Cardinals move on to World Series, I got something right for a change!

For the first time in a long time, I've made a correct prediction of a championship series in a sport.

Well, I shouldn't get too far ahead of myself. Though I did pick the Cardinals to win the National League before all this insanity that we call the MLB Postseason got under way. They dominated tonight, beating the Dodgers 9-0. (Video below.) 
http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?cid=as_mlb_20131019_13340954&content_id=31158883&topic_id=62527850

I picked the Cardinals to play the Tigers in the finals. The Tigers are currently down three games to two to the team who I've branded "The Team Who Will Never Die" (seriously, there's a Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers like life to this team) the Boston Red Sox.

Either way that series works out, I will have at least picked one half of the finals correctly, and there will at least be two damn good, and well deserving teams in the final, no matter who wins between the Red Sox and Tigers. Three teams who are all deserving of the praise they've been receiving this post season and all throughout the year.  

The champagne will flow tonight in St. Louis. I've never been a fan of the public celebrations just for winning a series, I mean, you technically haven't won anything yet. But when you play a huge game at home, and smack around one of the best pitchers in baseball, all while watching a 22 year old rookie dominate the other team on the mound, I'd probably do some celebrating as well.  

The celebration will also be in part for veteran Carlos Beltran, who will play in his first ever World Series after being one game away three times in the past.

For tonight, the Red Sox will hope to have their own champagne party tomorrow in front of their fans at Fenway Park. Smart money is to bet on the Sox, seeing as game's six and seven are both in Boston. But it's also never safe to count the Tigers out of a series. They do boast two of the best hitters in baseball in Miguel Cabrera, and Prince Fielder (although he's been playing horribly this postseason).

The Tigers will send probable AL Cy Young winner Max Scherzer to the mound tomorrow, with the Red Sox countering with Clay Buchholz, who has struggled in the playoffs after a great regular season. Both pitchers put great seasons together, and I'm sure sparks will fly at Fenway Park tomorrow night in Boston.

Will we see the Tigers battle back to force a game seven? Or will David Ortiz get to lift Koji Uehara on his shoulder one more time before the world series? (Pictured to the left.) Time will tell.

Here's a link to my article in the Manitoban previewing the MLB Playoffs with predictions (just in case you don't believe me!).
http://www.themanitoban.com/2013/09/mlb-playoff-preview/16788/

TWITTER! @burnsy004 

MLB Playoff Update

The AL and NL Championship series' are in full swing as four teams remain, trying to book their ticket to the world series.

In the National League, the St. Louis Cardinals jumped out to a three games to one series lead before losing game five last night. Cardinal fans will remember last years NLCS when they held a three games to one series lead on the eventual World Series champs San Francisco Giants before blowing the lead, and losing the series. The Dodgers will have to rely on great starting pitching to stifle a experienced Cardinals lineup, and get back in to this series. Game six goes in St. Louis tomorrow night. The Cards currently leads the series three games to two.

The American League series has been a strange one. The Red Sox are struggling to score runs, but won game three with just two swings of the bat, and beat Justin Verlander in game three 1-0 on a Mike Napoli home-run. In game two, a grand slam by David Ortiz tied the game at five in the bottom of the 8th, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a walk-off single in the 9th after an error by Tigers SS Jose Iglesias. The Red Sox will have to score more runs in order to win this series. The Tigers have too much talent in their lineup for the Red Sox to continue to eek out 1-0 wins. Game five goes tonight in Detroit. The series sits tied at two games a piece.


TWITTER! @burnsy004

Jarvis first to re up with Fish for 2014, Goldeyes win Organization of the Year again

The Winnipeg Goldeyes have signed their first returnee from last year's team. Starting pitcher Jason Jarvis has signed a contract with the Goldeyes through the 2014 season.

Jarvis, a Concord, California native was acquired in a trade with the Sioux City Explorers for three players to be named later. They were infielders Kevin Moesquit, Nate Samson (who's contract was bought by the Chicago Cubs) and pitcher Edgar Osuna.

Jarvis went 2-1 with the Goldeyes with a 2.19 ERA, including a complete game shutout against the St. Paul Saints on August 22nd. Between the Explorers and the Goldeyes Jarvis went 7-11 with a 3.92 ERA in 22 starts including two complete game shutouts.

Jarvis attended Arizona State University. After leaving Arizona State early in their 2008 season, he joined the Lincoln Saltdogs, where he went 4-6 with a 2.98 ERA in 23 games. He was then selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 23rd round of the 2008 MLB amateur draft and played the rest of the 2008 season in their system, as well as the 2009 and 2010 campaigns. He joined the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League to begin the 2011 season before ending up with Sioux City midway through that season.

In 84 games at the independent level, including 67 starts, Jarvis holds a 24-32 record and 4.22 ERA.

