-
-
- CFB Front Page
-
Scores
- Teams
-
Conferences
- Players
- Standings
- Rankings
- Schedules
- Stats
- Bowl Schedule
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Soccer Front Page
-
Leagues
- Podcasts
-
-
- Tennis Front Page
-
ATP
-
WTA
-
-
|
Keep up with the latest news, notes and developments with Fungoes, a daily journal for all things baseball that will last all season long.
Division Series Staff PicksTom VerducciRed Sox over Angels in fourThere's a big problem here for Los Angeles: Ace John Lackey can't pitch in Boston. His numbers are so bad at Fenway (1-4, 7.46 in seven starts) that they can't be dismissed. Read more here. Yankees over Indians in five The key for New York is getting any kind of length from its starting pitchers, because Joba Chamberlain, who is a shutdown force, and Mariano Rivera can eat up the last nine outs -- perhaps more in a possible clincher. Read more here. Cubs over D'backs in five The Diamondbacks have Brandon Webb, but just not enough offense to get through the Cubs. Read more here. Phillies over Rockies in five Great series. Think of the 1980 NLCS (Phillies over Astros), only with more runs. It might come down to the last turn at bat in the last game, which the Phillies have. Read more here. Jon HeymanYankees over Indians in fourCan't ignore the 6-0 rout in regular-season games that the Bronx boys inflicted on the fine, but very young, Indians. Red Sox over Angels in four The best team all year gets the edge; both clubs can pitch, but I'll take power over speed. Diamondbacks over Cubs in five Arizona has a knack for winning the close one, and this matchup will be that. Rockies over Phillies in five Baseball's hottest team is on a Rocky Mountain High right now. John DonovanAngels over Red Sox in fiveIf Daisuke Matsuzaka pitches the way he's supposed to pitch -- the way he's paid to pitch -- then the Sox win this series handily. But I'm not convinced that his last outing trumps his previous 10 starts (6.10 ERA). Curt Schilling's a question -- he was bumped to Game 3 -- as is the 'pen in front of Jonathan Papelbon. Still, the Angels are beat up. Kelvim Escobar hasn't thrown well lately. But they have more ways to score. Indians over Yankees in five The Yankees' lineup, even if Alex Rodriguez goes 0-for-October, is still good enough to roll over most teams. The Indians, though, aren't most teams. C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona aren't the kind to wear down from all that famed New York hitting patience. And the bullpen -- Rafael Betancourt and Rafael Perez, mainly -- is strong and relatively rested. The Cleveland lineup can score, too. Don't sell them short. Cubs over D'backs in four You look at that Diamondbacks' lineup and you have to wonder how the heck they're here. The Cubs, meanwhile, have three guys who can pound -- Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano -- and few others that do much of anything better than average. I like the Cubs' ability to hold down the Diamondbacks -- the Chicago bullpen is better than you think -- more than Arizona's ability to stifle the Cubs. Phillies over Rockies in four Neither the Rockies nor the Phillies are going to be able to stop the Phillies or the Rockies. This should be one high-scoring series between the two hottest, most entertaining teams in the postseason. It won't be baseball as much as it will be pinball. Rollins, Utley, Howard, Burrell. Holliday, Hawpe, Helton, Tulowitzki. Citizens Bank Park. Coors Field. Jacob LuftAngels over Red Sox in fourDice-K and Okajima carried the Red Sox for much of the year, but they look gassed right now. I don't understand why they went with Dice-K over Schilling in Game 2 and potentially Game 5. That will be their undoing. Indians over Yankees in five Part of my ALDS picks is wishful thinking: I don't want to see a Red Sox-Yankees ALCS. I'm not sure if anybody does. I still think the Yankees are the classic bullies. They beat up on the mediocre pitchers but blink when somebody stands up to them. Sabathia and Carmona (with help from Betancourt) can get it done, even if Jake Westbrook gives up a touchdown in his start. Cubs over D'backs in three Arizona has been a nice story all year, but that is as weak a postseason lineup as anybody can remember. The Cubs are damn good when they don't get in their own way. Rockies over Phillies in five The Rockies are the better all-around team, though Clint Hurdle's ineptitude easily could torpedo their hopes. But as long as Jorge Julio doesn't get the ball, I'm comfortable with this pick. Albert ChenYankees over Indians in fourBe thankful for TBS's 6:30 EST start times -- there are going to be a few four-hour, 10-7 affairs in this rumble between high-powered offenses. As usual it'll come down to the 'pens, and I'll take the greatest postseason finisher of all-time over Joe "5.07 ERA" Borowski. Red Sox over Angels in five The Anaheim faithful should keep the Dramamine close by: The once-mighty Angels bullpen is vulnerable with Scot Shields struggling as he has in the second half. I saw Vlad Guerrero hobble around the Angels clubhouse recently, and it's a miracle this guy is playing. They'll need a Superman effort from their lone masher. Diamondbacks over Cubs in five A pair of starts from the second-best pitcher in the league, Brandon Webb, gives Arizona the edge. Chicago's middle relief has been outstanding, but Ryan Dempster can cough up a three-run lead faster than you can say "It's Ain't Gonna Happen." Phillies over Rockies in four One of these teams is going to cool off. Say what you want about the humidor, but no Rockies hitter slugged better than .500 on the road. Cole Hamels is by far the best pitcher in the series, and he'll get two starts. Alex BelthRed Sox over Angels in fourThe Angels have the stronger starting pitching but I'm concerned about their offense. Losing Gary Matthews Jr. is a big blow, both offensively and defensively. The Red Sox have enough starting pitching and a stellar closer waiting at the end of the game. Most importantly, they have Manny Ramirez back. That's a huge boost to their offense, especially now that David Ortiz is back to his old self. Very quietly -- as if Boston's best hitter can do anything quietly -- Ortiz ranked second in the majors to Alex Rodriguez in OPS. He's peaking at the right time. Indians over Yankees in five This one is a tougher call. The Yankees are hungry and have made a valiant second-half charge. But their starting pitching is a huge question mark. Sure, Chien Min-Wang and Andy Pettitte could deliver, but what to expect from Roger Clemens/Mike Mussina and possibly Phil Hughes? The Indians have an impressive offense, lead by Victor Martinez -- the other great hitting catcher in the league, and Travis Hafner. The Yankees, of course, can slug with anyone, but they also go through team-wide slumps as well. The key will be getting men on base early and taking advantage of Martinez's weak throwing arm. Cubs over Diamondbacks in four Still hard to figure Arizona playing so well this year. They need to win each game Brandon Webb starts but I think the Lou Piniella's Cubs find a way to win at least one against Webb. Looking for a big series from the Cubs offense, especially Alfonso Soriano and Derek Lee. Phillies over Rockies in five Talk about evenly-matched. Something's got to give with these two streaking teams. Both can slug, and both have a little pitching too. It'll be interesting to see if Cole Hamels builds on his last outing of the regular season. I expect to see a lot of runs and lead-changes in this series. But I like the Phils to meet the Cubs in the NLCS. Jon WeismanRockies over Phillies in fourThe Rockies have a solid offensive core, good team defense, an effective bullpen and adequate starting pitching. The difference in quality between them and the Phillies may be negligible, but I'm going to give Colorado credit for surviving the toughest division in the National League (four winning teams). But don't get mad, Phillies fans -- in April I actually picked your team to win the NL East. D'backs over Cubs in five Brandon Webb doesn't have a big shutout streak going anymore, but he still can be a difference-maker in this series. And Arizona manager Bob Melvin uses his bullpen effectively. The Diamondbacks don't intimidate you, but they are effective -- negative run differential or not. The Cubs have lots of good personnel, but they barely won a terrible division. To me, a Cubs victory would be an upset -- and I'm inclined to go for an upset -- except that most people seem to think Chicago should be favored. So where does that leave me? Red Sox over Angels in five Injuries are a factor in this series -- but more damaging for the Angels, I believe. The uncertainty surrounding Kelvim Escobar in particular raises questions for South Los Angeles. I expect the Angels to put up a fight, but falter by the end. Indians over Yankees in five One of two good predictions I made this year: sticking with my belief that the Yankees would make the postseason, even when things looked so bad for them in May. They always looked to me like a team that could triumph in the long run. But now, we're talking about the short run. Can they top an Indians team that is healthy and primed for the playoffs? I'm going to suggest that this series goes the distance, and in the final game, the freshness of Cleveland will prevail. Cliff CorcoranRed Sox over AngelsThe Angels stumbled into the postseason with a slew of injuries, including those to Kelvim Escobar, Vlad Guerrero, Gary Matthews, and Chone Figgins. The Red Sox also have some fatigue on their pitching staff (Matsuzaka, Okajima, Papelbon) and some bumps and bruises to their key hitters (Manny, Ortiz, Youkilis), but the Sox have been the best team in baseball all year. Anything short of a World Series appearance should be considered a disappointment in Boston. Of course, I was saying that about the Mets a month ago. Yankees over Indians The Yankees swept the Indians in the season series. Historically that doesn't mean much, but the Yankees were also the best team in baseball in the second half, had the best offense in the major leagues, have the deadly due of Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera in the bullpen, won both of the games Fausto Carmona started against them this year, and have roughed up Paul Byrd in three of his last four games against them, including