Dodgers-Cardinals series breakdown and pick
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Series odds: Pick ‘em
Pitching
It's not often that the Dodgers don't enjoy a significant pitching edge over their opponents, but that's the case in this matchup. Although Los Angeles led the Majors in both team ERA and bullpen ERA, St. Louis wasn't far behind - ranking fourth in team ERA and fifth in bullpen ERA - and has the better starting rotation, particularly in a short series.
The Cardinals' rotation is led by a pair of Cy Young candidates in Adam Wainright and Chris Carpenter. That duo, which combined to go 36-12 this season, could conceivably pitch four games in the series.
Third starter Joel Pineiro is no slouch either, particularly at home where he had a 2.75 ERA.
While the Cardinals' top three starters are obvious, Dodgers manager Joe Torre has struggled with selecting his starters for the Division Series. Chad Billingsley seemed a no-brainer at the All-Star Break, but he's only 3-7 with a 5.20 ERA since. He was also horrible in last year's NLCS, allowing 11 runs in five innings. Clayton Kershaw (8-8,
2.79) has had an excellent year, but he's just 21 and has thrown all of two innings of relief in his playoff career. Randy Wolf, Jon Garland, Hiroki Kuroda and Vicente Padilla are also options for Torre, but none of them are likely to strike fear in Albert Pujols and company.
The Dodgers' pitching strength lies in its bullpen, from long relievers Jeff Weaver to late-inning specialists Ronald Belisario, George Sherrill, Ramon Trancoso, Guillermo Mota and closer Jonathan Broxton. St. Louis also has excellent relievers in Trever Miller, Dennys Reyes and Ryan Franklin.
Edge: Cardinals
Hitting
Though the teams each have one of the all-time run producers in the middle of the lineup, both the Dodgers and Cards have struggled to score runs this season. Los Angeles was scoring at will early in the year, but the 50-game suspension of Manny Ramirez and his subsequent struggles (.255 average, 10 HR, 34 RBI in the second half) slowed the Dodgers down and they finished 11th in runs.
The Cards' offence has been a two-trick pony, relying heavily on Pujols and midseason acquisition Matt Holliday. St. Louis finished 18th in runs scored this season. Neither team hits a lot of home runs, though both have team batting averages that ranked in the top 12.
Edge: Dodgers
Intangibles
The Dodgers appeared unstoppable in the first third of the season, winning 40 of their first 60 games. They were a modest 39-35 after the All-Star break. St. Louis picked up steam in the second half, going 42-29 since the All-Star Game to pull away in the NL Central. The Cards are 39-25 since acquiring Holliday from the A's.
St. Louis has a wealth of playoff experience, making its seventh postseason appearance this decade. The Cardinals were World Series champs in 2006 and finalists in 2004. The Dodgers are in the playoffs for the fourth time in six years, but they have won only one playoff round (last year's NLDS) since winning the World Series in 1988.
Edge: Cardinals
Pick: Cardinals in four games.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Series odds: Pick ‘em
Pitching
It's not often that the Dodgers don't enjoy a significant pitching edge over their opponents, but that's the case in this matchup. Although Los Angeles led the Majors in both team ERA and bullpen ERA, St. Louis wasn't far behind - ranking fourth in team ERA and fifth in bullpen ERA - and has the better starting rotation, particularly in a short series.
The Cardinals' rotation is led by a pair of Cy Young candidates in Adam Wainright and Chris Carpenter. That duo, which combined to go 36-12 this season, could conceivably pitch four games in the series.
Third starter Joel Pineiro is no slouch either, particularly at home where he had a 2.75 ERA.
While the Cardinals' top three starters are obvious, Dodgers manager Joe Torre has struggled with selecting his starters for the Division Series. Chad Billingsley seemed a no-brainer at the All-Star Break, but he's only 3-7 with a 5.20 ERA since. He was also horrible in last year's NLCS, allowing 11 runs in five innings. Clayton Kershaw (8-8,
2.79) has had an excellent year, but he's just 21 and has thrown all of two innings of relief in his playoff career. Randy Wolf, Jon Garland, Hiroki Kuroda and Vicente Padilla are also options for Torre, but none of them are likely to strike fear in Albert Pujols and company.
