World Series Creates History

Posted by: Sports Pro  :  Category: Baseball (MLB)

The suspension of play in game 5 of the World Series sets a new historical mark - the first suspended game in the history of the season. With the series at 3-1 the Phillies, game 5 tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the 6th, it is all set for a cliff hanger.

What has many people intrigued is the ramifications of the Rays winning game 5 and sending the series into game 6 and perhaps 7. These games will need rescheduling with transport and accommodation big issues. Not only that, if the travel day is maintained, both sides will gain a bonus from rotations. Players from game 2 and perhaps game 3 will be available.

If game 7 is played on Friday, Rays choices could include game 4 starter Andy Sonnanstine or Scott Kazmir. The Phillies could include game 4 starter Joe Blanton or his ace, Hamels, who pitched six innings in Monday’s suspended game.

It makes for an interesting scenario that I am sure will have everyone guessing.

Did Tampa Turn Up Last Night?

Posted by: Sports Pro  :  Category: Baseball (MLB)

I wrote yesterday that last night’s game was crunch time for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Did they let me down. You bet they did, they forgot to turn up. With a scoreline of 10-2 you would think the wrong team had anyway.

There are no second chances now. It’s do or die which is really a shame. This has, until last nights game, been a close World Series and thrilling to watch. Last nights was too - until the 9th - but we wont focus on that will we. Everyone else can have their say on last nights game, I want to concentrate on the next, and possibly last, game of the World Series.

Can Tampa recover and take the scoreline to 2-3. They will at least get the chance to take the series home for one more game, perhaps even two if they play well.

Ten of the past eleven teams to win game one have gone on to win the series. This puts the ball in the Phillies court. So far they haven’t disappointed. The scores are on the board and they lead 3-1 with one to play at home.

It’s been a good season, it’s just a pity it has to end so soon!

Crunch Time For The Rays

Posted by: Sports Pro  :  Category: Baseball (MLB)

They have done it before and I am sure they will do it again, however, can they do it today? Trailing 1-2 in the World Series, it really is crunch time for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

If Tampa are take the series back to home territory then they have to win at least one of these games away. They lost the first away game and losing today would put them in the death seat at 1-3 and every game a must win.

The playoffs, particularly the Red Sox - Rays playoffs were exciting contest. So far these two teams have been closely matched with little between them both on the field and on the scoreboard. To see the series end 4-1 would be a shame and would rob the fans of an exciting contest.

With luck the Rays can take one of these next two games to send the series back to Tampa. We have to have something exciting to talk about.

Rain Puts A Dampener On The World Series

Posted by: Sports Pro  :  Category: Baseball (MLB)

Game three of the World Series was delayed as rain and storms covered the area. That hasn’t stopped the game going ahead and it certainly hasn’t stopped the players from giving it their all. With the series tied 1-1 and the game, as I write, tied up 1-1, we will be in for an interesting evening.

If weather had caused a postponement, how would the players have reacted? As a player, you build yourself up for a big game. The adrenalin starts pumping and you become keyed up, a little like a tight rubber band, all ready to be let loose - then nothing.

It can be hard for coaches to lift players, teams even, when that happens. It is a strange psychological phenomenon that professionals sports people go through. Fortunately the players don’t have to go through that tonight. They are out there, the rubber band is slowly unwinding and the Phillies are now leading 2-1.

Has the postponement of an event affected one of you teams. Tells us about it at SportsViews.com. As sports fans we are interested in hearing about any sporting related story.

World Series Game 3 - Who Will Win?

Posted by: Sports Pro  :  Category: Baseball (MLB)

With the World Series moving on to Philadelphia and the scores locked up at 1-1, the question being asked by everyone is how many games can the Rays win away from home. They need at least one win from these next three games to ensure the series returns to Tampa. Can they do? The World Series is today’s featured bet topic.

There are a lot of unsung heroes out there and for sure, one player’s performance will spell the difference in the World Series. Who do you think would be that player? Shields, Hamels, Victorino or perhaps Upton? What is your pick?

MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Philadelphia Phillies. Oct 27? Who will win? This is game five of the series and may be the most important. If the Phillies go into this game 3-1, will the Rays be able to do a Red Sox and win to keep the series alive?

10 of the past 11 Game 1 victors have gone on to take the World Series. Can the Phillies overcome the Rays and become the 11th team to do the trick? Do you bet with your heart or your head?

MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Philadelphia Phillies. Oct. 26. Who will win game 4 of the World Series?

The NFL is really starting to warm up whilst the MLB is in its last week. Which do you think is more exciting. The NFL uses power, speed and brute strength. The MLB uses those same attributes, but in a totally different way. Which is the most exciting NFL or MLB?

The World Series almost always provides and entertaining finish to the season. Come join us all at SportsViews and take up some of these bets. It doesn’t cost you anything and it’s a lot of fun!

Can The Phillies Continue The Tradition

Posted by: Sports Pro  :  Category: Baseball (MLB)

Ten of the past eleven game one winners have gone on to win the World Series - Can the Phillies continue that trend? Playing away from home didn’t seem to bother them at all and once they hit their home turf the Rays may find life a little difficult.

