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.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
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
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