Category: Week 5

October 11, 2017

Wrigley Field – Chicago, Illinois

My Friend Trevor (photos are from opening day)

Results

Final Score: Nationals 5, Cubs 0

Tough game in the rain. I thought the Cubs would close this game out and move on to the next round. I was wrong.

The Game

This photo was actually from the right game! It shows how the entire game was, very rainy. The MLB did a poor job with this one. They could have played the game the day before in the afternoon but did not move the game time. “Rumor” has it that TBS didn’t want to change the TV schedule, they denied it. The reason that is hard to believe is because they said “moving the game to the afternoon never came up.” How could it not come up? It was obvious to my new born niece that can’t even speak. I am calling them “Liars” and determining it was because of ratings.

The game itself was a pitching duel until Michael Taylor hit a grand slam in the 8th inning off of Wade Davis. The ball landed into the net just in front of the stands in right field. If that ball was hit 10 minutes earlier it would have been caught. The timing couldn’t have been worse for the Cubs as it was just when the rain and wind slowed down enough for the ball to get out.

Jake Arrieta didn’t pitch too bad but did take the loss. He only went 4 innings and the only run he gave up was on a two out error by Addison Russell. Jon Lester dominated in 3.2 innings, he even picked a guy off (more on that below). I question the decision to go to the bullpen with one out in the 8th. Carl Edwards Jr. came in and walked two guys and then Wade Davis gave up the grand slam. Hindsight is 20-20 but both my friend Trevor and I said why are you taking Lester out when it happened.

As for the Nationals, Stephen Strasburg dominated the Cubs, He went 7 innings, struck out 12 and only allowed 5 total base runners (3 hits and 2 walks). The only reason he started was the debacle with the schedule, which made this a higher rated game and has now caused a game 5 to be played (let me point you above where I mentioned ratings). The only real offense was the grand slam by Michael Taylor in the 8th inning.

The Stadium

Overall Rating: A

The remodeling Wrigley field certainly has a lot more amenities and seating, but they kept the old feeling. The bad part about that are longer restroom lines and longer concession lines. Also, there are still many seats with obstructed views.

However, it is Wrigley and a great ballpark to watch the game in a great area in Chicago, so it gets an A!

Love, Hate, Shout Out

Love: Playoff baseball. Nothing like a playoff game in October that ends up being back and forth pitching duel.

Hate: Decisions made by money by people that are already rich. Listen, I said my peace about the game not being changed and then rescheduled, but my biggest issue is the people making the decisions here. Why did we leave it up to TBS anyway? (allegedly they didn’t) If they did, the MLB should have had the power to say, we are doing it anyway. The money doesn’t matter any more, these people are greedy.

Shout Out: Jon Lester’s pick off. Wow! He did it! Yes, that’s right Jon Lester picked a guy off. It was a snap throw too and Anthony Rizzo applied the tag beautifully. I have to imagine they practiced this and just held off until the right time. Rizzo went over to Lester before and had a brief conversation, I bet he said something along the lines of, “You know what we practiced, just throw it as hard as you can, I’ll stop it if its off.” And to Ryan Zimmerman, where are you going dude? Jokes on you. Great job Lester!

Fan Tips

If you ever have the chance do to Wrigley. Summers are really nice in Chicago.

October 7, 2017

Michigan Stadium – Ann Arbor, Michigan

My Friend Duncan

Results

Final Score: Michigan State 14, Michigan 10

I certainly didn’t have Michigan State winning this game, I don’t think many people did. The only thing I will give myself credit for is after Iowa State upset Oklahoma all the Michigan fans were saying “we’re going to move up in the rankings” and I said “you have to win your game first”. I think the Michigan players made the same mistake and were too busy thinking about the other scores.

The Game

What a crappy game. Both weather wise and play wise, there wasn’t much good happening on this day (I guess unless you are a Michigan State fan).

This was a crazy, shocking upset. Let’s start with the obvious for Michigan, turnovers and dropped passes. There were so many dropped passes I thought maybe I was watching a pee-wee game. Yes, it did rain really hard, but you can’t blame the drops on that. The rain (see video below) was basically for just the third quarter, and that’s not where most of the drops occurred. The most critical one came with 20 seconds left. It would have put Michigan on the 20 yard line and a chance to win the game, which, to be honest, I can’t believe they were still in it.

Outside of the mistakes, the Michigan State defense really showed up. They forced 5 turnovers and held Michigan to just 5-17 on 3rd down (and three of those came on the last drive). Not much offense to speak of for MSU, their only good drive came in the second quarter, 9 plays for 83 yards for the touchdown.

The Stadium

Overall Rating: A+

Every time you hear about the Big House it is always positive and everyone always says you have to see a game there. This was my first time there and I totally agree. Even with all the rain, it is a historical memorable stadium.

The inside of the stadium is great as far as concessions, room to walk around and view from your seat. But the outside tailgating before the game is where its at, so awesome.

The one and only negative in the stadium is that all the seats are really crammed in, like worse than the worst airplane you’ve ever been on. But hey, its an experience and it is college.

Love, Hate, Shout Out

Love: My first game at the Big House. I am hoping its not my last and I would love to get up there for a hockey game (I imagine the atmosphere is even more crazy).

Hate: Teams looking ahead. I am not saying this definitely happened but it sure looked like it. Fans. Players. Coaches. Announcers. No one really gave Michigan State a chance in this one. Then once Iowa State upset Oklahoma the talk was where Michigan moves up in the rankings. Not so fast. Don’t watch the scoreboard, don’t look ahead, win the game in front of you and that’s all.

Shout Out: My friend Pat. It was his 30th birthday weekend and a great time was had by all. Dinner and drinks Friday night, the tailgating and game on Saturday and hanging out on Sunday (I had to run to the Lions game, but still got to hang out a bit).

Fan Tips

Go to a game at the Big House (if you didn’t see this one coming, then you didn’t read anything on this page). It could be a college football game, hockey game, soccer match, heck just go watch two guys mow the field (well maybe not that extreme, but just get there).

When you do go, tailgate! I was fortunate enough to go for an evening game. The weather was amazing and the are around the stadium is amazing.