The New York Yankees are back on top!
After squeaking through the 2007 playoffs as a wild card and missing out on the run for the MLB Pennant last year, New York invested almost a quarter of a billion dollars to buff up its pitching staff with CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett and add an all-around baseball player in Mark Teixeira to support an already stellar offensive cast. The investment finally paid off as they clinched the AL East Division Championship today. How did they do it?
Only by sweeping the Red Sox, that's how... *whistles, looks away*
No offense to the National League and the two AL contenders, but I give it an 80-20 chance that it's gonna be a NYY-Boston super-series for the AL championship and a 60-40 chance that the last team standing in the World Series would either be Boston or New York. (The 40% outside chance I give to Manny Ramirez's LA Dodgers and Albert Pujols's St. Louis Cardinals.)
It's crazy how these two teams match up so well. In the past, it's always either Boston is better or New York has all the answers. But, this year, it's pretty even. After meeting 18 times this season, both teams have won 9 apiece, with Boston winning the first 8 while New York steamrolling the Sox in the second half. To me, whoever comes out on top between these two wins it all.
************************************************************************************
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Boston has the best pitching staff, bar none. With a 1-2-3 punch of Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka plus a lights-out closer in Jonathan Papelbon, Boston should be a shoo-in for the League title. SHOULD BE. But, they're not. Not when Josh Beckett's allowing more runs than usual, Daisuke battling rust after being on the injured list for almost all of the season. Not when only Jon Lester looks good. The thing with Boston is that, they have a good bullpen. Once they get the lead in the late innings, they're tough to beat.
Despite being the winningest team in the Majors, New York has had (and is still having) rough patches, pitching-wise. The bullpen is pretty dominant, with closer Mariano Rivera at the helm. Alfredo Aceves and Phil Hughes have been stalwart additions to this year's bullpen, which has been the team's waterloo last year. What has caused some problems is the inconsistency of their starting pitching. CC and Andy Pettite are earning their stripes. Wish I could say the same for AJ Burnett and Joba Chamberlain, whose seasons have been up and down and up and down.
And the winner is: Boston. The bullpen's pretty even. But, I give a slight edge to Boston's starting pitching. Beckett won't be cold for long. Daisuke looked impressive in his comeback start. And, who knows, Lester might throw another no-hitter.
2. Offense
What the craps happened to David Ortiz? His line: .235 batting average, 27 home runs and 94 RBI. Passable for an ordinary run-of-the-mill baseball player. But, Ortiz is no ordinary player. He's Big Papi. The one, the only Big Papi with a .300++ average, 300 homeruns and more than 100 RBIs. It's a good thing OF Jason Bay picked up the slack by snagging career-high 36 homers and 115 RBIs. Jacoby Ellsbury's decided to put his turbo shoes on (66 stolen bases) and the addition of slugger Victor Martinez have further filled the void left by Ortiz's rough season. Over-all, the Red Sox bat .269 overall, with 199 HRs and 629 RBIs.
This is one lineup that never lets up and is a nightmare to pitchers. Potent offense with a capital P! When they're clicking from all cylinders, they're very tough to stop. Just imagine this. Jeter, Damon, Teixeira, Rodriguez up top. Then, Matsui, Cano, Posada and Cabrera at the bottom. Swisher's not so bad at the fifth spot either. Not convinced? Look at the lineup yourself. The heart of this offense has been the tag team of Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. Together, they add up to 66 HR and 213 RBIs. Good seasons from Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon and Robinson Cano helped the Yankees to a league-leading 235 HRs and 850 RBIs.
And the winner is: New York. Unless A-Rod turns into his usual, unproductive self come October, the Yankees won't have any problems getting those runs. Even, in the event that Rodriguez does slip into a postseason mess, Mark Teixeira could always change the game with a swing of the bat.
3. Defense
What Boston can brag, defense-wise, is the arm strength and good coverage of their outfielders. Strong outfielders keep baserunners and hitters from being too aggressive. Ideally, a team has to have strong-armed corner outfielders (that's left field and right field) and a center fielder who can run like the wind. Jacoby Ellsbury at CF, JD Drew(.992 fielding %, 8 outfield assists) and Jason Bay(1.000 fielding pct, 15 outfield assists) at the corners. Boom. Enough said.
This is what's fun about this rivalry. Boston's got mean outfielders. The Yanks have super slick infielders. They have A-Rod at 3B, Jeter at SS, Cano at 2B and Gold Glove Mark Teixeira at 1B. Three of the infielders have fielding percentages above .980. Slick infielders are good for turning groundballs into double plays and sometimes help a pitcher out of trouble.
And the winner is: It's a tie. If only they could kiss, make up and merge their teams.
4. Clutch
I still get nightmares when I remember how Boston got back from an 0-3 hole to beat the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS. Seriously. This team can heat up in a hurry. They have championship experience and, given enough momentum, they can go all the way.
I've followed them through the years. But, I have never seen a team as motivated as this one. Leading the league in walk-off wins and being unbeaten when leading in the 7th inning or later, the Yankees' winning ways are indeed back in the building.
And, the winner is: It's a tie. Both are winners and are sure to give the fans their money's worth of playoff games.
