10-12-12 ALDS & NLDS
Oct 12, 2012 Baseball
Posted by
Dick Ourada
These games can’t get any better!
The Cincinnati Reds lose three in a row at home to give away their playoff dreams to the San Francisco Giants. The Reds ran into pitching trouble early on in this series when Cueto went down in game one. San Francisco goes onto play the winner of tonight’s game against either the Cardinals or Nationals. Buster Posey was spectacular in this series throwing people out and getting the big hits. Look for Buster to continue his big game playing against St. Louis when the Cardinals win tonight.
Where oh where has Strasburg gone? After yesterday’s walk off homer by Jason Werth, the Nationals find themselves feeling good going into game #5 tonight against the visiting Cardinals. Gio Gonzalez is going to have to have a better game than his last outing for Washington to get past the strong pitching of Adam Wainwright. Look for St. Louis to come out swinging early and often to jump on Gonzalez and get into the Nationals pen. If you can rattle Gio early before he settles down there is a good chance your going to wind up on the winning end. I like St. Louis tonight in the late game on TBS/TNT.
David couldn’t beat Goliath in last night’s debate, or in the Tiger – Athletics game. Justin Verlander was himself last night for Detroit, which is the best pitcher in the game of baseball. Oakland hitters had no chance at all against last year’s Cy Young and MVP winner. He struck out 11 and allowed 4 hits in a complete game shutout, closing the chapter on one of baseball’s feel good stories this year. Oakland made to many mistakes early on, and just couldn’t recover. I like the Tigers chances against New York or Baltimore in the ALCS.
This Baltimore – New York series reminds me of the 1970’s. Its almost like I can see Eddie Murray and Catfish Hunter squaring off against one another. The games have been dramatic and very close. Last night was no different as Baltimore won in the 13th inning in front of a packed house at Yankee Stadium. Today’s game #5 is the Orioles biggest game since Cal Ripken was playing shortstop and Jim Palmer was selling underpants. Can the Orioles beat lefty C.C. Sabathia though? Its going to be as tough as it was for Oakland last night. They are going to have to play mistake free ball, and get some clutch hits, but also Oriole pitcher Jason Hammel is going to have to pitch the game of his life against this all-star high pay rolled Yankee team. I’d like to see the O’s win it, and for some strange reason, I think they can pull off the impossible. If not we have the two highest priced teams going head to head in the ALCS beginning tomorrow.
Enjoy your game fives people!
