Tigers at A’s ALDS Game 4 Preview

Keys
Tigers: Scherzer has been hot, but the offense needs to go out and score some runs early and often
Athletics: Support AJ Griffin because he won’t turn in as good of an outing as Brett Anderson did

Line-Ups
Tigers

1. CF Autin Jackson
2. LF Quintin Berry
3. 3B Miguel Cabrera
4. 1B Prince Fielder
5. DH Delmon Young
6. LF Andy Dirks
7. SS Jhonny Peralta
8. C Alex Avila
9. 2B Omar Infante

I like the look of this line-up more than last night’s.  It can score some runs and maybe hit a few homers tonight.  It could even go crazy which it needs to do.  One thing is I like Berry hitting in the two hole after what he did in Game 1 there but Garcia needs to pinch hit late in the game if it’s close.  Cabrera and Fielder could lead this group tonight.

Athletics

1. CF Coco Crisp
2. SS Stephen Drew
3. LF Yoenis Cespedes
4. 1B Brandon Moss
5. RF Josh Reddick
6. 3B Josh Donaldson
7. DH Seth Smith
8. C Derek Norris
9. 2B Cliff Pennington

This is a decent line-up, but I can’t see it production more than four runs max.  Cespedes and Smith have been the only ones to really impress me during the series, but Crisp, Drew, Reddick or Moss could help out tonight.  I like the Tigers line-up a lot better though

PITCHING MATCH-UP: OAK: AJ Griffin vs DET: Max Scherzer: Scherzer should pitch a great game and his stuff has been on lately for the Tigers.  I expect a lot of Tigers strikeouts today.  Griffin is good and he should do a decent job but I see him letting some baserunners on today and the Tigers hitting him decent and scoring some runs, but he could turn in a decent performance.  Scherzer should be his normal self that he was in the last two months of the year.  PREDICTED LINES: Scherzer 7 IP 10 K 2 BB 2 ER 6 H Griffin 5.1 IP 4 K 3 BB 5 ER 9 H

Hero will be…Miguel Cabrera
Goat will be…Josh Reddick

Prediction: Tigers 9 Athletics 3

MLB Pick’em 10/9/12

Giants over Reds 5-4
Still think that the Giants will pull out one win
Tigers over Athletics 11-4
Tigers bats get hot is what I think will happen and Anibal is just getting hoter, but the A’s are tough

Under The Radar Players To Watch this Postseason

CARDINALS: Daniel Descalso- He can play defense that for sure but he’s under pressure as he is getting more playing time with Rafael Furcal getting hurt and though he may not breakout and be a hero, he could be a key factor for the Cardinals if he hits well, and could be one of the big reasons they advance, if they beat the Nats and if he gets going in the playoffs the Cardinals could really start rolling.  I expect him to do well, but it really depends on if the Nationals pitchers are on or choke a bit.
NATIONALS: Ryan Zimmerman- The Nats best hitter had waited since 2005 to get the chance and he’s too good of a player not to put up some good numbers or help his team, and maybe have a legendary postseason.  Even if the Nats get eliminated I expect him to do good and if they make a run i think he will get better and batter as the playoffs go on.
REDS: The Outfield I could pick Votto but we know he will hit well and be a hard out, I think the whole outfield will be worth watching the postseason with the Reds.  Jay Bruce is the best, most powerful and talented player out of the bunch and could easily power his way into the record books.  Ryan Ludwick is off to a hot start and should keep that up along with his power.  Heisey could do well in his spots and Stubbs should hit a lot better than he did in the regular season.  They may not be legendary this postseason but they could help a lot
GIANTS: Pablo Sandoval- He will hit for this team and provide some power, and I can see him coming through in the big situations this postseason.  The Giants will do well as a whole if they do good, but Sandoval could very well be their best hitter this postseason
YANKEES: Ichiro Suzuki- He finally gets his chance to be a postseason hero and with his track record, I expect a lot of hits for him this postseason, and some of them being really big ones.  The Yankees would be smart keeping him in the two spot.
ORIOLES: Manny Machado- He gave the Os’ the spark to finish off their improbable season and he might be to the Orioles what Miguel Cabrera was to the 2003 Marlins, that extra piece.  It’ hard to pick from this team since most of these guys found their spot all at the right time kind of like the 2010 Giants did, but Machado needs to help lead them on all sides of the ball, regardless of age.
TIGERS: Avisail Garcia- Speaking of Miguel Cabrera, this guy could really put his name on the national map.  He has power he hasn’t shown yet but his big way of helping the Tigers this postseason is on defense and getting hits at the bottom of the order.  I think he can do a lot of big things.
ATHLETICS: Yoenis Cespedes- He’s a five tool player and a showcase, he can help the A’s any way and he is by far the best player on their team.  He could turn in more performances like Game 2 in the ALDS.  He is by far the A’s best player.

