Three more outs!

 

We're in!  Wednesday can't come fast enough.  Lets go Rangers!

 

 

 

 

The gridlocked streets of downtown with Browns traffic erupted with beeping horns, and the peds we're high-fiving and shouting.

reminiscent of the streets in the 90s and early 00s after Indians post season games! Hopefully there are more scenes like  this coming up!

Guess who's going to the wildcard game Wednesday!?! THIS GUY! And I heard it's just about sold-out. GO TRIBE!!

And I heard it's just about sold-out. GO TRIBE!!

 

This is sort of good news for MLB.  If this game were in Tampa (which seemed likely just a few days ago), there would be about 10,000 fans in attendance...and half of them would be wearing Boston Red Sox gear.

Finally the sports teams are starting to match the swag that the citizens and city have started building.  Great run by the tribe.  I will be there Wednesday night screaming my brains out

That Ubaldo trade is looking great.... again

Yeah baby, nothing like flipping between two winning teams.  96 losses to 92 wins in a year. They have done nothing but play great baseball all month. And they have done nothing win down the stretch, erasing much of my earlier concerns.

 

 

I probably shouldn't mention this because we're all excited now, but Detroit lost today meaning if the Indians beat Minnesota the Tigers will win the AL Central by...1 game.  Maybe Detroit rolled over a bit down the stretch, but either way with how the Tribe have played in the past few weeks it really is a shame that they couldn't have been more competitive in their head-to-head series with the Tigers.

 

Cough cough, CP blown save in the first game of the Tiger series, that put them in a slide...

Drew Pomer-who??  We've got Ubaldo, baby!!  So who got the better end of the deal?

 

GO INDIANS!!!!!

 

The gridlocked streets of downtown with Browns traffic erupted with beeping horns, and the peds we're high-fiving and shouting.

reminiscent of the streets in the 90s and early 00s after Indians post season games! Hopefully there are more scenes like  this coming up!

 

I was on the rapid on the way home from the Browns game when someone announced the score and the whole train went nuts.

Wild card game sold out

 

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2013/09/indians_wild_card_game_at_prog.html#comments

the tribe had seven four game sweeps, the most in baseball since 1943. very impressive! and kipnis got to 30 steals. nice.

 

I actually really like the idea of using Masterson out of the pen as a "bullpen ace," coming in in tight situations to give the team up two or three innings.  He gives them much more value than your typical closer in that type of a role.

 

This is probably not the time or place to start this discussion, but the traditional, by-the-book closer's role is incredibly overrated and really not getting the most out of a good arm if you have one.

 

Interesting point. I don't see any closers today who are anything close to Trevor Hoffman or Mariano Rivera.

 

Loved seeing Masterson coming out of the pen!

the tribe had seven four game sweeps

 

That is such an incredible stat.

I'm the biggest Terry Francona fan.  He is THE difference in this team.  His calm, 1-game-at-a-time/don't panic/been-there, done-that mentality is the biggest reason why we're in the playoffs (and going in as the hottest team in baseball to boot)...

 

... that said, I question starting Danny Salazar, an untested rookie, who's barely pitched half-a year, in a one-and-done playoff game.  Obviously, I pray it works, but I'd have gone with Kazmir, who started in the 2008 World Series for the Rays...  I'm just sayin'...

I'm the biggest Terry Francona fan.  He is THE difference in this team.  His calm, 1-game-at-a-time/don't panic/been-there, done-that mentality is the biggest reason why we're in the playoffs (and going in as the hottest team in baseball to boot)...

 

... that said, I question starting Danny Salazar, an untested rookie, who's barely pitched half-a year, in a one-and-done playoff game.  Obviously, I pray it works, but I'd have gone with Kazmir, who started in the 2008 World Series for the Rays...  I'm just sayin'...

 

agree about Francona.  Managing a group of guys for that long and inspiring them to give their best every day is not an easy task and he does as good as anyone.  Because of him, you have to believe that the sky is the limit for the tribe.  Not saying they are going to win, but i honestly believe we have the leadership to do it.

 

Regarding Salazar.  I like it. Kid has an aura about him and I think he will embrace the moment.  I think he has been prepared for this start with some of his big ones over the year (detroit, last wednesday in front of 30K).  I think it gives us best chance in a one game series.

Yeah, I'm super psyched for Salazar.  Neither possible opponent has seen him before and he'll be fully rested and backed by a rested, stocked pen (including Masterson).

 

Looks like perfect weather is expected for Wednesday.  I wish so bad I could be in town for this game.

so it will be salazar, eh? thats fine. i wouldnt worry about it anyway, as its only one game, so any sign of trouble and he gets pulled out. all hands on deck!

