The Week Ahead: October feel in early May
Article By smcneal.tsn on 2nd May, 2010
Ready for some baseball drama? With Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard in the same park, you could get plenty. But we're not talking about the hyperbole surrounding Pujols' next contract with regards to Howard's five-year, $125 million extension. Pujols says he won't discuss that.
We're talking about something much juicier: a week full of series between playoff contenders. Seven of the eight clubs to reach the postseason in 2009 face a fellow playoff team this week. The one who doesn't? The Twins face the Tigers, the team they beat in a one game play-in to reach the playoffs last year. Have a look:
Cardinals at Phillies The Cardinals get their first taste of Roy Halladay in a Phillies uniform this week. These clubs are too savvy to get worked up about a four-game set in May. "This is a good team we're facing but our goal remains the same: We want to win the series, just like every series," Cardinals right-hander Kyle Lohse says.
Behind a rotation sporting a 2.55 ERA and the slugging of Pujols -- who else? -- the Cardinals have won seven of their eight series and built a five-game lead in the NL Central. The club also has boosted by better-than-expected contributions from two rookies, lefty starter Jaime Garcia and third baseman David Frese.
Garcia, 23, already has held his own in duels with Johan Santana and Tim Lincecum, and does not figure to be ruffled by the NL champions. "They'll test him. They have an outstanding offensive team," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He'll go out there and try to make his pitches."
The Cardinals come to Philly after winning six of seven on a home stand, including two of three against the Reds. While the Cardinals refuse to get overly amped about a trip to Philadelphia, Reds manager Dusty Baker perked up when he was told about the Cardinals-Phillies series.
"Is (Roy) Halladay going?" Baker quickly asked.
Yes, ...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
We're talking about something much juicier: a week full of series between playoff contenders. Seven of the eight clubs to reach the postseason in 2009 face a fellow playoff team this week. The one who doesn't? The Twins face the Tigers, the team they beat in a one game play-in to reach the playoffs last year. Have a look:
Cardinals at Phillies The Cardinals get their first taste of Roy Halladay in a Phillies uniform this week. These clubs are too savvy to get worked up about a four-game set in May. "This is a good team we're facing but our goal remains the same: We want to win the series, just like every series," Cardinals right-hander Kyle Lohse says.
Behind a rotation sporting a 2.55 ERA and the slugging of Pujols -- who else? -- the Cardinals have won seven of their eight series and built a five-game lead in the NL Central. The club also has boosted by better-than-expected contributions from two rookies, lefty starter Jaime Garcia and third baseman David Frese.
Garcia, 23, already has held his own in duels with Johan Santana and Tim Lincecum, and does not figure to be ruffled by the NL champions. "They'll test him. They have an outstanding offensive team," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He'll go out there and try to make his pitches."
The Cardinals come to Philly after winning six of seven on a home stand, including two of three against the Reds. While the Cardinals refuse to get overly amped about a trip to Philadelphia, Reds manager Dusty Baker perked up when he was told about the Cardinals-Phillies series.
"Is (Roy) Halladay going?" Baker quickly asked.
Yes, ...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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