Friday, October 3, 2003
After Two Games
I like this a lot, this article on Mark Redman, who says he'd like to pitch to Barry in Game 3. Barry's walks have led to runs in this series so far, but I would love to see him swing away. So, Mark, be my guest. PLEEEEASE. Did somebody say, "Frehhh-sh fish! Frehhh-sh fish!"
Going to your foe's ballpark to try to win playoff games is always a daunting task. I'm thinking the Giants will split in Miami and come back to Pac Bell needing Jason to close it out. It's our weaker half of the rotation coming up, though, in Rueter and Williams, but the youngsters starting for Florida in Games 3 and 4--Redman and Dontrelle Willis--are both as inexperienced in postseason play as Williams and I hope that means something.
Oh, and can we get a victory today to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the real greatest home run ever hit? Maz's was great, yes, but this one is truly the most legendary. (A Hall-Of-Famer was born the day it happened, October 3, 1951.)
MVP So Far: Barry Bonds.
This is the series most surprising to me thus far. The only team with a 2-0 lead in the playoff--the A's--is the team I thought would have been least likely to accomplish that feat, simply because I thought Boston's bat would light up A's pitching like the Citgo sign. 
I do think, however, that the Sox will come back with two wins and send it to Oakland for a fifth game. Which of course will make it incredibly treacherous; the A's had a 2-0 lead on the Yanks in 2001 and couldn't pull it off--I think Jeremy Giambi could tell you about that one.
MVP So Far: Erubiel Durazo.
The Braves would have been toast if they hadn't won Game 2. With Prior pitching tonight in Game 3, the Cubs will go up 2-1 in the series, and then Wrigley's madhouse will carry them to a Game 4 and series victory.
MVP So Far: Kerry Wood.
Now we head to baseball's worst "ballpark" if you can call it that, the Metrodome (Yes, I did include the Trop in T-Bay). The Twins were correct in pitching to Jason Giambi while he struggled and garnered Bronx cheers, but he picked a nice time to bust out and drive home two runs. Foot, man, that was pretty cool.
MVP So Far: Alfonso Soriano.
