Oh Where, Oh Where, Will Pujols Go?

There are good baseball players, and then there are great baseball players and when you say the name Albert Pujols you put him in the same category as Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Willie Mays and so on. Albert Pujols is hands down one of the greatest first baseman this game has ever seen, this guy can do it all and has done it all. He has won 6 NL Sliver Slugger Awards, 3 NL MVP Awards, 2 NL Gold Glove Awards, 2 NL Hank Aaron Awards, 1 Robert Clemente Award, 1 NLCS MVP Award, 1 World Series Title, and won the 2001 NL Rookie of the Year Award, like I said he has won it all! Only award he has never won is a CY Young award if he was a pitcher. Pujols has played with the St. Louis Cardinals his whole career and every year he has batted .300 or more, hit 30 or more home runs, hit over 100 RBI's or more, struck out 60 times or less except for two times back in 2001 he had 93 strikeouts and in 2010 he had 73 strikeouts, he is the only power hitter who really doesn't strikeout out a lot. Also don't forget his slugging percentage has been between .560 - .600 or more. He is the game’s greatest hitter and who wouldn't want him?


That has been the talk around baseball this offseason where will Pujols go after this season when he becomes a free agent? After Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard got a 6 year deal for 120 million dollars everyone asked themselves what will Albert Pujols get? So far nothing, and were talking about the best player in the game, aren't we? Seems like Cardinals haven't been to worried about losing the face of their franchise for the past 10 years, I mean he has only scared almost every pitcher in the National League for the last 10 years and has helped the Cardinals win 6 NL Central Division titles, 2 NL League Pennants, and 1 World Series title in the last 10 years. How could you not sign him? Well the only down fall is he is 31 years old and he will get up there in age and the Cardinals might want to move in a different direction with younger players and build a new team. That's the only reason I can see the Cardinals not signing him other than that he still is the best player in baseball.


The teams that want well I wouldn't be kidding myself if I didn't say the New York Yankee. The rumor has been said the Yankees would offer Pujols an 10 year deal worth $300 million dollars that would be the most money any player in baseball would ever receive. Now you're asking yourself why the Yankees, they already have a first baseman in Mark Teixeira, but let’s be honest the Yankees really don't have any good DH hitters on their club, so they would move Teixeira to the DH roll and bring in Pujols but were still unsure if that's true. Another team that comes to mind is the New York Mets. The Mets don't really have a good first baseman; yes they have young Ike Davis who played really well for them as a rookie last year but he’s no Albert Pujols. The Mets would love to get him just so they could shut up their friends the Philadelphia Phillies who have made all the big moves in the East by getting Halladay, Oswalt, and their newest member Cliff Lee back and the Phillies have been the kings of the NL East for 4 straight years.

Then come the Rangers who really need a first baseman in the club house but the Rangers might not have the money to bring him in but they’re still on the list. Next are the Cubs and if this happened, St. Louis fans would have a heart attack and would call Albert Pujols the new LeBron James of baseball. Fans would go nuts, now the Cubs got a first baseman this offseason in Carlos Pena but only for 1 year. The Dodgers are also on this list as teams that want him but the Dodgers have bigger problems then trying to bring in a big time name, but it would help them in starting over and turning the franchise around by adding him. Last team on this list is the Red Sox another team you’re asking yourself why them, well same reason as the Yankees they need a DH and they could turn Gonzalez into a DH player or Pujols into a DH player.


The Cardinals are by far not out of this yet Pujols has been on this team his whole career and knows what it’s like playing in St. Louis and he likes it there. It's not big time media town or big time spot light town which he likes and he enjoys playing for manager Tony La Russa who has been the manager of this team for 15 years. The Cardinals still have a shot of signing him before or during the offseason of 2011, but be sure whichever team makes the higher bid he might just end up going there.

Best Starting Five in the NL and AL

So it has been the talk around the offseason about which team in the National League and the American League has the best starting 5 right now come opening day? With pitchers and catchers due to report to camp in just one month some would augur the Phillies are the front runner after getting Cliff Lee back and joining Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels. Others would augur the 2010 defending World Series Champs the San Francisco Giants are better because about how young their pitching staff is. That being said about the National League how about the American League? The Boston Red Sox come to mind in the AL East if they can stay healthy, also the Los Angeles Angels to come to mind in the AL West as well but don’t forget about the AL League Champs, the Texas Rangers. I’ll give you my take on the best starting 5 in each division and break it down about who to look out for and who to forget about.

