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2011 WS Rangers vs. Cardinals: Impartial Prediction

Posted by on 19 October 2011, 2:35 am

The battle for the title of 2011 World Series Champion starts tonight, as the St. Louis Cardinals will duke it out with the Texas Rangers in a match-up that you won’t want to miss.

The only sure thing is the one team will be crowned the champs, while the other will join the long list of World Series meltdowns.

Before getting to my prediction, read my posts about the good, the bad and the ugly about both the RANGERS and the CARDINALS. (Click on team name to read previews.) Click HERE for TV schedule for all World Series games.

So, who do think has the upper hand in this battle royal?

MY 2011 WORLD SERIES PREDICTION:

On paper the Rangers have a slight edge over the Cardinals, but neither team has an overwhelming advantage over the other.

Both teams have gotten sub-par performances in the postseason thus far from their starting pitchers, so look for the team whose rotation steps it up to play a big part of the series.

Looking at the regular season numbers, the Rangers have better starting rotation, but not as much vs. the Cardinals. See, the strength of the Cardinals hitters is the long-ball and the Rangers starters have given up 16 of the team’s 20 home-runs this postseason, with six off Rangers ace CJ Wilson. Wilson only gave up 16 homers in the regular season, so they need a big start from him in Game 1.

The Cardinals fate hangs on the Game 1 performance of ace Chris Carpenter, who is now suffering from elbow soreness but says he is good to go, but what else is he going to say.

Since Game 1 is in St. Louis, it gives the Cardinals home field advantage to start this World Series. The Cardinals are slightly better defensively than Texas, and have a better bench.

While the Rangers have the edge in their starting rotation, as they feature three lefties, which could make it tougher for the Cardinals righty dominate bats to get going. This is pending on at least two of the three lefties kicking it up a notch. Continue reading ‘2011 WS Rangers vs. Cardinals: Impartial Prediction’ »

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MLB Breaking News: Cardinals Singing St. Louis Blues With Loss Of Ace Adam Wainwright

Posted by on 24 February 2011, 2:17 pm
ST. LOUIS - APRIL 06: Adam Wainwright #50 of ...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The Cardinals GM John Mozeliak confirmed that St. Louis Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright would need Tommy John Surgery and is out for the 2011 season.

Another tough break before Spring Training games even start. The team failed to lock in Albert Puljos who will hit the free agent market at the end of 2011; and just yesterday utility infielder Nick Punto will have surgery for a sports hernia with an expected two to three months.

Cardinal’s fans appear to be in for a ruff ride in 2011.

Pitching is one half of what makes St. Louis successful, specifically the pitching dominance of Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, who 2-3 respectively in 2009 National League CY Young voting. In 2010, Wainwright again missed the CY Young again coming in second to winner Roy Halladay.

Last season, Wainwright posted a 20-11 record, with a 2.42 ERA, striking out 213, with five complete games and two shutouts in just over 230 innings pitched.

This leaves the Cardinals with two options, either go get another pitcher or trade the healthier half of the duo Chris Carpenter.

Here is the problem, even with Carpenter posting a 16-9 record, a 3.22 ERA over 235 innings in 2010, his will be 36-years-old come April and that is not ideal trade for another team in the long-term. Plus it also leaves the Cardinals without a true ace, and Carpenter is also an experienced leader.

The other and more likely outcome will be to depend on pitching coach Dave Duncan to do what he does best and transform some older promising prospects, like Lance Lynn and Ian Snell into formidable starters. If anyone can accomplish this feat it is Duncan, as he is deemed as a connoisseur in terms of pitching coaches.

Wainwright is 29 years old, and clearly has been effective and dominant as the team’s ace.

It is bad news, no doubt about it the Cardinals and their fans are singing the St. Louis Blues.

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And The Award Goes To…..

Posted by on 13 November 2009, 4:38 pm

Gold Glove awards completed today, as MLB Award Season has officially started.

Spreading out nicely for the month after the World Series keeps talks and debates flowing. It also lightens the initial blow for baseball fans everywhere; whom are all adjusting to nights free of baseball.

Then before you know it, 2010 is upon us and hopes can fill fans hearts for the season to start.

My sincerest congratulations, to all the recipients thus far, who are in such an elite field.

