Monday’s question of the day: Who is going to win the World Series?
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The baseball playoffs start a month from today. Who is your pick to win the World Series? Reporters from across the Tribune family of newspapers will answer this question throughout the day. And we are interested in your comments too, so when you are done reading, chime in!
Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times
The Boston Red Sox, powered by David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, won two World Series championships within four years. The St. Louis Cardinals have the dynamic duo this year, in Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday, and the trade for Holliday could bring the Cardinals their second World Series championship in four years. St. Louis has twin aces in Chris Carpenter (15-3, 2.28) and Adam Wainwright (17-7, 2.68), closer Ryan Franklin (37 of 40 in save opportunities) and a revived John Smoltz as an October weapon starting or relieving. The Cardinals have not lost a series in six weeks. They’re 24-8 since Aug. 1, a period in which Pujols and Holliday each have batted .336, each with 10 home runs. Good luck pitching around both guys in October.
Amanda Housenich, Allentown Morning Call Even though they didn’t make the playoffs last year, the New York Yankees have everything they need to win the World Series this year.
Not only do they have some of the game’s best players, but they are playing their best baseball now, when it matters most. Since August 1, they are an incredible 42-16. They lead the American League in four offensive categories (home runs, 210; on-base percentage, .361; walks, 558; runs scored 773). In addition, they’re second in hitting with a. 282 average and you can count on them to put the ball in play; they’ve struck out just 834 times, tied for the second fewest in the league.
Their pitching features guys many teams would love to have. They’re recorded more strikeouts than any other AL team and have the seventh lowest ERA (4.33) in the league. Don’t forget about their closer---the one no one wants to face. The Hall-of-Fame bound Mariano Rivera, with his nasty cutter, leads the majors in saves (38).
Their starting rotation sets up wonderfully for the playoffs, especially that five-game division series. CC Sabathia is a horse and leads the league in innings pitched (199 1/3), is seventh in ERA at 3.48 and sixth in strikeouts with 167. A.J. Burnett comes in eighth in strikeouts with 155. And with Andy Pettitte’s experience and stability, he can handle anything you throw at him. If they decide to go with a four-man rotation, either Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes are more than capable, and the other will be a great addition to the bullpen.