Show #204: The Braves Wildcard Debacle

October 07, 2012

Show #204: The Braves Wildcard Debacle

We break down the loss in the WC play-in game: the errors, the men left on base, the infield fly and the bottles on the field.

Show #204 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

98 Responses to “Show #204: The Braves Wildcard Debacle”

1
Walker Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 2:12 am
I don’t know what it is with the Braves and the postseason. Now I feel like the only reason we won the 1995 world series is because we played a Cleveland team. And there is no worse loser city than Cleveland.

Eric Gregg
Leyritz
Herbek
Lonnie Smith
Buster Posey was out. Remember that
And On And ON

And just like the Division Winners get a reward. The top wild card winner should also get rewarded. My 2 game idea is a perfect idea.
2
DAP Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 10:13 am
i still havent gotten over this one. its gonna hurt for awhile.

wren needs to get to work and try to put a mid 90 game winning team again. its all he can do.
3
Shaun Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 10:18 am
A simple solution would be to just have the two worse qualifiers play in the one-game playoff, regardless of whether they are division winners. Divisions wouldn’t be obsolete. The Tigers would still make the playoffs, in spite of having a worse record than some non-playoff teams.

Of course, that wouldn’t have changed things in the NL this season, except maybe opened up the possibility for a Braves-Giants playoff before the playoff. Either that or the Braves would have been the first wild card anyway, because the Giants beat them head-to-head and the Giants won their division. I’m not sure what other type of tie-breaker scenario they could have used.

But I would have accepted the Braves’ fate more if it was clear that the two worst (in theory) playoff teams were playing in the one-game playoff.
4
Frigatedoc Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 10:46 am
I will listen to the show….. But only under protest! (Now I expect someone to immediately come back and deny it only because it would screw up the system that MLB screwed up!)
5
Curt Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:10 am
Does anyone believe that the Braves win a 3 game series after losing that first game, in that fashion? Even if they win the second game, say it too is played in Atlanta, do we win a third game in St. Louis? I don’t believe that for a second. Not after that first game.
6
Steve Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:22 am
I don’t know. It could certainly go the way you describe. But the Braves might be so pissed after Game 1 that they come out and absolutely roll the next two.

The really sad part about this conversation is that it’s all we’ve got at this point.
7
DAP Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:36 am
i agree with what y’all said about the frustration of the fans boiling over on friday.
8
Curt Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
09:06 AM ET 10.07 | The Angels are expected to make a serious attempt to keep Zack Greinke. But smart money says he joins the Braves, who tried hard to trade for him.

Chicago Tribune
9
Leah Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
So not over it. I seriously need help. I keep playing all the what ifs. Chipper doesn’t make the error, the Cards don’t have the umps in their back pocket, things like that. If it wasn’t such a terrible call St Louis wouldn’t have made it their battle cry.

Hate the Cards. Want them completely demolished by the Nats. So unfair!
10
Steve Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 1:46 pm
@8 – Makes no sense to me. Conservatively the Braves will ~$20MM to spend. They need a CF and LF (or 3B if Prado stays in LF). Why spend a huge chunk on another SP, especially with Beach back at the ASG? It’s just not the main need right now.
11
Shaun Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Curt @5, I agree with Steve. The sad part is that it’s baseball, a sport that is filled with 3-game series throughout the regular season, and the Braves (and any other team) only gets one shot.

I feel just as bad for Texas, as much as they did to shoot themselves in the foot over the final days of the regular season. I think they are a better team than Baltimore and I still think they may be the second-best team in baseball in 2012. I don’t think there is any doubt they were better in 2012 than Detroit. They may have lost in 3 games but they never got the chance.

I don’t understand why the wild card game couldn’t have been 3 games with no off days between the regular season, the wild card series, and the LDS round. Teams fly from one series to another in time to play a game the next day all the time. That would have been just three off days for the division winners and no off-days for the wild card teams.

I’m sure the disadvantage for the wild card teams of having to play a 3-game series with no off days would have more than made up for any disadvantage for a division winner having to wait three days to play.

