BLOG: How About That Finish?
Wow. Just wow!
I think we are all at a loss for words after watching the two most exciting games MLB had to offer this season. And luckily for Orioles fans in Baltimore, one of them included their lovable birds. First, before I continue to give my thoughts on what happened last night, I have to say that it's appalling to me that I've now been working in Charm City for over 18 months and there is still controversy as two which team I am a fan of, the Red Sox or the Yankees. If I had a nickle for every time I told the people of Baltimore that I am not a fan of any MLB team and I absolutely couldn't care less who wins or loses on any given day, I would not need to work another day in my life.
With that being said, I have not rooted for the Red Sox since I was a teenager and have actually never rooted for the Yankees. At this point in my career, I root for certain people. And in this instance, it was Rays manager Joe Maddon I was pulling for. The Red Sox, although I have ties to Boston, did not deserve to make the playoffs. And in my opinion, if they did, they would have been outed in the first round by Texas. No question about it. To me what was most interesting about the scenario was the fact that the Yankees, the Red Sox long-time rivals, held the Red Sox' fate in their own hands.
So...
Should Joe Girardi have used Mariano Rivera or did he made the right decision by resting his 41-year-old closer?
People have arguing that Girardi should have used Rivera since Buck Showalter, the only other manager of the four teams with nothing to win or lose, managed as if it was Game 7 of the World Series. However, Girardi did have more at stake... injuring his closer and/or choosing not to give him extra rest before Game 1 of the Division Series on Friday when the Yankees host the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
So the question remains... could Rivera have shut down the Rays and forced a one-game playoff between the Red Sox and Rays in Tampa on Thursday? And if the Yankees are outed by the Rays in the Championship Series if both teams advance, which is a strong possibility, will Girardi look back at the move he did not make?
