14
2012
It’s LCS Time!
An article by 
Last night, the Tigers got a scare thanks to Jose Valverde and Raul Ibanez – but the game ended with Yankees fans hearts on the floors as they watched Derek Jeter’s postseason come to an end.
This series to me, regardless of Jeter’s injury is going to be all about Valverde v. Soriano. The teams are both pretty evenly matched in starting pitching if you ask me, paired with the Yankees lineup inability to get a big hit (minus Raul & Jeter), this series is likely to be very close.
Today is Game 2, and the Yankees will send Hiroki Kuroda to the mound on short rest. Detroit on the other hand will rely on former Marlins pitcher Anibal Sanchez to pitch them to Detroit with a series lead.
The pitching matchups as a whole favor Detroit because the Yankees needed to pitch Sabathia in Game 5 on Friday night, which likely means he may only pitch once this series. Verlander on the other hand will be available to pitch Game 3 in Detroit and then if necessary he would be available in Game 7 on his normal rest.
Game 2 is an absolute must win for the Yankees. Somebody in their lineup is going to have to step up in the absence of Jeter. This is ARod’s moment, will he take it?
Everything about this matchup favors Detroit. The starting rotation’s rest, and the health of their starting lineup.
Anything can happen, as we saw last night or two nights ago in Washington – but I picked Detroit prior to the series, so I am obviously sticking to it.
Who had Detroit to the World Series?: Michael Barrett, Tie Dyed, Clayton Collier, Ed Leyro, Jessep, Mitch Petanick
Who had the Yankees to the World Series?: Xtreemicon
Who lost their AL Predicted Champ?: Jim Mancari (OAK), Greg Hopps (BALT), Clare Lafferty (OAK), Jessica DeMattia (OAK), Joe D (TEX).
The NLCS pits the last two World Series champions against one another, a great matchup with some great storylines.
Mets fans will watch closely as Carlos Beltran and Angel Pagan sit on opposite sides of the chalk, looking to each get to their first World Series.
The Cardinals staged the greatest comeback in MLB playoff history, down 6-0 on the road in an elimination game. They proved yet again, that the game is not over until the final out. That never say die mentality is something to be admired in today’s game.
Both of these teams are experienced enough, and that should lead to a great series. For me, I look at the weapons. The Giants got by without really using Tim Lincecum – and it seems he’s been rejuvenated as of late. He’s going to be available in the bullpen should they need him, and if not – you can expect him to start as early as Game 4.
Both of these teams had exhausting LDS’. The Giants had to come back from a 2-0 series, while we all know what the Cardinals went through. The Giants got an extra day of rest though, which could prove huge for the pitching matchups.
For me, I look to starting pitching here. I believe their offenses both have enough weapons to get a big hit in a close game – but the starters are the difference.
Give me Bumgarner-Vogelsong-Cain-Lincecum over Lynn-Carpenter-Lohse-Wainwright.
Once again, I took the Giants over the Cardinals before the playoffs started, so I can’t change my mind now.
Who had the Cardinals to the World Series?: Ed Leyro
Who had the Giants to the World Series?: Jessep
Who lost their NL Predicted Champ?: Jim Mancari (CIN), Greg Hopps (WAS), Clare Lafferty (WAS), Jessica DeMattia (WAS), Michael Barrett (CIN), Tie Dyed (WAS), Joe D (WAS), Xtreemicon (ATL), Mitch Petanick (ATL), Clayton Collier (WAS).
About the Author: Michael J. Branda
My time with MMO began in July of 2009 when I wrote a Fan Post defending Omar Minaya (before it was cool to do that.) I grew up a Mets fan with the mid 1980's teams. My favorite Met of all-time is (and was) Wally Backman. When it comes to sabermetrics versus old school thinking, I like to think I meet in the middle. I believe thinking of new ways to get answers is helpful, especially when the same way has not produced results. However, I think over-thinking certain situations can get you into trouble. I'm excited for the new regime, because I believe they have pieces in place to focus on several aspects of the Mets organization. I've waited this long for a World Series, waiting a few more years for another chance isn't going to kill me.
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It certainly will be interesting to see how the Yankees react to losing Jeter. Also a good test of whether not having the “C” on the field actually matters!
random prediction: Fielder is having a monster game today launching balls into the RF short porch. Though most random popups have a chance of ending up in those stands.
I have to think advantage Tigers now – as long as the keep Valverde off the mound in the 9th.
Jeter was one of the few Yankees hitting for them in post season. Think this is a big loss they don’t recover from.