The general discussion now is that the Phillies will win 4-0. Of course, no one is taking into account the Rays and their road performances. Whilst not setting the world on fire, they can and have won big matches on the road, just ask the Red Sox fans. The Rays dropped game one to them and then came back to make a real series of the playoffs.

Having said that, the Phillies are now in the box seat. They lead 1-0 with three to win, three games at home will seal the victory. Before that, they have to get past the Rays. It’s game two, top of the 4th as I write and the Rays are up 3-0. They have been in this position in the past and lost, just check out game six of the playoffs.

This will be a great World series that will create many discussions and plenty of bets on SportsViews. There are already a good number of Buzz posts and bets - check them out and feel free to add your own views. Who will win the 2008 World Series? Hopefully the sports fans!

Reflections On The Playoffs - Who Will Take Out The World Series?

Posted by: Sports Pro  :  Category: Baseball (MLB)

With the World Series about to start there has been a lot of talk over who will win, whether there will be a clean sweep and what the winning game count will be. There has also been a lot of reflection.

The Red Sox - Rays playoff series has come in for a lot attention. The Red Sox of course almost pulled off the improbable, come from 3-1 down to win. In fact, not only did they come from 3-1 down, they were also down for the count in the fifth and sixth games yet came through, won those games and sent the series into game seven.

The Phillies also went against the odds to beat the Dodgers. Trying to predict who will take out the World Series is going to be hard. The Phillies have had a long lay off. The Rays a tough seven game playoff series.

A friend suggested it would be interesting to treat the World Series like the Olympics. We have the Phillies and Rays playing for gold, why can’t we have the Dodgers play the Red Sox for the bronze. Interesting concept. What would you call it? The World underSeries? Let us know what you think. Who will win, by what margin, and should there be an underseries?

Rays Out Last Red Sox For Victory

Posted by: Sports Pro  :  Category: Baseball (MLB)

How would you feel. It is every kids dream. Grow up and get to the playoffs. The final game with the series tied 3-3. Top of the 8th trailing 1-3. Bases loaded and there are two out.

The weight of the world on your shoulders. A home run over the fence will bring in your team mates and turn in 1-3 deficit into 5-3 lead. J.D. Drew found himself in that situation today, the dream died and from the there the Rays went on to beat the Red Sox 3-1 and seal a World Series against the Phillies.

A lot has been said about this series. A record number of runs. A come back that almost succeeded with the Red Sox coming from 1-3 down to tie the series and force the 7th games. It has been one series worth watching.

That last statement is probably the most important. Nothing brings fans back to a sport than a thrilling series of games that go right down to the wire. The spectators won this series and if your love your sport, I am sure you will agree.

Red Sox Masters Of Comeback

Posted by: Sports Pro  :  Category: Baseball (MLB)

The Red Sox are proving to be the masters of the comeback games. They even surprised me. I had them written of at 0-5 in the top of the fifth. The next time I looked they back in the locker rooms celebrating another comeback win.

This win will have one of two effects. It will obviously bolster their confidence whilst making the Rays even more determined to finish them off or it will demoralize the Rays, be the turning point of the playoffs.

The Rays have been full of confidence and there is no reason to think that one game will undo all of that. However, if the Red Sox do pull off another victory, it will make for a classic final game of the playoffs. This comeback was all the more remarkable since not only did they win the game and close the series to 2-3, they did it from a position of being five down and little time left. To their credit, rather than look at the -7 on the scoreboard, they looked at what they could do to win - then did it.

There has been plenty of talk about the Red Sox and these playoffs, a lot of it negative. Now the talk is turning positive and why not? History is actually on their side to win again. They have only lost one must win playoff match out of the last eight - that’s a record I am sure the Devil Rays will want to quash.

Phillies To Meet Tampa Rays In World Series?

Posted by: Sports Pro  :  Category: Baseball (MLB)

As I sit to write this, the Rays are playing the Red Sox in the background. I could possibly wait a few hours but I have this sense of dejavu - Tampa Bay are ahead 5-0 in the top of the fourth and judging from previous games, I cannot see Boston keeping them scoreless while bringing home the six necessary to win.

The Phillies traveled a similar path and are now on their way to the World Series - their first appearance in 15 years. For the people of Philadelphia, they have a lot to celebrate. None of the four major sports teams has won a championship since the Sixers NBA title in 1983. They haven’t even competed for a title since the Eagles faced the Patriots in the Super Bowl of February 2005.

Who would the Phillies prefer to play? I don’t think it matters right now. They are in the World Series and ready to take on anyone. Can they win the series that matters most? The fans sitting at home in Philadelphia would like to think so - but then again, the fans in Boston and Tampa Bay would like to think their sides can do it. For Boston fans, perhaps next year. It’s the top of the fifth, The rays have had 5 hits for 5 runs, the Red Sox 2 hits for no returns. I think the Rays have it.