MLB American League Division Preview: Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

By Contributing Blogger Ryan Liss of The Sportmeisters

About The Boston Red Sox:
The 2007 World Series Champions look to regain their title after Tampa Bay knocked them out of the ALDS last season. They come in as the AL wild card, clinching it with a 95-67 record. This is a much different team than the 2007 Championship squad, but they have the tools to get back there. It starts with their pitching, behind Josh Beckett (17-6, 199 Ks) and Jon Lester (15-8, 225 Ks). Look for either Daisuke Matsuzaka or Clay Bucholz to get the game three start.

Jason Bay is the new Manny Ramirez, and has shown up the former star quite well, with a .267 average and 36 home runs in 2009. He once again takes the pressure off of David Ortiz, who after struggling, bounced back with 28 home runs and 99 RBIs. Mid-season acquisition Victor Martinez, hitting .336 since being acquired by Boston, fills in nicely with Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and the rest of the Boston squad, who are stacked from top to bottom.

Despite some middle inning bullpen issues, if they can get to the eighth inning, look for Billy Wagner to set up nicely for lights-out closer Jonathon Papelbon (1.85 ERA, 38 saves).

About The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:
The AL West winner is still looking for title number two, but those pesky Red Sox are in the way again. The Angels finished the season at 97-65. Opting for a more patient at the plate approach has worked out for them, as they are second in the AL in runs scored and sixth in walks. Howie Kendrick has hit .379 since the All-Star break, but the addition of Bobby Abreu (.293, 103 RBIs), and the emergence of Kendry Morales (.306, 34 HRs, 108 RBIs), has helped the squad adjust to a declining Vladimar Gurerro.

The starting pitching is so deep, 11-2 Matt Palmer is coming out of the bullpen. John Lackey needs to shake off his past performances against Boston (3-7, 5.00 ERA), so he can get out of game one with a win. The Angels bullpen is suspect, which explains why they lead the majors with six complete game shutouts. Look for some of their deep rotation to be thrown in middle and long relief.

The Matchup:
The Red Sox seems to have the Angels number in the playoffs, winning the last three series by nine games to one. However, Los Angeles isn’t worried about the past, as they took the season series 5-3, scoring 47 runs, a much greater output than the 16 they put in the three playoff series. Boston has a great pitching squad, and the Angels will have to preach heavy patience in order to tire them out.

The Red Sox arguably have one of the best teams from top to bottom, but the Angels have a strong pitching presence, that, if they can work them into the late innings, will work in Anaheim’s favor.

The Pick:
This series could start Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the play-off game in the AL Central. Either way, both teams are ready, and Los Angeles is extremely excited to shake off the three-playoff series losing streak. However, I don’t see Boston letting that happen, and Boston wins it in five.

MLB National League Division Preview: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

By Contributing Blogger Ryan Liss of The Sportmeisters

About The St. Louis Cardinals:
The NL Central Champions return to the playoffs for the first time since 2006, when they won the World Series. Behind the bat of possible NL MVP Albert Pujols (.327, 45 HRs, 135 RBIs), the Cardinals were already powerful. This season, they added Matt Holliday (.353, 13 HRs, 55 RBIs since joining St. Louis), to complement him.

This will help in avoiding the Dodgers pitching staff walking Pujols during the NLDS. The Cardinals also have arguably the best 1-2 punch in their pitching rotation behind Cris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. The two combined for to only give up three runs in 21 innings against Los Angeles. Carpenter alone is 5-0 with a 2.20 ERA for his career against the Dodgers. Closer Ryan Franklin holds down the back end of the bullpen, earning 43 saves, but this is his first postseason appearance, so it remains to be seen how he will perform.

About The Los Angeles Dodgers:
The NL West winner, who also clinched the top NL record at 95-67, are hungry after losing in the NLCS to the eventual World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies, and would love a rematch. First though, they need to get past the top pitching of St. Louis. They’ll do that in part thanks to Manny Ramirez (.290, 19 HRs, 63 RBIs), as well as from contributions from Andre Ethier (.272, 31 HRs, 106 RBIs), and Matt Kemp (.297, 26 HRs, 101 RBIs).

