World Series Thoughts, Predictions, etc.

[NetShrine]

Anyone have any?

I'll start - - the thought of a well rested Schilling and Unit getting to pitch in maybe 5 out of 7 games is scary. Although, is almost six days without a game too much rest?

These D-backs remind me of the 1987 Twins - Blyleven and Viola ran the table then - - as could Curt and Randy.

[Duque]

And againt AL hitters who haven't faced Schilling at all before and haven't faced the Unit in 3 years...scary indeed

[NetShrine]

Well, if it is the Yanks, I know that Gene Michael has been at the NLCS - so, they will get excellent reports. But, knowing what to do, and being able to do it, will be two different stories.

[Duque]

Here's a question - are the DBacks the youngest team to ever make the World Series? (not in collective age of their players, but age of their franchise)

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by Duque
Here's a question - are the DBacks the youngest team to ever make the World Series? (not in collective age of their players, but age of their franchise)

Think so - four years, which beats the Marlins of 1997 (five years).

But, I would be shocked if the D-backs got back again soon. Lots of age and money problems.

[satchel]

The Diamondbacks are the youngest team in terms of franchise age to make the series. The companion question is where do they rank among the oldest teams, in terms of age, to make the series. They have to be among the oldest. For that reason I agree with Net that this is their last, best shot.
I know that earlier in the year a number of their players agreed to defer portions of their salaries in order to relieve cash flow problems. That means no big free agent signings are in the franchise's future. They won't be able to move salary to make room for young free agents. Old, expensive players are hard enough to trade without chunks of deferred cash.

Turning back to the next 10 days of the Diamondbacks' future, they have a 1-2 punch as good as anyone's. But after that I don't think there's much left. If SEA/NY can shut down their offense and win one of the first two from either Schilling or Johnson, the Diamondbacks look very beatable. Maybe.

[NetShrine]

Good points Satch. I was thinking of that this AM - - how NY was supposed to lose to the Braves in 1996 and 1999 because Maddux and Glavine were unbeatable. That's the beauty of all this - - the games still have to be played before they can be won.

[NetShrine]

Here's a question - - if you're ARZ, do you throw Curt and Randy in games 1 & 2 at home and then have to go with Batista and Lopez in games 3 and 4 on the road in the series? Would it make more sense to have your horses go on the tougher stage?

[BuzzBuzzard]

You have to go Curt and Randy in 1 and 2 for two reasons. You want to be ahead in the series and not behind going on the road and you want a chance for your two best pitchers to each pitch twice.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
You have to go Curt and Randy in 1 and 2 for two reasons. You want to be ahead in the series and not behind going on the road and you want a chance for your two best pitchers to each pitch twice.

Yeah, I agree - I think in the WS, you have win every game THAT day.

[ChrisCary]

Originally posted by NetShrine


Yeah, I agree - I think in the WS, you have win every game THAT day.

"You don't save your best pitcher for tomorrow, tomorrow it might rain"

[Duque]

How's Byung-Hyun Kim going to look to AL batters?

Btw, Mark Grace's comment was priceless. When he injured his hammy and got pinch-hit for by Durazo, who promptly hit the 2-run homer, he walks into the clubhouse and says "I'm the Series MVP."

[b-ball-lunachik]

Originally posted by Duque
How's Byung-Hyun Kim going to look to AL batters?

Btw, Mark Grace's comment was priceless. When he injured his hammy and got pinch-hit for by Durazo, who promptly hit the 2-run homer, he walks into the clubhouse and says "I'm the Series MVP."

LOL, Duque...I missed that!! I've always liked and respected Grace and I'm glad he's finally getting a chance to experience winning...that was a great line!!

I agree that IF the Yanks get in (I'm so superstitious, ugh) I'm sure we'll get a book from Stick Michael but that is a powerful one-two punch in Schilling and Johson....

But the good news is, they have limited exposure to Clemens, and even less to Pettitte, Mussina and El Duque...AND just as important, only one Arizona hitter has two at bats vs Mariano, a few have one and the rest have never seen him...that could prove to be most important if we can keep those games close...

[ChrisCary]

Arizona has the best starting one-two punch.

That's the only thing that scares me as a Yankee fan and I don' say only lightly.

Those two can shut out anyone and starting off 0-2 is a hole nobody wants to be in.

As far as pitching them at home or pitching them away, I think the preference ofr Arizona would be to pitch them in Arizona. The Yankees are dominating on the road in the post season. If I was Brenly, I' want to avoid being beat at home at all costs.


This is the World Series I wanted from the get go, I'm excited for it.

[satchel]

Originally posted by ChrisCary
Arizona has the best starting one-two punch.

That's the only thing that scares me as a Yankee fan and I don' say only lightly.

Those two can shut out anyone and starting off 0-2 is a hole nobody wants to be in.

As far as pitching them at home or pitching them away, I think the preference ofr Arizona would be to pitch them in Arizona. The Yankees are dominating on the road in the post season. If I was Brenly, I' want to avoid being beat at home at all costs.


This is the World Series I wanted from the get go, I'm excited for it.

Net - where's your whammy-ometer now? Watch out, Chris - the baseball gods don't look kindly on hubris.