With the college football regular season coming to an end, and another year of BCS controversy upon us, it would be very easy for me to preach about the negatives of the current system and the need for a playoff.
But that argument has been exhausted countless times, and the last thing I need to do in this particular forum is to become repetitive.
So while I do take issue with the BCS system's lack of a playoff system (as well it's inconclusive nature), I think this is problem with more than one perpetrator. How else could you explain the fact that this is a discussion that is brought up on an annual basis?
There are two issues in which I wish to discuss in detail. The first of which directly pertains to the BCS.
With the way this season has played out, it has become clear that the two strongest conferences in the land are the SEC (Southeastern Conference) and the Big 12. Of the current top four teams according to the BCS standings, there are two representatives from each conference.
From the SEC, you have the unbeaten Alabama Crimson Tide and fourth-ranked Florida Gators. Luckily for the BCS braintrust, these two teams are matched up in the SEC title game this upcoming weekend. The winner will (at least we hope) emerge as the first half of the BCS National Title Game, and rightfully so.
But who that SEC representative will being playing against is where things get complicated. There are three one-loss teams in the Big 12, which has been extremely competitive all season. The Texas Longhorns beat the Oklahoma Sooners earlier in the year by a final score of 45-35, which set them up as the favorite from the conference to land in the national title game. But then came along the pesky Texas Tech Red Raiders, who have been one of the most pleasant surprises in all of college football.
Texas Tech edged Texas on Nov. 1 at home, thanks to a last second touchdown pass from QB Graham Harrell to All-American WR Michael Crabtree. Crabtree scored with one second remaining in the game, to give the Red Raiders a 39-33 victory.
With no losses at the time, Texas Tech leap-frogged all of the other Big 12 teams and found themselves ranked second in the BCS, and in the position to control their own destiny. But of course, in college football these things are never that easy.
With a spot in the Big 12 Title Game on the line, Texas Tech found a way to trip up and turn matters into a freezy. And for the sake of bringing things full circle, Oklahoma was the team who jumped right back into the national title picture.
The Sooners dismattled the Red Raiders on Nov. 22 by a final score of 65-21, and created what I like to call a perfect mess. You now have three teams from the same conference who all have one loss, and each of the teams has beaten one of the three, as well as lost to one.
A situation like this ultimately has no right answer, but for the sake of fairness there has to be one answer that makes more sense than another one. And it seems that the BCS has managed to screw that up.
College football's regular season came to a conclusion after this past weekend's contests, and both the AP and USA Today Polls have Texas and Oklahoma in the top four, with Texas Tech sitting at number eight in each. Clearly, in the mind's of the experts, Oklahoma and Texas are the two best teams in the conference. And while Texas Tech did beat Texas, I think the manner in which Oklahoma pounded the Red Raiders makes that a formidable argument.
So for the sake of reality (because Texas Tech clearly has no shot at the BCS Title Game), let's look at this from a strictly Oklahoma versus Texas standpoint.
In the AP Poll, Texas is ranked third and Oklahoma fourth. In the USA Today Poll, Oklahoma is ranked second and Texas third. So it is quite obvious that even the experts are unsure about what to make of what's going on.
It's supposed to be up the BCS to make sense of this all, but what came out in yesterday's release of their latest standings makes anything but sense. Behind Alabama at number one, Oklahoma is ranked second, with Texas third and Florida fourth. You can assume Florida would make a jump into the top two with a win against Alabama this weekend, but once again, how can you possibly justify Oklahoma being ranked ahead of Texas?
In my opinion, you can't.
Let's break this down logically. There are two teams from the same conference with the same record. If I asked you how can you determine which is the better team, what would be the best way to make that determination?
'Have them play,' you say? Well luckily for us, that already happened. And Texas won.
Now, it would be a compelling argument to make to say that Oklahoma is hotter right now, but not nearly as compelling as the fact that when the two teams met head-to-head, Texas beat Oklahoma.
It shouldn't count against the Longhorns that it happened earlier in the season, and Oklahoma's victory over Texas Tech is fresher in the public's mind. Oklahoma being the hotter team is strictly based on opinion, while Oklahoma losing to Texas is an undisputable fact.
It's obvious that the BCS does not take into consideration head-to-head meetings when determining how to rank teams with such similiar resumes, but it should.
But the blame for this mishap does not fall solely into the lap of the BCS makers.
Due to the fact that the three Big 12 powers have identical records, and play in the same division (the Big 12 is divided in half by two divisions for their championship game format), the conference was left clueless as to who should play in their own title game.
The Missouri Tigers won the much less competitive Big 12 North without controversy, but with a three-way tie atop the Big 12 South, the conference regulations state that the winner of such a division will be determined by the BCS standings. Which places Oklahoma in the conference title game, despite their loss to Texas. Of course. Why not add salt to the wound?
It would be safe to assume that if a situation such as this ever came up for a conference, the last voice of reason any team or fan is going to want to hear is that of the BCS. The Big 12 should (and I suspect will do so in the future) have given itself the opportunity to justify it's own championship game without the influence of a system as controversial as the BCS.
As Ivan Maisel of espn.com points out, the Big 12 could have avoided this mess had they borrowed a page from the SEC's tiebreaker system. While the Big 12 reverts to the BCS in the this situation, the SEC is far more specific.
It states that in the event of a three-way tie, the BCS would be used to determine the representative in the conference title game unless the team that is rated the highest is within five places of the second-highest rated team. In that case, (as is the case with Texas and Oklahoma) the rule states that the winner will be determined by, of all crazy concepts, head-to-head play.
And while that rule would surely leave Oklahoma fans disappointed, it would at least put the Big 12 in the position of making a sound, logical decision that is separate from any computer rankings.
Having a conference title game makes a whole lotta sense (memo: to the Pac 10 and Big 10, among others); but involving the BCS when it is unnecessary to do so does not.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
MLB Offseason Preview - NY Style
Although the Philadelphia Phillies World Series victory was less than a month ago, and still feels like yesterday, as of Friday MLB free agents are free to sign with which ever team they please. This year's class is a deep one, and has some big names who should be signing for major dollars. Former AL Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia, All-Star first baseman Mark Teixiera and future Hall of Famer Manny Ramirez are at the top of many team's wish lists.
Some teams have already started to make moves via the trade market, with the most notable name on the move being All-Star leftfielder Matt Holliday going from the Colorado Rockies to the Oakland Athletics. Other All-Star caliber players could also be on the move, such as San Diego Padres All-Star starter Jake Peavy.
With so many players expected to be on the move, you can expect to see a lot of the larger market teams heavily involved. Especially those who missed out on the October action last season; two of the most notable teams being the crosstown rivals from New York who will both being opening up new stadiums come April.
The Yankees, in their first season under new manager Joe Girardi, missed the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons. That alone would be enough to motivate the Yanks to go out and spend big in the offseason, but when you add the $80+ million due to come off the books things could get out of hand.
The Mets meanwhile missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year after holding the division lead for a good portion of the season. And to top things off, they had to sit back and watch as their biggest rivals caught fire and won themselves a championship.
Needless to say, neither team figures to stand pat going into next season and both should be extremely interesting to watch over the course of the next few months. Here's an idea of what each New York teams outlook is as we get ready for the offseason to kick off:
"We're going to do what we do every year, and that's try to field a championship team," he said. "If that means spending money, it obviously means spending money."
And spend they shall.
The Yankees top priority is clearly Milwaukee Brewers left-hander, C.C. Sabathia. GM Brian Cashman would surely salivate at the potential three-headed monster of Sabathia, Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain at the top of his rotation. If all three remain healthy, they could be a lethal combination built for October.
What we know is that the Yanks will likely offer Sabathia more money than other team. What we don't know is how much interest the big, strong lefty has in playing in New York.
Rumors are that he would prefer to return home to California, possibly to one of the two L.A. teams (Angels or Dodgers). But numerous media outlets have reported that the Yankees have already made Sabathia an offer that would make him the highest paid pitcher in baseball, and would be willing to up the ante even more if need be.
If I were a betting man, I would think Sabathia will make like Steve Miller and, "take the money and run." But of course, nothing is certain, and until Sabathia make his decision the Yankees offseason plans will hang in the balance.
If he signs, their pitching staff is basically set. Girardi can slot in Sabathia, Wang, Chamberlain and Andy Pettitte (who is technically a free agent, but has decided to play another year and inevitably should return to the Bronx) nicely into his top four spots in the rotation. Ideally, the Yankees would love to have 20-game winner Mike Mussina occupy the fifth spot, which would make for a very deep rotation, but rumors are he is leaning toward retirement. He has said he will announce his decision next week. If Mussina retires, the Yanks could look to bring in second-tier starter to fill the final spot or go with the young Phil Hughes in the final spot.
My hunch is that they would prefer to have a veteran lined up for the fifth spot, that way Hughes can get consistent work in Triple A and be ready for a call-up baring an injury to a member of their staff. That would give him a chance to find his rhythm in a less-pressured environment and come up to the big club with less expectations.
If Sabathia doesn't sign, the next likeliest option for the Yankees would be A.J. Burnett from the Toronto Blue Jays. Burnett has dominate stuff and is coming off a Cy Young caliber year, but prior to this past season he has had a long history of stints on the DL. Cashman surely wants to avoid another Pavano situation. Peavy and Derek Lowe would also be those among consideration, but make no mistake, Sabathia is the clear first choice.
As for the bullpen, the Yanks have already resigned lefty specialist Damaso Marte to a three-year deal and will likely stand pat otherwise. They found some bright spots in the pen last season, and have an abundance of young arms that will compete for spots. Closer Mariano Rivera was as good as ever last year, and is still the surest thing in the Major Leagues in the ninth inning. After him, the Yanks will look to Marte, Jose Veras, Brian Bruney, Edwar Ramirez, David Robertson and lefty Phil Coke, who each show flashes during the '08 campaign. Coke is an especially interesting young arm who was very impressive after his September call up. He and Marte will give Girardi the ability to mix and match lefties and righties; a luxury he did not always have last season. Add in Dan Giese and Darrell Rasner as potential long men, plus top relieving prospect Mark Melancon, who is expected to eventually take over the set-up role, and you have the makings of a solid pen.
If Melancon proves he is ready for the big leagues, the Yankees have some flexibility in terms of trade options. With about seven roster spots expected to go to relievers, Cashman has some trade bait that he might decide to use for a young position player.
Speaking of trade bait, what are the Yanks expected to do in order to fill holes at first base and in centerfield? Some experts think the Yankees will make a major play for Teixiera, who seems to be a perfect fit. He plays Gold Glove defense, he's patient at the plate and he's a switch hitter with major run producing ability. But I think the Yankees pursuit of Teixiera will largely hinge on what happens with Sabathia. As aggressive as we expect Cashman to be, it would be two major commitments to take on if they were to sign both, who coincidentally are expected to receive the two largest contracts of any other free agents. And while I wouldn't be overly surprised if they did it, I think there will be other teams, such as the Angels, who are going to drive up Teixiera's price tag.
As a precaution, and possible message, the Yankees acquired Nick Swisher from the Chicago White Sox in a low risk trade earlier this week. Swisher can play both first base and centerfield, and as of right now would be their best option at either position. The problem is, Swisher is probably better served as your first player off of the bench than an everyday guy. His on-base percentage and power potential make him a good fit, but his .219 batting average last season does not. And while it was a down year for him, he has never hit over .262 in his career.
After Teixiera, the market becomes very thin at first base so it seems like the Yankees might have to look at possible trade options. They do have some pieces they might be willing to deal, especially some of their young arms. It is even believed that Cashman might be willing to consider dealing second baseman Robinson Cano after his production dropped last season. But no trade partner has emerged that seems realistic at this early stage.
The real key offensively for the Yankees will be getting guys like third baseman Alex Rodriguez back on track. A-Rod can and should be their main run producer, and if he's on his game guys like designated hitter Hideki Matsui, outfielder Xavier Nady and shortstop Derek Jeter should be able to fit nicely into their roles. Getting catcher Jorge Posada back on track after his surgery would be a huge lift as well. I would look for the Yankees to pursue a first baseman in a trade, and primarily use Swisher, Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner in center. Top prospect Austin Jackson is expected to take over in center in 2010 anyway, and could be brought up sooner if he gets off to a hot start in the minors.
This team is clearly focusing on pitching, and with Sabathia could finally have the right combination for success in the playoffs. But in a division that is only getting tougher, Girardi is going to need stronger contributions offensively from some of the guys he has in-house if they want to get to the playoffs in the first place.
A second straight collapse by the boys from Queens has left Mets fans fuming and wondering what needs to happen to shake the choker label. Although this most recent meltdown was not as severe as the historical collapse of '07, it has still made it clear that significant changes are coming.
Surprisingly, the Mets have retained interm manager Jerry Manuel despite his failure to lead the team to the postseason. Manuel is well-liked by his players because of his laid back, honest approach, but he may need to find ways to restore a winning attitude in the clubhouse. A new face would likely have made that attitude adjustment more abrupt, but GM Omar Minaya obviously trusts Manuel.
Now that their managerial situation is settled, focus shifts to the players on the field. One of the biggest positives for the Mets in '08 was the performance of prized addition, Johan Santana. Santana did not always receive enough run support, but as the year went on, he clearly found his New York comfort zone. Down the stretch, he was the only sure thing the Mets had and showed the desire to be the workhorse Minaya had traded for.
Unfortunately for the Mets, Santana can only pitch once every five games and the rest of their rotation has major question marks.
Young starter Mike Pelfrey had a breakout year of sorts, even though not much was expected from him after he disappointed in previous seasons. Besides Santana, Pelfrey was the Mets most consistent pitcher, and he showed he can handle a heavy workload by throwing over 200 innings. Now, he is slotted in number two spot in the rotation behind Santana, as of this moment. The only other incumbent starter the Mets have coming back is John Maine, who digressed after a promising '07 campaign. Maine will likely keep his spot in the rotation, but the Mets will be actively pursuing starters to slot ahead of him.
The wild card for the Mets' rotation will be their left-handed free agent, Oliver Perez. While Perez did not equal his success from '07 when he won 15 games, he did show flashes of his impressive ability. He struck out 180 batters in 194 innings pitched, and Minaya would welcome him back. The issue will be how high his price tag becomes in an open market.
Minaya might prefer the likes of a Derek Lowe, who is older than Perez but more consistent and battle-tested. He might even opt to offer contracts to both, and really strengthen the Mets rotation significantly. But both will probably command well over ten million per year, and the Mets do have other holes to fill (especially in the bullpen).
The final spot in the rotation belonged to Pedro Martinez last season, but he is a free agent who is past his prime and considered all but gone. Unless they end up retaining Perez and signing someone like Lowe, they're going to have a fifth spot in the rotation to fill. The top in-house candidate would probably be lefty prospect Jonathon Niese, but the Mets will likely pursue a cheaper veteran alternative. A couple names to keep in mind are lefty Randy Wolf from the Houston Astros and the injury-prone Ben Sheets from the Milwaukee Brewers. Sheets could be an interesting option, because when he's healthy he is one of the best in the majors, but many teams seem hesitant to offer him big time money because of his fragile reputation.
While Minaya tries to sort of his starting rotation, he also knows that the biggest issue with his team last season was in the bullpen. The Mets need to find some competent arms, because last year was downright ugly at times. They have no closer with Billy Wagner likely to miss the entire season, and no secure bridge to get to the ninth inning.
The most logicial free agent for the Mets might seem to be Los Angeles Angels' free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez, who broke the all-time record for saves in a season in '08. But he will cost big time dollars, and the Mets know they need more than just a closer for their pen. If he is willing to take a three year deal, as opposed to the five years he is reportedly seeking, then maybe the Mets will make a play. But they'd probably be wiser to take that money and sign a couple pitchers instead of one.
