Orioles vs Yankees ALDS Game 5

The Orioles have stayed in it all year and lately the Yankees have struggled in these games.  It will be close for sure.  The Orioles will stay close and did what they did last night, only the offense could be a lot better
Keys:
Orioles: Manny Machado and the offense to keep the Orioles in it
Yankees: Sabathia to keep the Yankees in it

Pitching Match-Up
Jason Hammel vs CC Sabathia Sabathia will have a decent outing no matter what and could be dominant like always, and he could have a start that is only a bit worse than Verlander did yesterday.  He needs to keep control and o 6 strong at least and get the big outs and just have a normal CC game and be the ace that he is.  PREDICTED LINE: 6.2 IP 3 ER 6 H 3 BB 7 K  Hammel should surprise everyone and not be untouchable but play very well and he should overpower hitters and I don’t see him getting bombed or anything like that at all.  Hammel is a good starter and should be starting this game for the Orioles

Line-Ups: The Orioles line-up is good and McLouth, Davis, Jones and Wieters could make some production and 3 RBIs at least,b ut I’d start Thome oer Ford even with a lefty.  They have enough in their line-up to win though and guys like Machado or Reynolds could come up huge.  Sitting Rodriguez is a questionable move for New York, I may have just started Chavez at DH and hit Rodriguez ninth.  Regardless this offense is non-stop and tough, but they can be stopped and the O’s pitching has found a way to do that in some games this year.

This game is a complete toss-up and almost even.  The Yankees have more talent but the Orioles are so good at taking advantage of things and playing well I wouldn’t be surprised either way, though I picked the O’s.  It could be a classic postseason match-up.  If the O’s do get eliminated I think they had a successful year and great postseason too.

Potential Hero: SP Jason Hammel or 2B Robinson Cano

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.

Orioles Still Have a Shot

The Orioles may not have the best chance to win it all, but I wouldn’t count them out.  Is till think the Yankees will move onto the ALDS, but baseball is wacky and so is this Orioles team that really shouldn’t be in this position.  Tonight is the Orioles big shot with Saunders going, he could have a strong game like he did in the Wild Card and if he does I think the Orioles can get some runs off of Hughes and they can win, even on the road and if they win tonight, their chance of winning tomorrow gets a lot better.  The offense needs to roll though and not just hit homers but get hits and they have to execute in key situations like they have all year, that’s why they’re here and that’s why I won’t count them out.  Even if they lose, they will lose close ones like last night.  Jim Johnson really needs to get the save too, because now he can’t blow a save and still be alive, and he’s the part I’m nervous for the Orioles for, but he can do it most of the time.  If the series comes down to a Game 5 on Friday night, I will take the Orioles to play close and tough and the orioles to give Sabathia a bit of a tought time, but it’s too close to say who will win for sure, even though the Yankees are the favorites.  Girardi and Showalter should make some interesting, but likely good choices in their bullpens and game selections too.  Alex Rdoriguez probably won’t perk out of his slump these next two games either.

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

Yankees vs Orioles Preview ALDS 2012

HEAD TO HEAD POSITIONS
Catcher: Matt Wieters vs Russ Martin: Wieters
1B: Mark Reynolds vs Mark Teixeira: Teixeira
2B: Robert Andino/Ryan Flaherty vs Robinson Cano: Cano
3B: Manny Machado vs Alex Rodirguez: Rodriguez, but Machado could just match Rodriguez one day
SS: JJ Hardy vs Derek Jeter: Jeter
LF: Chris Davis vs Ichiro Suzuki: Suzuki still
CF: Adam Jones vs Curtis Granderson: Jones this year
RF: Nate McLouth vs Nick Swisher: Swisher
DH: Jim Thome/Wilson Betemit vs Raul Ibanez/Eric Chavez: Orioles
BENCH: Orioles
STARTERS: Yankees
RELIEVERS: Yankees
Manager: Buck Showalter vs Joe Girardi: Showalter
NYY 8 BAL 5

REPORT CARD
PITCHING BAL B- NYY: B+
RELIVERS BAL A- NYY A
HITTING BAL B NYY A

Match-ups: The Yankees will have the advantage in most pitching match-ups with Sabathia, Kuroda, and Pettitte but the O’s pitching flies under the radar with Britton, Matusz, and Hunter who could be great starters and are starting to be and could really show it on a showcase this postseason and Hunter and Saunders can really help with their experience.  I don’t expect many ninth inning comebacks either with Johnson and Soriano in the ninth.  Today, Hammel could outpitch himself and put up a fight with CC, who usually so smooth seems to have lost his postseason pitching least year as he struggled with control.  Tomorrow Chen can use his wacky mechanics to help too.  Pettitte is a postseason legend and has a delivery that can hold up all season and postseason fool hitters, you have to love him.  It will be close but you would be lying if you said the Yankees didn’t have the advantage

Prediction: I took the Yankees but I wouldn’t be surprised if the O’s won it, I think the Yankees take one at Oriole Park though, which really hurts the O’s.  It will go more than three games for sure.

MLB Playoff Pick’em: 10/7/12

Tigers over Athletics 8-1
Cabrera and Fielder wake up, Tigers go up 2-0, FIster keeps up the Ks and good perfromance
Nationals over Cardinals 5-4
Cardinals play hard but Nats use magic to put up a comeback win for first win as a franchise in the postseason
Giants over Reds 6-3
Red put up a fight, but Bumgarner to tough
Orioles over Yankees 10-9
Slugfest in Baltimore is won by the powerful and cinderella team

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

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

MLB Power Rankings: May 6th, 2012

1. Rangers
2. Nationals
3. Cardinals
4. Rays
5. Dodgers
6. Braves
7. Orioles
8. Tigers
9. Yankees
10. Blue Jays
11. Giants
12. Phillies
13. Marlins
14. Reds
15. Red Sox
16. Angels
17. Indians
18. Mets
19. Diamondbacks
20. Rockies
21. Brewers
22. Athletics
23. White Sox
24. Astros
25. Mariners
26. Pirtates
27. Cubs
28. Royals
29. Padres
30. Twins

Rockies Acquire Guthrie for Hammel, Lindstrom

Jeremy Guthrie has been a very good and very underrated starter the past few years and this trade could be a steal for the Rockies.  They now have a good rotation filled with good young arms and vets and they gave up very little to get the ace of their staff.  He should pitch like an ace too and his numbers shouldn’t change at all, sure moving to Coors may hurt him a little but he can get around that sometimes by ground balls and he’s moving out of the AL East, where the Yankees and Red Sox feasted on him.  Guthrie brings a lot to the table, he’s just flat out good and him and Chacin could be a very good 1-2 combo that flies under the radar next season.  I like this move for both the Rockies, who get a lot better and the Guthrie who should continue doing well.  The Orioles get Jason Hammel, who had a tough go of it last year but is better than that and somewhat underrated and moving away from Coors, a ballpark less suited for him, will help him be better and possibly good as the five man for the O’s in 2012 and Lindstrom is a pretty good reliever and moving should help him reestablish himself as one of the premier setup men in the again and be a success in Baltimore, I think these guys help the O’s but losing Guthrie will hurt a lot in 2012 and possibly beyond.  EDGE: Rockies

Rockies rotation

1. RHP Jeremy Guthrie
2. RHP Jhoulys Chacin
3. LHP Jorge De La Rosa
4. RHP Alex White
5. LHP Drew Pomeranz

O’s rotation

1. LHP Zach Britton
2. RHP Jake Arrieta
3. RHP Wei-Yin Chen
4. RHP Jason Hammel
5. LHP Brian Matusz