30th
ALDS Preview: Can it get any better then Wednesday??
After what was the craziest end to a season that I can remember, playoff baseball kicks off tonight with the last 4 American League teams battling it out represent the league in the World Series. This field has 4 of the past 5 champions of the American League, with the other team being eliminated on the final day of the season.
With that being said lets look at the match ups:
Detroit Tigers v New York Yankees
The Tigers come in as the Central Division champions, and boost the best pitcher from the regular season in Justin Verlander. Detroit will have their work cut out for them as they face the always powerful Yankees. The pitching match up to watch will take place tonight in Game 1, as CC Sabathia will face Justin Verlander. The Yankees have the upper hand in this match up, but if the Tigers are able to steal game one in the Bronx it could shift the advantage in this series. The Yankees will look to rookie Ian Nova in game two, which could be a tall order if the Yankees lose game one.
I like the Yankees in this one, but don’t be surprised if the Tigers push this series to five games.
Yankees win 3-1
Tampa Bay Rays v Texas Rangers
Tampa Bay comes in riding a hot streak, and managed to secure the wild card playoff spot in the final game completed of the 2011 regular season. The Rangers come in as AL West champions and also are the reiging American League champs. These two teams battle last year, and it took 5 games for the Rangers to dispose of the Rays. The big difference this year is the Rangers top arm is missing, with Cliff Lee returning to the Phillies in the offseason. The Rangers have the bullpen and the bats, but I fear they do not have the starting pitching to match up with this Tampa Bay team. I like Joe Maddon and the way he manages, and starting a kid with one 9.1 career innings in game one on the road shows he has balls.
This series should go the Rays way, and it wont take 5 games this time.
Rays win 3-1
I will be taking a look at the National League later tonight, so for now enjoy day one of the postseason!!!!
