MLB Playoff Rankings: Potent bats put Yanks on top
By Mike Dennis, CBC Sports
Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson is always a threat to steal a base but it was his bat that spoke volumes in the regular season as he led the majors in runs scored and was second in home runs. (Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)Every second Friday, CBCSports.ca's Mike Dennis breaks down the balance of power in Major League Baseball.
1. NEW YORK YANKEES[up from 2]Regular-season record : 97-65
Last 10 : 5-5
Being swept in St. Petersburg by Tampa Bay in their final three games of the regular season did little to blunt the offensive juggernaut that the Yankees use to bludgeon opponents into submission. They led MLB in homers, were second in runs and on-base percentage, third in stolen bases and slugging. The Yankees have the league leaders in RBIs in Curtis Granderson and Robbie Cano, the leaders in runs (Granderson) and stolen bases (Brett Gardner, tied with Oakland’s Coco Crisp), and the second and third best home run hitters (Granderson, Mark Teixeira). OK, so their starting pitching isn’t stellar beyond 19-game winner CC Sabathia but they still won 97 games with rookie Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon and the bullpen-bound A. J. Burnett. Never count out the Yankees!
Last 10 : 5-5
Being swept in St. Petersburg by Tampa Bay in their final three games of the regular season did little to blunt the offensive juggernaut that the Yankees use to bludgeon opponents into submission. They led MLB in homers, were second in runs and on-base percentage, third in stolen bases and slugging. The Yankees have the league leaders in RBIs in Curtis Granderson and Robbie Cano, the leaders in runs (Granderson) and stolen bases (Brett Gardner, tied with Oakland’s Coco Crisp), and the second and third best home run hitters (Granderson, Mark Teixeira). OK, so their starting pitching isn’t stellar beyond 19-game winner CC Sabathia but they still won 97 games with rookie Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon and the bullpen-bound A. J. Burnett. Never count out the Yankees!
2. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES [down from 1] Regular-season record : 102-60
Last 10 : 4-6
The 2008 World Series champion Phillies have been comfortably atop the MLB rankings for most of the year and set a franchise record for wins with 102. While they are the odds-on favourites to represent the National League in the World Series, that eight-game losing streak after they clinched the NL East title shows they are vulnerable. Just like last year when they bowed out to the Giants in the NLCS. You can’t beat the starters’ firepower provided by Roy Halladay (19-6), Cliff Lee (17-8), Cole Hamels (14-9) and Roy Oswalt (8-10) with Vance Worley (11-3) operating out of the bullpen. However, their .253 average was bettered by six other NL teams and eight teams outscored them. Left-handed pitchers can stymie the Phils who are led by Ryan Howard’s 33 homers, 116 RBIs and the valuable Hunter Pence.
Last 10 : 4-6
The 2008 World Series champion Phillies have been comfortably atop the MLB rankings for most of the year and set a franchise record for wins with 102. While they are the odds-on favourites to represent the National League in the World Series, that eight-game losing streak after they clinched the NL East title shows they are vulnerable. Just like last year when they bowed out to the Giants in the NLCS. You can’t beat the starters’ firepower provided by Roy Halladay (19-6), Cliff Lee (17-8), Cole Hamels (14-9) and Roy Oswalt (8-10) with Vance Worley (11-3) operating out of the bullpen. However, their .253 average was bettered by six other NL teams and eight teams outscored them. Left-handed pitchers can stymie the Phils who are led by Ryan Howard’s 33 homers, 116 RBIs and the valuable Hunter Pence.
3. MILWAUKEE BREWERS[up from 5Regular-season record : 96-66
Last 10 : 7-3
Well-balanced Brewers set a franchise record for wins under rookie manager Ron Roenicke. Their 96 victories were the most since 1982 when they last went to the World Series as an AL franchise. The Brew Crew was second in the NL in homers, third in average and had two top most valuable player candidates in Ryan Braun (.335, 33, 111) and Prince Fielder (.299, 39, 120). Yovani Gallardo got the call to open the playoffs thanks to his 17-10 record, ahead of off-season acquisitions Zack Greinke (16-6) and Shaun Marcum (13-7).
Last 10 : 7-3
Well-balanced Brewers set a franchise record for wins under rookie manager Ron Roenicke. Their 96 victories were the most since 1982 when they last went to the World Series as an AL franchise. The Brew Crew was second in the NL in homers, third in average and had two top most valuable player candidates in Ryan Braun (.335, 33, 111) and Prince Fielder (.299, 39, 120). Yovani Gallardo got the call to open the playoffs thanks to his 17-10 record, ahead of off-season acquisitions Zack Greinke (16-6) and Shaun Marcum (13-7).
4. TEXAS RANGERS[up from 8]Regular-season record : 96-66
Last 10 : 9-1
Won final half-dozen games including sweep in Los Angeles to avoid Yankees in first round and begin playoffs at home. That brought them to a franchise record 96 wins, just like Milwaukee, one more than their 1999 team. Michael Young tied for second in the batting race (at .338 with Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez) behind Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera. Adrian Beltre hit 12 home runs in a 15-game stretch in September while Ian Kinsler was a 30-30 guy for a second time in homers and stolen bases. The Rangers’ rotation had between 13 and 16 wins each with Alexi Ogando (13-8) headed to a deep bullpen, while C.J. Wilson (16-7 with a 2.94 ERA) drew the Game 1 start against Tampa Bay.
