Friday, August 27, 2010

Putting A Brewers Sweep In Perspective

The Dodgers' sweep of the Brewers puts us five games back in the NL Wild Card race with 34 games to play. There are four teams ahead of us and the top two teams in the Wild Card chase have gone 4-6 over their last ten (SF and Philadelphia). If we win the series in Colorado, we will move up to fourth place in the WC chase--and we could possibly be a half-game out of third place (if we sweep and the Cardinals get swept).

It could happen.

But it probably won't.

Look, the Brewers are now nine games under .500 and have a losing record at home (and a horrific record in day games, like Thursday's game). The Dodgers have a full head of steam, but are coming into Coors Field against a Rockies team that has won four in a row (sweeping the Braves), including a crazy comeback from nine runs down on Wednesday. The Rockies are 41-20 at home this year. And they're throwing ace Ubaldo Jimenez, Jhoulys Chacin, and Jason Hammel against Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, and a big fat TBA logo (as of Thursday night).

The Dodgers' sweep is admirable and worthy of commendation. But this, my dear friends, is called a tease. I know, we've referenced this before, but we thought it was worthy of reminder as we go into this series with our divisional rival, lest you get all excited because you think you're getting this:

...when in reality you're really about to get something like this:

Isn't that the equivalent of a cold shower, no?

Hayden Panettiere picture from this blog; scary unclothed rollerblading guy from this site

UPDATE 12:07p: Why am I going through all of this bubble-bursting fun? Because the White Sox have been awarded the claim on Manny Ramirez, and they have until Tuesday at 10:30a to work out a deal:

The White Sox now have until Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. ET to complete a trade. However, the Dodgers are five games out in the NL wild-card race, so they are in no rush to move quickly to get a deal done. And Ramirez would have to waive his no-trade clause and approve any move.

The Dodgers have the option of pulling Ramirez back and keeping him, working out a trade with the White Sox, or just let him go via the waiver claim. The Dodgers could pick up some of Ramirez's money to work out a trade with the White Sox, or they could let Ramirez go and leave the White Sox responsible for all of his remaining contract.

Kinda puts it all into perspective, right? (And suddenly, this weekend series in Colorado got a lot more important.) Go get us some prospects, Ned. Don't be fooled by the mirage.

12 comments:

rbnlaw said...

The Pierre/Manny/Jones outfield reunion will be in full effect.

Steve Sax said...

I'm surprised Andruw hasn't eaten Juan Pierre (or his noodle arm) yet.

karina said...

According to Enrique Rojas,from ESPN Latino,there were 3 or 4 clubs interested in Manny, even if he had to pay him 4 million dollars.

He also asks: does it mean he'll have lots of offers once he's a free agent?

Nostradamus said...

I don't think he'll have any shortage of offers in free agency. I don't know if their value is going to be to his liking, but there are a lot of AL teams out there have a worse DH than a 39 y.o. Manny.

Steve Sax said...

I hope VIP Tickets has branch offices.

Steve Sax said...

I hope VIP Tickets has branch offices.

Nostradamus said...

Scooby-doo threads going strong. Gotta love it.

Paul said...

So if they win tonight are they in? If they sweep? What happens if they sweep but then get swept by the Phillies? Or they win 10 in a row.

The Astros swept the Phils. Anyone see that one comming?

Kyle Baker said...

Hopefully MLASF will do a re-posting of his priceless transcription of Manny's Bee-Eye-Pee Tickess advert if indeed Manny goes to WhySox. That seems like so long ago.

Steve Sax said...

Dusty, just making sure you saw Mr LA SF's brilliance in tonight's GT.

Steve Sax said...

@Dusty: it's at 3:56p in the GT btw

Steve Sax said...

Scooby....