his ALDS start for the Angels in 2005. The Tribe's best hope is for C.C. Sabathia, who has matured a great deal as a pitcher since last facing the Yankees in September 2004, to crush the Bombers' spirit in Game 1 and start Alex Rodriguez off on the wrong foot. Phillies over Rockies Pitching wins in the postseason, but this is a battle of two teams that won with hitting and play in hitters parks. They're also the two teams that enter the postseason on the biggest highs having reached the postseason via tremendous come-from-behind stretch runs. It should be a wild series, but I give the edge to the Phillies, who have the better offense, home-field advantage and Cole Hamels. Diamondbacks over Cubs The Diamondbacks have defied the odds all season by posting the best record in the NL despite a negative run differential, so I won't even try to rationalize this one. Some might cite Arizona's inexperience as a reason they'll lose, but this team is so young that they likely don't know enough to be intimidated by the postseason, while most of the veterans (Eric Byrnes, Tony Clark, Livan Hernandez) have been there before. I do like the D'backs pitching matchups, but, ultimately, this comes back to the Diamondbacks continuing to defy the odds and the Cubs continuing to be the Cubs. Joe LemireBoston over Los Angeles in fourThe Angels have backed their way into the postseason and Kelvim Escobar's shoulder is a question mark, particularly if it's chilly in Boston for Game 2. Still, there's a lot riding on Josh Beckett to win Game 1, so inconsistent Dice-K and Curt Schilling don't feel too much pressure. But the Sox will prevail and, besides, shouldn't we all root for this outcome so we can have an encore of everyone's favorite dancing closer? New York over Cleveland in five The Yankees swept the Tribe (6-0) in the regular season, though they didn't face C.C. Sabathia. Even if A-Rod continues his post-2004 October struggles, New York's offense is just too good. Philadelphia over Colorado in four My all-time favorite highway billboard was on display in Philly, circa 2002: "Jimmy Rollins steals bases ... and hearts." He'll also steal this series and prove why he deserves the NL MVP. Arizona over Chicago in five Brandon Webb wins two and the D-Backs scrape out one other win. It's a feel-good story for a team with a championship drought: Arizona hasn't won the Series since 2001. Ben ReiterPhillies over Rockies in fourI'm not really sure why there's any debate: Matt Holliday did not touch that plate on Monday night. Period. So karma's got to be against the Rockies, right? (Of course, Garrett Atkins's drive in the 7th was a home run, so perhaps the Rockies' karma's all evened out? Or perhaps I need to learn more about how karma works?) In any event, I don't see the Rockies' starters holding down the Phils' explosive offense. Yes, Colorado's rotation's 4.32 ERA was eighth in the NL, and more than 40 points lower than Philadelphia's, but they benefited from playing in a division that didn't feature another team better than ninth in the NL in runs scored. Mssrs. Rollins, Utley and Howard should enable the Phils to outslug the Rockies in a series that could see more than a dozen runs scored per game. Cubs over Diamondbacks in five The Cubs went 2-4 against the D-backs this year, but those four losses came by a total of seven runs and Carlos Zambrano didn't throw an inning against Arizona. I expect him to get the ball twice in this series, which should make a significant difference in the Cubbies' fortunes. After the All-Star break the Cubs both outscored (356 runs to 341) and outpitched (4.16 ERA to 4.31) the young D-backs and that trend will continue -– although struggling closer Ryan Dempster (9.82 ERA in September) could blow at least one game for Chicago. Yankees over Indians in four The Yankees should count their blessings that they didn't steal the AL East from the Red Sox: the Indians, against whom the Yanks went 6-0 this season, constitute a far better matchup for them than do the Angels. New York hit Game 2 starter Fausto Carmona in his two outings against them (6 runs allowed in 13 innings), and even though they didn't see C.C. Sabathia this year, they've hit lefties (.284 team average) almost as well as righties (.292). The only reason I don't anticipate a sweep is that I simply don't trust Roger Clemens, the Yanks' Game 3 starter. Angels over Red Sox in five Ah, the pesky Angels. They don't hit home runs (only 123 on the season, less than 75 percent as many as the Sox), but they'll run you to death and score in bunches. Back in April the Sox swept the Angels at Fenway and outscored them 25-3, but the ALDS is a different beast. I think they key to this series could be Game 2 and Game 5 matchups between Kelvim Escobar and Daisuke Matsuzaka, both of whom struggled down the stretch (7.99 ERA in September for Escobar, 7.62 for Dice-K). I think Escobar should bounce back -– he held the A's to one run in six innings in his final regular-season start -– and a combined four starts from him and AL ERA king John Lackey should be too much for the Sox. Gennaro FiliceAngels over Red Sox in fiveAs I said back in August, the Angels have the best playoff rotation in the American League. Four starts from John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar equals three wins for the Halos. Yankees over Indians in three The Yankees owned Cleveland during the regular season, and that'll continue into October. The series highlight will come when Alex Rodriguez exorcises his postseason demons with a game-winning blast off of Joe Borowski. D-backs over Cubs in five Bob Melvin's been pushing all the right buttons this season, and Brandon Webb's ready to put his nasty sinker on national display. Chicago will win a pair of blowouts ... but Arizona will take three games by the skin of their teeth. Phillies over Rockies in four Don't get me wrong -- I've enjoyed every minute of this Rockies surge. But going on a ridiculous run like that just takes so much out of a team, and eventually it's bound to come back to Earth. I'll take Philly and the over. Labels: Predictions
posted by SI.com | View comments |
Comments:Anybody who did not pick Cleveland is on some kind of drugs. History shows regular season head to head means nothing in the playoffs.
I can't believe these idiots that refer to regular season records against an opponent to help back their arguments. Eg, the damn yanks 6-0 against the Tribe in regular season. The regular season means absolutely nothing in the post season. in fact if you break down the past 10 yrs of post season, whoever has won the regular season matchups has lost more often than not in the postseason. So Heyman, et al, you're an idiot for using that argument. Mr April, although had another great season, still can't play in October. Jeter is still overrated and their rotation blows. The tribe's 1-2 starters are the best in the league and they have a good enough lineup to get it done. See you in 4 games in the alcs Red Suck nation
Hey Joe Lemire, I have no argument with your pick of the Dbacks over Cubs (They were consistently better as a team). But I think you should do a little more research before you make some assanine statement regarding World Series droughts. The Cubs haven't won a WS in 99 years. To end a futility streak of one yr shy of a century would be a feel good story. 6 years for Arizona...WOW-BFD!!!
James Chicago Rockies have the best ERA in the NL since the All Star break, they didn't get in the playoffs with just hitting as Corcoran and Donovan suggest...These are the kind of comments seen when a team like the Rockies are hardly ever shown nationally and are hardly talked about on the sports shows...no one takes the time to watch their games or look at the stats... The Phillies did for sure, get in with just hitting, with their 14th ranked team ERA in the NL since the break.
The Rockies have the best record in baseball since 1 June, 1 July, 1 August and 1 Sept...and won 14 of their last 15...they also have the best team fielding % of all-time... Rockies in 4 I just don't buy this "small ball" that the Angels play beating the Red Sox in a 5 game series. This style of play has given them success various times throughout the regular season, but it is either pure offense or pure pitching that is going to allow you to hang with Boston. The Angels, at this point in time, do not have either.
MLB PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS:
Yankees over Cleveland (I'm a fan) Boston over Angels (LA banged up) Cubs over Arizona (Diamondbacks who?) Phillies over Rockies (Could be the best series) Are these 'experts' up to date? Seems like no one realizes Vlad is DH only and Gary, Jr. is hurting badly. My picks: NY over Cleveland only because I'm a Yankee fan. Indians scare me so it could go either way. Boston is a 'lock' over Angels with Beckett, Shilling, bullpen,Manny,Ortiz,Lowell. Cubs over Diamondbacks as short series favors Cub pitching and who exactly scares you on Arizona compared to Soriano, Lee, Aramis Ramirez? Phillies barely over Rockies, this will be 'best' series.
Only Jacob Luft has the Rockies and Cubbies winning their respective series'. Pinella is a genius, and the Cubs have WAY too much talent to lose to a team that has almost no playoff experience. Rox, Phils, is going to be a challenge of mental toughness but I think that the ability of the Rockies to beat the D-backs and Pads in order to make the playoffs is a testament to their character and their ability to never give up. The championship series is going to be the same as it was on both sides minus the Marlins. Cubs and Red Sox world series - Red Sox take it in six.
Hey Jim L, It certainly helps your ERA when you play 50 plus games (in the second half) against teams who finished 8th or lower in the league in offense. And when the Rockies played teams in the upper half in total offense they were barely over .500 (10-9). Don't kid yourself, pitching had very little to do with the Rockies second half comback. They did it with offense.
Wow, Mr Luft must have a really low opinion of the Diamondbacks... He deosn't even think they'll make it to a game 4!!!
Nice ability to read sarcasm you clown from Chicago. The drought comment was a reference to the Cubs undying inability to get anything done in the playoffs. D-Backs in 4! -DJ from AZ
Gennaro Filice is as stupid as they come ...