The Braves have to fly to Atlanta from Pittsburgh, immediately after their regular season finally. The Cardinals have to fly to Atlanta immediately after their regular season finally. Both teams have to play the next day. They play 2-out-of-3, using their three best starters and wearing themselves out trying to win. The division winners get to relax for 3 days and then play a worn out wild card team. Why is this more unfair to the division winners than to the wild cards?
12
Shaun Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Steve @10, perhaps Liberty Media is going to raise the payroll just enough for them to fill all their needs and to get Greinke.

Another factor is that Greinke seems to want to play for the Braves. Maybe he takes less than he could get on the open market.

I could also see a scenario where they trade for solid yet cheap players to fill some of their needs, instead of going the more expensive free agent route.

If things line up right, I could see them getting Greinke. But seems to me a lot would have to line up.
13
Anne Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Go, Nationals! I love that the CNN Sports headline today is “Champs on the Ropes.” T minus one hour to game. Did I mention: Go, Nationals!
14
Walker Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Shaun you make a great point. Baseball is a sport filled with so much luck and randomness on a day by day basis. The reason the season is so long is so that the cream rises to the top.

The long season allows the truly best teams to show who they are. This isn’t football. And Selig should be ashamed. This need to be changed immediately. I’ve long thought that even the Division series needed to be 7 games.

So much is great with this sport. But so much is wrong with it. And I’m not saying this because we lost either.
15
Erika Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
@Shaun: You’re absolutely right about the fair/unfair argument. I am not exactly sure why it is such a problem for the division winners to rest after the season to give time for a WC series. Even with the one game playoff, the Yankees won their division and did not play for four days. Those who advocate for the one game playoff believe the Wild Card should be “punished” for not winning the division. It’s strange to me that MLB has implemented the one game playoff just for this reason, to create a disadvantage for the Wild Card, yet allows the Wild Card winner to open the LDS at home this year and have 2-3 format, even through they play the team with the better record. Ultimately, MLB continues to contradict itself, defending an incredibly long, 162 game schedule simply to render it pointless by one Wild Card game. And to top it off, it allows the WC winner to open the LDS. None of it makes sense.
16
Steve Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
@15 – Great post.
17
bub Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
The punishment argument for the Wild Card game is absurd anyway. The whole damn we have a wild card team was to protect the ostensibly 2nd best team in a league from being left out if it happened to be in a division with the best team.

That’s the team being protected by the Wild Card. The 2nd or 3rd best team in the league. We have to keep that in view all the time. The Wild Card was never, ever, ever designed to help to help out the 4th best team in the league.

But then it’s like Selig and company just completely forgot that, came late to their own party, and were like, “hey, can’t have this #4 team on even ground, slap ‘em into a one game coin flip with the ALMOST DEFINITELY FIFTH best team in the league.” It’s absurd.
18
Erika Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
@Bub – completely agree that’s the true “point” of the Wild Card. I’ve been reading the counter argument all over the blogs the last few days and it’s infuriating me to no end.
19
Shaun Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
For what it’s worth, I don’t feel as icky about this season as last. It seemed like last season the Braves never played to their potential. Granted a lot of that was probably due to injuries, players playing through injuries, etc. But I think some of it was Fredi over-managing a lot more than he did this season, it seemed the hitting philosophy was all out of whack. This year felt like the team did as much as they could do, except for in that one dumb winner-take-all game.
20
bub Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 7:23 pm
Shaun, I could go along with that.
21
David Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Several things…

First off, terrific show as always. This one had all of the anger and bitterness that should be expressed in Braves country after Friday’s game.

- While I do hate the Cardinals, I don’t think their “infield fly” chants were anything wrong [duck]. I didn’t see any footage, but to me it sounds like it was more in jest at the umpires and the situation and more of a “and what about that call?!!?” way — not in a “let’s stick it to the Braves!” way. If they wanted to stick it to the Braves, they should’ve chanted “THREE ER-RORS! THREE ER-RORS!” But I do hate the Cardinals.

