October 1st: American League Position Breakdown

The playoffs have begun, and we’re down to the four teams in each league who are leading the charge. At this point, any player could be the difference maker. The Zoot Perspective: Left Fielder looks position-by-position, ranking the position players for each representative per team. Take a look at the best the American League has to offer.

Catcher:

1. Salvador Perez

Fun-loving and fun to watch, Perez’s bat and attitude lead the Royals.

2. Alex Avila

Can’t seem to get his batting average up, but he has been there before, so he gets an edge.

3. Chris Iannetta

Has split time with Hank Conger, but will need to handle this staff through the tough lineups of the playoffs.

4. Caleb Joseph

When Matt Wieters went down, the Orioles decided to go with Joseph. He’s been fine, but “fine” won’t cut it in the postseason.

First Base:

1. Miguel Cabrera

He was the best player in baseball the past two years. This year? Not that far off. He will hurt opposing pitchers.

2. Albert Pujols

Pujols’ resurgent 2014 will put him in position to lead the Angels into the playoffs. He’s got a pair of rings, and will help contribute if he’s going to make it three.

3. Eric Hosmer

He’s working on becoming the guy the Royals dreamt of, but a playoff run will help his case.

4. Steven Pearce

He’s taken over for Chris Davis, but the Orioles will miss his pop in the middle of their line-up.

Second Base

1. Ian Kinsler

Kinsler was a great pickup for the Tigers. He has been hitting up a storm, and has playoff experience.

2. Howie Kendrick

Solid. Kendrick is straight up solid. Good table setter for the Angels big hitters.

3. Omar Infante

Infante is the only Royal with playoff experience. They need his leadership.

4. Jonathan Schoop

A soft hitter in an otherwise bopping lineup. Not thrilled by what he brings to the table.

Shortstop:

1. J.J. Hardy

One of the best offensive shortstops the past few years.

2. Erick Aybar

Aybar is holding down the fort in an otherwise weak position. He is, by no means, a liability on any side of the ball.

3. Alcides Escobar

Speed, defense, and a bat with flashes of solid contact. That’s a full package.

4. Andrew Romine

At best, he is a defensive placeholder. The TIgers will miss Jose Iglesias.

Third Base:

1. Mike Moustakas

After struggling early in the year, Moustakas has pulled together a fairly solid bat.

2. Nick Castellanos

A young guy who is going to be baptized by fire in the playoffs.

3. David Freese

He’s been the World Series hero before, but you wouldn’t know it from his regular season.

4. Ryan Flaherty

The Orioles have pop at a few key positions. This isn’t one of them.

Left Field:

1. Alex Gordon

He hits, he plays defense, he runs. Gordon has done everything they needed him to do.

2. J.D. Martinez

The biggest surprise of the season, J.D. Martinez is going to have the chance to come up big.

3. Colin Cowgill

Cowgill hasn’t played much this year, but he gets to play next to the league’s best.

4. Alejandro De Aza

Went from a loser to a competitor, but may not remember that with his play.

Center Field:

1. Mike Trout

The best player in baseball. Period. His star will shine brightly.

2. Adam Jones

If he was playing at any other outfield spot, he would be the best. As it is, he is the leader of a strong Baltimore club.

3. Lorenzo Cain

Fast feet and a solid bat, Lorenzo Cain represents what the Royals’ offense is all about.

4. Rajai Davis

Speed will help an otherwise slower Tigers offense, but his bat needs a little extra pop.

Right Field:

1. Nike Markakis

Markakis is one of the top 5 most underrated players in Major League Baseball. He’s a huge part of this Orioles team.

2. Kole Calhoun

Not a conventional leadoff hitter, but he is proving to be a big-time asset to the Angels.

3. Torii Hunter

He will do anything to get the Boston grand-slam image out of his head.

4. Nori Aoki

Slashing bat will get him on base, and his legs will help manufacture some runs.

DH:

1. Victor Martinez

A would-be MVP candidate, Martinez is protection for Miggy, protected by J.D.

2. Nelson Cruz

After the disgrace of last year, he’s come back nicely to lead the league in dingers.

3. Billy Butler

Butler can’t run worth a lick, but if he can hit it far enough, he won’t have to.

4. C.J. Cron

The young bat will be given the opportunity to produce along with Trout and Pujols.

Starting Pitching:

1. Tigers

Even with a rough past few months, you just can’t bet against three Cy Young award winners.

2. Orioles

You might not be able to name them, but they have been the silent assassins of the AL.

3. Royals

Young and inexperienced, the Royals have been reliable and kept their team in games.

4. Angels

Injuries won’t leave them alone, but they look to have an at least decent chance.

Relief Pitching:

1. Orioles

After the sixth inning, forget about it.

