October Baseball

What an exciting year we just witnessed in 2012. We saw dominating performances by guys like Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera. In fact, the debate rages on about who should win the MVP: the rookie who had one of the best ever rookie years while playing for a team that missed the playoffs, or the vet who won the Triple Crown in route to the playoffs.

On the other hand, pitching was a great story this year, as we saw perfect games and no-hitters throughout. Some staffs (like Oakland’s) carried teams to the playoffs, while others fizzled out. The Nationals decided to bench their best starter (Strasburg), which created a buzz. And now they may pay the consequences…

Walk-offs and extra inning affairs were the norm, particularly for the Orioles who have been by far the most clutch team in the majors. And 2012 was also the first year for two wild card teams. Yesterday, the regular season ended, and we finally figured out who won which division, and who got those wildcard spots. It’s finally time for October baseball!

Before we get to the playoffs, here are our choices for the 2012 major awards:

NL MVP

Greg:

I give this award to Posey for several reasons. One, he came back from a horrendous injury last year to play the same position, and play it well. Two, he was the most productive player in a lineup that frankly wouldn't have been very productive without him in it. Three (related to one), catcher is an incredibly difficult position to play. He also handled what is probably the best pitching staff in the NL remarkably well, and is an underrated defender.

1.Buster Posey-.337/.408/.549/.957

2.Yadier Molina-.315/.373/.501/.874

3.Chase Headley-.285/.375/.493/.868

Special Acknowledgements to: Andrew McCutchen, Craig Kimbrel, Ian Desmond, Chipper Jones, and Adam LaRoche.

Andrew:

I’ll keep it simple. My friend above has a bias against him, but Ryan Braun should win the MVP. He won it last year when he didn’t deserve it (Matt Kemp did), but this year he has been great. In fact, he’s been better in 2012 than in 2011. He’s dealt with all the media attention (obvious reasons), yet has put up similar stats and even added eight homeruns. He took more walks this year without Fielder behind him and still managed to produce. Here’s my ballet:

1. Ryan Braun (.319/41/112/.391)

2. Buster Posey (.336/24/103/.408)

3. Yadier Molina (.315/22/76/.373)

AL MVP

Greg:

Probably the closest race in history here.  Trout simply had the best statistical season in all facets of his game: Defense, speed, hitting. Cabrera is great at one thing, and he may be the best ever at it. But I can't ignore that he actually cost his team net runs defensively at 3B, and his RBI's are not a true statistic because they are based on other teammates being on base. Cabrera won the Triple Crown, but Trout's season was an historic one. Only player ever to have this kind of season with the combination of power, stolen bases, and runs produced. Also, from the time he came into the league this year, his team was better (had a better record at 82-57) than Cabrera's (77-64).

1. Mike Trout-.326/.399/.564/.963/49 SB/10.7 WAR

2. Miguel Cabrera-.330/.393/.606/.999/4 SB/6.9 WAR

3. Robinson Cano-.313/.379/.550/.929/3SB/8.2 WAR

Special Acknowledgements to: Adrian Beltre, Josh Hamilton, Yoenis Cespedes, Edwin Encarnacion, and Adam Jones.

Andrew:

Once again, my colleague and I are on opposite sides of the fence here. Trout has been great and has had one of the best rookie seasons ever. But in the past 40 years, nothing can eclipse what Cabrera did this season. He got on base and hit for average, he hit for power, and he proved to be clutch time and time again by hitting in his teammates. Trout is a better defender, but Cabrera switched positions after playing in the league for a while. Trout may be better on the base paths, but that’s his role, just like hitting is Cabrera’s role. Difference is that Cabrera has done his role at a historic rate. Greg said hitting in runs depends on teammates, but being hit in and scoring depends on teammates even more. Plus, taking Cabrera off the team cost the Tigers their division title, while Trout being there didn’t do anything for getting the Angels to the postseason. Give Trout ROY but Cabrera MVP.

