The World Series

[Don]

I remember the last time Bengie Molina played against the Giants in the World Series. Close out game, San Fran up five runs with eight outs to go.
Dusty pulled Russ Ortiz and then the sky fell in.
Like Texas this year, that was the Angels first ever appearance in the Fall Classic.

[Babyblue]

lifer Giants fan...not into predicting but considering that the Phils position guys...every ONE of them (except for Posey) are better than the Giants...and the Giants just closed them out in Philly means...don't count out San Francisco....

Well i just bet they win. Go Giants

[annie89509]

Baseball pundits are saying we have 2 Cinderella teams in the Fall Classic this year. Giants have only made it to the WS four times in the 52 years they have been in S.F., and they have never won. This is the Rangers’ first trip to the WS. I think they used to be the old Wash Senators but not sure when they moved to Texas…DrFu says 49 yrs ago?

Like a few other posters, life-long SF Giants fan here…my older brother got me interested in following professional sports in the early ‘60s…we collected baseball cards as kids…they were like Quarter a pack, and we had Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, etc. (ooh, if only we saved our cards…we’d be rich).

Our hated rivals, the Dodgers, have won 4or5 of these…Zero for us. I’ve been watching/listening to a lot of local commentators/press regarding this year’s team. No big names or stars (other than Lincecum), but there is something intangible going on here. Every few years, you have a “team of destiny” coming from nowhere to win the whole thing (Marlins in ’03; ChiSox in ’05). I’m afraid to jinx…but some are saying the Giants are that team this year.

[annie89509]

I remember the last time Bengie Molina played against the Giants in the World Series. Close out game, San Fran up five runs with eight outs to go.
Dusty pulled Russ Ortiz and then the sky fell in.
Like Texas this year, that was the Angels first ever appearance in the Fall Classic.

That was a real heart-breaker, 2002 (3rd trip ever for S.F. since 1958), Giants blowing Game 6 like that and got wiped out in Game 7 with nary a whimper.

Nobody could forgive Dusty Baker for that bone-headed move...got fired and kicked out of town right after that...even though he was one of the winningest managers the Giants ever had.

[annie89509]

lifer Giants fan...not into predicting but considering that the Phils position guys...every ONE of them (except for Posey) are better than the Giants...and the Giants just closed them out in Philly means...don't count out San Francisco....

You can never count anyone out. That's why they play the games. The reality is there is NOBODY outside of Texas and California who thought the World Series wouldn't be the Phillies versus the Yankees. I don't think the "Cindarella" factor comes into play in this series because nobody expected either team to reach the World Series.

That's exactly right. I'm not into predicting either, just hold my breath and watch. Giants were huge underdogs going into the NLCS; nobody on TV or press (other than the people back home) gave Giants much of a chance...yet they outplayed/outpitched the Phillies through and through.

On paper, the Rangers (as has been said regarding the AL vs NL as a whole) outhits and outslugs the feeble Giants. But the old baseball cliche holds true here...good pitching trumps good hitting. Yankee pitching were lousy in the ALCS... Giant pitchers topped the majors in ERA and opposing batting avg.

[annie89509]

Whaat...nobody wants to talk baseball with me?!?! lol

[Enigma869]

Pitching almost always wins, which is why the Giants should really be a slam dunk to win the series. The reality is that after Cliff Lee, the Rangers have ZERO pitching. Just for perspective, Lee is the only member of the Rangers pitching staff who would be a starter on the Red Sox, and the Red Sox starting staff leaves a whole lot to be desired. The problem for the Giants is that Lee has simply looked completely unhittable! If Lee continues to pitch as he has (and that certainly isn't a guarantee), that means he is probably going to win three world series games and the rest of the mediocre Rangers staff only has to win one.

[Don]

I remember the last time Bengie Molina played against the Giants in the World Series. Close out game, San Fran up five runs with eight outs to go.
Dusty pulled Russ Ortiz and then the sky fell in.
Like Texas this year, that was the Angels first ever appearance in the Fall Classic.

