Theo-cracy 2.0

Tom Ricketts introduced Theo Epstein, new President
of Baseball Operations, to the media last week.

Hopefully, a new era has arrived with the introduction of Theo Epstein as President of Baseball Operations, Jed Hoyer as General Manager, and Jason McLeod in some role in player development.  Epstein was formally introduced at a press conference on October 25 while Hoyer and McLeod will get theirs tomorrow.  I hope this means new philosophy with a solid gameplan in the Cubs front office, because for the last two years really, it seemed as if there was an argument going on between staff in favor of rebuilding and staff in favor of trying to win now, and the roster moves the Cubs made were a mix of both.  For example, trading Derrek Lee in August 2010 favored rebuilding, while trading some of the organization's top prospects for Matt Garza favored winning now.  The inconsistencies start at ownership.

I remember this part well; when Tom Ricketts was taking criticism for having a business man in Crane Kenney as President instead of a 'baseball guy' (as in a man with a scouting background who actively is overseeing player development and other staff in the organization), Ricketts replied that he doesn't need a 'baseball guy' to watch his other 'baseball guy' (talking about GM Jim Hendry).  However, Ricketts said in the Epstein press conference that Epstein had been a target to be the architect of the organization from the day Hendry stepped down.  Apparently a 'baseball guy' comes in handy, as one should.  The role of President of a baseball franchise is not to sell hot dogs and suite packages to corporations, it's to oversee all the player personnel and development staff, including the entire front office and all the players.  Kenney hardly did the second part at all.

Ronnie Woo-Woo approves.

The public's reaction to Epstein here in Chicago has honestly been stunning.  I don't really think that's a good thing, though.  If this is a true theo-cracy, then there Theo must be the deity at the center of it all.  So far, everyone in Chicago has tabbed Epstein as the savior of the Cubs organization, and surely there's no way the Cubs won't win a World Series now.  See how far that kind of thinking has gotten us?  Come on guys.

Theo-cracy 1.0, the Red Sox version, was revolutionary because it found value (or lack thereof) in players for specific traits or abilities, so as to maximize the baseball capabilities of the 25-man roster, just like Billy Beane did in Oakland.  However, Theo-cracy 1.0 was performed on a much bigger stage; Red Sox Nation, desperate for a World Series title for the first time in a Cub-like number of years.

Theo was not without seemingly random occurrences of luck.  How could he have predicted that a slow, bad-fielding first baseman-turned-DH from Minnesota, whose career high in homers was 20 in 2002, would turn into the AL home run king with 54 just four years later?  Also, it wasn't like he was taking over a bad team.  The Red Sox had put together playoff teams in 1995, 1998, 1999, and won 93 games in 2002.  He inherited Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, Trot Nixon, Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Lowe, and Pedro Martinez, six established stars on a good team.  On the Cubs, however, there is nowhere near as much star power.

In other news, the wall advertising behind Epstein during
his press conferences will no longer be the Red Sox'
signature visually-appealing Dunkin Donuts logo.

The only stars the Cubs have right now are Starlin Castro and Matt Garza.  After that, questions arise everywhere, whether it be inconsistency from Geovany Soto or Ryan Dempster or who will even start at the corners of the infield next season.  This is exactly why Theo is no savior; this is by far a harder challenge than his first in Boston.

Hoyer and McLeod, on the other hand, were just minions of Epstein back in the day.  The two took what they learned to San Diego, where Hoyer became GM in 2010 and McLeod joined the front office.  Together, they helped revamp the Padres' scouting and development system.  Partially as a result, Baseball America ranked the Padres' organizational talent eighth in MLB.  Now Hoyer and McLeod are reunited with their mentor, and I think the result will be one of the most unique decision-making forces around.

While the roles of GM and President of Baseball Operations are not interchangeable, they have their similarities.  While GM used to be the only job that seemed to matter to construct a ballclub, things appear to be changing.  When the media asked former Phillies and Blue Jays GM Pat Gillick about the Cubs' vacancy, he replied that he longer wanted to be a GM, but rather a President of Baseball Operations.

An action shot of Theo starring the ivy
in a rarely-seen autumn color scheme.

