Phightins

The Braves have their hands tied since they had to use Hudson on Sunday and I guess they don't want to use him on 3 days rest again. I don't understand why he isn't pitching game 2, though. That'd set him up for game 5.

Tomorrow better be good. I am skipping my afternoon class so I can get home in time for this.

I don't understand all the hate for the Reds. Their pitching staff is way better than people are giving them credit for. Volquez missed a lot of time/had a down year, but he is hands down one of the most talented pitchers in the league. As a Phillies fan, the only game I feel very confident about is game 2, just because I have never been an Arroyo fan, and the Phillies generally hit him around. Volquez and Cueto are nasty.

Whoever wins game 1 wins this series, IMO.

The part about the postseason I HATE is the national media presence. I mean, I live and die with my team all year, following every move for all 162 games with all of the local media guys, and then in October the national writers and national broadcasters come in and show their ignorance. Asking the players/managers stupid questions in the press conferences, making ignorant observations on the air, etc. Clearly showing that they know nothing about this team, but we have to deal with them for the biggest games of the year. Kind of feels like a slap in the face. Not sure if anybody else feels that way. But it's better than the alternative, which is sitting at home in October, I guess.

I honestly have no clue what the Reds plan on doing for games 4 and 5. Since this is an 8-day series (the other 3 are 7 days), you can use a 3 man rotation and keep everyone on regular rest, which is what the Phillies are doing. But I am not sure if the Reds want to get Travis Wood a start in game 4 and save Volquez for game 5, or if they will keep everyone on regular rest. We'll see.

Probable Pitching Matchups: Game 1 (10/6, 5:07 PM EST, Citizens Bank Park): Edinson Volquez @ Roy Halladay Game 2 (10/8, 6:07 PM EST, Citizens Bank Park): Bronson Arroyo @ Roy Oswalt Game 3 (10/10, 7:07 PM EST, Great American Ballpark): Cole Hamels @ Johnny Cueto Game 4 (10/11, 5:07 PM EST, Great American Ballpark): Roy Halladay @ Edinson Volquez* Game 5 (10/13, 8:37 PM EST, Citizens Bank Park): Bronson Arroyo @ Roy Oswalt* *= If Necessary Times subject to change All games on TBS

Probable Pitching Matchups: Game 1 (10/6, 8:37 PM EST, Target Field): CC Sabathia @ Francisco Liriano Game 2 (10/7, 6:07 PM EST Target Field): Andy Pettitte @ Carl Pavano Game 3 (10/9, 8:37 PM EST, Yankee Stadium): Brian Duensing @ Phil Hughes Game 4 (10/10, 8:07 PM EST, Yankee Stadium): Nick Blackburn @ CC Sabathia* Game 5 (10/12, 8:37 PM EST, Target Field): Andy Pettitte @ Francisco Liriano* *= If Necessary Times subject to change All games on TBS

It's amazing man. The only times the Sixers sell out are when the Lakers or Celtics come to town (and I am sure the Heat can be added to that list for this year). Not only is the crowd about 80% in favor of the opposing team, but the Sixers team store actually SELLS Kobe/Garnett/Lebron shirts (or whoever is in town that particular night). I find it disgusting, but anything to make an extra buck I guess.

I will have to see this to believe it. I don't usually tend to agree with Bob Cooney anyway.

I'm sure it will be like this everywhere.

I would, but I am already in 2. Which is 2 more than I'd like to be doing, haha. I am generally not a fantasy hockey guy.

Flames sign Brendan Morrison.

Fish... This may sound crazy, but since it looks like the Mets are headed towards a semi-rebuild, if you are the GM, do you consider putting David Wright and Jose Reyes on the trading block? As an outsider, I'd probably make Wright the only untouchable guy on the team and I'd absolutely take offers for Reyes. Thoughts?

Kind of disturbing that so many people are calling the Phillies clear favorites. They have been slight underdogs when they made their runs the past couple years, so I am kind of nervous that the media is jinxing them!

I hear Fedotenko signed.

I got the impression from the start that the Flyers weren't crazy about Guerin. He was apparently skating at the practice facility all summer, and they didn't offer him a PTO until basically the last minute. I just never really got a good vibe about it, although I thought he'd definitely make the team once Lappy started having his post-concussion stuff. I hear Ray is going to try to make a comeback at some point this year. Not sure who would take a chance on him, I have read that his hip condition will probably be with him for the rest of his life.

Bill Guerin released from PTO. Andreas Nodl makes team as last forward. Would have been nice to have Guerin around for leadership, power play, all that good stuff, but I understand the decision. Without a clear-cut top goalie (unless Bobrovsky gets a chance and wins the job), the Flyers are putting a heavy emphasis on defense, and Nodl is IMO one of the better defensive forwards in the organization. Also, Bobrovsky makes the team due to Leighton's injury. I am wondering how much he will play. Honestly I'd let him play as much as possible. We already know that Brian Boucher is the epitome of a backup goaltender, so why not let Bob get a chance to prove he's worth the hype.

Whatever you want to do. I think last year we had a thread for each series, and it seemed to work. Doesn't matter who makes them I guess.

What a terrible game.

And the matchups are set.... Rays-Rangers Twins-Yankees Phillies-Reds Giants-Braves Wednesday needs to get here like, right now.

Pretty sad for the Padres.

You're good.

Yep. And that BS roughing the passer call earlier killed all kinds of momentum. And of course the whole play clock incident at the end of the first half, but I am more inclined to blame Andy for that.

Nothing against Jason Heyward, but I'd be voting Buster Posey for NLROY if I had a choice. He probably just ended this NL playoff discussion.