Fantasy RBI Baseball playoffs

[fightonusc]

OK, the match-ups are set. Even though The Nimrods and The Stiffs were the two clearly dominant teams in the league this season, you can throw the records out the window once the playoffs start. It's best of five, with The Nimros looking to avenge their loss in the regular season finale aganist BeefMaster, while The Stiffs look to make it to the World Series against the gutty OC.

So, of the two match-ups, which one do you think was the best chance to be an upset? Or, do you think the favorites will roll to a much-anticipated World Series?

(And don't forget to get your MVP ballots to me...)

[Gantry]

BeefMaster pulls off the upsets and faces the Stiffs in the finals. 

[fightonusc]

I'm predicting that the favorite advance. Over the course of a best-of-five, I think the more talented teams will prevail. But Gooden's pitching gives The OC a chance every game, and The Nimrods play a lot of close games, which could be problems in the playoffs...

[JoeDirt]

I'm pulling for the Nimrods because of the remaining, he's the only one I've personally met so far.  Of course, I don't really know who the OC or the Stiffs is...

But still, I like the bantering with Ultimate.

[ultimate7]

I'm pulling for the Nimrods because of the remaining, he's the only one I've personally met so far. Of course, I don't really know who the OC or the Stiffs is...

But still, I like the bantering with Ultimate.

Ha, lucky for me none of you have met Joe, or maybe lucky for you. 

[JoeDirt]

Ultimate just wants my dogs in his bathtub--that is all.

[Ryno23]

I'm not voting.

I was hoping the all time funniest team name in the history of team names would have made the post season:

the poopy dicks

[fknmclane]

I was hoping the all time funniest team name in the history of team names would have made the post season:

the poopy dicks

So was I.  So was I...

I'm going with the double upset. 

[fightonusc]

Game 1 of the BeefMaster/Nimrods series is in the books, and as with all games involving The Nimrods, it's a doozy. Video is up at the Web site, box score and recap to follow.

[ultimate7]

Another crazy game, I am confused as to why my manager didn't PH for Kerfeld in the 8th.

[fightonusc]

Oddly enough, Kerfeld was able to get on even though he tried to get greedy.

There was some really questionable baserunning by The Nimrods in this game, and that has got to get tightened up before Game 2.

[fightonusc]

Game Summary:

Usually, all Glenn Davis does for BeefMaster is hit doubles in bunches. But in Game 1 of the Fantasy RBI Baseball League playoffs, he broke from his routine just when his team needed it. Davis' solo home run in the top of the ninth proved to be the game-winning run as BeefMaster shocked regular season champion The Nimrods with a 14-13 victory on Tuesday at Nimrods Field.

The Nimrods had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. After a solo home run by Bill Madlock pulled them to within one, Jesse Orosco singled with two outs to bring up Gary Gaetti as the potential winning run. Gaetti singled to left, but Orosco inexplicably tried to get to third and was thrown out to end the game.

The final out was one of many failed opportunities for The Nimrods. They hit into two double plays with runners in scoring position to end innings, Additionally, BeefMaster's pitching staff was able to handcuff The Nimrods' MVP candidate Andre Dawson, who went 2 for 5 with no RBI.

Gary Carter had five hits, including two home runs, for BeefMaster, who have temporarily claimed home field advantage. Reggie Jackson added four RBI, including a home run of his own. Will Clark paced the BeefMaster offense with six RBI, including two home runs.

[BeefMaster]

Wow - Blyleven struck out the side in the second.  Is that a Fantasy RBI first?

[ultimate7]

Oddly enough, Kerfeld was able to get on even though he tried to get greedy.

There was some really questionable baserunning by The Nimrods in this game, and that has got to get tightened up before Game 2.

It is still quite strange, I've can't remember that happening except when the team batting has the lead, the CPU team trailing always PHs in that situation, maybe it was due to the fact that the pitching change was made, so it forgot to bring in the PH.

[fightonusc]

I looked through my record books, and I think that's the first time that a pitcher has recorded three Ks in one inning - Bert brought the nasty out pitch.

As for the non-PH thing: I know it's happened a few times this season where the team trailing hasn't brought in the PH for the pitcher in the bottom of the eighth, and then made a pitching change to start the next inning. And usually, it does involve situations where the other team makes a pitching change first - but that doesn't always happen. If he doesn't try to take second on that error, though, it's a completely different game.

[fightonusc]

Video of The OC/The Stiffs Game 1 is up at the Web site. Box score and recap to follow.

[ultimate7]

Video of The OC/The Nimrods Game 1 is up at the Web site. Box score and recap to follow.

Why do I have to play everyone in the post season?

[fightonusc]

Because you are so awesome, and I figure I'd like to see you win at least one game at some point...

The changes have been made.

