MLB Post Season Preview

The MLB post season gets underway today at 1:37 ET time with the Texas Rangers facing off against the Tampa Bay Rays. The crackerjacks have been popped, the fields have been groomed, and Derek Jeter has studied all the necessary film (the stylings of various Hollywood A listers).

So without further ado I present: The Groundskeeper MLB Post Season Preview

NLDS


Philadelphia Phillies (97-65) vs. Cincinnati Reds (91-71)

The 2009 NLCS Champions Phillies feature this year what could quite possibly be considered the most potent starting rotation in the MLB. They lead the MLB in innings pitched and their ERA was in the top 5. The Phils starting rotation also sports one of the lowest walk rates in the league. The team's bats are not to be over looked either. Howard, Utley and Rollins have not posted the same numbers this season as in years past, but there should be no doubt that the Reds fielders will need to be on their toes.

The Reds have not seen the post season in 15 years. They are certainly the dark horse team coming into the series and should not be underrated. Joey Votto is their main man. The guy was so unknown that he didn't even make the all-star team during the first round of voting in spite of his stellar numbers. If there were concerns about his ability to stay consistent, he put them to rest and is now the odds on favorite to win the NL MVP. The Reds can also lay claim to a potent Pitching rotation of their own. Led by Edinson Volquez on the mound the Reds are hungry and ready to make a statement.

The deciding factor in this game should be the Reds bats getting swing happy against the lethally accurate Phils pitching. The Groundskeeper prediction for this series is: Philadelphia over Cincinnati 3-2.


San Francisco Giants (92-70) vs. Atlanta Braves (91-71)

The San Francisco Giants are your prototypical National League team. They rely on pitching and small ball to capture wins. Their pitching rotation is consistent and deep; both the starting rotation and the bullpen bear pitchers with grade A stats and large repertoires. They rank in the top 5 in almost every major stat category. This is a much different team than the Giants of last decade and it seems to be working for them.

The Atlanta Braves seem to keep winning when it counts. When you look at the statistical panorama the Braves struggle to break into the top 10 in any category. The have a string of players with a lot of upside to their potential. But they lack consistent production from both their bats and their arms. If the Braves can get their players in sync the Giants are in for a nasty surprise.

The deciding factor in this game should be power hitting. The Braves lack it; and are also especially susceptible to giving up the long ball this year. The Groundskeeper prediction for this series is: San Francisco over Atlanta 3-1.


ALDS

Minnesota Twins (94-68) vs. New York Yankees (95-67)

The Minnesota Twins began to open up their NL Central lead over the White Sox in mid September and did not look back. Behind the heavy bat of Joe Mauer the Twins look to move deep into the post season in familiar style. Minnesota's offense ranks high enough to be in the top ten in every major stat category; including coming in second in On Base Percentage and third in Batting Average. If the Twins can fill the hole left by Justin Morneau look to them to swing those big bats with no regard for the fans sitting behind center.

The Yankees seemingly limped into the post season at the hand of inconsistent pitching and lackluster performances in big games. Yankee fans have got to hope that this is all just a big Jeter like charade. The stat line however, provides hope for the Yankees who ranked first in Runs and On Base Percentage at seasons end. Batting has gotten the Yankees through the postseason before but against teams like the Rays, Twins and Reds the Bronx Bombers had better hope that their pitching staff can pull it together. If C.C Sabathia and Andy Pettitte show up to take pressure off the Yankees bats, look to the bats to come alive in a reciprocal fashion.

The deciding factor in this game should be injuries. Both the Yankees and the Twins have suffered their fair share of hurt coming into the post season, but in what looks to be a high scoring season the Twins loss of Morneau will really hurt. The Groundskeeper prediction for this series is: New York over Minnesota 3-2.


Tampa Bay Rays (96-66) vs. Texas Rangers (90-72)

The Tampa Bay Rays looked to be the team to beat for a good portion of the season. They started out strong, relinquished their lead to the Yankees for a few months and then stormed back to a strong finish. The Rays arguably have the most balanced lineup in all of baseball. While they are not feared as power hitters they can certainly jack one up. Their speed is phenomenal and their pitching overpowering. They have been strong contenders for the past few years and have no doubts about it, the Rays have their eyes focused on the World Series.

Arlington, Texas has for a long time now seen its fair share of ups and
downs. They have been consistent at one thing- compiling great teams and then tearing them apart. This year needs to be the year that they actually do something with their star studded team. Hamilton, Guerrero and Young will lead the charge on offense; while Cliff Lee and the pitching staff look to dominate the Rays lineup. The Rangers have been silently lurking in the shadows all year and now that the post season is here, it is time to pounce.

The deciding factor in this game should be speed. The Rangers have a great team but lack the speed that the Rays have out in the open field. I look to this series to favor the Rays defensively. The Groundskeeper prediction for this series is: Tampa Bay over Texas 3-1.