NLCS Review: Phillies Fall to Giants

The Giants celebrate their victory over the Phillies in Game 6 of the NLCS to win the NL Pennant

I don't want to do this.

I mean, I really don't want to do this.  I put it off for a day, but I suppose I owe it to you all.

As a Phillies fan, nothing was more frustrating than the past week and a half.  Watching a team that was built to win championship after championship play like the Phillies of 2000 (65-97) was agonizing. 

The Giants' offense--self-described as "torture"--looked more like your favorite slippers and a warm blanket when compared to that of the Phillies.

Yeah, it really was that bad.

Before I get too carried away, let's look over the points discussed in the NLCS Preview.

The Rust Factor
The Phillies didn't really show so much rust in Game 1.  At least not looking back on it.  At first, it may have appeared that way--Roy Halladay didn't have his "A" game, and the offense sputtered and struggled to score.  But as we reflect on the series as a whole, it wasn't rust for the offense, and maybe, just maybe, the Giants were so well prepared that they were able to jump on every opportunity and mistake.

Coming Back

Cody Ross hurt the Phillies more than
any other Giant in the NLCS

Neither Pat Burrell, nor Aaron Rowand wound up doing much damage to the Phillies in their return to Philadelphia.  Actually, both were quite ineffective.  Burrell hit a measly .211 and knocked in just one run.  Rowand started a couple of games and went 1-for-5 with a run scored.  In the end, it wound up being another guy the Phillies were quite familiar with in Cody Ross that did the most damage.

Pitching, Pitching, Pitching
Well, we didn't really see much in the way of pitchers' duels, but we didn't exactly see the scoreboards light up, either.  This was a dirty series where most of the runs were scrapped together.  No pitcher was truly dominant (aside from maybe Roy Oswalt in Game 2), but on the flip side, only Jonathan Sanchez really failed on the hill.  In the end, pitching really didn't determine this series.  The offenses did, but not in the way I expected, either.

Playing a Clean Game

Here's where the games were decided.  Chase Utley played some poor defense all series.  Placido Polanco drilled Buster Posey in the back on a throw to first.  Shane Victorino couldn't corral an over-the-shoulder catch at the wall.  The Phillies offense, well, they couldn't do anything right.  They had a horrible approach at the plate, swinging at bad breaking pitches and taking belt-high fastballs.  And they had opportunities, they just didn't take advantage of them.  On the other side of the field, the Giants jumped on every bad pitch and made a point to get the runner home one way or another.

Not to take anything away from the Giants--they clearly wanted this more and played a damn good series--but the Phillies beat themselves first and foremost.  A team with this much offensive talent should not finish a six game series with a triple slash line of .216/.314/.321.  Note the last number.  The Phillies are known for their home run power.  Their postseason lineup slugged .449 in the regular season.  Ouch.

Chase Utley and the Phillies position players
couldn't do anything right against the Giants,
in the field or at the plate

The Phillies couldn't do anything right at the plate this series.  They struckout 56 times while walking just 20.  They left 45 runners on base (7.5/game) and hit just .178 (8-for-45) with runners in scoring position.  Countless times they couldn't drive a leadoff baserunner home.  The only player who actually hit the baseball--Ryan Howard--finished without an RBI (and 12 K).

I'll leave you with a rundown of some key players in the series.

 Giants

• Cody Ross - .350, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB/5 K
• Matt Cain - 1-0, 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 K/3 BB, 0.714 WHIP, 0.00 ERA
• Tim Lincecum - 1-1, 14.1 IP, 12 H, 5 ER, 16 K/4 BB, 1.116 WHIP, 3.14 ERA
• Brian Wilson - 1-0, 3 SV, 5 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 7 K/2 BB, 0.800 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

Phillies

• Roy Oswalt - 1-1, 14.2 IP, 14 H, 3 ER, 14 K/3 BB, 1.159 WHIP, 1.84 ERA
• Carlos Ruiz - .167, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB/7 K
• Chase Utley - .182, 1 RBI, 5 R, 4 BB/2 K
• Ryan Howard - .318, 0 RBI, 1 R, 3 BB/12  

 

 

ALCS Review: Rangers Dominate Yankees

The Rangers took down the defending World Champion Yankees in six games

Very few, if any, saw this coming.