 

hopefully tb or texas will be wiped having to play one more highly emotional game -- you could not be happier that scenario happened lol -- and the tribe will be rested and have a leg up at home.

im rooting hardcore for Tampa.  Texas's bats scare me and they get Nelson Cruz back.  Best case scenario, PRice shuts down Texas tonight...him and Mat Moore not available wednesday and we take on Alex Cobb and the Tampa O

^I think I'd rather rather face Texas, actually. Cobb scares me a lot more than Garza or Ogando (or short-rest Holland). And in sharp contrast to recent years, TB had a much stronger lineup than Texas this year. Really though, I'm going to be a nervous wreck no matter who we face.

I didn't think they'd sell out so fast, and StubHub seats start at $81. What I get for working the weekend, and not diving in as soon as I got the post season ticket email. My usual seats that I snag are going for roughly 14x their regular (secondary market) season price.

i didnt realize detroit got no-hit on the last day -- they cant relax that much!

I think it's time to roll out this chestnut

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzhj2ev0Xwo

^I think I'd rather rather face Texas, actually. Cobb scares me a lot more than Garza or Ogando (or short-rest Holland). And in sharp contrast to recent years, TB had a much stronger lineup than Texas this year. Really though, I'm going to be a nervous wreck no matter who we face.

 

I'd rather face Texas, too. TB is a better team all around. I saw the Ray's play and defeat the Red Sox at Fenway on July 24. Price was pitching and shut the Sox down. There was also an amazing double play started by SS Escobar....

 

I'm the biggest Terry Francona fan.  He is THE difference in this team.  His calm, 1-game-at-a-time/don't panic/been-there, done-that mentality is the biggest reason why we're in the playoffs (and going in as the hottest team in baseball to boot)...

 

... that said, I question starting Danny Salazar, an untested rookie, who's barely pitched half-a year, in a one-and-done playoff game.  Obviously, I pray it works, but I'd have gone with Kazmir, who started in the 2008 World Series for the Rays...  I'm just sayin'...

 

agree about Francona.  Managing a group of guys for that long and inspiring them to give their best every day is not an easy task and he does as good as anyone.  Because of him, you have to believe that the sky is the limit for the tribe.  Not saying they are going to win, but i honestly believe we have the leadership to do it.

 

Regarding Salazar.  I like it. Kid has an aura about him and I think he will embrace the moment.  I think he has been prepared for this start with some of his big ones over the year (detroit, last wednesday in front of 30K).  I think it gives us best chance in a one game series.

 

One thing's for sure: I'm just some opining shlub at a keyboard, while Terry has 2 rings, and was the helmsman of the team that broke the Bambino's wicked curse over the Sawks... Translation: the gum-chewin' guy knows what the heck he's doing... If he has an inkling the kid can handle the pressure, go with it.  Jaret Wright did the same for us vs. the Yankee's in playoffs of 1997.

Well, I was very wrong about the Tribe's chances - they ignored the odds and absolutely crushed the opposition, took advantage of every opportunity, and I'm still surprised as can be. But great stuff to watch. Will enjoy watching the game Wednesday regardless of outcome - just getting to the next series would be a huge victory, IMHO.

well its tb 4 tx 2 in the 8th -- and im going to bed. lets see if that holds up.

 

 

Im hoping my forecasting pays off...what just happened in the last 4 days is EXACTLY what i was hoping for.  Tribe somehow surpass Tampa in the standings, but Tampa and Texas tie forcing a tiebreaker that would exhaust David Price.  I like facing the Rays lineup better than Texas...yes they are scrappoy but can more easily be shut down...and now we have to beat their third best starter...who is good, but Moore and Price are out of service.  If Tampa beats Texas in teh standings, then we face Price tomorrow night who, as seen last night, lives for the pressure moments

Be careful what you wish for. We may not be facing David Price but we are facing Alex Cobb who is blowing away hitters since his return from injury in July. The press release below came out before his shutout the Yankees in Mariano Rivera's last home game, so his post-injury ERA is actually about 1.15, or something crazy like that....

 

MLB Press Release

9/23/2013 3:37 P.M. ET

Alex Cobb of the Tampa Bay Rays named the American League Player of the Week

 

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending September 22nd. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network. Cobb went 2-0 in his two starts with a 1.65 ERA, 22 strikeouts and three walks in 16.1 innings pitched to claim his first career weekly honor, joining teammate Evan Longoria as Player of the Week winners from the A.L. Wild Card-leading Rays this season. Among Major League leaders for the period, Alex was first overall in innings pitched and was tied for first in wins and strikeouts. Opponents batted just .193 against the right-hander.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130923&content_id=61491032&vkey=pr_mlb&c_id=mlb

^ i do know Cobb is good...but this is what is hilarious about baseball.  ALl i heard from peers yesterday is how Price always gets mauled by the Rangers and how the tribe whooped him earlier this year.  I told them that Price would be lights out and win that game.  Guys with proven success can dig deep and pitch a game like that.  We know Cobb has stuff, but i would MUCH rather face him than Price and even more than Garza who has had a rough patch as a Ranger, but Garza has pitched huge playoff games and done well in the past.

