'Little' Pedey, not 'Big' Papi, will carry the Red Sox
Where did summer go? If you live in the northeast, Labor Day marks its end. September brings cooler temperatures, pennant drives, and the NFL. Autumn – plus the collision of MLB playoffs and the NFL – is my favorite time of the year.
Pennant fever has hit a few cities, but don’t count Tampa Bay as one of them. If the Rays can’t put fannies in the seats after the storybook season they’ve had, I wonder if the area is a MLB city. The ballpark (if you dare call it that) could be part of the problem, but they couldn’t even sell-out the recent Yankees series during a pennant drive. God knows what will happen to their fan base when the Red Sox cruise by them in September for the AL East title. However, they should still make the playoffs as the Wild Card team – and what an embarrassment for MLB if the catwalks come into play in a game 5 or 7.
Southern California is abuzz with thoughts of a Freeway World Series. The Angles have made a joke out of the AL West, and Manny has brought live back to Dodgers’ blue. My brain tells me Arizona will win the west, but my gut tells me not to bet against ‘Manny being Manny’ down the stretch.
Chicago also looks like the city has two playoff entries forthcoming. The Cubs are a gimmie, but the ChiSox have a struggle on their hands with Minnesota. Unfortunately for the Twins, the RNC took over their Twin Cities – and the schedule makers could have put a nail in their coffin with all the year-end road games. If Tampa Bay totally collapses in September, the only prayer is a Wild Card, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
The Brewers could be the best team in the National League, but I doubt they’ll catch the Cubs. However, as the Wild Card team, they will be Cub fans worst nightmare come playoff time. Cue the Billy Goat!
In the Big Apple, pennant fever just isn’t the same without the Yankees. The New York tabloid back pages will soon be all Mets … a scary thought for the team from Queens. The pressure of the 2007 choke could play a factor in their NL East race with the Phillies. Santana to the rescue.
Here’s a look at my winners and who should be playing baseball in October.
American League
East: Red Sox: ‘Little’ Pedey, not ‘big’ Papi, will carry them. Plus pitching.
Central: White Sox: Twins will loose, hence, ChiSox win.
West: Angels: Too much of everything for a weak west.
WC: Rays: They get in only to have a dream season quickly come to an end.
National League
East: Mets: With a hope and a prayer…and Santana.
Central: Cubs: Oh…the pain the Brewers will eventually inflict.
West: Dodgers: Manny being Manny is enough to get in.
WC: Brewers: As long as CC doesn’t collapse from overuse.
AL Champs: Red Sox: Too much depth, but Beckett needs to be Beckett.
NL Champs: Brewers: Power and a healthy Sabathia and Sheets make them dangerous.
WS Champs: Red Sox: Beckett, Lester and Dice-K should make it back-to-back.
A good friend once told me, it’s all about pitching, pitching, and pitching.
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You’re right about the Brewers. They could win it all…
Comment by baseballGuy — September 5, 2008 @ 9:11 am
Please…. not Billy Goat talk!
Comment by Cubs4ever — September 5, 2008 @ 9:12 am
Would love to see Dodgers vs Red Sox - and watch Manny do them in!
Comment by Delmartian — September 5, 2008 @ 9:13 am
Trust me, this is the Cubs year. Okay, this could be the Cubs year. Alright, maybe the Cubs will win.
Comment by RushNdivision — September 5, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Cubs and Red Sox..no losing team
Comment by Bostonian — September 5, 2008 @ 9:24 am
Forget the Brewers and Cubs, the Mets are the team to beat in the NL! 1986 revisited!
Comment by mrMet — September 5, 2008 @ 11:57 am
You can’t put the Cubs and Red Sox in the same sentence anymore. Two World Championships in 4-years changes that….
Comment by Manny — September 5, 2008 @ 11:58 am
I hate the Dodgers! C’mon Angels!
Comment by SoCaGirl — September 5, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
You mean the California, Anaheim, Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim?
Maybe they should be the Los Angeles Orange County Angels of Anaheim! And maybe add San Diego’s North County to the mix while they’re at it!
Comment by SDsportsnut — September 5, 2008 @ 12:27 pm
Mets? They’re the biggest chokers in baseball. Dodgers are hanging in there - and should overtake AZ, but Manny can’t do it by himself.
Comment by Dblue — September 5, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
Manny’s an embarrassment to the league - should be expelled.
Cubs NEED to win this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May not get another chance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If not, Red Sox can take it. Only other team I like.
Comment by Alessandra — September 5, 2008 @ 11:23 pm
You’re predictions are looking pretty good. My Rays are showing their lack of experience down the stretch, but don’t count them out in the playoffs. As you say, it’s all about pitching - and they have it.
Comment by SanCap — September 9, 2008 @ 6:13 am
Go Rays!
Comment by SanCap — September 11, 2008 @ 8:38 am
A big series begins tonight in the great Tampa Bay area. And we will sell-out this series!
Comment by TBsportsFan — September 15, 2008 @ 10:15 am
Hey TBsportsFan…. sure, it will be sold out. But 70% will be Red Sox fans! Get a real stadium!
Comment by SoxTalker — September 15, 2008 @ 10:18 am
Hey TBsportsFan…. plenty of empty seats at the Trop! Nice baseball fans!
Comment by SoxTalker — September 15, 2008 @ 6:14 pm
Hey … how about those Rays!
Comment by TBsportsFan — September 16, 2008 @ 9:21 pm
Do you think the Rays will sell-out in the playoffs? Pretty sad!
Comment by baseballGuy — September 17, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
The Rays only hope of selling out is if the visiting team brings 20,000 fans with them to St. Pete!
Comment by SoxTalker — September 17, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
Will the Mets choke AGAIN?
Comment by baseballGuy — September 18, 2008 @ 6:07 am
We’re in!
Comment by TBsportsFan — September 21, 2008 @ 7:16 am
How ’bout those Mets! If they choke again this year, they should move their new stadium to Buffalo!
Comment by SDsportsnut — September 22, 2008 @ 1:47 pm