Phillies vs. Dodgers

Attempting to avenge last year’s loss in 5 games, the Dodgers once again meet up with the Phillies in the NLCS.  This time, however, things may be different.

After dominating and dumping the St. Louis Cardinals, widely considered by many experts to breeze through the National League playoffs, the Dodgers seem to have found their early season form, minus Manny on Steroids of course.  While we cannot imagine a pennant winning pitching staff comprised of Clayton Kershaw, Randy Wolf, and Vicente Padilla, the Dodgers already blasted through the best staff remaining in the National league in Carpenter, Wainwright, and Pinero. On paper, the staff of Cliff Lee (maybe the best trade deadline acquisition this year) J.A. Happ (although he may be moved o the bullpen for soft throwing Pedro Martinez), and last season’s post season stud Cole Hamels should be far superior.  Then again, that’s paper.  And while the Manny isn’t hitting .600 like he did last year, other players have stepped up.  Matt Kemp might be one of the 5 best young players in the league.  He can do it all: defense, speed, power, and hit for average.  The Phillies have a lot of punch in that lineup, and may have the best 1-6 in the league.  They should score minimum of 4 runs a game, but even that may not be enough to get past the Dodgers, especially with their home field advantage.

KEY:  The Bullpen

The Dodgers bullpen is far superior to the Phillies, which is the Phillies’ Achilles heel.  Any time you have two opponents where the same attribute is one’s strength and the other’s weakness, the one who has that strength should win.

Angels vs. Yankees

The improbable story of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim-I’m just going to call them Anaheim Angels from here on out-continues against the best team in the league.  However, what’s different this time for the Angels is the fact that they exorcised the demon that was the Boston Red Sox.  And it wasn’t just who they did, it was the way they did it:  On the road in a ballpark that has been their biggest kryptonite.  Against a team that has eliminated them every time the play in the post season for the last 23 years, including 12 of their last 13 games, and against the best bullpen and closer in baseball, all with nobody on, down to and down to their final strike.

The Angels, going back to the late 90’s, are the only team in baseball with a winning record against the Yankees.  This includes the Joe Torre years of glory, where they won 3 in a row.  Based on this, and the fact that they beat Boston, the Angels feel that there’s no one they can’t beat, including the Yankees.

For the Yankees, there’s no more question about whom the best in the East, or in baseball.  The Yankees racked up 103 wins, and after spending close to half a billion dollars on free agents-that’s right, BILLION-the dividends have immediately been paid. The Yankees downfall this decade has been their lack of starting pitching, and they addressed that by going out and getting C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.  Their ability to strike guys out, not just get ground ball or fly ball outs, is critical.  Keep the Angels off the bases, and they will be rewarded.  Mark Teixeira has earned every bit of his $188 million dollar contract in the first year, and after using the Angels last year as a bargaining chip, it should be competitive.  Most importantly, Alex Rodriguez is finally coming through in the post season, something other hated and steroid filled hall of famers never did.  But now he’s not o the juice, and after missing over a month still finished in the league leaders in home runs and RBI’s upon his return.  See our article “Red October”-we predicted him to have his first great post season, and so far he’s not disappointing. The Angels bullpen has been shaky at best, and against Mariano Rivera, the Yanks definitely have the advantage.  Then again, the “experts” said that about the Angels vs. the Red Sox too.

KEY: Angels on the base paths.  If the Angels are able to get on base, distract the pitcher and go first to third, as they do better than any team, they can pull it off.  If the Yankees are able to strike guys out and keep the Angels off the bases that will go along way in securing their first pennant in 6 years.

Predictions

Phillies/Dodgers

Our proud Irish Friend and baseball nut, Mr. Reeve O’Leedus, has offered his predictions against mine.  He should be out golfing, drinking, peeling potatoes or getting in a fight.  He may do it all in one night, but he knows baseball, and its fun to see who he picked.  If he’s right though, I have to stroke his shillelagh (sha-la-lee).

