SU likes the new MLB playoff format. Having a 2 out of 3 first round for the Wild Card teams seems fairer than the play-in games of years’ past, and giving the team with the better record home field for all 3 games is interesting. Today there are 4 series playing all on the same day. Sweet.
The Mets – Padres series is very interesting as San Diego can put a great staff out there for all 3 games – just as the Mets can. It makes managing a bit more important and doing the little things. SU says you have to give Buck Showalter the edge there as he has emphasized those things all year. Plus the Mets have the lockdown closer in Diaz to help close out a tight game. SU says this series goes to the Mets.
In the AL, Yankee fans will be checking out the Guardians and Rays. SU has watched enough Yankee games in Tampa over the years, and no matter who is on that team, that is a bad match – up for the Yankees. Too many relievers throwing 95 mph+, and then bad things just happen at Tropicana Field. You have to root for Cleveland even though they are probably a better team.
It’s funny. Writing how the Mets do all of the little things, the Yankees pay no attention to that. Crazy shift – should we hit to the opposite field? Say what? No, it’s important to stick to what got you here: go for the home runs and let’s maintain those .220 batting averages. The Yankees’ bullpen is running on fumes with all of the injuries. They will have to slug their way to win the series and hope a 3-4 run cushion can survive Aroldis Chapman or Loaisiga closing the games. SU thinks the Yankees can beat Cleveland but then will go down – easily – to the Astros.
You have to assume the Dodgers are sizable favorites to win it all but they will have to beat both the Mets (likely) and the Braves to get to the World Series. Not an easy road. Keep an eye on the Mets. But the smart money has the Dodgers beating Houston in the World Series.
The Yankees have worn me down the last few months. Of course, I want them to win it all but can’t be too inspired given the injuries to the relievers, position players and the .200 batting averages. Boone will have to decide between Donaldson, Rizzo and LeMahieu. One of them will have to sit each game.
SU looked up Dave Kingman’s stats the other day. For you youngsters, Kingman was a high home run, huge strikeout type of hitter. Typical season would be .217 with 40 home runs and 100+ rbis. By today’s standards, he would be called a “productive” hitter. That is the problem with baseball today. The words “.200 hitter” and “productive” should not be allowed in the same sentence.
Has the NFL become a mediocre league? Did you watch any of the Denver – Indy game last night? All field goals. What happened to Russell Wilson?
SU read that a new HBO documentary is being released next week on SU fave Jeremy Lin. Called “38 at the Garden.” I will definitely check that out. How the Knicks allowed him to walk after the Linsanity season to appease Melo was just wrong. Lin plays in China now and still wants one last shot in the NBA but he knows that ship has sailed. Truth be told, he can’t stay healthy and he can’t cover the quicker guards (never could). Of course, none of today’s guards can cover either but hey.
OK feel free to put out your World Series predictions. Impress your friends with your brilliance.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
An entire documentary about Linsanity? Actually it could make sense. I really can’t think of anything comparable. He provided more excitement over a couple of weeks than the Knicks have delivered over the past 20 years. Letting him go was sad but, as I remember it, they didn’t have a choice. They didn’t have any way to match his offer (which was ridiculous) under the salary cap.
Seth, from what I read, Lin would have taken less money from Houston to allow the Knicks to match. Of course, the Knicks could have just signed him first before it got to that point. If they really wanted him, they would have cleared cap space to make a deal. I mean, was the roster loaded with such great players? There have been other documentaries on Linsanity I believe. Sounds like he is front and center for this one contributing to it with behind the scenes commentary. I have watched that 38-point game vs. the Lakers and Kobe. Pretty incredible.
FWIW the Mets beat the Dodgers 4 out of 6 games this season.
The Yabkees ate hard to predict on what you will get put of them. Having some of their key players ack is helpful. Maybe going back to Stanton playing in the field will give us more players that can hot the ball. What’s the story with Carpenter? Is he available. If not, then when.
The relief pitchers have plenty of time to rest. I thi k they’ll be fine cone game time . We have 3 solid pitcher’s….not lights out but depending on our offense will keep us quite competitive.
Lots of iffs but hey, the Dodgers have no closer so they have a soft underbelly as well.
THE YANKS NEED TO HIT. 5 RUNS MININUM TO HAVE A GOOD CHANCE
No predictions until the next round… but it appears that these “wild card” teams are going to have some momentum going into the NLDS. Interesting to see both an exciting 10 to 9 game and an exciting 1 to 0 game in the same day. Baseball!