OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - WIN AT ALL COSTS! The 2004 Boston Red Sox

AZTarHeel · 10-08-2004, 11:20 PM

The American League Playoffs

Boston Red Sox (115-46) vs. Minnesota Twins (80-82):

The skinny: On paper, the Red Sox should cruise into the ALCS but you never know with these type of five-game series. Remember which franchise we’re talking about here, so forgive Red Sox fans for waiting for the other shoe to drop at every turn… Boston went 5-1 against the Twins during the season.

Boston will win if… they don’t somehow implode and come to pieces… This team is the total package with dominant pitching and one of the most prolific offenses in history… The Achilles’ heel could be a shaky bullpen, though hurlers like Donnelly, Benitez and Foulke can be overpowering if they need to be.

Minnesota will win if… there really is a Curse of the Bambino. If they can get to Boston pitchers early and somehow keep the Sox’s offense off the board, they may have a shot. They’ll most likely need to score a lot of runs just to avoid getting blown out…

Prediction: Boston wins easily, though we’ll give the Twins one game at the Metrodome. Sox 3, Minnesota 1.

Seattle (98-64) vs. Oakland (99-63):
The skinny: Obviously the OOTP world doesn’t follow normal protocol, pitting teams from the same division against one another in the Divisional Series. Oakland went 11-8 against the Mariners during the season and so has the slight edge going in.

The A’s have stronger pitching overall and possess one of the game’s best young players – Eric Chavez (54 HRs, 129 RBIs, .301 average, 115 runs scored). Seattle has the fourth best batting average in the Majors (.283) and one of the best table-setters in the league (Ichiro – 62 stolen bases, .327 average, etc.).

Prediction: Should be a great series – Let’s say Oakland 3-2…

The National League Playoffs

Houston Astros (91-71) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (99-63)
The skinny: Again OOTP pits divisional rivals against one another in the first round (this kind of bugs me). The Cardinals have been as solid in OOTP as in real life. Pujols hit 49 home runs and had 161 RBIs. But only Matt Morris has been a real star on the mound.

Houston, meanwhile, has a couple of aces, which could lead to trouble in this type of series. Oswalt won 22 games, and Miller won 19. Clemens only went 10-10 in this world…

Prediction: A toss-up… Let’s say Houston in 5…

San Francisco Giants (92-70) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (93-69)
The skinny: Two of the best hitters in the NL will go head-to-head. Barry Bonds and Jim Thome both hit 49 homers on the season and had great averages. The key, though, may be how the players around these superstars pan out.

Bonds has had some help in his lineup. AJ Pierzynski, for example, batted .337. Thome had help from guys like Lieberthal and Abreu, who batted .309 and .312 respectively…

Give Philly the edge in pitching. All five starters had at least 14 wins, led by Kevin Millwood's 17. Impressive.

Prediction: Because of the pitching edge, we’ll say the Phillies in a thrilling five-game series.

10-08-2004, 11:20 PM	#275 (permalink)
AZTarHeel All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,488 Thanks: 9 Thanked 9x in 8 posts	The American League Playoffs Boston Red Sox (115-46) vs. Minnesota Twins (80-82): The skinny: On paper, the Red Sox should cruise into the ALCS but you never know with these type of five-game series. Remember which franchise we’re talking about here, so forgive Red Sox fans for waiting for the other shoe to drop at every turn… Boston went 5-1 against the Twins during the season. Boston will win if… they don’t somehow implode and come to pieces… This team is the total package with dominant pitching and one of the most prolific offenses in history… The Achilles’ heel could be a shaky bullpen, though hurlers like Donnelly, Benitez and Foulke can be overpowering if they need to be. Minnesota will win if… there really is a Curse of the Bambino. If they can get to Boston pitchers early and somehow keep the Sox’s offense off the board, they may have a shot. They’ll most likely need to score a lot of runs just to avoid getting blown out… Prediction: Boston wins easily, though we’ll give the Twins one game at the Metrodome. Sox 3, Minnesota 1. Seattle (98-64) vs. Oakland (99-63): The skinny: Obviously the OOTP world doesn’t follow normal protocol, pitting teams from the same division against one another in the Divisional Series. Oakland went 11-8 against the Mariners during the season and so has the slight edge going in. The A’s have stronger pitching overall and possess one of the game’s best young players – Eric Chavez (54 HRs, 129 RBIs, .301 average, 115 runs scored). Seattle has the fourth best batting average in the Majors (.283) and one of the best table-setters in the league (Ichiro – 62 stolen bases, .327 average, etc.). Prediction: Should be a great series – Let’s say Oakland 3-2… The National League Playoffs Houston Astros (91-71) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (99-63) The skinny: Again OOTP pits divisional rivals against one another in the first round (this kind of bugs me). The Cardinals have been as solid in OOTP as in real life. Pujols hit 49 home runs and had 161 RBIs. But only Matt Morris has been a real star on the mound. Houston, meanwhile, has a couple of aces, which could lead to trouble in this type of series. Oswalt won 22 games, and Miller won 19. Clemens only went 10-10 in this world… Prediction: A toss-up… Let’s say Houston in 5… San Francisco Giants (92-70) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (93-69) The skinny: Two of the best hitters in the NL will go head-to-head. Barry Bonds and Jim Thome both hit 49 homers on the season and had great averages. The key, though, may be how the players around these superstars pan out. Bonds has had some help in his lineup. AJ Pierzynski, for example, batted .337. Thome had help from guys like Lieberthal and Abreu, who batted .309 and .312 respectively… Give Philly the edge in pitching. All five starters had at least 14 wins, led by Kevin Millwood's 17. Impressive. Prediction: Because of the pitching edge, we’ll say the Phillies in a thrilling five-game series. Last edited by AZTarHeel; 10-08-2004 at 11:24 PM.