- After Friday’s game, I hate the whole MLB system more. The 1-game playoff is asinine and totally contradictory to the regular season system. I also hate that MLB will never, ever, ever go back and reverse something they’ve done — and that seems to be from an understanding that they got it right the first time. Hence no instant replay, hence no repealing of the DH. It seems that MLB will only add to the system, never take back what they’ve put in place.

- In addition to the idiocy of the 1-game playoff, I’m wondering why baseball even needed a 5th playoff team to begin with. Obviously the “need” is to get more money, to which I say: use that money, in every regular season game, for a 5th umpire to monitor instant replay calls.

- Re Zach Greinke — doesn’t seem like the Braves need him. Heading into the 2013 season, our starting 5 includes Medlen, Huddy, Minor, Maholm, and Hanson, with Beachy waiting in the wings until the all-star break. That’s also not factoring in any potential offseason trades that would see Hanson or Minor or Maholm (although I bet it’ll be Delgado or Teheran before any of them) exit for a power-hitting outfielder.

Also on Hanson: I would think that his first/second half splits suggest that he’ll be traded midseason. He’s a much better first-half pitcher than second-half. (http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=hansoto01&year=Career&t=p)

Lastly, I’m with you Curt — Hotel Transylvania was awful.
22
Nate Says:
October 8th, 2012 at 9:20 pm
Curt, shouldn’t you start rooting for the Cardinals? Wouldn’t that be the ultimate way for you to get back at them on behalf of Braves Country? They don’t have a chance if you do.
23
Curt Says:
October 9th, 2012 at 8:00 am
Nate, done. I’m all in on the Cardinals. I’m growing a Motte like beard until they get knocked out.
24
Steve Says:
October 9th, 2012 at 10:15 am
@23 – Your normal beard is borderine frightening. Can’t wait for this one.
25
eric Says:
October 9th, 2012 at 10:48 am
I get the arguments that the one game playoff isn’t fair, but I don’t really see that being the case here. It’s not like the Braves were some powerhouse. I have no reason to believe they would have gotten by any of the division winners or that they even would have won a 3 game series against the Cards.

I like that the Braves were in the one game playoff. It was exciting. Bottom line – they blew it.
26
Nate Says:
October 9th, 2012 at 11:14 am
The core of young pitchers plus Prado, J Hey, and Freeman is plenty to be excited about moving forward. It should be interesting to see what the rotation looks like going into Spring Training. Hudson coming back is pretty much a guarantee. Will Maholm be back? Will Hanson be back? Will Delgado and Teheran spend another year mostly at Gwinnett?
27
Shaun Says:
October 9th, 2012 at 11:48 am
eric, I somewhat agree. There really aren’t any clear favorites in the NL, except maybe the Nationals and Reds and those two teams gained an edge in the postseason under this system. I still wish the wild card round was 3 games but I see your point.

I don’t know that the Braves would have lost in 3 games. Randomness played a huge role in the one game. Three games would only be slightly better.

The problems with the format show up more prominently in the American League this year. The Tigers finished with the 7th-best record in the AL and they get a bigger advantage in the playoffs than a couple of teams that finished with better records.
28
Tim in Orlando Says:
October 10th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Guys, great show and season. A couple of observations from the “playoff” game:
1) new rule – only “infield” umpires can call the infield fly rule.
2) no one game playoff – Best 2 of 3. All played at best wild card record. Game 1 afternoon, games 2 & 3 – day/night doubleheader. Game 3 if necessary. I know there are TV complications, but would only delay Div Series one day. Lots of pressure on WC winner but better than a one-game “coin-flip”

FYI – Spring training schedule is out. Starts earlier and ends earlier as well. Not sure if due to new post-season WC schedule or the WBC, which is another pet peeve of mine. Argh!
29
ham Says:
October 10th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Poor sport, cry-baby, green with envy, “Curt”, . . . . whatever you want to call me, I cannot stand the Cards. Uggh. I would rather see the Yankees win than them. If for some hellish reason the Yanks-Cards end up in the WS, I am buying an A-Rod baby tee.
30
Walker Says:
October 10th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Cardinals about to beat the Nationals and go up 2-1 in series. And you know what….. they will end up winning the world series. Pretty soon the whole league will hate the Braves for choking and allowing the Cardinals in the dance so many times.
31
Shaun Says:
October 10th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
But St. Louis is the best baseball town in America .

