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Week 4 record: 8-6
Season record: 39-23
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
2010 NLDS and ALDS Picks
National League
Reds vs. Phillies
I have loved the Reds all season, but this matchup is brutal. Phillies' rotation is loaded with Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels, and they also have the playoff experience to take out the inexperienced Reds.
in 4
Braves vs. Giants
Both teams clinched berth on last day of season, but the Giants are the hotter team, having had to catch and surpass the Padres in the NL West. Both teams' starting pitching is exceptional, but the loss of Chipper Jones and Martin Prado gives the edge offensively to Buster Posey and the Giants.
in 5.
American League
Rangers vs. Rays
Both teams cruised into the postseason, having realistically guaranteed playoff berths early, so they haven't been playing at their best for the last month. When it comes down to it, we'll see which team steps up. The Rangers lineup is loaded, but will its lack of playoff experience be able to shine against the Rays' rotation of David Price, Matt Garza, and James Shields? I don't think so.
in 4.
Yankees vs. Twins
This will the most intriguing series, in my opinion and can almost go either way. Target Field will host its first playoff games, although weather should not be an issue. Yankees' rotation isn't as strong as last year's, but still slighty better than Twins' rotation with CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte having edge over Carl Pavano and Francisco Liriano. Offensively, Twins have done well to absorb loss of 1B Justin Morneau. DH Jim Thome has been excellent for Twins, but Bronx Bombers' lineup boosting four players with 25+ homeruns may be too strong.
in 5.
Reds vs. Phillies
I have loved the Reds all season, but this matchup is brutal. Phillies' rotation is loaded with Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels, and they also have the playoff experience to take out the inexperienced Reds.
in 4Braves vs. Giants
Both teams clinched berth on last day of season, but the Giants are the hotter team, having had to catch and surpass the Padres in the NL West. Both teams' starting pitching is exceptional, but the loss of Chipper Jones and Martin Prado gives the edge offensively to Buster Posey and the Giants.
in 5.American League
Rangers vs. Rays
Both teams cruised into the postseason, having realistically guaranteed playoff berths early, so they haven't been playing at their best for the last month. When it comes down to it, we'll see which team steps up. The Rangers lineup is loaded, but will its lack of playoff experience be able to shine against the Rays' rotation of David Price, Matt Garza, and James Shields? I don't think so.
in 4.Yankees vs. Twins
This will the most intriguing series, in my opinion and can almost go either way. Target Field will host its first playoff games, although weather should not be an issue. Yankees' rotation isn't as strong as last year's, but still slighty better than Twins' rotation with CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte having edge over Carl Pavano and Francisco Liriano. Offensively, Twins have done well to absorb loss of 1B Justin Morneau. DH Jim Thome has been excellent for Twins, but Bronx Bombers' lineup boosting four players with 25+ homeruns may be too strong.
in 5.Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
My 2010 MLB Awards
It's the end of another great baseball season (especially for pitchers). 6 out of 8 playoff spots are set, with Giants and Braves trying to hold off Padres in final two games today and tomorrow. Here are my picks for awards.
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (.328, 28 HR, 126 RBI)
The race for this award has been wide open the whole season. You could easily give it to Josh Hamilton of the Rangers or José Bautista or the Blue Jays too. I opted for Cabrera because he does not have as much help around him in the lineup as Hamilton, and has way higher batting average than Bautista. It is also notable that since he has gone down with injury for the season, the Tigers have lost five straight.
NL MVP: Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies (.336, 34 HR, 117 RBI)
Done for the season with injury, CarGo won't win the triple crown. But what a season it will have been for the breakout star in Denver. Playing with relentless abandon, Gonzalez has been complete player, running into outfield walls to make catches many times this year. The critics that say he is a product of Coors Field are inaccurate. His home/road splits in batting average are nearly identical, and Joey Votto plays in a smaller park than Gonzalez. Honorable mention goes to Albert Pujols, but I think it is time for a new NL MVP.
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners (13-12, 2.27 ERA, 232 K)
The record doesn't look great, but keep in mind, Hernandez pitched for the last-place Mariners, who had one of the worst offenses in the whole league. King Felix, the AL leader in inning pitched, ERA, and strikeouts, also has a .54 ERA against the Yankees and Red Sox.
NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies (21-10, 2.44 ERA, 219 K)
Doc has had awesome first season in Philly, leading the league in wins, inning pitched, and strikeouts. Add the perfect game he threw in Miami and Halladay should be the 5th player ever to win Cy Young in both leagues.
AL Rookie of Year: Neftali Feliz, Texas Rangers (39/42 SV, .89 WHIP, 71 K)
A huge part of the Rangers' success this year has been the stability at the closer position by the 22-year old Dominican. His 39 saves is third in the league and his .177 batting average is also second in the league among closers.
NL Co-Rookies of Year: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants (.309, 17 HR, 66 RBI)
Posey has been a savior for the Giants down the stretch run, infusing a weak offensive lineup with some power since his callup in late May. In addition to playing the toughest position in baseball in catcher and having to learn all the pitchers and play solid defense, Posey has hit almost matched Braves' outfielder Jason Heyward in homeruns and RBI in about 30 less games. Cardinals' pitcher Jaime Garcia also gets mention for his great year, but it's all about Posey.
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers (.328, 28 HR, 126 RBI)
The race for this award has been wide open the whole season. You could easily give it to Josh Hamilton of the Rangers or José Bautista or the Blue Jays too. I opted for Cabrera because he does not have as much help around him in the lineup as Hamilton, and has way higher batting average than Bautista. It is also notable that since he has gone down with injury for the season, the Tigers have lost five straight.
NL MVP: Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies (.336, 34 HR, 117 RBI)
Done for the season with injury, CarGo won't win the triple crown. But what a season it will have been for the breakout star in Denver. Playing with relentless abandon, Gonzalez has been complete player, running into outfield walls to make catches many times this year. The critics that say he is a product of Coors Field are inaccurate. His home/road splits in batting average are nearly identical, and Joey Votto plays in a smaller park than Gonzalez. Honorable mention goes to Albert Pujols, but I think it is time for a new NL MVP.
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners (13-12, 2.27 ERA, 232 K)
The record doesn't look great, but keep in mind, Hernandez pitched for the last-place Mariners, who had one of the worst offenses in the whole league. King Felix, the AL leader in inning pitched, ERA, and strikeouts, also has a .54 ERA against the Yankees and Red Sox.
NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies (21-10, 2.44 ERA, 219 K)
Doc has had awesome first season in Philly, leading the league in wins, inning pitched, and strikeouts. Add the perfect game he threw in Miami and Halladay should be the 5th player ever to win Cy Young in both leagues.
AL Rookie of Year: Neftali Feliz, Texas Rangers (39/42 SV, .89 WHIP, 71 K)
A huge part of the Rangers' success this year has been the stability at the closer position by the 22-year old Dominican. His 39 saves is third in the league and his .177 batting average is also second in the league among closers.
NL Co-Rookies of Year: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants (.309, 17 HR, 66 RBI)
Posey has been a savior for the Giants down the stretch run, infusing a weak offensive lineup with some power since his callup in late May. In addition to playing the toughest position in baseball in catcher and having to learn all the pitchers and play solid defense, Posey has hit almost matched Braves' outfielder Jason Heyward in homeruns and RBI in about 30 less games. Cardinals' pitcher Jaime Garcia also gets mention for his great year, but it's all about Posey.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
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