Can Only Add To Legacy and Just Might
Tigers: Miguel Cabrera
Athletics: Too Young
Yankees: Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano
Orioles: Jim Thome
Cardinals: David Freese
Nationals: Jayson Werth
Reds: Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips
Giants: Buster Posey

X-Factors To Doing Well
Reds: Aroldis Chapman
Giants: Ryan Vogelsong
Nationals: Bryce Harper
Cardinals: Jon Jay
Tigers: Jhonny Peralta
Athletics: Brandon Moss
Yankees: Rafael Soriano
Orioles: JJ Hardy

MLB Pick’em: 10/6/12

Tigers Over A’s 7-3
Dirks and Cabera hit HR, JV goes 7 strong

Reds over Giants 2-1
Cueto and Cain match each other and Gaints bullpen blows it to Reds big hitters

2012 MLB Playoff Prediction: Pre-Postseason

AL Wild Card
Orioles over Rangers 6-5
NL WIld Card
Braves over Cardinals 7-5
ALDS
Yankees over Orioles 3-2
Tigers over Athletics 3-1
NLDS
Nationals over Braves 3-2
Reds over Giants 3-2
ALCS
Tigers over Yankees 4-2
NLCS
Nationals over Reds 4-2
World Series
Tigers over Nationals in 7

Athletics Sign Yoenis Cespedes

The A’s signed Cespedes to a 4 year, 36 million dollar deal.  The money is pretty good as are the years for what was expected.  He’s a bit overhyped and going to the A’s will hurt his value but he should still do pretty good and be an impact player.  He may play some of this year in the minors which is okay for him and then move up and if he does, he should do okay.  His average this year may not be the best but it won’t be terrible, where he’s a t he could be a .280-.290 hitter.  His defense will fit well in the A’s park and he fit well  The A’s moves don;t make much sense with trading their young guns and getting him, other than the fact that they want him to be a cornerstone to the franchise which may not happen, o the move is questionable.  He should have success and be an above average in the MLB if not a little more and his power will always be his most impressive tool, but he should do a lot for the A’s and may make this contract look decent or bad.  He could succeed in the A’s ballpark but it will be a little harder on him.  Cespedes is a risk all around but the A’s should get some production no matter what, I don;t see him being a complete bust, if he even is, he will always have power and defense and could hit for some extra base hits or he could be a superstar.  This is an okay deal for both sides.

Red Sox Get Andrew Bailey

The A’s continue their rebuilding and fall to the bottom of the AL by trading closer Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney to the Red Sox for Josh Reddick, Miles Head and Raul Alcantara.  I see this moving helping all those who go to Boston and hurting all those who go to the A’s.  The A’s could have gotten a lot better return, I think.  Bailey may be overvalued but Reddick is a little bit overrated and he probably will not repeat the hot streak he had in Boston last year and he won’t have as good numbers, that being said he’s the best player the A’s got and could do okay and have a decent career as a starter.  Bailey will save 40 games in Boston and won’t blow many and I think he’s better suited to pitch in Boston than Paplebon.  The Red Sox now have a good back-end with Melancon and Bailey and maybe Jenks will work out or Bard will come back to the bullpen, since he’s better suited there.  Sweeney could start this year if no better replacement is found for JD Drew and he should have a career year and come out strong and be a good hitter, his OBP will never be there but he can bring some power and speed and be an average defender and a nice starter or great fourth outfielder.  Bailey should see a rise in WAR too and have some great seasons in Boston.  The A’s also got two prospects Miles Head, a power hitting first baseman who could do well or terrible as an A.  Alcantara, a pitcher, is an interesting arm but hasn’t proven much beyond rookie ball yet, so I’m not sold.  EDGE: Red Sox

Also, Kalish is NOT a starter option for the Sox, he wouldn’t do so good, especially right away.  Stick with Sweeney or a FA for now