As bad as their bullpen was, there is no way they can get rid of everyone from last season. They're going to have to figure out who they have that can improve, and who they need to replace. Lefties Pedro Feliciano and Scott Schoeneweis are both good bets to return, and the Mets have a group of righties (Duaner Sanchez, Aaron Heilman and Joe Smith) who will get long looks as well. Heilman has been mentioned as potential trade bait, but after last season I would question how much value he has to other teams.
Midseason pick up Luis Ayala is a free agent who will likely be let go in favor of a new face. If the Mets don't sign K-Rod, they do have a few other options in the market at closer. Kerry Wood from the Chicago Cubs and Brian Fuentes from the Colorado Rockies are two names that will surely get mentioned, but look for the Mets to also make a play for potential late innings guys like Brandon Lyon and Juan Cruz from the Arizona Diamondbacks. If they could sign Wood or Fuentes, along with someone like Cruz who has closer-type stuff, it would go a long way towards improving their bullpen. I would still not feel the confidence you desire from your bullpen if I were Manuel, but you have to figure things can't get any worse if you bring in some new guys.
With so much money expected to go into the rotation and bullpen, the Mets will probably look very similiar to the way they looked offensively last season. They have already picked up the option on first baseman Carlos Delgado, who came on very strong after struggling in the beginning of the year. Although there is the risk of Delgado once again hitting a wall, he was their best option given the market and their pitching needs. He can hold down the fort for one more year until the Mets' top draft pick from '08, first baseman Ike Davis, is ready for primetime.
Along with Delgado, the Mets' core of third baseman David Wright, shortstop Jose Reyes and centerfielder Carlos Beltran will remain the same. Each of those three will be counted on regain their form and lead this team offensively, as opposed to '08 when none of them could get on the same page. Wright, in particular, should be counted on to hit over .300 with 30+ homers and 100+ RBIs from his spot in the three-hole.
The two biggest question marks for the Mets on the diamond are at second base and in leftfield. They gave second baseman Luis Castillo a multi-year deal heading into last season, and are probably stuck with him, at least for the time being. They do have some options for how they want to handle their leftfield situation, though.
Ryan Church came on strong before his concussion issues, and should retain his spot in rightfield. The Mets also resigned Fernando Tatis after his impressive return to baseball last season, and if the season were to start today, he would probably be their starting leftfielder. They also have young prospect Daniel Murphy who figures into the mix as well. But there are some options in the free agent market that might come at a reasonable price.
Former Yankee Bobby Abreu is seeking a short term deal, and would probably fit the Mets price range. He could play right, and move Church over to left. Raul Ibanez from the Seattle Mariners is another strong option who would come much cheaper than the likes of Manny. While playing for a bad team, Ibanez has still managed over 100 RBIs in each of the past three seasons. And he, like Abreu, would not be looking for a major commitment in terms of years due to his age.
The Mets free agent wish list figures to be a long one. They will likely try to sign at least one key piece on offense, in the rotation and in the bullpen. Obviously, they are going to have to compete for these free agents and will probably not be able to get who they want at every position. But if Minaya can be smart and strategic with the free agents he does choose to pursue, especially in the bullpen, the Mets should compete for a playoff spot again.
They do not have much to work with in terms of trades, because their farm system took a big hit last year when they dealt for Santana. So they will be opening up the checkbook, and in certain situations might have to overpay. But this team does have talent; the key to their season will be overcoming the demons from their past more so than anything else.
Some teams have already started to make moves via the trade market, with the most notable name on the move being All-Star leftfielder Matt Holliday going from the Colorado Rockies to the Oakland Athletics. Other All-Star caliber players could also be on the move, such as San Diego Padres All-Star starter Jake Peavy.
With so many players expected to be on the move, you can expect to see a lot of the larger market teams heavily involved. Especially those who missed out on the October action last season; two of the most notable teams being the crosstown rivals from New York who will both being opening up new stadiums come April.
The Yankees, in their first season under new manager Joe Girardi, missed the playoffs for the first time in 13 seasons. That alone would be enough to motivate the Yanks to go out and spend big in the offseason, but when you add the $80+ million due to come off the books things could get out of hand.
The Mets meanwhile missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year after holding the division lead for a good portion of the season. And to top things off, they had to sit back and watch as their biggest rivals caught fire and won themselves a championship.
Needless to say, neither team figures to stand pat going into next season and both should be extremely interesting to watch over the course of the next few months. Here's an idea of what each New York teams outlook is as we get ready for the offseason to kick off:
- New York Yankees
"We're going to do what we do every year, and that's try to field a championship team," he said. "If that means spending money, it obviously means spending money."
And spend they shall.
The Yankees top priority is clearly Milwaukee Brewers left-hander, C.C. Sabathia. GM Brian Cashman would surely salivate at the potential three-headed monster of Sabathia, Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain at the top of his rotation. If all three remain healthy, they could be a lethal combination built for October.
What we know is that the Yanks will likely offer Sabathia more money than other team. What we don't know is how much interest the big, strong lefty has in playing in New York.
Rumors are that he would prefer to return home to California, possibly to one of the two L.A. teams (Angels or Dodgers). But numerous media outlets have reported that the Yankees have already made Sabathia an offer that would make him the highest paid pitcher in baseball, and would be willing to up the ante even more if need be.
If I were a betting man, I would think Sabathia will make like Steve Miller and, "take the money and run." But of course, nothing is certain, and until Sabathia make his decision the Yankees offseason plans will hang in the balance.
If he signs, their pitching staff is basically set. Girardi can slot in Sabathia, Wang, Chamberlain and Andy Pettitte (who is technically a free agent, but has decided to play another year and inevitably should return to the Bronx) nicely into his top four spots in the rotation. Ideally, the Yankees would love to have 20-game winner Mike Mussina occupy the fifth spot, which would make for a very deep rotation, but rumors are he is leaning toward retirement. He has said he will announce his decision next week. If Mussina retires, the Yanks could look to bring in second-tier starter to fill the final spot or go with the young Phil Hughes in the final spot.
My hunch is that they would prefer to have a veteran lined up for the fifth spot, that way Hughes can get consistent work in Triple A and be ready for a call-up baring an injury to a member of their staff. That would give him a chance to find his rhythm in a less-pressured environment and come up to the big club with less expectations.
If Sabathia doesn't sign, the next likeliest option for the Yankees would be A.J. Burnett from the Toronto Blue Jays. Burnett has dominate stuff and is coming off a Cy Young caliber year, but prior to this past season he has had a long history of stints on the DL. Cashman surely wants to avoid another Pavano situation. Peavy and Derek Lowe would also be those among consideration, but make no mistake, Sabathia is the clear first choice.
As for the bullpen, the Yanks have already resigned lefty specialist Damaso Marte to a three-year deal and will likely stand pat otherwise. They found some bright spots in the pen last season, and have an abundance of young arms that will compete for spots. Closer Mariano Rivera was as good as ever last year, and is still the surest thing in the Major Leagues in the ninth inning. After him, the Yanks will look to Marte, Jose Veras, Brian Bruney, Edwar Ramirez, David Robertson and lefty Phil Coke, who each show flashes during the '08 campaign. Coke is an especially interesting young arm who was very impressive after his September call up. He and Marte will give Girardi the ability to mix and match lefties and righties; a luxury he did not always have last season. Add in Dan Giese and Darrell Rasner as potential long men, plus top relieving prospect Mark Melancon, who is expected to eventually take over the set-up role, and you have the makings of a solid pen.
If Melancon proves he is ready for the big leagues, the Yankees have some flexibility in terms of trade options. With about seven roster spots expected to go to relievers, Cashman has some trade bait that he might decide to use for a young position player.
Speaking of trade bait, what are the Yanks expected to do in order to fill holes at first base and in centerfield? Some experts think the Yankees will make a major play for Teixiera, who seems to be a perfect fit. He plays Gold Glove defense, he's patient at the plate and he's a switch hitter with major run producing ability. But I think the Yankees pursuit of Teixiera will largely hinge on what happens with Sabathia. As aggressive as we expect Cashman to be, it would be two major commitments to take on if they were to sign both, who coincidentally are expected to receive the two largest contracts of any other free agents. And while I wouldn't be overly surprised if they did it, I think there will be other teams, such as the Angels, who are going to drive up Teixiera's price tag.
As a precaution, and possible message, the Yankees acquired Nick Swisher from the Chicago White Sox in a low risk trade earlier this week. Swisher can play both first base and centerfield, and as of right now would be their best option at either position. The problem is, Swisher is probably better served as your first player off of the bench than an everyday guy. His on-base percentage and power potential make him a good fit, but his .219 batting average last season does not. And while it was a down year for him, he has never hit over .262 in his career.
After Teixiera, the market becomes very thin at first base so it seems like the Yankees might have to look at possible trade options. They do have some pieces they might be willing to deal, especially some of their young arms. It is even believed that Cashman might be willing to consider dealing second baseman Robinson Cano after his production dropped last season. But no trade partner has emerged that seems realistic at this early stage.
The real key offensively for the Yankees will be getting guys like third baseman Alex Rodriguez back on track. A-Rod can and should be their main run producer, and if he's on his game guys like designated hitter Hideki Matsui, outfielder Xavier Nady and shortstop Derek Jeter should be able to fit nicely into their roles. Getting catcher Jorge Posada back on track after his surgery would be a huge lift as well. I would look for the Yankees to pursue a first baseman in a trade, and primarily use Swisher, Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner in center. Top prospect Austin Jackson is expected to take over in center in 2010 anyway, and could be brought up sooner if he gets off to a hot start in the minors.
This team is clearly focusing on pitching, and with Sabathia could finally have the right combination for success in the playoffs. But in a division that is only getting tougher, Girardi is going to need stronger contributions offensively from some of the guys he has in-house if they want to get to the playoffs in the first place.
- New York Mets
A second straight collapse by the boys from Queens has left Mets fans fuming and wondering what needs to happen to shake the choker label. Although this most recent meltdown was not as severe as the historical collapse of '07, it has still made it clear that significant changes are coming.Surprisingly, the Mets have retained interm manager Jerry Manuel despite his failure to lead the team to the postseason. Manuel is well-liked by his players because of his laid back, honest approach, but he may need to find ways to restore a winning attitude in the clubhouse. A new face would likely have made that attitude adjustment more abrupt, but GM Omar Minaya obviously trusts Manuel.
Now that their managerial situation is settled, focus shifts to the players on the field. One of the biggest positives for the Mets in '08 was the performance of prized addition, Johan Santana. Santana did not always receive enough run support, but as the year went on, he clearly found his New York comfort zone. Down the stretch, he was the only sure thing the Mets had and showed the desire to be the workhorse Minaya had traded for.
Unfortunately for the Mets, Santana can only pitch once every five games and the rest of their rotation has major question marks.
Young starter Mike Pelfrey had a breakout year of sorts, even though not much was expected from him after he disappointed in previous seasons. Besides Santana, Pelfrey was the Mets most consistent pitcher, and he showed he can handle a heavy workload by throwing over 200 innings. Now, he is slotted in number two spot in the rotation behind Santana, as of this moment. The only other incumbent starter the Mets have coming back is John Maine, who digressed after a promising '07 campaign. Maine will likely keep his spot in the rotation, but the Mets will be actively pursuing starters to slot ahead of him.
The wild card for the Mets' rotation will be their left-handed free agent, Oliver Perez. While Perez did not equal his success from '07 when he won 15 games, he did show flashes of his impressive ability. He struck out 180 batters in 194 innings pitched, and Minaya would welcome him back. The issue will be how high his price tag becomes in an open market.
Minaya might prefer the likes of a Derek Lowe, who is older than Perez but more consistent and battle-tested. He might even opt to offer contracts to both, and really strengthen the Mets rotation significantly. But both will probably command well over ten million per year, and the Mets do have other holes to fill (especially in the bullpen).
The final spot in the rotation belonged to Pedro Martinez last season, but he is a free agent who is past his prime and considered all but gone. Unless they end up retaining Perez and signing someone like Lowe, they're going to have a fifth spot in the rotation to fill. The top in-house candidate would probably be lefty prospect Jonathon Niese, but the Mets will likely pursue a cheaper veteran alternative. A couple names to keep in mind are lefty Randy Wolf from the Houston Astros and the injury-prone Ben Sheets from the Milwaukee Brewers. Sheets could be an interesting option, because when he's healthy he is one of the best in the majors, but many teams seem hesitant to offer him big time money because of his fragile reputation.
While Minaya tries to sort of his starting rotation, he also knows that the biggest issue with his team last season was in the bullpen. The Mets need to find some competent arms, because last year was downright ugly at times. They have no closer with Billy Wagner likely to miss the entire season, and no secure bridge to get to the ninth inning.
The most logicial free agent for the Mets might seem to be Los Angeles Angels' free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez, who broke the all-time record for saves in a season in '08. But he will cost big time dollars, and the Mets know they need more than just a closer for their pen. If he is willing to take a three year deal, as opposed to the five years he is reportedly seeking, then maybe the Mets will make a play. But they'd probably be wiser to take that money and sign a couple pitchers instead of one.
As bad as their bullpen was, there is no way they can get rid of everyone from last season. They're going to have to figure out who they have that can improve, and who they need to replace. Lefties Pedro Feliciano and Scott Schoeneweis are both good bets to return, and the Mets have a group of righties (Duaner Sanchez, Aaron Heilman and Joe Smith) who will get long looks as well. Heilman has been mentioned as potential trade bait, but after last season I would question how much value he has to other teams.
Midseason pick up Luis Ayala is a free agent who will likely be let go in favor of a new face. If the Mets don't sign K-Rod, they do have a few other options in the market at closer. Kerry Wood from the Chicago Cubs and Brian Fuentes from the Colorado Rockies are two names that will surely get mentioned, but look for the Mets to also make a play for potential late innings guys like Brandon Lyon and Juan Cruz from the Arizona Diamondbacks. If they could sign Wood or Fuentes, along with someone like Cruz who has closer-type stuff, it would go a long way towards improving their bullpen. I would still not feel the confidence you desire from your bullpen if I were Manuel, but you have to figure things can't get any worse if you bring in some new guys.
With so much money expected to go into the rotation and bullpen, the Mets will probably look very similiar to the way they looked offensively last season. They have already picked up the option on first baseman Carlos Delgado, who came on very strong after struggling in the beginning of the year. Although there is the risk of Delgado once again hitting a wall, he was their best option given the market and their pitching needs. He can hold down the fort for one more year until the Mets' top draft pick from '08, first baseman Ike Davis, is ready for primetime.
Along with Delgado, the Mets' core of third baseman David Wright, shortstop Jose Reyes and centerfielder Carlos Beltran will remain the same. Each of those three will be counted on regain their form and lead this team offensively, as opposed to '08 when none of them could get on the same page. Wright, in particular, should be counted on to hit over .300 with 30+ homers and 100+ RBIs from his spot in the three-hole.
The two biggest question marks for the Mets on the diamond are at second base and in leftfield. They gave second baseman Luis Castillo a multi-year deal heading into last season, and are probably stuck with him, at least for the time being. They do have some options for how they want to handle their leftfield situation, though.
Ryan Church came on strong before his concussion issues, and should retain his spot in rightfield. The Mets also resigned Fernando Tatis after his impressive return to baseball last season, and if the season were to start today, he would probably be their starting leftfielder. They also have young prospect Daniel Murphy who figures into the mix as well. But there are some options in the free agent market that might come at a reasonable price.
