double-plays. Marvel at the astonishing strength and accuracy of some of the fielders. Some games you’ll get a laugh at the theatre of players and coaches getting thrown out of the game for arguing with the umpire and, if you’re lucky, enjoy the spectacle of the benches clearing for a ruck when a player gets gobby or a pitcher slings a ball at a batters bonce. There’s so much more to the game, but it admittedly requires a little dedication to appreciate it, especially if you start with a duffer.
So I’d say, try again. A couple more times at least. But then again, if you can’t be bothered, that’s fine too.
Terrific Game 2 last night. I thought the Dodgers had it when we got to Verlander and when we came back again in the bottom of the 10th but fair play to Houston for getting the series back to 1-1. Hopeful still for the Dodgers but it will be tough winning at least one game in Houston. On a separate issue looks a very harsh decision the Yankees sacking Joe Giradi after the season they had but that's how ruthless things can be sometimes
Ok so I'm giving it another go tonight. Positives - The atmosphere in Houston is fantastic. I don't know if they have a honorary pitcher to get things going every game but tonight George W Bush threw the ceremonial ball having received it from his Dad, George Bush Snr. There were no women within groping distance of the old man! He doesn't look good but his voice is ok as he called over the mike "Houston, let's play ball!" The crowd loved it. George W looks very fit for 71 and his pitch looked pretty good. I understand he hasn't had a drink for about 30 years and goes to bed at 9pm every day; maybe that helps! So some questions: Do teams only have one pitcher? Seems to stifle variation if they do. Does anyone ever get past 1st base? It seems to me that as the actual playing area is quite small, if you don't hit a home run you can't get much further than to the first base.
I've been to the states quite a few times but never been to a "ball game" but if go again I will make an effort. I am going to persevere, it is more interesting than NFL or NBA without a doubt. However I do feel that I am missing something that everyone there seems to "get".
Pitchers: Each team has a number of ‘Starting’ pitchers who rotate every four or five games. Then they have a ‘Bullpen’, which is a group of pitchers used to relieve the starter once he gets tired (after about 6 innings) or because he’s having a mare (after fewer innings - sometimes even in the first inning). Finally, you have the closers. These are the guys who specialise in getting the last 3 or so batters out. Seems a bit much, I know, but pitchers are hugely important and prone to injury, so teams make a point of protecting them by not overplaying them. Sometimes, when a game is effectively lost, a team will use an outfielder to pitch an inning or two, just to give their pitchers more rest time.
Getting past first; True, most hits seem to result in a single, but doubles are fairly common too, although triples are quite a bit rarer. This can be good though, as a man at first brings the double play into the game - (This is when you get two men out in one go) - and brings stealing into the game too. The field can set up to induce a double play when there’s a man on first. This is one reason why teams often try to steal second, to remove this possibility. (Although the main reason is to get a man in ‘scoring position’ - ie on second or third base. So called because, with the head start you can get, it’s often possible to score from 2nd or 3rd even when your teammate only hits a single.)
First World Series that I'm watching since it's a lot easier to catch it out here in the States. Hoping the Astros can win it all, will be following them going forward.
Wow what a Game 5 last night. Still hopeful for the Dodgers but to give up a 3 run lead twice especially with Kershaw on the mound is tough to take but all credit to Houston who never gave up. Roberts decision to bring in Morrow who has been well used already when the Dodgers had the lead late on was a mistake and now Houston will fancy their chances with Verlander going in Game 6. At least we are now back in LA and after tonight who knows what will happen now.
I’m glad it’s gone to game 7. It just adds to the drama. I think I’ll cheer on the Dodgers, but I don’t really mind who wins so I’m just able to enjoy the spectacle.
Congratulations to the Astros. Commiserations Dodgers. Decent series. Game 7 not too great as they pretty much won it in the first 2 innings, but deserved winners in the end. Dodgers just couldn’t convert anything tonight.
On a different note, it’s interesting how a terrible regional situation sees the local baseball team come together stronger. We saw it in Boston in 2013 after the attack at the marathon and now Houston, after the devastation of the hurricane, have done it too. Not trying to trivialise the hurricane, just find it fascinating how some teams find strength in these circumstances. Well played Astros.
