MLB Playoffs: Five Storylines To Follow
October is upon us once again. It is one thing that is almost as certain as death and taxes, yet at the same time, can never be scripted as FOX claims. The plot is about ready to thicken as September ends and October commences.
There is something about the aura of October that always keeps us guessing, its essence is so subtle and can never be fully explained. The things that have happened in past Octobers are still mysteries that will remain unsolved.
Don't expect this postseason to be any different. There will once again be eight teams, this much we know, the rest will be up to them and how everything plays out. A certain NL representative has its sights set on a 3rd consecutive World Series appearance and a 2nd title. While on the other side, four ultra-competitive AL squads looking to outdo one another inn hopes of claiming the ultimate prize.
5. Will Pitching Continue to Dominate?
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It's no secret that 2010 will be forever remembered as "The Year of the Pitcher." With the Steroid Era over, the age of pitching has finally returned, this is ultimately much better for the game of baseball. For the first time in the Modern Era, there were two perfect games in a single season, not to mention there were also three other games that were no-hitters.
Pitching and defense win championships, as the old adage goes. Inflation in pitching statistics, albeit deflating offensive numbers was something that Major League Baseball never saw coming, yet they were able to turn it into a positive as this was a banner year for the pitcher.
With so many dominant pitchers in today's game, one may wonder if it will translate to the post-season? The likes of Roy Halladay, C.C. Sabathia and Tim Lincecum help headline this postseason; all looking to give their team a World Series.
If this trend continues into October, it will favor teams like Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and San Francisco yhat boast top pitching staffs. It is not that far-fetched to say that pitchers will win series MVPs in this playoffs as seen in the past. Dominance on the mound may continue as hitting could be hard to come by in some cold-weather locations.
4. BRRRRRRRRRRRRR.......COLD!
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This postseason will present the truest definition of the term home-field advantage. The Phillies own it throughout the duration of the playoffs and will use it to their "advantage." With such an interesting balance of climates represented in this year's playoffs, things will play out accordingly.
Warm weather teams like San Francisco, Atlanta and Tampa Bay may struggle in places like Philadelphia, New York and Minnesota. The team that is able to harness the elements and in some cases, use it to their distinct advantage will be able to play fall ball effectively.
Now with Minnesota shifting its home outdoors, the postseason just got about 20 degrees colder on average. No one wants to go there come late-October, early-November.
3. Newcomers Are Welcome
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There are a slew of new teams that will be competing in this year's playoffs. The Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves all have not been this far in quite some time. The playoff scene has changed since the days when Atlanta ruled it in the '90s. Its rival Philadelphia is now a major player and has a shot at representing the NL for a third consecutive season.
The Reds get a tough draw considering that they are new to the field. They get the unfortunate task of attempting to unseat the Philadelphia Phillies, a team looking for a second title in three years. Their MVP candidate Joey Votto will not be able to carry them by himself. Others will need to step up and be the collective molecule to figure out Philly's new H20.
The Braves' arms will try to oust the Giants' arms in what should be a very defensive-minded series that may be decided by clutch hitting.
Texas will try to cool down the Rays as they will be broken in by the former AL Champions. This will be a very explosive series with much offensive firepower to go around.
All of the newcomers will get their fill this postseason, each drawing a tough opponent. For these inexperienced squads, it can serve as a chance to be recognized in the playoff season.
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2. Yanked Down?
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The Yankees face the toughest draw of any playoff team. Their first-round series starts out on the road in Minnesota. This does not bode well for the Yankees, even though they have owned the Twins in past postseasons. All eyes will be on this matchup with a bulk of the storylines coming out of this series.
Joe Mauer helps the Twins boast a complete lineup from top to bottom and will pose trouble for a New York pitching staff that has struggled mightily this season. The Twins should be able to dethrone the defending champs early which will leave the door open for a new champion.
Facing the Twins will finally catch up with the Yankees, who will collapse under the pressure of title defense and fall in a great first-round series. These Twins have a pitching rotation that can throw by hitters consistently and give them quality innings.
The Yankees are looking to again take out Minnesota. They boast the top batting lineup in the sport but this alone will not be enough to nudge them past Minnesota. Their pitching rotation has taken a pounding all season long and this will cost them early on in the short series.
The Evil Empire will fall this time around.
1. Dynasty?
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The Philadelphia Phillies have suddenly turned into a dynasty. Yes, the same Philadelphia Phillies that have lost over 10,000 games throughout their history. They come into this year's playoffs in a familiar spot:atop the National League.
This year is different in Philadelphia though. The last two seasons saw the Phillies' success come through offense, not they are known for their pitching and their new H2O rotation. Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt have the hopes of an entire area on their shoulders for the next month and it is up to them to deliver.
While their high-octane offense has been a staple in the organization through their trek to the top, the pitching takes over now in an effort to have another Broad St. parade.
Will their reign become anointed into a true dynasty after this season is over? Ay, two out of three ain't bad.
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