2014 MLB Thread

[SirHumper]

Predictions

ALCS: Kansas City vs. Baltimore

While it's been 29 years since the Royals have been back to the World Series (1985), it's been an even longer wait for the Orioles, who were last in the World Series in 1983. Baltimore's lineup wasn't shut down by the Tigers' three former Cy Young Award winners, but still, most of its damage was done against a bullpen that was nowhere near the caliber of the one it will face this time around. Still, I think the Orioles' offense will continue to hit Kansas City pitching, starting pitching that is. Kansas City may have all the momentum and as exciting as it is, it's hard to imagine the Royals being able to hang with the Orioles from a scoring standpoint.

Baltimore in 6

NLCS San Francisco vs. St. Louis

While the Cardinals are in the NLCS for the fourth straight year and the ninth time since 2000, the Giants are certainly no strangers here either and are back in the NLCS for the third time in the last five years. In fact, it will be the fifth straight year that one of these two teams will represent the National League in the World Series. The Giants won the 2010 World Series, the Cardinals won it in 2011, the Giants did it again in 2012 and the Cardinals were in the 2013 World Series.

Could there be more of an evenly matched NLCS than this one? These teams almost mirror each other and they know each over very well. Neither hits a whole lot, they are both led by tremendous starting staffs, backed by two of the best catchers in baseball, and their bullpens are almost identical. On paper, at full strength, this is a toss up. But, I don't think St. Louis is at full strength. Wainwright is hurting. Something is up with that arm. Maybe Lackey steps up and fills the role of stopper for the Cards, but I have more faith in the Giants staff overall. And, of course, I buy into the Giants even-year thing.

Giants in 7

 

[Jagger69]

I'll give the Giants all due respect but this even-year thing is a crock. This has occurred exactly twice so it's not like this has been going on for decades. Should be a great series....as evenly matched as you can get. I will say this however. If it comes down to a game 7, we ain't losing at home.

 

[MustBeGood]

Both LCS will go all 7.

Rematch of '85

Royals vs Cardinals

 

[MustBeGood]

And congratulations to the Giants.
Unlike the Dodgers, they're a really tough, gritty crew with an amazing record of 11 wins in their last 12 postseason games.

2005 White Sox

11-1 in their WS winning run.

 

[MustBeGood]

wrong content

 

[barebeaverlover]

Orioles are on a roll, I'm going Orioles in the ALCS. In the NLCS, I hate picking against either team, but I'll go St. Louis in 7.

Orioles vs. Cards in the WS.

 

[Jagger69]

Wainwright has been battling tendinitis all season. Getting this extra rest going into the NLCS is just what he needs. Hopefully, he'll be ready to go on Saturday.

 

[MustBeGood]

Have a feeling that the Royals will never lose in this post season.

Royals exposed the Orioles top two SP and have the next three games at home to wrap it up.

Go Royals! New teams winning it please!

 

[feller469]

The Royals are fun to watch. They have been building and getting closer and closer the last couple of years. Seeing the blueprint come to fruition. I remember the SS Freddie Patek - 2B Cookie Rojas double play combo. The greatest play I remember as a kid was ball hit up the middle, Rojas got to it and flipped to Patek. There was no runner on first, but Rojas never would have made the play. Patek got the ball and fired to first for the out.

 

[Jagger69]

The Royals are indeed fun to watch. They are playing classic Whitey-ball....quite a throwback. Teams don't know how to play against the speed game anymore. They looked locked-in....a really great story so far. We'll see how it ends.

In the NL, a somewhat Pyrrhic victory for the Cardinals last night as they won a classic battle against the Giants with Kolten Wong's walk-off blast in the bottom of the 9th but appear to have lost Yadi Molina for the rest of the year with an oblique injury. Not sure this team can handle that....he's their heart and soul. Still, they've been overcoming adversity all year so maybe it's just next man up. We'll see how they respond tomorrow afternoon at AT&T Park. Unbelievable to realize they finished last in MLB with only 105 HRs all year yet have hit 11 of them in only 6 games so far this postseason. Go figure. :dunno:

 

[feller469]

Still active on the roster and they will check with him tomorrow. He was able to throw today, but did not try to swing a bat.

 

[Jagger69]

My God this series between the Cardinals and Giants is one for the ages. These games are being decided by the thinnest of margins....the teams are about as evenly matched as you can get. Another classic battle to day at AT&T with the Giants pulling out a thrilling 5-4 walk-off win. Awesome baseball....the way is should be. Miller on the hill for the Redbirds tomorrow. I feel really good for our chances. Only need to win one of the next two to take it back home where we have a chance to close it out. Sure won't be easy for either team. What a series is has been so far!

 

[barebeaverlover]

I agree Jagger. Great series so far. I hope it goes extra innings in the 7th game.

 

[Mayhem]

In my wildest nightmares I didn't think the Orioles would lose 3 in a row. Depression sets in. Just having Davis in would probably be the difference. Having Manny in would have definitely been enough. And I can still see him twisting his knee on that wet, fuckin' ground in a game he could have sat out.

I'm so bummed.

 

[SirHumper]

Yes, timely hitting and great relief pitching have carried the Kansas City Royals a long way this season. And it's looking like all the way to the World Series. Billy Butler drove in the deciding run last night with a sac fly in the sixth inning, and Kansas City's great bullpen made it stand up in a 2-1 decision over the Orioles that has the Royals just one win away from the World Series.

 

[MustBeGood]

In my wildest nightmares I didn't think the Orioles would lose 3 in a row. Depression sets in. Just having Davis in would probably be the difference. Having Manny in would have definitely been enough. And I can still see him twisting his knee on that wet, fuckin' ground in a game he could have sat out.

I'm so bummed.

Plus Weiters.

But the problem is the Orioles live on the long ball and it is not happening.

 

[Jagger69]

The Royals sweep the O's out of the K today. Congratulations are in order as they make their way to their first World Series since 1985. It will be interesting to see what effect a significant layoff might have on them if the NLCS goes 7 games. I'm sure the nation will be rooting KC against either the Giants or the Cardinals but I will be rooting for the Redbirds to bounce back tonight and even this series up at 2-2. If we can't win tonight, the scales tip appreciably in the Giants' direction, especially with Bumgarner on the hill for them in game 5. Not totally a "must" win but damned close to it. Miller has been groomed for this moment as a first-round pick so LET'S GO CARDINALS!!!!

 

[MustBeGood]

Both Royals runs scored in the 1st as Pearce threw home wildly trying to cut down the lead run that bounce away allowing Aoki to score also.

Tough break as that was all the runs the Royals needed.

 

[Whit]

The Royals sweep the O's out of the K today. Congratulations are in order as they make their way to their first World Series since 1985. It will be interesting to see what effect a significant layoff might have on them if the NLCS goes 7 games. I'm sure the nation will be rooting KC against either the Giants or the Cardinals but I will be rooting for the Redbirds to bounce back tonight and even this series up at 2-2. If we can't win tonight, the scales tip appreciably in the Giants' direction, especially with Bumgarner on the hill for them in game 5. Not totally a "must" win but damned close to it. Miller has been groomed for this moment as a first-round pick so LET'S GO CARDINALS!!!!

Tired of watching Card's pitchers give runs away.

 

[Mayhem]

Plus Weiters.

But the problem is the Orioles live on the long ball and it is not happening.

I agree completely with that. This series was a brief study in the superiority of the inside game. The lineup of the O's is capable of it, but they have to want it.