Bodio's MLB Tue 09/27

This.  Russell Martin actually said publicly he wants to knock the Red Sox out of the playoffs. Of course, he only speaks for himself.  Girardi said the Yanks don't care, but personally, I'd trust Martin's take more than anything else.

NYY are in a bizarre position of controlling the playoff picture by losing.  If they have a preference of Boston or Tampa Bay (and they have to prefer one vs the other - it's only human nature) - then why wouldn't they want to tank their games? It's in the best interest.

My educated guess is that NYY is tanking.  If so, this game is a lock.  Period. But even if they're not, Colon has been horrible as of late and I have a 50/50 shot. 

Seems like a great position to take TB.

Hey Bod,

Great Insight as always on the bases and todays card.  With the way Baltimore struggles against lefties and Boston a mess right now, what are your thoughts on the under 9.5 in that game?  Looks solid to me, what am I missing?

Thanks and keep up the great work:)

Was not expecting Toronto and SF to be the top plays. But then again, all I did was drink beer and open this thread to find wisdom.

I will play SF but NOT Toronto. Buerhle is the MAN for the Chisox, and I don't care if he loses--I aint betting against him come hell or high water!

GL and as always--awesome fuckin shit dude!

Maybe tanking is too strong. But I don't think the Yanks will be giving 100%. It's human nature to prefer one opponent vs another.  I think it's clear that the Yanks would rather play the Rays.  After clinching the East division, the Yanks laid a complete egg the next day. Colon was horrible that day, as a matter of fact.  Perhaps you can attribute it to the post-celebration hangover.  But the fact is -- the Yanks didn't care if they gave away a game to the Rays. 

Then the next day, Martin declares that he wants to knock out the Sox.  Yanks have a losing head-to-head vs the Sox this year. I doubt that the Yanks are afraid of anybody, but IMO, I think they'd prefer playing the Rays.  They have a winning head-to-head vs them. The home field advantage isn't as significant @ the Trop vs Fenway. Plus, I think the Yanks like the idea that they knocked out the Sox, however it happens.

It's like asking which child a parent prefers. There's a preference, but no parent wants to actually say it.  Same with playoff opponents.

It's a theory.  There's no way to prove or disprove it.  But my belief is that the Yanks won't be giving 100% during the TB series.

TB not a bad wager--and sometimes the bookies let the public have their lil shitty 'have to win to get into the fuckin playoffs' angle.

TB tho is a different hitting team at home and that ball will spray all over the place, esp. on that fuckin turf.  I'm a Yanks' fan but I wont touch the Yanks when everything's wrapped up. T Rays win this one big---and so what? They are better thanb the Angels and the Bosox and deserve the spot.