Friday, October 12, 2012

American League Division Series: Baltimore Orioles VS. New York Yankees

Welcome to the post for the ALDS featuring the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees. Please use this post as a reference for the entire series.

Game 1: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland. On the mound: CC Sabathia for New York and Jason Hammel for Baltimore. New York opened in the first inning as Ichiro Suzuki doubled to drive in Derek Jeter. Baltimore took the lead in the third inning on a 2-RBI Nate McLouth single, plating both Chris Davis and Lew Ford. The Yankees tied it in the fourth inning as Mark Teixeira singled to score Alex Rodriguez. New York took the lead in the ninth inning with a Russell Martin solo home run, followed by Suzuki singling to knock in Eduardo Nunez, Robinson Cano doubling to get both Jeter and Suzuki home, and Nick Swisher hitting a sacrifice fly to finish Cano's trip around. This was good for a 7-2 win, picked up by Sabathia, while Jim Johnson was credited with the loss. New York owns a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland. On the mound: Andy Pettitte for New York and Wei-Yin Chen for Baltimore. New York led off in the first inning as Robinson Cano doubled to score Ichiro Suzuki. Baltimore took the lead in the third inning as Chris Davis singled to drive in both Robert Andino and Nate McLouth. The Orioles added on in the sixth inning as Mark Reynolds singled Matt Wieters across the dish. The Yankees got one back in the seventh inning as Derek Jeter singled to plate Eduardo Nunez. They couldn't get an equalizer, losing 3-2, with Chen picking up the win, Jim Johnson closing out for the save, and Pettitte was dealt the loss. The series heads to the Bronx tied at 1.

Game 3: Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York. On the mound: Miguel Gonzalez for Baltimore and Hiroki Kuroda for New York. Baltimore started with a third inning Ryan Flaherty solo home run. New York tied it in the bottom of the third as Derek Jeter tripled to force in Russell Martin. The Orioles took the lead back in the fifth inning on a Manny Machado solo shot. The Yankees tied it in the ninth inning as Raul Ibanez hit a solo home run. New York won it in the twelfth inning on another Ibanez solo shot, for a 3-2 final. David Robertson picked up the win and Brian Matusz was given the loss. The Yankees hold a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4: Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York. On the mound: Joe Saunders for Baltimore and Phil Hughes for New York. Baltimore began with a fifth inning Nate McLouth solo home run. New York tied it in the sixth inning with Robinson Cano grounding out to bring in Derek Jeter. The Orioles took the lead again in the thirteenth inning as J.J. Hardy doubled to plate Manny Machado. This stood up for a 2-1 win, picked up by Pedro Strop, while Jim Johnson shut the door for the save, and David Phelps was responsible for the loss. The series will be decided in the next game, currently being tied at 2.

Game 5: Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York. On the mound: Jason Hammel for Baltimore and CC Sabathia for New York. New York struck first in the fifth inning as Raul Ibanez singled to drive in Mark Teixeira. The Yankees extended the lead in the sixth inning on an Ichiro Suzuki double to knock in Derek Jeter. New York got another in the seventh inning on a Curtis Granderson solo home run. Baltimore got on the board in the eighth inning when Lew Ford singled Matt Wieters around. This only made it 3-1, the final, with Sabathia going the distance for the win, while Hammel was handed the loss. New York advances to play the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS, beginning tomorrow.

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Thursday, October 11, 2012

American League Division Series: Oakland Athletics VS. Detroit Tigers

Welcome to the ALDS between the Oakland Athletics and Detroit Tigers. For those of you that will be checking in frequently for the baseball playoffs, this post will be used to recap the entire series.

Game 1: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan. On the mound: Justin Verlander for Detroit and Jarrod Parker for Oakland. Oakland got going in the first inning on a Coco Crisp solo home run. Detroit tied it in the bottom of the first as Miguel Cabrera grounded into a double play that allowed Austin Jackson to dash home. The Tigers took the lead in the third inning on a Quintin Berry single that combined with an error to bring in Omar Infante. Detroit got another in the fifth inning on an Alex Avila solo shot. This ended the scoring at 3-1, with the win going to a dominant Verlander, while Jose Valverde shut the door for a save, and Parker was stuck with an unlucky loss. Detroit holds a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan. On the mound: Doug Fister for Detroit and Tommy Milone for Oakland. Oakland opened in the third inning on a Yoenis Cespedes single to drive in Cliff Pennington. Detroit tied it in the bottom of the third as Delmon Young singled to knock in Miguel Cabrera. The Athletics took the lead in the seventh inning with a Pennington single to plate Seth Smith. The Tigers took the lead in the bottom of the seventh as Cabrera reached on an error that allowed Austin Jackson and Omar Infante to dash home. Oakland took the lead back in the eighth inning as Cespedes scored on a wild pitch and Josh Reddick hit a solo home run. Detroit pulled even as Don Kelly darted home on a wild pitch in their half of the inning. The Tigers won 5-4 in the ninth inning as Kelly hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Infante. Al Alburquerque picked up the win and Grant Balfour was dinged for the loss. Detroit holds a 2-0 series lead, pushing Oakland to the brink as the series shifts west.

