Field of nightmares They apparently, like all other World Series champions, must win the minimum amount of games to clinch the series.
Following game 1 of the ALCS, I got angry. I was cussing and ranting. I should be cussing and ranting now.
I don't mind losing. Again, if getting to the ALCS was the cherry on the sundae, getting to the World Series is like getting a blowjob while eating the sundae.
Losing is fine. It's how you lose that kills me. In the ALCS, it was walks (that annoy the shit out of me) and poor baserunning.
In game 1 of the World Series, it was errors, poor baserunning and lack of playmaking in the field.
Why am I not irate today? Because getting mad at Mike Young and Vlad Guerrero for poor play in the field is useless. They're not what they used to be and there's no other option at third base and I depend on Ron Washington to make a decision on right field.
Ian Kinsler's baserunning snafu in the eighth wasn't nearly as bad as getting picked off. He thought the ball went past Aubrey Huff. I have no idea if Garry Pettis said anything to Kins to indicate the ball got through. It's a bang-bang play that killed a potential rally.
Game 1 of the World Series was eerily like game 1 of the ALCS: Rangers get up early, the big inning buries them, a late-inning Ian Kinsler running error.
It was also a game of "what-ifs" for me, something I don't do too often. What if Darren O'Day keeps Juan Uribe in the yard? What if Mark Lowe stems the tide in the eighth? What if the Rangers knock a few more across in the first?
There are tons of plays that teetered going one way or the other. That's more encouraging than discouraging. As I get a World Series blowjob.
Several players:
Cliff Lee
Simply didn't have his breaking pitch going over for strikes. Maybe it was the eight days off or maybe he tweaked his back. Or maybe, like every pitcher in the history of the game, his goddamn curveball didn't get over for strikes. Life is sometimes simple.
Mike Young
It's funny how Jon Daniels works his ass off to put a winning team so Mike Young can get to the playoffs only to find that Mike Young is not a post-season player. Hitting .235, 0-4 last night and leaving three men on base. Thanks for showing up. On top of all that, he was horrid in the field. His error with no outs sparked the Giants' rally in the third inning. Then, his lack of range resulted in Freddy Sanchez' 800th double of the night to score that first San Fran run. I'm convinced a good third baseman gets that line drive. Third base will need to be addressed in the off-season.
Alexi Ogando
I've been disappointed that Ogando hasn't gotten more time in crucial moments. He was dealing last night. Hitting high-90s with about every pitch. Two innings, four strikeouts, one hit, no walks.
Vladimir Guerrero
Washington's decision to put Guerrero in right field was a mistake. He says he's sticking Vlad back out there. I can't imagine this actually happening. As much as Wash preaches fundamentals and playing the "game" the right way, how can he without looking like a hypocrite? Anyway, Guerrero looked 1,000 years old last night. By my unofficial count, his play (not just errors, but inability to get to balls) cost the Rangers an extra seven bases and at least one run. Doesn't seem like much, but how many more pitches did Lee pitch because of Guerrero's inability to get outs and keep runners out of scoring position?
Bengie Molina
The dude takes a lot of shit for being fat and slow, but he's a gamer and that deserves any and all appreciation.