Yeah, the Texas Rangers are a damn good team.  But c'mon, this is the Yankees we're talking about.  They've been penciled into the 2010 World Series since they won the 2009 Series.

But, as they say, that's why they play the games.

To the uneducated observer, it would appear as though the Rangers were the perennial playoff team and the Yankees were the team that just won its first ever playoff series.

The fact that the opposite is true only makes what the Rangers accomplished that much more impressive.

First, let's review my series preview (as you may recall, I predicted the Rangers in 6).

I mentioned two key factors that would play a major impact in the outcome of the series: the rest factor and the star factor.

Boy did they ever.

First, concerning the rest factor, I noted that there was a legitimate possibility that the Yankees could come out flat, allowing the Rangers to jump out to an early lead at home.  Well, they did, but unfortunately for the Rangers, the bullpen couldn't hold their 5-0 lead and the Yankees stole Game One.  Still, the Rangers proved to themselves that they could beat the Yankees.  And that was all they needed.

Then, the stars.  This is where the series really took shape.  Bottom line: the Rangers stars were up to the task and the Yankees stars faltered.

I'll recap this with a review of the key players for each team:

Rangers

• Elvis Andrus - .333/.379/.407, 2 RBI, 4 R, 4 SB, 2 BB/3 K
• Nelson Cruz - .350/.435/.800, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB/6 K
• Vlad Guerrero - .269/.269/.346, 3 RBI, 2 R, 0 BB/8 K
• *Josh Hamilton - .350/.536/1.000, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R, 4 SB, 8 BB/4 K
• Ian Kinsler - .250/.333/.400, 3 RBI, 1 R, 2 SB, 3 BB/3 K
• Michael Young - .333/.357/.444, 4 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB/7 K
• Cliff Lee - 8 IP, 1-0, 13 K/1 BB, 2 H, 0 ER, 0.375 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

Yankees

Rodriguez and the Yankees failed
miserably against the Rangers in the ALCS

• Robinson Cano - .348/.375/.913, 4 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 1 BB/3 K
• Derek Jeter - .231/.286/.423, 1 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB/7 K
• Alex Rodriguez - .190/.320/.286, 2 RBI, 4 R, 1 SB, 3 BB/4 K 
• #Mark Texeira - .000/.176/.000, 1 R, 3 BB/4 K
• Phil Hughes - 8.2 IP, 0-2, 6 K/7 BB, 14 H, 11 ER, 2.423 WHIP, 11.42 ERA
• Andy Pettitte - 7 IP, 0-1, 5 K/0 BB, 5 H, 2 ER, 0.714 WHIP, 2.57 ERA
• CC Sabathia - 10 IP, 1-0, 10 K/4 BB, 17 H, 7 ER, 2.100 WHIP, 6.30 ERA

*Named ALCS MVP
#Injured in Game 4

As you can see, the Rangers came out and got the job done.  Some-Cruz, Hamilton and Lee-were nearly unstoppable, while the rest held their ground and came up big when it was most crucial.

The Yankees, on the other hand, got almost nothing out of their stars.  Cano was spectacular, but he got no help from the rest of the lineup and the only game the Yankees got good starting pitching (Pettitte in Game 3), they couldn't muster up enough run support to pull out the victory.

Colby Lewis dominated the Yankees
in two starts, winning both

Before I wrap this up, I want to note the stellar performances by Colby Lewis.  Lewis-who pitched in Japan the last two years-was dominant against a potent Yankees lineup, shutting them down to the tune of 9 hits and three earned runs over 13.2 innings, posting a 1.98 ERA and a 1.098 WHIP in two victories.  Lewis' ace-like performances took the pressure off Cliff Lee and the offense, and quite possibly was the key player in the series.

Now, the Rangers will rest, fine tune and prepare themselves for the biggest stage they've ever seen.  Their opponent in the World Series, be it the Giants or the Phillies, will have their hands full with this group.  It should be quite the spectacular sight to see the dominant rotation that comes out of the NL face off against this group of violent and deadly bats.

Baseball fans, we're in for a treat.

This Buster Posey Kid Is Pretty Damn Good

For those of you outside the cities of San Francisco and Philadelphia, I've got some news for you.

Buster Posey is a damn fine ballplayer.

I don't just mean he could have a good career.  I mean he's already one of the top 5 catchers in baseball.

No, that's not a joke or an exaggeration.

