Unfortunately, we may be in for a classic NLCS (do not rule one out in the A.L., as Toronto is returning home, albeit, down 2 games to none) as the Dodgers won (1-0) behind Clayton Kershaw (suddenly L.A. once (1-5) in such games, has won 4 straight Kershaw postseason starts, three this season and three counting last year’s game 4 vs the Mets in the division series, a win for this near great pitcher) and Kenley Jansen’s pitching with an Adrian Gonzalez home run, providing the game’s only scoring.
It figures that Gonzalez’ no pressure, early game (top 2) home run proved decisive, while his clutch two out, two run hit vs flame throwing Aroldis Chapman (top 8) the night before, was wasted.
That was because Miguel Montero hit the first ever NLCS pinch grand slam home run, giving the Cubs a (7-3) lead in an (8-4) opening game win.
The Dodgers ended a nine game NLCS road losing streak encompassing 4 such series, the first three losing ones, going (0-2) at Philly in ’08, (0-3) at Philly (vs the Phillies of course),in ’09 and (0-3) at “St. Loo” vs the Cardinals in 2013. Add the game 1 loss to the Cubs in this yet to be determined series, and it was a nine game loss skein L.A. ended last night.
Conversely the Cubs have now lost all 5 of their Sunday NLCS games. The first four came in NLCS losses, the decisive game 5 loss at San Diego vs the Padres in ’84, a loss that put them in a (3-1) hole in the penultimate NBC game from its glorious game/week package at “S.F” vs the Giants in ’89, a shutout loss to the great postseason pitcher Josh Beckett at Florida, to keep the eventual World Series winning Marlins alive in game 5 in ’03, and to the Mets in game 2 last year, when the Cubs were swept out.
An additional note sent by a distinguished reader, Michael Strauss is below.
StatsCentre
#Dodgers deal #Cubs their 1st shutout home loss in the post-season since Gm1 of the 1918 World Series vs BOS (Babe Ruth the winning pitcher).
I would say pretty good on the NFL predictions as they were (3-2), highlighted by almost calling the exact score in the Lions/Rams tilt.
On my worst prediction, the Bills rout of the Niners, the “flag football” pun/comment yielded an over.
Oh did the Browns (0-6), (3-3) try hard to cover in their loss at Tennessee and they did.
New England is (5-1) (5-1) scoring late to “KO” Cincy teasers, but at least they did not pass on the touchdown play as “Pitts” and Ben Roethlisberger did the week before to “KO” Jets’ teasers.
So the next week, one of my picks, Miami scores an outright win vs “Pitts” and Roethlisberger was injured and will miss next week’s tilt vs New England.
Obviously anything can happen, but that tilt has lost some luster. After 6 out of 6 weeks staying in watching this “stuff,” I truly want to change that next week.
Eva Gabor and Eddie Albert pictured left to right from the television show, “Green Acres.”
Despite some prescience, there was no “GREEN” in my predictions.
In the “Green Acres” theme song and show, Eva’s Lisa wants “Times Square,” while Mr. Albert’s “Oliver” craves “fresh air.”
Next week I vow to get one, if not both and avoid football.
Oh, but wait, what if the NLCS goes to a 7th game. That would be next Sunday night. More on that, in my next post.
The Cleveland Indians scored only two runs in each game, however, with Francisco Lindor having the game winning hit in each and with dominant pitching, the “Lake Erie” team has a (2-0) lead in a series as late as the LCS, for the first time in their history.
It is the second straight season the Blue Jays are down (2-0) in the ALCS, after losing Friday night and late Saturday afternoon tilts, all completed before any game was played in the NLCS, both years involving the Chicago Cubs.
In 7 ALCS appearances, the Jays have played night and then day games within less than 24 hours, six times with either the Jays’ opponent (three times) or the Jays (twice) going up two games to none.
Toronto which won 5 of 6 ALCS road games, including all 3 at “Chi,” vs the White Sox in 1993, en route to 2 straight world series victories (’92 and ’93) has now lost 5 straight ALCS road games.
The operative word is nice, as in it would be nice to improve on my (13-6-2) record on my predictions, thus far this season. (One of my “ties” was on the second consecutive Green Bay “minus seven” win by 7, last week vs the “Hack” Giants, a team somehow with as many Supe wins as the Packers and Patriots).
However, it also applies to the nice weather, with a better goal for today to get out, and be somewhat active in that nice weather.
For the record, 6 games fit the “system.” I will suggest on all five. Just the lines and my scores as predictions. Of course I made some!!
New England favored by 8 points, wins (30-23) vs the Cincy Bengals.
I say the Cleveland Browns a touchdown plus underdog, win outright (20-19) at Tennessee vs the Titans.
The Pittsburgh Steelers favored by 7 plus, edge the Miami Dolphins (19-16).
