Game five World Series recap

By Kshell

The game of baseball is a wonderful game. This is the only game where an unknown has as much to do with his team success as the best player. The ninth batter has as many at bats as the number three batter. Your best pitcher only pitches one in five days so you are just as dependent on the other starters. The surprise element is so great anyone can emerge and become the hero on that night. Any star can have a meltdown when you least expect it.

The San Francisco Giants have a chance to clinch their first World Series championshp since moving to San Francisco back in 1958. The last time the Giants won the World Series was back in 1954 when Willie Mays was just a youngster in New York City. In 1954 a gallon of gas was just 21 cents compared to over three bucks today. The Giants are also sending their ace and two time Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum.

Standing in the way of the Giants is the Texas Rangers who feature a pretty good pitcher themselves. Cliff Lee perhaps making his last start as a Texas Ranger pitching in his home ball park for the first time this postseason. Heading into the World Series Lee had been dominant in the playoffs. Posting numbers such as in 8 GS, 7-0, 1.26 ERA, 64.1 IP, 40 H, 7 BB, 67 SO. Yet in game one he was roughed up for seven runs in 4 2/3 innings showing just how unpredictable baseball can be. Tim Lincecum beat him in game one although he lasted just 5 2/3 innings allowing four earned runs.

This pitching matchup ended up being the duel we all expected in game one. This is why baseball is so amazing it came down to one pitch. One team capitalize on that pitch and won another close game.

Lincecum helps Giants win first World Series in 56 years!

The San Francisco Giants became one of the most unlikely teams to ever win a World Series in recent memory. The Giants rode their pitching staff and that staff shut down the mighty Phillies and now shut down the mighty Rangers. The Giants are of course led by their ptiching and in particular Tim Lincecum who was the Pac-10 pitcher of the year in 2006 with the Washington Huskies. Lincecum was dominate yet again as the Giants shut down the Rangers mighty offense.

The Rangers ace Cliff Lee rebounded from his rough game one start and was dominating through the first six innings. Going into the seventh inning the game was tied at 0-0. The Lee-Lincecum duel was what we all thought it would be heading into game one. Then in the top of the seventh the game started to change. After allowing back to back hits for the first time all game Lee had found himself in a jam. Bruce Bochy knowing that Lincecum was on top of his game decided to bunt with Aubrey Huff who hadn't layed down a bunt all season long. With second and third and one out that set up Pat Burrell who was in a huge slump. Burrell would strike out and would up 0 for 13 on the series with 11 strikeouts.

That would set up Edgar Renteria who won the World Series game seven in 1997 for the Florida Marlins. Renteria also made the last out of the World Series in 2004 against the Boston Red Sox. Lee had a decision to make to walk Renteria or not. Renteria had been red hot in the series hitting over .400 and going 3 for 4 yesterday. Renteria turned on the Lee pitch and belted it to deep left centerfield for a three run home run. The Giants clubhouse was going crazy and so was the city of San Francisco watching the game in the city center. Cliff Lee would retire the last batter to end the seventh. Lee's night would be done he would pitch 7 innings, gave up 6 hits, 3 runs, had struck out 6 Giants hitters while walking none. He made one mistake and it cost him.

The Giants found themselves just nine outs away from their first title since moving to San Francisco. After retiring the first batter Lincecum gave up a home run to Nelson Cruz who has had a great postseason. Then Lincecum walked Ian Kinsler bringing the tieing run to the plate. After falling behind 2-0 on David Murphy, Lincecum battled back to strike out Murphy then he struck out old catcher Bengie Molina.

The Giants ace had some terrific stuff retiring the Rangers easily in the eighth. Bochy would make a controversial move by pulling Lincecum for all-star closer Brian Wilson. Lincecum had just pitched 8 innings, gave up just 3 hits, walked just 2 and struck out 10. Bochy decision was pretty easy he handed the ball to his closer who was terrific in this postseason. Wilson was again dominant retired the hitters in order striking out two including the last batter Nelson Cruz.




The Giants for the first time since 1954 are World Champions. Bruce Bochy who has been involved with baseball for 35 seasons finally wins a World Series as manager. The Giants became just the second team since 1995 to clinch all three series on the road(2005 Chicago White Sox). Edgar Renteria was named World Series MVP hitting .412 with two home runs and six RBI's while scoring six runs. Renteria also became just the fourth guy ever to drive in the winning runs in two separate World Series clinchers. The other three guys you might have heard of Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, and Yoggi Berra. Save to say Renteria isn't in that class but he came up huge once again.

The Giants young ace was terrific in his first postseason. Tim Lincecum as I mentioned earlier is a former Husky. He becomes the first Husky pitcher who actually pitched in the World Series to win a World Series title. He was 2-0 this series with a 3.29 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 13 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings. For the postseason Lincecum was 4-1 with a hold, pitched 37 innings, struck out 43 batters and had an ERA of 2.43 and a whip of 0.92. Lincecum was money in his first postseason.

The Giants didn't win the title because of just Tim Lincecum though. They received great pitching from Matt Cain as well. Matt Cain was 2-0 this postseason with an ERA of 0.00 in 21 and 1/3 innings while striking out 13. He also sported a nifty whip of 0.94. The Giants staff set a record in the month of September with 1.78 ERA which was the fifth best month in baseball since 1920. In 90 years where they play April-September only four times has a team had a better pitching month than the Giants. The Giants also had great pitching from closer Brian Wilson who was 1-0 with six saves and pitched 11 and 2/3 innings while allowing zero runs, striking out 16 batters and sporting a whip of 0.77.

The Giants have a young nucleus that wont' be going away. The top four pitchers are all in their 20's and young catcher Buster Posey is only 23 years old. Posey became the first rookie catcher to win a World Series since 1966. Yes these Giants accomplished something that Willie Mays or Barry Bonds could never do which is bring a World Series championship to San Francisco. These Giants won despite nobody thinking they could. Just don't think the Giants are a one year wonder this team will be in the hunt for years to come as long as they can keep this young pitching staff together.

Game four World Series recap; former president Bush throws out first pitch

By Kshell

This World Series game had a special feel to it. First of all the winner of this game would control the series. If the San Francisco Giants win they are up 3-1 with Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain going in the next two days. While if the Texas Rangers win they'll steal back momentum, even the series at 2-2 then have Cliff Lee go in game five. This game was indeed a special feel to it.

Another reason this game had a special feel to it was before the game. Two former United States presidents took the pitchers mound to throw out the first pitch. The 41st US president George Herbert Walker Bush(1989-1992) who played in two college world series for Yale in 1947 and 1948 was there along with his son. George Walker Bush(2001-2008) the 43rd president in US history was also owner of the Texas Rangers in the early 1990's. In fact George W. Bush was the only owner to vote against the Wild Card. His first pitch in game three of the 2001 World Series was probably the highlight of his presidency given the circumstances. Well George W. Bush threw out the first pitch as his dad watched(Who is a huge Astros fan by the way). The crowd cheered and that is when everyone realized this is more than just a normal baseball game.

The problem is somebody forgot to tell rookie 21 year old Madison Bumgarner. Bumgarner of the Giants has had a good solid postseason facing a lineup that is ready to bust out who chased another lefty starter the day before. The Rangers had Tommy Hunter who was not good in his first two postseason starts. At the end of the day we saw yet another low scoring game which featured a shutout.

Rookie Bumgarner shuts out Rangers 4-0; take series lead 3-1

The Texas Rangers in 81 home games in the regular season and then an additional six playoff games were shutout a grand total of one time the entire year. So the odds of them getting shutout when facing a rookie number four starter were probably a thousand to one if not higher. Well Madison Bumgarner pitching in the World Series on the road after two former presidents were throwing out the first pitch seemed unfazed. In fact he was quite dominant. He shut the Rangers out in eight innings and puts the Giants one win away from their first ever World Series title since moving to San Francisco over 50 years ago.

The Giants offense despite on paper not looking to be very good finds a way to get the job done. In the third inning Aubrey Huff hit a two-run homerun to put the Giants on the board 2-0. Huff who played in over a thousand games in his career before finally reaching the playoffs this season had to feel good on that blast. The Rangers starter Tommy Hunter could only last 4 innings but allowed just those two runs.

In the seventh inning the Giants scored again when leadoff hitter Andres Torres who slumped in September but scored earlier in the game on Huff's homerun delivered a big hit. Torres hit the ball to deep right as the ball kept traveling and the ball hit the wall and didn't go over which allowed Edgar Renteria to score from first base to extend the lead to 3-0. In the bottom half of the inning offered the only drama for the Rangers. With Hamilton on at first base who reached on an error. Vladmir Guerrero came to the plate and on a full count Bumgarner threw a change up to strike Guerrero out for the third time. He then allowed a base hit to Nelson Cruz bringing in the potential tieing run in Ian Kinsler. Bochy gambled and left Bumgarner in there and Kinsler line out to left field. That would be the only time all game Texas would have a runner on second base.

In the top of the eighth Buster Posey would hit a homerun that would appear to be an easy out only the ball kept traveling to centerfield and was gone. That was Posey first career postseason homerun to give the Giants a commanding 4-0 lead. Bumgarner would again continue to cruise through the eighth. Bumgarner final line was 8 innings, 3 hits, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. In the ninth inning closer Brian Wilson who hasn't had a save opportunity this series retired the Rangers in order and struck out two batters.

