A Look Ahead: World Series

CAN THE RANGERS COMEBACK: Tomorrow is a must win and if they get that game I believe Texas will wint his series, they need their pitching to come alive as it did against the Tigers and their hitting to step up just a little more.  Nelson Cruz hit a homer today and they need that but more from Beltre, Young, and Hamilton.
PUJOLS: Pujols will keep this kind of work up and he might even surprise you on defense, there is no walking him and he’s the best hitter in the MLB so Wash should use his walk Cabrera strategy on him or else we will see a few more bombs and some good play, he won;t repeat this again though.
PITCHING: The Rangers have Derek Holland up against Edwin Jackson tomorrow, Holland I’ll give a slight edge too though Jackson could be lights out, I see another high scoring affair but with the Rangers winning and taking advantage of their ballpark.  Game 5 is Wilson against Carpenter which is a toss-up, but if Wilson isn’t touched within three innings the Rangers will get just enough offense to beat Carpenter
STEP UP; that’s what the Cards bullpen has done and should continue too but Ogando needs to do better along with the other relievers like Feldman but the Rangers pitchers that start need to go at least six so then it goes Ogando-Adams-Feliz.  Dotel is an amazing reliever and will keep it up
I WILL STICK WITH RANGERS IN 6

Ranking How The Cardinals Hitter Will Do The Rest Of The Series

1. Albert Pujols
2. Lance Berkman
3. David Freese
4. Matt Holliday
5. Skip Schumaker
6. Rafael Furcal
7. Yadier Molina
8. Allen Craig
9. Jon Jay
10. Ryan Theroit
11. Daniel Descalso
12. Nick Punto
13. Gerald Laird

23 Hitters Who Will Come Up Big More Than Once In The Playoffs

THE SUPERSTARS

• 1B Miguel Cabrera
• 3B Evan Longoria
• 2B Robinson Cano
• DH Michael Young
• CF Josh Hamilton
• 1B Ryan Howard
• 1B Prince Fielder
• LF Ryan Braun
• RF Justin Upton
• 1B Albert Pujols

THE VETS

• 3B Alex Rodriguez
• SS Derek Jeter
• LF Lance Berkman
• RF Magglio Ordonez
• DH Johnny Damon
• 3B Placido Polanco

THE OTHER GOOD ONES

• DH Victor Martinez
• 1B Mark Teixeria
• CF Curtis Granderson
• RF Hunter Pence

THE YOUNG ONES AND SURPRISES

• 1B Paul Goldschmit
• LF Delmon Young
• C Mike Napoli

MLB Playoff Predictions

ALDS
Tigers at Yankees
PREDICTION: Tigers in 5

Rays at Rangers
PREDICTION: Rays in 4

NLDS
Cardinals at Phillies
PREDICTION: Phillies in 3

Diamondbacks at Brewers
PREDICTION: Diamondbacks in 5

ALCS
Tigers over Rays in 6

NLCS
Phillies over Diamondbacks in 6

World Series
Phillies over Tigers in 7

RANKING (In terms of playoff series strength)

1. Phillies
2. Yankees
3. Tigers
4. Brewers
5. Diamondbacks
6. Rays
7. Rangers
8. Cardianls

MY ODDS TO WIN WORLD SERIES
Cardinals 1-100
Rangers 1-60
Rays 1-55
Brewers 1-40
Diamondbacks 1-40
Tigers 1-30
Yankees 1-20
Phillies 1-10

Ranking Teams How Could Be In The Playoffs

1. Phillies
2. Yankees
3. Brewers
4. Tigers
5. Diamondbacks
6. Rangers
7. Rays
8. Braves
9. Red Sox
10. Cardinals

Are The Angels Out Of It?

Yes, they are.  They have a very talented team and I like their mix of veterans like Hunter and Abreu and Young Guns Mark Trumbo and Mike Trout.  I also love their pitching staff and are a very good team but their AL West hopes are done, they are 4.5 games behind the Rangers with only ten games left and they might play a bit better than the Rangers the rest of the way, and it’s not likely they do anyway, they will lose the division because the Rangers are too good for that and the Angels won’t win the Wild Card because the Rays and Red Sox are much better teams.  Expect the Angels to come back very strong next season and they will finish strong and could come within about 2 games of a playoff spot but it would take a real big miracle for them to win at this point.  One thing they need to do for next season is figure out a way to get rid of Wells and get a better catcher possibly but Walden should come back a stronger closer and I like their chances of sticking with the Rangers next year. 
TODAY IN THE PLAYOFFS: The Rays moved to two games back of the Red Sox and just have to continue playing the way they have to force and playoff and possibly win if the Red Sox go 4-6 the rest of the way and the Rays go 7-3, which at this point looks very likely.  The D’Backs are magic number is at 5 and they should win pretty soon and the Brewers should clinch soon with a magic number of four.  My updated predictions for who plays in the DS match-ups
Yankees vs. Rangers
Tigers vs Rays

