With the exception of Lance Berkman, who collected first blood on a two-run single in the bottom of the fourth, the Cardinals’ power hitters were largely absent as well. A hitless Pujols was credited with a run after reaching on a walk while Matt Holliday and David Freese provided one hit and one run each. With the temperature around 50 at game time and falling steadily during the night, the usually free-swinging Cardinals lineup couldn’t seem to get any air under the ball.

Unsurprisingly, Texas manager Ron Washington and St. Louis skipper Tony LaRussa started their aces for Game 1. Both Chris Carpenter for the Cardinals and CJ Wilson for the Rangers produced quality starts, going six deep and allowing a relative handful of hits between them. Some controversy had swirled before the first pitch about the severity of a shoulder strain Wilson sustained during the ALCS, something Washington strove mightily to downplay in press conferences, and his stint inside a cryotherapy chamber before the game provided fodder for those who suspected he might be hurt.

But Wilson’s performance was adequate, certainly better than his recent postseason starts. He might have earned a no-decision in this game were it not for a fateful, barely-fair single that turned the game on its head.

Wilson intentionally walked Nick Punto, the last batter he faced in Game 1, knowing that the next man up–either pitcher Carpenter or a pinch-hitter–would be facing lights-out reliever Alexi Ogando. Noting this, LaRussa quickly pulled Carpenter for pinch-hitter Allen Craig, a relative unknown without much of a major-league pedigree.

For a moment it seemed like a fruitless move: Craig quickly found himself in an 0-2 hole after two futile waves at Ogando’s fearsome stuff. But he caught the third pitch with just enough force to slice it down the first-base line in front of a sliding Nelson Cruz, who had clearly misjudged the ball’s trajectory. A frustrated Cruz could not recover in time to beat Freese to the plate, giving the Cardinals a one-run edge that would be the final difference in the game.

The air may have been cool and the bats quiet, but Game 1 of the 2011 World Series was a minor classic. Tony LaRussa’s key managerial decision at exactly the right time–substituting Craig for Carpenter–allowed St. Louis’s shutdown bullpen to finish out the night and sets up a Game 2 meeting in which the home team has all the momentum.

For years many scouts and baseball minds thought that Jay Bruce would be the player to take over the mantle of best Reds hitter when he came to the big leagues and forced Ken Griffey Junior’s to move to right. To this point Bruce has been successful, but hasn’t come close to the numbers Griffey put up. Bruce played

in 48 more games in 2010 than 2009, but his homerun totals only slightly increased from 22 to 25. His batting average however did see an increase of nearly 60 points from .223 in 2009 to .281 in 2010.

Brandon Phillips saw a decrease in numbers, but he can be counted on for 15 homeruns and a 280 average. Seldom healthy gold glove third baseman Scott Rolen provides protection and power for the younger bats, and should be able to muscle up 25 dingers and a .280-.300 batting average.

The question marks for the team will be Paul Janish at short stop and Drew Stubbs in Center. Stubbs has great power for a speedster and can cover a lot of ground in center. Janish however shouldn’t be counted upon to hit much. He really doesn’t need to with all of the weapons in this line-up.

When Healthy Ramon Hernandez is another Reds player that should produce double digits homeruns, and this could be the year Jonny Gomes hits 30 homeruns.

Votto should contend with Albert Pujols again for the Hitting title as well as overall MVP. He may not have the power numbers that Pujols produces, but his competitive spirit will keep him as the Reds’ best hitter.

The Braves have the potential of repeating the dominating starting pitching that they had with Maddox, Glavine, and Smoltz with this staff. Hudson, and Lowe are possible Cy Young award candidates, and Jurrgens, and Hanson are well established beyond their years. If the braves’ hitters can give these guys a little run support the rest of the league better look out for the Braves in 2011. With that said how about the bullpen? The bullpen for the Braves has always been a weak spot and a nervous item for Braves fans. That is not to say that the Braves have not had some great relief pitchers. Names like Jeff Rederan, Mark Wohlers, John Rocker, and Kent Mercker. As recently as last year the bullpen was anchored by veteran Billy Wagner.

