And Then There Were 10...

[Stradling]

That's fine for you, but I can't watch sports that way. Especially in baseball only a few teams make the playoffs. I am going to enjoy the sport and the game regardless. I am going to especially enjoy it when they play well, regardless of where they are in the standings. To me, wanting them to lose, or being pissed for half of the season really steals the joy of the game.

This is pretty much how I feel. I can't imagine being pissed off all the time watching what is suppose to be my favorite hobby.

[stormngt]

So, we are down to 10 games and, for the Angels to finish with a record above .500 for the first time since opening day, they need to have a robust 8-2 record (or 7-3 to finish exactly at .500).  Say what you want about the awfulness this season, for how far under they were at one point, .500 or above would be a tremedous accomplishment and end the season on a high note.

 

The last 10 games are broken down thusly:

 

3 against M's, 3 against A's, and 4 at TEX

 

I think the M's can be taken in a sweep and A's can be had 2-1 but the real challenge may come in TEX.  Unless there is dramatic slide, the A's are the AL West champs but TEX is and will be fighting for their playoff lives.  I can see 2-2 split there with the Angels ending exactly at 81-81.

 

What are your thoughts?  Where do you think they end up these next 10 games?

 

Tough order, but hopeful!

[mulwin444]

For the "Second place is the first loser" crowd, unless you are athlete using this platitude as a motivational tool, it sounds like a miserable existence. 

[Ohtaniland]

The Dodgers just won the NL West Division Championship and we are supposed to be happy about .500 Laughable!

[jshep]

I've scrolled through this thread and am still not seeing where anyone suggested we're supposed to be happy with a .500 season.

[stormngt]

If you're not in the playoffs - it's a race to the top of the draft board...

 

"if you aint first - you're last"... they don't give out participation ribbons....

 

While I've enjoyed the throwback and scrappy play of late (and likewise been more engaged than any point since the first 6 weeks of the season) - I find myself rooting for individual success, but want nothing that detracts from the highest possible draft position...

I know this is hard for people to understand that the difference between being 500 and under 500 is the difference of being a loser and not a loser.   You see, under 500 is a losing record.  Those who focus on only making the playoffs or only on winning world series will be forever disappointed in sports.  You see in sports there are winners, there are losers, and there are champions.  I rather be a winner than a loser, and not being a champion doesn't mean your a loser.

[mulwin444]

The Dodgers just won the NL West Division Championship and we are supposed to be happy about .500 Laughable!

No one is asking you to be happy...please, feel free to be miserable.  I'm going to enjoy the last 10 games of the baseball season.  I'm assuming you'll be wandering the streets talking to yourself, lashing out at unsuspecting pedestrians and screaming "SCIOSCIA!" before collapsing in a pile on the lawn.. 

 

This thread had nothing to do with the Dodgers but, you know, whatever...

[Stradling]

Reading you bitching and complaining in every single thread is laughable. We get it, you're disappointed with this season. What's sad is using your philosophy you can't enjoy these games with how well they are playing. Oh well to each his own.

[Jay]

people need to get a life

[tennischmp]

I know this is hard for people to understand that the difference between being 500 and under 500 is the difference of being a loser and not a loser.   You see, under 500 is a losing record.  Those who focus on only making the playoffs or only on winning world series will be forever disappointed in sports.  You see in sports there are winners, there are losers, and there are champions.  I rather be a winner than a loser, and not being a champion doesn't mean your a loser.

There is no difference between a 80-82 record and a 82-80 record if both of those teams miss the playoffs.

[Stradling]

So would you rather they go 80-82 or 82-80?

[Jay]

There is no difference between a 80-82 record and a 82-80 record if both of those teams miss the playoffs.

 

Agree, the .500 thing is not that big of a deal.  Certainly doesn't make the season a success.  It's just better to have a winning season than a losing season.

[2002_halos_II]

Well 7-3 might be tough now without Weaver

 

I would guess it depends on how far Texas falls in the WC race   - go TB and KC! 

 

2-2-3 would be a good finish for the Angels!

[Glen]

At this point I don't care what our record is at the end.  I just want us to play spoiler, especially for Texas.  As somebody else said, knocking them out of the playoffs on the last day, on their field, would be nice.  It wouldn't make up for the rest of the season but it'd be fun. 

[tennischmp]

So would you rather they go 80-82 or 82-80?

Obviously 82-80 but it's not as big of a deal as he makes it out to be. The season isn't anymore successful if they go 82-80 as opposed to 80-82 if they fail to make the playoffs.

[Stradling]

I'd argue it's two games more successful.

[tennischmp]

I guess you are right. Just like 60-102 is 2 games better than 58-104.

[Ohtaniland]

I'd argue it's two games more successful.

 

I'd argue that 82-80 is still 4 games worse than 2011 and 7 games worse than 2012. But go ahead and claim success.

[mtangelsfan]

We get it Claude, you're not happy.  

 

Can you let the rest of us enjoy what we can?

[mancini79]

If the Angels make it to .500, that would mean they made it difficult for both the A's and Rangers. With the A's 5+ games up, that would mean the Rangers are out of the playoffs. That would make me "happy". But nobody, fan or FO, would call it a successful season.

[mtangelsfan]

Of course not.  But we've all known it wasn't going to be for a couple of months.  The choice is to either enjoy the good play or just stay bitter because of it. 

 

I'll enjoy the good play.  

[tdawg87]

Obviously 82-80 but it's not as big of a deal as he makes it out to be. The season isn't anymore successful if they go 82-80 as opposed to 80-82 if they fail to make the playoffs.

 

I think over a long 162 game season, seeing your team win more games than they lose is definitely an accomplishment. I get what you are saying and I empathize with that line of thinking, but having a winning record is always better than having a losing one. I just don't see how that can ever not be the truth.

 

I don't think anyone on here considers finishing 82-80 as a "success" in the overall scheme of things, but I think it can be considered a success when you consider how bad they played for the majority of the season. Plus, it's all we have at this point. They aren't making the playoffs, and I think most of us accepted that a while ago. Now we just have to enjoy the games on an individual basis and hope that a positive can come of this dreadful season (finishing at .500 or better).

[Ohtaniland]

Relax everyone it's early. Pitchers and Catchers don't report until February.

[Stradling]

I think over a long 162 game season, seeing your team win more games than they lose is definitely an accomplishment. I get what you are saying and I empathize with that line of thinking, but having a winning record is always better than having a losing one. I just don't see how that can ever not be the truth.

I don't think anyone on here considers finishing 82-80 as a "success" in the overall scheme of things, but I think it can be considered a success when you consider how bad they played for the majority of the season. Plus, it's all we have at this point. They aren't making the playoffs, and I think most of us accepted that a while ago. Now we just have to enjoy the games on an individual basis and hope that a positive can come of this dreadful season (finishing at .500 or better).

This is a great post. I really get tired of the negative people on here telling us how shitty this season is, when we have all been here all year long paying attention.

[Stradling]

Relax everyone it's early. Pitchers and Catchers don't report until February.

See you in February Claude.