NakamuraPostseason Predictions for October 8th
The Rangers and Rays have a day off
The Reds and Phillies will go for Game 2. As I said in my previous blog, I think the Phillies will win, 4-0.
The Yankees and Twins also have a day off.
The Braves and Giants will play game to in San Francisco. Young pitcher Tommy Hanson will take the hill for Atlanta, facing veteran Matt Cain. Both pitcher posted similar numbers, Hanson going 10-11 with a 3.33 ERA and Cain going 13-11 3.14 ERA. Both teams played well early in the game yesterday, allowing few runs. It will be tough to predict who gets on the board first. The Braves had the highest OBP in the National League this year, so they should be able to manufacture at least 1 or 2 runs within the first six innings. I believe they can hold on, so I pick the Braves over the Giants with a score of 5-3.
The Reds and Phillies will go for Game 2. As I said in my previous blog, I think the Phillies will win, 4-0.
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 Yankees and Twins also have a day off.
The Braves and Giants will play game to in San Francisco. Young pitcher Tommy Hanson will take the hill for Atlanta, facing veteran Matt Cain. Both pitcher posted similar numbers, Hanson going 10-11 with a 3.33 ERA and Cain going 13-11 3.14 ERA. Both teams played well early in the game yesterday, allowing few runs. It will be tough to predict who gets on the board first. The Braves had the highest OBP in the National League this year, so they should be able to manufacture at least 1 or 2 runs within the first six innings. I believe they can hold on, so I pick the Braves over the Giants with a score of 5-3.
