ALCS: Angels vs Yankees

CommishJoe · 10-12-2009, 08:30 AM

Oh boy, here we go. This should be one heck of a shootout.

Tony M · 10-12-2009, 08:40 AM

I'd like to see the Angels win this series.

But my choices for who I want to see win the WS depend more on the NL than the AL. If the Dodgers beat Rockies/Phillies then I will want the AL to win and if that means cheering on the Yankees then so be it. Nothing would gall me more than see Manny win it after his behaviour the last 18 months.

If the Rockies get through I'd like to see them win it. If the Phillies get through then I'd prefer the Angels/Yankees to win.

But most of all, I hope this series brings some impressive games (to be fair only game 3 of the ALDS between the Angels and us really got my fire going).

And just remember the best of seven isn't over until the final possible out.

CommishJoe · 10-12-2009, 08:46 AM

Game 2 of the Twins vs Yankees series was a great game. Blackburn was brilliant, while Burnett was frustrating but effective. I jumped out of my chair when A-Rod hit the game tying HR

I think this series will be filled with great games. These 2 teams match up well, with the Angels holding the mental edge because they've owned the Yankees so often. Hopefully, the last series against the Angels will give the Yanks a little confidence.

f.montoya · 10-12-2009, 11:12 AM

Angels in 6. or 5?

Why?

Angels seem to always hit Yankee pitching fairly consistently.
Yankee hitters seem off-balance facing Angel pitchers.
Yankees rely on the home run while the Angels make runs happen.
Mike Scioscia is a more experienced manager.
Joe Girardi will make at least two managerial errors.
Yankees still haven't proven that they can beat the Angels with any consistency...especially in the postseason.
The Angels, in the past decade, have been the Yankees' "Daddy".

Dargone · 10-12-2009, 12:20 PM

Yeah, we certainly "own" the Yankees, but anything can happen in the postseason. I would really love to see my team defeat the Evil Empire yet again...

PotatoPeeler · 10-12-2009, 12:56 PM

If the Rockies end up getting knocked out, I'll be pulling for the Angels. I think it would be a good end to the season for a team that had such a turbulant start.

jbergey22 · 10-12-2009, 01:02 PM

Hopefully the Dodgers win the NL and it will set up an interesting World Series matchup either way.

PS This is the assumption Colorado loses. Ill be cheering for them until that happens.

jbergey22 · 10-12-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f.montoya

Angels in 6. or 5?

Why?

Angels seem to always hit Yankee pitching fairly consistently.
Yankee hitters seem off-balance facing Angel pitchers.
Yankees rely on the home run while the Angels make runs happen.
Mike Scioscia is a more experienced manager.
Joe Girardi will make at least two managerial errors.
Yankees still haven't proven that they can beat the Angels with any consistency...especially in the postseason.
The Angels, in the past decade, have been the Yankees' "Daddy".

Yankees are a far different team this year unfortunately. They have an ace pitcher and a bullpen that can link the starters to Rivera. They also play the best defense Ive seen from a Yankee team in a VERY long time. I think the Yankees win this one is 6. Angels pitching wont hold up.

Lackey has been average this year. Saunders is an accident waiting to happen. Weaver could give the Yankees some trouble but it wont be enough. Kazmir hasnt really proved to me he could win the big games.

bababui · 10-12-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony M

And just remember the best of seven isn't over until the final possible out.

Thats why I like the five game series. They arent over until the seventh out.

myasu · 10-13-2009, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f.montoya

Angels in 6. or 5?

Why?

Angels seem to always hit Yankee pitching fairly consistently.
Yankee hitters seem off-balance facing Angel pitchers.
Yankees rely on the home run while the Angels make runs happen.
Mike Scioscia is a more experienced manager.
Joe Girardi will make at least two managerial errors.
Yankees still haven't proven that they can beat the Angels with any consistency...especially in the postseason.
The Angels, in the past decade, have been the Yankees' "Daddy".

Well, we had the similar list with the Angels, before this series.

I look forward to the great series!

phightin · 10-13-2009, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbergey22

Hopefully the Dodgers win the NL and it will set up an interesting World Series matchup either way.

PS This is the assumption Colorado loses. Ill be cheering for them until that happens.

While an LA/LA series as well as an NY/LA would be interesting I think a philadelphia/new york series would be the most interesting match-up of them all. You have the defending champions against the perennial ones, and the the two biggest star studded line-ups in baseball going head to head. They had a great series between each other earlier in the year as well, and i just think overall the MLB is hoping for a NY/LA or Phi/NY series.