1. Miguel Cabrera (.330/44/139/.393)

2. Mike Trout (.326/30/83/.399)

3. Robinson Cano (.313/33/94/.379)

NL Cy Young

Greg:

This is a really tough decision. I recognize that Kimbrel and Chapman had great seasons, but I just can't justify a player who pitches only 60ish innings having more value than one who pitches about 230 innings.  It is much more difficult to maintain a standard of excellence over a longer period, and though Kimbrel had a great season, Dickey won 20 games for a Mets team that only won 74 games total. That's pretty good in my opinion. 

1.R.A. Dickey- 20 Wins/3.73 ERA/233.2 IP/230K- Pitched fantastically for a team that had a losing record.

2.Clayton Kershaw-13 Wins/2.53 ERA/227.1 IP/228K- Will win the ERA title for the second straight year.

3.Craig Kimbrel-42 SV/1.01 ERA/62.2 IP/116- Had a wonderful season, but can't justify giving a reliever who only pitched 62.2 innings the CY Young.

Special Acknowledgements to: Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Johnny Cueto, and Matt Cain.

Andrew:

Similar to my AL MVP argument, I’m all about historic. If somebody does something better than anyone in the history of baseball, how can that person not win. That describes Kimbrel. He has been by far the most dominating pitcher this season. He has struck out half of the batters he’s faced this year. HALF!!! Throw in lowest opponent batting average ever, WHIP, OPS, strikeout ratio… Plus, everyone else has a flaw. Dickey’s ERA sucked compared to others. Kershaw only has 13 wins for a team that won a lot of games. Gio isn’t even the best pitcher on his team. Strasburg is but hasn’t pitched for nearly two months. Cueto has been solid too but it was nothing special. People say closers don’t pitch many innings, but starters only pitch once a week. A closer could pitch every night so they must always be on their game and ready. That’s much harder in my opinion anyways.

1. Craig Kimbrel (1.01/42/116/.65)

2. Gio Gonzalez (2.89/21-8/207/1.13)

3. Johnny Cueto (2.78/19-9/170/1.17)

AL Cy Young

Greg:

This is really a coin flip. These guys are all outstanding pitchers, but it came down to which pitcher I'd want pitching a game for me if I only had to win 1 game.

1.Justin Verlander - 17 Wins/2.64 ERA/238.1 IP/239K

2. David Price - 20 Wins/2.56 ERA/211 IP/205 K

3. Jered Weaver - 20 Wins/2.81 ERA/188.2 IP/142 K

Special Acknowledgements to: Jim Johnson, Fernando Rodney, and Felix Hernandez.

Andrew:

As unbelievable as this is for us, I actually completely agree with Greg. My ballet would be identical to his for top three. So SEE ABOVE.

NL Rookie of the Year

Greg:

I give the nod to Harper here because over the last month of the season he was better than Miguel Cabrera, and played on a team that for the entirety of the season was the best team in the National League.  This award this year really is more 1,1A,1B to me, as all three rookies had outstanding seasons. Todd Frazier really helped fill in while Joey Votto was out, but struggled a bit at the end of the season.

1. Bryce Harper - .270/.340/.477/.817

2. Wade Miley - 16 Wins/3.33 ERA/194.2 IP/ 144K

3. Todd Frazier - .273/.331/.498/.829

Andrew:

To me, this isn’t that close. Harper was a catalyst that helped ignite the best team in the MLB. Not only did he produce and play defense, but he did it with an enormous amount of pressure on him. My top three though are identical to Greg’s: Harper, Miley, and Frazier.

