The American League may be the better league, but it does not have a better brand of baseball. I am not a fan of the DH and its trickle-down effect on the AL style of play (i.e., no strategy at all). Regardless, this year's ALCS matchup is the one I felt was inevitable.

Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Yankees This really is a battle between the two best teams in the AL. The Yankees once again loaded up on talent via trades and the free agent pool, landing Nick Swisher, AJ Burnett, Mark Texiera, and CC Sabathia in the offseason. The Angels took a strong core and added just a couple of missing pieces--namely Bobby Abreu, Brian Fuentes, and Scott Kazmir--to their seemingly bottomless well of homegrown major league talent.

Of course, the midseason trade for Kazmir probably wouldn't have been necessary if not for the death of pitcher Nick Adenhart at the beginning of the 2009 season. But Adenhart's death has become a rallying point for the Angels; they play with a sense of purpose and inspiration. Although they haven't been back to the World Series since winning it all in 2002, the Angels seem to be in the postseason (or at least in the race) every year. They're winners. 

The Yankees, for their part, are trying to get back to the World Series for the first time since 2003, their longest drought since they began their amazing run in 1996. And for all the talk about how the Yankees "buy their way" into the postseason every year, 12 of the players on their 25-man roster have been with the Yankees their entire careers, whether that be 15 years or two. And that doesn't count Hideki Matsui, who has only played for the Yankees in North America but had a great pro career in Japan first, or Andy Pettitte, who was brought back to his original team after several years with the Houston Astros.

This series, like all postseason series, will come down to pitching. Both of these teams can hit and score runs, and both can hang in a tight game. They have strong rotations and bullpens, top to bottom. But the Yankees have the equalizers: Sabathia is one of the best pitchers in the game, Pettitte is one of the best starters in postseason history, and Mariano Rivera is the best closer in postseason history. The Angels have answers in just about every other area but those three; unfortunately they happen to be the most important three of all. Yankees in six.

Well, I was 3 for 4 on my Guessology picks in the Division Series. Unfortunately, the one I guessed wrong is the one that hurts the most...my Cardinals got swept by the LA Dodgers. If you'd like to read my take on that series (or lack thereof), check out my column from last Sunday. 

OK, moving on...

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Ladies and gentlemen, we have a rematch! These two teams battled it out last year, with the Phillies taking the series in five games to earn a trip to the World Series. The teams obviously haven't changed much, so short memories could play a role in the demeanor of this NLCS. And the secondary stories are intriguing as well.

Dodger manager Joe Torre is trying to get back to the World Series for the first time since 2003 with the New York Yankees, and if he does he has a shot at facing his former club in  the Fall Classic. The Dodgers have also reunited Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome, who enjoyed a lot of success as teammates in Cleveland. Even though the Indians made a couple of World Series appearances in the 90's, they never could win it all. Ramirez eventually won a couple of rings with the Boston Red Sox, of course, and Thome just missed his chance by joining the Chicago White Sox in 2006. When they look across the diamond, they'll see former Dodger Pedro Martinez, scourge of both the Indians and Yankees a decade or so ago and Ramirez's teammate on the 2004 World Champion Red Sox.

The Phillies are up against a lot of history. They are trying to become the first NL team to win back-to-back World Series since the Cincinnati Reds did it over three decades ago in 1975-76. The Dodgers are hoping for a shot at their seventh world championship, and if they make it they'll have to battle some history as well...they will either be a part of the first ever all-Los Angeles World Series against the Angels, or they will re-kindle one of the longest and deepest World Series rivalries of all time against the Yankees.

These teams match up pretty well top to bottom. Both have big bats in the middle of their lineups. Both have deep benches. Both can play defense, steal a base or two, and scratch out a run with smallball. Overall, the Phillies have the better rotation and the Dodgers have the better bullpen. It's like a pick'em, really.

Pitching does win championships. The Phillies' rotation isn't vastly superior to the Dodgers', but it is better. The Dodgers' bullpen, however, is vastly superior to the Phillies'. When it comes down to it, a good starter can get you far...but a solid bullpen is essential to winning the four games it takes to finish off a seven game series. Dodgers in six.

Now that the AL Central Division has finally been clinched, the playoff matchups are set. That means it's time for some wild (but somewhat educated) guesses as to who will survive to play in the League Championship Series!

