Tag: Dave Roberts

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.

Astros Claim 1st World Series Title In Convincing Game 7 Victory

~ Dave Ettinger ~ 2 Comments

astros win world series

The Houston Astros are World Series Champions!!

They can call themselves champions for the first time in their 55-year history.  Everyone on the 25-man roster (except Juan Centeno) contributed to the epic, 7-game victory. But no one did more than George Springer. Springer, who had a monster season, was A BEAST in the World Series. He was easily named World Series MVP.

Springer’s World Series: .379 batting avg., 5 home runs (tied record), 7 rbi’s, and 8 runs scored

As for Game 7, we got a clunker. The Astros started at 100 mph, while the Dodgers were standing still. The Astros scored 2 runs in the first 2 minutes, putting the game out of reach before my butt hit the couch. For good measure, the Astros added 3 insurance runs in the 2nd inning, running Yu Darvish from the game through just 1 and 2/3 innings. Darvish coincidentally pitched 1 and 2/3 innings in Game 3 as well. Bet the Dodgers are glad they traded for him.

I love when people leap from the shadows with revisionist history. “I wouldn’t have started Darvish, ” they say. Listen, in Game 7, the leash must be so short you can hear your starting pitcher breathe, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t have been given the opportunity. Yu Darvish should have been pulled from the game before he gave up 3 runs in the 2nd inning. He should have left with a 2-0 deficit, leaving a glimmer of hope, rather than burying his teammates with a 5-0 deficit. But that’s not Darvish’s fault, it’s Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts’. Ironically, Roberts was finally bitten by leaving his starting pitcher in too long. All postseason, Roberts routinely pulled his starters (who were pitching well) WAYYYY TOO EARLY.  If you’re bad, you’re bad, but at least be consistent.

I like to call out the overshadowed. Sometimes it’s for the good, sometimes (like today) it’s for the bad. No one is ripping Cody Bellinger to pieces. But they should be. Bellinger went 0-4 with 3 strikeouts in Game 7. He hit .143, breaking the record for most strikeouts in a World Series (17). When rookie sensation, Aaron Judge, was breaking dubious strikeout records the world lost their minds. When Bellinger does it, no one says a word. Bellinger, the son of former MLB pitcher, Clay Bellinger, was a rookie sensation too. What’s up with the double standard?!

Congratulations are in order. Not for the Astros!! We did that already. For Carlos Correa and his future wife, Daniella Rodriguez. The Astros’ shortstop decided to cram the 2 best moments of his life into 1 evening:

He proposed to his girlfriend, on the field, after the game!!

Carlos-Correa-874431

Awesome!! Well done young man!!

Mr. Correa has a bright future ahead of him. At just 23 years of age, the world is in his hands. The question is, how will he, and the young Astros, handle the pressure of being favorites next year??

 

What will you watch now that baseball is over?? Tell me all about it 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!!

Nothing Better Than Game 7!!

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

dodgers-force-decisive-game-7-with-narrow-win-over-astros-1

Okay. So, you all got what you wanted: Game 7. Well, all except the Houston Astros and their fans. But everyone else, everyone else got what they wanted. Another do-or-die situation. It’s the best term in sports; Game 7.

Wednesday night’s Game 7 will stand as the 38th in World Series history, and the 2nd in as many years. The question is, will we get a clunker like 1956 or an unforgettable masterpiece like 1960??

To understand where we are, we must look at how we get here…. 

“Oh, now he’s a philosophizer.”

I feel bad for those who fell into a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup induced coma in the 5th inning. You missed yet another comeback by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Justin Verlander, with a 1-0 lead, had a 1-hit gem going.

Then, the 6th inning happened: Single, Hit By Pitch, Double, Sacrifice Fly.

And just like that, a 1-0 lead became a 2-1 deficit.

