LCS Preview (Never Bet Against the Ex-Cub Factor)
I know that technically the ex-Cub factor is three or more Cubs on your post-season roster, but it's better not to tempt fate. Each division series winner had less ex-Cubs than the team they beat, at least on their pre-playoff rosters. It's going to make the Mets vs. Cardinals series very interesting. Also my Rule #1 of picking a team with a good run over the last few months has been completely blown up over the last two years. White Sox won it all last year despite almost coughing up the division to the Indians, Tigers looked unbeatable after dismantling the almighty Yankees and the Cardinals beat up on the formally hot Padres. It's all luck in the playoffs baby (and pitching). Onto the brief and useless preview and predictions:
ALCS: Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland Athletics
It's like 1972 all over again, as these two franchises meet in the ALCS once again. Bert Campaneris won't be around to throw a bat at anyone who throws a him, but I hear Marco Scutaro can be pretty feisty. These are two complete teams in my opinion and it's going to be a helluva series. The ex-Cub factor is marginal here, the Tigers have Neifi!, while Beane proves his smarts once again by going sans ex-Cubs. I just have my doubts on Verlander pitching another gem, he looked like toast at the end of the season and visions of Carlos Zambrano's 2003 playoffs dance around in my head. Plus I picked the A's to win it all, so might as well stick with my pick.
A's in 7
NLCS: St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets
It's 2000 all over again and Tony Larussa keeps on chugging along. The Mets will be heavy favorites after trouncing the Dodgers and that offense looked good and they got some pitching in the Division Series which was a bit of a surprise.
But man that ex-Cub factor is staring me in the face and it's best not to tempt the Gods.
Cards in 7
So I put an informal playoff contest up in the last preview and some of you put up your guesses. I'll give you guys a chance to change your picks, but first let's see how we're doing.
The Scoring system we used was: 1 point for the division series, 3 points for the LCS, 7 points for the World Series winner. A 3 point bonus if you guess the games correctly but you only get those points if you guess the correct team to win that series as well.
Syrith - 6
Mordecai Brown -6
MannyTrillo - 3
Carlos - 2
DC Tom - 2
Rob G. - 2
Adam Block - 0
Sweet Lou - 0
Syrith and Mordecai Brown got 3 series right and nailed the Cards in 4 for the bonus points. I'll give the winner a free post on the site (baseball related, preferably Cub related). But you're not out of it yet. If you'd like to change your original picks, go ahead, but there's a penalty. Instead of the 3 pts for the LCS correct guess, we knock it down to two and we'll knock down the World Series Winner to 5 pts. I'll keep the bonus points the same. So put in your new guesses if you wish and those who didn't participate can give it a try, although the odds are against you. Also, if you did put in your prediction during the Division Series, but you want to keep the same team but change the games, you can do that. But you'll only get the diminished points for the LCS guess if you get it right. For example, I originally picked A's over Twinkies and then A's in 6 over Yanks and then A's over Padres in 7. I'm going to change my picks now to A's over Tigers in 7 and A's over Cards in 4. I'll lose out on the opportunity to get the 3 points for the LCS win and 7 pts for the World Series win had I kept the games the same.
Confused? Me too, just put in your guesses, realize there's a risk in changing your original picks and I'll figure out the rest. Here's a nice template for you to cut and paste if you wish:
A's over Tigers in 7
Cards over Mets in 7
WS:
A's over Cards in 4
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