With the American League Central winners finally established, we thought we would weigh in with our quick notes on the offence and pitching of all the playoff teams as well as make our playoff predictions.
To make things a little more fun, we decided to add a third party to the 'Double Play Blog' predictions. Because we couldn't afford Maggie the Monkey who wants mad money and T.V. time after her stint on the NHL on TSN, Dave Carroll thought outside the box and removed the cushion on his sofa to find a 2007 Canadian Olympic Skiing Quarter.
The quarter was flipped once (no two-out-of-three no-nonsense here) with heads being the visiting team and tails being the home team. In a Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead/Tom Stoppard-esque moment, the coin came up with the same call every time... all tails.
Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees
Yankees Offence: The Yankees have a potent offence, they can mash (first in homers MLB), move runners along (first in OBP and runs scored) and work counts (first in BB). They have it all, in the regular season at least. In the off season the Bronx Bombers made good on their promise to address concern with their starting pitching (see below), but shocked almost everyone by signing slugger Mark Teixeira. Big Tex has fit perfectly into a lineup that boasts Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon, Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez. As outstanding as A-Rod's regular season numbers have been, his playoff career has been a disappointment. Even if Rodriguez struggles at the plate in October, the Yankees lineup is solid enough to produce without him.
Yankees Pitching: CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte were all signed as free agents during the Yankees spending binge leading into this season. The trio has solidified the team's biggest weakness from last season and combined to win 46 games this season. On paper they are a formidable group over a five or seven game series, but the undisputed ace, Sabathia, has had his share of postseason failures. The big lefty has a frightening 7.92 ERA and has given up 22 earned runs over his 25 postseason innings. If Sabathia is on, the Yankees have little to worry about, but if he isn't things could be very tricky. In the late gong, the team can once again count on Future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera and he has solid support from set-up man Phil Hughes.
Twins Offence: It all starts with catcher Joe Mauer. The American League batting champion is an All-World hitter and with some solid support from Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel down the stretch, the Minnesota offence was able to survive the loss of former MVP Justin Morneau. The Twins are scrappy and have a long history of getting big hits when needed in October.
Twins Pitching: Scott Baker came through for the Twins in their playoff with the Tigers, but he will not be able to pitch until the midway point of the five-game-series. Brian Duensing, Nick Blackburn and Carl Pavano will expected to make big contributions. Pavano did some of the best pitching of his career for the Marlins in the 2003 playoffs. Joe Nathan holds down the late inning duties and is very tough, but he logged a lot of work over the last week leading into the playoffs.
Predictions
Carroll: After what the Twins went through on Tuesday, and over their incredible playoff push, they will be on an emotional high, sadly New York won't be kind. Could this be over in two? You can say what you want about the playoff struggles of CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez, but the Yankees are more than just the sum of those two stars. An experienced batting order, pitching staff and an opponent that will go in without a favourable rotation set-up all point to the Bombers advancing. Yankees in three.
De Kerpel: The Twins enter the series on a roll, but had to use their best pitcher Scott Baker, and seven others, during Tuesday's play-in game vs. Detroit. Joe Mauer is a freak, and Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel have been on fire since Justin Morneau went out for the season. Unfortunately for them, I don't think the Twins have enough pitching to get through the patient and powerful Yankees. I'll take the Yankees in 4.
Quarter: Yankees
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels
Red Sox Offence: Jason Bay has been the leader of the Red Sox offence for most of the season and tops the club with 36 home runs and 116 RBI. Their second biggest home run hitter is David Ortiz, who seems to be long removed from his terrible start to the season that saw him hit just one home run combined in April and May. The addition of Victor Martinez has given the Sox anther high on-base player to pair up with Kevin Youkilis. The club also boasts the league leader in stolen bases in Jacoby Ellsbury. The Red Sox offence can do it, and will give clubs in the playoffs some real fits.
Red Sox Pitching: The talk of Red Sox pitching entering the post-season has to start with Josh Beckett. While Beckett has struggled with giving up home runs this season - 25 in 31 starts, it should be noted that he has a 7-2 playoff record with a 2.90 ERA and two World Series rings. After Beckett, the Sox have Jon Lester, best ERA by a starting pitcher on the Boston staff. Despite hand-wringing from Red Sox Nation over Jon Papelbon's high WHIP, the big closer has put together another outstanding season, recording 38 saves in 41 opportunities. The addition of Billy Wagner has helped solidify the middle relief corps, but if there is a question about the Sox, it might be how they can successfully bridge from their starters to their closer.