To the writer that posted the last one about the Angels over the Sox has to be SENILE!!!!! He said Lackey would be too much for the redsox to handle? he has an ERA close to 8.00 at Fenway, including a doubleheader this summer, wehre he allowed 7 runs in the first two inning, and lost to a rookie making his first major league start.
Who are these people even making these picks, I have not heard of one of these guys!
A brilliant statement from an obvious Indian's fan. Yanks owned the Tribe during the regular season, their offense is on a different level, and the pitching is even, at best. To say the regular season means nothing is not exactly true. They are the same teams correct? Did Cleveland get some new players overnight? Thanks for coming out Cleveland, better luck next year.
Some brilliant arguments from some obvious Indian's fans. You got absolutely owned in the regular season, Yanks offense is on a different level, and the pitching is even at best. To say the regular season meant nothing is a little ignorant. I mean, these are the same teams, correct? Did Cleveland get some new guys I don't know about? Thanks for coming out Cleveland, better luck next year.
Hey James in Chicago, ever hear of sarcasm? Joe obviously knows the Cubs haven't won in 100 years. Him mentioning the Dbacks drought was a joke.
Every team in this year's playoffs has a fatal flaw. Or two. Whether it's starting pitching, defense, hitting, bullpen, bench, or managerial, everyone is weak somewhere.
That said, let's look at the Chicago - Arizona series... Who has the edge? Hitting...Chicago. No contest. Starting pitching...Chicago. Although Webb rates a slight edge over Zambrano, Chicago's top three are better overall than Arizona's top three. Bullpens...Even. Arizona's closer is better, but Chicago rates the edge in middle relief. And the Cubs can use Marmol, Wood, or Howry to close if they choose. Arizona's options are more limited. Defense...Arizona has a big edge here. Chicago's outfield defense is pretty much confined to Soriano's great arm. Everything else is an adventure. Bench...Chicago. Again, no contest. Speed: Arizona's edge is blunted somewhat if Soriano can run. Still, the Diamondbacks rate the edge here. Managerial: Have to give Lou Piniella the nod in this one. Intangibles: The Diamondbacks are a young team that may not know enough to be intimidated by the post-season. The Cubs have enough players with post-season experience to know what's at stake, but Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, and Wood are not likely to all fold at once. Final thoughts: Arizona will not have much of a home-field advantage due to all the transplanted Chicagoans. In the end, especially in a Game Five situation, all the support for the Cubs in their home ballpark will rattle the young Diamondbacks. This series could be a sweep, could go four, or could go the distance. If it's a sweep, it has to be the Cubs. If it's in four, it has to be the Cubs. If it goes the distance, it could go either way. Give the Cubs the edge. You guys just don't get it. Sure the yankees struggled against the Angels and it is a good thing that they did not draw them in the first round. The Indians are a good team but I am not cinfident they will shut down the Yankees "O". The Wang/Pettit combo is just as good as any of the others in the Post season. And to the knucklehead who said Jeter is over rated have you watched any baseball over the last 10 years!!Maybe one of the best clutch players in the game. As far as the other series go The angels will have to go strong to beat the Bosox. I just don't believe they have the horses to hang with boston. I like the Cubbies to beat the d-backs. Cubbies have huge sticks and should be able to get it done. I like the Rockies over the Phil's. If these guys keep it close watch out. They just don't go away.
From the Gambler:
Phillies over Rockies. Colorado is happy to be here. Philly is hungrier. Cubs over Diamondbacks. Young Arizona team splits at home, then wilts in Chicago. Red Sox over Angels. Manny is back, Vlad is ailing. 'Nuff said. Indians over Yankees. Starting pitching is the difference here. - Cubs over Phillies. This one could easily go 7 games. The difference will be Lou's moves. Red Sox over Indians. This one should also go 7 games. Might even come down to the last inning. I like Papelbon better than Borowski. - Cubs over Red Sox. For the second time, Boston's fans will be privileged to witness the end of a drought of epic proportions. This time, however, it won't be their drought. When it's all said and done, it's White Flag time at Wrigley Field. everybody thinks the yankees are everything. if u picked the yanks and red sox...you are on crack. especially in 4 or 3 games. all that biased east coast media. I think the Yankees/Indians game wil end just like on the move "major league" where the catcher (which in real life will be victor martinez) gets the game winning RBI single to win the series.
Cleveland? No way they win two games this series. Other than C.C the Yankees are too good for that pitching staff. Paul Byrd is & Jake Westbrook are unreliable at best. Yanks in 4!
oh and a comment from that "ted' guy... yes the indians got some new players over night. and their names are Ben Francisco and Astrubal Cabrera. and i think people need to get off that Joba Chamberlains bandwagon. he is good but the indians are a fastball hitting team. and the indians have better setup men then him. the 'Ralphies'...perez and betancourt. and yes the angels 'small ball' can diminish the red sox. thats what it does to the yankees everytime they play them. red sox can get a lead, yes, but can they keep the angels from pecking away at them with that 'small ball'? plus the angels are like on a wat...140 something game winning streak when coming into the 9th inning with the lead? (which shattered their old MLB record of the same?). get off the bandwagon yankees and red sox fans...its the year of the Halos and Tribe.
Joe Lemire writes, "Brandon Webb wins two and the D-Backs scrape out one other win. It's a feel-good story for a team with a championship drought: Arizona hasn't won the Series since 2001."
Arizona? Championship Drought? That's more like a slight thirst... Sorry, Virginia, but the Cubs have the market cornered on drought. 'Hey Jim L, It certainly helps your ERA when you play 50 plus games (in the second half) against teams who finished 8th or lower in the league in offense. And when the Rockies played teams in the upper half in total offense they were barely over .500 (10-9). Don't kid yourself, pitching had very little to do with the Rockies second half comback. They did it with offense'
Rockies still had the 8th best team ERA in the NL for the whole season, in the top half of team pitching in the NL...Philly had the 13th... Playoffs often come down to who's got momentum and an occasional unlikely "hero" in the bottom of the ninth. Fasten your seatbelt!
The Yankees are poised to rip through the playoffs. A-Rod needs to get the postseason monkey off his back. I predict he goes on a Reggie Jackson-esqe playoff terror. Look for the Yankees to sweep the Indians, then beat the Red Sox in 6, then sweep the Phillies in 4 to win yet another World Series.
To the person who contradicted my statement about the Rockies pitching...The Rockies were 3nd in the NL in scoring in the first half and 2nd in NL scoring in the 2nd half...so, all of a sudden, those runs were winning games? They had only 4 more runs in the 2nd half than the first...Are you SURE their league leading team ERA in the 2nd half wasn't the reason why they did so well in the 2nd half...they weren't winning games with all those runs until June...
I guess I must be on drugs. I'll check my self into treatment as soon as the Yankees defeat the Indians in 4. How can one say that the regular season doen't count. Its the road one has to take to get to the post season.
it would take a moron michigan grad to just dimiss the indians saying they will get swept despite not one but two 19 game winners
The pitching is even between the Yankees and Indians? Are you hallucinating! We've got the best two one two punches in baseball and our bullpen is better than yours hands down! Our lineup is balanced with our number eight hitter slugging 20 home runs. You go ahead and live in your dream world Yankee fans. Wave to us when we win the World Series!
Airtools The Yankees and Indians pitching is even? Are you hallucinating! The Tribe has the best one two punch in baseball not to mention two of the best set up men in the league. The Tribe's lineup is balanced and powerful. Our eighth batter has hit 20 home runs. You've got an aged pitching staff and closer and a power hitter who disappears in the playoffs. Tribe in 4.
Anita 'Other than C.C the Yankees are too good for that pitching staff. Paul Byrd is & Jake Westbrook are unreliable at best. Yanks in 4!'
And Carmona? You know, the guy with and even better ERA than Sabathia? In fact, the SP with the 2nd best ERA in the AL, he's what? Not even worth mentioning? Gee... all those "Phillies in four" predictions are looking paper thin after the first game. Go Rox!
Indians have the best postseason pen in all of baseball. I guess I would rather have this team fly under the radar and win it all though and get shoddy sports analysts like this salavating over them. This is insane!
I can't wait to read about "how the Yankees lost in 4" rather than "how the Indians won in 4." I'm pulling for the Rockies but they ARE lucky as hell to be playing - Matt Holliday did NOT touch home plate. Should have been 8-8, 2 outs, runner on first, bottom of the 13th with the bottom of Colorado's lineup coming up.
I think it is pretty pathetic these SI "experts" will only show their picks for the first round. That way they can keep correcting their terrible picks as each round goes down. Come on SI - are you that scared of being made a fool? Is it because one of your geniuses 1 week ago picked the Mets to go to the WS? Show some baseballs here guys.
Rocks over Phils - 5 Cubs over Dbacks - 4 Indians over Yanks - 5 Angels over RSox - 4 Cubs over rocks - 7 Indinas over Angels - 6 Cubs over Indians - 7 GO CUBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sarcasm translates so well in print. And I meant that sarcastically in case you were wondering DJ, you half wit.
