League Championship Series
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2005/columns/story?columnist=caple_jim&id=2186974
I didn't want to post a link to any kind of "expert" analysis. After all, in my first update I successfully predicted all 4 teams to make it to the next round. Granted, I was off on the number of games each series would go. While I don't think the professional media people at ESPN or any other publication know more than I, the above link still gives you, the reader, a chance to check out what somebody else has to say.
Without further wait, here are my predicitons for the 2005 League Championship Series:
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Chicago White Sox
After sweeping the defending world champion Boston Red Sox, the White Sox had a great 3-day rest period to heal their bumps and bruises and set up their starting pitching rotation. All signs from the layoff are that the Sox are extremely well-rested, confident and relaxed.
The Angels might be the complete opposite. They made a crosscountry flight after game 4 on Sunday night and then made a long flight into Chicago following their game 5 win. They are tired, jet-lagged and emotionally drained.
The pitching clearly favors the Sox in this match. They set up their rotation exactly how they chose as the Angels will run into a well-rested Jose Contreras and Mark Buehrle in games 1 and 2, respectively. In game 3, Jon Garland on 12 days of rest will pitch and be followed by Freddy Garcia before the rotation turns over. The Sox' bullpen didn't allow a single run in the Boston series. Cliff Politte and Neal Cotts were terrific, as usual, and new closer Bobby Jenks looked untouchable. The biggest key might be Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez. His postseason experience gave him the confidence to come in with the bases loaded and nobody out in game 3 and get the White Sox out of the jam, without a run crossing the plate.
In the meantime, the Angels rotation is tired and hurt. Their ace, 21-game-winner Bartolo Colon, was supposed to pitch game 5 on Monday night but had to leave after a short time in the second inning with pain in his shoulder. His status remains uncertain, but he most likely won't be able to pitch until at least game 4. Jarrod Washburn is sick and John Lackey just pitched on three days rest Sunday night. With Colon going down, rookie Ervin Santana had to pick up the slack and pitch five strong innings. Needless to say, their rotation is in shambles right now. However, the Angels bullpen might be better than the Sox. Scott Shields, Brendan Donnelly, Kelvim Escobar and Francisco Rodriguez each have electrifying stuff. However, they were overworked in the last series.
The offenses are mirror images of one another. Each post a big power bat in the middle of the order (Paul Konerko and Vladimir Guerrero) and a speedster at the top (Scott Podsednik and Chone Figgins). While the Angels have the name power of Orlando Cabrera, Garret Anderson, Steve Finley and Darin Erstad they weren't too much better than the White Sox offense in terms of total runs scored. The White Sox hold the edge in home runs and have been clicking on all cylinders over the past week.
The biggest problem for the White Sox might be the managerial moves. While Ozzie Guillen has been terrific all year and managed a near-perfect division series, he admits that Angels manager Mike Scioscia gives him fits. Scioscia is a very good in-game manager and isn't afraid to do all the little things to win a game.
The Angels and White Sox are carbon copies of one another. They can each beat you a lot of different ways, and when healthy, can beat you with good pitching as well. The problem is that the Angels aren't healthy. If ever a game 1 meant so much it does in this series. If the White Sox allow the Angels to steal tonight's contest while they are so tired, the momentum can turn real fast. I just don't see it happening and I don't see the Angels knocking off the Sox. I smell the first trip to the World Series on the south side since 1959.
OFFICIAL PREDICTION: White Sox 4-1
Houston Astros vs. St. Louis Cardinals
In a rematch of last year's NLCS, the Astros have revenge on their minds. But this is a much different Astros team then last year's without Jeff Kent and Carlos Beltran who played huge roles in last year's postseason run. However, the Astros do have a healthy Andy Pettite and he has been lights out since the All-Star break. Anytime a team can throw Pettite, Roy Oswalt and Roger Clemens at you, you've got to like their chances.
But the Cardinals have been the best team in baseball this year and have the pitching and the defense to combat Houston's outstanding pitching. This series should be extremely competitive and come right down to the wire. But an "I-55" White Sox/Cardinals World Series has seemed inevitable since mid-summer.
