Divisional Preview
Sept 9, 2019 16:41:27 GMT
Dodgers GM (Pat), Red Sox GM (Alex), and 2 more like this
Post by Marlins GM (Andrew) on Sept 9, 2019 16:41:27 GMT
PIT vs. LAD
Hitting:
As the Pittsburgh prospect Death Star has slowly gone MLB operational they've become more and more dangerous on the volume statistics. However, this squad is still bottom 6 on all 3 hitting rate stats, and is coming off a week where they hit below .200. Dodgers also didn't have a great week, but I'll trust in the powers of Rizzo, Turner and Kepler to dominate the rate cats and take Runs and RBIs. Prediction: 5-2 DODGERS
Pitching:
The Dodgers run out two of the better pitchers in the league, Buehler & Kershaw and have one of the deeper bullpens out there. Look for them to pick up Holds while the Pirates steal Saves. However, with the sheer number of starting pitchers the Pirates throw out there (~11!!) they are the runaway favorites to pick up Wins, QS and Ks. The matchup will come down to who can pick up ERA and WHIP and I like Pat's chances here. Prediction: 4-3 PIRATES
Intangibles:
LAD has several great last names that are also or sound like words (Braun, Lamb, May) but I can make a sentence with PITs team: "Fried Gray Cave, Moran". ADVANTAGE: Pirates
ATL vs. MIA
Hitting:
The NL East matchup that was promised. The Braves have roughly 5 guys who'd go in the first round of a 12-team redraft league, a ridiculous collection of talent. They've finished 1st or 2nd in five out of the seven hitting categories on the year. Marlins have to hope to take HR and SLG and maybe get lucky in RBI. Prediction: 4-2-1 BRAVES
Pitching:
This is clearly where the Marlins have to make their hay to advance. Braves will take Saves, Marlins will take Holds, and should have the volume advantage on K's. From their, it's a toss up but I'll bet on Verlander, Cole and Darvish over Grienke, Price and Morton. Prediction: 4-2-1 MARLINS
Intangibles:
We've all thought Cole was going to win the league since May. ADVANTAGE: BRAVES
CWS vs. BOS
Hitting:
The hottest team in the league vs Bellinger, Betts, Lindor, Altuve and (checks notes) Carson Kelly? The Red Sox are right there with the Braves atop the hitting standings, finishing no worse than 3rd in any category. But who the hell knows what to expect out of the surging White Sox, who had 5 players hit over .400 last week. /Shrug. Ultimately, I’ll give a slight edge to the team whose done it all year, but this is the most volatile of all the sections in the playoffs this week. Prediction: 4-3 RED SOX
Pitching:
These guys will split the bullpen stats (Holds-->CWS, Saves-->BOS), so it’ll come down to the starters. They’ll be roughly at volume parity, meaning QS, W & K will be tossups. Ultimately, I like the recent results for Giolito, Lamet, & Paxton better than I do Berrios, Ryu & Ray, all of whom seem to be tiring somewhat. Prediction: 5-2 WHITE SOX
Intangibles:
This is a clear victory for the White Sox give just how scaldingly hot they are. Last week was friggin’ impressive. INTANGIBLES: WHITE SOX
TEX vs. CLE
Hitting:
Losing Jose Ramirez here hurts the defending champs quite a bit, as he was finally looking like the 1st rounder he was drafted as. I actually think the Rangers have some advantages here, as the season-long standings indicate they should take 3 categories (SB, AVG, OBP) and I think the acquisition of the red-hot Castellanos gives them upside beyond that. Prediction: 4-3 RANGERS
Pitching:
However, the clear strength of the Indians is in the pitching staff. Running Castillo & Clevinger out there is a huge luxury and I think will carry the day for the Indians. The Rangers bullpen gives them a fighting shot, but ultimately it’s real tough to withstand losing W, QS and Ks. Prediction: 5-2 INDIANS
Intangibles:
