Game #7  – Justin Verlander vs. Matt Cain

Okay folks, here we go.  It’s time for Game 7 of the NLCS.  Only once before has the NLCS gone to seven games–in 2005, when Tempe defeated the Sacramento franchise (then in Los Angeles) 4 games to three.   The 2005 series was particularly remarkable because it started with a three-game sweep of Los Angeles, only to have Los Angeles come back to win the following three games; a Los Angeles victory would have been an unprecedented series victory when starting the series down 0-3.  Now, in 2012, the same two franchises are battling it out in extremely close games.  Let’s hope Game 7 is as exciting as the Series has been thus far.

Both teams save their best for last; it’s ace versus ace.  For Sacramento, Justin VERLANDER takes the mound for his third start of the season, while Tempe sends Matt CAIN back to the mound for his fourth (YES, FOURTH) start of the NLCS.  Tempe’s offense would be the first to strike. Continue reading →

Game #6 –  Cliff Lee vs. Brandon McCarthy

 Through the first five games of the NLCS, both teams have benefited relatively consistent pitching (with the exception of Tempe in Game 4).  Each game, in the end, came down to clutch hitting.  Tempe’s success thus far has largely come from the bat of Adrian GONZALEZ.  Through the first three games, GONZALEZ had batted .545 with 3 runs, 4 RBI, 3 doubles, and 2 home runs; simply put, GONZALEZ had been killing the Capitals; but in Games 4 and 5, GONALEZ was shut down, went 0 for 7 with 4 strikeouts.  In contrast, Sacramento’s strength in its three-game winning streak has not come at the hands of any single bat.  In game 3, J.J. HARDY made up for his 3-error Game 1 performance with a stellar Game 3 performance, batting 2-4 with a home run and 4 RBI.  In Game 4, it was Robinson CANO’s 2-3 performance, with a double, home run, and 5 RBI that put Sacramento over the top.  In Game 5, it was Josh WILLINGHAM’s 3-4, 1 home run, and 3 RBI performance that was the difference maker in Sacramento’s 5-2 victory.  So, with consistently strong pitching (considering the powerful offences each is facing), the question for Game 6 is, will GONZALEZ reappear for Tempe or will another Sacramento bat turn out to be the difference maker?  Continue reading →

Game #5 –  Erik Bedard vs. Matt Cain

Tied 2-2, we are entering an entirely new series folks. It’s now a best of three, and every game matters.  Erik BEDARD steps on the mound for Sacramento; however, with a day off coming up and a strong bullpen, manager George Skiles has decided to keep BEDARD a very short leash.  No one knows what to expect from Tempe manager Chris Douglass when it comes to Cain–his third start in 5 games.  What we can guess is that CAIN won’t be out on the mound long … which Sacramento can’t be too disappointed to hear. Continue reading →