Playoff Prospectus: AL... (10/21)
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October 23, 2013 Playoff ProspectusWorld Series Preview: Cardinals vs. Red Sox
The Cardinals and Red Sox each won their Championship Series in six games, denying us a few days of rust-or-rest narrative. Luckily, the easy copy surrounding this pseudo-rematch of the 2004 World Series is plentiful. Ignore that the teams have changed general managers, managers, and players―with the exceptions of David Ortiz and Yadier Molina―there will be revenge talk should the Cardinals win some nine years after being swept. No matter your rooting interest, let's just hope for a more competitive send-off than we got back then. Projected Lineups (AVG/OBP/SLG/TAv) Cardinals
Indications are that Craig is set to return to the Cardinals lineup after missing the first two rounds. Should that come to fruition, the Cardinals will have another middle-of-the-order caliber bat to throw at Boston. Mike Matheny might not have to choose between Craig and Adams once this series returns to St. Louis, as a lot rides on how Craig feels. Otherwise, expect the Cardinals to trot out mostly the same lineup, with one possible exception being Shane Robinson over Jay against Jon Lester. Red Sox
John Farrell has some tougher decisions ahead of him. He's taken to playing Jonny Gomes and Bogaerts over Daniel Nava and Middlebrooks, yet he could go back on those choices this series. The Red Sox are hurt more by the lack of a DH during the middle of the series than the Cardinals, as they'll need to choose between Ortiz and Napoli. Of course, the easy solution would be to slide Napoli to catcher, but he didn't start a game there all season, whereas Ortiz did start a few times at first base. These lineups ranked first and second in their leagues in True Average, with Boston owning the advantage in part due to the DH. Projected Benches (AVG/OBP/SLG/TAv) Cardinals
In addition to helping the starting lineup in Boston, Craig's return could bolster the bench during the St. Louis games. Either Craig or Adams will be available as a pinch-hitter, which is an upgrade over Matheny's choices through the first two rounds. Descalso expects to see time as Freese's glove. Red Sox
There's a chance Gomes will start and Nava will sit. Ross should get a start or two as well. Projected Starting Pitchers (IP/ERA/FIP) Cardinals
In these seven-game series, depth often matters less than quality. The Cardinals have the edge in that department with arguably the best and third-best starters in the series in Wainwright and Wacha, with the latter being the breakout star of the postseason. Given how the schedule works out, the Cardinals could use those two in five of the seven games. That leaves at most one start apiece for Kelly and Lynn, but it also frees them up to serve as relievers should the need arise. Red Sox
The math works out the same for the Red Sox, who could use Lester and Buchholz in five of the seven games should they desire to do so. Peavy represents the litmus test for Boston fans; if he starts, then the series is going well. If he doesn't, then Farrell is likely making a last-ditch effort to fend off elimination. Projected Bullpens (IP/ERA/FIP) Cardinals
Martinez, a rookie, entered the postseason as a wild card. Matheny has turned over the eighth inning to him thus far, and the results have been positive for St. Louis. Red Sox
Meanwhile, Farrell has deployed Uehara for more than three outs three times this October, including twice in the ALCS. He's supposedly willing to throw him out there for two innings if necessary. Defense Managers Prediction PECOTA Says Advance Scouting Reports
R.J. Anderson is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @r_j_anderson
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I disagree with your projection of nava being in the starting linue. Farrell has been a gomes guy for this post season. I think Nava may get a shot at starting in St Louis because the sox will be losing a bat there because of the DH - thus farrell may be forced to play the much much better hitter(statistic wise anyways). I saw someone post some stats that gomes does better than Nava against hard throwing righities. If that stat is true - it gives the first inkling of why farrell has been going with gomes.