JoeRudi26

I had my doubts about a console baseball game, I honestly never thought one could be this good. It's absolutely incredible, from the graphics to the game play. If ya ever get The Show, gimme a shout, I miss playing online. (hey Mike, you hear that? co-op?)

Thanks, Y4L, I had a blast. Great season.

THE LCS FIELD IS SET

OAKLAND'S SETH SMITH TIES IT AT 2 IN THE 6th, BUT THAT'S ALL THE A'S WOULD GET GAME 5 HIGHLIGHTS

TRUMBO HOMERS, ANGELS ADVANCE ANGELS WIN SERIES, 3-2

Wells, here goes guys. Getting ready for first pitch.

Just to note, I realize there aren't many people following this, but for some reason, it calms me to put it on "paper", then sit back, and take my time with each pitch. This Angel's lineup is loaded nearly top to bottom. Trout, Trumbo, Pulos, Hamilton, and Iannetta are a hard core to get out. Complimented with speed by Howie Kendrick and Peter Bourjos. Make a mistake to the first 5 mentioned, and they'll take you deep. Put the other guys on base, and they'll reak complete havoc on my pitching. If I went through the boxscores, there's no doubt the bulk of their runs have come off the long ball. That said, I've been forced to take a different approach in the last two games, and it seems to be working for the most part. Normally, and all through the season, I'll wait out the pitcher until he throws a strike. I've always had the "Moneyball" philosophy -- draw walks, do anything it takes to get on base -- guys on base equals more runs equals more games won. In this series, it just flat out hasn't worked, the pitching is too good. I've thrown the "Moneyball - Taking Pitches" out the window and have had to become more aggressive at the plate. With the season on the line, I'm looking for any pitch to drive, no matter the count. I'll take a pitch here and there at the bottom of the batting order just to "sniff" the pitcher out a bit. In the first two games, I scored a total of 4 runs, in the last two, I've scored 9. Logic tells me my adjustments are working, at least better than they were. Honestly, I feel more comfortable playing the Yankees than I do the Angels, probably because I've played the Angels all year and know what a tough out they are. I'll get this done tonight, win or lose. It's been one fantastic season.

Thanks, Mike. I've been putting this one off. Afraid to even put my hands on the controller.

STARTING LINEUPS

GAME 5, ALDS

Just curious, aces, are you playing MVP or The Show? MVP was one of the best baseball games of all time, but after playing The Show for the last 4 or 5 years, I doubt if I could ever go back.

Thanks, aces. Yeah, the last 3 months of the season were intense. Trading places with the Angels and Rangers for the top spot in the West, falling to 2nd or 3rd place at times, but trying to keep my head above water just to get IN to the playoffs has kept me going. 162 games manually played, so close to a playoff spot -- in the end I wasn't about to give up. Way too long of a season, and way too close to quit. To win the Wild Card game in the 13th on a walk off home run really sparked the flames. And now, down 0-2 and then tie the series. Wow. If you know my history of dynasties, I'll never restart a game, but that's evident through the highlight reels -- I'm usually down first. If I can't hold my ground and prevail, then that's the way it has to be. There would be no point in playing if one were to restart the game when losing. But yeah, lol, I put off the post season games as well, especially when one loss ends my season. It's tough, but in the end the games have to be played. Damn, it's been fun this year.

PETER BOURJOS HOMERS FOR THE ANGELS, NOT ENOUGH GAME 4 HIGHLIGHTS *ST. LOUIS CARDINALS/NEW YORK YANKEES ADVANCE*

SETH SMITH LED THE WAY FOR THE A'S, GOING 2-2 WITH 2 RBI'S JOSH REDDICK DRIVES IN BRANDON MOSS

GRIFFIN STAYS COURSE, A'S TIE SERIES

A.J. GRIFFIN TRIES TO STOP THE RED HOT ANGELS

GAME 4, ALDS ANGELS LEAD SERIES, 2-1

Good to finally get that first win. Can ya guess what my first word was when Trout homered on the first pitch?

ALDS GAME 3 HIGHLIGHTS *NEW YORK YANKEES FIRST TEAM TO ADVANCE TO LCS*

ANGEL'S MIKE TROUT HOMERS ON FIRST PITCH OF THE GAME A'S CATCHER JOHN JASO ANSWERS WITH A 2 RUN HOMERUN ALBERTO CALLASPO DRIVES IN 2 WITH A BASES LOADED SINGLE

A'S UPEND HALOS, STAY ALIVE MILONE SOLID, A'S TAKE GAME 3 OAKLAND RELIEVER RYAN COOK SEALS THE WIN, PICKS UP SAVE

A'S COME HOME, TRY TO AVOID ELIMINATION STARTING PITCHERS LAA - RHP: TOMMY HANSEN (0-0) OAK - LHP: TOMMY MILONE (0-0) STARTING LINEUPS

GAME 3, ALDS ANGLES LEAD SERIES, 2-0

haha, I actually thought of you Y4L as the game ended. Yes!