’Pen Pal
Right away I want to say that I'm amazed at Barry Bonds' feat of 73 home runs in a season. Going with the
Cardinals, M's,
Braves, YankeesIn my article on April 23, I picked nine records that will never be broken. I came real close to picking Mark McGwire's 70 home runs as one of those. I'm glad I didn't.
But now it's playoff time, the 'second' season of Major League Baseball. The American League playoff teams have been set for over a week but the National League was just decided over the weekend. These Pal's Picks are for the Division Series, with the Championship Series and the World Series to follow next week.
Before beginning, you must know by now that I'm a lifelong Yankee and Giant fan. I could never be any good in Las Vegas, because I tend to pick teams (and numbers in the city of Lost Wages) I like, and not necessarily the better team. But today, believe it or not, I'm giving it my best shot. I'll really try to pick with my head and not my heart.
Let's visit the National League teams. The first series, called the Division Series, takes the best-of-five games to win. The games run from Oct. 9 through Oct. 15, if a fourth or fifth game is necessary. The matchups: Atlanta vs. Houston and St. Louis vs. Arizona.
>> Atlanta/Houston: Atlanta has won 10 division championships in a row, something that has never happened in any major sport. They really didn't dominate like they usually do, but they have Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine with John Smoltz as a closer. The Astros haven't been playing well recently, and their No. 1 pitcher Roy Oswalt (14-3) is out. Even though they do have a potent offensive lineup, I don't think they'll do it. The pick: Atlanta in 4 games.Oakland has MVP candidate Jason Giambi, who can do it all offensively, and their young pitching staff will be solid for years to come. The Yankees are the Yankees and they have two of the best pitchers in recent memory in Roger Clemens and Mike Mussina. Plus, they have experience. They've been there before. The pick: Yanks in 5.>> St. Louis/Arizona: Arizona looks tough with their two studs, Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, on the hill in a short series, and they have a possible MVP candidate in Luis Gonzalez. On the other hand, the Cardinals have been one of the top teams in the big leagues since the All-Star break, and they're playing very well right now. Woody Williams is 7-1 since coming over from the Padres, and potential MVP and Rookie of the Year Albert Pujols could continue his hot streak and can carry his team in a short series. My upset pick: St. Louis in 5.
Now the American League.
>> Cleveland/Seattle. The Indians can bang the ball, but the Mariners, holders of the most wins in the AL of all time with 116, are too balanced and are playing well. Plus, they have Ichiro. The pick: Seattle in 4.
>> New York/Oakland. This one scares me because Oakland is nails and they're the best team since the All-Star break.
The winners of the Division Series will meet in the League Championship Series (the NLCS and ALCS) from Oct. 16 to Oct. 25 (if necessary), and those winners will challenge for the opportunity to be the best in the United States in our World Series -- from Oct. 27 through Nov. 4.
Next week: the League Championship Series.
Pal Eldredge is a baseball commentator for KFVE
and former varsity baseball coach at Punahou School.
His column runs Mondays during the Major League Baseball season.
Star-Bulletin sports can be reached at 529-4785 or: sports@starbulletin.com