2011 NLDS and ALDS Preview

National League
Cardinals vs. Phillies
How they got here: The Redbirds made a great September push for the postseason, and with help from collapsing Atlanta, impressively qualified as the NL wildcard. The Phillies, meanwhile, wrapped up the NL East early again, winning a league high 102 games.

Prediction: I think St. Louis' magical run comes to an end rather quickly. The Phillies will throw Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels, starting pitching that St. Louis cannot match with the likes Edwin Jackson and Kyle Lohse after Chris Carpenter.
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Diamondbacks vs. Brewers
How they got here: Arizona went worst-to-first in the NL West this year, and had eliminated the defending World Champions by mid-September behind much-improved pitching led by ace Ian Kennedy and an offense that thrives on the longball. Meanwhile, Milwaukee's all-in approach in the last year of Prince Fielder's current contract has paid off, as the previous inept pitching staff has put together a great season.

Prediction: This is truly a tossup, but in the end, I'll give the edge to the more experienced team that has home-field advantage.
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American League
Rays vs. Rangers
How they got here: What a comeback it was for Tampa to win the AL Wildcard. Down 7-0 to the Yankees in the 8th inning Wednesday, and with Boston winning 3-2 in Baltimore, it was all but over for the Rays. But a furious 8 unanswered runs and a Boston-bullpen collapse later, and they were partying in St. Petersburg. Texas, meanwhile, took the more conventional route in winning the rather mediocre AL West.
Prediction: This is a playoff rematch of last year, and although teams are different, I think the end result will be the same. Although Tampa does boost the better starting pitching, I think Texas' trio of Hamilton, Michael Young, and Adrian Beltre have enough talent to outscore the Rays' rather mediocre lineup.
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Tigers vs. Yankees
How they got here: The Bronx Bombers answered their early season pitching concerns and cruised down the stretch to the AL East crown yet again, while Detroit rode its Cy Young Winner and potent offense in wrapping up the AL Central fairly early.

Prediction: This will the most intriguing series, in my opinion and can almost go either way. CC Sabathia vs. Justin Verlander is a match-up of pure power and dominance, but whoever pitches better behind each of them will decide the outcome of this series. Detroit's offense led by Miguel Cabrera is more balanced than the Bombers', and as long as Doug Fister, Max Scherzer and the bullpen are able to keep the ball in the ballpark, the Tigers will have enough to pull off the upset. And until they can show me, I don't think Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia will be able to step up to the postseason New York pressure.

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My 2011 MLB Awards

It's the end of another great baseball season. 6 out of 8 playoff spots are set, with only the AL and NL Wildcards left to be decided today and tomorrow. (Red Sox/Rays tied in AL, Braves up 1 game on Cardinals in NL) Here are my picks for this season's awards.

AL MVP: Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox (.323, 31 HR, 103 RBI)
The catalyst for the Boston lineup, Ellsbury has had an amazing year, not only continuing to hit for a high average, play great defense in center field, and steal bases (38 steals), but also through his added power which has paid dividends in the amount of production he has provided at the top of the lineup. Honorable mention goes to Curtis Granderson of the Yankees and fellow Red Sox Adrian Gonzalez.
NL MVP: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers (.324, 38 HR, 123 RBI)
If Kemp were on a playoff team, this would be a no-brainer. Regardless, I think he is deserving for the ridiculous statistics he has put up despite having little to no protection in the lineup, and all the financial troubles the Dodgers franchise continues to have because of the idiotic McCourt divorce. Plus, it's not like LA is in last place; they're above .500. Honorable mention to Ryan Braun of the Brewers and Albert Pujols of the Cardinals.
AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers (24-5, 2.40 ERA, 250 K)
Not even close, it's Verlander by a landslide. In addition to that ridiculous win-total (haven't seen 24 put up by a pitcher in a while), Verlander has been absolutely dominant, and has won his last 12 games for the AL-Central Champion Tigers. Add in the no-hitter he threw against Toronto, and he may even be AL MVP worthy.
NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (21-5, 2.28 ERA, 248 K)
Breakout season, anyone? The 23-year old southpaw will win the NL pitching Triple Crown, leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts in just his 4th season in the big leagues. Honorable mention to Roy Halladay of the Phillies.
AL Rookie of Year: Jeremy Hellickson, Tampa Bay Rays (13-10, 2.90 ERA, 116 K)
Considering the extremely high expectations bestowed in him coming into this season, Hellickson has had a great year and lived up to all the hype. A solid anchor in Tampa's rotation, and pitching in the toughest division in baseball, he has held his own, and edges out the Angels' Mark Trumbo for the award.
NL Rookie of Year: Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves (46/53 SV, 1.00 WHIP, 126 K)
Only 23, Kimbrel broke Neftali Feliz's rookie-save record from last year, and has been untouchable in closing games for Atlanta. 126 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings while in a playoff race is video game-like dominant.

