In 2007 and 2008 we were all witnesses to two Cinderfellas — Colorado and Tampa Bay — taking center stage and advancing to the World Series. In 2009 the high dollar, big market teams are the only ones left standing. With the nations top two TV markets and Philadelphia represented, expectations of a ratings winner in running high at the MLB offices.
Will it be another East coast / West coast World Series? Will MLB get its dream match up, the Yankees and Dodgers? Or, will it be an all East coast or West coast affair?
Today SportsFags breaks down the National League Championship Series and predicts a winner but first what did we learn from each league’s divisional series?
LDS Observations
Balanced Starting Pitching
With only two exceptions the LDS games were close contests. An often over looked effect of the end of the steroid era is a greater balance and emphasis placed on starting pitching. With a drop off in run production there’s an increased scrutiny on defense, managerial decisions, pitching match ups and most importantly starting pitching — and that’s good for baseball.
Sloppy Play
The first round of the playoffs were plagued with defensive miscues, poor base running and bad calls from the umpires. Fans expect to see more focus and concentration this time of year but baseball’s history is full of post season screw ups so don’t expect that to change now.
Bullpens
There are two schools of thought as to how the post-steroid era has impacted relief pitching. Some believe the drop in offense has elevated the role of the bullpen. As proof, they point to close games decided late with relievers playing critical roles in determining the outcome. On the contrary others believe that with starters producing more innings the bullpen’s role is diminished.
The truth is somewhere in the middle and during the regular season you could argue either side. However when the playoffs begin the bullpen often plays a larger role.
Mark Loretta
For all the hype the every day players and starting pitchers receive during the regular season when it comes down to the playoffs, games are decided late, by bench players called upon to take advantage of favorable pitching match ups.
So between the Dodgers and Phillies who has the deeper, more versatile bench? Which team can rely on their bullpen in late inning, pressure packed, situational match ups. And which manager do you trust will make the better decisions?
Bench: Advantage Dodgers – Juan Pierre, Jim Thome, Orlando Hudson and NLDS hero Mark Loretta give the Dodgers several players who present match up problems for a shaky Philadelphia bullpen.
Bullpen: Advantage Dodgers – Los Angeles ranked first in bullpen ERA, WHIP (Walk and Hits per Innings Pitched), opponent batting average and opponent OPS. The Phillies had two blown saves against the Rockies in the NLDS and their bullpen ERA is a full run higher than the Dodgers this post season.
Manager: Advantage Dodgers – Even though Joe Torre was blessed with the best players while with the Yankees others have failed in similar situations. Considering all of the Dodgers starting pitching problems this season, just getting this team within four wins of the World Series may just be Torre’s best performance.
Prediction
Dodgers in six.
You can check out the Dodgers and Phillies hotties.
Check out our American League preview tomorrow.