ALDS

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees: The Twins won a thrilling game to take the AL Central Division crown Tuesday night. Momentum may be on their side initially, but the Yankees are a juggernaut. They have superior pitching, superior hitting, and at least equal defense to the Twins. They also have home field advantage and a day of rest that the Twins will eventually wish they had. The Metrodome gets no more than a two-game stay of  execution, and even that may be generous. Yankees in three.

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels: Again? These two teams seem to make a postseason meeting mandatory, and the Red Sox always seem to have the Angels' number. But all good things must come to an end. The Angels have a very solid team top to bottom. Their defense will be the difference in this series, and it won't be easy, but I think the Angels have more of a sense of purpose than the Red Sox this year. Angels in five.

NLDS

Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies: This series could set a record for most runs scored in a five-gamer. The thin air in Colorado; the cozy confines in Philly...and both teams have a ton of offense. The pitching? Well, the Rockies' rotation is suspect with the injury to Jorge De La Rosa, and the Phillies' bullpen is terrible. In the end, I think the Phillies have more firepower...and if they put up a ton of runs the closer issues will be moot. Phillies in five.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: The two most storied franchises in the NL hook up for only the third time in playoff history. Neither team was great down the stretch. The Dodgers can do some damage on the basepaths, and manager Joe Torre isn't afraid to play smallball...but these situations can be countered with (if not nullified by) catcher Yadier Molina and the Cardinals solid if unspectacular infield. The Dodgers have the superior closer, but he's useless if they can't get a lead for him. Pujols. Carpenter. Wainwright. LaRussa. It's all too much for LA. Cardinals in four.

Stay tuned...we're just getting started, baby!

After watching Minnesota Twins defeat the Detroit Tigers in Game 163 to clinch the AL Central Division Title, I am almost speechless. That game was like a microcosm of the entire season for these two teams: the Tigers had a lead early, the Twins chipped away, the Tigers held them off, the Twins pulled even, and they eventually won. Remarkable.

Now they will head to New York to face the Yankees in the ALDS...and probably get their brains beat in by the Bronx Bombers. The Metrodome lives to see another game, but how many more?

Those were the words used by none other than Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa to describe yours truly after the team's 11-6 victory over the Florida Marlins last night.

It was a hard-fought but good win for the Cards. Todd Wellemeyer got the start in place of John Smoltz, who has a sore shoulder. Wellemeyer, who was bumped from the rotation even before Smoltz was acquired from the Boston Red Sox, promptly gave up six earned runs and only lasted four innings. After that, five St. Louis relievers combined to shut down the Marlins, while the Cardinal offense piled seven runs on Florida starter Ricky Nolasco and another four on reliever Matt Lindstrom.

We visited with some friends after the game, but our last stop was a restaurant we frequent near Busch Stadium. The only patron in the place was none other than LaRussa, who had just finished dinner and was taking in the Monday Night Football game featuring the San Diego Chargers vs. the Oakland Raiders in Oakland.

Obviously we didn't want to be gushing fans so we sat at a table behind him, but since the place was empty we all were watching the game and discussing it. LaRussa was rooting for the Raiders, of course. I root for the St. Louis Rams, so I know what it's like to have no hope. But the Raiders made a game of it, and LaRussa was fired up on every dramatic play. I could tell the guy is a huge sports fan, his professional presence in baseball aside. But the manager in him did come out when Oakland scored late to take a 20-17 lead and the Raiders were celebrating like they'd just won the game (there were more than two minutes left). LaRussa commented on the excessive celebration and how he wouldn't let it happen on his team.

LaRussa spoke very fondly of Oakland and the Athletics teams from the 80's and early 90's he managed. The Oakland Coliseum (or whatever it's called these days) is home to both the Raiders and the A's, so when the Raiders play it's like the groundscrew paints the gridiron lines over the baseball field. I asked him about the condition of that field when the football and baseball seasons overlap, and he said it's terrible. He also said his daughter was at the football game last night.

While we were sitting there, he made a phone call to "Jimmy" and congratulated him on the big win earlier. Then he told us it was his good friend Jim Leyland he'd just called...the manager of the Detroit Tigers. Awesome.

We weren't there very long, and it's not like we shared a table with Tony LaRussa and had this in-depth conversation. It was a very normal interaction like you'd expect to have at any restaurant or sports bar when you come across someone with similar interests. The names and occupations were glittery, of course, but when the uniform is replaced with jeans and a button-down shirt he's just a regular guy, and very personable...not at all like the stony-glare Tony LaRussa you see in the dugout or postgame press conference.

