MLB LCS Preview!

The League Division Series produced some great games, and for the first time ever, it had 19 out of a possible 20 games played, with the only series not going the distance being the Tampa Bay/Texas series. Now that the hometown Phillies are out of it, and the fact that the biggest three name teams in baseball are out of it now, expect for lower ratings. However, if these series are exciting as the Division Series, then there will still be folks talking about this great game. Now, on to the previews!

ALCS

Detroit vs. Texas, Game 1 Saturday, 8:05. Game 2, Sunday 7:45, Game 3, Tuesday 8:05, Games 4&5 Wednesday and Thursday at 4:19, Game 6 Saturday 8:05, Game 7 Sunday October 16 8:05.
Games 1,2,6,7 in Texas, Games 3,4,5 in Detroit. All games on FOX

This series is looking very good on paper, as both teams have good starting pitching, very good bullpens, and pretty good offenses. Both teams also have fairly good defenses. Both teams have done very well in the second half of the season.  Detroit has done amazingly well in the second half of the season, pulling away from the pack in the Central division starting July 10, when they went 46-24 down the stretch when nobody else could catch them. Texas pulled away from the Angels starting August 27, when they had their slimmest lead of two, to go an amazing 31-7 in late August/early September. So, both teams are coming in incredibly hot, and the Rangers have a few days extra rest due to them eliminating the Rays on Tuesday and the Tigers only clinching on Thursday.
  The key to the series will be which team gets more breaks. Detroit has a slightly better four man rotation than the Rangers do. However, I think the Rangers starting pitching is more consistent than the Tigers. As Detroit has a very good one two punch in Justin Verlander and Doug Fister, with the rest of the rotation dipping off slightly more with Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer. The Rangers have better overall depth with C.J. Wilson, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland and Colby Lewis. Plus, the Rangers overall lineup I believe is better than Detroit, as they have power 1-9, and some speed sprinkled in as well. Detroit meanwhile only really has the middle of the order to really concern the Rangers. So, I think the Rangers go back-to-back with American League pennants for the first time in franchise history.

Pick: Texas 4, Detroit 2, with Detroit's two victories coming from the arm of Justin Verlander.

NLCS

Milwaukee vs. St. Louis. Series schedule: Games 1 Sunday, 4:05, Game 2 Monday 8:05, Games 3,4,5 Wednesday, Thursday, Friday all at 8:05, Game 6 Sunday 4:05, Game 7 Monday October 17 8:05. If ALCS goes six or less, Game 6 will move to 8:05. Games 1,2,6,7 in Milwaukee. Games 3,4,5 in St. Louis. All games will air on TBS.

This is a classic division rivalry that has bad blood throughout the season. An example is from a game in August when the Brewers threw behind Albert Pujols and the Cardinals answered by hitting Ryan Braun. So, simply, these two teams despise each other on the field. Do not be surprised if you see both teams clear their benches one of these games. Both teams are coming off very hard fought victories in their respective LDS. Both teams are incredibly hot, although the Cardinals more so, as they came back from a 10.5 game deficit to catch the Atlanta Braves and win the Wild Card on the last day of the season. Milwaukee has the best home record in all of baseball this season at 60-24 including the postseason. So, I think this series will go the distance, as it's a divisional rivalry, with the Cardinals with their never say die attitude coming away with at least one victory in Milwaukee.

Pick: St. Louis 4, Milwaukee 3