This might be the homer in me, but I was really surprised by the series odds in this one. Granted Cleveland's starting pitching has been shaky all year, but they have turned it up a notch down the stretch. The Tribe will also be throwing two lefties at the fishermen in the first three games.
Tribe has been resting since clinching, while the anglers have been swept up in setting the all time wins record. Only to fall short last nite and have to get up again for game 1 of the series tomorrow. While Garcia is a fine pitcher, he is a righty that the Tribe has faced a few time this year with moderate success. Colon, who should be on, can be every bit as good, if not better than Garcia. I will try and dig up some stats tonite.
Finley goes in game 2 against Moyer. While puss throwing Moyer dominated the Tribe the two times he faced them in August this year, they did touch up the guy a couple of times last year. Finley hasn't been to the post season in over 10 or so years and has been quoted in the papers as telling the younger guys to not take it for granted, give it all you have, etc. He is very excited and determined to pitch well. If the Tribe can show a little patience against Moyer and Finley pitch like Finely can, the Tribe has a decent shot in this one as well.
Game three is the Tribe's best chance to win a game. Sele is a slightly above average pitcher (I know he has nice numbers) that the Tribe has handled in the past. Sabathia is the lefty rookie phenom that the M's have yet to face. He does have problems keeping runners on base, so if Ichiro gets on, that could get to his head. But I think C.C. has the character to pitch well in his first playoff game.
Other areas to watch:
Diamond Gate. Vizquel and Rhodes got into a very heated argument where benches cleared in an August meeting. Vizquel got into Rhodes' head by telling the Ump to have Rhodes' earrings removed because of the glare. Rhodes took serious exception to this. The next game he gave up the game winning hit.
Ichiro. I wouldn't be surprised to see Colon plant one damn near Ichiro's head in his first at bat. They need to do something to keep this psuedo rookie from getting on base. Something the Tribe has not been able to do in the 7 meetings thus far.
The Comeback: The Tribe came back from 12 runs down to these harpooners in August in the largest comeback in some crazy amount of time. Tribe also came back in their only other win against the M's this year. They've had success against Nelson, so you can't count them out when trailing late.
I'll be playing the Tribe to win the series, although I'm sure my locals won't be giving any of that +220. I'd like to hear some other projections on this series. I'll try and post the hitters' breakdowns as soon as I get some time.
Good luck whichever way you play it.
Tribe has been resting since clinching, while the anglers have been swept up in setting the all time wins record. Only to fall short last nite and have to get up again for game 1 of the series tomorrow. While Garcia is a fine pitcher, he is a righty that the Tribe has faced a few time this year with moderate success. Colon, who should be on, can be every bit as good, if not better than Garcia. I will try and dig up some stats tonite.
Finley goes in game 2 against Moyer. While puss throwing Moyer dominated the Tribe the two times he faced them in August this year, they did touch up the guy a couple of times last year. Finley hasn't been to the post season in over 10 or so years and has been quoted in the papers as telling the younger guys to not take it for granted, give it all you have, etc. He is very excited and determined to pitch well. If the Tribe can show a little patience against Moyer and Finley pitch like Finely can, the Tribe has a decent shot in this one as well.
Game three is the Tribe's best chance to win a game. Sele is a slightly above average pitcher (I know he has nice numbers) that the Tribe has handled in the past. Sabathia is the lefty rookie phenom that the M's have yet to face. He does have problems keeping runners on base, so if Ichiro gets on, that could get to his head. But I think C.C. has the character to pitch well in his first playoff game.
Other areas to watch:
Diamond Gate. Vizquel and Rhodes got into a very heated argument where benches cleared in an August meeting. Vizquel got into Rhodes' head by telling the Ump to have Rhodes' earrings removed because of the glare. Rhodes took serious exception to this. The next game he gave up the game winning hit.
Ichiro. I wouldn't be surprised to see Colon plant one damn near Ichiro's head in his first at bat. They need to do something to keep this psuedo rookie from getting on base. Something the Tribe has not been able to do in the 7 meetings thus far.
The Comeback: The Tribe came back from 12 runs down to these harpooners in August in the largest comeback in some crazy amount of time. Tribe also came back in their only other win against the M's this year. They've had success against Nelson, so you can't count them out when trailing late.
I'll be playing the Tribe to win the series, although I'm sure my locals won't be giving any of that +220. I'd like to hear some other projections on this series. I'll try and post the hitters' breakdowns as soon as I get some time.
Good luck whichever way you play it.
