Lugie's List 11/2 - Yay-Rod??

"Yay-Rod" - That's the best you could do Daily News?

1. Look, I'm not going to take credit for predicting a Brad Lidge blow up - that's like predicting the mall will be crowded the day after Thanksgiving and being unable to find a parking spot for an hour. But after last night the Yankees are one game away from their 27th championship thanks to Lidge crapping the bed yet again. What an AB by Johnny Damon in the 9th - keeping the inning alive and stealing second and third - forcing Lidge to throw A-Rod three straight fastballs because he was scared of a wild pitch. You can say what you want about some of the Yankee performances this post season...but almost every player on the roster has had a moment contributing to where the Yankees are right now.

2. I know it has been beaten to death on this blog - and Mr. Dave Silverstein will say "he's the best player in baseball it is expected." But, the # of clutch hits piling up for A-Rod this postseason are enough to last a career. Best player or not, it is amazing how quickly he is turning his clutch reputation around.

3. Everyone is going to be talking about Charlie Manuel starting Joe Blanton over Cliff Lee on 3 days rest in Game 4. To Blanton's credit, the game was not lost by him and he did keep the Phillies in the game. However, as a friend pointed out to me Saturday, can the Phillies really win this series without starting Lee 3 times? Even if Lee wins Game 5 you are looking at Pedro for Game 6 and Hamels for Game 7 on the road. That’s just a tough hole to put yourself in down 3-1 without another 'sure thing' in your rotation.

4. I hear Brett Favre played a football game Sunday? I'll save the gushing for the MNF crew tonight and the game breakdown for Dave. Here is what we learned (if this wasn't obvious already) from the Vikings and Eagles victories over the Giants and Packers. Beating the Chiefs, Raiders, Redskins, Rams, Browns and Lions is the equivalent to an NFL squad beating up on a pop-warner team. Historically horrendous football teams . It’s as far from a measuring stick game as humanely possible and I'm no longer reading anything into it (i.e. I no longer think the Giants are the best team in football - not close).

5. Thom Brennaman's gushing speech near the end of Vikings-Packers about how he hopes everyone can "move on" after Favre's return to Lambeau was painfully forced and inappropriate. I think it was the exact word for word speech at the end of the Remember the Titans. When will the media learn that outside (...does Green Bay even care for all this press about Favre at this point?), nobody cares about this story! If I have to watch Brett Favre cry in another interview/press conference I'm going to gouge my eyes out. The good news: the never ending Favre coverage and my hatred for the 6pm SportsCenter has spawned this idea for a column: Annoying 6pm SportCenter stories of the last decade. Pedro Gomez and Shelly Smith take cover. Stay tuned.

6. What the hell happened to the Jets and Giants? Cue the clip of Noah and Jared lighting each other on fire...which leads me to...

7. Amazingly, this might be the best week ever to be a Redskins fan on this blog. BY VIRTUE OF A BYE, MY TEAM DIDN'T HAVE THE WORST WEEK!!!! Best Skins moment since Super Bowl XXVI (as a Skins fan, I will take whatever I can get).

8. Let me preface this by saying I'm not greedy - while part of me wants the Yankees to win at home (currently holding tickets), due to outrageous ticket prices and StubHub fees stipulating they get half of my living assets when I die, I'll be very happy to not spend the money and take a W tonight.

9. My 'unofficial favorite day of the year', day light savings, ruined by Halloween. Because I was so inebriated Saturday night, I didn't even notice the clocks had turned back. Throw in the fact when I remembered it was day light savings, I immediately though it was an hour earlier (until someone told me it wasn't - stupid phone and cable companies). Therefore, it actually felt like moving the clock ahead an hour in the spring (my 'unofficial least favorite day of the year'). Tough life I live.

10. Sunday Night TV Ratings: Every sports announcer all weekend: F--, Dexter: A-, Curb: B+, Californication: B+, Bored to Death: C- (going to finish out the season next week).

-Steve Lugerner

Quick Picks: Week 8

Well, I wanted to write about the six best games of the week, but frankly, there are only four games I consider worth watching.  So here goes...

Dolphins @ Jets = DOLPHINS 
-I know the Jets are going to want to come out and play a tough game for the home crowd, but after last week's collapse to the Saints I see the Dolphins as a team completely unwilling to let their record fall to 2-5.  Week 5 was a great game to watch, but now the Jets are without Leon Washington and Kris Jenkins and Sparano has had plenty of time to catch up on game film of Braylon.  I know everyone in New York is pumped up over Shonn "Gang" Greene, but let's not get carried away just yet.  Wildcat prevails 24-14.

Giants @ Eagles = EAGLES 
-For the record, I didn't feel good about writing that pick.  How much Philthadelphia can one endure in a week?  I'm just worried about the Giants is all.  Two weeks ago New Orleans exposed their defense.  Last week Arizona exposed their offense.  I want to say the Giants should roll without Westbrook in there, but the Eagles don't run the ball anyway and asking C.C. Brown to not let DeSean Jackson get past him is like asking Garfield not to eat lasagna...(haha, that crazy cat, when will he learn??).  Eagles take this one 33-31.

Broncos @ Ravens = BRONCOS 
-I've been scorned twice putting my neck out for the Ravens this season and I'm not gonna do it again.  Neckbeard Orton is playing mistake-free football (unlike a certain 10 INT-throwing former Bronco QB) and their defense is firing on all cylinders.  The Ravens D just isn't as dominant as it once was, but unfortunately it's not their fault.  They still play the aggressive defense I love, but the NFL apparently thinks all QBs are wearing skirts during the game and it's hurting the Ravens more than any other team.  While I once thought the Broncos were the most overrated 4-0 team in the league, I gladly stick my foot in my mouth and say now that they're playing complete football.  Broncos win an ugly one 20-17.

Vikings @ Packers = PACKERS

-OMG!  This is the big one.  If I thought Week 4 was a rough one for me, then this one's got me feeling as vulnerable as a bride left at the altar.  I'm sticking to my guns though.  This isn't just me saying it for the sake of being a fan.  The moment the first game ended I told myself, "We're going to beat them at Lambeau."  I mean think about it, did we really lose that game the first time around?  I know we did, obviously -- I know how scores work.  Rodgers had close to 400 passing yards with Antoine Winfield in the game and we held AP to 55 yards on the ground.  Sure Favre looked great, but he didn't beat us.  We had 7 penalties and gave up 8 sacks.  Now we're playing at home and have most of our o-line healthy, you think we'll have all those false start penalties at Lambeau?  No way.  My only concern is Brett picking apart Al Harris again, but now Bigby's back and hopefully he can provide some help to that side of the field.  I'm gonna go high-scoring here: Packers take it 34-28.


Things to Watch For:

-I know there are some awful teams in the league this year and I'm not much of a betting man (mainly due to lack of funds), but a lot of these spreads aren't sitting right with me.  Nearly half the games this week have double-digit lines.  This is still the NFL and I'm a firm believer in the old "any given sunday..." adage.

-Matt Forte's going up against the 31st best run defense in the league, allowing 172 rushing yards per game, so I guess it's time to clear some room in Canton again once Forte goes 18-133-2 against them.

-After being called for 'roughing the passer' on yet another big play, Ray Lewis will actually rip Ed Hochuli's arms off and beat him to death with them in the middle of the field.
 

-Vince Young will be traded for JaMarcus Russell mid-game and then traded back -- no one will notice.

-On the 3rd play of the game, Matt Hasselbeck will injure one of the three bones in his body he has yet to injure and post another 0.2 pt. fantasy day for his owners.

My 'Matt Berry-esque' Fantasy Sleeper of the Week: Reggie Wayne, WR Colts.  I know people have been jumping ship on him with Anthony Gonzalez due back in two weeks, but he's still available in 0.3% of all fantasy leagues, so go out there and grab him.

My Actual Fantasy Sleeper of the Week: Jeremy Maclin, WR Eagles.  Even if the Giants do find a way to slow down DeSean Jackson, they can't stop both of them.  I'm not saying this is a good move for a PPR league, but Maclin could be good for some long bombs and maybe a touch.  Maybe a 3-78-1 line.  Definitely worth a look as a WR3.
 

My Fantasy Worry of the Week: Andre Johnson, WR Hou.  Don't get me wrong.  I have AJ on one of my teams and I really hope I'm wrong here, but I just think if Houston puts up a lot of points early on, with a healing lung and that cold air in Buffalo, Kubiak might ask Andre to grab some bench and get some rest.