I’m still bitter that the 8th-10th best team in baseball won the Series last year and that the lowly 2006 Braves may have actually been a better team than the 2006 Cardinals.

I would have rather seen the Phillies and Mets win it all in those years. It seems like any time in recent memory the baseball gods want an undeserving team to win the Series, it’s the Cardinals. And that wouldn’t be so bad if not for the obnoxious “best fans in baseball”/”best baseball town in America” arrogant nonsense.
32
Shaun Says:
October 10th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
In spite of LaRussa, I actually used to kind of like the Cardinals, back when they had Edmonds, Rolen, Renteria.

Seems like the “best baseball town in America” nonsense really ratcheted up a little after that and there fans just started to become obnoxious.
33
bub Says:
October 10th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
Reason #758 it’s bad to have 1/3 of all baseball teams in the playoffs: all the pressure is on the top teams.
34
Leah Says:
October 10th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
@29…that’s where I draw the line. I’d much rather the Cards than Yanks. I’m pulling for the Orioles.
35
Curt Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 7:39 am
Good to see that Raul Ibanez doesn’t only get huge homers off of the Braves.

I want it noted that I have not watched any of this baseball, I just had it thrust upon me this morning, but this really couldn’t be shaping up any worse. Yanks winning, Cards winning. And watching the A’s comeback, and the Yanks comeback, it makes one try and think as to when the last time the Braves had a huge postseason hit. Maybe Hinske’s homer? And, going with the Braves’ way of doing things, we lost that game.
36
Steve Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 10:36 am
@35 – The Ankiel homer in game 2 in SF in 2010. That was a true post season, unbelievable, clutch hit.
37
Curt Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 11:13 am
Good point. And great moment.
38
Leah Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
It feels like every team in the playoffs has a recent or prominent Brave on the roster. Giants- Blanco
Nats- Gonzalez, and LaRoche
Orioles-McLouth
Tigers- Infante

For some reason that makes me sad.
39
bub Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
I bet Dusty Baker’s gone through a pine tree worth of toothpicks on this day. Thanks for all you’ve done for me Dusty (mainly for Conrad’s slam and all the times I had to comfort myself with “at least we don’t have Dusty Baker). Happy Trails.
40
bub Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
We’re one Cardinal win (barring the Reds getting 3 runs in the next 4 outs) away from having both of the best records in the league eliminated from the playoffs. And is it because they weren’t really the best teams? Nope. It’s because the baseball playoff system is an absolute sham. Yes, I’m bitter.
41
bub Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Hard to believe that Chapman is more hittable than Kimbrel when I see those three digits flash on the pitch speed. But he is.
42
bub Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
I’m thinking that Jay Bruce at bat gave at least 50 fans heart attacks.
43
Leah Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Cards have Umps in their pockets. I’m convinced. Total bogus strike called a ball here in the 9th. Hatred for the Cards growing by the pitch.
44
bub Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 6:55 pm
I’m for the Cards. I want it advertised clearly that the whole show is a joke.
45
Leah Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 7:07 pm
Glad the Nats won even if it has to be on a Jason Werth homer.
46
Leah Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
@64 Can’t do it. Plus we swept the Nats like 3 weeks ago. Feeds my fire if they beat the team who robbed us. Plus, my sister is unbearable.
47
bub Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 8:02 pm
@64 I agree with you completely. 8)
48
Leah Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 8:37 pm
@47 smart man
49
Leah Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Of course! who would have imagined anything different.