“Ahh, to be sure, Phillies pitching is not as dominant as it were last year.  Cole Hamels and Brad Lidge have fallen back to earth to the peat.
Mr. Ryan Howard went 3-for-28 with 11 strikeouts against the Dodgers this year, and Utley and Jimmy Rollins both were a wee bit under 200.  Cliff Lee will be pitching on short rest, and the lads, Ethier, Kemp have grown up.  The Dodgers bench, their left handed pitchers against their left handed line up, and Manny’s a hittin again.  And the Dodgers have home field advantage”. –Irish Reeve O’Leedus

My Prediction:  Dodgers in 7                   Irish Reeve O’Leedus: Dodgers in 6

Starting Pitching        Phillies                   Phillies
Bullpen                      Dodgers                  Dodgers
Defense                      Phillies                   Phillies
Power                         Phillies                   Phillies
Run Production          Phillies                   Dodgers
Speed                         Phillies                    Phillies
Bench                         Dodgers                  Dodgers
Manager                     Dodgers                  Dodgers
Intangibles                 Dodgers                   Dodgers

Angels vs. Yankees

Irish Reeve O’Leedus offers his picks for the ALCS. The bet on this series is I have to bath him in a bowl of Lucky Charms if I lose.  I think I’d actually do the NLCS wager twice: stroking his shillelagh (sha-la-lee).

“ Mr. Sabathia is the only dominant pitcher the Yanks be havin’, Andy Pet it (please)  is below mediocre, so the pitching advantage goes to the Angels.  The Angels also have the “Do it for Adenhart story”.  The history of the Angels beating the Yanks does a wee bit further in helping them, to be sure that’s right.  Mr. Scoscia should outcoach Mr. Girardi
But can Vlad hit?  He has to in order for them to win.  However, Mr. Teixeira and his Portuguese blood is unstoppable.  If he were Irish he’d be puttin’ Shamrock Shake all over ya.”-Irish Reeve O’Leedus

My Prediction: Yankees in 7          Irish Reeve O’Leedus: Angels in 7

Starting Pitching       Push                        Angels
Bullpen                     Yankees                  Yankees
Defense                     Angels                     Angels
Power                       Yankees                   Yankees
Run Production        Angels                      Angels
Speed                        Angels                     Angels
Bench                        Push                        Angels
Manager                    Angels                     Angels
Intangibles                Angels                     Angels

The New Logo of the St. Louis Cardinals. Photo with "Gimp" gag ball in mouth not available.

After a dominating performance by Adam Wainwright, the Cardinals’ Matt Holliday choked away game 2 of the NLDS.  This type of choke has rarely been seen before, except perhaps in bondage films.  Then again, Dodger fans can only describe it as a gift.  This gift was so generous; in fact, it reminded me of the first time my dad bought me a hooker for my birthday.  I love turning 15… it was a great year!

This loss can only be seen as irrecoverable.  The Cardinals are now down 0-2, both of their best pitchers have thrown, and now have to win 3 straight.  More devastating, however, is that they are completely demoralized over a game that was, literally, in hand.  Their left fielder’s to be exact.

The Dodgers offense had been shut down all day by Adam Wainwright.  And, after closer Ryan Franklin got the first 2 outs in the 9^th, it was a foregone conclusion the game was over.  And as the game ending fly ball approached Holliday, you could feel the worry of Dodger fans going back to St. Louis tied at 1-1.

Thanks for the gift, Mr. Holliday!

But the game didn’t end.  Holliday misplayed the ball, allowing James Loney to get to 2^nd base, where he was pinch run for by Juan Pierre.  Case Blake, with 2 strikes on him, works the count full and walks.  Ronnie Belliard singles to center to tie the game, and you could almost, nay, you could feel what was coming next.  Franklin walked Russell Martin to load the bases.  Then, Mark Loretta, 0-15 in his career against Franklin, singled to center for the victory.

In one of the best examples of sore loser statements ever witnessed, Wainwright’s sparkling performance was tainted by his excuse making.

“He lost the ball in the 50,000 white towels shaking in front of his face,” Wainwright said. “It doesn’t seem really fair that an opposing team should be allowed to shake white towels when there’s a white baseball flying through the air. Dodger blue towels — how about that?”

Obviously, Wainwright isn’t aware that Chavez Ravine is in gangland, and blue towels would no doubt spark violence.  The organization has chosen to remain gang-neutral, opting for the white towels.

But who is the “goat” exactly?  Holliday might be the head goat, but certainly the case can be made that there is a herd.  How about Ryan Franklin, the stud closer who walked 2 batters and allowed 2 more hits after Holliday’s gift.  If he gets one of those batters out, the game is over.  How about the Cardinal’s offense, which is averaging 2.5 runs per game.  How about Tony Larussa, who, once it was clear Franklin’s head was gone, stayed with him, instead of bringing in a pitcher who is used to these pressure situations and has pitched very well since the Cardinals acquired him, John Smoltz.

