October baseball

    Infield fly, infield fly! Has an infield fly rule, let alone a call by a left field umpire ever had the effect on a game that the blown call by Sam Holbrook had on the NL play in game? Chipper's last game will always be remembered as the infamous "infield fly rule" game. I had never seen anything like it. The whole scene was incredible. It must be that October Magic that has A's and Orioles fans smiling. Or, maybe just another reason for sports fans to blame a game on the refs. However, it was a botched call (surprising, noting that the MLB actually has real refs, not Foot Locker employees) but didn't cost the Braves the game. Had that call been made correctly or had Fredi Gonzalez' red face changed the ump's minds, I still don't believe the Braves would have won that game. I picked the Braves to win this game, because of Kris Medlens numbers and the legacy of Chipper Jones. However, I not underestimated, but rather overlooked the Cardinals. I have been saying all year, the Cardinals are just as good as last year and they won the world series. Actually, they may be more talented. Take out Albert "shove it up your" Pujols and insert Carlos Beltran and Jon Jay. I take the new duo over the $240 million dollar man any day. Last year they had Carpenter and Wainwright. Well, the Cards still have them...but, add in Kyle Lohse and super lefty Lance Lynn. A better roster, plus the experience may equal another deep run for St. Louis. We all know what David Freese can do in October, don't make me remind you Rangers fans!
    Toss out the paper, expectations, reasonable predictions, ESPN analysts' hunches and trust your gut. Did anyone pick the Cardinals who, like that team out in Oakland had to sneak into the post-season on game 162? No, sure they had Mr. Pujols and the owner of ARF (http://www.arf.net/) but a team that squeaks into the playoffs?? I ain't buying. How about the 2012 SF Giants? I remember saying if the Giants even make the post-season I will suffer through a year of the Red Sox being terrible (insert, Bobby Valentine). The Giants couldn't hit. It was as if you assembled a team full of the NFC pro bowl defense and an offense consisting of Ryan Tannehill (No reference to his wife, I still love her(!)), 2011-12 form of Chris Johnson and the Larry Fitzgerald with Kevin "corn on the" Kolb throwing to him. The Giants couldn't hit, but they sure could pitch. So what is the most important thing about October baseball? What propelled the Cardinals and Giants to the world series?? What has been the recipe for success for the A's and Orioles??? Clutch hitting! There it is. Who do I think I am, William Shatner?! No. It is true, clutch hitting and the team that is the hottest going into October is the team that will win. It isn't the most talented team, if that was the case wouldn't the Rangers have beaten the Orioles yesterday? With that being said, here are my bold, but probably (hopefully) accurate predictions: *Track record* Picked the 2012 Super Bowl match up during pre-season (still one of my proudest achievements)...Proof--http://keeganskickoff.blogspot.com/2011/08/finally-some-football.html (notice the date) and also, guaranteeing a Kentucky national title, thankfully I kept my hair! But, also picking the Lakers to 3peat, Warriors to be in the playoffs, A's to finish with 90 losses and The Descendants for best picture. Notice the bold area, no one reads italics anyways...right?
    Here we go:
Orioles vs. Yankees- David vs. Goliath, division foes. Love what Buck has done with that team, and the hitting has been clutch all year long. But, I am going away from the KeeganAMetrics (which take into account only September record and clutch hitting) and picking the Mighty Yankees. Cano is the man, my pick for next years' MVP and CC will come back to form. Yankees in 4. 

Tigers vs. Athletics- The best hitter in baseball, triple crown winner and best pitcher in baseball vs. Moneyball. How can you pick against the A's? A team that changed their whole infield in July, has 5 starting rookie pitchers and has 14 walk offs will reach the ALCS. Partly because I want to go back to the Coliseum to watch a game. Athletics in 5(!).

Cardinals vs. Nationals- Gotta believe in experience and Mike Matheny. Plus, Yadier Molina is the best catcher in baseball. The Strasburg prospect hurts to Nats, but Gio Gonzalez (former Athletic) keeps things interesting. Cardinals in 4.

Giants vs. Reds- I don't know what it is about this 97 win team, but nothing really excites me. The Giants can't be underestimated in October. Even without Melky, the cheater and Brian Wilson. However, Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto are superstars and they are poised to actually win a playoff series. Reds in 4.

ALCS- A's vs. Yankees. Athletics in 6.
NLCS- Cardinals vs. Reds. Cardinals in 6.

Wow, were just flying along!

World Series- How can you pick against the A's? Especially after they just got past the Mighty Yankees? They get past New York and they win it, if they don't then the Yankees win it. It will be an AL team this year. The A's prove that being hot, on a roll and clutch hitting are the most important things in October. The Athletics bring a much needed title back to Oakland. I would pick the Yankees, but I honestly just can't pick against the A's. How can you? They just won the AL West! They swept the Rangers and have had the best offense since July. If Mccarthy and/or Brett Anderson come back it is a done deal. The A's don't just want to win, they are playing for Mccarthy and his head, and also Pat Neshek. The reliever who 4 days ago lost his one day old son (prayers go out to the Neshek family). Neshek said that one day with his son was the best day of his life and he wouldn't trade anything for it. Again, how can you pick against the A's?