Neuterrific news

Henry, no one's going to neuter you for being aggressive, don't worry. And congrats on the Brewers making the playoffs.

Nobody's going to bother me for a few hours in the garage, so let's break down the playoffs which begin Wednesday. All games on TBS, times are PST. These are 5-game series.

1. Brewers vs. Phillies, 12 p.m. Wednesday
Yes, C.C. Sabathia should win the MVP for his clutch pitching on not-enough rest and complete-game mastery. Unfortunately, they'll be facing the Phillies in the first game at Citizens Bank Park and that team is looking way past this series and into the World Series. I fear that the Brewers are way too happy just to get in the playoffs to make it any further, and their bullpen is marginal at best. The playoffs are all about relief pitching. Also Ryan Howard has been on fire at the plate in the second half of the season, so watch out Brew Crew.

2. Cubs vs. Dodgers, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday
This is going to be the series to watch. The Cubs have a lot to prove in the first game at Wrigley, and they are trying to break a 100-year curse and win the World Series. Billy goats, black cats and Steve Bartman be damned. I just wonder if the pressure will get to them--also, if you see those flags in center field blowing straight out to Lake Michigan, watch the hell out for Manny Ramirez and any other Dodgers poking line drives off the wall or on to Waveland and Sheffield avenues. Ramirez is a nutjob, but boy, can he hit. He has to be the most exciting hitter in baseball right now, and he's shown that he wants to make a statement in the playoffs. There is talk of changing the HOLLYWOOD sign to MANNYWOOD in L.A., but that's probably just a rumor. If there were an award for best trade of the year, I would nominate Dodgers GM Ned Colletti. Since I'm a dog who just learned to type and not a member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, I'm probably not eligible to vote. Also, keep an eye on Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano. The guy is an animal.

3. Angels vs. Red Sox 7 p.m. Wednesday
I pretty much hate both these teams at this point, but I have to give it to the Angels. Top to bottom they are the best lineup in baseball. Since they clinched their postseason slot like three weeks ago, I wonder how fresh they will be. The Sox have hitters, Josh Beckett is coming off an oblique injury, so he's iffy. I like how he gets pissed and just manhandles hitters though, gotta say. He's got the fire in him.

4. Twins or White Sox vs. Rays, 12 p.m. Thursday
This is some weird stuff, with the White Sox forcing a tiebreaker on Tuesday night. By the time your read this, the White Sox may have sewn it up, or I'm wrong. I predict either team is going to get bent over by the Rays, so who cares.

Any questions? It's really hot in this garage (photo at right). Sometimes I wish I could just take off my fur for a day and be comfortable. Why did I have to be born a wookie?

Jax

Tim Lincecum for Prez

Even you non-Giants fans out there have probably heard of Tim Lincecum by now, after the Giants' final game of the season on Sunday and his last push for the Cy Young award.

Lincecum (18-5) should win it. I could rattle off stats (finished the season with a 2.62 ERA, MLB leading 265 strikeouts, etc.) but it should be stated that he just dominates hitters. Twelve strikeouts Sunday? Holy %*#!

In other Giants news, who knew our favorite overweight catcher Big Money Bengie Molina had a blog?

It describes the weirdness of his hit off the top of the right field wall Friday night in San Francisco against the Dodgers. The hit was eventually ruled a home run after a 12-minute "instant" replay call. I'm beginning to think this new replay rule, well, sucks.

At least it was ruled a homer, since it hit off the green roofing and LEFT A 3-INCH GREEN MARK ON THE BALL. Did we need TV cameras and slow motion to tell us that? High-Def? Umm, no.

Also, because Bengie Molina originally thought he just got a single and was replaced by pinch runner Manny Burriss at first base, Molina became the first player in major league history to hit a home run that counted--and then have someone else round the bases for him.

When Burriss got back to the dugout, Molina laughed and said to him, "Nice swing."

Around my house this weekend, my new friend and neighbor Snowflake (the yellow lab) took me to meet his next door neighbor, a black lab whose name I forget. They also have 2 horses. It was dusk, and I got a little lost on the hillside, and then the owner of the black lab grabbed me by the collar and called the phone numbers on my dog tag because she thought I was lost. I was just cruising around...

Then Stephen came to pick me up, wearing sandals on the mountain trail. They all talked and introduced each other. I just wanted everybody to know each other, that's why I wondered off. Yeah, that's it. Also, horse food tastes fucking delicious. And those never-ending troughs of water--MMMMmmm. I just want to jump in. And then shake.

(Yawn),

Jax

Yankees, shmankees

Yes, Yankee Stadium 1 is closed. Yes, Yankee Stadium 2 will have more seats behind home plate for $2,000. A lot of history was made in the stadium, a lot of money will be made in the new one. I think if they really cared about its history they would have renovated it again and not started from scratch.

