2005 MLB Playoff Preview
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051002&content_id=1235591&vkey=news_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2005/columns/story?columnist=caple_jim&id=2179555
Above are the links to 2 different stories regarding the first round playoff matchup between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox. The first is a story from the White Sox web site that breaks down the series position-by-position. The second one is from ESPN.com and is one of their columnists opinion on what might take place in the series.
Now, for the real "expert" opinion on this exciting first round series:
Over the past 7 years, one constant element has remained true: good pitching beats good hitting. If that remains true again, then the White Sox should come away victorious. This series is trule a battle between the best offense in the league and the best pitching in the league.
Boston's David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez might be the best hitting duo of all-time. Their numbers are simply mind-boggling and both are MVP candidates. Johnny Damon does a terrific job of setting the table at the top of the order and Edgar Renteria's bat has been coming around as of late. Jason Varitek, Trot Nixon and Tony Graffanino are all solid hitters as well.
White Sox first basemen Paul Konerko may not be Ortiz or Ramirez, but his 40 HR's and 100 RBI's aren't too shabby, either. The Sox have proven all season that they can play fundamental, station-to-station baseball or pound the ball when it calls for it. After the speedy Scott Podsednik at the top of the order, the other 8 guys each reached double-figures in homeruns. There is some cause for concern due to the fact that the Sox have had trouble bringing in baserunners in the past month and have no true No. 3 hitter. As their play-by-play man Ken "Hawk" Harrelson would say, "They're leaving too many ducks on the pond."
In the meantime, the White Sox should hold all the cards because their pitching is much better than the Red Sox. Game 1 starter Jose Contreras won AL pitcher of the month in September after going 6-0 with a 1.99 ERA. He completely carried the pitching staff down the stretch. Mark Buehrle (game 2 starter) and Jon Garland (game 4 starter) each won the award in earlier in the season. Freddy Garcia (game 3 starter) has the most playoff experience of the group and would be a No. 2 starter on most teams. The White Sox bullpen was also stingy this year as Neal Cotts, Dustin Hermanson, Cliff Politte and Bobby Jenks have done a fantastic job of limiting runs and getting out of jams.
This is where the Red Sox are at a disadvantage. Their starting pitching is nowhere near as deep as they will send Matt Clement to the hill in game 1. He's struggle the entire second half. Following Clement will be David Wells, who isn't getting any younger and the still injured Curt Schilling. The Red Sox bullpen is also a joke right now as closer Keith Foulke went down with an injury. That forced manager Terry Francona to move setup man Mike Timlin back into the closer roll and put rookie John Papelbon as the setup man.
The White Sox will have to overcome the fact that they haven't won a playoff series since 1917, while trying to knock the reigning champions off their throne. Manager Ozzie Guillen seems to thrive in pressure situations by maintaining a loose clubhouse attitude. He'll have his team ready to go.
PREDICTION: White Sox win series 3-2
NEW YORK YANKEES vs. ANAHEIM ANGELS
The Angels may be the most complete team in baseball with good pitching and good hitting. They are a veteran group who won the World Series in 2002 and have Vladimir Guerrero and Bartolo Colon to fall back on. The Yankees coasted the majority of the year and despite the fact that they can put up 15 runs on any given day, lack the pitching and defense to win this series.
PREDICTION: Angels win series 3-1
NL
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS vs. SAN DIEGO PADRES
The Padres only stand a chance in this series if Jake Peavy can dominate the tough Cardinals lineup. The Padres are a mediocre team, at best, and wouldn't be in the playoffs if they played in any other division in baseball. It just so happens that they were lucky enough to play in the worst division in MLB history. The Cardinals are poised to make another run to the World Series with a terrific offense and better starting pitching than last year. It's Peavy or bust for the Padres.
PREDICTION: Cardinals win series 3-1
HOUSTON ASTROS vs. ATLANTA BRAVES
This is the toughest series to call by far. The Braves just continue to get the job done by winning their 14th straight division championships. Andruw Jones should win NL MVP, but their lineup doesn't have much punch beyond him. Tim Hudson and John Smoltz have the talent and the playoff experience every team would love to have but they will have to meet Roger Clemens and Andy Pettite, who aren't that far off. The wild card here is that the Astros also have Roy Oswalt, although that might not matter if their anemic offense can't find a way to score some runs.
PREDICTION: Astros win series 3-2
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2005/columns/story?columnist=caple_jim&id=2179555
Above are the links to 2 different stories regarding the first round playoff matchup between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox. The first is a story from the White Sox web site that breaks down the series position-by-position. The second one is from ESPN.com and is one of their columnists opinion on what might take place in the series.
