Don't Look Now, But...
by 40AS on Aug 17, 2007 9:48 PM CDT
in Texas Longhorns Basketball
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PrintOne of the best things about this time of year is that, after months in the wilderness, we get an enormous amount of entertainment from the sports world rushing at us all at once. Not only is football season so close we can taste it, but the montonous summer has set the stage for a fantastic finish to the Major League Baseball season. This is shaping up to be, quite possibly, the greatest pennant chase in recent memory. Here are the relevant standings entering Friday (with Games Back):
AL East
Boston
New York Yankees 5.5
AL Central
Detroit
Cleveland 0.5
Minnesota 6.5
AL West
LA Angels
Seattle 3.5
AL Wild Card
Seattle
New York Yankees 0.5
Cleveland 1
Toronto 6
NL East
New York Mets
Philadelphia 3
Atlanta 3.5
NL Central
Milwaukee
Chicago Cubs 0.5
St. Louis 2.5
NL West
Arizona
San Diego 3
Colorado 6
NL Wild Card
San Diego
Philadelphia 1
Atlanta 1.5
Colorado 3
LA Dodgers 3.5
Chicago Cubs 4
Now, obviously this is not necessarily indicative of great baseball being played. But it does show a level of parity that has been missing from baseball in recent years and it's refreshing to see. The recent success of the NFL has taught us that the more cities with fans who have legitimate postseason hopes, the better. Entering Friday, 16 teams were within 4 games of a playoff spot. That is going to make for a very exciting stretch run.
Our two favorite teams are the Red Sox and Cardinals. So, we get to participate in the frenzy that is a pennant chase once again. But this would be an especially incredible run if the Cards were to manage to squeeze into September. We have been a bit frustrated at times this season, along with the rest of Cardinal Nation. But to have overcome a plethora of injuries, the death of pitcher Josh Hancock, and the lack of much starting pitching at all to be in the thick of the race is pretty special. Granted, they are ONLY in the race because they play in baseball's worst division, but they're in it nonetheless.
How does any of this relate to Texas football? It's simple. A really fun finish to the baseball season is one of the best things imaginable for a college football fan. After we get the rush of seeing the Longhorns play their first game (or at least their first play; Arkansas State tends to get real boring real fast), it's another week before they take the field again. Rather than spend all week desperately trying to find an article we haven't read or a talking head we haven't heard, we can watch the pennant chase--actual, live sports between Saturdays. What a great country.
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My Braves...
are driving me up the wall. Not sure how this is supposed to help me relax in between Longhorn games...
Raise your hand
if you knew the D-Backs would have the best record in the NL in august.
Not many hands I see.
TOTAL DISRESPECT FOR THE HOUSTON ASTROS
Didn't you say you liked the Cardinals? Did you not remember the stress of last September of backing your way into the playoffs, and watching the Astros almost make history and completely embarrass your franchise? If the Astros did make the playoffs, THEY could've easily been the ones with the WS trophy because of their rotation.
And once again, the Astros are making their annual run. They just beat the Padres @ San Diego, even though Jake Peavy was pitching, and the Astros sent out Woody Williams.
by goingforthecorner on Aug 18, 2007 2:35 AM CDT reply actions
I hope this was a joke
While I know the Astros have a history of coming back in the second half, they usually start before now. I'm not saying the Astros have no chance of coming back, but come on, it's not disrespectful to fail to mention them in an article about penant chases at this point. They are still closer to the Pirates than they are to the Cardinals at this point.
Also, while this pains me to say as a Cubs fan, trash talking about how your team almost embarrassed a team that won the World Series last year is a bit silly.
I'm not saying...
that the Astros are going to win the Central, but it wouldn't have hurt to put them there at 7.5 games back. Last year they were about 8 games back in September and still made it back to within .5 games so it can happen.
I also know that just because the Astros have been a second half team over the last years doesn't mean they will do it again as each year is completely different
But...
There rotation is starting to pick up the pace with Oswalt, Williams and Rodriguez throwing lights out over the last month.
Lance Berkman is starting to heat up (he hit two homers off Peavy last night) and if you add to that the return of Hunter Pence, the Astros offense looks to be about to heat up as well.
The Stros still have to play a lot games against the teams ahead of them so they still have some life left in them.
After finishing up a seven game roadie this weekend, the Astros return home for a 10-game homestand. If you can get to five GBs by Septemeber, who knows.
You add to all this that no team looks like they want to take charge of the division then it really is wide open.
Plus, I really enjoy being at a sports bar in early October watching the OU game while sneaking a peak to what the Astros are doing in their first round playoff series.
Back in April
I picked a Red Sox - Padres world series. Still possible, I guess.
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