Really shaky nod to the L.A. Rams, a 3 point underdog, at Detroit (Lions) buy, pay extra, plus three and a half, a field goal game either way, say (30-27).
It will be high scoring, “flag” football (pun intended), as Colin Kaepernick and S.F. will get you the cash, (really that is what counts most in this country, try saying you stood or did not stand for the national anthem as currency, next time you enter a financial institution, and you may be headed for another “institution”) as he starts at quarterback, vs the 9 point favorite, Buffalo Bills. My score: Bills 34 49ers 27.
If you think the above is out of line, I do not apologize, but will on the next one.
In 1992, luckily for me I missed the play on which Dennis Byrd, a New York Jets’ lineman was severely injured, having left the game, after interviewing Marty Glickman and others at the game. (I am still hurt by the arrogant Bill Parcells’ refusal to be interviewed concerning a Giants’ great, Marty Glickman. I also recall him saying that day (late November) the Buffalo Bills were 3 touchdowns better than any NFC team, maybe even specifying the Dallas Cowboys, (I will give him the benefit of the doubt, that he did not). That year’s Supe: Dallas 52 Buffalo 17.).
The next week the Jets ‘inspired” by the horrible circumstances concerning Byrd, upset, you guessed it the Buffalo Bills.
Today news came that Dennis Byrd died in an auto crash. I apologize for relating tragedy and football results, which itself, is near tragic.
No disrespect intended, the Jets fit the system. 7 plus point favorite, Arizona Cardinals 21 New York Jets 17.
William Daniels, pictured above as “Captain Nice.”
Tonight in Los Angeles, but unfortunately opposite game 2 of the NLCS, involving an L.A. team, the Dodgers vs the “deemed national team,” Chicago Cubs, the Los Angeles Sparks have a chance to win their first WNBA title since 2002, when they meet the defending league champion and top seed, Minnesota Lynx, at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Alana Beard’s game winning 2 point shot as time expired, (called a 3 point shot on what sounded like the L.A. broadcast) lifted the Sparks to a 2 point road win in game 1.
The home teams, Minnesota in game 2 and “L.A.” in game 3 exchanged easy home wins, setting up the Sparks’ possible title clincher tonight.
If Minnesota wins, a decisive 5th game would be played after three days off, on Thursday night in Minnesota.
Despite being so far off in my college pig prediction, as Alabama routed Tennessee, there were at least two good things about the outcome.
First of all, my pick with the score, indicated over and for the 7th time in as many “Lundquist farewell” games thus far this season, the total points exceeded the “Las Vegas/other places,” projected points scored.
Additionally after the audience was subjected to “aw shucks,” Peyton Manning, openly rooting for Tennessee, the Tide routing them, was almost worth being wrong.
Manning was a “non winner” in SEC play,epitomized by his (0-4) record vs Florida.
Let’s put it this way, when a “would be” Alabama back named (Bo) Scarborough (the way “Bama” recruits, he probably will be the next Johnny Musso (there’s a name) or better, raced 85 yards for a touchdown, that put the combined score “over” the total, I rooted for it.
Below, and I will remind you where to click, will be “The O’Jays’ “Love Train” which talked of “getting aboard.” Alas I never seem to, but as “non reader” “Stone” often reminds me, “that man who took the train,” is not around any longer, has not been for a long time.
Again, best advice regarding “this,” DO NOT START, but if you do, please do so in moderation. Sure it hurts to see something like this “over” streak and have as Jackie Gleason’s “Ralph Kramden” might say, “a mere bag of shells,” but trust me it is better than the utter humiliation and despair of losing “big.”
Click below to view “The O’Jays” sing “Love Train” Alas do not get me started on “knowing,” regarding the Blue Jays, their game 2 loss at Cleveland (Indians), played simultaneously to Bama/Tennessee.
A much earlier version below.
Today is the exact 28 year anniversary of the Dodgers’ game 1 win in the 1988 World series.
On Saturday October 15, 1988, the L.A. team rode the injured Kirk Gibson’s 2 out, 2 run home run to a series key (5-4) victory. They went on to upset the Oakland A’s, winning the title in 5 games.
Last Monday, Bob Costas, who was at the game doing “before and after” work cited the “great calls” by both Vin Scully and Jack Buck as network announcers.
Below listen to a truly great call by Don Drysdale on Dodgers’ radio. I have included one of just “Big D” audio, the second is video of the dramatic Gibson blast with bits of Scully and Buck after Drysdale. I also have included a comment from a “viewer,” with which I truly concur.
Many likened the home run by Gibson to the one in the movie, “The Natural.” Of course it was a different ending in the book.
Click below for audio and video of Gibson’s home run (#1,’88 W.S.)
