MLB 2014 Postseason: NL Wild Card Game

Well, the lineups have been posted for tonight's game, and I must say I'm a little surprised. As happy as I am to see Fuld in left field and batting second where I wanted him, I am decidedly NOT happy to see Adam Dunn on the bench. Wasn't everyone making such a big deal about him making his postseason debut this year, and now he's not even starting in what could be (although hopefully not) his ONE chance at playing in a postseason game? Dunn is hitting only .200 against James Shields for his career, but he does have a HR (to go along with 5 walks and 16 K's). At least Bob Melvin didn't have to sacrifice any defense to get Stephen Vogt's super clutch bat in such a big game, but I would honestly rather see HIM come off the bench in the late innings. Looking back, it makes sense that Geovany Soto would start over Derek Norris behind the plate, since Norris has fallen off quite a bit (remember when he was an All-Star, you guys?) and I've seen Soto be a one-man offense in person vs. the Phillies - at least for the first 9 innings, until Josh Donaldson's walk-off HR. Ned Yost filled out his lineup card pretty much true to form of what we've been seeing for the last few weeks.

Meanwhile, let's check out what the lineups for tomorrow's NL Wild Card game might look like. The Pirates and the Giants actually had the same record this year, which I always like to see because it kind of justifies the whole second wild card spot - this one-game playoff would still be happening under the old 8-teams-make-the-playoffs system! Pittsburgh will host by virtue of their 4-2 season series advantage over San Francisco, so let's start with them:

Pedro Alvarez was the Bucs' third baseman for most of the season with Josh Harrison playing more of a super utility role, but a stress fracture to the former's foot has allowed the latter's bat (he finished the season within 4 points of the batting title) to find a regular position on the field. With J-Hay entrenched at the hot corner, right field is open for former Blue Jays prospect Travis Snider, who has gotten most of the starts out there in the season's final month while Pirates prospect Gregory Polanco gets some more seasoning on the bench. He has also been hitting second, since manager Clint Hurdle also apparently believes in the importance of the platoon split. I was a bit optimistic slotting Russell Martin in to the lineup, as his hamstring makes him an uncertainty at best. But with backup catcher Chris Stewart's wrist feeling the pain of Johnny Cueto's backswing, it's more important than ever that the Canadian Martin can play. I put Ike Davis in the lineup since I have a propensity to highlight midseason acquisitions, but in all likelihood he will sit in favor of righty Gaby Sanchez against Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner. The rest of the lineup are no-brainers, particularly defending NL MVP Andrew McCutchen, who it turns out I didn't need to win my fantasy baseball league after all!

With young ace-in-the-making Gerrit Cole used on the last day of the season to try and catch the Cardinals for the NL Central title, Edinson Volquez gets the nod in this season-making game. Despite a propensity for wildness - his 71 walks in 2014 ranked 10th in the league and he's 32nd on the active list in that category with 520 for his career - he's actually been the most consistent pitcher on the Pirates' staff, as the only hurler to start at least 30 games. He and Francisco Liriano have to rank near the top of the list of highest-upside 1-year free agent contracts (although Liriano's 2013 deal had an option, which he is currently playing out). Mark Melancon has stepped in admirably after former closer (and WBC Team Italy member) Jason Grilli faltered and was eventually traded to the Angels for their closer (Ernesto Frieri), who faltered and was eventually released. Meanwhile, who would have predicted that Tony Watson and Jared Hughes would finish the season with ERA's under 2 (1.63 and 1.96, respectively), becoming one of the most dominant lefty/righty relief duos since Stanton/Nelson for those late 90's Yankees.

Injuries sure have devastated the Giants' lineup at exactly the wrong time. Leadoff hitter/center fielder Angel Pagan is out for the rest of the season with a bulging disk in his back. Left fielder/first baseman Michael Morse is recovering from a strained oblique. Second baseman/consummate veteran Marco Scutaro has played in exactly five games this year. Don't Panik, though: #14 organizational prospect Joe Panik has had a nice start to his career with a .305 average in 73 games filling in at the keystone. In the outfield, Gregor Blanco is a fine replacement level center fielder, but San Francisco might not have any other options for left field than journeyman Travis Ishikawa. This lineup still has some pop in Hunter Pence, Buster Posey, and Pablo Sandoval, but after those threats, there is a big-time drop off.

Speaking of drop-off, this rotation is not nearly as dominant as some of the Giants playoff teams of the recent past, mostly due to Matt Cain being lost for the season with bone chips in his throwing shoulder. Tim Lincecum has also struggled before and since throwing his no-hitter, and was dropped from the rotation at the end of August. The good news is that Tim Hudson has shown limited signs of aging and Jake Peavy has been sharp since being acquired from the Red Sox, but none of that matters for this one game playoff, where SF will start their unquestioned ace, Madison Bumgarner. The members of the Pirates current starting lineup have hit Bumgarner pretty well, however, with their combined average - even including McCutchen's .200 clip - at .339 against him. But that doesn't mean he's not one of the premiere lefties in the game right now. The bullpen has also seen their share of upheaval, with Sergio Romo losing the closer's job to Santiago Casilla in the beginning of July, but they still have some good weapons against both lefties and righties, plus breakout swingman Yusmeiro Petit will be available in a long relief role.


Yes, writing this post was mostly just a way to keep myself busy so that I wouldn't have to nervously stew about what will happen in the A's game tonight at 5pm PT on TBS. Depending on what happens in that game, you might find me watching the NL Wild Card game tomorrow at 5pm PT on ESPN, or you might find me crying in the fetal position with a bottle of whiskey clutched to my chest. YAY BASEBALL!