Game 3: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California. On the mound: Brett Anderson for Oakland and Anibal Sanchez for Detroit. Oakland began in the first inning on a Yoenis Cespedes single to plate Coco Crisp. The Athletics got another in the fifth inning on a Seth Smith solo home run. This was all for the scoring, with the final standing at 2-0. Anderson was dominant in the win, Grant Balfour shut the door for a save, and Sanchez was on the hook for the loss. Oakland cut the series deficit to 2-1.

Game 4: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California. On the mound: A.J. Griffin for Oakland and Max Scherzer for Detroit. Detroit led off in the third inning as Austin Jackson singled in Alex Avila. The Tigers added on in the fourth inning as Prince Fielder hit a solo home run. Oakland got on the board in the sixth inning when Stephen Drew doubled to drive in Coco Crisp. Detroit replied in the eighth inning with an Avisail Garcia single to get Omar Infante in. The Athletics rallied back in the ninth inning as Seth Smith doubled Josh Reddick and Josh Donaldson home to tie the game before winning it by scoring on a single from Crisp for 4-3 final. Ryan Cook was in line for the win while Jose Valverde imploded and was given the loss. The series is tied at 2.

Game 5: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California. On the mound: Jarrod Parker for Oakland and Justin Verlander for Detroit. Detroit started in the third inning as Austin Jackson doubled home Omar Infante before scoring on a wild pitch. The Tigers rallied to extend the lead in the seventh inning with Jackson singling to score Jhonny Peralta, followed by Miguel Cabrera being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in Infante, Prince Fielder singling to finish Jackson's trip around, and Delmon Young reaching on an error to bring in Quintin Berry. This ended the scoring at 6-0, with Verlander tossing a four-hit and one-walk shutout, while Parker had no help in the loss that ended the Athletics season with a 3-2 series defeat. Detroit awaits their opponent, which will be decided on Friday.

Thursday Night Football Week 6 2012

Playoff baseball. Vice Presidential Debates. Thursday Night Football. I'm watching all three in bits and pieces, but this post right here is for the football, as the Tennessee Titans host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tennessee started with a first quarter Rob Bironas field goal of 22 yards. Pittsburgh tied it as Shaun Suisham made a 29 yard field goal. The Steelers took the lead as Ben Roethlisberger threw an 82 yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace, and Suisham tacked on the extra point. The Titans shot back as Bironas made a 38 yard field goal. Tennessee took the lead in the second quarter as Jamie Harper ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Bironas knocked in the extra point. The Titans padded the lead as Bironas made a 47 yard field goal. Pittsburgh pulled back as Suisham booted a 28 yard field goal. The Steelers took the lead in the third quarter on a 1 yard touchdown rush by Baron Batch, and Suisham was there with the extra point. Pittsburgh struck again in the fourth quarter as Suisham nailed a 52 yard field goal. Tennessee answered as Matt Hasselbeck threw 5 yards for a touchdown connection with Kenny Britt. The Titans won 26-23 on a Bironas 40 yard field goal. Tennessee moves to 2-4 while Pittsburgh falls to 2-3.

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National League Division Series: Cincinnati Reds VS. San Francisco Giants

Welcome to the post for the NLDS with the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants. If you are following along throughout the series, come back here, as this post will recap the entire series.

