Out of the top four sports in America, Baseball comes third among the rankings. My (Mr. Lissy) rankings, in which ones I pay most attention to and enjoy watching, the list goes:
1. Football 2. Basketball 3. Baseball 4. Hockey 5. Woman Softball (Only the teams with hot players. Very seldom but when I see a couple “lookers” I can’t turn the channel!)
The Yankees play a big part in what I am today; they bring out the “New York” in me. What that means… is up to you. They become the only team I can stand to watch without falling asleep, so of course my favoritism will be- Yankees all the way; Yankees in seven games over the Diamondbacks! A repeat of ten years ago but this time the Yankees hit the walk-off winner in the bottom of the 9th. That’s what I really want but that is not what I predict. What I predict is… the Diamondbacks vs. (not the Yankees) the Rays. Let’s start from the beginning and then I will lead you to the end to where the World Series Victor sits.
New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers:
The base running is a stumble and the batting is mediocre to bring into the Bronx and take out of New York with any win. Base running might not seem like a big deal for this series. The Yankees having the best starting rotation in the tournament (other than the Phillies) base running is a big deal. If you can’t move the runners without smacking the ball into the outfield, runners won’t score from first on a single given up from C.C. or Ivan Nova. If you can’t move the runner into scoring position in crucial moments during the first two games in New York, there will be no way to score runners. Not that it will matter. After C.C. and Nova take care of business to take a 2-0 lead, the runs from the Yankees will to be too far to catch. Even with an almost terrible bullpen besides the “Sandman”, of course, the runs will pile up in the third game to where pitching won’t matter. A sweep in the hands of the Yankees and another trip to the A.L.C.S. brings great joy to the “New York” in me.
Texas Ranger vs. Tampa Bay Rays:
Welcome Tampa, glad to have you aboard. I would have rather enjoyed a “Yanks-Sox” ALCS, but you will do. Thanks to the Yankees, who I believed tried to win the last game of the season, but had the bullpen blow it. Who wants to hear about how the Sox blew it? I do actually, but will do so on my own time. Letting the Rays in on a hot streak is a very, very bad idea. I know the Rangers look good. They have pitching and they have the hitters. The Rays then have pitching and they have hitters. They also have the most important key in coming into the post-season, momentum. Don’t ever mess with momentum. It can take a team past anything; past hitting; past pitching. Yankees should have killed it when they had a chance, letting the Red-Sox into the tournament. Oh well, what ya gonna do? Feel free to sweep the Rangers, Tampa. Because I know you will. Rangers had their chance last year playing the Giants- who the Diamondbacks killed this year. Now on to the N.L…
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
My hometown team vs. the home town team of Brett Favre. Braun who seems to be the favorite for MVP hopefully will keep his pants zipped and show us what he’s really about in the tournament. It’s too bad that he plays the streaking Diamondbacks. This team, made of nothing, is something. Not a player on their roster that you can name beside Justin Upton. Who was the starting pitcher to win 21 games this year for the Arizona Diamondbacks? Exactly my point… but it is those no-name’s taking the swings when it matters most. And it is that 21 game winner who will lead the great rotation and tremendous bullpen to the World Series (sorry to spoil it so soon). It’s just what I see in this team and it’s just something you have to except as a person… sorry.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals:
I know I talked about momentum and how it’s something a team doesn’t want to face going into the post-season. But… it’s the Phillies (Boring)!! Bring on the D-Backs…
Now to the League Championship Series
NLCS- Philadelphia Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks:
Great pitching duels, not this series. The rotations will do what they can but these seven games are going to be something to remember. Every inning will be something to experience. The step before the World Series will thrive in these hitter’s eyes. Every pitch thrown has a chance of going long. You want a defensive struggle? You aren’t getting it. Sorry again. But this will be a way to get the fans into it. Every fan wants a good defense because it supposedly wins championships but in baseball you want to keep your fans awake. The Diamondbacks have a way of getting their fans involved fast. With runs put up quickly in early runs and comebacks in the 9th, this series will be more fascinating than the American League. Diamondbacks take it in a blow-out win in game SEVEN. Believe it or not, I don’t care. Welcome back D-Backs (did it this time without the roids (Gonzo)).
ALCS- New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays:
Should be the “Devil” Rays for Yankees unleashed it in them the series that ended the season before the tournament started. They dug their own grave to hell but they didn’t know. It’s all right, really. It’s still a series worth watching in teams that match up pretty well. Even with the home-field, Yanks can’t handle the steam from the Rays this time. I hate to say it but in 6 games with blown saves for the Sandman, the Rays comeback rallies will be annoyingly sufficient for their second trip to the World Series. Great hitting in all games will definitely play a part to deficit each starting pitcher will land their team in. it’s up the bullpen. So yeah, that would be the Rays. (Farewell till next season Yankees I love you!!)
World Series- Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Tampa Bay Rays:
Will the Diamondbacks get their second? Or will the Rays get their first? Yes to the second question. I would be rooting for the Diamondbacks of course but the Rays way of sneaking into the World Series for a second time won’t disappoint this time. Stats comparison would mark these teams almost even. A very good starting pitcher to open game one and bullpens that don’t give up much let the series take its course. In seven games that will be held to the last pitch, it’s close but hard to not take the Rays this year. A very good story at that for the whole baseball season, that the Rays took most with their chances and now can take the Trophy home for once in franchise history.