How Boring (Or Fun) The ALDS and NLDS Was To Watch

This year, something that hasn't really occurred in recent years had taken place in playoff baseball. This year, 3 of the 4 first-round series were decided by one team sweeping the other, winning all three games consecutively, and the other? It only needed one more game to decide.

For many, when hearing this kind of stuff, they wonder, "That must've been a boring first round". However, if you look deeper in to the series and actually took the time to watch the games as myself, then you would agree with me in that, yes, it is boring in the fact that we had no Chicago Bulls-Boston Celtics-first-round-NBA-playoff series that went to 7 games and in nearly each game, at least one overtime period was played, but the games in itself were definitely exciting.

First off, let's take the Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies series. This was the longest and only series that went more than the minimum o 3 games, but lasting only 4. However, the last 3 games were decided by one run. Two of the three games were decided in the last inning, and who could forget game 4, when the Phillies completed the comeback, scoring 3 runs in the top of 9th inning to shut the door on a Rockies team that had tremendous potential going into the post-season.

Next in the NL, I, and a lot of people other than St. Louis Cardinals fans, got to watch the Cardinals and Dodgers play each other. Not only did this series have a lot of nail-biting action, but this also had a lot of plays that induced drama and well-talked about discussions amongst people around the globe. Aside from the third and final game, the first two between these two teams showed a lot of great playing and excitement. Both games were decided by 2 runs or less, and almost no one has stopped talking about the error that the Cardinals could have back. An error that put them down 0-2 in the series and an error that will haunt Matt Holliday for a long time to come. In the bottom of the 9th inning of game two with two outs, Dodgers star, James Loney, hit a fly out to left field, and that looked to be as the nail in the coffin for the Dodgers and that the series would be tied at two. Instead, Matt Holliday, who couldn't decide on how to catch it, had the ball hit is groin and bounce to the ground, being charged an error that allowed the Dodgers to put up 2 runs to win the game.

Moving into the AL side of things, we head to the series that had the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim face off against the Boston Red Sox, a team that has seemed to show insurmountable success in postseason play over the last 7 years. Now, the AL was less competitive in terms of final scores in the NL, but the play was just as great, getting to see players like Dustin Pedroia, Vladimir Guerrero, and Bobby Abreu have their moments. The only, real down-to-the-wire game came in game 3, where Guerrero hit a 2-run single that put the Angels up by one with famed closer, Johnathan Papelbon on the mound. However, the real excitement didn't necessarily lie withing the gameplay itself, but the fact that the Boston Red Sox, who have had amazing post-season success, especially against the Angels, whom they have played in the post-season for 3 years now, lost their first round playoff series. Not even that, but they got swept, which proved to be something of astonishment, considering that the core of players they have on their team all have great star qualities in them.

Last on the circuit is the series that included the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees. The Yankees, who were the heavy favourites to go all the way, proved what they were made of, sweeping a Twins team that came off a motivation boost of a week, after making the playoffs being down 3 games with 4 games to go. This proved to be too little for the Bronx Bombers, who swept the Twins, and just as the Cards-Dodgers series, drama was to come in this series. This took place when in game 2 (the only game in the series to be decided by 1 run), all-star, Twins catcher, Joe Mauer, hit a liner towards the left field line. Phil Cuzzi, who was the left-field umpire, called the ball foul, but when replayed on the TV broadcast, it repeatedly showed that the ball deflected off the glove of Melky Cabrera and also landed a clear foot from the line and this ended up being a call that most likely, stripped the Twins of a victory. Not to mention, Yanks first-baseman, Mark Teixeira, blasted a home-run in the next half-inning in walk-off style.

It doesn't matter where you watched your post-season baseball, whether it be from live streaming via MLB.com or from your television set at home, it is not doubt that this year's first round of play-offs didn't offer lengthy series, but offered a lot of jam-packed action within those short-lived series.

Humans Make Mistakes

"Humans make mistakes."
That's a true statement, something that's been used a ton of times to explain mistakes committed by people, but if it's used to explain why a game-changing call in the playoffs was botched, what's the use of playing for the coveted World Series title?

This explanation was used among the MLB managers to cover up the mistake made by left field umpire, Phil Cuzzi, who blew a call from a Joe Mauer liner in the midst of a down-to-the-wire Yankees-Twins playoff game on Friday. A ball, which landed a clear foot from the foul line and also hit the glove of Yankees left fielder Melky Cabrera, was called as a foul ball and took back a potential ground-rule double for the Twins all-star catcher Joe Mauer.

This proved to be costly as the Twins had the bases loaded with 0 outs, but couldn't take advantage as they got out 3 straight times, ending a threat. The next half-inning, Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira hit a game-winning home-run, which subsequently handed the Twins an 0-2 deficity, one that was too much to handle as they were booted out of the playoffs last night at the Metrodome.

Sure, umpires make mistakes here and there, blowing a call after a throw to first base proved to show that the runner is out, or a diving catch made by an outfielder that isn't really a catch, but given the circumstances of the situation, what can you say for that?

Game 2 of an ALDS series, top of the 12 inning, tie game.

Not to mention, that if that call was made right, the Twins would presumably be up a run because instead of Joe Mauer being stranded at 3rd base, he would've been driven in to give the Twins a lead, and maybe evening up the series at 1.

This just comes to show that the MLB has to really consider expanding their instant replay system; one that is presently only used for reviewing home-runs. Yes, there are issues with that like not being able to save the tradition of baseball and for time management purposes, but if saving tradition really was that important for Mr. Bud Selig and co., why would they introduce a portion of it already?

For a solution on time, why not try having a person in a booth like the NFL, having an instant replay system in front of them, reviewing close plays, and then having them a mic system with the home plate umpire, relaying the correct calls, therefore, saving time.