A President of Baseball Operations does exactly what it sounds like; he is the top authority in charge of everything in the Cubs organization relating to the actual team put out on the field, which means he has power over the GM and anyone else in the front office.  It appears to be a most desirable position these days.  Epstein saw the benefits and abandoned ship with the Red Sox to get it with the Cubs.  So even though Hoyer will be making the day-to-day moves like roster call-ups or arbitration negotiations, Epstein will be the key architect of the team, the big-picture guy.  McLeod, scouting director Tim Wilken and VP of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita will be shuffling minor leaguers and crunching numbers to help build the future.  I therefore think it's kind of ironic that everyone is calling Epstein the savior while the Cubs front office will be more of a team effort than it ever has been.

Even though Epstein can't play third or first base, outfield, or a #5 starting pitcher (or a #4 or #3, for that matter), his presence on the team will be felt in the next few years.  He's no savior, but he and his delegation of executives will get the team to start playing better baseball one way or another.  Realistically, 2012 probably isn't the year, but I have high hopes for 2013.  As does Epstein.

2011 World Series Champs: St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals celebrate their 11th
championship and second in six years.

In today's edition of Major League Baseball, payrolls and media markets have focused the attention of the media and fans to a select group of teams.  First and foremost are the big two in the East, the Yankees and Red Sox.  In the last half-decade, the Phillies have joined the group.  Prior to this season, probably 75% of the World Series predictions I was reading from the 'experts' included at least one but probably two of the three.  However, none of the teams fared very well down when it all came down to the end.

The Red Sox and their 7-20 September played themselves out of a playoff spot and into the worst September collapse in the history of MLB.  There was so much money and hype around John Lackey, Carl Crawford, Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis, Adrian Gonzalez, etc, and yet all of the above find themselves on the couch watching Texas and St. Louis.

The Yankees blew the critical Game 5 at home in the ALDS and the likes of Curtis Granderson, C.C. Sabathia, Derek Jeter, Rafael Soriano, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and Russell Martin have also found themselves a spot on the couch.  When you add Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Roy Oswalt, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Shane Victorino, Raul Ibanez, and Carlos Ruiz, who all collapsed in similar fashion in a Game 5 of their own at home, the couch becomes one crowded piece of furniture.

Outfielder Adron Chambers shows off the 'I didn't do
anything in the Series but I'll still party it up' smile,
complete with the classic champagne googles.

And yet there they all are, looking up at the Rangers in their second ever World Series appearance and the Cardinals who were only four games over .500 on August 24, playing baseball on the grandest stage.  This is exactly the reason I hate when those self-proclaimed 'experts' act like they know what they're talking about, some even tabbing the Phillies as a 'lock' for the World Series.  For as much as I hate the Cardinals, I have to give it up to them.

There are two type of rivalries; respectful and disrespectful.  Even though Bears fans, myself included, hate the Packers, I have to respect them for their players and winning tradition.  The Cardinals, on the other hand, I usually reserve much less respect for.  Tony La Russa and his goons just sit there and complain all season about this and that and then make excuses when they don't win, almost as if we should feel bad for them when they lose.  I heard way too much whining about their loss of Chris Carpenter to injury in '07 and '08 while the Cubs were busy tying a bow around two consecutive division championships.  This month, however, I've given the Cards the respect they're due.

The whole 'team of destiny' concept is just a bad alternative description of momentum in sports.  I've never been a believer in it, but if I were, it would be because of the Cardinals.  For the second time in six years, they bulldozed over the National League's two best teams to get to the World Series seemingly out of nowhere.  Right when it looked like they were down and out, the team never gave up.   It was truly a full team effort, just as it was in 2006.

The 2011 Cardinals got clutch contributions in the World Series from David Freese and Allen Craig, two little-known utility players before this series.  While the 2006 Series might have officially begun the great career of Yadier Molina, the 2011 Series may have done the same for Freese and Craig.  Freese did hit the first home run in Target Field history in 2010 in an exhibition game, but who remembers that?

The Rangers were inches from being
World Champions multiple times.

Despite this respect I have for the Cardinals which will run out in a few days' time before I go back to criticizing everything about them, I have a deep anger towards the Rangers.  It remains to be seen whether or not there will be a new round of jokes surrounding them and closing (similar to the Lebron James 4th quarter jokes) but not only did they get one strike away once, they did twice.  And both times they blew it, first to Freese and then to Lance Berkman.  Not only that, but if Nelson Cruz had gone all out on the Freese fly ball in the 9th, the Rangers would have won the Series right there!  Instead, he looked tentative the whole way and didn't really pursue at maximum effort.  Who am I to judge, you ask, but personally it looked like he slowed down because he was anticipating a defensive pass interference call.  Nope.