James Chicago I've been an Indians fan since 1954. I was not impressed with the Indians during the first half of the year; I waited for a 'superior' Detroit team to overwhelm the Tribe during the last third of the year. I was also disappointed by Travis Havner's slump. But then, the Indians went on a tear; they silenced the Tigers and Twins, and Travis Havner began to hit again. They have a positive team attitude, and a coach with a lot of confidence in his players. I'm not going to predict an Indians victory against the Yankees, but the Indians are a dangerous team at this time of year, and are well rested. Against the Yankees, they will be 'loose' and aggressive since they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
The Gambler wrote:
"Cubs over Phillies. This one could easily go 7 games. The difference will be Lou's moves. Red Sox over Indians. This one should also go 7 games." Yup--they'll have so much fun, they're just going to keep playing. It's a 5 game series, guy. I misread the Gambler's post--my bad, and my apologies. Gamble i peace.
Cleveland is fielding a totally different lineup then what the yankees faced during the season series. Good pitching beats good hitting. My dollar is on Cleveland.
'I'm pulling for the Rockies but they ARE lucky as hell to be playing - Matt Holliday did NOT touch home plate. Should have been 8-8, 2 outs, runner on first, bottom of the 13th with the bottom of Colorado's lineup coming up.'
Except that Atkins 'double' was really a home run...if THAT is called correctly, then there ARE no extra innings, and no controversial play at home....and there's no concrete evidence he didn't touch the plate...but even if there was, the fact they got robbed on Atkins homer evens things out...face it, the Rockies TAGGED the NL Cy Young winner when they needed to... The Angels are in the playoffs for a reason, but for this many "experts" to pick them when they're clearly overmatched against the Sox, I've got to believe that SI needs to revamp their scouting department and get rid of these hacks.
Sox over Angels Indians over Yanks Cubs over D'backs Rockies over Phils Hey James in Chicago,
Joe was making a joking. And it clearly went over your head. To all TRIBE FANS:
CALM DOWN! You weirdo's. If you don't like their picks go read eslewhere. These guys are paid to do this. The Yankees rotation is not suspect. All of the starting pitchers we have going into the postseason are big game picthers. Wang has 38-13 in the last two seasons. 39-13 if you include the postseason. Andy Pettite disregaurding his last start posted a great 3.0something era post break. He is our stopper so chances of you winning the first 2 games are slim. You cannot trust games 3 and 4 to Byrd and Westbrook. Regardless of what they accomplished towards the end of the season their career numbers against the YANKEES are not pretty. Maybe if CC can pitch every game you have a shot but too bad he can't. Moose and Clemens are not aces but they both can shut you guys down. More Clemens than Moose. Joba will not allow you to touch the ball and with Joba's electricity shocking you and your home crowd. Mo will quietly come in and go about his buisness as he always does. .80 era in 110 postseason inn. Come on Yanks win hands down in 4. This team is on a different plateau than it was last year. No Sheffield at first. No Johnson with a balky back. No team wide unhappiness. Thes guys have done something they havent done in years and it's called GEL. And the thing is this should be the team to beat all the time, however they didn't play for one another, they didn't pick each other up, they didn't laugh togeather and because of that they lost. Yanks in 4
Red Sox in 5 Cubs in 5 Rockies in 4 Yanks over Sox in 6 Cubs over Rockies in 7 Yanks over Cubs in 5 When the leaves begin to fall the Yankees will win it all to 3:24
Joba Chamberlain has 3 other above average pitches to go along with his 100 mph fastball. He also has an ERA of 0.38, during a pennant race. Neither of Cleveland`s relievers could match that. I also noticed that nobody on the Indians managed to get a hit off of him, but they sure did rack up the strikeouts. The Yankees ripped Carmona in the regular season. So yes, CC is the only apparent challenge for the Yanks.
Wang dominates non-AL East teams, who dont see his sinker often 2.56 era in 116 IP. He will pitch a gem and the yankees will do enough against CC to take game 1. The Yankees only need to split in Cleveland because Byrd and Westbrook will get bombed in the Bronx to make it easier on Rocket and Moose. Joba and Mo make it a 6 inning game and the yankees are more flexible this year with options on the bench.
How long is it going to take these clueless sports writers to wake up and realize the Tulo is more than a Rookie...he is the best defensive SS in the game today, period. Beyond the bats, the Rox turn plays and this young team is making history one day at a time.
It's nice to see some people who actually think the Indians have a chance. This team is primed up and ready to seek revenge on the Yankees. My prediction: Indians vs. Rockies in the World Series!
The best thing about so-called expert predictions is that most of these "regional writers gone national" get exposed for their lack knowledge on teams they really don't know. Anyone who thinks Lackey will befuddle the Red Sox obviously didn't take the time to realize he absolutely stinks against the Sox. Anyone who thinks 6-0 regular season record means nothing because a team hasn't seen their ace, an ace who is not playoff tested, shows a bit of naivety to the subject. If these boobs said "I want_____ to win because.." they would have more validity. Do us all a favor, and don't speak on what you don't know; you lose your credibility!
D-Backs sweep the Cubs, and push the Cubs drought one step closer to 100 years of futility. I guess Lou Pinella "the genius" didnt see what happened to the last skipper of the Cubs, Dusty Baker when he tried to save a pitcher for a future game in the series. Didnt work out too well in 2003 did it? Pinellas hilarious, and idiotic move of removing Zambrano last night after 85 pitches was one of the dumbest moves I have seen since the last Cubs meltdown.
I think the Phillies come out of the NL, I think the Yankees come out of the NL. With the Yankees beating Philly in 6. Another ring for the Bronx Bombers The top of the Indians rotation boasts arguably two of the top three Cy Young candidates in the AL. The back end of the bullpen is as dominant as any. And yes, Borowski has had his fair share of chokes, but he seems to find a way to come through when it matters. If it were any team other than Cleveland all you people would be talking about is the fact that pitching wins championships, blah, blah, blah. The problem is Cleveland is never nationally televised so they must suck. At least that seems to be the logic employed by most of you. As for the fact that the Tribe was 0-6 against the Yankess this year, you should note two things that everyone seems to conveniently ignore. First, the Yankees got out of both series without facing C.C. Sabathia. They beat Jeremy Sowers, who finsihed out the year in Triple A. Plus, the first series took place two weeks into the season, when the Tribe's outfield consisted of Trot Nixon and David Delluci, and featured Andy Marte and Josh Barfield in starting roles. This is a different team and a team that absolutely owned the Detroit Tigers who all of you predicted to make a run at the World Series again. The Indians went through one rough stretch in August where they looked like Little Leaguers. And guess who they played in the middle of that stretch. The Yankees. Argue head to head all you want but if the Indians had an NY on their hat or a B, you'd all be picking them to go all the way despite the fact that their payroll is half of any other AL playoff team.
I will agree the regular season means nothing in the playoffs. Boston will take Los Angeles out in 4. D-backs will outlast the Cubbies, somehow someway. Phillies will have to power their way past Colorado. As for the Yanks & Indians....C.C. hasn't faced NY since 2004, different team different pitcher we'll see what happens when the explosive Yankee Offense takes over. ..Carmona got sheeled in both starts against the Yanks this year with a era above 6.00...The Yankees starting pitching has picked them up since May 29 with the team going 71-39, the best in the majors.
Redsux over Angels Yanks over Indians D-backs over Cubs Phillies over Rockies Yankees take Bosux in 6 Phillies take D-backs in 5 Yankees over Phillies in 5 I think us Indians fans have every right to rally and root for our team. We haven't seen a division champ title since 2001 and we have a strong team this year that has earned their way to the postseason. Don't be surprised Yankee fans if your team is outdone by the Tribe, they can be beaten too! Revenge is sweeeeet!
what drugs? I think you indians fans are on the drugs, unroll those panties and calm down! Sure we can say the regular season meant nothing (even though the yanks were 6-0 against you), but even with that meaning nothing how does it change anything? You still will lose lol
James, I believe Joe was using what we call sarcasm......... Simma down bro.
LOL, Yanks over Indians in 3. Though I am a big Yanks fan and will head to game 3, I am totally not expecting any sort of elimination game when I go. Trying to be impartial, Yanks have the best chance to win in 4 and Indians have to best chance to win in 5. I will be extremely surprised if it is a sweep either way. Then again, living in NYC, they did say the mutts, I mean Mets, were a lock for the playoffs as NL's best team....
Anita,
I hate to break it to you, but you're wearing rose colored glasses. Your closer has a 5 ERA and 8 blown saves. Ours is the greatest closer of all time. Case closed. And enjoy Joba, by the way. He's basically pitching like Randy Johnson in his prime, and he'll go in the 7th and 8th for us. See you next year, Cleveland. I am reading all of the comments from Yankee and Cleveland fans alike and I am chuckling at all of them. I am a life long Cleveland fan and I will admit playing the Yankees in the divisional series makes me nervous and it should make the Yankee fans nervous also that they are playing Cleveland, of course the sports writers are going to overwhelmingly pick New York. How dare they write anything else or speak ill will of the Bronx Bombers! Hey Yankee Fans Smoke’in Joe, Lou Garig and the Babe are both long gone! Quit trying to replace them with an over rated Jeter and October Blunder A Rod!
