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DEFENDER | WEEK OF OCTOBER 11 | 2012
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MLB playoffs signal start of fall won the NL Central Division. Manager Baker returns to the dugout after several health issues at the end of the season including a mild stroke. The Reds have a potent pitching staff led by Johnny Cueto. They boast four pitcher’s with ERAs under 4.00. If that wasn’t enough, they feature one of the league’s best bullpens in Aroldis Chapman, Sean Marshall and Jonathan Broxton. Joey Voto will lead the Reds offensive attack. He’ll be supported by Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce, Scott Rolen and Miguel Cairo.
By MAX EDISON Defender
The leaves are changing colors, the temperature is dropping and the Texans are winning. All these are signs that signal that fall is upon us. In case you’ve forgotten (Astros fans), another sign that fall is here is that postseason play in Major League Baseball has begun. Even though the Texas Rangers have already been eliminated, for real baseball fans, it’s the golden time of the year.
American League
National League ups.
The NL playoff agenda features two classic match-
The Washington Nationals vs. the St Louis is one. The experienced defending World Series champions Cardinals go against the youthful and extremely talented Nats. The Cardinals finished the season with a record of 88-74, good enough to capture one of NL wild card positions out of the Central Division. First year manager Mike Matheny has a squad that is battle-tested. Pitcher Kyle Lohse is a legitimate Cy Young candidate. Couple him with Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter and you have a potent starting pitching rotation. The Cardinals are loaded with offensive fire power starting with former Astro Carlos Beltran. Yadier Molina, David Freese, Matt Holliday and Allen Craig are all explosive offensive weapons. The Nationals are the darlings of the playoffs. For years they were one of the NL’s more hapless franchises. Those years of futility created an excellent parcel of outstanding young talent which veteran manager Davey Johnson has molded into a winner, outdueling experienced teams like the Braves and Phillies to win the NL East. The Nats have a potent pitching staff and that’s without ace Stephen Strasburg who has been shut down for the playoffs. Gio Gonzalez and Jordan Zimmerm are a potent 1-2 punch. Ross Detwiler and Edwin Jackson are key starters that will be counted on to contribute. Offensively, the Nationals have “long
C.C. Sabathia
ball.” They were second in the NL in homers. Expect Mike Morse and Danny Espinosa to provide lots of “pop.” Consensus NL Rookie of the Year candidate Bryce Harper will get his first dose of playoff action. The second match-up on the NL side will pit the San Francisco Giants against the Cincinnati Reds. In other words, Reds manager Dusty Baker vs. his former team, the Giants. The Giants won the NL West. They boast a potent pitching staff featuring Madison Bumgarner, Tim Lincecum and a resurgent Barry Zito. Veteran bullpen ace Brian Wilson is always ready to preserve a win. Offensively, manager Bruce Bochey will turn to NL batting champion Buster Posey to lead the hit parade. Gregor Blanco hit .291 in September and hopes that hot bat carries over into the playoffs. Former Astro Hunter Pence will also be counted on to make a big offensive contribution. The Reds
The AL playoff will feature lots of fireworks. The Detroit Tiger vs. the Oakland A’s should be a great match-up. The Tigers won the AL Central Division. Their pitching staff is lead by Cy Young candidate Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. Former Astro closer Jose Valverde remains one of the AL’s very best. The Tigers boast one of the AL’s most explosive offenses. Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera is just the tip of the iceberg. Combine him with Prince Fielder, Delmon Young and Jhonny Peralta and manager Robin Ventura has a group that is worthy of a World Series match-up. The Oakland A’s surprised everyone by winning the AL West. The A’s piching staff is potent featuring Jarrod Parker, Travis Blackley, Tommy Milone, A.J. Griffin. The relief staff is filthy with the trio of Ryan Cook, Sean Doolittle and Grant Balfour Manager Bob Melvin count on Josh Reddick, Yoenis Cespedes, Brandon Moss to provide the offense to get the A’s over the hump. The Yankees and Orioles simply continue their AL East Division rivalry into the playoffs. The Orioles manager Buck Showalter will count on Jim Johnson, Wei-Yi Chen and Jason Hammel to handle their starting pitching chores. Nat McLouth, Jim Thome, J. J. Hardy and Adam Jones will be counted on to provide run support and keep the offense productive. The Yankees won the AL East and as usual have some of the game’s top talent. The Captain, Derek Jeter, along with Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira comprise a tremendous offensive advantage. The pitching staff is solid, led by C.C. Sabathia, Derek Lowe, Hiroki Kuroda and the ageless Andy Pettitte. Rafael Soriano has been money coming out of the bullpen.
Carlos Bertran
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