Tag: ALCS

It’s OK To Hate The Houston Astros

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 2 Comments

My brain hurts.

Normally, I’d call that Tuesday, but I’ll blame 2004 for today’s headache. ON THIS DATE, 16 years ago, I was roaming the halls of my dorm at UMass with a broom (I had “borrowed”) from a random janitor’s closet. The New York Yankees held a 3-0 lead over the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS, I was decked out in my A-Rod jersey, and I was constantly 2.5 seconds away from an ass-kicking from any one of the 20,000 Mass-Hole, Red Sox fans that inhabited said University.

Despite the imminent danger I was putting myself in, I was overjoyed that the Yankees would be playing in another World Series.

Being able to rub it in the faces of so many Sawks fans was icing on the cake.

Then, Dave Roberts happened, and David Ortiz happened, and the rest is…you know the saying.

Sooo, Friday night, with a 7-4 victory, the Houston Astros joined the 2004 Boston Red Sox as the only teams in Major League Baseball history to force a game 7 after trailing 0-3 in a postseason series. I’m not going to waste time, or mince my words…

I HATE THE HOUSTON ASTROS!!

And I’m here to tell you it’s okay for you to hate them too. Don’t feel bad. They deserve your vitriol. You can’t just cheat your way to a championship, put on a sad, puppy-dog face, and expect everyone to feel bad for you. Then, when people remind you that you’re an asshole, act like the victim.

And while I’d gladly headbutt Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, or any other Houston Astros’ player within a head’s length, 99.9% of this diatribe is directed at Carlos Correa.

See, some people are just born with a punchable face. *Yes, 36-year old man, living in his mother’s basement, I’m aware punchable isn’t a word. Now, shut up, and keep reading.* Enter Carlos Correa. As talented as they come, wildly underachieving so far in his six-year career, there’s just something about Correa’s face you want to see in front of a Mike Tyson, in his prime, right-uppercut.

As a Yankees’ fan, it should be sacrilegious to root for the division rival Tampa Bay Rays, but I have been for the better part of a week now. And Saturday night will be no different (there may be some scotch involved this time though).

Do you hate the Houston Astros as much as I do?? Are you even watching the MLB Postseason?? If not, who do you hate?!

Tell me in the comment section below.

“SHAME On You YANKEES!!!! (DTS Podcast – #69)

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

You might be giving the Yankees a pass today, but I’m certainly not!!

They should have beaten the Astros in the ALCS.

They should be playing in the World Series.

But, they are not.

Because they played like poop.

Period.

See ya!

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“It’s Good To Know The Only Thing LeBron Cares About Is Money….” (DTS Podcast – #66)

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

LeBron James has made himself perfectly clear, sort of, not really, well NOT AT ALL ACTUALLY!!

I wonder what it’s like to tell the world someone else is uneducated and then speak in unintelligible gibberish….

All those who said the Jaguars wouldn’t get Two 1st-Round picks for Jalen Ramsey look very silly right now.

The Yankees need to do a rain dance..in a hurry.

The Nationals will lose every bit of momentum they ever had and will lose in the World Series….in 5 games.

Have an awesome, rainy day!!!!

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“LET’S GO YANKEES!!!! (DTS Podcast – #65)

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

Aaron Boone mismanaged the bullpen in Game 2 of the ALCS.

But, the Yankees won a game in Houston, stealing home field advantage from the Astros.

That’s all that matters now.

The Yankees will handle their business, at home!!

LET’S GO YANKEES!!!!

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“Now THAT Is What I Call BASEBALL!!!!” (DTS Podcast – #64)

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

Winner-take-all games are freakin’ awesome.

Extra-inning-winner-take-all games are even better.

The Nationals beating the Dodgers in the 10th inning was one of the coolest things I’ve seen all year.

If you missed it, well, I’m not sorry….it just sucks to be you.

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“Yankees Break Out The BROOMS And SWEEP The Twins….AGAIN!!!! (DTS Podcast – #62)

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 1 Comment

I’m pretty sure the Minnesota Twins would die happy if they never have to face the New York Yankees ever again.

Baker Mayfield forgot how to throw a football….

