Well, baseball fans, as the final stretch toward the 2009 playoffs and the World Series looms ahead, the question now is, "What teams will enter the dance floor?"
This sports writer predicts the New York Yankees, the Los Angeles Angels, and the Detroit Tigers, with the wildcard going to the Boston Red Sox, in the American League. The Philadelphia Phillies will take the National League East, the St. Louis Cardinals will dominate the Central Division, and the Los Angeles Dodgers will take the West. The San Francisco Giants will be the wildcard, not because of their offense, but their starting pitching ace Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Randy Johnson, and Barry Zito and their bullpen including all-star Brian Wilson.
The top two teams that will prevail, however, are the Phillies and the Yankees. The Phillies can take their team to the World Series for a couple of reasons. Number one, their starting rotation has improved since the All-Star break. Plus, they acquired left handed pitcher Cliff Lee, who has been stellar since the trade from the Cleveland Indians. Philadelphia's offense led by first baseman Ryan Howard, second baseman Chase Utley, and the new addition to the ball club Raul Ibanez is tops. However, they leave way too many runners on the bases when they need them; they need some timely hitting to knock those runners in. Recent experience as last year's winners in the World Series can't hurt the Phillies either.
Since the break, the Yankees have turned things around. Their offense has caught fire. Their team average through September is .284. This is second best in the American League (.285, Los Angeles Angels). With 226, New York is also leader in home runs in the league. But most importantly, the pitching staff of Joba Chamberlain, C.C. Sabathia, Andy Pettitte, A.J. Burnett, and recently acquired Sergio Mitre, has succeeded in keeping the ball in the park and getting those key double plays.
It is obvious, that in the end, the Phillies will prevail. Possibly the return of Brett Myers into the pen, a role he was accustomed to in 2007 when they won the East Division, will play a role in that. 'In the end, pitching wins games and if the Phillies' staff stays sharp and the bullpen is there to save the day, the Phillies will reign as the 2009 World Series Champs.
Two favorites have made some football news this summer. Michael Vick has returned from his 3 year absence from the NFL and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Brett Favre for the third time came out of retirement by signing a two year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Surprised, anyone?
Some people think Vick, who landed in jail for dog fighting should be banned from playing football for the rest of his life. Others believe he deserves another chance. Vick served two years in jail, lost everything he had, including his house, and went bankrupt. He went from the top of the NFL to being a common criminal. What he did was extremely heartless, but everyone deserves another chance, and that chance has come with the Eagles. He has served his punishment.
At the end of the last two seasons, quarterback Brett Favre said that he was done playing professional football.. A tear or two by his fans brought him back, and Favre signed with another team. This year he decided to wait until training camp was basically over, to talk about a contract with the Vikings. At 39 years old, he has played 18 seasons in the NFL. Football takes a lot out of a person. Give a younger quarterback and the fans a break, Favre. |