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The American Association has announced that the Winnipeg Goldeyes have won the Organization of the Year for the 2013 season as voted on by the leagues 13 managers and members of the media. This marks the third year in a row that the Fish have brought home the title. For more information on the award, visit the Goldeyes website or the American Association website.






(photos provided by www.goldeyes.com)

First round is over, AL & NL Championship series' ready to begin.

After a very entertaining first round of the MLB playoffs, the second round is set to begin, with four great teams ready to battle it out for the chance to represent their league in the World Series.

The Detroit Tigers rode the back of great starting pitching from Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, knocking off the pesky Oakland A's in five games. They'll need the same to beat an even tougher Boston Red Sox team.  

The Red Sox advanced past a tough Rays squad that didn't go without a fight. The Sox got some bounces in their favor, but outplayed the Rays and finished them off in four games. This team is for real, and they're going for it all.



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In the NL, the Los Angeles Dodgers continued their winning ways by beating the Braves three games to one. In games one and four, the Braves had no answer for the ultra-talented pitching of Clayton Kershaw. He was lights out, and if he continues to pitch this way the Dodgers will have a chance to beat the NL's best team in St. Louis.

The St. Louis Cardinals were pushed to the limit by their rivals from Pittsburgh but they did what the Cardinals do in the postseason. They battled through, and won. They've always been a scrappy team and find themselves in a tough series against a skilled Dodgers team.







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Game one between the Dodgers and Cardinals will go Friday, October 11 at 7:30pm CT. While game one between the Red Sox and Tigers will go Saturday, October 12, at 7:00pm CT. Both are a best of seven series.  

For a full schedule of both of the Championship Series' schedules check out the MLB website.
  

Playoffs begin with a couple of old fashioned beat downs

The St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers certain showed why some consider them to be the two best teams in baseball.

Cardinals vs. Pirates (Game 1)

David Freese and Carlos Beltran had huge nights for the St. Louis Cardinals as they beat up on the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-1. Freese went 2 for 4 at the plate with 4 RBI's and made a number of stellar defensive plays, while Beltran smacked a bomb into the third deck which was good for three runs. John Jay also had an RBI for the Cardinals.

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pirates big guns were held at bay for the entire night for the most part. Starling Marte went 0 for 4, and Marlon Byrd went 0 for 3. Andrew McCutchen was the only Pirate who had a good day at the plate going 2 for 4. Which accounted for 50% of the Pirates hits.

To be fair to the Pirates, they were facing one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. Adam Wainwright (1-0) picked up the win pitching seven innings giving up only three hits. One of which was a solo homerun by Pedro Alvarez.

It wasn't such a good night for AJ Burnett (0-1) who took the loss giving up seven runs on six hits in just two innings pitched.

Game two is scheduled for tomorrow night in St. Louis. (St. Louis leads series 1-0). 

Dodgers vs. Braves (Game 1)

Meanwhile, the LA Dodgers pounded on the Atlanta Braves tonight hammering them 6-1 in Atlanta tonight, taking game one.

Clayton Kershaw (1-0) pitched seven innings giving up just one run and three hits, while striking out twelve, picking up his first win of the post season.

Kris Medlen(0-1) pitched for the Braves giving up fives runs on nine hits though four innings of work. He took the loss.

Adrian Gonzalez led the way offensively for the Dodgers going 2 for 5 with two RBI's. While Hanley Ramirez, Skip Schumaker, Mark Ellis, and AJ Ellis all picked up an RBI each.

It was a tough night at the plate for the Braves as they couldn't figure out a seemingly unhittable Kershaw. The Braves were only able to manage five hits in the ball game, coming off the bats of Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman, Evan Gattis, Chris Johnson, and Andrelton Simmons.

The Braves will look to avoid slipping into an 0-2 hole tomorrow night, as the series shifts to LA after game two. (Dodgers lead series 1-0).

Tomorrow night:

Four games are scheduled for the Major League postseason tomorrow. Along with game two in the respective NL series', the American League will get under way as well with the Tampa Bay Rays taking on their bitter AL East rival Boston Red Sox in Boston for game one of their series. And the Central division winning Detroit Tigers will travel to California to take on the West division winning Oakland A's in game one.

WILDCARD BITCHES!!!!!!!!! MLB playoffs are set, wildcard games will go tomorrow and wednesday night

If there's one thing we know for sure, it's that Charlie Day is excited for the upcoming MLB wildcard games (WATCH VIDEO).

It took 163 games to figure it out, but the AL playoff puzzle is finally put together.

The Tampa Bay Rays went into a hostile environment in Texas for a tie breaker game riding the back of strong performances from their leaders, like Evan Longoria, and Will Myers cruising to a 5-2 victory.