Michael Young and Josh Hamilton
have little explanation for how
Texas lost the Series.

Heading into this offseason, I know one thing for sure; the Rangers definitely have a better chance to get back to the World Series than the Cardinals do.  C.J. Wilson will be the only major loss for the Rangers, and he was overrated anyway.  Mentally, however, the Rangers are not in good shape at all.  Losing the World Series two years in a row can put a dent in the mental competency of the team.  According to the tactics of the loss aversion theory, if the Rangers were to make the World Series in 2012, the first thing that would enter their minds is, man, we better not lose three straight.  I'm sure it was a long flight home for them, and it'll be the longest winter of their lives.

But when it all comes down to it, three pitches decided the 2011 World Series.  All were in Game 6.  The first, thrown by Neftali Feliz, was a 98 mph fastball to Freese for the two-run game-tying triple in the 9th.  Right down the middle.  The second, thrown by Scott Feldman, was a 93 mph fastball to Berkman for the game-tying RBI single in the 10th.  Right down the middle.  The third, thrown by Mark Lowe, was a 90 mph fastball to Freese for the walk-off homer in the 11th.  Right down the middle.

In conclusion, the Texas Rangers blew the World Series more than the St. Louis Cardinals won it.  However, the Cardinals were right there to take advantage, and for the time being, the baseball world owes them a tip of the cap.

Bring In The Morse Code

Are you satisfied with your current telephone service provider?  The St. Louis Cardinals are.  But they're not happy with the Texas Rangers' provider, as two misinterpreted phone calls blew a tie game in the 8th inning from the Cardinals, drastically swinging the series into Texas' favor.

Octavio Dotel came in to the game to begin the bottom of the 8th and gave up a double to Michael Young, struck out Adrian Beltre, and intentionally walked Nelson Cruz before being yanked so that Mark Rzepczynski could face the left-handed David Murphy.  As usual, Tony La Russa had played the matchups in his favor and got the double-play ball he wanted, but Rzepczynski got in the way.  The ball lined off his leg, eliminating any outs they might have gotten.

Mike Napoli, who had one of the best offensive seasons ever for a catcher, was coming to plate when La Russa called for the heat in Jason Motte who had only given up three baserunners in 10 innings pitched so far in the playoffs.  The bullpen, where Motte wasn't even warming up yet, replied that he wasn't ready because they didn't know he was supposed to be warming up.  In a panic, La Russa, who then realized he wouldn't get his perfect matchup this time, was forced to let Rzepczynski pitch to Napoli.  Napoli crushed a two-run go-ahead double.

Disgusted and frustrated, La Russa let Rzepczynski pitch to the lefty-hitting Mitch Moreland who struck out.  Finally, he went to the mound to bring in Motte to end the inning.  Coming out of the bullpen, however, was rookie Lance Lynn!  The inning couldn't have been more frustrating for La Russa.  When Lynn arrived to the mound, La Russa asked him, "Hey, what're you doing here?!"  Napoli was still on second base and La Russa didn't want to trust his rookie to face the dangerous Ian Kinsler.  Lynn intentionally walked Kinsler before Motte finally came in and struck out Elvis Andrus, but it was three batters too late by that point.

As the travel day left a entire day for the media and blogosphere to discuss the fiasco, the story gradually unfolded as to how the Cardinals could have such terrible communication issues for a La Russa team that, in theory, would not be one to have such issues.  What actually happened, and how did two phone calls make all the difference?

Rewind the inning to the Young at-bat leading off the inning.  La Russa called the bullpen using the dugout phone, ordering Rzepczynski and Motte to start warming up.  However, the bullpen coach heard Rzepczynski's name and somehow heard Lance Lynn from Jason Motte.  Then, when Murphy got on base on the shoulda-been double-play ball, La Russa called the bullpen to tell them he wanted Motte.  The bullpen, however, said Motte wasn't ready because he hadn't been warming up.  A confused and frustrated La Russa decided to let his trusted lefty Rzepczynski pitch to Napoli instead of the rookie Lynn, who would come in anyway after Rzepczynski blew the tied score.  Lynn threw four balls in the intentional walk before being yanked for Motte.