Former Yankee Bobby Abreu is seeking a short term deal, and would probably fit the Mets price range. He could play right, and move Church over to left. Raul Ibanez from the Seattle Mariners is another strong option who would come much cheaper than the likes of Manny. While playing for a bad team, Ibanez has still managed over 100 RBIs in each of the past three seasons. And he, like Abreu, would not be looking for a major commitment in terms of years due to his age.
The Mets free agent wish list figures to be a long one. They will likely try to sign at least one key piece on offense, in the rotation and in the bullpen. Obviously, they are going to have to compete for these free agents and will probably not be able to get who they want at every position. But if Minaya can be smart and strategic with the free agents he does choose to pursue, especially in the bullpen, the Mets should compete for a playoff spot again.
They do not have much to work with in terms of trades, because their farm system took a big hit last year when they dealt for Santana. So they will be opening up the checkbook, and in certain situations might have to overpay. But this team does have talent; the key to their season will be overcoming the demons from their past more so than anything else.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
NFL Midseason Power Rankings
At the halfway point of the 2008 NFL regular season, there seem to still be plenty more questions than there are answers around the league. The big dogs who we've become accustomed to finding at the top of the standings have taken hard falls back to mediocrity.
The New England Patriots lost reigning NFL MVP Tom Brady in Week 1 for the year, and now finding themselves no longer a lock to win the AFC East.
The Indianapolis Colts started off on the wrong foot with QB Peyton Manning having surgery just before training camp, and already sit four games behind the division leading Tennessee Titans (yes, the Titans).
The San Diego Chargers once again have fallen victim to a poor start, and at the midway point of the season are two games under .500.
And the Dallas Cowboys, a heavy favorite to win the NFC prior to the season, seem to be coming apart at the seams.
The door has swung wide open for less-heralded teams to seize the opportunity, and so far we're still waiting for things to sort themselves out. One unlikely team remains undefeated, and has been winning with an old school formula. The Titans are 8-0 thanks to perhaps the best running game in league, led by the dynamic duo of rookie Chris Johnson and bruiser LenDale White, along with an absolutely smoothering defense. To this point, they have been the class of the AFC.
In the NFC, the New York Giants have been very impressive. Despite their status as Super Bowl Champs, they still seem to be playing with a chip on their shoulders. Many experts expected them to take a step back, especially with the retirement of Michael Strahan and the injury to Osi Umeniyora, but the Giants are playing like the most complete team in football. They pound teams similarily to the way the Titans do: with a dynamic running game led by the freight-train of a back named Brandon Jacobs, and an outstanding, all-hands-on-deck defense. If you don't give the Giants the respect they deserve, they'll take it.
Beyond those two teams, we have yet to see a consistent effort from virtually any squad. The NFL, more so than any of the major professional sports, is truly a week-to-week league. Dominance one week does not necessarily translate into momentum the next. Even the Giants are susceptible to the occasional letdown, as we saw Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns.
Nonetheless, we have reached the midway point of the season and it's time to begin to sort things out as we look towards the playoffs. A few teams are already concentrating on 2009, but with so much parity in the league there is still time for teams that struggled out of the gate to pick up some ground. Here's a look at my midseason power rankings:
The New England Patriots lost reigning NFL MVP Tom Brady in Week 1 for the year, and now finding themselves no longer a lock to win the AFC East.
The Indianapolis Colts started off on the wrong foot with QB Peyton Manning having surgery just before training camp, and already sit four games behind the division leading Tennessee Titans (yes, the Titans).
The San Diego Chargers once again have fallen victim to a poor start, and at the midway point of the season are two games under .500.
And the Dallas Cowboys, a heavy favorite to win the NFC prior to the season, seem to be coming apart at the seams.
The door has swung wide open for less-heralded teams to seize the opportunity, and so far we're still waiting for things to sort themselves out. One unlikely team remains undefeated, and has been winning with an old school formula. The Titans are 8-0 thanks to perhaps the best running game in league, led by the dynamic duo of rookie Chris Johnson and bruiser LenDale White, along with an absolutely smoothering defense. To this point, they have been the class of the AFC.
In the NFC, the New York Giants have been very impressive. Despite their status as Super Bowl Champs, they still seem to be playing with a chip on their shoulders. Many experts expected them to take a step back, especially with the retirement of Michael Strahan and the injury to Osi Umeniyora, but the Giants are playing like the most complete team in football. They pound teams similarily to the way the Titans do: with a dynamic running game led by the freight-train of a back named Brandon Jacobs, and an outstanding, all-hands-on-deck defense. If you don't give the Giants the respect they deserve, they'll take it.
Beyond those two teams, we have yet to see a consistent effort from virtually any squad. The NFL, more so than any of the major professional sports, is truly a week-to-week league. Dominance one week does not necessarily translate into momentum the next. Even the Giants are susceptible to the occasional letdown, as we saw Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns.
Nonetheless, we have reached the midway point of the season and it's time to begin to sort things out as we look towards the playoffs. A few teams are already concentrating on 2009, but with so much parity in the league there is still time for teams that struggled out of the gate to pick up some ground. Here's a look at my midseason power rankings:
- New York Giants (7-1): Although the Titans have a better overall record, the Giants are the most complete team in football. If the two teams played each other, are you betting against the champs?
- Tennessee Titans (8-0): Who would have thought they'd be where they are without the services of Vince Young? Credit HC Jeff Fisher for building a smashmouth team that is built to overpower opponents up front - on both sides of the ball.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2): If not for a few hiccups against tough NFC East opponents, we would probably be talking about the Steelers in the same way we are the Titans. The Steel Curtain remains for Pittsburgh who ranks first in the league in total defense.
- Carolina Panthers (6-2): Notice a trend so far in the top 5? All of these teams run the ball down your throat and aggressively shutdown opponents on defense. The major difference in this Panthers team from year's past is that they now have the backs to take the pressure of off QB Jake Delhomme.
- Washington Redskins (6-3): This feels a bit high for the 'Skins but who would you put ahead of them? They play in the best division in football so they are consistently being tested, plus they beat Philly therefore you can't justify the Eagles in this spot.
- Philadelphia Eagles (5-3): But you can justify the Eagles here. They got off to a subpar start, but have played better as of late. Big test coming up this weekend against the G-men with a golden opportunity to shoot up the list.
- New England Patriots (5-3): Even without Brady, the Pats have found ways to win. They are still the best coached team in the league and have much of the same roster from last years 16-0 squad. Plus, not many teams have stepped up in their place.
- New York Jets (5-3): The Bretts wouldn't have come close to the top ten if not for their big win last weekend on the road against the division-leading Bills. The offense is still not clicking on all cylinders, but their D gets better every week thanks to massive NT Kris Jenkins (perhaps the best offseason pickup of any team).
- Arizona Cardinals (5-3): You know it's an odd year when the Cards crack the top ten. Surprisingly, this team has beaten some quality opponents (Bills, Cowboys with Romo) and QB Kurt Warner could get some MVP consideration (yeah, I said it).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3): For some reason, the Bucs to me are like the Toronto Blue Jays in MLB. They're always a good bet to field a decent team, but are never really taken seriously as a contender. Still, they rank in the top ten in both total offense and defense, and keep winning games. Advice for HC Jon Gruden: stick with Jeff Garcia at QB.
- Indianapolis Colts (4-4): They pulled out a must-win game last week against the Pats, which has allowed them to continue treading water. While the division may be out of reach, as QB Peyton Manning continues to gain back strength in that surgically repaired knee, the Colts chances at a wild card should strengthen as well.
- Buffalo Bills (5-3): The Bills looked very good in their first six games, but back-to-back divisional losses have brought them back down to earth. The AFC East race is becoming as tight as David Spade's coat on Chris Farley's body.
- Dallas Cowboys (5-4): The 'Boys have had quite a fall from grace over the past few weeks and are at major risk of missing out on a playoff spot. Getting back injured QB Tony Romo this week helps; playing in the NFC East doesn't.
- Green Bay Packers (4-4): QB Aaron Rodgers has fared nicely despite the constant Favre comparisons. This team is better than their record shows, and I get the feeling that will be reflected over the course of the second half of the season.
- Chicago Bears (5-3): They better pray that injured QB Kyle Orton gets better sooner rather than later because Rex Grossman is bound to screw things up. Orton's been on a roll, and their defense remains one of the better units in the league.
- New Orleans Saints (4-4): The Saints need to become more consistent, but QB Drew Brees is having an MVP-type season for the #1 offense in the league. That alone makes them a threat.
- Baltimore Ravens (5-3): Even when you think their defense might take a step backwards due to age, LB Ray Lewis shows us that is not a concern with this unit. They rank second in the league, and have found a new star in DT Haloti Ngata. Not enough offense still might hold them back, though. Sound familiar?
- Atlanta Falcons (5-3): Rookie HC Mike Smith deserves some consideration for Coach of the Year for the attitude turnout he has successfully completed with this team. He also seems to have found a future star in rookie QB Matt Ryan.
- San Diego Chargers (3-5): Have shown glipses of what could be, but overall this team has been a major disappointment. The ironic part is that they will probably find a way to sneak into the playoffs anyway, largely due to the fact that they play in a division that is just plain bad.
- Miami Dolphins (4-4): Rookie HC Tony Sparano is another guy who deserves credit for quickly changing the culture of a bad team. Or would that be Bill Parcells? Either way, the Dolphins are heading in the right direction.
- Minnesota Vikings (4-4): Could somebody please find this team a QB? They do many things well, but I don't think Gus Frerotte is destined to take them to the promised land.
- Denver Broncos (4-4): You can't beat everyone in a shootout. They can put up points in bunches, but they can't stop anyone. Also, can somebody explain to me why HC Mike Shanahan has completely abandoned the running game?
- Jacksonville Jaguars (3-5): This is another team that has taken a rapid fall. Pricey offseason moves at WR have not paid dividends, and their running game has been non-existent after an excellent 2007 campaign.
- Houston Texans (3-5): The Texans aren't a terrible team, they've just had to deal with the Colts and Jags over the past few years. Now this year throw in the Titans, and the Texans are going to have a tough time finding wiggle room in that division.
- Cleveland Browns (3-5): Offseason hype = regular season disappointment. Their defense has been better of late, but their prolific offense from last year has vanished. QB Brady Quinn could provide a spark, but Derek Andersen had been playing better recently.
- Seattle Seahawks (2-6): This is far from the send off HC Mike Holmgren had hoped for. The Seahawks have been past their prime for a couple years now, and we're seeing the results now.
- St. Louis Rams (2-6): They looked awful at the beginning of the year, but interm HC Jim Haslett has restored their respectibility. I'd think about locking him up, and maybe finding at least one playmaker on defense.
- Oakland Raiders (2-6): Somebody should find a way to keep Al Davis away from any major decision making. This team has some promising young players, but they're damned with a lame-duck coach and overpaid, selfish veterans leading them.
- San Francisco 49ers (2-6): HC Mike Singletary will shove his boot up some behinds if need be (and it does be), which is good. But Mike, a little food for thought: you've got a #1 overall pick on your bench and no other decent options at QB. This team isn't going to the playoffs, so why not see if he could be a spark?
- Cincinnati Bengals (1-8): A few years back it looked like HC Marvin Lewis would keep the Bengals from being ranked this low for awhile, but now it looks like he'll be looking for new work at the end of the season.
- Kansas City Chiefs (1-7): There's not too many bright spots on this team, which is in full rebuilding mode and has a long way to go before things get any better.
- Detroit Lions (0-8): Firing Mike Millen was a good first step, but the Lions are the worst team in football and will be on 0-16 watch until further notice.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
World Series Preview
If I would have told you at the beginning of the season that the Philadelphia Phillies would have been facing off against the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series, I surely would have receive a chuckle in return. At least. While we have had teams in recent years come out of nowhere and earn a spot in the Fall Classic (the Colorado Rockies last year, and the Detroit Tigers the year before that), prior to this season Tampa Bay was the epitome of losing in Major League Baseball. An expansion team who entered the league a decade ago in 1998, the Rays had never won more than 69 games in a season. And when they jumped out to an early lead in the AL East this season, it was assumed that it was inevitable before they came back down to earth. Even as they continued to play great throughout the summer, there was no way they could optain a playoff spot with both the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees in the same division as Tampa. But in fact, the Rays played the type of baseball all season long that allowed for them to beat out both of those teams and now has them sitting pretty in the World Series.
They win with pitching, speed and defense; not power hitters and overpaid pitchers like their divisional competitors. Mix in some of the most promising young players in baseball, such as Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton, Scott Kazmir, and Matt Garza (this list could become very long, but I think those guys are enough to get my point across) and you've got the makings of a team that is capable of beating anyone. And that's exactly what they've done.
The Phillies, on the other hand, come from a place where they are expected to win, but usually don't. Even though they won the division last year, they were bounced quickly from the playoffs and most people (myself included) thought that the New York Mets would regain control of the NL East thanks to their offseason acquisition of All-World starting pitcher, Johan Santana. But the Phillies battled all season, and defended their NL East title with a repeat performance. In the playoffs, they have shown that they have the most formidable lineup in the NL, as well as the hottest pitcher in Cole Hamels.
While Red Sox-Dodgers would have been a sexier matchup, I think we may finally have two teams that can give us something to get excited about in the World Series. The past four have been duds. Three of the past four World Series' have been sweeps, with the other one lasting a lengthy five games. These two teams seem more evenly matched, and should (we hope) provide some compelling stuff on the field. Here's my attempt to breakdown the series, and hopefully I fare better than I did with my Championship Series predictions:
Another critical thing to watch, which seems to come up every year, is how the lay-off effects the Phillies. They've had a week of no baseball, while the Rays have had the opportunity to stay sharp. The Tigers were in a similar situation as the Phils in 2006, and lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in five games as a result. In an article written by ESPN's Jayson Stark, Tigers coach Andy Van Slyke had this to say about the effects of the time off:
"There's a certain physical rhythm to the season and that's intensified in the postseason. And once you have that cut off, it's hard to get it back, physically and mentally. There's an extra adrenaline you get in the postseason that gives you such a high that, when you have those off days, you almost become too low."
Recent history suggests that in that regard, the Rays hold the advantage.
Tampa Bay also has the advantage of opening the series at home in Tropicana Field. The Trop is one of the toughest parks in baseball to adjust to when your team has not played there before. It's artificial turf highlights the Rays overall team speed, and causes defenses to have to react more quickly. The Phillies counter for begininng the series on the road will be the NLCS MVP, Hamels. Hamels hands down should be considered the best pitcher either team has up their respective sleeves, and has been lights out in his three postseason starts this year. More importantly, the Phillies have won each of the three games he has pitched. I would not expect him to lose his mojo now, and he should effectively negate the Rays speed by not allowing many men on-base. Hamels should allow the Phils to keep the score low in Game 1, and return home to Philadelphia with the series tied at 1-1, which would be a positive for the Charlie Manuel's club.
Where the Rays subtle advantage will come into play will be when the depth of their rotation is showcased. In Game 3 they will send ALCS MVP Garza out to the mound, and he was overpowering against a very good Boston lineup. He went 2-0 against the defending champs with a 1.38 ERA in 13 innings pitched. But even those numbers do not do justice to Garza's performance in Game 7, when he allowed only two hits over seven plus innings. The Red Sox had all of the momentum after coming back from being down 3-1 in the series to force a Game 7, but were completely overwhelmed by Garza. He will be up against 45-year-old starter Jamie Moyer, who has been knocked around in each game he has pitched this postseason. In two games started, Moyer has a 13.50 ERA and has only been able to get through five and a third innings. Manuel has to feel a bit uneasy about that matchup.
