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Moriarty9 · 10-28-2009, 06:03 PM

Playoffs open up tonight
Last year's champs, KC, not in the mix
October 5, 2010

PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies have the best record in baseball this season, winning 106 games and taking the National League East by 22 games. They will start their road to the World Series by taking on the reigning NL champion Arizona Diamondbacks tonight in Philly.

Arizona entered this year's playoffs as the Wild Card entry after going 86-76. The Diamondbacks will open up with Cole Hamels (13-10, 4.91 ERA) on the mound while Philadelphia counters with Scott Baker (16-6, 3.64 ERA) for Game 1. The Diamonbacks will be without catcher Ramon Hernandez (.239, 13 HR, 69 RBI this year) and Chase Utley (.270, 17 HR, 71 RBI in 113 games this year) while the Phillies are injury-free heading into the postseason.

Also in the National League, the 81-81 Cincinnati Reds will open up in Denver against the 94-68 Colorado Rockies. Colorado sends Rookie of the Year candidate Maximo Rivera (16-7, 4.11 ERA, 276 Ks) to the mound in Game 1, putting a lot of pressure on the 20-year-old rookie. The Reds send their own ace to the mound in Joba Chamberlain, a Cy Young candidate after going 18-5 with a 1.88 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and .194 opponents average against. The Reds will be missing starting pitcher Jeff Karstens (8-10, 3.98 ERA in 22 games) and reliever Matt Miller (3-1, 4.93 ERA, 37 games). Miller will likely be eligible to return for the NLCS, if the Reds can get past the Rockies. Colorado is missing starter John Thomson, 12-10 with a 4.96 ERA, with a knee injury.

In the American League, the 100-win Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim open up at home against the Wild Card Minnesota Twins, owners of a 90-72 record. Rick VandenHurk (14-6, 3.16 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Angels while left-hander Bud Smith (9-9, 4.54 ERA) gets the ball for the Twins. The Angels are missing two big starters in Johan Santana and Randy Wolf, both of whom will miss all of the post-season. Santana went 17-9 with a 3.83 ERA while Wolf, in 14 starts, went 5-1 with a 3.22 ERA. Minnesota will have to try and deal without third baseman Chris Davis, who hit .298 with 44 home runs and 140 RBI in 138 games before fracturing his ribs. Davis will miss the ALDS, but would likely be available if the Twins made it to the ALCS.

The Cleveland Indians host the Toronto Blue Jays in the other ALDS matchup. Ken Cloude (10-10, 3.94 ERA) will be opposed by Toronto's Andy Sonnanstine (11-5, 3.57 ERA) in Game 1. The Tribe will be without reliever Chris Resop (2-2, 1 save, 4.30 ERA in 60 2/3 innings) and outfielder Chris Duffy (.266 with 2 HR, 19 RBI, 45 R, 271 AB).

10-28-2009, 06:03 PM	#665 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Playoffs open up tonight Last year's champs, KC, not in the mix October 5, 2010 PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies have the best record in baseball this season, winning 106 games and taking the National League East by 22 games. They will start their road to the World Series by taking on the reigning NL champion Arizona Diamondbacks tonight in Philly. Arizona entered this year's playoffs as the Wild Card entry after going 86-76. The Diamondbacks will open up with Cole Hamels (13-10, 4.91 ERA) on the mound while Philadelphia counters with Scott Baker (16-6, 3.64 ERA) for Game 1. The Diamonbacks will be without catcher Ramon Hernandez (.239, 13 HR, 69 RBI this year) and Chase Utley (.270, 17 HR, 71 RBI in 113 games this year) while the Phillies are injury-free heading into the postseason. Also in the National League, the 81-81 Cincinnati Reds will open up in Denver against the 94-68 Colorado Rockies. Colorado sends Rookie of the Year candidate Maximo Rivera (16-7, 4.11 ERA, 276 Ks) to the mound in Game 1, putting a lot of pressure on the 20-year-old rookie. The Reds send their own ace to the mound in Joba Chamberlain, a Cy Young candidate after going 18-5 with a 1.88 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and .194 opponents average against. The Reds will be missing starting pitcher Jeff Karstens (8-10, 3.98 ERA in 22 games) and reliever Matt Miller (3-1, 4.93 ERA, 37 games). Miller will likely be eligible to return for the NLCS, if the Reds can get past the Rockies. Colorado is missing starter John Thomson, 12-10 with a 4.96 ERA, with a knee injury. In the American League, the 100-win Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim open up at home against the Wild Card Minnesota Twins, owners of a 90-72 record. Rick VandenHurk (14-6, 3.16 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Angels while left-hander Bud Smith (9-9, 4.54 ERA) gets the ball for the Twins. The Angels are missing two big starters in Johan Santana and Randy Wolf, both of whom will miss all of the post-season. Santana went 17-9 with a 3.83 ERA while Wolf, in 14 starts, went 5-1 with a 3.22 ERA. Minnesota will have to try and deal without third baseman Chris Davis, who hit .298 with 44 home runs and 140 RBI in 138 games before fracturing his ribs. Davis will miss the ALDS, but would likely be available if the Twins made it to the ALCS. The Cleveland Indians host the Toronto Blue Jays in the other ALDS matchup. Ken Cloude (10-10, 3.94 ERA) will be opposed by Toronto's Andy Sonnanstine (11-5, 3.57 ERA) in Game 1. The Tribe will be without reliever Chris Resop (2-2, 1 save, 4.30 ERA in 60 2/3 innings) and outfielder Chris Duffy (.266 with 2 HR, 19 RBI, 45 R, 271 AB).