Posey has been an integral part of the
Giants success in 2010.

The numbers speak for themselves.  A .305/.357/.505 triple slash line over 443 plate appearances.  18 home runs, 67 RBI and 58 runs scored.  A respectable strikeout rate (13.5%) and a good arm (his 37.1% of runners caught ranked 4th in the National League in 2010).

And it's not just luck.  His .315 BABIP (batting average on balls in-play) was significantly lower than his minor league BABIP.

He might not be Joe Mauer--yet--but he sure looks like a young Mauer.  His pure ability to hit is special, and his knowledge of the game far surpasses that of most players his age.  Sounds a lot like Mauer at 23.

And he knows how to handle a pitching staff, too, as the Giants led the major leagues in ERA, Strikeouts and Hits Allowed in 2010.  Though they do have a great staff that also excelled in 2009, the catcher is still responsible for calling the game and gaining the pitchers trust and confidence (allowing the pitcher to focus on making his pitch, instead of worrying about pitch selection).

But where Posey's star has really shone bright, has been the postseason.  Hitting .344/.400/.438, Posey has been an imposing force in the middle of the San Francisco lineup.  He hasn't had the flashy numbers--0 HR, 2 RBI, 4 R and a SB--but he's been a smart and productive hitter, driving the ball hard and working great at bats.

And if the Giants make it to the World Series, Posey's star will no longer be a secret.

Redemption: What the Phillies and Yankees Must Do to Win

The preseason favorites.  The favorites after 162 games.  The favorites after Game 6 in 2009.

The Yankees and the Phillies.

Both losing to teams that were looked at as questionable contenders at the start of the season.  Unproven teams with little-to-no postseason experience.

But yet they stand on the wrong side of the hyphen.

Here's why, and how they can change that.

Yankees
The Yankees need the most help, looking up at a 3-1 deficit.  Oh yeah, they still have to face Cliff Lee again, and play two games in Arlington.  Ouch.  The list of what the Yankees have to do is a mile long.  Or one item long.  Depends on what approach you want to take.

The Yankees still have to face this guy--in Texas--if they want a chance to repeat as world champions

The List:

• Turn the pressure around.  Even though the pressure is on the Yanks right now to win three straight, they can't allow themselves to be enveloped by that pressure.  Take some, use it for fuel, and turn the rest onto the Rangers.  Prove to them you aren't out of it, and make them fear you just because you're the Yankees, and if anyone can do it, it's the Yankees.
• Make the Rangers work for their last win.  That means taking pitches and getting to the bullpen.  It means driving the ball hard, even if it's for an out.  It means not giving them easy outs.  They need 27 outs.
• Jump on the starters early.  You've now seen CJ Wilson and Colby Lewis in the series.  You know what they've got.  Know what pitch you can hit, and jump on it.
• Play perfect defense.  A good team makes you pay for giving them 4 (or more) outs in an inning.  A team like the Rangers uses it to put you away.

Or the short list:

• Play Yankees baseball.

Phillies
The Phillies are in a better position.  Down 2-1, they still have the best pitching trio in baseball set to pitch in 3 of 4 games...not-so-coincidentally, the number of games they need to win to move on to the World Series.  The problem is, the Giants have a pretty good trio of their own.

The List:

• Stop helping the Giants.  The whole reason you're facing the Giants instead of the Braves is because of errors.  You can't give a team extra outs and expect to survive.  The Phillies almost suffered that fate against the Reds in Game 2, except that the Reds defense turned around and gave those outs right back to the Phillies...and then some.
• Get a strong outing from Joe Blanton in Game 4.  Winning Game 4 would be huge, but most important is that the team isn't out of the game early.  With the Philly offense sputtering (okay, more like breaking down a few miles from home), the pitching needs to be extra sharp.
• Take Cody Ross out of the game.  Okay, not really.  I'd never wish an injury on anyone.  But you have to do something to keep this guy from hurting you.  Pitch around him.  Don't let anyone on base in front of him.  But most importantly, don't throw the ball down and in.

