Good Day for Ray Ray and the Rays

This was a great sports weekend for me. But since I already addressed the total madness that is the Maryland football team, I'll limit this post to the events of Sunday Funday. It was a really good day for the Ravens. In a game that they needed to win to keep the faith for this season, the whole team stepped up and played solid football. Also, the Tampa Bay Rays restored hope to all the perennial cellar dwellers by holding off another Boston comeback to go from last in the division to ALCS winners in one season. Thank you for that.

The Ravens had to win this game. They had lost three in a row and were beginning to look like the team everyone thought they were going to be this season. Hell, I couldn't even bring myself to write about last weeks game. It was just too painful. But after throwing just one touchdown and seven interceptions this season, Flacco came back with a solid performance with a TD and no interceptions. He seemed to still be confident even after a being picked apart last week. I met another Ravens fan at the bar yesterday while watching the game who said he lived in the same building as Flacco. He told me that after last weeks game, him and his wife wanted to get a cardboard cutout of Troy Smith and put it in from of Flacco's door as if he were knocking. I think this is hysterical. But after Sunday's game, Flacco really doesn't deserve it. Oh well, I'll take a win and a solid showing over a good prank almost any day.

What was really great about the Miami game though was the Ravens' defense. They managed to contain Miami's wildcat offense that had wreaked havoc on other teams. They were also responsible for a TD that helped the Ravens put Miami away for good. The Ravens scored 27 points and could not have done it without the brilliant play of the defense. The Ravens are known for having their defense carry them. And this game was a good sign that defense will continue to shoulder some of the weight as Joe Flacco continues to improve into the future of this football team. With every game he should be able to rely less and less on the defense, but as long as they are contributing, it takes some of the pressure off of him and lets him play and mature without the whole weight of the team on his shoulders.

With the Ravens playing the lackluster Raiders next week at home, they should be able to garner an above .500 record. The Raiders star rookie, Darren McFadden will have to contend against a defense that has not allowed a 100 yd rusher in 25 straight games. The best in the league. And while the team managed to earn its second win against the Jets on Sunday. They'll have a very different team to contend with this coming Sunday. Let's hope the Ravens step up to the task and continue to shut teams down and win.

The other great story on Sunday was the Tampa Bay Rays managing to keep Boston at bay and win the ALCS. Matt Garza got the MVP for pitching two solid games. Last night he continued to throw strikes and get players out even after pitching the magic number of 100 pitches. This makes me question the seemingly widely held belief that pitchers should be taken out after 100 pitches. Every pitcher has his own limit and if he's in a groove or 'settled in' and doing well, why bring in someone new. Will pitching an extra 15-20 pitches make it that much harder to recover and be able to pitch again four days later? I am asking this sincerely as I really don't know anything about pitching and how much it tires you out.

I was worried after the Rays blew game 5 in the last few innings and then couldn't seem to get their act together for game 6. But those scrappy Rays came out ready to play yesterday and even after going down by one run in the first inning never gave up hope. They fought back, held on, and managed to strand Red Sox base runner after base runner. Every time a Red Sox player came up to bat, I thought this was it, this was the batter that was going to swing the momentum back to Boston, this is the one thats going to end it. But that never happened. Even after errors and a bunch of pitchers. Tampa hung on for all 27 outs.

After the last batter grounded out, the team rushed the pitcher. There was giant mound of celebrating Rays. I was actually worried that the pitcher, Price, would get hurt. Afterwards he said he couldn't breathe at the bottom of the pile, but wouldn't change it for the world. I love the way the team celebrates. The players were soaked before they even got the ALCS Champ trophy. Their Rayhawks were dripping. This is a team that really treasures the victory and appreciates how far its come. They are a team that gives hope to all the other losing disheartened teams out there.

It'll be great to see two new teams in the World Series. I know the Phillies are not a new team but they haven't been in a World Series in 15 years. So they're not the teams we've seen in the playoffs year in and year out for the last few years. And the Rays have never been in a playoffs before, let alone a World Series. I'm still deciding who I really want to root for. But I think I'll be happy either way. Wednesday should be fun.

Terp-ulent Season

Once again Maryland managed to show up and beat a ranked team. Good for them. I didn't watch because ESPN 360 somehow let me keep reseting my password but wouldn't actually let me watch the game. But either way the Terps not only won, but shut out a ranked team. Which can only lead me to believe the Maryland's defense was on point today. Even if Wake Forest's offense was awful, and again I didn't watch the game so I really don't know, it takes some work for a team to shut out or blank another team.