NL West
San Francisco Giants – 2010 Defending World Series Champions

There has been a new buzz around baseball after seeing the Giants win the World Series last year, a team who was picked to maybe win the NL wild card, won their division on the second to last day of the season last year and became the hot team to beat in the postseason. They beat the Braves in 4 games in the NLDS, then beat the Phillies in 6 games in the NLCS, then beat the Rangers in 6 games in the World Series and won their first World Series title in team history and how did they do this? Well their pitching was unstoppable in the postseason, leading the way was the 2 time CY Young award winner Tim Lincecum and he never looked back. He was followed up by Matt Chain, Jonathan Sanchez, and Madison Bumgarner. In 2011 the Giants will look to defend their crown and I think this team will win their division and will be a tough team yet again to beat in the postseason.

Giants Starting Five
1.Tim Lincecum 2010 – ERA 3.43, 16 wins, 10 losses, 231 strikeouts, 26 years old.
2.Matt Cain 2010 – ERA 3.14, 13 wins, 11 losses, 177 strikeouts, 26 years old.
3.Jonathan Sanchez 2010 – ERA 3.07, 13 wins, 9 losses, 205 strikeouts, 28 years old.
4.Madison Bumgarner 2010 – ERA 3.00, 7 wins, 6 losses, 86 strikeouts, 21 years old – Rookie.
5.Barry Zito 2010 – ERA 4.15, 9 wins, 14 losses, 150 strikeouts, 32 years old.



NL East

Philadelphia Phillies – 2010 NL East Division Champions

Some might say this might be the best starting five in baseball after the Phillies in the offseason came from behind and stole left handed pitcher Cliff Lee away from the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers. Lee turned down the Yankees 168 million dollar offers and turned down the Rangers 148 million dollar offers to return to the “City of Brotherly Love” for 120 million dollars. Now that Lee is a Phillie once again he will join probably one of the greatest pitching staff in baseball with Roy Halladay, Roy Owsalt, and Cole Hamels. Yes on paper it looks really good but remember they have to do the work on the field. Also don’t forget about Joe Blanton as their number five starting pitcher. Some say he might not be on this pitching staff come opening day but if he is he’s not a bad number fiver starter. After losing to the Giants in the NLCS last year the Phillies know what they need to get done. Healthy line-up and pitching staff would make them the most dangerous team in baseball. I think the Phillies are going to win their 5th straight division title and I think they will go deep in the playoffs. People in Philadelphia are saying “World Series or Bust”

Phillies Starting Five
1.Roy Halladay 2010 NL CY Young winner – ERA 2.44, 21 wins, 10 losses, 219 strikeouts, 33 years old.
2.Cliff Lee 2010 – ERA 3.18, 12 wins, 9 losses, 185 strikeouts, 32 years old.
3.Roy Oswalt 2010 – ERA 2.76, 13 wins, 13 losses, 193 strikeouts, 33 years old.
4.Cole Hamels 2010 – ERA 3.06, 12 wins, 11 losses, 211 strikeouts, 27 years old.
5.Joe Blanton 2010 – ERA 4.82, 9 wins, 6 losses, 134 strikeouts, 30 years old or Kyle Kendrick 2010 – ERA 4.73, 11 wins, 10 losses, 84 strikeouts, 26 years old.



NL Central

St. Louis Cardinals

After the Red Birds had a upset year not winning their division or making the postseason with their pitching staff having Adam Wainwrigth who was once again the runner up for the NL CY Young award you would have to think they want to take back their division and get to the postseason and I think they have the pitching to do so. However their line-up isn’t as strong as it used to be. I think the Cards will win their division but I also think it’s going to be a tight race to the finish line in the NL Central.

Cardinals Starting Five
1.Adam Wainwright 2010 runner up for the 2010 NL CY Young– ERA 2.42, 20 wins, 11 losses, 213 strikeouts, 29 years old.
2.Chris Carpenter 2010 – ERA 3.22, 16 wins, 9 losses, 174, strikeouts, 35 years old
3.Jamie Garcia 2010 – ERA 2.70, 13 wins, 8 losses, 132 strikeouts, 24 years old.
4.Jack Westbrook 2010 – ERA 4.22, 10 wins, 11 losses, 128 strikeouts, 33 years old.
5.Brad Penny 2010 – ERA 3.22, 3 wins, 4 losses, 35 strikeouts, 32 years old or Kyle Lohse 2010 – ERA 6.55, 4 wins, 8 losses, 54 strikeouts, 32 years old.



