Didn't want to make any more plays this CWS, and I didnt mean to go back on my word, but I loved last night's over, and I couldn't resist, especially at that price. Tonight nothing stands out like that play last night did, and it would have been a Lock of Millenium if I didnt have that 2 day losing streak. Kept it small. And I'll stick to my word somewhat that I wont make anymore plays.
I do like the Beavers tonight though.
Why?
1) Momentum, character, a will to win, insert cliche here. They have "it". Whatever "it" may be. They just do not give up, they play that Detroit Piston-esque style of "Our backs are against the wall, now it's time to play".
Beavers are 0-2 in this World Series when they are comfy, with that double elimination on the back of their minds. But, they are undefeated in elimination games, extending that last night. They feel no pressure, they get the timely hit, they play great defense, they pitch when they need to.
North Carolina lost that freight train of momentum it was riding. Cruising through Regionals, Super Regionals and Omaha without losing a game. Not a care in the world. It's easy to play baseball when you are winning like that. It's easy to go out and perform knowing, you have won 100 straight, and you can still lose a game and you will be okay. Perhaps that's what has kept this team from showing their true colors throughout. That comfort in the back of their minds knowing that they are playing great baseball, they can LOSE a game, and they are still in it. Well, now they have lost that momentum, their backs are against the wall, and they havn't felt this feeling yet this year.
2) North Carolina Miscues - They finally surfaced. I'm not taking crazy pills. Hey, maybe it was the laid back, let's go out to a college ball game and watch some baseball in Omaha attitude that the fans adopted that kept North Carolina from having the runs down their leg. There was no pressure, there were no rabid screaming fans, there was nothing at stake because they had a loss to give. But, when the pressure got turned up last night, you saw North Carolina make those road miscues. It wasn't oops I threw the ball a bit too high. Or oops, that one took a bad hop. It was mental mistakes from a mentally weak team. It was oops, thats my bunt. Oops, I'm supposed to block the dirt ball and drop to my knees with a man on 3rd. It was oops, nobody is covering 1st. And oops, maybe the 2nd baseman should have taken that double play. That was the team I warned about, that I expected to see when the stakes were raised. And we saw a glimpse of the defensive team that at any given moment can give up a 7 or 8 spot.
3) Daniel Bard vs. Jonah Nickerson
If you asked North Carolina fans which of your 3 starters would you NOT want on the hill in the biggest pressure game of the year, they'd say Daniel Bard, unless you are Mrs. Bard. If you asked Joe Fox the same question he'd same Daniel Bard (asuming he didnt dodge the question like all coaches do). If you asked Oregon State coach Pat Casey who he wants on the mound in the biggest game he'd say Jonah Nickerson.
Nickerson is the heart, the guts, the pitch on 2 days rest, pitch through a blister through an 8 inning shutout gem vs. a Rice team that was the most complete in Omaha with OSU's backs against the wall. He asked to move up in the rotation and go again. He wanted the ball. And he wants it again tonight. He is everything that Daniel Bard is not. Nickerson can run it up to 93-94. He'll sit 90-92, with that aggressive I'm-coming-at-you downhill pitching style that Gunderson has. By the way I fully expect to see Gunderson tonight out of the pen for at least 1 inning. And they still have Kunz.
Bard has the talent. Some will look at this game and say Daniel Bard was a 1st rounder. Nickerson was a 6th rounder. No brainer who is better. Well, talent-wise, yeah thats true. Bard can get it up to 97, but the problem is on the road, or in big games he doesnt know where it's going. He will hit batters. Walk batters. Miss badly. Passed balls. Leave it over the plate and get hit. He will unravel off a couple of hits. He saw the meltdown yesterday, he is the face, the symbol of the UNC meltdown. He watched from the dugout yesterday as North Carolina blew a 5 run lead, and he began to wonder "Man, it looks like I may have to pitch the decisive game 3 tomorrow." While Nickerson was in the other dugout foaming at the mouth saying "Ohh yeah baby, we're gonna force a game 7, and I'm gonna be on the hill."
This game will rest on Daniel Bard and Daniel Bard alone. He has the stuff, the talent to out-do anyone that opposes him. But he never shows up on the road or in big games. And no game gets bigger than this. If he brings his A game, UNC should win this game. But if Bard makes his typical 3rd inning exit, that UNC bullpen will be blown, momentum will stay with the Beavers, and UNC will fold.
4) The ACC CHOKE
We saw it all throughout Omaha. Tech up 4-0, in the 8th, they lose 8-4. Tech up again, they lose. Clemson couldnt do it. UNC was up 1-0 in this championship series, just needed to split the next 2 to win the title, and I wouldnt put it past them to lose 2 in a row to choke it away. I cant explain it, but facts are facts.
5) Beaver Nation, Karma, and more.
UNC wins in basketball. They dont care about this as much. If baseball loses, most, not all, but most will go back and start talking about basketball.
There is nothing else for Oregon State. This isnt to say they are bad in football or something. But facts are facts and I read that this Oregon State athletic department has only 1 National Title to their name in any sport. They are 1 win away from their school's 2nd Overall National Title, and Beaver Nation is amped and behind these guys 100%. Look at WC Bias for crying out loud! The guy is amped.