Certainly, most of the blame will go to Holliday, but the Cardinals have done their part to be down 0-2.  Some times you see balls bounce a certain way, certain calls go a certain way, etc.  Call it destiny, the baseball Gods, whatever.  After game 2’s debacle, it is clear that the powers that be have penciled in the Dodgers to win this series.  The way the Dodgers won went beyond fundamentals.  You dug yourself a big hole Cardinals.  Hope you have a rope long enough to climb out.  It appears, however, that the rope is only long enough to allow you to hang yourselves.

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees

With the Yankees firmly owning the best record in baseball, they elected to have recently crowned AL Central Champion Minnesota Twins take a late night flight to New York, hoping to capitalize on their fatigue.  It’s going to work.  Without Justin Morneau, their best power hitter and operating on all heart, the Twins look to be nothing more than the fat girl you talk to in order to get to her hot friend.  Get all your lumps out, pretend you care, work her over, and prepare for the one that’s going to make you King.  In this case, Boston or Anaheim.   The Twins will keep it close in most games, but the Yankees are just too awesome.  In a short series with CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, the gutty little Twins’ luck and grit will run out.  The Yankees are 7-0 against the Twins this year, and its broom time in the Big Apple again.  Look for Alex Rodriguez, unlike any other post season, to have a big one.

Yankees in 3   

Colorado Rockies vs. Philidelphia Phillies

With the late season surge by the Colorado Rockies, no one is talking about the defending champions.  The Phillies boast a top 3 offense and two great starting pitchers.  Well, one of those hasn’t been great lately, but look for Cole Hamels to rebound.  J.A. Happ is great at #3.  It’s going to be a tough series.  The Phillies lead the National League in home runs total bases, and runs scored.  But the Rockies have 40 come from behind victories, and they will be going up against a Phillies bullpen (their Achilles heel) that is suspect at best and will serve the game up on a silver platter at its worst.  Brad Lidge has been choking harder than Jenna Jamison engulfing a “flesh-sickle” lately.  In the end, playing in two hitters’ ballparks, we just don’t see the Rockies being able to out slug the Phillies, but it should go down to the wire.

Phillies in 5

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

The cards are 29-11 in their last 40 vs. the Dodgers.  It will be a tight series, but apparently Manny cannot hit the ball if he’s not on the juice anymore.  Look at his stats after he came back from his suspension.  He’s hitting .255 with only 10 home runs and 34 RBI’s since the all star break, and .143 against St. Louis this year.  And the first two Dodger pitchers leading off are Randy Wolf and Clayton Kershaw?  No one even knows who’s starting game 3?  If you can convince me a rotation of Randy Wolf, Clayton Kershaw, and Mystery Starter # 1 can go into a 5 game series and take out a rotation of two Cy Young Contenders in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, as well as a #3 that won 15 games in Joel Pinero, I’ll convince you that Oswald acted alone.  Oh, and the Cards also have the best hitter in baseball.

Cardinals in 5

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels will find a way to sneak a game, but the first little mess up will destroy their psyche and ruin them for the rest of the series, just like it always does.  Every year it’s supposed to be different.  And every year it’s the same result.  Until the Angels prove otherwise, it’s not prudent to pick them in the series.  The key will be the late innings.  If the Red Sox have a lead after 6 innings, you can pretty much forget it.  Their bullpen is vastly superior to the Angels.  I would feel confident about having Boston’s line up face sorry-ass-excuse-for-a-closer, Brian Fuentes (Boston is hitting .412 against him, and he sports an 8.10 ERA and a WHIP over 3.0), than the Angels having to come from behind against the best closer in baseball, and resident jerk-off and lord of fairy-dance, Jonathon Papelbon.

Red Sox in 4                                   

Say what you want about the Angels.  The fact that they continue to make the playoffs year after year is a testimony to how solid their organization is.  However, they have only been to the ALCS twice during that time.  In fact, three times this decade, they have been eliminated in the playoffs by the Boston Red Sox, whom they will all but certainly face again this year. The stigma is that when the chips are down, the Angels can’t win the big one.  The fact that they are beginning to resemble the Atlanta Braves of recent years, who won 14 division titles in a row and only 1 World Series in that time, is eerily uncomfortable for Angel fans.