We talked Cardinal baseball, of course, too. He offered info about how the rotation shapes up for the coming series against the Cubs (looks like Smoltz will be back). And that's when he got me. Wellemeyer's struggles were apparent, even from the left field bleachers. He was getting hit hard all night. So I thought I'd take the opportunity, since I had the attention of the Cardinal manager, to toss him a question. "Let me ask you," I said, "why Wellemeyer got the start tonight instead of Hawksworth. I'm just asking as a curious fan." And that's when he said I was clueless.

My rationale (which I failed to make known to the skipper) is that Hawksworth was a starter in AAA, even though he's been a rock out of the Cards' bullpen. If a spot start was needed, why not give the kid a shot? He certainly couldn't be any worse than Wellemeyer, and he'd probably be good for 5 innings or so. As it happened, Hawksworth picked up the win after pitching 1.1 innings in relief of Wellemeyer. But LaRussa said (I'm paraphrasing, of course) that if Hawksworth makes the start, he's toast for the rest of the week...and he's been so good out of the bullpen, why mess with that? The more I thought about it, I realized that the extension of that thought was what to do after taking Hawksworth out of this hypothetical start...bring in Wellemeyer? I'm telling myself that LaRussa was partly messing with me with the "clueless" jab, but he was absolutely correct...which is why he's bound for the Hall of Fame, and I'm just a blogger with season tickets. LaRussa's method got them the win; who knows what my method would have yielded.

I'm not sure if we'd gotten the same interaction had LaRussa known I'd get up this morning and blog about my experience. I know athletes/coaches and the media are often at odds, and sometimes enemies. Not that I'm "media" per se...but someone is reading this right now, so essentially I'm reporting to the public. And that's the similarity, I think, between "regular people" like us and "stars" like Tony LaRussa. Had we been obnoxious fans, we'd have promptly been thrown out (or LaRussa would have left). Had I acted like a member of the media and peppered him with questions, I'd have been treated as such...good or bad. But because we talked to him in a rational manner, he talked with us in a rational manner. That was better than any autograph or photo we could have obtained from him.

Setting aside for a moment the fact that the Cards got a big win against the Dodgers last night and needed the Cubs to lose, I have to say that Alphonso Soriano might be the worst teammate in professional baseball, and I question Cubs fans' sanity for putting up with him. That ridiculous display as he rounded the bases represents everything a selfish hot dog player like Soriano shouldn't be allowed to get away with. He disrespects his team, the other team, and the game as a whole. After his slacker play got him booed...BOOED...by the hometown fans in the previous at-bat, wouldn't the classy thing to do just be to run around the bases, maybe with a few fist pumps, and jump into the pile at home? No, of course not...he's earned the right to clown around the whole time he's circling. Supposedly the pointing in the general direction of the Astros' dugout was actually directed towards his family. Fine. What was the rest of that garbage over by third? If I was a Cubs fan, I'd be embarrassed today. And if I'm pitching for the Astros, he gets one in the ribs every time he comes to bat in today's game (situation permitting).

Just had to get that off my chest. Carry on. No, wait...I have a better idea. Read my InsideSTL column from this past Sunday. Then carry on.

Photo Credit: Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune / July 27, 2009

The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired Matt Holliday from the Oakland A's for Clayton Mortenson, Shane Peterson, and Brett Wallace.

Wallace is the centerpiece of the package sent to the A's. He's a third baseman now, but may project better as a first baseman or DH as his bat is solid but his defense is slightly suspect according to those in the know.

Holliday, of course, is the "big bat" Cards manager Tony LaRussa has coveted for a couple years. Holliday played well in Colorado to start his career, and after a slow start in Oakland this season (his first with the A's) he has turned things up recently.

This deal has been rumored for some time...the Cards were discussing their desire to acquire Holliday even last season when he was still with the Colorado Rockies. One of the big problems that concerned many in Cardinal Nation was Holliday's split stats away from Colorado. We all know that Coors Field is a launching pad because of the thin air, and while Holliday raked in Denver, everywhere else his stats were a little more pedestrian. Holliday is also a free agent after this season, and is a Scott Boras client. So there are no guarantees beyond 2009, and Wallace hasn't yet played in the Big Leagues. That's a big gamble.