Game 4 will be a bit more even for the Phillies when they send Joe Blanton to the mound to face Andy Sonnanstine. This will be a crucial game for Philly because of all of the Rays' starters, Sonnanstine is the most vulnerable. Still, that is not saying much because Sonnanstine has given Tampa Bay all they could ask from a fourth starter so far this postseason. He has posted a 3.46 ERA and earned a win in each of his two starts. By my calculations, that could potentially set up the Phillies to go down 3-1 and be forced to dig themselves out of a hole. But of course, the Phillies' lineup will have a say in this, and if they get the right players hot, could seize the series.
The Phils do have the advantage of possessing the more intimidating hitters. No one in the Rays' lineup can match the power production of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley (although Longoria is fast-approaching that territory). If one, or better yet, both of those guys gets hot, Tampa Bay will be in trouble. Both are streaky hitters, but both are among the most dangerous in baseball when locked in. Neither has been overwhelming so far in this year's playoffs, but the depth of Philly's offense has kept them scoring enough to give their starters leads. In particular, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino will play prominent roles.
An interesting story to watch will be what Manuel does with his designated hitter spot for the games in Tampa. He has refused to announce his plans, but one would speculate he will use a righty in Game 1 against the Ray's lefty, Kazmir. His two best bats off the bench are Greg Dobbs and veteran Matt Stairs, but both of them hit from the left side of the plate. I see two other options for Manuel; those being Chris Coste or Eric Bruntlett. If Manuel wants to improve his defense, he'll probably use Bruntlett in leftfield and start Pat Burrell at DH. But I suspect with the way Kazmir pitched in his last outing against Boston that Manuel will want to favor offense, with Coste being his best righty off the bench. In Game 2 against Shields, he would be wise to use Matt Stairs because he has 11 career at-bats against him, including a home run.
Meanwhile, Joe Maddon will likely alternate between Floyd and ALCS hero Willy Aybar at DH for the Rays. Either one fits in nicely in the six hole, behind five hitters who have been great this postseason. I think Maddon has a tougher decision to make in rightfield, where he has used Gabe Gross for most of the playoffs. Gross is solid defensively, but hasn't given Tampa Bay much with his bat. Rocco Baldelli, on the other hand, has provided the Rays with clutch hits in his limited action and should play most of the games in right. The most impressive hitter for Tampa Bay has been Upton, who leads all players in the playoffs with seven home runs. Along with Upton, players like Longoria, Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena have been huge for the Rays. One could easily argue that although the Phillies have their Big 3 (Howard, Utley and Rollins), the Rays lineup has been hotter.
Both lineups will have to overcome good pitching, and the best way to do that will be by applying pressure with steal attempts, hit-and-run plays and sacrifice bunts. Of the two teams, the Rays are better suited to play that style. Upton and Crawford are nearly automatic with they get on first to steal second, and Tampa has plenty of others who are capable as well. What gets the Phillies into trouble sometimes is their reliance on the home run. If they hit them frequently, they're chances are very good. If not, they may struggle to score.
Ultimately, which team wins will have to get solid pitching from their bullpen. As is typical at this time of year, each manager will probably only use about four or five arms out of their bullpen, unless a game goes into extra innings. The Phillies have the clear advantage at closer with Brad Lidge, who has yet to blow a save this season. The Rays meanwhile will usually use Dan Wheeler, who is effective, but not your typical power ninth inning guy. Maddon surprisingly used rookie phenom David Price for the save in Game 7 against the Red Sox, and he proved that he deserves serious consideration for that type of role against Philadelphia. No one on the Phillies has ever seen Price, and with his 98 mile-per-hour fastball and nasty slider, he could be a weapon used to pitch multiple innings late in games. With Price and fellow lefty J.P. Howell, the Rays have reliable arms to matchup against Philly's lefty power hitters, Utley and Howard. The fact that the two of them bat back-to-back could make Maddon's job easier. For Manuel and the Phillies, they will rely mostly on Ryan Madson and lefty J.C. Romero for tough outs leading to Lidge, and the two of them have been very good over the past few months. Both teams have formiable weapons in their 'pens.
All in all, I could see this series going either way. With Hamels doing his thing, if the Phillies big bats can get hot the Rays storybook season will come to an end. But I can't help but think the Rays have too much going for them right now. If they can fend off a rally to force a Game 7 from the defending champs, I think they are mentally tough enough to handle anything. I also think the lay-off for the Phillies could hurt them, as it has for other teams in recent history. I think this series is bound to go back to Tampa for potential Games 6 and 7, and I don't see the Phillies beating Shields and Garza in back-to-back games on the road. I picked against the Rays in the ALCS, and I won't make the same mistake twice. Rays in 7.
They win with pitching, speed and defense; not power hitters and overpaid pitchers like their divisional competitors. Mix in some of the most promising young players in baseball, such as Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton, Scott Kazmir, and Matt Garza (this list could become very long, but I think those guys are enough to get my point across) and you've got the makings of a team that is capable of beating anyone. And that's exactly what they've done.
The Phillies, on the other hand, come from a place where they are expected to win, but usually don't. Even though they won the division last year, they were bounced quickly from the playoffs and most people (myself included) thought that the New York Mets would regain control of the NL East thanks to their offseason acquisition of All-World starting pitcher, Johan Santana. But the Phillies battled all season, and defended their NL East title with a repeat performance. In the playoffs, they have shown that they have the most formidable lineup in the NL, as well as the hottest pitcher in Cole Hamels.
While Red Sox-Dodgers would have been a sexier matchup, I think we may finally have two teams that can give us something to get excited about in the World Series. The past four have been duds. Three of the past four World Series' have been sweeps, with the other one lasting a lengthy five games. These two teams seem more evenly matched, and should (we hope) provide some compelling stuff on the field. Here's my attempt to breakdown the series, and hopefully I fare better than I did with my Championship Series predictions:
- Philadelphia Phillies vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Another critical thing to watch, which seems to come up every year, is how the lay-off effects the Phillies. They've had a week of no baseball, while the Rays have had the opportunity to stay sharp. The Tigers were in a similar situation as the Phils in 2006, and lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in five games as a result. In an article written by ESPN's Jayson Stark, Tigers coach Andy Van Slyke had this to say about the effects of the time off:
"There's a certain physical rhythm to the season and that's intensified in the postseason. And once you have that cut off, it's hard to get it back, physically and mentally. There's an extra adrenaline you get in the postseason that gives you such a high that, when you have those off days, you almost become too low."
Recent history suggests that in that regard, the Rays hold the advantage.
Tampa Bay also has the advantage of opening the series at home in Tropicana Field. The Trop is one of the toughest parks in baseball to adjust to when your team has not played there before. It's artificial turf highlights the Rays overall team speed, and causes defenses to have to react more quickly. The Phillies counter for begininng the series on the road will be the NLCS MVP, Hamels. Hamels hands down should be considered the best pitcher either team has up their respective sleeves, and has been lights out in his three postseason starts this year. More importantly, the Phillies have won each of the three games he has pitched. I would not expect him to lose his mojo now, and he should effectively negate the Rays speed by not allowing many men on-base. Hamels should allow the Phils to keep the score low in Game 1, and return home to Philadelphia with the series tied at 1-1, which would be a positive for the Charlie Manuel's club.
Where the Rays subtle advantage will come into play will be when the depth of their rotation is showcased. In Game 3 they will send ALCS MVP Garza out to the mound, and he was overpowering against a very good Boston lineup. He went 2-0 against the defending champs with a 1.38 ERA in 13 innings pitched. But even those numbers do not do justice to Garza's performance in Game 7, when he allowed only two hits over seven plus innings. The Red Sox had all of the momentum after coming back from being down 3-1 in the series to force a Game 7, but were completely overwhelmed by Garza. He will be up against 45-year-old starter Jamie Moyer, who has been knocked around in each game he has pitched this postseason. In two games started, Moyer has a 13.50 ERA and has only been able to get through five and a third innings. Manuel has to feel a bit uneasy about that matchup.
Game 4 will be a bit more even for the Phillies when they send Joe Blanton to the mound to face Andy Sonnanstine. This will be a crucial game for Philly because of all of the Rays' starters, Sonnanstine is the most vulnerable. Still, that is not saying much because Sonnanstine has given Tampa Bay all they could ask from a fourth starter so far this postseason. He has posted a 3.46 ERA and earned a win in each of his two starts. By my calculations, that could potentially set up the Phillies to go down 3-1 and be forced to dig themselves out of a hole. But of course, the Phillies' lineup will have a say in this, and if they get the right players hot, could seize the series.
The Phils do have the advantage of possessing the more intimidating hitters. No one in the Rays' lineup can match the power production of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley (although Longoria is fast-approaching that territory). If one, or better yet, both of those guys gets hot, Tampa Bay will be in trouble. Both are streaky hitters, but both are among the most dangerous in baseball when locked in. Neither has been overwhelming so far in this year's playoffs, but the depth of Philly's offense has kept them scoring enough to give their starters leads. In particular, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino will play prominent roles.
An interesting story to watch will be what Manuel does with his designated hitter spot for the games in Tampa. He has refused to announce his plans, but one would speculate he will use a righty in Game 1 against the Ray's lefty, Kazmir. His two best bats off the bench are Greg Dobbs and veteran Matt Stairs, but both of them hit from the left side of the plate. I see two other options for Manuel; those being Chris Coste or Eric Bruntlett. If Manuel wants to improve his defense, he'll probably use Bruntlett in leftfield and start Pat Burrell at DH. But I suspect with the way Kazmir pitched in his last outing against Boston that Manuel will want to favor offense, with Coste being his best righty off the bench. In Game 2 against Shields, he would be wise to use Matt Stairs because he has 11 career at-bats against him, including a home run.
Meanwhile, Joe Maddon will likely alternate between Floyd and ALCS hero Willy Aybar at DH for the Rays. Either one fits in nicely in the six hole, behind five hitters who have been great this postseason. I think Maddon has a tougher decision to make in rightfield, where he has used Gabe Gross for most of the playoffs. Gross is solid defensively, but hasn't given Tampa Bay much with his bat. Rocco Baldelli, on the other hand, has provided the Rays with clutch hits in his limited action and should play most of the games in right. The most impressive hitter for Tampa Bay has been Upton, who leads all players in the playoffs with seven home runs. Along with Upton, players like Longoria, Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena have been huge for the Rays. One could easily argue that although the Phillies have their Big 3 (Howard, Utley and Rollins), the Rays lineup has been hotter.
Both lineups will have to overcome good pitching, and the best way to do that will be by applying pressure with steal attempts, hit-and-run plays and sacrifice bunts. Of the two teams, the Rays are better suited to play that style. Upton and Crawford are nearly automatic with they get on first to steal second, and Tampa has plenty of others who are capable as well. What gets the Phillies into trouble sometimes is their reliance on the home run. If they hit them frequently, they're chances are very good. If not, they may struggle to score.
Ultimately, which team wins will have to get solid pitching from their bullpen. As is typical at this time of year, each manager will probably only use about four or five arms out of their bullpen, unless a game goes into extra innings. The Phillies have the clear advantage at closer with Brad Lidge, who has yet to blow a save this season. The Rays meanwhile will usually use Dan Wheeler, who is effective, but not your typical power ninth inning guy. Maddon surprisingly used rookie phenom David Price for the save in Game 7 against the Red Sox, and he proved that he deserves serious consideration for that type of role against Philadelphia. No one on the Phillies has ever seen Price, and with his 98 mile-per-hour fastball and nasty slider, he could be a weapon used to pitch multiple innings late in games. With Price and fellow lefty J.P. Howell, the Rays have reliable arms to matchup against Philly's lefty power hitters, Utley and Howard. The fact that the two of them bat back-to-back could make Maddon's job easier. For Manuel and the Phillies, they will rely mostly on Ryan Madson and lefty J.C. Romero for tough outs leading to Lidge, and the two of them have been very good over the past few months. Both teams have formiable weapons in their 'pens.
All in all, I could see this series going either way. With Hamels doing his thing, if the Phillies big bats can get hot the Rays storybook season will come to an end. But I can't help but think the Rays have too much going for them right now. If they can fend off a rally to force a Game 7 from the defending champs, I think they are mentally tough enough to handle anything. I also think the lay-off for the Phillies could hurt them, as it has for other teams in recent history. I think this series is bound to go back to Tampa for potential Games 6 and 7, and I don't see the Phillies beating Shields and Garza in back-to-back games on the road. I picked against the Rays in the ALCS, and I won't make the same mistake twice. Rays in 7.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Tragic Death of Rangers Prospect Deserves Further Examination
The New York Rangers have gotten off to a blazing-hot start in this year's young NHL season. Despite major roster alterations, these new Rangers seem to be meshing quickly and outworking their opponents. But due to tragic events in Russia earlier this week, the positive attention the Blueshirts have been receiving has suddenly taken a backseat.
In a surreal moment for the organization, top prospect and former first round draft pick, Alexei Cherepanov, collasped and died on the bench during a game for the Avangard Omsk. Cherepanov was only 19 years old.
Avangard is a team in Russia's Continental Hockey League; the league which gained recognition this offseason by luring NHL players, most notably former Ranger Jaromir Jagr, to come overseas and play. With it's deep pocketed owners, the KHL (I know it seems like it should be CHL, but this is how it's supposed to be abbreviated) has been considered a league on the rise, but this terribly tragic event has put that reputation in jeopardy. And for good reason.
"There are elements of negligence here," said Pavel Krasheninnikov, who sits on the Russian Hockey Federation's supervisory council.
Indeed there are, Mr. Krasheninnikov. An investigation is currently under way, so more information will surely surface, but there are some serious issues to be taken up with the league based on what we already know.
It has been determined that Cherepanov had chronic ischemia, which is a condition that occurs when not enough blood gets to the heart and other major organs. Prior to his death, the KHL was unaware of this condition despite regular heart and blood tests issued by the league. It seems odd that this could slip by going unnoticed, but even if we assume this is the case, it seems clear that the league was not prepared to deal with this type of incident.
After completing a shift with Jagr (they played on the same team and same line), Cherepanov was seated next to the former Ranger captain when he suddenly fell back and turned white. He was carried into the locker room, where there was no defibrillator present. A defibrillator is a medical machine used to shock the heart, and should be in place at all sporting events. To make matters worse, according to Krasheninnikov, there was no ambulance on duty at the arena and as a result there was a delay getting Cherepanov to a hospital.
Osmk coach Wayne Fleming was asked about how adequate the medical attention for his promising young player, but he said he was asked by the team not to comment. According to Cherepanov's agent, Jay Grossman, "[Jagr] went with him into the dressing room area and they revived him for some time and then he didn't make it."
What could the KHL expect to happen if a serious injury occurred on the ice, yet there was no ambulance to ensure the quickest and most effective medical treatment? Or if a player had a heart condition, yet there was no defibrillator on-site? Perhaps, Cherepanov's young life was one that was capable of being saved. At the very least, on the surface there seems to be many questions that should be directed at the KHL and their emergency response methods.
In the NHL, each team is responsible to comply with emergency medical procedures. Among the requirements are that medical staff on hand must be certified in advanced trauma life support, as well as have an ambulance service on-site.
If the KHL expects to continue to lure big name players from the NHL, they should seriously consider a similiar policy and not avoid the issue. This tragic news will surely not sit well with players across the world.
"This is a blow for the KHL," said Igor Larionov, who is a former Russian hockey star and is on the KHL's board of directors. "We must learn from this. This cannot happen ever again."
The fact is, it already happened one time too many.
In a surreal moment for the organization, top prospect and former first round draft pick, Alexei Cherepanov, collasped and died on the bench during a game for the Avangard Omsk. Cherepanov was only 19 years old.
Avangard is a team in Russia's Continental Hockey League; the league which gained recognition this offseason by luring NHL players, most notably former Ranger Jaromir Jagr, to come overseas and play. With it's deep pocketed owners, the KHL (I know it seems like it should be CHL, but this is how it's supposed to be abbreviated) has been considered a league on the rise, but this terribly tragic event has put that reputation in jeopardy. And for good reason.