For all the scheming and obnoxious moves Tony La Russa makes, I'm glad this happened to him.  The Cardinals lead the league annually these days in complaints in all categories.  If La Russa hadn't been making his 147th pitching change of the seven-game series, perhaps the odds of this happening to him would be significantly reduced.  Napoli may be a complete beast (which he is, for the record), but Motte and his 98 mph fastball aren't too hitter-friendly, especially for right-handed sluggers.  If Motte is in the game then, the Cardinals get out of the inning.  This critical communication error may have cost the Cardinals the World Series.  Because if the Cards are leading 3-2 and head back home to St. Louis, there's an 80% chance they win the Series in my opinion.  Now, trailing 3-2, it's probably something more like 40%.  For lack of a better system, looks like dugout and bullpen will have to be hooked up with the ol' Morse Code.

Just Win, Baby

Allow me to be the latest in a far-too-long line of writers to use that obnoxious cliché.  In this instance, however, I have sound reasoning to defend the use of it, unlike most other writers who mistakenly think the catchphrase fits their articles.

Earlier this evening the Texas Rangers won Game 2 of the World Series under the most unlikely of circumstances.  It was a complete pitchers' duel right from the start between Colby Lewis and Jaime Garcia.  I predicted the Rangers would win in a high-scoring battle where both starters would be out by the 6th inning.  It was the complete opposite.  Luckily for Texas, though, it's not how you start, it's how you finish.

The Rangers have always been the team that scores oh-so-many runs.  Back in the day, Alex Rodriguez and Rafael Palmeiro would launch bombs in virtually every game, followed by the annually incompetent pitching staff giving the lead away.  But no, the 2011 Rangers are a different team.  They're a baseball team.  Not a get-out-the-tape-measure corporate softball event that was the early 2000s Rangers team.

Well yeah, the Rangers still score better than hardly anyone else.  But the pitching has arrived, and not coincidentally, so has the winning.  On this night, there was little winning in sight after that annoying little La Russa-pet Allen Craig singled home the go-ahead run in the 7th to make the game 1-0.  There was no offense in sight, either, until Ian Kinsler singled to start the 9th.  He came up with the huge clutch steal Dave Roberts-style to get into scoring position and eventually scored on a Josh Hamilton sac fly.  Another sac fly scored Elvin Andrus and the Rangers took the lead 2-1 thanks to a blown save from the dominating hardballer Jason Motte.

Wanna hear about a team with bullpen issues?  How about one that used three closers in the regular season, the first of which was a soft tossing 38-year-old who is no longer in baseball?  What if that team also made the World Series?  Yeah, that's the St. Louis Cardinals in all their glory.  To their credit, Motte has shut down hitters most of the season.  But Motte blew the biggest save of his life tonight.  And the Rangers, using some rare smallball, came back and won, which dramatically swung the Series odds in their favor.

With the win, the Rangers don't even have to go back to St. Louis if they could win three in a row at home.  Like I said before, it took a baseball team to win this game.  The Rangers now have a complete one.  Even though they only scored four runs in the two games in St. Louis, they found a way to win a game, and that's all that matters.  

Dumping Grounds

The loss of Prince Fielder would make Milwaukee's
NLCS run their last for a while.

An opportunity is arising for the Chicago Cubs.  Even next season, the NL Central will be much weaker.  The Brewers, who will most likely lose Prince Fielder, don't have anyone explosive enough to follow up Ryan Braun. Braun will be walked.  And walked.  And walked.  After this current group of Brewers, losing lies ahead.  Milwaukee's farm system is ranked 30th (last) in MLB by Baseball America.

Even if the Cardinals keep Albert Pujols, they're not getting any younger.  To expect another elite season from 37-year-old-to-be Chris Carpenter would be foolish.  Losing Pujols also blows any chance they have for the playoffs next season.  The Cardinals are 24th in Baseball America's ranking.  

The Houston Astros, who had the worst season in franchise history in 2011, won't improve by much anytime soon.  Their farm system is ranked 26th.  And just like that, three NL Central teams have three of the worst 10 farm systems in MLB.  The Pirates are nearly the fourth, ranking at 19th.

