LCS Preview

By TwinsWin83

Well folks, the first round of the playoffs are over and as we head deeper into October there are important questions surrounding each of the remaining teams. How long can the Rockies keep this up? Will anyone be able to beat the Red Sox starters? Are the Diamondbacks that good or were the Cubs that bad? Is Fausto Carmona for real? No one knows the answers to any of those questions yet and that is why playoff baseball is so great. Here’s a preview of the LCS match-ups as the final four teams battle for a spot in the 106th World Series.

Indians vs. Red Sox

Season Series: Red Sox 5-2

What you should know: The Curse of Rocky Colavito. Sure the Billy Goat and the Bambino get all the press when it comes to curses but the fact remains that the Indians haven’t won a World Series title since 1948. Prior to opening day in 1960 the Tribe traded right fielder and fan favorite Rocky Colavito to the Tigers for would-be flop Harvey Kuenn. What followed was a string of the worst three and a half decades of baseball ever played by a Major League team. From 1959 to 1993 Cleveland managed one third-place finish, five fourth-place finishes and ended in the last place every other season. Now that's a slump. So while the Red Sox and White Sox have slain their demons over the past few seasons with World Series titles the Indians have not, possibly clearing the way for another franchise to reverse a curse this October.

Why the Indians will win: The Indians made it clear in the Division Series against the Yankees that they have a pitching staff to be reckoned with. Sabathia proved he could anchor the #1 spot in the rotation while Carmona showed he could carry his regular season success over into October. Paul Byrd shut-up the critics with a Game 4 victory in New York Monday night and the bullpen was lights-out yet again. If the offense can provide the two-out hits with runners in scoring position that they did in the Division Series the Red Sox are going to have a hard time staying with this confident Cleveland bunch.

Why the Red Sox will win: As solid as the Indians looked in the first round the Red Sox appeared even more impressive in their match-up against the Angels. Boston looked like they are finally clicking after a rocky couple of weeks near the end of the regular season. Beckett and Schilling were at the top of their games and with them scheduled to start the first two games of the ALCS the Red Sox could jump out to a quick advantage. Manny Ramirez is swinging the bat better than he has all year and David Ortiz is his typical self in October. All of these factors, coupled with home field advantage, make the Red Sox very dangerous.

What to watch for: Indians pitching staff vs. Manny Ramirez. Manny is being Manny again and if he continues to hit like he has over the last week it could be a short trip to the ALCS for the Indians.

Who will win: I bet against the Indians in the first round even when I was rooting for them to knock off the Yankees. I think these two teams are incredibly even and the series will eventually come down to how well the bullpens respond to the pressures of October. In the end I think home field advantage wins out and the Red Sox take a nail-biting series. Red Sox in 7.

Rockies vs. Diamondbacks

Season Series: Rockies 10-8

What you should know: Batting averages are overrated. The Diamondbacks were the first team since 1906 to win their division while sporting the lowest batting average in the league, but don’t underestimate them, they led the N.L. with 90 wins.

Why the Rockies will win: Can you say 17 out of 18? There have been few teams in the history of baseball that are hotter than the Rockies are right now, regular or post season. Colorado won 14 of their final 15 games to grab the final N.L. playoff spot and October didn’t cool them down one bit as they blew right by the Phillies in three games in the Divisional Series. The country is finally getting to know some of the Rockies stars as Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki and Todd Helton lead the teams potent offense. The question in this series for the Rockies will once again be the pitching. Colorado has a clear-cut ace in 17-game winner Jeff Francis but after him it gets sketchy. Game 2 starter Ubaldo Jiminez was 4-12 this season with a 4.28 E.R.A. and the bullpen (excluding the preceding 3 weeks) has been shaky at best. Coors Field could play a big role in this series as the mile-high stadium tends to boost teams offensive output. But just like I said heading into the ALDS, the Rockies seem to have a bit of magic about them right now and that can spell trouble for their opponents. October is when you want to be playing your best baseball of the year and that is exactly what Colorado is doing right now.


Why the Diamondbacks will win: The Diamondbacks proved in the Divisional Series that it is no mistake they are still playing in October. For as young as this team is they showed an incredible amount of maturity in defeating Chicago in a very workman-like fashion. Manufacturing runs and getting solid pitching is the name of the game for Arizona and they didn’t stray from the formula that helped them win 90 games during the regular season. Brandon Webb was nasty as usual in the first round and would present a daunting task for the Rockies if they have to face him three times should the series go seven games. If the Rockies can pull out a game that doesn’t involve Webb they will grab a clear leg up in the series. Home field advantage usually comes into play this time of year and the D-Backs should be able to use that to their benefit when playing in the desert, the question will be how they respond to the hostile and hitter-friendly atmosphere in Denver. Stephen Drew and Chris Young have emerged as future-stars and need to perform at the plate in this series in order to carry the D-Backs usually weak offense.

What to watch for: Diamondbacks staff vs. Matt Holliday. Colorado’s M.V.P. candidate hit .361 in 18 games against the D-Backs this season with 2 homers and 13 R.B.I.’s. The Rockies are going to need to score some runs to support their pitching staff and Holliday has been the team’s offensive spark plug all season. If Arizona can shut Holliday down they might be able to manufacture enough runs to stay a step ahead.

Who will win: It would be crazy to pick against a team that has won 17 of their last 18 games and despite what some might say I’m haven’t completely lost it quite yet. The Diamondbacks great season comes to an end and the Rockies move on to their first ever World Series. Rockies in 6.

So……
My World Series picks: Red Sox vs. Rockies
Your picks?.....