National League Divisional Series Preview!!!
Nationals vs Cubs:
I'm a White Sox fan, and as a Sox fan, I'm supposed to hate the Cubs. I don't. I don't like them, but I don't mind them. I was happy for the franchise when they took the World Series in 2016, but as long as they're not playing the White Sox... they're OK to me. Anyway, Cubs were led by MVP candidate Kris Bryant as well as Anthony Rizzo. The strong pitching the Cubs had last year had sort of evened out this year as Kyle Hendricks was their best pitcher, but their rotation was for the most part, solid. Not much changed for the Cubs, as why tinker with what works? Anyway, Cubs are looking to repeat......
BUT BRYCE HARPER SAYS NOT SO FAST. Nationals, for like the 7th year running, are trying to win not only the World Series, but at least the NL. Nationals stayed strong the entire season, despite having a miserable bullpen for the first... 60% of the season. Also had to deal with a near season ending injury to Bryce Harper. But there were other contributors to the Nats winning the East (of course) like Anthony Rendon and Daniel Murphy, along with Harper. Pitching, they were led by the ever dominating Max Scherzer, but also had Cy Young seasons from Gio Gonzalez as well as Stephen Strasburg. Nats could go 3 starters with a hefty pen and feel pretty good.
As for the series, Nationals are pretty much ahead in Chicago in all aspects... but the issue in a 5 game series is that its too small a sample size for anything to really matter. On paper, the Nats should take the series, and I think they will... but it would not shock me to see the Cubs win the series.
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Diamondbacks vs Dodgers:
The Diamondbacks advanced after winning the WC play in game and their prize is playing the Dodgers. You can read about what I wrote about the Dbacks here.
The Dodgers took the crown of Best in MLB this season winning 104 games. They were at one point on track to win about 112, which is insane! But they cooled down and ONLY won 104. Sad. Led by Clayton "God" Kershaw again, who even in a down year, is still one of the top pitchers in baseball. That's how good he is. The rest of the staff is solid, if not unspectacular, except star closer Kenley Jensen. But, it was the offense that really led the charge for the Dodgers. Justin Turner & Corey Seager posting above 5.0 WAR and rookie Cody Bellinger making an impact... even Yansiel Puig had a solid season! Top to bottom a pretty great lineup.
So its DIamondbacks pitching vs Dodgers batting in essence. Dodgers didn't get to where they are by faltering to good pitching... but you know... 5 games series. Just to be different, I say Dbacks make the big upset and make Kershaw playoff confused!
See you in the Championship Series!
Friday, October 6, 2017
Thursday, October 5, 2017
MLB Playoffs! (American League)
Alright, so the Wild Card play in games went pretty much as expected (both games awesome and fun to watch... I mean, how often to you see a relief pitcher clock a run scoring triple?) So our playoffs are set. Let's see it!
American League:
Red Sox vs Houston Astros:
Red Sox took the AL East after a challenging season with the Yankees fighting pretty much the entire way. The Red Sox went into the season making the trade of the off season, acquiring Chris Sale from my White Sox for a bunch of prospects... and Sale had the season of his career, being the first pitcher to strike over 300 people out in a whole bunch of years. Sox were led by both Sale and Mookie Betts. Betts leading the offense. Other contributors include Drew Pomeranz (P) and Andrew Benintendi.
Astros took the AL West pretty easily. Not much of a challenge during the season. If you read my previous post (Part 1 of the Sox Season), you'll see how I talked about the Sox losing while building towards the future... the Astros are benefactors of going through this process already. Being garbage for plenty of years as they built from the inside out, getting to where they are now... constantly playoff contenders. Astros are pretty offensive heavy, led by MVP favorite Jose Altuve. Also playing crazy well include George Springer and Carlos Correa (all 3 at or above 5.0 WAR which is crazy good). Pitching was led by former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel.
Houston traded for Justin Verlander at the deadline specifically for the depth since their pitching has been marred with injuries during the season. Astros definately have the advantage in offense and Red Sox have the clear edge in pitching. This is going to be Sale's first time in the playoffs and he was known in Chicago to kinda fizzle out in September, which he did, just not as bad as he has done before. But the playoffs are unknown and he has a tendency to get into his own head quickly. If the Astros offense gets to him quick, then it's pretty much over. All things considered, I want the Astros to win, but the Red Sox will probably take this pretty quickly.
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Cleveland Indians vs New York Yankees:
Congrats Yanks, your prize for winning the Wild Card is traveling to Cleveland to start a 5 game series! You read my review on the Yankees here so here's the Indians:
Indians took the best record in the American League and had the AL Central pretty much from day 1. After falling a bit short last year in the World Series, Indians reloaded for 2017. Indians got great performance from Francisco Lindor & Jose Ramirez offensively and Cy Young leader Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. They were a pretty solid all around, hence having 100+ wins!