^Ugh, the small sample size conclusions people draw in baseball are really brutal to listen to. I don't understand why anyone would think a handful of prior games by Price in Arlington was somehow more predictive of his next performance there than his overall awesomeness.

 

I still think Garza and Texas's lineup would have been an easier opponent for the Tribe tomorrow, but obviously moot now.  TB's lineup is really rough on RHPs, though, so I'm a bit worried Salazar is going to cough up some dingers early while we flail against Cobb.  I hope I'm way wrong.

I think Salazer keeps us in the game and shuts down TB pretty good..we know if we win this game it will be a heart stopping close game...i hope nobody is expecting any type of comfortable win.

Beides Detroit barely scraping by to win the AL Central, the other thing that frustrates me about how this has played out is that the Indians wouldn't even have to go through Tampa Bay a few years back when winning the Wild Card meant not having to play a silly play-in game (which is what this is, no matter what they want to call it).

^True, but two weeks ago I was pretty happy there was a second wild card team.  Only ex post can I complain about it. 

I have to say...i like the wildcard game.  It gives a 5th team a chance.  I understand in one game the better team can lose and thats a flaw, but i have to say, im so glad i can attend this game tomorrow.  Its going to be unlike anything ive seen in person.  Do or die.

Love the Pirates-Reds game and I only hope Cleveland fans are as loud and involved tomorrow night as Pittsburgh's are tonight! I'll do my part! But I also hope we score half as many runs against Cobb as the Bucs are against Cincy.

i saw that the fans are supposed to wear red to the game tonight and they receive white rally towels.

i saw that the fans are supposed to wear red to the game tonight and they receive white rally towels.

 

I heard that too....

i saw that the fans are supposed to wear red to the game tonight and they receive white rally towels.

 

I heard that too....

 

Spent 10 min this am digging in the dark for the only red shirt I could find...

 

MY GOOD LUCK VINTAGE 1987 NJ DEVILS SHIRT!!!! 

 

Game over. We win.

Anyone else finding it impossible to work today?

^LOL Yea. There's too many good tribe articles that need read. 

Anyone else finding it impossible to work today?

 

I'm not that excited. I don't expect this team to go anywhere this year. But I'm going to the game because it should be a fun experience and the ticket is free.

^I can't tell if this is a joke or not.

 

I am crazy excited and the only reason I'm going to get work done today is because, after reading so much about the Tribe over the past week, I'm crazily, embarrassingly behind!

I scored a ticket late last night. Work today is not happening.

^I can't tell if this is a joke or not.

 

I am crazy excited and the only reason I'm going to get work done today is because, after reading so much about the Tribe over the past week, I'm crazily, embarrassingly behind!

 

Was that for me? If so, no I really am not that excited. I don't think they're better than the Ray, Red Sox or the A's. I hope they can surprise a few teams, but I sure don't expect them to.

^Debbie downer!  More like resigned Cleveland sports fan, I suppose. I figure we only get a lotto ticket for a sports championship in our town every few years, so best to enjoy it while you can!

 

 

^Debbie downer!  More like resigned Cleveland sports fan, I suppose. I figure we only get a lotto ticket for a sports championship in our town every few years, so best to enjoy it while you can!

 

I'd be excited if they had played better against winning teams this year. Even so, I'd still temper my excitement until after a Cleveland team wins a championship. Been here too many times before and I've learned to duck when teams get to this point.

I could go either way.  I see KJP's slant...i mean why would he be optimistic?  On the other hand....this lines up incredibly.  Much like Titos team did in 2004 when they broke that curse.  They had to defeat big brother 4 times in a row after being  spanked by them all year.  THe tribe has to beat a bunch of different big brothers that whooped them up tihs year (Tampa, Boston, Detroit, Atlanta?) NO better way to get to the top of the mountain by beating everyone in your way.

I guess I'm just on a totally different page. To me the excitement isn't about optimism (I know we're not as good as other AL playoff teams), but about the high stakes and the uncertainty.  No fan base can rationally expect to win the WS at this point. Even Boston or Detroit have only about a 20% shot.  This has been an awesome year and every additional game it lasts is a lot of fun.

^good post