Jose Guillen is [Allegedly] an Idiot

The San Francisco Giants are rolling right through the World Series, winning the first two games at AT&T Park this week. Obviously, this puts the players and the organization in high spirits.

Sadly, their buzz may be killed with the news of outfielder Jose Guillen -- left off the postseason roster due to a nagging neck injury -- being linked to a federal investigation into shipments of performance-enhancing drugs.

Really Jose? Again?

Apparently, several unidentified lawyers informed Major League Baseball just before the playoffs began that they were looking into shipments of human growth hormone that was sent to Guillen's wife, who lives in the Bay Area.

Giants Halfway to Gaudy World Series Ring

We're pretty impressed with Matt Cain and the San Francisco Giants.

Derek Holland and the rest of the Texas Rangers bullpen on the other hand? Not so much.

After C.J. Wilson pitched six solid innings, allowing just two runs on three hits, Darren Oliver tossed a scoreless seventh. So far so good, the Rangers just needed to score a few runs, right? Wrong.

O'Day retired the first two batters of the eighth before allowing an infield single. He was promptly replaced by Holland, who to AT&T Park's delight, walked Nate Schierholtz on four pitches. Then he walked Cody Ross on four pitches. He followed that up with a five-pitch walk to Aubrey Huff with the bases loaded. I'm sure he wanted to cry at that point, especially over the fact that he helped spike O'Day's ERA to a whopping 18.00.

Cliff Lee Impostor Drops Game One

Who the hell was that guy on the mound for the Texas Rangers Wednesday night?

No way was it Cliff Lee, who had never lost a postseason game in his short playoff career. Up until last night, the lefty was 7-0 with a 1.26 ERA in eight postseason ballgames between Philadelphia and Texas.

He's been so unhittable, teams like the New York Yankees, who aren't generally afraid of anyone, were tweaking their playoff rotation in order to avoid their own ace facing his total domination.

Freddy Sanchez nailed three doubles and Juan Uribe kicked down the door with a three-run bomb that provided joints on the house in San Francisco to help the Giants overcome Tim Lincecum’s less-than-solid start in the Giants' 11-7 victory.

San Francisco Giants Homers Means Free Weed For All!

This could quite possibly be the best baseball promotion ever. No, it definitely is the best baseball promotion ever.

For every San Francisco Giants home run hit during the World Series, ReLeaf Herbal Center will donate one doobie to each Giants fan present at the local marijuana dispensary in San Francisco.

Free grass. It's more fun than checking out baseball lines.

Oh but that's not all. ReLeaf is also offering a super special, bright orange strain of pot at a discounted price, as well as a THC-infused orange drink called "Giant Punch." Yummy.

It's just too bad Big Time Timmy Jim will be pitching tonight. Maybe he can sneak away during Game 2... and get his hands on the valid prescription needed to obtain said doobage.

Speaking of joints, check out these videos of pothead Giants fans from our pal Josh Q. Public.

[TMZ]

San Francisco, Arlington Mayors Place Bets

The Mayor of Arlington, Robert Cluck, and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom -- who has declared San Francisco Giants Pride Week -- have put a friendly wager on the World Series.

Each of them has agreed that if their team loses, they will provide a day's worth of community service to the winner's city. What makes this bet even more awesome is that the loser will be donning a jersey of the opposing winning team.

Wait. There's more.

Giants Torture Fans Down to Last Strike

As usual, the San Francisco Giants drove their fans batshit crazy with another close game during their 3-2 Game 6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday night.

It was the Giants' sixth one-run victory of the playoffs, which ties a postseason record set by the 1972 Oakland Athletics. In fact, only Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Phillies allowed their fanbase to breathe easily.

There's Always Next Year, Phillies Fans

It was looking more and more like the Philadelphia Phillies were headed for their third straight trip to the World Series Saturday night, right up until Big Bad Ryan Howard stood at the plate, bat still in hand, watching the San Francisco Giants celebrate their first NL pennant since 2002.

Stranding 11 runners on base during Game 6, Philadelphia just couldn’t seem to get a timely hit, resulting in a 3-2 loss in front of a sad and stunned crowd at Citizens Bank Park.

There's Always Next Year, Yankees Fans

It's been two whole years since we've seen the ever-loving New York Yankees in a There's Always Next Year post.

Maybe the Spring Training cap general manager Brian Cashman was sporting during postgame interviews in the visitor's clubhouse will make Yankees fans feel better about going home after their Game 6 loss to the AL Champion Texas Rangers.

Probably not.

Yeehaw! The Rangers Are World Series-Bound

Good morning good folks of Arlington and surrounding area who are not Astros fans! We're sure you slept well and dreamed of World Series parades after your long evening of celebration.

Not only are the reigning champion New York Yankees headed home, but your Texas Rangers are going to the Big Show after a 6-1, Game 6 clincher Friday night.

