Cliff Lee just tossed another absolute gem for the peaking Phillies. A complete game, 11 K, 0 BB, 2 hitter. Sure the D'Backs offense is one of the worst in the league, but Lee suddenly has the Phils primed for another run at the World Series. When Rollins and / or Victorino are getting on at the top, that is probably the most dangerous lineup in baseball. Chase Utley still doesn't get the credit he deserves for being a top-10 player in baseball. The question is, can they find a way to re-charge Cole Hamels. I'm not at all surprised that he has struggled a bit this year after the taxing they had to put on him during the World Series run, but if he returns to form and Lidge remembers how to pitch, they may run away with this thing.
As we approach the stretch run, most of you are familiar with the divisional races and the wild card picture...but which teams are legitimate contenders?
Yankees - Obviously, the Yanks could win the entire thing. They are the class of the AL and while beating the Bo Sox will prove difficult..and the Angels are their kryptonite..they will likely beat up on the Central winner and then only have to go through one of those two, at home. I'm not impressed with the Angels..if they win home field advantage they will probably be considered the favorites, but the AL East is so much better than the AL West from top to bottom that I don't think people realize what is usually taken for granted - the Sox and Yanks are head and shoulders above the rest of the AL.
I therefore go out on a limb and say the boring - Yanks and Sox in the AL, no one else will come out.
The NL is trickier. There you have the Phillies which already were discussed. In the Central St. Louis added Matt Holliday and looks like they're ready to open up on the fading Cubs. The addition of John Smoltz as a fifth starter is a much better move than people are crediting it. Sure his ERA wasn't very good, but he had something like a 38/9 K/BB, proving that he can still miss bats while controlling the strike zone. He now moves to the NL and should be able to give 5-6 strong innings per outing before eventually moving to the pen where he could truly be an asset for the playoffs.
I still like the Cubs, if Soriano, Bradley and Soto ever start hitting they are going to make a run...the question is have they fallen behind too many teams to win the wild card?
Dodgers will win the West. Colorado is making a great run, but will have to win the wild card. I think Colorado is going to fade, but I'm not really sure who can take them out. I still say the 4 best teams are Phils, Cards, Dodgers, Cubs. And it's very hard to distinguish which of those teams are the best. Gun to the head I'm taking the surging Cardinals. Pujols has proven he can carry a team to the World Series before, now he's got a true sidekick and the lineup can be murderous to get through.
Should be an exciting stretch run for the baseball fans that are not too busy drooling over NFL training camps.
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I wouldn't discount the strength of the AL West...
ReplyDeletehttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/238239-is-the-al-west-better-than-the-al-east
Good conversations on King Felix last night Dave. I believe you mentioned he was 12-4 with 20 quality starts?
ReplyDeleteKing Felix is unreal, though that park and that outfield is soooooo pitcher friendly. FG is the best defensive outfielder I've seen since Andruw was in his prime.
ReplyDeleteAs for the article, interesting argument, but not a very good one. First off, using win percentages is ridiculous, especially between two different divisions with different interleague schedules.
The head-to-head matchups is far too small of a sample size to be all that relevant. The Angels caught absolute fire at that stretch of the year as well.
Again, using win percentages for Strength of Schedule is beyond ridiculous.
I guess we will see come playoff time. The Angels always seem to have the Yanks number...but I feel strongly that the East is much the best and that the Angels are counterfeit. An old lineup with some good, but shaky pitching. Arredondo took a major step back this year and while Fuentes has been good, he's not the guy I want trying to slam the door for me in the playoffs. Ervin has finally showed some signs of life, but overall I just don't feel this team is as good as the best of the East. Hell, if the Rays get Shields and Kaz rolling I'd much prefer that team, which currently has BJ Upton hitting ninth, to anyone in the West.
Rays still have to be contenders. They score way to many runs to not be a factor down the stretch. The rotation has been inconsistent all year and the bullpen is damn near the worst in the AL, but if they can put it together for a month, they're going to be a tough team to beat.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the Tigers. Is their a team better built for the postseason? Verlander has been a cy young candidate all year long. The arms behind him are all live and they have a very capable lineup. If they hold off the white sox, they are my pick to make it from the AL.
Verlander is going to make it very difficult for whoever they draw. Miggy is having the quietest monster season in baseball this year. They need some of those other bats to heat up though, he's basically carrying that damn lineup. And I'm just not sure I agree about the other live arms, I don't think Porcello is ready...and Fernando damn Rodney is their closer. Just don't think they make it out of Round 1 given that, but probably will win the Verlander starts and therefore have to be considered a threat.
ReplyDeleteOf course Dorian is still tootin the Rays horn...
ReplyDelete