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October 26, 2009
Oct
26

The World Series is set! With the Yankees' win in Game 6 of the ALCS, the men in pinstripes have officially clinched their spot in the World Series against the Phillies. And with bats like Ryan Howard, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Jayson Werth all participating in baseball's final match, it's safe to say that it will be an offensive battle.

Which lineup is more dangerous offensively? Vote below!

Bengals

Finally -- A GREAT MATCHUP in the World Series. Two storied franchises with great players and great hitting -- A Fall Classic for sure.

-- ddegen146
49ers

Yanks scored more runs than Philly. And who cares if Philly won 2 games in the regular season? This is a whole new season. We'd be naive to think the World Series will not go to at least 6 games.

-- ambelgra

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Upper Innings Management

October 23, 2009
Oct
23

Some things to think about while New Yorkers watch the weather forecast and Phillies fans pray for rain.

John Lackey didn't want to come out of the game with the bases loaded and two out in the seventh. Darren Oliver, brought in to make Mark Teixeira switch sides of the plate, wasn't the answer.

In the bottom of the inning, A.J. Burnett was pulled after the first two batters reached base. The Yankees' bullpen blew the newfound lead.

Angles manager Mike Scioscia has used 24 pitchers, an average of almost five pitchers per game. Yankees manager Joe Girardi (25 in five games) has averaged five per game (although only two in each of CC Sabathia's starts).

Do a little managing of your own and critique the pitching decisions so far in the ALCS. Are Scioscia and Girardi too quick to switch pitchers, or are they doing whatever it takes to win?

Friday baseball chat: Jayson Stark, 1 p.m.

Vote: Who will win the ALCS?

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'SportsNation' TV: Wednesday

October 21, 2009
Oct
21

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd don't need a marker to hit long "SportsNation" TV field goals.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

Umpire How has the umpiring affected your opinion of instant replay?
Dale Scott and Tim McClelland made calls Tuesday that clearly were wrong in television replay. They aren't the first or only mistakes this postseason.

Manny Ramirez Do you have a problem with Manny showering as the Dodgers lost?
Ramirez told reporters he went into the clubhouse after he was pulled from the lineup and did not see the play that ended Game 4 of the NLCS.

Titans Should Titans fans be offended by Jeff Fisher wearing a Manning jersey?
Fisher wore the Peyton jersey at a charity event for Rocketown at Lipscomb University in Nashville with former Colts coach Tony Dungy.

T.O. Which WR will have the better season?
Rookie Michael Crabtree could get his first start with the 49ers this week. Veteran T.O. hasn't been getting many touches in Buffalo's anemic offense.

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

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Bill Klem Would Be Ashamed

October 21, 2009
Oct
21

Umpires of all stripes have difficult and demanding jobs, requiring a keen eye, nerves of steel, and the ability to withstand the focused and petty hate of thousands upon thousands of strangers. That last quality has come in handy for many MLB umpires in this increasingly strange postseason.

Last night's ALCS Game 4 provided still more lowlights that baseball's umpires would just as soon forget. First, Nick Swisher was called safe on a pick-off play in which the tag was applied before he got back safely. Next, Swisher was called out for leaving third base early on a tag-up play, a call which the replays did not support. Finally, an odd situation at third base in which two Yankee runners were tagged while off the base resulted in only one out.

As early as a week ago, fans were already claiming that umpires were having a worse postseason than closers; a bold statement considering the sheer number of blown saves thus far. This recent spate of errors likely won't do much to change that perception, although it's interesting to note that before the playoffs started, MLB umpires were ranked second in officiating quality behind NFL referees, who won by a large margin. Does the use of replay in the NFL have anything to do with it? All we know is that SportsNation was in favor of expanding instant replay in baseball as early as last October.

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'SportsNation' TV: Tuesday

October 20, 2009
Oct
20

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd throw complete games to avoid the "SportsNation" TV bullpen.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

Yankees Should the Yankees be worried after losing to the Angels last night?
The Yankees cycled through their bullpen, including Mariano Rivera, and lost in Anaheim. Of course, they still lead the series 2-1.

Nets Which would you rather find at a party?
Would you rather have snacks or a Nets player? For $25,000, fans can get courtside seats and a one-hour appearance by a player at an offcourt event.

Beer Is selling beer in a stadium's bathroom a good idea or a bad idea?
Redskins fans can refill with the full-service beer man offering suds to them on their way out of a stadium bathroom.

Broncos Which do you find more surprising?
Are the 6-0 Broncos, who went through a summer of turmoil, or the 0-6 Titans, who won 13 games last season, a bigger surprise?

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

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'SportsNation' TV: Friday

October 16, 2009
Oct
16

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd will be winning every game on the midway during "SportsNation" TV.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 5 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

Tony Romo How should Cowboys fans feel about Tony Romo's golf game?
Golf Digest has listed Tony Romo as the top athlete golfer. Has he spent too much time honing non-football skills?

