St Marys - St Johns Game recap
St Mary's got a nice victory yesterday morning over St. John's. I would give St Marys a B grade overall for this game. Their lack of an inside presence now that Omar Samhan is gone is very scary. Throughout the St Johns game we were relying on three pointers (like usual) but we could not get an easy bucket basically the whole game. Someone needs to step up and be a go to downlow scorer. Diamon Simpson and Samhan were go to downlow scorers and that seems to be lacking so far. Tim Williams has looked good in spurts downlow and seems to be the Gaels best chance at a big time scoring bigman. If he can develop even half of the game that Samhan possessed last year, than St. Mary's should be in good shape to make a run at the WCC title.
The Gaels guard play is going to very iffy this season, McConnell is a great three-point shooter and slightly above average passer. Dallevadova has not impressed me. He has struggled shooting the three and is not creating off the dribble. However, Dallevadova is probably the Gaels best perimiter defender that they have and with his size will be able to guard the bigger point guards in the NCAA. Clint Stemdl had a huge game shooting the three and if he can keep up the shooting will be a a very effective Small Forward in the WCC.
Overall, I have high expectations for this team. I think that, while it may take a while this season for the team to learn how to play together (Only Dallavedova, McConnell and Stemdl have ever played significant minutes for the Gaels), the young crop looks promising and seems to be the most athletic the Gaels have had in years.
Quick note on St. Johns. New head coach Steve Lavin has this St John's team playing well. They were able to compete the entire game despite horrible shooting in the second half. St Johns will struggle playing fundamental basketball (like they did in this game) but should be athletic enough to compete in games anyway. This St Johns team will definitely be fun to watch and will have it's struggles but will definitely continue to improve and be very competitive by the time tournament times comes around.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Why Ron Washington is a horrible manager: Closer Usage
Dear Ron Washington,
Hi my name is Eric and I live in New York City. I am not a Yankee fan and would love to see them lose. Your team gave me hope by taking a 5-1 lead against the hated Yankees tonight into the 8th inning. Then CJ Wilson started getting into trouble. After the Yankees got a couple of players on, you, Mr. Washington, in all your managerial decided, "hey, who cares that the best pitcher in my bullpen is Neftali Feliz, I can't use him until the 9th inning to get the save," so you brought in a bunch of other relievers who went on to give up 3 runs and give the Yankees a 6-5 lead.
Mr. Washington, knowing that your team lost the game 6-5 and knowing that you left your best relief pitcher in the bullpen, do you think that you made the right managerial decisions? Or, is the save such an important statistic in your brain that you couldn't imagine any other pitcher from your bullpen getting that capital S next to his name.
Sincerely, your biggest fan,
Eric
Hi my name is Eric and I live in New York City. I am not a Yankee fan and would love to see them lose. Your team gave me hope by taking a 5-1 lead against the hated Yankees tonight into the 8th inning. Then CJ Wilson started getting into trouble. After the Yankees got a couple of players on, you, Mr. Washington, in all your managerial decided, "hey, who cares that the best pitcher in my bullpen is Neftali Feliz, I can't use him until the 9th inning to get the save," so you brought in a bunch of other relievers who went on to give up 3 runs and give the Yankees a 6-5 lead.
Mr. Washington, knowing that your team lost the game 6-5 and knowing that you left your best relief pitcher in the bullpen, do you think that you made the right managerial decisions? Or, is the save such an important statistic in your brain that you couldn't imagine any other pitcher from your bullpen getting that capital S next to his name.
Sincerely, your biggest fan,
Eric
LCS Preview
Today after what seems like an eternity baseball has returned. This is just going to be a quick preview because I haven't had a lot of time this week and want to get this preview done before the Yankees-Rangers game begins.
Let's start with the ALCS. Looking at the pitching matchups I have to give the advantage to the Yankees. The starting rotation for the Yankees is stronger 1-2 and the Rangers are stronger 3-4, (I'm just talking about this series and for our purposes cj wilson is texas' #1 and Cliff Lee is #3. The Yankees have a stronger bullpen so overall I will give the pitching advantage to the Yankees. The lineups however are a different story. I give the advantage here to the Rangers, the reason being that the Rangers have a lot of speed and Jorge Posada is terrible at throwing runners out. I think this series, a lot like Game 5 of the Rays series, comes down to manufacturing runs. So because of the Rangers speed they will be able to manufacture more runs than the Yankees lineup will be able to. Overall in this series I give the slight advantage to the Rangers because of their speed and ability to manufacture that one run when they need it. I'm taking the Rangers in 7, with Cliff Lee throwing another series deciding complete game.
Onto the NLCS. This is a battle of the pitching rotations. The Giants have a really good rotation, Lincecum, Sanchez, Cain and Bumgarner and so do the Phillies with Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels & Blanton. I'm going to go against the grain and say that I believe the Giants have a better rotation. From 1-3 I think the Giants pitching is just as good and Bumgarner is better than Blanton. The Giants bullpen is better than the Phillies because seriously, Brad Lidge, that's all I have to say about the weakness of the Phillies bullpen. The Phillies have a better lineup when they are going good but have been struggling mightily. In the lineup category I am going to give a slight advantage to the Phillies. I think this is going to be an awesome series and I predict the Phillies in 6, with Roy Oswalt getting the W.
Let's start with the ALCS. Looking at the pitching matchups I have to give the advantage to the Yankees. The starting rotation for the Yankees is stronger 1-2 and the Rangers are stronger 3-4, (I'm just talking about this series and for our purposes cj wilson is texas' #1 and Cliff Lee is #3. The Yankees have a stronger bullpen so overall I will give the pitching advantage to the Yankees. The lineups however are a different story. I give the advantage here to the Rangers, the reason being that the Rangers have a lot of speed and Jorge Posada is terrible at throwing runners out. I think this series, a lot like Game 5 of the Rays series, comes down to manufacturing runs. So because of the Rangers speed they will be able to manufacture more runs than the Yankees lineup will be able to. Overall in this series I give the slight advantage to the Rangers because of their speed and ability to manufacture that one run when they need it. I'm taking the Rangers in 7, with Cliff Lee throwing another series deciding complete game.
Onto the NLCS. This is a battle of the pitching rotations. The Giants have a really good rotation, Lincecum, Sanchez, Cain and Bumgarner and so do the Phillies with Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels & Blanton. I'm going to go against the grain and say that I believe the Giants have a better rotation. From 1-3 I think the Giants pitching is just as good and Bumgarner is better than Blanton. The Giants bullpen is better than the Phillies because seriously, Brad Lidge, that's all I have to say about the weakness of the Phillies bullpen. The Phillies have a better lineup when they are going good but have been struggling mightily. In the lineup category I am going to give a slight advantage to the Phillies. I think this is going to be an awesome series and I predict the Phillies in 6, with Roy Oswalt getting the W.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Baseball - The Greatest Play Ever Performed
The MLB playoffs are amazing. They are the only important games happening this month. Yes hockey and basketball are starting but it's only the beginning of their seasons. The NFL is only sundays and mondays so what are sport fans supposed to do the rest of the week to get their sports fill.
What makes the playoffs so exciting you ask? Well for starters there is baseball on for at least 6 hours a day, during the playoffs life becomes eat, work and baseball. Anytime there are 6 hours of a great sport on a day it's great. There is unrivaled drama. More drama than in any other sport, besides maybe the NHL playoffs. The NBA playoffs you don't have to watch until the fourth quarter and the NFL you only get two days of games a week.
Unrivaled drama? Eric you are insane baseball is way too long and slow to have such drama. Baseball has many flaws, it's slow, sometimes there is not a lot of action, sometimes it can lull you into complacency; however these flaws only add to the drama and here is why.
Let's say you are at a Broadway play, at a movie theater or reading a great book, do you want the entire book to be the climax, the entire story to be the one lasting event. No, mostly you want the story, the background, you want to get to know the characters but the most important part, the buildup, the anticipation. A great story, at least for me, is one where the anticipation is so intense that you almost can't handle it. You know the ending is coming but you have no idea what it's going to be. Yes you probably know all the characters and have an idea what you think the ending will be but the beauty of a story is that until you've finished it can be anything. It can be exactly what you expected or the exact opposite of what you thought. The character you knew and hated could turn out to be the hero and the villian that you prayed would ultimately fail can succeed.
A baseball game in many ways is in its essence a story. The players, coaches and increasingly the umpires are the characters and the game is their journey. Let's look at the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves game from last night to understand the baseball game to story comparison. Big time Timmy Jim Lincecum was on the mound for the Giants against Derek Lowe for the Braves. The Giants featuring rookie of the year candidate Buster Posey against the Braves Jayson Heyward their rookie of the year candidate. The starting 9 of the Giants vs. the starting 9 of the Braves, these were the main characters, the main players. The game started out with a couple of scoreless inning. They were setting the scene, introducing us to the characters and giving us their background, allowing us, the audience, to decide who we loved and hated and cheered and booed. Next came the bottom of the fourth. Buster Posey comes up and hits a single. Next up Burell, 3-2 count, Derek Lowe delivers and Posey takes off for second. With the entire stadium holding it's collective breath Burrell strikes out and McCann throws to second. The stadium is ready to erupt and everyone is staring at the second base umpire, "Safe!". The crowd goes crazy. Juan Uribe is retired harmlessly and Pablo Sandoval is intentionally walked. both are retired harmlessly and up to the plate comes Cody Ross. Everyone San Francisco Giants fan is now nervous, "here it goes again, we are going to waste another base runner in scoring position," says Little 12 year old Jimmy Sveds to his dad a lifelong Giants fan. His dad Kevin Sveds had seen this all time to many times, Giants look promising finally get to the playoffs and lose. He is part of the cursed Giants franchise which has been unable to bring home a championship to San Francisco since moving the franchise from New York. Derek Lowe gets ready and deals, Cody Ross hits it hard and singles to left, Posey scores! They have done it they broke the 0-0 tie and know that that might be all they need to win. Lincecum is just dealing, he seems only slightly hittable and seems back to his Cy young form.
Fast forward to the top of the 9th inning. The Braves have been trying, albeit unsuccessfully, to score a run and are now down to their last 3 outs. No one in the stadium is comfortable, everybody is nervous. Giants fans hoping that their Cy young ace can hold the 1-0 lead and the Braves fans hoping they can miraculously score a run. (The beauty of baseball is now everyone in the stadium has a break between innings to let the emotion sink in, to increase the tension, to try to truly understand the situation and figure out what the ending is going to be. Whether they will be depressed or elated, cry or cheer.) First up is Omar Infante and he proceeds to ground out. Next is Jason Heyward the stellar rookie and he strikes out swinging. Derek Lee is up, with 2 outs in the top of the 9th, Lee is the braves last hope. Lincecum delivers, first pitch strike 1. Next pitch strike 2, next ball 1. Derrek Lee is now down to his last strike, Lincecum is ready, the crowd is on it's feet ready to go crazy. Lincecum gets set and delivers....Strike 3!
The crowd goes crazy, the game is over, the ending has been written, all that is left is tomorrow, knowing that there will be more at bats, more games, but for tonight the story is over and the ending has been written!
So until tomorrow, until the next game we can go back and analyze and try to figure out why it ended the way it did, knowing that we were all along for that thrilling ride.
What makes the playoffs so exciting you ask? Well for starters there is baseball on for at least 6 hours a day, during the playoffs life becomes eat, work and baseball. Anytime there are 6 hours of a great sport on a day it's great. There is unrivaled drama. More drama than in any other sport, besides maybe the NHL playoffs. The NBA playoffs you don't have to watch until the fourth quarter and the NFL you only get two days of games a week.
Unrivaled drama? Eric you are insane baseball is way too long and slow to have such drama. Baseball has many flaws, it's slow, sometimes there is not a lot of action, sometimes it can lull you into complacency; however these flaws only add to the drama and here is why.
Let's say you are at a Broadway play, at a movie theater or reading a great book, do you want the entire book to be the climax, the entire story to be the one lasting event. No, mostly you want the story, the background, you want to get to know the characters but the most important part, the buildup, the anticipation. A great story, at least for me, is one where the anticipation is so intense that you almost can't handle it. You know the ending is coming but you have no idea what it's going to be. Yes you probably know all the characters and have an idea what you think the ending will be but the beauty of a story is that until you've finished it can be anything. It can be exactly what you expected or the exact opposite of what you thought. The character you knew and hated could turn out to be the hero and the villian that you prayed would ultimately fail can succeed.
A baseball game in many ways is in its essence a story. The players, coaches and increasingly the umpires are the characters and the game is their journey. Let's look at the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves game from last night to understand the baseball game to story comparison. Big time Timmy Jim Lincecum was on the mound for the Giants against Derek Lowe for the Braves. The Giants featuring rookie of the year candidate Buster Posey against the Braves Jayson Heyward their rookie of the year candidate. The starting 9 of the Giants vs. the starting 9 of the Braves, these were the main characters, the main players. The game started out with a couple of scoreless inning. They were setting the scene, introducing us to the characters and giving us their background, allowing us, the audience, to decide who we loved and hated and cheered and booed. Next came the bottom of the fourth. Buster Posey comes up and hits a single. Next up Burell, 3-2 count, Derek Lowe delivers and Posey takes off for second. With the entire stadium holding it's collective breath Burrell strikes out and McCann throws to second. The stadium is ready to erupt and everyone is staring at the second base umpire, "Safe!". The crowd goes crazy. Juan Uribe is retired harmlessly and Pablo Sandoval is intentionally walked. both are retired harmlessly and up to the plate comes Cody Ross. Everyone San Francisco Giants fan is now nervous, "here it goes again, we are going to waste another base runner in scoring position," says Little 12 year old Jimmy Sveds to his dad a lifelong Giants fan. His dad Kevin Sveds had seen this all time to many times, Giants look promising finally get to the playoffs and lose. He is part of the cursed Giants franchise which has been unable to bring home a championship to San Francisco since moving the franchise from New York. Derek Lowe gets ready and deals, Cody Ross hits it hard and singles to left, Posey scores! They have done it they broke the 0-0 tie and know that that might be all they need to win. Lincecum is just dealing, he seems only slightly hittable and seems back to his Cy young form.
Fast forward to the top of the 9th inning. The Braves have been trying, albeit unsuccessfully, to score a run and are now down to their last 3 outs. No one in the stadium is comfortable, everybody is nervous. Giants fans hoping that their Cy young ace can hold the 1-0 lead and the Braves fans hoping they can miraculously score a run. (The beauty of baseball is now everyone in the stadium has a break between innings to let the emotion sink in, to increase the tension, to try to truly understand the situation and figure out what the ending is going to be. Whether they will be depressed or elated, cry or cheer.) First up is Omar Infante and he proceeds to ground out. Next is Jason Heyward the stellar rookie and he strikes out swinging. Derek Lee is up, with 2 outs in the top of the 9th, Lee is the braves last hope. Lincecum delivers, first pitch strike 1. Next pitch strike 2, next ball 1. Derrek Lee is now down to his last strike, Lincecum is ready, the crowd is on it's feet ready to go crazy. Lincecum gets set and delivers....Strike 3!
The crowd goes crazy, the game is over, the ending has been written, all that is left is tomorrow, knowing that there will be more at bats, more games, but for tonight the story is over and the ending has been written!
So until tomorrow, until the next game we can go back and analyze and try to figure out why it ended the way it did, knowing that we were all along for that thrilling ride.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Arod and The Captain - Hypocrisy At it's Finest
Tonight ESPN aired 30 for 30 "Four nights in October" and it is a pretty good documentary, nothing special but interesting enough. The documentary just showed Game 6 and the Arod play where he swatted the ball out of Bronson Arroyo's glove. Arod knew he was going to be out so he tried to swat the ball out of Arroyo's glove because he knew that there was no other way he could reach first base. All he was doing was trying to help his team win and he was doing anything he could to make it happen. Was it cheating? Probably, but it's the umpires job to make that call.
I would compare this type of baseball activity to the other types of baseball activities that could be considered cheating that could also be considered cheating in baseball. A catcher framing a pitch when he knows its a ball, a second, third baseman or shortstop pretending to have made a tag in time, an outfielder acting like he made a diving catch when in fact he had trapped it, and the last example is a batter pretending like a ball hit them when they knew that it hit the bat.
O yea, by the way, the last example of cheating happened this year by none other than The Captain Derek Jeter. Derek Jeter pretended that the ball had hit his hand and not his bat. After doing this Jeter's was interviewed and said that he knew he had not been hit by the ball but he figured he could get to first base if he pretended it him. After this everyone applauded Jeter for his acting and effort.
I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with what Jeter did, "if you aint cheating you aint trying" but I don't see the big difference between what Alex Rodriguez did and what Derek Jeter did. They both were doing everything they could to get on first base and help their team win.
I would compare this type of baseball activity to the other types of baseball activities that could be considered cheating that could also be considered cheating in baseball. A catcher framing a pitch when he knows its a ball, a second, third baseman or shortstop pretending to have made a tag in time, an outfielder acting like he made a diving catch when in fact he had trapped it, and the last example is a batter pretending like a ball hit them when they knew that it hit the bat.
O yea, by the way, the last example of cheating happened this year by none other than The Captain Derek Jeter. Derek Jeter pretended that the ball had hit his hand and not his bat. After doing this Jeter's was interviewed and said that he knew he had not been hit by the ball but he figured he could get to first base if he pretended it him. After this everyone applauded Jeter for his acting and effort.
I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with what Jeter did, "if you aint cheating you aint trying" but I don't see the big difference between what Alex Rodriguez did and what Derek Jeter did. They both were doing everything they could to get on first base and help their team win.
MLB Playoff Preview Part II
Today friends I am going to preview the two National League Division Series. First up is the Philadelphia Phillies against the Cincinnati Reds. This one was the easiest for me to predict, Philadelphia in 4. Let's break down this series starting with the biggest difference in talent level first. The Phillies starting rotation is ridiculous, I can't think of a better way to describe them. With Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels the Phillies have three legitimate number one starters. If those three starters can pitch 7 or 8 innings they can afford to have a slightly weaker bullpen than the Reds. The Reds starters are not lights out and they have no legitimate consensus number one starter. The Reds have had bullpen problems all season just like the Phillies have. Because of both of these bullpens struggles you have to give the pitching edge to the Phillies and H20 (Holliday, Hamels & Oswalt).
Offensively I think that both of these teams are very even. The Phillies have a great lineup but Rollins and Victorino have struggled and Utley has been hurt a lot. The Reds also have had some struggles but they do have the NL MVP Joey Votto. I am going to call the offenses a wash. This wash on offense and the Phillies pitching strength are why I chose the Philadelphia Phillies to advance.
Now onto the most exciting matchup of the first round of the playoffs, the San Francisco Giants against the Atlanta Braves. The reason I say this is the most exciting is because I am one of the few people who would prefer a 1-0 game to a 10-8 game. I love low scoring pitching duels and this series will have plenty of those. Let's start with the number one matchup of this series, baseball's future star outfielder Jayson Heward vs Baseball's future star catcher Buster Posey. The two leaders by far in the NL Rookie of the year race are set to square off. Even though they are not technically matched up against each other, they are both just so much fun to watch.
Offensively I believe that neither one of these teams has an advantage. Both of these teams have terrible offenses and if either one of these teams scores 3 runs in a game that should be considered a success. Pitching will be how these games will be decided. Pitching wise, I think that the Giants rotation is better than the Braves. Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez, and if needed Bumgarner as a very formidable number 4 starter, is probably the second best in the national league and probably second in the entire playoffs. The Braves rotation is okay Lowe, Hanson, Hudson and if Beachy as the fourth starter. When choosing between these two rotations I would definitely take the Giants rotation. Onto the bullpens, I would say that both of these bullpens are equal. They both have a pretty good setupman and have closers who are having great seasons. Therefore, I would give the edge in this series to Giants due to their pitching strength.
Here's a quick rundown, as promised, of the rest of my picks for the rest of the playoffs. So here's the rundown:
First Round: Rays over Rangers
Twins over Yankees
Phillies over Reds
Giants over Braves
Second Round: Twins over Rays
Phillies over Giants
Third Round: Phillies over Twins
Offensively I think that both of these teams are very even. The Phillies have a great lineup but Rollins and Victorino have struggled and Utley has been hurt a lot. The Reds also have had some struggles but they do have the NL MVP Joey Votto. I am going to call the offenses a wash. This wash on offense and the Phillies pitching strength are why I chose the Philadelphia Phillies to advance.
Now onto the most exciting matchup of the first round of the playoffs, the San Francisco Giants against the Atlanta Braves. The reason I say this is the most exciting is because I am one of the few people who would prefer a 1-0 game to a 10-8 game. I love low scoring pitching duels and this series will have plenty of those. Let's start with the number one matchup of this series, baseball's future star outfielder Jayson Heward vs Baseball's future star catcher Buster Posey. The two leaders by far in the NL Rookie of the year race are set to square off. Even though they are not technically matched up against each other, they are both just so much fun to watch.
Offensively I believe that neither one of these teams has an advantage. Both of these teams have terrible offenses and if either one of these teams scores 3 runs in a game that should be considered a success. Pitching will be how these games will be decided. Pitching wise, I think that the Giants rotation is better than the Braves. Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez, and if needed Bumgarner as a very formidable number 4 starter, is probably the second best in the national league and probably second in the entire playoffs. The Braves rotation is okay Lowe, Hanson, Hudson and if Beachy as the fourth starter. When choosing between these two rotations I would definitely take the Giants rotation. Onto the bullpens, I would say that both of these bullpens are equal. They both have a pretty good setupman and have closers who are having great seasons. Therefore, I would give the edge in this series to Giants due to their pitching strength.
Here's a quick rundown, as promised, of the rest of my picks for the rest of the playoffs. So here's the rundown:
First Round: Rays over Rangers
Twins over Yankees
Phillies over Reds
Giants over Braves
Second Round: Twins over Rays
Phillies over Giants
Third Round: Phillies over Twins
Monday, October 4, 2010
MLB Playoff Preview 2010
Last night was the thrilling end to a great regular season. The Braves and Giants both clinched playoff spots, the Rays won the east and the playoff matchups have been set. Now for your reading pleasure I present to you my officialy unofficial MLB playoff preview. So is everyone out there ready for some playoff baseball with the greatest sports announcer of all time, yes all time Joe Buck.
Let's start with the AL East Champions against the AL West Champions. The first item that should be discussed about this series is the fact that they have to play both games 1 and games 2 of this series during the day. The reason that this is important is that it shows what MLB cares about, money. Yes I know baseball is a business and that this is purely a business decision, but come on, how can you say that you care about fairness and equality when you don't even care enough about the Rays and Rangers to give them one night game during the week. I believe that Rays fans and Ranger fans want to support their respective teams but it's really hard for them to do that while they are at work in a struggling economy. Baseball should have cared about fairness here and given one day game each to each series, but hey that's just my opinion.
Now onto the actual baseball playing side of the playoffs. My prediction for this series is the Rays in 4. The reason for this is that no other team seems to be quite as good at stealing wins. The Rays have an uncanny ability to win games that they shouldn't and games where they are actually outplayed. First let's take a look at the pitching matchup between these two teams. For the Rangers it will be Cliff Lee, Mr. October who has been unbelievable in the postseason the last two years, followed by CJ Wilson and Colby Lewis in game 2 and 3 (they are not sure what order they will pitch in) and Tommy Hunter in game 4 if necessary. For the Rays it will be David Price game 1 and then James Shields, Wade Davis and Matt Garza in games 2,3 and 4 (the order has not yet been decided). For me the Rangers have a better starting rotation. The Rays however have the greater bullpen. Their bullpen looks alot like it did in 2008 when they made their World Series run. They have a young starter who they like a lot in the bullpen have solid setup guys but this year they have a great closer in Rafael Soriano. Overall I will give the pitching advantage to the Rays, the reason being that a lot of funky things can happen in the beginning of a game and so I think the Rays great bullpen and their pretty good starters overall are btter than the Rangers starter and bullpen combination.
Offensively in this series I think that from top to bottom the Rays have a better offense. Everyone in the lineup knows how to handle the bat well and make productive plays happen. For both the Rays and the Rangers their best hitters are coming off injuries. Evan Longoria for the Rays hurt his hamstring but seems to be fine and Josh Hamilton for the Rangers has been sidelined for basically all of September and is still not at 100%. OUt of these two lineups I think that the Rays offense is stronger.
Now onto what I believe is the more intriguing series. My prediction for this series, the Twins against the Yankees, is Minnesota in 5. New York's starting rotation is in shambles right now. Sabathia has pitched great this year but after that the entire rotation is a question mark. Pettitte struggled on Saturday throwing 4 innnings but needing 88 pitches to do so. After that wow! Hughes has not been pitching that well and is over his pitch limit, Ivan Nova has struggled after the fourth or fifth inning, and AJ Burnett is just terrible (the Yankees should not even consider starting him in the playoffs unless they absolutely have to). Minnesota's rotation is much stronger Liriano and Pavano have pitched very well this year. (Number 1 reason for Pavano's resurgence, Pavano's moustache, 100% the reason.) Duensing has been pitching very well also. I will give a slight edge to the Yankees bullpen because of Mr. Mariano Rivera but that advantage is not enough to make up for the Yankees abyssmal starting rotation.
Offensively the Yankees have a slight advantage overall, except for one little fact they can't hit left handed pitching right now. Considering games 1 & 3 and probably 4 they will be facing lefties I think that their offense is going to struggle mightily. On the flip side the Twins do not have a weakness in their lineup. They are solid from top to bottom and have. The Yankees lineup is struggling so I believe the three games against the lefties will be enough for them to be eliminated.
So overall for the two AL Division Series' I have the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins advancing. Tonight or tomorrow I will preview and predict the NL Division Series' and predict how the rest of the playoffs will turn out.
So until next time everyone,
Goodnight and sleep tight and get ready for some postseason baseball!
Let's start with the AL East Champions against the AL West Champions. The first item that should be discussed about this series is the fact that they have to play both games 1 and games 2 of this series during the day. The reason that this is important is that it shows what MLB cares about, money. Yes I know baseball is a business and that this is purely a business decision, but come on, how can you say that you care about fairness and equality when you don't even care enough about the Rays and Rangers to give them one night game during the week. I believe that Rays fans and Ranger fans want to support their respective teams but it's really hard for them to do that while they are at work in a struggling economy. Baseball should have cared about fairness here and given one day game each to each series, but hey that's just my opinion.
Now onto the actual baseball playing side of the playoffs. My prediction for this series is the Rays in 4. The reason for this is that no other team seems to be quite as good at stealing wins. The Rays have an uncanny ability to win games that they shouldn't and games where they are actually outplayed. First let's take a look at the pitching matchup between these two teams. For the Rangers it will be Cliff Lee, Mr. October who has been unbelievable in the postseason the last two years, followed by CJ Wilson and Colby Lewis in game 2 and 3 (they are not sure what order they will pitch in) and Tommy Hunter in game 4 if necessary. For the Rays it will be David Price game 1 and then James Shields, Wade Davis and Matt Garza in games 2,3 and 4 (the order has not yet been decided). For me the Rangers have a better starting rotation. The Rays however have the greater bullpen. Their bullpen looks alot like it did in 2008 when they made their World Series run. They have a young starter who they like a lot in the bullpen have solid setup guys but this year they have a great closer in Rafael Soriano. Overall I will give the pitching advantage to the Rays, the reason being that a lot of funky things can happen in the beginning of a game and so I think the Rays great bullpen and their pretty good starters overall are btter than the Rangers starter and bullpen combination.
Offensively in this series I think that from top to bottom the Rays have a better offense. Everyone in the lineup knows how to handle the bat well and make productive plays happen. For both the Rays and the Rangers their best hitters are coming off injuries. Evan Longoria for the Rays hurt his hamstring but seems to be fine and Josh Hamilton for the Rangers has been sidelined for basically all of September and is still not at 100%. OUt of these two lineups I think that the Rays offense is stronger.
Now onto what I believe is the more intriguing series. My prediction for this series, the Twins against the Yankees, is Minnesota in 5. New York's starting rotation is in shambles right now. Sabathia has pitched great this year but after that the entire rotation is a question mark. Pettitte struggled on Saturday throwing 4 innnings but needing 88 pitches to do so. After that wow! Hughes has not been pitching that well and is over his pitch limit, Ivan Nova has struggled after the fourth or fifth inning, and AJ Burnett is just terrible (the Yankees should not even consider starting him in the playoffs unless they absolutely have to). Minnesota's rotation is much stronger Liriano and Pavano have pitched very well this year. (Number 1 reason for Pavano's resurgence, Pavano's moustache, 100% the reason.) Duensing has been pitching very well also. I will give a slight edge to the Yankees bullpen because of Mr. Mariano Rivera but that advantage is not enough to make up for the Yankees abyssmal starting rotation.
Offensively the Yankees have a slight advantage overall, except for one little fact they can't hit left handed pitching right now. Considering games 1 & 3 and probably 4 they will be facing lefties I think that their offense is going to struggle mightily. On the flip side the Twins do not have a weakness in their lineup. They are solid from top to bottom and have. The Yankees lineup is struggling so I believe the three games against the lefties will be enough for them to be eliminated.
So overall for the two AL Division Series' I have the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins advancing. Tonight or tomorrow I will preview and predict the NL Division Series' and predict how the rest of the playoffs will turn out.
So until next time everyone,
Goodnight and sleep tight and get ready for some postseason baseball!
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