NLCS Preview: Pittsburgh (98-67) vs Arizona (98-68)

[Porter]

Season Series: Arizona won series 4-2

How they got to the LCS: Pittsburgh was dominant in its sweep of the Giants. Arizona relied on their rotation and offense to upset Philly.

Probable Rotations (Once again off projection)
Game 1: John Pascua (1-0, 7.20) vs James Petrey (1-0, 1.00)
Game 2: Lance Uppercut (1-0, 3.86) vs Daniel Saunders (2-0, 1.29)
Game 3: Robert Olsen (1-0, 1.23) vs Pedro Batista (0-1, 4.50)
Game 4: Robert Destefano (0-0, 0.00) vs James Petrey
Game 5: Lance Uppercut vs Daniel Saunders
Game 6: Robert Olsen vs Pedro Batista
Game 7: John Pascua vs James Petrey

* I doubt that Zito will go this route with his matchups. So don't set that in stone.

Position Matchups

Catcher: Isidoro Romero (PIT) vs Carl Holmes (ARI)
Romero is a much superior hitter and defender. Holmes is the much better runner but still. Edge: Pittsburgh, I'm a realist, Holmes is good but he's not on Romero's jockstrap.

1st Base: Ryan Carroll (PIT) vs Michael Cox/Weldon Ackermann (ARI)
Unlike Philly, Ryan Carroll is a better player than both Cox/Ackermann combined. While Cox is producing in the postseason. Edge: Pittsburgh, easily and I do need a 1B in the offseason.

2nd Base: Isidoro Alfraro (PIT) vs Ricky Ornelas (ARI)
Both guys are stinking up the joint this postseason. But were very similar during the regular season. Edge: Even. Right down the middle.

3rd Base: Tim Lachance (PIT) vs Richard Vanvalkenberg (ARI)
One of the many ex-DBacks on the roster, Lachance has been relatively quiet this postseason. Vanvalkenberg has lived up to his nickname this postseason with a 1.074 OPS. Edge: Arizona, Vanvalkenberg has stepped up this season.

Shortstop: Chris McMaster (PIT) vs Jeff Ward (ARI)
McMaster didn't do too much vs the Giants, then again they didn't need him. Jeff Ward was 6 for 11 with 4 RBIs and 1.220 OPS vs the best pitching staff in the NL this season. Edge: Arizona, Ward has been huge in his rookie season. But I won't count out McMaster in this series.

Left Field: Jose Bemudez (PIT) vs Alex Morabito (ARI)
The ageless wonder continued his strong postseason resume hitting .500 and 5 runs scored. Jose Bemudez has to step up his power game to help the Pirates offense. Edge: Arizona, Ward and Morabito carried them past the Phillies.

Center Field: Javier Barbosa (PIT) vs JC Carillo (ARI)
Edge: Pittsburgh, not even worth mentioning.

Right Field: Fred Luera/Willie Hayes (PIT) vs Bill Sato (ARI)
Sato has stunk up the joint so far. Luera had a steady postseason so far.
Edge: Even, Will the 2025 or 2026 Bill Sato please stand up.

Starting Pitching: Regular Season its about even. This postseason it remains even.

Middle Relief: Arizona, outside of a 19-yr old converted starter that allowed two runs. They have out performed Pittsburgh's bullpen.

Closer: Even. Delossantos closed games before Daigneault in Zona. Neither have allowed a run in the postseason. Something has to give.


Outlook: Lets face it. All bets are out the window right now. Both teams are fairly young and didn't really expect to make it this far. Anything can go and I still think this will be a long series. In the end, Pittsburgh has the better offense and could end up winning this out. Pirates in 6.


P.S. Someone else can do the A.L.

[BrewerBall13]

someone else do the AL? But Porter, you do such a good job with these and I really need to see an ALCS preview post that proclaims (probably rightfully so) how badly I'm gonna get my ass kicked...

[Porter]

After looking really bad like the Giants in the LDS. I would like to abstain lol.