NL Surprise Teams

Milwaukee Brewers

After the Brewers got Shaun Marcum the Brewers got 2008 former AL CY Young winner Zack Greinke after reports we’re saying Greinke was going to sign with the Rangers after the Cliff Lee deal went south but some way the Brewers managed to bring him in. Marcum and Greinke are now teamed up with team ace Yovani Gallardo and look like they won’t back down in the NL Central division. Look for them to have a better year than last year.

Brewers Starting Five
1.Yovani Gallardo 2010 – ERA 3.84, 14 wins, 7 losses, 200 striekouts, 24 years old.
2.Zack Greinke 2010 – ERA 4.17, 10 wins, 14 losses, 181 strikeouts, 27 years old.
3.Shaun Marcum 2010 – ERA 3.64, 13 wins, 8 losses, 165 strikeouts, 29 years old.
4.Randy Wolf 2010 – ERA 4.17, 13 wins, 12 losses, 142 strikeouts, 34 years old.
5.Dave Bush 2010 – ERA 4.54, 8 wins, 5 losses, 107 strikeouts, 31 years old.



Atlanta Braves – 2010 NL Wild Card winner

After the Braves had the lead in the NL East they weren’t able to hold onto it as they became the NL Wild Card team and others thought that they would have won the East but as we know the Phillies won the East title yet again. The Braves have a pretty good pitching staff and after getting a taste of the postseason they will be looking for more. Their line-up got some help but their pitching I think is going to be key because we know they have a good starting line-up but it’s going to be interesting to see how their pitching holds up.

Braves Starting Five
1.Tim Hudson 2010 – ERA 2.83, 17 wins, 9 losses, 139 strikeouts, 35 years old.
2.Tommy Hason 2010 – ERA 3.33, 10 wins, 11 losses, 173, strikeouts, 24 years old.
3.Jair Jurrjens 2010 – ERA 4.64, 7 wins, 6 losses, 86 strikeouts, 24 years old.
4.Derek Lowe 2010 – ERA 4.00, 16 wins, 12 losses, 136 strikeouts, 37 years old.
5.Mike Minor 2010 – ERA 5.98, 3 wins, 2 losses, 43 strikeouts, 23 years old – Rookie.



Cincinnati Reds – 2010 NL Central Division Champions

The Reds last year surprised everyone after winning the NL Central division because in the beginning of 2010 no one really picked them to be a team to be scared of just because their pitching wasn’t all there and this year coming up I think they’re going to be another surprise team just because everyone is asking the question will they’re pitching staff do the same thing as they did in 2010? We already know they have probably one the best line-ups in the NL but I would like to see how the 2011 pitching staff will do again this year.

Reds Starting Five
1.Bronson Arroyo 2010 – ERA 3.88, 17 wins, 10 losses, 121 strikeouts, 33 years old.
2.Johnny Cueto 2010 – ERA 3.64, 12 wins, 7 losses, 138 strikeouts, 24 years old.
3.Edinson Voquez 2010 – ERA 4.31, 4 wins, 3 losses, 67 strikeouts, 27 years old.
4.Travis Wood 2010 – ERA 3.51, 5 wins, 4 losses, 86 strikeouts, 23 years old – Rookie.
5.Homer Baily 2010 – ERA 4.46, 4 wins, 3 losses, 100 strikeouts, 24 years old or Mike Leake 2010 – ERA 4.23, 8 wins, 4 losses, 91 strikeouts, 23 years old.


So I think out of these three surprise teams I think one of them will win the 2011 NL Wild Card and make a trip to the postseason. Then again I have been wrong before, but expect all three of these teams to have a good year.


AL West
Los Angeles Angels

After the 2010 season everyone thought that the Angels would be in postseason as they have been in the last 4 years, but for some reason things didn’t go their way. As we know the Texas Rangers won the AL West division title for the first time since 1998. The Rangers did it with great pitching and great hitting and that’s how I think the Angels will get it done this year, staying healthy and focus and they will win themselves another division title. I also think a full Dan Haren for a whole season will be just what they need after losing John Lackey a year ago. They finally have an ace on this staff to lead the way and to be followed up by Jered Weaver and Ervin Santana is just a sweet thing.

Angels Starting Five
1.Dan Haren 2010 – ERA 3.91, 12 wins, 12 losses, 216 strikeouts, 30 years old.
2.Jered Weaver 2010 – ERA 3.01, 13 wins, 12 losses, 233 strikeouts, 28 years old.
3.Ervin Santana 2010 – ERA 3.92, 17 wins, 10 losses, 169 strikeouts, 28 years old.
4.Joel Pineiro 2010 – ERA 3.84, 10 wins, 7 losses, 92 strikeouts, 32 years old.
5.Scott Kazmir 2010 – ERA 5.94, 9 wins, 15 losses, 93 strikeouts, 26 years old.