Brett Jackson

That leaves the Reds (6th) and Cubs (16th).  The Cubs' ranking is good enough (the Sox are at 27th for comparison) but also misleading.  There are many, many average-to-above-average prospects in the system like starter Chris Carpenter who made his major league debut in June.  At one point, Jay Jackson was also projected to be in the Cubs starting rotation.  Both Jackson and Carpenter had awful seasons.  But they were just two of our many hopeful prospects who endured bad seasons in 2011.  A real weak point to the Cubs farm system is that, since Starlin Castro was called up 17 months ago, there are no stars or breakout talents.  Except for one.

Expectations are already too high for center fielder Brett Jackson.  A possible 20-20 threat, some fans and scouts have pegged him as the Cubs' answer leading off for a decade.  Just reading over a scouting report, however, makes me suspicious.  Anyone remember the last two Cubs prospects fitting the following description?  Athletic future Major League center fielder with good speed and power but strikes out too much for a lead off man.  That sounds too similar to Corey Patterson and Felix Pie, both busts who wound up in Baltimore.  Jackson will still be a good player in the Majors (knock on wood) mainly because he walks more than Patterson or Pie ever did, but Cubs fans shouldn't go overboard on thinking he's some super-prospect.

Josh Vitters with Da Comish

He's still only 21, but Cubs fans having been hearing about third baseman Josh Vitters forever.  Of course, being the 3rd overall pick of the 2007 Draft does come with a little added buzz.  He had a real fine year at AA, and if he keeps it up he'll be a September call-up in 2012.  However, he walked less than once every 20 at-bats.  Although he doesn't strike out much either, he could start striking out a lot more when pitchers figure him out.  81 RBI in 488 plate appearances (in the minors)?  I'll take it.  But he'll need to learn how to make pitchers work before he becomes an elite prospect.

My point is that while these guys are good, they all have at least one notable flaw.  Therefore, none are elite.  Furthermore, none are even that close to being 'sure bets' to produce in the Major Leagues.  The system needs more quality prospects and the Cubs should trade to get them.  The new GM, whether it be Theo Epstein or not, hopefully will pick up on this need.  But who should be traded in order to get these prospects?  Glad you asked.

Marlon Byrd

Marlon Byrd is as definite a candidate as there is.  Despite having a terrible season, he seems to still be somewhat of a fan favorite among Cubs fans.  In 2010, he was a fan favorite as well, and deservedly so.  He was an All-Star, brought smiles and a key veteran presence and decent production offensively and defensively.  This season, he hit in the face by an Alfredo Aceves fastball in May.  He missed extensive time but was no better when he came back.  Although he hit a respectable .276, he hit .198 with runners in scoring position.  In 482 plate appearances, he drove in 35 runs.  Let's review.  In 488 plate appearances, Vitters drove in 81.  With only six more plate appearances, Josh Vitters drove in 46 more runs than Byrd - in AA!  That speaks more to Byrd's failure than Vitters' success.

Carlos Marmol should also be considered.  I hate to admit this because Marmol can be so fun to watch and dominating when focused, but he's overpaid and inconsistent.  The Cubs would probably have to pay some of his salary if he were to be traded.  A good presentation and aggressive bargaining, however, could land the Cubs a premium prospect.  Sean Marshall is ready for the closer's role.  I'm not recommending a trade of Marmol this offseason for the sake of dumping Marmol, but there isn't anyone not named Starlin Castro who is untouchable on this roster.  If a team is willing to give up a good prospect to get Marmol, the Cubs need to pounce.

This next one might be a surprise to many, but Geovany Soto could go at the right price.  If the Cubs have another slow start in 2012, it could be just to time to unload Soto while his contract is still cheap and he is attractive to other teams.  Welington Castillo should get a fair chance at the Major League job, seeing as he can play defense and hit, unlike our other backup of the last three seasons (Koyie Hill).

Alfonso Soriano

Lastly, Alfonso Soriano is a real stretch.  A trade would mean the Cubs would eat nearly all of his remaining $54 million over three years.  However, his 88 RBI last season could be inviting to a general manager who would only have to pay a few million for it and could possibly even DH Soriano.  If the Cubs pay a big majority of the contract, prospects would come their way.

The bottom line is that there are many players on the Cubs right now that are no longer totally necessary.  The Cubs are going to need some core pieces to build a team around and surrounding youngsters who will develop, eventually resulting in winning.  These core pieces could be acquired by free agency, but there are too many players on the roster that are holding the team back and are being kept for all the wrong reasons.  Recently the Cubs have boasted about their record-spending in scouting, domestically and internationally.  Why not show it off now by getting under-the-radar prospects?  With better scouting in the past, the Cubs' current center fielder could have been Jacoby Ellsbury.   

