Its finally playoff time. The matchups are set, the rotations have been announced and its time for the much anticipated Off The Bench playoff preview:
Rays and Rangers:
The Rays are coming into the playoffs with tons of momentum from the end of the season but it remains to be seen wether it will roll into their series with Texas or wether they’ll be burned out and come out flat. The Rangers are arguably the best team in the AL. They have a potent offense with Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli and the Rays are starting Matt Moore who is has made only 1 career start in game 1. The Rays rotation is definitely better than the Rangers (headlined by CJ Wilson and the erratic Colby Lewis) but the Rays lineup is not nearly as strong. After Evan Longoria its a pretty big drop to BJ Upton and Ben Zobrist and then an even bigger drop to everyone else. The Rays are good but the Rangers are great. Prediction: Rangers in 4
Tigers and Yankees:
Yes, Justin Verlander has been the best pitcher in baseball this season but if you had to pick one lineup to beat him in one game, wouldn’t it be the Yankees’. The Yanks offense is definitely their strong suit and there lineup is solid top to bottom. It’s made up of veterans who know how to work the count and drive pitch counts up. The Key to beating Verlander is not facing him. If the Yanks can work the count and get the pitch count up and get Verlander out of the game and face the Tigers bullpen, they can definitely win the game 1. The Yankees are also throwing CC Sabathia against Verlander and he’s definitely no slouch. As far as Detroit’s offense, it’s Miguel Cabrera then Victor Martinez, then very little else. If the Yankee’s can work around Cabrera they can definitely hold the Tigers down, especially if Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia pitch like they are capable. The Tigers plan on starting Doug Fister in game 2, in New York, and even though he’s been great since going to Detroit, I think that’s a bad idea for a guy whose never made a playoff appearance. Prediction: Yankees in 4
Diamondbacks and Brewers:
Personally, I think this is the most interesting series. The Brewers have showed that when they’re playing well they’re nearly unbeatable. Yonvani Gallardo, Zach Greinke, and Shaun Marcum are a really tough starting three, especially for a lineup that’s been described as Justin Upton and eight utility guys. I think the Dbacks squeak one out and avoid the sweep but the Brewers will be too tough and expose the Dbacks as the weakest of the 8 playoff teams. Prediction: Brewers in 4
Cardinals and Phillies
The Cards, like the Rays, got into the playoffs in impressive fashion. They’ve been playing great baseball of late and they still have the most dangerous hitter in baseball in Albert Pujols. Unfortunately, they’re about to run into a buzz saw called the Phillies rotation. The Cards had to burn Chris Carpenter in the final game of the season so he will be unavailable for at least the first game and likely the first two. Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are legitimate Cy Young candidates (though neither will win) and Cole Hamels is a top of the line starter and possibly a candidate himself. Roy Oswalt is either the best 4 starter in the playoffs or a ridiculously good bullpen option for the Phils. Philly is the best team in baseball and I think they’ll come out strong against the Wild Card winners. Prediction: Philly in 3
I’m excited, let’s see what happens.
-Max Frankel
