Closer Divisonal Series

“When will I learn?” asked The Spinners in their 1975 hit “Games People Play.” I might have known not to indicate the series were not very “mysterious” as things and series have a way of changing. The Giants, Tigers, Yankees and Nationals are still favorites but a win apiece by the four trailing teams makes the four games today all interesting in the best of five extra playoffs.

Three of the four wins were by home teams. The St. Louis Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles pulled even. However, any remaining games for them in this round will be on the road. Meanwhile the Oakland A’s won at home to stay alive. The Tigers still lead the A’s two games to one.

The team that won on the road was the San Francisco Giants, who scored without a hit in the top of the third inning to pull even at (1-1) and won the game on Reds’ third sacker, Scott Rolen’s error in the 10th inning by a (2-1) score. From (1969-1984) both league championship series had the same format as these division series namely two games at one team’s home and the potential last three at the other team’s home.The division series also had that format for either three or four seasons starting with the first “wild card induced” playoff in 1995. Such a series was mandated because of the baseball strike in 1981. In those twenty or twenty one seasons, no team has ever lost the first two games at home and won the series with that format. The Giants hope to make history and become the first team to win in such a way in the two games, three games format.

Finally, the Reds are in a (2-0) best of five series for the seventh time and yesterday was the first time that the trailing team avoided a three game sweep. Twice before, the Reds completed three game sweeps on a Tuesday en route to eventual World Titles in 1975 and 1976. Of course that was a great team. (Unbelievable that “dull as dishwater” Brian Anderson actually talked of there being hope that this Reds’ team would be a second coming of the Big Red Machine. Anderson has little excitement in his calls, rarely identifies the batter before the first pitch and shows little perspective regarding history. At the very least, he should have said becoming another version of that great team is a tall task. Sadly, there are far worse announcers than Anderson.)

Yesterday, the Giants won despite their batters being struck out 16 times. Oddly, in one of those three game Reds’ sweeps referenced above, Pirates rookie pitcher John Candelaria fanned 14 Reds’ batters in seven and two thirds innings but the Reds won the game, pennant and eventually the World Title. By the way, Pete Rose, a non home run hitter, hit a two run home run to put Cincinnati ahead in that game. Alas, Rose, who belongs in a special pantheon of Hall of Fame greats is still not in the “Hall” while baseball czar Bud Selig and his brass, who help keep him out, get extra rounds, and extended series. Frankly I have enough misery in my life. Thus I can’t fight this injustice any longer. I will end paraphrasing another hit song asking a profound question. Where have you gone Bob Costas? I await your “return.”

Dull as Dishwater