LDS In Review

Rangers-Rays: Rangers 3-1

Games Correctly Predicted: 1/4

After a stunning 9-0 win in Game 1, the Rays really flattened out after that.  They held leads in Games 2 and 3 but let the Rangers come back and win in both.  In Game 4, the Rangers scored four runs on four solo homers - one from Ian Kinsler and three from Adrian Beltre.  The series ended on a groundout to second in Game 4, making it the only series that didn't go five games in this most unlikely of postseasons.

Personally, I expected this one to go five games just like last season's.  The road team won all five games last year and again won three of four this year, so the key is to not have home field advantage when the Rays play the Rangers.  It didn't live up to last season's showdown, but the home runs were entertaining enough.


Yankees-Tigers: Tigers 3-2

'El Papa Grande' gets it done again.

Games Correctly Predicted: 1/4 (didn't predict Game 5)

So much for the Verlander invincibility factor.  Game 1, hyped as a pitching duel between the AL's top two starters in Verlander ans C.C. Sabathia, turned into a blowout pitched by Doug Fister and Ivan Nova because of rain.  Robinson Cano had six RBIs in this joke of a playoff game.  Miguel Cabrera's homer and Max Scherzer's shutdown Game 2 performance evened the series heading back to Detroit, but the series wouldn't finish there.

After Verlander actually did get to beat Sabathia in Game 4, the Yankees got another blowout in Game 4.  It wouldn't have been a blowout without Curtis Granderson, however, who single-handedly saved three runs from scoring in the first with an unbelievable diving grab.  Game 5 was another Fister-Nova matchup, and it didn't go as planned for the Yankees.  Nova allowed solo homers to Don Kelly and Delmon Young in the first which led manager Joe Girardi to pull him after two innings and inexplicably use seven pitchers in the nine-inning game.  And how ironic it was that it was Sabathia of all pitchers who gave up the go-ahead run on a single to Victor Martinez.  A Robinson Cano homer and a Mark Teixeira bases-loaded walk brought in two Yankee runs, but Jose Valverde closed it out in the ninth after Derek Jeter came 10 feet from sending the Yankees to the ALCS in the 8th.

At the sight of the Jeter fly ball, I panicked a little.  I was rooting for the Tigers, as was most of the rest of the country, it seems.  The Tigers really handed the Yankees what they needed - a wake-up call.  With their ever-problematic starting rotation and constantly declining roster, the Yankees will be a worse team next season.  Even if they could get another unbelievable season out of Curtis Granderson, which they won't, they will not again be able to outscore opponents so badly to the point where starting rotation barely matters until the playoffs.  But the problem is, as it has been for some time, who starts after Sabathia?  Not the free agent bust A.J. Burnett.  Nova is too young and inexperienced.  Freddy Garcia is too old and only a temporary fix in the rotation.  Bartolo Colon, ditto.  The Tigers exploited these weaknesses with clutch homers and three solid wins.  Note how the Yankees' only two wins were complete blowouts.


Brewers-Diamondbacks: Brewers 3-2

Games Correctly Predicted: 5/5

Yeah, you read right.  After the Brewers won the first two games, all I heard from friends and baseball colleagues was how the Crew would sweep.  No sir.  I am proud to reiterate that the D-Backs won both home games in exciting fashion.  The Brewers looked totally lost in the desert to the point where I thought momentum had totally shifted to Arizona's favor.  After outscoring the Brewers 18-7 combined over the two games, I thought the D-Backs would march out of Game 5 with a berth to the NLCS.

This game marked the final of the battle between MVP candidates Justin Upton and Ryan Braun, both of whom played well in the series.  Upton homered in Game 5, but the Brewers had a 2-1 lead in the ninth.  Incredibly, Gerardo Parra of the D-Backs doubled and scored on a bunt single off Brewers closer John Axford, who hadn't blown a save since never April.  Yet another indication that October baseball is awesome.  It's interesting when you realize something is true even after a marketing campaign has forced the notion upon you for weeks, as was the case when I realized that playoff baseball is actually great stuff after hearing it for weeks from those 'Written in the Stars' promos.  On that night, it was written in the Brewers' favor as Nyjer Morgan hit a walk-off single in the 10th, scoring Carlos Gomez and sending Milwaukee to the NLCS for the first time ever (they made the ALCS in 1982).