Game 1: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California. On the mound: Matt Cain for San Francisco and Johnny Cueto for Cincinnati. Cueto didn't last long, leaving after recording one out with a reported case of back spasms. Cincinnati began in the third inning on a two-run Brandon Phillips home run, also scoring Drew Stubbs. The Reds got another in the fourth inning on a Jay Bruce solo home run. San Francisco got on the board in the sixth inning when Buster Posey hit a solo shot. Cincinnati extended the lead in the ninth inning with Phillips singling to knock in Ryan Hanigan, followed by Xavier Paul scoring on a passed ball. The Giants took one back in the bottom of the ninth when Joaquin Arias dashed home on a wild pitch, but this only made it 5-2. Sam LeCure was given the win, and Cain was handed the loss. Cincinnati holds a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California. On the mound: Madison Bumgarner for San Francisco and Bronson Arroyo for Cincinnati. Cincinnati started in the second inning on a Ryan Ludwick solo home run. The Reds padded the lead in the fourth inning as Scott Rolen singled to score Joey Votto, followed by Ryan Hanigan doing the same for both Ludwick and Rolen. Cincinnati extended the lead in the eighth inning as Jay Bruce doubled in both Votto and Chris Heisey before scoring on a Hanigan single, and Hanigan was forced in by a triple from Drew Stubbs, who then came the final 90 feet on a double by Brandon Phillips. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 9-0, leaving the win with Arroyo, while Bumgarner had a rough time in the loss. The Reds head home with a stranglehold on the Giants, owning a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio. On the mound: Homer Bailey for Cincinnati and Ryan Vogelsong for San Francisco. Cincinnati led off in the first inning as Jay Bruce singled home Zack Cozart. San Francisco tied it in the third inning on an Angel Pagan sacrifice fly to bring in Gregor Blanco. The Giants took the lead in the tenth inning as Joaquin Arias reached on an error that allowed Buster Posey to dash home. This was enough for a 2-1 win, picked up by Sergio Romo, while Jonathan Broxton was stuck holding the loss. The series also stands at 2-1, but in Cincinnati's favor.

Game 4: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio. On the mound: Mike Leake for Cincinnati and Barry Zito for San Francisco. San Francisco opened in the first inning as Angel Pagan hit a solo home run. Cincinnati tied it in the bottom of the first on a Todd Frazier bases-loaded walk to force in Joey Votto. The Giants retook the lead in the second inning as Gregor Blanco hit a two-run home run, also scoring Hector Sanchez. The Reds got one back in the third inning on a Ryan Ludwick solo shot. San Francisco replied in the fifth inning as Pagan doubled to drive in Joaquin Arias, before scoring on a Pablo Sandoval sacrifice fly. Cincinnati shot back in the sixth inning as Brandon Phillips hit a sacrifice fly to allow Drew Stubbs to come home. The Giants answered in the seventh inning on a Marco Scutaro double to knock in Arias, followed by Sandoval hit a two-run home run to finish Scutaro's trip around. This produced the 8-3 final, with the win going to Tim Lincecum and the loss stuck on Leake. The series heads to a decisive game, tied at 2 all. 

Game 5: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio. On the mound: Mat Latos for Cincinnati and Matt Cain for San Francisco. San Francisco got going in the fifth inning as Brandon Crawford tripled to force in Gregor Blanco, before scoring as Angel Pagan reached on an error, and then Buster Posey hit a grand slam, sweeping in Pagan, Marco Scutaro, and Pablo Sandoval. Cincinnati got some back in the bottom of the fifth as Brandon Phillips doubled both Ryan Hanigan and Drew Stubbs across the dish. The Reds got another in the sixth inning on a Ryan Ludwick solo home run. Cincinnati chipped away in the eighth inning as Ludwick singled to drive in Zack Cozart. This was as close as it got, with the final being 6-4, giving the win to Cain, the save was tossed by Sergio Romo, and the loss was served to Latos. The Giants head to the NLCS against a team to be named later.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Fantasy Football All-Stars Week 5 2012

Quarterback: Andrew Luck and Drew Brees
Running Backs: Ahmad Bradshaw and Arian Foster
Wide Receivers: Marques Colston and Reggie Wayne
Tight End: Tony Gonzalez
Kicker: Blair Walsh
Team Defense: Chicago
Defensive Players: Robert Quinn and Lance Briggs

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Monday, October 8, 2012

Monday Night Football Week 5 2012

This week's game comes from New Jersey, as the New York Jets host the Houston Texans. Houston led off in the first quarter as Matt Schaub threw a 34 yard touchdown pass to Owen Daniels, and Shayne Graham was good on the extra point. New York tied it as Mark Sanchez passed 27 yards to Jeff Cumberland for a touchdown, and Nick Folk's extra point was the equalizer. The Texans took the lead again in the second quarter on a 13 yard touchdown run by Arian Foster, and Graham was there with another extra point. Houston struck again as Graham kicked in a 27 yard field goal. The Texans padded the lead in the third quarter on a Graham field goal of 42 yards. The Jets got some back on the ensuing kickoff, which was returned 100 yards by Joe McKnight for a touchdown, and Folk handled the PAT. Houston shot back as Graham was true on a field goal from 22 yards out. New York answered in the fourth quarter on a 21 yard field goal by Folk. It wasn't enough to avoid a 23-17 loss, with Houston moving to 5-0 while the Jets drop to 2-3.

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Fantasy Baseball All-Stars week 25 and Season

First of all, the Championship Week stars.