AL East
Boston Red Sox

After the Red Sox in 2010 it was probably one of their worst season’s in a long time where 18 to 19 players were put on the DL and put their chances to getting to the postseason out of reach, where in the beginning of 2010 they had high hopes after getting big free agent John Lackey they were picked to have one of the best starting five in 2010 but injures held them back. In offseason of 2010 the Sox made some big moves signing free agent first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and outfielder Carl Crawford and with a healthy pitching staff and line-up they are the favorite to win the AL East division title and I have picked them to win their division and to go far into the playoffs, they might even get to their third World Series in last 8 years something the Red Sox have never done.

Red Sox Starting Five
1.Jon Lester 2010 runner up for the 2010 AL CY Young – ERA 3.25, 19 wins, 9losses, 225 strikeouts, 27 years old.
2.Clay Buchholz 2010 – ERA 2.33, 17 wins, 7 losses, 120 strikeouts, 26 years old.
3.Josh Beckett 2010 – ERA 5.78, 6 wins, 6 losses, 116 strikeouts, 30 years old.
4.John Lackey 2010 – ERA 4.40, 14 wins, 11 losses, 156 strikeouts, 32 years old.
5.Daisuke Matsuzaka 2010 – ERA 4.69, 9 wins, 6 losses, 123 strikeouts, 30 years old.



AL Central
Minnesota Twins – 2010 AL Central Division Champions

The Twins have been the team to beat for the last 2 years in the AL Central and I think it’s going to stay that way. They have the best starting five in this division with Carl Pavano returning the only problem with this team is that can’t seem to past the ALDS. In 2009 and 2010 they have been sweated by the New York Yankees. I think it’s time to crack down to business to put up a better fight in playoffs and they’re going to need their pitching to step up big and also have a healthy bullpen. I think the Twins win their division once again and do their thing in 2011.

Twins Starting Five
1.Carl Pavano 2010 – ERA 3.75, 17 wins, 11 losses, 117 strikeouts, 35 years old.
2.Francisco Liriano 2010 – ERA 3.62, 14 wins, 10 losses, 201 strikeouts, 27 years old.
3.Scott Baker 2010 – ERA 4.49, 12 wins, 9 losses, 148 strikeouts, 29 years old.
4.Kevin Slowey 2010 – ERA 4.45, 13 wins, 6 losses, 116 strikeouts, 26 years old.
5.Nick Blackburn 2010 – ERA 5.42, 10 wins, 12 losses, 68 strikeouts, 28 years old.


AL Surprise Teams

New York Yankees – 2010 Wild Card Winners

Now I have picked the Yankees as a surprise team only because 1 – I don’t think will be able to keep up with the Red Sox and 2 – they have no pitching. After not closing a deal on free agent Cliff Lee who returned to Phillies in offseason, that really put a dent in the Yanks pitching staff. Now there has been a rumor that long time Yankee free agent Andy Pettitte will retire and there has been rumor that he will return. Now if he returns that will help them out a lot, he would either be their third or fourth starter, but if he doesn’t return and retires then the Yankees will have a big problem and they would have to rely on two rookies at the bottom of their rotation to get things done or they will have to wait till then for the trade deadline to come around or pick someone before then. So if you’re a Yankees fan you better hope Pettitte returns for 2011.

Yankees Starting Five
1.C.C. Sabathia 2010 runner up for the AL CY Young – ERA 3.10, 21 wins, 7 losses, 197 strikeouts, 30 years old.
2.Phil Hughes 2010 – ERA 4.19, 18 wins, 8 losses, 146 strikeouts, 24 years old.
3.A.J. Burnett 2010 – ERA 5.26, 10 wins, 15 losses, 145 strikeouts, 34 years old.
4.Ivan Nova 2010 – ERA 4.50, 1 win, 2 losses, 26 strikeouts, 24 years old – Rookie.
5.Hector Noes – 23 years old Rookie – If Pettitte doesn’t return.



Texas Rangers – 2010 AL League Champions

The only reason why the Rangers are one of my surprise teams is because who is the ace on this team? After losing their ace Cliff Lee in the offseason the question has been asked who will be the ace on this team? Who will be the guy to step up and pitch on the big stage? Will it C.J. Wilson or someone else? I can’t answer that. We all know the Rangers have a great line-up and that was one of the big seasons they made it to the World Series last year but in baseball you need pitching to win you games. Now the Rangers did sign free agent Brandon Webb who won a CY Young back 2006 but he hasn’t pitched in 2 years after having arm problems and I think we all know he is not the answer. The Rangers still don’t know how healthy he is and what will they use him as, a starter or a bullpen pitcher? A lot question leading up the 2011 season.

