But who is he backing to win?
Thursday 2 October 2014 17:26, UK
After drama on Tuesday and Wednesday with wins for Kansas City and San Francisco in the Major League Baseball Wild Card games, the postseason proper kicks off on Thursday with the Division Series games.
Our US Sports blogger Alex Ferguson previews all four match-ups, starting in the American League with the Kansas City side who beat Oakland in extra innings on Tuesday…
Los Angeles v Kansas City
Los Angeles comes into the play-offs with baseball’s best record and if Kansas City are going to win they are going to have to find a way of beating the ton of talent the Angels offer. Mike Trout might just be the best player in baseball for generations. Albert Pujols, the fearsome hitter, is going to the Hall of Fame. Home run hitter Josh Hamilton’s back in the line-up after taking an injury break.
To beat Los Angeles, the Royals have to rely on a mediocre starting rotation, and a bit of luck. Oh, and the sort of attitude that they had on Tuesday night, when they kept on coming back from potential back-breaking situations against Oakland to clinch the victory in extra innings!
One X-factor: Kansas City’s speed. They can steal a base in a heartbeat. And will need to do that to frighten the hell out of the Angels.
PREDICTION: It all stops here. Los Angeles wins in a classic series, 3-2.
Baltimore v Detroit
Unlike last year, Detroit struggled in their battle for the AL Central with a feisty Royals team, but ended up coming through to avoid a wild-card clash, while Baltimore waltzed to victory in the AL East division.
In the series match-up, Detroit battered the Os 5-1, but they mean nothing come the play-offs. If Baltimore can overcome Detroit’s brilliant (looking) rotation of Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and David Price. Verlander hasn’t had a great season, but he rebounded in his last couple of games.
Detroit’s also got offensive weapons with Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, but Baltimore can answer with Steve Pearce, who’s an exciting first baseman who has finally come through.
But if we’re honest, we’re not sold on Baltimore against Detroit’s pitching line-up.
PREDICTION: Detroit eases through, 3-1.
Los Angeles v St Louis
Clayton Kershaw’s the best pitcher in the country without a doubt – and maybe one of the best athletes. He finished the season an astounding 21-3, with a 1.77 ERA and a no-hitter to boot, and he’s a joy to watch. We can’t wait for the opening game battle with St Louis’ Adam Wainwright, who is also one of the best pitchers in baseball.
Kershaw will be facing a St Louis batting line-up that’s hardly made their fans cry with joy in terms of scoring runs, but still managed to find a way to win 90 games. So that’s pretty good.
St Louis’ pitching will be head-to-head with a monster Dodgers line-up who potentially could be the best in baseball. Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig and Hanley Ramirez can cause anyone a lot of problems if they are on their game.
The Dodgers won the season series 4-3, by the way.
PREDICTION: Dodgers in five in a brilliant series. Sorry, St Louis.
Washington v San Francisco
A quick shout-out goes out to Madison Bumgarner, who threw an incredible four-hitter on Wednesday night to dispatch of the Pittsburgh Pirates and guarantee the Giants a spot in The Postseason Proper.
The Nationals, who have never won the World Series, have a batting line-up that has consistently produced all season, led by Denard Span’s batting average, Adam LaRoche’s home runs. Five players have over 100 hits, and seven players total who have at least 90.
Pitching-wise, we’re fascinated by Washington’s pitching of Doug Fister, Jordan Zimmermann, Tanner Roark and fireballer Stephen Strasburg.
On the other side, San Francisco is certainly hot coming into the game, and we love Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval, and Hunter Pence. Brandon Crawford also came up with a grand slam in the Giants’ win at Pittsburgh. Pitching-wise, we don’t when Bumgarner – the diamond of this pitching line-up – is going to start Game 3 or 4, but otherwise, we think the Giants are really going to have to rely on their batting to win this one.
PREDICTION: Washington in three.
