When I turned on Monday’s Wild Card Playoff between the Padres and Rockies, I thought I wanted the Padres to win and play the Phillies due to their injuries and impotent lineup. Then after the Padres' bullpen looked so good, I wanted the Rockies. By the time it was over, I went back to my original thoughts on Sunday after the Phillies clinched; it would be tough either way. Colorado come to town for a match up the baseball’s 2 hottest teams, and two of the most unlikely playoff entrants ever. For two teams that refused to give up until the very last day (and in Colorado’s case, one long day more), expect more of the same. Colorado brings a lineup loaded with young bats, led by MVP Candidate Matt Holliday and veteran Todd Helton.
These two teams appear to be evenly matched, but I think the Phillies have the one potential difference maker – Pitcher Cole Hamels. The Rockies have several decent pitchers, but not an ace like Hamels. Friday night, Hamels showed that his late-season arm problems were behind and threw a 13 strikeout masterpiece in (what was at that time) the biggest game of the season, going 119 pitches in the process. Hamels is slated to go games 1 and 5, both at Citizens Bank Park, and that’s enough to give the edge to the home team.
Phillies win in 5 close games.
Rollins the choice for MVP.
The NL MVP race is a very close one, with 3 contenders: Jimmy Rollins, Matt Holliday, and Brewers 1B Prince Fielder. Personally I think it will come down to J-Roll and Holliday. It is hard to argue with Holliday’s numbers: The HR and RBI totals, along with the batting title would be enough most years. But Rollins is in some rarified air, becoming only the 4th player with 20 HR, 20 SB, 20 triples, and 20 doubles. His 88 extra-base hits are the most ever for a National League shortstop and the second most ever (Alex Rodriguez once had 91). He is also the 1st NL SS in decades to start every game at short, where he has played at a gold-glove level. His said this winter that the Phils were the team to beat in the NL East, and spent literally EVERY day of the season to see that it got done. This is the tie-breaker for me. Rollins is the MVP.
Other quick hits
Adam Eaton is off the playoff roster. Thank God.
Matt Holliday still hasn’t touched the plate. Instant replay will probably be discussed for the first time this off-season.
Willie Randolph gets to keep his job as Mets manager. Not sure how that is going to work without a major roster overhaul. The blood of the Mets collapse is on many hands in Flushing Meadow, not just of Randolph. Randolph waited and waited for his veteran-laden team to right the ship, and they never did. Amazin'!
Tom Glavine and John Smoltz were thorns is the Phillies’ side for almost 2 decades, but the NL Crown was won partially on their respective implosions in each's last start of the season, with Glavine’s Sunday dud being downright astonishing and inexcusable for a Hall-of-Fame pitcher.