NFL Picks: Week 7

10/23	Falcons	vs			Lions	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/23	Bears	vs			Buccaneers	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/23	Broncos	vs			Dolphins	- 1:00 PM (ET)
10/23	Texans	vs			Titans	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/23	Chargers	vs			Jets	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/23	Seahawks	vs			Browns	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/23	Redskins	vs			Panthers	- 1:00 PM (ET)
10/23	Chiefs	vs			Raiders	- 4:05 PM (ET)
10/23	Steelers	vs			Cardinals	- 4:05 PM (ET)
10/23	Packers	vs			Vikings	- 4:15 PM (ET)
10/23	Rams	vs			Cowboys	- 4:15 PM (ET)
10/23	Colts	vs			Saints	- 8:20 PM (ET)
10/24	Ravens	vs			Jaguars	- 8:30 PM (ET)

Last week: 10-3
Season record: 62-28

2011 World Series Prediction

And the 2011 World Series Champion will be...

Here's why:
Who would have thought at the beginning of the year that it would be down to Texas and St. Louis in the World Series. The Rangers, last year's runner-up, have had a great season and rode its explosive lineup (holy cow, Nelson Cruz was unstoppable in ALCS) and good bullpen to return to the Fall Classic. The Cardinals, meanwhile, have overcome all odds in first catching Atlanta in the NL Wildcard race, and then topping NL favorites Philly and Milwaukee, using outstanding pitching and clutch hitting to win its 18th NL Pennant.
So, let's break it down. Both lineups definitely have the potential for big innings. The Rangers' lineup, however, is definitely more well-rounded, led by ALCS MVP Nelson Cruz, who hit a record-breaking six home-runs in their domination of the Tigers. But behind him, Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Adrian Beltre, and Ian Kinsler are all Silver Slugger contenders at their positions, and catcher Mike Napoli has provided big hits over the second half of the season as well. Although St. Louis can counter with the best hitter in the game in Albert Pujols, as well as red-hot NLCS MVP David Freese, and Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday in the outfield, offensively, Texas just has more depth.
As far as pitching, both rotations are inconsistent, but overall, the Rangers' core of starting pitching has been good enough to eat up innings. Starters C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, Derrick Holland, and Matt Harrison, as well as closer Neftali Feliz are all pretty solid and should be up to the challenge in the Rangers' second consecutive World Series. Of course, the Cardinals have the best pitcher in the series in ace Chris Carpenter, but behind him, Jaime Garcia, Edwin Jackson, and Kyle Lohse have been erratic and inconsistent. The Cardinals got by Milwaukee largely because its bullpen came up huge, with manager Tony LaRussa constantly mixing and matching pitchers coming out of the 'pen to perfection. Can this formula for success, with Salas, Rzepcynski, Lynn, and Motte coming in for ineffective starters and shutting the door, give St. Louis its 11th championship banner?

The biggest key in the series is seeing which pitching staff can survive and prevent big innings by the opposition's offense. Both Milwaukee and Detroit were unable to stop explosive four or five run innings, which in the baseball postseason, will usually lead to elimination. In the end, I think the Rangers are the better team, with the more consistent starting pitching, and well-rounded lineup.

Rangers in 7.

NFL Picks: Week Six

10/16	Bills	vs			Giants	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/16	Panthers	vs			Falcons	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/16	Colts	vs			Bengals	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/16	Jaguars	vs			Steelers	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/16	Eagles	vs			Redskins	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/16	49ers	vs			Lions	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/16	Rams	vs			Packers	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/16	Browns	vs			Raiders	-4:05 PM (ET)
10/16	Texans	vs			Ravens	-4:05 PM (ET)
10/16	Cowboys	vs			Patriots	-4:15 PM (ET)
10/16	Saints	vs			Buccaneers	-4:15 PM (ET)
10/16	Vikings	vs			Bears	-8:20 PM (ET)
10/17	Dolphins	vs			Jets	-8:30 PM (ET)

Last week: 6-7
Season record: 52-25

NFL Picks: Week Five

10/09	Cardinals	vs			Vikings	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/09	Bengals	vs			Jaguars	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/09	Chiefs	vs			Colts	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/09	Saints	vs			Panthers	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/09	Raiders	vs			Texans	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/09	Eagles	vs			Bills	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/09	Seahawks	vs			Giants	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/09	Titans	vs			Steelers	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/09	Buccaneers	vs			49ers	-4:05 PM (ET)
10/09	Jets	vs			Patriots	-4:15 PM (ET)
10/09	Chargers	vs			Broncos	-4:15 PM (ET)
10/09	Packers	vs			Falcons	-8:20 PM (ET)
10/10	Bears	vs			Lions	-8:30 PM (ET)

Last week: 12-4
Season record: 46-18

2011 LCS Picks

ALCS
This should be another great postseason series, as I see both these teams almost evenly matched. Both teams depend a lot on the home-run for instant offense, and have the hitter-friendly ballpark to put up a lot of runs quickly. For example, the Tigers' Delmon Young and Rangers' Adrian Beltre each belted three home-runs in their respective Division Series wins, and they are not even the team's best hitter (Cabrera and Hamilton). In the end, however, it always comes down to pitching, and both team's have solid, above-average rotations and bullpens. The Tigers' front-line trio of Justin Verlander, Doug Fister, and Max Scherzer looked impressive in taking out the Bronx Bombers, and I like their consistency over that of the Rangers' starters of C.J. Wilson, Derek Holland, and Colby Lewis. And although Jose Valverde has his adventures in the 9th, he has not blown a save the whole season.
It's pretty much a toss-up in the end, but I just like the feeling around this Tigers' team. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have the Cy Young winner either.
in 7

 

NLCS
It's an NL Central showdown for the right to go to the World Series, after the Cards shocked the Phillies in five. Milwaukee finally got out of the first round thanks to clutch hitting and good pitching in its wins. Zach Grienke and Yovani Gallardo were really strong for the Brewers, but fellow starters Shawn Marcum and Randy Wolf need to bounce-back after getting lit up in the Arizona desert. And against an underrated St. Louis lineup that still has playoff veterans Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman, suspect pitching will doom Milwaukee. Luckily, the Brewers have bats of their own, in the form of Braun, Fielder, and Nyjer "Tony Clutch" Morgan. The Cards' pitching and Chris Carpenter was absolutely awesome in shutting down the Phillies, but can Jaime Garcia, Kyle Lohse, and Edwin Jackson also contain Milwaukee's more consistent lineup? In the end, the Brewers just have more talent across the board (starting pitching, bullpen, lineup) and should win.

in 7

NFL Picks: Week Four

10/02	Bills	vs			Bengals	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/02	Panthers	vs			Bears	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/02	Lions	vs			Cowboys	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/02	Vikings	vs			Chiefs	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/02	Saints	vs			Jaguars	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/02	Steelers	vs			Texans	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/02	49ers	vs			Eagles	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/02	Titans	vs			Browns	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/02	Redskins	vs			Rams	-1:00 PM (ET)
10/02	Falcons	vs			Seahawks	-4:05 PM (ET)
10/02	Giants	vs			Cardinals	-4:05 PM (ET)
10/02	Broncos	vs			Packers	-4:15 PM (ET)
10/02	Dolphins	vs			Chargers	-4:15 PM (ET)
10/02	Patriots	vs			Raiders	-4:15 PM (ET)
10/02	Jets	vs			Ravens	-8:20 PM (ET)

10/03	Colts	vs			Buccaneers	-8:30 PM (ET)

Week 3 record: 10-6
Season record: 34-14

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.
in 4

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.
in 5.

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.
in 5.
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.

in 5.