Monday, December 22, 2008

Season 5 Playoff Preview - Division Play-In Series

AL

#4 Minnesota Twins (81-81) vs. #5 Anaheim Angels (97-65)

Head to Head Results: Games 6-4 Anaheim, Runs 68-46 Anaheim

Starters:
Minnesota -
#1 Rico Herrera 12-12, 3.96 ERA, 1.38 WHIP
#2 Abraham Bradford 7-2, 3.72 ERA, 1.24 WHIP
#3 Branch Vitiello 12-7, 3.36 ERA, 1.36 WHIP
Anaheim -
#1 Haywood Charles 17-13, 4.13 ERA, 1.27 WHIP
#2 Fernando Dotel 16-6, 3.54 ERA, 1.20 WHIP
#3 Ernest Becker 10-8, 4.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP

Top Hitters:
Minnesota -
Valerio Guillien 34 HR, 99 RBI, .893 OPS
Sam Kubinski 39 HR, 96 RBI, .866 OPS
Lance Corrino 28 HR, 94 RBI, .801 OPS
Anaheim -
Darryl Whitaker 41 HR, 97 RBI, .313 BA, 1.011 OPS
Arthur Boggs 29 HR, 89 RBI, .316 BA, .925 OPS
Travis Murphy 45 HR, 121 RBI, .922 OPS

#3 Kansas City Royals (94-68) vs. #6 Texas Rangers (93-69)

Head to Head Results: Games Tied 5-5, Runs 58-39 Texas

Starters:
Kansas City -
#1 Patrick Rivera 16-5, 3.08 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
#2 Stephen Fischer 17-7, 3.94 ERA, 1.36 WHIP
#3 Damaso Palacios 15-12, 3.72 ERA, 1.28 WHIP
Texas -
#1 Jeff Bollea 18-5, 3.56 ERA, 1.27 WHIP
#2 Homer Flanagan 13-4, 3.07 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
#3 Davey Molina 13-11, 3.98 ERA, 1.40 WHIP

Top Hitters:
Kansas City -
Danny Alexander 46 HR, 120 RBI, .907 OPS
Al Perez 46 HR 121 RBI, .903 OPS
Hector Joseph 111 Runs, 55 SB, .856 OPS
Texas -
Juan Marrero 58 G, 19 HR, 47 RBI, .982 OPS
Henry Shuey 57 G, 21 HR, 54 RBI, .973 OPS (AL stats)
Tony Contreras 102 Runs, 53 SB, .312 BA, .400 OBP

NL

#4 Atlanta Braves (78-84) vs. #5 Philadelphia Phillies (95-67)

Head to Head Results: Games 6-4 Philadelphia, Runs 58-56 Philadelphia

Starters:
Atlanta -
#1 Tris Breen 14-9, 3.27 ERA, 1.21 WHIP
#2 Alejandro Vazquez 11-11, 2.94 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
#3 Rafael Cortes 7-8, 3.89 ERA, 1.36 WHIP
Philadelphia -
#1 Darren Chance 17-7, 2.04 ERA, 1.13 WHIP
#2 Perry Harvey 11-12, 3.74 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
#3 Frank Feng 9-4, 3.71 ERA, 1.27 WHIP

Top Hitters:
Atlanta -
Dee Dee Hutton 49 HR, 137 RBI, .969 OPS
Eric Roosevelt 35 HR, 106 RBI, .892 OPS
Dan Guerrero 33 HR, 101 RBI, 22 SB
Philadelphia -
Pedro Garrido 46 HR, 127 RBI, .318 BA, 1.032 OPS
Frank Jorgensen 46 HR, 105 RBI, .983 OPS
Del Whilhelm 129 Runs, 33 HR, 104 RBI, 40 SB, .965 OPS
Jose Pichardo 37 HR, 101 RBI, 29 SB, .325 BA, .945 OPS

#3 San Francisco Giants (90-72) vs. #6 Chicago Cubs (89-73)

