a couple more thoughts

I have a couple more thoughts about the baseball game tonight.

First of all, things set up much better for the White Sox than the Angels in extra innings. While Buerhle had gone the distance, the Angels had used three of their top four relievers in Donnelly, Shields, and Escobar. I also think the home team has the advantage in many ways in extra innings anywy. So I would figure the Sox probability of winning the game at about 70% at the time of the mistake.

Second, never ever ever ever ever ever sit an umpire in front of a microphone for a session with the media after the game. Nothing good can possibly come of this. Ever. That was a bad idea, and whoever was in charge should have known better.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the next game. The only parallel I can think of is the blown call by Deckinger in game six of the 1985 World Series. The Cardinals blew their top and never recovered mentally, and were dismantled by the superior Royals in game seven 11-0. Several things make me feel that the Angels will be okay. First, Scoscia. I like him, and as pissed as he is right now, his head will be on straight by the a.m. Second, the day off. Third, they are heading home.

In the mean time, the Cardinals are simply the better team in the NLCS. I don't think we will have the high drama of last season. This Cardinal team is remarkable, especially considering they have lost the best third baseman in baseball (certainly defensively the best in a generation and with a big stick, too.) Even with the Stros aces, the Cards will win this one comfortably.