For the first time, Major League Baseball ended its regular season in the middle of the week, with most of the season finales played under the lights on Wednesday. To traditionalists, it's another black mark on the resume of MLB's dumber-than-a-doorknob commissioner, Allan "Bud" Selig. While the New York Mets wrapped their season with a matinee that offered temptations of playing hooky from school and/or work, the most important matchups were played at night and given maximum television coverage.
Now, the field is set, and the Division Series begin tomorrow. Let's set the table.....
American League:
Detroit at New York: The Eastern Division champion Yankees have injury issues. Alex Rodriguez sat out Wednesday's finale vs. Tampa Bay with a sore knee, not to mention a broken heart, with recent reports of a split with actress Cameron Diaz. Backup catcher Francisco Cervelli has a concussion and probably is done for the season. And, then, you have the case of pitcher AJ Burnett, in his 3rd season with the Yanks, and trying to recover from last year's meltdown. Let's face it, Burnett is showing his age more than his teammates are. Game 1 sees likely Cy Young winner Justin Verlander matched with CC Sabathia. Game 2 on Saturday has Rick Porcello vs. rookie phenom Ivan Nova. Beyond that, it's a toss-up. The Tigers have recovered from getting smacked two out of three by the Mets back in June (Verlander prevented the sweep), and would be happy to play game 3 in Detroit on Monday with series even at a game apiece. Remember that Sabathia is not a lock in the postseason, as was shown in '08 with Milwaukee. While network executives would love to see the Yankees advance, that would only merit a collective yawn. Like, dullsville. The Bombers don't want to see Verlander twice in a short series, but they will, and it will cost them. Upset special: Tigers in 5.
Tampa Bay at Texas: The Rays are this year's Kardiac Kids. They opened the season 1-8, and weathered the storm of Manny Ramirez's abrupt retirement before the first month was over. They came back from a 7-0 deficit to beat the Yankees Wednesday night to claim the final AL spot after Boston completed an epic collapse in losing to Baltimore. The Rays, simply put, are hot. The Rangers, for all intents & purposes, have the same cast as last year's World Series runner-up, plus Adrian Beltre. However, at this time of year, you go with the hotter hand, so........Tampa Bay in 4.
National League:
St. Louis at Philadelphia: Notice how all the talk has quieted about whether or not this is Albert Pujols' last season in St. Louis? Now, the speculation is on manager Tony LaRussa, who could also be leaving. The New York Daily News had an article earlier this week suggesting LaRussa could return to the Chicago White Sox, who gave him his first managerial gig in the bigs, after the ChiSox let Ozzie Guillen go to Florida. The more damaging blow, of course, would be Pujols, because he is the center of their offense. St. Louis has some pitching, but not enough to match the Phillies. I lost respect for Philadelphia 2 years ago when they let a punk with a laser pen escape after he nearly blinded Pujols on national television. I would love it if St. Louis could pull off the upset, but it ain't happening. Phillies in 4.
Arizona at Milwaukee: Diamondbacks skipper Kirk Gibson was a World Series hero in 1988 with the Dodgers, and now he's infused that same never-say-die mentality with Arizona in his first full season as manager. However, aside from Justin Upton, the D-Backs don't really have a big name on offense. They do have a Cy Young contender in ex-Yankee Ian Kennedy, though, and ex-Met JJ Putz is their closer. It's been 10 years since the D-Backs, behind the two-headed monster of Curt Schilling & Randy Johnson, upset the Yankees to win their only World Series. Milwaukee has pitching to match Arizona, and more offense. Besides, they wouldn't mind collecting a major receipt from Philadelphia for ousting them 3 years ago. Brewers in 4.
Of course, I could be wrong.......
No comments:
Post a Comment