I think the Yanks (when compared to other probable playoff teams) have mediocre starting pitching,and poor middle relief.They have the best hitters in baseball(best that $ can buy.) I just don't think it will get them all the way.One only needs to use the same plan as the Halos use to beat them:hit the mediocre Yankee pitching,and bend(don't break) with your own pitching staff.In my opinion,you have 1 1/2 good post season pitchers.You have Mussina,and Johnson.I think you have an excellent chance to win the games you start Mussina in,and have a 50% chance to get the excellent start from Johnson that you need.I don't trust the Wang Wormkilla(again,the Halos had no trouble hitting that one,)and sure as hell don't think Wright is a quality post season starter.The Halos got to him early on Saturday.I can guarantee you that the opportunistic A's,Twinks etc. would,and he would give up a 7 spot to the Mets with that stuff he has early in games.Not only that,but your middle relief is going to get hit very hard if you are wrong(and your starters struggle.)This big hit mediocre pitch team works well enough in the regular season(against like teams,)but I don't think it will work against staffs that are hot like CHICAGO WAS LAST YEAR .I very much think Oracle is wrong about the 3rd and 4th starters for the A's.Man don't I wish that was true.It simply isn't.Blanton is red hot.Loaiza(who I counted on being able to gain games off of) has been dominant since August 2nd.If you can get to Haren early,you have a chance,but after the 1st 2 innings,you are not going to get anything from this guy.Zito has been their worst starter in the last month,and he almost threw a no-hitter against Texas on Friday Night.Of the 4,I think he is the most likely to be off his game in the post.The other 3 are very consistent right now.So,I have no idea wtf he is writing about with the 3rd and 4th starter.Please tell me.Pick me up.I would love it to be true(it isn't.) I watch them all the time.Their starter went down,and it has made exactly zero...NADA...difference.That is their main knock(their closer has a groin problem.)People think they have a bad offense.I wish that was true.There are a lot of ideas people have about that team,and they are falsely based on past years teams,or the injured 1st half team.I think the last time they lost a series was in July.If you go back,you will probably see that Loaiza was one of those lossing pitchers.Wouldn't happen right now.I only wish Loaiza was pitching the way he was in July.Unfortunately he isn't.
|