CommishJoe · 10-13-2009, 10:30 AM

If this series goes into game 4 2-1 or 3-0 in favor of the Angels, I'd expect Sabathia to start game 4. This would allow Sabathia to throw in game 7 on full rest, and he's thrown very well in the past on 3 days rest. Plus, from what I've read, the Angels have had issues with lefty starters. This would allow the Yanks to throw a lefty at them in 4 games. Also, it keeps Gaudin/Chamberlain out of the rotation so that's gotta be a good thing

bear · 10-13-2009, 10:51 AM

Life long White Sox fan. Rooting for the Angels. As an expansion franchise, 1959 Seriees hero, Big Klu went to the Halos. Have had a soft spot in my heart for them ever since as my second favorite team. The Gene Autry ownership added to these feelings. I'll root for them even though their present ownership, The Disney Corp, has made them harder for me to like.

Along the same lines I'm rooting for the Phillies. Have not forgiven the Dodgers for 1959.

Maybe I just like teams with red uniforms.

myasu · 10-16-2009, 10:45 PM

Even though I am supposed to be rooting for the Angels, as they won the series against us, the Red Sox (it is my rule, to follow the team who beat my team in PS games), I find myself hoping for Matsui to win a world series ring as a Yankee for once.

This might very well be the last year in a pinstripe, and might be his last chance to play for the world championship team in his career.

I have a tremendous amount of respect towards him as a person, specially after his arm injury several years ago.
The way he bounced back this year is truly impressive, and he has been quietly productive specially in the second half of the season.

He does not say much (not just because of his poor English. He is just a kind of person who does all his talking by playing hard for the team), he is not much of a leader in this team even for all the time he has spent there, and he is not a super star type of player at all, but I think he is a very good player with whom the managers never have to worry about motivating him once in a while, to get everything out of him in the games.
He gives all he got everyday, he never complains about his role in his team, he always talks about his team first, he never takes steroids (I just know he never has done it. I just know) to bring his numbers up.

People talk about Ichiro being a super star in Japan, and it is true now. However, people forget that Matsui was the mega star in Japan when he played for Yomiuri Giants, and even for his great records, Ichiro was not as popular as Matsui when he was in Japan. (partly because he played for Orix Buffaloes, much less popular team in a pacific league)

Matsui was truly an national treasure of Japanese baseball when he left his country, and it was like nothing you can imagine. It would be Jeter leaving the Yankees and New York in his prime to join the most popular team in the better league (It is hard to imagine, because there is no better league in our universe) to pursuit his dream, when everyone in the States screaming for him either not to leave the Yankees or, to do well for the new team. I can not even imagine how much the pressure was on him at the time.

To Japanese fans, he was, one of the best three slugger ever in Japan, along with Sadaharu Oh, and Shigeo Nagashima, both of them played for the Yomiuri Giants, and he was sort of in a position to fulfill the dream of those old time fans who hoped to see how Sadaharu Oh would have done in MLB in his prime. Matsui was put in a position where he had to show Japanese fans how good the Japanese sluggers can be in the States. (Ichiro did not have that problem, because he was not the typical slugger to say the least)

Matsui, as we all know, is not a great power hitter at the MLB level, and will never win a HR title in his career, but I think many of the Japanese fans who did not know much about MLB seriously expected him to win a title or two.

I still remember in 2003 ALCS game 7, when he hit that double from Pedro, and came home jumping, getting totally pumped, I could not stop feeling happy for him even though I was in a total shock as a Red Sox fan to see it happening. It was his first year as a Yankee, and he did very well in that series, and I had never seen him playing excited like that back in Japan. I was so angry at him for hitting that double, but was so happy for him to making his dream coming true like that at the same time.

Think of what he had to overcome, (injuries, too much expectations from his coutry, having to adjust to being one of the supporting casts in his team...) I have to respect this guy, a lot.

NYY #23 · 10-16-2009, 11:43 PM

Matsui has been one of my favorite players since he came over he. He is just such a class act and even though I hate this expression - plays the game the right way.

I'll always remember a couple of things about Matsui that just seem to set him apart from others. Apologizing to his teammates for letting them down when he got hurt, and how selfless he was when first playing left field instead of his preferred position center field, and later moving to DH when he wants to be out in the field.

It has been so nice to see him play so well this year after last season, and I'd love to see him come back next season and DH again. Wherever he goes, I'll be rooting for him.

CommishJoe · 10-16-2009, 11:52 PM

Well, that's game #1 in the books. Now, let's hope that AJ's control is better tomorrow then it was in his last start.

NYY #23 · 10-17-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

Well, that's game #1 in the books. Now, let's hope that AJ's control is better tomorrow then it was in his last start.

