Thanks for the RPI link.
I am ecstatic with Pollard's job at Duke regardless of whether we make the NCAAs this year. Please don't translate wanting to play in the postseason into a disgruntled fan. My telescope is more analytical on how we get there again. You never forget how to count to 6 in football, ~20 in basketball, or ~35 in baseball.
While I love our (and NW's) RPI today, you want to avoid sub-200 losses for an at-large bid. The Big 10 is not a baseball league. If Northwestern and Penn State end up in the middle of their league, it should be more like losing 1/3 to the bottom of the ACC; a series win still looks good. If they fall far behind the rest of the Big 10 again, we probably have to win an extra ACC-level game to make up for each loss. That's a lot harder to do with this year's schedule.
Penn is off to a really bad start. Let's go for a sweep before ACC play heats up on Friday.
Baseball against Penn is underway. Live stats available here:
http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.db...CLID=211793748
Bob Green
Headed to T4: Duke 1, Penn 0
Kennie Taylor scored from 2nd base on a R. Maxwell single through the left side.
Bob Green
Duke escaped the top of the fifth tied 1-1. Penn left the bases loaded Duke needs to wake up. Losing two to Penn would be disastrous.
"This is the best of all possible worlds."
Dr. Pangloss - Candide
Duke gets caught trying to steal 3rd with 2 out in the 6th. So dumb.
"This is the best of all possible worlds."
Dr. Pangloss - Candide
Now Duke leaves the bases loaded in the 8th.
"This is the best of all possible worlds."
Dr. Pangloss - Candide
3-1 Penn, top 9th. Damn.
"This is the best of all possible worlds."
Dr. Pangloss - Candide
3-1 now.
Bob Green
Sweep.
"This is the best of all possible worlds."
Dr. Pangloss - Candide
It is certainly disappointing to lose two games to Penn but it is time to regroup as ACC play commences this weekend. Duke heads to Charlottesville for a three game series with Virginia. It is important to get off to a strong start in conference play.
Bob Green
That wasn't the sweep I had in mind. Penn is now 2-3 on the year. UVA is 7-5, but 3 of those were high quality losses from a tournament in Arizona.
Really bad set of losses to the Quakers. The team can instantly turn that around with a series win this weekend though. Time to nut up or shut up.
Today's ACC opener against Virginia has been pushed back to a 6:30 start time.
Bob Green
The game was snowed out. It will be 72 by Sunday, but I'm not sure they can complete a DH on Sunday by the time travel rules kick in.
Ozzie, your paradigm of optimism!
Go To Hell carolina, Go To Hell!
9F 9F 9F
https://ecogreen.greentechaffiliate.com
You never should feed a Mogwai after or post around midnight.
I am not sure of the exact detail of the travel rule, but you have to finish by a certain time on Sunday regardless. Coupled with timely lightning, it helped Sean McNally avoid a controversial loss against Clemson. It also applies to a Duke-UNC game with refs from Raleigh. Win early and often is the answer.
Thanks for the DST notice. I would have forgotten to change my clocks tonight. I just hope they don't get cleaned before the end of the day.
perhaps the best day I ever had in a major league ballpark (and I've had many) was a twinight doubleheader between Montreal and Chicago decades ago in Montreal.
First game went 18 innings...there was much huddling by the umps and teams vis a vis local rules, turned out they could start the second game as long as it commenced before midnight...it began at 11:45...
Expos scored something like 18 runs in the second game, saw every Cub pitcher twice I think, game ended well after 3 a.m., was light out when we got home.
Went thru I think three different beer buzz cycles...have several, give it a rest, have several more, give it a rest, etc.
Today's game is available on Watch ESPN:
http://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=...2-791649f7b187
Bob Green