"There are elements of negligence here," said Pavel Krasheninnikov, who sits on the Russian Hockey Federation's supervisory council.
Indeed there are, Mr. Krasheninnikov. An investigation is currently under way, so more information will surely surface, but there are some serious issues to be taken up with the league based on what we already know.
It has been determined that Cherepanov had chronic ischemia, which is a condition that occurs when not enough blood gets to the heart and other major organs. Prior to his death, the KHL was unaware of this condition despite regular heart and blood tests issued by the league. It seems odd that this could slip by going unnoticed, but even if we assume this is the case, it seems clear that the league was not prepared to deal with this type of incident.
After completing a shift with Jagr (they played on the same team and same line), Cherepanov was seated next to the former Ranger captain when he suddenly fell back and turned white. He was carried into the locker room, where there was no defibrillator present. A defibrillator is a medical machine used to shock the heart, and should be in place at all sporting events. To make matters worse, according to Krasheninnikov, there was no ambulance on duty at the arena and as a result there was a delay getting Cherepanov to a hospital.
Osmk coach Wayne Fleming was asked about how adequate the medical attention for his promising young player, but he said he was asked by the team not to comment. According to Cherepanov's agent, Jay Grossman, "[Jagr] went with him into the dressing room area and they revived him for some time and then he didn't make it."
What could the KHL expect to happen if a serious injury occurred on the ice, yet there was no ambulance to ensure the quickest and most effective medical treatment? Or if a player had a heart condition, yet there was no defibrillator on-site? Perhaps, Cherepanov's young life was one that was capable of being saved. At the very least, on the surface there seems to be many questions that should be directed at the KHL and their emergency response methods.
In the NHL, each team is responsible to comply with emergency medical procedures. Among the requirements are that medical staff on hand must be certified in advanced trauma life support, as well as have an ambulance service on-site.
If the KHL expects to continue to lure big name players from the NHL, they should seriously consider a similiar policy and not avoid the issue. This tragic news will surely not sit well with players across the world.
"This is a blow for the KHL," said Igor Larionov, who is a former Russian hockey star and is on the KHL's board of directors. "We must learn from this. This cannot happen ever again."
The fact is, it already happened one time too many.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Championship Series Predictions
An exciting round of division series has dwindled the field of remaining teams vying for a world championship down to four. The storylines for these final four teams run deep, but the most inspiring has to be that of the worst-to-first Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays handled the Chicago White Sox relatively easily and appeared to clearly be the better team. The question for the Rays is no longer how long can they keep up this pace, but how good can they really be? Their defense is second to none, and with a very good pitching staff to go along with a promising and athletic lineup, this team has to be considered a legitimate threat to the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS. The Red Sox squeaked out a series against the Los Angeles Angels which was much closer than it might appear on the surface. The Angels had ample opportunities to take control of the series, but kept tripping over their own feet. Their famed failed suicide squeeze attempt in the ninth inning of Game 4 will live in infamy for years to come. On the other hand, the Red Sox biggest asset is that they are a playoff-tested team that does not create any self-inflicted wounds. That, and the emergence of Jon Lester, who has been doing his best Josh Beckett impersonation.
In the National League the Los Angeles Dodgers have emerged as the hottest team in baseball. They dismantled the Chicago Cubs, who were expected to be the darlings of this year's playoff season. While the Cubs' pitching fell short of the standards they had set over the course of the regular season, the Dodgers' pitching staff appears to be hitting their stride. Their bullpen is vastly underrated and their manager Joe Torre has been pushing all the right buttons. Oh, and Manny Ramirez hit .500 in the division series. Their NLCS opponents are the Philadelphia Phillies, who are playing with the weight of a city who has not seen a championship in any professional sport in a quarter of a century on their shoulders. The Fightin' Phils got excellent starting pitching in their division series against the Milwaukee Brewers, who seemed happy to simply be in the postseason. Cole Hamels is basking in the national spotlight and will be a key against the Dodgers, who do not have a starting pitcher to match him when he's on his game.
Now that we are done with the short five game series of the opening round, these teams will surely find that winning four is much tougher than winning three. We are now guaranteed to see a team in the World Series that has not been in well over a decade, at least. Tampa had never even seen a playoff series before last week. The Red Sox have to be viewed as the favorites, because they are the only team that has proven anything in the past, as defending champs. But the Rays have been defying the odds all year, and might be too naive to let the experience of Boston effect them. Don't expect to see a sweep in either series, and be prepared for some surprises. Here's my brusque attempt to breakdown how I think each might play out:
The really surprising aspect of the Rays all year has been their bullpen. Last year it was horrendous, but they have made a drastic turnaround. They are deep, and led by lefty J.P. Howell, who has proven he can get guys out on both sides of the plate, and flame-thrower Grant Balfour. The Rays will likely be without closer Troy Percival, and will instead use Dan Wheeler for that role. Wheeler has had a solid year, but he gives the Rays a clear disadvantage against the Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon. We saw Red Sox manager Terry Francona use Papelbon late in tie games against the Angels to shut them down for two innings. This gave Boston two innings to try to score while feeling comfortable that Papelbon would limit the damage. In front of Papelbon the Red Sox might use any combination of Justin Masterson, Manny Delcarmen and lefty Hideki Okajima, all of whom were effective against the Angels. Both team's have good bullpens, but Papelbon gives the Red Sox a slight advantage in the ninth inning and beyond.
While Boston seems to have the better, deeper lineup, the Rays lineup is hotter. With a healthy LF Carl Crawford, as they had in the ALDS, their lineup is at full strength for the first time in a long time. CF B.J. Upton is really swinging the bat well, and rookie 3B Evan Longoria is probably the best hitter on the team already. But the Rays true secret has been the success of the bottom of their batting order, where players such as C Dioner Navarro have been providing clutch hits. Some experts question the Rays inexperience, but in the division series they seemed to come up with more timely hitting than any other team. They should be nervous, but they appear to be relaxed and having fun. The Red Sox have a much more powerful lineup, but their best hitters (David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis) were relatively quiet against the Angels. Ortiz in particular needs to become more of a threat, but he seems to be feeling the effects of playing without Manny.
This series is really a difficult one to pick. All of my logic tells me the Red Sox are just too good, and they are the more battle-tested team. But I also find myself believing in the Rays. I think Tampa will win Game 1 at the Trop, because of all of Boston's starters, Daisuke Matsuzaka is the most vulnerable. Game 2 will be huge, because if the Rays can beat Beckett and head to Boston up two games they have a real shot. But I can't see the Rays sweeping, or even winning in five, and I just can't bet against both Beckett and Lester in potential Games 6 and 7. Boston, as they did against the Angels, will find ways to win. Red Sox in 7.
In surprising a move, the Dodgers have just announced that closer Takashi Saito will be left off of their NLCS roster. Although this may seem like a major blow for L.A., it really might not mean that much to their chances. Even though Saito missed most of the second half of the season while on the disabled list, this does not seem to be a health related decision. Saito had one appearance in the NLDS against the Cubs in which he got roughed up, allowing two earned runs without recording an out. During Saito's stint on the DL, Jonathan Broxton filled in and faired very well. After Saito's rough outing, Torre decided to go with Broxton in the ninth inning for the remainder of the series. He responded well, pitching in all three games without allowing a single run. As previously mentioned, the Dodgers have a very deep bullpen which is full of power arms. With excellent lefty Hong-Chih Kuo healthy and ready to rejoin the team, Saito has found himself the odd man out. In fact, Kuo could be a huge difference maker for the Dodgers against Philly's big lefties, Howard and 2B Chase Utley. Kuo had an excellent year, striking out 96 in 80 innings pitched. The Dodgers led the NL in ERA and Torre will have plenty of arms to deploy out of the bullpen. The Phillies bullpen is not as deep as that of the Dodgers, but equally as strong at the back end. Closer Brad Lidge has not blown a save all season, playoffs included. Ryan Madson and lefty J.C. Romero form a solid bridge to Lidge. It would be fair to say that if either team has a lead going into the late innings, each would feel pretty comfortable with their options.
The Phillies have the edge in starting pitching largely thanks to the presence of Hamels. He was outstanding in Game 1 against the Brewers, and showed the rest of the baseball world that he is one of those pitchers that has the ability to elevate his game in a pressure-packed situation. He is clearly the best starter in the series, but I think a big key will be the pitching matchups. The Dodgers will throw out playoff veteran Derek Lowe in Game 1 against Hamels, who should keep things close. But in front of the home crowd, it would be hard to imagine the Phillies losing with Hamels on the mound. Game 2 is where the Dodgers can swing momentum in their favor. Dodger's Game 2 starter Billingsley looked excellent in his start against the Cubs, and is an emerging star. He, much like the rest of the Dodgers, has a power arm and possesses the ability pull out a strikeout in a tight situation. Even though Brett Myers pitched well for the Phillies against the Brewers, I think the Dodger offense is too hot and will score enough runs to go back to L.A. even at one game apiece. That spells trouble for the Phillies because L.A.'s Game 3 starter Hiroki Kuroda has a 1.38 ERA against them, while Philly's starter Jamie Moyer has a 4.80 against the Dodgers. Game 4 will be interesting to see how Torre decides to play his hand. His other two starters are rookie left-hander Clayton Kershaw and 80-year-old Greg Maddux (an exaggeration). Maddux has been ineffective since coming to the Dodgers from San Diego, while Kershaw has explosive potential. Against a lefty-powered lineup like the Phillies, Torre would be wise to start Kershaw, while keeping him on a short leash. Maddux would be better equipped to come in from the bullpen if Kershaw struggles, but at least with Kershaw you know there is the potential for a dominating outing.
Each team comes into the series red-hot, but no team in baseball is playing as well as the Dodgers. Manny has added a complete new element to their lineup, but more importantly has allowed the rest of the batting order to fall into place. He anchors the middle of the lineup while good hitters such as RF Andre Ethier and C Russell Martin can fit nicely into their spots as role players. The addition of 3B Casey Blake was vastly underrated, and he gives L.A. the best eighth hitter in the NL along with a solid veteran presence to guide the young players. The Phillies have more pop in the middle of their lineup with Howard and Utley, but I would argue the Dodgers are deeper. Throw in the return of SS Rafael Furcal, who is one of the best leadoff hitters in the game, and the Dodgers seemed to have come together at the perfect time.
The Phillies would be wise to pitch around Manny, which I think they will do to an extent, but the problem is L.A. has so many other underrated hitters. I like Philly when Hamels starts, but other than that I think the Dodgers have the pitching advantage, especially in the bullpen. If the Phillies starters match what they did against Milwaukee they will be tough to beat, but just like the Colorado Rockies last year, the Dodgers seem to be the hottest team in the NL. And in the NL's recent history, that's the team that represents the league in the World Series. With Torre's presence I have to believe the Dodgers will stay the course. Dodgers in 6.
In the National League the Los Angeles Dodgers have emerged as the hottest team in baseball. They dismantled the Chicago Cubs, who were expected to be the darlings of this year's playoff season. While the Cubs' pitching fell short of the standards they had set over the course of the regular season, the Dodgers' pitching staff appears to be hitting their stride. Their bullpen is vastly underrated and their manager Joe Torre has been pushing all the right buttons. Oh, and Manny Ramirez hit .500 in the division series. Their NLCS opponents are the Philadelphia Phillies, who are playing with the weight of a city who has not seen a championship in any professional sport in a quarter of a century on their shoulders. The Fightin' Phils got excellent starting pitching in their division series against the Milwaukee Brewers, who seemed happy to simply be in the postseason. Cole Hamels is basking in the national spotlight and will be a key against the Dodgers, who do not have a starting pitcher to match him when he's on his game.
Now that we are done with the short five game series of the opening round, these teams will surely find that winning four is much tougher than winning three. We are now guaranteed to see a team in the World Series that has not been in well over a decade, at least. Tampa had never even seen a playoff series before last week. The Red Sox have to be viewed as the favorites, because they are the only team that has proven anything in the past, as defending champs. But the Rays have been defying the odds all year, and might be too naive to let the experience of Boston effect them. Don't expect to see a sweep in either series, and be prepared for some surprises. Here's my brusque attempt to breakdown how I think each might play out:
- Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays-
The really surprising aspect of the Rays all year has been their bullpen. Last year it was horrendous, but they have made a drastic turnaround. They are deep, and led by lefty J.P. Howell, who has proven he can get guys out on both sides of the plate, and flame-thrower Grant Balfour. The Rays will likely be without closer Troy Percival, and will instead use Dan Wheeler for that role. Wheeler has had a solid year, but he gives the Rays a clear disadvantage against the Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon. We saw Red Sox manager Terry Francona use Papelbon late in tie games against the Angels to shut them down for two innings. This gave Boston two innings to try to score while feeling comfortable that Papelbon would limit the damage. In front of Papelbon the Red Sox might use any combination of Justin Masterson, Manny Delcarmen and lefty Hideki Okajima, all of whom were effective against the Angels. Both team's have good bullpens, but Papelbon gives the Red Sox a slight advantage in the ninth inning and beyond.
While Boston seems to have the better, deeper lineup, the Rays lineup is hotter. With a healthy LF Carl Crawford, as they had in the ALDS, their lineup is at full strength for the first time in a long time. CF B.J. Upton is really swinging the bat well, and rookie 3B Evan Longoria is probably the best hitter on the team already. But the Rays true secret has been the success of the bottom of their batting order, where players such as C Dioner Navarro have been providing clutch hits. Some experts question the Rays inexperience, but in the division series they seemed to come up with more timely hitting than any other team. They should be nervous, but they appear to be relaxed and having fun. The Red Sox have a much more powerful lineup, but their best hitters (David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis) were relatively quiet against the Angels. Ortiz in particular needs to become more of a threat, but he seems to be feeling the effects of playing without Manny.
This series is really a difficult one to pick. All of my logic tells me the Red Sox are just too good, and they are the more battle-tested team. But I also find myself believing in the Rays. I think Tampa will win Game 1 at the Trop, because of all of Boston's starters, Daisuke Matsuzaka is the most vulnerable. Game 2 will be huge, because if the Rays can beat Beckett and head to Boston up two games they have a real shot. But I can't see the Rays sweeping, or even winning in five, and I just can't bet against both Beckett and Lester in potential Games 6 and 7. Boston, as they did against the Angels, will find ways to win. Red Sox in 7.
- Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies
In surprising a move, the Dodgers have just announced that closer Takashi Saito will be left off of their NLCS roster. Although this may seem like a major blow for L.A., it really might not mean that much to their chances. Even though Saito missed most of the second half of the season while on the disabled list, this does not seem to be a health related decision. Saito had one appearance in the NLDS against the Cubs in which he got roughed up, allowing two earned runs without recording an out. During Saito's stint on the DL, Jonathan Broxton filled in and faired very well. After Saito's rough outing, Torre decided to go with Broxton in the ninth inning for the remainder of the series. He responded well, pitching in all three games without allowing a single run. As previously mentioned, the Dodgers have a very deep bullpen which is full of power arms. With excellent lefty Hong-Chih Kuo healthy and ready to rejoin the team, Saito has found himself the odd man out. In fact, Kuo could be a huge difference maker for the Dodgers against Philly's big lefties, Howard and 2B Chase Utley. Kuo had an excellent year, striking out 96 in 80 innings pitched. The Dodgers led the NL in ERA and Torre will have plenty of arms to deploy out of the bullpen. The Phillies bullpen is not as deep as that of the Dodgers, but equally as strong at the back end. Closer Brad Lidge has not blown a save all season, playoffs included. Ryan Madson and lefty J.C. Romero form a solid bridge to Lidge. It would be fair to say that if either team has a lead going into the late innings, each would feel pretty comfortable with their options.