Side Note: When did the term blanking become so prevalent? The ESPN recap only used that word for the shut out, and I read several other articles today that overused the word blank. Maybe it's just me, but when I hear that a team 'blanked' another team, I feel like the authors have censored some dirty four letter word.

So, what's up with the Terps? They can beat ranked teams, in fact have beaten three ranked teams in a row, but can't manage any type of offense against Middle Tennessee and Virginia. This seems terrible right now. Duke beat Virginia 31-3 and then Virginia beat Maryland 31-0. But is UVA really that terrible? After today they are 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the ACC Costal Division. They just beat ranked UNC in OT. So maybe the Maryland game was just a rallying point for UVA. We'll have to see how the season plays out, but right now UVA is not looking like the pushover team that it was when Maryland went in there.

I'm not sure what this will all mean at the end of the season, and I'm not sure what will happen next week. But I think this season is a testament to how crappy BCS rankings are and how evenly matched/wide open most of the ACC is. Right now the ACC seems pretty wide open. No team has really pulled away from the pack. There were three ranked teams this week, two have lost and one is losing in the 4th quarter. All to unranked conference teams. The ACC is not an elite football conference, no matter what the people who added BC, Florida State and Miami want you to think. But we have showed we're not total pushovers this season.

Also I'd like to take a minute to express my feelings about the BCS rankings. I know there are way too many teams in Division I for there to be an objective system of ranking during the season. That being said, there's got to be a better ranking system. I mean its been fun watching what seems like ten upsets a week, but come on, there's got to be a few dominant teams. The BCS rankings this year has been all over the place. I recommend the BCS hire Nate Silver to figure it out. He has not only been the most accurate predictor of the recent primary elections but he came up with PECATO for baseball fanatics. I mean he has got to be the most brilliant stat guy of this generation. Hire him to come up with a new formula. Even if it doesn't work, I'll be placated for at least a few seasons. Did I mention I have a huge crush on this guy, he uses his nerdiness to figure out sports and politics. I think I'm in love. And as a result I have total faith that he can figure out a way to make the BCS better.

Overall, I'm thrilled at the position my Terps are in right now. We're one win away from a bowl game and overall we've played ok. And when it comes down to it, I'd rather see them beat the big teams than beat up on the crappier teams. The elation I feel when we win is so much higher when its against a Cal or Clemson or even Wake Forest. So Maryland, if you can only win so many games a season, well then, I'm ok with you only winning the big ones. I think maybe next year the Terps should only play ranked opponents. I'm not exactly sure how to schedule that in advance, but cutting out any out of conference cupcake teams could help. Don't schedule Delaware of Middle Tennessee next year, instead schedule Penn State and Pitt or even a WVU. And if we don't win, at least we'll get more televised games and hopefully better recruits so we can become an even better team. But then again, what do I know.

Seriously, Again?

OK Boston, I was wrong. I was wrong to count you out even though it was the 7th inning and you were down 7-0. I was wrong to think the Rays could hold you off for 7 more outs. I had written you off by the fifth inning. But somehow you came back. Even when you scored four runs, I still was confident the Rays could keep you at bay. I don't know exactly what happened because I turned off the TV and went to bed. But I can't say I was all that surprised when I woke up this morning and saw you had come back to win.

Maybe it was the idea of losing three in a row in the playoffs at Fenway. Maybe, it was because the bandwagon fans left in the 5th and only the true fans remained. Maybe Tampa Bay got complacent and let the momentum slip your way. Maybe the Red Sox can only win when they truly believe they are the underdog and can summon an us against the world mentality. Maybe it's a combination of all those things.

What I'm wondering is how gut wrenching is it to be a Red Sox fan? Yes, comebacks are great when they happen, and the Red Sox are better at coming back in the playoffs than any other team, but the fans still have to sit through the three agonizing losses and resign themselves to the idea that the Sox could get eliminated. I guess the highs are higher when you've had to face the lows, but still doesn't it annoy Boston fans a little to have to go through this every year now. And if they lose tomorrow, was it all just false hope?

Are the Rays destined to become the next Cleveland Indians, a byline in the Red Sox unbelievable but now predictable comeback story? Will there be another swarm of gross little insects? Or maybe some other plague like frogs or the water in Tampa turning to blood to show us that the Red Sox are truly destined to win this?

Can't anyone put these guys away? The Rays still have the upper hand when it comes to games needed to clinch the series, but after last night, will their faith be shaken. They are a pretty resilient team. They lost the first game at home and then came back to win three in a row, two of those at Fenway. So they can rebound, they have in this series already, but are they mature enough to do it again. I hope so.