6) Hot Beaver Lineup
I was scared about these guys hitting. But they are producing runs, and I think they will get some help tonight, with walks, HBP and errors.
Good luck.
I do like the Beavers tonight though.
Why?
1) Momentum, character, a will to win, insert cliche here. They have "it". Whatever "it" may be. They just do not give up, they play that Detroit Piston-esque style of "Our backs are against the wall, now it's time to play".
Beavers are 0-2 in this World Series when they are comfy, with that double elimination on the back of their minds. But, they are undefeated in elimination games, extending that last night. They feel no pressure, they get the timely hit, they play great defense, they pitch when they need to.
North Carolina lost that freight train of momentum it was riding. Cruising through Regionals, Super Regionals and Omaha without losing a game. Not a care in the world. It's easy to play baseball when you are winning like that. It's easy to go out and perform knowing, you have won 100 straight, and you can still lose a game and you will be okay. Perhaps that's what has kept this team from showing their true colors throughout. That comfort in the back of their minds knowing that they are playing great baseball, they can LOSE a game, and they are still in it. Well, now they have lost that momentum, their backs are against the wall, and they havn't felt this feeling yet this year.
2) North Carolina Miscues - They finally surfaced. I'm not taking crazy pills. Hey, maybe it was the laid back, let's go out to a college ball game and watch some baseball in Omaha attitude that the fans adopted that kept North Carolina from having the runs down their leg. There was no pressure, there were no rabid screaming fans, there was nothing at stake because they had a loss to give. But, when the pressure got turned up last night, you saw North Carolina make those road miscues. It wasn't oops I threw the ball a bit too high. Or oops, that one took a bad hop. It was mental mistakes from a mentally weak team. It was oops, thats my bunt. Oops, I'm supposed to block the dirt ball and drop to my knees with a man on 3rd. It was oops, nobody is covering 1st. And oops, maybe the 2nd baseman should have taken that double play. That was the team I warned about, that I expected to see when the stakes were raised. And we saw a glimpse of the defensive team that at any given moment can give up a 7 or 8 spot.
3) Daniel Bard vs. Jonah Nickerson
If you asked North Carolina fans which of your 3 starters would you NOT want on the hill in the biggest pressure game of the year, they'd say Daniel Bard, unless you are Mrs. Bard. If you asked Joe Fox the same question he'd same Daniel Bard (asuming he didnt dodge the question like all coaches do). If you asked Oregon State coach Pat Casey who he wants on the mound in the biggest game he'd say Jonah Nickerson.
Nickerson is the heart, the guts, the pitch on 2 days rest, pitch through a blister through an 8 inning shutout gem vs. a Rice team that was the most complete in Omaha with OSU's backs against the wall. He asked to move up in the rotation and go again. He wanted the ball. And he wants it again tonight. He is everything that Daniel Bard is not. Nickerson can run it up to 93-94. He'll sit 90-92, with that aggressive I'm-coming-at-you downhill pitching style that Gunderson has. By the way I fully expect to see Gunderson tonight out of the pen for at least 1 inning. And they still have Kunz.
Bard has the talent. Some will look at this game and say Daniel Bard was a 1st rounder. Nickerson was a 6th rounder. No brainer who is better. Well, talent-wise, yeah thats true. Bard can get it up to 97, but the problem is on the road, or in big games he doesnt know where it's going. He will hit batters. Walk batters. Miss badly. Passed balls. Leave it over the plate and get hit. He will unravel off a couple of hits. He saw the meltdown yesterday, he is the face, the symbol of the UNC meltdown. He watched from the dugout yesterday as North Carolina blew a 5 run lead, and he began to wonder "Man, it looks like I may have to pitch the decisive game 3 tomorrow." While Nickerson was in the other dugout foaming at the mouth saying "Ohh yeah baby, we're gonna force a game 7, and I'm gonna be on the hill."
This game will rest on Daniel Bard and Daniel Bard alone. He has the stuff, the talent to out-do anyone that opposes him. But he never shows up on the road or in big games. And no game gets bigger than this. If he brings his A game, UNC should win this game. But if Bard makes his typical 3rd inning exit, that UNC bullpen will be blown, momentum will stay with the Beavers, and UNC will fold.
4) The ACC CHOKE
We saw it all throughout Omaha. Tech up 4-0, in the 8th, they lose 8-4. Tech up again, they lose. Clemson couldnt do it. UNC was up 1-0 in this championship series, just needed to split the next 2 to win the title, and I wouldnt put it past them to lose 2 in a row to choke it away. I cant explain it, but facts are facts.
5) Beaver Nation, Karma, and more.
UNC wins in basketball. They dont care about this as much. If baseball loses, most, not all, but most will go back and start talking about basketball.
There is nothing else for Oregon State. This isnt to say they are bad in football or something. But facts are facts and I read that this Oregon State athletic department has only 1 National Title to their name in any sport. They are 1 win away from their school's 2nd Overall National Title, and Beaver Nation is amped and behind these guys 100%. Look at WC Bias for crying out loud! The guy is amped.
6) Hot Beaver Lineup
I was scared about these guys hitting. But they are producing runs, and I think they will get some help tonight, with walks, HBP and errors.
Good luck.
arty: :money8: 