This is also not to mention, that MLB umpires have already blown 2 other game-changing, fate-changing calls this postseason as well. In the AL Central tiebreakers playoff game, Detroit Tigers third baseman, Brandon Inge was clearly hit by a pitch in the top of the 11th inning, but it was not called, and the bases were loaded, meaning that the leading run would've came in, putting the Tigers up one, possibly getting them into the ALDS.

Plus, last night, when the Phillies played the Rockies in game 3 of their series, Phillies second baseman, Chase Utley hit a ball that bounced and then hit him, making it a foul ball, but the umps did not call it, and on that ensuing play, Utley was called safe on a play where he was definitely out.

Yes, I love baseball and I would never want to ruin the long-lived tradition of this magnificent sport. However, now that botching calls has become a regularity and now that it's being made during critical times in games, baseball teams are being stripped from having potential success, and that would be breaking a tradition of baseball all in itself.

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Photo Credit: Jared Wickerham of Getty Images

Na-Na-Na-Na, Hey, Hey, Hey, Goodbye !

After the latest series of playoff baseball, the sports world has come to discover that the Boston Red Sox and the St.Louis Cardinals have been oisted.

After being the first team in the ML to clinch a playoff berth, the Cardinals were swept by the Dodgers in the best of 5 series during the ALDS. Not even being apart of a team's roster, Dodgers starting pitcher, Vicente Padilla, closed the door of what would be the Cards '09 season. Andre Ethier was a single away from hitting for the rare cycle and Manny Ramirez pitched in with 2 RBI's on 3 hits.

The Cardinals who seemed to be a threat for every team, had been shut down the whole series, batting a dismal .262 while driving in only 6 runs the whole series. On top of that, a pitching rotation that was thought to be simply too strong, being led by 2 of the top 3 candidates for NL Cy Young, Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, finished the series posting an overall 3.86 ERA and allowing 13 runs.

The series, which never seemed to be too close at all, was highlighted by an error committed by Cardinals left fielder, Matt Holliday in game 2. In the bottom of the ninth inning with 2 outs, the all-star left fielder dropped an easy line-out that would've ended the game and even up the series at one. Instead, Holliday couldn't decide on whether to catch it thumbs in or thumbs out.

This comes as a disappointment as my pick for the World Series was between the LA Angels and the Cardinals.

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Speaking of the Angels, my pick from the American League came through today, completing the sweep against the Red Sox. Down a run in the 9th on a 2-2 count with 2 outs, all-star right fielder, Vladimir Guerrero hit a 2-run single off Sox closer, Johnathan Papelbon. Brian Fuentes then came in and closed the case on the Red Sox, who have faced the Angels the past 3 years in postseason play. However, in this series, the Red Sox seemed to have no life at all through the first 2 games, totaling only 1 run in both games. The Angels, who outscored them 16-7 through all 3 games, posted an unprecedented 0.50 ERA through the first two, before giving up 6 today.

In this case, it was just about not playing to potential. Starting Jon Lester in game 1 of the series, to me, was a mistake by club skipper, Terry Francona. If he had put Josh Beckett, who has is not only a veteran, but has veteran experience in the playoffs. Not to mention, he was the pitcher who pitched 2 outstanding performances on only 3 days rest, highlighted by a game 6, complete-game, 9 strikeout performance in the 2003 World Series with the Florida Marlins (talk about a track record).

With that in mind, Beckett could have went in, leading the team to a potential victory, relieving some of the pressure that Lester faced in game ONE of the series. Aside from that, it was just about how each team played. The whole pitching staff for the Sox couldn't pitch, and the Angels just came up clutch when they needed it most.

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Two series down. Two more to go.

Following a botched call that might've changed the outcome of not only the game, but series, the Yankees look to sweep the Twins tonight at 7:07 EDT at the Metrodome.

Andy Pettite (14-8, 4.16 ERA, 148 K) vs. Carl Pavano (14-12, 5.10 ERA, 147 K)

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The Phillies and Rockies go at it tonight after snow hit Colorado, forcing the MLB to postpone, at 10:07 EDT.

J.A. Haap (12-4, 2.93 ERA, 119 K) vs. Jason Hammel (10-8, 4.33 ERA, 133 K)

JP Ricciardi

JP Ricciardi, the Blue Jays general manager, has done a horrendous job managing the jays ever since coming from the oakland athletics.

investments in vernon wells, alex rios, and bj ryan have all fallen apart.

overpaid players like vernon wells are underachieving to say the least.

and most importantly, the team is plunging towards a last place spot in baseball's toughest division, the AL East.

and the bullpen has not been the same, reliable bullpen it was a year ago, ranking among the best in the league.

after blowing leads in the past 2 games against the rays on july 24 and 25, blue jays fans are left to wonder, 'are we ever going to make a run for October?'

the "master of overpaying players", has publicly announced putting pitching ace, Roy Halladay on the trading block, but only if wowed.

the phillies have been the top contender for the Roy Halladay bidding, but haven't 'impressed' JP.

continuously, both teams are taking firm stances.

ricciardi wants ja haap. the phillies dont want to give ja haap.

what to do ?

let me tell you what they could do. they should wait until the offseason to trade good ol' Roy.

wait till the offseason until teams know their budgets, as opposed to 90 games in the season, where teams are heavily reluctant to push the accept button on a trade proposal.

another pro of this decision ? you could possibly get more as teams will do more to get what they want. the phillies obviously want halladay and have publicly stated that he is their number one target.

once the offseason rolls around, the phillies will know what they can give and will give that to the jays in turn for halladay.

i say that a trade for halladay before july 31, or JP's deadline of july 28, isn't going to happen.

but who knows ? it is jp ricciardi we are talking about here.