Nelson Cruz has developed into Mr. Clutch in the postseason. Three years ago, the Rangers put Cruz on waivers, but every other Major League club passed on him. Now he’s inflicting major damage on any club standing in the Rangers way of a World Series title.
N.Y. Times
]]> http://blak4rest.com/2011/10/late-bloomer/feed/ 0 http://blak4rest.com/2011/09/hes-picking-favorites/ http://blak4rest.com/2011/09/hes-picking-favorites/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:27:39 +0000 Jim Gazzolo http://blak4rest.com/?p=22775

The wild card race provided a memorable finish to the regular season that has baseball fans begging for more. Now the postseason begins, where there should be more drama.
Pitching, pitching and more pitching again will dictate the outcome. With that in mind, here are our picks for the postseason.

American League
Tigers vs. Yankees
Two words: Justin Verlander.
Can the Tigers win a game without him is the question. If so, upsetting the Yankees will be easy.
But this is where the Yankees are at their very best. The same thing was said about Cliff Lee 2 years ago, and the Yanks were able to beat him when it counted.
Now comes the true test, the best hitting team in baseball against the best pitcher. While good hitting usually beats good pitching, the Yanks are the best at working counts.
Pick: Yankees in 4.

Rays vs. Rangers
The hottest team in the A.L. and with pitching to boot, Tampa Bay seems to have it all. But is it too much to ask of them to stay emotionally high? The best momentum is good pitching and the Rays have that. Those arms should carry the day.
Pick: Rays in 4.

National League
Cardinals vs. Phillies
Stay with the pitching theme and the Phillies have the arms to run a way with this series. They will throw 3 big-name hurlers at the Cardinals, who are just happy to be in the postseason. The Phillies also have more offense.
Pick: Phillies in 3.

Diamondbacks vs. Brewers
Two surprise teams find themselves in a surprising place. Milwaukee has the hitters to make a mess of any rotation, but Arizona has a special thing going right now that makes them a fun team to watch. The Brewers, though, have been here before and they should hold up.
Pick: Brewers in 5.

ALCS
Rays vs. Yankees
Another battle of the East with the Yankees doing just enough to win behind the hitting of the middle of their lineup and Mariano Rivera. They just have to get the game to the man. Tampa’s great season comes to a close in the Bronx.
Pick: Yankees in 6.

NLCS
Brewers vs. Phillies
Milwaukee might be able to put a scare into Philadelphia, but that is about it. When you can go 4 stars deep on the mound then things are pretty good. Cole Hammels, the star of the Phillies title run three years ago is the 4th starter now. That’s depth.
Pick: Phillies in 5.

World Series
Yankees vs. Phillies
Two years ago, the New York offense beat up the Phillies, who went cold in the biggest of games and could not defend their title. This time things look different. Philadelphia has it all going, power from the left side suited for Yankee Stadium, the home field and the rotation. The Phils are ready to avenge last year’s playoff debacle and the loss to the Yanks the year before. They should get it done.
Pick: Phillies in 6.

]]> http://blak4rest.com/2011/09/hes-picking-favorites/feed/ 0 http://blak4rest.com/2011/04/welcome-matt-ends-blues/ http://blak4rest.com/2011/04/welcome-matt-ends-blues/#comments Mon, 18 Apr 2011 08:57:02 +0000 Forrest Lee http://blak4rest.com/?p=19025
Wonder did the Genius consider pitching around the hottest hitter in baseball? Didn’t think so.
Dodgers 2, Cardinals 1: Matt Kemp is Mr. Walk-off, allowing the Dodgers to end a 5-game losing streak. They get the Braves next.
]]> http://blak4rest.com/2011/04/welcome-matt-ends-blues/feed/ 0 http://blak4rest.com/2010/09/cards-stick-a-fork-in-them/ http://blak4rest.com/2010/09/cards-stick-a-fork-in-them/#comments Thu, 16 Sep 2010 07:10:14 +0000 Forrest Lee http://blak4rest.com/?p=13417
We were singing this sad tune weeks ago. Nothing to see here people, move on. Painful when the punk-ass Cubs put you on life support. And that’s being kind. We officially read the Cardinals their rites tonight thought. Thanks for coming Tony. Good luck in Chicago. Can you co-exist with Kenny Williams?
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
]]> http://blak4rest.com/2010/09/cards-stick-a-fork-in-them/feed/ 0 http://blak4rest.com/2010/01/holliday-spirit-continues-in-st-louis/ http://blak4rest.com/2010/01/holliday-spirit-continues-in-st-louis/#comments Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:02:52 +0000 Forrest Lee http://blak4rest.com/?p=4452
This should help ease the embarrassment of that catch he muffed against the Dodgers.
Even with Scott Boras as his agent, it was pretty much a forgone conclusion that Matt Holliday wasn’t going anywhere. The outfielder and the Cards agreed on a $120-million deal today that will keep the slugger in St. Louis, where he was traded last season. With the deal done, the Cards can focus more big coin on their franchise player, Albert Pujols.
Yahoo Sports
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