And since the Sox also just clinched at 9 PM, I don’t have the well crafted photos to accompany each position like Dubs because I wasn’t about to jinx the White Sox in the one-game playoff. Also, since the AL has the DH we are going to a very special Top Eleven Chicago Sports list.
11. Designated Hitter
Jim Thome vs. Cliff Floyd/Rocco Baldelli
Although Jim Thome is the better player with better power production, Baldelli and Floyd are very solid veteran hitters who can switch based on who is pitching. The big problem may be keeping Rocco and Cliff on the field as they are two of the more injury prone players of the last decade.
Advantage: White Sox
10. Bullpen
Bobby Jenks, Octavio Dotel, Scott Linebrink, Matt Thornton vs. Dan Wheeler, Grant Balfour, Trevor Miller, Troy Percival
The White Sox pen has been shaky in September but showed some encouraging signs in the last three games. Jenks is a World Series champion and has pitched in plenty of big games and Dotel has seen his fair share of big games playing for the Astros. The Rays counter with Wheeler, a veteran reliever who has never been a full-time closer and Grant Balfour, who might have been the best setup man in baseball this season. The wild card in this could be Percival, a highly experienced, oft-injured right hander who can always make life miserable for opponents.
Advantage: Draw (closer goes to Sox, setup goes to Rays)
9. Right Field
Jermaine Dye vs. Gabe Gross
This matchup is no contest. Dye is a big time player and experienced veteran while Gross is hovering under .240 with only 40 RBI in 127 games.
Big Advantage: White Sox
8. Center Field
Ken Griffey Jr./Brian Anderson vs. BJ Upton
While Griffey still remains one of baseball's biggest names he is going to have to hit in the clutch and play a solid center field to cement his legacy without World Series. Upton on the other hand is a rising star with 44 stolen bases to go along with a .383 on base percentage. Griffey has more home run potential, but Upton could be a terror on the base paths all series long.
Advantage: Rays
7. Left Field
Dewayne Wise/Nick Swisher vs. Carl Crawford/Eric Hinske
Dewayne Wise has had some big hits down the stretch but he has also been very inconsistent in spelling MVP candidate Carlos Quintin. While Carl Crawford has been injured it has been said that he will play in this series, although he could also DH. Hinske provides some pop (20 home runs) but also has a sub .250 average. Wise's biggest contribution might be his speed, as he is one of the White Sox lone stolen base threats.
Advantage: Rays (only if Crawford plays, otherwise a mediocre draw)
6. Shortstop
Orlando Cabrera vs. Jason Bartlett/Willy Aybar
Cabrera is a championship performer who has played in many big games, while his counterparts Bartlett and Aybar counter with solid up-the-middle defense and occasional hitting.
Advantage: White Sox
5. Third Base
Juan Uribe vs. Evan Longoria
Does this even need to be mentioned? I mean Longoria is baseball's fastest rising star and Uribe an inconsistent hitter who is merely a stopgap for the injured (and not trying to return) Joe Crede.
Big Advantage: Rays
4. Second Base
Alexei Ramirez vs. Akinori Iwamura
While Alexei would have been the American League rookie of the year if not for the aforementioned Longoria, Iwamura is a solid contributor who should not be overlooked. Alexei, while putting up nice numbers has also struggled a bit in September and needs to find a groove as the Sox enter October. However, the Cuban Missile is clutch as evidenced by his .471 average with the bases loaded.
Advantage: White Sox
3. First Base
Paul Konerko vs. Carlos Pena
Paulie is just starting to heat up a bit while also being an average defender at first base. Pena put up huge numbers last season and struggled a bit this season on the way to 102 RBI. Pena also has good plate discipline and will get on base at a good rate even though his batting average is less than stellar.
Advantage: Draw
2. Catcher
AJ Pierzynski vs. Dioner Navarro
Both men behind the plate had good offensive seasons for the position while also calling good games for their pitchers. The difference however will come with Navarro's defense. While AJ might struggle to contain some of the faster Rays players Navarro will have no problem containing the Sox lackluster running speed.
Advantage: Navarro
1. Starting Pitching
Starting pitching could very well be the key to the series for both teams. Buerhle, Floyd and Danks all gave unbelievable efforts in propelling the Sox to the playoffs but Javier Vazquez needs to step up to his potential in game 1. The Rays counter with James Shields, Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza pitchers all coming off good years and sub 3.70 ERAs. The Rays will need their pitching, defense and small ball to carry them to victory in this series.
Advantage: Draw
In terms of this series, the Rays are a very tough out at home and rely on pitching, defense and speed to win games. The Sox never seem to play well against teams like this on the road, especially on the slick Tropicana Field turf. If the White Sox want to the series they need to take 1-of-2 in Tampa Bay and hold serve at home because a game 5 on the road at Tropicana Field might not be pretty. The White Sox do have momentum and experience on their side but need to come up with timely power hitting and more great starting pitching to win this series.