That was a real heart-breaker, 2002 (3rd trip ever for S.F. since 1958), Giants blowing Game 6 like that and got wiped out in Game 7 with nary a whimper.

Nobody could forgive Dusty Baker for that bone-headed move...got fired and kicked out of town right after that...even though he was one of the winningest managers the Giants ever had.

I wonder if Ortiz still has the 'Game Ball' that Dusty awarded him when he removed him from the game.

[annie89509]

Pitching almost always wins, which is why the Giants should really be a slam dunk to win the series. The reality is that after Cliff Lee, the Rangers have ZERO pitching. Just for perspective, Lee is the only member of the Rangers pitching staff who would be a starter on the Red Sox, and the Red Sox starting staff leaves a whole lot to be desired. The problem for the Giants is that Lee has simply looked completely unhittable! If Lee continues to pitch as he has (and that certainly isn't a guarantee), that means he is probably going to win three world series games and the rest of the mediocre Rangers staff only has to win one.

John... CL pitching Games 1-4-7 was only speculation. In years past, that was common for Aces to do that (Koufax, Gibson, RJohnson), but common talk now is that it's just too hard, in today's baseball environment, to pitch on short rest. Remember how it was quite common for top-flight starters to pitch complete games? Now, everyone is only geared to go 7 innings and let bullpen finish it.

I think it's already been announced that both teams are going with 4-man rotation. So it's Game 1 & 5 for Lincecum and Lee, head-to-head. I still remember all the talk about Halliday will dominate the Giants' weak-hitting lineup...well, we know Giants got him 1 of 2 (hit him pretty well both games)... and, statistically, Lincecum outpitched him.

[Rockindeano]

Pitching almost always wins, which is why the Giants should really be a slam dunk to win the series. The reality is that after Cliff Lee, the Rangers have ZERO pitching. Just for perspective, Lee is the only member of the Rangers pitching staff who would be a starter on the Red Sox, and the Red Sox starting staff leaves a whole lot to be desired. The problem for the Giants is that Lee has simply looked completely unhittable! If Lee continues to pitch as he has (and that certainly isn't a guarantee), that means he is probably going to win three world series games and the rest of the mediocre Rangers staff only has to win one.

John... CL pitching Games 1-4-7 was only speculation. In years past, that was common for Aces to do that (Koufax, Gibson, RJohnson), but common talk now is that it's just too hard, in today's baseball environment, to pitch on short rest. Remember how it was quite common for top-flight starters to pitch complete games? Now, everyone is only geared to go 7 innings and let bullpen finish it.

I think it's already been announced that both teams are going with 4-man rotation. So it's Game 1 & 5 for Lincecum and Lee, head-to-head. I still remember all the talk about Halliday will dominate the Giants' weak-hitting lineup...well, we know Giants got him 1 of 2 (hit him pretty well both games)... and, statistically, Lincecum outpitched him.

It will all depend on the Series standings as to whether Lee pitches game 4 or not. If Texas is down 2-1, bet your ass he is on the bump for game 4. If they are up 3-0, then the regular scrub will throw.

[Don]

Nolan Ryan has been pushing the angle of old school starting pitching so I wouldn't be surprised if they go to Lee three times or run their pitchers through 8 innings if they can get away with it.

[Jonny B]

The Rangers can out-slug any deficiencies their other pitchers might have. Their pitching staffs are even-strength, but it's gonna come down to offensive power during the games where the aces aren't starting. The Rangers mowed down the Yankee's pitching not named Sabathia, and have players up and down the roster than can put the ball in play....I'm taking the Rangers in 6. It's likely Lee may lose one of his starts to Lincecum, but it won't matter. This year, it'll be the bats of the Rangers that win them a title this year.

[annie89509]

The Rangers can out-slug any deficiencies their other pitchers might have. Their pitching staffs are even-strength, but it's gonna come down to offensive power during the games where the aces aren't starting. The Rangers mowed down the Yankee's pitching not named Sabathia, and have players up and down the roster than can put the ball in play....I'm taking the Rangers in 6. It's likely Lee may lose one of his starts to Lincecum, but it won't matter. This year, it'll be the bats of the Rangers that win them a title this year.

