Arizona State has the edge in every measurable (positive) statistic. They’re throwing three sub 3.20 ERA guys at the Beavers with each approaching double-digit wins. Their hitters look the part. They play in a hot, dry stadium where balls fly out. This is frightening.
For me, the story this weekend is whether Oregon State does enough to maintain bubble consideration. Since Arizona State leads the country in RPI, I think one win and the Beav’s case remains strong (assuming they win out the rest of the way). Playing well down the stretch is important. Ever notice how musicians close concerts with their best song? It is not coincidence. Ending a performance with your best leaves a psychological mark on the listener or viewer. I’ve had it happen to me. Sat through a Yo La Tengo show that was boring as hell until they closed with a magical performance of “Blue Line Swinger”, and today I look back on the concert with fondness.
Ah, sorry. Wrong subject. Back to baseball…
Bottom line: win one game in this series. Then win out. If these two things happen the Beavers make the post-season.
What I think will happen: I think the Beavers get swept by Arizona State, and in ugly fashion. I’m thinking 6, 7, 8 run defeats. It’ll have little effect on their psyche, because I think deep down they aren’t expecting to compete in this series. So maybe they’ll be able to shrug it off, come back strong, and win out. Let’s see how the weekend goes and reevaluate on Monday. Been so dead on with this team all year; it’s like, come on and surprise me for once, Beavs.
“…come on and surprise me for once, Beavs.”
No! That’s their answer.
Haha.
Pretty sure it is going to be.
Just running down the Batting Averages for ASU. Not a guy below 300, most in the high 300’s. Not as good for the Beavs.
Oh this is going to be a bad weekend.
They’re doing the “tack on runs” now versus Peavy…
No way! We’re just one great big rally away from winning!
O.O
Boyd 3 run pinch hit jack.
I’m not going to fall for it! But I’m sure Beavs everywhere just gained hope.
Prediction: we give runs back next inning.
lol lol so predictable.
Jack, sounds like you’ve been hanging out on Rivals with that fatso Peter71? ;)
Who? I was kidding about the rally… one big one or two smaller ones.
Twas a joke.
He’s a guy on the blitz forum who always writes long-winded positive rants in the most negative situations. In other words, he is delusional. He’d actually believe they were just one seven rally away from winning. He always mentions he’s fat, too, in a self-deprecating way, but it always falls flat.
I edited the title to “Bad News Beavs”…not sure if anyone’s dubbed them that before but it’s apropos.
“bad news beavs” hahaha :D
“I’m thinking 6, 7, 8 run defeats.”
One down, two to go!
You have been right on in your most recent Beav baseball opinions. I just do not see this team being able to score anywhere near enough runs to win a game. I think a great pitching performance would be to hold the Devils to six runs and even then they still lose 6-2. I am kind of blase about the whole tourney thing…if they make it…. is this team really going anywhere anyway??? Asl always, I would love to me proven wrong.
I’d like to see them in it. Gives me something to care about until football season.
“KRhod” gets the loss–shocker.
5-0 Beavs?
Gotta win this game with that kind of lead.
It looks as though we both might be wrong Angry. You thought Blair and I though Kelly as the best chance for a win. And yet, here they are up five on Borup, who’s looked untouchable in his last few outings.
Chin strap. It’s going to be a battle to get this win.
5-3.
That fourth inning could have been much much worse. If we don’t add a couple more runs in the next few innings, then the two or three they will add will down us.
I agree. The way this ASU guy is pitching I don’t see any more runs coming our way. So if ASU pushes the 5th run across this game is over. Pitching for their lives…
I think ASU wins this game.
Game over.
3 errors. Bad News Beavs strike again!
O.o
“KRhod” warming up. O.o
Boyd is the only reliever I have any faith in.
Oh no.
This game is in the hands of Sitton and “KRhod”
Nice!
Still alive.
I’m shocked. The way the bottom of the 9th started off was bad… then the DP was good… then the double was bad….
I thought for sure a walk off loss was in the making.
I don’t know if four to finish the year is good enough to make the postseason. We were swept by Stanford and Cal, lost the series to Wazzu, UCLA and ASU, couldn’t sweep UW or USC, and we can’t have a winning conference record.
The rainouts vs Seattle and Cal Poly would pad the win column. Those could be big.
I think .500 in the conference would be fine. 4 wins should do the trick. Thing is, that isn’t going to be easy to do. Oregon is going to be a major pain.
I just don’t like relying on hypotheticals in the last week. We can do no better than a tie for fourth–with a team who swept us–in the conference. And we can stay in 9th.
The Beavs line-up is finally coming together. I’m still not sold on Norris in right, but he’s been serviceable.
Again, “No sweep for you”! But in a good way!!