2013 Playoffs and World Series Thread (cards, pitching, star, wild card)

[Mike from back east]

While looking at the standings and wild cards today it occurred to me that 2013 could have a rust belt World Series:
- Cleveland vs Pittsburgh
- Detroit vs Pittsburgh

Also occurred to me that we could have an "all-Ohio" world series; wouldn't THAT be a hoot to see!
- Cleveland vs Cincinnati

Admittedly, these pairings are long-shots, but right now anything could happen.

Probable post-season teams are:
AL: Boston, Tampa, Detroit, Cleveland, Oakland (Texas maybe if Cleveland or Tampa choke)
NL: Los Angeles, Atlanta, St Louis, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati

I predict a Boston - St Louis world series, based on their having outscored other teams by the most runs:
- Boston with a surplus of 185 runs
- St Louis with a surplus of 166 runs

Thoughts? (Other than all predictions are trash, which they are for the most part.)

[Grandstander]

In considering the Pirates' chances in the post season, we should take into account that they have been primarily a first half phenomena this season. In their first 81 games they went 51-30 (.630) but since then have been 38-37 (.507) and are staggering to the finish line.

[Kees]

I think it's critical for Atlanta to get home field... considering they are .500 on the road and have been great at home all year. It's also worth it to get the wild card winner.

I'd rather face the Dodgers in a 7 game series instead of a 5. In the end though I don't care who the Braves play... they've been solid all year against the top NL clubs... including multiple sweeps.

Prediction:

Atlanta vs Boston

[Joke Insurance]

My two choices for an American League team making it to the World Series:

Tampa Bay or Oakland

My two choices for an National League team making it to the World Series:

Pittsburgh vs Cincinnati

[Grandstander]

The NL post season should feature no particular favorite. There are still five games to be played, but the current spread between top winner and the lowest winner is .590 to .573.

Applied to a five game series the .590 winner could be expected to win 2.95 games, the .573 team, 2.87 games. Applied to a seven game series, the .590 team wins 4.13 games, the .573 team wins 4.01 games) In order for the .590 team to enjoy a full one game expected advantage over the .573 team, 51 games would be required. (.590 team wins 30.09 games, .573 team wins 29.2 games)

If you are a gambler, this is the year to bet on the underdogs, there really should be no favorite.

[Warszawa]

My team ain't making the postseason this year, so go Oakland!

[The Illusive Man]

It's looking like it will be the Dodgers vs Red Sox. I look forward to seeing the Dodgers hoist tropy #7

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by The Illusive Man

It's looking like it will be the Dodgers vs Red Sox.

It will not look like anything until they start playing the post season games.

[Grandstander]

Since the All Star break, the best offensive team in all MLB has been.......

The Oakland A's.

They are first in runs scored, first in home runs by a lot (84 to 72 for # 2 the Nationals) first in extra base hits, first in slugging average and first in OPS.

And all this despite playing in a park which ranks 26th out of thirty in promoting offense.

And....the team is ramping it up at the right time. In September they have batted .299/.361/.512 to their opponents' .239/.296/.355, outscoring them 139-78, an average margin of victory of 6.3 to 3.5

[The Illusive Man]

The most important factor to consider is your pitching staff come playoff time and the Dodgers have the best pitching staff in all of baseball. The Dodgers are ready to end that drought.