Post by D Backs GM (Tyler) on Sept 3, 2016 9:32:10 GMT -5
Since we are still waiting for the "Trade Deadline" Power Rankings, I figured I'd put together a little write up about these weekend's races for the playoffs. If it's close, we'll have a look:
AL East: Red Sox are up 50 pts on the Blue Jays, this one's over.
AL Central: The two Titans of the AL Central are currently in 2nd and 3rd overall. Kansas City and Black Kevin once again take a 23 pt lead and stroll into the playoffs. Cleveland is sure to take the Wild Card though.
AL West: Seattle by about 100 over the Rangers. Beginning to think this recap wasn't such a thrilling idea.
AL Wild Card: Cleveland over Toronto by about 50. AL... you're boring.
Almost locked AL Playoff matchups:
Seattle vs Cleveland
Boston vs Kansas City
NL East: Nationals over the Marlins by plenty. This one is over as well. The good news for Miami is they are virtually guaranteed the wild card spot.
NL Central: The Cubs! In the polar opposite of real live, the Cubs are the worst team in the playoffs. And I'd be interested to see if there has ever been a team under 200 pts in our playoffs before. Sitting in 15th place, there are more deserving teams for sure. But, that's the way it works. Oh well. And he STILL has 50 points on the Brewers. Incredible. We should all aspire to join the NL Central
NL West: I will admit, this is the race that made me write this. The one I'm in. I didn't really look to see if any other were close. But here we are, so here we go. The Managerless LA Dodgers are currently leading the D Backs by 6.5 points with only 2 days to play. Iwakuma starts against the Angels Sunday as the Dodgers only starting pitcher left, while the D Backs lean on Kevin Gausman and Trevor Bauer today and nothing tomorrow. The only silver lining is I'll be able to drink my failures away and still have the day off on Monday.
NL Wild Card: Marlins over the next closest Braves and Mets. Still, it isn't close.
Almost locked NL Playoff matchups:
Nationals vs LAD/ARI (but probably LAD)
Cubs vs Marlins
Eh, what the hell, the matchups are pretty set in stone, lets preview them:
Seattle vs Cleveland - This is truly the powerhouse matchup of the first round, and while Seattle should be slightly favored, this could really go either way. Both teams have deep offenses and pitching staffs that allow them to pick and choose starters instead of trying to rally for totals. If I am forced to pick, I'm going with Cleveland. I think their offense is slightly more steady. But again, neither outcome would shock me.
Boston vs Kansas City - I could basically just cut and paste that last preview into this one. Both teams are pretty healthy too, which is a trend among the AL playoff teams. Again, these are deep offenses and staffs. No wonder the bottom of the league is so bad. I'll pick Kansas City because if I pick against him and he wins I'll hear about it. Plus his team is better.
Nats vs LAD/ARI - This one is odd. Realistically it should be a walk for the Nats. LAD could get a little luck with the few stud players having good weeks. If it's ARI however, there is no chance. I might be able to out total him in pitching if I didn't have 4 SP on the DL, but alas. This one is clear. More clear than any other matchup so far. Nats will go on the the NLCS.
Cubs vs Marlins - This one is interesting. Like, actually interesting. The first matchup without a dominant top 5-6 team in it. The Cubs have more speed and enough power to hang. Just not enough in the relief pitching or starting pitching to hang realistically. That Marlins pitching staff is immense. Like, really really really good. Best in the league. That will carry them past the Cubs.
If pushed, I'll say Cleveland over KC in the AL, and Miami over Washington in the NL.
Miami to have their starting pitching staff carry them to their first Chin Music title.
Happy playoffs everyone. Leave your picks/commentary below.
AL East: Red Sox are up 50 pts on the Blue Jays, this one's over.
AL Central: The two Titans of the AL Central are currently in 2nd and 3rd overall. Kansas City and Black Kevin once again take a 23 pt lead and stroll into the playoffs. Cleveland is sure to take the Wild Card though.
AL West: Seattle by about 100 over the Rangers. Beginning to think this recap wasn't such a thrilling idea.
AL Wild Card: Cleveland over Toronto by about 50. AL... you're boring.
Almost locked AL Playoff matchups:
Seattle vs Cleveland
Boston vs Kansas City
NL East: Nationals over the Marlins by plenty. This one is over as well. The good news for Miami is they are virtually guaranteed the wild card spot.
NL Central: The Cubs! In the polar opposite of real live, the Cubs are the worst team in the playoffs. And I'd be interested to see if there has ever been a team under 200 pts in our playoffs before. Sitting in 15th place, there are more deserving teams for sure. But, that's the way it works. Oh well. And he STILL has 50 points on the Brewers. Incredible. We should all aspire to join the NL Central
NL West: I will admit, this is the race that made me write this. The one I'm in. I didn't really look to see if any other were close. But here we are, so here we go. The Managerless LA Dodgers are currently leading the D Backs by 6.5 points with only 2 days to play. Iwakuma starts against the Angels Sunday as the Dodgers only starting pitcher left, while the D Backs lean on Kevin Gausman and Trevor Bauer today and nothing tomorrow. The only silver lining is I'll be able to drink my failures away and still have the day off on Monday.
NL Wild Card: Marlins over the next closest Braves and Mets. Still, it isn't close.
Almost locked NL Playoff matchups:
Nationals vs LAD/ARI (but probably LAD)
Cubs vs Marlins
Eh, what the hell, the matchups are pretty set in stone, lets preview them:
Seattle vs Cleveland - This is truly the powerhouse matchup of the first round, and while Seattle should be slightly favored, this could really go either way. Both teams have deep offenses and pitching staffs that allow them to pick and choose starters instead of trying to rally for totals. If I am forced to pick, I'm going with Cleveland. I think their offense is slightly more steady. But again, neither outcome would shock me.
Boston vs Kansas City - I could basically just cut and paste that last preview into this one. Both teams are pretty healthy too, which is a trend among the AL playoff teams. Again, these are deep offenses and staffs. No wonder the bottom of the league is so bad. I'll pick Kansas City because if I pick against him and he wins I'll hear about it. Plus his team is better.
Nats vs LAD/ARI - This one is odd. Realistically it should be a walk for the Nats. LAD could get a little luck with the few stud players having good weeks. If it's ARI however, there is no chance. I might be able to out total him in pitching if I didn't have 4 SP on the DL, but alas. This one is clear. More clear than any other matchup so far. Nats will go on the the NLCS.
Cubs vs Marlins - This one is interesting. Like, actually interesting. The first matchup without a dominant top 5-6 team in it. The Cubs have more speed and enough power to hang. Just not enough in the relief pitching or starting pitching to hang realistically. That Marlins pitching staff is immense. Like, really really really good. Best in the league. That will carry them past the Cubs.
If pushed, I'll say Cleveland over KC in the AL, and Miami over Washington in the NL.
Miami to have their starting pitching staff carry them to their first Chin Music title.
Happy playoffs everyone. Leave your picks/commentary below.
