I have no trouble identifying my rooting interest in this game between the Reds and the Pirates. All through the Seventies it was the Reds and the Dodgers fighting for supremacy in the National League West, with the Reds winning six times to the Dodgers’ three during that decade. I’m predisposed to root against the Reds and for the Pirates anyway, and then there’s the Pirates’ whole backstory of their first winning season in twenty years and first appearance in the playoffs since 1992. So I’m for the Pirates here.
The Pirates start Francisco Liriano and the Reds counter with Johnny Cueto. Take note, America! Diversity!
The Wild Card matchup between Cueto and Liriano is just the third in postseason history between two starting pitchers from the Dominican Republic. In both 1999 and 2004, Pedro Martinez faced off against Bartolo Colon.
Good for Pittsburgh
Happy fans.
Holy smokes, Russell Martin!
I have to admit I cheered.
Every time I see Ryan Ludwick he reminds me of Ferris Bueller’s best friend in the movie – I don’t know his name but Ludwick looks just like him.
Whoops. Bases loaded. (Stating the obvious.)
Reds not looking like the team that swept us.
That’s for sure
Cueto’s line was ugly. 3.1 IP, 7 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 1 walk, no Ks, 2 HRs.
I hope both the Pirates and us make it to the NLCS…that would mean games 1 & 2 are at home Friday and Saturday instead of Monday and Tuesday
Less of a logistics problem and and my daughter will be able to attend a game
That would be a replay of 1974, when the Dodgers beat the Pirates 3 games to 1 and then lost to the As 4 games to 1. I like the first result and would like to avoid the second.
I want Dodgers-A’s because I saw the three losing games here in Oakland in ’74, and I want revenge (though I have nothing against the A’s, as a hometown team).
Russell Martin is not my favorite ex-Dodger, but he did well for the Pirates there.
Can anyone figure out what the crowd is chanting?
Apparently he grades very well in the calling the game dept. and framing pitches also.
CUE-TO
The boid is the woid! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZThquH5t0ow
I’m definitely hoping the Pirates win today, and the Indians tomorrow. I do love me my underdogs.
I agree totally
I’m rooting for the Pirates today as well – I’ve always liked Clint Hurdle – just a quick glance at that dude and you can tell he was born to be an old-school big league manager.
And I don’t like the Reds, either.
I’m also rooting for the Indians tomorrow – I do not want to see that Rodney guy with his gangsta rapper skewed brim cap, do his Katniss impression if he were to make a save.
And besides, I like that Wahoo Indian guy.
I don’t care for the Cleveland logo, but post-season baseball – well, any baseball – needs to stay off artificial surfaces.