Nationals Acquire Gio Gonzalez

The NAtionals have acquired Gio Gonzalez.  Although he has had his struggles with walks in the past, he is still a very bright young lefty pitcher and he will continue on with his great career.  The Nationals have made a big addition in getting him and he will help out their rotation a lot.  Gio, Strasburg and Zimmermann will make a great 1-2-3 in their rotation for years and Gio will always walk guys but his strikeouts may go up and I think he will fix his control problems and have a great next few seasons.  He will keep the Nats in a lot of games and moving to the NL helps him and he will do well in the park and the division.  The Nats did have to give up a lot of prospect and that may hurt them a little but not as much as some people are making out to be and this will be a huge loss for the Athletics.  Thee Athletics got Derek Norris, a good offensive catcher who will have a lower average in the MLB but have amazing pop and be a great catcher.  Norris should be up by the end of this year and he will start doing good, he’s better than Kurt Suzuki.  The A’s also got Brad Peacock, who will be a really good two or three starter who constantly puts up great numbers and he should have a good career.  AJ Cole was acquired by the A’s and he has the biggest upside and should have at least some success at the major league level, maybe a lot.  He’s a very good, overpowering starter who will get a lot of strikeouts always.  The A’s also got lefty Tom Millone, who be also be every good but as a five starter.  The Nationals also got Robert Gilliam, who may or may not pan out but could do okay in Oakland’s ballpark, maybe.  EDGE: NATIONALS

Free Agent Profile: Magglio Ordonez

OVERVIEW: An aging outfielder coming off a disappointing season, I believe he still has a lot left in his tank and something to offer with his bat and he could be a bargain and have a real good 2012 and maybe 2013 to close out his career, but his defense won’t be there, not that he couldn’t play right field but he won’t do that well out there.  He will do better than he did last year and could be the hitter he was but he may also disappoint.
STATS: He could be up to a .300 hitter maybe a little better but .280 or .290 sounds way more realistic at this point.  He could belt a few homers and when given the chance to get an RBI, he will get it a lot of times.  I really like him and what he does and his stats will show it.  His defensive stats won;t be there of course and he should be a little above average sabermetricly.
FITS:
Tigers- He fits best as a Tiger and I’d really like them to re-sign him but I doubt they will re-sign him, which is to bad for both sides
Rangers- He could play left and put Hamilton in center and Cruz in right and give Gentry playing time once in a while, he could revive his career here
Red Sox- They had interest last year and he could serve as a third or fourth outfielder here and do okay
Phillies- He could give Brown so more time and give some nice production without a long time commitment
Athletics- Could fill in a roster spot and play his game minus some pop
BEST FIT: Tigers, but most realistic is the Rangers

IS HE DONE?: I say no but there is a possibility.  If he isn’t going to drop in his production the will do a fine and be just a little bit under his usual production in 2012 and he may drop some in 2013 again or he could drop a lot in production this year, which is possible but not as much.  I say there is only a 30% he’s done and he will do okay this year.

BOTTOM LINE: He’s a good option as an outfielder and could still start

MLB Power Rankings 8/19/11

1. Phillies- The best, no question
2. Red Sox- Really Good, easily better than the Yankees
3. Braves- I can’t find many negatives
4. Yankees- Starters and Injuries a concern but a good team
5. Brewers- Hottest in baseball and Weeks isn’t even back yet
6. Rangers- Ready for another deep postseason run
7. Diamondbacks- Look better than the Giants but not very established yet
8. Giants- Lincecum has been a n ace as has Cain and Vogelsong and Sanchez have been a great supporting cast.  No offense though
9. Tigers- If the starters can come around they are a pretty deep team
10. Rays- The wrong division, one of the most talented teams in the MLB, bright future
11. Cardinals- Berkman, Holliday and Pujols won’t make it easy on Brewers but Garcia struggles are big trouble
12. Indians- Ubaldo will help but just aren’t THAT good
13. Angels- Wells is killing them but Santana is hot and Trumbo is a very talented player
14. White Sox- If Dunn comes around, watch out, Humber being out hurts though
15. Blue Jays- Above average but this isn’t their year to shine
16. Pirates- A .500 team, finally.  If Alvarez comes around and they stay healthy could be much, much more
17. Reds- Could climb up the list and come back very strong
18. Rockies- Another team that had just one bad year and Tulo could light up September
19. Marlins- Should being doing a lot better but dumb moves like demoting Morrison hurt
20. Mets- Not a bad team but not a contender, yet
21. Nationals- Could be next year’s surprise team with Strasburg back, both Zimmerman(n)s and a good year from Werth, don’t forget Harper, at the end of the year, either
22. Twins- Need to come out the gate better but Nishioka is a bust and an easy out, the double play combo needs work
23. Athletics- They look very good and I can’t see them not improving a lot next season
24. Padres- Have some young and promising players but still a few years away
25. Dodgers- Kemp is an MVP candidate and Ethier should come back strong starting this year
26. Mariners- The starters look good and Wells and Carp look like future players but after that it’s hazy
27. Orioles- Not a really good team and still years away from contending
28. Cubs- With Hendry gone it could get better from here
29. Royals- Their outfielders all look good and prospects are bright a better record is ahead
30. Astros- Not much other than Altuve