Philadelphia Phillies vs Milwaukee Brewers
Phillies
Strengths- Excellent offense even with LF Pat Burrell’s back acting up… 2b Chase Utley and 1b Ryan Howard form the best right side of the infield in baseball… good speed with SS Jimmy Rollins and Cf Shane Victorino…. 4 solid ML starters, led by LH Cole Hamels and veteran RH Jamie Moyer… excellent, deep bullpen led by Brad Lidge(41 for 41 in save opportunities)
Weaknesses- Team strikes out…. average defense…. ballpark is a sandbox…. Burrell’s back might put Howard at 1b all game with walks
Something to Think about.Phillies punished the Brewers September 11-14 (outscoring them 26-10) and that led to the firing of Manager Ned Yost. Philly hit .299 with 9 homers vs the Brew Crew, while Milwaukee went .206 with 8 homers
Milwaukee Brewers-
Strengths- CC Sabathia…… excellent young talent and athleticism…. great power out of the 3-4 holes with LF Ryan Braun and 1b Prince Fielder… Premier defensive CF Mike Cameron… underrated stars at RF(Corey Hart) and SS(JJ Hardy)…. team likes new manager Dale Sveum… solid closer in Salomon Torres
Weaknesses-Starting pitching is in disarray after Sabathia…. Bullpen is not strong in the 6th and 7th innings… Errors in the infield with all 4 regulars getting 15+ each…. Team Ks a ton with 5 starters all at 115+
Pick
Phillies in 5- Most balanced team in NL too much for an injured and beaten up Brewers staff
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs-
Los Angeles Dodgers-
Strengths-Good starters led by playoff veteran Derek Lowe…Improved offense with the Manny Ramirez trade… Good speed with CF Matt Kemp and OF Juan Pierre plus the possible return of SS Rafael Furcal…good bullpen set up core…Calming influence in manager Joe Torre…Best C in NL in Russell Martin
Weaknesses- Even with Ramirez, not much power…. Do not have an elite closer even with Saito back from injury… 3b and 2b not a strength
Chicago Cubs-
Strengths-Good starting pitching… Top 8-9th relief tandem in power arms Carlos Marmol and closer Kerry Wood… Good team power with 5 players at 20+ homers…deep, versatile bench with platoons at 2b and CF…Lou Pinella knows how to run a team…Rookie of the year in C Geovany Soto
Weaknesses-History!!! Carry the hopes of the city on their back…. Carlos Zambrano is a bit nuts…. Team strikes out with 4 guys over 100… average defensive team
Pick-
Cubs in 5- Strong end of the pen the difference