Comments
Anyone but the Yankees though
Away on a school trip in Sri Lanka, so intermittent internet - could’ve sworn it said ‘Dodgers lead series 3-0’ while the last game was going on...
Oh well. Still fancy them. Like the Cubs last year, they’ve been the best team this season. And like Damo says - anyone but the Yankees.
Winner takes all 7th game in Houston tonight
Dodgers 1 - 0 Astros
However, I wouldn’t take one game as a yardstick, especially a low scoring game like last night. Baseball is a long game so, like cricket, you can watch while doing other stuff, if you know what I mean - you can chat, go off to the bar, fill in a scorecard, that sort of thing. When watching at home, I generally mark books or browse the internet while watching.
Having said all this, the big turning point for me when I first got into it was learning some of the basic rules - some of which are not that obvious to a layman - and suddenly the game became more interesting. As time went on, I learned about tactics, types of pitch, obscure rules and general points of interest and my baseball viewing experience is so much richer for this.
Yet, despite this now longstanding love of the game, there are still games where I lose interest. Low scoring games, dull games, games with very little riding on them, games between teams where I am unbothered by who wins, you know the sort of thing. This doesn’t mean the game is boring, just maybe that particular game wasn’t the best.
I’d suggest giving it a chance. Learn about stealing, sacrifice flies, bunts and double-plays. Marvel at the astonishing strength and accuracy of some of the fielders.
Some games you’ll get a laugh at the theatre of players and coaches getting thrown out of the game for arguing with the umpire and, if you’re lucky, enjoy the spectacle of the benches clearing for a ruck when a player gets gobby or a pitcher slings a ball at a batters bonce.
There’s so much more to the game, but it admittedly requires a little dedication to appreciate it, especially if you start with a duffer.
So I’d say, try again. A couple more times at least. But then again, if you can’t be bothered, that’s fine too.
Last night's game considered to be one of the greatest in World Series history, shame you didn't watch that one.
So some questions:
Do teams only have one pitcher? Seems to stifle variation if they do.
Does anyone ever get past 1st base? It seems to me that as the actual playing area is quite small, if you don't hit a home run you can't get much further than to the first base.
I've been to the states quite a few times but never been to a "ball game" but if go again I will make an effort. I am going to persevere, it is more interesting than NFL or NBA without a doubt. However I do feel that I am missing something that everyone there seems to "get".
Pitchers:
Each team has a number of ‘Starting’ pitchers who rotate every four or five games. Then they have a ‘Bullpen’, which is a group of pitchers used to relieve the starter once he gets tired (after about 6 innings) or because he’s having a mare (after fewer innings - sometimes even in the first inning). Finally, you have the closers. These are the guys who specialise in getting the last 3 or so batters out. Seems a bit much, I know, but pitchers are hugely important and prone to injury, so teams make a point of protecting them by not overplaying them. Sometimes, when a game is effectively lost, a team will use an outfielder to pitch an inning or two, just to give their pitchers more rest time.
Getting past first;
True, most hits seem to result in a single, but doubles are fairly common too, although triples are quite a bit rarer. This can be good though, as a man at first brings the double play into the game - (This is when you get two men out in one go) - and brings stealing into the game too. The field can set up to induce a double play when there’s a man on first. This is one reason why teams often try to steal second, to remove this possibility. (Although the main reason is to get a man in ‘scoring position’ - ie on second or third base. So called because, with the head start you can get, it’s often possible to score from 2nd or 3rd even when your teammate only hits a single.)
Glad you’re giving it another go riv.
Got to go out now, so can’t watch the end. Gutted.
Houston lead 3-2.
I think I’ll cheer on the Dodgers, but I don’t really mind who wins so I’m just able to enjoy the spectacle.
Commiserations Dodgers.
Decent series. Game 7 not too great as they pretty much won it in the first 2 innings, but deserved winners in the end. Dodgers just couldn’t convert anything tonight.
On a different note, it’s interesting how a terrible regional situation sees the local baseball team come together stronger. We saw it in Boston in 2013 after the attack at the marathon and now Houston, after the devastation of the hurricane, have done it too.
Not trying to trivialise the hurricane, just find it fascinating how some teams find strength in these circumstances.
Well played Astros.