Rangers Starting Five
1.C.J. Wilson 2010 – ERA 3.35, 15 wins, 8 losses, 170 strikeouts, 30 years old.
2.Tommy Hunter 2010 – ERA 3.73, 13 wins, 4 losses, 68 strikeouts, 24 years old.
3.Colby Lewis 2010 – ERA 3.72, 12 wins, 13 losses, 193 strikeouts, 31 years old.
4.Scott Feldman 2010 – ERA 5.78, 7 wins, 12 losses, 75 strikeouts, 27 years old.
5.Derek Holland 2010 – ERA 4.08, 3 wins, 4 losses, 54 strikeouts, 24 years old or Brandon Webb – 31 years old, he hasn’t pitched since 2009 and his ERA was a 13.50 after being put on the DL for season ending surgery.




Tampa Bay Rays – 2010 AL East Division Champions

The Rays for the last 3 years have been probably one the best teams in the AL but in 2011 things don’t seem to be that way after losing three of their big pieces in first baseman Carlos Pena who went to the Cubs, outfielder Carl Crawford who went to the Red Sox, and starting pitcher Matt Garza who also went to the Cubs. The Rays really have no idea how the will keep up this year by losing those three players who have helped them win 2 of 3 division titles, they also helped the Rays make it to their first World Series in 2008 but lost to the Phillies. Another note is the Rays have yet not to sign free agent closer Rafeal Soriano who lead the league in save with 45. The Rays pitching staff is still pretty good but I don’t think its good enough, the bottom of their rotation is a question as well.

Rays Starting Five
1.David Price 2010 runner up for the AL CY Young – ERA 2.72, 19 wins, 6 losses, 188 strikeouts, 25 years old.
2.James Shields 2010 – ERA 5.19, 13 wins, 15 losses, 187 strikeouts, 29 years old.
3.Jeff Niemann 2010 – ERA 4.49, 12 wins, 8 losses, 131 strikeouts, 27 years old.
4.Wade Davis 2010 – ERA 4.07, 12 wins, 10 losses, 113 strikeouts, 25 years old.
5.Jeremy Hellickson 2010 – ERA 3.47, 4 wins, 0 losses, 33 strikeouts, 23 years old – Rookie.



Now I have picked these three teams because I think one of these teams will win the AL Wild Card because I think they have the best shot at doing so. Look for one of these teams to make the postseason and look for the other two teams to just miss out on the postseason in 2011.

ALCS and NLCS Previews.

The ALCS and the NLCS gets underway this weekend and boy what an excited feeling this is for many fans in New York, Texas, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Almost 7 months ago the 2010 baseball seasons was just beginning and now were at the point where every game, every pitch and every at bat mean something. The ALCS this year feathers the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers, the NLCS this feathers the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants. One team on each side will win and meet for the 2010 World Series, which teams will that be, we’ll I don't know but I'm sure we will find out soon enough.


Now the Yankees and Rangers have a little bit of history to talk about. The Yankees have seen the Rangers in the postseason but only in the ALDS back in 1996, 1998, and 1999 and three of those times both teams saw each other in the playoffs the Yankees came out on top and beat the Rangers. This time around I think this series will go 6 or 7 games only because they match up so well together. The Yankees have a power house hitting team and the Rangers have a power house hitting team as well. The Yankees pitching might have the edge in this series only because of the Yankees have a pitcher in the name of Andy Pettitte who has been here and has done this so many times in his career. As for the Rangers they have a guy in the name of Cliff Lee who has done this before with the Phillies last year and has pitched really well in the postseason. After Cliff Lee they have C.J. Wilson who for the most part has been really good this year but after him the Rangers pitching staff adds questions. Do I think the Rangers can beat the Yankees sure but it's going to be how they beat the Yankees in playing small ball and steal runs or will their pitching hold them to win a ball game. The Yankees on the other hand will not have home field advantage until Games 3, 4, and 5 so it's important for the Yankees to win at least one game in Texas. My pick to win the ALCS it’s a tough one but I'm going to pick the Rangers in 7 games.



