Milwaukee vs Philadelphia PreviewThe Milwaukee Brewers rolled the dice, almost in the literal sense. After losing four straight games to Philadelphia, the Brewers management made a stunning move in firing Ned Yost and naming third base coach Dale Sveum their manager for the rest of season with only 12 games left in the regular season. This was a team desperate to taste post-season action after 25 long years. A 3-11 September start and the real prospect of losing two best pitchers to free agency, the time to win was now.
The shock of it all might have cost Milwaukee a bit at first, as they lost four of next five; however an 8-1 win at Cincinnati in the last road game of the year turned the tables. The Brewers ended up winning six of last seven and when the New York Mets couldn’t muster ninth inning rally on Sunday, Miller Park fans acted like they were giving out free beer being so joyous.
What Sveum did was alter a few elements of the line-up and even with a starting pitching staff in tatters; he instituted “all hands on deck” for pitchers, meaning everyone had to be ready each day. "If anyone can handle it, he can," said Hall of Famer Robin Yount, Sveum's best friend. "He is the right guy, I'm telling you. I've known him too long and he has the personality for this. He's unflappable, and he's like that all the time."
Waiting is another cool customer in Phillies skipper Charley Manuel. He’s more the old-school type, quiet, patient, with a full understanding of a 162-game schedule. This Philadelphia team lost saw two of its starting pitchers go sideways in Adam Eaton and Brett Myers, both sent to the minors. Myers has returned to be one of the Phils best pitchers. Having one of the best hitting teams in baseball, playing in an extremely friendly hitter’s park, mysteriously the offense disappeared for over two months, even Robert Stack (Unsolved Mysteries) couldn’t have helped.
Manuel never wavered, believed he had the talent on the field and his team proved him right in winning second NL East title in a row.
The Brewers can win if they hit. C.C. Sabathia will pitch again on three days rest, but he appears locked in and accepting the challenge. That means the rest of the starters will be asked to get by and if Milwaukee bats can stay hot, they can be in every ballgame. The bullpen will play a key element, being uncertain commodity most of the year. The Brew Crew will face two lefties in first three games and are 33-20 against them this season.
The Phillies win by holding down home field advantage and beating up on Milwaukee pitching that is hanging on by a thread. Philadelphia is playing tremendous baseball right now, winning 13 of last 16. The starting pitching has been strong down the stretch and the bats lively. One huge edge is the bullpen, which was the best in the National League until August, went thru a rough period and rebounded in September.
Key Trends- Milwaukee is 2-10 vs. good power teams averaging 1.25 or more home run a game this season. Philadelphia is 20-9 against NL starting pitchers who have WHIP of 1.250 or better this season.
My Take – If Milwaukee steals Game 1, they will have a real shot, with Sabathia pitching second contest. The confidence level of both teams is high at present, yet in the past, neither has shown much an inclination to be steady when it matters most, which could be especially true in a five game series. Philadelphia has won eight of last 11 meetings at Citizens Bank Park against Milwaukee and had the best road record in the senior circuit at 44-37, thus the edge goes to the Phillies.
Series odds from Bookmaker.com: Brewers +150, Phillies -170
Offensive – National League
Runs scored -Brewers 7th Phillies 3rd
Home Runs -Brewers 3rd Phillies 1st
Total Bases -Brewers 4th Phillies 3rd
Slugging Ptc. -Brewers 5th Phillies 2nd
Walks -Brewers 9th Phillies 5th
On base Ptc. -Brewers 10th Phillies 7th
Pitching & Defense
ERA -Brewers 2nd Phillies 4th
Strikeouts -Brewers 8th Phillies 11th
Walks -Brewers 5th Phillies 6th
On base Ptc. -Brewers 4th Phillies 6th
Putouts -Brewers 3rd Phillies 7th
Errors -Brewers 10th Phillies 5th
L.A. Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Preview
The storylines for this NLDS series are juicer than Morton’s steak. The Chicago Cubs well-documented failures over the last century have been a central theme for those following the club. After years of ownership not carrying about winning, the Cubs got in the game and have built a team WORTHY of making the World Series. The team manager Lou Pinella has does not have any dramatic weakness and has many positives. This was the most dominant team in baseball, based on run differential at +184.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were an emotionless bunch, with on-field demeanor of not being too high (excited about winning) or too low (upset about losing). That all changed when they acquired Manny Ramirez. Manny brought a professional approach to hitting and batted .398 in his 50 games with the Dodgers. His desire to win and enthusiasm for enjoying winning was the right elixir for young talented players like Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Russell Martin and James Loney.
The Cubs win the series if they keep playing as they have all season. Ryan Dempster is opening game starter and has been virtually unbeatable at Wrigley Field with 14-3 record (Cubs16-4 all home starts). Carlos Zambrano has to pitch more like the hurler who threw no-hitter, not the one who has been ineffective his last two starts. All Chicago pitchers must not let Ramirez beat them, better to take chances with younger hitters.
