Major League Baseball: 2012

[url=http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/7040260/terry-francona-boston-red-sox-part-ways-two-titles]Terry Francona, Boston Red Sox part ways after two titles - ESPN Boston[/url]

Just as long as he's ok with Pedey throwing around his shenanigans. Clubs need a guy like that to keep their spirits up.

[QUOTE=Bacchus;280806]We knew it was coming. Sad, but needed. Francona was a players' coach and in the end that worked to the team's disadvantage. The Sox need a no nonsense guy to come and and set down the law.[/QUOTE] Any thoughts on who the new guy might be? Bobby Valentine is the only name I have heard so far.

This has been a great season so far! Boston losing makes me the happiest man on earth! haha

Well. That sucked.

And it looks like our faith is in AJ Burnett's hands tomorrow. Lord Help us.

Jerry Meals is such a terrible umpire. I'm not gonna blame the loss on him, but he was terrible in the first two innings. I think CC could have gone 7 had he gotten the calls right at that point in time.

[QUOTE=Nightwolf;281092]Jerry Meals is such a terrible umpire. I'm not gonna blame the loss on him, but he was terrible in the first two innings. I think CC could have gone 7 had he gotten the calls right at that point in time.[/QUOTE] Having Gerry Davis behind the plate didn't help either. It was ridiculous how tiny he made the strike zone for CC. It's rare that CC ever walks 6 players.

[QUOTE=yankeegurl93;281108]Having Gerry Davis behind the plate didn't help either. It was ridiculous how tiny he made the strike zone for CC. It's rare that CC ever walks 6 players.[/QUOTE] Even we were questioning some of the ump's calls. JV was getting away with pitches that CC wasn't. As soon as JV came out, it seemed like Valverde's strike zone got a lot smaller.

Yes Gerry Davis was who I meant. And it was blatant that CC was getting screwed when Verlander threw two pitches in the same exact spot in a row and got different calls. I wouldn't criticize umpiring as much, BUT it was a 1 run game. The game shouldn't be affected by the umpires at all. And for people saying "Well Verlander had about the same amount of calls that went against him" Yeah but they weren't in the span of TWO INNINGS. CC got screwed in the first two innings while Verlander once in a while got a call against him. Yeah CC put a lot of runners on base, but when your strikes aren't being called strikes, you either have to throw balls or give the hitter good pitches. The strike zone expanding is one thing, but it should NEVER be contracted. Last night, the strike zone was contracted and it hurt CC considering Verlander at least can throw 100 and CC can't so he gets the advantage because of the umpire.

[QUOTE=Nightwolf;281134]Yes Gerry Davis was who I meant. And it was blatant that CC was getting screwed when Verlander threw two pitches in the same exact spot in a row and got different calls. I wouldn't criticize umpiring as much, BUT it was a 1 run game. The game shouldn't be affected by the umpires at all. And for people saying "Well Verlander had about the same amount of calls that went against him" Yeah but they weren't in the span of TWO INNINGS. CC got screwed in the first two innings while Verlander once in a while got a call against him. Yeah CC put a lot of runners on base, but when your strikes aren't being called strikes, you either have to throw balls or give the hitter good pitches. The strike zone expanding is one thing, but it should NEVER be contracted. Last night, the strike zone was contracted and it hurt CC considering Verlander at least can throw 100 and CC can't so he gets the advantage because of the umpire.[/QUOTE] According to ZonePlot: Incorrectly called balls, for NYY 6, DET 1. Incorrectly called strikes for DET 11 for NYY 4

[QUOTE=Nightwolf;281134]Yes Gerry Davis was who I meant. And it was blatant that CC was getting screwed when Verlander threw two pitches in the same exact spot in a row and got different calls. I wouldn't criticize umpiring as much, BUT it was a 1 run game. [B]The game shouldn't be affected by the umpires at all.[/B][/quote] The game is always affected by the umpires. The bottom line is that the Yankees didn't do what they needed to do to win.

[QUOTE=molds13;281166]The game is always affected by the umpires. The bottom line is that the Yankees didn't do what they needed to do to win.[/QUOTE] I agree completely. If they're the better team then they'll win tonight and if they don't then the Tigers deserve to move on.

[QUOTE=molds13;281166]The game is always affected by the umpires. The bottom line is that the Yankees didn't do what they needed to do to win.[/QUOTE] What I'm saying is that a pitching match up should not be determined by the umpire. I mean CC had 4 strike outs after facing 6 batters in his 2 innings on Friday. He had 4 walks after facing 6 batters in 2 innings last night. And this is CC Sabathia we're talking about, he doesn't get tired that easily. Yes they didn't need to do what they needed to win, but if Gerry Davis wasn't behind the plate, the game could have gone differently. At least this has better arguments for it than my whole "Someone kicked the bag up in game 7 on the 2001 World Series and should have been called out" argument.

