My mediocre playoff run continued with my Championship series picks, as I finished 1-1 correctly calling the Rays and missing on the Dodgers. So I need the World Series pick to finish above 500 in the playoffs. Consider it done!
Here is a quick break down:
- The Phillies have the overall best starter in the series (Hamels), while the Rays have the better starting four
- The Phillies have a distinct advantage in their closer and a slight advantage in overall bullpen
- The offenses are even, with both having power and the ability play “small ball”
- The Rays have home field and were the best home team in the majors this year
- I give the Maddon the edge over Manuel in managers. Maddon has the respect of this team the way a marine drill sergeant has the respect of his platoon. It’s crazy but this guy is a decent manager and a great manager for Tampa Bay.
So, what does all that mean – very little! The teams are virtually even, but I get the sense that the Rays won their World Series when they beat the Red Sox. The Phillies are on a mission. Philadelphia 4-1
Sucks for you Tampa Bay, you almost stole one. I bet the Rays don’t make it back to the playoffs with this nucleus. See you in 2019!
- Their bullpen seriously over performed this year. That will not happen next year.
- The league will adjust to some of their guys, like Longoria and Bartlett.
- They won’t sneak up on anyone next year. Like when a marginal team heads to Tampa next year the players won’t be thinking about strip clubs and hookers after practice.
- The Red Sox will be improved next year and will have a healthy Beckett in the post-season.
- The Yankees will improve and will have a very solid rotation headed by Wang and Chamberlain. If Hughes and Kennedy can come close to their alleged potential (much like the Shields, Garza and Edwin Jackson all came together this year) then they will be very tough to beat for the wildcard.
