World Series Opens in San Francisco

The World Series opened last night at AT&T ballpark in San Francisco home of the Giants. The Texas Rangers are coming into San Francisco looking to gain a lead before games three, four, and five go back to Texas. Both teams are entering this year’s World Series beating top teams that were supposed to go back to the October classic. The San Francisco Giants knocked off the defending two time National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies in six games. The Giants were lead by their terrific young pitching staff composed of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez. The Texas Rangers beat up on the defending World Series Champion New York Yankees in six games as well. The Rangers relied on their powerful lineup with Josh Hamilton and effective starting pitching to advance to their first World Series appearance ever in their history as an organization.

Game 1 was Wednesday night in San Francisco. Both teams had their aces going for them as the Rangers put out Cliff Lee and the Giants countered with Tim Lincecum. This game was predicted to be an exciting low scoring pitching dual, but ended up in a powerful rout by the Giants. The Giants took game 1 winning 11-7 behind Juan Uribe’s three run homer in the bottom of the 5^th to put the Giants ahead for good. The Giants battered Cliff Lee as he went 4 2/3^rd innings while giving up six runs on eight hits. Lee came into the game with a 7-0 record and a 1.26 ERA in postseason play. The Giants Tim Lincecum picked up the win while not having his best stuff; he went 5 2/3^rd innings giving up four runs on eight hits. This high scoring game was completely unexpected as the Giants Freddy Sanchez went 4 for 5 with three doubles and three RBI’s. Sanchez became the first player to hit a double in each of his first three Series at-bats. He nearly had a fourth, too, but the play was scored a single and an error. The Rangers Elvis Andrus extended his postseason hit streak to 12 games with a first-inning single. That’s tied for the third-longest to start a postseason career in MLB history. Game 2 should have more fireworks.

Game 2 will be Thursday night in San Francisco again. The Rangers will start C.J Wilson and the Giants will start Matt Cain. Wilson allowed three runs over 13 1/3 innings to go 1-0 in his first two postseason starts, but gave up six runs, six hits and four walks in five innings of a 7-2 loss in Game 5 of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 20. Rangers manager Ron Washington has faith Wilson can rebound from that shaky start. Matt Cain has allowed one run, nine hits and struck out 11 over 13 2/3 innings while going 1-0 in two starts this postseason. The 26-year-old right-hander gave up two hits in seven innings of a 3-0 home win over Philadelphia in Game 3 of the NLCS Oct. 19. The Rangers are desperately seeking a win to split the series before going home to Texas. This should be a great match-up in this series.

Game 3 will be played on October 30th a Saturday night in Arlington, Texas. The visiting San Francisco Giants will start Jonathan Sanchez and the Rangers will answer with Colby Lewis. In this postseason, Sanchez is 0-1 with a 2.93 ERA while giving up five runs on ten hits over three starts. Lewis has been outstanding this postseason going 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA, while giving up three runs on 11 hits over three games. The fireworks will be going off in Texas as this will be the first World Series game they are hosting in their history.

Game 4 will be a Sunday Halloween night in Texas. The Giants will put out young Madison Bumgarner and the Rangers will turn to Tommy Hunter. Bumgarner is posting a 1-0 record with a 3.55 ERA this postseason and the Giants have won every game he’s started. Hunter currently has a 0-1 record with a 6.14 this postseason while his longest outing so far has been four innings. Game 5 will be in Texas and features a re-match of game 1’s aces Tim Lincecum and Cliff Lee.

Will San Francisco’s young pitchers shut down Texas’s powerful line-up? Can Texas salvage a split in San Francisco?

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MLB Championship Series Weekend

A year after reaching the World Series, both the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies were facing a 3-1 hole entering Game 5 of their respective championship series’.  The Texas Rangers, who have never gone to the World Series and the San Francisco Giants who haven’t been there since 2002, look poised to rebound after tough Game 5 losses.  Heading to Game 6 up 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, the Ranges and Giants will look to avoid a decisive Game 7 and stamp their ticket to the biggest stage in baseball.

Colby Lewis will take the mound for the Rangers tonight as he aims for a repeat performance of his effort in Game 2 as Phil Hughes will try to regain his All-star form and force a Game 7 pitching duel between stud muffin Cliff Lee and Andy Pettitte.  The Yankees will be without All-star first baseman Mark Tiexiera for the remainder of the postseason due to a strained hamstring suffered in Game 4.  The first pitch is scheduled for 8:07 p.m. tonight on TBS.

The Rangers are currently riding their pitching and potent offense as the Yankees continue to look feeble compared to their regular season.  Josh Hamilton already has 4 home runs and 7 RBI, batting 6-19 in the series while Colby Lewis struck out six in 5 2/3 of work while yielding just two runs in a Game 2 victory.  The Yankees hope to get production out of Lance Berkman, who will start in place of Tiexiera once again, and Robinson Cano, who continues to impress in the playoffs after a stellar MVP-like season.