NFL Picks: Week Three

09/25	Broncos	vs			Titans	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/25	Lions	vs			Vikings	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/25	Texans	vs			Saints	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/25	Jaguars	vs			Panthers	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/25	Dolphins	vs			Browns	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/25	Patriots	vs			Bills	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/25	Giants	vs			Eagles	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/25	49ers	vs			Bengals	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/25	Ravens	vs			Rams	-4:05 PM (ET)
09/25	Chiefs	vs			Chargers	-4:05 PM (ET)
09/25	Jets	vs			Raiders	-4:05 PM (ET)
09/25	Cardinals	vs			Seahawks	-4:15 PM (ET)
09/25	Falcons	vs			Buccaneers	-4:15 PM (ET)
09/25	Packers	vs			Bears	-4:15 PM (ET)
09/25	Steelers	vs			Colts	-8:20 PM (ET)

09/26	Redskins	vs			Cowboys	-8:30 PM (ET)

Week 2 record: 13-3
Season record: 24-8

NFL Picks: Week Two

09/18	Packers	vs			Panthers	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/18	Browns	vs			Colts	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/18	Bears	vs			Saints	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/18	Ravens	vs			Titans	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/18	Cardinals	vs			Redskins	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/18	Buccaneers	vs			Vikings	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/18	Seahawks	vs			Steelers	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/18	Raiders	vs			Bills	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/18	Chiefs	vs			Lions	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/18	Jaguars	vs			Jets	-1:00 PM (ET)
09/18	Cowboys	vs			49ers	-4:05 PM (ET)
09/18	Chargers	vs			Patriots	-4:15 PM (ET)
09/18	Texans	vs			Dolphins	-4:15 PM (ET)
09/18	Bengals	vs			Broncos	-4:15 PM (ET)
09/18	Eagles	vs			Falcons	-8:20 PM (ET)

09/19	Rams	vs			Giants	-8:30 PM (ET)

Last week's record: 11-5

NFL Picks: Week One

9/8 Saints 34, Packers 42 Final

9/11	Colts	vs			Texans	-1:00 PM (ET)
9/11	Lions	vs			Buccaneers	-1:00 PM (ET)
9/11	Bengals	vs			Browns	-1:00 PM (ET)
9/11	Bills	vs			Chiefs	-1:00 PM (ET)
9/11	Falcons	vs			Bears	-1:00 PM (ET)
9/11	Titans	vs			Jaguars	-1:00 PM (ET)
9/11	Steelers	vs			Ravens	-1:00 PM (ET)
9/11	Eagles	vs			Rams	-1:00 PM (ET)
9/11	Seahawks	vs			49ers	-4:15 PM (ET)
9/11	Giants	vs			Redskins	-4:15 PM (ET)
9/11	Vikings	vs			Chargers	-4:15 PM (ET)
9/11	Panthers	vs			Cardinals	-4:15 PM (ET)
9/11	Cowboys	vs			Jets	-8:20 PM (ET)
9/12	Patriots	vs			Dolphins	-7:00 PM (ET)
9/12	Raiders	vs			Broncos	-10:15 PM (ET)

Last season's record: 169-98

My 2011 AFC South Preview

1. Houston Texans
2010 Record: 6-10
Projected 2011 Record: 10-6
The Offense
The Texans’ offense was great as usual last season, as the team had to put together a ridiculous amount of late game comebacks due to the fact that they always fell behind by double digits early in games. The previously nonexistent rushing attack exploded, with RB Arian Foster winning the league rushing title and All-Pro honors in his first season as full-time starter. Barring a nagging hamstring injury that has hampered him throughout training camp and the preseason, Foster, along with five returning starters on a good offensive line and quality backup backs in Derrick Ward and Ben Tate, should thrive again in Houston’s backfield.

Meanwhile, although QB Matt Schaub had a bit of a down year last season, the Texans still ranked third in the league in passing and will direct a high-octane attack again this year, with All-Pro WR Andre Johnson and TE Owen Daniels both coming strong seasons.

The Defense
Houston’s defense was atrocious last season, and may have been the most incompetent unit in NFL history in trying to stop the run. Gary Kubiak and Rick Smith’s strategy of “Let’s draft defensive backs and throw them out there” backfired, with CB Brice McCain and Kareem Jackson being humiliated time and time again last year. Enter long-time defensive guru Wade Phillips, who has installed his 3-4 scheme, along with free agent cornerback Johnathan Joseph and safety Danieal Manning, who should all play a role in improving a unit that has nowhere to go but up. After all, the defense still has playmakers in ILB’s Brian Cushing and DeMeco Ryans and OLB Mario Williams.

The Key
Wade Phillip’s defense. It is playoffs or bust for head coach Gary Kubiak and the Texans, who will be entering their 10^th season. The offense is playoff caliber, but Phillips must put together all the pieces on the other side of the ball for Houston to finally taste the postseason.