Here are the 2009 Award Winners thus far (more to come):

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

American League – Aaron Hill, 2B – Toronto Blue Jays

After suffering a concussion in 2008, Aaron Hills baseball future was in question. Hill’s determination to prove doubters wrong is a true inspiration that hard work can pay-off. Hill had only seven errors, with.991 fielding percentage and was first in home-runs (36), RBIs (108), total bases (340) and at-bats (682) out of all second baseman. This is after it took months for Hill just to ride a bike again.

National League – Chris Carpenter, SP – St. Louis Cardinals

Chris Carpenter finished the season with a record of 17-4 with a 2.24 ERA. Carpenter only allowed seven home-runs all season. Carpenter came back to baseball this season after being out since the playoffs in 2006. Tommy John surgery and then at his initial return a nerve damage in his shoulder, more surgery for the right-hander.In 2009 Carpenter came-back from it all and is in talk for the Cy Young Award as well.

DELIVERY MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD:

Mariano Rivera, RP – New York Yankees

This is the award for the best relief pitcher of the season. In the 2009 season, no question, no doubt that it could only be Mariano Rivera. Rivera is the greatest of all-time and at 40 years old he doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Gotta go to Mo!!

GOLDEN GLOVE AWARDS:

American League

POS. PLAYER TEAM
C Joe Mauer Twins
1B Mark Teixeira Yankees
2B Placido Polanco Tigers
3B Evan Longoria Rays
SS Derek Jeter Yankees
OF Torii Hunter Angels
OF Adam Jones Orioles
OF Ichiro Suzuki Mariners
P Mark Buehrle White Sox

National League

POS. PLAYER TEAM
C Yadier Molina Cardinals
1B Adrian Gonzalez Padres
2B Orlando Hudson Dodgers
3B Ryan Zimmerman Nationals
SS Jimmy Rollins Phillies
OF Shane Victorino Phillies
OF Michael Bourn Astros
OF Matt Kemp Dodgers
P Adam Wainwright Cardinals

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A Fan’s Guide To The Eight Playoff Teams – Part 2

Posted by on 7 October 2009, 3:34 pm
Now onto the National League teams. The NL has four teams that will be playing to go to the World Series to face the winning AL team.
Here are the National League teams from a Yankee fan’s point of view. Once again listed in no particular order.
PART 2 – THE NATIONAL LEAGUE

1.Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are the defending World Champs and would love to repeat. The team works very well as a unit because players pick each other up in games when someone is struggling.The Phillies closer Brad Lidge has been far from the dominant closer he was in 2008. Skipper Charlie Manuel has shown confidence in Lidge but by keep ing him in his job but it has not paid off. Lidge blew 10 saves as of September. This will be a position likely to be filled by Brett Meyers. Meyers did well in the post before the season’s end. Lidge’s services will be utilized in less-pressuring situations, at least to open the playoffs. The closer component is vital to any baseball team’s success. Skipper Charlies Manuel has been around long enough to know what it takes to win. I am not to worried how the Phillies will handle this.Picking up Cliff Lee at the trade deadline (for scarcely anything considering what Lee’s arm is worth) to join Cole Hamels in the rotation. They are as reliable as a team one and two starters can get.The tandem with Joe Blanton most likely as the third will be a solid rotation.Phillies line-up is still very good with Rollins, Utley, Ibanez, Howard.
Are the defending champs good enough to repeat? That is a different story; guess we will find out soon.
2. St. Louis CardinalsThe Cardinals are could be the best team in the National League. Albert Puljos is the NL MVP and perhaps the best in the entire majors. He is what Jeter is to New York but in St. Louis. The Cardinals have two Cy Young Award possibilities in Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. This is the only team to have a one and two be Cy Young contenders. The mid season snatch of Matt Holliday to hit clean-up behind Puljos have both guys slugging over .600. Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina is the brother of Yankees catcher Jose and is one of the best catchers. Yadier is the best-defensive catcher in the game. Runners do not attempt to steal as often and to score off a single from second base is out of the question when Yadier is controlling the game.
The Cards support it all on paper. Whether it gets used properly and effectively is another story. Continue reading ‘A Fan’s Guide To The Eight Playoff Teams – Part 2’ »

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