There’s only one October

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By Brad Esta

The post-season is finally here, and after 162 games there have been many stories. The MLB now has instant replay, and the American league will once more host the World Series as they won the All-Star game. And the Yankees who had made the playoffs for 13 straight seasons couldn’t make it 14. Both the Yankees and Mets will be moving into new stadiums next year. But now it is playoff time and time for all the magic to happen, and here are your contenders.

National League

NL East – Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies benefited from yet another New York Mets collapse at the end of the season. The Phillies have won the East for the second year in the year now. The Phillies are without doubt offensively stacked, and they have a lead-off hitter in Jimmy Rollins who has stolen 47 bases this season.

The Phillies could have the one of the toughest, if not the toughest middle of the order in all of baseball. They are lead by Ryan Howard who leads the majors in both homeruns and RBI’s with 48 and 146 respectively although a down side to Howards number is his strikeout total which stands at 199. Chase Utley and Pat Burrell also carry a big bat both with 33 HR’s. The bright side for their pitching would be Brad Lidge who has saved all 41 of his opportunities this season.

NL Central – Chicago Cubs

So many things come to mind when you think of the Cubbies. Wrigley field with its ivy walls, people sitting on the high apartment buildings watching the game and of course the curse. Well Happy Anniversary to the Cubs and the Curse as this is its 100th year.

The Cubbies without doubt have been the team to beat in the NL throughout this season. The Cubs have a more balanced attack as they have six players with 20+ HR’s, including the likes of Jim Edmonds, Alfonso Soriano, Derrick Lee and Aramis Ramirez. The Cubs also have a decent pitching rotation with Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly and Carlos Zambrano. Look for the Cubs to be representing the NL in the World Series.

NL West – Los Angeles Dodgers

By far, the turning point for the Dodgers was being able to land Manny Ramirez. Although he has only been then there for about 1/3 of the season, he is right up there with 17 HR’s in which only Matt Kemp, 18, and Andre Ethier, 20, lead him. Manny’s bat, without a doubt, has brought this Dodgers team to life, and he is batting .396 since being traded.

The Dodgers though, suffered from pitching woes, and Chad Billindsley lead the team with 16 wins and a 3.14 ERA while Derrick Lowe isn’t care behind with 14 wins and a 3.24. Other than that, a washed up Greg Maddux joins them on the hill, and as a team, they have blown almost 20 saves. With Joe Torre at the helm, anything is possible.

NL Wildcard – Milwaukee Brewers or New York Mets

Both the Mets and Brewers have been enjoying a free fall as of late. The Brewers Ben Sheets is hurt and C.C. Sabathia would be taking the hill every night if it was physically possible. For the Mets, their bullpen has blown lead after lead and Johan Santana was called on to pitch on three days rest for just the second time in his career.

While these teams have to use the full season to duke it out, whoever wins the wild card will be the highest accomplishment for them on this season. Unlike the Rockies last year who came into the post-season rolling, both of these teams have been losing and using every bit of energy just to get this wild card spot.

American League

AL East – Tampa Bay Rays

The story of the season, the Cinderella story, the Rays must have known what they were doing when they dropped “Devil” from the front of their name, as they have completed the worst-to-first scenario. The Rays have been completely outstanding at home, which has given them the edge over the Red Sox for the division.

The Rays are a team you probably haven’t heard much about and know very little about the players, but they are a team that fights hard the whole game with output coming from different players every night. Carlos Pena leads the team with 27 homeruns and 111 RBI, and Evan Longoria has to be enjoying his rookie season as he has 27 HR’s and 85 RBI’s.

Jamie Shields leads the team with 14 wins and his 3.57 ERA. One problem the Rays might face is that their star from last year, Scott Kazmir has been doing a tail spin as of late, but have no fear – the Rays look to use David Price, former Vanderbilt player, stand out in their post-season. Price has only pitched in four games, starting one, but has looked good doing it, so look for him to give the team a shot in the arm.

AL Central – Minnesota Twins or Chicago White Sox

The Twins are a surprise to be in this position. During the off-season, the Twins got rid of both Torii Hunter and Johan Santana, but still find a way to give the White Sox a race they will not soon forget. The White Sox had the division all but wrapped up when they went to play the Twins, needing to win just a game.

The White Sox were shutout as the Twins swept them in the three-game set making it a race once more. Instead of believing in his players, manager Ozzie Guillen has called out his players, saying certain pitchers are not big time pitchers, as they would go on to prove his point. I don’t think I would be happy about being right in such a situation.

AL West – Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels blew out all the competition in the West and cruised to the finish, but the big story for this team is Francisco Rodriquez who broke the saves record with 62. Not only do the Angels have a talented pitching staff with John Lackey, Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana, but the Angeles also know how to swing the bat with the likes of Vladimir Guerrero, Torii Hunter and Mark Teixeira, who was acquired from the Atlanta Braves, making the Angels the team to beat in AL and in my mind. the favorites to win it all.

AL Wildcard – Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox have the chance to defend their championship, and what a battle their opening round will be when they face the Angels. The Red Sox have one of the best pitching staffs in the majors. Led by Daisuke Matsuzaka who has an 18-2 record, along with Jon Lester and Josh Beckett who becomes phenomenal once the post-season starts, the Red Sox surely don’t lack the offense to go along with their pitching led by Kevin Youkilis, Matt Lowell, J.D. Drew and of course, David “Big Papi” Ortiz.

Originally Published: Issue 707 - October 1, 2008

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