Phillies vs Diamondbacks
Brewers vs Braves

Do The Braves Need To Worry About Pitching

I say no for two reasons, one is that they are going to rebound from this little funk they’re in and do pretty good and they are a scary team.  The only thing that could hurt is injuries
REASON 1: They it all they just need it to come together again but if Hanson can’t come back by the NLDS they could be in a little trouble, they can do without Jurrjens for now
HUDSON: Is a veteran who does good in these situations and is a good, ace type of pitcher.  Watch for him to have a really good NLDS
BEACHY: Can be dominating and I think he will in the playoffs and he just needs to find his groove again, which he can in his next couple starts
MINOR: He’s a good pitcher and impressive and if he has to fill in I think he could do well and maybe not throw and shutout but six or seven really good innings
HANSON: He will just be himself, no changes a solid option who will win games in the playoffs, needs to be here for the NLDS though or Braves are in some trouble
JURRJENS: If he can come back for NLCS he can be money.  If not Braves will have a tougher time getting passed the Phillies or Brewers or D’Backs
Injuries are the only thing that could stop the rotation.  Lowe would have a 50-05 shot or probably less at this point in doing well in a playoff game and Teheran may not be the right choice yet but in an emergency he might surprise them.
RESASON 2: If the starters get healthy they have to go six innings them O’Flathery will take ver and do great, then Venters will and do great and Kimbrel will shut down the other teams hitting with his heat and amazing stuff he’s a very special closer and he will be great for many years but especially this postseason.

The Braves will get out of this funk and likely soon but they need Jurrjens and Hanson healthy to go deep, if they do the Braves have a real shot, almost everybody slumping will stop on pitching (except Lowe)

Who Wins the AL East, Does It Matter?

WHO WILL WIN: I will say the Red Sox, even though they are struggling right now, they should snap out of it soon and just play good the ret of the way.  The Sox hitting and pitching is better.  The Yankees have a chance though, they are not a bad team but I just have a hard time seeing them hang on, I see them blowing a couple of games and they just don;t have enough.  They could be a strong Wild Card with all the good season they had from Granderson, Cano and Teixeria and veterans Rodriguez and Jeter but having only one really good pitcher will hurt them now especially.  It will be close though and the Yankees should play good, but it may not be enough.  Chance the Yankees win the Division: 35%
DOES IT MATTER: Yes, if the Red Sox don’t get home field they have a worse chance of beating the Rangers or Tigers, but probably still could.  If the Yankees win the wild card they may be in trouble because the Rangers or Tigers may already beat them anyway and it will be a lot easier for them to if the Yanks have to start on the road.  Either team has to win one of the first two road games in the playoffs though.  If the Red Sox lose Game 1 to Verlander and Game 2 to Scherzer or Fister, then if they go to Fenway, Fister is a ground ball pitcher so if the Tigers were to start him it would be bad for them and same with the Yankees at Comerica or Yankee Stadium, especially with their question marks.  The Rangers are just tough to beat all-around too so, that wouldn’t be good for either team.  I believe the team that wins the division has a LOT better chance to make it to the World Series.  The Red Sox are a much better playoff team and should be prepared and they should win.

ANOTHER NOTE: The Rays won;t make the playoffs but they could play close to how good these two teams play the rest of the year, if not a little better.  They could come out the gates strong next year.

Do The Tigers Have The Division Locked Up?

The Indians are the bigger threat, I think…
INDIANS: If Ubaldo shows up they can hang it for a couple of weeks longer but they should get eliminated the last week of the year.  They just aren’t that good of a team and lack enough offense espacially without Choo and Sizemore.  If they did somehow make the playoffs they should be an easy team to beat.  They can close games out with Perez which will be big for them in staying in the race, though it will take a big comeback there still in it, but not by much at all.  CHANCE OF MAKING IT: 10%
WHITE SOX: Not enough a disappointing.  I say they go .500 or less, maybe a lot less from here on out.  Konerko has been the only good player and if Dunn and Rios don’t have a huge stretch, there is no way the make it.  If they get swept be the Tigers tomorrow, I’d say they’re.  They could lose a lot of they’re divisional games.  They have decent pitching but Humber was holding it together and if he doesn’t come back soon it’s another dink in the team.  I also have a feeling Santos may fall apart now.  CHANCE OF MAKING IT: <1%

The Tigers look like a tough, beatable team and could easily take it to both team in the upcoming match-ups and the Tigers could be a surprise in the playoffs, especially if even one of Scherzer or Porcello shows and both could.

Ranking Playoff Contenders Rotataions

1. Phillies- They have actually outperformed this year and Lee, Hamels, Oswlat, and Halladay will be tough in any series and don;t forget Worely who will figure in somewhere
2. Brewers- Grienke is finally stepping up and Gallardo is talented and won’t crumble in the playoffs add that to a consistent Marcum and you have a good rotation
3. Giants- Their rotation will win it for them.  Lincecum can come up and so can Cain.  Vogelsong could fade a bit but he will be good and so will Sanchez when he comes back. 
4. Braves- A nice mix and Hanson, Beachy, Lowe, Hudson or Jurrjens could pitch well and that’s why I think this team can go deep with no trouble.  Jurrjens will be the best though
5. Rangers- Not the prettiest but it will get the job done for them.  Ogando and Wilson doing the biggest part and Harrison right behind them and Lewis should do well under pressure though he can be hit off of
6. Diamondbacks- Kennedy is an ace, Hudson is a good co-ace/number two and Collmenter could stay a surprise breakout and add that with an average veteran like Joe Saunders and you will get a decent rotation that can hold up
7. Tigers- Verlander is money and he will start every possible game he can and can win most.  Scherzer is starting to heat up and Fister will do what he always does and Penny may take a spot though Porcello could heat up, Porcello couldn’t be in the playoff rotation right now, but that could easily change.
8. Red Sox- After Beckett and Lester they don’t strike any fear and Lester or Beckett may lose once in a while.  If anything brings them down the playoffs, it’s their rotation
9. Yankees- CC and maybe some good work from veterans but the only guy I can see doing well besides CC is Nova and that’s not even set in stone, if they don’t fix that fast they are in trouble