The Yankees have a bit of the edge here since they have the playoff feeling already. Yankees are sending out Sonny Gray for Game 1, Indians sending out Trevor Bauer. Not Corey Kluber. Kluber is starting Game 2... I think Indians feel they could use Kluber in game 5 if necessary. But it won't be. Because the Yankees will win, Surprising the world and annoying a whole bunch of people!
Enjoy the games today! NL to follow tomorrow!
American League:
Red Sox vs Houston Astros:
Red Sox took the AL East after a challenging season with the Yankees fighting pretty much the entire way. The Red Sox went into the season making the trade of the off season, acquiring Chris Sale from my White Sox for a bunch of prospects... and Sale had the season of his career, being the first pitcher to strike over 300 people out in a whole bunch of years. Sox were led by both Sale and Mookie Betts. Betts leading the offense. Other contributors include Drew Pomeranz (P) and Andrew Benintendi.
Astros took the AL West pretty easily. Not much of a challenge during the season. If you read my previous post (Part 1 of the Sox Season), you'll see how I talked about the Sox losing while building towards the future... the Astros are benefactors of going through this process already. Being garbage for plenty of years as they built from the inside out, getting to where they are now... constantly playoff contenders. Astros are pretty offensive heavy, led by MVP favorite Jose Altuve. Also playing crazy well include George Springer and Carlos Correa (all 3 at or above 5.0 WAR which is crazy good). Pitching was led by former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel.
Houston traded for Justin Verlander at the deadline specifically for the depth since their pitching has been marred with injuries during the season. Astros definately have the advantage in offense and Red Sox have the clear edge in pitching. This is going to be Sale's first time in the playoffs and he was known in Chicago to kinda fizzle out in September, which he did, just not as bad as he has done before. But the playoffs are unknown and he has a tendency to get into his own head quickly. If the Astros offense gets to him quick, then it's pretty much over. All things considered, I want the Astros to win, but the Red Sox will probably take this pretty quickly.
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Cleveland Indians vs New York Yankees:
Congrats Yanks, your prize for winning the Wild Card is traveling to Cleveland to start a 5 game series! You read my review on the Yankees here so here's the Indians:
Indians took the best record in the American League and had the AL Central pretty much from day 1. After falling a bit short last year in the World Series, Indians reloaded for 2017. Indians got great performance from Francisco Lindor & Jose Ramirez offensively and Cy Young leader Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. They were a pretty solid all around, hence having 100+ wins!
The Yankees have a bit of the edge here since they have the playoff feeling already. Yankees are sending out Sonny Gray for Game 1, Indians sending out Trevor Bauer. Not Corey Kluber. Kluber is starting Game 2... I think Indians feel they could use Kluber in game 5 if necessary. But it won't be. Because the Yankees will win, Surprising the world and annoying a whole bunch of people!
Enjoy the games today! NL to follow tomorrow!
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Wild card mania!
NP: Fight (Rob Halford side Project) - Little Crazy
Today is the last day of the 2017 Major League Baseball regular season (sad face). But what's really disappointing is that nothing is at stake here, at least for the playoffs. Everything is set in stone in terms of wild card match ups and division winners. But that benefits you, the reader, as you get to read my Wild Card drivel a day early!!
First, on Tuesday, 10/3, the Twins of Minnesota travel to the Big Apple to take on the Yankees. Now, remember, these Wild Card play in games are just ONE game, meaning, each team is kinda forced to use their best pitcher in this game... JUST to get into the playoffs. Yankees are sending young phenom Luis Severino and the Twins are sending Ervin Santana. Wait... ERVIN SANTANA?! He started his career when the Sox won the WS in 2005 and he's still pitching! Good for him!
Twins got to where they are by just being solid all around. No one really stands out above the others, just good ball play from top to bottom. Yankees got here by being in the same division as the Red Sox. Their rivalry was reignited this year, under the nose of most, as they spent the season going back and forth leading the division. Yankees were the better overall team, they just valley'd harder when the Red Sox peaked and couldn't catch up.
Twins were led by Santana and Jose Berrios on the mound and Brian Dozier and Miguel Sano on offense. Dozier has been solid the last few years, Sano was a highly touted prospect that got his first full season under his belt and proved his scouting correct having a fantastic year, strikeouts be damned :)
Yankees were led by Severino on the mound, who pitched extremely well (top 10 in WAR) and is flanked by Tanaka and Sabathia, who both had solid, if not unspectacular season. They also have David Robertson and a very awesome pen. Their offense is led by rookie Aaron Judge. Judge came into this season just hoping to contribute something. And what he did is bang 50+ Home Runs and walk well over 100 times. He pretty much has ROY locked up and can make some noise as MVP. Along with Judge, youngster Gary Sanchez earned his pinstripes this season.