Don Drysdale’s call of Gibson home run
This is audio of Don Drysdale’s radio broadcast of Kirk Gibson’s historic game winning home run. Vin Scully and Jack Buck both did the TV version for their respective networks. Both got rave reviews for their renditions, but I’m sure the masses never heard Drysdale’s, whose version IMO is as good as Scully’s and Buck’s.
As stated before, I agree with what is written above.
MLB Network’s Christopher Russo, again, someone to a degree, I have accepted, as an often needed, critical, albeit many times irresponsible, “voice” in sports, had just finished excoriating “Wash” pitcher Max Scherzer for not doing his job, when he reeled off three factual mistakes.
The mistakes were more offensive than usual (by the way, John Smoltz and Matt Vasgersian, the Fox Sports “talent” made more factual mistakes, than the Giants used pitchers in their fateful season ending 9th inning. Problem: While the Giants and even their 3 time title winning manager, Bruce Bochy get disproportionate criticism, little or none is leveled at Smoltz and Vasgersian, who are facing no “opposition,” i.e. the other team, save being unprepared or sloppy) as Russo said he would not be paid, if he did not do his job.
I will not comment on money given Scherzer or Russo save to say regarding Russo, and countless others in broadcasting, I paraphrase the great comedian Pat Cooper, and say I can be just as bad (actually far better, at least concerning facts) and would take “far, far” (Dickens again, and seeing/suffering through Russo and his ilk is Dickensian suffering) less money.
Anyway Mr. Russo the Dodgers were 8 to 5 favorites, you said the Nationals were pretty big favorites.
For years on the radio, I “suffered” as Russo reeled off factual mistake after factual mistake. Two more from yesterday, the O’s at Shea Stadium obviously tied game 4 (1969 W.S.) in the TOP, NOT the bottom of the ninth inning.
Additionally, Ron Swoboda’s great catch on which the O’s tied game 4 of the 1969 World Series, actually 47 years ago today, (maybe that is why I waited to point out Russo’s mistakes) was with Orioles’ (the O’s) runners on first and third, NOT the bases loaded, as Russo stated.
I also think Mr.Scherzer is vastly overpaid, but in my wildest dreams, I could not do what he does. That is not the case, concerning Mr. Russo.
I will make a college football prediction this week.
Tomorrow, likely I will have 5 predictions/suggestions coinciding with my “system” of a loser/loser/underdog vs a winner/winner/favorite, which “went” (2-1-1) last week.
Twice I have made college football predictions, both vs the great Alabama and their superb coach Nick Saban(0). Both times Alabama covered the spread, the second time by a fraction of a point.
“Three times a fool,” as “The Tide” (Alabama) are (6-0) (4-2), defending national champions, last year’s title one of four they have won under Saban, who also at least won a share of a 5th title, in the ’03 season title while coaching rival, L.S.U.
2 touchdown favorite, Alabama 36, Tennessee 27. tune in to CBS at 3:30 Eastern Time to watch the tilt.
The great Alabama football coach Nick Saban, pictured above has hoisted the above trophy 5 times, winning it 4 times with Alabama and once with L.S.U.
While Saban and L.S.U. claimed the then B.C.S. title, in ’03, U.S.C. won the Associated Press crown that season.
After stirring finishes in both N.L. division series which totaled 9 of a possible 10 games, game 1 of the American League Championship Series, at least initially, seems anticlimactic. Certainly their 2 division series, each a three game sweep offered little drama, the good news being only the minimum 6 games, for TBS.
Certainly it was no fault of the ALCS opponents, the two seed Cleveland Indians and the wild card, four seed but series over, seven to five favorites, the Toronto Blue Jays.
Victories totaling 5 by the two teams vs the Boston Red Sox, first forced Boston to open in Cleveland and then eliminated them in 3 straight games.
Three wins by the Indians at defending champion K.C. and three wins by the Jays over the top seed Rangers set up this ALCS.
The Indians, opening an ALCS at home for the first time, are (2-2) in previous ALCS and (0-4) in ALCS openers.
Toronto in its second straight ALCS, is (2-4) in previous ALCS, also going (2-4) in series openers.
I probably will not update this ALCS until Monday after two games, and the scheduled third game that night in Toronto.
Speaking of night, (I say) day. This will be the 6th time in the Jays’ 7 championship series appearances, that barring a postponement, game 1 is at night with game 2 beginning less than 24 hours later, during the day. In the previous 5, four times either the Jays or their opponent took a (2-0) series lead.
Conversely in the previous 4 Indians ALCS appearances, only once was there a night/day schedule for “one and two,” that in 1998 vs the Yankees. Additionally, also in contrast to the Jays’ ALCS history, all four previous Indians’ games one and two were split, the opponent winning game 1 and “Cleve” coming back to win game 2.
Andy B Sports 