We're heading into the first set of possible elimination games tonight. Each series has gone two games so far. And each series, well...let's just say they haven't exactly been back-and-forth affairs thus far.
Diamondbacks lead Cubs 2-0
Rockies lead Phillies 2-0
Red Sox lead Angels 2-0
Indians lead Yankees 2-0
In 3-out of-4 of those scenarios, the best you can say is that the home team got the job done. (This includes the Diamondbacks, despite the large amount of blue jerseys out there in Arizona.) The Indians were dominating on offense in Game 1. The Red Sox were dominating in pitching in Game 1. Game 2, the home team won close games on walk-off hits. In each of those three series, it's the home team that's up 2-0. Now, it's time for the return volley as the Cubs, Angels, and Yankees take their turn hosting to see if they can escape from the brink of elimination and force a Game 5.
Then, there are the Phillies who blew both games at home and now must travel to Colorado and take two if their playoff hopes are to stay alive. Winning two in a row in any park is a tough task, but to lose two at home is even harder to swallow. I'm not sure anyone expected the Rockies to remain as hot as they'd been after that 13-inning playoff game against San Diego. The pitching hasn't always been pretty (although Jeff Francis was good in Game 1), but the offense has continued to shine. Kaz Matsui, anyone?
Today, Game 3 of both NLDS.
The Diamondbacks send RHP Livan Hernandez into enemy territory to try to seal the deal against LHP Rich Hill and the Cubs. The game airs at 6pm on TBS.
Hernandez is coming off of a loss on September 26th at Pittsburgh. He lasted four innings and allowed four runs on ten hits (1 HR) with three walks and three strikeouts. This will be his first start against the Cubs this season. His regular season ends 11-11 with a 4.93 ERA over 33 starts. The veteran has good career numbers against the Cubs. He is 6-5 with a 3.58 ERA in 12 games, and at Wrigley Field he is 4-2 with a 2.97 ERA.
Rich Hill is coming off of a win at Cincinnati on September 29th. He pitched six shutout innings, allowing over one hit with one walk and four strikeouts. In his one start back on July 21st against Arizona, Hill picked up a no decision. He lasted six innings and allowed one earned run (2 total) on six hits with four walks and six strikeouts. Hill ended the 2007 regular season with an 11-8 record and 3.92 ERA over 32 starts.
In the 9:30pm TBS game, veteran LHP Jamie Moyer takes the ball for Philadelphia as the Phillies look to stay alive in Colorado against RHP Ubaldo Jimenez and the Rockies.
Moyer is finishing the season 14-12 with a 5.01 ERA over 33 starts. He picked up the win in the Phillies' NL East-winning game over the Nationals on September 30th, lasting 5.1 innings and allowing no earned runs (1 total) on five hits with no walks and six strikeouts. Moyer lost his one game at Colorado back on July 7th this season. He went 5.2 innings and allowed five runs on eight hits (1 HR - Spillborghs) with three walks and two strikeouts.
Jimenez is coming off of a no-decision against Arizona. He went 6.1 innings and allowed one run on one hit with four walks and ten strikeouts. In his September 10th start at Philadelphia, Jimenez also took a no-decision. He lasted six innings and allowed two runs on four hits (1 HR - Howard) with three walks and three strikeouts. Jimenez finished the 2007 regular season with a 4-4 record and 4.28 ERA over 15 starts.
The Cubs and Phillies need to win tonight if they want to play again on Sunday. It's as simple as that.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
In the Valley of Elah (2007)
Director: Paul Haggis
Writers: Paul Haggis (screenplay), Mark Boal (story)
Rated: R (violent and disturbing content, language and some sexuality/nudity)
Main Cast
Tommy Lee Jones ... Hank Deerfield
Charlize Theron ... Det. Emily Sanders
Susan Sarandon ... Joan Deerfield
Jason Patric ... Lt. Kirklander
James Franco ... Sgt. Dan Carnelli
The director of 2006's Best Motion Picture Oscar, Crash, returns with In the Valley of Elah. Former military officer Hank Deerfield's (Jones) son Mike (Tucker) has gone AWOL from base after returning from a stint in Iraq. Hank travels to the base to search for his son, enlisting the help of detective Emily Sanders (Theron). But, in the end, he finds more than he ever thought possible.
