I know to most it's not as entertaining without one of the NY teams, Boston, the Cubs or Dodgers or a team like that in it, but the first couple games between the Rays and Phillies have been pretty good. That David Price kid on the Rays has some sick stuff.
I lost interest in the playoffs once the Brewers were eliminated.
I'm in full on hockey mode at this point. If the Blue Jays aren't there I just don't care that much.
I am so fucking happy that it's Phillies/Rays. It seems like the WS match-ups that nobody ever wants (according to ESPN, anyway) are the ones I want to see.
I've been on the Rays bandwagon since before the season started (believe it) so this post season has actually been pretty exciting for me even though the Cardinals didn't make it.
Melvin Emmanuel "Boss Man Jr." Upton is my homeboy.
I tried to watch both Game 1 and 2, after a couple of innings I lost interest. I think the ratings are going to be pretty low this year, because like Former said, they're not marquee teams. In some respect, they're both underdog teams (although Philly's been good all year), and that's not really all that exciting for me.
I watched most of both games. Pretty good games so far and yes, Price is sick. I didn't really know who he was before he came in during game 7 of the ALCS.
Yeah, unless you actually follow the MLB amateur draft, there's pretty much no way to know who Price was before the ALCS. It's a pretty awesome move by the Rays, even if unintentional, to bring in Price so late in the season because he's so new that there isn't a good plan to hit against him yet.
I tried to watch both Game 1 and 2, after a couple of innings I lost interest. I think the ratings are going to be pretty low this year, because like Former said, they're not marquee teams. In some respect, they're both underdog teams (although Philly's been good all year), and that's not really all that exciting for me.
True, I think people like to see the big marquee teams because even if you aren't a fan you have someone to cheer against. It's hard to get into a game when you aren't a fan of either team and you don't hate them either.
I'm watching it. I like the Rays for one, it's a great story, a $40 million payroll and they get to the WS yet the evil empire of the Yankees doesn't even make the playoffs. I freaking hate the Red Sox so I'm glad they're gone as well. Mostly I'm watching it to do my part in the ratings though, I was pretty annoyed that when the Phillies and Rays got in all analysts did was talk about how bad it was for baseball. We don't need the Yankees or Sox to be in the WS for it to be good IMO and I'm tired of that ESPN mentality. ESPN would still give the Yankees and Sox the same coverage if they were the 2 worst teams in baseball, it's a joke.
I completely agree with you, Weezy. I hate when any analyst claims that one team succeeding over another team is bad for whatever the hell sport they're talking about. How is it not good for baseball to see a team like the Rays go from worst to the World Series? It gives all fans of crappy teams hope. Granted, most crappy teams don't have the amazing front office that the Rays have, thankfully, the Yankees have a terrible fucking front office so they probably won't make the playoffs again for quite some time. ( :
I can deal with Red Sox staying strong because I respect their front office, I just hate their douchebag fans.
It's bad in that ratings are going to be ass and ad rates will be lower next year. That's pretty much the only reason.
Which is in part is the fault of ESPN by putting expectations so low as saying "The series that nobody wanted!"
Maybe if people didn't just go along with what ESPN said, maybe they'd actually get to enjoy a baseball game.
It's not ESPN's fault the ratings will be terrible, they're always bad when major markets aren't involved and always have been as long as I've been following sports. It's not just the media that complains either, the leagues themselves would prefer to have major markets in their championships more than anyone, they just can't come right out and say it.
I actually find it funny whenever small market teams make it to the finals for just that reason.
I think baseball's beyond the point that they could be hurt by a week or two of low ratings. The issue of whether or not the teams are good or bad for baseball really don't have anything to do with the survivability or the awareness of the sport, I think that those terms have more to do with small market sports (skateboarding, arena football, soccer, etc.) than the national pasttime (although, you could argue that football's usurped that title).
In any case, I was glad to see that the Rays pulled out Game 2. People watch series that are competitive, while people may not be watching the series now, if this turns into a 6 or 7 game series people will start watching.
I'm watching it. I like the Rays for one, it's a great story, a $40 million payroll and they get to the WS yet the evil empire of the Yankees doesn't even make the playoffs. I freaking hate the Red Sox so I'm glad they're gone as well. Mostly I'm watching it to do my part in the ratings though, I was pretty annoyed that when the Phillies and Rays got in all analysts did was talk about how bad it was for baseball. We don't need the Yankees or Sox to be in the WS for it to be good IMO and I'm tired of that ESPN mentality. ESPN would still give the Yankees and Sox the same coverage if they were the 2 worst teams in baseball, it's a joke.
I don't think they're wrong though in the sense that ratings won't be as good without those teams and if you ask anybody in the MLB's front offices who they were rooting for during the each LCS they'd tell you Dodgers and Red Sox. I'm not saying I agree with it, I'm a big Yankee fan, but I do just like the game in general as well and with two good teams like Tampa Bay and Philly in there, I'm going to watch. But I can kind of understand where ESPN is coming from as well. Though I pretty much HATE that network.