Ethan’s NY Sports Journal: 2010 Playoff Preview
Penned by Rye resident and Rye Middle School sixth grader Ethan Sears, Ethan's NY Sports Journal column will report on and analyze New York metro sports teams. Today, Sears tells us his baseball postseason picks. Sears is a two time attendee of Sports Broadcasting Camps.
ALDS
New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins
Twins in 5
Ron Gardenhire traditionally does not do well against the Yankees. But the Yankees pitching staff is to big of a question mark to beat an underrated Twins team that was better than the Yankees during the year. The Twins have a new ballpark and home field advantage. If the Yankees lose Game 1 they have Andy Pettite and Phil Hughes. Hughes was great in the first half but slowed down in the second half. Pettite was injured down the stretch and wasn’t too impressive in his starts leading up to the postseason. The only sure guy in the rotation for the Yankees is CC Sabathia who is facing Francisco Liriano in Game 1. The other starters for the Twins are Brian Dunesing and like it or not Carl Pavano. The Yanks may be in trouble this October.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers
Rays in 3
Both teams have slumped down the stretch but the Rays have a much better team. The only pitching match up that is not lopsided is in Game 1 when David Price will go up against Cliff Lee. Since both offenses are even this series is going to come down to pitching. With David Price, James Shields, Matt Garza, Wade Davis, and Rafael Soriano closing the door, the Rays simply overpower the Rangers.
NLDS
Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Phillies in 5
The Phillies 1-2 punch of Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt is exactly what the Phillies have needed. The Reds staff is nowhere near as good as the Phillies and won’t be able to shut down an offense that includes Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez, and Placido Polanco. The combination of MVP candidate Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, and Scott Rolen will be able to salvage 2 games for the Reds. But until the Reds have a stud on their pitching staff they won’t be able to contend in the postseason.
San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves
Giants in 3
The Giants rotation of Lincecum, Cain, and Sanchez is too much to handle for a Braves offense without Chipper Jones. The Giants mounted a late season comeback to overtake the Padres in the west and are not going to be stopped by the Braves. The Braves no longer have Glavine, Maddux, and Smoltz. They are all out of baseball and future Hall of Famers. The manager Bobby Cox is retiring at the end of the season and Chipper Jones is done. The Braves have a bright future with Rookie of the Year candidate Jason Heyward and catcher Brian McCann. However it is not enough.