The Giants the team of misfits as they call themselves are just one out away from a World Series championship. In August they trailed the San Diego Padres by six games, then punched their postseason ticket on the very last day of the season. After the Giants blew game two in the NLDS at home many thought the Braves would eliminate them, nobody gave them a chance to beat the Phillies and in this series nobody thought they could contain the bats of Texas.

This pitching staff is the best staff we have seen the 90's Atlanta Braves which featured Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and some years Steve Avery, Pete Smith, Kevin Millwood, and Denny Neagle. The Giants top four starters are all under the age of 28 so expect this team to last a while. They have a good young bat who you'll see in All-Star games for years to come in Buster Posey who became the first catcher to catch a shutout and hit a home run in the World Series since 1983. Madison Bumgarner who was just their fourth starter is only 21. He became the third youngest pitcher to win a World Series game.

Now the Giants have been here before back in 2002 they were up 3-2 and winning that final game is always the toughest. It is not out of the question with Cliff Lee and C.J.Wilson pitching that the Rangers can still force a game seven. The Giants will do everything they can to avoid that since Sanchez has struggled this postseason. The Giants will turn the ball to their ace Tim Lincecum who failed to win the clinching game in the NLCS has a chance to have the city of San Francisco go crazy. The Giants have a chance to go crazy tomorrow with a victory. The Rangers will have their last chance to see their team play for the 2010 season. This could also be the last time they ever see Cliff Lee pitch for their team again.

Game three World Series recap

By Kshell

The San Francisco Giants are feeling pretty mighty after scoring 19 runs on the Texas Rangers go on the road trip to Texas with a 2-0 series lead. The Rangers will be hosting their first ever World Series game. This is a huge game for obvious reasons. If the Giants win the Series is pretty much over while if the Rangers win there is a Series again. There was some noticable faces in the stands. As you saw in my picture I uploaded former United States president George W.Bush was at the game. Team president Nolan Ryan threw out the first pitch.

The Rangers are hoping the shift to an american league ball park can change the series. The Rangers are hoping to get their offense going after being shut out in game two. The Giants will be pitching struggling pitcher Jonathan Sanchez while Texas will be pitching Colby Lewis who defeated the Yankees twice. One team got a bit of offense early and then hung on for the victory.

Colby Lewis shuts down Giants in 4-2 victory

The Rangers needed some pitching in game three to stop the Giants sudden offensive explosion. Colby Lewis who was pitching in Japan the last two seasons has now won his last three postseason starts. Lewis had shut down the Giants for much of the evening. He also got some early support early on from the home run ball. The Rangers who didn't hit a single home run in the first two games in San Francisco finally busted out with some offense.

The Rangers got on the board early with two outs in the second inning. Ron Washington going against the manager odds started lefty Mitch Moreland against lefty Jonathan Sanchez. Moreland responded with a three run home run to get the crowd fired up and give the Rangers a 3-0 lead. Their biggest lead of the series.

The home runs kept coming out for the Rangers. When ALCS MVP Josh Hamilton belted a two out home run in the fifth to give the Rangers a commanding 4-0 lead. The Rangers were finally getting some pitching and giving the Giants a taste of their own medicine with the two out runs. They also chased Giants starter Sanchez who pitched just 4.2 innings giving up 4 runs. The Giants have scored 13 runs in the first two games with two outs. The Rangers were led by Colby Lewis who was shutting down the mighty Giants hitters.

The Giants offense mainly the top of the order were shut down. The Giants offense was held to just five hits and Pat Burrell continueing his awful World Series struck out four times and has struck out eight times in nine at bats this series. Coly Lewis had them shut out through six innings.

The Giants finally got some offense when NLCS MVP Cody Ross went deep in the seventh then in the eighth leadoff hitter Andres Torres hit a home run off Lewis to cut the lead to 4-2. All of a sudden the crowd was getting scared as the game was slipping away from the Rangers. Colby Lewis day was over but not after receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. Lewis like he did against the Yankees pitched deep into the game and shut down his opponent. Lewis pitched 7.2 innings allowing 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts.

The Rangers bullpen finally got the job done retiring all four hitters they faced. Closer Neftali Feliz pitched a perfect ninth including two strikeouts to save the first World Series win in franchise history. In front of the former president and all-time strikeout king the Rangers have made this a series again.

I still think the Giants are in great shape. If a team is decent at all they always win game three at home when down 2-0. Now my favorite game in the series is always game four. If the Giants win they are up 3-1 with their three aces left in the series, while if the Rangers win it's 2-2 and Cliff Lee pitching at home in game five. The Rangers offense is still struggling they got all four runs off of home runs with two outs. That is why baseball is great because it is so unpredictable. The Rangers won this game with their 9th hitter hitting a three run bomb and a pitcher who was pitching in the Japan Leagues the past two seasons shutting down the Giants.

Game two World Series recap

By Kshell

Yesterday baseball proved to us just how strange the game can be. In a pitching matchup that featured Tim Linecum vs Cliff Lee nobody expected 18 runs to be scored. The San Francisco Giants scored just 20 runs in six games against the Phillies in the NLCS yet erupt on a pitcher who had a career playoff ERA of 1.26. Cliff Lee can shut down the Yankees the last two years, the Rays twice but couldn't even last five innings against the weak hitting Giants in a National League ball park which is a pitchers ball park.

That is why we tune in for baseball games because it truly is unpredictable from a game to game basis. The Rangers were hoping to rebound today with C.J.Wilson as in baseball momentum is all about the next days starting pitcher. The Rangers can't afford to go down 0-2 with throwing their two best lefty pitchers. While the Giants sent to the mound a pitcher in Matt Cain who has yet to allow an earned run this postseason. Both pitchers were great, one was just amazing like he has been all postseason.

Cain continues scoreless streak as Giants shutout Rangers 9-0, up 2-0

The Giants took a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Texas Rangers behind the pitching of Matt Cain. Matt Cain shut down the Rangers giving up zero runs and just four hits through 7 2/3 innings. Cain proved to be to much for the Rangers mighty bats and then with two outs the Giants erupted in the eighth inning off the Rangers bullpen who has had issues with getting that third and final out.

The Giants in a pitchers duel got on the board first when Edgar Renteria who won a World Series way back in 1997 with the Florida Marlins hit a homerun to deep left field down the line to give the Giants a 1-0 lead. With the way Cain was pitching that was all that was needed. Tim Lincecum gets all the publicity for the Giants and he deserves it but fans forget about Matt Cain. Cain doesn't get the big win totals as his bullpen either blows wins for him or the offense doesn't score enough.

The Giants would scratch out another run in the seventh. After Ross reached base, C.J.Wilson had to leave the game with a blister. Then game six of the NLCS and game one of the World Series hero Juan Uribe ripped a base hit up the middle off Rangers reliever Darren Oliver to give the Giants a 2-0 lead. C.J. Wilson day was done he kept his team in the game allowing only three hits and two runs through six innings.

The Giants would explode in the eighth for the second straight game with two outs. The inning began nicely for Rangers reliever Darren O'Day who struck out the first two Giant batters recovering nicely from his outing the day before when he allowed a three run homerun to Uribe. Buster Posey would begin the rally with just a meaningless two out base hit. Washington would pull O'Day and bring in lefty Derek Holland who was great against the Yankees. Holland would walk the first two batters he faced in just eight pitches. Despite the walks there was no mound visits or even a pitching change. Holland would then walk the bases loaded when he walked Aubrey Huff giving the Giants a 3-0 lead. Holland threw 13 pitches and 12 of them were for balls. Washington would pull him for former Mariners pitcher Mark Lowe who had a rough outing the day before.

The wildness of the Rangers bullpen continued as Lowe walked Uribe allowing another run to score giving the Giants a 4-0 lead. Renteria who homered earlier in the game got a base hit scoring Cody Ross and Aubrey Huff putting the game away at 6-0. The Giants weren't done yet as Aaron Rowand hit a two run triple in the gap off of Rangers new reliever Michael Kirkman giving the Giants an 8-0 lead. Andres Torres would cap the rally with a double scoring Rowand. When it was all said and done the Giants scored seven runs on four hits, and four walks in that eighth inning that saw four different Rangers pitchers allow a run.

The Giants would finish off the mighty Rangers shutting them out 9-0 in game two. In what was a close game turned out to be a blowout in the eighth inning. The Giants scored just 20 runs in six games in the NLCS have now scored 19 runs against the Rangers in the first two games. The Giants will head on the road up 2-0 knowing at the very worse they'll return home in game six.

When the series shifts to Texas the Rangers hope to regain some offense. The Rangers after winning their first five postseason games have now lost three in a row on the road. The Rangers have to hope a change of scenary will turn these games into American League like slugfest. I still believe the Giants can't out hit the Rangers but they certainly have the pitching. The pitching carried the Giants in September and in this postseason has carried them so far already pitching three shutouts.

At the end of the day nobody espected the Rangers who were throwing Cliff Lee and C.J.Wilson to return home down 0-2. I hope the Rangers can make this a series and I suspect they will. The Giants will be throwing Jonathan Sanchez who was shaky in both starts against Philadelphia after pitching terrific in game three of the NLDS against the Braves. The Rangers will hand the ball over to ALCS hero Colby Lewis who shut down the Yankees twice. The Rangers return home for three games hoping to grab momentum back. While the Giants simply hope to just win one game in Texas, two is simply a bonus. Should be fun to see what franchise ends over 50 years without a championship.