Cherish Week 8...once it's gone, so is half the season.

-Dave

Gamblers Anonymous: World Series Game 2 and Week 8 in the NFL

Before getting to the NFL, what a masterful performance by AJ Burnett last night who out pitched Pedro Martinez on turn back the clock night. Pedro’s face leaving the field had me literally bursting into laughter - it went from utter disappointment to chuckling at the Yankee cheers in a matter of seconds. Great World Series drama.

And how many bad calls are we going to have to see this postseason? The Howard "catch" and double-off, and Utley "out" at first on another called double-play BOTH could have altered the score of this game. JUST PUT IN A REPLAY SYSTEM ALREADY. I just hope they don't screw up a call that decides the series for the sake of the sport.

This was my first Yankee game during the postseason watching with full sound (either been at the game or in a loud bar)...I must say I forgot how incompetent the duo of Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are....ESPECIALLY McCarver. How have we gone 15 years now without changing the announcers for the World Series? I can name 546 guys off the top of my head better than McCarver and it seems like Joe Buck plays down to McCarver's level. McCarver actually had me questioning why I didn't pay $500+ for a ticket last night just so I didn't have to hear him.

Help Wanted: For Halloween I am planning to go as Mariano Rivera...I will pay someone $20 for the night to carry a boom box/speaker set with them and every time I enter a room blast Enter Sandman. Serious inquiries only (don’t make me post on Craig’s List and get murdered people).
Awkward/hilarious text of the week goes to my dad...who after the Yankees victory last night sent me: "I'm your daddy." And you people wonder where I get it from.

Top 5 casinos put off until next week due to my tight schedule...book signing in the village at noon and then heading on a chopper to Philly to cover Game 3. Tough life. Here are my NFL bets:

Don't Stop till You Get Enough: Colts -13 over 49ers - The 49ers are not terrible, but with Alex Smith starting his first game in [insert stat here, BingBong hasn't sprung for a Tony Reali of our own yet], I'm going with the Colts. Three guarantees in life: Death-Taxes-Lugie Betting the Colts.

Fool me once…shame on me…fool me…fool me twice…ya not gonna fool me again!: Dolphins +3 over Jets – I realized if I just started betting the Dolphins, then I wouldn’t feel bad when I lose most bets betting against them. So you see people, behind this logic…this bet is A LOCK!

Bingo Night Football! - Saints -10 over Falcons – The Saints finally had a bad half last week and still put up 40+ when it was all said and done. The Falcons looked exposed on the road vs. the Cowboys and I expect more of the same from Drew Brees.

Actual Vegas Line: Bye week -20 over Redskins – I’m figuring during the bye week we get a few more stories about signs being confiscated before entering the stadium shades of Stalin Russia, and then maybe some video of Snyder stealing a kids Halloween candy and smashing it under a bulldozer he bought just for shits and giggles. Bye week in a rout!

-Steve Lugerner

Thank you Mr. Donaghy! Love, Noah

Just today, I was conjuring up ideas about how to craft an article on how the NHL is better than the NBA. And while I don't have said article ready to go yet, these revelations from Tim Donaghy's not-going-to-be-published-in-the-near-future tell-all book just handed me the keys.

Making bets on who would call the first foul? Targeting a bad boy to try and call the first technical? Yikes. While that is horrifying, you have to admit...it sounds kind of fun, no?

Anyway, what Steve left out is the disgusting actions taken by the NBA itself. The league was essentially giving referees marching orders on who should prevail in a playoff game? Sure, the refs listened, but the NBA was essentially complicit in it all anyway!

The NBA is seemingly obsessed with the promotion of its stars -- the Kobes, LeBrons, and Garnetts of the world.

While the NHL struggles for legitimacy by NOT shoving its stars like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin down our throats, the league, in the least, retains its integrity and credibility. And don't get me wrong, the NHL does a million things wrong with its sport. I have given up on doing things to my Gary Bettman voodoo doll because it clearly is not working. For now, THANK YOU Tim Donaghy. Thank you for going a long way to helping me prove my point.

NOTE: For a fun look back at the abominable Lakers-Kings series from 2002, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4t5RMFt5u8. Pay special attention to the forearm to the face Kobe lays on Mike Bibby in Game 6 (it's shown about 50 times from different angles). Not even Tim McClelland would've missed that one.

Our first NBA post is not a positive one...

Expect an NBA preview from Silverberg and I soon...but excerpts from Tim Donaghy's book, Blowing the Whistle, are out:

http://deadspin.com/5392067/excerpts-from-the-book-the-nba-doesnt-want-you-to-read

The betting on technical fouls and first foul of the game stuff is just...WOW. I was just saying to someone even if half of this stuff is true (shades of Jose Canseco's book about steroids for MLB)...the NBA is in a shit storm of trouble. I think pretty much every hardcore fan has questioned the outcome of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Kings-Lakers and here is additional evidence to back it up. And while I always loved Bavetta, if this stuff is true he has to resign ASAP. Absolutely calls into question the last 20 years in the NBA. I am curious to how some of these NBA refs respond to these excerpts.

Expected David Stern comment : "We don't see how this changes anything. He is a convicted felon. Our referees are the best in professional sports."

Granted, let's reserve judgment to see how much of these stories are confirmed. Regardless, Stern has been shoving this under the rug ever since the story broke as if nothing is wrong here. The parallels between baseball and steroids are overwhelming because of his callous disregard for how this could be impacting outcomes of games. If he overlooks taking any action now, NBA fans should be outraged. If I were him, I'd be doing some inventory and cleaning house with my refs ASAP.

I am a Mets fan and rooting for the Phillies

Thats right, after not much deliberation at all, I will be rooting for the Phillies in the World Series. This was one of the easiest decisions I ever have had to make. I have heard some Mets fans, Dave included, telling me how I should be rooting for the Yankees this week because they are "the team from NY" and not our "biggest rival". And thats hogwash. No chance will that ever happen, sorry.

The team I hate the most has been, and always will be, the Yankees. I hate the Yankees when they win the World Series just as much as I hate them when they win 70 games (if). The Phillies, meanwhile, are just my rival of the moment. I hate Victorino, Rollins, and Hamels with the rest of the Mets fans, but 5 years ago, and hopefully 5 from now, I won't give a hoot about the Phillies. For Mets fans, they are the Braves of the late 90s, Dodgers of the late 80s and Cardinals of the early 80s. A rival that will die when either of the two teams get bad. The Yankees will be my rival forever

OK, now that we are done with that, the question is Who Will Win the World Series? I hate to say it but I have to go with the Yankees. When looking at the 2 teams, they are pretty much equal everywhere except for the bullpens. The Phillies have who exactly? Chan Ho Park? Brad Lidge? The Yankees have Joba Chamberlain, and most importantly, Mariano Rivera. The lineups are relatively equal, though I give the Yankees a slight edge. Both benches suck. Both rotations are strong with each team having an ace, an aging great, and an enigmatic young starter. And both defenses are solid but unspectacular at some positions.

So when it all boils down to it, the Yankees will come back in a couple games because the Phillies pen is lackluster and they will, unfortunately, win in 6. I hope to be proven wrong though. And here is a quote I will never again write on bingbongsports (cause I never post in the first place): Lets Go Phillies!!!

Lugerner: More Series Predictions

Let's get even bolder. Coming back to the World Series...here are my predictions:

• Game 1 - CC pitches 7 2/3 - Howard faces Coke for the last out in the 7th. Matsui two run shot in the 2nd...Yankees add another in the 6th - Mariano for the 9th - Yankees win 3-2.
• Game 2 - My only game I miss of the Yankees post season run. Burnett gives up 5 after 4 - Joba gives up 2 more in one inning of relief. Kate Hudson interferes with A-Rod going for foul ball...they break up on site...she is removed the stadium. Pedro dominates. Catastrophe in the Bronx. The city of New York riots. Phillies win 7-0.
• Game 3 - Pettitte pitches a gem 3-hitter. A-Rod and Jeter homer. Yankees win 5-0.
  Game 4 - Phillies even the series after Girardi throws out Gaudin for Game 4 and promptly gets beat into oblivion. Phillies win 14-5.
• Game 5 - CC pitches huge again going 8 on full rest. Yankees win 6-1.
• Game 6 - Burnett redeems himself after his Game 2 blowup...going 6 giving up 2 runs...but leaving in a tie ball game. Jorge Posada hits the go ahead double in the bottom of the 8th with Gardner running for Matsui (shades of Joe Girardi's game winning RBI in 1996 Game 6). Enter Sandman for the 9th - 3rd out is a pop out in foul territory off the bat of Chase Utley to A-Rod. Game over. Yankees win in 6.

