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WOW is all I can say. For the first time in a lifetime or two, I actually nailed all 4 winners in the first round ( who went 12-1), and was even fortunate enough to catch CLE in a crazy prop at +500 (44 to win 220, don't get too excited) as well as CLE +170 for the series win. It was kinda weird pulling for Yanks in G3 so I could make more money, without hedging, but that's a story for another day.
That said, I find it a little amusing that all the experts ( yes ..the same ones who gave COL, ARI, and CLE no chance) are giving the WS title to the AL, w/o even playing out the games. For all the beauty of the Interleague plays and the All-Star game and the obvious differences in the overall game ( DH, hello!), it still comes down to who executes in a 7-game series. The NL is used to double-switches and sac bunts and not so familiar with DHs and pitchers going late in games after giving up 6 runs, but the bottom line is the best, or at least hottest , team , still usually wins.
Boston has been the best team all year, with strengths in the rotation, pen, and hitting lineup. And when Papi and Manny are hitting, few can match up. But since CLE had the same overall record as the SOX, and is also strong, if not stronger, in the rotation, with Cy Young candidates CC and Carmona getting a possible 4 turns in this series, it seems as if the edge Boston may have, and home field, is hardly worthy of a -170 or 175 play, in what is pretty close to a coin-flip situation, give or take a misplayed bunt here, or a failed hit-and-run there..
Enough of the obvious....
I feel Boston is clearly the best team, and in a normal world, would be the play. BUT......
There is no way I can play -165 in an evenly-matched series, when the franchise that is long overdue (1948) and flying under the radar, playing great fundamental baseball, working the pitchers to the right counts, and believing that they have arrived, even a year earlier than projected, is getting 3:2 after knocking off the Evil Empire, the same one that beat them 6 of 6 in the reg season, only to take the Playoff series in 4 games.
CLE +155
Bottom line, if the teams are even, and essentially a coin-toss, why not take the +155 over -165?
Feeling really adventurous? Take the Indians at :
+282 to win WS
And in the NL, I love the job that both teams did to get here, and am awed by the Snakes having the best record in the NL despite ranking low in all offensive categories, and middle of pack in pitching and defense, even being outscored by 20 runs in the reg season ( 90-72).
Two enigmas, two unexplained phenomenas, with no-names and intangible advantages leading to sweeps in Division series as decided underdogs. Just because nobody knows who these guys are doesn't mean they can't play. Myself..I have a really hard time fading a team that is 18-1 L19, even with a few days off to soak it in and question it themselves.
I mean, they could fold up now, but I won't be explaining away in the offseason that "hey, I thought it would end."
COL -128
So it says here a CC ( as in Sabathia, a hard-luck hurler who won 19 in reg season, but could have been 23 or 24 with run support) Series. Colorado-Cleveland. A fresh face in the winner's circle.
And though I am obviously making a lean towards CLE as the '07 champ, I will hold off on that declaration until the actual series is played. This is the first time in eons that I nailed all 4 of the 1st round winners ( 3 dogs-nice!), so I am confident, though skeptical ( if that makes sense!) in my WS pix.
I should say that I am a die hard Astros fan, and have no dog in this fight, clearly unbiased. I love baseball playoffs more than life itself, so just give me some drama, please. ( and winners, if in the stars)
That said, I find it a little amusing that all the experts ( yes ..the same ones who gave COL, ARI, and CLE no chance) are giving the WS title to the AL, w/o even playing out the games. For all the beauty of the Interleague plays and the All-Star game and the obvious differences in the overall game ( DH, hello!), it still comes down to who executes in a 7-game series. The NL is used to double-switches and sac bunts and not so familiar with DHs and pitchers going late in games after giving up 6 runs, but the bottom line is the best, or at least hottest , team , still usually wins.
Boston has been the best team all year, with strengths in the rotation, pen, and hitting lineup. And when Papi and Manny are hitting, few can match up. But since CLE had the same overall record as the SOX, and is also strong, if not stronger, in the rotation, with Cy Young candidates CC and Carmona getting a possible 4 turns in this series, it seems as if the edge Boston may have, and home field, is hardly worthy of a -170 or 175 play, in what is pretty close to a coin-flip situation, give or take a misplayed bunt here, or a failed hit-and-run there..
Enough of the obvious....
I feel Boston is clearly the best team, and in a normal world, would be the play. BUT......
There is no way I can play -165 in an evenly-matched series, when the franchise that is long overdue (1948) and flying under the radar, playing great fundamental baseball, working the pitchers to the right counts, and believing that they have arrived, even a year earlier than projected, is getting 3:2 after knocking off the Evil Empire, the same one that beat them 6 of 6 in the reg season, only to take the Playoff series in 4 games.
CLE +155
Bottom line, if the teams are even, and essentially a coin-toss, why not take the +155 over -165?
Feeling really adventurous? Take the Indians at :
+282 to win WS
And in the NL, I love the job that both teams did to get here, and am awed by the Snakes having the best record in the NL despite ranking low in all offensive categories, and middle of pack in pitching and defense, even being outscored by 20 runs in the reg season ( 90-72).
Two enigmas, two unexplained phenomenas, with no-names and intangible advantages leading to sweeps in Division series as decided underdogs. Just because nobody knows who these guys are doesn't mean they can't play. Myself..I have a really hard time fading a team that is 18-1 L19, even with a few days off to soak it in and question it themselves.
I mean, they could fold up now, but I won't be explaining away in the offseason that "hey, I thought it would end."
COL -128
So it says here a CC ( as in Sabathia, a hard-luck hurler who won 19 in reg season, but could have been 23 or 24 with run support) Series. Colorado-Cleveland. A fresh face in the winner's circle.
And though I am obviously making a lean towards CLE as the '07 champ, I will hold off on that declaration until the actual series is played. This is the first time in eons that I nailed all 4 of the 1st round winners ( 3 dogs-nice!), so I am confident, though skeptical ( if that makes sense!) in my WS pix.
I should say that I am a die hard Astros fan, and have no dog in this fight, clearly unbiased. I love baseball playoffs more than life itself, so just give me some drama, please. ( and winners, if in the stars)
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