Odd Thoughts

Odd Thoughts on the LCS

The Playoffs have picked up right where they left off from the division series. The Cubs and Marlins have been fun to watch, and it seems the Cubs have the series wrapped up. Heading back to Chicago with a 3/2 lead and Prior and Wood as the next scheduled starters gives the Cubs overwhelming odds to make their first world series since 1945. While I like the particular make-ups of both teams, lack of bullpen depth and frequent fielding and baserunning errors concern me about the chances of either team against the Yankees or Red Sox. I'm still rooting for the Cubs top go all the way though.

The Red Sox have put themselves in a real tight spot. They absolutely have to win their next two games at home behind the likes of John Burkett and Tim Wakefield. That way they'll have their two best pitchers, Derek Lowe and Pedro Martinez, poised for game 6 and game 7 starts in Yankee stadium and only need one win. Even that situation is far from a gaurantee, but I see no way the Sox could return to the Bronx with a 3/2 deficit and expect both Lowe and Pedro to come out on top.

As for the incidents in game 3, here are my thoughts:

1. I don't think Pedro was aiming for Karim Garcia. I know the pitch was way off, and Pedro has a fearless attitude when it comes to throwing inside, but at that point in the game his control had been sub-par all day - that was why he found himself in that position. Regardless of the longstanding Boston/New York rivalry it makes no sense for Pedro to load the bases by hitting a batter.
2. I don't feel that Garcia slid extra hard into second when he was trying to break up the double play. Sliding that hard is a quite common practice. I did enjoy the jawing back and forth, especially when Pedro pointed to his head, seemingly saying, "Hey, Karim, next time it'll be your head." It sounds brutal and all, but it's just hard-nosed, rivalry baseball in an important game, and when comes down to it, it was just talk.
3. Manny Ramirez was way out line for forcing the bench-clearing situation. He should have been ejected, no questions asked. The pitch Roger Clemens threw was at head level but was still over the plate. Manny could have stood perfectly still without putting himself in danger.
4. Pedro was not out line for pushing the 72-year-old Don Zimmer to the ground. Pedro came out of the dugout and stopped away from the mob of Red Sox and Yankees, when out of no where Zimmer charges him. Pedro warded him away with a shove. Yankee fans want to make an emotional argument that appeals to the plight of a poor 72-year-old man. However, I belive that Pedro took that into consideration. In all likelihood a regular Yankee player gets a big right hook from Pedro, rather than a defensive shove. Furthermore, a man of a younger age or different stature than Zimmer probably wouldn't have even hit the ground.
5. To my knowledge, no punches were thrown and there were only two acts of aggression, Ramirez and Zimmer. Zimmer should have been tossed too.

I am eager to see more of this series. On one hand, I'd like to see good clean baseball. On the other, the fight from game 3 sure upped the tension level in an already tense series, which makes for an even more exciting series. The MLB execs have to be excited about the brawl just because it will probably lead to even bigger ratings in an already successful (ratings wise) post season.