This title may be slightly misleading, but my question is this: is there a pitcher in the postseason this year who can carry a team on his back the way Madison Bumgarner did last year. Maybe you saw it, maybe you didn't. But last year Bumgarner pitched 52 2/3 innings over 4 series including 5 innings on 2 days rest in game 7 of the World Series while allowing all of 6 earned runs for an ERA just a hair north of 1. It was one of the most impressive postseason performances in a long time, if not ever, reminding viewers of Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson in 2002, Josh Beckett in 2003, everybody for the White Sox in 2005 (aside - that was an underrated performance I think. That was a team that didn't have one superstar pitcher, but hardly needed one, going 11-1 in the playoffs, and in the ALCS in particular, they used 1 relief pitcher to get a total of 2 outs over 5 games. Really think about that. And then maybe wonder if I underrated the Cardinals chances...
Toronto Blue Jays The best bet here is David Price, who has postseason experience, and has pitched exceptionally well in big games down the stretch for the Jays. Marcus Stroman could really show the world what he's got, but he probably won't be allowed to throw the kind of innings that Bumgarner did last year. Given their second half performance, this is a pitching staff that also has a chance to be something like those 2005 White Sox, just going game after game of dominance. Texas Rangers This may be why I have trouble seeing the Rangers even getting past the Blue Jays. Their innings and wins leader from this year also had a 4.66 ERA (Colby Lewis). Yovani Gallardo is a good pitcher, but hasn't shown that kind of dominance before. Cole Hamels put his team on his back potentially, but he has been a bit erratic this year and really struggled against the Blue Jays in the past. He would be their best bet I think. Houston Astros Anybody who watched Dallas Keuchel dominate the Yankees and looked at his numbers for this season can see an easy pick here. He's 27, so his arm shouldn't be too much of a worry. He averaged 7 innings per start all year. He's already got a playoff beard in full swing. Kansas City Royals This is a weapon missing from their arsenal. They were hoping Johnny Cueto might be that guy, but he really struggled for most of his time in Kansas City. If he finds what he had early in the year in Cincinnati, he could be big trouble for other teams. But don't forget, they didn't really have an ace last year, and they went to game 7 of the World Series behind that terrifying bullpen. They'll be looking to use the same blueprint this time. New York Mets People will probably say that their star pitchers are too young to put up the kind of workload Bumgarner did a year ago, perhaps forgetting that Bumgarner turned 25 two months before the playoffs and is still younger than Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom. But the Mets do have at least 3 guys who could put in some dominant performances, and could again be a qualifier for the 2005 White Sox style of play. Los Angeles Dodgers Here's a team that is hoping that they have the Curt Schilling - Randy Johnson type of duo from 2001 in Kershaw and Greinke. They certainly looked the part during the regular season, combining to go 35-10 over 65 starts, 455 1/3 IP, 501 K's, combined ERA of 1.90 (vs a league average of 3.90). That's slightly better than the Diamondbacks duo ERA-wise, but look at the rest of their numbers. 43-12, 69 starts, 506 1/3 IP, 665 Ks, combined ERA of 2.74 (vs a league average of 4.36). If they can do what those two did in the playoffs (11 GS plus 1 relief appearance, 9-1, 89 2/3 IP, 103 Ks, 13 runs, 14 BB, 50 H for an ERA of 1.30 and WHIP of 0.714), the Dodgers will be insanely tough to beat. And like those Diamondbacks, they would probably need to, because the rest of the staff is a little shaky. St Louis Cardinals Very much in the 2005 White Sox vein, as mentioned before. With Adam Wainwright in the bullpen, I'm not sure who would take on that kind of workload, unless it's Michael Wacha's year (and it could be - Bumgarner didn't come from nowhere, but he wasn't totally expected to do what he did last year). I'm not sure I see it for one of the other guys though. Chicago Cubs Ask the Pirates who they think could be this year's Bumgarner, after they got shut out by last year's Bumgarner in last year's NL Wild Card game, and shut out again by Jake Arrieta in this year's Wild Card Game. By the way, from ESPN Stats and Info: "Jake Arrieta's last 10 starts (regular season/postseason) 76 innings pitched 2 earned runs". He is probably the easiest pick on the board. Possible Bumgarners - David Price (Toronto), Dallas Keuchel (Houston), Clayton Kershaw and/or Zack Greinke (Los Angeles), Jake Arrieta (Chicago) Possible 2005 White Sox style teams - Toronto, New York, St. Louis.
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Greg JacksonA baseball fan in general. Interested in statistics and analytics. Usually follow the Giants and Blue Jays, fan of all MLB in general. |