Game one World Series recap

By Kshell

This year the World Series features two unlikely teams. From the American League the Texas Rangers are the representatives having defeated the Tampa Bay Rays who had the leagues best record and then defeating the New York Yankees who were the defending champions. The Rangers began this postseason as the longest shot to win the World Series at 14 to 1 odds now find themselves favored over the San Francisco Giants because the Rangers feature the games best postseason pitcher in Cliff Lee.

The National League representatives are the pitching rich San Francisco Giants. The Giants are a team who reached the postseason on the very last day winning the National League west division title over the San Diego Padres. The Giants in the playoffs defeated the Atlanta Braves then the two time defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies. The Giants in their seven postseason victories have won by a single run in six of those games. They feature their young ace Tim Lincecum who has won the last two Cy Young awards.

With Lincecum facing Lee many expected this game to be low scoring. With both teams pitching former Cy Young award winners runs would be at a premium. Then again sometimes even staff aces have off nights. Today was a game that nobody could have predicted. It's not that the team who won is shocking just the way the game played out with neither starter lasting more than six innings.

Giants hand Cliff Lee first career postseason loss 11-7 to take game one

The San Francisco Giants were hosting their first World Series game since 2002 when they lost to the Angels in seven games. The star of that team and of that series Barry Bonds was again in attendance. The Giants were taking on the Texas Rangers playing in their first ever World Series game in history. The Giants offense erupted in the fifth inning giving the Rangers a rude World Series awakening.

The Giants Tim Lincecum started the game off pretty shaky for the Giants. In the first inning after allowing an RBI single to Vladmir Guerrero that skipped off Lincecum making the game 1-0. Then with first and third and only one out Nelson Cruz hit a ball up the middle but Lincecum made a great stop on the ball. Lincecum then ran towards Michael Young but instead of throwing the ball to Juan Uribe Lincecum just held the ball which loaded the bases. Fortunately for Lincecum that blunder didn't cost him on the very first pitch Kinsler grounded it to Uribe who stepped on third then threw to first for an inning ending double play.

With Cliff Lee on the hill for the Rangers the Giants couldn't afford to give up early runs. In the second inning after allowing a base hit to Bengie Molina; who began the year with the Giants and will receive a World Series championship ring no matter; Cliff Lee came to the plate and faking the bunt he swung away ripping a double in the game giving the Rangers a second and third and one out. As Joe Buck pointed out Lee became the first American League pitcher to get an extra base hit in the World Series since Chad Ogea of the Cleveland Indians in 1997. Elvis Andrus would get a sacrifice fly to drive in Molina to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead. Normally 2-0 isn't that much but seeing how Lee has a 0.75 ERA this postseason that appeared to be the ball game.

The Giants tied up the score in the bottom of the third off of the postseason invincible Cliff Lee. Freddy Sanchez got the Giants on the board first with his second consecutive double scoring Edgar Renteria to cut the lead to 2-1. Then rookie sensation Buster Posey ripped one to left center allowing Andres Torres to score to tie the score up at 2-2. The Rangers had let Lincecum off the hook and Lee finally for the first time in his postseason career looked hittable.

The Giants exploded in the fifth inning scoring five of the six runs with two outs. Freddy Sanchez became the first guy in World Series history to get three straight doubles to begin his World Series career as he ripped an RBI double scoring Andres Torres who had doubled previously. After striking out Posey, Lee had a rare walk to Pat Burrell. Cody Ross the NLCS MVP singled to shallow center scoring Sanchez giving the Giants a 4-2 lead then Aubrey Huff singled up the middle scoring Burrell giving the Giants a 5-2 lead. That would end Cliff Lee's night in just 4.2 innings. Darren O'Day came in to relieve Lee and on the first pitch game six hero Juan Uribe belted a home run to deep left field for a three run home run giving the Giants an 8-2 lead. The crowd went nuts as the game was broken open. Lee final line would be 4.2 innings, 8 hits, 7 runs, 6 of which were earned and struck out 7.

The Rangers would rally the very next inning off Lincecum. Bengie Molina the former Giant would have an RBI double scoring Ian Kinsler then David Murphy pinch hitting for the pitchers spot had an RBI single cutting the lead to 8-4. That would also end Tim Lincecum's day at 5.2 innings. Bochy would go with Santiago Casilla who would get the Giants out of the jam and end the Rangers rally. Lincecum would leave to a standing ovation despiting pitching 5.2 innings, giving up 8 hits, 4 runs, walking 2 and struck out just 3. The pitchers duel turned into a slug fest.

The Giants would put the game away once again in the eighth inning off of former Mariners setup man Mark Lowe. The Giants would score three more runs in the eighth to extend the lead to 11-4. The Rangers would rally in the ninth scoring three runs but ultimately would lose 11-7. The game which had the over/under for runs scored was 5.5 ended up with 18 runs scored. Now in game two Matt Cain who has yet to allow an earned run this postseason will square off with C.J.Wilson of the Rangers.

The Giants are the team of destiny it appears. When their Cy Young award pitcher gives up four runs in less than six innings and still win by four runs is pretty unlikely. The Giants didn't appear to have the offense to explode as most of this team was guys you have never heard of guys you didn't want heading into the season. Don't sleep on the Rangers just yet Cliff Lee will get another start this series and I have a feeling he won't get rocked again. When the series shifts to Texas offense will be featured and I don't see the Giants winning to many slugfest type games. This series will most likely still end in six or seven games.

Game six NLCS recap

By Kshell

With one team already punching their ticket to the World Series in a game six another team was looking to do the same. The San Francisco Giants were hoping for the first time in franchise history to win a postseason series when up 3-2 on the road. The Giants missed a great chance losing game five at home with ace Tim Lincecum on the mound. The Philadelphia Phillies won game five behind their ace Roy Halladay gave the ball to game four loser Roy Oswalt. Oswalt won game two but lost game four out of the bullpen. The Giants bullpen who has been shaky this series came up huge in today's contest.

Giants win NLCS 3-2 over Phillies; Bullpen pitches 7 shutout innings

The San Francisco Giants had their season rest on the shoulders of their all-star closer Brian Wilson. With the Giants holding a one run lead in the ninth Wilson had first and second two outs for former NL MVP Ryan Howard. He was a bit wild and had Howard on a full count then Wilson froze Howard for strike three to end the game which capped the greatest bullpen outing during this playoffs. The Giants had advanced to the World Series with a 3-2 win at Philadelphia.

The two time defending National League champion Phillies got off to a great start off Giants starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez. In the very first inning the Phillies got to Sanchez early. Chase Utley hit a double scoring Polanco then after a Howard base hit, Jason Werth hit the ball to deep left field just missing a home run to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead on the sacrifice fly. With the Giants struggling to hit and Roy Oswalt on the mound the situation didn't look good for the Giants at all.

The game completely changed in the third inning. First in the top third with the Giants finally having a rally with second and third and only out Huff singled up the middle to score the pitcher Sanchez but Torres was thrown out at the plate for the second out. The Giants cut the game to 2-1 and Huff advanced to second on the play. Then catcher Buster Posey was safe on Ryan Howard's fielding error scoring Huff from second on the play to tie the score at 2-2. Then in the bottom half of the inning the game really got crazy and a managerial decision might have saved the game for the Giants.

In the bottom of the third Sanchez was continueing to be wild. Sanchez walked the leadoff hitter Polanco then he hit Utley in the back. Utley as he was running to first tossed the ball gently back to the pitchers mound. Sanchez then took that as an insult and started to bark at Utley. The benches cleared and nothing had happened as there were no player ejections. Sanchez was hot and livid which is why Bochy despite being up 3-2 in the series and the game was tied at just 2-2 in the third inning he pulled Sanchez and brought in lefty set up man Jerramy Affeldt. It was a gutsy call by Bochy knowing he was putting his bullpen in a tough spot especially if there was a game seven. Bochy was playing agressive which most managers who are up in the series do not. Why worry about a game seven? If you win today the series is over. Affeldt struck out Howard then retired the next two batters to escape the jam. Bochy's gamble appeared to have paid off.

The Giants bullpen were asked to carry the team as their manager made a strong statement to win the game today and not even wait until a game seven. Affeldt gave him two shutout innings then Bochy brought in game four starter Madison Bumgarner to pitch the fifth inning. Bumgarner found himself in a jam with bases loaded and two outs facing Shane Victorino who Bumgarner got to ground out to him to end the threat. Bumgarner would also give Bochy two shutout innings of relief.

The Phillies received great pitching from Roy Oswalt who battled. Oswalt who shut down the Giants in game two but received the loss in relief in game four pitched six innings, allowed two runs only one was earned and struck out five. Then Charlie Manuel turned the game over to his bullpen Ryan Madson who was great all postseason. Madson would make just one mistake and it was costly. With two outs in the top of the eighth inning and having already struck out two Giants hitters Madson allowed a home run to Juan Uribe. Uribe who is typically a pull hitter went the other way for only his second career home run to give the Giants a 3-2 lead.

Even though Lincecum threw in game five Bochy was managing this game like this was a game seven and he went with his ace in the eighth inning. Lincecum struck out the first batter he would face. After Lincecum gave up back to back hits Bochy again didn't waste any time and went with his closer Brian Wilson to get the five out save. Last time he asked Wilson to get a multi inning save Wilson blew the save in game two of the NLDS. This time Wilson on the first pitch would get Carlos Ruiz to line out to first base for the double play as Huff threw the ball to second since Victorino was running.