Bold Prediction: White Sox in 4
Jim Thome vs. Cliff Floyd/Rocco Baldelli
Although Jim Thome is the better player with better power production, Baldelli and Floyd are very solid veteran hitters who can switch based on who is pitching. The big problem may be keeping Rocco and Cliff on the field as they are two of the more injury prone players of the last decade.
Advantage: White Sox
10. Bullpen
Bobby Jenks, Octavio Dotel, Scott Linebrink, Matt Thornton vs. Dan Wheeler, Grant Balfour, Trevor Miller, Troy Percival
The White Sox pen has been shaky in September but showed some encouraging signs in the last three games. Jenks is a World Series champion and has pitched in plenty of big games and Dotel has seen his fair share of big games playing for the Astros. The Rays counter with Wheeler, a veteran reliever who has never been a full-time closer and Grant Balfour, who might have been the best setup man in baseball this season. The wild card in this could be Percival, a highly experienced, oft-injured right hander who can always make life miserable for opponents.
Advantage: Draw (closer goes to Sox, setup goes to Rays)
9. Right Field
Jermaine Dye vs. Gabe Gross
This matchup is no contest. Dye is a big time player and experienced veteran while Gross is hovering under .240 with only 40 RBI in 127 games.
Big Advantage: White Sox
8. Center Field
Ken Griffey Jr./Brian Anderson vs. BJ Upton
While Griffey still remains one of baseball's biggest names he is going to have to hit in the clutch and play a solid center field to cement his legacy without World Series. Upton on the other hand is a rising star with 44 stolen bases to go along with a .383 on base percentage. Griffey has more home run potential, but Upton could be a terror on the base paths all series long.
Advantage: Rays
7. Left Field
Dewayne Wise/Nick Swisher vs. Carl Crawford/Eric Hinske
Dewayne Wise has had some big hits down the stretch but he has also been very inconsistent in spelling MVP candidate Carlos Quintin. While Carl Crawford has been injured it has been said that he will play in this series, although he could also DH. Hinske provides some pop (20 home runs) but also has a sub .250 average. Wise's biggest contribution might be his speed, as he is one of the White Sox lone stolen base threats.
Advantage: Rays (only if Crawford plays, otherwise a mediocre draw)
6. Shortstop
Orlando Cabrera vs. Jason Bartlett/Willy Aybar
Cabrera is a championship performer who has played in many big games, while his counterparts Bartlett and Aybar counter with solid up-the-middle defense and occasional hitting.
Advantage: White Sox
5. Third Base
Juan Uribe vs. Evan Longoria
Does this even need to be mentioned? I mean Longoria is baseball's fastest rising star and Uribe an inconsistent hitter who is merely a stopgap for the injured (and not trying to return) Joe Crede.
Big Advantage: Rays
4. Second Base
Alexei Ramirez vs. Akinori Iwamura
While Alexei would have been the American League rookie of the year if not for the aforementioned Longoria, Iwamura is a solid contributor who should not be overlooked. Alexei, while putting up nice numbers has also struggled a bit in September and needs to find a groove as the Sox enter October. However, the Cuban Missile is clutch as evidenced by his .471 average with the bases loaded.
Advantage: White Sox
3. First Base
Paul Konerko vs. Carlos Pena
Paulie is just starting to heat up a bit while also being an average defender at first base. Pena put up huge numbers last season and struggled a bit this season on the way to 102 RBI. Pena also has good plate discipline and will get on base at a good rate even though his batting average is less than stellar.
Advantage: Draw
2. Catcher
AJ Pierzynski vs. Dioner Navarro
Both men behind the plate had good offensive seasons for the position while also calling good games for their pitchers. The difference however will come with Navarro's defense. While AJ might struggle to contain some of the faster Rays players Navarro will have no problem containing the Sox lackluster running speed.
Advantage: Navarro
1. Starting Pitching
Starting pitching could very well be the key to the series for both teams. Buerhle, Floyd and Danks all gave unbelievable efforts in propelling the Sox to the playoffs but Javier Vazquez needs to step up to his potential in game 1. The Rays counter with James Shields, Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza pitchers all coming off good years and sub 3.70 ERAs. The Rays will need their pitching, defense and small ball to carry them to victory in this series.
Advantage: Draw
In terms of this series, the Rays are a very tough out at home and rely on pitching, defense and speed to win games. The Sox never seem to play well against teams like this on the road, especially on the slick Tropicana Field turf. If the White Sox want to the series they need to take 1-of-2 in Tampa Bay and hold serve at home because a game 5 on the road at Tropicana Field might not be pretty. The White Sox do have momentum and experience on their side but need to come up with timely power hitting and more great starting pitching to win this series.