This is 2007 October Baseball, as far as sweeping Cleveland in 6 in the regular season goes Oh Well! Again this October and the Tribe is primed and have also been hot since the all star break. I think the Tribe is 33-12 since the last loss to New York? CC 19-7 and Carmona 19-8 Hmmmmm? Borowski? Well yes his ERA is a little high but because of 2 bad outings his ERA shot up prior to the break, it is hard to bring that down only pitching 1 inning a game twice or three times a week, he since has been equal to RIvera! Cleveland also has the best and most rested bull pen in the majors going into the playoffs. By the way Borowski also has the most saves in Baseball and is well ahead of New York old timer Rivera. I can not wait to read how the Yankees lose in 5 and how A Rod blunders again instead of how the Indians took it to the BOMBERS! That is exactly what New York will do, get Bombed out of 07! Hey, I think most people have to think that the Cubs are going to win it all. But wait- we have to take it one series at a time. For this series-I will take the Cubs in four.
The Nation
C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona will shut down the Yankees. You'll see why A-pril Rod struggles to hit above .100 in the playoffs with no RBI in his last 57 playoff at bats. Dude has no nuts. Red Sox blow by the Angels and manage to beat the tribe in 6 or 7. No need to break down the National League as the 4 best teams are in the American League. rockies will make it to the world series.
What kind of name is Joba? Did he name himself that so that all you Yankees fans would have a cute pet name for him? He reminds me of another big, young pitcher who threw gas and had a great october in 1997. Jaret Wright. They even look alike. So enjoy Joba this year. He'll be pitching garbage innings for the Dodgers in three years.
Tampa Bay will come back to win it all next year.
You heard it here first. So much for all the so-called "experts" who picked the Phillies. You couldn't get past your east coast bias to see that the Rockies are the best team in the NL by far. They've had great hitting all year, and now they are getting clutch hits from every person in the lineup, 1-8. The pitching has been vastly underrated, as anyone who takes a look at the team ERA after the All-Star Break can attest too. It doesn't matter if Holliday touched the plate or not (he did by the way) because that game would have been over had the umps made the correct call on Atkin's seventh-inning "double." Rollins is a great player, but Holliday's numbers cannot be ignored. The real MVP showed up in this series, and now the Phillies are toast.
Rockies are making these guys look like a bunch of idiots.
ok. how can you not pick the sox to beat the angels? look at our lineup. we just destroy.. we will do moose things to the Yanks pitching staff.. so the RED SOX rock the AL.
now. phillies arent hitting like they should be. rockies will send em home in 4 the way they hit. i'd like the cubs to go to the series but they have a long way to go. I dont know enough about arizona to go for them. so cubs will move on. bottom line. SOX PWN So, 8 of the 11 'SI Experts' picked the Phils over the Rockies...yeah, good call!
My buddy Mr.Heyman made the right call. Now, if only he had also picked Holliday over Rollins for the MVP in his other article, he'd be smokin! Mr. Heyman will get 3 of his 4 picks right in here...I believe the Indians take the Yanks... So, the questions is, since 8 of the 11 'experts' picked the Phillies to beat the Rockies, will they come in here and say, 'Oops, my bad' or something like when the Rockies close it out in Colorado? I hate these people that say the Yankees will beat the Indians in the ALDS.Just because you beat the Indians 6 times during the season.Does not guarntee a playoff series win.
Here's how the Playoffs will fall: Division Series: Indians over Yankees in 5 Red Sox over Angels in 4 Rockies over Phillies in 4 D'Backs over Cubs in 4 Championship Series: Indians over Red Sox in 6 D'backs over Rockies in 7 World Series: Indians over D'backs in 6 Right now I'm laughing at all those people who said how amazing the Yanks are, what was it 12-3? Whoever said the Tribe have no hope winning the first two games is not too intelligent.
To "Ted" and anybody else who picked the Yankees to sweep the Tribe: just one thing to say, and that's "12-3". It's on. Carmona is 9-1 w/ a 2.17 ERA in day games this year. Good luck.
To Gennaro Filice, RE: Cleveland gets swept?
Um, no. For all of you who picked the Cubs over the D-Backs you're insane. The Cubs are the most inept team in the history of baseball. Never put your money on them...EVER.
Wow. everyone on here, experts and bloggers together, apparently either haven't watch the diamondbacks at all this year, or don't know jack about calling games. the diamondbacks are jackstomping them cursed cubbies into the ground, making all of you people saying they're gonna win in 3-4 or 5 look like total morons. enjoy that egg on your faces. rockies dbacks nlcs. im calling it now. THAT will be a battle.
congratulations jon weisman, you are the winner! the only to pick red sox, indians, d'backs and rockies. now, who will be the one to pick red sox-rockies for the world series?
First game of the Indians - NY Series and Gennaro Filice is already wrong.
Yeah good predictions yankee fan.... you REALLY know your team. joba the hutt cant pitch if you're down by 9 runs every game....tell CASHMAN to go spend steinbrenner's money on a louge at jacobs field cuz thats the only way the suckEES are getting into the Series....
Francona has made some of the best managerial decisions I have ever seen down to the close of the season. Rest your hurting players and "limp" into the AL East Championship and the best record in baseball. The Sox are fresh and ready for the long haul - no one is hurting. Watch out!
BTW - Red Sox and Cubs would make a fine World Series. I am a lifetime member of the Red Sox nation, but I would not cry if the Cubs beat the Sox in the series - Chicago I know how you feel. Ummmm people..... Cleveland 12, New York 3. So much for the "owning the Indians" during the regular season. And yeah the one comment about the Yankees being on a different level....yep....about 5 floors below the Tribe. Oh and yeah, Thanks for comming out New York, better luck next year with your mega salary lineup. Heh Heh
12 -- 3 bombers crash and burn
congrats to all those who picked the phillies to win in four.
The writers are from NY and have the YankMe's over valued. Do they know that there are some pretty damn good teams in the play-offs? Let the games be played and see what happens... Just be prepared to eat crow.
Hey Gennaro Filice, You are what is wrong with the "national" media. You can not see past your pin striped colored glasses. Get a clue.
Congrats to Jon Weisman for being the only dude here who has a brain.
I would love for these "experts" to find a sports bar or get a satalite dish during the season and take in some games from somewhere besides the eastern time zone. Even if the Cubs and Phils pull of miracles, hopefully the world has seen that there are some terrific baseball teams in the NL west! The Rox set an MLB record for fielding percentage. That is not because every ball went over the fence. You east cost morons need to open your eyes to good baseball!
I love how the "pundits" pick the Angels over the Sox because the Angels have better starters. That's great except for the fact that Lackey is terrible against the Sox and Escobar isn't far behind.
I hope Cleveland takes out the Yanks. They absolutely TATTOOED Wang. Sucks to be the Cubs and Phils right now. Barring a major convergence of the planets, two of the more tortured sports cities will continue their suffering. I actually would like to see the Cubbies get the monkey off their back. Don't worry Yankees Fans, after Monday, you'll still have won the series for the year against the tribe 7 games to 3
These predictions are dead on....
Experts huh, way to sell the Indians short. Filice, why do you have a job?
Man-o-man... that scary and expensive Cubs lineup sure is pounding the crap out of my D-Backs. These experts all had it nailed. Ramirez, Lee, and Soriano going 4 for 27... that is terrifying.
I could go on about how the "esperts" have had this D-Backs team wrong all year, but I'll just let the team prove you wrong on the field. It's ok, Chicago... there's always next millennium. Steve Walk says...
"Cubs over Arizona (Diamondbacks who?)" Arizona Diamondbacks = The team that is about to perpetuate the joke that is the Chicago Cubs. Looks like they "experts" are right again. Phils in 4, Phils in 5...way to go genuises. They will be lucky to win 1.
Rockies in 3. Chew on that. As a DBacks fan I am loving this series. Everybody picked the Cubs; yet the DBacks are up 2-0. The best part is gonna be watching our boys celebrate at Wrigley while the Cubs limp off their home turf. Go DBacks!
PS. Cubs fans don't forget the brooms so the DBacks can sweep you right out of the playoffs! Gennaro Filice, A Rod prediction looking pretty good right about now. How many strike outs was that tonight?
Filice still has a job because these "experts" have no shame. If I am that wrong in my job that often, I would have been fired long long time ago. I teach statistics at the graduate school level ... their picks are simply and totally random. There is no need for expertise. My dead grandmother (who was Chinese and in China) could pick with better results in her grave. Filice et al. are there to cheat for a living ... that's about it!
Filice still has a job because these "experts" have no shame. If I am that wrong in my job that often, I would have been fired long long time ago. I teach statistics at the graduate school level ... their picks are simply and totally random. There is no need for expertise. My dead grandmother (who was Chinese and in China) could pick with better results in her grave. Filice et al. are there to cheat for a living ... that's about it!
Hey Belth,
"Martinez's weak throwing arm"?! Did you watch any Indians games this year?! After a terrible year throwing the ball last year, Victor worked on it all off season and threw out an overhelming majority of would-be base stealers. Get your facts straight before you make a stupid prediction, "expert." Yankees over Indians in three? In four? I hope this isn't your day job.