The Dodgers' pitching strength lies in its bullpen, from long relievers Jeff Weaver to late-inning specialists Ronald Belisario, George Sherrill, Ramon Trancoso, Guillermo Mota and closer Jonathan Broxton. St. Louis also has excellent relievers in Trever Miller, Dennys Reyes and Ryan Franklin.
Edge: Cardinals
Hitting
Though the teams each have one of the all-time run producers in the middle of the lineup, both the Dodgers and Cards have struggled to score runs this season. Los Angeles was scoring at will early in the year, but the 50-game suspension of Manny Ramirez and his subsequent struggles (.255 average, 10 HR, 34 RBI in the second half) slowed the Dodgers down and they finished 11th in runs.
The Cards' offence has been a two-trick pony, relying heavily on Pujols and midseason acquisition Matt Holliday. St. Louis finished 18th in runs scored this season. Neither team hits a lot of home runs, though both have team batting averages that ranked in the top 12.
Edge: Dodgers
Intangibles
The Dodgers appeared unstoppable in the first third of the season, winning 40 of their first 60 games. They were a modest 39-35 after the All-Star break. St. Louis picked up steam in the second half, going 42-29 since the All-Star Game to pull away in the NL Central. The Cards are 39-25 since acquiring Holliday from the A's.
St. Louis has a wealth of playoff experience, making its seventh postseason appearance this decade. The Cardinals were World Series champs in 2006 and finalists in 2004. The Dodgers are in the playoffs for the fourth time in six years, but they have won only one playoff round (last year's NLDS) since winning the World Series in 1988.
Edge: Cardinals
Pick: Cardinals in four games.
Rockies and Phillies series breakdown and pick
Colorado Rockies at Philadelphia Phillies
Series odds: Philadelphia -165
Pitching
Led by last year's World Series MVP Cole Hamels and 2008 AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, the Phillies have a much better starting rotation than the Rockies. That disparity got even larger Saturday when Colorado's Jorge De La Rosa injured his groin against the Dodgers, leaving his availability for the first round uncertain.
Beyond his two big-name lefties, Philly manager Charlie Manuel can turn to rookie-of-the-year candidate JA Happ, under-rated Joe Blanton or future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez. The Rockies will likely throw Ubaldo Jimenez in the first game and Aaron Cook in Game 2. If De La Rosa can't pitch Game 3, Rockies manager Jim Tracy will have to choose between the struggling Jason Marquis or Jason Hammel.
Both teams' bullpens are average at best, and Philadelphia's biggest weakness is closing out games. Brad Lidge (11 blown saves) has brought a gas can out to the mound in the ninth inning all year. Manuel might opt to have Ryan Madson finish games instead. The Rockies have no such problems with their closer, Huston Street.
Edge: Phillies
Offense
Both teams ranked in the bottom half of the Majors in batting average this season, but they've still managed to light up the scoreboard most nights. The Phillies hit the second-most home runs in baseball this year and were fourth in runs scored, while the Rockies were seventh in bombs and sixth in runs.
Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard all scored 100 runs for Philadelphia this season, while Jayson Werth (97 runs) and Raul Ibanez (93) fell just short of the century mark. All six, along with Carlos Ruiz, reached double digits in home runs.
By contrast, the Rockies have only one player who scored 100 runs this season (Troy Tulowitzki) and no one reached the 100 RBI plateau. Colorado pieces its offense together with contributions from many different players. Tulowitzki, Todd Helton, Chris Iannetta, Clint Barmes, Ian Stewart, Seth Smith and Brad Hawpe all drove in 50-plus runs, while Garrett Atkins and Ryan Spilborghs each knocked home 48.
Edge: Phillies
Intangibles
Philadelphia is the defending World Series champion and loaded with All-Stars. On paper, this series is a mismatch. But if baseball was decided on paper, the Rockies wouldn't be here in the first place.
They defied all logic in 2007 by putting together a Cinderella run to reach the World Series, and they came out of nowhere this season as well. Colorado is 74-42 since Tracy took over the team from the fired Clint Hurdle two months into the season.
Edge: Rockies
Pick: Phillies in five games.
