With the NLCS starting tonite and the ALCS going tomorrow, what better time to go around the horn with our Baseball Roundup as we look back and look ahead as the November World Series is rapidly approaching. Yes, I know that doesn't sound right. The Division Series drama was subpar at best, let's hope we get something more from MLB's Final 4. Let's look at 5 DS Observations, 4 LCS Keys, and 3 Fearless Predictions.
5 Division Series Observations
1) What happened to the Cardinals??
This was the best team in baseball for much of the second half. We all thought that the LA/StL matchup would be a barnburner, but the Dodgers took the brooms to the Redbirds. Chris Carpenter allowed 4 runs in 5 IP in Game 1 and Matt Holliday dropped the ball on Adam Wainwright's stellar effort to fall into a quick 0-2 hole. Once LA saw blood and beat St. Louis' studs, this series was over.
2) A-Rod > Albert
Pujols was a quiet 3/10 at the dish with only 1 RBI and 0 HRs against the Dodgers, while the other most talented player in the game provided the clutchest (I think that's a word...) hit of the playoffs thus far with his 2 run homer to tie Game 2 in the 9th inning. A-Rod is supposedly playing looser this postseason, could it be Kate Hudson (or maybe even Goldie Hawn? He does have that thing for older women...), could it be the steroid monkey off his back? Whatever it is, Rodriguez might be able to exorcise the demons this October.
3) Ice Cold Rocktober
Outdoor baseball in Denver... at night... in mid October? Don't worry, not like they're building an outdoor stadium in Minnesota or anything, whoops. Pure genius. Moving the World Series back to November? Beautiful. Why not just play Game 1 of the World Series on Christmas Day? Is anyone in the MLB offices thinking about these things? Anyways, the Rocktober magic was revived for half of an inning in Game 4 of the NLDS before Ryan Howard and co. blew up the Rockies and Huston Street.
4) So Much For Boston Owning LAA...
The surprise of the LDS was certainly the OC's sweep of the Sawx. It brings a smile to my face to not have to deal with The Nation for the rest of the postseason, but the way they went out with a whimper had to be a surprise for everyone. With the Red Sox monkey off the Halos' back, there could be another ring headed to Anaheim with this deep team flying under the radar.
5) Line Drive, Base Hit!
I do play by play for the alma mater at Ohio Wesleyan (check out the Yoders' fine broadcasting at stream.owu.edu), and I know it's an incredibly fun, but tough job. You've got to prepare meticulously, think on your feet, describe the action, and tell a compelling story for the audience. Of course, the world of Division III athletics isn't the MLB postseason, but it's close enough. You can get every call right, but if you screw up the big one, you never forget it. This is the world of Chip Caray. His now infamous "Line Drive Base Hit" in the Detroit/Minny one game playoff on an inning ending double play is in the Hall of Fame of Blown Announcing Calls (somewhere in the Dick Stockton wing...). I personally like Chip from watching the Cubs on WGN growing up, I think he does a good job and makes the game exciting. But, Chip Caray, you have got to do better in the clutch.
4 LCS Keys
1) Dodgers Toughness
You got bullied and beaten last year by the Phillies in the '08 LCS. Heading into the series rematch, Joe Torre is already talking big that his team will be ready for the inside pitching tactics of Philly and return some of their own. The Dodgers have a talented and deep team, but who will step up and stand in the face of the reigning champs? The Dodgers need someone to throw high and tight or get a clutch hit in this series to lead this team past Philadelphia.
2) Phillies 1-2 Punch
The Phils have the most dominant top of the rotation left in the playoffs. Having a reigning World Series MVP and a Cy Young Winner in your staff is a huge advantage in October and it'll be tough for anyone to beat Cole Hamels or Cliff Lee. With Hamels going in Game 1 and Lee in Game 3, LA could be looking at facing these guys 5 times in a 7 game series. If they pitch to their full ability, Philly might be impossible to beat.
3) Angels In The Outfield
Featuring 2 former Yankees Juan Rivera and Bobby Abreu and perennial All-Star Torii Hunter, the Angels outfield is the key to their success. They (along with DH Vlad Guerrero) were able to get timely hits and RBIs against the Bo Sox, and they'll need to keep hitting against New York. Don't underestimate the revenge factor, especially with Abreu being let go after last season and the short porch in Yankee Stadium. He could have a big series.
4) Joba, Phil, and The Hand of God
The Yankees bullpen needs to be able to finish games for New York, and keep the Yanks in games as well. As much talk as there has been about the starting lineup, or the possible 3 man rotation, this is where the Yankees bread will have to be buttered. Joba looked a little shaky at times being back in the pen, but if he can regain that swagger the Yanks will have an imposing 7th-9th inning triumvirate. Chamberlain, Hughes, and Rivera give New York a bullpen unmatched in the playoffs. If the Yanks can get leads into the late innings, they'll go back to the World Series.
3 Predictions
1) LAD over Philly in 7
Yes, the Phillies crushed the Dodgers last year in the LCS, and yes, with Hamels and Lee they are the logical pick, but... there has been some sort of weird magic surrounding the Dodgers this seasons. How else can you explain Manny still being Manny and Andre Ethier's 72 walk off wins this season. With the homefield advantage, I can see some more walk off heroics from the Dodgers and them going past Philly through smoke and mirrors.
2) NYY over LAA in 6
Of course, this is what I'm hoping for as a Yankees fan, and I'm semi-confident. What scares me is this 3 man rotation talk from Joe Girardi. Does CC really have it back? Can A-Rod really keep up the clutch postseason hitting? Can they break the Angels jinx? A hesitant yes is the answer to all of the above. The Angels pitching won't be able to keep up in the heat of Yankee Stadium, and the Yankees O will do just enough.
3) There Will Be Controversy
Baseball needs some life in this postseason, and with all of the combustibles in the LCS, some fireworks are likely to go down. Maybe we'll be lucky and get a brawl between Manny and Charlie Manuel, or Pedro makes a run at the Dodgers bench looking for Don Zimmer. Will Madonna storm the field to win A-Rod back? Will we see another blown ump call? Whatever happens, I'm hoping and predicting for some action in the LCS after the post Division Series slumber.
That does it for our look at the MLB Postseason, don't forget to feature our Decade Series and the Top 10 Flops of the Decade! We'll be back soon with our preview of the EPL, NFL, and College Pig this weekend. Bye for now...
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