MVP - CC for 2 wins in the series, despite A-Rod batting .600 (and subsequently crying in his locker when he doesn't win the MVP while everyone else celebrates).
-Steve Lugerner

Why a Mets fan CAN root for the Phillies

Just so everyone knows, I am NOT saying that I'm rooting for the Phillies.  However, my friend Steven raised a question so I feel I should answer him.  The reason we can root for the Phillies is because they are a nuance, that's all.  Believe me, I hate so much about their players personally that it's probably not healthy.  Jimmy Rollins with that huge gap between his teeth, Chase Utley's greasy hair, Victorino and his little league helmet, Colbert Hamels and his overall Cole Hamels-ness.  There's plenty to pick from, trust me.  Their team is named after a female horse and even if it's not and they're supposed to be named after the people of their city, then it has the originality of calling a team the New York New Yorkers or the San Diego San Diegoans?  San Diegoites?  San Diegons?  And there's also the fact that their uniforms look like they should be selling cotton candy at a carnival instead of playing baseball -- (thank you, Bill Bur, for that one).

However, the real reason to hate them is because their fans are obnoxious and their players are moronic to be quite honest.  I mean Cole Hamels gets on the radio and calls the Mets "choke artists", meanwhile in the last four seasons the guy has a 2-5 record with an ERA over 4.80 against them.  Jimmy Rollins gives a speech after winning the World Series talking about "Oh yeah, that Johan Santana is a reallll gooood player, but it takes a whole team to win a championship!" (I'm paraphrasing, but it was something stupid like that), and yet Johan Santana finished 2nd in Cy Young voting that year while Jimmy Rollins batted a combined .186 with 1 HR and 1 RBI in the NLCS and the World Series last year, so yeah, I guess when your lead-off hitter plays like that you do need a "whole team" to win.  Their fans walk around talking about how great they are.  They love bringing up how we choked last year as if they had anything to do with it, even though the Mets beat the Phillies 11-8 in the overall series during the season.

Overall, they're merely a blight.  I hate their players, I hate their fans, but I'm not losing any sleep over their actual team.  The Yankees on the other-hand truly do represent all that's wrong with the game.  I don't have time to get into all of it.  We know all the reasons, we've said all the reasons.  Frankly, I don't have time to argue with Yankee fans about it, I'm just answering Steve's question.  The Mets and Yankees are rivals.  I'm not saying it's as big as the Yankees and Sox, but it's still a rivalry.  It's more a rivalry of what the teams represent than an actual playing rivalry because they're in different leagues.  The Yankee fans like to talk about the Mets as if they're some annoying little brother they don't give an afterthought to because they've won 27 World Championships, but let the record show that since the Mets have been in existence that count is only 6 titles to 2 titles.

So when you say the Yankee fans would cheer for the Mets if they played the Red Sox, I guess my point is that it's not the same thing because you don't have a hatred for the Mets on a grander scale.  The Mets haven't ruined baseball, they've just ruined the lives of their fans.  Allow me to put it another way.  I loathe the Patriots.  Everyone who knows me knows that.  Their QB is overrated and plays like The Tinman because he has no heart.  I firmly believe their coach is pure evil and that if he were to be killed the Sun would shine brighter -- that's just science.  And they are cheaters.  That's undeniable.  They cheated the game of football to win and were punished for it.  That's not hearsay.  They actually did.  So I hate what they represent, but I'm not a Jets fan so I don't get to doubly-hate them because they aren't an actual rival of mine.  The Yankees are though.

Sorry, this article just keeps growing.  So in closing...  The Phillies are a blight and I hate watching the players on their team succeed, but I don't particularly care about their team.  After all, they were the first professional franchise to 10,000 losses, right?  The Yankees are an organization that I find despicable.  Although the irony is that this year, I actually probably like their players more than I usually have in the past.  I respect Jeter even if I think he's a tool.  I envy Mariano.  I like Swisher, Melky, and Hughes.  And I have nothing against CC or Teixeira.  They just play for a team that has ruined America's pastime for the majority of America.

And that, Steven, is why a Mets fan could root for the Phillies.

Dave

*Vote for me if you'd like a copy of Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas, aka Zack and Kelly's wedding, sent to you on VHS!*

Jeff says: I'll have a #1 Value Meal with a Barq's, please!

I'm getting lunch at McDonalds and I wanted to share my thought process.

Much like Girardi choosing to throw CC in games 1,4, and 7, I go with the best choice on the menu (also coincidentally the biggest) and I go with it over and over again.


CC Sabathia = Big Mac

B-B-B-Burner

In an effort to keep this blog from becoming the Yankee rag that many readers seem to already think it is, allow me to offer an opposing view for this week's Burner.  The Philadelphia Phillies are going to win the ;laksdpfoiashpngfl;safnpsa...  Sorry.  I meant, the Philadelphia Phillies are going to win the aoipsnf;lkwenflsanfa...  I'm so sorry.  I keep throwing up on my keyboard whenever I try to write this.  Let's try one more time.  The Philadelphia Phillies are going to win the World Series.

I'm going with the Phillies for one simple reason -- National League baseball.  I know my colleague Mr. Lugerner often likes to talk about how "inferior" the National League is and I completely understand where he's coming from.  I mean, god forbid a roster move during a game should take more thought and consideration than placing an order at McDonald's.  However, it's the National League's brand of baseball that will give them the edge.  Do you think the Phillies are intimidated in the least bit by Yankee Stadium and Yankee fans?  They've put up with their fair share of obnoxious and vulgar Met fans for years now.  Not to mention their home field is in a city that once booed Santa Claus and cheered Michael Irvin's injury.

I'd say the pitching is pretty much a wash.  Anything edge the Yankees gain by having Mariano Rivera is evened out by their lack of starting pitching.  Joe Girardi doesn't even have enough confidence to start more than three pitchers and I know all about the unstoppable and unbreakable CC Sabathia; a pitcher so great that they're considering renaming the trophy the CCY YOUNG, (here's to hoping I beat the NY Post to that one), but he can't pitch all 63 innings, so let's calm down.  The lineups are both downright scary although Phillies fans have to be intrigued by their lefty-heavy lineup and that middle school right field porch.  I'm pretty sure Ryan Howard's nose could hit a home run out to right field at Yankee Stadium -- (was that racist?)

So in my eyes the tie-breaker is the Phillies home-field advantage.  Whether they're 2nd to last in the league in sacrifice bunts, they are still better at doing it and have more practice with it than the Yankees.  The last time I remember the Yankees getting a taste of National League ball Chien-Ming Wang couldn't even make it around the bases without hurting himself and now he can't maintain an ERA lower than the amount of letters in his name.  So there are my thoughts.  Let the arguing and Yankee-blowing begin.

Dave

*And remember a vote for Dave is a vote for Bob Barker to be brought back to host "The Price is Right."*

Lugerner Says: What kind of HOTEL IS THIS?

One guy is saying my prediction is too cushy. Another guy is unwilling to make a prediction. Um...we write for a SPORTS BLOG...say what you want about my rhetoric, but this is the whole point. TO MAKE A PREDICTION.

If you guys want to chat about working on your home or what to plant in your new garden...I mean I guess I can adapt. I'm a jack of all trades.

I want to throw out a question to Dave and Jerry based on what Noah just said about this series being terrible for Mets fans (shades of the '86 series for Yankees fans) - it seems both of you (at least Jerry is) are rooting for the Phillies over the Yankees...and Dave you can't root against both teams that makes no sense. I have to say as just a fan of sports generally I am stunned and appalled.

Ok, we get it - everyone and their mother hates the Yankees. The payroll, the championships, the resentment etc. etc. etc. But Jimmy Rollins literally sticks it to the Mets every chance he gets. The Phillies are your division rival that you play 19 times a year - that you've blown two divisions two in three years. As Noah pointed out, the Yankees-Mets rivalry is two interleague weekend series' a year and nothing more.

HOW can you root for the Phillies? That is all I want an answer to.