Angels Offence: The Angels offence is more of a throwback one, in so far as the way they create their runs. They finished second in the Majors in runs scored, but were only 11th in the league in home runs. The AL West champions ranked third in the league in stolen bases, and are annually one of the best teams in the league in going from first to third on hits. Kendry Morales has emerged as the key part to the Angels' offence, leading the club in batting average, home runs and runs batted in. Torii Hunter is coming off another solid season, as is Bobby Abreu, who has found new life out west. While their team speed should be able to cause trouble for the opposing battery on the base paths, it's doubtful that the Angels have enough lumber to come back if they give up a big early lead in a game.
Angels Pitching: 2002 Game 7 World Series hero John Lackey leads the Angels pitching staff into the post-season. However, for the first time in many years, the pitching, which has long been the strength of the club, has some significant question marks. While Lackey has decent post-season numbers (2-3 with a 3.39 career ERA) he was once again injured this season and posted his highest ERA since 2004. Scott Kazmir, who was shelled all season in Tampa Bay, before being traded has thrived in the west, and has always pitched well against the Red Sox and Yankees in his career. The biggest x-factor for the Halos is their bullpen where Brian Fuentes will start the playoffs as their closer. Fuentes, who has recorded 46 saves this season, has had a shaky hold on the job all year, and the loss of usually reliable Scot Shields could hurt the club in tight games.
Predictions
Carroll: The Angels can run, hit and have enough pitching to get the nod. Wait, that's what I said a year ago and got burned. Beckett, Lester and the Red Sox win in four.
De Kerpel: Which Josh Beckett is going to show up? You hate to pin an entire series on one guy, but Beckett has been ordinary this season by his standards, and if it continues to be that way, the Angels could very well win. The Sox have the better offence, but if the Angels can get on base, they could cause some headaches for the Sox. At the end of the day though, I'm not sure I believe in the Angels not choking one game at home. I'll take the Red Sox in four.
Quarter: Angels
Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Phillies Offence: The Phillies as a team ranked third in the majors in home runs, and fourth in runs scored. They did fall flat in the regular season with regards to a paltry .258, which ranks 23rd in the league. Despite having some holes, the defending champions do have a scary top of the order. Jimmy Rollins can still be dangerous. Jayson Werth has emerged as a legitimate threat and Chase Utley and Ryan Howard provide some scary pop. Howard in fact is only the fourth player in MLB history to record four straight 40+ home run and 130+ RBI seasons. After a hot start to the season, Raul Ibanez fell apart in the second half, and he along with the others after the big four will need to produce for the Phillies to be successful.
Phillies Pitching: The 2008 champions could have issues on the mound. Cliff Lee, who was stellar when he first came to the Phillies, has stumbled down the stretch posting a 2-4 record with a 6.13 ERA in his last seven starts. Cole Hamels, who was named the World Series MVP last season has not posted his normal numbers during the season. On the plus side, J.A. Haap has been as pleasant surprise and Joe Blanton has been his durable self, leading the team in innings pitched. If the starting pitching wasn't enough of a question, the status of Brad Lidge should be. After being perfect in save situations last season, he's blown 11 saves this year, and has an ERA well over 7.00. To make matters worse, Ryan Madson hasn't really fared much better when he's been given the ball to close.
Rockies Offence: After going 18-28 under Clint Hurdle, the team replaced him with Jim Tracy and the club caught fire after the move. Troy Tulowitzki, who was mediocre in the first half of the season, hitting .254, has picked it up after the All-Star break, hitting a robust .348. Todd Helton has also been his typical reliable self, leading the team in batting average and on-base percentage. Catcher Yorvit Torrealba looks to be peaking at the right time and second baseman Clint Barmes and third baseman Ian Stewart each have over 20 home runs. The Rockies were in the top 10 in most offensive categories in the regular season, and perhaps more importantly, the majority of their key players have tasted what it's like to be in the playoffs and what it will take to get to the big dance.