The Giants who had never won a clinching game six on the road in franchise history were just three outs away. In typical Brian Wilson fasion the game got pretty intense in the ninth. Wilson would get the leadoff hitter but then walk Jimmy Rollins. Wilson got Polanco to ground out in a fielders choice with his hustle he beat out the throw to first base. Wilson then had Utley 2-2 but lost him and walked him. Now came up former MVP Ryan Howard who had zero RBI's on the series and struck out 11 times. A base hit and the game is tied, a double in the gap and the Phillies win. Wilson had yet another full count but struck out Howard on a back door slider that froze Howard for his 12th strikeout of the series. The Giants are champions of the National League. The team that clinched the division on the very last day of the season is going to the World Series.

The Giants are an unlikely team but they are a team who is advancing in the World Series. Since the National League won the All-star game for the first time since 1996 the Giants will host game one of the World Series on Wednesday by clinching today Lincecum should be ready to pitch the game one against Cliff Lee and Texas. Cody Ross who was let go on waivers by the Florida Marlins was NLCS MVP hitting 7 for 20(.350) having an OBP of (.409) belting three home runs and driving in five guys while scoring four runs on the series. The Giants also had great work from their closer Brian Wilson who was 1-0 with three saves in the series and gave up zero runs.

I must hand it to Giants manager Bruce Bochy for finding a way to win all these close games. The Giants in seven playoff wins have won by one run in six of those games. Those close wins are because Bochy knows how to use his bullpen. I also love the fact that Bochy was agressive today when he didn't need to win this game. Most managers would have left Sanchez in there to bury the team and save the bullpen for a must win game seven. Most managers wouldn't have used Lincecum or their closer for five outs with a possible game the next day. I like that Bochy treated today like a game seven which is smart. When you are up 3-1 you don't want to let Philly win two in a row and face a must win in Philly. Bochy took a mid market team the Padres to the World Series in 1998 and I know his record isn't great but he also doesn't manage teams who have high payrolls. Bochy is proving time and time again he is one of the better managers in the game.

This upcoming World Series should be fun. First of all this World Series will feature a first time champion to that teams city. The fans of San Francisco and Texas have never tasted a World Championship in baseball before. This series will feature Tim Lincecum against Cliff Lee in one of the better game one World Series pitching matchups we have seen. Unlike the World Series from 2004-2008 I expect this series to be a great one. The Giants-Phillies was one of the best league championship series I've ever seen. With the exception of game two which was closer than the score indicates the series came down to the ninth every game. I expect this World Series to be the same. The betting line in game one should be interesting can Tim Lincecum really be an underdog at home?! Well when Cliff Lee is on the mound I think he can. Ultimately I think Texas has to much offense for the Giants and look for the offense to come through. Then again I picked against both these teams so what do I know. Should be a great World Series and congrats to the Giants and mainly manager Bruce Bochy for going for the throat.

Game six ALCS recap

By Kshell

Before the season began the Texas Rangers were the only team in major league baseball who had never won a postseason series. Not even when they were the Washington Senators from 1961-71 did they win a postseason series. Now the Rangers again find themselves in a position to cross their names off the list of being just one of three teams to have never reached the World Series.

Standing in the way of the Rangers is the defending world champion New York Yankees. The Yankees bats finally woke up in game five and were hoping to use that momentum in game six against unproven Rangers pitcher Colby Lewis who was pitching in Japan the last two seasons. The Yankees were giving the ball to unproven Phil Hughes who pitched brilliant in the clinching ALDS game vs the Twins but was miserable here in game two at Texas. The Rangers offense hasn't been slowed down all series long and they weren't going to start today.

Rangers win first ever American League Championship 6-1 over Yankees

With two outs in the ninth all that was standing in the Rangers way of the American League Championship was former Ranger Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez who the Rangers are still paying is a big part of why the Rangers went bankrupt. A-rod only played three seasons of his 10 year/250 million dollar deal. Now he was standing in the Rangers way. When the Rangers closer who just turned 22 years old this year Neftali Feliz was set to pitch he froze A-rod to strike him out looking and start the biggest party to date in Texas Rangers history. The crowd erupted as the Rangers stamped their ticket to the World Series. Most importantly by winning today Cliff Lee will be able to pitch game one of the World Series.

The Rangers won again by a total team effort. For the fourth time this series they received great pitching, the defense was again excellent, and of course the Rangers offense pounded out some hits and this time scored some runs.

The Rangers got on the board the first with some small ball. The Rangers actually led all of baseball in productive outs. Productive outs is when you get an out but advance the runners or drive in the runner. With first and third and one out Vladmir Guerrero who hadn't driven in a single run this whole series grounded it in the hole to the second baseman. Since Hamilton was running there was no possible double play and the Rangers struck first 1-0.

The Rangers starter Colby Lewis who got the first every win at home in Rangers postseason history was lights out all game especially early on. Lewis had given up zero hits through the first four innings. He would finally give up a hit to A-rod. Then with A-rod on third and one out he would hit Nick Swisher in the shin, Swisher went down in pain. Only the ump thought it was a wild pitch so A-rod scored from third to tie the game. This is yet another case of why instant replay should be in use. At first it appeared the Rangers got robbed. Then Swisher got out and Posada hit a double down in the corner. Had Swisher been awarded first like he was supposed to he might have been able to score from first base.

The Rangers offense which let C.C.Sabathia off the hook several times in game five were letting Hughes off the hook as well. Then in the fifth inning they finally took advantage and erupted. After intentionally walking Josh Hamilton the Rangers had first and third two outs for Guerrero who ripped a hanging slider into the gap in the outfield scoring Mitch Moreland and Hamilton flew from first base and scored giving the Rangers a 3-1 lead. That would end Hughes night making that back to back starts he wouldn't even reach five innings. Giradi then brought in David Robertson who was bombed in game three and Robertson then gave up a two run two out home run to Nelson Cruz giving the Rangers a commanding 5-1 lead as the place was going crazy.

The Rangers then rode Colby Lewis who was dominant. Lewis allowed just three hits in eight innings and allowed just one run and struck out seven Yankees. Then in the ninth Feliz who along with Andrus was acquired for Teixeira when Teixeira was traded to Atlanta in 2007. The Rangers celebrated their first every American League Championship series. Now only the Washington Nationals and our Seattle Mariners are the only franchises who have never made a World Series appearance.

The American League Championship Series MVP went to Josh Hamilton. Hamilton hit 7 for 20(.350) with 4 home runs, 7 RBI's and 6 runs scored. He also stole 3 bases and walked 8 times meaning he reached base 15 of 28(.536) plate appearances. The Josh Hamilton story is pretty amazing. I remember when he was supposed to be the first Devil Ray's star being the first pick overall in 1999. I also remember watching a piece on him on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel in 2006 when Hamilton was finally recovering from his demons and was just in single A. I also remember the panelist saying he has less than a five percent shot at reaching the major leagues. It appeared Hamilton like many athletes you never hear about pissed his talent down the drain. Only this story is different since Hamilton got his act together and rebounded. He made the major leagues in 2007 then was traded to the Texas Rangers. Now he has been a three-time all-star and could win the American League MVP this year. It truly is a great story and someday you'll see this story made into a movie. In that movie they'll probably get 90% of the facts wrong but I remember watching this unfold live in person and its been a pleasure to watch.

I have to hand it to Nolan Ryan and the rest of the front office. He easily could have fired Ron Washington this offseason with him admitting he had tried cocaine but instead the team rallied around Washington. The team who is led by Josh Hamilton who started the "Claw" and the "Antlers" is really a fun team to watch. It's hard for me as a Mariners fan to not like this guys but I have to. If this team wasn't in my division or if I was shopping for a team to like Texas would certainly but up there. So no matter who they play in the World Series the team that Vegas had as the longest shot will have the games best postseason pitcher on full rest pitching in game one. Nobody gave the Rangers a chance and counted them out the problem is they forgot to inform the Rangers. Way to go Texas and Mariners take notes because this is how a good franchise is ran.

Game five NLCS recap

By Kshell

In most sports momentum can start rolling and there is nothing the other can't do. In baseball momentum only goes as far as the next day starting pitcher. As we saw yesterday with the Yankees who were trailing 3-1 but rallied to stay alive with their ace the Phillies were in a similar situation. The Phillies this off season in a controversial move traded for Roy Halladay but then traded Cliff Lee away. The Phillies were hoping Halladay could keep their season alive and bring this series back home to Philadelphia.

The Giants had other plans as they were pitching their ace and two-time Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum. The Giants were hoping to sweep the Phillies in San Francisco and let the party begin in front of the home town fans. Both aces weren't perfect like in the NLDS but in what was to be expected pitched well enough for their teams to win and each only gave up two earned runs. Unfortunately for one ace his defense left him down.

Phillies take advantage of Giants mistakes, sends series back to Philadelphia with 4-2 win

The Phillies found a way to get it done against Giants ace Tim Lincecum who minus one inning was about as good as expected. The Phillies pitched their ace Roy Halladay who didn't have his best stuff managed to get out of jams and show everyone why he is still the ace. The Phillies took advantage of two bad defensive plays the Giants to send the series back to Philadelphia where they must win both games to keep their National League pennant hopes alive.