To his own team.

Let’s Go Tampa Bay Rays!!!!

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The Fine Line Between Success And Failure

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 2 Comments

yankees lose

New York has seen better days.

In a baseball town that’s often World Series or bust, the 2017 Yankees have caused mixed emotions. Today, there is only 1 acceptable emotion: SORROW.

But as the dust settles on the season, we can ask the question from the blackboard:

Was this season a success for the Yankees??  

Many have grown accustom to winning, so their answer is an emphatic NO. Others look at the expectations prior to the season and laud this season as an overwhelming success.

Can’t it be both??

At the start of the season, the Yankees were projected to win 83 games. That’s not a playoff bound team. They didn’t know what they had in right field. They didn’t know they had an ace pitcher. And they didn’t know they’d be 1 game away from the World Series. So, how could anyone possibly be disappointed with the result of this season?? Spoiled, entitled, a**hole Yankees’ fans, that’s how.

YES, I’m a Yankees’ fan. My entire life. I’m just one of the good ones.

Humility goes a long way. Especially when you often find yourself hoisting the trophy. This was not the Yankees’ year. The same reason they overcame adversity to reach Game 7 of the ALCS, is the same reason they faltered in Game 7 of the ALCS. They’re young, and unexperienced, and naïve.

If I don’t know how big the moment is, how can the moment be too big?? 

The Houston Astros are a very good team. They deserve to be in the World Series. 1 different hop or different 1 bounce, and the Yankees could be in the World Series. That’s what it means to be in a Game 7. Rather than scrutinize every mistake made in the ALCS, oversimplify we shall….

ALCS in a nutshell:

Yankees’ offense in New York: 19 runs in 3 games

Yankees’ offense in Houston: 3 runs in 4 games

That’s it. That’s the whole story. That’s all she wrote.

This oversimplifying stuff is fun. Let’s try it again:

Looking through April 1st (start of the season) glasses: Huge Success

July 31st (trade deadline) glasses: That’s About Right

October 18th (Yankees’ 3-2 ALCS lead) glasses: Complete Failure  

We (Yankees’ fans) shouldn’t have tantrums about not winning a World Series since 2009. Just think — we could be Mets’ fans. But, we also shouldn’t count our chickens before they hatch. Having a solid young core doesn’t guarantee sustained success. The ‘Baby Bombers’ may never win a World Series. Or, they can win 4.

Only time will tell….

 

Was the Yankees’ season a success?? Was it a failure?? Post your thoughts in the comment section below.

 

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

 

 

Thursday Is The New Saturday

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

dodgers-beat-cubs-in-game-five-to-reach-world-series

Stupidity. Elation. Revenge. Greatness.

Thursday night was filled with all of the above — and more….

Marshawn Lynch Is A Jerk!!

We already know the elevator doesn’t go to the top floor, but Lynch hit a new low Thursday night. In the 2nd quarter, of a 3-point game, Derek Carr was hit late by Marcus Peters. This led to a healthy scuffle. In his infinite wisdom, Marshawn Lynch ran onto the field in defense of his teammates. Not the smartest move, but some would call it admirable. It’s what he did next that lands him in the ‘Einstein Hall of Fame’. Check out the sequence here. Lynch can be seen grabbing and shoving an official during the scrum. What an idiot!! He was immediately ejected from the game. He should also be fined and promptly released from the Raiders. If he’s not, I’ll be confused. He sucks anyway.

Don’t let stupidity overshadow a fantastic football game. If you like offense, and 4th quarter comebacks, and last-second touchdowns, this was the game for you!! Check out the crazy, 31-30 box score. Those are video game numbers!! The Raiders, down 9 entering the 4th quarter, completed a dramatic comeback with a buzzer beating touchdown. After 2 touchdowns were nullified, and the Chiefs lent a hand with 2 dumb penalties, Derek Carr finally connected with Michael Crabtree in the corner of the end zone. The game clock read 0:00, and after the extra-point, the celebration was on.