Colorado Rockies at Philadelphia Phillies
Series odds: Philadelphia -165
Pitching
Led by last year's World Series MVP Cole Hamels and 2008 AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee, the Phillies have a much better starting rotation than the Rockies. That disparity got even larger Saturday when Colorado's Jorge De La Rosa injured his groin against the Dodgers, leaving his availability for the first round uncertain.
Beyond his two big-name lefties, Philly manager Charlie Manuel can turn to rookie-of-the-year candidate JA Happ, under-rated Joe Blanton or future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez. The Rockies will likely throw Ubaldo Jimenez in the first game and Aaron Cook in Game 2. If De La Rosa can't pitch Game 3, Rockies manager Jim Tracy will have to choose between the struggling Jason Marquis or Jason Hammel.
Both teams' bullpens are average at best, and Philadelphia's biggest weakness is closing out games. Brad Lidge (11 blown saves) has brought a gas can out to the mound in the ninth inning all year. Manuel might opt to have Ryan Madson finish games instead. The Rockies have no such problems with their closer, Huston Street.
Edge: Phillies
Offense
Both teams ranked in the bottom half of the Majors in batting average this season, but they've still managed to light up the scoreboard most nights. The Phillies hit the second-most home runs in baseball this year and were fourth in runs scored, while the Rockies were seventh in bombs and sixth in runs.
Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard all scored 100 runs for Philadelphia this season, while Jayson Werth (97 runs) and Raul Ibanez (93) fell just short of the century mark. All six, along with Carlos Ruiz, reached double digits in home runs.
By contrast, the Rockies have only one player who scored 100 runs this season (Troy Tulowitzki) and no one reached the 100 RBI plateau. Colorado pieces its offense together with contributions from many different players. Tulowitzki, Todd Helton, Chris Iannetta, Clint Barmes, Ian Stewart, Seth Smith and Brad Hawpe all drove in 50-plus runs, while Garrett Atkins and Ryan Spilborghs each knocked home 48.
Edge: Phillies
Intangibles
Philadelphia is the defending World Series champion and loaded with All-Stars. On paper, this series is a mismatch. But if baseball was decided on paper, the Rockies wouldn't be here in the first place.
They defied all logic in 2007 by putting together a Cinderella run to reach the World Series, and they came out of nowhere this season as well. Colorado is 74-42 since Tracy took over the team from the fired Clint Hurdle two months into the season.
Edge: Rockies
Pick: Phillies in five games.
FYI -weather today for MLB
i think it's worth noting that both mlb games today will have inclement weather. sadly, the touts may not check this - especially trend guys. winds at both games (according to ESPN radio this morning) 15-20mph with gusts to 40mph.
i would like to see write-ups that acknowledge the weather and how it potentially affects each team (especially pitchers) before jumping in too far.
if the wind is out at yankee stadium, the MIN kid might get ripped for a handful early - just an example.
i think it's worth noting that both mlb games today will have inclement weather. sadly, the touts may not check this - especially trend guys. winds at both games (according to ESPN radio this morning) 15-20mph with gusts to 40mph.
i would like to see write-ups that acknowledge the weather and how it potentially affects each team (especially pitchers) before jumping in too far.
if the wind is out at yankee stadium, the MIN kid might get ripped for a handful early - just an example.
I will post this as soon as Marco D'Angelo release's it:
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFF MASSACRE
163-131 +37.1 Units for Season
Another Winner for us on Tuesday as we cashed with Minnesota in a thriller of a Game. Today I have Bet one Baseball Game and I have Bet it Big as I'm making it one of my famous Massacre Games . I haven't lost a Baseball Game in Over a Week and for the Season I am 163-131 for a Profit of 37.10 Units . Start your playoffs out with an easy score on Wednesday. Remember last week I went 11-3 with my Baseball & Football Plays!
NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFF MASSACRE
163-131 +37.1 Units for Season
Another Winner for us on Tuesday as we cashed with Minnesota in a thriller of a Game. Today I have Bet one Baseball Game and I have Bet it Big as I'm making it one of my famous Massacre Games . I haven't lost a Baseball Game in Over a Week and for the Season I am 163-131 for a Profit of 37.10 Units . Start your playoffs out with an easy score on Wednesday. Remember last week I went 11-3 with my Baseball & Football Plays!