Let me start by saying that no one is overestimating the acting in this film. Jones was absolutely brilliant and deserves a Best Actor nomination, if not the nod, for his work. He was as subtle as he was powerful, as understated as he was engrossing. I can't think of a much better way to describe his performance than "less is more." Theron was also convincing as the only female detective in her unit. And Sarandon, despite a small role, deserves Best Supporting Actress consideration. In the time that she had on-screen, her presence was haunting and heartbreakingly real.
The story itself was compelling. Each twist and turn kept me interested, and every new revelation was effectively shocking. I can see where the anti-war sentiment could be seen as heavy-handed at times. And I agree that, at times, it was laid on a bit thick. At the same time, Haggis and his cast have succeeded in capturing something real here. Frighteningly real. This film has a lasting quality. Its images stick in your head long after the end, as they should. The dialogue they invite its audience to engage in afterwards is well worth having.
Final Rating: B+
Writers: Paul Haggis (screenplay), Mark Boal (story)
Rated: R (violent and disturbing content, language and some sexuality/nudity)
Main Cast
Tommy Lee Jones ... Hank Deerfield
Charlize Theron ... Det. Emily Sanders
Susan Sarandon ... Joan Deerfield
Jason Patric ... Lt. Kirklander
James Franco ... Sgt. Dan Carnelli
The director of 2006's Best Motion Picture Oscar, Crash, returns with In the Valley of Elah. Former military officer Hank Deerfield's (Jones) son Mike (Tucker) has gone AWOL from base after returning from a stint in Iraq. Hank travels to the base to search for his son, enlisting the help of detective Emily Sanders (Theron). But, in the end, he finds more than he ever thought possible.
Let me start by saying that no one is overestimating the acting in this film. Jones was absolutely brilliant and deserves a Best Actor nomination, if not the nod, for his work. He was as subtle as he was powerful, as understated as he was engrossing. I can't think of a much better way to describe his performance than "less is more." Theron was also convincing as the only female detective in her unit. And Sarandon, despite a small role, deserves Best Supporting Actress consideration. In the time that she had on-screen, her presence was haunting and heartbreakingly real.
The story itself was compelling. Each twist and turn kept me interested, and every new revelation was effectively shocking. I can see where the anti-war sentiment could be seen as heavy-handed at times. And I agree that, at times, it was laid on a bit thick. At the same time, Haggis and his cast have succeeded in capturing something real here. Frighteningly real. This film has a lasting quality. Its images stick in your head long after the end, as they should. The dialogue they invite its audience to engage in afterwards is well worth having.
Final Rating: B+
Volver (2006)
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Writer: Pedro Almodovar
Rating: Rated R (sexual content and language)
Main Cast:
Penelope Cruz ... Raimunda
Carmen Maura ... Irene
Lola Duenas ... Sole
Blanca Portillo ... Agustina
Yohana Cobo ... Paula
It's the story of the estrangement and reunion of women, as sisters Raimunda (Cruz) and Sole (Duenas) and Raimunda's daughter Paula (Cobo) face a series of life-altering events. This was a very true film, full of colors and love for the women at the center of its story - flaws and all. The acting was genuine and charming, especially from Cruz.
The revelations in the story were rather predictable, and the result were a few passages that seemed to drag. Without the suspense of not knowing the final outcome, the subtlety of certain scenes felt more tedious than anything else. But the cast was magnetic, and the sentiment of the story was heartfelt. A touching, enjoyable film.
Final Grade: B
Writer: Pedro Almodovar
Rating: Rated R (sexual content and language)
Main Cast:
Penelope Cruz ... Raimunda
Carmen Maura ... Irene
Lola Duenas ... Sole
Blanca Portillo ... Agustina
Yohana Cobo ... Paula
It's the story of the estrangement and reunion of women, as sisters Raimunda (Cruz) and Sole (Duenas) and Raimunda's daughter Paula (Cobo) face a series of life-altering events. This was a very true film, full of colors and love for the women at the center of its story - flaws and all. The acting was genuine and charming, especially from Cruz.
The revelations in the story were rather predictable, and the result were a few passages that seemed to drag. Without the suspense of not knowing the final outcome, the subtlety of certain scenes felt more tedious than anything else. But the cast was magnetic, and the sentiment of the story was heartfelt. A touching, enjoyable film.
