Big Denny

As pissed as I am with this team, I can't say I blame them as much as I blame the game. Sure, they were expected to win the East, and still should, but can we really expect anything but the unexpected from any team? For example, you knew that the 86 Mets were going to win it all; you just did. This team, although not as solid as the 86 team, was built to win. But then you see three five game losing streaks in one season and you say to yourself that a championship team can never have streaks like that. But they can. In fact, the 99 Mets( although they didn't win it all) had losing streaks of 8 games and 7 games, respectively. The 2000 Yanks, as I recall, couldn't win a game in September and popped the bubbly after a loss because whoever was behind them lost that day. Those of us who have watched this game for over 30 years, heck even 20 years, are spoiled.

So, why couldn't the 86 Mets have had multiple losing streaks?( duh, they were better). Well, remember when you could point to your ace and know that he would always stop a skid? Now, however, even if you're fortunate enough to have that guy, it's no guarantee of a win( see Pedro v. Phils last Saturday). With the pitch count crap( legit with Pedro but I'm referring to the way they groom pitchers in the minors) we never know what we are going to get after our starter departs. Every team, it seems, has its Mota. I have watched the Phillies long enough to know this and the Braves are just as bad. It's rare that you get an Oliver, Bradford, Heilman, Sanchez and Wagner combo thrown at you every night. We were spoiled in that respect last year. And, I'm not convinced that Omar dropped the ball so much this year as much as he may have gotten lucky last year. Sure we all knew about Mota but Shoeneweis was excellent down the stretch for the Reds last year. We didn't get so lucky this year.

With that said, what sucks about today's game is that no games are ever secure and no matches up are ever a give me. On the plus side, a team can be on the verge of collapse and win it all. Just ask the Cardinals.

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"I'll say it again in the land of the free ,use your freedom of choice".

DEVO

Green Must Go

Baseball in general is a fickle game that results in hot and cold streaks, probably more so than any other team sport. I remember playing in A-level competitive softball leagues when I was younger. One day I could rake the ball and go 5-5 with doubles and HRs. The next week I couldn't buy a hit and would popup or even GIDP. I had what I thought was the same approach at the plate, and the pitching was essentially the same.

You just can't predict the sport. of baseball.

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Obama's least favorite scripture: Even while we were with you, you gave you this rule: "Whoever does not work should not eat." - 2 Thes 3:10

15 Day DL Alou

ya know, in reference to 1986, it did take a looping single, an absolutely atrocious wild pitch and one of the worst fielding mishaps of all time to make that "guaranteed win" happen, I grant, they did not look a gift horse in the mouth and took care of business two nights later, but as good as the 1986 squad was, they were hairs and dares away from a game 7 against Mike Scott and I defy anyone to say they felt it was good even when Knight got his hit.