ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (1:05 PM)

Buster's going to be on SportsCenter and then he'll be by to chat!

Buster Olney

  (1:21 PM)

Hi, folks, hope all is well -- as I'm sure you've heard, the game has been postponed. No matter how we've gotten here, the re-start on Wednesday should make for fascinating TV -- really, kind of unprecedented.

Shane (Knoxville)

it looks like game 5 won't start 'till wednesday... at 8:30. When will MLB finally stop bowing to the wishes of the ratings-hungry networks?

Buster Olney

  (1:22 PM)

Shane: In fairness to MLB, the weather in Philly today, from what I've been told, is absolutely awful, snow flurries included. Anybody from Philly, feel free to chime in with a weather report...

Eric (Atlanta)

Hey Buster, Yunel Escobar and Jordan Schafer for Peavy? I think the Braves will probably pass. The only question I have, would they really be willing to overpay to bring in someone like A.J. Burnett or Oliver Perez? They haven't spent big money on a free agent since 1998(Brian Jordan- 5 years and 40 million).

Buster Olney

  (1:23 PM)

Eric -- I think Schaefer has to be in the deal, for the Padres -- or Hernandez or Hanson or Heyward -- to trade Peavy to Atlanta. Unless Schaefer or Hernandez is involved, it looks like the Padres and Braves might agree to disagree, and the Padres will look for a deal elsewhere, like from the Dodgers.

Donald,Williamsville,Mo

Peavy or Holliday which is more likely to be acquired by the Braves?

Buster Olney

  (1:25 PM)

Donald: Peavy. I'd be very surprised if the Braves will made a Teixeira-like deal for Holliday, for another Boras client. The Rockies have to get really good players for Holliday, and they might have a tough time doing that, until next summer's trade deadline. The fact that Holliday is represented by Boras really hurts their trade leverage.

Travis (North East, MD)

Hey Buster, which team does this delay benefit more?

Buster Olney

  (1:26 PM)

Travis: Really, you can make an argument either way. On one hand, if you're the Rays, you now know that Cole Hamels is out of the game and the score is 2-2, and you'd take that in a heartbeat. On the other hand, the Phillies have the deeper bullpen, with Madson, Durbin, Lidge, Romero all lined up and ready to go.

mike - philly

buster....dreadful just dreadful... it is 39 degrees with flurries. no way they could have played today.

Buster Olney

  (1:26 PM)

Mike -- thanks for filling us in.

Bill (Philly)

The weather outside is indeed frightful, i didn't even wanna walk my dog this morning.

John (Philly)

Weather here is terrible, cold windy, and wet...forecast for tomorrow isn't much better

Xander (Philly)

1/2 inch of snow on the ground...is the travel day definitely off with this delay?

Buster Olney

  (1:27 PM)

So, we have it from independent sources: The weather stinks in Philly.

Rob (Tampa, FL)

Buster, What is the state of the Rays Starting Rotation and bullpen for next year? It appears that they have 9 major league ready starters. Who gets moved to the pen, who gets put on the block, and who gets left in the minors?

Buster Olney

  (1:29 PM)

Rob: It's in excellent shape, on paper, but I do wonder if the Rays will suffer the same post-season hangover that the Red Sox did in 2005, that the White Sox did in 2006, that the Tigers did in 2007; these pitchers are being extended (including the relievers), and there may be a price to pay for that. But in general: I'd say that they'll look to trade Edwin Jackson and will insert David Price into the rotation.

Jim (Lansing)

With today's "off day", can you see Hamels going in Game 7, if it gets that far?

Buster Olney

  (1:31 PM)

Jim: I would imagine that it's more likely that he'll come out of the bullpen. But let's face it -- if the Phillies lost tomorrow, and then lost Thursday, and then faced a Game 7, Charlie Manuel would be very, very tempted to run out Hamels (who threw just 75 pitches) last night. It's an intriguing thought for Charlie.

Ryan (NY)

Do the Rays have to move to another hotel again?

Buster Olney

  (1:32 PM)

Ryan: I haven't asked that question in the last hour, but I heard (or read) that the hotel they are in today is booked up for tonight, and they may have to move. I'll try to find out here before the chat is over.

Matt (Philadelphia)

Anyone from MLB talking about the likelihood of actually getting this game in tomorrow night? As others have noted, tomorrow's forecast isn't 75 degrees and sunny....