The Giants were hoping to seek their first National League pennant since 2002 and had a chance to finish off the Phillies at home. The Giants got to Halladay early when Halladay walked Andres Torres then gave up a base hit to Freddy Sanchez giving the Giants a first and third nobody out situation. After Halladay got Aubrey Huff to line out to Ryan Howard the Giants would score a run in a strange way. Halladay would jam Posey who hit the ball weakly to second baseman Chase Utley. The ball was hit so slow Utley charged and over ran the ball but was still able to get the lead runner out. Posey was safe at first and Torres scored the games first run. The team who had scored first in this series was 4-0.

The Giants appeared to be in great shape after just two innings. Lincecum had yet to allow a man to reach base and Halladay's pitch count was over 40 already. Then in the top of the third the Phillies would finally get to Lincecum for the only time all game. It ended up being all that would matter. Raul Ibanez would lead the inning off with a base hit ending the small hope that Lincecum could throw the postseasons second no hitter. Then Lincecum with two strikes on Carlos Ruiz would bing him giving the Phillies first and second with nobody out. What would happened next was a bizarre play that would change the inning and eventually the game.

With Roy Halladay up it was obvious he was going to try and bunt the ball to advance the runners to second and third. Halladay would bunt the ball but the ball never crossed home plate thus making it a foul ball. The problem is the ump called it fair and Posey picked up the ball and fired a strike to Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval to try and get Ibanez out. The problem for the Giants is Sandoval's foot wasn't on third base and by the time he reach back to third Ibanez had then got in there safely. Sandoval then fell down got back up and threw out Halladay at first because Halladay knowing that the ball should have been called foul never ran. The Phillies caught a break there instead of a runner on second base and two outs there was a runner on second and third and just one out.

With runners on second and third and only out with the Giants clinging to a one run lead Lincecum got Shane Victorino to ground out to first only the ball hit off Huff's glove scoring both Ibanez and Ruiz. Had Huff fielded the ball cleanly that would have made it two outs and there is a good chance Ibanez doesn't score. Instead the Phillies took the lead on the two base error by Huff 2-1. The next hitter Placido Polanco got a base hit to left scoring Victorino from second base giving the Phillies a commanding 3-1 lead. With better defense that inning at most Lincecum gives up a run and that is being very generous.

The Giants would answer off Halladay in the fourth with NLCS hero Cody Ross went the other way to right for a double scoring ex-Phillies outfielder Pat Burrell. Halladay would face a couple of more jams but would get out of them. The Giants would waste early opportunities to get to Halladay and let him off the hook. The Giants had first and second and two men out in the sixth when Halladay on a full count strike out Uribe on a pitch in the dirt. That would be Halladay's last pitch as he would only go 6 innings, gave up 6 hits and walked 2 men but he also struck out 5 and most importantly gave up just 2 runs.

The Giants ace and former University of Washington Huskies ace Lincecum cruised the rest of the game until the seventh inning. After Rollins reached base and striking out Ibanez the Phillies began running on the young catcher. Rollins stole second and third off of Lincecum/Posey with just one out. With the Phillies bullpen and the way the Giants weren't hitting it felt like a two run lead would be the equivalent of a five run lead. Lincecum would then walk Ruiz giving the Phillies a first and third one out situation. With Halladay over 100 pitches Manuel pinch hit for Halladay with Ross Gload. Bochy who had a lefty ready in the bullpen decided to stay with his ace. On the first pitch Lincecum threw he got Gload to line out to Huff and get the double play to keep his team in the game. The ex-Husky and current Giants ace ended up going 7 innings, allowing just 4 hits, walked a batter, struck out 7 and allowed 3 runs but only two of those were earned.

In the eighth trailing by a run the Giants sent up Posey, Burrell and Ross the three best hitters you could have asked for. The Phillies setup man Ryan Madson strike all three of them out on just 13 pitches. In the ninth the Phillies would add an insurance run with Jason Werth's home run. That was Werth's 13th career home run which makes him tied for first place in National League history with postseason home runs. Brad Lidge would retire the side in order for his 12th save in 12 chances in the postseason for the Phillies and the two time defending National League Champions are going back home down 3-2.

Both teams are in the position they wanted to be in to start the series. If someone had told the Giants they would go back to Philadelphia up 3-2 needing one win from Jonathan Sanchez or Matt Cain they would have took that scenario. If someone told the Philadelphia Phillies they would be returning home trailing 3-2 but regain homefield advantage and pitching Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels they would have took that scenario. In this series it all comes down to which ace can out pitch the other ace.

The Phillies took a giant step in coming back in this series knocking off Giants ace Tim Lincecum but they still have a long ways to go. Beating Lincecum, Sanchez, and Cain would go down as one of the biggest comebacks in baseball postseason history. That is until someone brings up they threw Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels. The Giants are trying to be the first team since the 2005 Astros to clinch the World Series berth on the road after losing a potential clinching game at home.

Both teams are in the postion they wanted to be in. It just comes down to who will out pitch the other team. Look for errors and the running game to continue to be a factor. I personally think the Giants are in trouble and blew their chance at going to the World Series but we'll find out on Saturday.

Game five ALCS and game four NLCS recap

By Kshell

Today featured a game where elimination was on the line and the other game featured a thrilling a back and forth game. The Rangers had a chance to clinch their first ever American League championship today at new Yankees Stadium. Standing in there way was Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia who should have pitched yesterday in game four. Meanwhile across the country featured game four in San Francisco where Phillies manager Charlie Manuel made some head scratching decisions when it was all said and done. At the end of the day one team extended their season while another team became just one win away from making the World Series.

Sabathia and Yankee bats keep season alive in 7-2 win

The Yankees were in a must win or go home situation at home in game five with their best pitcher on the mound. Sabathia delivered and was helped by a slumping offense that was held to just 11 runs in the previous four games finally busting out and scoring seven runs with five of those coming by the third inning.

With Sabathia on the hill it is possible the offense relaxed knowing they don't have to score as many runs. Whatever it was the Yankees erupted off Rangers starter C.J.Wilson who has been brilliant this postseason. The Yankees scored three runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning.

The Yankees would get on the board first when the slumping Jorge Posada would get a base hit to left field scoring Alex Rodriguez. The Yankees would score two more when Curtis Granderson would have a base hit to right center scoring Lance Berkman. Jeff Francoeur would try and throw Posada out at third but the throw was wild and Posada scored making the game 3-0 in the Yankees favor.

The Yankees weren't done scoring by any means. The Yankees would get back to back home runs from the slumping Nick Swisher and the red hot Robinson Cano in the bottom of the third to give Sabathia a 5-0 lead. That was the first Yankees back to back home runs in the playoffs since game three of the 2000 ALCS when Bernie Williams and Tino Martinez took Seattle Mariners pitcher Aaron Sele deep at Safeco Field.

For the first time all series the Yankees were taking control of the game. The Bronx Bombers biggest lead over the Rangers in the first four games was just by one run. With a 5-0 lead and Sabathia who is 55-0 when having a 5+ run lead the game was basically over.

The Rangers would scratch out two runs off of Sabathia but found themselves trailing 6-2 at the end of his six innings. Sabathia wasn't great by any means allowing 11 hits in only six innings but he did strike out seven and with the Yankees scoring all those runs he didn't allow Texas to gain any momentum which is huge. Rangers starter C.J.Wilson who was previously so great in the postseason would get blasted. Wilson lasted just five innings, allowing six runs, five earned, four walks and only struck out two.

The Yankees would add one more run in the eighth when Curtis Granderson took Ogando out of the ball park. The Yankees will now head back to Texas trailing 3-2 after losing two out of three in their home ball park. The Rangers will now hope Colby Lewis can pitch them into the World Series. The Yankees obviously are hoping for a much better performance from Phil Hughes who was dreadful in game two. If the Yankees win that game they will be stuck facing Cliff Lee who will be fully rested.

The Rangers now fall to 1-3 in series clinching games this postseason. The Rangers will want to avoid obviously pitching Cliff Lee in a do or die game so they can save him for the World Series. The Yankees have no other choice but to win two on the road which means yes they'll have to beat Cliff Lee. The energy at the ballpark of Arlington should be interesting. The Yankees stay alive but the Rangers come back home needing to win one and have their ace up their sleeve for a must win game. I still like the Rangers in this series.

Giants win 6-5 over Phillies in the 9th, one win from World Series

The Giants in a back and forth game found themselves in a tied game in the 9th against the pitcher who shut them down in game two of the NLCS in Roy Oswalt. The middle relief had blown yet another game and it was looking like the series would be tied at two games apiece. Instead the Giants scored off Oswalt to win the game 6-5 and now need just one win to advance to the World Series for the first time since 2002.

The game started off as the Buster Posey show. The talented rookie catcher had two nice hits and a great defensive play in the fifth inning. In the first inning Posey singled scoring Freddy Sanchez giving the Giants a quick 1-0 lead off Phillies starter Joe Blanton who Manuel decided to go with instead of ace Roy Halladay. Posey struck again in the third when he doubled to deep left field just missing a home run scoring Aubrey Huff. The Giants were cruising with a 2-0 lead heading into the fifth inning behind Madison Bumgarner. Then everything fell apart for the Giants.

