The ALDS is officially in the books and now it's time for the League Championship Series! The Reds, Braves, Rays, and my beloved Twins were all knocked out this past week setting up the Phillies vs the Giants in the NL, and the Rangers vs the Yankees in the AL. If you want the best 2 teams in the World Series, then you're pulling for a Yankees/Phillies matchup. But if you're like me you want to see the underdogs win for a change and are pulling for a Rangers/Giants world series that would guarantee to relieve a long suffering fan base. TCW predicts this weekend's matchups.
The 2 matchups are almost polar opposites from a pitching to hitting perspective. In the AL, the Rangers/Yankees series is all about offense where both teams are in the top 10 in nearly every offensive team category including the most runs and best on-base percentage (Yankees 589 & .350) and the best team batting average (Rangers .276). In the NL, the Phillies and Giants are both in the top 6 in the league in terms of team ERA, Quality starts, and WHIP (walks & hits per inning pitched), with the Giants posting the lowest team ERA (3.36) and the Phillies with the best WHIP(1.25).
ALCS GAME 1 - WILSON(TX) vs SABATHIA(NY)
Because Cliff Lee had to finish off the Rays in Game 5 of their ALDS series, we won't be seeing arguably the 2 best pitchers in the AL this year. This is a huge advantage for New York. Sabathia has wicked stuff, led the league in wins, is as intimidating as they come with the big frame, and has postseason veteran experience, aka, he's been here before. CJ Wilson is no pushover though. He had a great year at 15-8 with a 3.35 ERA including 3 complete games. He struggled in September, but picked things up nicely in the Division series vs Tampa shutting them out in 6 plus innings. However, given the Rangers first ever LCS game, the jitters will be out there, look for Sabathia to set the tone and if given an early lead, erase all doubt. YANKEES take game 1.ALCS GAME 2 - LEWIS(TX) vs HUGHES(NY)
The Pitching matchup isn't as lopsided as game 1, but the advantage still lies with New York, sending out their 18 game winner ahead of Andy Petitte to face Colby Lewis who went 12-13 on the year and has a career ERA of 5.27.
Like his record, Lewis is hit or miss and don't expect him to go more than 6 innings, he did shutout the Rays last week in 5 innings however, so he's pitching well. Hughes dominating the Twins in the ALDS last week, but the Twins barely showed up to play. The Rangers lineup features power hitters from top to bottom and relies heavily on its offense. Hughes is a fly ball pitcher and the Rangers can only hope some of those fly balls reach the seats in fair territory. New York will be favored, but look for Guerrero, Hamilton, Cruz, Nelson or any other of the hot texas bats to come alive and bring some magic in Arlington. RANGERS take game 2.NLCS GAME 1 - HALLADAY (PHIL) vs LINCECUM (SF)
If you're a baseball fan and you can only pick 1 game to watch this weekend, this would be it. Last year's CY young (Lincecum) versus this year's CY Young (Halladay, not released yet, but will win in a landslide).
Halladay is the best pitcher on the planet right now, coming off his best season in a remarkable career that will eventually end up in the HOF. Oh and he became just the 2nd pitcher EVER to throw a no-hitter in the post-season. His opponent on the mound is no slouch either, Lincecum is arguably coming off a top 10 all-time postseason performance too in his 2 hit, 14 strikeouts, shutout of the Braves last week. He hasn't given up more than 3 runs in a start since August either. Look for a low-scoring, tight battle in what should be an exciting game 1. PHILLIES take it behind the strength of Halladay...but it'll be close.NLCS GAME 2 - HAMELS (PHIL) vs SANCHEZ (SF)
No 2 pitchers we're more alike this year than Hamels and Sanchez. They're 2010 stats nearly mirrored each other.
Hamels went 12-11 with a 3.06 ERA, 211 strikeouts and a 1.18 WHIP. Whereas Sanchez went 13-9 with a 3.07 ERA, 205 strikeouts and a 1.23 WHIP. Furthermore, both pitchers finished the season (September and on) with a 4-1 record and sub 2 ERA's. So where's the edge? Postseason experience. Hamels has been here, Sanchez hasn't. We saw how dominant Hamels can be in the 2008 postseason where he absolutely dominated going 5-0 with a 0.91 ERA. But then last year, he largely disappeared in the postseason, going 1-2 with a 7.58 ERA. But it looks like he's back to the 2008 Cole Hamels after a 5 hit shutout of the Reds last week. Like game 1, this game should be close, but Hamels will be too strong at home, PHILLIES take game 2. I'll preview games 3 & 4 on Monday and clean up any mistakes and missteps from this post. Until then, don't put all of your eggs in one basket.
bsv
the courtesy wave
No comments:
Post a Comment