Buster Olney

  (1:33 PM)

Matt -- I called the National Weather Service about 20 minutes ago and they are forecasting mostly cloudy, temperatures in the high 40s, And for MLB's purposes, that will be good enough, I'm sure.

Donny South Philly

Buster when did david price become better then brad lidge and ryan madson? Im so sick of hearing that the rays have all the momentum and advantage when this game resumes, last time I checked the game is tied 2-2 with the phillies having 12 outs to the rays 9, the better bullpen and the homefield, yet the majority of the national media is acting like once price is in hes going to be unhittable and the rays are going to be able to score at ease

Buster Olney

  (1:35 PM)

Donny: I do think the Phillies have an edge, but let's face it -- it's a 3.5 inning roll of the dice for both teams. And Price can be pretty good.

JR (Vegas)

Buster, in a way is the weather and controversy good for the World Series? I mean, it will get people talking and may lead to more viewers tuning in, that is, assuming play ever resumes.

Buster Olney

  (1:36 PM)

JR: I agree with you, to this extent -- I think the ratings for Wednesday's game will be excellent, because it will be something different, and it will be like baseball's version of a 40-lap sprint in the Daytona 500. High intensity, great strategy, and you have a chance to see resolution, all within about an hour and 20 minutes. Believe me, I don't know anything about TV ratings, but I'd have to guess that the ratings for the resumption of Game 5 may turn out to be the highest in the series.

Dan (Durham, NC)

There was almost a play at the plate in the top of the 6th last night. If the ball isn't soaked heavy, and slowed by bouncing in a lake, Rays hold Upton at 3rd or Burrell nails him, right? Or do they send him anyway with 2 outs in a one run game against Hamels, and dry basepaths make him fast enough to beat the throw?

Buster Olney

  (1:38 PM)

Dan: There is no question that in retrospect, they played an inning too long; I think they would have sent Upton either way. Keep in mind, too, that Upton was running through a quagmire, and that might've slowed him, as well as the Phillies' defense.

Sal (Brea, CA)

Buster,Would the Padres really consider trading Peavy to their arch rival Dodgers? If so, what do you think it would take to get him?

Buster Olney

  (1:39 PM)

Sal: Yes, I think they would consider it, but it would have to hurt for the Dodgers -- the Padres would have to get either Billingsley or Kershaw, in all likelihood. If you're going to get Peavy -- whether you ar the Dodgers or the Braves or the Cubs -- the deal has gotta hurt, in some way. He's too good for it to be any other way.

Jeff, Houston TX

How would you be able to support the case Cy Young case for Lincecum over Santana? I mean other than 2 more wins and the Ks (which by the way doesn't really count when you look at the 21 BB Lincecum had) Santana was just better in almost everything else: ERA, QS, CG, SHO, WHIP, etc. And this was pitching under more pressure and facing tougher opponents.

Buster Olney

  (1:40 PM)

Jeff: If I had a ballot, I would vote for Santana.

Ron (West Chester, PA)

When do you see (if ever) MLB actually moving the time of the world series games to a point were kids can actally watch them? Can't Fox pre-empt Seinfeld reruns?

Buster Olney

  (1:41 PM)

Ron: It won't happen. They have decided that they are better off taking the rights' holders money and starting the game later than they would be in starting the game earlier, for a lesser cost. You wish it wasn't that way, but it is.

Buster Olney

  (1:42 PM)

By the way: Just got word that the Rays will be able to stay in their current hotel overnight, and won't have to move.

Mike (Milwaukee)

Hey, no one's playing in Miller Park right now...

Buster Olney

  (1:43 PM)

Mike -- I hear you, I hear you.

Rick (New York, NY)

Is this whole event another dark page in Selig's legacy? Despite all the good he has done for the game, haven't there just been too many of these mishandlings?

Buster Olney

  (1:45 PM)

Rick: I actually don't blame them for starting the game last night, based on the information at hand. I do think they made two mistakes -- in retrospect, it's clear they should've stopped the game an inning earlier, and it was a terrible mistake to have not informed everybody (fans, media, Fox broadcasters, everybody) about the fact that there would be no partial game permitted. As far as the rain: They were just trying to make the best of a bad situation.

Mike (Lake Forest, CA)

If you ran the Dodgers do you even consider trading Billingsley or Kershaw? Billingsley is already almost as good as Peavy (minus the two NLCS games) and Kersahw has all the tools to be one of the best lefties in the league shortly.

