MLB Playoff Preview
Sal Talercio
Sports Reporter
Yankees vs. Athletics:
This series features pitching. Lots of good pitching The Athletics’ starting trio of Tim Hudson, Barry Zito and Mark Mulder, is a group that could last. Each has at least 15 wins and a low ERA. This trio along with Jermaine Dye propelled the A’s into postseason play. At midseason, the A’s could barely stay above water, and had fallen dozens of games behind the Mariners. But a 57-17 second half record gave them confidence. Yet don’t count out the Yankees so fast. They may not have the firepower of the A’s, but the boys from the Bronx perennially perform above their levels in the playoffs. Mussina, Pettitte and Clemens have so much playoff experience that they should give the A’s plenty of trouble. O’Neill, Justice and Tino should produce in what might be their final postseason as Yankees.
Things to Watch:
Can the Yankees win in the Coliseum?
El Duque (8-1 career postseason)
Will the A’s young starters crack in the playoffs?
Indians vs. Mariners
The Tribe faces a team for the ages, ripe full of talent and confidence. Ichiro is the spark that lights the inferno of Olerud, Bret Boone and Edgar Martinez. Aaron Sele has a curveball that defies the laws of gravity. Freddy Garcia is a quality number one starter, and Jamie Moyer is lights-out to right-handed hitters. This could be a quick series to set up an intriguing ALCS (Yankees vs. Mariners). But the Indians will try not to let that happen. They have many experienced players with playoff experience and will try to do to the M’s what the M’s did to the White Sox last year. Juan Gonzalez had completely revitalized his career in Cleveland. Roberto Alomar and Jim Thome, the AL MVP by my vote, will need to come up big for the Tribe. Look for a great, emotionally draining series.
Things to Watch:
Chuck Finley-Does he have enough left in him for two playoff starts?
Ichiro-Can anything affect him, even a shot at the World Series?
Cardinals vs. Diamondbacks:
The Cards, like the A’s, turned out to be the huge surprises in the second half, picking up ground relentlessly and forcing their way in the playoffs. The Cardinals have Matt Morris starting in Game One. The only problem is pitching at on the road at Bank One Ballpark, a difficulty for him all season. Darryl Kile and Woody Williams have proven reliable and should at least contend with Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, but neither of the two has enjoyed much playoff success to this point. Albert Pujols will get his first taste of true October baseball. Luis Gonzalez will get a chance to redeem a team that lost in miserable fashion to the Mets in 1999. Each of these teams was burned by Mets in the past two seasons but now one will move on to the NLCS.
Things to Watch:
Mark McGwire-Can his shattered confidence be rebuilt?
Arizona bullpen-Can Byung Hyun-Kim and Co. keep up?
Braves vs. Astros
In what might be the most intriguing series of the four, the `Stros square off against their playoff nemesis of the past five years. But these are not the dynamic Braves of the past. This Atlanta got into the playoffs by playing in the worst division in baseball, moving past the Phillies late and almost blowing it to the Mets. John Burkett is not exactly an intimidating force, and Tom Glavine has had troubles this season. Greg Maddux must be superb for the Braves to have any chance of moving on. The Astros feature a stacked lineup of sluggers who all pose a threat, even outside of Enron Field. Roy Oswalt (if his arm doesn’t fall off) and Wade Miller are the Astros’ version of the young Oakland A’s, pitching their way into stardom at an early age. Look for a game five in Houston with home runs flying to Ted Turner’s mansion.
Things to Watch:
Enron affect: Will this Little League field neutralize Maddux?
Turner affect: Will the killer B’s (Bagwell, Berkman, Biggio) be silenced by vast Turner Field?
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