Nine hours later, I'm still in shock

[owlmoose]

They did it. They actually did it. The SF Giants came back from an 0-2 deficit to advance to the NLCS, the first National League team ever to do so, and they did it while sweeping the Cincinnati Reds in their home ballpark.

Unprecedented.

I honestly didn't think it was going to happen. To the point where, even after seeing it with my own eyes and having the entire afternoon and evening to sink in, I still don't always believe it.

Hats off to the Reds, though. They fought hard, down to the very last out. If they'd won, I'd have been disappointed, but not bitter -- it would have been well earned. I hope Dusty Baker comes back and leads them into another good season next year.

No Bay Bridge series, though -- Oakland did not manage their comeback, losing easily today to Detroit. I watched the last inning of that game, and I was touched to see their fans applauding them for a good 10 minutes after the loss, calling their guys out for one last curtain call. The A's were 13 games out of first place, then stormed back to win their division on the last day of the season. An awesome run. Anything can happen in a short series (as we have just been reminded!), so it's the marathon of the season that's the real test of who the best teams are, and it was great to see the Oakland fans recognize that.

And now, forward to the NLCS, which starts on Sunday, either here (if the Cardinals win tomorrow) or in Washington (if the Nationals pull it off). I'm honestly not sure who I want to see win that series -- of those two teams, I'd rather see the Nats go all the way, but I think the Giants would have an easier time against the Cards. So I guess I'm okay, either way.

Giants!!!!!

Comments

[sepdet]

Congratulations! Looks like photo finishes for both teams going into the NLCS, whoever wins Cards-Nats; this postseason has been quite exciting.

I am facing the disadvantage of watching baseball all year online: I'd have to buy a separate post season package, which doesn't include the World Series.

I need to hit the sports bar down south where a waitress calls me me "hon" just like in the movies. If I can remember the name of it, or where it is.

[owlmoose]

Booo, why does the postseason package not include the World Series?! The NLCS and World Series will be on Fox -- can you at least get broadcast stations?

Personally, I'm a little bummed that TBS has the ALCS but not the NLCS -- I like their coverage better than Fox's.

Anyway. They were saying on the post-game show last night that this is the first-ever postseason where all four NLDS series went to five games. And yes, definitely exciting: so many walk-offs/extra-inning wins/come from behind wins! Even if my heart could have used more Giants wins like the 8-3 blowout on Wednesday. ;) it's more stressful this way, but it's also more fun.

[sepdet]

nope,in Irvine TV reception is so fuzzed from the massive concentration of geeks that it's cable tv or nothing. So I said screw that and got a season package of mlb.tv (no blackouts in my location) for approximately the price of one month of cable. I like toting the game from room to room on my ipad while doing chores. And if I hear that, say, Matt Cain is pitching a no-no, I can pull that up on the Playstation while watching my game on the tablet. :)

It just doesn't have postseason. Which I actually wouldn't mind paying extra for, if it had the WS.

[owlmoose]

That's good to know, because I have sometimes thought about getting an MLB.tv package as one of the steps toward ditching cable (baseball being one of the few things I feel strongly about watching in real time, or close to it). But if they charge extra for the postseason and *more* extra for the World Series, then I am less inclined.

[lassarina]

(I'm catching up very late, hi!)

I hope the giants destroy St. Louis. I know they have a long way to go at this point, but please, please, please I want them to wreck the Cardinals' dreams. (says the very, VERY bitter Orioles and Nationals fan. At least the Tigers performed to spec in destroying the Yankees.)

[owlmoose]

"All" they have to do is win three in a row. (Two, now.) Hey, it worked before... Last night's game was a gem; let's hope they can keep it up.

I was disappointed not to see the Nats or the Orioles advance as well. If the Giants had met the Nats in the NCLS, I'd still be rooting for the Giants of course, but I wouldn't have been too sad to see the Nats advance to the World Series instead. The Cards, though... bleh. Not that I have anything against them specifically, but they've been to the Series *a lot* in recent years.

Maybe next year! It's exciting to see all these teams rising from the ashes (Nats, Orioles, Pirates finally had a winning season!).

[lassarina]

I mean, I remember the last time the O's made it to the playoffs before this. I was in high school. Cal Ripken Jr. was still playing for them! I think it was the same year he Iron Man'ed!

I was so excited and then...no. and the fucking Yankees. ughhhhhhh.

But I will now cheer happily for the Giants!