NLDS: Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies

[Warner2BruceTD]

well just remember how excited we were after the 99 season, and then well you know the story.

no question 91 wins is way above expectations for this team, and there is a lot to be happy about in the future. I just hope the right moves are made or else it will just be a fluke season.

But here's the thing about '99...starting rotation:

Pete Harnisch (last legs)
Brett Tomko (prospect)
Ron Villone (journyman)
Steve Parris (journyman)
Denny Neagle (journyman)
Steve Avery (journyman)

Greg Vaughn & Barry Larkin were the two best players and on the decline, Sean Casey & Aaron Boone were really the only key young guys.

This team has Volquez, Wood, Cueto, Chapman, Leake, & Bailey. Volquez is 27 and will be 100% healthy next year, and the rest are under 24. Plus they are working on signing Arroyo to a new deal, and he's a soft tosser who never misses a start, wins 15+ games, and gives you 200+ every year. That's a ton of good young pitching, with the breathing room for one or two to not work out or be traded to fill other holes.

The offense is better & younger than '99, too.

It's hard not to be optimistic about this team.

[SethMode]

Gotta be happy with that outing by Hamels. Another few days without shaving my beard or washing my Hamels t-shirt.

Still, the bats need to get their act together, as 1) these close games are giving me massive amounts of anxiety; and 2) there are some awesome pitching staffs out there.

All said, Blade, why are you poking the hive with Reds fans? It honestly sounds kind of douchey man. The Reds fans here are some of the few that actually like, talk, and watch baseball. Let's try not to be a dick to them when this board is hard to keep active to begin with. That, and let's not start jinxing the Phils by being asshole fans.

[nflman2033]

But here's the thing about '99...starting rotation:

Pete Harnisch (last legs)
Brett Tomko (prospect)
Ron Villone (journyman)
Steve Parris (journyman)
Denny Neagle (journyman)
Steve Avery (journyman)

Greg Vaughn & Barry Larkin were the two best players and on the decline, Sean Casey & Aaron Boone were really the only key young guys.

This team has Volquez, Wood, Cueto, Chapman, Leake, & Bailey. Volquez is 27 and will be 100% healthy next year, and the rest are under 24. Plus they are working on signing Arroyo to a new deal, and he's a soft tosser who never misses a start, wins 15+ games, and gives you 200+ every year. That's a ton of good young pitching, with the breathing room for one or two to not work out or be traded to fill other holes.

The offense is better & younger than '99, too.

It's hard not to be optimistic about this team.

You forget Dimitri Young, Mike Cameron, Pokey Reese, Michael Tucker, and Jeffery Hammonds were all under 30.

but look at the numbers the starters put up, only Harnish and Parris had ERA's below 4. The Bullpen was more important to that team than the starters.

Scott Williamson
Scott Sullivan
Denny Reyes
Gabe White
Danny Graves

again all under 30.

what broke that team was the Griffey trade.

[wingsfan77]

Alright, upwards and onwards to the NLCS, I can't wait to see if we get SF or Atlanta.

[chazmaniandevil]

Alright, upwards and onwards to the NLCS, I can't wait to play SF.

fixed

[Pitty]

I can't even make fun of these Cincy fans, they just seem genuinely depressed.

[Warner2BruceTD]

You forget Dimitri Young, Mike Cameron, Pokey Reese, Michael Tucker, and Jeffery Hammonds were all under 30.

but look at the numbers the starters put up, only Harnish and Parris had ERA's below 4. The Bullpen was more important to that team than the starters.

Scott Williamson
Scott Sullivan
Denny Reyes
Gabe White
Danny Graves

again all under 30.

what broke that team was the Griffey trade.

Be honest -- you don't think this team has a shit ton more potential than that team had?

Better young hitters, and more importantly, much, MUCH better young starters. If this series didnt just show how important SP is, I dont know what to tell you.

[Blade]

Gotta be happy with that outing by Hamels. Another few days without shaving my beard or washing my Hamels t-shirt.

Still, the bats need to get their act together, as 1) these close games are giving me massive amounts of anxiety; and 2) there are some awesome pitching staffs out there.

All said, Blade, why are you poking the hive with Reds fans? It honestly sounds kind of douchey man. The Reds fans here are some of the few that actually like, talk, and watch baseball. Let's try not to be a dick to them when this board is hard to keep active to begin with. That, and let's not start jinxing the Phils by being asshole fans.

Jeebus............I guess no one watches the show and no one has a sense of humor.......I mean they are gonna win it all in 2012 so whats the big deal?

[mobbdeep1122]

Good job, Phils! Hamels was a beast, loved the reaction after he K'd Rolen to end it. By the way, K'ing Rolen to end the series was beautiful.

Good season, Reds. I know it was a short post season trip, but you got some good talent on that squad to make a run next year, too. If it makes you feel any better, the 07 Phils were swept out of the playoffs after not making the post season for 14 years. The next year, they won the World Series.

[Blade]

Apparently Chooch is a record setter....

http://zozone.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/10/ruiz_hits_record_heat.html

[nflman2033]

Be honest -- you don't think this team has a shit ton more potential than that team had?

Better young hitters, and more importantly, much, MUCH better young starters. If this series didnt just show how important SP is, I dont know what to tell you.

in hindsight obviously not, but back then and since then we have had plenty of seasons where it looked like next year was going to be the year only to either have a hot start and fall off, or come out of the gate bad and finish strong. the way this organization has been a losing record next year would not shock me.

[mcstl25]

But here's the thing about '99...starting rotation:

Pete Harnisch (last legs)
Brett Tomko (prospect)
Ron Villone (journyman)
Steve Parris (journyman)
Denny Neagle (journyman)
Steve Avery (journyman)

Greg Vaughn & Barry Larkin were the two best players and on the decline, Sean Casey & Aaron Boone were really the only key young guys.

This team has Volquez, Wood, Cueto, Chapman, Leake, & Bailey. Volquez is 27 and will be 100% healthy next year, and the rest are under 24. Plus they are working on signing Arroyo to a new deal, and he's a soft tosser who never misses a start, wins 15+ games, and gives you 200+ every year. That's a ton of good young pitching, with the breathing room for one or two to not work out or be traded to fill other holes.

The offense is better & younger than '99, too.

It's hard not to be optimistic about this team.

And you have a great GM. Jocketty turned the Cardinals into the most dominate NL team in the 2000's, and he's off to a good start with the Reds.

Slightly off-topic -- I heard today that since the Cards won the WS in 06, the NL Central has only won one post season game in the last four years. Pathetic. (This includes the Cardinals getting swept last year, obviously.)