Enough Stallin'. What's my guess? If anyone can beat the Mets, it's the Dodgers. But if Dodgers revert back to helpless, even the 2003 Mets have a chance at beating them. This series has the makings of a sparkling NLCS, but alas the cards didn't fall that way, and neither will they for L.A. Mets in 5.
St. Louis Cardinals (Central Division) vs. San Diego Padres (West Division)
Season Meetings: San Diego won 4, St. Louis won 2
They're in the playoffs because the rules dictate as such. Both of these teams have several flaws. The Cardinals are suffering in both the rotation and bullpen. Meanwhile, the Padres scored fewer runs all year than the Nationals. The Nationals.
The winner of this series may have to rely on momentum to catapult past either the Dodgers or Mets in the NLCS.
Game 1: As advertised, Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter tries to tame the Padres lineup (as if that's a feat or something), while Jake Peavy will have to silence the Cardinals' bats. No one doubts Peavy is San Diego's ace, but he's had sort of an off-year, whereas Carpenter does have Cy Young numbers yet again. If Mike Piazza swings and hits nothing but oxygen, Carpenter can pitch around Adrian Gonzalez and simply allow two runs — if that.
Game 2: Jeff Suppan for the Cardinals pitches against Chris Young for the Padres. Not that glamorous a pitching matchup against two admirable middle-aged starters, but Young's injured back may come into play. At some point the Cardinals' key bat Albert Pujols will have to start driving in runs, and Young may be the victim.
Game 3: Jeff Weaver ought to pitch against David Wells. Well, that's just an ugly game if I ever saw it. Someone's gonna win this one 11-7.
Census: Some are picking the Padres. Others are going with the Padres. The rest are going with the Padres — but barely.
Enough Stallin'. What's my guess? Last year the Padres burned me when I daringly picked them against this very same Cardinals team, and I learned my lesson. Cardinals in 4.
So here's to postseason. And to not being zapped with 8,000 watts.
Article comments
1 - Chris Beaumont
OK, here we go:
Yankees in 3
Twins in 4
Mets in 4
Padres in 5
Also, you will not get the Glavine/Maddux matchup, Dodgers are putting Kuo on the mound in game 2.
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
This is troubling news indeed.
3 - Victor Lana
Suss, the Yanks (and their minions) love sticking it to the Mets, so figure they'll be around a while. Still, I'd love to see the Tigers grind their bones to make their bread (just to give Steingrubber nightmares).
4 - Donnie Marler
LaRussa has decided to go with Weaver in the second game!
5 - Matthew T. Sussman
And now Orlando Hernandez is out for Game 1. Victor, I know the name of a good headache medicine.
6 - Chris Beaumont
Well, he won't be confirmed out until re-eval in the AM. The ball will probably go to John Maine.
Welcome to the real bigs Mainey, do us proud!
7 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
You mean you guys think the Twinkies will make it to the top of the Central Division. Nu, if they win the World Series, I'll say "miracles can happen."
8 - Chris Beaumont
Well, dont worry about that, they aren't going to the WS, and if they do, they will lose.
9 - RJ Elliott
For the record, I thought the Yankees would win in 4...but I'm glad they didn't!!! :-)