Now a lot of talk has been said about this pitching matchup in Game 1 of the NLCS between the Phillies and the Giants, The "DOC" vs. The "FREAK". Roy Halladay vs. Tim Lincecum a rematch of the 2009 All-Star pitching matchup but this time it's on a bigger stage. With both of these pitchers winning CY Young awards in their career's this year was their debut of pitching in the postseason and many people asked how would they both respond. Well Roy Halladay threw the second no-hitter in postseason history and Tim Lincecum threw a 2 hit complete game shutout, I think they answered everyone's questions. I mean these two pitch are the probably the two best right handed pitchers in the game as we speak. This is a match up that whoever scores first will win the ball game no question about it. It might only take 1 or 2 runs to win this game ball. Now we know that the Phillies have the best one, two, three punch in baseball but don't forget about the Giants one, two, three punch as well. I think the Phillies have a better hitting team then the Giants but if you make a mistake the Giants will make you pay for it. I think this might be one of best NLCS series' that we have seen in awhile and I think it will come down to who has the best pitching in this series. My pick to win the NLCS is the Phillies in 6 games. Then again it's so hard for me to say that because when I look at the Phillies pitching staff I say to myself "they can't lose. There just too good".



ALCS Game 1 Yankees at Texas October 15th 8:00 p.m. on TBS.
C.C Sabathia vs. C.J Wilson

ALCS Game 2 Yankees at Texas October 16th 4:00 p.m. on TBS.
Phil Hughes vs. Coby Lewis

ALCS Game 3 Rangers at New York October 18th 8:00 p.m. on TBS.
Cliff Lee vs. Andy Pettitte

ALCS Game 4 Rangers at New York October 19th 8:00 p.m. on TBS.


NLCS Game 1 Giants at Philadelphia October 16th 7:30 p.m. on FOX.
Tim Lincecum vs. Roy Halladay

NLCS Game 2 Giants at Philadelphia October 17th 8:00 p.m. om FOX.
Jonathan Sanchez vs. Cole Hamels

NLCS Game 3 Phillies at San Francisco October 19th 4:00 p.m. on FOX.
Roy Oswalt vs. Matt Cain

Rangers Win, Rangers Win!!

So the ALDS between the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers was by far one of the best Division Series' in the postseason this year. The Texas Rangers took Games 1 and 2 in Tampa, then the Rays came back and took Games 3 and 4 in Texas. So both teams weren't able to get things done at home and that would set up a Game 5 in Tampa and a rematch of Game 1 between pitchers David Price and Cliff Lee. This game was a low scoring game that would set up for an excited finish but for only one team and that team was the Texas Rangers. The score was 3-1 Rangers heading into the top of 9th inning when Ian Kinsler would hit a 2 run home run to put the Rangers up 5-1 and that's how it would end. David Price would yet again be the losing pitcher in Game 5 going 6 innings, gave up 8 hits, 3 earn runs, 6 strikeouts, and threw 104 pitches. Cliff Lee on the other side is a whole different story being the winner in both Games 1 and 5, Lee pitched a complete game, gave up 6 hits, 1 earn run, 11 strikeouts, and threw 120 pitches. The guy is just that good and to think this is his second time in his career that he's pitching in the postseason is just not fair. Cliff Lee this year in the postseason has an ERA of 1.13, overall ERA of a 1.44. Lee has 6 wins in 7 starts, 4 wins in 5 starts with the Phillies last year, and 2 wins with the Rangers, hats off to the Tampa Bay Rays who had an outstanding year winning their second division title in three years in a tough American League East division.


So the Texas Rangers beat the American League East Champions, the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night by a score of 5-1 and won their first ever postseason series in team history. The Texas Rangers have always been a laughing team in baseball and were never really that good. They got to the postseason three times before the 2010 season and lost in the ALDS to the 96' Yankees, 98' Yankees, and 99' Yankees. All three of those Yankee teams won the World Series and this time around the Texas Rangers will move on to the ALCS for the first time and play who else the New York Yankees only this time they have number one starting pitcher who has faced them and has owned them in his career and that's Cliff Lee. The Texas Rangers got Lee during the trade deadline this year and boy he helped out this team big time helping the Rangers win their first AL West Division title since 1999. The Rangers almost remind me off the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays a team that went from worst to first and now have a name for themselves in the American League and are no longer a push over but also remember the Rangers have to get pass a team that has been there and done that. The 27 time World Series Champion New York Yankees know what it's like to play on the big stage and for the Texas Ranger well they are about to find out what it's like to play in a big stage game.