Noah's Burn: Operation Bury Steve

Oh Steve. I don't know how much money you pay people to vote for you for the Burner each week, but it must be a lot. Several comments:

1) Are you actually gloating that you "predicted" that a $161 million Cy Young winner was going to be the anchor of a team?

2) Going back to a previous post, as an "NHL expert," I find it a bit discouraging that a few days ago was the first time you watched a complete game in October.

3) And why would Jeff care about the AL pennant? I thought he was still wearing black after the Mets were put to sleep back in June?

Anyways, I'm not making a prediction on this series. If I predict the Yanks win and they lose, then I will blame myself for mushing them. If I predict the Phillies win and 1) they win, then I become Public Enemy #1, or 2) they lose, then irrational Yankee fans will never let me live the prediction down. It's a no-win situation a.k.a. playing under Jim Zorn (ZOOM!).

Most importantly, there is too much on the line in the Gold family. My father and brother Eric are die-hard Phillies fans. I am a Yankee fan. It's almost Shakespearean.

Anyways, rather than make predictions, I'm going to go through some postseason winners and losers.

WINNERS

Alex Rodriguez
Not really trying to reinvent the wheel here. His transformation has been over-the-top-documented. But, watching the Yankees over the course of the season, you do notice these little things that weren't there during A-Rod's first 5 years as a Yankee.

1) He and Jeter actually kind of sort of stand each other now. However, it should be noted that I learned (from reading US Weekly...that was bought by someone else) that Jeter was one of the few Yankees NOT to attend A-Rod birthday bash that Kate Hudson threw over the summer. But it's still progress.
2) His purple lips are a lighter shade of purple.
3) He never seems to be by himself in the dugout anymore. I think he's developing a sitcom-worthy bromance with Teixeira too. The three-man jumping hug between A-Rod, Tex, and Jeter was simultaneously satisfying/horrifying/nauseating/hilarious.
4) The young guys on the team (most significantly Melky and Cano) seem to look up to him, and A-Rod can be seen coaching them many times.
5) Kate Hudson.

Pedro Martinez
After not being able to find a suitor for his past-his-prime services, he lands with the defending world champs and now he finds himself back in the World Series again? And he's pitching Game 2 in the Bronx? While ESPN and the tabloids were using voodoo dolls and tarot cards to will a Dodgers-Yankees World Series, Phillies-Yankees has no shortage of storylines, including Pedro back in the Bronx. Sure, his fastball tops out at approximately 43 mph. But that first time Jorge Posada comes up will still be compelling.

East Coast Bias
New York v. Philadelphia? Obnoxious fan base v. borderline psychopathic fan base? I'd be shocked if the ratings for Lakers-Clippers isn't better than the World Series games in the OC. And by the way, I refuse to call this World Series anything but the NJ Turnpike Series. This may be the only time the NJ Turnpike is relevant for reasons other than long distances between exits, bottle-necking shore travelers, and guys who wear wife-beaters for tops driving Honda Civics with their windows down blasting "Livin' On a Prayer" for the 19th time on loop.


LOSERS

Indians Fans
The following things happened over the course of 72 hours: 1) Cliff Lee reached the World Series as the Phillies ace, 2) CC Sabathia reached the World Series as the Yankees ace, and 3) the Indians hired a former NATIONALS manager as their new manager. As if having Drew Carey as a city spokesman is bad enough. Yikes.

Mets Fans
As fellow BingBonger Dave Silverstein hilariously pointed out -- Mets fans are not quite thrilled with this World Series matchup. Callers on WFAN have been dissecting the nuances of how to root or whom to root for in this series. Needless to say, it has been radio gold. As fun as it is to hear Mike Francesa robustly proclaim that the World Series is going to be huuu-yuuuge, the Mets fans calling in have been incredible. One Met fan that hasn't had this issue is Jeff Alexander (great job today!), for, as a die-hard Mets fan, he still roots for the Yankees. For example, during the 2000 Subway Series, Jeff exclaimed to his loser friends from Livingston High School, "Mets v. Yankees?! I can't lose!"

This quagmire is also amusing for the fact that, if the roles were reversed, and the Mets were playing the Red Sox in the Fall Classic, Yankee fans would not even hesitate when they say they would be 100% behind the Mets. See, the Yankees-Mets "rivalry" is not a rivalry. It's simply a contrived battle that was fueled by the inception of interleague play a decade ago.

Jim Zorn
Got nothing to add here.

VOTE FOR ME IF YOU WANT THE ECONOMY TO REBOUND!

Target on My Back: Why the Yankees Won't Sweep

Jeff - I am a huge Yankee fan and even I wouldn't pick them to sweep. Just because I predict a more likely outcome, doesn't mean it is a weak prediction. It is the right one.

All that post was is fluff. It's fine...first time...you will last longer the more you do it.

Here are a few actual arguments why the Yankees won't sweep (I like to play offense instead of defense, Jeff):

• The Phillies are an excellent home team - both these stadiums are tough places to win - neither team is sweeping this series.
• While our starting pitching has been great...either Burnett or Pettitte is due for a BIG blow up - sorry to say keeping it real.
• Joe Girardi has already said he is not set on using just 3 starters. If Joba or Gaudin start in Philly - that is a loss. No question about it.
• Finally, Giovanni Rabisi should know you never go full retard...

And your excuse for missing Game 6 of the ALCS is an obscure movie reference? If you were my girlfriend (one can only dream...great stats on Jeff...Columbia Law...Latham & Watkins)...I'd have broken up with you for being such a push over!

Oh and very tacky Gchat status....you want to campaign for votes take it to www.twogirlsone*&#.com. More your type of sports arguing site.

Lugie Goes on Limb...Falls

Way to go out there on a limb, Lugie. Yankees in 6? What's next...you predict Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian split up? You predict that Antoine Walker is arrested on armed robbery? (Insert Reference to Another Obvious Thing Here--Dave help me out). Come on, get dangerous. Get out of the kiddie pool.

Recent history has shown that these World Series are never close. One team gets some momentum and never looks back. Yankees win sloppy tonight behind a Damon walk-off and then sweep the Phillies. That's Yanks in 4. Texeira, batting with the suddenly terrifying A-Rod behind him, wins the MVP.

Burner Potpourri:
-Sabathia has in fact been lights out. I rejected your assertion that he was a "sure-thing". He has elevated his game since the regular season and it has been fun to watch.
-Much like Seth in Boiler Room, when he makes his dad meet up at the diner, I was trying to preserve my "relationship". Was I happy about missing ALCS game 6? No. But, I'm out here doing my best. "Relationship, Seth? I'm not your girlfriend...I'm your father."
-Why does Giovanni Rabisi always seem to be playing mentally disabled people in all his movies? He played a retard in The Other Sister, as we all recall he played a retard in Boiler Room, he played a retard in Fast and the Furious. Maybe it's time he branches out.

The Champ Says: Yankees in 6

I'm going for a four-peat. MJ never did it and for that reason I am a tad pessimistic but here goes. Nice and easy start to this Wednesday morning:

1. I find it hard to believe, Brett, (if that is your real name) that a guy from Minnesota is watching this World Series. I might be an obnoxious Yankee fan, but I’m not stupid enough to believe that most of the country cares about this World Series.
2. I've said it before the playoffs and I will say it now - the NL is an inferior league. The Yankees biggest hurdle was the ALCS. Interestingly enough, the Phillies play more like an AL than NL team. Second fewest sacrifice bunts in the NL this year and the have a monster lineup. But, I don’t see the Yankees losing a slug-fest type series to any team especially with home field.
3. Finally, let’s for the sake of argument call the lineups a wash - what this really comes down to is pitching. The Yankees have a slight edge among their starters, and a bigger edge in the bullpen (if just because of Rivera alone). Pitching Pedro in Game 2 is...well...uh...we welcome the challenge? [Vern Lundquist: Here comes the putter throw! Wait- what's this? Maybe this is the new Steve Lugerner?]

Screw that - I gotta go with what gave me my 3-0 Burner run. Pedro is pitching on fumes at this point and is going to get lit up worse than me during an open bar topless party in Vegas [ok these don’t exist to my knowledge but let’s just say I’d be very drunk and PEDRO SUCKS]. I would also put money down on Brad Lidge blowing at least one save in this series. O/U on Pedro runs + fights + who's your daddy chants at Yankee Stadium is 10.5.
Prediction: Yankees in 6…TJ Houshmanzilla put it on the board…CHAMPIONSHIP!
PS: Remember when Jeff Alexander adamantly disagreed with my comment on CC being the anchor we needed to win this year? For that alone you cannot vote for him in this Burner. OH – and he chose a REGULAR SEASON NFL game Sunday night OVER the Yankees 40th AL Pennant. UH, UH, EMBARASSING.