MCLOUTH! Lead off home run in the 5th puts the O’s on top 1-0! #BUCKleUp
50
Leah Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Yankees- Soriano. How could I forget? And Tex…I guess.
51
bub Says:
October 11th, 2012 at 10:46 pm
McLouth is one of the few ex-braves who completely dropped the ball in Atlanta that I feel okay rooting for. It stings a little, but I’m happy for Nate. Much rather him have a happy ending than Tex or Melky or (spits) Yunel.
52
bub Says:
October 12th, 2012 at 12:02 am
Yanks have to go with Lowe the rest of the night. Almost makes me wish the Yanks would tie it up in the bottom of the thirteenth. Almost. Go O’s.
53
Leah Says:
October 12th, 2012 at 12:09 am
Chevy player of the game…McOut
54
Walker Says:
October 12th, 2012 at 12:14 am
MLB wanted so bad to have sudden death baseball with those sham coin flip games. Yet we’ve already seen 3 sudden death game 5′s in the playoffs already.
55
Walker Says:
October 12th, 2012 at 12:32 am
http://deadspin.com/5950884/all-the-other-gms-hate-the-washington-nationals
56
Curt Says:
October 12th, 2012 at 7:48 am
Walker, that’s a nice point. Why have to force excitement when the natural order produces so much of it?

I think Bud Selig wants parity. He wants to expand the pool of teams “in it” to such a degree that no one is excluded. Same as making the AS Game the deciding factor in homefield advantage for the WS. He is trying to force people to be interested in baseball. I don’t think it is working. Pretty sure attendance was down across the board this year.
57
bub Says:
October 12th, 2012 at 9:57 am
Man, what an artificial parity this is, though.
58
Steve Says:
October 12th, 2012 at 10:40 am
We all got used to the Wildcard when it was introduced however many years ago. I mean, essentially, no one complains about it any more. But I don’t think that will ever be the case with the 1 game play-in.

C’mon O’s and Nats!
59
Curt Says:
October 12th, 2012 at 11:29 am
Bub, true. But what has Selig ever done that was genuine? He won’t put in a salary cap because the big money teams won’t have it, and MLB lives off of the Yanks and Sox and Angels and soon the Dodgers. So he puts in a ridiculous luxury tax on those teams in a feeble attempt to help the small market teams, but then makes no demands on the small market teams to invest in their teams with that money, so they don’t.

Amazing that he has let great baseball towns like KC, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore (until this year) just wither and die.
60
bub Says:
October 12th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
#59, Selig’s love for the Yanksox is precisely why I’m surprised he’d allow such an artificial parity to rule the playoffs. One of those teams will always be up against the coinflip now.

And I’m starting to believe big time in the feeling-no-pressure aspect of the 2nd wildcard team. Hitting, especially, is so mental, so confidence-driven.

I literally like the Braves’ chances better for next year if they get the second Wild Card spot. (They’ll have that life-after-Chipper-asserting-themselves-carefree-just-happy-to-be-here vibe going.) How screwy is that?

If we end up with 88-win Detroit versus 88-win St. Louis in the WS, will anybody wake up? Think about that. To be 7 full games worse than the AL leader and 10 full games worse than the NL leader means squat in the playoffs. Just get in. I don’t know why any team would bother fielding a great squad anymore.

And let’s not forget, in all this, that to begin with, the FIVE game series are a travesty. My hope for years was to have those extended to seven. But we’re going backwards instead.
61
will Says:
October 12th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Hey Ham, Curt & Steve – liked this show/hated the circumstances.
Good job this year. Keep it up.
Hope the Falcons go all the way.
62
Curt Says:
October 12th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Thanks Will.