The Phillies had second and third with just one out with Shane Victorino up to bat. The Phillies who hadn't come up with many big hits finally got one when Victorino hit a ball hard up the middle scoring Ben Francisco but Aaron Rowand gunned out Carlos Ruiz out at the plate. Posey the catcher did a great job catching the one hop throw and blocking the plate to apply the tag on Ruiz. Victorino inexplicably didn't advance to second base putting himself in scoring position. The very next hitter Chase Utley ripped a base hit that could have scored Victorino instead it was just first and second with two men out for Placido Polanco. Giants manager Bruce Bochy did a double switch pulling Bumgarner in favor of Santiago Casilla who gave up the bases loaded clearing double to Jimmy Rollins in game two.

The gamble by Bochy would blow up in his face. Castilla gave up a double in the left field gap to Polanco scoring Victoriano and Utley from first base to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead. Polanco would then score on a wild pitch making the game 4-2. The Phillies had erupted for four runs in the fifth. Bumgarner final line was 4.2 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs(2 were given up by Casilla) and 6 strikeouts. The Giants would get a run back in the bottom of the fifth and chase Joe Blanton in the process. Blanton would also last just 4.2 innings allowing 5 hits, 3 runs and striking out 3.

Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth the Giants Pablo "Kung Fu Panda" Sandoval who has had a bad season compared to his 2009 season belted a double to deep center scoring Pat Burrell and Cody Ross giving the Giants a 5-4 lead. In the bottom of the seventh the Giants had a chance to put the game away but Sandoval hit a double play with the bases loaded and just one man out. The Giants were six outs away from being a game away from the World Series. It wouldn't be a Giants playoff game without some eighth inning meltdown.

With a runner on base Bochy decided to go with Sergio Romo who was terrific in the regular season but has had his struggles in the postseason. He was roughed up in game two of the NLDS lost, then gave up a two run home run in game three of the NLDS to give the Braves the lead. Romo immediately gives up a double to Jason Werth scoring Howard and tieing the game at 5-5.

Now this is where the second guessing really comes into play. In Manuel's defense he had ran out of bullpen arms other than Lidge and didn't want to use him unless it was a save opportunity. Manuel decided to go with game two starter and possibly game six starter Roy Oswalt. Oswalt who had shut down the Giants in game two was pitching on just two days rest. The second guessing comes in is why pitch Oswalt out of the pen on two days rest but go with Blanton over Halladay because you didn't want Halladay then Oswalt pitching on three days rest.

After Oswalt recorded the first out, Huff had a base hit to shallow right field. Then Posey had a base hit the other way to right field allowing Huff to go to third with only one man down. Oswalt hoping to get a ground ball while Uribe just wanted to lift the ball into the air. Uribe would hit the ball to deep left field, Francisco would catch the ball and throw home and Huff scored by a long shot giving the Giants a 3-1 lead in the series. The Phillies will now throw their staff ace Roy Halladay to keep their season alive. Unlike the Yankees situation the Phillies will be facing the Giants ace in Tim Lincecum who has won the last two Cy Young's.

The Giants are obviously in a great position needing just one win from Lincecum, Sanchez or Cain. The Phillies will also have Halladay, Oswalt still then Hamels if it gets to that. Plus if the Phillies manage to win they will have homefield advantage still. The place will be rocking and both teams have the guy they want in a game just like this. Should be interesting if San Francisco can clinch on their home soil or will they have to make the long plane ride back to Philadelphia. Should be a fun game tomorrow and a great atmosphere.

We have both underdogs who nobody gave a chance to needing just one win to punch their ticket to the World Series. Two franchises who have never won a World Series in their respective cities. I think both Giradi and Manuel messed up. They both should have pitched their aces in game four to even the series and take back some momentum if there is such a thing in baseball. Now Giradi found himself down 3-1 and eventually will have to beat Cliff Lee in a must win game for his season. Manuel now finds himself down 3-1 and faces Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sanchez and Matt Cain in a must win games for his season. This all could have been avoided had they been agressive and pitched their aces on three days rest and worry about game five when you are tied 2-2.

At the end of the day the underdogs were better than everyone had thought. Now comes the hard part which Texas found out today and the Giants painfully found out in 2002 getting that fourth and final victory is always the hardest victory in any series.

Game three NLCS and game four ALCS recap

By Kshell

Today featured two baseball games again in the league championship series. In one game featured a great pitching matchup in San Francisco where the winner would take a 2-1 series lead and put some pressure on one of the managers to pitch their ace on three days rest or not. The other game featured the defending World Champions trailing 2-1 in the series and electing to not pitch their ace on short rest but instead a pitcher who was 10-15 during the regular season. If the Rangers win this game they would be one game away from the World Series, a Yankees win and the series is tied and becomes a best of three game series. Today saw both underdogs in the series take a giant step towards reaching the World Series.

Matt Cain continues Giants dominant pitching run, blanks Phillies 3-0

As we witnessed yesterday in New York great pitching can shut down great hitting. Matt Cain has now given up zero earned runs in 13.2 innings this postseason. Tim Lincecum receives all the praise and rightfully so but the Giants are a realistic World Series team because they have a deep staff. In this postseason now the Giants have in seven starts pitched seven quality starts. In September the Giants set a record for fifth lowest ERA in a month by a pitching staff with a sub 2.00 ERA. The Giants also got just enough hitting to squeeze out a win. In front of a roaring crowd which featured the all-time home run king Barry Bonds the Giants won the game 3-0 over the Phillies to take a 2-1 series lead.

The Phillies had a good pitcher themselves in 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels who was coming off a series clinching complete game shutout of the Reds. Hamels had a no-hitter through the first three innings but started to come a bit unglued in the fourth inning.

Edgar Renteria led the inning off with a base hit to break up the no-hitter. Hamels would retire the next two hitters then walk former Phillies hitter Pat Burrell. The red hot Cody Ross who was picked up from Waivers in late August just so the Padres wouldn't acquire him singled to left field to score Renteria and the games first run. Then Aubrey Huff singled to right scoring Burrell giving the Giants a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth the Giants would score another run on Chase Utley's fielding error scoring another ex Phillies player Aaron Rowand making the game 3-0. That would be all the runs Matt Cain would need. Cain was on fire shutting down the Phillies powerful offense holding them to just two hits through seven shutout innings while striking out five batters.

The Giants would slam the game shut in the ninth when closer Brian Wilson who has rebounded from his game two NLDS meltdown to record the save. The Phillies Hamels would end up going 6 innings, 3 runs and striking out 8 guys. The Giants go up 2-1 in this series and put the Phillies backs against the wall. This series is far from over but I feel Charlie Manuel is making the same mistake Joe Giradi made today.

Manuel said he will go with Joe Blanton who was 9-6 this year with a 4.82 era but on the road he was 4-4 with a 5.47 era. If I'm Manuel I have two pitchers who can pitch on three days rest in Roy Halladay for game four and Roy Oswalt for game five. The Giants will throw Madison Bumgarner who was the 10th pick overall in the 2007 draft. Bumgarner picked up the series clinching win on the road in game four at Atlanta and sports a 3.00 era. The Phillies can come back from a 3-1 hole with Hallday, Oswalt then Hamels but I just can't see Lincecum, Sanchez and Cain all losing. The Phillies are putting their season on the line with their fourth best pitcher because realistictly the Giants pitching is so good no way they drop three games in a row. Giradi's gamble on A.J.Burnett blew up in his face and now he is facing elimination.

The Giants pitching has been red hot since September. I know the offense isn't very good but Cody Ross is carrying them and with the Giants pitching you don't need very many runs. The starting pitching for the Giants has been amazing. Now the Phillies are banking on their fourth starter or else they'll be down 3-1 facing Lincecum and a crowd who is smelling blood. At least the Giants are making this a series which nobody thought could happen.

Rangers crush Yankees late 10-3, one win from first ever World Series

When Bengie Molina belted a three run home run off A.J.Burnett with two outs in the sixth inning to give the Rangers a 5-3 lead you could hear a pen drop in new Yankees stadium. The Rangers erupted for some more runs and won 10-3 leaving them one game away from their first ever World Series appearance. The defending champion Yankees also lost Mark Teixeira in the process.

Yesterday I suggested that Giradi go with Sabathia on short rest but instead he decided to let his season hinge on A.J. Burnett. Like I pointed out yesterday I wouldn't want to face Cliff Lee when my season is on the line. Giradi disagreed with that sentiment and through the first five innings it looked like Giradi knew what he was doing.

The Yankees had some fireworks in the second inning but it was with plenty of controversy. The first controversy was when Robinson Cano hit a homerun off Tommy Hunter to deep right field. The fan it had appeared interfered with Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz. Then that fan taunted Cruz and the umpires didn't review the call so the Yankees scored their first run at home against the Rangers.

The Yankees thought they had scored another run by a home run to deep right by Lance Berkman. It was originally called a homerun but after looking at it again the ball was clearly foul. In fact when the umpires reversed the call Giradi or Berkman didn't even argue the call. The Rangers would respond with two runs in the third inning off Burnett despite not having a single ball out of the infield.

The Yankees would tie the score in the third when Derek Jeter would hit a two out triple then score on a Curtis Granderson base hit. Then in the fourth inning much like the Rangers did in game one vs Sabathia the Yankees blew a golden opportunity to blow the game wide open.