Strange things seem to happen every time the Angels visit Boston, and maybe that’s in their heads.  (See our story “Choke Job”)  But this year has been unlike any other year for the Angels.  Three of their five starting pitchers were out for several months.  Early in the year, they lost Scott Shields, widely regarded as the best set up man in baseball, for the season.  Almost a third of the way through the season, they were 8 games under .500.  And most notably in the first week of the season, just a few hours after a stellar pitching debut yielding 6 scoreless innings, they lost their number five starter and rising young star pitcher Nick Adenhart, not just for the year, but forever.

So when the Angels clinched the American League Western Division Monday night, there was talk of no champagne.  No celebratory beer shower.  Just a few congratulatory hugs, and on to business.  After all, the Angels have been here before, and Boston is waiting.  Every year, it seems, for Angel fans.

But they did celebrate Monday night.  There were beer showers.  There was champagne.  And there was also something else.  The players grabbed Nick Adenart’s jersey, present at their side every night in the dugout, and showered the number 34 with beer and champagne.  The chant was A-den-hart…A-den-hart in the clubhouse.  It’s doubtful the emotion captured in that photo could be duplicated any time soon, but doubt is what the Angels are trying to exorcise.  The players took to the field, and after briefly showering the fans with beer, champagne, and a field hose, they jogged in unison to the outfield.  They chanted again, A-den-hart…A-den-hart, and showered the photo of Nick Adenhart that adorns the centerfield wall.  They tapped it, put their heads on it, and thanked it.  Then, they took a picture with it, with Adnehart’s face behind them and above them, perhaps looking down on him as he has all season.

The Yankees have their superstar roster.  The Red Sox have perhaps been the organization of the decade.  The Cardinals have the best player in baseball.  The Phillies are the defending champions.  And the Dodgers, for all their woes and underachieving since they won it all in 1988, still dominate the Southern California baseball market.

But no matter who you root for, as a baseball fan, or even a sports fan, if you watched the Angels tribute to their fallen comrade Monday night and your heart didn’t jump into your throat just a little bit….then maybe you don’t have one.

And maybe, just maybe, that will make it different this year.  We’ll find out in early October.

Forgive and forget?  That’s what Dodger fans are all about these days. And as their seemingly insurmountable National League West lead has shrunk to 3 ½ games, they call on their great savior to bail them out.  Ramirez is hitting a lackluster .267 with 10 home runs and 33 rbi’s since the All-Star break.  So the big question is can he put the team on his back and carry them like he did last year?  Probably not without the juice.

Many Dodger fans called for Alex Rodriguez’s removal from baseball early this season, when it was discovered that Rodriguez admitted using steroids. Yet Manny Ramirez tested positive for a performance enhancing drug, a blind eye was turned.  Upon his reinstatement, many of these same Dodger fans who vilified A-Rod chose the “second chance” route, exemplifying hypocrisy in its purest form.  More recently, it has come out that Ramirez is named on the infamous Mitchell report, citing 104 players that tested positive for performance enhancing drugs in 2003.  So Ramirez has a history of cheating, going back 6 years (that we know of).  The first indication should have been Ramirez, as a 36 year old man hits .520 with 6 extra base hits including 4 home runs and 10 rbi in 8 playoff games last year.  His second half stint with the Dodgers produced MVP type numbers, including a .396 average, 17 home runs, and 56 rbi.  Yet with all this success, not one team wanted his services.  Think the owners knew he would be on the Mitchell report?

Ramirez pretty much took the Mark McGwire approach when he came back from his 50 game suspension, indicating he didn’t want to talk about the past.  But when you add in this delightful tidbit of knowledge his genius bestows upon us, it makes the world in which Manny lives and relates to others doubly entertaining.  “Whatever happened, that’s in the past,” he said. “I don’t want to be a distraction to this team. I didn’t kill nobody. I didn’t rape nobody. That’s it.”

Certainly, equating performance enhancing drugs with raping and murdering people is just another example of Manny’s societal disconnect (see With Friends Like Him).  He continues to be on his own planet, but at least he has his priorities, and categorized list of offenses, straight.  But as long as the Dodgers get to the planet called “World Series”, it doesn’t much matter what Manny does.