While watching the Brewers celebrate, I was struck by two things.  Anybody else notice that Gomez also scored on a walk-off single (by the Twins' Alexi Casilla) in 2009 to win the AL Central for Minnesota in the one-game tiebreaker against Detroit while now he sends Milwaukee to the NLCS in similar fashion?  Also, one of the great YouTube sports moments ever happened postgame with the Brewers' interview failure.  Or at least it would have, if not for MLB copyright laws.  But anyway, here's what went down.  TBS play-by-play man Victor Rojas tells the audience that TBS reporter Sam Ryan is on the field with Morgan for an interview.  Morgan is actually with Prince Fielder, who evidently didn't want to be interviewed.  Fielder doesn't answer Morgan's question, just saying "gotta go" and walking away.  Luckily Sam Ryan was able to snag Ryan Braun immediately after, and Braun actually cooperates, talking about the "legacy" he and his teammates are trying to create.  Morgan, however, comes up behind Braun and yells to the camera and then storms off.  Sam Ryan and the TBS crew, who definitely want to talk to Morgan more than Braun in that situation, ditch Braun to follow Morgan, who ignores the camera and starts yelling to the crowd.  Sam Ryan stuck the microphone at him, and he dropped two f-bombs on national TV yelling to the crowd.  Upon seeing this I actually laughed out loud.  That's what TBS gets for putting a mic in the man's face!



Phillies-Cardinals: Cardinals 3-2

Games Correctly Predicted: 1/4 (didn't predict Game 5)

In a most dramatic turn of events, the Phillies are out of the playoffs already.  The Cardinals, as unlikely as it was that they would even make the playoffs, beat them in five, facing two elimination games.  I hate all the hype about the Phillies and their supposed dream team of a starting rotation, but them being eliminated in the divisional round?  By St. Louis?!  The Phillies had the Cardinals on the brink of elimination, too.  They should have won Game 4 and not have even had to go back to Philadelphia.  They didn't, however, and Roy Halladay's first mistake was the one that cost the game in Game 5.

There was a time when the Phillies were one of the most powerful offenses out there.  The time has come and gone.  With an ever-aging roster, the Phils were middle-of-the-pack in most offensive categories this season.  A 1-0 loss in Game 5 was a literal and symbolic struggle to get runs, a problem that had come up before in the regular season.  Most of the time the pitching didn't warrant many runs so they would win anyway, but the offense lost the final and decisive Game 5 although the box score says Halladay did.  The Phillies' last chance has come and gone.  Because of the age of their roster and disappointing support from the farm system recently, I doubt they'll reach another World Series with this team.  The 'four-headed monster' of Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels will have to be disassembled eventually.  And that's it.

LCS Predictions:
Rangers-Tigers: Tigers in six (games: TEX, DET, DET, TEX, DET, DET)
Cardinals-Brewers: Brewers in five (games: MIL, MIL, STL, MIL, MIL)

Road Trip Analysis: St. Louis, San Diego

It's been a tough season for the Cubs, but you won't hear
National League hit king Starlin Castro complaining.

Record: 2-4
Final Record: 71-91

Starlin Castro just narrowly missed his 200th hit of the season at home, but he didn't waste any time in St. Louis as he singled to center to lead off Friday's game, making him the youngest Cub ever to get 200 hits and only the second Cub to do it since Ryne Sandberg in '84 (Juan Pierre also did it in '06).  Castro finished this season with 207 hits, tying him for the 9th-most hits in a single-season by a Cub.  He is the third Cub in seven seasons to be the NL hit king after Derrek Lee in '05 and Pierre in '06.

Ryan Dempster kept the Cubs in that game which was a 1-1 tie in the 8th when Alfonso Soriano blasted a three-run homer into the left-center bullpen off Kyle McClelland.  Castro, not to be overshadowed on his special night, hit an RBI single in the 9th.  The Cubs won 5-1, putting a big dent in the Cardinals' wild card hopes, but as we found out later, it wouldn't matter.

