My optimism runs high for every team I root for, it's just the way I am. Looking at the positives of every situation makes life more enjoyable. Loyalty to your team, family, and friends is a virtue that should be widespread, but is disappointingly lacking in so many. Occasionally I look like a fool for being blindly optimistic, and in many cases I have my heart broken, but I wouldn't have it any other way. As a fan of San Diego professional sports, what else can I do? If I acknowledge the extreme mediocrity of both franchises, being a fan would be useless.
San Diego led their division 148 of 162 games this season, but came up one game short in both the divisional race and the Wild Card. The team did nearly everything I thought they would need to do to be successful. They got fantastic pitching and developed an aggressive speed based game that most pundits would describe as small ball. Not the sexiest way to win baseball games, but it's been effective for over 100 years.
In a season that most experts had the Padres selling off their big name players (a familiar occurrence in San Diego), their success allowed management to sign two veterans before the trade deadline to make a post-season push. It looked like the Padres would be the first team to clinch a playoff spot going to the end of August with a seven game lead in the division. Then came a ten game losing streak followed by a month of dead bats that ultimately sealed their fate of second place.
It seems like that's just the way things go in San Diego. So close, but close only counts in horseshoes. Oh well. It was a terrific season for the Friars and there is a restored excitement about the future of a team that has great young players and new management that seemed to make all the right moves. Despite another disappointment at the end of the season, I am still a happy fan today.
That being said, my only hope for the Padres was to hold on to make the playoffs because they are not the type of team that would be able to compete in the post-season. They just don't hit enough to battle teams like the Phillies who look unstoppable with their starting rotation.
A lack of competitive balance due to disparaging payrolls was evident last year when we saw the Yankees once again win the World Series. I made the prediction the night the series was over that the Yankees and Phillies would rematch this year. Things are on track for that to happen, although I think the Yankees will have a tougher road than the Phillies.
The Rangers have been a feel good story in baseball this year. A traditionally underachieving franchise known to waste money in all the wrong places finally makes a playoff appearance after 11 seasons. Actually, the Rangers are one of the few franchises that have had less success historically than the Padres. They have never won a playoff series in their existence. The Rangers have a losing record against the other American League playoff teams, but they have a nice lineup with potential MVP Josh Hamilton back from injury. They also boast a certifiable #1 starting pitcher in Cliff Lee although he hasn't been as dominant as Rangers fans hoped after coming to the team mid-season.
The Rays edged out the Yankees for the division crown. They have been in big games all year and came out ahead in most of them. They are a complete team with a great starting rotation, solid bullpen, and potent lineup that can beat you in many different ways. They also have post-season experience. The nucleus of this team played in the World Series two years ago losing to the Phillies.
Although I will be rooting for the Rangers to win this series, you have to like the Rays here. There is no evidence to suggest that the Rays and Yankees aren't destined to meet in the ALCS. I think experience and pitching will make the difference for the Rays in this series.
Outcome: Rays in four
The Yankees were edged out by the Rays for the division so they will not play this series with home field advantage. Although that does factor in the performance of some teams, the Yankees are still the favorite in this series. Their major concern is depth of starting pitching, but they have a lineup that can score 10 runs against anyone. They are the defending World Champions and they have dominated the Twins heads up this year.
The Twins are one of my favorite baseball franchises. They do everything right as an organization going all the way into their farm system. They are a cohesive, home grown team that has tons of talent and excellent management. Unfortunately, they will have to play this post-season without their biggest hitter, Justin Morneau.
I love the Twins ability to compete and I believe they will take the Yankees to the wire in this series. In the end, I believe the Yanks will out slug the Twins.
Outcome: Yankees in five
It's been an incredible season for the Reds. Nobody had them making the playoffs, much less winning their division this season. They got terrific offensive seasons from a number of their starters. Joey Votto is in MVP talks. The Reds were highly successful against weaker competition this year, but struggled against good teams. Their starting pitching is suspect which doesn't bode well in a short playoff series. Baseball fans will get a treat when reliever Aroldis Chapman makes his post-season debut. He is possibly the hardest thrower to play the game. He routinely throws 102 mph and occasionally hits 105 mph. Crazy. TV stations have a propensity to dial up the radar during the playoffs which will only make his numbers look more unbelievable.
The Phillies look unstoppable, and I think they are. Starting pitching is the most important factor in a playoff run, and the Phillies have three guys that would be #1 starters in 80 percent of the league. They also have plenty of hitting to back up their arms and most of them seem to be in a groove entering the post-season.
For those that love an underdog story this is not a matchup you want to watch. The Reds will have to shock the Phillies early in the series to stand a chance.
Outcome: Phillies sweep the Reds
Most of baseball is happy that Bobby Cox is going to the playoffs in his final season as manager of the Braves. They are solid across the board, but not a team that blows you away. They are capable of winning this series, but they will have to battle one of the best pitching staffs in baseball.
The Giants held on to win the NL West and now have home field advantage in this series. They have the distinct advantage of starting Tim Lincecum who is always in the conversation of top pitchers in the game. The Giants have some hitting, but probably have the weakest lineup of all the playoff teams. If they are going to win, they will have to win with pitching.
October baseball is all about pitching, and the Giants have the edge. This series should be close and entertaining.
Outcome: Giants in five
Excellent article! You are so right, for a team that was picked by ESPN analysts in August to lose 100 games, they came very close to making the playoffs! It was real baseball, small hitting, running the bases, advancing runners, playing mostly error free baseball all year, and of course lights out pitching; especially from their bullpen. Bud Black is a tremendous field manager! I hope they keep this core team together, add a quality starting pitcher, and add 2 or 3 quality bats...and those players may already be with the club.
ReplyDeleteFor now, there is college football to follow. But never forget that Spring training starts in about 4 months!!!
GO PADS!