Make your prediction

[SCUDSBROTHER]

O.K........I made a bet 2 days before the Allstar break.I bet the HALOS (at 6-1) to win their division.I knew 2 things going in:

1)The Halos had an easier July Schedule than the A's.


2)The Halos had a much,much,much more difficult August schedule than the A's.

Well,predictably,the Halos caught the A's,and took a 1/2 game lead on the morning of July 29th.Unfortunately,Halo reliever Scot Shields "had a bad patch," and caused the Halos to lose to Boston on July 29th,and caused the Halos to lose the deciding 3rd game of a 3 game series against the A's on August 2nd.When Lackey had a bad outing on Friday the 4th of August,I new I had to cover this bet(one of the main reasons I made the bet was because Lackey was dominant in early July.)The Halo middle relief simply can't handle the load when starters flounder.So,I covered the bet,and that means I will lose nothing(no matter who wins the division.)I will only make money($1800) if the Halos win the division.This is the deal jockeys have.They don't lose money if they lose,but they make money if they win.So,that was when the Halos were 3 games back,and even after a very tough August schedule of playing the Red Sox,Yankees etc.in August,the Halos are within 5 1/2 games.This(believe it or not)is where I had thought they would be.There was no way they(HALOS) couldn't lose ground when the A's played Tampa,Seattle,K.C.,and Toronto in August.I had hoped the Halos would build a better cushion in July,and early August.They didn't(because of mainly Shields n' Lackey........I have mentioned how they cost me 3 games in late July-early August.)Anyways,the Hell Month is ending,and the Halos play just 6 games against the playoff contenders in the other 2 divisions from here on out.The A's must play 9 games against those teams.Also,the A's have to play Cleveland 4 times(something I wouldn't want to do right now.)Then the A's and Halos play each other 7 out of their last 10 games(the last 4 in Anaheim.)I want to wake up the morning of Thursady the 29th September,and see the A's leading by 4, or less.Why? That will mean they have to beat us atleast 1 game in late September/early October.I want to make them have do that.Cut it to 4 by September 29th.That's all I ask.Give me a % chance that you think the Halos have of winning the division.I will start.I give it a 20% chance.Most will give it a 0% chance.Go ahead and document your opinion.

[Scav]

I don't know Scuds, they have it rough but the Halos are a team that can reel off 10 in a row, now would be a good time to do it. Fact is that they catch one of those streaks they have a huge shot in my opinion. Schedule is easier and advantage is to them with having 7 games left with Oakland, especially the last 4 at home against them. If they are within 2 games, that monkey will be GOING NUTS all game

Don't really know that you can put a % on it, but I will say that you should still have faith especially if they can get put together a nice streak. Scioscia knows how to get things moving, he is the best manager in the game. He would take the Cubs to the World Series in 2 years, no doubt in my mind.

[Gander]

I'd have to say somewhere around 12 to 15 percent. I really am pulling for you Scuds. Not only because your a stand up guy but I do have a liking for the Angels.

It really does not matter at this point. You took advantage of a very good bet imo. The rest is immaterial. Texas finally got a win for you.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by pgardn

It really does not matter at this point. You took advantage of a very good bet imo. The rest is immaterial. Texas finally got a win for you.

Yea,that drunk(Padilla)owns them.Wouldn't surprise me if Showalter has him pitch twice in the next 4 game series against Oakland.That usually doesn't work,but I doubt that matters.

[GPK]

17% is my guess. I would rather the Halos be leading the division going into that weekend.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by GPK

17% is my guess. I would rather the Halos be leading the division going into that weekend.

I could sure use an injury to Bradley ,or Thomas.Maybe Bradley will break the bat over his thigh bone the wrong way tonite.I don't know how he can do that without hurting himself.He must know the exact spot that the bat is weakest.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Well,it will be a 5% chance (at best) if young Weaver doesn't pick the team up Tuesday Night.I think when one looks at it objectively though,one team is simply getting all the breaks,and it is simply going their way.I have been waiting a month for the A's to have to play somebody of any value.Finally,the day comes(Boston arrives,)and here are the breaks showered on this A's team:

1)Manny hurt

2)Lester hurt-doesn't make his start(although he pitched fine n' dandy last Wednesday against the Halos.)

3)Ortiz sent back to Boston before Monday night's opener with the A's.(irregulat heart beat........if you ask me,the guy is having panic attacks.......most people who struggle with these attacks can lessen their severity by simply knowing what they are,and not adding to their severity by hyperventillating etc.........in other words,people have anxiety,and whether that anxiety turns into panic attacks is often up to them.)

4)Beckett gets blister problems after pitching a great 7 innings against the Halos..........probably will not even start Tuesday night against the A's,and if he does,will probably pitch poorly.

Can't believe the A's luck.Monday Night they faced a totally empty line up with a Pawtucket level pitcher(gave up 5 walks etc......simply Pawtucket trash.)Will be stunned if they don't sweep these women they are callin' the RED SOX.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

I could sure use an injury to Bradley ,or Thomas.Maybe Bradley will break the bat over his thigh bone the wrong way tonite.I don't know how he can do that without hurting himself.He must know the exact spot that the bat is weakest.