Bub, here you go

http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2012/10/12/baseballs-postseason-its-fun-but-what-does-it-all-mean/?cxntfid=blogs_mark_bradley_blog
63
bub Says:
October 12th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Curt, thanks. I actually agree with Mark Bradley: another reason to hate this season.
64
Steve Says:
October 12th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
@63 – fantastic
65
Adam Says:
October 13th, 2012 at 12:29 am
I hate the Cardinals
66
Nate Says:
October 13th, 2012 at 12:39 am
Unbelievable. You can never count those guys out. 6-0 in their most recent winner take all playoff games, not to mention all the last out heroics the past 2 Octobers.
67
bub Says:
October 13th, 2012 at 2:12 am
Soooooo… I hate every team that’s left. Roll Tide, I guess: God’s way of making it up to Braves fans who live in Alabama. I dunno what you Dawg fans do for comfort. Oh yeah, the Falcons. Might have to jump on that bandwagon. Though the last time I watched an NFL game all the way through, I was pulling for the Patriots against the Bears in the Superbowl. How’s that for losing track of a sport?
68
Ham Says:
October 13th, 2012 at 8:01 am
Hate. The. Cardinals.
69
David Says:
October 13th, 2012 at 8:44 am
67 – I agree about hating every remaining team, with the exception of the Tigers. I don’t really mind those guys, although they’re not the slam-dunk powerhouse everyone said they’d be coming out of spring training.

This might be the first year I pull against the NL team – unless the Yankees advance. And even though I’m casually keeping up with baseball now (checking scores, not going out of my way to watch them), I hate that I’m going to be pullin for San Francisco in the NLCS, but I think it’s necessary. I just don’t want an Atlanta to be a stepping stone for the championship team once again – that’s happened too many times the last 3-4 years or so.
70
Curt Says:
October 13th, 2012 at 10:14 am
holy god I just saw that the Nats blew that game. Amazing. Giants vs Tigers, baby. Which means cards v yanks in what could be my most hated moment since my last most hated moment.
71
Walker Says:
October 13th, 2012 at 10:46 am
If there is a cars vs. yanks world series I will become a temporary yankee fan.
72
ham Says:
October 13th, 2012 at 11:12 am
I’m telling you guys. ARod baby-tees for everyone. The Mayans were right.
73
Nate Says:
October 13th, 2012 at 11:15 am
@71, Wow. That game really got to you guys. There has just been sooo much disappointment since I’ve been a Braves. It would be hard for me to despise a team more than the Yankees. The Giants are way up there for me too.

I’m with David. This will be the first year I’m pulling for an AL team- Tigers over Giants.
74
Nate Says:
October 13th, 2012 at 11:18 am
The Nats probably could have used Strasburg in that series. That whole organization blew it.
75
Leah Says:
October 13th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Quick! I need “Auburn doesn’t suck” type words of comfort and encouragement for the Rev. Stat!!!!
76
Jonna Chizik Says:
October 13th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Auburn doesn’t suck. Fear not.
77
Walker Says:
October 13th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
@ 74

I agree. We will never truly know all the variables or what would have happened if Strasburg had pitched, but the Nationals made a huge mistake. If you have a 6 run lead with your ace on the mound or even 2 run lead then you don’t lose that game.

If the Nationals came into the year knowing the would have the best record in baseball and make the playoffs then they spread Strasbug’s innings out so he could pitch in the postseason. Instead they though they would suck so they reaped the consequences. No ring and no guarantee for the future. So sorry.
78
Leah Says:
October 14th, 2012 at 9:03 am
Derek Jeter…big baby. Just kidding.
79
Bubdylan Says:
October 14th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
The ESPN headline, “Jeter snaps ankle” was a little jarring.
80
Chris Says:
October 14th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
After that Nats game Friday night, I dont feel QUITE as bad as I did about our game. I was trying to debate which would be worse, but I think if the braves would have blown a 6-0 lead and one strike away from moving on, I would have been even more pissed beyond belief! Now will the Cards please lose, their fans have had way too much to cheer about the past 2 seasons, and I’m getting jealous!
81
Leah Says:
October 14th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
Soooooo…Yanks get a bad call and Joe Torre is empathetic. Shocker.
82
Steve Says:
October 14th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Hey all. A reminder that the new show will be posted tomorrow (Monday) night.
83
Steve Says:
October 14th, 2012 at 8:50 pm
Does anyone think the Giants beat the Cards? I don’t. But I do think Detroit will win it all.
84
David Says:
October 14th, 2012 at 9:25 pm
#83 – No. I think Cardinals will win NLCS, and I hate that. I’m pulling for Detroit all the way, and I think they’ve got a good chance…as long as they don’t pull a ’96 Braves and lose the next 4 after winning the first two in NY. (Sorry — too soon?)