So the game. It's really the Yankees to lose. The downside of this being a one game thing is that a bad game from one player shifts everything. A bad game from 2 players and its pretty much over. Judge goes 0fer and no one picks up his slack and the Twins head to CLeveland. But, in a vacuum The Yankees take this one
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Over in the National League... Wednesday 10/4 the NL West reigns supreme. Dodgers take the division, but the Diamondbacks and the Rockies play for the Wild Card spot. Diamondbacks send ace Zack Grienke to the mound. Rockies have yet to announce their starter, but timing of the game can lead one to believe it'll be Jon Gray.
Diamondbacks have had a crazy good starting rotation. If you go by ERA+ Greinke isn't even the best, it's Robby Ray. But Greinke has it by WAR. Anyway, any of the starting 5 is over 100 in ERA+ and has over a 3.0 in WAR. They are gooooooooood. Offensively they are led by MVP hopeful Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Lamb & JD Martinez (acquired earlier this season). Pretty solid offense team... but really... it's all about the pitching with the Diamondbacks.
Rockies are led by previously mentioned Jon Gray, but also have a fantastic starting rotation including Kyle Freeman and German Marquez. Offensively, they are led by Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado. Two guys that have preformed constantly over the years. The usual superstar Carlos Gonzalez had a very, very down year.
As both teams have great pitching staffs, expect this game to be 8-6, just because! DIamondbacks have the better team offensively, so I would have to give them the nod. Being that I cheer for an AMerican League team, it's tough for me to follow the National League... let alone the teams on the other side of the country. But Diamondbacks should take this... (again in a vacuum) and head off to Los Angeles.
Once these games play out, we'll take a look at the Division Series!!
Today is the last day of the 2017 Major League Baseball regular season (sad face). But what's really disappointing is that nothing is at stake here, at least for the playoffs. Everything is set in stone in terms of wild card match ups and division winners. But that benefits you, the reader, as you get to read my Wild Card drivel a day early!!
First, on Tuesday, 10/3, the Twins of Minnesota travel to the Big Apple to take on the Yankees. Now, remember, these Wild Card play in games are just ONE game, meaning, each team is kinda forced to use their best pitcher in this game... JUST to get into the playoffs. Yankees are sending young phenom Luis Severino and the Twins are sending Ervin Santana. Wait... ERVIN SANTANA?! He started his career when the Sox won the WS in 2005 and he's still pitching! Good for him!
Twins got to where they are by just being solid all around. No one really stands out above the others, just good ball play from top to bottom. Yankees got here by being in the same division as the Red Sox. Their rivalry was reignited this year, under the nose of most, as they spent the season going back and forth leading the division. Yankees were the better overall team, they just valley'd harder when the Red Sox peaked and couldn't catch up.
Twins were led by Santana and Jose Berrios on the mound and Brian Dozier and Miguel Sano on offense. Dozier has been solid the last few years, Sano was a highly touted prospect that got his first full season under his belt and proved his scouting correct having a fantastic year, strikeouts be damned :)
Yankees were led by Severino on the mound, who pitched extremely well (top 10 in WAR) and is flanked by Tanaka and Sabathia, who both had solid, if not unspectacular season. They also have David Robertson and a very awesome pen. Their offense is led by rookie Aaron Judge. Judge came into this season just hoping to contribute something. And what he did is bang 50+ Home Runs and walk well over 100 times. He pretty much has ROY locked up and can make some noise as MVP. Along with Judge, youngster Gary Sanchez earned his pinstripes this season.
So the game. It's really the Yankees to lose. The downside of this being a one game thing is that a bad game from one player shifts everything. A bad game from 2 players and its pretty much over. Judge goes 0fer and no one picks up his slack and the Twins head to CLeveland. But, in a vacuum The Yankees take this one
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Over in the National League... Wednesday 10/4 the NL West reigns supreme. Dodgers take the division, but the Diamondbacks and the Rockies play for the Wild Card spot. Diamondbacks send ace Zack Grienke to the mound. Rockies have yet to announce their starter, but timing of the game can lead one to believe it'll be Jon Gray.
Diamondbacks have had a crazy good starting rotation. If you go by ERA+ Greinke isn't even the best, it's Robby Ray. But Greinke has it by WAR. Anyway, any of the starting 5 is over 100 in ERA+ and has over a 3.0 in WAR. They are gooooooooood. Offensively they are led by MVP hopeful Paul Goldschmidt, Jake Lamb & JD Martinez (acquired earlier this season). Pretty solid offense team... but really... it's all about the pitching with the Diamondbacks.
Rockies are led by previously mentioned Jon Gray, but also have a fantastic starting rotation including Kyle Freeman and German Marquez. Offensively, they are led by Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado. Two guys that have preformed constantly over the years. The usual superstar Carlos Gonzalez had a very, very down year.
As both teams have great pitching staffs, expect this game to be 8-6, just because! DIamondbacks have the better team offensively, so I would have to give them the nod. Being that I cheer for an AMerican League team, it's tough for me to follow the National League... let alone the teams on the other side of the country. But Diamondbacks should take this... (again in a vacuum) and head off to Los Angeles.
Once these games play out, we'll take a look at the Division Series!!
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