Bold Prediction: White Sox in 4
24 comments:
Just to clarify,
If the Rays do get back to Tropicana I don't see the Sox winning the series. To me it's Sox in four or bust.
a grizzled vet like Jeff Kent is WAY worse than Mark DeRosa? Wouldn’t go THAT far Dubs
This is a joke, right?
2008
Jeff Kent .280/.327/.418. That's a .745 OPS. EWWWW.
Mark DeRosa .285/.376/.481. How is this even close?
DeRosa is in a career year.
Kent is old and hurt and may not even play that much in the series. Plus, his team hates him. I assume you are joking.
You must have meant his playoff experience and success. Wait. DeRosa has played on four playoff teams and hit .357, while Kent was on a grizzly six and hit .292. That Kent sure has the advantage. But he does have a sweet porn stash.
I will get to some of the shit on there tom. Konerko vs Pena, draw? INSANE!!!
Scott, I love your optimism but think I might be getting a whiff of favoritism. David Price will also be in the Rays pen. I think BJ Upton will play an enormous roll in this series. He is going to run on every pitch. What was the stat Hawk said yesterday; Sox catchers have thrown out 14 runners in 150+ attempts? I know 30% is average, but that his absolutely horrendous. BJ could be the '05 Willy Tavares or the last week Carlos Gomez. And I don't care how hurt Crawford may be, a 70% Carl could steal 100% of bases he attempted to swipe 90% of the time.
I hate OC.
I have to agree with Zach about first base, though I did love how you incorporated plate discipline. But I would take Pena any day.
I think Kaz and Shields are enough to put the Rays over the top on pitching. Sorry I just rambled Scott, I really did like the post though.
Zach, I probably don't realize that I am repetitive, but your whole "ewww" has run its course. Where did you pick that one up?
Tomorrow's headline in the sports section will read (Rick I know you'll like this)..... "White Sox, no Tigers, small Bears, Oh My."
Barnes out.
@ Barnes
I got it from Caroline Mazzocco in the third grade when I rubbed a booger on her.
Zach -
It's amazing how you can shape stats to prove your point.
For instance:
You point out that DeRo has hit for a higher average in the postseason than Kent.
However, you failed to mention the following stats:
Kent AB: 161
DeRo AB: 28
Kent RBI: 23
DeRo RBI: 5
Kent HR: 9
DeRo HR: 0
I'd also argue that because Kent has played in more games, his average has a higher likelihood of being closer to his actual average than DeRo.
Think about it. How excited do you get when you look at a player's stats through the first sixteen games of the season?
Again, I would argue that looking at 43 games (26%) of a season would provide a better representation of how a player is likely to perform.
Also, when was the last time OPS won a postseason game?
"Tonight on SportsCenter, Mark DeRosa's OPS comes through again and wins the series"
I know over long stretches of time it's a great indication of a player's performance, but in a best of five series it doesn't mean nearly as much.
Wow, Mark DeRosa's OPS definitely makes him a candidate for series MVP?
Sounds a little off doesn't it?
Listen, I personally think Jeff Kent is a piece of garbage.
But for the love of everything holy, stop throwing out these random stats that you think are indefensible and prove your point without a doubt.
It's starting to get extremely tiresome and childish.
And for once you might want to take off the red and blue shaded glasses and just think logically for a moment.
O
yes that is what I do, he still is old though
I agree with everything you said about sample size. That is awesome. I am soooo proud of you.
Except that if he has a high OPS that means he got on base a ton and hit a lot of extra bases. So replace OPS with doubles or homers and times on base (or runs) and then maybe it makes more sense to you? It's just an easier way to say he hits a ton of homers/doubles and gets on base. I don't know why that is tiresome. Maybe easier than listing each individual stat.
So it would be more like
"Tonight on SportsCenter, Mark DeRosa hit a double, home run and scored (got on base) three times, He came through again and wins the series"
See not so hard to say. Right?
crawford's injury was his hand, not his legs.
Listen Zach, I have a perfectly good understanding of what OPS actually means. You don't have to coach high school baseball to understand a mathematical formula any fool with a calculator can figure out for himself.
What if DeRosa got on base four times a game, but never scored a single run during a full five game series?
Meanwhile, Kent has two hits out of 20 AB the entire series that turn out to be 2-run HR's. He strikes out every single other time he steps to the plate. But, those two run HR's are game winners and propel the Dodgers to the next round.
Could you still make the same argument that OPS is sooooooo important in the postseason?
Wouldn't you look back and say wow, that Jeff Kent was the difference in this series with those two clutch hits?
While I understand that is a very extreme and ridiculous scenario, it just shows that stats don't mean anything.