Yes the Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Rays but the Rangers still have a few more steps to go and if they get to 2010 World Series it won't get an easier playing against the San Francisco Giants or the Philadelphia Phillies. That's one match up that many sports writer would like to see Roy Halladay vs. Cliff Lee, the best right handed pitcher vs. the best left handed pitcher, Halladay the guy who replaced Lee in Philadelphia. A match up that goes above and beyond baseball, a match up that scares me when I think about it, a match up that the baseball God's would like to see. Lee coming back to Philly out on a mission to win a World Series title and to prove that you should have never gotten rid of me because I will only come back to haunt you. Roy Halladay on the other hand is on a mission like no other and that's to win a World Series title as well and I'm sure if the Phillies get there he won't worry about anything else but the problem at hand. Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are by far the two aces you want on your team and to think that the Phillies almost had that one - two punch in Philly almost amazes me but in the end it wasn't meant to be. Instead we got the H2O combo in Philly Halladay, Hamels, and Oswalt, once again, congrats to the Texas Rangers on beating the Tampa Bay Rays and good-luck in the ALCS against the New York Yankees.

Twins: The Team to Sweep.

So on Saturday night it was a chance for the Minnesota Twins to keep their playoff hopes alive against the New York Yankees and in this game it was either win or go home. The Twins would send out young Brain Desnsing who is great pitching to lefty's as for the Yankees they would send out young Phil Hughes who was making his first postseason start and he had it working all night long. As for Desnsing well he didn’t shine that good, already down 2-0 Yankees DH Marcus Thames would hit a 2 run home run in the 4th inning to put the Yanks up 4-0. Duensing would only last 3.1 innings pitched, gave up 7 hits, 5 earn runs, 1 strikeout, and threw 58 pitches. Phil Hughes on the other hand would last 7 strong innings, gave up 4 hits, 0 earn runs, 6 strikeouts, threw 99 pitches. Later in the 7th inning Nick Swisher would add the icing to the cake and hit a solo home run to make it a 6-0 ball game and that would be it.


The Yankees would win the ALDS and sweep the Twins for the second straight year by a score of 6-1. The Yankees won this division series as the wild card team but they played this series like the division winners and they are the first team to move on the ALCS (American League Championship Series). They will either the Tampa Bay Rays or the Texas Rangers, Rangers lead that series 2-1. So this series was expected so much more and for this series to at least go 4 or 5 games but only went 3 games once again. The Yanks had another clean sweep and almost everyone thought the Twins would play the Yankees better since last year they were out in the first 3 games but it looked like history would repeat itself. Just seems like the Yankees have the Twins number and the Twins just cannot get pass the Yankees no matter how better they get.


The Twins had a great 2010 season winning the Central Division by 6 games over the White Sox with a 94-68 record. At one point of the year the Twins found themselves 3.5 games out of first but fought back and came back to win their division and what a great season they had without their star first baseman Justin Morneau and closer Joe Nathan. Also the Twins didn't have a 100% Joe Mauer and they still overcame a lot of flows. So Twins fans you'll have to wait till next year, but luck in the 2011 season.

1,2,3 Tim Lincecum.

So far in the playoffs we have seen some great performances and why should Thursday night be any different from the rest? I mean when you have the strikeout king and the 2 time CY Young award on the mound it's going to be a fun game to watch. Tim Lincecum was making his first ever postseason start in his career and he didn't disappoint at all!

Game 1 of the NLDS between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants was the Tim Lincecum show. Pitching against Lincecum was Derek Lowe who has been in the postseason more times than he can count. In the 4th inning Cody Ross would hit an RBI single to give the Gaints a 1-0 lead and that's all they would need, the Gaints would let Lincecum take over from there. Derek Lowe would only last 5.1 innings pitched, gave up 4 hits, 1 earn run, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts, and threw 96 pitches. Those walks will kill you in a playoff game and it did. Lincecum pitched a 2 hit complete game shutout with 14 strikeouts, WOW!! If Tim Lincecum looked nervous he did not show it at all, for the 26 year old this is what he lives for, to pitch on the big stage and help his team to try to win a World Series title. The Giants would Game 1 by a score of 1-0 and now lead the series 1-0. Game 2 will be on tonight, pitching for the Giants will be Matt Cain and going for the Braves will be Tommy Hnason that game will start right after Game 2 between the Reds and Phillies game starts at 6:07 p.m. followed up by the Braves and Giants at 9:37 p.m. on TBS.

ALDS NO SWEAT!

The ALDS hasn't really been that exciting to watch as both the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees have taken over both of their series’ with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins.