[QUOTE=Nightwolf;281169]What I'm saying is that a pitching match up should not be determined by the umpire. I mean CC had 4 strike outs after facing 6 batters in his 2 innings on Friday. He had 4 walks after facing 6 batters in 2 innings last night. And this is CC Sabathia we're talking about, he doesn't get tired that easily. Yes they didn't need to do what they needed to win, but if Gerry Davis wasn't behind the plate, the game could have gone differently.[/QUOTE] Then maybe he should have adapted to the umpire's calls and pitched better... The major statistic after two innings last night: NYY 2, DET 0. If the Yankees are the better team, they will win the next two games and move on to face the Rangers. That's all there is to it.

[QUOTE=molds13;281176]Then maybe he should have adapted to the umpire's calls and pitched better... The major statistic after two innings last night: NYY 2, DET 0. If the Yankees are the better team, they will win the next two games and move on to face the Rangers. That's all there is to it.[/QUOTE] grumble

[QUOTE=molds13;281176]Then maybe he should have adapted to the umpire's calls and pitched better... The major statistic after two innings last night: NYY 2, DET 0. If the Yankees are the better team, they will win the next two games and move on to face the Rangers. That's all there is to it.[/QUOTE] Verlander as the speed pitcher still has the advantage since he can throw right down the middle and get people to swing and miss. Yes that's part of the game and he's better than CC in that regard, but it's still an advantage based on the umpire.

[QUOTE=Nightwolf;281169]What I'm saying is that a pitching match up should not be determined by the umpire. I mean CC had 4 strike outs after facing 6 batters in his 2 innings on Friday. He had 4 walks after facing 6 batters in 2 innings last night. And this is CC Sabathia we're talking about, he doesn't get tired that easily. Yes they didn't need to do what they needed to win, but if Gerry Davis wasn't behind the plate, the game could have gone differently. At least this has better arguments for it than my whole "Someone kicked the bag up in game 7 on the 2001 World Series and should have been called out" argument.[/QUOTE] But in the end cc zone didn't even matter because the yankees tied the gm off verlander so there is really no one to blame here.

[QUOTE=Nightwolf;281182]Verlander as the speed pitcher still has the advantage since he can throw right down the middle and get people to swing and miss. Yes that's part of the game and he's better than CC in that regard, but it's still an advantage based on the umpire.[/QUOTE] [url=http://vevmo.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=11827][img]http://vevmo.com/imagehosting/15504e8b8c70ba4d6.jpg[/img][/url]

AJ's pitching tonight just made up for the whole season of inconsistent crap from him.

See, last night I could ***** about how the Tigers lost because of the awful ump that was behind the plate last night...how his strike zone appeared to be 3 inches over and 3 inches up, how the hit batter in the 3rd inning wasn't a hit batter, or how the balk he called was one of the nitpickiest plays I've ever seen... But in all actuality, the Tigers played like crap and didn't deserve to win that game. And damn you, Curtis Granderson.

[QUOTE=molds13;281242]See, last night I could ***** about how the Tigers lost because of the awful ump that was behind the plate last night...how his strike zone appeared to be 3 inches over and 3 inches up, how the hit batter in the 3rd inning wasn't a hit batter, or how the balk he called was one of the nitpickiest plays I've ever seen... But in all actuality, the Tigers played like crap and didn't deserve to win that game. [B]And damn you, Curtis Granderson.[/B][/QUOTE] Both of those catches were complete game changers. He's definitely one of the best center fielders in the MLB right now.

[QUOTE=yankeegurl93;281245]Both of those catches were complete game changers. He's definitely one of the best center fielders in the MLB right now.[/QUOTE] He saved at least 4 runs, in my opinion. Even more if he didn't have someone right behind him backing him up. The Tigers outfielders on the other hand, might break a nail if they charge and dive for a ball...ugh.

[QUOTE=molds13;281247]He saved at least 4 runs, in my opinion. Even more if he didn't have someone right behind him backing him up. The Tigers outfielders on the other hand, might break a nail if they charge and dive for a ball...ugh.[/QUOTE] Without a doubt. Burnett is a wishy washy pitcher as it is and I believe that if the ball in the first inning went over Grandersons head, we would've been screwed. Not only would we have been down 2-4 runs, but Burnett would've been shaken up and probably not have lasted much longer.

There really isn't a team I like in the playoffs. So all I can hope for is that neither the Yankees or the Phillies win.

I am downright [I]nervous[/I] for the Tigers/Yanks game tonight. I want the Tigers to win SO bad!! It's 2-2 right now so this is it! Though the 2 games the Yanks did beat them on were pretty good beatings... :( C'mon Tigers, we need this!!!

Shake it off, Nova. PLEASE shake it off. Poor rookie.