I hope his control is better too, but if he can find a way to hold the Angels to one run and give us another 6 innings I'll be happy. Of course it looks like he may have to wait until Sunday to get his chance unless something drastic changes with the forecast.

Skipaway · 10-17-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myasu

To Japanese fans, he was, one of the best three slugger ever in Japan, along with Sadaharu Oh, and Shigeo Nagashima, both of them played for the Yomiuri Giants,

Nagashima doesn't belong in this group. Hiromitsu Ochiai would be way more fitting.

Oh, Matsui, and Ochiai are No.1~3 in career SLG in ***. Nagashima is No. 11.

myasu · 10-17-2009, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipaway

Nagashima doesn't belong in this group. Hiromitsu Ochiai would be way more fitting.

Oh, Matsui, and Ochiai are No.1~3 in career SLG in ***. Nagashima is No. 11.

Well, you are right if you only look at the numbers, but if you were a Japanese who followed Japanese baseball from 60's ~ 70's, you would know very well what I mean.

Skipaway · 10-17-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myasu

Well, you are right if you only look at the numbers, but if you were a Japanese who followed Japanese baseball from 60's ~ 70's, you would know very well what I mean.

But that's why I don't like about Nagashima. He's the Japanese Jeter, great but still manage to be always overrated.

10-12-2009, 08:46 AM	#3
CommishJoe Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,238	Game 2 of the Twins vs Yankees series was a great game. Blackburn was brilliant, while Burnett was frustrating but effective. I jumped out of my chair when A-Rod hit the game tying HR I think this series will be filled with great games. These 2 teams match up well, with the Angels holding the mental edge because they've owned the Yankees so often. Hopefully, the last series against the Angels will give the Yanks a little confidence. __________________ Joe Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due every day.

10-12-2009, 11:12 AM	#4
f.montoya Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,077	Angels in 6. or 5? Why? Angels seem to always hit Yankee pitching fairly consistently. Yankee hitters seem off-balance facing Angel pitchers. Yankees rely on the home run while the Angels make runs happen. Mike Scioscia is a more experienced manager. Joe Girardi will make at least two managerial errors. Yankees still haven't proven that they can beat the Angels with any consistency...especially in the postseason. The Angels, in the past decade, have been the Yankees' "Daddy". __________________ Fidel Montoya Asahi2 Baseball League ex-Commissioner(Historical League Since 2004) Ex-Web Host Current Mod Maker??

10-12-2009, 12:20 PM	#5
Dargone Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Interwebs Posts: 2,862	Yeah, we certainly "own" the Yankees, but anything can happen in the postseason. I would really love to see my team defeat the Evil Empire yet again... __________________ I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken -- and I'd rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived.-Margaret Mitchell

10-12-2009, 12:56 PM	#6
PotatoPeeler Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 3,639	If the Rockies end up getting knocked out, I'll be pulling for the Angels. I think it would be a good end to the season for a team that had such a turbulant start. __________________ 培傑西 I have never taken a lesson on how to talk on TV in my life. - Tim McCarver Guns have only two enemies; rust and liberals. The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel.

10-13-2009, 10:30 AM	#12
CommishJoe Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,238	If this series goes into game 4 2-1 or 3-0 in favor of the Angels, I'd expect Sabathia to start game 4. This would allow Sabathia to throw in game 7 on full rest, and he's thrown very well in the past on 3 days rest. Plus, from what I've read, the Angels have had issues with lefty starters. This would allow the Yanks to throw a lefty at them in 4 games. Also, it keeps Gaudin/Chamberlain out of the rotation so that's gotta be a good thing __________________ Joe Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due every day.

10-12-2009, 08:30 AM	#1
CommishJoe Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,238	ALCS: Angels vs Yankees Oh boy, here we go. This should be one heck of a shootout. __________________ Joe Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due every day.

10-12-2009, 08:40 AM	#2
Tony M Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Here Posts: 6,156	I'd like to see the Angels win this series. But my choices for who I want to see win the WS depend more on the NL than the AL. If the Dodgers beat Rockies/Phillies then I will want the AL to win and if that means cheering on the Yankees then so be it. Nothing would gall me more than see Manny win it after his behaviour the last 18 months. If the Rockies get through I'd like to see them win it. If the Phillies get through then I'd prefer the Angels/Yankees to win. But most of all, I hope this series brings some impressive games (to be fair only game 3 of the ALDS between the Angels and us really got my fire going). And just remember the best of seven isn't over until the final possible out. __________________ This signature is intentionally blank

10-12-2009, 01:02 PM	#7
jbergey22 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,481	Hopefully the Dodgers win the NL and it will set up an interesting World Series matchup either way. PS This is the assumption Colorado loses. Ill be cheering for them until that happens.