We start with Game 1 between the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays and it was all Rangers in this one. Both teams had their aces pitching, for the Rangers Cliff Lee would pitch against David Price going for the Rays. Lee would work early with a 2-0 lead then Nelson Cruz would hit a solo home run in the 3rd inning and Bengie Molina would follow up with a solo home run in the 4th inning to make it a 4-0 Rangers lead. David Price would only last 6.2 innings, giving up 9 hits, 4 earn runs, 8 strikeouts, and threw 107 pitches. Cliff Lee went 7 strong innings, gave up 5 hits, 1 earn run, 10 strikeouts, threw 104 pitches and would win Game 1 by a score of 5-1. The Rangers would take a 1-0 series lead.


Game 2 pitching for the Rangers was young C.J. Wilson, pitching for the Rays was James Shields which was a questionable move thinking maybe Matt Garza or Jeff Niemann would start in Game 2. Once again in this game it was all Rangers beating up on the Rays pitching staff. In the 4th inning Ian Kinsler hit a solo home run to make it a 2-0 Rangers lead. Then in the 5th inning with 2 runners on Michael Young would go deep and now make it a 5-0 Rangers lead and that would be it for Shields who only lasted 4.1 innings pitched, gave up 4 hits, 4 earn runs, 2 strikeouts, threw 68 pitches. Meanwhile C.J. Wilson would just pick up from where Cliff Lee left off and went 6.1 innings pitched, gave up 2 hits, no earn runs, 7 strikeouts, threw 104 pitches and would win Game 2 by a score of 6-0. So the Rangers lead the series 2-0 heading back to Texas knowing one more win and they will head to the ALCS for the first time in team history. As for the Rays who had the best record in the American League will need to win 2 ball games in Texas to force a Game 5 in Tampa but if not the American League East Champs will have to pack up and hang up their jersey for the 2010 season. Game 3 between the Rangers and Rays will be on Saturday at 5:07 p.m. on TBS, pitching for the Rays will be Matt Garza to help keep the Rays playoff hopes alive and going for the Rangers will be Coby Lewis who will try to wrap things up for the Rangers.



Now to Game 1 between the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees, this one was a heart breaker for the Twins. Pitching for the Twins was Francisco Liriano going for the Yankees was ace C.C. Sabathia. The Twins would take an early 3-0 lead in thanks to a Michael Cuddyer 2 run home run back in the 2nd inning. That would only last in till the 6th inning when the Yankees bats would come alive; Robinson Cano would hit a RBI single to make it a 3-1 Twins lead. Jorge Posada would then hit a RBI single to make it a 3-2 ball game. Curtis Granderson the next batter would hit a 2 run RBI triple to give the Yankees a 4-3 lead and that would be all for Francisco Liriano. Liriano went 5.2 innings pitched, gave up 6 hits, 4 earn runs, 7 strikeouts, and threw 106 pitches. In the bottom of the 6th inning the Twins would tie the game up at 4 on a Danny Valencia walk and C.C.'s night would be done. Sabathia would only go 6 innings, gave up 5 hits, 3 earn runs, 5 strikeouts, and threw 111 pitches. In the very next inning the Twins would give it back to the Yankees on a Mark Teixeira 2 run home run and put the Yankees up 6-4 and that's how it would end. The Yankees would win Game 1 and take a 1-0 series lead.


Game 2 pitching for the Twins was Carl Pavano going against former teammate Andy Pettitte. We start things off in the 5th inning score tied 1-1 but that was about to change from the bat of Lance Berkman would hit a solo home run to put the Yanks in front 2-1. In the 6th inning the "O-DOG" Orlando Hudson would tie the ball game up at 2 with a solo home run. Berkman would later hit an RBI double to put the Yankees in front yet again making the score 3-2. Pavano's day would be done going only 6 innings, gave up 10 hits, 4 earn runs, 3 strikeouts, and threw 93 pitches. Andy Pettitte on the other hand went 7 strong innings, gave up 5 hits, 2 earn runs, 4 strikeouts, and threw 88 pitches. The Yankees would win Game 2 by a score of 5-2 and now lead the series 2-0. So the Twins who played so great at home lost in back to backs game and it looks like signs are pointing back to last year’s postseason where the Yanks took care of the Twins in 3 games. As for the Yankees it must feel good heading home leading the series 2-0 and just one more win and they will move on to the ALCS and play against either the Texas Rangers or the Tampa Bay Rays. Game 3 will be on Saturday night at 8:37 p.m. on TBS, pitching for the Twins to keep their postseason hopes alive will be Brain Duensing and going for the Yankees will be young pitcher Phil Hughes to wrap the series up.