The Giants will send Jonathan Sanchez to the helm in Philadelphia on Saturday to oppose Roy Oswalt in an attempt to close out the series and head back home to San Francisco.  Sanchez was on the losing end of Game 2 as Oswalt dominated the Giants lineup from top to bottom, however in his relief appearance in Game 4, Oswalt gave up 3 hits in 2/3 of an inning and took the loss as Juan Uribe hit a walk-off sacrifice fly for a 6-5 victory.  The start time is 3:55 Saturday on FOX.

The Giants hope to get rookie sensation Buster Posey back on track after a sub-par effort in Game 5 following a superb Game 4 where he went 4-5 with 2 RBI and had a crucial hit off of Roy Oswalt in the 9^th inning.  The Phillies hope to finally get some run production from their cleanup hitter Ryan Howard who has yet to record a RBI in the NLCS.  The only time in MLB history a team won a series sans run production from their cleanup hitter was the ’62 Yankees in the World Series.

Will there be a pair of Game 7’s this weekend? Or will the Rangers and Giants square off in the World Series 2010?  Tune in this weekend for what is primed to be an outstanding, nerve-racking pair of championship series coming down to the wire.

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League Championship Series Set To Begin

October baseball is starting to heat up as both League Championship Series are beginning this weekend. The ALCS starts Friday night as the defending World Series Champion New York Yankees travel to Texas to take on the Rangers. In this best of seven series, the first two games will take place in Arlington, Texas and then shift to the Bronx, New York. The NLCS starts Saturday night as the San Francisco Giants go into Philadelphia to take on the Phillies. The first two games are in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before shifting to San Francisco, California.

In the ALCS, Game 1 will start Friday night with the Yankees CC Sabathia going up against the Rangers C.J. Wilson. Sabathia went 21-7 with a 3.18 ERA for the Yankees this year while Wilson went 15-8 with a 3.35 ERA for the Rangers.

Game 2 Saturday night, will feature a rising star in Phil Hughes pitching for the Yankees going up against the Rangers Colby Lewis. Hughes had an impressive season for the Yankees going 18-8 with a 4.19 ERA while Lewis went 12-13 with a 3.72 ERA for the Rangers.

Game 3 in the Bronx on Monday, will be one to watch as two of the games toughest lefties will compete. Texas has Cliff Lee going for them as the Yankees counter with veteran Andy Pettitte. Lee is the Rangers number one starter but, can not start until Game 3 because he just beat the Tampa Rays in Game 5 of the ALDS Tuesday night. With Tuesday night’s win Lee improved to 6-0 with a 1.44 ERA in the postseason. Pettitte is the all-time postseason leader in wins with 19 to go along with a 3.87 ERA.

This should be a fantastic series as the Yankees look to capture their 28^th championship of all time while the Rangers are striving for their 1^st ever championship.

In the NLCS, Game 1 will start Saturday night with the Giants Tim Lincecum going up against the Phillies Roy Halladay. This should be the pitching match-up of the year as Lincecum is coming off a complete game shutout with 14 strikeouts in the NLDS and Halladay coming off a no-hitter in the NLDS. Don’t miss this game!

In Game 2 Sunday night, the Giants will turn to Jonathan Sanchez with the Phillies countering with Cole Hamels. Sanchez is part of the Giants young pitching core on the rise and Hamels was the World Series MVP two seasons ago for the Phillies.

Game 3 on Tuesday will feature the Phillies Roy Oswalt competing against the Giants Matt Cain. Oswalt was a trade deadline pick up by the Phillies that has greatly benefited them. Since July 31^st, the Phillies are 30-5 in games started by Halladay, Oswalt or Cole Hamels. This series is all about pitching as both teams have a top of the line staff. This is shaping up to be one of the best pitching match-ups we’ve seen in a long time.

Who will we see in the World Series?

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New Yorks Knicks Preview

With preseason upon us I feel it’s time to talk some basketball once again.  The New York Knicks this year are poised for a bounce back season after the acquisitions of Amar’e Stoudemire, and Raymond Felton through free agency and Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf and Kelenna Azubuike through trade with the Golden State Warriors.

These weapons, paired with the impeccable outside shooting of Danilo Gallinari as well as secondary players such as newly acquired big man Timofey Mozgov from Russia, Wilson Chandler, and rookies Landry Fields, and Andy Rautins have the Knicks set for a playoff push.

Still stewing in the minds of a lot of Knicks fans is the whole ‘The Decision’ fiasco with LeBron James choosing to “take his talents to South Beach.”  After the end of the 2009-2010 season, Knicks management as well every Knick fan believed that arguably the best basketball player in the league at the moment was going to be seen in the orange and blue.

But that all came to a screeching halt on July 8, 2010 when he decided to play for the conference rival and sometimes hated Miami Heat.  Though many fans saw this as a loss of an off season, this gave GM and President of the Knicks Donnie Walsh new energy to shake things up on the Knicks as a team.  The signing of Amar’e Stoudemire and the blockbuster trade that sent fan favorite and beloved Knicks forward David Lee to the Golden State Warriors for Randolph, Turiaf, and Azubuike.  Add in the international signing of Timofey Mozgov, 24, 7’1 center out of Russia whose raw talent, defensive prowess, and nose for the ball could lead to a solid front court for the Knicks this year and in the future as well.

