Cardinals vs. Nationals
in 4.
How they got here: The Nationals wrapped up their first ever playoff berth in DC relatively early, while the Cardinals advanced after a controversial wild card win in Atlanta.
Giants vs. Reds
How they got here: Each team returns to the postseason after a one-year hiatus, with the Reds running away with the NL Central, while the Giants held off the free-spending Dodgers to win the NL West.
Prediction: I think postseason experience will play into this series, as the Cards are full of veterans which know how to win games in October. Outfielders Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran anchor a good St. Louis lineup, while their pitching staff of Kyle Lohse (who has been their best pitcher this year), Adam Wainwright, and Chris Carpenter is always solid. The Nationals do have the best pitcher in the series in Cy Young candidate Gio Gonzalez, but in the end, I like the veteran Cards to beat the upstart Nats.
in 5.
Giants vs. Reds
How they got here: Each team returns to the postseason after a one-year hiatus, with the Reds running away with the NL Central, while the Giants held off the free-spending Dodgers to win the NL West.
Prediction: The pitching matchup for Game 1 (and 5, if necessary) is simply amazing, with Johnny Cueto for the Reds and Matt Cain for the Giants two of the premier pitchers in the game. If that matchup is a wash, I'll give the starting pitching edge to the Giants, the bullpen edge to Cincinatti, and the slight lineup edge (Buster Posey can't do it alone) to the Reds as well.
in 5.
American League
Orioles vs. Yankees
Tigers vs. Athletics
How they got here: The Tigers benefited from the White Sox collapsing down the stretch to win the weak Central, while the A's stormed back from 5 games back with 9 to go to steal the AL West from the Rangers.
in 5.American League
Orioles vs. Yankees
How they got here: The Yankees held off Baltimore's late surge in the AL East to win their 12th AL East title in 15 years, while Baltimore took out the defending AL Champion Rangers in their Wild Card matchup Friday.
Prediction: Luckily for the Orioles, they proved me wrong in beating the Rangers. Unfortunately, they'll have to do it again against the heavily favored Yankees. CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda lead a strong Yankee rotation that will pose problems for an Oriole team that has struggled to score runs at times. Meanwhile, Baltimore will have to deal with a Yankee lineup that hit the most homeruns in team history this year.
in 4
Tigers vs. Athletics
How they got here: The Tigers benefited from the White Sox collapsing down the stretch to win the weak Central, while the A's stormed back from 5 games back with 9 to go to steal the AL West from the Rangers.
Prediction: Oakland is a great story, as Billy Beane has put together another team with no real stars, but is in the postseason again. Unfortunately for the A's, I don't like this matchup for them. Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera and 1B Prince Fielder are a one-two punch which will torment Oakland's starting pitchers who are getting their first postseason experience. Also, ace Justin Verlander is looking to be dominant in this year's playoffs, after struggling a little at the end of last season.
in 4.
No comments:
Post a Comment