I won't even try to suggest I'm not rooting for the Red Sox here. Obviously I am. That being said, I did some research and made my prediction based off that. Yes, I want the Red Sox to win. But that doesn't mean I'm too biased to ignore what the numbers say.
Wainwright and Wacha are clearly the two pitchers that the Cardinals are banking on, and with good reason. Wacha has been arguably the most impressive pitcher in the postseason and Wainwright is already a household name. They give St. Louis an immediate advantage in any series. However, St. Louis doesn't have the home field advantage, which could negate their aces. Wainwright's ERA on the road is nearly a run higher than at home, 3.36 compared to 2.53. I realize that's not much, but considering how evenly matched the two teams are, any edge is going to be huge for either team. Wacha's road ERA is over 2 runs higher than his home ERA, 4.34 compared to 2.15. Granted Wacha didn't pitch on the road in the NLCS, so it's doubtful he starts Game 2. I would assume that means the Red Sox will pitch Lackey in Game 2, who was excellent on the road in Game 3 of the ALCS and throughout the season was much better pitching at Fenway. I'm going to assume this means Buchholz throws Game 3 against Wacha, and I'll give him the edge even though he hasn't been nearly as sharp during the postseason as he was throughout the regular season.
I also have to give the edge to Boston when it comes to the bullpen. Their ERA is a full run lower than the St. Louis bullpen and they've thrown 2 more innings. Koji Uehara, the ALCS MVP, has been the most impressive reliever in MLB this year. He throws nearly nothing but strikes and has the stuff to get anyone out. Yes he did give up a walkoff home run to the Rays, but he hasn't looked back since. If the game is on the line, there is no one else in baseball I'd trust more than Koji.
The team batting stats also favor the Red Sox. They've hit .236/.325/.365 while the Cardinals have hit .210/.285/.325 throughout October. Both teams faced some of the best starting pitching in baseball in their Championship Series and the only offensive explosion was the Cardinals in Game 6. Even then they still trail the Red Sox in hitting.
The players I'm most interested in watching throughout the series are Carlos Beltran and Xander Bogaerts. One a 16-year veteran outfielder who is finally getting a taste of the World Series. The other a rookie who has a seemingly long, illustrious career ahead of him. Which one will rise to the occasion and which one will be outshined? It won't surprise me however it shakes out. Beltran has been a monster in the postseason throughout his career. His career batting average in the playoffs is .337, certainly something to be concerned with if you're the Sox. Xander actually reminds me of Beltran too. Kind of quiet, unassuming, but undeniable talent. His ability to get on base is a huge boost to Boston's lineup.
Lastly, the Red Sox ability to come from behind has been ridiculous. Two grand slams late in ALCS games, clutch bullpen pitching, and a never give up attitude pushed them into the World Series. The Cardinals didn't face adversity like that in the NLCS. They outmatched the Dodgers, as much as it pains me to say, I'm not so sure you can say that about the Red Sox. Yes, Boston deserved to win when it all boiled down, but beating the Tigers when they trotted out Scherzer twice and Verlander was amazing. I believe they have a mental edge over the Cardinals.
All in all, I have to pick the Red Sox. I highly doubt it's going to be easy, I'm thinking at least 6 games. But given the depth of their bench, bullpen, and the fact that they have home field advantage (thank you, AL All-Stars) I have to give them the edge. Should be a great Series, and I can't wait for it to start.
GO SOX
UPDATE-The Cardinals will send Wacha to the mound in Game 2, which is definitely not what I was anticipating. I think that game could be the pivotal one in the series. He's been their ace so far, but the pressure of the World Series and pitching in a place like Fenway has to be intimidating for the rookie. Will he step up and dominate like he did in the NLCS, or will he be hittable like he was during the regular season on the road?
Follow me on Twitter- @TwittinSports
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Monday, October 7, 2013
Why Does Tony Romo Drive An Automatic?
Because he just can't figure out the clutch.
Alright, stupid jokes aside, let's stop with the over-analyzing of Tony Romo. How'd he play on Sunday? In a word, amazing. Over 500 yards, 5 TDs, and just one pick. The problem is, that pick came at the absolute worst time. That one interception is just another reminder of the kind of quarterback Tony Romo is and probably will always be.