OFFICIAL PREDICTION: Cardinals 4-3
I didn't want to post a link to any kind of "expert" analysis. After all, in my first update I successfully predicted all 4 teams to make it to the next round. Granted, I was off on the number of games each series would go. While I don't think the professional media people at ESPN or any other publication know more than I, the above link still gives you, the reader, a chance to check out what somebody else has to say.
Without further wait, here are my predicitons for the 2005 League Championship Series:
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Chicago White Sox
After sweeping the defending world champion Boston Red Sox, the White Sox had a great 3-day rest period to heal their bumps and bruises and set up their starting pitching rotation. All signs from the layoff are that the Sox are extremely well-rested, confident and relaxed.
The Angels might be the complete opposite. They made a crosscountry flight after game 4 on Sunday night and then made a long flight into Chicago following their game 5 win. They are tired, jet-lagged and emotionally drained.
The pitching clearly favors the Sox in this match. They set up their rotation exactly how they chose as the Angels will run into a well-rested Jose Contreras and Mark Buehrle in games 1 and 2, respectively. In game 3, Jon Garland on 12 days of rest will pitch and be followed by Freddy Garcia before the rotation turns over. The Sox' bullpen didn't allow a single run in the Boston series. Cliff Politte and Neal Cotts were terrific, as usual, and new closer Bobby Jenks looked untouchable. The biggest key might be Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez. His postseason experience gave him the confidence to come in with the bases loaded and nobody out in game 3 and get the White Sox out of the jam, without a run crossing the plate.
In the meantime, the Angels rotation is tired and hurt. Their ace, 21-game-winner Bartolo Colon, was supposed to pitch game 5 on Monday night but had to leave after a short time in the second inning with pain in his shoulder. His status remains uncertain, but he most likely won't be able to pitch until at least game 4. Jarrod Washburn is sick and John Lackey just pitched on three days rest Sunday night. With Colon going down, rookie Ervin Santana had to pick up the slack and pitch five strong innings. Needless to say, their rotation is in shambles right now. However, the Angels bullpen might be better than the Sox. Scott Shields, Brendan Donnelly, Kelvim Escobar and Francisco Rodriguez each have electrifying stuff. However, they were overworked in the last series.
The offenses are mirror images of one another. Each post a big power bat in the middle of the order (Paul Konerko and Vladimir Guerrero) and a speedster at the top (Scott Podsednik and Chone Figgins). While the Angels have the name power of Orlando Cabrera, Garret Anderson, Steve Finley and Darin Erstad they weren't too much better than the White Sox offense in terms of total runs scored. The White Sox hold the edge in home runs and have been clicking on all cylinders over the past week.
The biggest problem for the White Sox might be the managerial moves. While Ozzie Guillen has been terrific all year and managed a near-perfect division series, he admits that Angels manager Mike Scioscia gives him fits. Scioscia is a very good in-game manager and isn't afraid to do all the little things to win a game.
The Angels and White Sox are carbon copies of one another. They can each beat you a lot of different ways, and when healthy, can beat you with good pitching as well. The problem is that the Angels aren't healthy. If ever a game 1 meant so much it does in this series. If the White Sox allow the Angels to steal tonight's contest while they are so tired, the momentum can turn real fast. I just don't see it happening and I don't see the Angels knocking off the Sox. I smell the first trip to the World Series on the south side since 1959.
OFFICIAL PREDICTION: White Sox 4-1
Houston Astros vs. St. Louis Cardinals
In a rematch of last year's NLCS, the Astros have revenge on their minds. But this is a much different Astros team then last year's without Jeff Kent and Carlos Beltran who played huge roles in last year's postseason run. However, the Astros do have a healthy Andy Pettite and he has been lights out since the All-Star break. Anytime a team can throw Pettite, Roy Oswalt and Roger Clemens at you, you've got to like their chances.
But the Cardinals have been the best team in baseball this year and have the pitching and the defense to combat Houston's outstanding pitching. This series should be extremely competitive and come right down to the wire. But an "I-55" White Sox/Cardinals World Series has seemed inevitable since mid-summer.
OFFICIAL PREDICTION: Cardinals 4-3
posted by Jeremy Lynn | 2:41 PM
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