I caught parts of the last Yankee game Sunday and the Red Sox/Blue Jays game. I think the Brew Crew might not be sunk yet. They are 10 games out of the NL Central but only 1.5 games back in the wildcard to the Mets. Win all six games left against the Pirates and the Cubs in the last series and you're in. And pray for the Phillies and Mets to stumble.

As for the Giants, they were mathematically eliminated last week. It's all about next season.

Also, at right is a photo of me and the garage that I'm blogging from. More photos to come. I just need to figure out how to post them with the posts.

I didn't sleep really well last night, I kept snoring and Brooke told Stephen to poke me. I wouldn't roll over on the hardwood floor. Why don't they just get earplugs or something?

Brew crew

Henry said..."Ned Yost got fired. Tonight good old Dale Sveum has his first night as the skipper and CC is on the mound against the Cubs. I WISH I HAD SATELITE SO I COULD WATCH IT!! Eh, they'll probably tank it anyway."

Thanks for the post, Henry. I feel you about the satellite, too. One day Stephen will sack up and get the Extra Innings package with all the games. Maybe if I ate a little less he could afford it ... Anyway, I think the Brewers still have shot at the wildcard, burt there's no way they can clinch the NL Central.

Looking at the rest of their schedule, the Brewers play the Reds on the road, then the Pirates and Cubs at home. The Cubs series is obviously going to be tough, but if they can win the other two series I think it's theirs to lose. The Mets are the other wildcard contender, and who knows what they can do.

If the Brew Crew makes the playoffs I still don't think CC Sabathia should be MVP or Cy Young material. You have to count his time with the Indians earlier in the season, where he went 6-8 and could be called close to piss poor.

Speaking of piss, I was all over the yard this morning. I don't know what's got in to me.

In baseball we trust,

Jax

Ain't no mystery

Read this:

"The Mystery of Barry Zito"
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/sports/playmagazine/0914play-ZITO.html?em

Staring at a baseball ... the guy's losing it.

Swimmingly

Going swimming in the reservoir yesterday afternoon was more fun than watching the Giants lose to the Diamondbacks when we got home. There was a rally in the bottom of the ninth, but it wasn't enough for a 6-7 loss. The Giants' runs probably hiked up Brandon Webb's ERA, so that's good for Tim Lincecum in the Cy Young race. Tim-may is pitching against Randy Johnson tonight in what should be a great game.

If Timmy can have two more strong starts, the Cy Young should be his.

On another note, the D-backs gained a game on the Dodgers last night (The D-backs are behind 3 1/2 games in the NL West) and I thought they looked built for the playoffs. Between Young in center field, Adam Dunn hitting, SS Drew (who went 4 for 5 last night) and Danny Haren and the Big Unit starting pitching -- this is what the Giants should be looking for next year. Something well rounded, balancing pitching with some sluggers. And we still need to steal bases.

I'm sold on Eugenio Velez and Pablo Sandoval for the Giants next season. And maybe Sandoval can play third base permanently, as he has been.

This garage that I'm typing from is nice and cool today. I wonder what treats Victor the painter has for me today! And will he ever finish painting our house?

Empty wrappers

I've been a bad doggy. Not just because I couldn't resist getting the in the trash this morning (How good are those greasy boxes from Jack in the Box? MMmmmm!). It's because I haven't blogged lately. I'm shooting for a post every weekday from the garage here.

I watched a few at-bats of the Giants-Diamondbacks game last night. The only play I really saw happened to be Adam Dunn's two run jack in the eighth that sealed Brad Hennessey's loss. Wasn't Hennsessy a closer? Why do we need him starting? Because Jonathan Sanchez is out? I'm confused.

In other confusion, we've got three good catchers and we're lacking everyday infielders for next season. Catcher Bengie "Big Money" Molina should have his contract renewed -- he has been a reliable hitter this season. Pablo Sandoval also looks solid as a starting catcher. Prospect Buster Posey could be brought up sometime next season, also a catcher. WTF?

Posey's coaches from college say he could play any position, and scouts and Baseball America writers have been singing his praises for years. Convert this guy to first base already and get him comfortable there in the minors. Hang on to Big Money because he can hit, what a shame he can't be a DH. Bengie is listed at 5'11, 225. Pablo is 5'11, 245 (!). Maybe they could be platooned at catcher next season to avoid injuries? I see guys like that and wonder how they can get around the bases... As long as you can put that weight behind the bat and crank 'em out, well, keep up the Jack in the Box, I guess. And make sure to leave the wrappers out so I can taste their sweet, sweetness. (I weigh 122 with dry fur, FYI. After swimming I'm like 150.)

In other news from Giants-end-of-season-almost-in-meaningless-games-limbo-land, it looks like SS Omar Vizquel is pretty much done as a Giant, shame. He doesn't fit in this youth movement even though he's an 11-time gold glover. It would be cool to see him as a third base coach with Tim Flannery at first. I read he's gunning to be a manager. And since they're both musicians, Vizquel and Flannery should play Zeppelin covers in the infield during seventh inning stretch and between any extra innings. Omar should sing in Spanish though. Con todo su corazon.