Verlander got through the inning but would be the end of his evening. Joe Musgrove was brought in to cough up a solo home run to Joc Pederson. 3-1 is where it would stay. Following Dave Roberts’ quick hook of starter, Rich Hill, the Dodgers went to the familiar combination of Brandon Morrow, Tony Watson, Kenta Maeda, and Kenley Jansen to slam the door on the Astros. This 4-man wrecking crew would allow just 1 hit and 1 walk through 4 and 2/3 innings. Jansen, aka Super-Closer, will be available for Game 7 despite a 2-inning save. All I have to say is, 2 innings, 19 pitches, and 18 strikes. Boom!

Game 7 will be played tonight at 8:20 P.M. EST on FOX. Lance McCullers Jr. will face off against Yu Darvish for all the marbles. I look forward to having a fist fight with my eyelids.

Who wins tonight?? Post your prediction, with the score, in the comment section below.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Halloween was a busy day in the sports world. 4 P.M. EST marked the trade deadline in the NFL. A handful of names were on the move. Some trades were good, some were bad, and some may effect your fantasy football team. However, we must take this moment in history to make fun of the Cleveland Browns. I know, I know. They’re an easy target. But some things can’t be ignored.

Did you ever do something….but not actually do it?? Yeah I know that doesn’t make sense, but the Cleveland Browns figured out how to accomplish whatever it is I’m saying. The Browns traded for Cincinnati Bengals’ backup quarterback, A.J. McCarron on Tuesday. The Bengals would receive a 2nd and 3rd round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and McCarron would receive a slow, painful death sentence otherwise known as the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns.

The Bengals sent all the necessary paperwork to the Browns as well as the NFL approximately 20 minutes prior to the deadline. The Browns sent paperwork to the Bengals, but left out the only part that matters….SENDING PAPERWORK TO THE NFL!!

No trade is official until it’s signed, sealed, and delivered to the NFL. Yeah, I went there. As dumb as my New York Jets are, I am confident that ONLY the Cleveland Browns can figure out how to make a trade without actually making a trade….

Notable Trades:

Carolina Panthers traded Kelvin Benjamin to the Buffalo Bills for a 3rd and 7th-round picks (2018)

Miami Dolphins traded Jay Ajayi to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 4th-round pick (2018)

Buffalo Bills traded Marcell Dareus to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 6th-round pick (2018)

Are the Cleveland Browns the most poorly run franchise in sports history?? If not, please 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. – 8:00 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!!

 

 

Astros Outlast Dodgers In Craziest World Series Game Ever

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

bregman

Clayton Kershaw vs. Dallas Keuchel.

Must have been a 1-0 pitcher’s duel, right??

WRONG!!

Instead, a 7-home run, 13-12, extra inning slugfest. A game, some will call, ‘the craziest game ever played’.

You couldn’t have scripted a more evenly matched game if you tried. Both teams….

  • Had 14 hits
  • Made 1 error
  • Used 7 pitchers
  • Used 11 offensive players
  • Scored 3+ runs in 3 innings

Honestly, I feel bad for the Dodgers. With no rooting interest, all I’ve been hoping for is good baseball. CHECK. But hey, somebody has to lose.

You know who else lost?? ME!! Why the hell does this game need to start at 8:15 P.M. EST on a Sunday?! I understand time zones, but we’re talking about Sunday. This 5 hour and 17 minute marathon, lasted until approximately 1:32 A.M. EST.

This game would see 8 lead changes, or ties, in what can only be described as pure insanity….

1st Inning

The Dodgers jumped out to an early lead, hanging 3 runs on Dallas Keuchel. Clayton Kershaw was cruising, allowing just 1 hit through 3 innings. And then, the bottom of the 4th inning happened.

4th Inning

The Dodgers added another run, bringing their lead to a seemingly insurmountable 4-0. An rbi-double and a 3-run home run later, the game was tied.

5th Inning

Cody Bellinger and Jose Altuve would swap 3-run home runs, bringing the calamity to 7-7 through 5 innings.

7th Inning

The Dodgers would retake the lead (8-7) on an rbi-triple, by who else, Cody Bellinger. The Astros would strike back with a 3-run inning of their own. George Springer hit a monstrous, 448-foot home run, Altuve had an rbi-double, and Carlos Correa would add a 2-run home run of his own, bringing this home run derby to a score of 11-8.

