The League Championship Series
Thursday, October 15, 2009 12:39
The Final Four of Major League Baseball are here, with the National League Championship Series scheduled to start tonight and the American League Championship Series on Friday.
National League Championship Series
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s a rematch of the 2008 NLCS, only the third time in nearly twenty years that the Senior Circuit has seen the same two teams in back to back seasons.
My first glance analysis of this series bears striking resemblance to that of the Cardinals – Dodgers Division Series, with the Phils replacing the Cards. The Phillies have the better starting pitching, but closer Brad Lidge has been a shadow of the picture of perfection that hew was in 2008. That means I have to give the relief pitching edge to the Dodgers stellar pen. Both teams can hit; neither has a particular advantage in that department.
LA has really come into its own in 2009. The young Dodgers got their feet wet in last year’s playoffs but weren’t ready for primetime in the same way the Phillies were. It showed, as Philadelphia took the NLCS and then the World Series. Not so this year. The boys in blue now have experience and home field advantage. This one could go the distance. Dodgers in 7.
American League Championship Series
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. New York Yankees
Ugh! I’m not even going to pretend to hide my biases here. Can one imagine a more miserable series? The two most despicable teams in baseball, with the worst, most obnoxious fans–one group arrogant (the Yankees), the other baseball idiots (the Angels). At least Yankee fans are knowledgeable about the game–one Bomber fan knows more about baseball than the entire Angels Stadium full of Halo fans.
All I can root for is an Act of God.
The Yankees will win this one with their ungodly payroll and homer-happy new ballpar. Seriously, just when you thought the Steinbrenners couldn’t do any more damage to the game, they build a stadium that makes a complete joke out of offensive statistics. The Yanks have too much talent and are too complete a team for the Angels. I expect the Halos to nab a couple games in Anaheim, but that won’t be enough to take the series. Yankees in 6.
(I’m still rooting for an Act of God.)
4 Responses to “The League Championship Series”
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Gairzo
says:
October 15th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I like the Phils. They're the defending champs and Lidge will come up huge.
Phillies in 6
I too hate the Yankees and am hoping the Angel take it in seven…
Yanks in 5
Nate Barlow
says:
October 17th, 2009 at 5:15 am
What the Phillies' starters giveth, their bullpen taketh away.
How long before Mike "The Whiner" Scioscia starts complaining that it's unfair his team has to play in such cold weather?
Michelle
says:
October 20th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
would have said dodgers in 6 until last night. stil holding out for lucky number 7.
and i think the angels are the most despicable team in all of MLB!
Nate Barlow
says:
October 20th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Twas as tough loss for the boys in blue. It'll really show the character of the team if they can come back from last night.
Hear, hear about the Angels!