The Drought Is Over

After 29 years, the Los Angeles Dodgers are returning to the World Series. They defeated the Chicago Cubs, 11-1 in Game 5, and will await the winner of the ALCS (Yankees/Astros). The Dodgers had a magical season, winning a league best 104 games. And one of their lesser known players had a magical game Thursday night. Enrique Hernandez, super utility man, hit 3 home runs, driving in 7 runs. Decent.

The Dodgers avenged their 2016 NLCS loss to the Chicago Cubs, enjoying major contributions from Chris Taylor and Justin Turner. The Dodgers are hopeful their young shortstop, Corey Seager, will return to the diamond for the World Series. Seager missed the NLCS with a back injury. Maybe Seager will channel some Kirk Gibson in this one….

Melo vs. Knicks Headlines NBA On Thursday Night

16. 17. 21. No, not my locker combination, but the score differential in the 3 NBA games played on Thursday night. 3 stinkers from 3 bad teams; Lakers, Bulls, and Knicks. Luckily, the NBA and their insane offseason created storylines for months. Melo opened his season against his old team, and Little Ball made his Lakers’ debut.

Ball, Patrick Beverly. Patrick Beverly, Ball. Welcome to the NBA rook‘!! All the little guy could muster up was 3 points on 1 of 6 shooting from the field. What a shame!!

As for Melo, he was Melo. He dropped 22 points (8-20 from the field) and contributed nothing else to his team. The Oklahoma City Thunder are a superior team to the Knicks, so it wasn’t a contest. Russell Westbrook picked up where he left off, finishing with a monster triple-double (21 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds).

How Bout Dem Yankees?!

And now, it’s Yankees’ time!! The Yankees head back to Houston to take on the Astros in Game 6 of the ALCS tonight on FS1 @ 8:08 P.M. EST. Luis Severino and Justin Verlander will take the hill. I’m going to hang my hat on 1 stat (and hope it works). Verlander’s e.r.a. in starts after throwing 120+ pitches is over 6.00. He threw 124 pitches in his last start. Fingers are officially crossed.

I know who MLB is rooting for. Yankees vs. Dodgers is MLB’s wet dream. I just want the Yankees to take care of business tonight, because Game 7’s scare me.

What were you watching Thursday night?? Will the Yankees clinch a World Series birth tonight?? Tell me in the comment section below.

 

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

 

Tanaka Shows Emotion For The 1st Time..Ever — Shuts Out Astros In Game 5

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 2 Comments

tanaka game 5

2, 2, 1, 4, and 0. No, that’s not my ATM pin number, it’s the number of runs scored by the Houston Astros in the ALCS. While the storyline continues to revolve around Aaron Judge and the Yankees’ potent offense, the pitching staff continues to be overshadowed.

Yes, the bats needed to wake up, as they were limited to 1 run each of the first 2 games, but they wouldn’t be leading the ALCS 3 games to 2 without stellar pitching. Everyone knows how dominant their bullpen is, however, they’ve sported the best starting rotation so far this postseason. The only team who has performed near the level of the Yankees is the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Heading into this season, the Yankees’ starting rotation was littered with question marks. How would Luis Severino perform in his 1st full season as a starter?? How much does CC Sabathia have left in the tank?? Can Michael Pineda stay healthy for an entire season?? Who will be the 5th starter??

The Yankees overachieved this season, so the majority of these questions were answered in the affirmative, however, they did falter at times. Pineda was shut down for the year in early July. Jordan Montgomery, who filled the 5th starter role to perfection, ran into an innings limit. And the 1 part of the rotation the Yankees assumed would be the foundation, Masahiro Tanaka, turned out to be the least consistent piece of the puzzle.

Come October, throw everything out the window. Except for my TV. Don’t throw that out the window. Postseason baseball breathes new life into the air. Some rise to the occasion, some succumb to the pressure. The Yankees have risen.

Last night, in a crucial Game 5, Masahiro Tanaka, pitched an absolute gem.

CAN I GET A SHUTOUT HERRREEEEE?!?!

Tanaka’s Day: 7 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, and 8 strikeouts

The Astros have picked a bad time to go ice cold. 9 runs in 5 games is not going to cut it. Again, this is a testament to the Yankees’ pitching because the Astros are a powerful offense.

