MLB playoffs 2015

[Sumbitch]

My fucking God! The Cubs are into the National League Championship Series! This is amazing for baseball fans for the simple reason the Cubs have not won the World Series since 1908 (109 years).

A simple breakdown of the MLB playoff system: As of 2012, the playoffs for each league—American and National—consist of a one-game wild-card playoff between two wild card teams, two best-of-five Division Series featuring the wild-card winner and the winner of each division, and finally the best-of-seven League Championship Series. The winners of the LCS meet in the World Series (best-of-seven).

As of today, Chicago (National League), Kansas City and Toronto (American League) have reached the LCS.

This bracket is a little out of date. So pencil the Blue Jays and Royals in on the left side. The Dodgers and Mets are tied up, 2 games apiece (Go Blue!), final game tomorrow morning, 7 am GMT+7. The other numbers indicate the score of the last game played between the teams (as stated, out of date). Place your bets!

[BaitongBoy]

The Cubs are into the National League Championship Series!

Holy fook! I had no idea...The curse of the goat may have lifted...

Blue Jays rock...

[BaitongBoy]

We already know Toronto plays Kansas City...Who do the Cubs play?...Ok, not decided yet...

[Sumbitch]

God, I'd love to see the Dodgers vs the Blue Jays in the World Series. Just think of it: California vs Canada. Who would be the underdogs?

[Sumbitch]

What a game! Blue Jays advance to ALCS with bizarre win over Rangers

The Toronto Blue Jays are going to the ALCS after a 6-3 win over the Texas Rangers in the decisive Game 5 of the ALDS on Wednesday.

And what a game it was.

Trailing 3-2 in the seventh, the Blue Jays scored four runs after loading the bases on three consecutive errors. The big blast was a three-run homer from Jose Bautista that gave them a 6-3 lead. And that wasn't even the real highlight of the inning.

The Rangers took a 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh on a bizarre play. Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin threw the baseball back to reliever Aaron Sanchez after a routine ball was called, but the ball hit Shin-Soo Choo's bat and rolled down the third-base line. That allowed Rougned Odor to score from third base. The game was delayed while the play was reviewed and after fans littered the field with cups and other debris. And then the benches cleared. The game was played under protest.

Both starting pitchers were sharp --€“ at least until the chaotic seventh inning. Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels allowed five runs (only two earned) on four hits and struck out eight. Meanwhile, Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman pitched six innings of two-run ball and struck out four.

Texas took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI groundout by Prince Fielder and added to that lead with a solo homer from Choo in the third. Toronto made it 2-1 with Jose Bautista's RBI double in the bottom of the third and tied it at 2 with Edwin Encarnacion's long solo blast in the sixth.

The Blue Jays now await the winner of Wednesday evening's ALDS Game 5 between the Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals. Game 1 of the ALCS is set for Friday night.

[Sumbitch]

Johnny Cueto tosses gem as Royals oust Astros, reach ALCS

[BaitongBoy]

Yep...Saw the highlights on the news...What a game...Had a bit of everything in it...But Texas simply collapsed under pressure...Never seen the likes of it...

Maybe they thought the fans would actually kill them if they won it...

[Sumbitch]

No, Canucks are the most peaceful people in the solar system, if not the galaxy.

However, they do drive to kill.

[BaitongBoy]

Well, the national animal is the beaver, so everybody loves the Canucks...

[Sumbitch]

The beaver? America's the bald eagle. You have some of ours, don't you?

[Sumbitch]

Am watching Dodgers/Mets: 2-2, bottom of the fourth, 2 out, man on third for L.A. STRIKEOUT to end the inning.

[BaitongBoy]

Whoever wins meets the Cubs in the National Championship series...Is this Game 5?...

[Sumbitch]

Solo home run by Daniel Murphy of Mets breaks tie (now 3-2, Cubs leading) with two outs in the top of the 6th. Strikeout to end the inning but damage has been done.

[Sumbitch]

Yes, game 5.

[aging one]

The Met are up 3-2 not the Cubs. You excited?

[BaitongBoy]

^Heh...I can't wait 'til the Cubbies play, as well...Fook, Chicago will be nuts...Too bad Harry Caray wasn't alive to see it...

[Sumbitch]

Did i say "Cubs" when I meant "Mets? I thought I would make that mistake. First I need a cup of Tim Hortons AWARD-WINNING DARK ROAST COFFEE. Secondly, I'll blame the mistake on on a combination of an unconscious desire to see the Dodger play the Cubs in the NLCS (which starts Sat., btw) and the simple fact I can't but not subconsciously root for the Cubs. Besides whoever heard of Toronto, I mean New York?

Back to the seventh inning. Both starting pitchers have been pulled. Jacob deGrom when he came to bat and Zack Greinke when he let on 2 runners, one on an error. Now, runners on first and second for Mets with 2 out. Fly out to end the inning.

[BaitongBoy]

Stay on the line and keep us posted...

[Sumbitch]

Yes, Cubbies vs Toronto is my prediction and enough to get excited about. Aside from the players' personal appeal and talent, the Dodgers are a dodgy organization. They believe that money rules the roost with the largest payroll in the majors and over $100,000,000.00 USD higher than the second place Yankees. So get this: their payroll is $314,168,414 for 2015 alone. Looks like karma to me. Don't have much hope they'll pull this one out, not with all those mercenaries playing for them.

On to the top of the 8th (as predicted). I also believe there will be a ninth inning.

I think that's it for my play-by-play today. I need that aforementioned cup of java and the game should be over by the time I get back. I'll read the obit and cry in my beer.

Anyways, it is now the bottom of the 8th, Dodgies coming to bat.

[aging one]

Sitting here just hoping the Mets can close out the Dodgers. If you are from SF you never ever cheer for the Dodgers.

[Bobcock]

Dodgers Gone!!!!!!!

Not soon enough............

[BaitongBoy]

So it's the Mets vs the Cubs for a berth in the World Series...

[Sumbitch]

Sure I'll watch the end of the game and report the last inning and a half.

2 outs now in the bottom of the eight.

On a side note, did you know I have found no substitute whatsoever, here in LOS, for the emotional attachment I formed with certain USA sports teams? Most specifically, the USC and UCLA football and basketball teams and the Ducks and Kings, of course. The emotional attachment has caused a real psychological reaction. I'm studying Thai this year and have committed to becoming fluent, if not literate. That alone I figure will take 4 years of hard work: at least as much work, too, as going for a college degree. Anyways, one of my teachers promised me that learning the language will change my everyday life here in Chiang Mai IMMEASURABLY, in the sense of happiness. Tough to kick it down the road 4 years, real tough to throw it all in the ditch but if it will eventually get rid of the stupid emotional attachments i still have to America, that's good enough for me. I'll just take it one course at a time. Next 6 week course: Oct. 28-Dec 8.

Well, while i've been giving the color commentary, the game has actually reached the bottom of the ninth inning, no change in score.

It's in the books: final score Mets 3, Dogers 2. It's the Mets vs Cubs in the NLCS.

Now for that cup of coffee!

[aging one]

Oh boy we are going to butt heads on here. Giants in baseball, Warriors in the NBA, Niners in the NFL. Then Cal Golden Bears as my team in the NCAA, followed by Stanford who are in a barn burner right now with UCLA.

[BaitongBoy]

Well done, blaney...Did you sing during the seventh inning stretch?...