5. DETROIT TIGERS[down from 3]Regular-season record : 95-67
Last 10 : 7-3
We won’t know until after the playoffs if Justin Verlander will add the most valuable player award to the Cy Young award that’s certain to come his way after leading baseball in wins (24), innings (251) and strikeouts (250) but he’s certainly winning over a number of voters. Verlander, who no-hit the Blue Jays May 7 in Toronto, figures to make two ALDS starts, if necessary. Doug Fister, a July pick-up from Seattle, was merely 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA once he joined the Tigers. AL batting champ Cabrera (.344 average, with 30 homers, 105 RBI) has ample support from Victor Martinez (.330, 12, 103), catcher Alex Avila (.295, 19, 82) and the underrated Jhonny Peralta (.299, 21, 86). Only one problem for the Tigers. They face the Yankees.
Last 10 : 7-3
We won’t know until after the playoffs if Justin Verlander will add the most valuable player award to the Cy Young award that’s certain to come his way after leading baseball in wins (24), innings (251) and strikeouts (250) but he’s certainly winning over a number of voters. Verlander, who no-hit the Blue Jays May 7 in Toronto, figures to make two ALDS starts, if necessary. Doug Fister, a July pick-up from Seattle, was merely 8-1 with a 1.79 ERA once he joined the Tigers. AL batting champ Cabrera (.344 average, with 30 homers, 105 RBI) has ample support from Victor Martinez (.330, 12, 103), catcher Alex Avila (.295, 19, 82) and the underrated Jhonny Peralta (.299, 21, 86). Only one problem for the Tigers. They face the Yankees.
6. TAMPA BAY RAYS[no change]Regular-season record : 91-71
Last 10 : 6-4
A team described as hungry and tough has made the playoffs for the third time in four years, teeing up a probable manager of the year award for Joltin’ Joe Maddon. The Pennsylvania native who has popularized theme travel attire from pajamas to hockey jerseys to letter sweaters gets the most out of his team through positive reinforcement without resorting to over-the-top spin that sends the needle soaring on the baloney metre. Evan Longoria hit .244 but his 31 homers, 99 RBIs always came when the team needed it most. Big Game, now Complete Game James Shields, baseball’s leader with 11, paced the team in wins with 16. Rookie Matt Moore dazzled in his first major league start, much like David Price did as a reliever in the 2008 playoffs. The team’s individual stats aren’t great but they know how to win and aren’t afraid to do so.
Last 10 : 6-4
A team described as hungry and tough has made the playoffs for the third time in four years, teeing up a probable manager of the year award for Joltin’ Joe Maddon. The Pennsylvania native who has popularized theme travel attire from pajamas to hockey jerseys to letter sweaters gets the most out of his team through positive reinforcement without resorting to over-the-top spin that sends the needle soaring on the baloney metre. Evan Longoria hit .244 but his 31 homers, 99 RBIs always came when the team needed it most. Big Game, now Complete Game James Shields, baseball’s leader with 11, paced the team in wins with 16. Rookie Matt Moore dazzled in his first major league start, much like David Price did as a reliever in the 2008 playoffs. The team’s individual stats aren’t great but they know how to win and aren’t afraid to do so.
7. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS[down from 4]Regular-season record : 94-68
Last 10: 7-3
At the start of this season 26-year-old Ian Kennedy had a career record of 10-14. This year he was 21-4 with a 2.88 ERA, a combination only challenged by the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw. No wonder manager Kirk Gibson is favoured for NL manager of the year after the Diamondbacks clinched the NL West by eight games over the defending World Series champion Giants. Oh, and last year Arizona was last in the NL West, with a 65-97 record. The old last to first trick. A couple of 24-year-olds, Justin Upton (.289, 31, 88 with 21 stolen bases) and Daniel Hudson, (16-11, 3.43) who won seven of eight decisions last year after being traded by the Chicago White Sox to Arizona led the charge.
Last 10: 7-3
At the start of this season 26-year-old Ian Kennedy had a career record of 10-14. This year he was 21-4 with a 2.88 ERA, a combination only challenged by the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw. No wonder manager Kirk Gibson is favoured for NL manager of the year after the Diamondbacks clinched the NL West by eight games over the defending World Series champion Giants. Oh, and last year Arizona was last in the NL West, with a 65-97 record. The old last to first trick. A couple of 24-year-olds, Justin Upton (.289, 31, 88 with 21 stolen bases) and Daniel Hudson, (16-11, 3.43) who won seven of eight decisions last year after being traded by the Chicago White Sox to Arizona led the charge.
8. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS[up from 11]Regular-season record : 90-72
Last 10 : 7-3
Remember, 2006 may be the cry of Tony La Russa’s Cardinals who slipped into the playoffs on the final day at the expense of the Atlanta Braves. Five years ago, the Cardinals had the worst record of any playoff team, 83-78, but went on to the World Series title (their 10th) over the Detroit Tigers. The current Cardinals are excellent hitters, scoring the most runs and leading the NL in batting average, thanks to the likes of Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman, Matt Holliday (battling a finger tendon injury) and catcher Yadier Molina. Former Jays’ stalwart Chris Carpenter (11-9, 3.45 ERA) had to pitch game 162 to assure the Cardinals’ season would continue.
Last 10 : 7-3
Remember, 2006 may be the cry of Tony La Russa’s Cardinals who slipped into the playoffs on the final day at the expense of the Atlanta Braves. Five years ago, the Cardinals had the worst record of any playoff team, 83-78, but went on to the World Series title (their 10th) over the Detroit Tigers. The current Cardinals are excellent hitters, scoring the most runs and leading the NL in batting average, thanks to the likes of Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman, Matt Holliday (battling a finger tendon injury) and catcher Yadier Molina. Former Jays’ stalwart Chris Carpenter (11-9, 3.45 ERA) had to pitch game 162 to assure the Cardinals’ season would continue.
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