Why Your Team Will (and Won’t) Win the World Series
1 Oct
AMERICAN LEAGUE
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (100-62, AL West Champions)
Why They’ll Win It All: The Angels simply turned in the best record in all of baseball in 2008, notching a franchise-record 100 wins. The last time the Angels won the World Series, they did it with guys like Tim Salmon, Garrett Anderson, Darin Erstad, Adam Kennedy, Troy Glaus, and David Eckstein. While Salmon, Anderson, and Glaus were top-notch bats, the 2008 roster appears far superior than the 2002 version, boasting guys like Vladimir Guerrero, Torii Hunter, and Mark Teixeira. The pitching isn’t too shabby, either, led by John Lackey, who will be followed up by Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders. This Halo squad is also by far the best road team in baseball in 2008, amassing a 50-31 record — 5 more wins than the closest competitor, the Philadelphia Phillies.
Why They Won’t: Despite having the best record in baseball, some other numbers suggest the Angels are far from the best team heading into October. Only Milwaukee and the Dodgers have scored fewer runs than the Angels among playoff teams, while only the Minnesota Twins/Chicago White Sox have allowed more runs against among playoff teams. To top it all off, the Angels find themselves opening the postseason against the Boston Red Sox, who have given the Angels playoff troubles in recent years.
2. Tampa Bay Rays (97, 65, AL East Champions)
Why They’ll Win It All: This is their year. How else can you describe the turnaround made by those Rays formerly of the Devil? In 2007, they finished dead last in the AL East with a record of 66-96. But in 2008? They flipped the tables and took the AL East with a phenomenal record of 97-65. They have strong pitching in Scott Kazmir, James Shields and Matt Garza. And don’t forget phenom David Price helping out in the bullpen. The offense is dynamic with sluggers like Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria, coupled with the sticks and speed of guys like Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton.
Why They Won’t: They’re just too young and inexperienced to hang with the likes of the Angels and the Red Sox. While they do have stars in Crawford, Longoria, and Pena, the rest of the lineup is too shallow. They’re also going to rely too much on a shaky bullpen given the unlikelihood of guys like Kazmir taking the ball past the 6th inning.
3. Chicago White Sox (89, 74, AL Central Champions)
Why They’ll Win It All: They’re hot. They won all the games they needed to at the end of the season to force the one-game playoff, and then John Danks came out and pitched his balls off to secure the AL Central crown. The White Sox are following in the footsteps of the 2007 Colorado Rockies who also earned their playoff berth thanks to a one-game playoff victory. The difference between the Rockies and the White Sox? The Sox have been here before, and have valuable veteran experience in guys like Thome, Konerko, Dye, and Griffey.
Why They Won’t: They have arguably the worst pitching heading into the playoffs. Mark Buehrle is their ace, but not because he pitches like one. He’s simply the best they’ve got. In an October filled with guys like John Lackey, Josh Beckett, C.C. Sabathia, and Carlos Zambrano – walking in with Buehrle just isn’t going to cut it for the Southsiders.
4. Boston Red Sox (95, 67, AL Wild Card)
Why They’ll Win It All: Because the 2007 World Series Champions are the team to beat right now. Their offense from top-to-bottom is second to none, with guys like Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, Mike Lowell, and Jason Bay. Jon Lester has emerged as somewhat of an ace for Boston this year, while Papelbon continues to shut the door on teams late in the game.
Why They Won’t: These aren’t last year’s Red Sox. While Jason Bay is no slouch, he’s no Manny Ramirez either. The most recent injury to Josh Beckett also diminishes Boston’s chances enormously. Daisuke Matsuzaka’s inability to keep the ball late into games will risk burning out the Boston bullpen – that is not where you want to find yourself when facing any of the AL’s powerful lineups.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
1. Chicago Cubs (97, 64, NL Central Champions)
Why They’ll Win It All: If I need to explain this one to you, apparently you haven’t been paying attention to all the talking heads all year long. One of the best managers in the game, Lou Piniella, is where it all begins. Then we move on to one of the most balanced lineups in all of baseball, with guys like Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Jim Edmonds, Geovany Soto, and Kosuke Fukudome. The pitching is top-notch, as well, with 3 legitimate aces in Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, and Rich Harden. And if they need to go 4 deep? No problem – how about 17-game winner Ted Lilly? Things don’t slow down much when you get to the bullpen, either, when you’ve got the likes of Carlos Marmol, Jeff Samardzija, and Kerry Wood closing the door.
Why They Won’t: I can’t give you any on-the-field reasons why this bunch won’t win. They’re too strong from top-to-bottom in every facet of their game. So if they don’t win it all this year, I’m finally believing in curses.
2. Philadelphia Phillies (92, 70, NL East Champions)
Why They’ll Win It All: Their young studs, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Cole Hamels. Between the four of them, you have 3 guys who could compete for the MVP every year, and 1 guy who’s name has to come up in Cy Young discussions. And don’t forget about the rebirth of Brad Lidge, who after being shunned from Houston reclaimed his dominance in Philadelphia, shutting down opposing offenses 41 times this year.
Why They Won’t: Outside of those 3 big bats, there’s not much to be afraid of as a pitcher. You really think Feliz is going to beat you at the plate? If he does, you shouldn’t be there in the first place. As far as the pitching, there’s a huge dropoff after Cole Hamels. Kyle Kendrick and Jamie Moyer don’t match up so well with the 2nd and 3rd offerings of other teams in the playoffs.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (84, 78, NL West Champions)
Why They’ll Win It All: Joe Torre knows how to get the most out of his players. First example? Manny Ramirez. Since coming to Los Angeles, Manny has been hitting just a shade under .400 with 17 homeruns and 53 RBI. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s been getting on base at an astonishing 49%.
Why They Won’t: Everyone knows the Dodgers are the worst team to find themselves still playing in October. Fortunately for them, the NL West has been baseball’s dumpster division for a few years now. Still, the Dodgers will simply find themselves outclassed as soon as they set foot on Wrigley Field.
4. Milwaukee Brewers (90, 72, NL Wild Card)
Why They’ll Win It All: Pitching, Pitching, and Pitching. With the return of young fireballer Yovani Gallardo, not many teams can top a 1-2-3 of C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets, and Gallardo. On top of that, the Brewers offense is among baseball’s best, with young sluggers Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun. Braun in particular showed just how clutch he can be, hitting a 2-run shot against the Chicago Cubs to keep the Brewers’ playoff hopes alive.
Why They Won’t: Lack of experience. And I’m not talking about the players – these fans haven’t seen baseball in October since the Reagan administration, suffering a 25-year playoff drought. But aside from the fans, the Brewers run differential (+65) is the worst among all playoff teams except those led by Joe Torre. In fact, if your offense can push Sabathia, Sheets and Gallardo out of the game and your pitching can get around Fielder, Braun and Corey Hart – there’s really not much to worry about.
 |
Get all the iPhone Sports Apps by InGameNow: |
Nothing yet from the Peanut Gallery...