Burner of the Week

"Hey BingBong, I was just curious who you guys thought was gonna win the World Series? Anything we should keep our eye on in particular?" -Brett, Minnesota


First off, let's welcome this week's guest contributor, Jeff Alexander. Now onto business... This one's simple enough, what do you think, fellas? Anybody out there have any plans to put Lugerner's 3-0 run to an end? Let's hear it.

Don't Forget...

There's still one day left before we start up this week's Burner. Make sure to email bingbongsports@gmail.com to send in whatever topic you want to hear the BingBongers argue about tomorrow. Who knows, your question might just be the one who gets picked, so be sure to get them in before 9am tomorrow morning. As always, thanks for reading.

bingbongsports

All These Things That I've (Rather) Done

Help me out.  Yeahhhhhh.  You know you gotta help me out.  Yeahhhhhh...  No, seriously.  I need help.  Last night confirmed it  -- one of my greatest fears.  The Yankees are playing the Phillies in the World Series.  In the words of George Costanza, "Worlds are colliding!"  Who the hell do I root for?  The last thing I want to see is the Phucking Phillies win two back-to-back championships, but rooting for the Yankees is like rooting for the Empire.  It's like cheering for Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator.  It's like hoping Charlie misses the triple-deke at the end of The Mighty Ducks.  It's like rooting for Benjamin to get Cassandra instead of Wayne!  It's...  Alright, I think you get the point.  Anyway, this all started when the Phillies beat the Dodgers last week.  My mind began to race at the mere thought of the very real possibility that the Yankees and the Phillies would be in the World Series and then they started coming to me -- one after another after another -- all the things I would have rather had happen to me or would have rather done if it meant not having to suffer through a Yankees-Phillies World Series.  Upon multiple requests from my friends, here is that very same list:

If it meant I wouldn't have to see the Yankees play the Phillies in the World Series...

-I would have gone to a dog park every Sunday to punch puppies in the face.

-I would have preferred that for the rest of my life, every time I would go to sit down, I would accidentally sit on my balls first.  And not only that, but every single time, it would be new and unexpected.  It's not like I would get used to it.  It wouldn't be like, "Oh, there's a seat, I guess I'm gonna sit on my balls now."  Nope.  Every time it would be unexpected and would catch me off-guard.

-I would have let Michael J. Fox perform and reverse a vasectomy on me every other month for the next five years.

-I would have been okay with being forced to watch and listen to a box of kittens being set on fire every morning when I woke up.

-I would have rather had all stand-up comedy be banned and made illegal except the only comedians who were allowed to perform and be shown on television would be Dane Cook and Carlos Mencia.


-It would have been fine if the phrases "You go girl!" "LOL!" and "Say whaaaaat?!" would have been acceptable vernacular in conversation until the day I die.

-I would have preferred to go to door-to-door to every household in a 20 mile radius to inform them that I was a registered sex offender and that if they had any hamsters, accordions, or mop buckets in their house, they should keep a close eye on them.

-I would have happily watched Sex and the City: The Movie with every girl I've ever met in my life and completely agree with her when she says, "Sarah Jessica Parker is soooooo pretty!"


-Let's just put it this way: I would have rather Leslie Nielsen never existed and be replaced by Andy Dick in every one of his movies.  That's how strongly I feel about this.


But alas, the World Series starts Wednesday.  My official stance is that I'm not rooting for the Yankees and I'm not rooting for the Phillies, but rather I am rooting against the Phillies.  (See if that one makes any sense to you.)  Anyway, I hope you enjoyed some insight into my sick and twisted brain.  Stayed tuned for version 2.0 of this list when the Patriots play the Vikings in the Super Bowl.


-Dave

Lugie's List 10/26: Yankees World Series Bound

Writing this at 2am...running on fumes after a long day of sports. Let’s get to it.

1. "Ball Game Over....American League Championship OVER....YANKEES WIN....THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YANKEES WIN." – John Sterling
What a World Series matchup. The two best lineups in baseball, with Pedro facing the Yankees again. CC has a shot to put together one of the best playoff runs ever, and A-Rod will be playing in his first World Series. Phillies and Yankees fans are as rough as they come...I expect a few cracked skulls in the stands.

2. Andy Pettitte is now the winningest post-season pitcher of all-time (16 wins to John Smoltz’s 15) with a brilliant Game 6 performance Sunday night. If he hadn’t already secured his place as a Yankee great, it is now a guarantee #46 will never be worn by a Yankee player ever again.

3. Ultimately, the Angels strengths fell apart in the ALCS. Their defense gave up a ton of runs and the Yankees were extremely effective at keeping the Angels from disrupting the game on the base paths. It just seemed like some of the Angels pitchers and players were a little off in New York, which is a credit to the loud atmosphere that greeted them in Game 1. The Yankees have lost 8 games since the All-Star break...I was never a huge believer in home-field advantage for baseball, but something is certainly clicking for the Yankees at home.

4. I could kiss you right now Drew Brees. What a comeback - down 24-3 to the Dolphins on the road. Granted, they were given two calls that lead to 14 points and allowed them to get back in the game, but impressive nonetheless. I'm never betting against the Dolphins again, the best coached team in all of football.

5. Colts + Pats + Domination = CHING CHING.

6. Because Jared Silverberg won't post enough on BingBong...I'll post for him (voice of Fozi the bear...I'm serious):
Jared: i cant get over mark sanchez eating a hot dog on the sideline!
Jared: he put mustard on it!!!
Jared: He put mustard on it!!!!

7. More gold from Mr. Silverberg who noticed Sunday that Chris Berman does ads for Nutrisystem and Applebee’s. Who do we call about this? FCC? FDA? SEC? Health Department? Talk about a conflict of interests.

8. College Football: Florida is playing like the San Antonio Spurs of the last decade: on cruise control during the regular season waiting for the playoffs. I would think this formula doesn't work for college football where you can’t afford a single loss...but we'll see. Right now Florida is not dominating anyone. The same can be said for Alabama who needed the second coming of the BLOB to win a close one vs. Tennessee.

9. I watched an entire October regular season hockey game on TV Saturday from start to finish (Islanders-Capitals). I'll venture a guess this hasn't happened in the post-strike NHL. Are we a month away from Noah and I lobbying Dave and Jared for a NHL related Burner of the Week? Stay tuned.

10. Sunday Night TV Ratings: Californication A (If you didn't LOL when you saw the midget, you are not human); Dexter A-; Curb Your Enthusiasm A; Bored to Death N/A (at 4am, it doesn't make the cut for Monday print)

-Steve Lugerner

Game 6 ALCS Game 6 Postponed: What this means for the series...

Thoughts the impact of Game 6 of the ALCS now being played tomorrow night, and a possible Game 7 Monday night:

• Girardi has already said Pettitte will pitch tomorrow in the event of a rainout today to preserve CC for a Game 7 or Game 1 of the World Series. The Yankees would be in big trouble if they have to use CC in Game 7 and would need a 4th starter for the World Series. The rainout for the Angels, however, gives Mike Scioscia the option to pitch John Lackey on 3 days rest for Game 7. At the very least, he would be available out of the bullpen. Any way you cut it, this rainout favors the Angels.
• Questions circling about whether Nick Swisher would be benched were confirmed pre-game - Swisher was in the lineup playing RF and batting 8th tonight. As I wrote yesterday I think it doesn't make sense to bench him. You would end up using him as a pinch hitter over Gardner in late innings anyways (Gardner has zero HR potential and isn't as good a hitter period), so why not see what the situation is in a late inning ball game and leave more options with Gardner on the bench.
• Finally, kudos to MLB for cancelling this game tonight, and not just because I had tickets and really didn't want to sit in the rain for 6 hours. This game had no chance of being played. Mike Francesa is babbling about "I can't see them not starting this game if its not raining...it hasn't been raining here at all...it would be a mistake to cancel this" blah blah blah. Mike - check a weather report buddy. This game had no chance.

