Apparently the Vice Presidential debate was a tie. I have come to that conclusion because every Democrat I've spoke with; has said Sen. Biden won. While every Republican I've spoke with; said Gov. Palin won. If no one won anyone over, we have status quo, and a tie. However, taken in context, a tie is really a win for Palin. How did I make that leap you ask? Easy, people on both sides of the fence (including Conservative writers Rod Dreher and Kathleen Parker) were predicting a landslide win for Sen. Biden. Since he failed to deliver on that expectation and Gov. Palin did better than expected, she comes out looking better.
On to sports, The playoffs are underway and both NLDS series have one team up over the other 2-0 in a best of five series, quite anti-climactic. This could be the quickest NLDS round since the inclusion of the wild card. I really don't see either of the losing teams avoiding the sweep. In one NLDS series, the West Sox...err Dodgers are absolutely obliterating the Cubs. Sorry Cubs fans, unless the Cubbies have a dramatic comeback in them, it looks like the streak will extend to 101 years.
Likewise in the other NLDS the Phillies are putting it to the Brew Crew. It has not been the completely one-sided scoring affairs that have plagued the Dodgers/Cubs series. No, this series has been domination through great pitching and defense with just a touch of timely hitting. Shane Victorino provided some Poi Power as the native Hawaiian went deep for a game winning grand slam.
In the ALDS the series are both quite intriguing. Game 2 in both series will be played tonight, so the since of finality you have in the NLDS is not present. Also, both series have compelling story lines.
In the first ALDS, the 100 win Angels are down 1-0 to the defending champion Red Sox. Jon Lester was nothing short of terrific in game 1 and some timely hitting by Jason Bay and Jacoby Ellsbury put them over the top. Ellsbury reached base 5 times, stole 2 bases, and stole a hit from Angels slugger; Mark Texiera on an absolutely phenomenal diving catch on a sinking blooper. Game two tonight features All-Star Ervin Santana against 18-3 Daisuke Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka-san is 9-0 on the road but can be difficult watch. He walks way too many batters and rarely gets out of the sixth inning. He can't afford to issue too many free passes against this Angels line up. If he does, it will be a long night for everyone staying up in Boston to watch the game.
In the second ALDS, the upstart, AL East Champs, Tampa Bay Rays (it still seems weird to say that) beat the Chicago White Sox in game 1, 6-4. Evan Longoria was insane in his playoff debut. He hit 2 HR's and drove in 3 RBI's. The game also got a little chippy at the end with White Sox 2nd basemen, Orlando Cabrera getting upset with the Tampa Bay pitcher and kicking dirt at him. The Rays pitcher, Grant Balfour proceeded to strike Cabrera out and then added insult to injury by telling Cabrera what he thought of him...I'm sure he used very gentlemanly language...stay tuned this could get good!
I'll start posting college football thoughts next week and will have my thoughts on week 5 in the NFL up tomorrow. For those few of you who care; I also be talking Hockey over the next few months. As always thanks for reading.
This has been my slightly obstructed view.
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