League Divisional Series Preview #2

Hello everyone,

Today I'm gonna briefly look at two of League Divisional Series.

First,

Baltimore Orioles (93-69) vs. New York Yankees (95-67)

The Baltimore Orioles have had a magical season under Buck Showalter making the playoffs for the first time since 1996. Unfortunately, they have to play the New York Yankees juggernaut offense. The Yankees led the American League in home runs, total bases, slugging, and were second in runs scored.

While Baltimore's pitching staff has done an exceelent job, they are in the middle of the pack in just about every category. That said, there seems to be something special about this Oriole team. They may not be as intimidating as the Yankees, but the play with a grittiness that makes you want to root for them.

Who will win? My heart wants to say Baltimore will beat Yankees in five, but my brains is telling me that the Yankees are going to take the series in three.

I pick the Yankees to win in five because I think the rugged determination of the Orioles will push the Yankees, but in the end, the Yankees will be too strong.

St. Louis Cardinals (88-74) vs. Washington Nationals (98-64)

The Washington Nationals possess the best record in the majors this season. They have done this with a balance of excellent pitching, great defense, and great leadership under Davey Johnson. While the Nats have had a great season, it seems as though it has occurred under the radar somewhat. But, make no mistake about it, the Nats are a great team. The one concern that I have with the Nats is that they are missing their best pitcher for the postseason because they chose to shut down Stephen Starsburg. It may not cost them in this round, but if they get past the Cards, they may not get by either the Reds or Giants . . . both of which have deep pitching staffs.

The St. Louis Cardinals have been an enigma all season. They have a great pitching staff and the second best offense in the National League, but have not put a serious run of wins together all season until the last month.

Make no mistake about it, the Cardinals may be the most dangerous team in the National League. They are healthy for the first time all season with the return of Chris Carpenter, and they have solidified their bullpen with the trade for Edward Mujica, and the promotion of power arms Joe Kelly and Trevor Rosenthal who both throw in the high 90's.

The big question: Do the Cardinals still have that postseason magic? Who knows. It's hard to bet against a team like the Cards, but the Nats have had a tremendous and consistent season.

Who wins? This is difficult for me to be unbiased because I am a Cardinal fan, so I choose the Cards in five. What?! What kind of fan would I be if I chose the Nats?

Anyway, who do you think will win?
Let me know in either the comments below or on my Facebook page.

As always, thanks for reading!

Marty Sabin

League Divisional Series Preview #1

Hello everyone,

Today I'm gonna briefly look at two of League Divisional Series.

First,

San Francisco Giants (94-68) vs. Cincinnati Reds (97-65)

My first impression of the series is that this is a pretty even series. In a short five game series, anything can happen for sure. My gut tells me that the Giants are gonna take this series.

Here is why: Bruce Bochy is one of the best managers in baseball while Dusty Baker may be the most overrated in the history of the game. I believe that tis series comes down to who plays the better game of chess between these two, and I find it difficult to believe that Bochy loses. Plus, Baker will find a way to lose the series for his team. I say this because Baker is the kind of manager that has to tinker with everything in order to put his stamp on the game.

However, the Reds have a great bullpen anchored by the amazing Aroldis Chapman. If the Reds can get the game into the ninth with a lead, I like the Red's chances.

I look for Buster Posey to have a tremendous series against the Reds. He has been on an incredible hitting run over the last few months, and I suspect that it will continue into the postseason.

I think the Giants win in four.

Oakland Athletics (94-69) vs. Detroit Tigers (88-74)

The Oakland Athletics have had a surprising, but amazing season thus far. However, they have to play the Detroit Tigers in a short series.

I think the combination of Verlander and Scherzer will be untouchable especially considering they have to play the first two games in Detroit. At home, Verlander is 9-2 holding opponents to a .187 batting average against. Scherzer has had his breakout season this year coming in second in strikeouts (to Verlander) while winning 16 games. While Oakland's pitching staff has been a surprise, they are young, and I look for Detroit's lineup to take advantage of the youth factor.

I look for Miguel Cabrera to continue to prove that he is the best hitter in baseball with a huge postseason.

I think that Detroit wins in four.

Who do you think will win? Let me know in either the comments section of on Facebook.

Thanks for reading,
Marty Sabin

2012 Baseball FAN-A-TIX National League All Rookie Team

Hello everyone,

I know that this post is a deviation from the given formula of debating the top candidates for each of the major baseball awards. That said, it is a given that Bryce Harper will unanimously win the National League Rookie of the Year. Despite the landslide victory for Harper, there have been many good young players who have made their MLB debuts in 2012.

Here is the first annual 2012 Baseball FAN-A-TIX National League All-Rookie Team.

Manager: Mike Matheny, St. Louis Cardinals

Like Robin Ventura for the Chicago White Sox, Mike Matheny had never managed at any level before 2012. The St. Louis Cardinals were betting that the leadership that Matheny exhibited as a player and special spring training instructor would translate into wins, and their gamble payed off. In his first season as the Cards' skipper, Matheny has led them to the postseason. This cannot be seen as anything but a successful hire by Cardinals' GM John Mozeliak.





Catcher: Wilin Rosario, Colorado Rockies

AVG     HITS     HR     RBI     SB    OPS     WAR
.270       106         28       71        4      .846       1.9




 

First base: Yonder Alonso, San Diego Padres

AVG     HITS     HR     RBI     SB    OPS     WAR
.273       149          9        61        3       .740      1.1





 


Second base: Stephen Lombardozzi, Washington Nationals

AVG     HITS     HR     RBI     SB    OPS     WAR
.274       105         3         27        5      .673       0.3







 
Third base: Todd Frazier, Cincinnati Reds

AVG     HITS     HR     RBI     SB    OPS     WAR
.273       115        19        67        3      .831       1.9





 

Shortstop: Zack Cozart, Cincinnati Reds

AVG     HITS     HR     RBI     SB    OPS     WAR
.247       138        15        35        4      .689       2.5






 
Outfield: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals

AVG     HITS     HR     RBI     SB    OPS     WAR
.270       144         22       59        18    .817       5.0




 


Outfield: Norichika Aoki, Milwaukee Brewers

AVG     HITS     HR     RBI     SB    OPS     WAR
.289       149         10       50       30     .791       3.2






 
Outfield/Infield: Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals

AVG     HITS     HR     RBI     SB    OPS     WAR
.295         86          6        45        1      .832       1.0








 


Starting Pitcher 1: Wade Miley, Arizona Diamondbacks

ERA    W-L     Innings   Strikeouts    SV    WHIP
3.33     16-11    194.2          144             0       1.182








  Starting Pitcher 2: Lucas Harrell, Houston Astros

ERA    W-L     Innings   Strikeouts    SV    WHIP
3.76     11-11     193.2         140             0        1.358







  Starting Pitcher 3: Mike Fiers, Milwaukee Brewers

ERA    W-L     Innings   Strikeouts    SV    WHIP
3.74      9-10      127.2        135              0        1.261






  Relief Pitcher 1: Dale Thayer, San Diego Padres

ERA    W-L     Innings   Strikeouts    SV    WHIP
3.49       2-2        56.2          47               7       1.147






 

Relief Pitcher 2: Joe Kelly, St. Louis Cardinals

ERA    W-L     Innings   Strikeouts    SV    WHIP
3.53      5-7        107.0        75                0        1.383








Thanks for reading!
Marty Sabin