 Jon Jay has made Cardinals fans forget about Colby Rasmus. (REUTERS) |
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Team payroll
$110.3 million (9th)
How they got here
Record: 88-74
Beat Atlanta in the wild-card game.
|
Beat Washington in five games in NLDS
Octobers
11 World Series, 18 pennants, 22 playoff appearances.
Post-season record
115-97
Manager
Mike Matheny.
Theme
“Repeating is easy without Tony.”
Starting
If every month were October, Chris Carpenter might be undefeated. Kyle Lohse may face Matt Cain in Game 3 and a possible Game 7. They also have Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn or Shelby Miller will replace injured Jaime Garcia.
Bullpen
Jason Motte saved 42 of 49 (86%) during the season. They’ll turn to Mitchell Boggs, Fernando Salas, Marc Rzepczynski and Victor Marte to bridge the gap from starter to closer.
In the box
When the leaves turn, batting averages dip as rotations shorten. Someone forgot to tell the Cards who scored 38 runs in their first six playoff games, including the win over Atlanta.
Fielding
CF Jon Jay has made Cards fans forget Colby Rasmus. They have the best catcher in the game in Yadier Molina, allowing only 45 unearned runs during the regular season, matching the A’s for fewest among playoff teams.
Jays factor
Carpenter is back from injury — see, the Jays were right in 2002 — lefty Rzepczynski, former catcher Matheny.
Canadian content
Bullpen catcher Jamie Pogue from Guelph.
Canada’s team
6th of 10 post-season teams.
odds to win World Series
15-1.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Team payroll
$117.6 Million (8th)
Octobers
One World Series title, four pennants and nine playoff appearances.
Post-season record
27-25.
How they got here
Record: 94-68
Won the National League West
Beat Cincinnati in five games in the NLDS
Manager
Bruce Bochy
Theme
“We’re not leaving our hearts anywhere but on the mound after Game 7 celebrations in San Francisco.”
Starting
Not the same rotation as 2010 even if the names have not been changed. Starters had a 5.16 ERA vs. the Reds and no one went deeper than 5.2 innings. Matt Cain may pitch Games 3 and 7, if needed. Tim Lincecum could return to the rotation replacing Barry Zito,
Bullpen
Despite losing bearded Brian Wilson in the spring, the Giants are deep with lefties Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez, innings-eater George Kontos, and then Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo to close things out. Bruce Bochy said the reason for beating the Reds was his bullpen, which could be without Linceum if he rejoins the rotation.
In the box
Look at the Giants lineup and outside of Buster Posey — two homers against the Reds — what name jumps out at you and you say: “Hey I wish my team had that guy?”
Fielding
RF Hunter Pence looks like Big Bird when he runs, but always seems to get there. CF Angel Pagan can do the job as well.
Jays factor
INF Marco Scutaro.
Canadian content
Part-owner Jeff Mallett, of Victoria, B.C., and super scout Ray Calari from Montreal.
Canada’s team
Ranked 7th of 10 post-season teams.
Bodog odds to win World Series
15-2.