Here are the Astros’ offensive rankings in the regular season:

Hits (1,581) – 1st

Runs (896) – 1st

Home Runs (238) – 2nd

Batting Avg. (.282) – 1st

RBI’s (854) – 1st 

Luis Severino will look to keep those powerful bats at bay for 1 more game. Despite being pulled early from his last start, after getting struck with a ball, Severino will take the hill Friday night against Justin Verlander. Verlander mowed down the Yankees in Game 2, so the Yankees will be out for revenge. Hopefully they jump on Verlander early. He’s a rare breed that gets stronger as a game goes on.

Catch all the action tomorrow on FS1 @ 8:08 P.M. EST. When the Yankees win, they’ll return to their 1st World Series since 2009.

LET’S GO YANKEES!!

Score Prediction: Yankees 5, Astros 3 

Who do you think will win Game 6?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.

 

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!

 

 

 

Yanks Yank Game 4 From Astros

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

yankees-astros-2017-american-league-championship-series

Now that was a baseball game!! Game 4 of the ALCS between the New York Yankees and Houston Astros has been the best game of the postseason — so far.

Like I said yesterday, hits are contagious. Until the bottom of the 7th inning, a lonely single by Todd Frazier was the Yankees’ only hit. And then, THIS happened. Aaron Judge launched a majestic, 427-foot home run to straight away center field. Not only was this home run a thing of beauty, it was crucial. It got the Yankees on the board, bringing the score to 4-1. It got the crowd going. And most importantly, it forced A.J. Hinch to pull Lance McCullers Jr. McCullers, who 24 hours earlier didn’t know he would start Game 4, was spectacular. The Yankee fan in me wants to thank Astros Manager, A.J. Hinch, for his quick trigger. Letting the horrid Astros’ bullpen loose was the beginning of their end….

Chris Devenski was the 1st victim. He surrendered a triple, a sacrifice fly, and a walk. Devenski was promptly pulled for Joe Musgrove, who got out of the 7th inning unscathed. Little did he know, the 7th inning was just the appetizer. The main course was set for the bottom of the 8th inning. A combination of Musgrove, Ken Giles (the Astros’ closer), and Luke Gregerson allowed the Yankees to bat around, bringing 10 batters to the plate. What started with an innocent single by Todd Frazier, ended with a 2-rbi double by Gary Sanchez. And just like that, the 2-run Yankees’ deficit turned into a 2-run surplus.

If only someone had predicted a final score of 6-4….

Yes.

That’s what they call shameless self-promotion.

While it’s refreshing to see the bats come to life, it shouldn’t overshadow Sonny Gray’s pitching performance. Gray, the forgotten man, hadn’t pitched in 12 days. That is NOT easy. Like Hinch, Joe Girardi had a quick trigger with his starter, pulling Gray after just 85 pitches.

Sonny Gray’s Day: 5 innings, 1 hit, 2 runs (1 earned), 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts

You couldn’t ask for a better performance, in those circumstances, from a guy who hadn’t pitched in nearly 2 weeks. Part of Gray’s success can be tied to Austin Romine getting his 1st start of the postseason at catcher. Gray’s numbers are significantly better with Romine than Gary Sanchez. However, the Romine experiment needn’t last more than 1 day. He’s useless with the bat, and looked rusty with the glove. An ill-timed catcher’s interference didn’t help his cause either. Toss Sanchez back behind the plate, and slot Chase Headley in as the DH. Headley’s bat is finally heatin’ up. Headley, who is historically streaky, looks to be trending in the right direction.

Ride the wave Girardi!! Don’t fight your instincts. I know the robot in you hasn’t taken COMPLETE control of your body — yet.

Game 5 is coming at you today with another awkward 5:08 P.M. EST start. Tune in to FS1 for all the action, as Dallas Keuchel and Masahiro Tanaka will climb the hill. Saying Keuchel owns the Yankees is an understatement. He hasn’t allowed a home run against the Yankees in 217 innings. That trend, gets bucked, today.

Score Prediction: Yankees 3, Astros 2

 

Who do you think will win Game 5?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.

 

You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .

Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!