Buster Olney

  (1:48 PM)

Mike: Here's one way I might think about it -- First, if I harbored any doubts about either guy, whether as an injury risk or for other concerns, and perhaps as part of a larger plan -- in other words, if you get Peavy, you get a below-market star who can lead your staff, at a time when you're probably going to lose Derek Lowe. Because you save money there, you might be in a better position to re-sign Furcal or Manny, or do whatever else you want to do. But if you think those guys are both rising superstars, then no, you probably don't make the deal. It all depends on how they feel about them internally.

mike (nj)

Buster,who's in better shape if say game 5 goes say 13 innings?

Buster Olney

  (1:49 PM)

Mike -- I like the Phillies' bullpen better, but if it got really nuts, into the 13th and 14th inning, the Rays could go with Shields and then bring back Garza to pitch Game 6, if they wanted.

Nick (Atlanta)

Buster. I read somewhere recently that the Umpires working the World Series aren't necessarily the "Best" officiating crew of the League due to rules stating: MLB Umps cannot work both the All-Star Game and World Series, MLB Umps Cannot work two consecutive World Series. Is there any truth to this? Given the fact that there have been numerous debatable calls (tags, strike-zone) it would seem to me that only the BEST MLB Crew gets to work the World Series. What gives?

Buster Olney

  (1:50 PM)

Nick: I wish it was like the NFL where they pretty much pick the officials based on the competency grades. But that's not the way it is, that's not the way it has ever been.

Buster Olney

  (1:51 PM)

Buster: Now, in fairness -- Tim Welke, who missed a call the other night in Game 4, is a great umpire. And he just missed it.

Owen (DC)

Buster, what about the Rays making Jackson into a closer to free up a spot for Price? He's got great stuff, and if he only has to use it for an inning or two he could be a very good closer. Besides, Dan Wheeler isn't really a slam-the-door guy. Your thoughts?

Buster Olney

  (1:53 PM)

Owen: Again, it all depends on how they view Jackson internally. If they thought that last year was a good season that he won't necessarily match, then the time to trade him would be now; he'd have a lot of value on the market, at a time when teams might flinch about paying huge dollars. And they probably could find another closer; shoot, they really have had an established closer all October, and they're playing in Game 5 of the WS.

JohnC (NYC)

Buster:What is the latest you're hearing on where Sabathia and Texiera will end up?

Buster Olney

  (1:55 PM)

JohnC: Folks in baseball think that CC is going to land with the Yankees, and Teixeira will land either with Boston or NY. I don't know if I agree about CC; he's going to have a tough/great decision to make, about whether to pass on the extra dollars the Yankees offer him in order to play closer to his California home.

Adam (Philly)

Buster, who do you expect is the Phillies starting pitcher in game 5.5?

Buster Olney

  (1:56 PM)

Adam: They've got Navarro, Baldelli and Bartlett lined up, so I'm guessing that Madson will pitch the seventh. Once Iwamura's spot comes around, you go with Romero, to face Aki, Carl Crawford, Upton and then Pena, before you make another switch.

Jeremy: Vermont

Buster, Does either team consider using a starter to conclude game 5 since most have had plenty of rest now?

Buster Olney

  (1:57 PM)

Jeremy: It's an option that's on the table, for sure, especially with the postponement today.

Shaun(NYC)

As a followup to your previous answer....if Boston went after Texiera what would they do w/ Lowell and Youk who already play the corners?

Buster Olney

  (1:57 PM)

Shaun: They'd work it out. Or else injuries would work it out. Something always happens. Remember how last spring the question was whether they needed to trade Crisp, and in the end, it was better that they kept the depth.

Steve, Ohio

Buster, with the way your picks have been turning out...can you not pick my Indians next year? Thanks

Buster Olney

  (1:58 PM)

Steve: I promise. I jinx everybody I pick. I'm thinking about picking the Mariners next year, just so I don't hurt any of the possible contenders.

Scott (Brewtown)

They should just call this game a tie and make the series a best of eight.

Buster Olney

  (2:00 PM)

Scott -- there was a World Series that ended that way, if I recall; I can't remember which year it was. In fact, there might've been two instances along those lines. Imagine what we in the media would do with that -- "TRAVESTY! AWFUL! TERRIBLE!" With that, folks, my time is up. Tomorrow night should be really fun, actually.