Roberto, Ted ... You there? Didn't think so. And to the anonymous moron who said that other than CC, the Indians pitchers weren't good enought to handle the Yankees -- Um, catch the game tonight?
So much for SI's so called experts! Maybe SI should consider bringing up new analysts from Double A!
GO DBACKS! ha stupid experts, tribe rolls, joba chamberlin sucks, never heard him before this week.... what kind of name is joba? the yankees have one pitcher worth his spit (pettite) and they lost with him pitching.
those bugs were feasting on Joba's tears
Huh. The Tribe can hit. The Tribe can pitch. Who are those guys?
And you can forget about cherry-picking them, Mr. Cashman. Everyone is signed through the end of 2008. CC's contract probably gets re-done in the off-season before it's even up. Go shop elsewhere. I love "baseball on a budget"! Yankee fans, it's time to come to grips with the end of an era. Joe Torre will be out of a job after yet ANOTHER first round flameout and the highest payroll in baseball. A-Rod will be gone, as Steinbrenner can't stand people who don't produce in "the real season." Those April numbers aren't looking so great now with the Yanks down 0-2 to my Indians, are they?
On to the Bronx. The Tribe has NY (Next Year) in a stranglehold and is looking to deliver the knockout blow!
How could anyone pick the Yankees over the Tribe? They have no lefties in their bullpen, which, with the exception of Chamberlain and Rivera, is the weakest of any ALDS team. The Indians are young, quick, and balanced, and aren't feeling any pressure. How can you NOT root for them? The Indians take game number 2, 2-1 and hold a 2-0 lead over the big bad Yankees.
A few observations. First, I absolutely love how a few Chicago fans (I'm looking at YOU, James) do not understand the meaning of sarcasm. Typical herd of Cubs cattle. Secondly, I'd like to thank Jon Heyman and Jon Weisman for having the stones to pick the Rox and Dbacks to win their series'. Can we all FINALLY agree that the NL Best is the class of the senior league??
We'll see you in Phoenix, Indians. Thank you, Jon Weisman. The Sox/Yanks/Cubbies got their egos inflated all year, and now it's showing how hype was substituted for pitching, defense, and timely hitting. Rockies over D'Backs in the NLCS, Indians over Red Sox in the ALCS.
I agree... the abilities of Sabathia and Carmona are undeniable. Seeing those guys more than once in a series will be overwhelming even for the Yankee bats that wear down opposing pitching. I hope the Yankees can show some sign of life back in the Bronx and at least make it interesting. I'de love to see these two teams beat each other up for 5 games so Boston can steamroll over the winner in the ALCS.
I'm thinkin rockies indians world series with the rockies winning it all in 7 games.
Hey Ted, you still yapping? We know you can make the same post twice in four minutes. Can you make two retractions that fast?
World Series: Red Sox over Rockies in 6.
Roger Clemens ends his career by being battered around for two innings by the Indians on Sunday. The monkey on A-Rod's back gets so heavy, Rodriguez's knees snap halfway through Game 3. He finds a one-way ticket to Chicago in his locker. Torre is out as manager well before Halloween. Hope you enjoyed the ride, Yankees fans. It's OVER. DBacks are in (nice job picking the Cubbies, most of you "experts.""
Rockies are in (nice job picking the Phillies, most of you "EXPERTS!") Indians will beat the Yanks tomorrow. BoSox will beat the Halos tomorrow. This will be the first ALDS in history with FOUR sweeps. Remember that. BoSox over Indians in 5. Rockies over DBacks in 6. Boston Red Sox over Colorado Rockies in 7. Boston Red Sox - 2007 World Series Champions. Well, it's official. The Cubs are still the biggest punchline in professional sports. Listen, I understand the D-Backs start their games at 10pm for the East Coasters... but watch one game and you'll realize they're 30 times better than you give them credit for. And DeRosa can't admit they're the better team? Wow. Big words from a grade A rally killer. The Rockies are going to be tough, but I believe we can squeak them out.
Phillies in 5
Cubs in 5 Just shows the east coast bias of SI Rocks took the season matchup against the Snakes in 2007 ... they'll continue the roll in the NLCS. Nice pick gennaro...couldn't be more wrong if you tried.
Funny that the so called "EXPERTS" get payed to know absolutely nothing. Wathch more than 1 or 3 teams idiots! No wonder your magazine is usually the one on the floor of the shitter rather than on the coffee table. Stick with the Cubs and Yanks, one day you'll get it right
Alright, so seriously, after a season of little-to-no respect for the D-BACKS from the SI staff, and not to mention the game commentators (even at the end of the sweep, still limited respect), how about giving the D-BACKS fans a reason to continue to read SI?!
I love how all the so called experts picked Philly over Colorado. You all seem to know your baseball well.
Rockies are going to the world series. All you haters on AZ now know to keep quiet. I love it. Why this team doesn't get the respect of the nation is unknown to me. Most people look at arizona teams and think they are pretenders in the sports world. In fact its probably the best state for sports. All the games are early evenings. Football lasts from 10am-7pm, so theres time to still go out on sunday nights. I never stayed up til 1am to finish watching a late baseball game like most of the U.S. So lets see...the dbacks are in the nlcs, the cardinals are in first place in the nl west and the phoenix suns have reached the western conference finals since 05'. Oh yeah, I can see how no one takes us seriously.
Why is Genaro Felice a sportwriter and what makes him "expert"? Great predictions for the post season.
Great Job Ted from your postings on October 3 at 2:18pm and 2:22pm. You said the exact same thing with few different words. Please be original. It's obvious now that the regular season records mean nothing as the Indians are up 2 games to 1. Only a blunder by Trot Nixon and a mistake by Jake Westbrook kept the baseball team from the Bronx in this series. The Indians will win this series and may even beat the Red Sucks. Most everyone has counted the the Indians out because they're Cleveland, and it's not a big market, and it's not who the TV audiences want to see. That's fine because it's the teams everyone counts out who usually make a big statement. The Indians may not win the World Series but if their CHEAP owner can manage to keep this team together they will be a playoff force to reackon with for years to come. Cleveland payroll-around $61 Million; New York payroll-around $200 Million. The Yankess not getting past the first round and falling out of the post season early again-PRICELESS!!
I commend the Rockies in sweeping the Phillies and in the process making si experts look a lot like amateur writers.
Hilarious...
The Cubs once again choked and showed why they are the biggest joke in MLB. Soriano, Lee, and Ramirez were all terrible, you are not going to go to far when Theriot is your best player in a series. Finally all the chirping of the Cubs fans talking about their team going to the World Seires has stopped. Here is some advise Cub fans, win a game, then a series, and actually get to the World Series before you start running your mouths. Here is my rule, any fan of any team that has not won, or even played in a World Series in the past 25 years, let alone 99 years like the Cubs has no room to talk. Show some humility, and class. It looks like the "experts" were sipping a little to much of the Cubbie Kool-Aide.
Any team can have a bad century.. ha..ha... Well...once again the experts were wrong!!!! Break out the brooms in AZ! Anybody, Anytime! Maybe the so called experts should account for resiliency and heart cause the Dbacks have it and obviously the Cubbies do not.
D-backs - Rockies series for the pennant proves what us left-coasters have been saying all season: the best division in Baseball is the NL West!
Oh, and Rockies in 6. You guys need a new group of EXPERTS.
Pathetic predictions!!! Genarro Felice had better go back to teaching kindergarten. "Experts"? The term make me laugh. D-Backs are a total shocker, as are the Rox. If momentum means anything then you gotta go with the Rockies in the NLCS.
Sox over the Angels is a no brainer, Yay Cleveland I'm rooting for you over the Yankees (Just 1 more win) Indians are tough but I gotta go with the Sox in the ALCS. Then it becomes another no-brainer Sox over the Rox in Tthe WS. Gennaro Flease? LOL.
So much for SI writers knowing much about baseball!! Maybe the Yanks that they ALL love will still be able to pull a little out for them!
yeah...is on drugs.
Not true while the regualr season shouldn't be used as an underlined implication as to what will happen, it fair to use as evidence. We're talking 6-0 here, that pretty strong stuff. What I think it comes down to is game 5. Its known that Byrd is a mediocre pitcher at best, so the yanks hsould plow through him. Its all up to pettite, along with the relievers that follow, that will determine who wins game 5 and continues on. Expert picks? Do these guys even watch baseball? An expert will use unbiased intelligence when making predictions. A writer will tell its readers what they want to hear. Only 2 of the writers have a chance at 4-4, and 3 0-4. I'm glad I didn't make any bets based off of their predictions.
To all you Gents at ESPN or the Eastern Sports Propaganda Network
there are other Teams out there not on the Eastcoast. The Rockies Won in 3 games on pitching hitting and the big D they have played all year. By the Way they did sweep your ohhh so loved Yankies and Mets so please take your blinders off and look at the talent at all the teams not just in your backyard Glen Andover Ks. "Experts"..I am glad you don't give financial advice. Imagine if your jobs depended on the accuracy of your picks.
