The quest for the World Series begins for the division winners, while it continues for the Wild Card survivor. This year's Division Series promises to be as exciting as the opening Wild Card playoff, with every game treated with greater intensity and purpose. Due to the late addition of the Wild Card round, the last three games, two if necessary, will be held at the ballpark of the team with the better record, thus lessening the need of travel and time. Here is a preview of all four Division Series.
American League Division Series
New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles
Season Series: Series Tied 9-9
The return to the Cartoon Bird logo coincided with the Orioles' resurgence. After defeating the Rangers in the Wild Card playoff, the Orioles now have a chance to erase memories of Jeffrey Maier and his infamous catch in the 1996 ALCS.
The Yankees are business as usual, making the postseason an unprecedented 17th time in 18 seasons, thanks to a potent offense (Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano) and superb pitching (CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Phil Hughes, Rafael Soriano). The Orioles' countered with power from both bat (Chris Davis, Adam Jones, Matt Wieters, Mark Reynolds) and arm (Joe Saunders, Jason Hammel, Wei-Yin Chen, Jim Johnson). They are both evenly matched offensively and defensively, so expect the series to go the distance between the two AL East rivals.
Oakland Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers
Season Series: Tigers won 4-3
The A's made it through their rookie pitchers, who combined to win a league-record 53 games. A sweep of Texas gave them the AL West on the final day, overachieving despite pre-season predictions of them finishing in last place. The Tigers blew hot and cold before clinching the AL Central for the second straight year despite winning only 88 games.
The Tigers will again rely on the powerful bats of Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Austin Jackson and Delmon Young, while relying on the arms of Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Jose Valverde. The Tigers were inconsistent all year and they need their top guns to beat Oakland's young pitching staff led by A.J. Griffin, Jarrod Parker and Grant Balfour. Oakland will also rely through Yoenis Cespedes, Josh Reddick and Seth Smith to lead the offense. While the Tigers have the experience advantage, the A's are also expected to go out fighting through grit and youth to win the series.
National League Division Series
Washington Nationals vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Season Series: Nationals won 4-3
The Nationals made it through their pitching, though Stephen Strasburg won't be pitching in the postseason. The Cardinals romped past the Braves thanks to some lucky Braves errors and 'small ball' tactics. It will be experience vs. youth in this series.
Youth will be about the Nationals. Most of the players are appearing in their first postseason. Nevertheless, the power of Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper, Ian Desmond and playoff veteran Jayson Werth, and the arms of Gio Gonzalez, World Series winner Edwin Jackson, Jordan Zimmermann and Tyler Clippard will be crucial for the Nats' success. The Cardinals will rely on most of their World Series-winning crew, led by last year's hero David Freese, along with Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina and new acquisition Carlos Beltran. Even with Chris Carpenter in less than full strength, their arms remain as potent, led by Kyle Lohse, Lance Lynn and Jason Motte. The series is expected to have an unpredictable ending, perhaps four or five games will decide the winner of the experience vs. youth battle.
Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants
Season Series: Reds won 4-3
The 2010 World Series champions are aching to get back on the big stage, but first they have to face a team that also has World Series aspirations. Both the Reds and the Giants made it through their offense and pitching, and these aspects will decide this series.
Even with Tim Lincecum struggling and Brian Wilson out, the Giants did prevail thanks to the equally potent arms of Matt Cain, Barry Zito, Madison Bumgarner and Sergio Romo. The Giants also had success offensively, thanks to the return of Buster Posey and the consistency of a pre-suspension Melky Cabrera. With Cabrera out, they need the likes of Pablo Sandoval, Angel Pagan and Joaquin Arias to fill the offensive void. As for the Reds, they will rely on the bats of Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce and youngsters Zack Cozart and Todd Frazier, and the arms of Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Bronson Arroyo and Aroldis Chapman. With an equal distribution of offense and pitching, expect this series to last four or five, and whoever starts quickly will win the series.
No comments:
Post a Comment