My opinion of Romo has been the same since he muffed that snap back in 2007. He's as physically talented as any quarterback in the NFL, but he's just not mentally strong. He has some sort of block that hinders him when it comes down to "the moment." In elimination games Romo is 1-6 for his career. Sunday's late interception was just another manifestation of Romo's mental demons. Instead of rising to the occasion, when the game is on the line, Romo cracks. He panics and makes bad decisions. He threw into triple coverage and got picked off. There were plenty of people who said he didn't have any other choice on that play; those people could not be more wrong. He had DeMarco Murray open on a check-down, or he could've simply thrown it away. By the way, WHY DOES HE NEVER THROW THE BALL AWAY?!? He takes bad sacks or tries to force a pass instead of just getting rid of the ball. It kills me, but I digress. Anyway, Murray was open. How open? Have a look.
Yeah, I'd say he was pretty open, wide open in fact. But for whatever reason, Romo didn't see him. His brain just doesn't work like that.
Now to those of you who think the blame should fall on the defense, I'm not saying you're wrong. But you're not right either. The defense gave the offense a chance. They picked off Peyton and held the Broncos to field goals on two separate occasions. Is giving up 51 points ok? Never. Monte Kiffin should be fired immediately. And no, I'm not joking about that. But it's not like they were playing the Jaguars. Denver has carved up every single opponent they've faced this season, and for the first time, they were in danger of losing. Romo was all set up, thanks in part to his defense, to lead a game-winning drive and take a massive step towards shedding his reputation as a choker . He didn't, he failed.
Rodney Harrison explained Romo perfectly during halftime of the Sunday Night Football game. I'm paraphrasing here as I was watching baseball by then and only heard it in the background. Harrison said that Romo is the guy you see on film and are amazed at what he can do. He has big-play potential and does things that don't seem possible. But when it's crunch time, and the cream rises to the top, he's going to make a mistake. He's not thinking about what he can do to make the play, he's thinking about what kind of mistake he might make.
That is Romo's downfall. He doesn't have confidence in himself. It's said that sports are 90% mental. Tony Romo is proof.
Follow me on Twitter- @TwittinSports
Alright, stupid jokes aside, let's stop with the over-analyzing of Tony Romo. How'd he play on Sunday? In a word, amazing. Over 500 yards, 5 TDs, and just one pick. The problem is, that pick came at the absolute worst time. That one interception is just another reminder of the kind of quarterback Tony Romo is and probably will always be.
My opinion of Romo has been the same since he muffed that snap back in 2007. He's as physically talented as any quarterback in the NFL, but he's just not mentally strong. He has some sort of block that hinders him when it comes down to "the moment." In elimination games Romo is 1-6 for his career. Sunday's late interception was just another manifestation of Romo's mental demons. Instead of rising to the occasion, when the game is on the line, Romo cracks. He panics and makes bad decisions. He threw into triple coverage and got picked off. There were plenty of people who said he didn't have any other choice on that play; those people could not be more wrong. He had DeMarco Murray open on a check-down, or he could've simply thrown it away. By the way, WHY DOES HE NEVER THROW THE BALL AWAY?!? He takes bad sacks or tries to force a pass instead of just getting rid of the ball. It kills me, but I digress. Anyway, Murray was open. How open? Have a look.
 |
| Thanks to @Munchdown for the image |
Now to those of you who think the blame should fall on the defense, I'm not saying you're wrong. But you're not right either. The defense gave the offense a chance. They picked off Peyton and held the Broncos to field goals on two separate occasions. Is giving up 51 points ok? Never. Monte Kiffin should be fired immediately. And no, I'm not joking about that. But it's not like they were playing the Jaguars. Denver has carved up every single opponent they've faced this season, and for the first time, they were in danger of losing. Romo was all set up, thanks in part to his defense, to lead a game-winning drive and take a massive step towards shedding his reputation as a choker . He didn't, he failed.
Rodney Harrison explained Romo perfectly during halftime of the Sunday Night Football game. I'm paraphrasing here as I was watching baseball by then and only heard it in the background. Harrison said that Romo is the guy you see on film and are amazed at what he can do. He has big-play potential and does things that don't seem possible. But when it's crunch time, and the cream rises to the top, he's going to make a mistake. He's not thinking about what he can do to make the play, he's thinking about what kind of mistake he might make.
That is Romo's downfall. He doesn't have confidence in himself. It's said that sports are 90% mental. Tony Romo is proof.
Follow me on Twitter- @TwittinSports
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