All-Star Break Playoff/World Series Picks
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by user Baltimoresports247
My midway picks for the MLB playoffs and World Series:
American League
Boston Red Sox: Nobody is going to catch the Red Sox this season. They currently sit 10 games above both the Blue Jays and the Yankees, and considering how those teams have played up until this point, a double-digit lead seems insurmountable. The Sox have it all (pitching, fielding, hitting, and chemistry). Look for Terry Francona to be named AL Manager of the Year with Mike Hargrove stepping down.
Detroit Tigers: I think the Tigers will win the AL central over the Indians and Twins this season. This is because they have, as a team, better pitching than each of those teams. If the Twins had any kind of good starting pitching, they would be a lot closer than 8 games back. Magglio Ordonez could be the AL MVP over A-Rod because he's doin' his thing for a winning team (.367 BA, 70 RBI, 1.050 OPS).
Los Angeles Angels: Or is it Anaheim Angels? Or Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim? Whatever...these cats can ball. They should face the Boston Red Sox for the AL Championship in September. They hit for average, power, and can run the bases. Their pitching is among the best in the AL. Pencil them in as AL West Champs.
Cleveland Indians: My wild card team. I'm picking Cleveland to outlast the red-hot Mariners because the Mariners are a team that is struggling to find their identity, and I don't see the Mariners overtaking that Wild Card spot. They have better team pitching and more consistent hitting (especially in the clutch) than Seattle.
National League
New York Mets: They're struggling now, but every team has their ups and downs. Unfortunately for the Mets, their downs are coming at a time where the Phillies and Braves are playing good baseball. I see this team straightening out and hanging on to the lead. They are a great team, and possibly have the best left side of the infield in all of baseball with Wright and Reyes. Remember, Pedro Martinez has yet to come back, and if he comes back in August, he's good for at least 5 wins...not to mention his post season bravado.
Milwaukee Brewers: This team has quietly been the greatest story of the season. Prince Fielder is a monster, and their pitching looks like it's going to hold up as their Team ERA is pretty low and among the best in the NL. The Cubs are charging, but they're a team that is struggling to find its identity (much like the M's), and they are very inconsistent. You also have to love this website, which is a list of people who have pledged to pee their pants if the Brew Crew makes the playoffs.
Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers will give LA a hope for their own subway series when they over take the Padres for the NL West title. Their team ERA is comparable to the Padres, and they are hitting about 40 points better as a team. Brad Penny is my pick to win the NL Cy Young this season.
San Diego Padres: My pick for the Wild Card. They have stellar team ERA and fielding percentage. If they pick up the pace in the batter's box, they could win the NL West, but I have them squeaking by the Braves and Phillies for the Wild Card spot. The story for this team is the pitching...in my opinion, the best pitching in the NL.
World Series Picks: Boston Red Sox vs. New York Mets
Red Sox in 6 games. 2004 changed the Red Sox for good...they won't disappoint this post season.
thoughts? comments? email me at athomas3@washcoll.edu
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