Head to Head Results: Games 6-4 Chicago, Runs 48-44 Chicago

Starters:
San Francisco -
#1 Carlos Trinidad 15-8, 2.88 ERA, 1.27 WHIP
#2 Zach Millwood 12-12, 3.78 ERA, 1.37 WHIP
#3 Wilton Stark 9-8, 4.41 ERA, 1.26 WHIP
Chicago -
#1 Victor Torres 11-9, 3.13 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
#2 Guy Kirk 10-10, 2.91 ERA, 1.16 WHIP
#3 Carter Kennedy 10-8, 3.62 ERA, 1.28 WHIP

Top Hitters:
San Francisco -
Jolbert Romero 36 HR, 89 RBI, .317 BA, 1.023 OPS
Jake Clapp 38 HR, 126 RBI, 29 SB, .905 OPS
Cristobal Marquez 24 HR, 98 RBI, .852 OPS
Chicago -
Julio Martin 36 HR, 95 RBI, .928 OPS
Tony Masao 47 HR, 108 RBI, .840 OPS

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Season 5 Power Rankings - 4th Edition

1. (2) Portland Beavers, 95-54, Past Weeks 34-14: The Beavers are close to locking up division title #2 and the #1 playoff seed. The Beavers are a deep, talented team but lack any marquee star that is typically found on championship teams.

2. (9) Philadelphia Phillies, 87-62, Past Weeks 33-15: The Phillies have returned to championship form as all the pieces seem to be lining up at the right time. With two aces in Chance and Harvey, this team is going to be a tough playoff opponent.

3. (5) Anaheim Angels, 88-61, Past Weeks 32-16: The Angels have played great but still find themselves losing ground. Dotel and Charles do a lot in making this team the toughest first round opponent in either league.

4. (7) Washington DC Nationals, 87-62, Past Weeks 31-17: With Marquez pitching brilliantly and Swann’s bat having come alive, the Nats are staying with the Phils and will be a tough team to face in the playoffs.

5. (13) New York Yankees, 86-63, 67-54, Past Weeks 33-15: The Yankees have been playing great ball which has led to their clinching their 2nd division title and having the lead for the #2 playoff seed. The arrivals of Ozzie Percival, Raul Lee, and Marco Harper have given the pitching a major boost.

6. (1) Montreal Expos, 85-64, Past Weeks 26-22: Marte seems to be a lock for this season’s MVP with his gaudy batting average along with big-time power numbers, but Montreal is anything but a lock for the division. The fight with the Reds looks like it may be decided on the final day.

7. (6) Kansas City Royals, 85-64, Past Weeks 28-20: Danny Alexander’s big bat continues to provide the biggest boost to this team as they now sit tied for the division.

8. (3) Charlotte Knights, 85-64, Past Weeks 25-23: A poor showing in divisional play has opened up the AL South race as the Royals and Rangers are right on their heels.

9. (17) San Francisco Giants, 84-65, Past Weeks 31-17: With homerun contest winner Jolbert Romero leading the offense despite showing signs of fatigue, the Giants have stood large of late and are on the verge of their first division title.

10. (8) Cincinnati Reds, 85-64, Past Weeks 28-20: Great pitching and big time slugging have the Reds tied with the Expos. Unfortunately, their bullpen weaknesses may be their fatal flaw in both the regular season race and the playoffs.

11. (10) Texas Rangers, 84-65, Past Weeks 28-20: Free agency has been good to the Rangers as Cy Young candidate Jeff Bollea and speedster Tony Contreras are keeping them in the race. Right now they are on the outside as they sit 1 game back in both the division and the #2 wild card races.

12. (15) Seattle Mariners, 81-68, Past Weeks 27-21: The Mariners remain a solid team with excellent pitching, but they are going to need catch a big winning streak if they hope to continue into the postseason.

13. (11) Chicago Cubs, 81-68, Past Weeks 25-23: The Cubs need some masterful pitching during this final week as they stand 4 GB for the division and 2nd wild card with only 13 remaining, because their “anemic” offense just isn’t going to get it done.

14. (4) San Diego Padres, 80-69, Past Weeks 23-25: The Padre’s have slumped and Ralph Levine’s arrival could not pull them out of it. With 4 GB in the division and 13 left to play, the Padres need to pray for a miracle.

15. (14) Arizona Diamondbacks, 79-70, Past Weeks 25-23: The D’backs stranglehold on the NL West is almost over, thanks to an under achieving performance by one of the more talented pitching staffs.