I’d like to take a second and break down the Knicks overall.

Raymond Felton who came out of the University of North Carolina is a ball hawk who is in on just about every play and has the ability to carry out Coach D’Antoni’s offense very well. Wilson Chandler is just 23 years old and is versatile in that he is 6’8 and can dribble, shoot and even guard bigger players, and he stands to see some time when Azubuike comes back who is as flexible as Chandler.

Danilo Gallinari averaged over 15 points per game last year and this year being fully healthy he is headed towards an important year for his career and the Knicks organization.  He was taken in the top 10 a few years ago and people questioned whether the Italian player could play NBA ball.  I think after last year’s performance, this year this kid is bound for glory.

The forward position is an interesting one because the Knicks haven’t yet found their true center.  Who knows if Mozgov, who is young in both experience and age, can pull it together? I think that all signs point to Mozgov being able to adjust.  Obviously Amar’e Stoudemire or STAT as he goes by, is ready to prove he is worth the hype and the money he got paid.  And boy do I think he is.  He can shoot, rebound, block shots, and find his teammates like not many other players in the league.  Couple that point with Anthony Randolph, who was taken by the Warriors after one year of college and with a lot of projected potential, he is figured to bring much length to the defense at a stellar 6’10, and blessed with lights out shooting ability the sky is the limit.

As Mozgov grows into his position, the acquisition of Ronny Turiaf is important I think.  After overcoming heart issues, he has grown into a scrappy player who is always willing to go the extra mile for the team.  I like to compare him to Jerome Williams who was a fan favorite and always was willing to sacrifice his body for the team.

As most Knick fans know, this is a pivotal year for not only the team but management and coach D’Antoni.  I feel as if the Knicks have a legitimate shot at the Playoffs this year.  Though they have gotten better, so too have the Miami as they are now the ‘Dark Side’ of the NBA, with their big three of Bosh, James, and Wade.  Only time will tell what will happen with the Knicks this season but in my eyes, I feel as if fans should have faith because this may be the turning point.

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NLDS Game 2′s

A pair of crucial game two’s on the menu for Friday night playoff baseball.  The first of two incredible matchups will feature the Philadelphia Phillies looking to build off of Roy Halladay’s no-hitter in game one by sending three-time all star Roy Oswalt to the helm.  Countering Oswalt will be postseason veteran Bronson Arroyo, who won 17 games this season.  While Oswalt in his half-season with Philadelphia posted a 7-1 record with a 1.74 ERA,  Arroyo enters this game with crucial postseason experience, pitching for the Red Sox in the epic 2004 ALCS against the Yankees where Boston, down 3-0, reeled off four consecutive victories for the AL crown.

“I expect a very Yankee Stadium-esque environment, especially warming up in the bullpen,” Arroyo said. “But I’ve always enjoyed it. I loved playing in the stadiums when guys are screaming obscenities about my mother.”

The Reds offense will attempt to wipe off the dust from their brutal game one performance and get back to what got them to the postseason for the first time in ten years.  They led the NL in batting average (.278), home runs (188), and runs (790) this season but came up empty against Halladay.  NL MVP candidate, Joey Votto will look to anchor this offense as they try to even the series heading back to Cincinnati.

On the other side, Oswalt expects to feed off of Halladay’s historic start in game one. He has never lost a game in Philly’s Citizen Bank Park going 9-0 with a 2.10 ERA in 10 starts. He’s 5-0 with a 1.76 ERA in six home starts with the Phillies.  “Watching Halladay and Cole (Hamels), they remind me a lot of (Roger) Clemens and (Andy) Pettitte. They were on top of their game there then (2005 with the Houston Astros) and these guys are here, too. So, it helps our starting staff out a lot when you start watching each other pitch and kind of feed off each other,” Oswalt said.

The second game will feature the San Francisco Giants who have a 1-0 series lead, hosting the Atlanta Braves.  To follow Tim Lincecum’s complete game, 14-strikeout, shutout victory in game one, the Giants will send Matt Cain to the mound who led the Nation League with 25 quality starts on the season.  The Braves will counter with rookie Tommy Hanson, who has pitched well down the stretch for Atlanta posting a 1.81 ERA since the beginning of September.

Both of these pitchers have been subject to lack of run support.  Cain, who has a career ERA of 3.45, is in the bottom three of the league in terms of runs scored by his team in his starts.  Hanson is the first Braves pitcher since the team moved to Atlanta to have an ERA under 3.50 in at least 30 starts and still post a losing record (10-11).

While both teams will struggle to find their offensive swagger, one can expect another great pitchers duel down by the bay this evening.  As the Giants are trying to maintain home-field advantage and advance to the NLCS for the first time since 2002, the Braves will be swinging for the fences, hoping to get to Cain early and often.

Will we see Philly falter or a Giant collapse? Heading into Game 2 with a 1-0 series lead is a dangerous place to be.  Complacency is a manager’s worst fear, but you can be sure Charlie Manuel (PHI) and Bruce Bochy (SF) will have their teams prepared for battle.

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