Yeah, they've never been there. It's their first time. They're new at this.

They are Fall Classic virgins.

Yankees Force Game 6 in Arlington

The Texas Rangers are still just one win away from reaching their very first World Series, but the New York Yankees aren't going away that easily.

After being outscored 25-5 by the Rangers and losing three straight games, the Yankees battled back in Game 5 for a 7-2 victory to force a Game 6 in Arlington Friday night.

And I'll tell you what: if Yankees fans aren't leaving the ballpark early, they're showing up three innings late. What gives? Those people missed 90 percent of the excitement when their Bronx Bombers put up three runs in the second before Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano jacked back-to-back homers in the third to build an early 5-0 lead.

Meanwhile, CC Sabathia was getting hit all over the place, but managed to keep the damage to just two runs via Matt Treanor while allowing eleven hits and striking out seven over six innings.

Posey, Panda and Uribe Get Giant Win

The two-time defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies are at the brink of elimination while the San Francisco Giants are just one victory away from reaching the World Series for the first time in eight years.

Juan Uribe and his achy left wrist was the big hero Wednesday night, nailing a walkoff sacrifice fly to give the Giants a 6-5 win over the Phillies for a 3-1 lead in the NLCS.

Rangers One Win Away From World Series

Holy crap, we didn't see this one coming. In the franchise's 50th season, the Texas Rangers are just one win away from playing in their very first World Series.

A.J. Burnett did alright in his New York Yankees' Game 4 loss that has the Rangers leading the series 3-1. In fact, he says:

Believe it or not, it’s probably the best I’ve pitched in a long time. It’s one mistake. It was down and away. It just didn’t go where I wanted it to go. I knew he hit it out.

Watch Your Face Jayson Werth!

Tonight's Badass NLCS Pitching Matchup

Tuesday night has yet another pitchers duel in store for baseball fans.

With the NLCS tied up at a game a-piece, Matt Cain will take the hill against Cole Hamels for Game 3 at 4:19pm ET this evening at AT&T Park, where a sell-out crowd will furiously wave their towels and sing their version of Don't Stop Believing in search of their first pennant since they cheered for Barry Bonds eight years ago.

Mike Quade Gets the Cubs Job

After 102 years without a championship, the Chicago Cubs will turn to Mike Quade to right the ship. No pressure, pal.

Quade was the team’s third base coach for the past four seasons before serving as the interim manager after Lou Piniella went home to take care of his sick mama in August.

After leading the Cubs to a 24-13 record under his supervision, Quade was handed a two-year contract with a club option for 2013 on Tuesday.

The Northsiders finished the season at 75-87, which is just not good enough for a team whose payroll is roughly $145 million.

We Have a Huge Crush on Cliff Lee

It's okay, we know you do too.

Our undying love for Cliff Lee was cemented last night with his brilliant eight-inning, two-hit, thirteen strikeout performance during the Texas Rangers' 8-0 win over the New York Yankees All-Star lineup in Game 3 of the ALCS.

Josh Hamilton, who had a pretty good view of the clinic from centerfield, smoked a two-run shot in the first, which was all the run support the Rangers needed. However, they kicked down the door in the top of the ninth with six more runs off a befuddled Yankees bullpen.

Tonight's Badass ALCS Pitching Matchup

Lovers of pitching are in for yet another treat this evening with a ridiculous matchup of lefties: Texas Rangers ace Cliff Lee will get the ball against postseason workhorse Andy Pettitte for Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. Bad. Ass.

With the best-of-seven ALCS evened up at a game a-piece, the two hurlers will likely be the stars of another sure-to-be pitchers duel. What happens when two seemingly-unbeatable guys meet on the mound? Well, someone has to win and someone has to lose. That's just how baseball works.

Eric Wedge Gets a Shot in Seattle

After a year away from baseball, which he probably needed after those terrible last couple of seasons with the Cleveland Indians, Eric Wedge is back in the game.

The 42-year-old has filled Don Wakamatsu's shoes as the Seattle Mariners seventh manager since 2003. He has a tough job ahead too: attempting to rebuild a once-flourishing franchise who was actually supposed to be pretty good in 2010. Turns out, they sucked their way to 101 losses.

Wedge was the Indians' skipper for seven years until they canned him with just six games left in the 2009 season as the team fell to last place in the American League Central.

Philadelphia Phillies 6, Cody Ross 1

Roy Oswalt pretty much dominated the San Francisco Giants Sunday evening, going eight solid innings in which he allowed just one run on three hits with nine strikeouts for the 6-1 victory that knotted up the series at a game a-piece.

Not only was the Philadelphia Phillies right-hander electric on the hill, he also contributed a base hit (using Jimmy Rollins' hot bat) and ran directly through Sam Perlozzo's stop sign at third to score a run.