16. (18) Oakland Athletics, 75-74, Past Weeks 22-26: The A’s are the last place team in baseball’s best division but there is a lot of good young talent on this team which gives the fans hope for next season.

17. (12) Detroit Tigers, 75-74, Past Weeks 21-27: Luckily for the Tigers, the Twins have played just as badly and are allowing the Tigers to limp their way to the division title. MVP candidate Damian Chen is having another outstanding season and is excited to play in his first postseason game.

18. (20) New York Mets, 74-75, Past Weeks 24-24: The Mets remain solid and with their well-stocked farm system have the look of a team on the verge for next season.

19. (21) Atlanta Braves, 73-76, Past Weeks 24-24: Despite their mediocre season, the Braves appear headed to repeat as division champs and give Dee Dee another shot at postseason glory.

20. (19) Minnesota Twins, 73-76, Past Weeks 22-26: Ever since the trading deadline passed, the Twins have had a hard time playing with any consistency and their bid for a 3rd division title is at risk.

21. (16) Los Angeles Dodgers, 71-78, Past Weeks 17-31: The Dodger pitching has remained solid but the Dodger bats have fallen silent and have led to the demise of their once promising season.

22. (23) Boston Red Sox, 69-80, Past Weeks 20-28: The Red Sox are a distant 2nd place and are going to need a lot of help on the pitching staff to compete next season.

23. (26) St. Louis Cardinals, 69-80, Past Weeks 24-24: The Cards put together a solid week that found them briefly leading the division. A big finale could still find this team in the postseason.

24. (22) Florida Marlins, 69-80, Past Weeks 20-28: The Marlins had their shot at this division and then sank back down. It appears that another sub .500 division title is not going to happen for them this season.

25. (24) Cleveland Indians, 67-82, Past Weeks 19-29: The Tribe faded fast after their brief stint atop the division. There is great hope for the future with some major prospects in their system.

26. (25) Pittsburgh Pirates, 66-83, Past Weeks 19-29: Redmond and Sherman need more help. We’ll see if the Bucs can find it next season.

27. (30) Baltimore Orioles, 62-87, Past Weeks 25-23: With a respectable week, the O’s climb a few spots and avoid the shame of a 100-loss season.

28. (28) Toronto Blue Jays, 62-87, Past Weeks 17-31: Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall this week in Toronto and by shipping out stud closer Marco Harper for youth, the hope is that he can be put together next season.

29. (27) Houston Astros, 58-91, Past Weeks 16-32: The Astros just couldn’t make it work enough to compete in the sad NL South, but good talent awaits in AAA and below that could lead to a change in their fortunes next season.

30. (29) Tampa Bay Rays, 57-92, Past Weeks 17-31: The Rays still have a shot at avoiding 100 losses, which would be a spectacular accomplishment for this stripped down ball club.

31. (30) Milwaukee Brewers, 51-98, Past Weeks 18-30: Lira, Shuey, and Parrish got to escape for greener pastures. Perhaps their replacements can make a difference next season.

47. (32) Chicago White Sox, 41-108, Past Weeks 14-34: This team would be a long shot for the AAA playoffs.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Season 5 Power Rankings - 3rd Edition

1. (1) Montreal Expos, 59-42, Past Week 8-10: Marte is flirting with .400 and the offense continues to roll. An off week has put this team in the lead of a tight three-team race.

2. (5) Portland Beavers, 61-40, Past Week 13-5: The Beavers were impressive this week as they asserted themselves as the team to beat in the tough AL West.

3. (2) Charlotte Knights, 60-41, Past Week 9-9: A poor showing in divisional play has opened up the AL South race as the Royals and Rangers are right on their heels.

4. (6) San Diego Padres, 57-44, Past Week 9-9: The Padres have not been able to pull away from the others in the strong NL West. Perhaps new arrival Ralph Levine can be the difference maker for this team.

5. (3) Anaheim Angels, 56-45, Past Week 8-10: The Angels did not perform up to expectations this week and are now in danger of missing the playoffs entirely after last season’s ALCS appearance.

