Tag: Lance McCullers Jr.

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.

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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 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!!

 

 

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!!

 

 

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!!

 

 

CC Strikes Again!!

~ Dave Ettinger ~ Leave a comment

cc sabathia

When in doubt, call CC Sabathia. With the Yankees’ season teetering on the edge, they called upon their stopper. Their hefty (crafty) lefty. This season, CC Sabathia is 9-0, in 12 starts, following a Yankees’ loss. That’s unbelievable!!

CC’s Day: 6 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 4 walks, and 5 strikeouts 

I don’t love the 4 walks, but if CC is going to keep this Houston Astros’ lineup scoreless through 6 innings, he can walk as many batters as he’d like. Which brings us to the most crucial part of the game. In the top of the 3rd inning, CC gave up a single and walked 2, loading the bases for clutch youngster, Carlos Correa. CC, got CC, to pop-out to shortstop. Disaster averted.

Monday night’s Game 3 victory by the Yankees was filled with big moments.

In Order.

You’re Welcome.

5.) Starlin Castro reached base on a swinging bunt. With 2 outs in the bottom of the 2nd inning, Castro started what turned out to be a 3-run inning. Stay tuned. There’s more to come on this inning.

4.) The 5-run, bottom of the 4th inning. This inning included a double by Greg Bird. A walk by Todd Frazier. An rbi single by Chase Headley (the Yankees’ 1st hit from their DH this postseason). Brett Gardner getting hit by a pitch. A wild pitch which brought in a run. And a 3-run home run by Aaron Judge!! This gave the Yankees an 8-0 lead, putting the game out of reach. They would go on to win 8-1.

3.) Not 1, but 2 spectacular catches by Aaron Judge. The 1st can be seen here. Judge sacrificed his body, slamming into the right field wall at full speed. Is it possible that catch got him going at the plate?? The 2nd catch was a phenomenal display of athleticism. Check it out here. 

2.) Here’s where CC earned his contract….

The aforementioned pop-out by Carlos Correa. Keeping the Astrosoff the scoreboard was key, but like they say, “Timing is everything.” The Yankees had just taken the lead, and the last thing they wanted to do was cough it right back up. As he did all night, CC clamped down.

1.) Todd Frazier. A ‘Jersey Kid’ who’s livin’ the dream. Frazier stepped to the plate in the bottom of the 2nd inning and hit what can only be described as a ‘Yankee Stadium Home Run’. Watch it first, then we’ll talk.

Have you ever seen a ball, that looked like a bloop-single, land in the bleachers?? I know I know, it’s Yankee Stadium. And yes, I’m a lifelong, die-hard Yankees’ fan. But that was ridiculous. I’m not complaining. It just looked silly. It was, however, just what the doctor ordered for a struggling Yankees’ offense.

Strikeouts ARE contagious, but so ARE hits.

The questions is, can the Yankees’ bats keep it going against Lance McCullers Jr.??

Check out Game 4 action EARLY Tuesday evening on FS1. First pitch is set for 5:08 P.M. EST. Sonny Gray, off 1,407 days rest (or 12), will get the ball for the Yankees.

Prediction: Yankees 6, Astros 4

 

Who do you think will win Game 4?? 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!!