Why I’m Taking Nationals In Game 5

The Nationals are such a talented and just a great team.  They finished with the best record in the MLB this regular season, but so did the Phillies in 2011 when the Cardinals, a tough team to beat, especially in the playoffs shocked the world and upset the Phillies in 5.  Tonight the NAtionals just scraped into Game 5 after a huge walk-off HR for Jayson Werth, who is earning his contract in the playoffs.  I like the Nationals tonight because they are the best team, even though they barely are right now, they are and should win.  Gonzalez has out pitched Wainwright this year and that should stay true for the most part and we know we are likely to see a decent start by both tonight.  I like the Nationals beyond that too, the Cardinals may be their toughest opponent, so if they can win this they could beat the Giants.  It won;t be easy either time but with the way all these players have played individually and as a team this year they can take on these teams.  Bryce Harper really needs to step up too, he can be a big number two guy and make it easier for Werth and Zimmerman.  In the World Series it’s still a toss-up, and if they do make it there, I might let Strasburg go in a game or two.  The Nationals have what it takes in almost eery aspect though and they can win this test.  I give them an 80% chance to win tonight.

MLB Pick’em for 10/12/12

Orioles over Yankees 5-4
CC tends to do well in these games and against the O’s but if he’s a little wild, they’ll jump all over him.  The Orioles will stay in it no matter what and I see them puling out a close one.

Nationals over Cardinals 7-6

Gonzalez has been struggling a bit but the Nationals can hit Wainwright okay too, and even though the Nationals are the better team, the Cardinals will stay in it like they always do.

MLB Postseason Picture: DS Games

Power Rankings

1. Nationals
2. Yankees
3. Reds
4. Tigers
5. Athletics
6. Orioles
7. Giants
8. Cardinals

TIGERS: These guys may have squeezed in the playoffs, but anything can happen, the Cardinals won 83 games in 2006 and they were World Champions and this team is a tough postseason team with their rotation and their hitting, especially if they are hot, and they are.  If the bullpen comes together they will do so great too.  Their options off the bench are decent too.  They have tough competition for sure but I can see them faxing it well.

ATHLETICS: I don’t see them making it passed here, even if they are being compare to the 1969 Mets.  Their rookie pitchers have never been through any of this.  That is no reason they can’t make it, but I see their defensive luck coming to an end, and I think the Tigers outmatch them, especially since the Tigers get the first two games at home.  If the A’s win this round, I do see them in the World Series.

REDS: This team could be the toughest in the postseason but I still need to be sold on Bronson Arroyo and the bottom of the line-up, until then I see them beating the Giants in a close one.  They have a strong team and have gotten more wins than I thought they could,  Plus when they get hot they are unstoppable against any team this year.  This group of guys plays really well together too.  I have confidence they will have a nice showing even if they don’t win it all.

GIANTS: Losing Melky hurt, but they kept winning and they can put up a fight against the Reds with their pitching and experience.  There is no way that the Giants will lay down and they have a small possibility of repeating their 2010 World Series run.

ORIOLES: They are making an improbable run and can play the Yankees well, but their power hitter really need to turn it up this series and Yankee Stadium will help them out a lot.  They also need their group of misfits to keep playing up to the par they have, because it will be a quick playoff run if they don’t.

YANKEES: I see them making at least the ALCS, but the O’s could upset the,  I like the way the their pitching has come together and Soriano will be tought at the end of the game.  I could see them scoring a ton of runs too with their mix of power, experience, good hitters and everything else.

CARDINALS: I can see them winning a few games but the Nats are really tough, they may just to mcuh for the Cards, but you can’t count a team like this out even with the injuries and postseason heroes David Freese and Yadier Molina should keep up their status.  They are a good team, but they aren’t great.  Their pitchers will also need to pitch good  games.

NATIONALS: Some see these guys laying down but I don’t.  I see them being like the 2006 Tigers in the playoffs, they have talent and the younger guys will help a lot too.  Their pitchers are very talented too and they will really get to show off their stuff  the playoffs.  I like this team.

Anybody or any team can become legendary in the postseason.

Follow this blog and me on Twitter, @Niktigs, for postseason coverage

Who has The Better Chance At Winning?

DETROIT AT NEW YORK: I will say the Tigers because Fister is better than Nov and I’ll say Game 1 was a fluke for both because of the way it was resumed.  The Tigers offense will need to step up a bit an if it does it will do awesome and even if it doesn’t live up to it’s fullest it can beat the Yankees.  The Yankees do have a really good shot, especially with their offense.  I also like the Tigers because I think Scherzer could be big in relief and JV could come in to get one or two clutch outs by using his gas.  Benoit and alverde will be ready too and Soriano could let down the Yanks.  The Tigers have a slight edge I think, they are better all-around and can beat the Yankees.
ST. LOUIS AT PHILLY: I have to say the Phillies have the advantage because of Halladay and the fact that they’re just a better team but the Cards have a serous chance at an upset with the way Freese and Berkman are going and the rest of team as shown up.  I also expect something big of Pujols, win or lose.  Carpenter can handle pressure well and will pitch a good game and do what he does best, give up barely any runs if any.  The Phillies lien-up could be the advantage here though and I’ll take them in a close one.  The Phils are the best team in the playoffs and at home too.
EXTRA: if the Brew Crew loses tonight they might not have an edge anymore but I wouldn’t be surprised if they won.  The D’backs [play great baseball though

