**** ALDS GAME 4 Tribe/Yanks (Byrd vs. Wang)****

[Hollywade]

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hasn't been one since 2004

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I know but that has been the ALCS matchup in 3 of the previous 8 seasons. I just think Yankees/Red Sox gets old after awhile. I'd like to see some fresh faces in there, like these Indians, for example.

I'm really excited about the NLCS for similar reasons. Neither one of these teams has been very good in recent years. There are a lot of players who have never been there before. I think it will be exciting.

However, I do understand that some fans are into the big matchups like New York and Boston. I guess it just depends on your preference. I'm just a big fan of the game itself and I like seeing teams that haven't been there many times get a chance at it.

[Hollywade]

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I'm sick of Yankees vs. Red Sox


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Interesting note: Although I'd rather not see this matchup again, I just looked at a little ALCS history and there have not been any seven game series since 1986 other than the two between Boston and New York in 2003 and 2004. I definitely don't want another five game dud. I hope whoever advances gives Boston a good series.

Sorry to sidetrack the thread. Continue.

Go Tribe!

[CharlieDontSurf]

If the Yanks lose tonight or Wends then the Red Sox are World Series Champions

[Hollywade]

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If the Yanks lose tonight or Wends then the Red Sox are World Series Champions


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I wouldn't go that far. Beckett looks great, but Boston's 1-2 punch doesn't stack up to C.C. and Fausto. I am really looking forward to a Cleveland/Boston ALCS. I think it has the potential to be a great one.

[Kneel B4 Zod]

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If the Yanks lose tonight or Wends then the Red Sox are World Series Champions


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I wouldn't go that far. Beckett looks great, but Boston's 1-2 punch doesn't stack up to C.C. and Fausto. I am really looking forward to a Cleveland/Boston ALCS. I think it has the potential to be a great one.

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CC and Carmona have been more consistent, but it's not hard to imagine Beckett and Schilling being every bit as good. Schill has been great since coming back from his injury 2 months ago, and Beckett was as good as anyone this year.

Dice-K also went through stretches where he was great, but has been inconsistent.

So, I would say that the CLE SP are more consistent, but the ceiling of the Sox pitchers top 3 might be higher. or at least equal. the variance is also higher.

and in 7 game series, you're going to need 3 SP + a 4th guy to throw game 4 (likely, anyway)

[Scary_Tiger]

Beckett/Sabathia - Dead even.
Matsuzaka/Carmona - Big Cleveland edge.
Schilling/Westbrook - Bigger Boston edge.
Wakefield/Byrd - Boston edge.

Bullpen - Big Boston edge.
Lineup - Cleveland edge.
Defense - Boston edge.

I think Boston is the deserved favorite here, but it should be a great series. If the Yankees manage to win tonight, it changes the match ups a bit, and screws everything up if they throw Sabathia and Carmona in game five.

[ADLinden]

i dont think the bullpen is a BIG boston edge, maybe an edge but not huge

[kyleb]

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Bullpen - Big Boston edge.
Defense - Boston edge.

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No way. Cleveland's bullpen is better for sure with Lewis/Perez/Betancourt. Defense is also very close to call but is a slight Boston edge at best.

[RedRover]

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teams starting a SP on short rest have lost 17 of their last 21 in Division series play (over the last 10 years)

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You need to normalize this though to see how they performed vs expectation

[Kneel B4 Zod]

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Lineup - Cleveland edge.

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Boston scored 50ish runs more than Cleveland this year. with reasonable if's, the Boston lineup gets an ever bigger egde: Manny being .330 .eqa Manny instead of .305 Manny, JD Drew staying at his September form.