Twenty, Twenty, Twenty-Four Hours To GO-O-O
Lots o' Linkety Goodness, so let's get right to it.
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA...
- "Rays Index binging on caffeine" is back. This time we were asked by Deadspin "What the World Series means to us." [Deadspin]
- Game will mark the first time this season that the Phillies played a game on artificial turf. [Beerleaguer]
- Marc Topkin is reporting that the Rays will go with the same 25-man roster used in the ALCS. There is some speculation that Shawn Riggans and/or Eric Hinske could be added to the roster. Topkin says neither is likely. Also, as expected, Scott Kazmir will be the game 1 starter. [The Heater]
- Evan Longoria was named the AL Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News. [The Heater]
- Tim Welke will be the crew chief during the World Series. [MLB]
- An in depth statistical look at the World Series by Baseball Prospectus gives the edge to the Rays. (thanks Scot) [Baseball Prospectus]
For all of the detail above, I keep coming back to one point: the Rays are a much better baseball team than the Phillies are. The gap between the leagues is real, and when you adjust for it and other factors—as third-order wins do—you find that the Rays were actually ten games better than the Phillies this season. They’ve also beaten better teams to get to the Series. Compare the rosters, and while the Phillies have their share of frontline talent, perhaps even more than the Rays have, the Rays have almost no dead spots on the roster, and are much stronger towards the bottom of the lineup, the back of the rotation, the bullpen, and the bench...Three of the last four World Series have been AL sweeps. The presence of Hamels makes that result unlikely, but even he won’t be enough. Rays in six.
- A solid piece on ESPN.com looking at how the Rays were built for success. [ESPN]
- The Phillies are putting all their hopes on rubber duckies...OK, may be not all. [The Fightins]
- David Chalk makes a guest appearance at Walkoff Walk and in his usual unbiased manor, predicts a Rays win. [Walkoff Walk]
- Some tales of "wretchedness" from the Rays fanbase. [Deadspin]
- Big League Stew has a cool video of fans at Raymond James Stadium gathered around TVs watching the final inning of the ALCS game 7. [Big League Stew]
- A Rockies fan will be rooting for the Rays for selfish reasons...The odd thing is we used the exact same logic last season when we were rooting for the Rockies. [Bugs and Cranks]
- Yet another Red Sox blogger throws their support behind the Phillies...We wouldn't want it any other way. [Sully Baseball]
- In a classic example of "Like Team, Like Fan", one fan tries to run onto the field at Fenway and fails miserably (video). [Home Run Derby]
- Big League Stew ranks the Mohawks found in the Rays' clubhouse. [Big League Stew]
- Home Run Derby breaks down the Rays and Phillies cheer squads. [Home Run Derby]
- 31.5 reasons to watch the World Series...Our favorite is #31.5. [ESPN]
Labels: David Chalk, Eric Hinske, Evan Longoria, Scott Kazmir, Shawn Riggans, Tim Welke
posted by The Professor at 5:07 PM
12 Comments:
Thanks for the Deadspin piece. I'm sad to say all the comments about Rays fans have been getting to me lately. I guess I need to toughen up!
Any update on that guy that owns the pizza parlor in Colorado (Lakewood, CO?) offering free pizza if the Rays win the World Series?
J, they were getting to all of us.
M, I havent heard. I should try and check in with him.
I don't make predictions. I say what WILL happen.
And thank you for calling me an optimistic blowhard on Deadspin, Professor Pessimism.
So, do we suspect that having the Pinellas County commissioner throw out the first pitch for game one is some kind of quid pro quo for helping out with the new stadium issue? If so, great and smart move, Rays! If not, couldn't they get anybody more interesting?
OK, maybe he is interesting and I just don't know. But seriously, were Costner and his song not available?
Built for success? What team when given the # 1 pick for 10 years in a row wouldn't be able to build a good young team?
Also, congrats on finally learning to stand with two outs and two strikes.
Hmmm, might want to try sprinkling a little sugar on yourself, you're a touch bitter.
I won't bother rehashing the fallacy of that #1 pick argument, since the Prof has done it here more than once better than I ever could.
I love when people come on here to talk us down and just end up showing how little they know. Thanks for another priceless quote from retard nation...and enjoy watching our team in the WORLD SERIES!
Apparently RedSoxGal had a Red Sox blog that she abandoned in March.
And we are the bandwagon fans?
If you care to comment, here is the link. enjoy.
SOX GAL
Hey Professor - great blog, discovered it through Deadspin. Looking forward to visiting a lot during the Series. I'll be at games one and two. Can't wait. Rays in 6.
Loved the video from the Bucs stadium. Being so far away from the action, it's hard to get a feel for how the Tampa Bay area is taking to the Rays. That video said it all, I think :)
The Homers at FOX / ESPN jumped ship from Boston to Philly faster than Gomes can drink a beer from Navi's cup...
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