It’s October and you know what that means? Yes, football… but also the MLB Post Season. I’ve been catching some ALDS games here and there. I kind of have no choice because the husband is a Yankees fan. And I, of course, am rooting with all my might for the Orioles… as much as it pains me.

I thought when we turned off the TV last night in the top of the ninth, the Orioles had that thing in the bag. I was sadly mistaken. And now, the hubs seems to think he can control the outcome of a game purely by whether or not he’s awake or asleep when the game ends. Awake = Yankees Loss. Asleep = Yankees Win. Let’s see how long this theory holds true.

But I think I’m putting my foam finger behind the Oakland A’s. What an exciting and inspirational road this rag-tag team of Red Sox cast-offs has had this season. On July 1st, the A’s where a distant 12 games behind the AL West leading Texas Rangers. On August 1st, they were just 4.5 games out – a mere half game behind the second place Angels.

On September 27th, with just six games left in the regular season, the A’s were four games behind Texas. They magically swept both the Seattle Mariners and the Rangers in the final three games of the season to win the AL West. Moneyball in action, folks!

This scrappy A’s team and scratched and clawed their way to wins… making incredible defensive plays and timely clutch hits. If you look at their offensive stats over the first four games of the Division Series, you would wonder how they’re even still in this thing. Whatever the A’s are doing, whether it’s a Jose Valverde voodoo doll or some sort of Hogwart’s-worthy anti-hit spell on Prince Fielder’s bat, it seems to be working.

I only wish MLB could arrange the schedule so an A’s game actually starts before I go to bed. From the recaps, it appears this is the series to watch! Good luck to the Billy Bean and the A’s… I’m pulling for you guys! We need some new blood in the World Series this year.

I take back everything I said the other day about how this west coast swing was going to be a cinch. I TAKE IT BACK!! Ok, can we please just win already?

Last night was, in short, a pitching disaster. Daisuke Matsuzaka, still in search of that elusive first win of 2012, was… well… horrible. Granted, he did claim to have a (as Bobby Valentine called it) “a crick in his neck,” yet he took the mound anyway. Honestly, I think a high school pitcher could’ve done a better job.

Dice K left the game after 28 pitches. His line was not impressive. The Oakland A’s bashed out five runs on four hits, including home runs by former Red Sox players Josh Reddick (his 19th of the year!) and Brandon Moss. But… he was injured. So do I forgive him for his bad outing? Probably not. It’s back to the DL most likely for Dice K and a game of eeny, meeny, miny, mo to pick the next member of the starting rotation.

Maybe Clayton Mortensen? He came in to relieve Dick K and pitched five innings, giving up just one more run on two hits. He’s been relegated to relief work for the most part with the Red Sox, but did start when he played in Colorado. He can’t be any worse… or more painful to watch. Despite the loss, Mortensen told reporters he was happy with his performance.

“It’s always nice to be able to go out and pick our team up. When something like that happens, it’s huge to go out there and soak up some innings so our bullpen can be fresh for the rest of our series against these guys,” said Mortensen. “They play us tough, so we’re going to need all the pitching we can have. So it was nice, I was happy with it.”

I can’t even discuss the offense right now. It’s just… yeah. One run isn’t going to cut it if you want to win.

Will Middlebrooks didn’t play last night and will probably be making a trip to the DL with a hamstring issue. Now that’s what you call bad timing.

Click here for the uninspired box score, courtesy of the Red Sox. Jon Lester tries to right the ship tonight against Bartolo Colon who is just back from a short trip to the DL. David Ortiz will try, yet again, to hit #400.

On another note, it’s going to be an exciting upcoming week for Portland fans. Carl Crawford makes strides to get back to Boston and will be playing for the Sea Dogs tonight. Ryan Sweeney could find himself in Portland possibly on Thursday. And Jacoby Ellsbury, who hit a 2-run homer for Fort Meyers last night, should be with Dogs later this week. *runs off to buy tickets*

Well hello, Crash.

There are certain movies out there, like Forrest Gump or Steel Magnolias, that I can sit down and watch every time they’re on television, no matter where I pick it up. Even better if I know that movie is going to make me cry like a baby. I’m weird like that. Baseball movies have the same power over me. They make me laugh, cry, cheer, boo, and most importantly, they make me happy. Sure there may be ups and downs, but in the end, you’re usually treated to a victory of some sort.

Let the countdown begin!

#5 – Field of Dreams: How many times have you heard someone say it? “If you build it, they will come.” Years ago, ESPN compiled a list of the top 100 sports movie quotes – this was #11. When I hear it, I immediately picture a young Kevin Costner, hacking away at his cornfield to begin erecting his very own baseball diamond. What happens next kind of made me want to build my own baseball field. Give me chills just thinking about it. Come to think of it, it’s been too long since I last saw this one. *runs off to Netflix queue*

#4 – For the Love of the Game: What can I say? It’s got baseball, it’s got romance, it’s got Kevin Costner. What’s not to love? I’m just a sucker for all of it. And I’m especially a sucker for a nail-biter of a ballgame with the possibility of not just a no hitter, but the holy grail for all pitchers – the perfect game. If I had any complaints about his movie, it would be Kelly Preston. She’s just not one of my favorites.
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