If it makes you feel better, I think the Reds are going through the stage most up and coming teams must pass before they hit the big time. When the Stros made the playoffs for the first time since 86, they matched up with a dominant Braves team in 97. It was a very similar outcome to this series and were out in 3 tough games but that helped them get started on their way to 6 playoffs in 9 years.
Yo, Giants... FINISH THEM! If it weren't for Roy and Lance being there, I'd genuinely being pulling for the Giants to come out of the NL. I worked in the area for about a year and a half and had co-workers who were Giants fans. I ended up following them for a bit even though I don't consider myself a fan.
Do not try and comfort Reds fans, they are the enemy. Astros are winning the 2011 division anyway. http://espn.go.com/mlb/notebook/_/page/bbtn100920/baseball-tonight-clubhouse I'm not sure on the Reds farm system but they do seem to have some holes that will soon show in their lineup. Third Base is a question mark for them, as well as shortstop. I'd still pick the Cardinals as the team to beat in the division, still a filthy rotation and above average line-up. Sorry for my negativism, Astros ftw.
I think the Reds will be the class of the division for the next 3 or 4 years. I'm not buying that the Astros are competing for the division until at least another 2 or 3 years and I watch just about every single game. I saw the 2nd half and I'm pretty in tune with the farm system. The problem the Cards will face is everything outside of their Big 5 - Wainwright, Carpenter, Pujols (once he's resigned for a gazillion dollars), Holliday and likely Rasmus. They'll have more holes to fill than the Reds by miles. Then again, that Big 5 is the best in baseball. If they stay healthy, they can contend for the playoffs piecing together the rest of the roster, which they'll likely have to do. Let's see if Garcia is the real deal. I can see both the Reds and Cards winning 2 division titles in the next 4 years. The Reds may even win 3. Every team has holes to fill. The Reds have less than most at this point. Lots of young talent on both sides of the ball.
WOW this Giants/Braves series has been fantastic...ALL KINDS OF DRAMA. This bad boy deserves 5 games but either way its been a classic! Wilson needs to calm down or the Braves are going to steal this one.
Yea, Wilson is feelin it big time. Heart pumping like a racehorse, nerves all over the place. But... 1 out to go... Let's go Giants!
I'll be rooting for the Phillies and Rays to get to the world series. Phillies because I like both Roys (Halladay and Oswalt). Both of these guys were class acts for their clubs (jays and astros). Especially Halladay, despite not having any team success with Toronto he never asked for a trade or caused any drama. Even though Berkman is a Yankee I cannot bring myself to root for them.
Something that keeps me excited is our farm system... we have several good players down there that we just don't have room for on the main roster. Never the less it was a fun season for us... regardless of the outcome. With distance comes perspective
Yea, dude above don't know what's up. I'm no Reds fan but I call it like I see it. Your org is in great shape.
Great series, loved every game. Sad to see Cox go but it was his time and happy for the Giants, as they pose the biggest threat to the Phillies and that includes the Yanks/Rays/Rangers IMHO.
I've seen a lot of Wilson this year and he was feelin it big time. Understandable given the stage but some players handle it better than others. It was very visible in his case. It'll be interesting to see how he fares moving forward. I had TB, NYY, PHI, SF moving on.... 3 out of 4 so far. I had TB beating PHI in the WS so they need to complete the comeback for that to happen. I want Roy or Lance to get a ring but if it weren't for that, I'd be pulling for the Giants.
Fully agree... I was tempted to pick SF to upset PHI and go to the WS but I wasn't confident enough in so many first-timers pulling it off. I wouldn't be as shocked now if they do it though with the way their SP has handled the big stage so far. Their offense was pretty quiet in this series but they improved tremendously starting with Posey having a quick breakthrough to all the additions they made at the deadline and beyond. That offense is more dangerous than some might think. Far from the anemic Astro-like offense they were just a year ago. Their GM deserves a lot of credit. He made a lot of savvy moves.
Can anyone with search privileges dig up the MLB Pre-Season predictions thread that was in the Astros/Dynamo/Texans section? I already remember I got burned on picking Seattle as my surprise team coming out of the AL.....ha.
Yea, Cody Ross has turned out to be one heck of an acquisition especially considering they got him for NOTHING.