Amazes me how he does that Scuds, and not hurt himself. I remember Bo Jackson doing it once or twice...but Bo was made of steel. God I miss that guy...definition of an athelete.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

Well,it will be a 5% chance (at best) if young Weaver doesn't pick the team up Tuesday Night.I think when one looks at it objectively though,one team is simply getting all the breaks,and it is simply going their way.I have been waiting a month for the A's to have to play somebody of any value.Finally,the day comes(Boston arrives,)and here are the breaks showered on this A's team:

1)Manny hurt

2)Lester hurt-doesn't make his start(although he pitched fine n' dandy last Wednesday against the Halos.)

3)Ortiz sent back to Boston before Monday night's opener with the A's.(irregulat heart beat........if you ask me,the guy is having panic attacks.......most people who struggle with these attacks can lessen their severity by simply knowing what they are,and not adding to their severity by hyperventillating etc.........in other words,people have anxiety,and whether that anxiety turns into panic attacks is often up to them.)

4)Beckett gets blister problems after pitching a great 7 innings against the Halos..........probably will not even start Tuesday night against the A's,and if he does,will probably pitch poorly.

Can't believe the A's luck.Monday Night they faced a totally empty line up with a Pawtucket level pitcher(gave up 5 walks etc......simply Pawtucket trash.)Will be stunned if they don't sweep these women they are callin' the RED SOX.

Bad time to live in Beantown. At least they have football season starting.

[Gander]

At least we are not going to have to sweat out a playoff spot the final week. We have semi-officially bowed out of this year's postseason. Disappointing and gives me very little to follow because I dislike football very much.

Well, I have the last week at Saratoga and the US open to follow. And when baseball's postseason kicks in, thats endless action for 3 weeks.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Well,I think we can all predict this now...1% chance now(if that.) I think the air went right out of the Halo's sails when Boston sat down Lester, Willy MO Pena,Manny R ,Ortiz,etc.,etc.,etc.Don't really know how Francona expected to score any runs.In 2 games they got 1 run.Bastards shut it down awfully early this year.No pride whatsoever.They can lose 20 in a row for all I care.Little Women in Red Sox.

Francona is a quitter. Red Sox down by 7 1/2.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by oracle80

Francona is a quitter. Red Sox down by 7 1/2.

Beckett pitched great(just like he did against the Halos.)Too bad they didn't have somebody in the line up(like they did against the Halos) to give the guy some support.It was a disgrace.They had guys on,and nobody to knock them in.Should have won this 4-2.

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

Beckett pitched great(just like he did against the Halos.)Too bad they didn't have somebody in the line up(like they did against the Halos) to give the guy some support.It was a disgrace.They had guys on,and nobody to knock them in.Should have won this 4-2.

Yanks certainly caused what soem would call "a karma reversal" with that 5 game sweep. Since 2004 when Boston came back from 0-3 to win the series people felt like they were past the dark days of "the curse" and in an new era. That Yankee sweep was like a dagger through their hearts. And certainly will give them something to think about all winter. I knew the Yanks would win the division but its still incredible to me that Ortiz could hit the ball all year long that well and the Sox could win 16 of 17 and in just one long weekend be knocked right out of the year.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by oracle80

Yanks certainly caused what soem would call "a karma reversal" with that 5 game sweep. Since 2004 when Boston came back from 0-3 to win the series people felt like they were past the dark days of "the curse" and in an new era. That Yankee sweep was like a dagger through their hearts. And certainly will give them something to think about all winter. I knew the Yanks would win the division but its still incredible to me that Ortiz could hit the ball all year long that well and the Sox could win 16 of 17 and in just one long weekend be knocked right out of the year.

They actually were still trying hard last week against the Halos.No doubt in my mind that it was the sweep by Seattle that finally broke their will,and caused Francona/Epstein to save Lester for next year etc.(close up shop.)

[Gander]

Yankees will not be satisfied unless they win everything this year. Simply beating Boston for the division is not that big of a deal for them. If they lose in the playoffs, they will have just as long a winter as the Red Sox. Dont kid yourself. This isnt just about the Red Sox and Yankees. Its about winning it all.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by Gander

Yankees will not be satisfied unless they win everything this year. Simply beating Boston for the division is not that big of a deal for them. If they lose in the playoffs, they will have just as long a winter as the Red Sox. Dont kid yourself. This isnt just about the Red Sox and Yankees. Its about winning it all.

They won't take it all.Somebody with hot pitchers will paralyze them,and score 5 or 6 runs off of their pitchers.If anybody sees that bet "Yanks versus the field," then please note it.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

I really am very suspicious of this voluntary de-arming that Epstein went along with for this one series..I think every transaction between these 2 teams(Redsox-A's) will be under a microscope for the next 5 years.Any dealings they have with a common team will be studied as well.Any possible freebies given by the A's to the Redsox will be caught.God knows these Redsox need pitching,and I guarantee you they came to the right place to deal.These 2 organizations better not get sloppy n' get caught.No competitor gives up like this without being compensated.This Oakland/Boston series has smelled bad since Monday morning.