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SPORTS ZONE 2: MLB Division Preview

American League Division Series


Anaheim Angels vs. New York Yankees
The young, playoff-inexperienced Anaheim Angels are in for a test, as they take on the Yankees in the best-of-five series. The season series between these two teams was close; the Yankees had a 4-3 advantage, although 5 of the 8 games were decided by 2 runs or less. The Yankees have lived and died by the home run all year, while the Angels have relied on their bullpen's American League low 2.98 earned run average (ERA) to carry them into the playoffs.

Key Players:

Alfonso Soriano, Second Base, New York Yankees: Soriano, a favorite for the American League MVP, looks to improve upon his dismal playoff performance of a year ago, when he batted .276.

Garret Anderson, Left Field, Anaheim Angels: Anderson has found success against the Yankees' left-handed pitchers Andy Pettitte and David Wells, but struggled against Yankees' right handers Roger Clemens and Mike Mussina (.205 with 19 strikeouts). If the Angels are to upset the Yankees, Anderson is going to have to be successful against the lefties in the Yankees rotation.

Schedule:

Game 1: Yankees 8, Angels 5
Game 2: Angels 8, Yankees 6
Game 3: Yankees at Angels, Fri Oct. 4
Game 4: Yankees at Angels, Sat Oct. 5
Game 5: Angels at Yankees, Sun Oct 6, if necessary


Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins

At the beginning of the season, any one who knows anything about baseball would have thought you were crazy if you told them the small market Minnesota Twins would be playing in the American League Division Series. But the Twins, who have not been to the playoffs since winning the World Series in 1991, have been defying expectations all season long. The A's are just happy not to be facing the Yankees in the Division series again, after losing to them in five games the last two seasons.

Key Players:

Barry Zito, Pitcher, Oakland Athletics: Southpaw Zito anchors one of the most lethal pitching rotations in all of baseball and the Twins have struggled against left-handed pitchers all season. With the best record in the American League (23-5) and the third lowest ERA (2.75), the A's will be hard to beat if Zito pitches well.

Minnesota Twins' Defense: The Twins field arguably the best defense in baseball. Shortstop Cristian Guzman and third baseman Corey Koskie seal off the left side, while Torii Hunter, Michael Cuddyer, and Jacque Jones compose one of the best outfields. Because the Twins do not score a lot of runs, their defense must be flawless if Minnesota hopes to win.

Schedule:


National League Division Series



St. Louis Cardinals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

The defending World Series Champion Arizona Diamondbacks limp into the playoffs, with slugger Luis Gonzales out for the series with a separated shoulder. However, with Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling in the rotation, the Diamondbacks are almost guaranteed two wins. The Cardinals' season has been filled with more grief than any team should be expected to endure, with the deaths of broadcaster Jack Buck, pitcher Darryl Kile, and former Cardinal Darrell Porter. Despite their sorrow, the Cardinals look strong coming into the playoffs, winning 37 of their last 50 games. They hope to avenge their loss to the Diamondbacks in the Division Series last year.

Key Players:

Matt Williams, Third Base, Arizona Diamondbacks: With Luis Gonzales out of the line up, Williams is going to have to pick up his slack. Williams, plagued by injuries all season, is going to have to stay healthy for the Diamondbacks to have a chance.

Jason Isringhausen, Closer, St. Louis Cardinals: Despite chronic soreness in his shoulder, Isringhausen was successful in 13 of his last 14 save chances. This success must continue if the Cardinals are to advance to the National League Championship series.

Schedule:

Game 1: Cardinals 12, Diamondbacks, 2 Game 2: Cardinals 2, Diamondbacks 1 Game 3: Diamondbacks at Cardinals, Sat Oct. 5 Game 4: Diamondbacks at Cardinals, Sun Oct. 6, if necessary Game 5: Cardinals at Diamondbacks, Mon Oct. 7, if necessary

San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves

With a nasty pitching rotation consisting of Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and Kevin Milwood, the Braves come in brimming with confidence. They've won 6 of the last 7 Division Series they've appeared in. Not so for the Giants, who have lost the Division Series in their past two appearances.

Key Players:

Barry Bonds, Left Field, San Francisco Giants: Bonds faced the Braves in the National League Championship series while with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the early 1990s and played abysmally. Even with the Giants, Bonds has failed to procure in October. While Bonds might be the greatest player of all time during the regular season, he is going to have to prove himself in the postseason if the Giants are to advance.

John Smoltz, Closer, Atlanta Braves: In his first season in the bullpen, Smoltz has racked up 55 saves. On top of that, the Braves won the final 41 games in which he's pitched. If Smotlz takes the mound with a lead, the game might as well be over.

Schedule:

Game 1: Giants 8, Braves 5
Game 2: Braves 7, Giants 3
Game 3: Braves at Giants, Sat Oct. 5
Game 4: Braves at Giants, Sun Oct. 6, if necessary
Game 5: Giants at Braves, Mon Oct. 7, if necessary


-Written by David Francis

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