Staff ace David Price pitched all nine innings allowing only two runs on seven hits striking out four and walking only one. While Evan Longoria lifted his team once again going 3 for 4 at the plate with a HR and 2 RBI.

After the Rays picked up a 4-1 lead off the bat of a pinch-hitting veteran in David DeJesus, a questionable call on what should have been a Delmon Young single could have changed the game entirely.

But the Rays stuck with it and put up an extra insurance run in the 9th on a sneaky stolen base by pinch-runner Sam Fuld. Texas relief pitcher Tanner Scheppers threw the ball away trying to get Fuld at third as he scored Tampa Bay's fifth run.

The Rays will now travel to Cleveland to take on the Indians in a one game wildcard playoff on Wednesday night which will determine who will face off against the Boston Red Sox in the best-of-5 American League Division series.

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Meanwhile, in the National League, two bitter central division rivals will battle for the right to play against another bitter central division rival. The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds will play their NL wildcard game to see who moves on to face the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS.

The Pirates will host the game as they finished with the better record, but the Reds have more playoff experience. It should be interesting to see how this game shakes out between two evenly matched teams.

The game will be highlighted (north of the border) by the amount of Canadian content that will be competing in it.

The Reds boast the best Canadian ball player out there in Joey Votto (Toronto), while the Pirates have Canadians Justin Morneau (West Minster) and Russell Martin (Toronto).

These two teams have seen a lot of each other lately, so sparks are sure to fly when they meet Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.

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A look back at the career of Mariano Rivera

For the past 16 years, when the Yankees have been holding on to a slim lead, "Enter Sandman" by Metallica would blare throughout Yankee Stadium, and every fan in the house knew that meant two things. One, that the game was about to come to an abrupt halt with the Yankees on the winning end, and two, they were about to see one of the best pitchers of all time.

Years after the MLB retired the number 42 in honour of Jackie Robinson, they can finally put it to rest for good after this season.

Mariano Rivera, the long time New York Yankees closer, and the last player to wear the number 42 before it was retired, made his final appearance at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night.

Rivera, who some hail as the greatest relief pitcher/closer of all time, will retire with many records and accolades to his name, including:

     - a win loss record of 82-60
     - a career ERA of 2.21
     - 1,173 strikeouts
     - 652 career saves
     - 13 All-Star appearances
     - five world series championships
     - five time AL Relief man of the year
     - three time delivery man of the year
     - AL championship series MVP award (2003)
     - World Series MVP (1999)
     - all time Major League Baseball saves leader (652).

Needless to say he's had quite the career.

Outside of baseball Mariano Rivera has had a huge impact on the community. Rivera operates the Mariano Rivera Foundation, which provides education to underprivileged children in both his native Panama and the United States.

He and his wife Clara have three sons named Mariano Jr, Jafet, and Jaziel. He has been married to his wife since 1991 and they've known each other since elementary school. Among his other charitable contributions is the renovation of a church, of which the congregation currently holds their services in the Rivera home, and he's also helping to build an elementary school in Panama.

When Enter Sandman began to play on Thursday night, in the top of the 8th with one out at Yankee Stadium, Yankees fans knew exactly who was coming into the ball game. Though it wasn't a save opportunity, because the Yankees were losing to the Rays 4-0, and already eliminated from the playoff race. He didn't come in to save the game, he came in to say goodbye to the fans that he has represented, the fans that have supported him through his 19 year career. One final goodbye.

Both teams came outside of their dugouts, and all the fans who packed Yankee stadium that night were standing and clapping right there with them. In what was a touching standing ovation.

After his performance, his long-time teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettite came to the mound to take him out of the ball game, marking the final time that Mariano Rivera would grace the mound at Yankee Stadium.

                                   Mariano Rivera's final performance at Yankee Stadium.

Rivera, along with Jeter, Pettite, and Jorge Posada were the corner stones of the 1990's/early 2000's Yankee team that took home the World Series in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000.

This is where the waterworks began to flow. Rivera loved the game since he was a kid playing with sticks and rocks in Panama with his childhood friends. He played hard, he worked hard, and he will go down as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. To achieve the level of excellence that he has throughout a 19 year career from start to finish is to achieve immortality in baseball.

So take a bow Mo, Yankees fan or not, no one can deny the impact that he has had on the game. The career of Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer of all time, has come and gone, and now the MLB can finally put the number 42 to rest.

TWITTER! @burnsy004

Funny side note, here's a link to the Red Sox (Yankees biggest rival) honoring Mo's career, but also poking a bit of fun at the closer in the process. This is not the first sign of good cheer between the two teams, as Yankee fans belted out "Sweet Caroline" the Red Sox "theme song" earlier in the year in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings.

                                                Red Sox tribute to Mariano Rivera

                                               Yankee fans sing "Sweet Caroline".