There can be only one. Which Jon will emerge victorious?
Okay, for those of you who say that the Roxs are going to win the World Series, HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MINDS?!? The D-Backs are clearly the better team in the NL, not to mention that they had won a Series already. As for the Yanks, they have been coming back all year long, so don't count them out just yet. Prediction: Yanks vs. D-Backs in the Series (can we say, rematch??), and this time, the Yanks take it in seven.
congrats to Weisman, he seems to be the only one to get 4 right, and maybe even the only one to get 3 right! I can;t wait to see the pix for the next round!!!!!!!
GO TRIBE!!!!! Wiesman is the only one at cnnsi that got it right. Pathetic. It just goes to show--you don't actually have to know anything about baseball to make a living writing about it. Shameful.
Go Sox! Hey Ntleea, Yanks in seven? How 'bout OUT in four. I can't even believe anyone thought the Yanks would go to the World Series this year!
You guys should give up predicting series winners. Possibly just the winners and not the number of games in the series where you all of you only got one correct prediction for a series.
LA CLE CHI CO
v v v v BOS NY ARI PHI Weisman 1 1 1 1 Heyman 1 0 1 1 Luft 0 1 0 1 Chen 1 0 1 0 Belth 1 1 0 0 Corcoran1 0 1 0 Lemire 1 0 1 0 Filice 1 0 1 0 Verducci1 0 0 0 Donovan 0 1 0 0 Reiter 0 0 0 0 SeriesAv0.727 0.364 0.545 0.273 WRITER WRITER AV. Weisman 1.000 Heyman 0.750 Luft 0.500 Chen 0.500 Belth 0.500 Corcoran 0.500 Lemire 0.500 Filice 0.500 Verducci 0.250 Donovan 0.250 Reiter 0.000 TOTAL AV. 0.477 So just how "Expert" (or "Inexpert") were these eleven SI writers? The probability of picking all (4) series correctly was 1-in16, just a 6.25% chance. First, let's give it up for Jon Weisman, whose thoughtful analysis complemented his 1.000 average. Jon Weisman demonstrates superior insight, judgment and objectivity through his writing. Perhaps SI should consider giving Weisman Tom Verducci's "INSIDE BASEBALL" beat. As for Ben Reiter, keep in mind that the probability of picking all (4) series *incorrectly* is also a 6.25% chance. It would appear that Ben's strengths may be outside of the sports industry entirely. Just how “Expert” was this group? Thanks to Weisman, the group beat the odds of picking all four series correctly (one out of eleven beats one out of 16). Beyond the numbers, any assessments of how “Expert” this group is are fairly arbitrary. If we assume that the “Experts” will average 50% of all picks correctly, then Weisman, Heyman, Luft, Chen Belth, Corcoran, Lemire and Filice make the cut. Unfortunately the group falls short of 50%, but for one glaring 0-for. As for the averages by series, there are two interesting contrasts within the AL and the NL picks. The Red Sox provided these writers with the best bet in Baseball, while the Yankees threw the writers a curve (according to the Indians v Yankees regular season results). The Cubs v Dbacks picks are the best case for these writers as a group to be called “Expert”; however the Rockies v Phillies series showed some fundamental flaws. Go back and read these eleven writers’ analyses and you’ll quickly find who does and applies their homework, and who does not. SI.com should be commended for posting writer’s picks and analyses. It provides an indirect revenue source (not from the paying public, but from publicly traded companies). However, Sports Illustrated should keep in mind that where picks are concerned, SI.com’s primary revenue sources expect some analysis and basic reasoning by its Major League writers. There is a place for comments “Beyond the Numbers”, and it exists in published form (just read Verducci and the postings above and below). “Expert” writer comments lacking any substance *on a picks page* is below SI and the industry standard. Vegas Pick’em. Wow mostly all you guys picked the Yankees. Wish I could see the look on your faces now.
nteela: Looks like the Yanks aren't going anywhere. As for the Rockies, they had the better record against Arizona over the year (10 to 8) and finished the regular season a lot hotter than Arizona. Also, Arizona had a different, much more expensive team when they won the World Series. They had a 51-111 record just 3 years ago. However, they are the one team that has been able to win a game against the Rockies since September 15. So I predict it'll be tough but the Rockies will win in seven.
All you CNN/SI pundits should take a cut in pay for having your head up the Yankees backside.
You have the insight of sorority girls whose boyfriends tell them what to say. Jon Weisman gets mad props for being the only guy to pick each winner correctly! Hooray Indians for kicking the Yanks out again!
Only one of these guys picked all 4 wins .Some xperts.
Verducci? D'Backs are clearly the better team? Let me remind who took the season series between the two teams. ROCKIES.
Is Gennaro Felice still employed? Can anyone be more wrong? I was surprised by anyone who picked the Yankees over my Indians, let alone 3-0. (Gennaro: Always pick the team with superior pitching.)
let's see, just because you pay your team $130 million more than another, doesn't guarantee you a victory!
i love how all of the experts talked about the yankees hitting and the last two guys in the bullpen.....what they forgot to mention is it doesn't matter if joba or rivera come into the game if the yanks are DOWN! lol. Wang got a new one ripped - twice! the indians are a good, all around team! solid hitters 1-9, 2 great starters and 3 gritty starters, and did i mention, one of the best bullpens in baseball (record wise). the indians had the best team ERA since the all star break....why didn't the EXPERTS mention that? It isn't a media series dream and the announcers won't have a homer to root for now that the yankees and phillies are down!! However good baseball exists west of New York and with the true weak eastern sisters out of running enjoy baseball being played by three teams that hustle and play the game right and the beaneaters who may not have 86 years too wait. Wouldn't it be something if a team spent a third or less of the yankees budget won it all again while the yanks fall apart from old age!!
Hey Ted, what are you saying about the Indians now? Go home to mamma and cry because your team just got owned. It was no fluke that the Yankees lost. The Indians straight up dominated your team of overpaid scrubs.
So much for being experts...it would figure most would pick the Yankees over the Indians, but it's because of the uniforms. Cleveland has not gotten nearly enough credit for what they've done and now that they've beaten NY in not 5, but 4 games, maybe you "experts" will open your eyes and realize they're the real deal and money can't buy you championships. Take a closer look, you're missing out on an amazing baseball team. GO TRIBE!!!
Sure the Yankees came back during the season, but I think it's okay to count them out now. Indians 3 Yankees 1
Good for you guys for leaving these predictions up here. One thing to chew on for future predictions, the Indians have all their young talent signed to club friendly contracts for the next 4 years. Practice typing Tribe in 4.
Cleveland beats the Yankees pretty handly in 4 games. It would be excessive to call it dominance but the Yankees didn't look that good at all. Especially the starting rotation, they pitched pretty poorly. I was wondering why more of the writers didn't pick up on how weak the Yankees starters were. The offense carried the team during the regular season and when they were matched against better pitching they slumped. Something you can't afford to do and a short series.
It will be interesting to see how the Boston-Cleveland series works out. All you predictors or experts are sucks. Colorado Rockies is going to crush any of the opponents in this year playoff.
nice picks...none of you even had ONE right..what makes you expert guys? Colorado is the team to beat..start seeing games and let numbers just be numbers, i really hope this situation show you ain't the gods of baseball just because you are paid to talk about it. VIVA MEXICO
Isn't it time to change the header to "Writer's Picks" rather than "Expert's picks"? These guys never do any better than the average fan. The same goes for the "experts" at ESPN, Fox, etc.
Amen to that...Great season for Cleveland and maybe, just maybe, idk...the 2nd finals for a major sport in Cleveland for the 2nd time this year?? *knocks on wood* GO INDIANS!
I love how the Indians beat the Yankees in 4 games... and how many articles are about them this morning? 1. How many on the loser Yankees? 4. If you didnt know it, you would think the Yankees won. SI writers once again prove their bias to the Yankees and Red Sox. I wonder how many of them are going to predict a Red Sox sweep over the Indians???
Ha
I posted the first comment on this page. Comment could have not been more on the money. REGULAR SEASON DOES NOT MEAN A THING IN THE PLAYOFFS. GO TRIBE. Well so far it all the little markets that could in the post season excpet the Red Sucks. It just goes to show you that a team not names on a team win.