6. (11) Kansas City Royals, 57-44, Past Week 13-5: This week the Royals looked like the team that rolled through last season’s AL playoffs to the World Series and are again serious contenders.

7. (13) Washington DC Nationals, 56-45, Past Week 12-6: Estaban Marquez has benefited from the change of scenery and the entire team has gotten a charge from the big trade with NY. If Hayes Swann can figure out what ails him, the Nats will be hard to catch.

8. (7) Cincinnati Reds, 57-44, Past Week 10-8: The Reds gained some ground this week and their superb pitching, power hitting team is knocking on the Expos door.

9. (4) Philadelphia Phillies, 54-47, Past Week 7-11: It was a horrible week in Philly that saw the Phils lose their division lead. With Garrido off the DL, they must right the ship soon or the defending champs will be sitting out this postseason.

10. (16) Texas Rangers, 56-45, Past Week 13-5: The mix of veterans and youngsters are clicking right now for the Rangers and their dominating divisional play has them in a tight three-way AL South race.

11. (14) Chicago Cubs, 56-45, Past Week 10-8: Big time pitching keeps the Cubs in what is now a tight NL North race.

12. (18T) Detroit Tigers, 54-47, Past Week 13-5: The Tigers roared this week against their AL North rivals. This young and talented team appears ready to win their first division title.

13. (21) New York Yankees, 53-48, Past Week 12-6: Divisional play was just what the doctor ordered for the Yanks as they beat up on their rivals to regain the division lead.

14. (24) Arizona Diamondbacks, 54-47, Past Week 14-4: The D’backs found their pitching prowess and took advantage of divisional play with a terrific week to put themselves back in the hunt.

15. (10) Seattle Mariners, 54-47, Past Week 8-10: The Mariners pitching remains strong, but the offense is what makes them only the third best in the tough AL West.

16. (9) Los Angeles Dodgers, 54-47, Past Week 7-11: The Dodgers got roughed up by their division rivals as their lack of a consistent offense is hurting their chances.

17. (12) San Francisco Giants, 53-48, Past Week 8-10: With homerun contest winner Jolbert Romero leading the offense and showing signs of fatigue, can the Giants remain in contention?

18. (8) Oakland Athletics, 53-48, Past Week 5-13: This week, the A’s looked like a young team with the lowest payroll.

19. (18T) Minnesota Twins, 51-50, Past Week 10-8: The Twins lost a tough series with Detroit and have slipped into 2nd place.

20. (15) New York Mets, 50-51, Past Week 6-12: It seems the heat of the playoff race was too much for this young team as divisional play knocked them down a peg or two.

21. (22) Atlanta Braves, 49-52, Past Week 9-9: The Braves remain a disappointing team this season. The week was salvaged by a 4 game sweep of the rival Marlins.

22. (23) Florida Marlins, 49-52, Past Week 10-8: The Marlins week started strong, but then went south in divisional play.

23. (20) Boston Red Sox, 49-52, Past Week 8-10: The Red Sox put up another mediocre week but remain in the race with the weak AL East.

24. (17) Cleveland Indians, 48-53, Past Week 5-13: Divisional play has proved costly for the Tribe as they dropped like a rock from first to third in the AL East.

25. (25) Pittsburgh Pirates, 47-54, Past Week 9-9: With a .500 week, the Bucs are running out of time this season.

26. (28) St. Louis Cardinals, 45-56, Past Week 12-6: Their good week finds the Cards in the hunt for the division.

27. (26) Houston Astros, 42-59, Past Week 10-8: With a decent week, the Astros still remain within striking distance of the division title in the weak NL South.

28. (27) Toronto Blue Jays, 45-56, Past Week 10-8: If not for the poor showing against division leaders Detroit and Minnesota, the Jays would have climbed back in the race.

29. (31) Tampa Bay Rays, 40-61, Past Week 10-8: There is some pride in Tampa as the Rays have a respectable week.

30. (29) Baltimore Orioles, 37-64, Past Week 5-13: With Levine and Kapler shipped out, put a fork in them.

31. (30) Milwaukee Brewers, 33-68, Past Week 3-15: Mmmm...beer.

32. (32) Chicago White Sox, 27-74, Past Week 2-16: The scouts are furiously scouring the country to find the future #1 pick.