[fightonusc]

Game Summary:

Apparently, home field advantage doesn't mean much in the Fantasy RBI Baseball playoffs, especially when you have a possible Cy Young winner and MVP both at the top of their games.  The OC proved that point as Dwight Gooden and George Bell lead them to a 13-2, five-inning drubbing of The Stiffs in five innings on Wednesday at Stiffs Stadium.

Gooden went the distance and gave up only six hits. He worked out of several jams to pick up the victory, and was helped by some stellar defensive plays as well as getting three double plays. Gooden also delivered a single and scored a run in the top of the fifth inning.

Meanwhile, Bell continued his torrid hitting from the end of the regular season, when he finished tied with The Stiffs' Kent Hrbek for the league lead in HRs with 19. Bell homered in his first three at-bats and finished the game 4-for-4 with three runs and six RBI. Kirby Puckett added three runs for The OC, which benefited from two Stiffs errors.

Meanwhile, Gooden shut down Hrbek, holding him hitless in there at-bats. Only Wally Joyner seemed able to solve Gooden, as he went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and scored both Stiffs runs.

[fightonusc]

Kornheiser:

Alright, welcome back to PTI. The first games of the Fantasy RBI Baseball playoffs are done, and the visiting team has won both games. To start off the playoffs, The Nimords fell behind early, and tried to rally to beat BeefMaster but couldn't do it, falling short by a run. BeefMaster also beat The Nimrods to end the regular season. The question is, does BeefMaster have The Nimrods' number?


Wilbon:

That's sheer and utter lunacy, Tony! C'mon!


Kornheisher:

What? That's two games in a row now, where the BeefMaster relievers have been able to stop The Nimrods from pulling off their usual last-inning heroics. Maybe that relief pitching staff is something that The Nimrods can't figure out.


Wilbon:

Do you hear yourself when you talk, or does it just sound like "Yadda yadda yadda"? Look, you have to throw that last regular season game out the window – The Nimrods had already clinched home field, and they were on cruise control, while BeefMaster needed to win to get into the playoffs. This isn't the 1927 Yankess here – BeefMaster was a .500 team in the regular season. It's one game.


Kornheisher:

But in a Best of Five series, you can't go around throwing games away like that!

<Buzzer sounds>


Wilbon:

Home field means nothing in RBI Baseball, trust me. Nimrods in four. In that game, Nimrods manager Gene Mauch didn't pinch hit for reliever Charlie Kerfeld in the bottom of the eighth inning. Kerfeld reached on an error when there was a BOP on the third baseman, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. Mauch then pulled Kerfeld and replaced him with Jesse Orosco to start the ninth. Now, why in the HELL would Gene Mauch leave Kerfeld in there to bat if he was going to pull him anyway? You have to bring in a pinch hitter there.


Kornheiser:

Listen, I agree that was a dumb move. But Kerfeld got on base, let's not forget that. If you want a goat, look at the first base coach, hjose oquendo. He's the one who told Kerfeld "No", which Kerfeld heard as "Go". Remember, Kerfeld never gets on base, so hjose oquendo has to get out stop signs, construction cones, even tackle Kerfeld to get him to stop if he has to.


Wilbon:

But if they had lifted Kerfeld for a pinch hitter, you'd have someone who knew how to run the bases, and either would have stopped at first, or might have made it to second. Even more likely is they would have got a solid hit, and this whole thing wouldn't have happened. Don't blame hjose oquendo, blame the manager...

<buzzer sounds>


Kornheiser:

Well, I say blame Kerfeld too. What, is he too stupid to know not to run? Anyway, in the other opener, Doc Gooden put on a dominating performance to shut down The Stiffs and help The OC take home-field advantage in that series. Gooden has been dominant for The OC and is the frontrunner for the Cy Young Award. What I want to know is, does this playoff format place too much of an emphasis on one starting pitcher?


Wilbon:

No. How about that for an answer! Look, if you want to beat The OC, your starting pitcher has to have a good outing – you know that going in. And in Game 1, Ojeda didn't have a good outing. I mean, The OC lost seven times this season, so it's not impossible to get to them. Plus, it's not like Doyle Alexander's a slouch in long relief.


Kornheiser:

I'm not saying it's impossible, if you would listen. I'm just saying that one pitcher being dominant can change the whole complexion of a playoff series. Why bother with a bullpen if your starter can go out every game and shut people down. Why not have alternating starters and have your middle reliever in Game 1 be your starter in Game 2, etc.?


Wilbon:

Because that's stupid, Tony, and that's not how Fantasy RBI Baseball is played...


Kornheiser:

Wait, wait, so I guess you have a book on the illustrious history of Fantasy RBI Baseball? What, this is going to ruin the integrity of Fantasy RBI Baseball?


Wilbon:

Yes it will, Tony. Maybe you don't know about integrity, but...


Kornheiser:

What integrity of Fantasy RBI Baseball?!?

<buzzer sounds>

Any league with a bitter drunk as the commissioner shouldn't talk about integrity.



OK, that's all for now. Back later.