I don't know if I can deal with the Red Sox fans if they are able to pull this off. And it'll be worse if they pull it off and then beat the Phillies in the World Series. The Patriots fell last year in the Super Bowl and then had Brady go down in the first game of this season. When will this collapse happen to the Red Sox? Cause I'm ready for Boston to go down. So come on Rays, you're 29 outs away from a World Series. Imagine what the party for that will be like.

Why Can't Us?

There's something about these Phillies fans that is overwhelmingly entertaining to me. They qualified for the World Series and still there not cocky. My friend wanted a NLCS sweatshirt even before they won "just to prove they were in the playoffs in his lifetime." Now, that they've won, I wondered if he wanted a World Series sweatshirt, not just a NLCS champion one. His response, "Don't be ridiculous, you're going to jinx us." Even though they soundly beat the Dodgers and are playing great ball, there's still a cautious feeling about the World Series.

Don't get me wrong, the city is the happiest I've ever seen it. The sound of cheering filled the night last night and the celebrations went on til the early hours of the morning. But this isn't like Boston where even though they're down 3-1 in the ALCS, they still think they're going to come back and not just go to the World Series, but win it. Phillies fans know what heartbreak feels like. And while they are giving their whole hearts to their team, they're not still not really sure it's going to work out. They're wishing and hoping and praying, but not bragging. I admire that.

So congratulations Philadelphia. It's been a long time but if any Philly team deserves to make it to the big stage it's the Phillies. And I wish you hopeful, grammatically challenged fans the best.
Maybe this really is the year Philadelphia breaks their curse.

On a slightly unrelated note, I think the entire city of Philadelphia smells like cheese steaks right now. I swear to god, I live on the 18th floor of my building and my apartment right now smells like I have 10 cheesesteaks sitting on my table. The odor of cheesesteak is wafting in my window. I think this is a good sign for the Phils.

After soundly defeating the Dodgers 3-1 in the series and clinching it with a decisive 5-1 win by NLCS MVP Cole Hamels yesterday, the Phils are well situated for this series. They've shown that their pitchers can stay calm not get flustered by even big hitters like Manny. Yeah, he had a lot of hits, but he really didn't get to score that often. They were able to neutralize him as a threat. That should serve them well in the World Series.

The Phils also had solid production from their line up. Everyone on the team seemed to come up with big hits at the most opportune time. Whether it was Matt Stairs with the two run homer to take the lead in game four or Jimmy Rollins homering to start off game five. Everyone played a part. And that team mentality is important. I think Pat Burrell might have even smiled. Though I can't confirm that.

Right now the Rays are leading the Red Sox 5-0 in the fifth, so it looks like there will be a World Series of two underdog teams. I can't wait.

Maybe This Year?

I know that I usually hate all sports things Philadelphia. Mostly because of the booing. But I can't help but wonder if maybe this is the year for the Phillies. And I hate to admit it, but I'm happy for them. Maybe over two years of living in this city has worn me down or maybe I just like to see the team that never wins have something good happen to them for a change. I know what baseball heartbreak feels like, and I can sympathize.

The Phillies are by far the most likable team in Philadelphia. And the fans seem to have moved past the days when they threw batteries at players. Sure, they still boo. But it seems like it happens less often. Maybe it's just the optimism of Philly this year. It seems like for the first time, people actually believe the Phillies can pull this off. While watching the game last night, I was pretty sure it was all over. Lowe was pitching like a machine. He looked unhittable. But then an error on a throw to first base, a home run and two batter later another home run gave Philly the lead they wouldn't relinquish.

I was surprised by the stat the Phillies are perfect when leading at the end of the 8th inning. Maybe that's not that weird. But as an Orioles fan, I wish I could say that. Because, I usually go into the ninth inning with a sense of dread. No lead is ever safe. But the Phillies are a different matter. They played a great game and didn't get rattled when they were down by two.

So could this be it? Could this be the year the Philadelphia sports breaks the curse of building higher than William Penn on City Hall? It doesn't look like the Eagles are going to do it. Not in the brutal NFC East. The Flyers looked good last year but hockey season is long and just getting started. So who knows what's going to happen. I have no idea what the predictions for the Sixers are. Frankly, its the NBA so I don't really care either. But the Phillies, I find myself rooting for. They really are fun to watch.

