Joe beats Jack, eyes second straight title

Did Joe win his semifinal matchup with Jack thanks to his managing? It's certainly possible.

He picked up Kurt Suzuki after Jorge Posada's ejection, and Suzuki helped to win him the week: 2 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB, 12 TB, .357/1.357 in limited time.

Jack, gracious in defeat, had some very kind words to say about Joe, giving him the ultimate props for the pickup.


"If Posada didn't cheap shot that catcher he wouldn't have gotten suspended," Jack said. "And if he didn't get suspended, Joe wouldn't have picked up the hitting machine (this week) Suzuki and it might have been a different match. Nice pickup by Joe and in the end it was likely the difference."

The match ended 10-8 and came right down to the wire, with homers, strikeouts and stolen bases all neck-and-neck.

It was a very exciting match to follow, the second playoff nailbiter Joe has won.

"I have to say that my team decided to show up when it mattered most," Joe said. "They came back to make a run in homers, they stepped up the average. They came through when it mattered."

Jack's team had a good week, certainly good enough to win most weeks. However, it was crushed by injuries late in the season. You could tell toward the end of the season the Billy Ballers simply weren't dominating like in the middle of the season.

Still, Jack refused to blame the injuries as reason for the loss.

"The injuries didn't help at all," Jack said. "I don't want to blame them, but I had to drop a number of my key offensive players and pick up people to fit a roster spot that were lesser players for sure - plus I lost my depth. There were a few hitters I would have benched this weekend if I had my depth back."

Meanwhile, Joe remains undefeated all time in the playoffs at 4-0 and is looking to repeat.

"The playoff success has to do with consistency," Joe said. "This year my team had been streaky, but I have had consistent pitching and my keepers - (Mark) Teixeira is a beast. I am most likely going to have to re-sign him. My staff has made it easier. My team can hit, but they are not the best. My pitching has been great."