Why Last Night's Events Were Like No Other in the History of Baseball
Last night, you didn't just see a couple good games and a walk-off or two. You saw some of the most dramatic moments in the history of the game, all in the span of two minutes.
What you witnessed will not be seen by most people. You saw two games deciding the AL Wild Card go down to the wire, and the Braves lose a harsh fight in Philly.
The Rays were ready to end their year having fought hard but not hard enough. However, that would soon change. Tampa Bay finally got back in the game, and Boston collapsed.
The Rays scored their first three runs on a walk, HBP, and sac fly, but Evan Longoria provided the real punch with a three-run blast. In the ninth, the Rays had more to offer.
At the time, Joe Maddon's move to send Dan Johnson, hitless since April 27, to the plate, seemed dumb. And you could still argue that it was risky. But it worked.
Johnson took a 2-2 slider deep to right field, and the pitch left the yard. Tampa Bay had tied it, and there were more dramatics to come.
In the twelfth, Longoria took a two-strike pitch deep to left field, just long enough, just high enough, and just fair. The Rays poured onto the field, knowing they were in the playoffs, following Boston's loss.
AL Playoff Matchups
(3) Detroit at (1) NY Yankees
(4) Tampa Bay at (2) Texas
In the National League, you saw more of the same thing, just the other way around. St. Louis and Atlanta opened the day tied for the NL Wild Card, and St. Louis took their game against the Astros. The Braves had to win to stay alive.
While the Phillies were playing all of their regular guys, they did come through. Chase Utley got the tying sac fly in the ninth, and then Hunter Pence came through.
Pence hit a bloop single landed in the infield, then rolled into the outfield. Brian Schneider came in with the go-ahead run, and three outs later, Atlanta was done.
NL Playoff Matchups
(4) St. Louis at (1) Philadelphia
(3) Arizona at (2) Milwaukee
NLDS Predictions
Philadelphia over St. Louis: The Cardinals may be coming in hot, but they are no match for Pence, Utley, Howard, and the Phillies. Albert Pujols and the Redbirds will think otherwise, but the Phillies lineup packed with bats and arms will be too much.
Milwaukee over Arizona: Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun anchor an offense packed with power, and Shaun Marcum, Yovani Gallardo and Zack Grienke headline some talented arms. Arizona has talent on both sides (Ian Kennedy is 21-4), but I think the Brewers will come through when they need to and hold on to win.
Texas over Tampa Bay: As amazing as the Rays rally was, I don't think they can come through against the Rangers and their hot bats. Texas has basically the same team (except for the addition of Adrian Beltre and the loss of Vlad Guerrero) that got them past Tampa Bay and New York last year, and while Evan Longoria and co. are good, it won't be enough to overtake the Rangers.
New York Yankees over Detroit: The Yankees may not have the best pitching (although it isn't horrible), but they have Curtis Granderson, Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Robinson Cano, and many other guys who can whack the ball all around the park. The Tigers have become legit competitors, but the Yankees will be riding the wood and C.C. Sabathia past Detroit easily.
World Series Prediction: Yankees over Phillies
What you witnessed will not be seen by most people. You saw two games deciding the AL Wild Card go down to the wire, and the Braves lose a harsh fight in Philly.
The Rays were ready to end their year having fought hard but not hard enough. However, that would soon change. Tampa Bay finally got back in the game, and Boston collapsed.
The Rays scored their first three runs on a walk, HBP, and sac fly, but Evan Longoria provided the real punch with a three-run blast. In the ninth, the Rays had more to offer.
At the time, Joe Maddon's move to send Dan Johnson, hitless since April 27, to the plate, seemed dumb. And you could still argue that it was risky. But it worked.
Johnson took a 2-2 slider deep to right field, and the pitch left the yard. Tampa Bay had tied it, and there were more dramatics to come.
In the twelfth, Longoria took a two-strike pitch deep to left field, just long enough, just high enough, and just fair. The Rays poured onto the field, knowing they were in the playoffs, following Boston's loss.
AL Playoff Matchups
(3) Detroit at (1) NY Yankees
(4) Tampa Bay at (2) Texas
In the National League, you saw more of the same thing, just the other way around. St. Louis and Atlanta opened the day tied for the NL Wild Card, and St. Louis took their game against the Astros. The Braves had to win to stay alive.
While the Phillies were playing all of their regular guys, they did come through. Chase Utley got the tying sac fly in the ninth, and then Hunter Pence came through.
Pence hit a bloop single landed in the infield, then rolled into the outfield. Brian Schneider came in with the go-ahead run, and three outs later, Atlanta was done.
NL Playoff Matchups
(4) St. Louis at (1) Philadelphia
(3) Arizona at (2) Milwaukee
NLDS Predictions
Philadelphia over St. Louis: The Cardinals may be coming in hot, but they are no match for Pence, Utley, Howard, and the Phillies. Albert Pujols and the Redbirds will think otherwise, but the Phillies lineup packed with bats and arms will be too much.
Milwaukee over Arizona: Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun anchor an offense packed with power, and Shaun Marcum, Yovani Gallardo and Zack Grienke headline some talented arms. Arizona has talent on both sides (Ian Kennedy is 21-4), but I think the Brewers will come through when they need to and hold on to win.
Texas over Tampa Bay: As amazing as the Rays rally was, I don't think they can come through against the Rangers and their hot bats. Texas has basically the same team (except for the addition of Adrian Beltre and the loss of Vlad Guerrero) that got them past Tampa Bay and New York last year, and while Evan Longoria and co. are good, it won't be enough to overtake the Rangers.
New York Yankees over Detroit: The Yankees may not have the best pitching (although it isn't horrible), but they have Curtis Granderson, Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Robinson Cano, and many other guys who can whack the ball all around the park. The Tigers have become legit competitors, but the Yankees will be riding the wood and C.C. Sabathia past Detroit easily.
World Series Prediction: Yankees over Phillies
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