Lot's of things being said about the end to last night's game. I'm a White Sox fan so I may be a bit skewed, but here is how I see it.
Was that ball caught?
Yes. I think that much is obvious.
Can you blame A.J. Pierscynski?
No. What's the worst thing that can happen by running to first? They call you out? Oh well. Head's up play on his part. Whether he thought the ball hit the ground or not.
The truth is the umpire just blew this game. The White Sox took advantage of the umpire's mistake and took a game from the Angels. If you're the Angels you still have to feel good about the first two games. All they really wanted from these 2 games was to split. They get the next three games in Anaheim where the White Sox struggle. They are still firmly in control of this series. As long as their starting pitching can get them to the bullpen with a lead they can win any game.
The White Sox on the other hand have to find the swings they were taking against the Boston Red Sox. It appears the extended weekend off disrupted their rhythmn. The last thing a team wants when it is running well is a day off.
Another big question for the White Sox is how Jon Garland responds after being off for roughly 2 weeks. That is a long time without throwing a game. Will he be a little rusty, or dive right back in? The key will be whether he can get his sinker working early. The White Sox have the best road record in the AL, but are horrible in Anaheim over the last few years. Garland can not afford to get behind the Angels early for the sake of the White Sox confidence. They need to ride the momentum started by last nights crazy ending and win Game 3 to completely even out the series. If the Angels get up 2-1 with Games 4 and 5 in Anaheim the White Sox have a tough road to travel.
As of the day off between Games 2 and 3 I have to say this is the Angels series to lose at this point.
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4 comments:
first off, congratulations on your new blog! it's great to see you make a home for your insights on the sporting scene. all of us who have read your posts at FTF know that your observations and analysis rival that of any professional offering. so anyone who finds his way here has gotten lucky.
as for that crazy 9th inning in the sox/angels game, it just blew me away. not the ump's call - awful - but the brilliance and tenacity of pierscynski: "hell, i'm going, let the umps sort it out." that's the mindset of a winner.
the white sox really impressed me last night. they're a dynamic and ballsy team. i'm hooked.
Basically it's a shame that this game was decided because of a call that was controversial. Josh Paul, the Angel's catcher, COULD have tagged the runner. But knowing that he caught the ball, he just rolled it back to the mound casually. Heads-up by A.J. to run it out anyways. But this didn't cost the Angels the game. Escobar leaving a pitch up to Crede cost them the game. Or the Angels lack of run production throughout the other 8 innings cost them the game. Don't go pointing a finger at umpires who have the toughest job in major sports. I'd say they get the calls right 95% of the time in real motion.
Oh, but Doug Eddings (I think that's his name), don't try to convince me that the ball bounced off the ground when it clearly doesn't in both angles of replay. Just admit you blew the call and move on with it. It seems like the only people who think the ball hit the ground are the gd umpires.
Seriously. Hanging a splitter over the heart of the plate like that when you got him 0-2!! Scioscia said the same things after the game. He is one hell of a manager in my opinion. This Angel team will be over it by Friday.
Excellente and very good reading! I'll chime in on the Pierzinski play if i may. The umpire is in the heat of the playoffs as much as the players, and often times miss plays. Professional players always follow through on the basics, ie strike 3 swinging, you run to 1st if it looks low. I tip my hat to AJ for making the savvy baseball play, but the ump blew it and shoulda sacked up and stood by his call. I think he felt the pressure of the moment.
I'm waiting on your insights on the "other" series. Astros v. Cards. I'm totally biased and would like an outsiders opinion on this series. Astros tied the series up last night with a gutsy performance from its "ace". I'll take a split against them anyday.
Good job Tom.
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