Giants/Cards……this one is more evenly matched but I think the Cards offense is better. At least it has been in this post season.
On the chance that the Yankees to go to the WS, I want the winner of the NLCS to be whoever has the better chance of beating them.
I agree. If the Yankees lose, I am fine with the Giants, because I really don’t want to see the Cards again, but St. Louis probably has a better chance to knock off the yankees.
It will also be interesting to see (if you can even tell) what psychological impact losing Jeter (their “go to” crutch) will have on them. Probably none, but who knows? Not sure who their replacement is, but hopefully he gets the Yips worrying about replacing a legend!
I really wanted to see Beltran play in Yankee Stadium…if nothing than to comeback to NY and show NY fans that wrote him off and said his knee would be destroyed in 2013…
The Mets didnt have the money to sign him.
The Yanks didnt want him ( again )
not sure what Swishers contract status was, but can you imagine if the Yanks had signed Beltran instead for RF? Carlos hitting in the tiny little park?
The other team that really could have used him (in hindsight of course, not sure anyone expected him to be an iron man on those knees) was the Phils, considering they sucked wind in the OF too this year. Other problems also of course, but 1 more big bat might have kept them from falling too far back to catch up.
Yeah, I think the yanks exercised Swishers option for 1 year 10 mil…
at the time they did that ( oct 29th ), Beltran was still represented by Scott Boras, Scott was scaring teams away with his insane demands again…
Scott said Beltran should get another 5 year 75 mil deal…
even Beltran disagreed…fired Boras on Oct 31st….hired Dan Lozano….and lowered his demands to something more sensible…
2-3 year deal…for 13-15 mil a pop…
With the yankees already committed to Granderson, Swisher, Gardner, along w/ Andruw Jones…along with the DH spot already warmed up for A-Rod…Beltran didnt make as much sense if he was going to push them past the luxury tax…
Beltran wanted a ring..Beltran grew up idolizing Bernie Williams and was a Yankee fan…most folks dont know this…but he chose #15 as a uniform number to honor #51 ….had he picked #51 it would’ve upset too many Met fans who were already ticked off that we hired a Yankee icon ( willie ) and Boras/Beltran had lowered his salary demands to go to the Bronx and play with his boyhood idol…
Damaja: I’m not suggesting Beltran is or was a terrible add for the Cards. I’m saying the long season wore him down and that is the difference between the Cards & the Mets. The Mets would have needed him to be the best player for 162. The Cards had enough talent to make up for his dreadful summer.
By the way I have heard that Bernie stuff before and I always found it odd. Bernie is 9 years older than Beltran. So I guess as a 9 year old he idolized an 18 year old? I guess?
Beltran is a great postseason player – denying that would be silly. But the truth he’s been a great postseason player for everybody BUT the Mets. He had a terrible LDS for the Mets and a good LCS but made the last out with the bat on his shoulders.
I’m not gonna sit here and act like having Beltran now would change a thing because he was on better teams in New York from 07-11 and it changed nothing.
Damaja: If you ask most Cardinals fans, they will tell you that Beltran was borderline terrible in the 2nd half. He looked old and worn down.
He’s incredible in the playoffs (unless he plays for us apparently) but you also cannot forget that his 2nd half was atrocious
.236 average, .302 on base, .440 slug in 69 games.
The playoffs are a different story but he still has to play 162 games to get there.
If you ask most cardinal fans…and people who love facts…they will tell you that Carlos Beltran came through for them almost all year long…and esp when it MOST COUNTED…
Beltran in April – .256 w/ 5 HR
Beltran in May – .326 w/ 10 HR
Beltran in June – .337 w/ 5 HR
Beltran in July – .200 w/ 4 HR
Beltran in August -.211 w/ 4 HR
Beltran in Sept – .280 w/ 4 HR
Beltran in Oct – .444 w/ 2 HR
Beltran was in a bad slump for 44 games…
and even with that…my statement still stands…
Beltran was better than anyone in our lineup in 2011 and 2012…
Message to the Wilpons…
NY Fans only support winners…
even when u have a 200 mil payroll
even when u have stars…
if u dont look like a winner…NY fans will not come to see you play…
http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/10/14/yankee-stadium-crowd-empty-seats-game-2/1633317/
NY fans have always been as loyal as Time Square Hookers were back in the 80′s…
Nick Swisher…Bleacher Creature darling…
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/swisher-stadium-fans-skin-article-1.1183514?localLinksEnabled=false
Nothing brings me more joy than to see this creep have the smirk wiped off his face by his own fans