2. Angels

Who would have thought this would be a strength in June?

3. Royals

The three-headed hydra is a force to be reckoned with.

4. Tigers

This has been the sore spot all season for the Tigers, while it could be the most important part of a playoff run.

Average per team:

1. Tigers (2.27)

  T2.    Royals (2.55)

  T2.    Angels (2.55)

4. Orioles (2.64)

September 29th: Painting the Playoff Picture

After 182 days, 2430 games, and six division races, the playoffs are all set to get underway. The Royals are making their first playoff appearance in 29 years, while the Tigers have won four straight division titles. The Angels surged to dominance in the AL West, while the Athletics limped into the playoffs as a Wild Card team. The Pirates only narrowly missed the chance to steal the division crown away from the Cardinals, who take it home for the second straight year.

Now, though, getting to October isn’t enough. What happens for the next month will send 9 teams home with nothing, while one team brings home the hardware.

Here is the Major League Baseball Playoff Predictions, brought to you by the ZP: Left Fielder.

AL Wild Card Game

The As will go as far as Lester can pitch them...which may only
be until the 7th.

Oakland As at Kansas City Royals

The As have the starting pitching to make a 5 game series look painful for an opponent, but they only have one shot here. Jon Lester takes the mound against a Royals team that has stuck around all year long. While both Lester and KC’s James Shields will pitch well, this game will be decided in the seventh inning or later. After that, it is the Royals who’s lineup is dominant enough to find their spots, and a bullpen that can seal the deal.

ZPLF pick: Royals

NL Wild Card Game

San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates

The Giants’ starting lineup has been hobbled by injuries, while the Pirates are in full-on attack mode. The Buccos will also see a huge home-field advantage, as the Pittsburgh fan-base has grown rabid about their team. I think this will get ugly early, and the Pirates will cruise to the next level.

ZPLF pick: Pirates

ALDS

Trout has been a megastar every step along the way. Why
not also in the playoffs?

Kansas City Royals vs. Los Angeles Angels

The scrappy Royals do what it takes to win, while the bashing Angels hit their way into victories. The Royals pitching is good, but not good enough to keep the Angels quiet. The Angels won’t have anything to worry about, in terms of their own pitching. It will do the tirck.

ZPLF pick: Angels

Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles

I had written this whole post saying the Orioles would win this series. I had filed it away for publication. Then, I saw the Tigers rotation for this series. I don't know why seeing it in ink (ok, on a screen) had such an effect on me, but I just can't bet against Scherzer, Verlander and Price in a five game series. Those are the three wins you need right there. The Orioles are good, but nobody is as good as the Tigers rotation at their best.

ZPLF pick: Tigers

NLDS

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Washington Nationals

All that I said about the Pirates before stands, but the Nationals are the real deal. Their pitchers have been unhittable, their offense has been consistently dominant, and they seem to have all of the pieces coming into play at the absolute best possible time. The Pirates will walk away from this series knowing they were starting pitching away from greatness.

ZPLF pick: Nationals

Puig will be the difference maker, one way or another.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Yasiel Puig is the secret to this series. People like to say that he will lose two games with base running errors and and gaffes, but he will win the other two with his superstar abilities. Kershaw vs. Wainwright will be fun to watch, and you can never count the Cardinals out, but this St. Louis team isn’t nearly as dominant as the one that played a tough series against the Dodgers a year ago.

ZPLF pick: Dodgers

ALCS

Detroit Tigers vs. Los Angeles Angels

The league's best pitchers against the best offense in baseball. This is the kind of series that will be easy to predict after seeing the ALDS, but I have to go with a high-flying offense. If any team can make Verlander and Price look like they did in August, it is the Angels.

ZPLF pick: Angels

NLCS

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals

These are the two best pitching staffs in the game, and they will square off in absolutely dominant performances. The Nationals are the more offensively clever team, and they will find ways to scratch across runs. Kershaw will be dominant, but he will only win two of the game necessary to make the World Series. The Nationals will represent the Senior Circuit.

ZPLF pick: Nationals

Harper will play a key role in bringing Washington to
the promised land.

World Series

Washington Nationals vs. Los Angeles Angels

The first team along the road with the pitching to stifle the Angels, the Nationals have the ability to stymie the best hitters in baseball. The Angels will win game one before falling behind 3-1. They’ll get back into it with a win, before going down in Game 6. Nationals win.

ZPLF pick: Nationals

Throughout the year, the Nationals have proven to be a well-rounded team, both offensively and on the rubber. The most successful teams are not the ones with one or two superstars (the Angels) or a lights out ace (the As, Tigers, and Dodgers), but the team that can run a team out every night that will find ways to beat you. The Nationals will put up the 11 “W”s they need to put a big ole’ W on the World Series.