Adios,

Jax

This is so sweet

Oh man, life is good. I'm sitting here with my jaw on the ground panting, I've got the satellite TV finally hooked up, Giants are on against the Padres in the top of the fourth, and I've got the Internet blazing!

Stephen is sitting on the couch giving me looks. He thinks it's pretty weird that I'm typing on the ground here, but I don't care. Everything works! And Sandoval just hit a jack! All right! He reminds me of Prince Fielder, except he can hit right now.

Yeah. Keep it going ...

Jax

Buster down the door

Check this out:

"Giants' Posey: What can't he do?"
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10432773?IADI

Buster Posey is the next great hope for the Giants. I think they should keep Big Money Bengie Molina at catcher and shift Posey to first or second base in the next year or two.

Giants GM Brian Sabean has said that players need to spend less time in the minors now because there are so many other leagues -- winter ball, fall league, Hawaiian league, Cape Cod league, Venezuela league -- they're playing baseball all year, 24/7. Tim Lincecum was a product of all that too, and look how well he's done, so young.

Speaking of The Franchise, as of Wednesday, Lincecum led the NL in ERA (2.54), strikeouts (225) and is second in wins (16-3). The problem is that the people who vote on the Cy Young (East Coast sportswriters) know dick about the Giants besides that they are a losing team. The Snakes have nosedived lately, 2-8 in their last 10 games, so that could hurt Brandon Webb's chances. (P.S. I blew that whole D-Backs sail in to the playoffs prediction).

I just hope Lincecum can dominate in his final starts and make a real pitch for the Cy Young. Then let's pay him Zito type money for him to stay. OK, maybe not that much, but close.

On another note, I think I have fleas. Or ticks or something. I keep ssccratching the side of my neck with my hind leg and I just can't shake this one bugger. I hopped in bed last night as everyone was going to sleep around here to show them, but they didn't get it.

I have fleas, dammit! I slept on the floor. (Enjoy the photo of me at right.)

Get me some tick spray up in this,

Jax

Water water everywhere

The weather has turned foggy with light rain. I'm stuck in the garage here while the water company people dig holes and fit pipes around here. Once in a while they say 'hi.'

The Giants Tim Lincecum should win the Cy Young award, but he won't. I'll explain why in my next post. I'm gonna take a nap.

Jax

Ocho who?

Ocho Cinco ... oh brother. Thank you, dear commenter, for the link to the story about the Bengals' Chad Johnson legally changing his last name to Ocho Cinco so he could wear it on his jersey.

I don't usually deal in football, but this story speaks to the absurdity of that league and its flood of rules, criminal players (Ray Lewis, double murder), and larger-than-life egos. And yeah, there just might be a couple outsize egos in baseball too. But at least celebrating is frowned on in baseball.

I think Ocho Cinco was just trying to outdo Terrell Owens. When you look up "histrionic" in the dictionary, I think there ought to be a photo of good old Ocho with the new mohawk. (Histrionic. n. a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking. see at right: Ocho Cinco). Then maybe a photo fo T.O. for good measure.

What's going to be funny is during games when John Madden has to call him "Ocho Cinco" every time he touches the ball. Or maybe just "Cinco." This is a boon for ESPN Deportes.

In other Cincinatti Bengals jersey news, how do they fit receiver TJ Houshmand­zadeh's name on there? With a hyphen?

Feeling better,

Jax

I'm sensing something

Giants beat the Rox, I read in the Mercury News.

The DirecTV guy was really nice to me yesterday afternoon, because no one was here to let him in. He came in the garage, and I tried to bark directions at him to install it here, but he didn't seem to understand. He was Asian, (Nametag: Lee) and he just said "good doggy," like 100 times. I was ready to tackle him after he wired it just into the main house. "Put it in here!" I barked.

F- this. I've got this crappy radio and I'm tired of listening to Gary Radnich on KNBR. We need a second dish. Satellite dish, not a water dish. Imbeciles! And the Internet is fuzzy.

At least the fan works,

Jax

Baseball on the run

Oh brother. Lots of housework over Labor Day weekend. Very little baseball watching. Or college football. What the hay is going on? I heard the DirecTV guy is coming Wednesday. About freaking time.

Check out the new poll to the right. Old poll results: 2 people get sports news from "other dogs' baseball blogs," 1 lonely soul got their sports news from "newspapers." Great.

The highlight of my weekend was running out of the house when I heard the new grass trimmer engine starting. I ran right toward it and gave them a good scare. Ha! We also had my cousins Henry (thanks for posting) and Betty over and we played. I also ran on the beach and jumped in the water and in a fetid pond.

I have no idea how the Giants are doing, except they had the holiday off. Can we get like a backstop or a pitching mound in this new place? Just asking.

Still unsure where to crap,

Jax