NakamuraPostseason Predictions for October 7th
The Phillies will play the Reds again. After Halladay's no hitter, it will be interesting to see how the Reds hit. Facing Roy Oswalt in Citizen's Bank Park, I find the odds of the Reds winning fairly low. Bronson Arroyo, a good young pitcher, will take the mound for Cincinnati. Though he won 17 games this season, he is not a postseason performer. In 10 starts, he has never won a game. With a postseason ERA over 7, I expect the Phillie bats to jump on him early. Since Volquez left the game early in the series opener (1.2 innings), the bullpen availability may be an issue. I pick the Phillies as the victor, 4-0. It's hard to see a team score runs after the lineup is dominated like the Reds were yesterday.
The Giants will play the Braves for the first time today. Derek Lowe will pitch for the Braves and, young star, Tim Lincecum will take the hill for the Giants. I will stick with my prediction from two days ago:
The Rangers came out the gate strong yesterday. Their bats were good and Cliff Lee was sharp. The only problem I had was Neftali Feliz walking two batters in just one inning. The Rangers offense scored five runs, four of them earned, off of Cy Young candidate David Price.
You can pretty much count the Rays out if they have to go to Texas while facing elimination. James Shields will get the ball on Thursday for the Rays.
The Rays need this game. Shields has not been strong this year. With a 5.18 ERA, he has been less than stellar. He will face CJ Wilson, a southpaw with a 3.35 ERA. As good as he's been this year, he struggled in September (6.26 ERA). How he pitches today cannot easily be predicted. I predict the Rays will emerge victorious, 7-5.
The Yankees will go with Andy Pettite to face former Yankee Carl Pavano. Though Pavano's been as sharp as a knife, Pettite will go down as one of the greatest post season pitchers of all time. It's hard to beat Andy late in the year and October 7th is no exception. I pick the Yankees over the Twins, 5-1
Roy Oswalt will pitch for Philadelphia in Game 2
The Giants will play the Braves for the first time today. Derek Lowe will pitch for the Braves and, young star, Tim Lincecum will take the hill for the Giants. I will stick with my prediction from two days ago:
The Giants will go with ace Tim Lincecum as their Game 1 starter. With a 3.43 ERA this year, he hasn't been as powerful as he has in years' past. He is a good pitcher, but there's one thing that cannot be forgotten. The Braves had the highest team OBP in the National League. Any walks could mean trouble for Lincecum. With a sub-par bullpen, innings provided by the starting pitcher could be the deciding factor for the Giants.
The Braves will go with Derek Lowe since Tim Hudson started the last game of the season against the Padres. Both Lowe and Lincecum finished with 16 wins and are going into the playoffs strong. (Lowe with a 1.62 ERA in his last 3 starts, Lincecum with 1.80). The Giants are at home so I give Game 1 to the GIANTS 4-3
The Braves will go with Derek Lowe since Tim Hudson started the last game of the season against the Padres. Both Lowe and Lincecum finished with 16 wins and are going into the playoffs strong. (Lowe with a 1.62 ERA in his last 3 starts, Lincecum with 1.80). The Giants are at home so I give Game 1 to the GIANTS 4-3
The Rangers came out the gate strong yesterday. Their bats were good and Cliff Lee was sharp. The only problem I had was Neftali Feliz walking two batters in just one inning. The Rangers offense scored five runs, four of them earned, off of Cy Young candidate David Price.
You can pretty much count the Rays out if they have to go to Texas while facing elimination. James Shields will get the ball on Thursday for the Rays.
CJ Wilson will get the ball for Texas
The Yankees will go with Andy Pettite to face former Yankee Carl Pavano. Though Pavano's been as sharp as a knife, Pettite will go down as one of the greatest post season pitchers of all time. It's hard to beat Andy late in the year and October 7th is no exception. I pick the Yankees over the Twins, 5-1