Cody Ross has killed the Phillies through three games.  Limiting his opportunities is a key to the Phillies' comeback attempts

• Shake up the lineup.  I don't really care how you do it, but Charlie, you've got to get this offense jump-started.  They hit .212 in the NLDS against the Reds, and are under .200 in the NLCS.  Maybe you put Jimmy Rollins back in the leadoff spot.  Maybe you sit Raul Ibanez against the lefty tonight, going instead with Ben Francisco.  Maybe you completely change the lineup (the Phillies have five guys in their lineup who have led-off for this team in the past, and another with the OBP to do so).
• Hit home runs.  Ryan Howard is hitting the ball hard, but not out.  He needs to launch one to energize this team.  A home run out of the leadoff spot would serve well to set the tone for the offense as well.
• Capitalize on opportunities.  You know why Cody Ross is killing you?  It's because he's doing what you're not...taking a mistake pitch, or his pitch, and jumping on it.  Don't let opportunities--like leadoff baserunners and belt-high fastballs--go to waste.
• Know when to be patient and when to be aggressive.  Guys like Lincecum and Cain don't give you much to hit, so when you get a fastball, swing.  They handled Sanchez perfectly.  As a guy who can be wild, they were patient early and walked a bunch.  Then as the game wore on, Sanchez tried harder to throw strikes, and the Phillies jumped on fastballs thrown early in the count.

That might seem like a lot, and frankly, it is.  But it's nothing that these teams haven't done for years with roughly the same group of guys.  A Phillies-Yankees rematch is still a possibility, and until a team has been beaten four times, don't count either of them out.  This could--and frankly, should--be one heck of a finish.

Statistic of the Week: WHIP

This is a feature I'd like to start here on the blog. I not only want to use this blog for commentary, but also as a place where sports fans can learn. Part of that learning will be history lessons--telling stories about events that shaped sports and the people that made them what they are today. But it also involves knowing the terminology, and some of the most complicated of those are statistics. This section will help you understand what someone means when they throw out some seemingly-random acronym.

Pedro Martinez posted the lowest single-season WHIP (0.7373) in 2000 with the Red Sox

WHIP stands for Walks + Hits per Inning Pitched.  It is a simple sabermetric statistic that is used to show how effective a pitcher is at keeping the opposing team off the basepaths.  It is measured by adding the number of hits and walks, and then dividing that total by the number of innings pitched.

Naturally, the lower this number is, the better the pitcher should be at keeping the bases empty.  And after all, if the other team can't reach base, they can't score runs.

The statistic was probably invented by the man who is credited with inventing fantasy baseball: Dan Okrent.  Okrent, who designed the game as a way to have fun with friends, created the statistic by using the Strat-O-Matic baseball game and a newspaper.  The statistic was originally called IPRAT (Innings Pitched Ratio), and was later renamed WHIP.

Okrent developed the statistic in 1980, and it didn't take long for the stat to become integrated as a useful tool for fans and baseball professionals alike.

The stat however, is not without its flaws.  In the Wall Street Journal article that credits Okrent for creating the statistic, the Director of Baseball Operations for the Tampa Bay Rays, Dan Feinstein, notes the team ignores the statistic when evaluating players.  He gives the following explanation in the article for the organization's decision:

“Once a ball is hit, the pitcher has no control over the outcome of the play, with the exception of the home run,” Mr. Feinstein explains. “There are too many factors that determine whether or not that ball will be a hit, including ballpark size and dimension, positioning of the defense and ability of his defenders.”

 That said, WHIP is one of the more widely-accepted sabermetrics in baseball.  While there will never be one single, flawless statistic in sports, in context, there are many useful pieces of data.  It is up to us, as humans, to properly apply each statistic properly.

I'll wrap up this post with a list of the leaders in this statistic.  Please note, that for single-season data, a minimum of one inning pitched per game is required.  For career data, a minimum of 1000 innings pitched is required.


Lowest Single-Season WHIP: 0.7373, Pedro Martinez (2000)
Lowest Career WHIP: 0.9678, Addie Joss (1902-1910)
Lowest Career WHIP (Active): 1.0035, Mariano Rivera (1995-present)

Weekend in Review

 

The Rangers didn't let Friday's disappointing loss affect their play, responding with a 7-2 victory over the Yankees to tie the series at 1-1.

MLB
NLCS, ALCS Tied at 1-1
Both series are split after a pair of games. The Rangers blew a 5-0 lead in Game 1, or they’d be up 2-0 and sending Cliff Lee to the mound. Ouch. Both series could go the distance. Don’t count out the Rangers and Giants. They’re a couple of scrappy teams with just enough to pull off the upset.

