This year the new rules for the Wild Card round will be put into effect, with a one game playoff deciding the fates of four teams.
In the American League the Baltimore Orioles, who failed to overtake the AL East from the Yankees, make the trip to Arlington Texas to face off against the Texas Rangers. Meanwhile, the Rangers are a team licking their wounds still in the midst of utter shock after relenting their strangle hold on the AL West to the Oakland A?s.
The Rangers are the two time American League championship victors, but have failed to get over the hump in the World Series. Their calling card has been their consistency, good pitching and big bats which rivals the likes of the Yankees. The Orioles are a team who has too, thrived on the long ball and have a knack for getting clutch runs in.
The Rangers will hand the ball over to Yu Darvish, who although is a rookie in the Major Leagues dominated for seven seasons back in Japan including championship games. For the Orioles, after whittling down their choices to Joe Saunders and Steven Johnson, Joe Saunders came out as the pick. A gutsy risk by Buck Showalter given that Johnson seemed like the more probable candidate given his better record and ERA, not to mention the fact that Joe Saunders has never won against the Rangers.
My prediction: Given the one game aspect of the wild card, it?s virtually impossible to pick one team for certain?anything can happen. But I like the Texas Rangers at home to put on a show with that power hitting they?re known for, and to take out their rage on their season shortcomings on the still young and inexperienced Orioles.
The winner will go on to face the New York Yankees.
Over in the NL the defending champion St Louis Cardinals take on the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta. The Braves come in with a strong 94 win season under their belt, with their vet Chipper Jones putting in his fair share and more in what will be his last go around the post season. The Cardinals have survived the losses of Pujols and La Russa and find themselves again as the underdog in the playoffs.
Kyle Lohse will be will be the starting pitcher for the Braves, and brings with him a 16-3 record. The Cardinals will put in Kris Medlen who?s 10-1 in the regular season. The Braves have shown to fare very well against right handed pitchers, and its that power that they will need if they hope to persevere.
The Cardinals lead the NL in hits and in on base percentage, so the Braves pitching staff will have their work cut out for them. Their closer Jason Motte is tied for the most saves in the National League, so I give the Cardinals the edge both in hitting and in pitching.
My Prediction: Give me the Cardinals playing the part of comeback kid and spoiler against the Braves. Sadly, I don?t think Chipper Jones will live out his dream of going out in the world series, as the Cardinals just seem too much like the ticking timebombs of the NL.
The winner will go to face the Washinton Nationals.
Be sure to check out other great articles at BlackSportsOnline.
Source: http://nextlevelsportsnetwork.com/nl-and-al-wild-card-game-preview-and-predictions/
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