Rays vs Philles...who woulda thought?

[tyberesk]

haha i had some faith...:highfive:

[Steve Jeltz]

MLB and FOX must be groaning with disappointment. They wanted Boston and LA in the Series.

[runningshoes]

Not FOX, that's for sure.

[philkid3]

Well, I'm sure the Phillies surprises no one. And PECOTA had the Rays winning 90 games and a large group of people, particularly those interested in sabermetrics and/or prospect projections, thought they could be at least a playoff contender.

So. . . it's not as much a stretch as, say, something like Mariners-Padres. :laugh

[bob]

TV networks, prepare for the lowest TV rating ever for a WS!
But im thinking it'll be a good series, much closer than in recent years.
It also means we have had 8 different teams in the last 4 WS, which is great for those who like the unpredictability of the postseason.

[brewcrew82]

TV networks, prepare for the lowest TV rating ever for a WS!

If it is, they've only got themselves to blame. If they were to discuss teams a little more evenly, come playoff time people would me more likely to tune in because they are not completely unknown (we see it here on this site, people are still acting like it's the same Tampa Bay of old and it's a complete shock that they made it this far).

If the ESPN's and the Fox's (or would that be foxes?) of the world commented more on how the Rays were much improved rather than constantly reporting on why the Yankees aren't playing up to their expectations, or how the Phillies won their division, rather than how the Mets choked it away, they might not have to brace themselves for such disappointing ratings.

Whilst I'm ranting I might as well go off on this tangent, why is it when an MLB team comes into their own (like a Tampa Bay this year), and wins the division the media seem to snup it like I alluded to, but when an NFL team comes out of nowhere and plays well, by the end of the season everyone knows all about them and why they were winning and how they "bought it all together". Why is it so? Are the networks doing a disservice to the casual baseball fan or are baseball fans just generally apathetic outside of their own chosen/local team?

[four tool]

I had the Rays in the WS, but not the Phillies, and right now I can't figure which one will win. My heart says the Rays but something else is saying go with Philly.

[philipthegreat]

The million to one shot came, hell froze over the Tampa Bay Rays have made it to the World Series. Fox and MLB wanted a Red Sox Cubs world series.

[gman5431]

Yeah, no one had Tampa in the WS before the season. Hell, most people, myself included had them losing 90 games, not winning 104 and counting. I always have liked the Phils, and thought the Cubs were overhyped so they were my NL pick. This is going to be a great WS, for the fans at least. Sure the ratings will suck and Bud is probably pissed, but i couldnt care less - this is going to be exciting!

G Man

[sturg1dj]

I knew it all along....bet $10,000 at Caesar's Palace....now I'm friggin' rich!!!!




the Phillies are not a shock and I knew the Rays would be getting better with all of that talent, but not this fast.

[giantsrule]

phillies have always been my number two team...

[Zagi-CRO]

At the beginning of the season was 200:1 shot the Rays would come to the WS.

[DodgerBlue8188]

Anybody know what the odds were for Tampa to make it to the World Series or win it all?

[Scoops]

Anybody know what the odds were for Tampa to make it to the World Series or win it all?
According to VegasWatch (http://vegaswatch.net/2008/04/opening-day-futures-odds.html), they were 150:1 to win it all on opening day. This tied them with the Giants and Pirates for third worst odds (three teams went off at 300:1, one at 500:1).

[philkid3]

I think a lot of people are overlooking how many other people and outlets did think the Rays would be pretty good this year at worst.

[Scoops]

I think a lot of people are overlooking how many other people and outlets did think the Rays would be pretty good this year at worst.
Could be. On the other hand, the most optimistic prediction for the Rays this year was PECOTA, which still had them in third in the division by a couple of games (88 wins). Lots of people also thought that was an absurd games-won prediction.

In retrospect, not so much.

[gojays]

I bet my friend 10 bucks that we would never see this WS matchup in our lives again.

Also, I gave him 20:1 odds if it happens in 2045. :cap:

[Lafferty Daniel]

TV networks, prepare for the lowest TV rating ever for a WS!

Philly is the 4th largest media market, and Tampa/St. Pete is the 13th, so this WS could pull in decent numbers. That said, the size of market doesn't guarantee good ratings, it's just one of the many variables in the wacky world of Neilsen ratings. We shall see...

[STLCards2]

Could be. On the other hand, the most optimistic prediction for the Rays this year was PECOTA, which still had them in third in the division by a couple of games (88 wins). Lots of people also thought that was an absurd games-won prediction.

In retrospect, not so much.

I heard a lot of people say the Rays would be respectable to slighlty above average. I heard several say that they would be a playoff threat in 2009. I heard nobody say that the Rays would be the best team in baseball and go to the W.S.

That being said, this was not as big of a shock as the Braves in 1991- who everybody had remaining place. Nobody knew Pendleton was going to be a very good hitter all of a sudden, and nobody knew a scrawny soft-tossing lefty with a 32-42 career record was about to become Whitey Ford.

I agree with the previous post - the ratings won't be great, but with at least one east-coast media darling and a special interest story, the ratings will not be one of the worst ever...unless the series is quick with lots of blowouts.