Lilly Signs Extension with Dodgers
In a somewhat surprising move, the Dodgers signed LHP Ted Lilly to a 3-year extension. Financial terms are unknown, but its unlikely Lilly—who was to be one of the top available free agent pitchers—came cheaply. Considering the Dodgers owners, the McCourts, are going through a nasty divorce, it was believed the team would not spend this offseason. Regardless, retaining Lilly is a good move for the Dodgers, giving them three solid starters in Lilly, Clayton Kershaw, and Chad Billingsley.


NFL
Injuries Galore
Eagles WR DeSean Jackson and Falcons CB Dunta Robinson collided (watch it here), knocking both out of the game with head injuries. Jackson, who already has one concussion in his young career, is said to have suffered a severe concussion…Texans star LB DeMeco Ryans tore his Achilles tendon and is out for the season…Chargers TE Antonio Gates suffered an ankle injury…The Lions lost backup QB Shaun Hill to a broken arm, but could have starter Matthew Stafford back for next week.


NCAA Football
More Undefeateds, Defeated
#1 Ohio State, #5 Nebraska, and #19 Nevada all lost their first games this week, following the ousting of #1 Alabama last week. #12 Arkansas, #10 South Carolina, #22 Florida, #23 Air Force and #24 Oregon State all lost as well. Oregon is now the #1 team in the polls, though Oklahoma leads in the BCS. Will we see a 4th #1 team in as many weeks? We’ll see…Oregon faces off against UCLA and Oklahoma has #18 Missouri (#11 in BCS).

Rutgers Player Paralyzed
Tragic news out of New Jersey. Rutgers backup DT Eric LeGrand suffered a spine injury against Army on Saturday. He is now paralyzed from the neck down. LeGrand underwent emergency surgery and is currently in Intensive Care. According to head coach Greg Schiano, “Eric, his family and the Rutgers football family believe he will recover.” Let’s hope so. I know I’ll be praying for him. It’s a scary thing, and a reminder that as passionate as well all are about our sports, the bottom line is it’s still just a game, and there are a lot bigger things in this world.


NHL
Sharks Extend Captain
Newly-named captain and former Hart Trophy winner Joe Thornton signed a 3-year extension with the Sharks on Friday. Thornton’s deal is worth $21 million over the 3-year stretch, considered by many to be a “slight pay cut” in order to help the team remain competitive.

NLCS Preview: Phillies vs. Giants

Game 1: Today, 8PM, Philadelphia

Lincecum vs. Halladay

Game 2: Tomorrow, 8PM, Philadelphia

Sanchez vs. Oswalt

Game 3: Tuesday 10/19, 4PM, San Francisco

Hamels vs.Cain

Game 4: Wednesday 10/20, 7:30PM, San Francisco

Blanton vs. Bumgarner

*Game 5: Thursday 10/21, 7:30PM, San Francisco

Halladay vs. Lincecum

*Game 6: Saturday 10/23, 3:30PM, Philadelphia

Sanchez vs. Oswalt

*Game 7: Sunday 10/24, 7:30PM, Philadelphia

Cain vs. Hamels

Roy Halladay threw a no-hitter in his first career postseason start

Who’s Hot

PHI         RHP Roy Halladay – 1-0, 9 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB/8 K, 0.11 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

                LHP Cole Hamels – 1-0, 9 IP. 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB/9 K, 0.57 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

SF           C Buster Posey – 6-for-16 (.375), 3 R, 2B, 2 BB/5 K

                RHP Tim Lincecum – 1-0, 9 IP, 2 H, 1 BB/14 K, 0.33 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

                LHP Jonathan Sancehez – 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB/11 K, 0.41 WHIP, 1.23 ERA

Who’s Not

PHI         Phillies Offense – 21-for-99 (.212), 13 R (7 ER), 1 HR, 10 RBI, 10 BB/14 K

                RHP Roy Oswalt – 5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB/5 K, 1.20 WHIP, 5.40 ERA

SF           Giants Offense – 28-for-132 (.212), 11 R (8 ER), 2 HR, 9 RBI, 13 BB/43 K

                RHP Sergio Romo – 1-0, 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 4.50 WHIP, 40.50 ERA

The Rust Factor

                Just like the Yankees, the Phillies have been sitting for a while.  However, unlike the Yankees, the Phillies open their series at home.  As a result, they’ll have an easier time adjusting.  I don’t anticipate this being a factor in this series, but it needed to be noted.