Tonight's Badass NLCS Pitching Matchup

If you thought Tuesday night's pitching matchup between David Price and Cliff Lee in the deciding game 5 of the ALDS, in which the Texas Rangers emerged victorious over the Tampa Bay Rays, prepare to be dazzled by Game 1 of the NLCS. If you love pitching, this game is for you.

San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum will take the hill at Citizen's Bank Park against Philadelphia Phillies gunslinger Roy Halladay at 7:30pm tonight.

C.J. Wilson Enters the Twilight Zone

"They used to have this show called the Twilight Zone. That’s how I felt."
-- C.J. Wilson

CC Sabathia pretty much handed the Texas Rangers the ballgame Friday night. Unfortunately for everyone in Arlington, they didn't take it.

Josh Hamilton crushed a three-run shot in the bottom of the first before Michael Young added two more with a double to right-center field three innings later. However, a five-run shutout can never be considered a safe lead when you're playing a team who enjoyed big league-best 48 come-from-behind victories during the regular season.

Where Have You Gone, Kung Fu Panda?

Pablo Sandoval hasn't been very good lately. Panda-ish? Yes. Kung Fu-ish? Not so much.

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy even resorted to benching his third baseman in favor of Mike Fontenot for the final two NLDS games in Atlanta against the Braves after he went 1-for-6 with two strikeouts in the first two contests.

The Return of Pat the Bat

(...and Aaron Rowand too I guess.)


If there's one thing Pat Burrell might like to do before he retires, it's to beat the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series to move onto the World Series as a San Francisco Giant.

The one-time Phillies Hero was cast away last year and replaced like a burned out light bulb. Things were not looking so good for Burrell early on this season when he was released by the Tampa Bay Rays after sucking it up there, but the Giants were willing to give him a shot.

Texas Rangers: First Time for Everything

Cliff Lee was clobbered by his Texas Rangers teammates Tuesday night after they beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-1 to advance to the ALCS for the first time in their 50-year history between Washington and Texas.

That's a long time without winning a playoff series.

To celebrate their first postseason victory in franchise history, they gathered around the visitor's clubhouse donning red ALDS Champion t-shirts and goggles, toasting ginger ale in support of their recovering alcoholic/drug addict batting champ, Josh Hamilton.

There's Always Next Year, Rays Fans

Last week it looked as though the Tampa Bay Rays might be headed to another ALCS before they went and dropped the first two games against the Rangers in St. Petersburg. Then they came back to win the next two in Arlington before losing the finale to a dominant Cliff Lee Tuesday night at home while the Rangers won their first postseason series ever. Pretty impressive.

The Rays had the American League's best regular season record this year, so their 2010 wasn't a complete failure. Hang in there Rays fans, don't be sad... there's always next year!

Tonight's Badass ALDS Pitching Matchup

Oh boy are we in for a treat.

Down 2-0 after dropping the first two games of the ALDS at home, the AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays bounced back to take the next two from the Texas Rangers on the road in Arlington. Tuesday night at 8pm ET, they'll play Game 5 at Tropicana Field, deciding who will play the New York Yankees in the ALCS.

Cliff Lee, who is 5-0 with a 1.52 ERA in six career postseason starts, will get the ball for Texas with the full intention of finishing what he started in his fantastic Game 1 performance.

There's Always Next Year, Braves Fans

Well that series was definitely torture -- if your idea of "torture" is four incredible baseball games.

The San Francisco Giants are one (really difficult) series closer to fans being able to scream THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT! But first they must face the hardcore Philadelphia Phillies. While they wait, they'll belt out their catchy rendition of Don't Stop Believing.

Black and Orange Til They Die

Sometimes it's hard being a serious fan of an organization who hasn't really won anything in a while. So obviously when said team makes the playoffs for the first time in six years, what else is there to do but write a parody of Don't Stop Believing?

Personally, I've had more than enough of that song. I believe I began hating it back when the Chicago White Sox made it their anthem in 2005. Good thing this version is totally different...

Thanks to Brittany Sims for the heads up!

Get Your Crap Together, Brooks Conrad

When your team is smack-dab in the middle of a pennant race and you literally help put two runs on the board for the opposing team, it's time to either get your head out of your rear or ride the bench.

Do slump busters work for fielding too?

Atlanta Braves second baseman Brooks Conrad committed not one, not two, but THREE ERRORS during his team's 3-2 loss on Sunday to the San Francisco Giants, who are now ahead 2-1 in the series and threatening to eliminate Bobby Cox's last hope for a World Series title.

Conrad bobbled a grounder in the first, dropped a piece-of-cake pop-up in the second that scored a run, and then he made the most embarrassing fielding error of all: a ground ball rolled through the guy's legs in the ninth inning of a tie ballgame. Right through the wickets to allow the winning run.