The win did matter for the Brewers, however, who watched the end of the game with their fans on the scoreboard at Miller Park.  With Carlos Marmol closing out the game, the Brewers won the NL Central.  The Brewers don't often root for the Cubs, but this was a worthy exception.  I thought it was pretty cool that we were the team to down the Cards and basically give the Brewers their division championship.  I guess that's our one gift to them in exchange for our fans invading their ballpark to watch the Cubs crush the Brewers on their home turf for most of the last decade.

On Saturday, the Cardinals were down to their final strike multiple times in the bottom of the 9th against Marmol and down 1-0.  Marmol walked three, walking in the tying run and allowing the winning run to score on a wild pitch.  A loss for the Cardinals would have meant the end of their season in all likeliness, and looking at the way things played out, if Marmol had just thrown strikes and gotten the save, the Braves would have been won the Wild Card.  So in a way, the Brewers and Cardinals are both indebted to the Cubs for helping them out with their postseason aspirations.  I just wish they could've slammed the door on the charging Cardinals to get some pride back, because they have basically walked all over the Cubs this season, winning the season series 10-5.

Two clutch homers late off Randy Wells helped
the Cardinals get into the postseason.

Albert Pujols still hasn't said anything significant on whether or not he will resign with the Cardinals this offseason.  Just in case he leaves, the Busch Stadium fans gave him a standing ovation before his first at-bat Sunday, which could have been the final Cardinals home game of the season.  It wasn't, however, so more standing ovations will come in the playoffs.

For the second straight day, the Cubs blew a late lead.  This time it was on the starter, Randy Wells, who gave up a game-tying homer to Yadier Molina in the 7th and a go-ahead shot to Rafael Furcal in the 8th.  These inexplicable meltdowns on two consecutive days the Cardinals need to win provided all the evidence I require: I can now undoubtedly say that the baseball gods are frowning upon Cubdom, and are punishing its players and fans with the humiliation of letting the Cardinals into the playoffs.  I'm not a very religious guy, but in baseball, I might as well be evangelical.  Play the game right, and the baseball gods shall reward.

The Cubs were shut out by Mat Latos on Monday night in for the 10th and final time on the season, down from 15 times in 2010.  Mike Quade played "the kids" in the lineup, featuring Tony Campana, Bryan LaHair, Steve Clevenger, D.J. LeMahieu, and Tyler Colvin namely.  Seeing as the Padres allowed two hits all night long, the results speak for themselves.

Alfonso Soriano flips the bat watching
his 26th and last homer of the season
Tuesday night in San Diego.

On Tuesday night the Cubs got their 71st and final win of the season.  Matt Garza got back to .500 at 10-10 and Soriano and Aramis Ramirez both hit their 26th homers of the season in the 6-2 win.  Although Garza deserved better, 10-10 is a solid record off which he can build next season.  It was nice to see one final, complete win where the Cubs thoroughly beat the opponent with clean baseball (they committed no errors).

The last game of the season is always an emotional affair for me.  No matter how bad the Cubs are in a season, I have to watch most, if not all, of the season finale.  There's a certain sense of finality in baseball that I don't see in other sports - not a bad thing, but interesting.  Baseball's 162-game season is such a long grind, it's really incredible to sit there on my couch and think about how this team right in front of me has played 161 games already this season.  Even though this season finale was a blowout loss (a season-ending loss for the Cubs for the fifth year in a row) and I was distracted by the historic Wild Card Wednesday, that doesn't mean I enjoyed it any less.  On the last day of the season, I focus on the nuances of the Cubs players and I just listen to Len and Bob, taking in all in the sights and sounds of my team to last me a long and cold Chicago winter.

Smiling in the dugout always means something good
but there wasn't enough of it in 2011.

The game itself was a nice sendoff for the Padres, who decided to break out the bats despite scoring the second-least runs in the National League in 2011.  Nick Hundley's three-run homer and Wil Venable's grand slam were more than enough to finish the Padres season on a winning note.  Interesting enough, the Padres win totaled their season record at 71-91.  What was the Cubs' record?  Guess.

Now that the regular season is over, my coverage of the postseason will dominate blog entries this month.  Not to be overlooked, however, will be my 2011 Cubs: Season In Review and the 2011 Cubs Awards posts coming up in the next few weeks.  For all of those who have been reading my rants and babbles and complaints and thoughts and whatever other noun you can come up with to summarize my posts on the Cubs this season, I thank you all!  Record readership is a signal to me that I must've done something right.  While you have the spare time, check out my latest creation on Sporcle!