People give up on hardball way to soon. It happens every year. College football rolls around, then NFL, then preseason basketball, WNBA Championships (just kidding) and everyone seems to forget that the MLB season started way back in April. Hey, I understand. 162 games, plus the playoffs is a lot of baseball. Some would admit that they don't even watch until this time of year because this is when players actually start playing. I agree with that about 50 percent. It took a lot of factors to get where both of these teams are now, but it's true, they do step their games up a notch come October. This is an obvious fact though, because their playing to stay alive. It's win, or go home.
This October, it's somewhat of a surprise of the two teams that will be playing for the World Series. I don't think anyone predicted these two teams to be here way back in Spring Training. But as the season rolled along (and this season the story is all about the Tampa Bay Rays) these two teams showed that they can compete. A world-class broadcaster was once asked what it would take to win a world championship. He simply replied, "Two solid pitchers." It's the truth. If you've got two solid arms leading you through the post season, it should buy your bats enough time to find some runs. When your pitching is struggling, it's a long shot for your team to make it to the series. So who are these teams two best pitchers that can guide their team to the championship? Well, let's take a look.
A.L. Champions: Tampa Bay Rays starting rotation (Season Stats)
Scott Kazmir (12-8, 3.49) 166Ks
James Shields (14-8, 3.56) 160Ks
Matt Garza (11-9, 3.70) 128Ks
Andy Sonnanstine (13-9, 4.38) 124Ks
Closer: David Price 14.0 IP, 12Ks, 3ER
- The two best for the Rays are Kazmir and Shields, who provide the most control on the bump. It's a good Lefty (Kazmir) and Righty (Shields) mix for the first two games. Kazmir struggled a couple times in the post season, but hung tough. I think these are two good arms to rely on. Garza and Sonnanstine are solid as well.
N.L. Champions: Philadelphia Phillies starting rotation (Season Stats)
Cole Hamels (14-10, 3.09) 196Ks
Brett Myers (10-13, 4.55) 163Ks
Jamie Moyer (16-7, 3.71) 123Ks
Joe Blanton (9-12, 4.69) 111Ks
Closer: Brad Lidge 69.1 IP, 92Ks, 15ER (41 saves)
-Knowing you have arguably the best closer in the game this year behind you is a definite bonus for this pitching staff. However, I don't feel like there are really two SOLID pitchers in this rotation. Cole Hamels is a given. The guy is just plain dirty. He's a southpaw with a fastball that wiggles. Jamie Moyer would be my number 2. The only problem with Moyer, besides the fact that he's 67 years old, is that he is hit or miss when it comes to performance. He doesn't strike a lot of guys out, but forces ground balls and pop fly's like a veteran should. But when he's off or gets hit early, he's useless. He did win 16 games for the Phils this season (and he's a former Mariner), so he does have that going for him.
Both of these teams have what it takes to manufacture runs for their ball club. It will all come down to what pitchers stay composed and what pitchers don't. The bullpen for both teams is decent, but I would say the Rays have more of an advantage in that department. With guys like J.P. Howell, Grant Balfour, and Dan Wheeler, the Rays should be able to hang tight until throwing the rookie in to close. When it comes to the Phils, you have J.C. Romero, Scott Eyre, and Clay Condrey to rely on. They are guys that can keep you in the game, but compared to the bullpen of the Rays, they just can't compete.
I'm not going to give the series to the Rays just yet. When you have guys like Shane Victorino, Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell, and Chase Utley coming to the dish, the Phils should be able to score some runs. They all have improved their approaches to the plate this post season (even the strikeout machine Howard) and that means runs will be available. If the heart of this order gets hot, they can tack on some crooked numbers in any inning.
However, the Rays have a lot to play for. They are the surprise young ball club that has turned heads all season long. With the right mixture of managing and veteran players, this team has all the components of a championship team. I really believe that top to bottom, their order has guys who get great at-bats, and hit for power as well as to manufacture runs. All 9 hitters are capable of taking any pitcher deep. They've hit a ton of home runs this post-season, and I would expect that trend to continue in the world series.
My prediction: Rays in 6
What do you think?
4 comments:
First, fell in love with this piece! I heart baseball and the way you write about it makes me melt just a bit. ;)
Second, I lean towards Rays in 6 but I'd really like to see this series go to the wire.
Joel thats a great piece right there. I originaly was thinking Rays in 6 but I think this one will go the distance. Im goin gwith Rays in 7. I think the Phightin' Phills are scary offensively, like you mentioned. And the Dodgers were just weaksauce! they didn't truely test the Phillies, not that they wouldn't have beat them anyways. One more thing the Phills have going for them is they have two studs on their team representing the Bay Area, Rollins and Burrel who get mad hyphee at the plate. But I got to go with the Rays. Their lineup is pure sweetness, power and speed all the way through. The pitching staff is dealing and Garza is throwing like an ace, Im picking him for MVP if he keeps throwing darts. My only worry is that Upton and Longoria might cool off, they have been rediculous in their first post-season. But I think they are too good to slump now. One thing is for sure this is going to me an awesome series! I havn't been this stoked about the fall classic since the Bonds and the Giants gave it a run in 2002. I still cry when I think about that one though, if only Jose Cruz Jr could catch a can-o-corn fly ball we would have won a tittle and solidified Bonds as the best ball player ever, regardless!!!! -Andy Skillz
I think it is going to go to 7 and the championship will be celebrated in the great state of Florida. Two fairly young teams going at it. It's going to be a good series. I either wanted these two going at it or Manny and the Dodgers vs. the Red Sox...which didn't happen and I'm kinda glad about that one. Go Rays...too bad DY didn't stay in Tampa
i totally agree with you. i think what bothers me the most are bandwagon fans. if a big named team isn't in the finals, people don't watch. but once a lower profile team wins and proves they are worth watching, all of a sudden they have a million fans that say they are die hard for that team and always have been. (the sox, celtics, patriots--all boston teams, but still!!) i definitely think the way the series is going, if tampa bay doesn't step it up and take it to game 7, the phillies will take it.
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