Home / General / LCS Preview

LCS Preview

/
/
/
792 Views

Ah, the time of year when even George W Bush can be unequivocally right about something for 10 days or so…

YANKEES v. RANGERS. While I always think that the Twins have even less chance against the Yankees than the (fairly lopsided) paper matchup would suggest, I think the Rangers have a slightly better one. They figure to be a tougher match in several respects: they have some real power, they can hit lefties, and in the postseason I’d rather have high risk/high upside/bat missing pitchers like Wilson and Lewis than Minnesota’s endless parade of pitch-to-contact mediocrities. They aren’t likely to get deep into games against the Bombers, but the Rangers have a quietly brilliant bullpen. They’re live dogs.

That doesn’t mean I’m picking them. The Yankees offense is substantially better even before you consider that Hamilton probably isn’t anywhere near 100%. The Yankees rotation may have gone from underrated to overrated in a week — all the Minnesota series proves is that Hughes and Pettite can shut down hitters with unimpressive-to-no power who swing at everything — but that’s not a huge edge for Texas either, and as well as Feliz has pitched he ain’t Rivera. The Rangers not having their rotation set up isn’t the biggest deal in the world, but it doesn’t help. The path to Rangers victory: get up 2-1, force the Yanks to choose between throwing everyone on short rest and pitching Burnett, and get to the best pitcher in baseball at home on full rest in Game 7. Could that happen? Sure. Is it the most likely outcome? I don’t think so. I think not having a healthy Hamilton will be descisive. YANKEES IN SIX.

PHILS v. GIANTS You could make a case that the series isn’t as lopsided as it appears — comparing the OPS+ of the lineups comes out 4-3-1, and while the Phillies have a better (and exceptional) rotation, 1)it’s not radically better, and 2)the Giants have a better bullpen. The problem with that case is that you shouldn’t focus excessively on this year’s stats — Huff has had a better year but Howard is a better player. The key to the series for the Giants: whether the two lefties can expose the Phils’ relative weakness against lefty pitching. I don’t think it will be enough, but I do think this matchup is a little closer than it appears. PHILLIES IN 6.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
This div height required for enabling the sticky sidebar
Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views : Ad Clicks : Ad Views :