I haven’t really written much about one thing I love in life: baseball. The main reason is that we wanted to keep it to humor on the web site, but since Yar and Kirk have discussed proper hockey attire and drop predictions on the Jets, I figured, why not do a preview on the playoffs.
Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of humor in baseball. Little known facts like Doc Ellis throwing a no-hitter on LSD always make me laugh. What also is making me laugh (a bit impatiently) is how much the beginning of football takes away from the Fall Classic. I’m a diehard baseball fan and I found myself more excited about the beginning of football than the end of the regular season when the pennant races heat up. Well, maybe this year the lack of playoff races ruined the excitement, but one thing is for sure, this year’s playoffs will have plenty of it.
The American League
The American League continues to be the dominant league. I used to always blame it on the DH and the fact that there’s less teams in the league which means better players on each team (think economics), but the writing is on the wall: whatever it is, this league is just plain better. The teams steal more bags, hit more home runs, and have better starting pitching. Plus, because of that stupid All-Star game rule, now has home field advantage.
Boston Red Sox vs. Anaheim Angels
Both teams cruised into the playoffs leading to a disappointing stretch run for many fans. The Red Sox have the experience, the better head-to-head regular season record, and complete postseason ownership of the Angels. Although favored, the Red Sox have one Achilles heal – they’re playing against one determined team.
The Angels lost Nick Adenhardt, their young, ace-in-the-hole, recently promoted starting pitcher within the first week of the season. He got into a car accident in Orange County and the team had a hard stretch to recover. They did though with a vengence playing the season in his honor. I’m not going to get all blubbery on you, but when you have a team that really has something to play for, records and the past go out the door. Plus they have Mike Scioscia – the Bill Belichick of baseball. The odds are now evenly stacked.
TCM’s prediction: A close series, but the Angels in 5.
Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees
Although Minnesota beat Detroit in that pivotal 163rd play-in game, it never needed to happen. The Yankees are going to bend them over and throttle them. Easily the best team in baseball, the Yankees will have no problem cruising in the first round. If they lose, I, along with the entire baseball world, will be shocked.
Another reason they’ll win is because of the fatigue Minnesota will experience tomorrow. One day is not enough to prepare. Plus, being on an emotional rollercoaster to get into the playoffs isn’t the best way to kick things off. Minnesota’s streak and good luck over the past month is no match for the Yankees. In case you’re wondering, no I’m not a Yankees fan, but I am smart enough to know a good team when I see it.
TCM’s prediction: Total domination by the Yankees in 3.
National League:
The National League is the weaker league this year, but has great representation from each Division including the Wild Card. Each teams brand of baseball is so different any of them can win. This league is really a toss up at the moment.
Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The Rockies rocked out the entire 2nd half to be in this position. They have good hitting, decent pitching, and a mediocre bullpen at best, but they have a team that’s still capable of winning. They had a couple of streaks this season that would make a laundrymat attendant blush. The only problem is, they’re not on one heading into the postseason and based on their past history, that means trouble.
The Phillies have the bats and the starting pitching to match up with any team in the NL or AL for that matter, but the bullpen, especially Lidge, is a big question. If they can rock the Rockies starters, which shouldn’t be a problem given home field advantage in round one, it’ll remain sunny in Philadelphia.
TCM’s prediction: Phillies use their small park to their advantage and take it in 4.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angelos Dodgers
St. Louis has the best 1-2 punch in Carpenter and Wainright, they have the best hitter in Pujols, and they have one of the best managers in LaRussa. They are also playing the Dodgers and they have owned them for what it seems like decades. The only thing that is suspect is their bullpen due to lack of postseason experience. It’s a small thing, but it may come back to haunt them.
The Dodgers look like a used car lot with all of their spare parts. Torre, Ramirez, Blake, Belliard, Loretta, Thome, and Ausmus are all proven winners with postseason experience. Mix them with a young core of Either, Kemp, Martin, Loney, and Kershaw, and I like what I see. I think this is the ’97 Marlins reborn with a good mix of youth and age. With Torre at the helm, I think they’re going to be OK in a very long series.
TCM’s prediction: Dodgers matchup’s outwit the Cards in 5.
To quote Samuel L. – “hold on to your butts.”
