Predictions
Well, not quite. But Mac Thomason of BravesJournal fame gives us his view on the likely outcome of the coming division series after a very extensive analysis: “Most likely outcome: Braves in four.”
That’s sort of where I’m thinking. The Houston lineup just isn’t all that impressive and, as Mac points out, both Clemens and Pettite haven’t been that impressive down the stretch. The Braves defense is far better than Houston’s. Of course, intangibles matter so much in playoff series, but this has been a year where the Braves have thrived on intangibles (who could’ve predicted doing this with all those rookies?)…
5 experts can’t be wrong…. can they?
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2005/series?series=houatl
As much as I would love for the Braves to win I think that the bullpen will implode and cost us the series. Yet, we can win if our starters out pitch their starters. So I guess that’s why they play the games.
Smoltz and Hudson are big game pitchers also. I actually think the starting pitching is a net wash, the bullpen goes slightly to Houston, and the defense and lineup go significantly towards the Braves.