Final Grade: B
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
So ends the regular season
I'd imagine Jake Peavy is still the NL Cy Young, even with a pitiful performance against the Rockies in Monday's tiebreaker. It's almost a good thing that the Rockies put the Padres and that offense (or lack thereof) out of their misery before the official start of the postseason.
The stars of the show were the Rockies and Padres' bullpens. Yes, both teams were showing a lack of patience at the plate. But you had guys like Manny Corpas, Heath Bell, Brian Fuentes, and Doug Brocail blowing through hitters. This game went into extras, and it was a lot of fun to watch.
The scariest part, however, was the realization that Jorge Julio > all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman. That's two times in the last three days that Hoffman has blown his team's chances to advance to the postseason. With Hairston's 2-run homer in the top of the 13th, we appeared poised to tell a great story about a guy picked up from the Diamondbacks and becoming the most clutch batter in the NL West in September.
Instead, it's the same tune on a different day. Trevor Hoffman with the blown save. The final RBI was driven in by the unlikely source of Jamey Carroll. Yes, we can argue about that play at the plate. I personally didn't think Holliday touched home plate, and he should have been called out when Barrett retrieved the ball and tagged him. But all of that is fairly meaningless. Were that the first out of the inning, Todd Helton was still in scoring position. On that play, he more that likely would have moved to third. And the chances of Trevor getting a ground-ball double play the way he was throwing seem unlikely.
Congratulations to the Rockies on playing hard when it means the most. For San Diego, however, it's been proven that your closer cannot close in big games. I would imagine Hoffman will be back unless he announces retirement in the offseason, but it's a difficult spot for this team to be in. Their offense is not great. If the team is dependent on pitching, they need a closer who will deliver in big games or they won't win. It's that simple. To be fair, Jake Peavy also has not performed in big games. But he's still young, where Hoffman is nearing 40.
Then again, all-time saves leaders don't just come around everyday. And it's hard to know whether a guy like Heath Bell can settle into that role until you try him. But that's a dilemma for this Padres team to figure out.
Is Matt Holliday the National League MVP? He's the NL batting champion, that's for sure. And with the Brewers and Mets both not making the playoffs, the race may come down to Holliday and Rollins of the Phillies.
That concludes the 2007 regular season. And now, for the postseason schedule:
Wednesday, October 3rd
3:00pm ET: Rockies @ Phillies (Game 1)
6:30pm ET: Angels @ Red Sox (Game 1)
10:00pm ET: Cubs @ Diamondbacks (Game 1)
Thursday, October 4th
3:00pm ET Rockies @ Phillies (Game 2)
6:30pm ET Yankees @ Indians (Game 1)
10:00pm ET Cubs @ Diamondbacks (Game 2)
Friday, October 5th
5:00pm ET Yankees @ Indians (Game 2)
8:30pm ET Angels @ Red Sox (Game 2)
Saturday, October 6th
6:00pm ET Diamondbacks @ Cubs (Game 3)
9:30pm ET Phillies @ Rockies (Game 3)
Sunday, October 7th
1:00pm ET Diamondbacks @ Cubs (Game 4, if necessary) on TNT
3:00pm ET Red Sox @ Angels (Game 3)
6:30pm ET Indians @ Yankees (Game 3)
10:00pm ET Phillies @ Rockies (Game 4, if necessary)
Monday, October 8th
6:00pm ET Indians @ Yankees (Game 4, if necessary)
9:30pm ET Red Sox @ Angels (Game 4, if necessary)
If only one game will be played on Monday, then game time shifts to 7:30pm ET
Tuesday, October 9th
6:30pm ET Rockies @ Phillies (Game 5, if necessary)
10:00pm ET Cubs @ Diamondbacks (Game 5, if necessary)
If only one game will be played on Tuesday, then game time shifts to 8:30pm ET
Wednesday, October 10th
5:00pm ET Yankees @ Indians (Game 5, if necessary)
8:30pm ET Angels @ Red Sox (Game 5, if necessary)
If only one game will be played on Wednesday, then game time shifts to 8:30pm ET
All games on TBS, except Game 4 between the Diamondbacks and Cubs at 1pm on october 7th. If there is an overrun on any of those games [and I'm sure there will be], games will be run to their conclusion on TBS. A new game will be started on TNT and switch over to TBS at the conclusion of the previous game. Should make for some DVR fun.