MLB Pick’em: NLDS Game 4’s

FAVORITE- Cardianls- I like Jackson and the Phillies in 5  UNDERDOG-I just picked the Cards tonight so watch out, especially of Jackson isn’t going good today

FAVORTITE- DIamondbacks- They find the magic and could make a huge comeback and if they do they have a seroius shot at the World Series  UNDERDOG-Brewers- are good enough to hit tonight, win the series and mayeb win tonight but I just don’t think they will

MLB Pick’em: MLB Postseason Games 3 and 4

FAVORITE-Rays- Hellickson is better than Harrison  UNDERDOG- Rangers- Won’t go down easy and offense will be tough but Hellickson and bullpen may slow it down

FAVORITE-Cardinals- Jamie owns the Phillies and it’ an upset alert here but I still expect the Phils to come back from their hole  UNDERDOG: Phillies- Could still win this game

FAVORITE-Tigers- They kill Burnett and Porcello shows up, could be similar to Game 4 of ALDS in 2006  UNDERDOG-Yankees- Season is put of AJ Burnett’s shoulders…that doesn’t sound to good to me

FAVORITE-Diamondbacks- They won’t go down without a fight  UNDERDOG- Brewers- the road record from the first half shows up today but maybe only today

MLB Pick’em: Postseason Day 3

FAVORITE: Tigers- Scherzer does good and continues doing good throughout the postseason  UNDERDOG: Yankees- Garcia crumbles
FAVORTIE: Brewers- They win a close one due to offense  UNDERDOG: Diamondbacks- COuld win, will keep it close and can come back from being down 2-0
FAVORITE- Phillies- They won’t lose at home this series or maybe next  UNDERDOG; Cardinals- Great team but way overmatched here

Ranking The Postseason Starters

1. SP Justin Verlander
2. SP Roy Halladay
3. SP Cliff Lee
4. SP CC Sabathia
5. SP Zack Grienke
6. SP James Shields
7. SP Cole Hamels
8. SP Doug Fister
9. SP David Price
10. SP CJ Wilson
11. SP Ian Kennedy
12. SP Yovani Gallardo
13. SP Jeremy Hellcikson
14. SP Chris Carpenter
15. SP Roy Oswalt
16. SP Shuan Marcum
17. SP Jamie Garcia
18. SP Matt Moore
19. SP Daniel Hudson
20. SP Max Scherzer
21. SP Rick Porcello
22. SP Edwin Jackson
23. SP Josh Collmenter
24. SP Matt Harrison
25. SP Joe Saunders
26. SP Ivan Nova
27. SP Jeff Niemann
28. SP Randy Wolf
29. SP Freddy Garcia
30. SP Derek Holland
31. SP Colby Lewis
32. SP Kyle Lohse
33. SP AJ Burnett

Three Guys From Each Team Who Could Be Sneaky Good in Playoffs

Yankees

1. Curtis Granderson- OF
2. David Robertson- RP
3. Freddy Garcia- SP

Tigers

1. Delmon Young- LF
2. Al Alberquerque- RP
3. Max Scherzer- SP

Rays

1. Kelly Schoppach- C (Keep Doing Well)
2. Matt Jouce- OF
3. Joel Peralta- RP
4. And Matt Moore will do awesome if he gets another shot if Game 4 is forced

Rangers

1. Mike Napoli- C
2. Koji Uehara- RP
3. Matt Harrison- SP

Brewers

1. C Johnathon Lucroy
2. SS Yuniesky Bentancourt
3. RF Corey Hart

Diamondbacks

1. SS Willie Bloomquist
2. 2B Aaron Hill
3. SP Joe Suanders

Phillies

1. LF Raul Ibanez
2. RP Brad Lidge
3. RP Vance Worely

Cardinals

1. SS Rafael Furcal
2. IF Allen Craig
3. SP Jamie Garcia

MLB Pick’em: ALDS Day 2, NLDS Day 1

FAVORITE- Diamondbacs- Look for offense today and Ian Kennedy to come up big  UNDERDOG- Brewers- They will make it intereting and stay in it

FAVORTIE- Phillies- sorry but Kyle Loshe versus Roy Halladay, no.  UNDERDOG: Cardinals Will do okay under these circumstances

FAVORITE- Rays- This is there series to lose now and Longo will show up today.  Starters and relievers will be on fire  UNDERDOG-rangers- Could easily still win today though, just a lot of pressure

FAVORITE- Tigers- Will stick with my picks since Fister is better than Nova  UNDERDOG- Yankees- Ivan Nova will be exposed today