Well, it looks like all the underdogs (road teams) have advanced in the Major League Baseball Playoffs. There are no clear favorites in this post-season as both the Yankees and Diamondbacks lost in the first round.
Now what about the American League Championship Series and the National League Championship Series? It is going to be one hell of a crazy October finish.
In the NLCS, the St. Louis Cardinals should prevail not because they are sentimental favorites, but because they are the better club; even though motivation is at an all-time high for the Cardinals with the recent deaths of starting pitcher Darryl Kile and legendary broadcaster Jack Buck.
After exorcising the demon of the Arizona Diamondbacks with a three- game sweep in the division series, St. Louis takes on the equally motivated (but for different reasons) San Francisco Giants.
Slugger Barry Bonds wants nothing more than to play in the World Series, and with the imminent departure of fellow slugger Jeff Kent in the off season, this will be the best chance of his career.
The Giants with also rely on Kent (.313, 37 HR, 108 RBI), and Reggie Sanders (23 HR, 85 RBI) in the middle of the order.
St. Louis might be without third baseman Scott Rolen, who tore his shoulder in four places in a collision with Alex Cintron in Game 3 of the divisional series.
However, Rolen is a competitor, so do not be surprised to see him play in the NLCS. Plus, the Cardinals might get starter Woody Williams back in their rotation. Williams, along with Matt Morris (17-9, 3.42 ERA), Chuck Finley (11-15, 4.15 ERA), and Andy Benes (5-4, 2.78 ERA), would give the Cardinals a formidable staff to deal with a potent Giant lineup.
The Cardinal’s offense counters Bonds and Kent with Albert Pujlos (.314 AVG, 34 HR, 127 RBI) and Jim Edmonds (.311 AVG, 28 HR, 83 RBI). A major key to this series will be the ability of the pitching staffs to keep the opposing lead-off hitter off the base paths (Fernando Vina for the Cardinals and Kenny Lofton for the Giants).
In the end, the Cardinals have the motivation, the bullpen, the starters, the manager, and the offensive firepower to move on to the Fall Classic. Most expected the ALCS to be a rematch between the Athletics and Yankees. Instead, the world gets two teams that many analysts had watching all October baseball from their houses. One of them will play for the chance to be called World Champions.
Logic says the Angels, who dominated the Yankees in every aspect of the series, should be champions of the junior circuit. Anaheim shut down everybody in the potent Yankees offense except Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi.
The Angel’s offense hit everything the Yankees threw at the plate. They were even leading in the eighth inning of Game 1.
David Eckstein has been a key table setter for their big power hitters: Garrett Anderson (29 HR, 123 RBI), Troy Glaus (30 HR, 111 RBI), and Tim Salmon (22 HR, 88 RBI).
But Minnesota should be able to overcome the Angels’ firepower. The reason is not because the world wants to see them further defy Bud Selig, but some people would say so.
The Twins have something called team chemistry, which proved large against the Athletics. These guys seem to want to win for each other and play stellar team defense. Against the Athletics, Brad Radke and Eric Milton looked as if they were unaffected by all the time they missed from injuries in the regular season.
The Twins have some defensive stars that can also swing the bat well: center fielder Torii Hunter (29 HR, 94 RBI, 22 steals) and left fielder Jacque Jones (27 HR, 85 RBI). Designated hitter David Ortiz (20 HR, 75 RBI) adds punch to the middle of the order.
If the Angels offense produces like it did against the Yankees, the Twins might find it tough to overcome. But nothing shuts down an opposing team like the electric Metrodome and homer hankies. Home field advantage should play a big part in putting the Twins in the World Series.
Predictions:
Anaheim Angels vs. Minnesota Twins
The winner:The Twins
Home field plays a big role for the Twins, and everyone loves an underdog with talent.
San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals
The winner:The Cardinals
The Red Birds just have too good of a pitching staff not to go to the Series.