I don't know what I'll do if it's a Phillies-Rays World Series. Which underdog team to cheer for? It might be the Rays. I admire the way they've turned things around. And I like the way they celebrate every win and every milestone. They seem to really appreciate that just getting this far is great. But somehow this seems like the Phillies year. I can't explain it. But the feeling is palpable in the city. For the first time since I've been there, it seems there's actual hope.

This team and city have faced so much heartache. Last year they made the playoffs for the first time in 13 years, only to be swept in the first round. Now this year could end crushing defeat, the AL East has a way of doing that to hopeful teams. Look at the way the Red Sox dismantled the seemingly unstoppable Rockies last year. But I know one thing. If the Red Sox beat out the Rays. I'm becoming a Phillies phan. Even if it's just for these playoffs.

It's Better to Be Lucky Than Good

There might not be another sport where luck is suck a huge factor in overtime games as the NFL. But maybe that's the way the NFL likes it. So much of whether a team wins or loses in OT is based on the coin toss. A random coin toss. That sucks. If you win the toss and manage enough offense to get into field goal range, you win overtime. So basically unless you have the kind of offense Baltimore had a few weeks ago, you win the coin toss you win. It's really unfair.

In no other sport does only one team get a chance at offense. Baseball has extra innings, and if the visitor scores, the home team has a chance to tie or win. If the home team wins, they don't finish the inning, it's a gentleman's game and not about rubbing the win in another teams face. But both teams get a chance at offense. In basketball, theres a whole overtime period. They play the whole thing, it's not whoever scores first wins.

College football has a great system. The teams line up on the 30 yd line and on tries to score. If they score then the other team gets a chance to score. So, if team one can stop team two and then score on their turn, they win. If team two scores a field goal, the team one has a chance to score a touchdown and win or a field goal to tie. If team two scores a touchdown, team one can score a touchdown to tie. And if there is a tie after that round the teams do it again until someone wins. It's a fair system.

Watching NFL overtimes are just so frustrating. I think the NFL should change to the college football overtime. That would make overtime about scoring. And everybody likes to watch scoring. It would make the game more fair. Overtime would no longer hang on the coin toss.

I know it will never happen. Trying to change the NFL is like trying to change the college bowl system, it might make sense but it's not going to happen. But a girl can dream. I think this would make overtime games more fair and more fun to watch. Which is something worth considering. Hey, even fantasy fanatics would be excited by this change. Any chance to score more points is good for fantasy. And players would get more time to increase their stats. And both teams actually have a chance to win.

Everyone wins in this new college football overtime goes pro. But that's just what I think. What does a girl know about sports?

Hokies are Turkeys

This weekend I headed down to Virginia Tech. Not only did I unexpectedly get to enjoy their homecoming, but I also was busy celebrating their win during the Maryland game, so I got to miss out on that agony. And while I thought the five hour drive back to Baltimore was long and painful. It probably wasn't as bad a watching the Ravens blow their lead in the fourth quarter after a hard fought game. The Ravens offensive line was impressive and prevented Flacco from getting sacked by one of the best defenses in the league. I'm not saying the Ravens didn't play well. I'm just glad I didn't have to watch them lose.

Two seasons ago the Ravens were 2-2 after their first four games. They went 11-1 for the rest of the season. Flacco is progressing nicely. The defense is doing great. And they've faced some really tough games. I'm optimistic for next week against the Colts. Not only do I despise the Colts, but they are not having the best year. I think that the Ravens' defense will be able to do well, especially since the Colts are not known for their tough physical game. Hopefully, the Ravens will be able to turn this around.

This weekend instead of watching my teams lose, I watched VT win their homecoming against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Some of my brothers friends were making fun of the Hilltopper mascot. It's a big red furry thing. I can't really describe it all that well. But I thought it was funny considering the Virginia Tech mascot is a Hokie, otherwise known as a turkey. The VT fans even make turkey sounds when cheering on their team. But despite this, VT fans get very upset if you call the hokie bird a turkey. I mean I'm a little more afraid of giant red monster than a turkey. I'm just saying.

No disrespect to VT. It was an awesome place to visit. And a great place to tailgate and watch a game. I really forgot how much I like watching college football live. It's fun because any play could truly be a breakout play. And the level of excitement is so high. It could just be because it was homecoming, but I think that it's probably like that every game. WKU was an inferior team. I'd like to see VT fans when their team is playing a competitive game. I highly recommend a visit, even if it's not to see a game. Blacksburg is really cute and the campus is made completely of hokie stone (local granite) and is really pretty. Plus the fans are really friendly and nice. But remember to not call the hokie a turkey.