Jay Cutler Which quarterback would you rather have?
Jay Cutler has thrown for 8 touchdowns, 901 yards and 5 interceptions. Matt Ryan has 7 touchdowns, 977 yards and 2 interceptions.

USC Which team will win Saturday's game at Notre Dame?
A Notre Dame win could vault the Irish to a BCS bid and solidify Charlie Weis' job. A USC win could set the Trojans up for the BCS title game.

Yankees Which is the bigger story surrounding the start of Angels-Yankees?
Has the cold, windy, rainy weather in the Northeast upstaged the games in the American League Championship series?

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

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Remember back when CC Sabathia was a postseason question mark, and Alex Rodriguez was the postseason answer you knew you didn't want? In other words, remember last week? Now people can't get enough of the Yankees' latest primetime playoff performers.

Sabathia had allowed 22 earned runs and 22 walks in his first 25 postseason innings. But after a strong outing against the Twins in the division series, he now edges out Philadelphia's Cliff Lee as SportsNation's first choice to start a must-win game.

And after driving in 17 runs in his first 39 postseason games, A-Rod drove in six in three games against the Twins. But with the game on the line in the ninth inning, would you rather have Rodriguez at the plate than Derek Jeter?

con1030

This is the right move. With the 3 off days it only makes CC pitch on short rest once that is game 4, and it makes the bullpen deeper. Starters only need to go 6 innings. Joba 7th, Hughes 8th, Mo 9th game over.

-- con1030
yanks23242

Jeter in the regular season: .317/.388./459. Jeter in the post season: .311/.380/.477. So no, Jeter isn't "clutch", he's just a damn good player.

-- yanks23242

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SportsNation TV: Tuesday

October 13, 2009
Oct
13

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd aren't above wearing throwback unis (see the maroon blazer) on "SportsNation" TV.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

Charlie Weis Is Saturday's game a must-win for coach Charlie Weis to keep this job?
The Irish are 4-1, but a loss to the USC Trojans could end the team's BCS hopes and increase pressure on Weis.

Dolphins Which is a better summary of the Jets-Dolphins game?
Did the New York defense lose the game or did the Miami Wildcat offense win the Monday Night Football game?

Terrell Owens Should the Bears try to get Terrell Owens?
The Bills are going nowhere, and the star they picked up in the offseason has only 12 catches for 202 yards and one touchdown.

Jets What do you make of the Jets losing two straight after starting 3-0?
Rex Ryan apologized for his coaching and the defense after the loss. Is this the beginning of the end or just a road bump for a new staff?

Jets Which LCS series is more interesting?
Are you more interested in the American League Angels-Yankees games or the National League Dodgers-Phillies games?

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

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First it was the Lakers winning an NBA championship. Now it's the Angels and Dodgers on the verge of a "Gridlock Series" in Southern California. Don't these teams know the state can't afford success if it means extra security and championship parades? At least the Warriors and Raiders have the greater good in mind. Failure is cost effective.

But while SportsNation is split almost down the middle on whether an all-California series would be a good thing, this is really all about the Dodgers and Yankees.

In other words, the Nation is evenly divided about which team they want to win the World Series, but they're unanimous in wanting the win to come against the Dodgers or Yankees.

currymj19

I guess I always thought the 1980 Phillies team would be the measuring stick for me of true greatness, but on Monday in Colorado this Phils team confirmed a gut-feeling I've had for the last 12 months, this is the best team of my lifetime. They're flawed, they make mistakes, they have a manager who wouldn't have make it out of my fourth grade English class, but they never quit and they all play with their hearts on their sleeves.

-- currymj19
splurgercloud

I do feel that way as an Angel fan first, and if I have to root for any other team, Dodger fan second. A freeway series would force to BSPN to acknowledge the best baseball that is coming from out west, would be a great lift to both fan bases, and would further renew the rivalry that is starting to mean something.

-- Splurgercloud

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SportsNation TV: Monday

October 12, 2009
Oct
12

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd are tough enough to do "SportsNation" TV in the snow.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

Kyle Orton Who has surprised you more so far?
Kyle Orton, starting for a new team, is 5-0 with 7 TD passes to 1 INT. New coach Josh McDaniels upset the Denver apple cart with surprising results.

Angels Which team was more impressive in its LDS sweep?
The Angels outscored the Red Sox 9-1 in their first two games and then used a late-game comeback to sweep. The Yankees needed extra innings in Game 2.

Wade Phillips Do the Dallas Cowboys need a head coaching change?
As coach of the Cowboys, Wade Phillips is 25-12, including an improbable overtime victory against the Chiefs on Sunday that has angry fans buzzing.

Broncos throwbacks What should happen to throwback jerseys?
Is it time to return old uniform patterns and colors to retirement, or do you like seeing the variety of a team's history on display?

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

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