Tim Lincecum Keepin It Real

You may not know this, but I have the mouth of a sailor. Marea can attest to this... I just try and keep it clean for the kiddos who drop by BLB.

So naturally, I see nothing wrong with Tim Lincecum dropping an f-bomb when celebrating his San Francisco Giants' long-awaited postseason accomplishments, as long as he's not asking anyone to go eff themselves. That would be rude.

[Larry Brown Sports]

There's Always Next Year, Reds Fans

First Roy Halladay tossed a no-hitter. Then the offense rallied behind Roy Oswalt. Then Cole Hamels struck out nine in a five-hit performance.

Then Jayson Werth soaked his beard in champagne for the second time in about a week.

After polishing off the sweep of the once-hopeful Cincinnati Reds, the seemingly unstoppable Philadelphia Philles are headed to the NLCS once again with their eye on a third straight pennant.

No fans ran onto the field, no little girls were puked on. All in all, it was a successful series for the Phillies.

There's Always Next Year, Twins Fans

The Minnesota Twins were the first team to enter the playoffs this season, and upon meeting the New York Yankees in the ALDS, they were the first team to make an exit.

Between the lack of hitting, poor pitching, awful base-running, craptastic bullpen management, ridiculous throwing errors, etc. on behalf of the Twins, I'm not exactly sure what happened there.

Big Time Timmy Jim Crushes the Braves

Yikes, this really is the year of the pitcher.

A day after Roy Halladay tossed just the second no-hitter in playoff history, Tim Lincecum was absolutely dealing in his postseason debut. Holding the Atlanta Braves to just two hits over nine innings, Big Time Timmy Jim struck out an incredible 14 batters in a ridiculous lights-out performance during game one of the NLDS at AT&T Park.

Roy Halladay is a Beast

At 6:26 pm, Central time, I texted Sooze and said "Halladay has a fucking no-no going with 2 outs in the 8th. One walk. Holy Shit." (Yes, I'm a bit of a sailor when it comes to my vocabulary.) At 6:27 pm, Central time I thought to myself "Oh shit. I really hope I didn't just jinx Doc's no-no." Luckily for Doc, my bad luck with jinxing post-season games doesn't extend to the National League because at 6:43 I then texted Sooze again and said "OMFG he did it".

Halladay, who had a perfect game earlier this season, pitched the second postseason no-hitter in MLB history. Wow. This came as a welcome distraction to me while I'd been pacing back and forth waiting for the Twins/Yankees game to start. Doc also knocked in a run in the 4-0 victory over the Reds. NLDS MVP anyone? Finally escaping from Toronto this year, Doc gets to make his postseason hopes and dreams come true. It's about time.

Congratulations, Doc, on firmly cementing your place in postseason history. Your badassery knows no bounds.

Babes Love Reader Feedback!

Dearest BLB readers,

We hope you've been ok with the downtime between game 162 and the start of the playoffs. It's a difficult time for all of us, but fear not, the playoffs will be here tomorrow. You could take this time off to do something you've been meaning to do for a while.. household projects, spending time with friends and family, feeding your dog... OR, you can read MLB blogs so you can fend off the shakes and get your baseball fix.

Obviously, you know which route we're taking.

So, to fill the void in our lives for the next long 24+ hours, we want to hear YOUR thoughts! What did you think of all the end of the season firings around MLB? What are your predictions for the post season? Which matchups (ALDS/NLDS or possibly in the ALCS/NLCS) are you most excited to watch this month? What were the highlights of the 2010 season? Which team totally shit the bed this season? Who really needs to hang it up next year (that isn't already)? You read what we had to say all season long, now we want to hear YOUR thoughts!

Happy Playoffs to you and yours!

XOXO,

Sooze and Marea

It Was a Really Good Try, Padres

Third time's a charm.

The San Diego Padres clawed and scraped their way to the final game of the regular season, but were shut out 3-0 by the National League West-winning San Francisco Giants, who successfully avoided a Game 163 playoff.

Jonathan Sanchez pitched his team back into the postseason Sunday, tossing six fair innings while allowing five walks and three hits. He also provided a huge hit, nailing a triple off rookie Mat Latos and scoring the game’s first run in the third inning before Aubrey Huff followed with an RBI double.

NL West: the Final Countdown

It's the FINAL COUNTDOOOOOOOOOWN.

Happy October everyone! Who doesn't love a good divisional race? The National League West is coming down to the final weekend of the regular season. With just three sold-out games remaining, the San Francisco Giants need just one victory over the visiting San Diego Padres to win the division and end their six-year playoff drought.

Speaking of droughts, Pablo Sandoval finally ended his 66-at bat homerless skid with a shot into McCovey Cove last night. Kung Fu Panda has just 12 hits in his last 63 at-bats, but he insists he's feeling more chill lately and finding his stroke again: