As we sit just minutes from the start of the 2009 NLCS, tomorrow night's opening game of the ALCS features what many people believe are the two best teams in baseball - the Los Angeles Angels and the New York Yankees.
Weather permitting, the series gets underway tomorrow night in New York. C.C. Sabathia takes the mound against Angels righty John Lackey. Game two will pit A.J. Burnett and lefty Joe Saunders. When the series moves west to L.A., Yanks lefty Andy Pettitte will be opposed by Jered Weaver.
On paper this looks like a great match up. The Yankees have been the league's best team all season and the Angels have seemed to have the Bombers' number in recent years. For certain, the Angels are not intimidated by the Yankees. In fact, not much scares this team since they have overcome a tremendous amount of adversity throughout the year.
Still, the Yankees have the edge in almost every category but managerial experience. The Yankees front two starting pitchers are better, though the Angels boast a deeper rotation. The Yankee bullpen has been significantly better and the difference between Yankees closer Mariano Rivera and Angels stopper Brian Fuentes is astronomical. The Angels feature a potent lineup, but the Yankees are even better. Even the Yankees' bench is superior, with Brett Gardner and Jose Molina more useful than Jeff Mathis and Macier Izturis.
To boot, the Yankees start the series at home in front of their raucous home crowd. I wish the series would turn out like it says it should on paper, but I don't see it. The Yankees will pound Lackey and Saunders to take a 2-0 lead to L.A. where they will beat Weaver to go up 3-0. I see the Angels grabbing a game at home before the Yankees finish it off in front of 50,000 people holding thunder sticks and wondering what happened.
Yankees in 5
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Dodgers - Phillies II
For the second straight season, the Dodgers and Phillies will meet in the NLCS. This time around, the Dodgers have the home-field advantage although the two teams remain largely unchanged.
This promises to be solid match up, with this Dodgers team improved from the squad that was eliminated in five games a year ago. Additionally, the Phillies have had a myriad of issues with their bullpen and especially closer Brad Lidge.
Both lineups are potent, with both speed and the ability to hit the ball out of the park. The Dodgers will trot out two lefthanders - Randy Wolf and Clayton Kershaw - at least four times during the series in an attempt to neutralize the Phillies' lefthanded power. It appears that Kershaw and not Wolf will get the nod tomorrow night, a wise move by manager Joe Torre. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley is MIA and was left off the NLDS roster. Reports indicate he will be available in relief in this series. Regardless, the Dodgers are not counting on Billingsley to fill a rotation spot. Instead, Hiroki Kuroda will take his place.
I can't see this being a one-sided series like last year. I think the Dodgers will get the early 1-0 lead behind Kershaw tomorrow night and then drop game two heading back to Philly. There, I see the Phils taking two of three and then wrapping things up in Game six in LA.
There's something about the resilience of the Philadelphia Phillies. I firmly believe they are less talented than a year ago, yet more mature and more capable of winning it all. Despite their issues with the bullpen, Charlie Manuel seems to be able to steer the club around them and into the win column. They're going to repeat as NL champs.
Phillies in 6.
This promises to be solid match up, with this Dodgers team improved from the squad that was eliminated in five games a year ago. Additionally, the Phillies have had a myriad of issues with their bullpen and especially closer Brad Lidge.
Both lineups are potent, with both speed and the ability to hit the ball out of the park. The Dodgers will trot out two lefthanders - Randy Wolf and Clayton Kershaw - at least four times during the series in an attempt to neutralize the Phillies' lefthanded power. It appears that Kershaw and not Wolf will get the nod tomorrow night, a wise move by manager Joe Torre. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley is MIA and was left off the NLDS roster. Reports indicate he will be available in relief in this series. Regardless, the Dodgers are not counting on Billingsley to fill a rotation spot. Instead, Hiroki Kuroda will take his place.
I can't see this being a one-sided series like last year. I think the Dodgers will get the early 1-0 lead behind Kershaw tomorrow night and then drop game two heading back to Philly. There, I see the Phils taking two of three and then wrapping things up in Game six in LA.
There's something about the resilience of the Philadelphia Phillies. I firmly believe they are less talented than a year ago, yet more mature and more capable of winning it all. Despite their issues with the bullpen, Charlie Manuel seems to be able to steer the club around them and into the win column. They're going to repeat as NL champs.
Phillies in 6.
Monday, October 12, 2009
On to the second round
After Brad Lidge struck out Troy Tulowitzki Monday night, the first round of the MLB postseason came to a close. The four higher-seeded teams all prevailed and in remarkably easy fashion. Fans can only hope the LCS match-ups provide a bit more drama then the first round did.
The next round starts Thursday night when the Phillies and Cole Hamels head to LA to take on the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw. The NLCS is a rematch from last year in which the Phillies won in five games. Each team remains largely unchanged, with the biggest difference being the ineffectiveness of Brad Lidge this year compared to his stellar 2008. On paper, it appears to be an excellent match up, but it did a year ago as well and turned out to be disappointing.
In the American League, the Yankees and Angels have cruised through their first opponents on a collision course for each other. In the last ten years, no team has given the Yankees more problems than the Angels. Still, that was before the Yanks added C.C. Sabathia and Mark Teixeira. This looks like a fantastic pairing of two nearly-equal teams. It's going to come down to starting pitching, as it always does this time of year. Game one is Friday night in the Bronx.
The next round starts Thursday night when the Phillies and Cole Hamels head to LA to take on the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw. The NLCS is a rematch from last year in which the Phillies won in five games. Each team remains largely unchanged, with the biggest difference being the ineffectiveness of Brad Lidge this year compared to his stellar 2008. On paper, it appears to be an excellent match up, but it did a year ago as well and turned out to be disappointing.
In the American League, the Yankees and Angels have cruised through their first opponents on a collision course for each other. In the last ten years, no team has given the Yankees more problems than the Angels. Still, that was before the Yanks added C.C. Sabathia and Mark Teixeira. This looks like a fantastic pairing of two nearly-equal teams. It's going to come down to starting pitching, as it always does this time of year. Game one is Friday night in the Bronx.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Goats of October
October 25, 1986 was a day Bill Buckner would rather forget. That was the night Mookie Wilson's grounder eluded him and prevented the Red Sox from sending Game 6 of the World Series into extra innings. Of course, the Red Sox eventually blew a 3-2 series lead and Buckner became reviled in New England for the next decade or so.
This postseason has seen its fair share of ugly performances as well - and not just by the umps.
In game 2 of the NLDS between St. Louis and the Dodgers, the Cards had two out in the ninth and a 2-1 lead. A lazy fly ball drifted toward leftfielder Matt Holliday and promptly landed in his bread basket before careening onto the field. The Cards went on to blow the game and head back to St. Louis down 2-0 instead of all tied up. It was a truly pathetic performance by the impending free agent Holliday.
Friday night, the Twins nursed a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. Closer Joe Nathan came on and let up a single to Mark Teixeira. One batter later, Alex Rodriguez tied the game with a bomb. The Yanks went on to win in extra innings. Again, the team with the opportunity to tie a series completely blew it. And tonight in Minnesota, Nathan is getting hit around again as the Twins sit just three outs from elimination.
This postseason has seen its fair share of ugly performances as well - and not just by the umps.
In game 2 of the NLDS between St. Louis and the Dodgers, the Cards had two out in the ninth and a 2-1 lead. A lazy fly ball drifted toward leftfielder Matt Holliday and promptly landed in his bread basket before careening onto the field. The Cards went on to blow the game and head back to St. Louis down 2-0 instead of all tied up. It was a truly pathetic performance by the impending free agent Holliday.
Friday night, the Twins nursed a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. Closer Joe Nathan came on and let up a single to Mark Teixeira. One batter later, Alex Rodriguez tied the game with a bomb. The Yanks went on to win in extra innings. Again, the team with the opportunity to tie a series completely blew it. And tonight in Minnesota, Nathan is getting hit around again as the Twins sit just three outs from elimination.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
AL Division Series Previews
Boston vs Los Angeles
This is probably the most closely-contested match-up of the first round. Both teams have potent offensive attacks and solid starting pitching. The difference between the clubs is the bullpens - and the BoSox pen is clearly superior. Papelbon, Wagner, Okajima and Bard basically shorten every game to a six-inning contest.
Each team's starting pitching is well above average. The Angel's season stats are not impressive, but their starters have been much better over the last two months, especially young lefty Scott Kazmir.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox have two aces in Josh Beckett and Jon Lester followed by a resurgent Daisuke Matsuzaka and the young flamethrower Clay Buchholz. On their game, the Boston pitching can simply shut the Angels down.
Ultimately, it comes down to pitching. I like the inspirational story of the Angels' 2009 season and I think their energy will keep the series closer than it should be. But in the end, Boston has just too much pitching and they will prevail.
Red Sox in 4
New York vs Minnesota
David and Goliath. I've yet to see one publication pick the Twins to win this and on paper it's easy to see why. Baseball isn't played on paper though and just dismissing the Twins' chances is foolish. They are overwhelming underdogs - but the annals of baseball history are lined with upsets that the experts never expected. (How about the Marlins and Yankees in 2003?)
When you look at both squads, there isn't a single component where the Twins are better. The Yankees have a better lineup, bullpen and better starting pitching. The experience of Ron Gardenhire is about the only area where the Twins have an edge, and it's a minimal one at that.
The Twins have one thing going for them. They have played their best baseball in the last month. That momentum will need to carry them.
I can't pick the Twins but I do believe this is a much closer series than most people believe.
Yankees in 5
This is probably the most closely-contested match-up of the first round. Both teams have potent offensive attacks and solid starting pitching. The difference between the clubs is the bullpens - and the BoSox pen is clearly superior. Papelbon, Wagner, Okajima and Bard basically shorten every game to a six-inning contest.
Each team's starting pitching is well above average. The Angel's season stats are not impressive, but their starters have been much better over the last two months, especially young lefty Scott Kazmir.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox have two aces in Josh Beckett and Jon Lester followed by a resurgent Daisuke Matsuzaka and the young flamethrower Clay Buchholz. On their game, the Boston pitching can simply shut the Angels down.
Ultimately, it comes down to pitching. I like the inspirational story of the Angels' 2009 season and I think their energy will keep the series closer than it should be. But in the end, Boston has just too much pitching and they will prevail.
Red Sox in 4
New York vs Minnesota
David and Goliath. I've yet to see one publication pick the Twins to win this and on paper it's easy to see why. Baseball isn't played on paper though and just dismissing the Twins' chances is foolish. They are overwhelming underdogs - but the annals of baseball history are lined with upsets that the experts never expected. (How about the Marlins and Yankees in 2003?)
When you look at both squads, there isn't a single component where the Twins are better. The Yankees have a better lineup, bullpen and better starting pitching. The experience of Ron Gardenhire is about the only area where the Twins have an edge, and it's a minimal one at that.
The Twins have one thing going for them. They have played their best baseball in the last month. That momentum will need to carry them.
I can't pick the Twins but I do believe this is a much closer series than most people believe.
Yankees in 5
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
NL Division Series Previews
St. Louis vs. Los Angeles
Back in June, the Dodgers appeared to be well on their way toward their first pennant since 1988. They thrived in 50 games sans Manny Ramirez and everyone expected them to soar once ManRam cam back. Reality had other ideas and in their last 80 games, the Dodgers have been merely pedestrian. It took an implosion by Rockies reliever Franklin Morales to help LA clinch the division and avoid a tremendous collapse. Nevertheless, the Dodgers have an outstanding bullpen, a solid lineup with good power and speed and a shutdown lefty starting pitcher in Clayton Kerhsaw. Despite their sagging play, they are an excellent team.
The Cards have been the NL's hottest team in the last 100 games. The addition of Matt Holliday paid major dividends as St. Louis surged down the stretch. They boast a good lineup and two true aces in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright.
Both teams are managed by Hall of Fame skippers so expect a crisp series with plenty of pitching changes and defensive replacements as the series rolls along.
The difference will be the starting pitching and the best player in baseball. The Cards top two will shut down the Dodgers and LA won't be able to keep Albert Pujols in check.
Cards in 4
Colorado vs Philadelphia
This promises to be a fantastic series and is one of two I'm most looking forward to. I truly enjoy watching the Rockies, who operate on a limited payroll and develop tremendous homegrown talent. They do it the old fashioned way and they do it very, very well.
The Phillies are every bit as explosive as they were in their title run last year. Their overwhelming weakness is a bullpen that is well below average. Closer Brad Lidge - or is he the closer? - had one of the worst seasons a reliever has ever had. To win, the Phils will need to build leads early in the games.
What stands out is the pitcher-hitter matchups. The Rockies are only a game over .500 against lefthanded starters and the Phillies have an abundance of southpaws. The only way the Rox can counter that is by forcing the starters to work hard and to get to the Phillies bullpen as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, two of Colorado's best starters, Aaron Cook and Ubaldo Jimenez are both righties. You have to think Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez will invite those matchups. The health of southpaw Jorge De La Rosa is in question as he has a groin injury. Should he be able to go in game three, and I expect he will, I think the Rockies keep it close. Still, Philly will be too much - this time around anyway.
Phillies in 4
Back in June, the Dodgers appeared to be well on their way toward their first pennant since 1988. They thrived in 50 games sans Manny Ramirez and everyone expected them to soar once ManRam cam back. Reality had other ideas and in their last 80 games, the Dodgers have been merely pedestrian. It took an implosion by Rockies reliever Franklin Morales to help LA clinch the division and avoid a tremendous collapse. Nevertheless, the Dodgers have an outstanding bullpen, a solid lineup with good power and speed and a shutdown lefty starting pitcher in Clayton Kerhsaw. Despite their sagging play, they are an excellent team.
The Cards have been the NL's hottest team in the last 100 games. The addition of Matt Holliday paid major dividends as St. Louis surged down the stretch. They boast a good lineup and two true aces in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright.
Both teams are managed by Hall of Fame skippers so expect a crisp series with plenty of pitching changes and defensive replacements as the series rolls along.
The difference will be the starting pitching and the best player in baseball. The Cards top two will shut down the Dodgers and LA won't be able to keep Albert Pujols in check.
Cards in 4
Colorado vs Philadelphia
This promises to be a fantastic series and is one of two I'm most looking forward to. I truly enjoy watching the Rockies, who operate on a limited payroll and develop tremendous homegrown talent. They do it the old fashioned way and they do it very, very well.
The Phillies are every bit as explosive as they were in their title run last year. Their overwhelming weakness is a bullpen that is well below average. Closer Brad Lidge - or is he the closer? - had one of the worst seasons a reliever has ever had. To win, the Phils will need to build leads early in the games.
What stands out is the pitcher-hitter matchups. The Rockies are only a game over .500 against lefthanded starters and the Phillies have an abundance of southpaws. The only way the Rox can counter that is by forcing the starters to work hard and to get to the Phillies bullpen as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, two of Colorado's best starters, Aaron Cook and Ubaldo Jimenez are both righties. You have to think Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez will invite those matchups. The health of southpaw Jorge De La Rosa is in question as he has a groin injury. Should he be able to go in game three, and I expect he will, I think the Rockies keep it close. Still, Philly will be too much - this time around anyway.
Phillies in 4
Monday, October 5, 2009
Twins-Tigers preview
Tomorrow night in Minnesota, the Tigers will play the Twins in a game to determine the AL Central champion. Rookie Rick Porcello will square off against Twins' ace Scott Baker. Both righties have pitched well lately, especially Porcello. The Twins will play a 163rd game for the second straight year, having lost to the White Sox last fall. As we know, Tuesday's winner will travel to the Bronx for a Wednesday night date with the New York Yankees.
Both teams are depleted offensively. The Tigers' lineup has been impotent all season and the Twins are without slugger Justin Morneau. Still, Minnesota has been scoring runs over their last 20 games en route to winning 16 of those contests.
The starters are evenly matched. Baker throws strikes and invites contact. He's efficient and adept at keeping the ball down. Porcello, just 20 years old, has showed tremendous poise down the stretch and has arguably been even better than Justin Verlander.
Both bullpens are average units and the Twins' pen has been terrible of late. It's imperative that the Twins push runs across in the first five innings as their pen is liable to surrender a few runs back to the Tigers.
Another note of interest concerns Detroit firstbaseman Miguel Cabrera who was involved in a domestic dispute Saturday morning. It's any one's guess how this will affect him, just something to bear in mind.
All signs point to a Minnesota win. They have the momentum and the home field advantage.
To me, this comes down to the starting pitchers. Porcello just doesn't miss enough bats. In his last 31 innings, he's punched out just 9 batters. By contrast, Baker has whiffed 29 men in his last 34 innings. Baker is clearly the better pitcher and he'll put the Twins into the postseason.
Twins 7 Tigers 3
Both teams are depleted offensively. The Tigers' lineup has been impotent all season and the Twins are without slugger Justin Morneau. Still, Minnesota has been scoring runs over their last 20 games en route to winning 16 of those contests.
The starters are evenly matched. Baker throws strikes and invites contact. He's efficient and adept at keeping the ball down. Porcello, just 20 years old, has showed tremendous poise down the stretch and has arguably been even better than Justin Verlander.
Both bullpens are average units and the Twins' pen has been terrible of late. It's imperative that the Twins push runs across in the first five innings as their pen is liable to surrender a few runs back to the Tigers.
Another note of interest concerns Detroit firstbaseman Miguel Cabrera who was involved in a domestic dispute Saturday morning. It's any one's guess how this will affect him, just something to bear in mind.
All signs point to a Minnesota win. They have the momentum and the home field advantage.
To me, this comes down to the starting pitchers. Porcello just doesn't miss enough bats. In his last 31 innings, he's punched out just 9 batters. By contrast, Baker has whiffed 29 men in his last 34 innings. Baker is clearly the better pitcher and he'll put the Twins into the postseason.
Twins 7 Tigers 3
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Must see BV
Last week former Mets and Rangers manager Bobby Valentine announced that he was returning from Japan to sign a studio analyst contract with ESPN. Immediately word leaked that the contract contained an out clause in the event that Valentine is offered a new managerial job. And soon after that, Valentine was linked to the opening in Cleveland as well as a potential opening in Florida.
The fact that Valentine has never managed anywhere else after being fired by the Mets in 2002 is not surprising. Despite being renowned for getting the most out of mediocre talent, Valentine is an outspoken figure that can grate on team administration and local media. In 2002, Valentine famously made light of the marijuana-smoking allegations levied against some of his players by imitating a batter high on pot during a press conference. What was funny to him infuriated the Mets image-conscious owners, Fred and Jeff Wilpon. Valentine was gone at the end of the year.
In the irony of ironies, Valentine would be an ideal fit for the present-day Mets. His workmanlike approach and attention to strategic detail would be a welcome change from the passive approach taken by Jerry Manuel and his predecessor, Willie Randolph. Nevertheless, Mets ownership remains the same and the odds of Valentine reclaiming his old post are slim.
Out in Cleveland, another underachieving team could also use a shot of BV. Valentine has to be considered a front-runner for the vacancy in Cleveland. Again, he would be filling the shoes of a "hands-off" skipper and assuming control of a clubhouse left to police itself. The addition of Valentine would have as much impact on the resurgence of the Indians as would a return to health of franchise player Grady Sizemore.
Either way, don't expect to see Bobby on ESPN for very long. He's got a new general manager to piss off.
The fact that Valentine has never managed anywhere else after being fired by the Mets in 2002 is not surprising. Despite being renowned for getting the most out of mediocre talent, Valentine is an outspoken figure that can grate on team administration and local media. In 2002, Valentine famously made light of the marijuana-smoking allegations levied against some of his players by imitating a batter high on pot during a press conference. What was funny to him infuriated the Mets image-conscious owners, Fred and Jeff Wilpon. Valentine was gone at the end of the year.
In the irony of ironies, Valentine would be an ideal fit for the present-day Mets. His workmanlike approach and attention to strategic detail would be a welcome change from the passive approach taken by Jerry Manuel and his predecessor, Willie Randolph. Nevertheless, Mets ownership remains the same and the odds of Valentine reclaiming his old post are slim.
Out in Cleveland, another underachieving team could also use a shot of BV. Valentine has to be considered a front-runner for the vacancy in Cleveland. Again, he would be filling the shoes of a "hands-off" skipper and assuming control of a clubhouse left to police itself. The addition of Valentine would have as much impact on the resurgence of the Indians as would a return to health of franchise player Grady Sizemore.
Either way, don't expect to see Bobby on ESPN for very long. He's got a new general manager to piss off.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Full of Kruk
Taking a break from the division races for a day (Minnesota is half a game out, btw), I wanted to opine on ESPN and specifically, John Kruk. I'll admit it - I rarely if ever watch ESPN. If I want a recap of last night's baseball highlights, I tune into the MLB network. The biggest reason why I avoid the "Worldwide Leader" is because I just can't stomach the analysts on Baseball Tonight. Other than Peter Gammons, the show is chocked full of ex-players and general managers that add nothing of analytical value to the program.
John Kruk is the first person that comes to mind. As a player, Kruk was a portly "everyman" that got the most out of modest abilities. He worked hard and could turn on a fastball with the best of them. He epitomized the 1993 Phillies and their gritty, never-say-die attitude that led them to the NL pennant.
As an analyst, Kruk is dreadful. The man speaks as if his audience is a group of six-year-olds that have never been to a baseball game. If there is a bigger idiot working in front of a television camera today, I'd like to know who it is. No - it's not Tim McCarver. He's annoying, but far from stupid.
To cap it all off, Kruk, who's made millions in his career, apparently gets his hair done by New York Governor David Paterson. It looks as if someone place a freshly-killed muskrat on top of his skull. I'm not sure if Johnny is trying to impress the ladies, but someone needs to let him know that Alabama called and asked for it's mullet back.
Even Harold Reynolds knew enough to get the hell out of ESPN. Though he's also no genius, Reynolds acquits himself with a high-energy approach to his commentary. John Kruk delivers his commentary like he has a broom handle shoved up his ass.
If you can stomach ESPN's Baseball Tonight, more power to you. At least they reacquired Bobby Valentine, who has more brain power than the rest of the studio combined.
John Kruk is the first person that comes to mind. As a player, Kruk was a portly "everyman" that got the most out of modest abilities. He worked hard and could turn on a fastball with the best of them. He epitomized the 1993 Phillies and their gritty, never-say-die attitude that led them to the NL pennant.
As an analyst, Kruk is dreadful. The man speaks as if his audience is a group of six-year-olds that have never been to a baseball game. If there is a bigger idiot working in front of a television camera today, I'd like to know who it is. No - it's not Tim McCarver. He's annoying, but far from stupid.
To cap it all off, Kruk, who's made millions in his career, apparently gets his hair done by New York Governor David Paterson. It looks as if someone place a freshly-killed muskrat on top of his skull. I'm not sure if Johnny is trying to impress the ladies, but someone needs to let him know that Alabama called and asked for it's mullet back.
Even Harold Reynolds knew enough to get the hell out of ESPN. Though he's also no genius, Reynolds acquits himself with a high-energy approach to his commentary. John Kruk delivers his commentary like he has a broom handle shoved up his ass.
If you can stomach ESPN's Baseball Tonight, more power to you. At least they reacquired Bobby Valentine, who has more brain power than the rest of the studio combined.
Friday, October 2, 2009
A single game in the Central
As I write this, the Twins are poised to move within a single game of the AL Central lead by 11 o'clock tonight. Behind a Delmon Young grand slam, Minnesota leads Kansas City 5-0, while over in Detroit, the Tigers trail Jake Peavy and the ChiSox 8-0. Barring a tremendous comeback or two, the Central race is going to be baseball's focal point this weekend.
Still, the Twins will need to keep the pressure on and they face the Herculean task of upending Cy Young favorite Zack Greinke in one of the two remaining games. It's almost funny that these teams are in a dogfight for the right to face the powerhouse New York Yankees next week in one of the Division Series matchups. It's hard to figure who is more equipped to play New York as either team will be monumental underdogs. One good omen for the eventual winner is that Yankee ace C.C. Sabathia looks pedestrian tonight against the Rays. Keep in mind, C.C. has a history of lousy postseason performances.
We'll keep you posted.
Still, the Twins will need to keep the pressure on and they face the Herculean task of upending Cy Young favorite Zack Greinke in one of the two remaining games. It's almost funny that these teams are in a dogfight for the right to face the powerhouse New York Yankees next week in one of the Division Series matchups. It's hard to figure who is more equipped to play New York as either team will be monumental underdogs. One good omen for the eventual winner is that Yankee ace C.C. Sabathia looks pedestrian tonight against the Rays. Keep in mind, C.C. has a history of lousy postseason performances.
We'll keep you posted.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
2009's Most Disappointing Team
When you consider the teams expected to qualify for the postseason that fell short you would undoubtedly think of teams like the Mets, Rays and Cubs. Sure, they were all disappointments but one team had a division title within reach in the middle of the summer and slowly let the opportunity fall through their fingers.
The Chicago White Sox had - and have - arguably the most impressive collection of talent in the AL Central. Their pitching staff is deep, with ace John Danks paired with steady Mark Buehrle and youngster Gavin Floyd. Their bullpen is fairly good with strikeout artists Octavio Dotel and Matt Thornton setting up closer Bobby Jenks. The ChiSox' lineup was solid all year. Young thirdbaseman Gordan Beckham had a fantastic year and will likely be named Rookie of the Year. Many are already proclaiming Beckham to be the face of the franchise. Shortstop Alexei Ramirez had a fine year as did veterans Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye. Even after trading away DH Jim Thome, the Sox could still push runs across. Right? Well, not exactly. The White Sox will finish the year among the most inept run-producing teams in the American League. Despite having a solid collection of offensive talent, the team did not score enough to win the required 90 games needed to win the Central.
In the end, Chicago could not hold off the vastly inferior Detroit Tigers. Perhaps Justin Verlander was another reason why; giving the Tigers a true ace that Chicago lacked. In that regard, the August trade for Jake Peavy may help close the gap for the South Siders in 2010. Peavy will take over as the ace of the White Sox staff and be the man responsible for fending off the Verlanders, Greinkes and Bakers of the division.
The Chicago White Sox had - and have - arguably the most impressive collection of talent in the AL Central. Their pitching staff is deep, with ace John Danks paired with steady Mark Buehrle and youngster Gavin Floyd. Their bullpen is fairly good with strikeout artists Octavio Dotel and Matt Thornton setting up closer Bobby Jenks. The ChiSox' lineup was solid all year. Young thirdbaseman Gordan Beckham had a fantastic year and will likely be named Rookie of the Year. Many are already proclaiming Beckham to be the face of the franchise. Shortstop Alexei Ramirez had a fine year as did veterans Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye. Even after trading away DH Jim Thome, the Sox could still push runs across. Right? Well, not exactly. The White Sox will finish the year among the most inept run-producing teams in the American League. Despite having a solid collection of offensive talent, the team did not score enough to win the required 90 games needed to win the Central.
In the end, Chicago could not hold off the vastly inferior Detroit Tigers. Perhaps Justin Verlander was another reason why; giving the Tigers a true ace that Chicago lacked. In that regard, the August trade for Jake Peavy may help close the gap for the South Siders in 2010. Peavy will take over as the ace of the White Sox staff and be the man responsible for fending off the Verlanders, Greinkes and Bakers of the division.
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