To the experts that picked the Spanks over the Indians, go choke on the apple in New York with the rest of those over paid bums. To Chip Caray on TBS, go to where it's hot Yankee lover. Chip Caray blantantly cheered for the Bronx Bummers during the telecast yesterday of the Indians clinching victory. When the Indians scored or had something going he was vey matter of fact. When the Spanks had something going he was screaming "her come the yankees." Tony Gwynn was the only one that showed Cleveland any love. Well it's on to Bean Town now. I'm not sure what will happen but it would be nice to see the Indians take out another financial giant. Go Tribe!! to NTLEELA:
Oct 8, 2007 7:08 PM by NTLEELA "...HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MINDS?!? The D-Backs are clearly the better team in the NL, not to mention that they had won a Series already. As for the Yanks, they have been coming back all year long, so don't count them out just yet. Prediction: Yanks vs. D-Backs in the Series (can we say, rematch??), and this time, the Yanks take it in seven." Nope, NTLEELA. The continuation of this year's AL league championship series and the '07 World Series WILL BE A YANKEE FREE ZONE. HA. Walt Indiana Dear Yankee fans,
For those of you that said "Thanks for coming out Cleveland, better luck next year", um it was Ted. Yes the Indians will see you next year. The Yankees have some golfing to catch up on. I guess the Yankees felt it wasn't really important to win this year. Well Ted and the Yankees, have a great offseason putting together another $200 Million dollar team that goes nowhere. Now as for Boston. You have great players in Beckett, Big PeePee, Manny and so on. But that is all it is, great players and no team. Boston may have tons more talent than the Indians but so did the Yankees. I will root hard for the Indians to beat Boston. Will it happen? Maybe. This is the series everyone wants. The two best teams in baseball with the best regular season records. All I can say is go Tribe!!! how do any of these guys get to be considered experts! These idiots get paid to make these predictions! What a Joke!
Hey Ben Wronger.....and Gennie Fleeced! Kiss my ass! Experts, sure!
You and your National Media buddies were all DEAD WRONG. Good pitching, that's right Ben, good Pitching, you know what that is, Reit? always trumps good hitting. Frank Thomas made a remarkable comment on TBS.....he said "...in the pitching rich Central..." I think he knows far more than you idiots. Gennaro who?
The "Byrd-Man" of Cleveland helps Torre escape from jail (or is that Hail). It wasn't A-Rod's or Jeter's or Posada's or Torre's fault - it was just an incredible pitching staff, a well balanced team with no "I" in it and a great manager all doing what us "Tribe" fans figured they would do - shut down the great "Bronx Bombers" and go on to step two of their quest for the first World Series Championship since 1948. The "Colavito" hex is finally put to rest. GO TRIBE!!!!
Johnny Damon said that he doesn't think that the better team won.
Think about that while you shot-put balls from the outfield in your offseason JD, while you aren't allowed to grow your gay hair and beard out. Crybaby. Joe Lemire - Idiot!!!!!!!!!!!
Fellice, are you an intern or do you actually get paid for such nice work?
Gennaro Filice is a genius.
Some 'experts' at SI.com - only 2 picked at least 3 of the series winners while the remaining 8 picked 2 or less. Props to Jon Weisman that picked all 4 series
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Sports Illustrated has the most stupid sports writers. Even worse then the ESPN prejudice guys.
All the dummies that picked Yankees and said the regular season does not count but we're still picking the Yankees because they went 6-0 against Cleveland in the regular season are as dumb as a gold fish. They cannot even remember what they said at the beginning of a sentence. The Indians were just too good for the Spankees. I may be an Indians fan from start to finish but I actually do like the Yankees as well. Joe Torre is a class act as well as the Yankees players. I think 99% of the Baseball athletes are top notch, except maybe Pedro "Cheap Shot" "Stay home for the Playoffs" Martinez and Ivan "Spike Omar Visquel why he is defenseless" Rodriguez are two of the classless. Gennaro Felice? How in good god's name do you still have a job. Take off your Yankee colored glasses and actually watch baseball for a change. Have you ever even watched a game outside of the Bronx?
Can it get any better? Another season without A-Rod winning a ring. This guy just doesn't have it in him to carry a team when it counts. Here's to a Rockies/Indians world series.
weisman 4 for 4
heyman 2 for 4 luft 2 for 4 chen 2 for 4 belth 2 for 4 corcoran 2 for 4 lemire 2 for 4 donovan 1 for 4 verducci 1 for 4 filice 1 for 4 reiter 0 for 4 looks more like one expert and a bunch of guessers and one guy who should do a costanza - do the opposite of what you would normally do to have some success. and filice, from one filice to another, you stink. Wow, way to go guys. You did great on those predictions...
predicting Red Sox to lose and Yankees to win...totally right on that one. predicting Cubs to win and Phillies to win....totally right on that one as well. Some "experts" you are. A blind chimp could have made better predictions. Hey Gennaro Filice, good call on those postseason series. Since you have worked so hard these past few weeks to predict all these games, I'll make one for you...Like Joe Torre, you won't have a job in the very near future.
the next yankee manager is going to be Larry Bowa , Joe torre , will end up in Tampa
How's that feel Yankee fans?? Confidence is one thing, stupidity is another! When will you guys realize that pitching wins championships! Its obvious that the the common sense in baseball has passed up you, and your senile "boss".
World Series: Sox vs. Rox !!
Rockies in 7 for the World Series over the Sox,6 over the D-backs for NLCS. The Rox are the most underrated,unnoticed time in the national media. But that is changing.........JJ in Boulder I have never see this many wrong prodictions in all my time reading this type of material!!
Go Tribe beat the Bosox PT Weisman and Heyman are the only ones who should keep their jobs and the rest fired! I goes to show a East Coast BIAS. The NL West was and IS the best division in baseball this year. The wild card race was proof with the d-backs, padres,dodgers and the rockies all within a couple of games of each other. The NL Pennent will go to to the winner of the World Series. I have a word of advise for all the east coast writers...Put your Tivo on before you go to bed so that you can see what happened on the Left Coast. I am tired of the world revolving around the east coast teams, especially the p.o.s. American League teams. The world does not rotate around the Yankees and or the Red Sox. The "expert" picks showed all of us that if a team is west of the Mississippi they are no good. Try to open your minds!
Get off the cross with the "East Coast Bias" crap. We need the wood.
19 for 44?
Next year, SI should just use Lincoln, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Washington, Kennedy, and Susan B. Anthony. They would likely be more accurate, on average... Wonderful predictions fellas. I still don't know how any of you idiot's should keep your jobs for picking those geriatric yankees over the tribe.
Hey Yankee Fan,
How's the post season working out for ya? One & Done.....Living in the past doesn't get it done! I think it is funny how barely anyone gives the Indians enough credit to say that they will beat the Yankees. Money does not buy championships... talent does. Next, when they do beat the Yanks it is not "boy did the Tribe played good." It is "poor Yankees got beat by a lil old team like the Indians and it is the end of an era." I think they need more credit where it is due. I'd hate to see if it was even a smaller team like KC to beat the Yankees in the playoffs. Grant it at this time it is not likely but hypothetically i think the column headlines would be comical. DOWN WITH THE EVIL EMPIRE!
Here is my prediction:
Indians in 4 Rockies in 3 Indians in 7. Tribe in 6!! KILL EM PRONK!!
I find it hilarious that every single columnist who picked the Yankees to win over Cleveland cited the 6-0 record between the two, while those of whom picked the Indians to win threw it out the window - like it should have.
Let's Go Tribe! WTG Jacob Luft! Cubbies in 3... I am sure you meant they would go out in 3, right?
Boston will take Cleveland in 5. I'd say 4 but I actually liked the City of Cleveland the one time I was there in the early 90s... espacially Tiffany's.
/s/ Bostonian living in New York for the money... just like most every player on the Yankees. Hey Cleveland fans!! Calm down!! Your getting ahead of yourself. Yes, you have 2 very good starters in Carmona and Sabbathia. But in a stress laiden playoff you also have to look at who has done it under pressure. Boston has 2 very good starters also - Beckett and Shilling - and both have done it before... World Series MVP's!! As the playoffs continue, and the pressure mounts, it will be interesting to see how the Cleveland young guns handle it. They may rise to the occasion, and again, they may not. But regardless, even if the Indians win it all.... you fans still lose ... YOU LIVE IN CLEVELAND!!!
Everyone except Jon Weisman has lost their second guessing privelages for the rest of the playoffs.
I think Gennaro Felice needs to look for a new line of work. Obviously his skill at predicting post-season series winners is poor. The yankees had weak, at best, starting pitching, and the Indians dominated them with their rotation and bullpen, not to mention their offense. The TBS broadcast crew was pathetic as well, maybe they should put on their yankee cheerleader outfits rather than their suit jackets!
Hey, Yankee fans. Another gag job by the most expensive, overrated bunch of stiffs I've ever seen. I love how ARod and Jeter disappear when the going gets tough. Why can't you and the national media come to grips with the fact that they were outclassed, outhustled and outplayed by a better team?
hey, I can't find the Yankee's on tv tonight..... oh, almost forgot. LOST to the Tribe. HA HA
yeah "byrd is unreliable at best" or "the staffs are even " or " all the yankee pitchers are big game pitchers" .
well byrd looked a little better than reliable with 5 innings of 1 run ball. the yanks staff got tagged for 24 runs in 38 innings while the tribes went 38 and gave up 18. as for your "big gamers" i would say game 4 and game 1 were pretty big games and your "ace" looked about as good pitching as your mvp did hitting,looking pathetic twice in big games. Clemeans was preparing to get rocked when he got hurt. i will give you andy though ,your only good starter. stanks choke again. Go Tribe.  |
THE LINEUP
AL East blog (Monday)
NL West blog (Monday) AL Central blog (Tuesday) NL Central blog (Wednesday) AL West blog (Thursday) NL East blog (Thursday) Wild Card (Friday) Recent Posts
  |
  |
|
Copyright © 2008 Time Inc.
A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.
