Like every baseball season there are changes and intriguing moments during this time of the year. Of course this season is a little different as we approach this weekend with the ALCS still going. Typically we would be preparing for the World Series tomorrow (Saturday), but instead we have a very interesting game 6 matchup in Boston with one of the best young arms in the Major Leagues in Fausto Carmona against arguably one of the best clutch pitchers over the last 15 years, Curt Schilling.
Boston did their job by beating the unsettled C.C. Sabathia, who hasn't pitched well once so far in these playoffs. Casual observers of the game would scratch their heads watching his fastball sail outside the strike zone and wonder how he was so good in the regular season.
Early Prediction: Game 6 will be a pitching duel with Schilling digging deep one more time. Neither pitcher gets the win and Boston will finally chase the Indians bullpen during crunch time. Game 7 will go to Cleveland and they will take on Colorado in the World Series. How is that for Drama?
Last point on Boston: I know Manny Ramirez rubbed people the wrong way with his comments and I wonder why people are surprised? He's been playing in the Major Leagues for 15 years I would assume you would have accepted who he is by now. That said, his comments weren't meant that he doesn't care about THIS SEASON. Unlike a lot of Boston hitters, ManRam has showed up. His statements had more to do with handling the agony of defeat. You may think that sounds stupid but ask a guy like Manny Ramirez to elaborate on deep feelings and you won't get a great answer. Why? Because he's just not wired that way.
COACHES
Dusty Baker will now coach the Cincinnati Reds. Why would he want to coach them? I'm guessing he was bored this season being out of coaching.
Why hire Baker? Because he is a name. That is the best answer I have. People like to talk about how he hung Mark Prior and Kerry Wood out to dry on the mound but I would not blame Wood's injury problems on Dusty. Kerry's problems began WAY before Dusty arrived in Chicago. Mark Prior on the other hand is a maybe. Lets remember that when Prior first went on the DL back in 2004 his problem was with his foot. Perhaps he was overcompensating and then his arm gave out. We don't know. I am not here to say it was a great hire for Cincy but based on their track record they have gotten a guy you could consider as an upgrade.
Speaking of upgrading, the New York Yankees will not be upgrading the managerial position as Joe Torre is gone. Love how the Yanks spun the whole situation by giving Torre the power to come back. BULLCRAP! The seed had been planted when reports of Torre being gone were leaked during the ALDS. That, along with the drama that has unfolded since the 2004 playoffs, would it have been worth the trouble of coaching a team loaded with big bats and questionable arms and a front office that doesn't care if you are still there? Torre didn't need to accept the deal from New York because he would have been slapped in the face again sooner or later. New York will now either use the inexperienced Don Mattingly or Joe Girardi. Girardi may have worked wonders in Florida but its not an upgrade. Not when the previous manager still had his clubhouse and the respect from the players in that room - something that gets lost when you manager in the league for a significant period of time.
THE OTHER SIDE
If I am Colorado right now I would be studying tape of both teams as much as possible during this time. There should be no excuse for them to be unprepared.
Side note: does Orel Hersheiser and Jim Kelly look alike?
From Toronto, CANADA. On hiatus from sports talk show. Also the starting shortstop for the Lizzards. Honorary member of "The Clique" because I am a made guy. If I ever got to work for Fox Sports I'd put into my contract that I must put in no less than 60 hours of work per week.