How good was Jonny Venters last year? Now the question is who replaces Billy Wagner as the closer for the Braves? He is still young, but my vote goes to Jonny Venters. Venters is a hard throwing left hander who did amazing job last year as the set up for Billy Wagner. Put Peter Moylan as the set up and the bullpen looks very promising in 2011. Throw the starting pitching and bullpen together and the Braves look awesome in 2011.

New centerfielder Melky Cabrera should help at the defense of the club. He is an average hitter. If centerfielder Derrick Robinson gets his chance, the speedster is a stolen base away. Rightfielder Alex Gordon shows flashes of being a leader, and he can hit. Gordon will have a break out year. Jeff Francoeur can give you steady play in leftfield. He has some pop in his bat.

Gil Meche was the best pitcher, but he retired because of health reasons, and passed the torch to Luke Hochevar. He has the arm to be an ace, but can he go and do it? If he can’t, the rotation doesn’t have much after that. Bruce Chen is a veteran that should find himself in this rotation, along with newly acquired Kyle Davis, Vin Mazzaro, and Jeff Francis.

Closer Joakim Soria is a lights out closer. He had 43 saves last year, and he should have the same kind of year. Dusty Hughes and Blake Wood will be alright as set up men for the Royals.

The Royals will feel the loss of Zack Greinke and Gil Meche and will likely slip in their division.

Big during the holiday weekend suspended matchups planned for this previous Sunday. having the Academy’s primary diamond wet and muddy, Miller have been nicely surprised that baseball has been the only language required to be spoken, as all the visiting children from Japan labored side by side with their American counterparts to have the diamond all set for Monday’s games.

During the past, Japanese ballers such as Takashi Saito, who agreed to play the 2011 year with the Milwaukee on Monday, have arrived to the tournament to toss out the ceremonial 1st pitch. This year, ex- Angels & Mariners pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa has been on hand to assist the series & participate within the festivities.

Once the diamonds were in playing condition, the Academy & Japanese ballers matched up across the field, as the home team introduced their guests with a present & best wishes. The friendly competitors then fought through a up and down 1st matchup, having the Academy coming through with 2 9th inning scores on a fly ball that had been lost wearing the sun to grab a 8 – 7 win.

Playing 1st base for the Academy squad has been Trevor Gretzky, whose father, hockey hall of famer Wayne, has been sitting in the bleachers with his wife, Janet, & their family.

The following year, the Academy players will take a trip to Japan. However with new Academies ready to start within the USA, the 2012 tournament will not only be an additional trip to Southern California.

Gonzalez is among 7 1st time winners . Tampa Bay Rays Carl Crawford in the outfield as well, Jose Bautista a Toronto Blue Jays as an outfielder & infielders Dan Uggla & Alexei Ramirez had been picked the very first time. Gonzalez’s team member, Troy Tulowitzki & Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo commemorated their 1st Silver Sluggers as well.

Each Gonzalez & Tulowitzki additionally earned Gold Gloves on Wednesday.

The New York Yankees & Boston Red Sox, whom completed 1 and 2 in runs scored throughout the regular season, respectively, both had only one Silver Slugger.

New York Yankees 2nd baseman Robinson Cano & Red Sox 3rd baseman Adrian Beltre both picked up their 2nd honor with this trophy.

The merit is dependent upon a vote of both coaches & managers to determine which baseball players had the very best offensive year within their positions on the field.

The winners:

American League:

**Carl Crawford of the Tampa Bay Rays
**Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees
**Adrian Beltre of the Boston Red Sox
**Joe Mauer Minnesota Twins
**Josh Hamilton Texas Rangers
**Vladimir Guerrero Texas Rangers
**Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays
**Alexei Ramirez of the Chicago White Sox

National League:

**Dan Uggla of thef Florida Marlins
**Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals
**Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers
**Albert Pujols of St. Louis Cardinals
**Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers
**Troy Tulowitzki of the Colorado Rockies
**Yovani Gallard of the Milwaukee Brewers
**Matt Holliday of the St. Louis Cardinals
**Carlos Gonzalez of the Colorado Rockies
**Brian McCann of the Atlanta Braves