Nice to see that the Falcons are 6-0, although it’ll be interesting to see how they do against good teams after their bye week next week. Aside from a few big plays, the defense was awful today, and the offense couldn’t get much going. Glad that they won, but they could easily be either 5-1 or 4-2 (with potential losses coming today and to Carolina, which included a ton of luck).
85
Leah Says:
October 14th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
Just finished last season’s Dexter. Whoa…
86
David Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 10:19 am
Requisite reading for anyone who visits this website:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/feature/moment/_/page/SidBream'sElectricSlide/sid-bream-electric-slide-1992-nlcs-game-7
87
David Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 10:21 am
Hmmm….looks like that link doesn’t work. Go to the front page of MLB on the ESPN homepage and it should be there.
88
Bubdylan Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 10:22 am
Leah, how can you subject yourself to such a morally bankrupt, disgusting, onslaught of humilating dismemberments and deeply disturbing carnage? (I’m talking about AU football of course; I love Dexter.)
89
Shaun Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 10:42 am
Unfortunately I find myself pulling for the Yankees (which makes me sick) and Giants.

I can’t root for Detroit out of spite for MLB’s lousy system that rewards them with a bye in the one-game round, even though they were the worst playoff team.

I can’t root for the Cardinals because I get sick of the “best baseball town in America” nonsense and because of MLB’s lousy system that allowed them to advance, though the Braves finished 6 games ahead of them.
90
ham Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 10:44 am
I have not rooted this vigorously for a Tiger since I had my first bowl of Frosted Flakes.

#worstpostseasonever
91
Bubdylan Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 10:56 am
Shaun, I’m rooting for it to be the Tigers over the Cards for the same reason that you’re not rooting for them: I want it abundantly clear that the system is stupid. I know it won’t even register with the majority, but for most of the fans I converse with, two 80-something win teams in the WS will at least take the shine off the proceedings.

The cards (heh) are so stacked against the best teams now, I wonder how long it will be before we get another WS champ with the best record in baseball. Bud Selig is a plague unto mankind.

(I guess one could argue that if WC/poor record teams win for a few years in a row, the pressure could, absurdly, switch over and work against the WC teams… that’ll probably happen about the time the Braves get in at the end on a hot streak)
92
Leah Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Bub, was it you who told me to read Anna Karenina? Just noticed the movie with Keira Knightly. Could be good! Complex story so I hope they don’t botch it.
93
Bubdylan Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Leah, it’s by the same guy who directed her in Pride and Prejudice, so I expect to like it pretty well. No, I’ve never told anyone to read Tolstoy. He bores me to tears, to my shame, since all my favorite writers love him. (I don’t like Bach or Tolstoy, but I love Beethoven and Dostoyevsky. I think I like emotionally stormy art, and the higher, dryer stuff is over my head. Austen is dry, I guess, but I like her because she’s happy.)
94
Leah Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Um…you like Austen because if you don’t you are dead to me.
95
Bubdylan Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
That, too.
96
Bubdylan Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Anybody seen Argo?
97
Bubdylan Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
I think tonight’s show should be nothing but movie reviews. Kids’ movies from the 1980′s. And straight-to-video Disney sequels.
98
Steve Says:
October 15th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
@97 – Consider it done.

Show #204: The Braves Wildcard Debacle

98 Responses to “Show #204: The Braves Wildcard Debacle”

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