Rockies Pitching: It used to be believed that the Rockies would never be able to field a decent pitching staff due to the altitude of Coors Field, well the addition of a humidor and a new attitude has seen the Rockies finish the regular season with the 10th best ERA in the game. Leading the charge for Colorado is Ubaldo Jimenez, who has 15 wins with a 3.47. Sadly, 16-game winner Jorge De La Rosa will not be available for the series. The backend of bullpen is the Rockies real strength, where closer Huston Street has picked up 35 saves.
Predictions
Carroll: This is the toughest series to call. The Rockies play on emotion and will be facing a shaky Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels combination, but in the end I think the Phillies duo will find a way. Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and the rest of the defending champs will have enough to advance to the NLCS...barely. Phillies in a tough five.
De Kerpel: The Phillies are looking to repeat, while the Rockies are looking at maybe reliving the Rocktober feelings of 2007. The Rockies seem to have the momentum, for what it's worth, heading into the series, and I trust their bullpen more than the Phillies' bullpen at this point. I'll take the Rockies in five.
Quarter: Phillies
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angels Dodgers
Cardinals Offence: Any talk of the Cardinals offence, really could start and finish with the best hitter on the planet today, Albert Pujols. "The Machine" finished the season in the top three of the triple crown categories, has also chipped in 16 stolen bases. The mid-season addition of Matt Holliday has also really helped solidify the middle of the batting order. Holliday is hitting .352 with the Cards after struggling in his half-season in Oakland. As good as the Cardinals dynamic duo are, if Pujols and company want to add a second World Series ring, their secondary players like Skip Schumacher, Yadier Molina et al will have to produce in the clutch.
Cardinals Pitching: The Cardinals easily boast the best one-two punch of any team in the playoffs, as both Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter are considered front runners for the National League Cy Young Award. Both were with the club when they won the World Series in 2006, so unlike other great regular season pitchers, Carpenter and Wainwright have an impressive pedigree of performing when it matters the most. Behind the duo is Joel Pineiro, who is having his finest season since 2002 when he was with the Seattle Mariners. Shutting the door in the Cardinals bullpen is 36-year old Ryan Franklin who was initially overlooked as an option to close games this season. He was given a shot at the job early and put a stranglehold on it with a 1.95 ERA and 38 saves in 43 attempts.
Dodgers Offence: The real question coming into the post-season is whether or not the Dodgers have enough hitting to make an impact. Since returning from his 50-game drug suspension, Manny Ramirez, once one of the most feared hitters in the game, doesn't seem to be the same player. He hit only .256 after the All-Star break. Andre Either is the only Dodger with over 30 home runs, and Matt Kemp is the only member of the club with a home run total in the 20's. Canadian Russell Martin has struggled at the plate all season long and is only hitting .251 heading into the playoffs. The Dodgers lack a lot of punch in their lineup, and can't afford to fall behind early.
Dodgers Pitching: This is clearly the strength of the Dodgers. A 3.15 ERA from their relief pitchers is nearly half-a-run better than the second best team in the entire major leagues. George Sherrill has basically been unhittable since joining the club, and Ronald Belisario is also sporting a sub-2.00 ERA. Jon Broxton has put up monster strikeout numbers in the ninth inning. Their starting staff isn't bad either, with Clayton Kershaw posting a sub-3.00 ERA. Chad Billingsley and Randy Wolf have also had good seasons, and Jon Garland, who the team added from the Diamondbacks at the end of August, is a legitimate innings eater, who has playoff experience and a World Series ring.
Predictions
Carroll: Back in late July a group of my pals went to Vegas for the stag for our friend Ray (the last of us to settle down). Think "The Hangover" only with thinner hair. I was unable to attend (very pregnant wife) so I made two requests of the stag goers; 1, at some point over the weekend Ray be put on a bus to Iowa and 2, they make a bet for me. While Ray did not make it to the Hawkeye State, I do have more than just a passing interest in the St. Louis Cardinals playoff success (much appreciated Damien). The Cards one-two ace punch and one-two slugger punch just seem to be too much to ignore. Also, "Manny Isn't Being Manny" and that is a problem for LA. Cardinals in four.
De Kerpel: Strange things happen in the playoffs, but I'm not sure the Dodgers are going to be able to withstand three starts against Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. The Cardinals offensive duo of Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday have been much better than Manny Ramirez and Andre Either lately too, which also won't help L.A. I'll take the Cardinals in four.
Quarter: Dodgers