MLB Playoff Preview



By Ryan Filipone

Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland Athletics  ALDS

            The MLB Playoffs are here.  This year the AL teams seem to be equal.  All teams have their positives and negatives and no team really seems to be standing out as the best or worst. 

In the Tigers vs. A’s series, I feel the Tigers will win.  This is why, they have Miguel Cabrera who won the first Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967 and a pitcher who won the pitching Triple Crown, Cy Young and AL MVP last year, being only the 10^th pitcher to win the Cy Young Award and AL MVP.  And do not forget about Prince Fielder who is still a great player.  They have the bats and pitching to win the series.

The Tigers great pitching will help.  Jose Valverde who is a good closer and a good pitching rotation makes them a threat.  The pitching rotation will be Justin Verlander (17-8 2.64 ERA), Doug Fister (3.45 ERA), Anibal Sanchez, who helped them to get here, and Max Scherzer (16-7 3.74 ERA).  Max Scherzer struck out eight or more batters in 10 consecutive starts, the only American League pitchers to have a longer streak since 1920 were Randy Johnson, Nolan Ryan (twice) and Pedro Martinez. 

The Tigers good pitching led by Justin Verlander and offense led by Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder will be the reason why they win the series.  The Detroit Tigers will be the ALDS Champions.

San Francisco Giants vs. Cincinnati Reds  NLDS

            This will be a great series with great teams who both have their stars.  The Reds are being led with Johnny Cueto as their ace and Joey Votto as their lead bat and defense.  The Giants are being led with Matt Cain as their ace and Buster Posey as their lead bat and defense. 

Votto is someone who has won the NL MVP in 2010, NL Hank Aaron Award in 2010, and a Gold Glove Award in 2011.  He will be a big key for them to win along with teammates Brandon Phillips who is a great second baseman, Scott Rolen who is still an effective third baseman, and Jay Bruce who is a power hitter in Right Field.

For the Giants their pitching staff is one of the best if not the best in the league.  Their rotation is Matt Cain (16-5 ERA: 2.79), Madison Bumgarner (16-11 ERA: 3.37), and Tim Lincecum.  Lincecum has had a rough year at times but still can pitch well.  Matt Cain is one of the best in the league and has pitched a perfect game.  Madison Bumgarner is also a great pitcher who shows dominance at times.

They also have people who will help on offense.  Buster Posey is a NL Batting Champion, winning it this year, and won the NL Rookie of the year in 2010.  He also has playoff experience winning the World Series with the Giants in 2010.  Pablo Sandoval will also be key.  He was an All-Star this year and has helped lead that lineup with help of Hunter Pence. 

I think the Giants will win this series.  Their pitching rotation being led by Matt Cain could be too much for the Reds.  The lineup for them is not bad either, the led the league in runs scored on the road which will be help full since they don’t have home field advantage but start the two games at home with the two of the three best pitchers in the series.  The San Francisco Giants will be the 2012 NLDS Champions.