Coming Back

                Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand return to postseason baseball in Philadelphia.  However, this time they’re in the other dugout.  Expect cheers for both when they are announced, and don’t be surprised if Pat the Bat launches a ball 450+ feet at some point.  Burrell could turn out to be the key player in this series.  He’s the one guy in the Giants lineup that can change the game with one swing of the bat.  Rowand is unlikely to play much outside of pinch-hitting.

Pat Burrell has been a monster since coming to San Francisco

Pitching, Pitching, Pitching

                All the talk coming into this series has been about the pitching.  3 (likely 4) Cy Young awards.  15 All-Star Games.  Lincecum vs. Halladay.  Sanchez vs. Oswalt.  Cain vs. Hamels.  It’s absolutely unbelievable.  Possibly the best matchup of pitching in the history of the postseason.  But let’s not discount the hitters.  I already mentioned what Burrell can do, but he’s not the only one in that lineup.  Posey is a strong candidate for rookie-of-the-year, having had a monster season.  Aubrey Huff, Cody Ross, Freddy Sanchez and Andres Torres are no slouches, either.  Then in red pinstripes you don’t have an easy out, from Shane Victorino to that guy they call “Chooch” hitting eighth.  We could see a all 2-1 games, or we could see a couple of crooked numbers.  Don’t just assume a pitchers duel.

Playing a Clean Game

                While both teams played well in the NLDS, it’s no secret they were helped out tremendously by errors committed by the opposing teams.  With the exceptional pitching featured in this series, it could be the team that makes the fewest mistakes—and does the most to create runs.

***There will be no prediction for this series.  I have a policy of not betting, voting or predicting when one of my teams are involved***

ALCS Preview: Yankees vs. Rangers

Schedule

 Game 1:              Today, 8PM, Arlington

                              Sabathia vs. Wilson

 Game 2:              Tomorrow, 4PM, Arlington

                              Hughes vs. Lewis

 Game 3:              Monday 10/18, 8PM, New York

                              Lee vs. Pettitte

 Game 4:              Tuesday 10/19, 8PM, New York

                              Hunter vs. Burnett

*Game 5:             Wednesday 10/20, 4PM, New York

                              Wilson vs. Sabathia

*Game 6:             Friday 10/22, 8PM, Arlington

                              Hughes vs. Lewis

*Game 7:             Saturday 10/23, 8PM, Arlington

                              Pettitte vs. Lee

Who’s Hot:

NYY:        OF Curtis Granderson – 5-for-11 (.455), 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 1 BB/1 K, SB

                  RHP Mariano Rivera – 3.1 IP, 2 SV, 2 H, 0 BB/1 K, 0.60 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

                  RHP Phil Hughes – 1-0, 7 IP, 4 H, 1 BB/6 K, 0.71 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

TEX:        2B Ian Kinsler – 8-for-18 (.444), 5 R, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB/2 K

                  OF Nelson Cruz – 8-for-20 (.400), 5 R, 3 HR, 3 RBI, 0 BB/6 K

                  LHP CJ Wilson – 1-0, 6.1 IP, 2 H, 2 BB/7 K, 0.63 WHIP, 0.00 ERA

                  LHP Cliff Lee – 2-0, 16 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 0 BB/21 K, 0.69 WHIP, 1.13 ERA

Who’s Not:

NYY:        OF Brett Gardner – 2-for-10 (.200), R, RBI, 1 BB/3K, SB

                  RHP Kerry Wood – 2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB/3 K, 3.00 WHIP, 4.50 ERA

TEX:        OF Josh Hamilton – 2-for-18 (.111), R, RBI, 2 BB/6 K, SB

                  3B Michael Young – 3-for-20 (.150), R, HR, 3 RBI, 0 BB/6 K

                  RHP Neftali Feliz – 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB/2 K, 3.75 WHIP, 6.75 ERA

The Rest Factor

                  Who will it benefit more?  The Yankees, who haven’t played in six days?  Or the Rangers, who won’t have to worry about any rust accumulation?  This should be a bonus for Texas.  They’ll still be high from the franchise’s first post-season series victory, but will still have had a few days to settle down.  They’ll be playing in their home park—sure to be deafening (though they’ve never won a home playoff game in 6 tries)—against a starter who struggles sometimes when he’s too intense in C.C. Sabathia.  The Rangers need to jump early on the southpaw so that the other initialed lefty (C.J. Wilson) can play with the lead. Advantage: Texas

MVP Candidate Josh Hamilton has struggled with a rib injury since September.  He went 2-for-18 in the ALDS.

