ALDS 1
Nyy vs (likely)tigers
---tigers may take a game #1 with Verlander going, vs Sabathia or anybody, but I have little confidence in their SP's following, save, maybe, Fister. Fister was decent vs Yanks in 1 @ late July and was decent vs home at Safeco in early '09 before being trashed by them at Safeco in mid Sept '09, his only 3 meetings; he's been outstanding since mid-August and may get a good draw as the Yanks SP's are looking a little grim entering the tourney...might see some serious overs nix the Verlander games. Tigers have had more succes vs lefties on the road, this year, and have hit the same better for several years now; Sabathia the only L for Nyy and a meeting vs Verlander would surely tempt me near even money for game #1. Hard to buck the Yanks for the series but I don't see them going all the way. I think I'd try a series price on tex if they face 'em, assuming a +130 to +160 tag.
ALDS 2
Tex vs (maybe)bosox
---Tex was 1-3 at home vs 'sox in August but these teams look totally different than they did back then. I'm not sure who the 'sox will go with in all games but I wouldn't be too confident with any of their SP's, currently, the way the Rangers are hitting, be it Lester, Beckett or whoevas. Rangers staff can have problems, too, though Wilson has been superb and the lefties Holland and Harrison may hold their own. I'm thinking maybe overs with Lewis vs any non-Lester go'er. Ogando likely will be used long-relief, which sure doesn't hurt the Rangers chances. Bullpens not too far apart--slight edge 'sox--and both can be very erratic. I think the Rangers would advance, here, though I'd like to see the matchups. Pretty amazing home-field record for Tex, currently at 52-29 (matches the Yanks and Phils, with only the Brewers better at 55-23).
Nyy vs (likely)tigers
---tigers may take a game #1 with Verlander going, vs Sabathia or anybody, but I have little confidence in their SP's following, save, maybe, Fister. Fister was decent vs Yanks in 1 @ late July and was decent vs home at Safeco in early '09 before being trashed by them at Safeco in mid Sept '09, his only 3 meetings; he's been outstanding since mid-August and may get a good draw as the Yanks SP's are looking a little grim entering the tourney...might see some serious overs nix the Verlander games. Tigers have had more succes vs lefties on the road, this year, and have hit the same better for several years now; Sabathia the only L for Nyy and a meeting vs Verlander would surely tempt me near even money for game #1. Hard to buck the Yanks for the series but I don't see them going all the way. I think I'd try a series price on tex if they face 'em, assuming a +130 to +160 tag.
ALDS 2
Tex vs (maybe)bosox
---Tex was 1-3 at home vs 'sox in August but these teams look totally different than they did back then. I'm not sure who the 'sox will go with in all games but I wouldn't be too confident with any of their SP's, currently, the way the Rangers are hitting, be it Lester, Beckett or whoevas. Rangers staff can have problems, too, though Wilson has been superb and the lefties Holland and Harrison may hold their own. I'm thinking maybe overs with Lewis vs any non-Lester go'er. Ogando likely will be used long-relief, which sure doesn't hurt the Rangers chances. Bullpens not too far apart--slight edge 'sox--and both can be very erratic. I think the Rangers would advance, here, though I'd like to see the matchups. Pretty amazing home-field record for Tex, currently at 52-29 (matches the Yanks and Phils, with only the Brewers better at 55-23).