The Phillies have the edge in starting pitching largely thanks to the presence of Hamels. He was outstanding in Game 1 against the Brewers, and showed the rest of the baseball world that he is one of those pitchers that has the ability to elevate his game in a pressure-packed situation. He is clearly the best starter in the series, but I think a big key will be the pitching matchups. The Dodgers will throw out playoff veteran Derek Lowe in Game 1 against Hamels, who should keep things close. But in front of the home crowd, it would be hard to imagine the Phillies losing with Hamels on the mound. Game 2 is where the Dodgers can swing momentum in their favor. Dodger's Game 2 starter Billingsley looked excellent in his start against the Cubs, and is an emerging star. He, much like the rest of the Dodgers, has a power arm and possesses the ability pull out a strikeout in a tight situation. Even though Brett Myers pitched well for the Phillies against the Brewers, I think the Dodger offense is too hot and will score enough runs to go back to L.A. even at one game apiece. That spells trouble for the Phillies because L.A.'s Game 3 starter Hiroki Kuroda has a 1.38 ERA against them, while Philly's starter Jamie Moyer has a 4.80 against the Dodgers. Game 4 will be interesting to see how Torre decides to play his hand. His other two starters are rookie left-hander Clayton Kershaw and 80-year-old Greg Maddux (an exaggeration). Maddux has been ineffective since coming to the Dodgers from San Diego, while Kershaw has explosive potential. Against a lefty-powered lineup like the Phillies, Torre would be wise to start Kershaw, while keeping him on a short leash. Maddux would be better equipped to come in from the bullpen if Kershaw struggles, but at least with Kershaw you know there is the potential for a dominating outing.
Each team comes into the series red-hot, but no team in baseball is playing as well as the Dodgers. Manny has added a complete new element to their lineup, but more importantly has allowed the rest of the batting order to fall into place. He anchors the middle of the lineup while good hitters such as RF Andre Ethier and C Russell Martin can fit nicely into their spots as role players. The addition of 3B Casey Blake was vastly underrated, and he gives L.A. the best eighth hitter in the NL along with a solid veteran presence to guide the young players. The Phillies have more pop in the middle of their lineup with Howard and Utley, but I would argue the Dodgers are deeper. Throw in the return of SS Rafael Furcal, who is one of the best leadoff hitters in the game, and the Dodgers seemed to have come together at the perfect time.
The Phillies would be wise to pitch around Manny, which I think they will do to an extent, but the problem is L.A. has so many other underrated hitters. I like Philly when Hamels starts, but other than that I think the Dodgers have the pitching advantage, especially in the bullpen. If the Phillies starters match what they did against Milwaukee they will be tough to beat, but just like the Colorado Rockies last year, the Dodgers seem to be the hottest team in the NL. And in the NL's recent history, that's the team that represents the league in the World Series. With Torre's presence I have to believe the Dodgers will stay the course. Dodgers in 6.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
2008 All-MLB Teams
It's playoff time again in the MLB, and this year's postseason seems to have an unusual feel. For the first time in over a decade, New York will have no representatives. Instead we have teams such as the playoff-virgins of Tampa Bay, and the Milwaukee Brewers, who haven't seen October baseball since 1982. The new blood makes for an intriguing field of teams when you combine them with mainstay clubs like the defending champion Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels, who had the best record in the majors.
Earlier in the week, before the playoffs began, I typed up an in-depth preview of the Division Series matchups, only to have my internet give out as it neared completion. I was able to save my award predictions, and had another thought for a new idea. I've always wondered why MLB has no type of All-Star recognition at the end of the season, such as the NFL with it's All-Pro teams and the NBA with it's All-NBA rosters. In baseball, All-Stars are selected mid-season and those players don't always maintain that level of success over a full 162 games. Often times, due to the popularity influence when allowing fans to vote, players that are selected are not truly deserving (see: Jason Varitek). So after a full season of baseball and a good amount of research, I have compiled a full season All-Star roster for both the AL and the NL. I have provided a starting nine (or eight in the case of the NL), along with five starting pitchers and two closers for each league. If you compare these rosters to the mid-season All-Star teams, I think you will find some significant differences. Without further ado, here are your 2008 All-MLB teams:
AL:
C- Joe Mauer, MIN: Although Mauer's power numbers could improve, the AL batting champ is clearly the class of the AL.
1B- Justin Morneau, MIN: Morneau and Mauer are the two biggest reasons the Twins compete every year. Morneau is an RBI-machine, and barely edges out Boston's Kevin Youkilis.
2B- Dustin Pedroia, BOS: An incredible year for Pedroia proved that he's more than just a spark-plug. He led the AL in several major hitting categories, and finished second to Mauer in the batting title race.
3B- Evan Longoria, TB: Expect better things to come from this rookie who snatched this spot from A-Rod. He's probably Tampa's best player already.
SS- Derek Jeter, NYY: Say what you will about DJ getting older, but the Yankee Captain still led all AL shortshop's in batting average and on-base percentage. He's also quickly approaching 3,000 career hits and will likely go well beyond that.
LF- Carlos Quentin, CHW: The White Sox could really use this guy for the playoffs (out with a broken wrist) who had a major breakout season. Quentin went from a fourth outfielder to an All-Star, finishing second in the AL in home runs while registering only 480 at-bats.
CF- Josh Hamilton, TEX: Although Hamilton's production dropped off after the All-Star break, he still led the AL in RBIs with 130. The sky is the limit for the former #1 pick (if only the Rangers could acquire some pitching).
RF- Magglio Ordonez, DET: Last year' s batting champ quietly had a very good year for the underachieving Tigers. He led all AL outfielders in batting average while only striking out 76 times, which is very good for a run producing, middle of the lineup type of player.
DH- Aubrey Huff, BAL: While Huff played some games in the field for the Orioles, he was primarily a DH and had himself quite a season. A .304 batting average, along with 32 homers and 108 RBIs will likely earn Huff a big payday.
Pitchers:
SP- Cliff Lee, CLE: He went 22-3 on a team that only won 81 games. Enough said.
SP- Roy Halladay, TOR: A case could be made that Halladay has been the AL's most consistent pitcher over the past few seasons.
SP- Mike Mussina, NYY: The lone bright spot in an otherwise sorry Yankee rotation. The Moose finally got the 20-win season he deserved.
SP- Ervin Santana, LAA: A huge bounce back year for Santana who took on the role of L.A.'s ace early in the year when John Lackey was out.
SP- Jon Lester, BOS: Has developed into a shutdown pitcher for the Red Sox, highlighting his amazing year with a no-hitter in May.
CL- Francisco Rodriguez, LAA: Broke the all-time single season saves record in a contract year. Cha-Ching.
CL- Mariano Rivera, NYY: An almost perfect year for Rivera who proved he's still the best in the game by converting 39 of 40 save opportunities.
NL:
C- Brian McCann, ATL: Quietly was one of the few Braves' to have a good year. Led all NL catchers in batting average and home runs.
1B- Albert Pujols, STL: An absolute monster year for Pujols (surprised?) who carried the Cardinals on his back and into playoff contention.
2B- Chase Utley, PHI: Started the year red-hot and looked as if he would break all kinds of second baseman records, but even though he cooled off he still proved he's the best in the game at his position.
3B- Aramis Ramirez, CHC: Had an excellent year while leading the first place Cubs in RBIs with 111. This could have been the Mets' David Wright's spot had he performed better down the stretch.
SS- Hanley Ramirez, FLA: Expect Hanley to earn this distinction for years to come. He's approaching the Pujols/A-Rod class.
LF- Manny Ramirez, LAD: Manny makes it three straight Ramirez's. Although he did not play the entire season with the Dodgers, his impact was unlike anything we've seen. He made them a playoff team while hitting nearly .400.
CF- Nate McLouth, PIT: McLouth does everything well. As a leadoff hitter for most of the year he still managed to hit 26 home runs and drive in 94 runs. Add 23 stolen bases, an NL-leading 46 doubles, and great defense and you've got the makings of a star.
RF- Ryan Ludwick, STL: Another name who if you saw at the beginning of the year would have you scratching your head. Ludwick hit 37 home runs while benefiting from being apart of the same lineup as Pujols.
Pitchers:
SP- C.C. Sabathia, MIL: Was nothing short of dominate after coming over from Cleveland. The Brewers could not have made the playoffs without him and his partiality for throwing complete games.
SP- Tim Lincecum, SF: Led the NL with 265 strikeouts, almost 60 more than any other pitcher. Lincecum looked unhittable in his first full season and should be on Cy-Young watch for years to come.
SP- Brandon Webb, ARI: Much like Halladay in the AL, Webb has been the most consistent pitcher in the NL for the past few seasons. This year he led the league with 22 wins.
SP- Johan Santana, NYM: Served as the Mets' lone shining star down the stretch and became the only pitcher they could count on for a win. Took a little while to adjust to the NL, but finished strong while leading the league in ERA.
SP- Ryan Dempster, CHC: Dempster is far from the most decorated Cubs' starter, but he was their most consistent. He led a deep staff with a sub-3.00 ERA and showed that he is best suited as a starter.
CL- Brad Lidge, PHI: A change of scenery was exactly what Lidge needed, as he converted all 41 of his save opportunities and led all NL closers with a 1.95 ERA.
CL- Kerry Wood, CHC: After many injury-filled seasons, Wood finally found his role and flourished as the Cubs' closer showing he still has top-notch stuff.
Also, here's some award predictions-
AL MVP: Dustin Pedroia, BOS
While Pedroia does not fit the role of your typical MVP candidate (a la A-Rod, Big Papi, etc.), it's difficult to deny the substanial impact he has on the Red Sox on a daily basis. In part, I would choose Pedroia due to the fact that this was not a big year for many of the big guns in the AL. Miguel Cabrera led the league with 37 home runs compared to last year when A-Rod topped the AL with 54. But while it was a down year for the power guys, Pedroia managed to lead the league in runs scored, hits and doubles while finishing second in the AL batting race with a .326 average. What makes Pedroia truly the American League's most "valuable" player though are the little things he does. He is known around the league as a scrappy player, who does everything at full speed. Incredibly, he played in 157 games and only struck out 52 times. And while his teammate Kevin Youkilis deserves consideration as well, Pedroia is the one who seemed to be the pulse of the Red Sox all season.
NL MVP: Albert Pujols, STL
Pujols has cemented his place as the best player in the NL. In spring training there were talks of him needing surgery on his injured elbow, but he elected to forgo any procedure and see how the season played out. The Cardinals were not expected to content with a roster full of unknowns, but Pujols proved that as long as he is in the lineup the Cardinals will be in it. His biggest competitor for the award is probably Manny Ramirez, who was incredible in his short time with the Dodgers (sorry Ryan Howard fans, but I'd have a tough time voting for a guy who only hit .250 and struck out 200 times). And while a case could be made for Manny, Pujols' played through injury and still thrived. His numbers were outstanding (.357 AVG, 37 HR, 116 RBI), but the impact his bat had on players such as Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel was perhaps his most impressive feat.
AL Cy Young: Cliff Lee, CLE
It's hard to dispute this one. Lee led the AL in wins and ERA while playing on a team that offered little run support. He accounted for over a quarter of his team's wins with 22, and amazingly lost only 3 games. While fellow 20-game winners Roy Halladay and Mike Mussina had fine seasons, Lee came out of nowhere and dominated the AL.
NL Cy Young: C.C. Sabathia, MIL
Although I am skepical about selecting a player who only played a bit more than a third of the season with his team, Sabathia's impact on the Brewers has been beyond huge. Neither of Sabathia's two biggest competitor's (Tim Lincecum of the Giants and Brandon Webb of the D-Backs) could lead their team's to the playoffs, while Sabathia almost singled-handedly dragged his across the finish line. He dominated the NL in 17 starts going 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA. But his impact goes way beyond his numbers. Every time the Brewers looked as if they were in trouble, Sabathia answered the call, often pitching on three days rest. He also threw an uncanny seven complete games in his short time with the team. He gave everything he had despite the risk involved due to his pending free agency, and has put himself in a position to reap the rewards.
AL Rookie of the Year: Evan Longoria, TB
NL Rookie of the Year: Geovany Soto, CHC
AL Manager of the Year: Joe Maddon, TB
NL Manager of the Year: Lou Piniella, CHC
Stay tuned for Championship Series previews and predictions once the teams are set...
Earlier in the week, before the playoffs began, I typed up an in-depth preview of the Division Series matchups, only to have my internet give out as it neared completion. I was able to save my award predictions, and had another thought for a new idea. I've always wondered why MLB has no type of All-Star recognition at the end of the season, such as the NFL with it's All-Pro teams and the NBA with it's All-NBA rosters. In baseball, All-Stars are selected mid-season and those players don't always maintain that level of success over a full 162 games. Often times, due to the popularity influence when allowing fans to vote, players that are selected are not truly deserving (see: Jason Varitek). So after a full season of baseball and a good amount of research, I have compiled a full season All-Star roster for both the AL and the NL. I have provided a starting nine (or eight in the case of the NL), along with five starting pitchers and two closers for each league. If you compare these rosters to the mid-season All-Star teams, I think you will find some significant differences. Without further ado, here are your 2008 All-MLB teams:
AL:
C- Joe Mauer, MIN: Although Mauer's power numbers could improve, the AL batting champ is clearly the class of the AL.
1B- Justin Morneau, MIN: Morneau and Mauer are the two biggest reasons the Twins compete every year. Morneau is an RBI-machine, and barely edges out Boston's Kevin Youkilis.
2B- Dustin Pedroia, BOS: An incredible year for Pedroia proved that he's more than just a spark-plug. He led the AL in several major hitting categories, and finished second to Mauer in the batting title race.
3B- Evan Longoria, TB: Expect better things to come from this rookie who snatched this spot from A-Rod. He's probably Tampa's best player already.
SS- Derek Jeter, NYY: Say what you will about DJ getting older, but the Yankee Captain still led all AL shortshop's in batting average and on-base percentage. He's also quickly approaching 3,000 career hits and will likely go well beyond that.
LF- Carlos Quentin, CHW: The White Sox could really use this guy for the playoffs (out with a broken wrist) who had a major breakout season. Quentin went from a fourth outfielder to an All-Star, finishing second in the AL in home runs while registering only 480 at-bats.
CF- Josh Hamilton, TEX: Although Hamilton's production dropped off after the All-Star break, he still led the AL in RBIs with 130. The sky is the limit for the former #1 pick (if only the Rangers could acquire some pitching).
RF- Magglio Ordonez, DET: Last year' s batting champ quietly had a very good year for the underachieving Tigers. He led all AL outfielders in batting average while only striking out 76 times, which is very good for a run producing, middle of the lineup type of player.
DH- Aubrey Huff, BAL: While Huff played some games in the field for the Orioles, he was primarily a DH and had himself quite a season. A .304 batting average, along with 32 homers and 108 RBIs will likely earn Huff a big payday.
Pitchers:
SP- Cliff Lee, CLE: He went 22-3 on a team that only won 81 games. Enough said.
SP- Roy Halladay, TOR: A case could be made that Halladay has been the AL's most consistent pitcher over the past few seasons.
SP- Mike Mussina, NYY: The lone bright spot in an otherwise sorry Yankee rotation. The Moose finally got the 20-win season he deserved.
SP- Ervin Santana, LAA: A huge bounce back year for Santana who took on the role of L.A.'s ace early in the year when John Lackey was out.
SP- Jon Lester, BOS: Has developed into a shutdown pitcher for the Red Sox, highlighting his amazing year with a no-hitter in May.
CL- Francisco Rodriguez, LAA: Broke the all-time single season saves record in a contract year. Cha-Ching.