The Yankees would chase Rangers pitcher Hunter in the fourth inning with the bases loaded and just one out. The Rangers would call on lefty Derek Holland in a tied game at 2-2. Holland would get Gardner to ground into a fielder's choice. In fact it was a great play by Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus who made the play and got Cano out at third. The run was scored to give the Yankees the lead 3-2 but Holland would get the next batter out. In what could have been a big inning ended up just netting one run. Hunter final numbers would be 3.1 innings, 3 runs, 0 walks and 5 strikeouts.

The Yankees were clinging to a 3-2 lead entering the sixth inning. They got all they could have ask for from Burnett giving them five innings and allowing just two runs that were cheap runs. Instead of counting his blessing Giradi again gambled and let Burnett pitch the sixth inning. Vladmir Guerrero would lead the inning off with a base hit. After getting Cruz on a fielders choice is when the game started to change.

Burnett would get Kinsler to fly out to deep center field to the warning track for the second out. Cruz would tag up to get to second base. With first base open Giradi had Burnett walk David Murphy. Which set up first and second and two outs for Molina who had taken the Yankees deep three times in the 2005 ALDS. Molina on the very first pitch he saw belted it out of the ball park to deep left field. Just like that the Yankees were trailing 5-3 and just like that Burnett had blown up like a stick of TNT dynamite. Burnett day would be finished at 6 innings, 6 hits, 5 runs, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. Giradi shouldn't have started Burnett in the first place, got greedy to stretch Burnett past five innings then was just plain stupid for leaving Burnett out there with runners on base. Those are the decisions in New York that the fans or management will not forget this offseason.

The Rangers bullpen since game one has been lights out. The unsung hero of the game was Rangers pitcher Derek Holland who pitched 3.2 innings of just one hit and struck out three Yankee batters. The Rangers would score two more in the seventh on a Josh Hamilton homerun to deep right and an Ian Kinsler rbi base hit. The Rangers were now up 7-3. It had looked like game one history was going to repeat itself. The Yankees had the bases loaded and just one man out and the Rangers called upon veteran left hander Darren Oliver. Oliver would retire Swisher who has been awful all series and then Berkman to ground out to escape the eighth and final jam of the Yankees.

The fans would start to leave in the ninth much like yesterday once the Rangers erupted for three more runs in the ninth. Hamilton homered again in the ninth so after doing nothing against his old team the Rays in the ALDS he has now hit four home runs against the Yankees. Then Nelson Cruz hit a two run home run to make the game 10-3. Cruz probably wanted to find the fan who taunted him and taunt him back after that blast. Oliver would finish the ninth for the save sending the Yankees down in a 3-1 hole.

Now the Yankees find themselves in a huge hole. The Yankees are at home today and will be pitching their ace C.C. Sabathia. Thats the only good news for the Yankees. The Yankees have lost Teixeira for the series. The Yankees bats have been silent as Teixeira was 0 for 15 before going down, Alex Rodriguez is 2 for 15 this series, Swisher is 1 for 15 and with the exception of Cano nobody is hitting. Another problem for the Yankees is after today they will at best find themselves having to win both games in Texas and most importantly beat Cliff Lee in an elimination game. This game is also no for sure win for the Yankees as Sabathia has pitched horrible so far this postseason and before last year he was horrible in previous postseasons as well. The pitcher going up against him is C.J.Wilson who has pitched excellent in both playoff starts this year. It's looking like we'll be seeing the antlers for a few more weeks to come.

Overall today featured two teams that nobody thought much of during the season. The Rangers appeared to not have deep enough pitching and were 0-6 at Tampa Bay and New York during the regular season. The Giants appeared to and still don't have the hitting yet they keep winning because their pitching doesn't allow any runs. I also feel Joe Giradi botched this series and particularly game four. He has to throw Sabathia in that game to tie the series up at 2-2. Now the Yankees are down 3-1 and to win this series must beat Cliff Lee assuming they even get that far. While the Phillies manager Charlie Manuel appears to be making the same exact mistake. Halladay and Oswalt have pitched on three days rest in the past and leaving basically your season up to a guy who hasn't pitched well is just wreckless and insane.

At the end of the day great pitching beats great hitting. The Giants are a team you'll hear from for years to come with those four youngsters its just a shame they wasted all that money on Barry Zito. As for the Rangers they'll be losing Cliff Lee but the rest of that young nucleaus will still be there. Then again the Rangers are only a legimate World Series threat because of Lee. Look for the Yankees to make Lee the highest paid pitcher in baseball if they lose to the Rangers.

Tomorrow features a literal must win game for the Yankees now. The Rangers have the rare chance to clinch on Yankee Stadium soil which is always a great site to see. The Giants have a chance to take control of the series and go up 3-1 with their three studs looming or will the Phillies even the series which will set up great drama with Lincecum-Halladay part two in a series that is tied at two. I can't wait for tomorrow. These playoffs have been pretty exciting.

Game three ALCS recap

By Kshell

In game three of the American League Championship series had shifted to the Bronx, New York for the next three days. The series is tied at one game apiece with the Yankees pitching the all-time postseason leader in wins with 19 in Andy Pettitte. The Rangers were throwing their ace Cliff Lee. Lee could have been a Yankee but the Seattle Mariners liked the Rangers offer better so instead of pitching for the Yankees in a big game such as this the Yankees must find a way to finally beat Lee who went 2-0 against them in last years playoffs. The game featured two lefties and one lefty kept his team in it while the other southpaw was flat out dominating.

Lee strikes out playoff career high 13 Yankees in 8-0 win

In playoff baseball usually the team that wins the World Series has their ace get red-hot. Baseball like hockey where you ride the goalie/starting pitcher as far as he'll take you. Well the Rangers in a postseason that has Roy Halladay, Tim Lincecum and C.C.Sabathia might have the best pitcher in the entire postseason in Cliff Lee. Lee was dominate today in the win over the Yankees. Cliff Lee improves to 3-0 this postseason with a 0.75 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched. Cliff Lee lifetime in the postseason in 64 1/3 innings has allowed just nine earned runs and five of those were in one blow out start. Lee is now 7-0 in the postseason with a 1.25 ERA.

Lee would get all the support he needed in the very first inning. Michael Young would get the first of his three hits off of Andy Pettitte who was 7-1 lifetime in the ALCS coming into this start. The next hitter was Josh Hamilton who had homered in the first inning of game one well he did the same thing. Hamilton hit a two run blast to shallow right field to give the Rangers and Lee a 2-0 lead.

That was all Lee needed as he carried a no-hitter through the first four and two thirds inning. Lee finally allowed a bloop single to Posada. Lee was dominating today striking out every Yankee but Robinson Cano. Lee controlled the Yankees big hitters striking out Derek Jeter three times, Mark Teixeira two times, and striking out A-rod. The Yankees only had one chance at scoring off of Lee which took place in the sixth inning.

Lee gave up a lead off single up the middle to Brett Gardner. Then Gardner stole second base with the top of the order up. Lee struck out Jeter, then got Swisher to ground out. With a runner on third and two outs and Lee closing in on 100 pitches faced Teixeira who was 0 for 9 on the series at the time. Well Lee made him 0 for 10 and struck him out again to get out of the only jam he would face all game.

Lee would shut down the Yankees in order the next two innings. Lee would end up pitching 8 innings, 2 hits, 1 walk, and 13 strikeouts. Lee had thrown 122 pitches but with the way the bullpen blew game one it appeared Lee would going to go out and pitch the ninth inning with just a 2-0 lead. The Rangers offense made Ron Washington's decision and night pretty easy.

The Rangers erupted for six runs in the ninth with five of them coming off David Robertson who could record the only out. Nelson Cruz got a big base hit scoring Hamilton making the score 3-0 then with the infield in, Bengie Molina ripped a base hit making the score 4-0. The runs kept on coming for the Rangers Mitch Moreland singled allowing two more runs to score. When it was all said and done the Rangers had built an 8-0 lead.

Closer Neftali Feliz would retire the Yankees in order in the ninth and strike out two Yankees. The Rangers shut out the mighty Yankee bats in Yankee stadium to take a two games to one lead. Cliff Lee tied Bob Gibson and Randy Johnson for most career 10+ strikeout games with five. Lee has pitched in eight playoff games and in five of those has struck out 10 or more. Cliff Lee became the first pitcher in postseason history to have three games of 10 or more strikeouts. Unfortunetly with the Yankees they'll be facing Lee again in a game six or seven.

The Yankees are down two games to one but have the next two games at home and most importantly Lee won't be pitching in them. The Yankees are fortunate given that they were one historic rally away in game one from being down three games to zero. Now there is some pressure on Yankees manager Joe Giradi. He has a tough decision to make which is do you start A.J.Burnett in game four which is planned or go with ace C.C. Sabathia on three days rest. Each pitcher could be a risk.

The risk involved with Burnett is he has struggled big time this year with a 10-15 record and an ERA over 5. Down two games to one do you really want your season basically riding on Burnett? The Yankees don't want to be in a position where they are facing Lee with their season on the line. The other risk is C.C. Sabathia on three days rest given that he has been roughed up in both starts this postseason. By pitching Sabathia on three days rest you are even further killing Burnett's confidence and most likely forced to pitch Phil Hughes who was bombed in game two on three days rest in game five. If I'm Giradi I'm not pitching Burnett. His job isn't to make friends it's to win games and pitching your Cy Young candidate in a big game is the right decision. You worry about game the game five starter tomorrow night but if I'm Giradi and I think he'll pitch Sabathia in basically a must win game.

