yankees228

They don't all have the same chance. I admitted that some teams are in better position to win than others. I also admitted that it isn't a total crapshoot. However, it is so much more of a crapshoot than the regular season. Since the addition of the wild card, the results have become much more unpredictable. Since free agency began, only four teams have won back to back championships. Since the wild card, only one team has won back to back championships. There is a reason for this. As for the Yankees, they were absolutely the best team in 1998. However, it's debatable whether they were the best team in 1999, and they were not the best team in 2000.

You keep bringing up Beane, but that doesn't mean I'm using it the same as he is. I really believe it is, because of the reasons I mentioned. Second of all, do you honestly not see a difference between the 30s and today? I mean, come on, that literally proved nothing. And you're right teams can dominate, but I've already stated numerous reasons why I think it is a crapshoot.

At the beginning of the 2008 regular season, coming off thirteen straight postseason appearances, you're honestly telling me you expected them not to make it?

True, but when you look at it objectively, you have to realize all the little things that need to go right to win a World Series.

I understand why oreos (O's) represent the Orioles, but why do Chips Ahoy and Nutterbutter represent the Red Sox? Just because of that, I think the game goes to the Orioles. Not to mention oreos are my favorite cookie.

It's worth noting, in terms of the front office, that George Steinbrenner has admitted he takes a football mentality to baseball. That is obviously something you cannot do.

The front office's expectations have always been unreasonable. It's unreasonable to expect to win a championship every year. Yes, the Yankees are set up pretty nicely for the playoffs, all things considered, but there have been numerous instances in the past decade where the best team did not win. That doesn't mean it was a complete failure each time. Think about it this way. Everything about baseball is built on the idea that things even out. Over a small sample size flukes often occur, mainly because there are so many variables involved in the outcome of a single baseball game. The Yankees lost their first series this season to the Baltimore Orioles, a team they are significantly better than. Was that an utter disaster? No. Was that a cause for concern? No. Why? Because, in baseball, things tend to even out over a larger sample size. Mark Teixeira got off to a poor start this year. Was it a concern? No. Why? Because things tend to even out over a larger sample size. How's Mark Teixeira doing now? I was very upset about the ball four that was called to Nick Green the other night, which allowed the Red Sox to tie the game. While most Red Sox fans on this site acknowledged that it was a bad call, I received many responses saying that those things tend to even out over the season. Sure, the Red Sox got a call that gave them the game, but there were probably calls that cost them a game also. It's a long season, and they're absolutely right, things do to tend to even out. However, in a short playoff series, they don't. Did the Cardinals ever get retribution for Don Denkinger's call? Did the Orioles ever get retribution for Richie Garcia's call? Did the Red Sox ever get retribution for the blind tag on Offerman? No, because it was over a much smaller sample size. Nobody even blinks an eye over Lonnie Smith's poor base running if the it's during the regular season. Sure, he got fooled by Chuck Knoblauch, but it could happen to anyone. However, in the World Series, that one base running mistake cost the Braves their season. When one tiny thing going wrong can cost a team their season, how is it not a crapshoot? I'll give you an example that involves the Yankees. The Yankees lost the 2002 ALDS mainly because after being staked to an early five run lead in game 3 (series tied 1-1) Mike Mussina injured his groin. If that doesn't happen the Yankees very likely win that game, and go on to win the series. Instead, even though they were the superior team, they lost, and the Angels went on to win the World Series. It's those minor things that are relatively inconsequential over a large sample size, that can end your season over a smaller sample size (the playoffs).

Do you honestly think that they're going to have Molina catch Burnett? In game 2 of the division series, do you really think they're going to sacrifice Posada's bat? Believe what you want about the effect Molina has on Burnett, but it is a moot point, because he will not be catching him in the playoffs.

Lol, I'm not sure if you're being serious, so if you're not, I apologize. It is so far from an utter disaster if they don't win the World Series. Maybe it will be in the Yankees' front office, but for anyone that is reasonable, it won't be. It'll be extremely disappointing, but as long as one understands that the playoffs are a crapshoot, it's not an utter disaster.

I agree with Emmz. Coming into the league, Randy Moss was the greatest talent (key word) that I had ever seen. Rice turned out to be a wide receiver, but coming into the league, Moss' talent was unbelievable.

Kilo, initially I thought this was correct, but now I don't think it is. If the Red Sox do not win a single one of their remaining games they finish with 86 wins. If the Rangers lose eleven of their remaining games (the magic number you provided), they finish with 86 wins. The Angels already have 87 wins. So, the magic number, I believe, remains at twelve.

The 10 is actually the magic number to clinch a tie. It's explained in their glossary.

Yankee fans in Montana representing...

I'm not sure what you're trying to prove. I'm sure every manager has a rationale for every move he makes. It doesn't make it the right move.

I hope you're right. At this point I'm done arguing about the fact that things are locked up.

Yup, according to his blog, he'll be there in two weeks. You guys will enjoy his work, and his blog which is updated regularly.

Hahaha well done.

Kilo is right though. His logic makes sense.

Kilo, do you understand how that website calculates those magic numbers (UC Berkeley)?