Geoff Blum, 2005 for the White Sox. He's basically picking splinters out of his ass the entire time and steps up to hit a game winner for us. I bet you his OPS was for shit.
In the playoffs statistical evidence doesn't mean shit, that is, unless you're A-Rod.
You can't look at one SINGLE stat to predict the outcome of every situation and as the end all be all to every single argument about baseball you get into.
Dubs, you have no skill or talent at this sports blogging business. You, like O said, shape information the way you see fit to make a stupid, pointless rant/rave about whatever pointless topic you've decided to blog about. It's tired, it's old and it's boring. Grow up.
What if DeRosa got on base four times a game, but never scored a single run during a full five game series?
Then his team sucks. That's why it is a better individual meter, as apposed to runs.
Your point about Kent 2 HRs is well taken and I agree that stats in the playoffs are lame anyway. I fault myself for evening using them. It's such a small sample size and mostly about luck/hotness at the time.
I guess I usually, would take my chances with a guy that gets on base and hits a ton of doubles over a guy that gets two hits the entire series. No?
One or two hits does not make you awesome. It probably makes you lucky. I guess, I would ask you if you would rather have Geoff Blum or A-Rod up. It's an obvious answer. Blum blew dick that year overall. He got lucky. Go Sox.
PS Blum's OPS was actually 5.000 that series. Because it was his only AB.
Anonymous - I guess I would argue the exact same thing about stories about guys that hit like .250 but are made out to be gritty heroes because they are small, white and play "hard". Chone Figgins doesn't play as hard as Eckstein? Well, no, he's not white though. These guys usually suck at baseball, shown by stats, but are praised for being gritty. lame
I just don't like when people claim things without anything backing it up...with like facts. That's all, guys.
I don't think numbers have everything to do with baseball, obviously. Shit happens that you can't expect, I see it every day "coaching high school baseball" (dick move, Matt. I guess, I don't need to work at WalMart to know they have razors there). They just show, over the long run, who has a better chance to succeeding, regardless of situation. That is it. Why is that so terrible for everybody.
The Rays have had a remarkable year. I do not think they are a fluke. It would be interesting if they play the Angels. Rays coach once ways one of Scocia's guys.
Zach,
Look at the Kent/DeRosa sentence. Notice i capitalized the words "WAY" and "THAT" meaning I don't disagree with your sentiments, but I do believe that you took the comparison too far. Mark DeRosa is not WAY better than Jeff Kent. Is he better? Of course, but not way better.
Phil,
You would take Pena anyday? Sorry but he's hitting .250 and only has had 3 years of solid power numbers where as Paulie is starting to find his swing and is capable of going on a very hot stretch here, hence the Draw.
I'm also not showing favoritism by proclaiming a bold prediction of a win in this series because as I mention this Rays club is built to beat teams like the White Sox and playing in Tropicana Field will be tough.
scott- ok, sorry.
Hey buddy, I have no problems with stats.
Over the course of a season, or heading into a season, they can become an excellent resource for determining the value and potential of nearly any player.
The only point I'm trying to make here is that in the playoffs stats don't matter.
Take last night for instance.
Mauer and Morneau were like 15-for-20 (or something crazy like that) against Danks in the regular season.
But put them in the pressure of the playoffs (or playoff situation) and all bets are off.
And I can't believe I actually used Jeff Kent to argue this point.
I actually argued on behalf of a guy that looks like an old, washed up porn star who doesn't know when to let go of the 'game'.
Don't be mad at me. Next time I see ya I'll buy you a beer and apologize.
Deal?
"I actually argued on behalf of a guy that looks like an old, washed up porn star who doesn't know when to let go of the 'game'."
Olsen, you talking about Jeff Kent or Wade Boggs? haha
Matt- I mostly agree. I do think that a guy who is generally better during a season will generally be better in the playoffs then a guy who isn't.
But the point is still the same. Playoffs = hot team/luck and that's where stats go away. So, yes I agree, and yes there will be beer. Cubs vs. Sox, I guarantee you a ticket (at least at face value).
Sorry, Ricky. You had your chance. :) Kidding
@ World
Jeff Kent: NOT STARTING IN GAME 1.
So DeRosa does have a HUGE advantage over Blake DeWitt.
Little embarrasing we argued over a guy not even playing...whoops.
Ok I just got done reading all this shiz, here are a few thoughts
a) Any GM would take Pena over Konerko for next season. Pena is a much better hitter. But, as has been noted in these comments, that doesn't mean that he is definitely going to put up better/more important numbers than Konerko in a five game series. So yeah, I think Pena is clearly better than Paulie, but when you break everything down into one series, it's impossible to determine who will be productive.
b) Uh, i forgot what I was gonna say.
c) Go Sox!
Go Sox, but kinda "Go Pena" so I don't look dumb, but don't "Go Pena" enough to make a difference
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