Batters: Chris Davis, Robinson Cano, Aaron Hill, Brandon Moss, Bryce Harper, Nick Swisher, Chase Headley, Evan Longoria, Ichiro Suzuki, and Aramis Ramirez.

Pitchers: Grant Balfour, CC Sabathia, James Shields, Mat Latos, Bobby Parnell, Craig Kimbrel, Clayton Kershaw, Ryan Vogelsong, Homer Bailey, Jason Motte.

For bragging purposes, I had 7 championships, 2 runner-ups, 5 third-place, and 3 fourth-place out of 30 teams.

Now, let's fill out our lineup card for the year.

Hitters
Catcher: Buster Posey: 78 runs scored, 178 hits, 24 home runs, 103 RBI, 1 stolen base, .336 batting average, .408 on-base percentage
First Base: Prince Fielder: 83 runs scored, 182 hits, 30 home runs, 108 RBI, 1 stolen base, .313 batting average, .412 on-base percentage
Second Base: Robinson Cano: 105 runs scored, 196 hits, 33 home runs, 94 RBI, 3 stolen bases, .313 batting average, .379 on-base percentage
Third Base: Miguel Cabrera: 109 runs scored, 205 hits, 44 home runs, 139 RBI, 4 stolen bases, .330 batting average, .393 on-base percentage
Shortstop: Derek Jeter: 99 runs scored, 216 hits, 15 home runs, 58 RBI, 9 stolen bases, .316 batting average, .362 on-base percentage
Left Field: Ryan Braun: 108 runs scored, 191 hits, 41 home runs, 112 RBI, 30 stolen bases, .319 batting average, .391 on-base percentage
Center Field: Mike Trout: 129 runs scored, 182 hits, 30 home runs, 83 RBI, 49 stolen bases, .326 batting average, .399 on-base percentage (and he didn't play the full season)
Right Field: Alex Rios: 93 runs, 184 hits, 25 home runs, 91 RBI, 23 stolen bases, .304 batting average, .334 on-base percentage
Utility hitters
Andrew McCutchen, CF: 107 runs scored, 194 hits, 31 home runs, 96 RBI, 20 stolen bases, .327 batting average, .400 on-base percentage
Josh Hamilton, OF: 103 runs scored, 160 hits, 43 home runs, 128 RBI, 7 stolen bases, .285 batting average, .354 on-base percentage (significant time missed throughout the season)
Edwin Encarancion, DH/CI: 93runs scored, 152 hits, 42 home runs, 110 RBI, 13 stolen bases, .280 batting average, .384 on-base percentage
Adrian Beltre, 3B: 95 runs scored, 194 hits, 36 home runs, 102 RBI, 1 stolen base, .321 batting average, .359 on-base percentage
Chase Headley, 3B: 95 runs scored, 173 hits, 31 home runs, 115 RBI, 17 stolen bases, .286 batting average, .376 on-base percentage.
Rotation

R.A. Dickey: 233 2/3 innings pitched, 20 wins, 230 strikeouts, 2.73 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
Justin Verlander: 238 1/3 innings pitched, 17 wins, 239 strikeouts, 2.64 ERA, 1.06 WHIP
Clayton Kershaw: 227 2/3 innings pitched, 14 wins, 229 strikeouts, 2.53 ERA, 1.02 WHIP
David Price: 211 innings pitched, 20 wins, 205 strikeouts, 2.56 ERA, 1.10 WHIP
Matt Cain: 219 1.3 innings pitched, 16 wins, 193 strikeouts, 2.79 ERA, 1.04 WHIP
Bullpen

Craig Kimbrel: 62 2/3 innings pitched, 3 wins, 42 saves, 116 strikeouts, 0 holds 1.10 ERA, 0.65 WHIP
Fernando Rodney: 74 2/3 innings pitched, 2 wins, 48 saves, 76 strikeouts, 0 holds, 0.60 ERA, 0.78 WHIP







Aroldis Chapman: 71 2.3 innings pitched, 5 wins, 38 saves, 122 strikeouts, 6 holds, 1.51 ERA, 0.81 WHIP
Jason Motte: 72 innings pitched, 4 wins, 42 saves, 86 strikeouts, 0 holds, 2.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP
Jonathan Papelbon: 70 innings pitched, 5 wins, 38 saves, 92 strikeouts, 2.44 ERA, 1.06 WHIP
Kenley Jansen: 65 innings pitched, 5 wins, 25 saves, 99 strikeouts, 8 holds, 2.35 ERA, 0.85 WHIP
Jim Johnson: 68 2/3 innings pitched, 2 wins, 51 saves, 41 strikeouts, 0 holds, 2.49 ERA, 1.02 WHIP