MLB Playoffs Round 2

Well the opening round of 2010 MLB playoffs came to a close on Tuesday, fittingly with another great pitching performance. What the first round lacked in drama (other than the Rays-Rangers series) it made up for in excellent pitching performances and a number of ugly calls by umpires. My predictions were admittedly sub-par but seeing as I did them day of ill take a .500 record when picking the team that I thought would actually win.



ALCS

Yankees @ Rangers

Season Series: 4-4

Previous series: These 2 teams took opposite rides on their way to advancing to the ALCS. The Yankees went into Minnesota and won their first 2 games on the road and then proceeded to win game 3 at home to sweep the series. Typically the Yankees got the job done early, their starting pitcher picked up the win in all 3 games of the series. The Rangers won their series against the Rays on the back of pitcher Cliff Lee. Lee pitched 16 innings in the ALDS giving up only 2 runs and striking out 21 of the batters he faced. The oddity of the series however is that neither team won a game at home, something that will need to change if the Rangers hope to have a chance against the Yankees.

Key to the series: For the Rangers the key to this series again is starting pitching. Not being a huge baseball follower I would assume Cliff Lee would get a start in game 2, on 4 days rest, which would put him in position to pitch again in game 5 or 6 depending on how the rest of the matchup turns out. None of the players that I mentioned before the first round did anything spectacular but I believe they will need to produce in pressure situations if the Rangers want to win their second ever playoff series. The Yankees need to continue to play the same way that they did in the first round. They scored 5 or more runs in all 3 games while allowing more than 2 in only 1 game. Starting pitching was great for the Yankees allowing only 2 runs and striking out 15 in their 20 innings of work. Offensively the Yankees batters couldn't have been better, every one players that came up to bat had at least 1 RBI, 5 different players had multiple. Spreading the offense around is one of the things that the Yankees do best.

Predictions:

My hopes: Rangers     Reality: Yankees (6 games)



NLCS

Giants @ Phillies

Season Series: 3-3

Previous series: Pitching was the key for both of the teams in their ALDS matchups. The Phillies won 2 games by shutout, including a no hitter by Roy Halladay (I guess he handled the pressure of the playoffs just fine) and overpowered the Reds in their other win by scoring 7 runs. The Giants also used the arms of their pitchers to get though the first round, allowing only 4 runs total in their 3 wins. Tim Lincecum kept up with the starters from Philadelphia allowing only 2 hits and striking out 14 in his only start of the series.

Key to the series: The Phillies make their 3^rd trip to the NLCS in as many years; their balanced attack could allow them to be successful in advancing for the third time. I expect the pitching to hold the Giants down offensively and even if they don't their offensive power is matched in these playoffs by only the Yankees. The Giants need their pitchers to keep games close but generating offense will be the key. The Braves handed the Giants a gift by not forcing a game 5 and therefore another Lincecum start allowing him to square off against Halladay in game 1 on full rest. The Giants must win the games that Lincecum starts if they are to have any success in the series.

Predictions:

My hopes: Phillies     Reality: Phillies (5 games)