-Steve Lugerner

Keys to Game 6 of the ALCS

Saturday is a must win for the Yankees. Considering the last time the Yankees were in the ALCS in 2004 they blew a 3-0 lead, anyone who thinks they can lean on CC in Game 7 is playing with fire. A) The pressure will be astronomical on the team not to collapse again and B) for the Yankees to have their best shot shot to beat the Phillies, Girardi will probably need to have CC on a similar 1-4-7 schedule vs. the Phillies. We simply do not have a fourth starter. Keys to the game...

• Pettitte vs. Angels innings 1-3: As a Yankees fan, there really isn't anyone I'm more comfortable with on the mound than Andy Pettitte in a big game. He pitches great in Yankee Stadium, and hopefully he can set the tone early. His ability to hold the Angels runners close makes this such an exciting matchup. The Angels need runs early in order to keep their aggressive offense in attack mode. Some early runs will have the doubt creaping into the players and fans heads circa 2004.
• While we saw signs of life finally from Teixiera, Cano, Matsui and Melky in recent games, Nick Swisher is currently the goat of the playoffs for the Yankees. Does Girardi pull him for Gardner in Game 6? I was telling a friend I didn't think it made sense. You'd rather save Gardner to pinch run (even with Garcia too) and you would end up pinch hitting Gardner for Swisher in the late innings anyways if the situation came up, no matter how bad Swisher has been. I'm not sure the move to carry a third catcher and/or Freddy Guzman made any sense. The Yankees really could use an extra pinch hitter late in games and Eric Hinske was left off the ALCS roster. I'm interested to see the reception Swisher gets from the Bleacher Creatures Saturday...the game within the game.
• Both managers need to trim the bullpen usage. Stick with the few pitchers who are reliable, and stop throwing marginal pitchers out there based on matchups - many of these guys on both sides have shown they don't have the mental toughness to pitch in a high energy playoff game. If Girardi puts Marte in again I may honestly suffer a stroke.
• On the bullpen topic -the Yankees are going to live and die by Phil Hughes - they can likely cut Joba out, but they'll need Hughes to pitch well to close out this series. It is that simple.

I’ll be reporting live from the Yankee Stadium bleachers Saturday night on location for BingBongSports. Pretty amazing after our three weeks in existence they are already giving us press credentials.

-Steve Lugerner

Gamblers Anonymous: Top Casinos and Week 7 in the NFL

At the age of 25, most of my friends and family would agree I've spent an unhealthy amount of time in casinos. 15 trips to Vegas, 20+ trips to Atlantic City and visits to countless other casinos around the world have probably taken a few years off my life.

My Criteria for a top Casino:

• Amenities/best bang for your buck - How nice are the hotel accommodations? And considering most people primarily go to gamble, how much do I have to spend on non-gambling costs?
• Casino floor atmosphere - What is the vibe when you walk out of the hotel elevator onto the casino floor?
• Poker room - Since this is where I began my journey in casinos, how nice is the poker room? How easy is it to make money?
• People watching - Sitting at a blackjack table, are you watching smoking hot woman walk by or 60 year-old grandpas smoking while pushing around oxygen tanks?
• The "WOW" factor - Are you legitimately impressed by the place? In the end, most casinos are trying for this factor.

Counting down from 10…
10) Foxwoods (Connecticut) - The biggest casino in the world, you can literally walk forever in this place without backtracking (which is why it took fellow BingBonger Noah Gold and I an hour to find where we parked at 4am). It has a great poker room and very nice hotel accommodations. THE BIGGEST reason this place isn't higher on my list: due to Connecticut law they stop serving alcohol at 12:30. I’m pretty sure the Vatican serves booze later than this. For most of us who drink while we gamble this is just unacceptable. I mean isn't the #1 reason people gamble for the 'free' drinks? I highly advise loading up before last call in a worst case scenario.

9) Hard Rock/Palms (Las Vegas) - There are some great people watching casinos I will touch on next week, but these two really are in a league of their own since they cater to the 21-30 crowd. Ditch Fridays at the Palms pool is really live soft core porn. Completely packed...DJ spinnin'...amazing looking girls wearing close to nothing. Rehab Sundays at the Hard Rock (which is a topless pool) would be the live equivalent to hard core porn. Gambling or relaxing by the pool at these two places, you can’t go wrong.

8) Ballys (Las Vegas) - One of my favorites from my first few trips to Vegas. It gets lost in the shuffle because it isn't a marquee hotel, but might be the best bang for your buck if you can't afford to stay at the top tier casinos.

• Located right in the middle of the strip...walking distance to the Bellagio and Caesars Palace.
• If you are a half way decent poker player, the poker room (although small) is softer than the poker room at Bellevue Mental Hospital. It’s that easy folks.
• Two words: Tequila Bar.

7) Borgata (Atlantic City) - The only casino in Atlantic City that cracks the list. If it weren't surrounded by literally the most depressing city in the nation, it would be a great deal higher. The rooms are 5-star and the poker room was re-done a few years ago and is the best on the east coast. The place gets a small knock because there is a difference in the quality of the eye candy walking around; no surprise, the state of New Jersey produces a level of ‘trashiness’ that pretty much comes with your birth certificate. An Atlantic City '10' ranks as a Vegas '6,' and for those who need more context, a Scranton '12.'

6) Mirage (Las Vegas) – I have a soft spot in my heart for the Mirage. It's one of the classier places on the Las Vegas strip. The tropical theme is very underrated, but loses points because it tends to be an older crowd (30-50 vs. 21-40). The poker room has seen better days, but it's still a very soft game since it's mostly tourists and a lot of the Vegas regulars have moved to upgrade rooms (such as the Venetian). The buffet at the Mirage might be the best I've ever had. I've even known someone to eat so much there that they actually...no better way to put this...went #2 in their pants. Don't ask me why I know this, just trust me that it happened. Doesn't it say a lot about the food though that someone liked it so much that they were willing to crap themselves rather than stop eating. It might be the ultimate compliment for a restaurant yet it goes unpaid year after year because of "acceptable social behavior."

Next week, I'll count down my top 5. Here are my week 7 NFL bets:

LASER ROCKET ARM: Colts -14 over Rams – I’m over-betting the Colts until the ship sinks…who’s coming with me man? WHO’S COMING WITH ME?

Awkward Game of the Week Alert - Patriots -15.5 over the Bucs – The Patriots literally spanked Jeff Fisher and the Titans. I can’t see the Bucs holding them under 30 points, and we all know Josh Johnson isn’t scoring 2 touchdowns. You do the math.

How Eli Got his Groove Back - Giants -7 over Cardinals – Seems like an identical foe the Giants faced last week right? High powered passing attack the Giants can’t stop? I think the Giants make adjustments this week and come after Warner, which statistical evidence shows he crumbles with a sustained pass rush.

ASKLDJHALSKJDHILU!!!! - Eagles -7 over Redskins – sdlkfhaiuwefhakljsdfh….our new play caller called BINGO games at senior’s center two weeks ago. I really think I’d rather watch [insert feminine TV program here] than listen to 3 hours of pregame on why the Redskins suck. We already know why we suck! At this point people, can’t we just die in peace? I mean how many articles can be written about this before Dan Snyder takes out an AK-47 and shoots up Redskins Park…it’s like making fun of the kid who accidentally wore capri pants to middle school…then keeps wearing them to some how make the initial mistake look less ridiculous. It’s just too easy to make fun of the Skins at this point. Oh and one last point…Aklsdjfhalkfhilwuefhlakjsdf – I think it speaks for itself.
-Steve Lugerner

It's A Not-So Beautiful Day in the "Neighborhood"

Just my quick $0.02 on the "neighborhood play" by Aybar.
True, many times that call is made whether or not the middle infielder is touching the bag before the turn to first. But Aybar was SO FAR off second that it would've been egregious NOT to make the call. The guy was straddling his legs wider than (not continuing the metaphor). I don't think that call was nearly as bad as Mauer's double. That missed call was inexcusable and I think everyone can agree on that. And the missed double play after the mind-bogglingly bad baserunning by Posada and Cano was awful too. But let's not forget the bad call on Swisher's tag-up from third to home where he was called for leaving too early when the umpire DIDN'T EVEN WATCH THE BAG.

Your comments on the umpiring just strengthen the notion that MLB is long overdue to institute instant replay in baseball. I understand the arguments (need human error in the game, the calls even out, etc.). But, what's the problem with getting the calls RIGHT all the time rather than have to cover bad calls with more bad calls? Didn't our parents teach us not to lie because it only leads to more lies?