The Stars

                  The Yankees looked like the Yankees against the Twins…they played like a team who would settle for nothing less than a championship, from top-to-bottom.  The Rangers on the other hand, were a mixed bag.  Some players starred—like Lee, Kinsler and Cruz—but others, like Young and Feliz, struggled, especially in compared to their regular season campaigns.  The Rangers have to get their entire team on board to beat the Yankees.  Advantage: New York

Prediction  

(Hey, it's another theory...not fact!)

•  Rangers take Game 1 by jumping on Sabathia early.  Wilson stifles the Yankees left-handed bats (his .176 SLG against was the lowest in baseball this year), though he’s not flawless. Rangers lead, 1-0
• Game 2 goes to the Yankees, as Texieria launches a home run off Colby Lewis for the difference.  Phil Hughes turns in a solid 7-inning performance. Series Tied, 1-1
• Lee leads Texas to a victory in Game 3 with another strong outing.  Lee is 6-1 in his last 8 games against the Yankees including an unbelievable 4-0 with a 1.16 ERA and 2 complete games in the Bronx.  Andy Pettite pitches well, but can’t compete with the ace. Rangers lead, 2-1
• Game 4 proves to be a microcosm of the entire series.  AJ Burnett and Tommy Hunter are both knocked out before the 5^th inning and the lead goes back and forth a number of times.  The see-saw ends with the Rangers on top in a wild, high-scoring affair with Young as the catalyst. Rangers lead, 3-1
• The Yankees bounce back in Game 5 behind their ace, Sabathia.  A double-digit strikeout performance sends the Yankees to the airport with momentum on their side.  CJ Wilson pitches well, but stays in the game a little too long, giving up a 3-run bomb to Rodriguez before exiting. Rangers lead, 3-2



Colby Lewis will start twice in the ALCS

• In Game 6, Lewis extracts his revenge.  The pitcher who returned from Japan after figuring out how to pitch doesn’t let Texieria beat him today, striking him out twice to go with a weak pop-up.  The Rangers manufacture a key run early with aggressive baserunning and Vlad Guerrero hits a clutch home run off of Wood in the 7^th, erasing a great performance from Hughes, as the Rangers take the series with a one-run victory. Rangers win series, 4-2.

Yesterday's Transactions (10/13/10)

MLB

• Atlanta Braves hired Fredi Gonzalez as their new manager.
• This is a nice choice.  Gonzalez was among the most qualified candidates available, and he's familiar with the organization.  He should allow the Braves to continue contending despite the loss of forever manager Bobby Cox.  You have to feel bad for Terry Pendelton, though.
• St. Louis Cardinals claimed RHP Bryan Augenstein off waivers from Arizona Diamondbacks
• Not a bad depth move.  Augenstein was decent in the low minors, though struggled after a brief, but successful stint at AA in 2009.  Only 24 in 2011, Augenstein could develop into a useful spot-starter/long man under the tutelage of some talented pitching coaches in St. Louis.

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NFL

• Philadelphia Eagles traded RB Mike Bell to Cleveland Browns for RB Jerome Harrison
• Two different backs, both fell out of favor with their respective teams.  Bell had trouble being the change-of-pace back in the Philly ground game and Harrison lost his starting job to Peyton Hillis.  This move should play out nicely for both teams, but on the surface looks like the Eagles got the better deal.
• Minnesota Vikings placed CB Cedric Griffin on Injured Reserve
• Ouch.  An already struggling team loses a key piece of it's pass defense.  Aaron Rodgers, Matt Stafford and Jay Cutler have to be happy right now.
• San Diego Chargers placed LB Shawne Merriman on Injured List
• Merriman must be waived once he's healthy.  Quite the fall for someone who was arguably the best defensive player in the game a few years ago.  The Chargers look bad, and this can't make them any better.  Guess Tila Tequilla did some damage.
• San Diego Chargers sign T Marcus McNeill to 5-year contract extension
• Never a bad move to lock up a good, young player, especially at an important position like LT.  If your QB goes down, so does your chances of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.  I'm curious to the financial cost.

