30 for 30 -- WILD CARD

We're finally to the postseason following the Game 163 matchups, which had an amazing performance by Roy Halladay to send the Phillies to the #2 seed. Ok, let's just get into it!!!

NL WILD CARD:    (5) Cubs at (4) Marlins

Cubs Lineup:

Chicago's hot-or-cold lineup is going to be tested against the NL Cy Young runner-up/MLB ERA leader Jose Fernandez. As a team, the Cubs hit .247/.318/.411 on the season, finishing with the 15th most runs scored. Their best hitter was clearly Slammin' Sammy and his league-leading 57 HRs. With their five OB 9 or OB 8 hitters, the table is set for OG Pedro-like Fernandez to dominate.

Marlins Lineup:

Miami lacks the star power of the top of Cubs lineup, but it's super deep and super fast. They're also led by their MVP-finalist #3 hitter, and Hanley was my vote for NL MVP with his 64 doubles. Miami finished #7 in the MLB in runs scored, putting up the following team slashline: .270/.347/.405. Indeed, Marlins finished second in baseball in OBP, but 19th in SLG. If the Cubs are going to pull the road upset, they're going to need their ace to strand ducks on the pond! We all knew Fernandez's amazing season, but Jake had a respectable season -- 15-10, 3.03 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 254 K in 232 IP.

RESULT:    2-0    Marlins

Behind an absolute gem by their ace, Miami takes this one in a shutout! Fernandez went 7 IP (3 BB, 2 H) while accumulating 7 K. Arrieta had a strong performance for the Cubs with 7 IP of his own (1 BB, 7 H), but Hanley Ramirez was just too much for him and Soto's arm, constantly pressuring by putting himself in scoring position (2-3 with a BB, 3 SB, R). Emilio Bonafacio drove in Luis Castillo after a similar "single + steal" situation for the security run. The Cubs did make it dramatic in the ninth inning, putting Soriano and Fukodome on with two outs, bringing up the lethal chart of Javy Baez with a chance to tie or take the lead.... but Benitez clutched up and struck him out to end the ball game! Just like that, Miami is off to Milwaukee for the NLDS!

AL WILD CARD:    (5) Seattle at (4) Oakland

The Mariners lineup is extremely fun at the top... after all, they're going with Ichiro-ARod-Edgar-Griffey!! However, even with those top hitters, Seattle finished 23rd in runs scored, mainly because of the weak production from Kyle Seager and Mike Zunino. As a squad, they put up the following slashline: .263/.326/.408. However, Sir Edgar was 13th in OPS, Griffey and ARod were All Star starters too, and Ichiro finished fourth in hits with 202. These guys can still do damage, even if the backend of the lineup is suspect.  They're going to be facing down the. ace for Oakland, the very fondly remembered Barry Zito, who put up solid stats this year -- 11-12, 2.95 ERA, 1.40 WHIP.

Oakland Lineup:

Well, the Oakland offense has two obvious keys at its top -- MVP Mark McGwire and Silver Slugger Jason Giambi. Behind these two being absolute demons at the plate, the A's finished with a .262/.343/.424 slashline. However, they were 20th in total runs scored, which means this could turn into a real pitcher's duel if King Felix can keep the big dogs from taking him deep. With five hitters that snagged 20 or more HR, that's definitely going to be an "easier said than done" proposition... but the "KING Ace" may be just the man to do it! After all, Hernandez pitched strong this season, finishing 14-10 with a 2.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.

RESULT:    5-0     Mariners (13 innings)

This was an all-timer, despite the final score, as King Felix and Barry Zito engaged in an incredible pitching duel!! For the Mariners, Hernandez pitched a complete game shut out, striking out 9 and surrendering only one hit (with 6 BB). Meanwhile, Barry Zito threw 8 shut out innings, navigating the 8 H and 3 BB he surrendered masterfully. The teams turned to their bullpens, who continued the shut out until the top of the 13th, when Dan Otero got into hot water, giving up a 3 run BOMB to unexpected hero Kyle Seager. Ichiro and ARod tacked on extra security runs following that, with Otero being forced to stay in vs handing it over to terrible Mike Mohler (6.72 ERA). Anthony Misiewicz came in and finished things up for Seattle, who will move on to face #1 seed Cleveland after an absolutely EPIC battle.  

NLDS games coming soon!!!