While I totally loved Moneyball and buy in to the approaches it highlighted, the baseball playoffs have once again proved the deficiency of those approaches over small sample sizes. Looking for on-base percentage and 3-run home runs is great, but where each game is magnified, you have to have lineups that can lay down bunts to get that one run late in the game. LaRussa has done well in his career because he best marries odds-driven stat-ball with situational strategy. Last night's game wasn't pretty--I'm almost embarrased as a Cards fan to have them win due to opponents' errors--but LaRussa pulled out some of the Senior Circuit's bread and butter. Aaron Miles' steal started the Cards scoring threats. The 4th pitcher throwing error in as many games came about because of a sac bunt. And LaRussa made a nice double-switch to keep his offense flowing late in the game. These situational moves are available to everyone, and LaRussa has a great sense of timing. It's crazy to think that this franchise almost ran the current skipper out on rails after a few average seasons in the mid-90's. They've averaged 94 wins per year under Tony. Go Cards!

"I told you so," but I DID say on Tuesday that the team to field well in this series wins the game. True again on Thursday. Two unearned runs in the 7th were the difference in the game.

How could you not root for the guy -- and by extension, any team he's on?

I believe last night's game showed how everything baseball has done since 1968 has diminished the World Series:

Expanding the playoffs makes the games played in weather better suited for football. The expanded playoffs also fail to guarantee a classic match between the two best regular season teams -- now, like any other sport, it's who's hot for a short time at the end of the season. The DH makes for the low comedy of an American League pitcher coming to the plate for the 16th time in his career when they play in a National League park. They show the games on Fox.

Some of these things probably are for the good of the sport, the expanded playoffs give a bunch more fans reason to root at the end of the season (not so much Rockies and Cubs fans, however). But MLB would be wise to consider, as King Kaufmann suggested yesterday, starting the season earlier.

David Eckstein, who's 5-foot-7, soaking wet.

So rain adds height, too? As Mel Allen would have said, "How a-bout that!"

"How could you not root for the guy -- and by extension, any team he's on?"

Because he runs to first base on walks and because people insist on transforming a perfectly servicable major League shortstop into something more because he's short.

You said that Indy losing will be the end of undefeated records except your WTH pick record. I hate to tell you, but if your WTH record stays perfect then so does Chicago at 7-0.

And, they are young. At least the guys who made the errors are young. They will be back.

And I don't like him OR his team. I realize he's not the most mobile guy in the world, but that offensive line isn't protecting anyone they put in as QB. I've also noticed miscues, drops and other bad things by the receivers. Granted, they have one of the best in the game, but he's only good when he catches it. I'm sure your year will get better soon, Terry Glenn.

While I am with you on the weather comment, I don't think anyone was using the word "hot" to describe either the Cardinals or the Tigers at the end of the regular season. In fact, if I remember correctly, this is the first world series to be played by teams that had losing records following the all-star break.

If anything, the playoff system now allows redemption for teams who struggled in the second half of the season.

PS - King, you didn't capitalize your pick in the Bengals game, although your 2-sentence commentary makes your selection clear.

...the Tigers out of the 119-loss season. But you can't the 119-loss season out of the Tigers.

I wanted to point out two formatting errors. You forgot to put Cincinnati in caps. Then on the San Fran game, you used the wrong symbol (£) for the What the Heck™ Pick. Nothing major, just wanted you to know.

Also, does Buster realize how good he is at picking football games? That is an amazing talent he has. I wish I could pick that good. Congratulate the little coin flipper for me.

In defense of Fernando Rodney on the fielded bunt throw to first base:

When a well-executed bunt is hit right up the right field line, it is difficult for the fielder to make an excellent throw to First, because the runner is in the way. You can't make your normal straight hard throw, because you'll hit the runner in the back. It's the responsibility of the First Baseman to move a bit to give the pitcher a better target, or else the pitcher has to throw the ball up & over the head of the runner. It's not easy.

It's much harder to come up with an excuse for the bad throws to third, but I'll think of something. Just give me some time.

Why wouldn't you want *Everyone* to sprint to First base when they're walked? It would speed up the game by 2 minutes. Between that and the bullpen car, we can get closer to that 2:35 mark that everyone wants.

Get off Eckstein's back...unless you believe that Pete Rose was "showy hustle" also. I suppose they should all flippantly toss the bat, take off the gloves, drop them on the plaet & take a leisurely stroll down to first when they're walked, like Gary Sheffield. They've earned it, after all.

"How could you not root for the guy -- and by extension, any team he's on?"

I'd prefer a major league shortstop who doesn't need a running start to get his throw to first base. On a looping arc.