Jays at White Sox
Indians at Rays
Astros at A's
Death Star at Twinkies
To avoid Minnesota, we have two basic options: Run the table and catch the Rays - make up three games in seven days (four, if you consider the tie-breaker) - or strategically stumble and drop a spot, drawing the A's.
Obviously, we'd rather win out. We play:
Two with Boston (who are terrible but venomous)
Four in Buffalo v the Jays (whom we just embarrassed)
Two at home v the Marlins (vastly improved, Mattingly's homecoming; we probably won't face their stud pitcher, Sixto Sanchez, because he'll start the playoffs - but maybe not, because he's been whacked lately, so there's that.)
Our chances: Maybe seven of eight?
Then there are the Rays. They play:
Two in Baltimore (can the out-of-it O's steal just one?)
Three in NY against the Mets: (De Grom? Hometown spirit?)
Three at home v the Phillies (who are fighting for the NL final seed; could Joe and Didi snag a couple?)
That would be 4-4. We'd be tied, but they killed us in the regular season, so we'd still finish second.
The Twins play the Cubs (two), Tigers (two) and Reds (three.)
Doesn't look good.
So endeth the JuJu.
ReplyDeleteA day late on this, but you hit on one of my deepest fears:
ReplyDeleteWe all know wicked, vicious retribution is coming from the Twins -- eventually. The Gods will demand it, and it's already way overdue.
But maybe the delayed Juju is like that library book that gets lost on the shelf for years and years and both you and the library stop looking for it, and perhaps the Twins show up with no real expectation of finding the missing library book?
The Yankee Stadium advantage is the big thing. Everybody is poking those line drives to right field. Are they holding the playoffs in a neutral site or are they traveling back and forth? (Sorry. Too lazy to look it up.)
The hell with the last five or so games, set up the playoffs so Cole starts game 1 and Tanaka game 2, with Devi 3 if needed.
ReplyDeleteSo endth The Archangel
The only counter argument I can think of is that we had all those loses against Tampa Bay with half the Yankee team on the EL. It's different when Stanton and Judge and yes, ICS are starting to hit. I guess the "tank" is officially over. I'm relieved of that. I'm off the EL now as my grade 1 eyestrain from watching the dumpster fire over those two weeks is gone...
ReplyDeleteAll the teams we potentially face will be good. The A's and Tampa are historically problematic. The White Sox with their top pitching and strong line up are the team to beat this year. Plus they have JUAN MONCADA (slowly I turn). So I'm good with facing the Twins, Joan Cone be dammned.
ReplyDeleteAll of that said, you gotta beat em all right? And then the Dodgers or what ever team wins the NL. Either you are the best or you are not.
Doug K.
Plus the White Sox just brought up some kid who throws 101 for their bullpen—a classic playoff ace-in-the-hole.
ReplyDeleteIt's a crapshoot—which, frankly, considering the way our boys have played this year is as much as they deserve.
I'd love to see somebody knock off the Rays early. I think we'd be even money against the rest of the league.
As for the Dodgers...well, there's another very good team that has choked so often in recent years...
Hoss,
ReplyDeleteYes, the Rays would be my least desirable opponent.
The White Sox are the team I think wins it all.
As to the Dodgers, adding Mookie Betts looks like what they needed to put them over the top but who among us doesn't relish another Yankee/Dodger World Series?
If only to see clips like Nettles shutting them down when Urshala makes a great play in the field.
----
Does anybody else think that Higoshioka (SP -don't feel like looking up) hitting the three home runs gave Gary a jolt of fear for the first time in his life? One of those "I'd better get my shit together" moments?
Doug K.
With the Juju gods as my witnesses, I swear my post about Sanchez was not any form of deliberate Juju.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Sanchez, have any of you hate him/trade him doomsayers noticed that he’s 6 for his last 18? Maybe we should trade him now that his value seems to be peaking?
ReplyDeleteAs for me, after watching that ninth inning home run impossibly sail over the green monstrosity last night (a shot that was still on its way up) I’m more convinced than ever that he’s back and ready to do some serious damage.
JT Realmuto. Bah. He’s better off in Philly.
Oh, and speaking of the almighty JT, has anyone noticed that four different imposters have been behind the plate these last few weeks down in the city of brotherly love?
If it seems to any of you that I’m gloating, it’s because I am. Sanchez is ready to fly.
With nine games to play the Yankees are four back of Tampa, but four and six games ahead of Toronto and Houston. Since the second place team can only be the 4-6 seed, NY will be the 4 or 5 against either Cleveland or Minnesota. Cleveland can pitch and Minnesota can hit. The recent Yankees are usually better facing strong hitting than tough pitching (especially if it's right-handed). Maybe having Cole will reverse the trend, but it's hard for the NYY to win well-pitched games due to their incompetence at fielding/base-running/clutch hitting compared with nearly every winning team. Neither will be pushovers, but of only two realistic possibilities the Twins are preferable match-up.
ReplyDelete- MelquÃades
Some holes, yes, Melquiades, but only surprise-pitching from ne'erdowells defeats us. Bring on Cleveland, Judge will have his stroke then, and he'll chew 'em up, because I say so.
ReplyDeleteHey, tell 'em to rest Voit till the playoffs, his foot's gonna fall off.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI really want the world to know about this great man who brought back happiness into my life again after my husband left me and the kids 3 years ago for another women online when i contacted Dr Believe he cast a love spell for me within 48 hours my ex husband start calling me and begging for forgiveness for everything that have happened between us. I was so happy to have my family back together with love again here is the email of Dr Believe via believelovespelltemple@gmail.com a man with the great powers you can also call him or add him on Whats-app: +2348156148821
God bless you
I am very grateful for your help in my marriage.