Another issue at hand is the fifth spot in the rotation. Todd Wellemeyer has been terrible. He was good last year, even though he rarely pitched more than six innings. This year, he's having trouble getting through five innings and has the second-worst starter ERA in the league.

So is this a good deal? I offer these points:

1. Matt Holliday is a legit upgrade to this lineup. Show me an easy out: Skip Schumaker, Colby Rasmus, Albert Pujols, Holliday, Ryan Ludwick, Mark DeRosa, Yadier Molina, Brendan Ryan. You have on-base guys, you have line drive/clutch hit guys, you have power hitters, you have home run hitters. Speed and power? Balanced.
2. Split Stats do not make or break a hitter. Holliday may have starkly better numbers at Coors Field than he did anywhere else, but think about this: he never hit behind Pujols. That advantage may be bigger than the thin air at Coors Field. Plus, don't forget those "bad" away splits of Holliday's include about 12-15 games each season in caverns like San Diego and Arizona.
3. This acquisition shows a willingness to win. Sure, the Cards have brought up about 328 players for their first ever look at the big leagues this season. But not all have panned out, and most need much more seasoning in the minors. The front office took heed and acted, knowing full well that LaRussa and Pujols are approaching crossroads as to whether they want to continue as St. Louis Cardinals.
4. This acquisition does not bankrupt the farm system or the budget. Oakland is sending cash with Holliday, so the monetary cost is offset. But more importantly, the Cards' minor league system was not totally plundered for this deal. While Wallace was the top prospect in the system, and Mortenson could become a pretty decent pitcher, plenty of high-upside players remain in the system: David Freese, Jaime Garcia, Daryl Jones, Daniel Descalso, Jess Todd, Mitchell Boggs, etc. etc. Will any of these guys pan out? Well...will Wallace or Mortenson?
5. This acquisition doesn't help the rotation, but it doesn't hurt it either. I don't know if Wellemeyer will remain in the rotation, but obviously someone has to pitch in that slot. Now, however, the need for a top-end guy is lessened. Why? Because this is now a lethal offense...if your pitcher gives up four runs, the team still wins if they are now able to score five. I know good pitching beats good hitting, but it's a different mindset if a starter isn't afraid that allowing three or four runs automatically dooms the team. Plus the postion players will be less likely to think they're out of it if a starter or reliever does have the occasional hiccup.

That's all I have now...more later! Go Cards!

Good morning! My Home Run Derby experience was certainly one I will never forget. We got downtown early, and the atmosphere in St. Louis was one I've rarely experienced in my 31+ years on this earth. We tailgated about a block south of Busch Stadium with some of our left field bleacher friends, and at the other side of the lot was one of the greatest vehicles I've ever seen: a hot rod with beer kegs on the back! Now THAT'S how you show up to a party!

Once in the stadium, the anticipation immediately cranked up a notch or two. I go to 40 or so ballgames at Busch Stadium every year, but I've never seen a crowd like this. I would say it was about 70% Cardinals fans (or, at least, Cardinals gear) and 30% other teams' fans. Which I thought was a pretty decent ratio. I was glad to see so many Cards fans were able to attend the event; it's been a long time coming for the city and the franchise. But seeing so many "other" fans was really a treat. When the Chicago Cubs are in town the crowd can be as much as 40% Cubs fans, and that's a great thing for the rivalry and the game. But having groups of Blue Jays fans, Rays fans, Angels fans...it truly was the North American Nation of Baseball last night.

We walked into the stadium near third base, but when we made our way around to the outfield area the mood cranked up to a near frenzy. I've never seen so many people in the outfield concourse at Busch, and the crowd gathered outside the fence in left field (which is only about 30 yards away from the last row of seats) absolutely blew me away.

Our seats were in the right field bleachers, but we used our influence with the wonderful staff at Busch to go into the left field seats where our season tickets are and visit with our friends. The great part is, one friend (Thanks, Carrie!) sits in the front row along the wall in left-center. So we had a front row seat for batting practice before the Derby. It was really cool to get to see the AL All Stars hanging out with their kids and joking around with each other. And there's something really special about seeing guys that are supposed to be enemies on the field being able to unite for an event like this. It's a good reminder that, at the end of the day, you can take all the money and fame and controversy away and they're all just Big Kids playing the game that they love.