The stars of the show were the Rockies and Padres' bullpens. Yes, both teams were showing a lack of patience at the plate. But you had guys like Manny Corpas, Heath Bell, Brian Fuentes, and Doug Brocail blowing through hitters. This game went into extras, and it was a lot of fun to watch.
The scariest part, however, was the realization that Jorge Julio > all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman. That's two times in the last three days that Hoffman has blown his team's chances to advance to the postseason. With Hairston's 2-run homer in the top of the 13th, we appeared poised to tell a great story about a guy picked up from the Diamondbacks and becoming the most clutch batter in the NL West in September.
Instead, it's the same tune on a different day. Trevor Hoffman with the blown save. The final RBI was driven in by the unlikely source of Jamey Carroll. Yes, we can argue about that play at the plate. I personally didn't think Holliday touched home plate, and he should have been called out when Barrett retrieved the ball and tagged him. But all of that is fairly meaningless. Were that the first out of the inning, Todd Helton was still in scoring position. On that play, he more that likely would have moved to third. And the chances of Trevor getting a ground-ball double play the way he was throwing seem unlikely.
Congratulations to the Rockies on playing hard when it means the most. For San Diego, however, it's been proven that your closer cannot close in big games. I would imagine Hoffman will be back unless he announces retirement in the offseason, but it's a difficult spot for this team to be in. Their offense is not great. If the team is dependent on pitching, they need a closer who will deliver in big games or they won't win. It's that simple. To be fair, Jake Peavy also has not performed in big games. But he's still young, where Hoffman is nearing 40.
Then again, all-time saves leaders don't just come around everyday. And it's hard to know whether a guy like Heath Bell can settle into that role until you try him. But that's a dilemma for this Padres team to figure out.
Is Matt Holliday the National League MVP? He's the NL batting champion, that's for sure. And with the Brewers and Mets both not making the playoffs, the race may come down to Holliday and Rollins of the Phillies.
That concludes the 2007 regular season. And now, for the postseason schedule:
Wednesday, October 3rd
3:00pm ET: Rockies @ Phillies (Game 1)
6:30pm ET: Angels @ Red Sox (Game 1)
10:00pm ET: Cubs @ Diamondbacks (Game 1)
Thursday, October 4th
3:00pm ET Rockies @ Phillies (Game 2)
6:30pm ET Yankees @ Indians (Game 1)
10:00pm ET Cubs @ Diamondbacks (Game 2)
Friday, October 5th
5:00pm ET Yankees @ Indians (Game 2)
8:30pm ET Angels @ Red Sox (Game 2)
Saturday, October 6th
6:00pm ET Diamondbacks @ Cubs (Game 3)
9:30pm ET Phillies @ Rockies (Game 3)
Sunday, October 7th
1:00pm ET Diamondbacks @ Cubs (Game 4, if necessary) on TNT
3:00pm ET Red Sox @ Angels (Game 3)
6:30pm ET Indians @ Yankees (Game 3)
10:00pm ET Phillies @ Rockies (Game 4, if necessary)
Monday, October 8th
6:00pm ET Indians @ Yankees (Game 4, if necessary)
9:30pm ET Red Sox @ Angels (Game 4, if necessary)
If only one game will be played on Monday, then game time shifts to 7:30pm ET
Tuesday, October 9th
6:30pm ET Rockies @ Phillies (Game 5, if necessary)
10:00pm ET Cubs @ Diamondbacks (Game 5, if necessary)
If only one game will be played on Tuesday, then game time shifts to 8:30pm ET
Wednesday, October 10th
5:00pm ET Yankees @ Indians (Game 5, if necessary)
8:30pm ET Angels @ Red Sox (Game 5, if necessary)
If only one game will be played on Wednesday, then game time shifts to 8:30pm ET
All games on TBS, except Game 4 between the Diamondbacks and Cubs at 1pm on october 7th. If there is an overrun on any of those games [and I'm sure there will be], games will be run to their conclusion on TBS. A new game will be started on TNT and switch over to TBS at the conclusion of the previous game. Should make for some DVR fun.
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