Creeg built this team via free agency and trades in one offseason and he’s got an AL West pennant to show for it. INTANGIBLES: RANGERS
Hitting:
As the Pittsburgh prospect Death Star has slowly gone MLB operational they've become more and more dangerous on the volume statistics. However, this squad is still bottom 6 on all 3 hitting rate stats, and is coming off a week where they hit below .200. Dodgers also didn't have a great week, but I'll trust in the powers of Rizzo, Turner and Kepler to dominate the rate cats and take Runs and RBIs. Prediction: 5-2 DODGERS
Pitching:
The Dodgers run out two of the better pitchers in the league, Buehler & Kershaw and have one of the deeper bullpens out there. Look for them to pick up Holds while the Pirates steal Saves. However, with the sheer number of starting pitchers the Pirates throw out there (~11!!) they are the runaway favorites to pick up Wins, QS and Ks. The matchup will come down to who can pick up ERA and WHIP and I like Pat's chances here. Prediction: 4-3 PIRATES
Intangibles:
LAD has several great last names that are also or sound like words (Braun, Lamb, May) but I can make a sentence with PITs team: "Fried Gray Cave, Moran". ADVANTAGE: Pirates
ATL vs. MIA
Hitting:
The NL East matchup that was promised. The Braves have roughly 5 guys who'd go in the first round of a 12-team redraft league, a ridiculous collection of talent. They've finished 1st or 2nd in five out of the seven hitting categories on the year. Marlins have to hope to take HR and SLG and maybe get lucky in RBI. Prediction: 4-2-1 BRAVES
Pitching:
This is clearly where the Marlins have to make their hay to advance. Braves will take Saves, Marlins will take Holds, and should have the volume advantage on K's. From their, it's a toss up but I'll bet on Verlander, Cole and Darvish over Grienke, Price and Morton. Prediction: 4-2-1 MARLINS
Intangibles:
We've all thought Cole was going to win the league since May. ADVANTAGE: BRAVES
CWS vs. BOS
Hitting:
The hottest team in the league vs Bellinger, Betts, Lindor, Altuve and (checks notes) Carson Kelly? The Red Sox are right there with the Braves atop the hitting standings, finishing no worse than 3rd in any category. But who the hell knows what to expect out of the surging White Sox, who had 5 players hit over .400 last week. /Shrug. Ultimately, I’ll give a slight edge to the team whose done it all year, but this is the most volatile of all the sections in the playoffs this week. Prediction: 4-3 RED SOX
Pitching:
These guys will split the bullpen stats (Holds-->CWS, Saves-->BOS), so it’ll come down to the starters. They’ll be roughly at volume parity, meaning QS, W & K will be tossups. Ultimately, I like the recent results for Giolito, Lamet, & Paxton better than I do Berrios, Ryu & Ray, all of whom seem to be tiring somewhat. Prediction: 5-2 WHITE SOX
Intangibles:
This is a clear victory for the White Sox give just how scaldingly hot they are. Last week was friggin’ impressive. INTANGIBLES: WHITE SOX
TEX vs. CLE
Hitting:
Losing Jose Ramirez here hurts the defending champs quite a bit, as he was finally looking like the 1st rounder he was drafted as. I actually think the Rangers have some advantages here, as the season-long standings indicate they should take 3 categories (SB, AVG, OBP) and I think the acquisition of the red-hot Castellanos gives them upside beyond that. Prediction: 4-3 RANGERS
Pitching:
However, the clear strength of the Indians is in the pitching staff. Running Castillo & Clevinger out there is a huge luxury and I think will carry the day for the Indians. The Rangers bullpen gives them a fighting shot, but ultimately it’s real tough to withstand losing W, QS and Ks. Prediction: 5-2 INDIANS
Intangibles:
Creeg built this team via free agency and trades in one offseason and he’s got an AL West pennant to show for it. INTANGIBLES: RANGERS