- My world series prediction of the Twins vs Padres is not looking good. Of the twenty-one teams that have lost the two games of a divisional series playoff, nineteen have gone on to lose. One of these teams is the Oakland A’s, so there is still some hope. But not much.
- The secret of Joel Zumuya is out. A converted starter, Zumuya was dynamite all season long for the Tigers, hitting 100 on the radar gun numerous times. Another set-up man and future closer, the Dodgers Jonathan Broxton is also starting to break out. This is bad news for fantasy players hoping to slip these players onto their squads next season.
- Enjoy the managerial match-up between Jim Leyand and Joe Torre. With today’s lean towards sabertamitcal data, there will be fewer instances of these old school match-ups in future playoffs.
- I’m starting to get a little worried about the Mets bullpen. It appears that they will win their series with the Dodgers. But it is to their benefit to do this quickly, as all signs point to the bullpen logging some serious innings throughout the playoffs. I’m surprised that the Mets didn’t give Aaron Heilman a few starts in September, just for insurance against playoff injuries.
- After the game two, the Yankees vs Tigers series is starting to get interesting. Only a fool would deny the fact that the Yankees have one of the greatest all-time line-ups, 1-9, in baseball history. But its not unheard of for these bats to go silent for a few games. In game three lefty Kenny Rogers will start. Surprisingly, he did not face the Yankees this season. Rogers had a great August and September (1.64 & 2.79 ERA respectivly) and is the type of pitcher that could give the Yankees line-up fits. Jeremy Bonderman will take the hill for the Tigers in game four. He pitched poorly in his only appearence against the Yankees this season, but he had a decent september (3.40 ERA). Jitters could be a factor for Bonderman. While it seems like he’s been around forever, Bonderman is only 23 years old.
October 6, 2006
You have the biggest mancrush on Broxton of all time. Hopefully for you he doesn’t break your heart like the last guy you had the hots for – Brandon “Ducksworth” Duckworth.
October 6, 2006
One observation I would like to add is the Brad Radke subplot. Right now he is pitching with a shredded labrum and a stress fracture in his shoulder socket. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain he must be feeling with every pitch, considering he can’t even lift his kids. Yet he is still pitching at the major league level at an adequate level. I’m not so sure I would have put Radke out in a must-win game for the Twins, I might have put Garza in, but it speaks to the razor thin depth of the current pitching staff. At any rate, I am a sucker for human interest stories such as this and love to see broken down men try to will their bodies into one last dance with glory. Good job, Brad Radke.
October 6, 2006
I’m not going to deny my admiration of one Mr. Broxton. The other night he was throwing his slider from 87 – 90 MPH. That’s close to unhittable. He’ll be a force for many years to come. I do think that your Garza love may equal my Broxton love, considering you picked him up in the fantasy pool quickly and held on to him all year. He was rushed a bit and it will be interesting to see if he starts the year in AAA or in the back half of the Twins bullpen.
October 7, 2006
Opps, by bullpen I meant rotation.
October 7, 2006
Another observation. How nice is it to see a full house of cheering fans at that beautiful Comerica park in Detroit?