By Kyle Soppe
The Cardinals just pulled off a monumental upset of the 102 win Phillies. Behind a gem from Chris Carpenter, a 1-0 victory in game 5 sets up a clash of NL Central powers from a trip to the 2011 World Series. Will this surprise success be enough to keep Pujols in Cardinal red next year? Will LaRussa ride of into the sun set?
Equally important, a prop bet among analysts was settled, as “the field” will win the NL, not the Phillies. I won’t name names 🙂
Saint Louie is peaking, will it be enough to carry them over the Brewers, who held off the Cardinals for the entire second half? How about the AL: will the most valuable pitcher (notice that’s pitcher, not player) be enough to carry the Tigers over the powerful Rays?
In the NLCS, we have 2 teams that are very familiar with one another. The Brewers have used superior pitching depth (Marcum, Gallardo, and Grienke) to outlast teams. They are near unbeatable at Miller park, and will have home field in this series. The Cards will be hurt a bit by pitching staff ace Carpenter on Friday, meaning that his first start in the NLCS would likely be game three. Pitchers like Jamie Garcia and Kyle Lohse have played big roles all year, and will be asked to do more of the same here. With a healthy Matt Holliday, the redbirds can match the Brewers powerful lineup. Braun and Pujols are two of the top hitters in the game today, but I am expecting lesser known players to make the deciding impact. Another interesting story line will be the futures of the first basemen. Both are in the final year of their current contracts, and there is concern amidst both fan bases that their center piece will move on. The winner of the series has a pretty solid negotiating chip, as a trip to the World Series is hard t ovoerlook.
In the AL, we have no one from the feared AL East. Instead, we have two teams that may not generate great ratings, but will make for good baseball. Both teams rely heavily on loaded offenses, but both pitching staffs have proven more than capable of winning games. The Tigers elected to rest Verlander during their game 5 with the Yankees, so he will be well rested. Verlander is a near guarantee to win at least one of his stats, which puts the Tigers in the drivers seat. However, the Rangers battled through the Rays, who boast a better all around pitching staff than the Tigers do. I prefer the Rangers lineup to that of the Tigers, and I believe that nullifies the advantage that Verlander gives Detroit. Ian Kinsler is the key player in this series, as he provides a nice blend of power and speed that can produce runs in a hurry. For the Tigers, the continued slugging of Alex Avila would help provide the limited run support that they need.
Let’s get some thoughts on who will be in the World Series
Who would have guessed the Gino’s coin toss would work. Heads it is!!
Some great baseball that is going to be played in the Mid-West (have to give Casey for that observation).
I would definitely like to see a Rangers/Brewers World Series, but I think both series are going to go 7 games which is absolutely great for baseball.
Why would Fielder not want to return to the Brewers? This is depressing. Phillies not in the NLCS means I won’t be watching as much. Ratings nightmare!
The Phillies are starting to seem like the Braves during the 90’s. Get to the parking lot of the dance all the time, but just can’t get through the door.
Carpenter pitched a gem.
Rey – I was thinking the same thing last night. Where else is Fielder going to go and have a better atmosphere?
Rey – I agree with you. Why leave a good situation like what is going on in Milwaukee? They have done a great job of putting the necessary pieces in place to contend. With the economics in the game and the situation of current playoff teams, where is he going to go and be in the same situations? Chicago? Los Angeles? Both are in rebuilding mode.
Delmon Young is out for the ALCS. That is a huge loss in the Tigers lineup.
Haha – is that the first time in his career Napoli has scored from first?
Second time in these playoffs I have seen the Rangers turn an around the horn double play from well behind the bag at third – that infield is tight.
IF the Brewers go on to win this series, we will be talking about the 6 runs scored without an out in the 5th inning of game one.
Game 2 is washed out in the ALCS. Is anyone complaining in Texas? I doubt it.
Only two out of three came up heads for Gino. He had the D-Backs beating the Brewers. I told him there was no way all three of his “heads” were going to prevail. I was right about that one, but wrong about the Phillies. Congratulations to the field. Cliff Lee is starting to look human in the postseason.
So is the Texas starting pitching this bad?? Or is the Texas bullpen that good???
You will a series in 6 games and your starting pitching doesn’t win a game. Not the recipe I would have been drawing up for the a World Series appearance.