(NOTE: I don't much appreciate the blatant begging for votes by my other BingBongers) VOTE FOR ME IF YOU WANT PEACE ON EARTH!

-Noah Gold

Lugerner: On the officiating...

By my count, other than potentially the Mauer play in Game 2 ALDS (I think he scores if he is on 2nd base vs 1st in that inning), the AWFUL officiating this post season has not decided a game. So to one of our reader's points...yes it's been terrible, but thankfully we the fans have dodged a bullet.

To say this is 'Yankees related' is the same bitter-Mets propaganda spewed every post season they don't make it. The Yankees have lost several bad calls on plays at first. Frankly, Dave's right #1 and #4 are outrageous horrendous calls. Cano not being out last night clearly 2 feet off third is comical.

Adamantly disagree with your #2 Dave. This is not playground baseball....this is PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL...and an umpire making a great call on a botched double-play is simply that...great umpiring. Maybe Joe Shmo Umpire during Royals-Rays in June lets that go, but this is the playoffs. The rules are you touch the base to get an out...not within a foot from the base.

A VOTE FOR LUGERNER IS A VOTE FOR AMERICA....AMERICA ENCOMPASSES PASTRIES AND ANTI-TERRORISM....so why not have it all?

(Is it happy hour yet? I'm meeting Jeffrey Maier at 5 for drinks)

An Actual Burner Response

Yes, it's true.  I will be cheering for a bus crash, but not a huge explosion.  Just a few deaths here and there, enough to cancel the series.  Except Jimmy Rollins -- I want him to get the Nordberg treatment like in Naked Gun 2 1/2 where after the explosion he gets caught under another bus and dragged around the country.  As for talking about A-Rod's "HISTORICALLY GREAT" playoffs, it's not even worth it.  The Yankee fans have made my point.  I said A-Rod was playing great and yet apparently was downplaying him.  The only reason he has been taking so much criticism for his lack of playoff clutchness is because the New York media is stupid and petty.  In his first year of playoffs with the Yankees in 2004 he batted .320 with 3 HR and 8 RBI in 11 games and as of last night has a career playoffs average of .299.  The New York media just loves to put a story in the paper even if it's irrelevant.  Baseball is a game of averages where if you have a 30% success rate you go to the Hall of Fame, but yet if a guy goes 1-8 in his first 8 playoff at-bats he's not a "clutch" player and a bust.  Simply ridiculous.

Now onto another prevalent topic which one of our readers touched upon just now in his comments that I've been dying to talk about is the return to my favorite October hobby, a little game I like to call, "Look at that wonderful Yankee officiating".  I had forgotten just how much I missed it last season when the Bombers weren't in the playoffs, but thank god it's back now.  In fact, not only is it back, but it looks like the umpires are making up for lost time because of last year.  Let's just take a look at some of the beauties from the post-season thus far:

1. Joe Mauer's blatantly fair ball the LF umpire called foul while watching it land ten feet in front of him.  I'm not saying it would have made a difference in the winner of the series, but it clearly killed all momentum for the Twins in that game.
2. Ruling Erick Aybar's double-play as just one out because he didn't technically touch second base during second base.  To everyone out there who is saying, "but he didn't touch the base!"  Let me tell you something, in baseball when it comes to double-plays there is generally a halo around the base that the players are allowed to operate within the confines of.  It happens all the time over the course of the season, it helps protect players a lot of times, and I will be amazed if I ever see that call again in my life (with the exception of seeing it again for the Yankees in the playoffs -- that won't amaze me).
3. No call or penalty on Mariano's possible "spitball".  Let me just say for the record that I don't think Mariano was throwing spitters.  It did look like he spit in the direction of the ball and pretty damn close to the ball in the video, but I'm actually willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on this one.  It makes no sense for a pitcher who has been so dominant for so long to possibly tarnish his reputation and his legacy for one game in the ALCS where his team already has a 2-0 lead.  However, the MLB certainly brushed it all under the rug quick enough and I can't help but imagine if Brian Fuentes wouldn't be looking at a possible suspension had he been the one doing the spitting.
4. The PA-THETIC call and non-call by Tim McClelland in last night's game.  Both Cano and Posada were clearly not standing on third base and were clearly tagged no more than three feet from where McClelland was standing yet he makes the call that only Posada was out.  I don't have anything more to say about it.  That call was truly disheartening.  McClelland ought to be ashamed of himself.

But hey, that's Yankee post-season baseball for you.  No surprises from where I'm sitting.  Which is why, Steven, the real answer for who I will be cheering for in a Yankees/Phillies World Series will be...no one.  I'll be watching hockey, football, college football, and whatever the hell else I can put on instead of that crap.  I'd rather watch a marathon of Cougartown than watch either of those teams play for a title.

And remember, a vote for me is a vote for NOT killing babies.

-Dave

Noah Gold Hates Terrorism!

Nevermind that MANY of the Yankees are homegrown talent, which is more than many teams (including the Mets...and I'm not counting Daniel Murphy as a "talent"). But Jeter, Cano, Melky, Posada, Rivera the Spitballer, Hughes, Joba, and sort of Pettitte were all brought up through the Yankees system. So spare me the over-the-top stuff. This is a league that allows teams that, oh I don't know, make money and attract fans to spend the money they have to make their team better.

This incessant "the Yankees have a big payroll" argument is about as consistent as gravity.

VOTE FOR ME IF YOU HATE TERRORISM!

-Noah Gold

Here is the ironic part...

Guess who the two biggest Yankee fans will be come a Phillies-Yankees World Series?

 Ladies and gentleman....starting at pitcher for the New York Yankees...DAVIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD SILVERSTEIN

And catching for the New York Yankees....the brick wall.....JERRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYY SILVERBERG!!!!!!!

(pun intended on the pitching-catching reference)

That, or they will root for both teams to crash their team buses into each other on the way to Game 1....creating a large explosion and cancelling the World Series.

-Steve Lugerner

Clearly Girardi is over-managing

Its clear as day that Joe Girardi is overmanaging in these playoffs. Unfortunately for us Mets fans and Yankee haters, it won't matter at all because his team was bought to be good enough to overcome any managing blunders.

The Yankees have made sure any managing Girardi does is inconsequential as they will glide to their 27th World Championship. Take out a righty after mowing down 2 batters because the guy coming up is 1-3 against him? Sure, why not. Its only 1 game. ARod will just go off next game and nothing will matter.

I think the bigger problem here is the absurdity of what the Yankees are putting on the field. I count 3 LOCK Hall of Famers on this squad, and 2 or 3 more that have a chance if they continue to do what they're doing. They can cover up horrific signings like Kei Igawa and just sign the best 2 pitchers on the market the next year. Whoppidy Do. Yea, it hasn't worked the past couple years, but in the end, the money always wins out.

(I know the Mets have a high payroll and the same can be said about them, but what the Yankees do is just completely over the top)

So is Joe Girardi overmanaging? Of Course, but it will never matter because Cashman made sure to Girardi-proof this team in the offseason anyway

Gold's Response...

And here we are once again. I feel like this same argument creeps in everytime the Yankees do something well. "Their payroll is blah blah blah, they're supposed to blah blah blah."

Alright, well when Johan goes 3-0 to start a postseason for the Mets, with the last win on short rest, I am going to watch Mets fans like a hawk to make sure they don't get excited about it since he is a high paid pitcher that is supposed to be doing that. I mean...what the hell kind of logic is that? A-Roid takes criticism for years about his lack of playoff clutchness, and now he's dominating the entire playoffs, and I'm not allowed to get excited about it? Under that logic, no Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Red Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, or any other big market team's fans can be excited about their players.

It's a meritless attack by a bitter Mets fan who would be acting the same exact way were the shoe to be on the other foot. And, by the way, just because guys get injured doesn't erase the fact that the Mets still have one of highest payrolls in the league. Your attacks on the Yankees payroll were going on when the Yankees were on the hook for guys that were no longer on the team, so it's the same thing.

VOTE FOR ME IF YOU LIKE BREATHING OXYGEN!

-Noah Gold

Lugerner: And the gloves come off...

