Torridd

Definitely Rasmus/LeBlanc? Shoe definitely out the picture?

Good point, NJ. I didn't think of that. Hopefully, that will help us a lot.

I have to admit when you look at the 2002 lineup and compare to this year's we don't win many matchups. Aybar over Eckstein is arguable. Even Trout over Erstad is understated because of all Erstad brought to the team. Kendrick over Kennedy? Pujols over Spiezio, but w/o Spiezio we don't win. I guess we'll have to be more the sum of our parts.

I think winning the WS will be very tough as many have surmised. It will probably be the Dodgers (Greinke, Kershaw), Nats (tough all around) or perennial no-lose Cards. The team that bothers me the most is the O's.

As far as "severe," we're only talking about Richards and Skaggs. It's questionable how much impact Skaggs would have. It's possible that our starters may be on par with 2002's team as is. Is our offense as good?

If we get to the Series, do you envision the teams as tough as the ones we went through in 2002? I think this would be somewhat easier because we'll have homefield for all series. Also, I can't think of any team being harder for us to beat than the Yanks except for maybe the BoSox.

Excellent answers.

I like Freese. There's no one on the farm that's close to coming up so we should just keep him.

Sigh.

What do you think about him? He probably won't make the squad this postseason, but what do you think about his Angels' future? How did he pitch yesterday?

Can we afford to give up 3 runs each game?

I especially like #2, specifically the Jepsen/Smith/Street trio. I also think Grilli/Jepsen may be even more important.

I highly doubt it.

I wonder if we can boil down 3 main keys to beating the A's and/or Royals without items like "we have to score more runs than them" or "give up less runs." Could we point out three specifics that would put us over the top? For example, Calhoun hitting .280 or more in the series. Is Shoe crucial in this series? Then that would be another one.

Been a fan since '79 and the 2002 season was incredibly special when you look at all those other years in context. I'll take the championship. Teams lose all the time and there can only be one winner. 3 years is nothing to get over.

So you guys think we can go all the way without him?

Well, we wouldn't have to have Cowgill or Beckham in the game.

I think if he's healthy, he won't be an easy out.

...that we would be much improved if Hamilton were to return with at least some semblance of good health. With Freese and Aybar added, a pitcher couldn't mow through the bottom of the order like Lester is doing.

Doesn't Aybar do well against Lester? Hopefully, Jimenez can surprise in this game.

I think it does, but I think there should be more thought to change the one and done premise especially if there's such a disparity in wins in the 1st and 2nd wild cards.

I'd rather that Trout be in a position to drive in runs, even if it's in the 1st inning.

It's never too early to talk trades.

I thought they would miss him from the outset. He's definitely impacted the offense as it wasn't a great hitting team with him anyway. Pitching is obviously important, but I saw no real need to get Lester. They already got Shark and had a good staff. Ultimately, they're fortunate they've pulled themselves together and it looks like they'll make the postseason, but everyone knows you have to score runs to win and Oakland has made themselves look especially vulnerable in that department.

We were all sure DiPoto would get someone when Richards went down, but maybe they're testing these guys. Maybe Arte didn't want to give any more money or the take on the give and take trade was too high. I also think they didn't envision the struggles of Wilson and Santiago which has made these last weeks really nail-biting.