The Rangers have to thank the front office for going for it this year. The Rangers traded in division their best prospect and three more quality prospects for a player who will most likely leave at the end of the year. I wished the Seattle Mariners during the Pat Gillick years would have done the same thing. The Rangers were making the playoffs no matter what but with Cliff Lee they have a realistic chance to go all the way. Cliff Lee has given this fan base more to cheer for than they had in the previous 39 years combined. Landing Lee regardless of what Smoak does or where Lee goes was very much worth it to the Rangers.

Losing out on Cliff Lee might be the biggest whiff for the Yankees this postseason. Had the Yankees landed Lee they would be head and shoulders the favorite to win the World Series. As it stands now Lee made them two losses away from their season being over and they will face Lee one more time. The Yankees don't need prospects with their payroll and they should have unloaded the farm to get Lee even if it was just to avoid him come October. Look for the Yankees to offer Lee close to 20 million a season if the Rangers eliminate them in the ALCS.

With the pitching of Cliff Lee tonight makes this a series now. The series will head back to Texas worst case scenario and if the Yankees don't get their pitching fixed they could be eliminated at home. Andy Pettite pitched well today going 7 innings, 2 runs but Sabathia has been rocked both playoff starts and Hughes was drilled in game two. With Burnett being a mess look for the Yankees to pitch their starters on three days rest. Tomorrow should be interesting to see who the Yankees pitch in game four. One thing I know for sure the Yankees better not have three losses the next time they face Cliff Lee or there season will be over.

Game two of NLCS recap

By Kshell

Today featured just one playoff game. It was a big game since the San Francisco Giants won game one and stole homefield advantage from the two time defending National League Champions Philadelphia Phillies. This was a must win for the Phillies realistictly and they turn the ball over to their other hired gun Roy Oswalt. Oswalt got roughed up his last start in the NLDS but has pitched well in his NLCS career and knows how pitch in big games. He wouldn't dissapoint his hometown fans.

Oswalt silents Giants bats as Phillies win 6-1, even series

Typically when a team loses game one at home there is tons of panic. When that said team loses with their ace there is a sense of series over. Well when your game two starter is Roy Oswalt who was 7-1 with the Phillies this year and 4-0 lifetime in the postseason you aren't nervous. This is why they acquired Oswalt and he shut down the Giants early and often.

The Phillies got on the board in the first inning when Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez coming off an NLDS start where he struck out 11 hitters walked the slumping Jimmy Rollins with the bases loaded. Sanchez was wild but was pretty effective during the game. With the way Oswalt was pitching Sanchez couldn't afford many mistakes.

The Giants were held hitless going into the fifth inning when game one hero Cody Ross took an Oswalt pitch to deep left field. All three of Ross homeruns this series has been in the spot basic location in left field. Oswalt was pretty dominant allowing just that only run of the game and only three hits.

The Phillies broke the game open in the seventh inning. After Sanchez was pulled going 6 innings and leaving a runner on base who would score he gave up three earned runs and struck out seven. The Phillies leading 3-1 had the bases loaded and two outs for struggling short stop Jimmy Rollins. Rollins who had hit right handed all game, Bochy decided to turn him around to the left side bringing in right hander Santiago Casilla, Rollins belted to the pitch to deep right field almost hitting a grand slam. He would settle for a bases loaded clearing double putting the game out of reach.

Oswalt continued to dominate the Giants going 8 innings allowing just 3 hits and striking out 9. The Phillies finally got that huge clutch hit with runners in scoring position in the seventh inning to break the game open and send the series back to San Francisco tied at one game each. There is a reason why both teams are in the league championship series. The Giants starters this postseason has had a quality start in every start and the Phillies pitchers #1-3 are pitching like aces. The Phillies will start Cole Hamels in game three while the Giants will send Matt Cain to the hill.

The Giants got what they wanted which was a split in Philadelphia and now return home. The crowd will be rocking Tuesday through Thursday. The Phillies are still in a good spot with Hamels going in game three. The losing team in game three will be faced with a tough decision though. Whoever is down 2-1 must decide if he should pitch his fourth starter or go with his ace on three days rest. I guess we'll find out soon enough. The Giants hung tough then the Phillies showed why they are the two time defending National League Champions.

Game one of NLCS recap, Game two of ALCS recap

By Kshell

Today featured two playoff games for the first time in a while. In one game we had the Texas Rangers looking to even the series at home against the New York Yankees. In the other game was game one of the National League Championship series which featured the two best pitchers in the National League in Tim Lincecum vs Roy Halladay. One game featured a blow out while the other game featured a bit more offense than we had expected.

Cody Ross blasts two home runs in Giants 4-3 win over Phillies

This game featured two pitchers who had pitched pretty well but not as well as they did in the NLDS. Cody Ross made sure of that blasting two home runs off Roy Halladay to lead the Giants to a huge 4-3 win. The Giants stole game one of the NLCS in Philadelphia.

In the top of the third inning Cody Ross hit a home run off of Roy Halladay to give the Giants a 1-0 lead. That would be the first run allowed by Halladay in his postseason career. The Phillies would respond with a home run of their own by their number eight hitter Carlos Ruiz who hit a home run off Tim Lincecum to tie the game at 1-1. Then Lincecum facing a second and third, two out jam and facing former league MVP Ryan Howard struck out Howard to get out of the inning.

In the top off the fifth inning again Cody Ross hit a home run off Roy Halladay. The pitch and the where the ball ended up appeared very similar to his first home run. Ross became the first eighth hitter since Chad Curtis to hit two home runs in a playoff game. The Giants led 2-1 and how Lincecum was pitching it appeared to be enough.

The Giants then broke the game open a bit in the top of the sixth inning. With two outs former Phillies outfielder Pat Burrell doubled to deep left off of Halladay to score Buster Posey. Then Juan Uribe had a single up the middle scoring Nate Schierholtz to give the Giants a commanding 4-1 lead. In the bottom half of the inning the Phillies struck back with a two run home run by Jason Werth off of Lincecum. That would be Werth's 12th career postseason home run.

The Giants who everyone thought would be shut down this series managed to score four runs off of Halladay who didn't pitch bad. Halladay would end up pitching 7 innings, and striking out 7 but allowed two home runs and four runs overall. The Giants ace and former University of Washington Huskies standout Tim Lincecum would go 7 innings, 3 runs and strike out 8 batters. Brian Wilson would wrap up the game with a save striking out four batters in an inning and a third to record the save as the Giants won 4-3.

This was a big game for the Giants who I felt had to win this game. I think the Phillies are the better and deeper team. Although Halladay lost at home the Giants need to win all of Lincecum's starts. Now the Giants who themselves have very good pitching have an unique chance to go up 2-0 with Jonathan Sanchez who was terrific last start. While the Phillies turn the ball to Roy Oswalt who was amazing for them in the regular season. Look for the Phillies to come out with a sense of urgency knowing they can't afford to go down 2-0 heading to San Francisco who in my opinion has the best crowd amongst the remaining playoff teams.

Rangers win first ever home playoff game 7-2, even series 1-1

The Rangers bounced back from a tough game one loss to pound the Yankees 7-2. The Rangers end a 10 game playoff losing streak to the Yankees that dates back to 1996. The Rangers also won their first ever playoff game. The Rangers for the second straight game rocked the Yankees starting pitchers.

The Rangers wasted no time off of Phil Hughes scoring seven runs off of him in just four innings pitched. The Rangers scored in the first off of Hughes when Andrus stole home on a double steal. Then in the second David Murphy homered off of Hughes then Michael Young drove in Mitch Moreland on an RBI double giving the Rangers a 3-0 lead. The Rangers would tack on two more runs giving them a 5-0 lead after the third. The Rangers weren't feeling very well given how they blew a 5-0 lead just the day before.

In the fifth up 5-1 the Rangers finally chased Hughes scoring two more runs. Hughes would go four innings, giving up 10 hits, walking three guys and allowing seven runs. The Rangers Colby Lewis would go 5.2 innings allowing just two runs and struck out six batters. Then the game was turned over to the Rangers bullpen who blew the game before. That wasn't the case today as the Rangers pen went 3.1 innings giving up just one hit and striking out four batters most importantly they gave up zero runs.

The Rangers will now head to New York with their ace pitching in game three in Cliff Lee against playoff warrior Andy Pettitte of the Yankees. It was important for the Rangers to even the series especially after the way they blew the game yesterday. Had the Rangers won game one the Yankees would be in huge trouble but as is the Yankees still have home field and realistictly hope to take two out of three at home. The Rangers must win game three with Cliff Lee to have any shot at this series and bring Lee back for game six. The Yankees have had some pitching issues with Sabathia allowing nine runs this postseason in 10 innings and now Hughes getting rocked. That doesn't include A.J.Burnett who has been shelled all season long. The Yankees could be in trouble if they can't straighten out their pitching.

Well today saw both aces pitch pretty well but not as insanely great as we thought they could pitch. Lincecum just got one more run of support and Brian Wilson shut the door down on the Phillies. We also saw what we've seen all postseason long that don't count out the Texas Rangers. The Rangers when it appears have had gut wrenching losses respond with a key win. After blowing a 2-0 lead and having to go back to Tampa Bay they respond with a win. After blowing a 5-0 lead to the Yankees they respond by rocking the Yankees. This should be some fun league championship series thats for sure.