CL- Mariano Rivera, NYY: An almost perfect year for Rivera who proved he's still the best in the game by converting 39 of 40 save opportunities.
NL:
C- Brian McCann, ATL: Quietly was one of the few Braves' to have a good year. Led all NL catchers in batting average and home runs.
1B- Albert Pujols, STL: An absolute monster year for Pujols (surprised?) who carried the Cardinals on his back and into playoff contention.
2B- Chase Utley, PHI: Started the year red-hot and looked as if he would break all kinds of second baseman records, but even though he cooled off he still proved he's the best in the game at his position.
3B- Aramis Ramirez, CHC: Had an excellent year while leading the first place Cubs in RBIs with 111. This could have been the Mets' David Wright's spot had he performed better down the stretch.
SS- Hanley Ramirez, FLA: Expect Hanley to earn this distinction for years to come. He's approaching the Pujols/A-Rod class.
LF- Manny Ramirez, LAD: Manny makes it three straight Ramirez's. Although he did not play the entire season with the Dodgers, his impact was unlike anything we've seen. He made them a playoff team while hitting nearly .400.
CF- Nate McLouth, PIT: McLouth does everything well. As a leadoff hitter for most of the year he still managed to hit 26 home runs and drive in 94 runs. Add 23 stolen bases, an NL-leading 46 doubles, and great defense and you've got the makings of a star.
RF- Ryan Ludwick, STL: Another name who if you saw at the beginning of the year would have you scratching your head. Ludwick hit 37 home runs while benefiting from being apart of the same lineup as Pujols.
Pitchers:
SP- C.C. Sabathia, MIL: Was nothing short of dominate after coming over from Cleveland. The Brewers could not have made the playoffs without him and his partiality for throwing complete games.
SP- Tim Lincecum, SF: Led the NL with 265 strikeouts, almost 60 more than any other pitcher. Lincecum looked unhittable in his first full season and should be on Cy-Young watch for years to come.
SP- Brandon Webb, ARI: Much like Halladay in the AL, Webb has been the most consistent pitcher in the NL for the past few seasons. This year he led the league with 22 wins.
SP- Johan Santana, NYM: Served as the Mets' lone shining star down the stretch and became the only pitcher they could count on for a win. Took a little while to adjust to the NL, but finished strong while leading the league in ERA.
SP- Ryan Dempster, CHC: Dempster is far from the most decorated Cubs' starter, but he was their most consistent. He led a deep staff with a sub-3.00 ERA and showed that he is best suited as a starter.
CL- Brad Lidge, PHI: A change of scenery was exactly what Lidge needed, as he converted all 41 of his save opportunities and led all NL closers with a 1.95 ERA.
CL- Kerry Wood, CHC: After many injury-filled seasons, Wood finally found his role and flourished as the Cubs' closer showing he still has top-notch stuff.
Also, here's some award predictions-
AL MVP: Dustin Pedroia, BOS
While Pedroia does not fit the role of your typical MVP candidate (a la A-Rod, Big Papi, etc.), it's difficult to deny the substanial impact he has on the Red Sox on a daily basis. In part, I would choose Pedroia due to the fact that this was not a big year for many of the big guns in the AL. Miguel Cabrera led the league with 37 home runs compared to last year when A-Rod topped the AL with 54. But while it was a down year for the power guys, Pedroia managed to lead the league in runs scored, hits and doubles while finishing second in the AL batting race with a .326 average. What makes Pedroia truly the American League's most "valuable" player though are the little things he does. He is known around the league as a scrappy player, who does everything at full speed. Incredibly, he played in 157 games and only struck out 52 times. And while his teammate Kevin Youkilis deserves consideration as well, Pedroia is the one who seemed to be the pulse of the Red Sox all season.
NL MVP: Albert Pujols, STL
Pujols has cemented his place as the best player in the NL. In spring training there were talks of him needing surgery on his injured elbow, but he elected to forgo any procedure and see how the season played out. The Cardinals were not expected to content with a roster full of unknowns, but Pujols proved that as long as he is in the lineup the Cardinals will be in it. His biggest competitor for the award is probably Manny Ramirez, who was incredible in his short time with the Dodgers (sorry Ryan Howard fans, but I'd have a tough time voting for a guy who only hit .250 and struck out 200 times). And while a case could be made for Manny, Pujols' played through injury and still thrived. His numbers were outstanding (.357 AVG, 37 HR, 116 RBI), but the impact his bat had on players such as Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel was perhaps his most impressive feat.
AL Cy Young: Cliff Lee, CLE
It's hard to dispute this one. Lee led the AL in wins and ERA while playing on a team that offered little run support. He accounted for over a quarter of his team's wins with 22, and amazingly lost only 3 games. While fellow 20-game winners Roy Halladay and Mike Mussina had fine seasons, Lee came out of nowhere and dominated the AL.
NL Cy Young: C.C. Sabathia, MIL
Although I am skepical about selecting a player who only played a bit more than a third of the season with his team, Sabathia's impact on the Brewers has been beyond huge. Neither of Sabathia's two biggest competitor's (Tim Lincecum of the Giants and Brandon Webb of the D-Backs) could lead their team's to the playoffs, while Sabathia almost singled-handedly dragged his across the finish line. He dominated the NL in 17 starts going 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA. But his impact goes way beyond his numbers. Every time the Brewers looked as if they were in trouble, Sabathia answered the call, often pitching on three days rest. He also threw an uncanny seven complete games in his short time with the team. He gave everything he had despite the risk involved due to his pending free agency, and has put himself in a position to reap the rewards.
AL Rookie of the Year: Evan Longoria, TB
NL Rookie of the Year: Geovany Soto, CHC
AL Manager of the Year: Joe Maddon, TB
NL Manager of the Year: Lou Piniella, CHC
Stay tuned for Championship Series previews and predictions once the teams are set...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Jets-Pats Blog
4:16PM ET: Jets get the ball. K Stephen Gostkowski's opening kick sails past the end zone for a touchback. Here comes Jet Favre...
4:19PM ET: Jets are moving the ball already. A couple nice runs from RB Thomas Jones and a big third down pass to WR Jerricho Cotchery. So far, so good for the Jets' O-Line.
4:24PM ET: Watch out for Jets' RB Leon Washington. They're moving him around and freeing him up for some short pass plays. He's capable of breaking one.
4:27PM ET: The return of K Jay Feely to the Meadowlands does not go smoothly. He shanks a 31-yarder after a good Jet drive. Looked like a bad hold from Ben Graham; hopefully for the Jets it won't come back to haunt them.
4:31PM ET: Thrilling high school game footage of Matt Cassel. He lays somebody out playing safety. Maybe if this QB thing doesn't work out...
4:33PM ET: The Patriots are keeping things simple for Cassel with short patterns that allow for yards after the catch, and don't require multiple reads. It's working thus far.
4:37PM ET: Nice drive from the Pats ends with a short field goal thanks to a big third down stop by the Jets inside their own 10. Not much running room so far up the middle (Kris Jenkins, anyone?)
4:44PM ET: Jets' WR Laveranues Coles drops a ball on third down which forces the Jets to punt. Jets are going to need him to step up at some point and get over Chad Pennington's release.
4:47PM ET: End of first quarter. Pats up 3-0. This game is flying by.
4:49PM ET: Good play by Jets' OLB Calvin Pace to tip a Cassel pass is erased by an even better play on a one-handed catch by Pats' RB Kevin Faulk. The ball doesn't seem to be bouncing the Jets' way.
4:54PM ET: Cassel has been completing the short passes, but everytime he's been asked to throw down the field he has not been accurate. He just made a bad pass on third down to force the Pats to settle for another field goal.
5:00PM ET: Coles it steps up. HUGE third down conversion as he catches a 10-yard pass and turns it into a 54-yard gain. Jets inside the Pats' 30.
5:02PM ET: Great run by Washington to put the Jets in a first and goal situation. It looked like he was going to get tackled at the line of scrimmage but he made a beautiful cut.
5:06PM ET: Jets get stuffed three plays in a row and only get three points. Hard to understand how you can't gain two yards in three plays. That was one of those drives where the Jets really had to be expecting a touchdown. Luckily for Jay Feely, he doesn't miss the kick.
5:11PM ET: Bad facemasking penalty by Jets' DE Shaun Ellis followed by a nice play by S Kerry Rhodes to stop RB Sammy Morris in the backfield. Rhodes is looking very active, but veterans like Ellis can't make mistakes like that if the Jets expect to win.
5:18PM ET: Jets offense looks awfully conservative, and goes three and out. Jets' P Ben Graham can't even punt the ball past midfield, giving Cassel and co. the ball back with 2:12 until halftime.
5:20PM ET: Cassel gets hit hard and comes up limping. He stays in for the next play but the Pats are forced to punt. We'll keep an eye on Cassel.
5:26PM ET: Pats' DE Richard Seymour breaks through Jets' O-Line to sack Favre on first down. With under a minute to go, the Jets should just play it safe and head to the locker room.
5:28PM ET: Halftime. Pats up 6-3. Fairly sloppy half for the Jets, who should have more points if not for Feely's miss and three straight stops by the Pats on first and goal. The Pats defense is not letting the Jets gain yardage consistently, but their offense looks underwhelming with Cassel at the helm. He has yet to complete any balls down the field. Still, Favre and the Jets are going to have to get in the end zone if they want to win this game.
5:42PM ET: Jets kick to the Pats. Pats' rookie QB Kevin O'Connell was warming up but Cassel comes onto the field.
5:46PM ET: Great defensive stand by the Jets. OLB Bryan Thomas gets a sack on first down, Jenkins stuffs the run on second down, and then Pace and DB David Barrett combined for a sack on third down. They're giving the Jets' offense a shot. (Interesting note: WR Randy Moss has been very quiet)
5:50PM ET: Jets free agent signee RT Damien Woody erases a nice run by Jones with a holding penatly and then Favre follows that up by throwing a pass after he had crossed the line of scrimmage. The Jets' can't afford these mistakes. Now they have a 2nd and 23 to work with.
5:52PM ET: Favre redeems himself by scrambling and finding WR Chansi Stuckey for a first down on 3rd and 22.
5:54PM ET: Terrible call on a nice play by Cotchery to erase a 30+ yard gain. The ball was underthrown and they called offensive pass interference when CB Deltha O'Neal fell down. That should not have been a penalty.
5:55PM ET: Favre throws a bad pick to Pats' S Brandon Meriweather. There was no one even close. Things are going bad quickly for the Jets.
6:00PM ET: Touchdown Patriots. Morris bangs one in from the Jets' one yard line. Now the Jets are down by two scores. That one is on Favre; let's see how the old QB responds to adversity in New York.
6:07PM ET: We got that answer quick. Jets go three and out.
6:08PM ET: Short punt by Graham and a nifty run back by Faulk gives the Pats the ball near the Jets 40. The Jets defense has hung tough so far but their offense is putting them in a tight spot.
6:14PM ET: Gostkowski makes the field goal, so it's touchdown or bust for the Jets. They need two in a little over a quarter just to tie. And that's if the Pats don't score anymore.
6:22PM ET: The Jets are moving the ball a little bit, but Favre seems to be settling for a lot of checkdowns. At some point you have to open up the offense.
6:23PM ET: We have a Dustin Keller sighting. 19-yard gain.
6:24PM ET: Big run by Jones gives the Jets the ball almost on the goal line. Here's another chance inside the five with four plays to work with. Maybe the Jets should consider some play-action.
6:27PM ET: Favre hits Stuckey in the back of the end zone from the shotgun. He was wide open. Jets down 6 now. It's not over yet...
6:31PM ET: The Jets defense gets hit with a 12-man on the field penalty on first down. That's on the coaches shoulders. That's one noticeable difference between the two teams: the Pats haven't made as many mental mistakes.
6:34PM ET: Wow. Moss had CB Darrelle Revis beat, but Cassel underthrew the ball and Revis was able to rip it from Moss' hands. Let's see how long Moss keeps playing the good solider with passes like that. If Tom Brady is playing QB, that's 6 points for the Pats and game over for the Jets.
6:38PM ET: More Jet mistakes. Roughing the passer penalty on Pace.
6:43PM ET: Nice, long drive from the Pats. They moved the chains and milked the clock culminating in an easy field goal for Gostkowski. Now it's a two score game with less than six minutes left. Jets are going to need a quick score.
6:47PM ET: Pats' OLB Adalius Thomas drags Brett Favre back almost 20 yards. Jets do nothing and are forced to punt. I can hear the fat lady on the horizon...
6:55PM ET: Pats run out the clock. Matt Cassel wins his first start. Not the prettiest win, but I'm sure Belichick will take it. The Jets clearly still have work to do. Pats 19, Jets 10.
Game Recap: The Patriots are still the team to beat in the AFC East, but today's game showed some glipses of vulnerablity. Matt Cassel didn't do anything spectacular, but he managed the game and didn't make any criticial mistakes. If he continues to do to that the Pats will win their share of games, but the Jets have to feel like they had a shot to come out on top. Brett Favre still does not look comfortable, which had to be expected this early in his Jet career. He settled for a lot of checkdowns and didn't make many plays down the field. The Jets offense showed some flashes, but were clearly overmatched by a solid Patriot defense. Hopefully for Favre and the Jets they will continue to grow each week, but this week showed they still have a long way to go. One thing that Eric Mangini needs to address right away is his team's mental mistakes. The Patriots looked like the more battle-tested team, while many of the new Jets are still getting to know each other. The Patriots remain on top for today, but the Jets should feel they have a chance next time these teams meet. In the meantime, they have some work to do, especially on Favre's side of the ball.
4:19PM ET: Jets are moving the ball already. A couple nice runs from RB Thomas Jones and a big third down pass to WR Jerricho Cotchery. So far, so good for the Jets' O-Line.
4:24PM ET: Watch out for Jets' RB Leon Washington. They're moving him around and freeing him up for some short pass plays. He's capable of breaking one.
4:27PM ET: The return of K Jay Feely to the Meadowlands does not go smoothly. He shanks a 31-yarder after a good Jet drive. Looked like a bad hold from Ben Graham; hopefully for the Jets it won't come back to haunt them.
4:31PM ET: Thrilling high school game footage of Matt Cassel. He lays somebody out playing safety. Maybe if this QB thing doesn't work out...
4:33PM ET: The Patriots are keeping things simple for Cassel with short patterns that allow for yards after the catch, and don't require multiple reads. It's working thus far.
4:37PM ET: Nice drive from the Pats ends with a short field goal thanks to a big third down stop by the Jets inside their own 10. Not much running room so far up the middle (Kris Jenkins, anyone?)
4:44PM ET: Jets' WR Laveranues Coles drops a ball on third down which forces the Jets to punt. Jets are going to need him to step up at some point and get over Chad Pennington's release.
4:47PM ET: End of first quarter. Pats up 3-0. This game is flying by.
4:49PM ET: Good play by Jets' OLB Calvin Pace to tip a Cassel pass is erased by an even better play on a one-handed catch by Pats' RB Kevin Faulk. The ball doesn't seem to be bouncing the Jets' way.
4:54PM ET: Cassel has been completing the short passes, but everytime he's been asked to throw down the field he has not been accurate. He just made a bad pass on third down to force the Pats to settle for another field goal.
5:00PM ET: Coles it steps up. HUGE third down conversion as he catches a 10-yard pass and turns it into a 54-yard gain. Jets inside the Pats' 30.
5:02PM ET: Great run by Washington to put the Jets in a first and goal situation. It looked like he was going to get tackled at the line of scrimmage but he made a beautiful cut.
5:06PM ET: Jets get stuffed three plays in a row and only get three points. Hard to understand how you can't gain two yards in three plays. That was one of those drives where the Jets really had to be expecting a touchdown. Luckily for Jay Feely, he doesn't miss the kick.