In the seventh inning the Giants Jose Uribe drove in the Giants second run with a single to shallow center field. Matt Cain continued to hold the Rangers scoreless through the seventh inning. The Giant who’s last world series championship game in 1954 while the team played in New York were trying to gain a two games to none advantage before the series moved to Texas for games 3, 4, and, 5. The Giants broke the game open in the eighth and ninth innings and routed the Rangers 9-0 to take a two game advantage as the series moved to Texas after a day off for traveling. The Giants reliever Guillermo Mota threw a scoreless ninth inning ending the Rangers hope of not going down two games to none. The Giants scored a total of twenty runs in the first two games of the 2010 World Series dominating the Texas Rangers pitching. As the series moves to Arlington, Texas for the next three games the Rangers have their work cut out for them if they hope to remain a contender in this series. After a day off for traveling the Rangers hope to regroup and prepare for game three. The Giants hope to continue the dominating run scoring performance they had in the first two games to take a 3-0 lead in the series. The starting pitchers for Game three in Texas will be Jonathan Sanchez for the Giants and Colby Lewis for the Rangers.

Both teams boast remarkable pitching. The Phillies have a stellar big three. Roy Halladay is a former Cy Young winner who figures to take that award again this year. Cole Hamels has reclaimed the fire that saw him win the World Series MVP in 2008. Roy Oswalt joined the team at the trade deadline. All three have been remarkable since the beginning of September. Halladay threw a no-hitter in the NLDS and Hamels hurled a shutout. Meanwhile, San Francisco is formidable at pitching as well. Tim Lincecum has won two National League Cy Young awards. He struck out 14 hitters while pitching a shutout in his postseason debut against Atlanta. Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez have also blossomed in to great pitchers. Madison Bumgartner has emerged as the fourth starter. With pitching like that, it will be hard for either team to get hits.

In the bullpen, San Francisco has a slight advantage. Their middle relief has been more consistent than the Phillies. However, Philadelphia has an edge at the closer position. Brad Lidge has struggled since not blowing a save in 2008. Despite that, Lidge is starting to regain form. Giants closer Brian Wilson doesn’t give up many home runs, but he doesn’t have the pedigree of Lidge.

On offense, the Phillies have a distinct edge. Each team hit .212 in the NLDS, but the Phillies have threats from top to bottom. Their 8th place hitter, Carlos Ruiz, led the team in batting average. Ruiz has delivered several big hits in the postseason. Chase Utley and Jayson Werth are near the top of the list for career playoff home runs in the National League. The rest of the offense is getting healthy in time and can strike at any time. Meanwhile, the Giants don’t have the same offensive potency. Rookie catcher Buster Posey has been great all year. Meanwhile, Cody Ross and Andres Torres have become threats in the Giants batting order. Overall, the Phillies have a major edge in run production. With the pitching on both sides, that could prove to be the edge in this series. ]]> http://baseballrecaps.com/mlb-comparison-giants-phillies/feed/ 0 http://baseballrecaps.com/6th-inning-stretch/ http://baseballrecaps.com/6th-inning-stretch/#comments Tue, 12 Oct 2010 06:12:50 +0000 Ivor http://baseballrecaps.com/?p=39 6th Inning Stretch

In a game, where the Braves are trying to get Mr. Bobby Cox his final postseason play. The Braves went head to head against the Philadelphia Phillies, facing Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins.

In the 6th innning, winning was still very hopeful, and still possible for the Braves to turn around the 2-1 lead, the Phillies had over them, but what had happened was……

In the 6th inning, Braves down 2-1, Jimmy Rollins stepped up to plate, digging in the same two feet that every man possesses, he looked, he swung, and he went……

Jimmy Rollins, the shortstop of the Phillies, on the first pitch, the baseball floating in mid-air, coming, coming, coming, he streched, he looked, and he…..

Jimmy Rollins gripped the wooden bat, and did what heroes do, he swung hard, pressing the small white leather ball, and deposited, the first pitch thrown by Mike Dunn, into the far away left bleachers of the Atlanta stadium. The crowd goes wild.

The crowd went wild, and Jimmy Rollins pushed foward the Philllies into a 6-1 lead over the Braves.

After another run scored in the 6th, the game appeared even more bleak, and it was. The Braves would not over come Jimmy Rollins strong shot in left. The ending score of 11-5 Phillies, after Braves tried to ralley in 9th, the

Braves now must win the next two in a storybook ending of hard and long season. Facing the tough Phillies in the next two, will Mr. Bobby Cox see his post season play? Only time will tell.

Jimmy Rollins, game changer.

Boom!