Dodgers vs. Cubs
The Dodgers have returned to the World Series for the first time since 1988. Last night was a great night to be a Dodgers fan. Not only did they win, but they kicked the Cubs ass. Just about everyone in the Dodgers lineup produced for them in the 11-1 victory last night. There are 3 people I want to talk about in the game last night and I will start with the MVP from last night Kiki Hernandez.
I have said it before and will say it again the most unlikely of hero's step up for you in the playoffs. Hernandez went off last night with 3 hits, all 3 of them were homeruns, and finished with 7 RBI's. Hernandez was locked in last night and lead his team to victory single handedly. Chris Taylor is well known in Los Angeles, but soon the world will know his name. Taylor went 2-4 last night with a walk and 2 runs scored. This guy has been an incredible leadoff hitter every since he took Joc Pederson's job in centerfield. No matter who the Dodger's face in the World Series, Yankees cough cough, I don't see him slowing down. The last person I want to talk about is Clayton Kershaw. Well everyone can shut up now about Kershaw being a choke artist in the playoffs. He wasn't great versus the Diamondbacks in his first start, but has been lights out ever since. Last night he went 6 strong innings with 5 strikeouts, and only surrendered one run. What I liked the most about last nights start was Kershaw only threw 89 pitches. He didn't over work himself, and so he will be able to start 3 games in the World Series if 7 games is needed. The only thing I can say about the Cubs is good luck over the offseason as they are bound to lose Arrieta and Lackey out of their starting rotation. They barely have any prospects in their farm system, but do have some trade pieces in their lineup they can work with. Theo Epstein will have to earn that title of best GM in baseball this offseason if the Cubs want to be contenders again next season.
Yankees vs. Astros
The match up tonight will be Justin Verlander vs. Luis Severino. There are two outstanding stats for both teams going into tonight, which will make predicting this game very difficult. Verlander has not lost a start since he was traded to the Astros. In his last start against the Yankees Verlander only gave up one run and struck out 13 people.
Verlander is undoubtedly the hottest pitcher in the postseason and probably baseball since the trade. On the other side, Severino is coming off an okay start where he only threw 4 innings, had 0 strikeouts, but only gave up one run. The one stat going for the Yankees is the Yankees have won 3 straight games. So who do you pick? The hottest pitcher in baseball or the hottest home team in baseball. I am going to pick the team that is playing the best, and not the one guy that is pitching the best. The Yankees have out scored their opponents 19-5 in 3 games at home. In game 4 the Yankees scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th to lead them to a 6-4 victory. I think this will be in the back of the Astros mind when the game starts to get in the later innings. With the Astros bullpen struggling they will be leaning heavily on Justin Verlander. I think Verlander can dominate the game tonight, but he will have to leave the game at some point. I honestly think the Astros are going to be a little down on themselves after winning the first two games and losing the last 3. It's time to see the major market showdown between the Yankees and Dodgers.
Verlander is undoubtedly the hottest pitcher in the postseason and probably baseball since the trade. On the other side, Severino is coming off an okay start where he only threw 4 innings, had 0 strikeouts, but only gave up one run. The one stat going for the Yankees is the Yankees have won 3 straight games. So who do you pick? The hottest pitcher in baseball or the hottest home team in baseball. I am going to pick the team that is playing the best, and not the one guy that is pitching the best. The Yankees have out scored their opponents 19-5 in 3 games at home. In game 4 the Yankees scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th to lead them to a 6-4 victory. I think this will be in the back of the Astros mind when the game starts to get in the later innings. With the Astros bullpen struggling they will be leaning heavily on Justin Verlander. I think Verlander can dominate the game tonight, but he will have to leave the game at some point. I honestly think the Astros are going to be a little down on themselves after winning the first two games and losing the last 3. It's time to see the major market showdown between the Yankees and Dodgers.
I tell you, I thought the Yankees were the sneakiest team in the playoffs this year and a team not to be overlooked. You're right about the Astros being down on themselves especially being up 2-0. They've still got a chance, but the Astros to me have got to be worried about a game 7 if Verlander and Co. can shut the Yanks down.
ReplyDeleteMy prediction: Yankees in 7 Dodgers win it all