Haha..the same things were said about the Phillies power over the Giants. I'm not going to predict and risk looking bad. Just want to point out the Giants have formidable pitching staff all the way through...arguably the best in baseball. In fact, their bullpen might be better than the starters, and their starters are top-notch. You can't take what Rangers did to Yankees, or even Tampa Bay, as indicative of what will happen in WS. Other than CC (and he wasn't that good giving up all those hits), their pitching was lousy. I didn't watch the Tampa Bay series and don't know much about their players.

No way Rangers can score 6 or 7 runs against Giants pitching staff, like they did consistently against Yankees. Oops, I'm making a prediction . Game 1 will be the key. If either Ace falters, it will give momentum to the other team. Then we'll get an ideal on how the rest of the series will go. 2 hours away, I can't wait!!!

[Enigma869]

If either Ace falters, it will give momentum to the other team.

If Lee doesn't pitch like he has throughout the playoffs, the Rangers have no chance. He is the only legitimate starting pitcher on that staff.

[timstar78]

I'm calling Giants in 6.

I think their pitching (with Lincecum/Cain leadig the rotation) is very solid, and they've been getting enough timely hitting in the post-season. Also, Bruce Bochy seems to be making all the right moves. They definitely need to beat Lee tonight in Game 1 to get the momentum.

(Pains me to say this as a Padres fan, but Bochy is a former manager/player and good guy...)

[Rockindeano]

If either Ace falters, it will give momentum to the other team.

If Lee doesn't pitch like he has throughout the playoffs, the Rangers have no chance. He is the only legitimate starting pitcher on that staff.

Um, no dude. Colby Lewis and CJ Wilson are very very good, on par with Cain and Baumbarner. Look up their postseason era's before you tell me to go fuck my sister. Texas really falls off with their number 4, in which I see Lee pitching game 4 and 7.

[portland]

Well the Giants are holding their own...at the moment.

[Enigma869]

Um, no dude. Colby Lewis and CJ Wilson are very very good, on par with Cain and Baumbarner. Look up their postseason era's before you tell me to go fuck my sister. Texas really falls off with their number 4, in which I see Lee pitching game 4 and 7.

Wish I could fight with you Dean, but you're absolutely right. Their numbers even during the regular season were better than I thought they were. Lewis was under .500 during the season but both his ERA and WHIP were more than respectable and certainly far better than only the 12 games he won.

[Rockindeano]

Lee clearly doesn't have his stuff tonight. The 8 day layoff may have something to do with it, who knows?

[Enigma869]

More class from douche Yankee fans!

http://detnews.com/article/20101026/SPORTS0104/10260411

[timstar78]

So much for that Game 1 pitcher's duel....

[Ftloperry]

Okay Texas tanked last night but it's only game one. Texas will take the Giants in 5.

[Michigan Girl]

Okay Texas tanked last night but it's only game one. Texas will take the Giants in 5.

it was especially bad since Lincecum was not at his best.
Lee is going to have to snap out of it and the rest of the P's need to step up
RF ...Vlad?!? No lubing prior to field entry~be tough ...

[Everett]

Does anyone know how to pitch on the rangers?

[Seven Wishes2]

The Rangers are done. Too bad.

[portland]

Nice....GO Giants!

They should be proud....the crushed them.

[Rick]

Does anyone know how to pitch on the rangers?

Maybe they could suit up Nolan.

What a disgusting display that was.

[Deb]

Bah, bring on the Stanley Cup........no fan like a hooooooockey fan! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Zuo9uIWnk

I absolutely love that clip! That is soooo my hockey city!

[timstar78]

Wow....was that 8th inning absolutely painful.

[SF-Dano]

2-0 Giants. I actually enjoyed that 8th inning. No sympathy here (especially because if the situation was reversed, nobody would be giving any simpathy to SF). I believe it is finally the Giants time. Humm Baby!!!!