Quick thoughts on the MLB playoffs and series betting
San Diego with a better relief pitch and a team in better shape with home court advantage should eliminate the Cardinals. San Diego is 14-2 in its last 16 home games. St. Louis is 17-35 in its last 52 road games. San Diego is 8-2 in its last ten games, St. Louis just 3-7. I wish Albert Pujols could pitch.
St. Louis’ pitching staff has been below average as the season has wrapped up. Injuries have also been a detriment. The Cardinals were just 35-39 since the All-Star Break. San Diego entered the end of the year finishing 14-2 at home. Jake Peavy has pitched well recently and has a schedule for this year since he didn’t make the playoffs last year. He adds Chris Young, who has been excellent on the road and a solid Clay Hensley, and he has a quality starting rotation. Linebrink and Hoffman, relieved, closed the door on the fading Cardinals.
The heavily marbled Dodgers have a fair shot at winning the series over the heavily favored Mets due to the uncertainty of New York’s starting staff, but New York has an exceptional bullpen and great hitting. Beltrán and Delgado could light him up for the Mets. Gun to my head and I’ll take a shot with the Dodgers dog.
Oakland keeps winning. It doesn’t matter that they don’t score runs, they’re getting the job done. The best weapon the A’s have is their spacious ball park where home runs are a prize. Harden and Haren are very good pitchers, after that it gets risky.
The Twins Johan Santana hasn’t lost at home since Babe Ruth was around the bases. With home court advantage, that should mark two wins for Minny automatically. I like the offensive edge the Twins have along with some rejuvenated starters.
The Detroit Tigers looked like the strongest team in the American League until the All-Star Break. I don’t know if they ate too much bagged spinach, but Detroit became an average team after the break going 36-37 and each of their starting pitchers had a higher ERA in the second half compared to their pre-All stats. Star. They had a chance to clinch the American League title, but lost three games at home to the Triple-A Kansas City Royals.
New York’s pitching is highly suspect, but his hitting is not. The Yankees beat the Tigers. The Yankees are 16-6 at home against left-handed starters this year. The Tigers’ opening game pitcher is left-hander Nate Robertson. Make it 17-6 for New York. I prefer New York over an average Tiger team after the break because of their superior offensive firepower.
I’ve bet on the Padres and the Yankees to win their series. The only thing I bet was that Charlie Sheen would be the Most Valuable Player.