I'll try and keep this quick...I don't want the readers to witness our domestic dispute:

• A Mets fan is not allowed to cry payroll EVER...just because you have high priced free agents that didn't play this year or didn't play well, Dave, doesn't make you a small market team. If you rooted for the Twins...valid argument. I won’t even go find the Mets FA expenditures the last decade because the list speaks for itself.
• Your hatred for Yankee fans who hate A-Rod blinds you. 1) A-Rod isn't just having a good playoffs...he's having a HISTORICALLY GREAT playoffs. If Posada was doing the same thing...there would be similar attention and applaud from fans, but it’s getting EXTRA attention because A-Rod is a lighting rod for publicity generally. Just because a guy makes $x doesn't mean we can't celebrate his accomplishments on the field because he is "supposed to do that." He's hit 3 game-tying home runs so far this playoffs, two of which when the Yankees were about to lose the game! How can you downplay that?!
• Sacrifice bunting is a part of the game sure. I'm not paying money to go watch the bottom three guys in every National League lineup BUNT every game because they are incapable of hitting a ball out of the infield.
• Finally, a 'three-peat' is when you win something...not once, not twice, but three times! I will use it in a sentence if that explanation wasn’t sufficient:

"Steve is so good at arguing sports, that he has a chance to win the Burner of the Week for the third time in a row, giving him a three-peat. Dave eats babies."

• You look great today honey see you at home!

-Steve Lugerner

*

(I'm gonna go ahead and strike that line about the three-peat.  I didn't realize Steve was making reference to the voting.  I didn't even realize we have voting on the Burner.  I don't waste my time with such trivial matters.  I'm simply here to provide my readers with entertainment.)

-Dave

Well, Steve...

I can say three-peat, although I'm not sure why I would?  Are the Phillies going to win the next two World Series?  I do not think that word means what you think it means.  Although once again, my hat is off to you.  You were "vilified" in saying that a $160 million dollar pitcher would be a difference-maker in the playoffs.  You see folks, this is what I love about Yankee fans.  They act like it's another Yankee miracle whenever a $200 million dollar player plays well.  Everyone can't stop talking about how amazing A-Rod has been this year in the playoffs, when the truth is, A-Rod is supposed to be this great.  He's one of the greatest players of all-time.  The fact that he wasn't hitting in the playoffs was troubling.  The fact that he's now hitting in the playoffs should be expected.

And yeah, actually I would rather have Wainwright and Carpenter than CC and Burnett.  First of all, I can't believe you'd try to talk up a pitcher that you then referred to as having "classic blow-ups" two sentences later.  Second, the Cardinals lost and got swept, it happens.  It was surprising, but it happens.  However, I'm pretty sure Carpenter and Wainwright both have 1 more World Series title than CC or AJ currently have.  And before you talk about Carpenter's pitching in the NLDS, let me remind you that CC had an era over 12 last year in the playoffs and Carpenter tossed an 8 inning shutout in Game 3 of the 2006 World Series.

I tried to approach this topic from a rational standpoint, but of course, once a Yankee fan gets a hold of it stupidity wins in straight sets.  I hope Joe Girardi's over-managing leads to a World Series blow up of epic proportions because clearly in the American League with a team of contracts totaling over 1 BILLION DOLLARS it's ALLLLLLL about the manager and his skills.  (And before you bring up the Mets salaries tell me how much of that payroll actually played this year.)

Also, for the record, I'll have you know that the most respected and celebrated play in baseball in Japan isn't the home run, it's the sacrifice bunt.  The act of giving one self up for the good of the team is the most honorable thing a player can do.  That's just a little culture for all you BingBong followers out there.  The American League is such a joke I'm pretty sure in the coming year managers will be able to Tweet their roster moves from home before the game even starts.

"Insert CC Sabathia 4 8 innings --> put in MO --> game over we win, lol.  Boy the Royals suck, OMG ROTFL!!!"

-Dave

Lugerner: You meat a person...you put meet on a sandwich

Look call it a popularity contest, I think the readers just like that I bring the meet week after week. Telling it like it is. A vote for Lugerner is a vote for 'Common sense and a guy in a wheelchair.'

I want to point out one other amazing move made by Girardi this year. When Jeff Alexander and I were fortunate enough to meat Girardi before opening day...

Jeff asked: So Joe, really going to bat Jeter ahead of Damon this year?
Girardi: That's the plan, we will see

And we did see...Jeter turned in an MVP like year, and Damon belted 20+ HRs from the two-spot. It is clear regarding Aceves/Robertson-Gate in Game 3, Girardi wanted to go with someone with more breaking pitches against a superb fastball hitter in Howie Kendrick. I personally think he should have left Robertson in, if only to preserve Aceves to pitch if the game were to continue.

But, if there is one thing I respect/love about Girardi...is he will play for the moment and worry about the next inning when the next inning comes along. This is something Mike Scioscia didn't do in Game 3, by not pinch running for Mathis on 3rd with no outs. Why would you carry three catchers on your playoff roster if you don't pinch run for him there? Granted, Mathis has solid speed for a catcher, but Reggie Willits might have scored on the FIRST grounder hit to Teixiera in that inning...and the game would have ended there.

That to me was the worst decision in the game....not Roberson-Aceves.

Earlier reference:
[Kramer and Morty are running for Condo President]
Elaine: Who are they running against?
Jerry: Common sense and a guy in a wheelchair.

-Steve Lugerner

Burner of the Week: Noah Gold's Response...

First off...the voting on the "Burner" is completely without merit and is a gosh darn popularity contest...which makes it all the more horrifying that Steve, who doesn't know the difference between "meat" and "meet," is winning each week.

ANYWAY, baseball, ESPECIALLY in New York, is a "what have you done for me lately" business. And "lately" in baseball is pretty much a day-by-day basis. Sure, if we were doing this yesterday morning instead of today, I'd probably stretch out my chest and demand Girardi be more accountable for not keeping David Robertson in Game 3.

But as was touched on earlier, Girardi's decision to start Carston Charles on three day's rest in Game 4 turned out to change the series around. And after watching the clinic Sabathia put on last night, I cannot attack Girardi's decisions. They won't always be right...but if they're right more often than not, then you're doing something right.

That said, my one request for tonight is for Girardi to DH Posada instead of Matsui. Matsui looks about 71 years old out there and the inexplicably NOT Italian third catcher Francisco Cervelli is on the roster. Posada, even though he can't run the bases, is hitting. Matsui isn't. DH Posada, use Matsui off the bench, and call it a day.

VOTE FOR ME IF YOU LIKE COOKIES.

Two-Time Reigning Burner Champion: 6-1 in the Playoffs Speaks for Itself

Before I get to my shpeel...in response to Dave:

• Don't sleep on Billy Heyward. He was well ahead of his time and brought some set plays to baseball I didn't think were possible…a managerial innovator.
• It's funny, when the Mets play...it sometimes feels like the pitchers is batting 6-7 times with that lineup.
• I guess real baseball is going to the ball park to watch National League teams sacrifice bunt 10 times a game...maybe in the old days when you had truly two-way hitter/pitcher players this made sense...BECAUSE THEY WOULD ACTUALLY SWING…but the game has changed and National League ball is just downright boring and outdated.

On to the question at hand:
Look every manager has their own style. Girardi happens to be of the micromanager variety. On occasion the media is going to have a field day because he makes so many decisions (and remember he came from the National League, which is requires more lineup changes in game). All he is doing with the pitching changes is creating the best matchup to get outs. In Game 2 of the ALCS, his use of the bullpen in my opinion was masterful. His use of Rivera the entire playoffs (although, anyone's use of Rivera is going to be good) has been spot on. He is using him like an old time reliever, where you brought in your best relief pitcher to face the toughest late inning situation, not just when there is a 1, 2 or 3 run lead in the 9th. Rivera doesn't need his stats padded like K-Rod.
Finally, lets look at some of Joe’s decisions: Girardi made the decision to go with a 3-man rotation in the ALCS, and CC last night turned in one of the best performances EVER on 3-days rest. Might I point out, that I was vilified on this very blog for suggesting CC would be one of the difference makers this post season and he is now 3-0 in the playoffs.

Dave- Would you still want Wainwright and Carpenter over CC and Burnett? How’s that working out so far?

Girardi has gone with Molina over Posada when Burnett pitches, and Burnett has stayed away from one of his classic blow ups. So we can sit here and over-analyze why he went with Aceves vs. Robertson in an extra inning ball game, or look at the fact the Yankees are one game away from the World Series and a BIG PART OF IT is because of Girardi's managing.

Can you say three-peat fellas?

-Steve Lugerner