The Dodgers can pull the upset, due to starting pitching and Ramirez. Pitchers Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda each has been pitching effectively. Lowe, in particular has been outstanding, with one loss in last nine starts, allowing a total of seven runs. If Dodgers can win Game 1, they have Chicago on their heels immediately. Ramirez can be the lightning rod and manager Joe Torre the calm leader, now in his 13th consecutive postseason assignment.
Two angles to consider in this series -The Dodgers are 4-12 against the money line vs. teams outscoring opposition by one or more runs a game on the season. Chicago is 38-15 against vs. poor power teams averaging less than a home run per game
My Take – The Cubs won five of seven during the regular season and had the best record in the National League at home with 55-26 mark. Chicago took all three games at home, however that was in late May. Chicago is the better team and though these players are not responsible for the last 100 years of failure, they are well aware of it. The Dodgers can’t match the North Siders talent, but can play loose and unencumbered of expectations. If Cubs open with victories at home, series over, however one loss means this could go distance.
Series odds from Bookmaker.com: Dodgers +190, Cubs -230
Offensive – National League
Runs scored -Dodgers 13th Cubs 1st
Home Runs -Dodgers 13th Cubs 5th
Total Bases -Dodgers 13th Cubs 1st
Slugging Ptc. -Dodgers 13th Cubs 1st
Walks -Dodgers 11th Cubs 1st
On base Ptc. -Dodgers 6th Cubs 1st
Pitching & Defense
ERA -Dodgers 1st Cubs 3rd
Strikeouts -Dodgers 5th Cubs 1st
Walks -Dodgers 2nd Cubs 7th
On base Ptc. -Dodgers 1st Cubs 2nd
Putouts -Dodgers 9th Cubs 11th
Errors -Dodgers 10th Cubs 8th
Boston vs L.A. Angels Preview
The Los Angeles Angels ended with the best record in baseball, winning 100 games for the first time in team history and for their efforts they drew the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox. Los Angeles was swept away by Boston last year and redid elements of their roster to hopefully ensure that doesn’t happen again.
Lacking power in the lineup, they acquired Torii Hunter from Minnesota. Hunter has brought another powerful bat to the lineup and has been perennial Gold Glove centerfielder. Hunter, who is loose and care-free off the field, added mental toughness to a team in search of such a player. The final piece was first basemen Mark Teixeira, who brought depth to the middle of the batting order, hitting in front of Vladimir Guerrero. This gave manager Mike Scioscia the power and versatility he needed to play ball in whatever manner that was necessary.
The Halos have five quality starting pitchers, with Jered Weaver, likely the odd man out having a so-so season. John Lackey will be the opening game starter, with the goal being to get to the ninth inning and have the single season all-time saves leader Francisco Rodriguez take care of the rest. This is a team that had the best record on the road at 50-31 and won 30 of 43 games as an underdog.
Standing in the Angels path are the Boston Red Sox. After 86 years of futility, Boston has won two World Series in the last four years and has gone from prima donnas to being noted for guts, talent and the heart to survive and advance in October. Manager Terry Francona has done another masterful job, dealing with long term injuries from the start of the season, yet was able to squeeze out 95 victories.
Experience and adaptability are the notable features of this team and trade of Manny Ramirez helped both teams, as a more even-keeled Jason Bay brought productively and a solid citizen to the Red Sox clubhouse. "It was real special this year because of all the injuries, the trials and tribulations to get to where we're at," said closer Jonathan Papelbon. "All that matters is that you get in. I like our chances now that we're in."
The Angels gained a great deal of confidence this season, wining eight of nine against Boston. The Red Sox arrive in L.A. with question marks, Mike Lowell will be playing through a partial tear in the labrum of his right hip and J.D. Drew's back has become more unpredictable than the New England autumn weather. Josh Beckett was to be the first game starter, but pulled and oblique muscle and instead has been moved back to Game 3 at Fenway Park. Instead Jon Lester will take the ball for Boston.
My Take – This would make a great World Series, let alone an opening round series. These might be the two best teams in baseball when you breakdown the components of what each has to offer in the postseason. Despite the Red Sox continued success, like the fact the Angels didn’t mail it in September, winning 14 of last 20, while getting ready for postseason. Injuries can play a role in the outcome and the Red Sox do have hobbling players. Would not be surprised if the series went the distance, with the team from Anaheim emerging victorious.
Series odds from Bookmaker.com: Red Sox +105, Angels -125
Offensive – American League
Runs scored -Red Sox 2nd Angels 10th
Home Runs -Red Sox 6th Angels 9th
Total Bases -Red Sox 2nd Angels 9th
Slugging Ptc. -Red Sox 3rd Angels 7th
Walks -Red Sox 1st Angels 12th
On base Ptc. -Red Sox 1st Angels 11th
Pitching & Defense
ERA -Red Sox 4th Angels 3rd
Strikeouts -Red Sox 1st Angels 6th
Walks -Red Sox 6th Angels 10th
On base Ptc. -Red Sox 4th Angels 5th
Putouts -Red Sox 5th Angels 2nd
Errors -Red Sox 3rd Angels 5th
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