MLB Division Series Breakdown

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

amarcus@montgomerynews.com
Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

It's a catchy slogan - Where legends are born. Think about the ground balls through legs, the shots heard around the world, the no-hitter, the Texas Leaguer that beat the New Yorkers.  Maybe Bill Buckner, Robby Thompson, Don Larsen and Luis Gonzalez were above average ball players, but they all are remembered for what they did, or it Buck's case, did not do in the Fall Classic.

So you welcome to my postseason analysis - Where legends are dissected.

Pitching: The advantage goes to Detroit here. Let's start in the back end and work our way up. Jose Valverde is no Mariano Rivera, but his 49-for-49 save situation suggests he pitching like the greatest closer of all-time (who just happens to be Mo). C.C. Sabathia is rare horse that only a few teams are lucky to have in their stall, but MoTown happens to be one of them. Verlander is coming off one of the best seasons for a starting pitcher of all-time, but it's Doug Fister and Max Scherzer that are bit more dangerous than Ivan Nova and Freddy Garica. 

Offense: The middle of the New York order is so locked in that is has to get the nod over Miguel Cabrera and company. It's not the second coming of the Murderer's row, but Granderson, Teixeira, and Cano have been unstoppable. And do you want to be the one that underestimates Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez with the title on the tight ropes? I don't think so.

Intangibles: I'd much rather have the Tigers defense with Austin Jackson in center field and and Alex Avila behind the plate. You can run on New York catching and if it were not for Teixeira picking every ball thrown in the dirt we'd be talking about an aging defense and a big liability. Both Joe Girardi and Jim Leyland have their flaws. 

BOTTOM LINE: Yankees in 5 - Go with the home field advantage and experience. Verlander can't pitch every game and I don't trust Fister or Scherzer on the big stage for the first time.

Pitching: It's closer than people think here. The media stares at the Rays young dominant starting staff and neglects to look at an aging and fatigue bullpen. The Rangers C.J. Wilson has been just as good as James Shields this season and both game one starters will receive second place Cy Young votes. All that being said, the Rangers do not have a David Price to pitch a game two or three. Matt Harrison, Derek Holland and company have had good season, but the edge does stand with Tampa.
Offense: It's the Rangers and this is not even close. Sure, BJ Upton and Evan Longoria have been hot lately, but Texas has seven guys who are just as or more capable. Led by Michael Young and Josh Hamilton the Rangers will look to outscore the wildcard squad.
Intangibles: I actually do put a lot of stock in getting hot late. The Rays have to feel invincible after the September they just had (or the September the Red Sox didn't have). Last year's AL Champs aren't sneaking up on any team this year.
BOTTOM LINE: Rays in 4 - I'll take the team on a roll against the team that will sorely misses Cliff Lee.

Pitching: A lot has been made of Ian Kennedy and Daniel Hudson because they have burst on the scene this season, but don't forget about the guys from Milwaukee who have lived on the scene for years now. Yovani Gallardo won 17 games, Zack Greinke went 11-0 at home and Shaun Marcum is a pretty nice three. Whose the game three starter for Arizona? You probably have google that, therefore edge goes to Milwaukee. 

Offense: Diamondbacks' Justin Upton is in the running for MVP, but he'll probably lose out to Ryan Braun or Prince Fielder (Well, probably Matt Kemp, but that does not help my point). So I'll take the best 3-4 punch in baseball over the team that has just come up with clutch hitting from unlikely suspects such as Ryan Roberts and Miguel Montero.

Intangibles: Not sure if I buy winning one for Fielder before he bolts for a megadeal. However, as great of a job Kirk Gibson has done I'm not sure I'm buying the Snakes. 

BOTTOM LINE: Brewers in 3 At first glance I was torn and then I realized the D'Backs have no playoff experience in their organization. Don't worry Zona, you'll be back.

Pitching: They talked before the season about the Phillies having one of the greatest rotations of all-time and they have not disappointed. Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are both in the Cy Young talk and both are starving for their first World Series title. The Phils do have some questions in the bullpen with young and tired arms (Stutes and Bastardo), but there is not a guy that Tony LaRussa can point to, left or right, and feel totally confident they will be able to get an out.
Offense: The slight edge probably goes to Cardinals. Albert Pujols can win a game by himself and no one knows that better than Brad Lidge. Lance Berkman, Matt Holliday and Allen Craig for that matter have been solid protection. The Phillies actually have not put the postseason lineup on the field that often, but it looks like they'll put Pence in front of Ryan Howard to split the lefties.
Intangibles: While everyone likes the experience of the Phils, the Cards aren't too far behind. And the Cards are hot too, which favors them, but that starting pitcher along with the Philadelphia defense it tough to touch up. Plus, I'd say 102 wins means you were hot all season.
BOTTOM LINE: Phillies in 3 - Kyle Lohse and Edwin Jackson against Halladay and Lee in Philly does not seems like the best idea.

***The pick before the season started was Red Sox over Phillies, but Boston forgot how to get outs in September. Therefore I have to alter the prediction.

WORLD SERIES PICK: Phillies over Rays in 6 games