AL Rookie of the Year

Both:

Obviously, there isn’t much to say here. Mike Trout will win easy. Here is out ballet:

1. Mike Trout

2. Mike Trout

3. Mike Trout

And now for the playoffs… As October plays out, we’ll give you our take on the matchups and give our predictions. Today we’re starting with our preview of both of the wildcard games and the divisional series:

NL Wildcard: St. Louis at Atlanta

As a Braves fan, I am a little worried about this game. The Cardinals seem to have some postseason magic, and the one game scenario is tricky. I have more confidence in what my Braves can do after this game than in this game. But the Braves will be sending Medlen to the mound, and they have won 23 straight in games where he starts. They do have the game at home, plus Chipper can’t go out like this can he? – Andrew

Sham of a WC system that makes a team that won 93 games play a play-in game with a team that won 87, but oh well.  The Braves have this game at home, and I see them winning and hosting Washington at home for the first two games of the divisional series. – Greg

Andrew:         Atlanta 3, St. Louis 2

Greg:              Atlanta 5, St. Louis 3

AL Wildcard: Baltimore at Texas

In a one game playoff like this, anything can happen. One bad inning could cost your team a chance to move on. That’s what makes this exciting! But for me, Texas has some major advantages. First, I trust their starter, Yu Darvish, more than whomever the Orioles send out. Second, they Rangers have this game at home where the crowd will be revved up. Three, they have much more postseason experience, making it to the World Series twice. Fourth, they have a few more big time hitters that can change the game at any given moment (Josh Hamilton for one). So for me, Texas will be the winner. – Andrew

Amazing that a team that was 13 games up with two months left to play is in this game, and picked to lose. Baltimore has a special feeling about them this year. Baltimore wins. – Greg

Andrew:         Texas 7, Baltimore 3

Greg:              Baltimore 8, Texas 6

NL Divisional Series: San Francisco-Cincinnati

Even though every series is tough, this one is the toughest for me to peg. Both teams are good on both sides of the ball, and both teams have been playing well recently. I can’t wait to see how this plays out, but I expect a very close series one way or another. Since it will be close, I think the bullpens will play a large factor in the outcome. And I love what Cincinnati has there. Chapman will be a force and he will be the difference. – Andrew

A whale of a first round series. These should be best of 7. I'm going to go with Cincinnati in 5, after a split in San Francisco. – Greg

Andrew:         Cincinnati wins 3-2

Greg:              Cincinnati wins 3-2

NL Divisional Series: Washington-Wildcard Winner

Based on my Braves pick, this will be a clash of NL East teams. This is where having Strasburg would have been huge! Just like in the other NL matchup, these teams enter the playoffs playing well and are fairly equal on both sides of the ball. These teams played a couple of weeks ago and the Braves swept the Nats. They even took out mighty Gio in that series. I don’t think it will be a sweep, but I see this series looking similar. – Andrew

Either way this goes, you get the feeling that if Washington has to play St. Louis they will lose. If the Cardinals advance I say they move on to the NLCS, if not I go with Washington over Atlanta in 4. – Greg

Andrew:         Atlanta wins 3-1

Greg:              Washington wins 3-1

AL Divisional Series: Detroit-Oakland

This is a great matchup here between hitting and pitching. The A’s have home field advantage, but they have to start the series on the road. Because Detroit can set up their lineup with Verlander in game 1, I assume he will be pitching twice. That will be tough sledding for an inexperienced A’s club. Throw in Cabrera and Fielder and the damage they can do, and I see the Tigers marching through. – Andrew

Other than Verlander, the Tigers' pitching is pretty suspect. I think Oakland steals game one and sweeps the Tigers. – Greg

Andrew:         Detroit wins 3-2

Greg:              Oakland wins 3-0

AL Divisional Series: New York-Wildcard Winner

Remember I chose the Rangers to be moving to face the Yankees. This could make for an interesting series. Both teams experienced and have dangerous lineups. It’s hard to give an edge to either team really. I thought Texas was the best team in the majors throughout a good chunk of the year, but New York is playing better entering the playoffs. But at midseason I predicted that the Rangers would win it all this year and I can’t back down now. – Andrew

Same situation as the NL. If Texas wins the wild card game they beat the Yankees, but if Baltimore wins I think the Yankees pull out an extremely exciting, home run filled 5 game series win. – Greg

Andrew:         Texas wins 3-1

Greg:              Yankees win 3-2

Enjoy ‘October Baseball’ everyone!

The Sports Guys