BASEBALL TONIGHT EXTRA By Mark Simon, ESPN Research With the Cardinals on the verge of perhaps the worst collapse since the 1964 Phillies blew a 6½-game lead in the final two weeks of the season, it's worth noting how well the Astros have been playing recently. Houston has won seven straight, making up seven games in the standings within a week to creep within 1½ games of the NL Central lead. The Astros are getting good pitching and good hitting, but more importantly, the contributions have been timely. When the Astros have needed a clutch hit, they've gotten it. When they've needed a big out, someone from the bullpen has delivered (even with Brad Lidge removed from the closer role). After Friday's win over St. Louis on ESPN, some Cardinals fans may have laughed when Craig Biggio was asked what the victory meant for Houston's hopes in October. No one in St. Louis is laughing any more. The Astros have the full attention of the baseball universe. HOUSTON, WE HAVE NO PROBLEM Offense: 6.4 runs per game, .303 batting average, 24 extra-base hits Pitching: 7-0, 3.29 ERA, 63 innings pitched, 60 hits Five relief wins, three one-run wins, three wins in three cities in last three days THere's a poll on ESPN.com asking who will win the NL Central.
You mean the clutchfans one? I wouldn't doubt it. It's normally open and running because R2K is almost always in there.
DaDa was giving play by play for the Cardinals game last night. So since the 64 Phillies are labeled as one of the greatest collapses in the history of MLB, which team would have THE greatest collapse?
There is generally a 3 team coin flip and one lucky team only has to play one game. Example: Astros Vs. Cards and the winner plays the Reds.
one game collapse??? definitely the 35-3 lead blown to the bills. no question. over the course of a season??? this cardinals choke job would take the cake. if they lose the division, they miss the playoffs entirely. that doesn't happen in the NBA. you lost the midwest division in 1995?? big deal...you're still going to the playoffs. the consequences of this choke add to all of this. if they choke this up...they go home. this division title was an after-thought as early as a week ago. it was a non-story...no race at all. and then....
Exactly, it would be monumental, something people talk about their WHOLE lives. I am sure Philly fan still talks about the collapse of '64, I would love for Cardinal nation to have the same talk about this year. DD
my favorite writer, Richard Justice, was just on 610. he said this would take all..that there would be all kinds of books and movies (i think he meant documentaries) about this run if they pull this off. i have clients in Philly who were kids in 64...they talk about it all the time. everytime someone gets optimistic about the Phils, at least one of them brings up '64.
I'm still one of those World Series win or bust fans. Yes, I prefer they make the playoffs than not, but if the make the playoffs only to lose in the first round, or even second round, the run will be special to me only because of my hatred for the Cardinals and seeing them collapse, not because it let the Stros play another week or two.
If healthy, we have the best top 3 playoff rotation in the NL. Pettitte usually goes up a level when it matters, and remember, last year Clemens really wasn't all that healthy in the playoffs, especially after the 1st round. Wish we had Backe though ... but I think Hirsch is a gamer if we can get out of the first round.
my guess would have been take the head to head to head records of the three teams that are tied and the two best records play each other for the one-game playoff and the third team gets eliminated... anyone confirm? and what is our record against St. Louis and Cincy this year?
that's classic!!! yeah, i was surprised to learn that most teams don't win the world series each year.
