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#1
Last year MLB Playoffs: 23-11 = 68%
This year MLB Playoffs: 2-1
Very well could be 3-0 if not for the letdown by the Brewers in the 9th for that runline. We move on though....
I’ve been waiting for this series and it’s finally here. The Yanks and the Red Sox. Are the Red Sox really that much better than the Yankees? Nope. The Yankees even with all the injuries, still right there and now that they are healthy, there could be some value in this series with them in certain games. I look at this line tonite and Sale, at home, just -170? Sure he’s been out and sure we don’t know what we are gonna get with him but -170? Is this a bargain? We see Kershaw somewhat in the same boat with the injuries yet he’s -230 tonite and we all know his post season past! Hmmmm.
Let’s talk offense: I don’t see an advantage either way. Both teams can hit and both teams are relatively deep. One is better at getting on base and one is better at hitting the long ball. I’d say the Yanks are deeper though. With the Yankees, I firmly believe you can’t take a batter off. With the Red Sox, although great, I do think there are batters that aren’t as great in that lineup. Obviously with these two teams you really can’t mistakes but for me, I think it’s more devastating if you do with the Yanks. The Red Sox are still very potent though.
Starting Pitching: I’d lean Red Sox BUT it’s not a definite in my opinion. Sale, when healthy, is second to none but he’s not 100%. Price is good but his postseason era is below average. The depth they have is noticeable though with their 3 and 4 appt rotation guys. The Yanks? Severino may be back in form, Happ is a very good 2 yet the rest of the depth, it’s good but it doesn’t necessarily blow you away. Sabathia could be an X factor though with all the experience he has.
Bullpen: As a COLLECTIVE UNIT.....I gotta take the Yanks here and in this particular series, this could be the difference. They are stacked and Boone utilizes them fairly well.
Listen, both these teams know each other well so we won’t get any surprises. The public perception though is that because of the records and the start to finish dominance of the Red Sox, the Red Sox have to be the big faves right? I’m not so sure. I think this series goes 5 and I think we see the Yanks go toe to toe with the odds on faves to win it all, the Red Sox. For me, guys like Didi and McCutcheon are the key. They can hit for power and they can hit for average but at times they’ve been inconsistent. If these guys can pull their weight, watch out. For the Red Sox, guys like Kinsler and Pearce need to be consistent. I think the stars of both teams will do their thing but which team will do the little things like moving runners over, work the counts and keep the swings simple? Like I said, this is gonna be a fun series.
Tonite, as much as I’d love to say it’s a definite that Sale will bring his A game, I think the Yanks can get to him. When Sale is on, he’s untouchable but as a Chicagoan and White Sox fan I know too well that when he’s not on, he gets rocked EARLY. Again, the Yanks have some potent right handers but can they stay patient and be disciplined when seeing that cutter? That pitch for Sale is arguably the toughest pitch to hit in baseball so looking forward to seeing their approach. Something to watch for sure tonite. As for Happ, he has no option other than pitch well tonite because if he doesn’t, it could be a very rough series in that I feel the Yanks depth at starter is not like the Red Sox. They got Happ for a reason and that’s for tonite. I have a pretty good idea as to where I’m going with this one tonite but still want to check a few things out. Play to come in about a half hour. Any thoughts are welcome until then.
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either way Achilles
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