8th Inning

Each team would add another run in the 8th, bringing us to 12-9 heading to the 9th inning.

You didn’t think the madness would end here did you??

9th inning

A 2-run, Yasiel Puig home run shot life back into the Dodgers, bringing them within 1 run (12-11). Puig’s home run broke the record for most home runs in a postseason series (22). And with 2 strikes, and 2 outs, Chris Taylor would drive in the game tying run!! Insane!!

To Extras we go….

10th inning

After 2 quick outs by super closer, Kenley Jansen, he hit and walked consecutive batters. Enter Alex Bregman. Bregman wasted no time, as he was 1st pitch swinging. A drive up the middle would bring pinch running, Derek Fisher to the plate. And in dramatic fashion, the Houston Astros, took a 3-2 series lead.

These teams will have a much needed day off Monday, as they travel to Los Angeles. Catch game 6 on FOX, Tuesday @ 8:20 P.M. EST. Justin Verlander and Rich Hill will take the mound for a Halloween matchup.

 

Was Game 5 the craziest World Series game in MLB history?? If not, prove me wrong 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!!

Astros Bash Their Way To Game 2 Victory — World Series Tied At 1

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

World Series Astros Dodgers Baseball

Holy Crap!!!!

Game 2 of the World Series was a game for the ages — and record books. What started as a pitcher’s duel, ended as an extra inning, home run derby. Justin Verlander looked to continue his stellar postseason, entering the 5th inning with a no-hitter. There has only been 1 no-hitter thrown in World Series history (Don Larsen’s 1956 Perfect Game). Those hopes flew out the window alongside a solo home run by Joc Pederson with 2 outs in the bottom of the 5th inning. Verlander would depart after 6 innings, trailing 3-1.

The Dodgers’ Game 2 starter, Rich Hill, suffered a different fate. He was yanked from the game after just 4 innings. Hill had given up just 1 run on 60 pitches (42 strikes). Yes he had 3 walks, but Hill was sharp Wednesday night.

I don’t understand the mind of some MLB managers. How many times do they need to watch their bullpen implode before they leave their starter alone?? Hey everyone, watch me make this unprecedented move that probably won’t work. The 1 time it works, I’ll be a genius.

Major League Baseball managers must enjoy outsmarting themselves.

Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, doesn’t live by the, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it credo.

Here’s the list of relief pitcher’s used upon Rich Hill’s early exit:

 Take a deep breath….

  • Kenta Maeda
  • Tony Watson
  • Ross Stripling
  • Brandon Morrow
  • Kenley Jansen
  • Josh Fields
  • Tony Cingrani
  • Brandon McCarthy

The Dodgers’ bullpen is tremendous, but that’s not how this thing (playoff baseball) works.

In the 8th inning, closer extraordinaire Kenley Jansen, was brought in for a 6-out save. Roberts, in his infinite wisdom, thought he’d let Brandon Morrow give up a leadoff double first. SMART!! Jansen, who hasn’t give up a run since 1792, gave up an rbi single in the 8th and a leadoff home run in the 9th, sending the game to extra innings (3-3). As if a game-tying home run, on the road, in the 9th inning wasn’t crazy enough, the 10th and 11th innings would send the sports world into overdrive.

Astros’ superstars, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa, led off the 10th inning with back-to-back home runs, giving their team a 5-3 lead. The Dodgers would bounce right back with a 2-run, 10th inning of their own. Yasiel Puig hit a lead off home run, and with their 1st non home-run hit, Enrique Hernandez hit an rbi-single. On to the 11th (5-5). You guessed it. Another home run. This time it was George Springer with a 2-run blast, putting the Astros up 7-5. Charlie Culberson would hit a 2-out, solo home run in the bottom of the 11th, but it was too little too late. Puig struck out to end the game, as the Astros stole a crucial game, on the road, in dramatic fashion (7-6).

Today is an off day, as both teams travel to Houston. Catch Game 3’s action on Friday @ 8:09 P.M. EST. Yu Darvish and Lance McCullers Jr. will take the hill, each looking to give their team an edge in the series.

Who will win Game 3?? Who will win the series?? Post your predictions 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!!