10-13-2009, 10:51 AM	#13
bear Global Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 18,797	Life long White Sox fan. Rooting for the Angels. As an expansion franchise, 1959 Seriees hero, Big Klu went to the Halos. Have had a soft spot in my heart for them ever since as my second favorite team. The Gene Autry ownership added to these feelings. I'll root for them even though their present ownership, The Disney Corp, has made them harder for me to like. Along the same lines I'm rooting for the Phillies. Have not forgiven the Dodgers for 1959. Maybe I just like teams with red uniforms. __________________ Bear's Unstable UTBA Season Four Gold Conference Central Division Champion First UTBA expansion franchise to win a conference divisional title

10-16-2009, 10:45 PM	#14
myasu All Star Starter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 1,491	Even though I am supposed to be rooting for the Angels, as they won the series against us, the Red Sox (it is my rule, to follow the team who beat my team in PS games), I find myself hoping for Matsui to win a world series ring as a Yankee for once. This might very well be the last year in a pinstripe, and might be his last chance to play for the world championship team in his career. I have a tremendous amount of respect towards him as a person, specially after his arm injury several years ago. The way he bounced back this year is truly impressive, and he has been quietly productive specially in the second half of the season. He does not say much (not just because of his poor English. He is just a kind of person who does all his talking by playing hard for the team), he is not much of a leader in this team even for all the time he has spent there, and he is not a super star type of player at all, but I think he is a very good player with whom the managers never have to worry about motivating him once in a while, to get everything out of him in the games. He gives all he got everyday, he never complains about his role in his team, he always talks about his team first, he never takes steroids (I just know he never has done it. I just know) to bring his numbers up. People talk about Ichiro being a super star in Japan, and it is true now. However, people forget that Matsui was the mega star in Japan when he played for Yomiuri Giants, and even for his great records, Ichiro was not as popular as Matsui when he was in Japan. (partly because he played for Orix Buffaloes, much less popular team in a pacific league) Matsui was truly an national treasure of Japanese baseball when he left his country, and it was like nothing you can imagine. It would be Jeter leaving the Yankees and New York in his prime to join the most popular team in the better league (It is hard to imagine, because there is no better league in our universe) to pursuit his dream, when everyone in the States screaming for him either not to leave the Yankees or, to do well for the new team. I can not even imagine how much the pressure was on him at the time. To Japanese fans, he was, one of the best three slugger ever in Japan, along with Sadaharu Oh, and Shigeo Nagashima, both of them played for the Yomiuri Giants, and he was sort of in a position to fulfill the dream of those old time fans who hoped to see how Sadaharu Oh would have done in MLB in his prime. Matsui was put in a position where he had to show Japanese fans how good the Japanese sluggers can be in the States. (Ichiro did not have that problem, because he was not the typical slugger to say the least) Matsui, as we all know, is not a great power hitter at the MLB level, and will never win a HR title in his career, but I think many of the Japanese fans who did not know much about MLB seriously expected him to win a title or two. I still remember in 2003 ALCS game 7, when he hit that double from Pedro, and came home jumping, getting totally pumped, I could not stop feeling happy for him even though I was in a total shock as a Red Sox fan to see it happening. It was his first year as a Yankee, and he did very well in that series, and I had never seen him playing excited like that back in Japan. I was so angry at him for hitting that double, but was so happy for him to making his dream coming true like that at the same time. Think of what he had to overcome, (injuries, too much expectations from his coutry, having to adjust to being one of the supporting casts in his team...) I have to respect this guy, a lot. __________________ myasu Bill Spaceman Lee- "The other day they asked me about mandatory drug testing. I said I believed in drug testing a long time ago. All through the sixties I tested everything."

10-16-2009, 11:43 PM	#15
NYY #23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 13,112	Matsui has been one of my favorite players since he came over he. He is just such a class act and even though I hate this expression - plays the game the right way. I'll always remember a couple of things about Matsui that just seem to set him apart from others. Apologizing to his teammates for letting them down when he got hurt, and how selfless he was when first playing left field instead of his preferred position center field, and later moving to DH when he wants to be out in the field. It has been so nice to see him play so well this year after last season, and I'd love to see him come back next season and DH again. Wherever he goes, I'll be rooting for him.

10-16-2009, 11:52 PM	#16
CommishJoe Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,238	Well, that's game #1 in the books. Now, let's hope that AJ's control is better tomorrow then it was in his last start. __________________ Joe Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due every day.