Let's start with the NLCS. How about Tim Lincecum vs. Roy Halladay in Game 1? You couldn't have picked a better pitching match-up. Overall, there's no question that Philadelphia has a better, deeper lineup. And I would take their pitching staff over the Giants, as well, because of the experience of Roy Oswalt and former World Series MVP Cole Hamels. I think the Giants have a better shot of slowing down Philly's offense than the Reds did, but Philadelphia is far too strong to be stopped now. Only an American League team has a shot at beating them. Give me Philadelphia in 5 in the best of 7 series.
Now for the ALCS. First, congratulations to the Texas Rangers on winning their first ever series in the playoffs. It's tough to be able to watch other team's games throughout the course of the year, so I truly didn't have a good bearing on how good the Rangers were. I knew they were good, but I didn't think they were as solid as they showed in their series against Tampa. So kudos to Texas; and to my buddy Jeff, yes, you were right, the Rangers are legit. So here we go, Texas and New York. I love the pitching staff of Texas, especially with Cliff Lee and CJ Wilson at the top, and the back of their bullpen. I think New York's lineup may be a touch stronger, but Texas has more flexibility, with speed up and down the order. This series will be as close as it gets, but with four home games for Texas, I'll take the Rangers in 7.
MVP: Joey Votto - Is there even any doubt? I mean really. He's been the best player on the team for the last several years, and now he's taken it to another level. Votto hits for power, average, and in the clutch. His defense has even improved. He carried this team on his back for stretches, like all the great ones do. One moment always sticks in my mind about him this season. They were down three to Philadelphia, with two out in the 9th inning. Thom Brennaman kept saying they need to get Votto to the plate, representing the tying run. Well, with two down, Phillips and Cabrera both got on, and sure enough, Joey Votto lined a game tying homer into the seats in left center. How much more clutch can you get?
Cy Young: Bronson Arroyo - Arroyo is too important to the team as a whole to ignore. It was his 5th straight season with at least 200 innings, and his 3rd straight season with at least 15 wins, notching a career high 17 wins. Arroyo has been defined by his consistency in Cincinnati. He takes the ball every five days, and I know that any manager in baseball would love to have him on their staff. This guy isn't an ace, but he can sure pitch like one at times, as evidenced by his performance in the playoffs. And he's undoubtedly the glue to this rotation.
Reliever of the Year: Arthur Rhodes - Raise your hand if you thought he'd be an All Star before this season. Yea, that's what I thought. After giving up a homerun on the first weekend of the season, he went on some kind of run. He was the most reliable reliever in all of baseball for a long stretch, and though he faded, Sir Arthur was vital early in the season with all of those bullpen issues.
Rookie of the Year: Mike Leake - As vital as Rhodes was to the bullpen, this guy was to the rotation. While Homer Bailey and Aaron Harang were consistently ineffective, Leake was seemingly throwing 6 or 7 innings of two run ball every time. His arm tired down the stretch, and he became highly ineffective, but for Mike Leake to be this kind of starter without ever throwing a pitch in the minors is absolutely unbelievable.
Surprise of the Year: Miguel Cairo - When Cairo made the club out of spring training, I thought for sure it was a sign that the Reds were doomed for another bad season. Really? He didn't hit in spring, and he didn't hit in April. I thought he was a worthless bum. Little did I, or many other Reds fans know, that he would become vitally important when Votto or Rolen needed time off or were hurt. He stepped right in and would come up with two or three hits and a couple RBI's every game, like clockwork. I don't think the Reds would have been anywhere near where they were without him.
Disappointment of the Year: Aaron Harang - I don't have much to say. I hope he goes to a big ballpark where those cheap homers don't hurt him next year. I'm really not sure what happened with the big guy. Maybe it was that relief appearance in San Diego three years ago. Maybe it was that Jerry Narron let him pitch until his arm would practically fall off in games. He hasn't been good for quite awhile now, which is a tough break for someone that was consistently the Opening Day starter.
Most Important Player: Scott Rolen - I didn't know what to call this award, but I had to throw Scotty in here somewhere. He deserves recognition for having a great season, and really being the engine that got this whole thing started. When Rolen played, the Reds won. Period. He gave this team a presence on the field they haven't had in a long, long time. And when he struggled down the stretch, Cincinnati slumped too. It was a rough end to the year, but it was unbelievable for awhile there in May and June.
MVP: Joey Votto - Is there even any doubt? I mean really. He's been the best player on the team for the last several years, and now he's taken it to another level. Votto hits for power, average, and in the clutch. His defense has even improved. He carried this team on his back for stretches, like all the great ones do. One moment always sticks in my mind about him this season. They were down three to Philadelphia, with two out in the 9th inning. Thom Brennaman kept saying they need to get Votto to the plate, representing the tying run. Well, with two down, Phillips and Cabrera both got on, and sure enough, Joey Votto lined a game tying homer into the seats in left center. How much more clutch can you get?
Cy Young: Bronson Arroyo - Arroyo is too important to the team as a whole to ignore. It was his 5th straight season with at least 200 innings, and his 3rd straight season with at least 15 wins, notching a career high 17 wins. Arroyo has been defined by his consistency in Cincinnati. He takes the ball every five days, and I know that any manager in baseball would love to have him on their staff. This guy isn't an ace, but he can sure pitch like one at times, as evidenced by his performance in the playoffs. And he's undoubtedly the glue to this rotation.
Reliever of the Year: Arthur Rhodes - Raise your hand if you thought he'd be an All Star before this season. Yea, that's what I thought. After giving up a homerun on the first weekend of the season, he went on some kind of run. He was the most reliable reliever in all of baseball for a long stretch, and though he faded, Sir Arthur was vital early in the season with all of those bullpen issues.
Rookie of the Year: Mike Leake - As vital as Rhodes was to the bullpen, this guy was to the rotation. While Homer Bailey and Aaron Harang were consistently ineffective, Leake was seemingly throwing 6 or 7 innings of two run ball every time. His arm tired down the stretch, and he became highly ineffective, but for Mike Leake to be this kind of starter without ever throwing a pitch in the minors is absolutely unbelievable.
Surprise of the Year: Miguel Cairo - When Cairo made the club out of spring training, I thought for sure it was a sign that the Reds were doomed for another bad season. Really? He didn't hit in spring, and he didn't hit in April. I thought he was a worthless bum. Little did I, or many other Reds fans know, that he would become vitally important when Votto or Rolen needed time off or were hurt. He stepped right in and would come up with two or three hits and a couple RBI's every game, like clockwork. I don't think the Reds would have been anywhere near where they were without him.
Disappointment of the Year: Aaron Harang - I don't have much to say. I hope he goes to a big ballpark where those cheap homers don't hurt him next year. I'm really not sure what happened with the big guy. Maybe it was that relief appearance in San Diego three years ago. Maybe it was that Jerry Narron let him pitch until his arm would practically fall off in games. He hasn't been good for quite awhile now, which is a tough break for someone that was consistently the Opening Day starter.
Most Important Player: Scott Rolen - I didn't know what to call this award, but I had to throw Scotty in here somewhere. He deserves recognition for having a great season, and really being the engine that got this whole thing started. When Rolen played, the Reds won. Period. He gave this team a presence on the field they haven't had in a long, long time. And when he struggled down the stretch, Cincinnati slumped too. It was a rough end to the year, but it was unbelievable for awhile there in May and June.
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