2010 Championship Series Thread

[owbc]

I think when we look back in 20 years, the opening of the new Yankee Stadium will be seen as the turning point where baseball's financial system fell apart. The Yankees already had the most buying power, but by fully taking advantage of their popularity with a stadium that has $1,250 seats, they finally gave themselves an advantage that other teams could not top.

 

Under the previous era (1994 strike-2008), the Yankees had enough buying power to make the playoffs almost every year. They made the playoffs 13 out of 14 years in that period. Their high payroll allowed them to win enough games to make the postseason every year, as the 162 game sample size was enough to smooth out any slumps. They had virtually no chance of a sub .500 record during that period, with a "bad" season amounting to 87-89 wins. However, they did not have enough buying power to amass enough elite players to advance every year in the postseason. Their postseason statistics suggested that they were generally not immune to the ups and downs that can happen in a short postseason series.

 

I think there are still lots of people who do not realize that the Yankees have moved into a new era (2009-present). Under the new era, the Yankees increased their revenue by at least $50 million per year, which allows them to sign the top free agent of every offseason to a contract. If the Yankees want a free agent, he is going to the Yankees. In addition, the Yankees have invested additional resources in player development. The new Yankees do not use trades to acquire players, so they no longer give up their top prospects. This provides an additional disadvantage, since the other 29 teams need to use trades to improve, which have significant risk. The significance of the new era is that the Yankees will now win postseason series at the same pace that they were making the playoffs in the previous era. I think their postseason series success rate will be over 90% in the new system. So far they are 4 for 4. This means that the Yankees should win the World Series at least 3 out of every 4 years. The only factor preventing them from achieving a higher rate will be injuries at inopportune times.

 

The worst part is that Bud Selig does not seem to realize how bad the situation has gotten. His statistics about parity are all from the previous Yankees era. Unfortunately, the next labor contract will likely not have significant change, so the Yankees will have period of success that will be unprecedented in the history of modern professional sports.

[crewcrazy]

Well, to be fair, if Michael Young can get in front of the baseball, there's a very good chance the Yankees don't win Game 1. The Rangers still have a chance if they can get to Cliff Lee with the series tied 1-1, but at the same time, you need better relief pitching if you're going to consistently beat the Yankees. The Twins didn't have it, the Rangers probably don't, but the Rays won the division because they did.

[owbc]

Looking good again for the Rangers, up 5-0 again. It's only the 3rd inning, however.

[Polish Falcons]

yay! 5-0. Not buying this whole Yankees can't be beat argument. Texas may very well reach the goal of getting the series tied at 1-1 which crewcrazy initially mentioned.

[craigharmann]

Series is tied. Yankees are beatable. Let's see what happens in New York. This is a series that I could very well see going to 7 games.

[crewcrazy]

Going into the NLCS, I couldn't figure out why everyone just assumed the Phillies would steamroll the Giants. This is going to be a long, fun series to watch. Nice to see the Giants take Game 1.

[hawing]

I didn't know it was legal for anyone to shut out the Yankees in Yankee Stadium, especially in the postseason.

[trwi7]

Ugh. The Rangers winning this game just brings me back to game 1. Just hold to a 5 to freakin' nothing lead and you're up 3-0 in the series.

[owbc]

So far I'm being proven wrong by the Rangers. I like it. Still 2 wins to go though.

[Cracked Bat Collector]

Ugh. The Rangers winning this game just brings me back to game 1. Just hold to a 5 to freakin' nothing lead and you're up 3-0 in the series.

This is all I can keep thinking about.

[craigharmann]

Cliff Lee is a very good pitcher. The Rangers are a very good team! Love it!

[Invader3K]

So far I'm being proven wrong by the Rangers. I like it. Still 2 wins to go though.

I think during the off-season you need to write up a rant about how the Brewers can't possibly ever win a World Series http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[trwi7]

Fox scoreboard nowhere near my screen. In fact anything they show is nowhere near my screen so I can barely see any graphic they put up there. Fox sucks.

[trwi7]

They must've heard me because now they went widescreen and I can see everything.

[craigharmann]

I'm wondering if tonight's Ranger/Yankee game is going to be a pitcher's duel....hopefully good pitching for the Rangers, bad pitching for the Yankees.

[bucks2281]

Boy, that interfering Yankee fan looks like a full-grade tool. Gah, I hate the Yankees.

[craigharmann]

Boy, that interfering Yankee fan looks like a full-grade tool. Gah, I hate the Yankees.

Yup on both counts.

[Cracked Bat Collector]

Boy, that interfering Yankee fan looks like a full-grade tool. Gah, I hate the Yankees.

Amen brother. Just a piece of NY ghetto trash.

[craigharmann]

Nice part was Yankee fan down the 3rd base line screwed up a foul ball for Hamilton. Too bad he didn't cash it in.

[craigharmann]

Ouch Tex! Sorry you're hurt, but taking his bat out of the lineup helps.

[craigharmann]

Josh Hamilton has got to have one of the most smoothest, easiest swing that results in a whole lot of hurting.

[trwi7]

YES! YES! YES! GO RANGERS!!!!!!!

[craigharmann]

So, does the series end in NY or Arlington? It seems like the Yankees have gone home already.

[bucks2281]

One more game, Texas Rangers. One more game.

[hawing]

With all due respect to principessa...finish the job, Rangers.