Now, for the real "expert" opinion on this exciting first round series:
Over the past 7 years, one constant element has remained true: good pitching beats good hitting. If that remains true again, then the White Sox should come away victorious. This series is trule a battle between the best offense in the league and the best pitching in the league.
Boston's David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez might be the best hitting duo of all-time. Their numbers are simply mind-boggling and both are MVP candidates. Johnny Damon does a terrific job of setting the table at the top of the order and Edgar Renteria's bat has been coming around as of late. Jason Varitek, Trot Nixon and Tony Graffanino are all solid hitters as well.
White Sox first basemen Paul Konerko may not be Ortiz or Ramirez, but his 40 HR's and 100 RBI's aren't too shabby, either. The Sox have proven all season that they can play fundamental, station-to-station baseball or pound the ball when it calls for it. After the speedy Scott Podsednik at the top of the order, the other 8 guys each reached double-figures in homeruns. There is some cause for concern due to the fact that the Sox have had trouble bringing in baserunners in the past month and have no true No. 3 hitter. As their play-by-play man Ken "Hawk" Harrelson would say, "They're leaving too many ducks on the pond."
In the meantime, the White Sox should hold all the cards because their pitching is much better than the Red Sox. Game 1 starter Jose Contreras won AL pitcher of the month in September after going 6-0 with a 1.99 ERA. He completely carried the pitching staff down the stretch. Mark Buehrle (game 2 starter) and Jon Garland (game 4 starter) each won the award in earlier in the season. Freddy Garcia (game 3 starter) has the most playoff experience of the group and would be a No. 2 starter on most teams. The White Sox bullpen was also stingy this year as Neal Cotts, Dustin Hermanson, Cliff Politte and Bobby Jenks have done a fantastic job of limiting runs and getting out of jams.
This is where the Red Sox are at a disadvantage. Their starting pitching is nowhere near as deep as they will send Matt Clement to the hill in game 1. He's struggle the entire second half. Following Clement will be David Wells, who isn't getting any younger and the still injured Curt Schilling. The Red Sox bullpen is also a joke right now as closer Keith Foulke went down with an injury. That forced manager Terry Francona to move setup man Mike Timlin back into the closer roll and put rookie John Papelbon as the setup man.
The White Sox will have to overcome the fact that they haven't won a playoff series since 1917, while trying to knock the reigning champions off their throne. Manager Ozzie Guillen seems to thrive in pressure situations by maintaining a loose clubhouse attitude. He'll have his team ready to go.
PREDICTION: White Sox win series 3-2
NEW YORK YANKEES vs. ANAHEIM ANGELS
The Angels may be the most complete team in baseball with good pitching and good hitting. They are a veteran group who won the World Series in 2002 and have Vladimir Guerrero and Bartolo Colon to fall back on. The Yankees coasted the majority of the year and despite the fact that they can put up 15 runs on any given day, lack the pitching and defense to win this series.
PREDICTION: Angels win series 3-1
NL
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS vs. SAN DIEGO PADRES
The Padres only stand a chance in this series if Jake Peavy can dominate the tough Cardinals lineup. The Padres are a mediocre team, at best, and wouldn't be in the playoffs if they played in any other division in baseball. It just so happens that they were lucky enough to play in the worst division in MLB history. The Cardinals are poised to make another run to the World Series with a terrific offense and better starting pitching than last year. It's Peavy or bust for the Padres.
PREDICTION: Cardinals win series 3-1
HOUSTON ASTROS vs. ATLANTA BRAVES
This is the toughest series to call by far. The Braves just continue to get the job done by winning their 14th straight division championships. Andruw Jones should win NL MVP, but their lineup doesn't have much punch beyond him. Tim Hudson and John Smoltz have the talent and the playoff experience every team would love to have but they will have to meet Roger Clemens and Andy Pettite, who aren't that far off. The wild card here is that the Astros also have Roy Oswalt, although that might not matter if their anemic offense can't find a way to score some runs.
PREDICTION: Astros win series 3-2
posted by Jeremy Lynn | 8:41 PM
1 Comments:
Hey Jeremy,
don't you just love the blog spam?
Wow. You're analysis of the MLB match-ups is really in-depth. I'm impressed with the amount of coverage.
I can tell you love this stuff. I think the Sox will go all the way. I'm pulling for you.
Ben
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