2. Indianapolis Colts
2010 Record: 10-6
Projected 2011 Record: 9-7

The Offense
My, oh my, Manning is not ready to start the season, and how many additional games will he miss? That is the million dollar question in Indy as the season begins, as QB Peyton Manning continues to recover from offseason neck surgery. Recently unretired veteran Kerry Collins will take the reins, for now, of an offense for at that led the league in passing yards last year, and was fourth overall, despite numerous injuries last year.

As for the rest of the offense, the Colts used their first two draft picks in 2011 to shore up Manning’s blindside, getting Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana, who are expected to start at LT and LG respectively.

At the skill positions, Indy returns its core set of playmakers, RB Joseph Addai in the backfield, WR Reggie Wayne, the frequently injured Anthony Gonzalez, and Pierre Garcon out wide, and TE Dallas Clark, who is also coming back from a season ending injury, across the middle.

The Defense
The 20th ranked defense from last year returns intact. DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis remain one of the best combos in the league and the Colts also added former Bear DT Tommie Harris and third-round pick Drake Nevis to the line. The Colts struggled to stop the run at times last year, and the linebacking core of returning starters MLB Gary Brackett and OLB Clint Session, as well as new-starter Pat Angerer will need to play well to avoid being shredded by the likes of Foster, Johnson, and Jones-Drew in the division. The sometimes susceptible secondary hopes to get a return from injury by SS Melvin Bullett, while FS Antoine Bethea, and CB Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey should be solid.
The Key
Peyton Manning’s health. With him, the Colts are AFC Championship contenders. Without him, they are wildcard team at best.

3. Tennessee Titans
2010 Record: 6-10
Projected 2011 Record: 6-10
The Offense
The Titans offense had a season to forget last year, with QB Vince Young going down in week one with an injury and then going semi-crazy. Veteran QB Kerry Collins and rookie Rusty Smith were not effective at all in replacing Young, and the team ended up 25^th in the league in passing at the end of the year. To address the QB situation, new head coach Mike Munchak and the Titans drafted Jake Locker with their first round pick and also signed veteran Matt Hasselbeck, who will begin the season as the starter.

At the skill positions, RB Chris Johnson is one of the best in the league, and should be ready to go after the Titans gave him a four year, $53 million contract extension just last week. At WR, Kenny Britt had a nice breakout season, but other than that, the targets for Hasselbeck are average at best, with Nate Washington, Justin Gage, and rookie TE Jared Cook.

The Defense
Unfortunately for the Titans, their defense was not better last season, ranking 26^th in the league. It shouldn’t be much better this season either, as Tennessee lost DE Jason Babin, who led the team in sacks last year, to the Philadelphia Eagles. They did add OLB Akeem Ayers with their second round pick and ILB Barrett Ruud from the Buccaneers, but there are just so many holes on the defensive line, and in the secondary other than punk CB Cortland Finnegan.

The Key
The defense. Tennessee got to the playoffs in 2008 with a monster, shutdown defense. Most of the veterans from that unit are gone now, so for this team to even compete for a winning record this year, it’s on the young players on this defense to step up their game.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars
2010 Record: 8-8
Projected 2011 Record: 6-10
The Offense
The Jaguars 15^th ranked offense from a season ago was completely geared toward the run, as Pro-Bowl RB Maurice Jones-Drew produced week in and week out, helping Jacksonville rank 3^rd in the league in rushing. The solid offensive line returns intact this year, and the running game projects to thrive again in 2011.

The passing game is another story. Minus the remarkable Hail Mary pass against the Texas last year, the Jags’ pass offense was mediocre last year, ranking 27^th in the league. In response, Jacksonville took QB Blaine Gabbert with the 10^th pick of the draft, and hope he will become the long-term starter under center. For now, however, journeyman Luke McCown is the starter, as 2010 starter David Garrard was released on Tuesday. Unfortunately for McCown, his down-field targets are average at best, with TE Marcedes Lewis probably the most consistent, as leading WR Mike Sims-Walker left for St. Louis, leaving Jason Hill and Mike Thomas as the starting wide-outs.

The Defense
The 28^th ranked defense from a season ago really has nowhere to go but up. Acquiring linebackers Paul Posluszny and Clint Session should help solidify the run-stopping, while safety Dawan Landry will definitely help the secondary.

But there are still a lot of questions in the defensive line, which struggled to get consistent pressure on the QB last season, ranking 30^th in sacks. Getting DE Aaron Kampman back from injury will help a little, but he’ll help from DT Tyson Alaulu and Travis Knighton, as well as opposite DE Aaron Roth.

The Key
The improvement of the defense. The Jaguars took advantage of a very easy schedule last season to finish 8-8. This year’s slate looks to be much tougher, and whether or not the Jaguars can stay in the playoff hunt will depend on their ability to rush the passer and improve in the secondary.