The first big highlight was actually for my girlfriend Sarah, who is originally from the South Side of Chicago and is a White Sox fan. While we were in the front row in left-center, the White Sox lone All Star representative (and St. Louis-area native) Mark Buehrle was within earshot so Sarah was cheering him and yelling his name. He turned around and, seeing her Sox gear, gave her a tip of the cap. A few minutes later, a ball landed near us on the field. Buehrle was the closest player, so he walked back to retrieve the ball as it came to rest right next to the bullpen. Buehrle picked up the ball, pointed to Sarah, and tossed it to her. As you can imagine, this made her night. If we're not able to catch him today, I told her I'd take her to SoxFest this winter so she can get him to autograph the ball. 

Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers put on an absolute show in the Derby. Home runs at Busch have NOT been hit to the places he was hitting them last night. They just haven't. And this guy just turned 29? Rangers fans should have something really special to watch for a few years. Prince Fielder of the Brewers hit similar bombs in the second and final rounds. He didn't hit any to me, but a couple were long enough. The 503-footer would have fallen in my lap had it been one section closer to the foul pole. And I really feel bad for Brandon Inge. That poor guy does not have good luck in big situations at Busch Stadium. In 2006, he struck out for the final out of the Cardinals' World Series victory. Last night, he put up a zero in the Home Run Derby. Inge is a fine player and has had a good career, but I have a feeling St. Louis won't make his list of great memories.

And what can be said about Albert Pujols that hasn't already been said? He didn't win the Home Run Derby, but he provided the some of the drama and excitement that we in St. Louis have come to expect--and love--from El Hombre. He launched a bomb to force a "swing-off" with Carlos Pena and Joe Mauer, and then another in the "swing-off" clinched his spot in the second round. Both dingers elicited responses from the crowd that made it sound like he'd just hit a walk-off homer to clinch the division title. It was awesome.

Honestly, some parts of the evening were a little slow. I suppose that's a testament to the folks that broadcast the event, because every Home Run Derby I've watched on TV has seemed like almost non-stop excitement. And there's no way we could have expected another clinic like the one Josh Hamilton put on last year at Yankee Stadium. But I think something more profound took place in those slow periods, too, at least in my mind. I was reminded that the "Steroid Era" may be coming to a close. Sure, some boneheads will continue to use PED's, and hopefully they will be caught. But think about it...only one homer went 500 feet. Not long ago, that might have been one of the shorter distances in the competition. Maybe the "long" homers we saw from Fielder, Cruz, and Pujols will help us (and maybe the players thinking of using PED's, too) remember that it's OK to use only your talent and hard work to become a great hitter, and even a Home Run Derby hero.

Well, after a full weekend of All Star build-up events, it's time for the real deal. But more on that in a minute. First, a quick recap of All Star Fanfest, which I attended Saturday.

FanFest is a great way to kick off your All Star experience, but it can also be a good daytime activity if you're planning on going to the Home Run Derby tonight or the All Star Game tomorrow. Even though we've all been urged to get to the park early, FanFest starts at 9:00. You'll have plenty of time to get in, see a bunch of great exhibits and baseball activities, and still be able to make the evening events with time to spare. Official details on FanFest can be found at the All Star Game website or you can read about my personal experience from Saturday in my InsideSTL column from yesterday.

I did make it down to the Futures Game and Celebrity/Legends Softball Game on Sunday...but after four hours of rain and milling through the crowd of thousands gathered in the Busch Stadium concourses, I'd had enough. So I went to a little Irish Pub/Sports Bar called Flannery's on Washington Ave. and had a couple Smithwick's drafts and a fish sandwich (and corn nuggets...which where incredible). Kudos to those of you that not only waited out the storm but stuck around for the events after the clouds lifted.

In a few hours I'll be heading to downtown St. Louis for a little tailgating, the official Workout Day, and the Home Run Derby. And, actually, if you're watching at home, you just might see me on TV. My tickets are in the right field bleachers straight up from the home bullpen at the top row and in the middle of the center aisle. I'll be wearing the coveted powder blue #51 Willie McGee jersey you see in my profile, so I shouldn't be too hard to miss. With all the lefties competing in the Derby this year, I feel like I have a pretty good chance to get a ball, and I'm taking my glove to the game for the first time since I was 10 years old. If you do see me tonight, stop by here and leave a comment about it! I'll have a full report on the evening later tonight (or maybe first thing in the morning).