This three-headed machine is a big reason why the Dodgers ranked third in runs scored in the NL this season. The pitching staff has a bunch of quality starters all fighting for a rotation spot. The Game 1 start will go to Randy Wolf (11-7. 3.23 ERA), and Game 2 will go to Clayton Kershaw (8-8, 2.79 ERA). The bullpen has two strong closers in George Sherril and Jonathon Broxton, and having a deep bullpen will be key if St. Louis tees off offensively.

The Matchup:
The Cardinals won the season series 5-2, and the offensively-minded Dodgers struggled mightily, scoring a mere 19 runs in the seven games. The Dodgers also could be limited by health concerns to Wolf, Kershaw, and other members of the rotation, which could affect their deep pen. However, if they can get around Pujols and Holliday, the rest of the Cardinals lineup is beatable. For the Dodgers, Manny Ramirez hasn’t been his old self since returning from the suspension, but he is a monster in the playoffs, and L.A. could use the post-season Manny to play up to his skills. Closer Ryan Franklin blew three saves for the Cardinals in September, so he will need to get those out of his head quickly and shut down Los Angeles in the late innings.

The Pick:
This is a series of history, dating back to Stan Musial and Duke Snider. They meet for the first time in the playoffs since 2004, when St. Louis won in the NLDS. Look for St. Louis to repeat history and take down Los Angeles in four games.

MLB National League Division Preview: Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies

By Contributing Blogger Ryan Liss of The Sportmeisters

About The Philadelphia Phillies:
The Phillies clinched their third straight NL East Division Title with a record of 93-69. As defending World Series champions, they have a lot of targets on their back. However, they field a team that is strong in many areas. Offensively, they led the National League in runs scored and home runs, thanks to contributions from Ryan Howard (45 home runs, 141 RBIs), and Chase Utley (26 home runs, 93 RBIs, .282 average).

They also boast one of the strongest pitching staffs, with two legitimate aces in mid-season acquisition Cliff Lee (7-4, 74 Ks, 3 Complete Games since the trade) and 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels (10-11, 4.28 ERA, 168 Ks).

They are also deep, and could use mid-season replacement Pedro Martinez in the bullpen, allowing Joe Blanton or J.A. Happ to get the third game start. However, with 11 blown saves, closer Brad Lidge is not who he was in 2008. Happ or Ryan Madson could take the role from him in the playoffs.

About The Colorado Rockies:
It’s another season of Rocktober for the Rockies, who clinch the wild card spot with a 92-70 record after being left for dead earlier this season. The Rockies rely heavily on young pitching and defense, knowing full well that their offensive stats are inflated due to the high elevation of their field.

The team finished sixth in the NL in ERA, a fine stat considering where they play. They are led by Ubaldo Jimenez (15-12, 3.98 ERA) and Aaron Cook (11-6, 78Ks). All five of their starters had ten or more wins, giving them great depth for the playoffs. They are a young team though, with no real power hitters, and spent a lot of energy getting themselves into the playoffs. It will be tough to keep that momentum up, but if anyone can do it, they can.

The Matchup:
The Phillies won their series 4-2, but Colorado won the previous two matchups. Colorado had one of the best home records at 51-30, and opponents usually claim extreme fatigue after a few days in the thin air.

However, Philadelphia counters that with a major league leading 48-33 record on the road, and the fact they didn’t lose a single playoff game at home in 2008. Both teams boast strong pitching records, but Philadelphia easily has the power advantage, and can capitalize on one or two mistakes. However, if Philadelphia does not figure out their bullpen situation soon, they could open the door for a comeback or two from Colorado.

The Pick:
Philadelphia seems to have all the necessary tools (and a few extra ones) to give them a great shot at being the first repeat World Series winner since the New York Yankees (1998-2000). Philadelphia in four games.

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