I hate hate hate to say this, given that I'm a Yankees fan and all, but this match-up is just too close to call. Everyone's been pegging NYY as this year's World Series champions, what with their stellar offseason haul. But, Boston can always be counted upon to rise from the deepest of holes(recall: 2004 AL Championship Series) and there's always the chance of New York choking on their own success. (recall: 2004 AL Championship Series)
I really can't say who's gonna win. That's what makes the upcoming postseason more exciting. All the teams have a chance. All teams look sound, defensively and offensively. But, I could only narrow it down up to here. Boston and New York. The rest is up to the baseball gods.
Please don't make me pick a winner. I'd rather do Calculus.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
- Pitching
Boston has the best pitching staff, bar none. With a 1-2-3 punch of Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka plus a lights-out closer in Jonathan Papelbon, Boston should be a shoo-in for the League title. SHOULD BE. But, they're not. Not when Josh Beckett's allowing more runs than usual, Daisuke battling rust after being on the injured list for almost all of the season. Not when only Jon Lester looks good. The thing with Boston is that, they have a good bullpen. Once they get the lead in the late innings, they're tough to beat.Despite being the winningest team in the Majors, New York has had (and is still having) rough patches, pitching-wise. The bullpen is pretty dominant, with closer Mariano Rivera at the helm. Alfredo Aceves and Phil Hughes have been stalwart additions to this year's bullpen, which has been the team's waterloo last year. What has caused some problems is the inconsistency of their starting pitching. CC and Andy Pettite are earning their stripes. Wish I could say the same for AJ Burnett and Joba Chamberlain, whose seasons have been up and down and up and down.And the winner is: Boston. The bullpen's pretty even. But, I give a slight edge to Boston's starting pitching. Beckett won't be cold for long. Daisuke looked impressive in his comeback start. And, who knows, Lester might throw another no-hitter.
2. Offense
What the craps happened to David Ortiz? His line: .235 batting average, 27 home runs and 94 RBI. Passable for an ordinary run-of-the-mill baseball player. But, Ortiz is no ordinary player. He's Big Papi. The one, the only Big Papi with a .300++ average, 300 homeruns and more than 100 RBIs. It's a good thing OF Jason Bay picked up the slack by snagging career-high 36 homers and 115 RBIs. Jacoby Ellsbury's decided to put his turbo shoes on (66 stolen bases) and the addition of slugger Victor Martinez have further filled the void left by Ortiz's rough season. Over-all, the Red Sox bat .269 overall, with 199 HRs and 629 RBIs.This is one lineup that never lets up and is a nightmare to pitchers. Potent offense with a capital P! When they're clicking from all cylinders, they're very tough to stop. Just imagine this. Jeter, Damon, Teixeira, Rodriguez up top. Then, Matsui, Cano, Posada and Cabrera at the bottom. Swisher's not so bad at the fifth spot either. Not convinced? Look at the lineup yourself. The heart of this offense has been the tag team of Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. Together, they add up to 66 HR and 213 RBIs. Good seasons from Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon and Robinson Cano helped the Yankees to a league-leading 235 HRs and 850 RBIs.And the winner is: New York. Unless A-Rod turns into his usual, unproductive self come October, the Yankees won't have any problems getting those runs. Even, in the event that Rodriguez does slip into a postseason mess, Mark Teixeira could always change the game with a swing of the bat.3. Defense
What Boston can brag, defense-wise, is the arm strength and good coverage of their outfielders. Strong outfielders keep baserunners and hitters from being too aggressive. Ideally, a team has to have strong-armed corner outfielders (that's left field and right field) and a center fielder who can run like the wind. Jacoby Ellsbury at CF, JD Drew(.992 fielding %, 8 outfield assists) and Jason Bay(1.000 fielding pct, 15 outfield assists) at the corners. Boom. Enough said.This is what's fun about this rivalry. Boston's got mean outfielders. The Yanks have super slick infielders. They have A-Rod at 3B, Jeter at SS, Cano at 2B and Gold Glove Mark Teixeira at 1B. Three of the infielders have fielding percentages above .980. Slick infielders are good for turning groundballs into double plays and sometimes help a pitcher out of trouble.And the winner is: It's a tie. If only they could kiss, make up and merge their teams.
4. Clutch
I still get nightmares when I remember how Boston got back from an 0-3 hole to beat the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS. Seriously. This team can heat up in a hurry. They have championship experience and, given enough momentum, they can go all the way.I've followed them through the years. But, I have never seen a team as motivated as this one. Leading the league in walk-off wins and being unbeaten when leading in the 7th inning or later, the Yankees' winning ways are indeed back in the building.And, the winner is: It's a tie. Both are winners and are sure to give the fans their money's worth of playoff games.
I hate hate hate to say this, given that I'm a Yankees fan and all, but this match-up is just too close to call. Everyone's been pegging NYY as this year's World Series champions, what with their stellar offseason haul. But, Boston can always be counted upon to rise from the deepest of holes(recall: 2004 AL Championship Series) and there's always the chance of New York choking on their own success. (recall: 2004 AL Championship Series)
I really can't say who's gonna win. That's what makes the upcoming postseason more exciting. All the teams have a chance. All teams look sound, defensively and offensively. But, I could only narrow it down up to here. Boston and New York. The rest is up to the baseball gods.
Please don't make me pick a winner. I'd rather do Calculus.
No comments:
Post a Comment