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NHL

• Chicago Blackhawks D Niklas Hjalmarsson two games for hit on Buffalo Sabres RW Jason Pominville
• Watch the hit here.  I don't know if this is a suspendable hit or not.  It's definitely borderline.  I'd probably have let it go.  He didn't leave his feet, didn't go for the head, and it was a sideways hit, not from behind.  You can't take the hard hits out of the game.  It is a contact sport.  And frankly, if Pominville didn't leave the game, he wouldn't be suspended at all.
• San Jose Sharks assigned G Thomas Greiss to Worcester (AHL)
• Greiss didn't stand much of a chance of cracking the NHL roster, barring an injury to Antero Nittymaki or Anti Niemi, the two goalies signed in the offseason to replace longtime starter Evgeni Nabokov.  The 24-year-old will be an NHL starter, and soon -- he put up a 2.68 GAA and .912 SV% in 12 decisions (7-4-1) last year.

"Year of the Pitcher"

"The Year of the Pitcher"

That’s what 2010 has been dubbed—and rightfully so. Strikeouts are up. Walks are down. So are home runs, runs scored and batting averages (or on-base percentage if you’re a Sabermetrics nut). Ditto for all the offensive stats. In fact, only stolen bases held steady with 2009, and no relevant stats increased.

While those home runs are sexy, and crooked numbers appease the “casual fan,” it’s pitching that’s important for a ball club to be successful.

Look at the eight playoff teams this year.

Only two teams finished with an ERA over 4: New York at 4.06 and Cincinnati at 4.02 (who not-so-coincidentally led their respective leagues in runs per game). League-average ERA was 4.08 in 2010.

But then consider the pitchers who are leading their teams into October. Halladay, Hamels and Oswalt in Philadelphia—one of the best trio’s in history. Their NLCS opponents: Lincecum, Cain and Sanchez of the Giants. Sabathia, Pettitte and Hughes in New York. Cliff Lee. David Price.

Hell, even if you forget the playoffs, just look at some of the teams who “overachieved” in 2010.

Roy Halladay threw two no-hitters this season

• Atlanta—who had little to no offense, especially without Chipper Jones for most of the year—wound up winning the wild card.
  
• San Diego—picked by many to bring up the rear of the NL West—weren’t eliminated from playoff contention until Game 162.
  
• Oakland—who looked deep in the rebuilding process—hung around with Texas into the All-Star break.

Then others, with strong offenses (think St. Louis, Boston, Colorado, Milwaukee) couldn’t hang around for the full season, largely because of a lack of quality pitching depth.

If you look at the numbers, this year marked a decent improvement for pitchers, but the pendulum has been swinging away from the plate and back to the mound for a number of years now. Runs scored (along with most offensive stats) have been dropping since 2006.

Naturally, pitching stats have gone the opposite direction.

But why was this year so dominant?

Some might suggest it’s got something to do with steroids and P.E.D.’s. I disagree, largely because they can benefit pitchers just as much, if not more, than hitters.

Others claim it’s just the natural swing of things. I can buy that, as one side is constantly looking for the upper hand, and once they get it, the other side will try even harder to counteract that. The natural ebb and flow…yin and yang, if you will.

One of my favorite theories is that of “The Rise of the Cutter,” suggested by Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner and Fangraphs. I highly advise reading the article. It’s short, but informative. It’s just amazing it took 15 years for people to learn from Mariano Rivera.

So in the end, maybe we should have expected 6 ½ no-hitters this year. It really wasn’t all that far-fetched. 2011 should be another dominant year for pitchers, but I wouldn’t anticipate the pendulum swinging much further away from the batters, either.

Another Crack of the Bat

So, with some added free time, new exposure to sports talk radio (my old car wouldn't pickup AM...the new one even has XM!), and a constant interest in writing I decided to get the old blog idea rolling again.


Basically, you'll just get my two cents on things.  I'll try to make it somewhat original and insightful.  At the very least not just chewing up and spitting out the news.

Some things I'd like to try out here over time include predictions, educational pieces (understanding certain stats, sports histories, biographical pieces, etc), podcasts, transaction reviews and my "Vegas" picks.

But these are just ideas.  For now, enjoy!

-Jason