5:11PM ET: Bad facemasking penalty by Jets' DE Shaun Ellis followed by a nice play by S Kerry Rhodes to stop RB Sammy Morris in the backfield. Rhodes is looking very active, but veterans like Ellis can't make mistakes like that if the Jets expect to win.
5:18PM ET: Jets offense looks awfully conservative, and goes three and out. Jets' P Ben Graham can't even punt the ball past midfield, giving Cassel and co. the ball back with 2:12 until halftime.
5:20PM ET: Cassel gets hit hard and comes up limping. He stays in for the next play but the Pats are forced to punt. We'll keep an eye on Cassel.
5:26PM ET: Pats' DE Richard Seymour breaks through Jets' O-Line to sack Favre on first down. With under a minute to go, the Jets should just play it safe and head to the locker room.
5:28PM ET: Halftime. Pats up 6-3. Fairly sloppy half for the Jets, who should have more points if not for Feely's miss and three straight stops by the Pats on first and goal. The Pats defense is not letting the Jets gain yardage consistently, but their offense looks underwhelming with Cassel at the helm. He has yet to complete any balls down the field. Still, Favre and the Jets are going to have to get in the end zone if they want to win this game.
5:42PM ET: Jets kick to the Pats. Pats' rookie QB Kevin O'Connell was warming up but Cassel comes onto the field.
5:46PM ET: Great defensive stand by the Jets. OLB Bryan Thomas gets a sack on first down, Jenkins stuffs the run on second down, and then Pace and DB David Barrett combined for a sack on third down. They're giving the Jets' offense a shot. (Interesting note: WR Randy Moss has been very quiet)
5:50PM ET: Jets free agent signee RT Damien Woody erases a nice run by Jones with a holding penatly and then Favre follows that up by throwing a pass after he had crossed the line of scrimmage. The Jets' can't afford these mistakes. Now they have a 2nd and 23 to work with.
5:52PM ET: Favre redeems himself by scrambling and finding WR Chansi Stuckey for a first down on 3rd and 22.
5:54PM ET: Terrible call on a nice play by Cotchery to erase a 30+ yard gain. The ball was underthrown and they called offensive pass interference when CB Deltha O'Neal fell down. That should not have been a penalty.
5:55PM ET: Favre throws a bad pick to Pats' S Brandon Meriweather. There was no one even close. Things are going bad quickly for the Jets.
6:00PM ET: Touchdown Patriots. Morris bangs one in from the Jets' one yard line. Now the Jets are down by two scores. That one is on Favre; let's see how the old QB responds to adversity in New York.
6:07PM ET: We got that answer quick. Jets go three and out.
6:08PM ET: Short punt by Graham and a nifty run back by Faulk gives the Pats the ball near the Jets 40. The Jets defense has hung tough so far but their offense is putting them in a tight spot.
6:14PM ET: Gostkowski makes the field goal, so it's touchdown or bust for the Jets. They need two in a little over a quarter just to tie. And that's if the Pats don't score anymore.
6:22PM ET: The Jets are moving the ball a little bit, but Favre seems to be settling for a lot of checkdowns. At some point you have to open up the offense.
6:23PM ET: We have a Dustin Keller sighting. 19-yard gain.
6:24PM ET: Big run by Jones gives the Jets the ball almost on the goal line. Here's another chance inside the five with four plays to work with. Maybe the Jets should consider some play-action.
6:27PM ET: Favre hits Stuckey in the back of the end zone from the shotgun. He was wide open. Jets down 6 now. It's not over yet...
6:31PM ET: The Jets defense gets hit with a 12-man on the field penalty on first down. That's on the coaches shoulders. That's one noticeable difference between the two teams: the Pats haven't made as many mental mistakes.
6:34PM ET: Wow. Moss had CB Darrelle Revis beat, but Cassel underthrew the ball and Revis was able to rip it from Moss' hands. Let's see how long Moss keeps playing the good solider with passes like that. If Tom Brady is playing QB, that's 6 points for the Pats and game over for the Jets.
6:38PM ET: More Jet mistakes. Roughing the passer penalty on Pace.
6:43PM ET: Nice, long drive from the Pats. They moved the chains and milked the clock culminating in an easy field goal for Gostkowski. Now it's a two score game with less than six minutes left. Jets are going to need a quick score.
6:47PM ET: Pats' OLB Adalius Thomas drags Brett Favre back almost 20 yards. Jets do nothing and are forced to punt. I can hear the fat lady on the horizon...
6:55PM ET: Pats run out the clock. Matt Cassel wins his first start. Not the prettiest win, but I'm sure Belichick will take it. The Jets clearly still have work to do. Pats 19, Jets 10.
Game Recap: The Patriots are still the team to beat in the AFC East, but today's game showed some glipses of vulnerablity. Matt Cassel didn't do anything spectacular, but he managed the game and didn't make any criticial mistakes. If he continues to do to that the Pats will win their share of games, but the Jets have to feel like they had a shot to come out on top. Brett Favre still does not look comfortable, which had to be expected this early in his Jet career. He settled for a lot of checkdowns and didn't make many plays down the field. The Jets offense showed some flashes, but were clearly overmatched by a solid Patriot defense. Hopefully for Favre and the Jets they will continue to grow each week, but this week showed they still have a long way to go. One thing that Eric Mangini needs to address right away is his team's mental mistakes. The Patriots looked like the more battle-tested team, while many of the new Jets are still getting to know each other. The Patriots remain on top for today, but the Jets should feel they have a chance next time these teams meet. In the meantime, they have some work to do, especially on Favre's side of the ball.
Jets-Pats Preview
Rarely as fans do we have the privilege of enjoying a Week 2 matchup that runs as deep with storylines as today's Patriots-Jets game at the Meadowlands. Despite a 4-12 record last season, the Jets have a golden opportunity to make a statement not only to the Pats, but to the rest of the AFC. Head Coach Eric Mangini made drastic changes over the course of the offseason, culminating with a trade for all-time great QB Brett Favre. For better or for worse, the Jets are built to win now.
Meanwhile, the Patriots had the greatest regular season in the history of the NFL, which they followed by being on the losing end of the greatest upset in the history of the NFL. Coming into this season they were still considered the class of the AFC, who would be ultra-motivated to avenge the loss that prevented them from being known as the greatest team ever.
But in the NFL, things can change in the blink of an eye.
The Patriots leader and reigning NFL MVP Tom Brady has been lost for the season after tearing both his ACL and MCL last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Now the Patriots hopes will rest squarely on the shoulders of career backup (both in college and the NFL) Matt Cassel. Suddenly, the Patriots aren't viewed as a sure thing to win the AFC East anymore. Thus opening the door for none other than the New York Jets (along with the Buffalo Bills, and for the sake of being politicially correct, the Miami Dolphins).
Although it is still very early, a win from the Jets would immediately show that the Brady-less Pats have lost that aura of invinciblity that they had last season. It would also show that the Jets now have to been taken seriously as contenders in the AFC East.
On the other hand, a win from the Patriots would show that despite the loss of Brady, this is still very much the same team that went undefeated in the regular season last year. Any Jet fan would tell you they have a very tough time counting out Pats Head Coach Bill Belichick; no matter the circumstances.
The potential for dramatics in this game has been boiling over all week, causing an abundance of excitement, especially in New York. But the game must be played on the field, and here's what I'll be looking for out of both teams:
Meanwhile, the Patriots had the greatest regular season in the history of the NFL, which they followed by being on the losing end of the greatest upset in the history of the NFL. Coming into this season they were still considered the class of the AFC, who would be ultra-motivated to avenge the loss that prevented them from being known as the greatest team ever.
But in the NFL, things can change in the blink of an eye.
The Patriots leader and reigning NFL MVP Tom Brady has been lost for the season after tearing both his ACL and MCL last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Now the Patriots hopes will rest squarely on the shoulders of career backup (both in college and the NFL) Matt Cassel. Suddenly, the Patriots aren't viewed as a sure thing to win the AFC East anymore. Thus opening the door for none other than the New York Jets (along with the Buffalo Bills, and for the sake of being politicially correct, the Miami Dolphins).
Although it is still very early, a win from the Jets would immediately show that the Brady-less Pats have lost that aura of invinciblity that they had last season. It would also show that the Jets now have to been taken seriously as contenders in the AFC East.
On the other hand, a win from the Patriots would show that despite the loss of Brady, this is still very much the same team that went undefeated in the regular season last year. Any Jet fan would tell you they have a very tough time counting out Pats Head Coach Bill Belichick; no matter the circumstances.
The potential for dramatics in this game has been boiling over all week, causing an abundance of excitement, especially in New York. But the game must be played on the field, and here's what I'll be looking for out of both teams:
- We'll start with the obvious one, and that will be the play of the Pats' Matt Cassel. Don't expect Belichick to "over-adjust" simply to suit an inexperienced QB. They will still work the ball around to WRs Randy Moss, Wes Welker, etc. Belichick will find different ways to protect Cassel, but he will also be responsible for making his share of plays.
- The most intriguing battle may be between the Jets new-and-improved offensive line and the Patriots front seven, which has been a model over the past decade for teams that run a 3-4 defense. Last week against the Dolphins, the Jets' O-Line looked solid. RB Thomas Jones ran for over 100 yards and had noticeably more wiggle room to work with than last season. The pass protection was also good, minus a few miscommunications with Favre. But the Patriots are a completely different animal, led by their mammoth defensive line. Vince Wilfork and company have the ability to dominate, despite only using three lineman with their hands down. Don't overlook the contributions of the Jets' new fullback, Tony Richardson.
- In order to disrupt Cassel's timing and rhythm, Mangini will package a variety of different blitzes together. The Jets pass rush looked much improved last week, but again, they were playing the Dolphins. Free agent signee OLB Calvin Pace looks to be a nice fit in Mangini's defense, which demands versatility. First round pick Vernon Gholston is not trusted enough yet to play on first and second down, but he was used as a fourth defensive linemen on third downs for pass rushing purposes last week. Look for the Jets to get after Cassel early and often.
- The Patriots' secondary suffered significant losses in the offseason, with Pro Bowler Asante Samuel headlining the list of departures. Samuel will surely be missed; his playmaking ability created crucial turnovers for the Patriots last season. The question now will be how the replacements perform, and Belichick has been known for his ability to pull rabbits out of his hat. Favre and the Jets will undoubtedly test this group with the deep ball, as long as the O-Line provides enough time to do so. Keep an eye on the left cornerback spot, where Deltha O'Neal and rookie Terrence Wheatley will receive the majority of the playing time.
- WR Randy Moss: Duh...
- RB Sammy Morris: While Laurence Maroney will start, the Patriots are going to work hard to establish the run, and Morris has shown his effectiveness when healthy.
- DE Richard Seymour: He had a down year last season while playing hurt, but will be counted on to play like the Seymour we've been accustomed to while lined up over LT D'Brickshaw Ferguson and Pro Bowl LG Alan Faneca.
- TE Dustin Keller: The Jets second 1st round pick was quiet last week, but could be a viable weapon for Favre up the seem.
- NT Kris Jenkins: He was a monster last week against the Dolphins, limiting their running attack significantly. Let's see how he stacks up against the Pats experienced O-Line.
- CB Dwight Lowery: The rookie played great against Miami after earning the surprise start due to Justin Miller's injury. If he does the same against the Pats he could make the starting gig his, permanently.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Schilling Working Out His Mouth, Not Arm
"Bitter" was the word used by Red Sox pitcher (or perhaps former Red Sox pitcher) Curt Schilling recently to describe fans in New York.
"They want us to be as bitter and mad as they are," said Schilling. "Unfortunately, it's not going to happen."
One might assume that the three-time World Champion was referring to Yankee fans being upset due to the fact that the team's playoff hopes are becoming dimmer by the day. But, that assumption would be false. Little did New Yorkers know, Schilling is not only one of the greatest pitchers of this generation, but he also seems to consider himself to be a football expert.
When asked about this weekend's upcoming Jets-Patriots matchup Schilling remarked: "The sad part is going to be when they beat the Jets."
By they, Schilling is referring to the Patriots, who lost their sure-fire Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady for the rest of the season. The reaction in New York has been one of excitement and hope. The Patriots have dominated the AFC East for the majority of this decade, and now with Brady out and Brett Favre in the Jets corner, New Yorkers can see the light. And with good reason.
It was not too long ago when Boston fans were in a similiar boat. For 86 years they suffered watching the Red Sox continuously fall short of winning a World Championship. They were in many ways, if I may borrow a line from Schilling, "bitter." And who wouldn't be?
No passionate fan would be willing to accept losing on a consistent basis. And any fan across the country would tell you that prior to 2004 (when the Red Sox won), there was no fan base known as much for their bitterness as Red Sox fans. Have we forgotten about "The Curse" that was talked about so often in Boston?
In many ways, this is the beauty of sports. From year to year your fortunes can change. The Jets were 4-12 last season, yet today they are feeling optimistic about a playoff berth. In 2003 the Red Sox were cursed, yet in 2004 they were champions. These roller coaster rides are what makes fans want to watch each game, with the hope that today can be better than the day before. As a part of that 2004 Red Sox team, Curt Schilling should know this.
If I were Schilling, I would be more concerned with getting myself healthy than criticizing Jet fans. These New York-Boston rivalries are part of what makes sports in this section of the country so much fun. Let New Yorkers dream big today, because Boston fans will continue do the same.
"It's unfortunate," said Schilling referring to Brady. "But when you crawl to the top of the pile you will have people trying to knock you down."
Perhaps he forgot that another New York football team already did that to Brady and his Patriots last January.
"They want us to be as bitter and mad as they are," said Schilling. "Unfortunately, it's not going to happen."
One might assume that the three-time World Champion was referring to Yankee fans being upset due to the fact that the team's playoff hopes are becoming dimmer by the day. But, that assumption would be false. Little did New Yorkers know, Schilling is not only one of the greatest pitchers of this generation, but he also seems to consider himself to be a football expert.
When asked about this weekend's upcoming Jets-Patriots matchup Schilling remarked: "The sad part is going to be when they beat the Jets."
By they, Schilling is referring to the Patriots, who lost their sure-fire Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady for the rest of the season. The reaction in New York has been one of excitement and hope. The Patriots have dominated the AFC East for the majority of this decade, and now with Brady out and Brett Favre in the Jets corner, New Yorkers can see the light. And with good reason.
It was not too long ago when Boston fans were in a similiar boat. For 86 years they suffered watching the Red Sox continuously fall short of winning a World Championship. They were in many ways, if I may borrow a line from Schilling, "bitter." And who wouldn't be?
No passionate fan would be willing to accept losing on a consistent basis. And any fan across the country would tell you that prior to 2004 (when the Red Sox won), there was no fan base known as much for their bitterness as Red Sox fans. Have we forgotten about "The Curse" that was talked about so often in Boston?
In many ways, this is the beauty of sports. From year to year your fortunes can change. The Jets were 4-12 last season, yet today they are feeling optimistic about a playoff berth. In 2003 the Red Sox were cursed, yet in 2004 they were champions. These roller coaster rides are what makes fans want to watch each game, with the hope that today can be better than the day before. As a part of that 2004 Red Sox team, Curt Schilling should know this.
If I were Schilling, I would be more concerned with getting myself healthy than criticizing Jet fans. These New York-Boston rivalries are part of what makes sports in this section of the country so much fun. Let New Yorkers dream big today, because Boston fans will continue do the same.
"It's unfortunate," said Schilling referring to Brady. "But when you crawl to the top of the pile you will have people trying to knock you down."
Perhaps he forgot that another New York football team already did that to Brady and his Patriots last January.
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