This is likely going to be a pretty good series as only 2 games separated the records of the Diamondbacks and Brewers this year. Here is a look at the matchups in this series:
CATCHER: 28-year old lefty swinging Miguel Montero had a true breakout season for the D-Backs in 2011. He played in 140 games for the Diamondbacks this year and he was 139 for 493 (.282 avg, .820 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 18 homers, 86 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Montero is one of the few players on the D-Backs with some post-season experience. He has played in 4 games so far in the post-season and he is 2 for 7 (.286 avg, .661 OPS) with 1 run scored.
25-year old righty swinging Jonathan Lucroy gave the Brewers their best play at catcher in a long, long time. He played in 136 games for the Brewers this year and he was 114 for 430 (.265 avg, .703 OPS) with 45 runs scored, 12 homers, 59 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. This will be his first taste of the playoffs.
EDGE: DIAMONDBACKS
FIRST BASE: 24-year old righty swinging rookie Paul Goldschmidt really played well for the D-Backs this year. He played in 48 games for the Diamondbacks this year and he was 39 for 156 (.250 avg, .808 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 8 homers, 26 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Goldschmidt has a huge upside.
27-year old lefty swinging Prince Fielder is one of he best hitters in all of baseball. He played in all 162 games for the Brewers this year and he was 170 for 569 (.299 avg, .981 OPS) with 95 runs scored, 38 homers, 120 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Fielder has played in 4 games so far in his post season career and he is only 1 for 14 (.071 avg, .462 OPS) with 1 run scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs.
EDGE: BREWERS
SECOND BASE: 29-year old righty swinging Aaron Hill really played well for the D-Backs after coming over from the Blue Jays in a deal. Hill played in 33 games for the D-Backs and he was 39 for 124 (.315 avg, .878 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 2 homers, 16 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. I think Hill is going to play well in the first playoff action of his major league career.
29-year old righty swinging Rickie Weeks is one of the best all-around 2B in baseball when he’s healthy. Weeks played in 118 games for the Brewers this year and he was 122 for 453 (.269 avg, .818 OPS) with 77 runs scored, 20 homers, 49 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. He has played in 3 games in his post-season career and he is 0 for 4 (.000 avg).
SHORTSTOP: 33-year old switch-hitting Willie Bloomquist will likely get most of the P.T. at SS in this series for the D-Backs. Bloomquist played in 97 games for the D-Backs this year and he was 93 for 350 (.266 avg, .657 OPS) with 44 runs scored, 4 homers, 26 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. This will be his first taste of the playoffs and his speed will be an asset for the D-Backs in this series.
29-year old righty swinging Yuniesky Betancourt played in 152 games for the Brewers this year and he was 140 for 556 (.252 avg, .652 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 13 homers, 68 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Betancourt has yet to play in the playoffs in his career.
EDGE: SLIGHT FOR BREWERS
THIRD BASE: 31-year old righty swinging Ryan Roberts won the starting 3B job for the D-Backs with good ole fashioned hard work. Roberts played in 143 games for the D-Backs this year and he was 120 for 482 (.249 avg, .768 OPS) with 86 runs scored, 19 homers, 65 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. He has never played in the playoffs.
28-year old righty swinging Casey McGehee had a terrible year for the Brewers. He played in 155 games for the Brewers this year and he was 122 for 546 (.223 avg, .626 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 13 homers and 67 RBIs. McGehee has never played in the playoffs as the Brewers hope he plays better now that he has a clean slate.
EDGE: SLIGHT FOR DIAMONDBACKS
LEFT FIELD: 24-year old lefty swinging Gerardo Parra is a solid little player. He played in 141 games for the D-Backs this year and he was 130 for 445 (.292 avg, .784 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 8 homers, 46 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. This will be Parra’s first shot at the playoffs.
27-year old righty swinging Ryan Braun was outstanding for the Brewers this year. He played in 150 games for the Brewers this year and he was 187 for 563 (.332 avg, .994 OPS) with 109 runs scored, 33 homers, 111 RBIs and 33 stolen bases. Braun has played in 4 games so far in the post-season and he is 5 for 16 (.313 avg, .732 OPS) with 2 RBIs.
EDGE: GIGANTIC FOR THE BREWERS
CENTER FIELD: 28-year old righty swinging Chris Young is a very talented player, but he hasn’t always played up to his ability. Young played in 156 games for the D-Backs this year and he was 134 for 567 (.236 avg, .751 OPS) with 89 runs scored, 20 homers, 71 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. He has also played in 7 games in his post-season career and he is 7 for 25 (.280 avg, 1.015 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 2 homers, 5 RBIs and 1 stolen base.
31-year old lefty swinging Nyjer Morgan gave the Brewers a spark when he took over as the starting CF when Carlos Gomez got hurt. Morgan played in 119 games for the Brewers this year and he was 115 for 378 (.304 avg, .778 OPS) with 61 runs scored, 4 homers, 37 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. He has yet to play in the playoffs.
EDGE: SLIGHT FOR DIAMONDBACKS
RIGHT FIELD: 24-year old righty swinging Justin Upton turned in a great season for the D-Backs. He played in 159 games for the D-Backs this year and he was 171 for 592 (.289 avg, .898 OPS) with 105 runs scored, 31 homers, 88 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Upton has played in 6 games in the post-season so far in his career and he is 5 for 14 (.357 avg, 1.098 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 1 RBI and 1 stolen base.
29-year old righty swinging Corey Hart played in 130 games for the Brewers and he was 140 for 492 (.285 avg, .866 OPS) with 80 runs scored, 26 homers, 63 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Hart has played in 4 games in the post-season so far in his career and he is 3 for 13 (.231 avg, .564 OPS).
EDGE: SLIGHT FOR DIAMONDBACKS
BENCH: The Diamondbacks’ bench isn’t very potent. 34-year old lefty swinging 1B Lyle Overbay will probably be the first pinch-hitter used in most games in this series by Kirk Gibson. Overbay played in 18 games for the D-Backs this year and he was 12 for 42 (.286 avg, .840 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 1 homer, 10 RBIs and 1 stolen base. 31-year old lefty swinging 3B Sean Burroughs will also likely get to bat a few times in this series. He played in 78 games for the D-Backs this year and he was 33 for 110 (.273 avg, .626 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 1 homer, 8 RBIs and 1 stolen bases. Burroughs has played in 2 games so far in the post-season and he is 0 for 1 (.000 avg). 38-year old switch-hitting infielder Geoff Blum could also get in on the action in this series as a pinch-hitter. Blum played in 23 games for the D-Backs this year and he was 11 for 49 (.224 avg, .717 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 2 homers and 10 RBIs. He has played in 6 games in the post-season in his career and he is 2 for 10 (.200 avg, 1.000 OPS) with 1 run scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. 37-year old righty swinging shortstop John McDonald will likely get a lot of work as a late inning defensive replacement in this series. He played in 19 games for the D-Backs after coming over from the Blue Jays in a deal and he was 10 for 59 (.169 avg, .426 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 0 homers and 2 RBIs. 40-year old righty swinging catcher Henry Blanco played in 37 games for the D-Backs this year and he was 25 for 100 (.250 avg, .870 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 8 homers and 12 RBIs. He also has played in 6 games in the post-season in his career and he is 3 for 14 (.214 avg, .629 OPS) with 1 run scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. 25-year old righty swinging rookie Collin Cowgill played in 36 games for the D-Backs this year and he was 22 for 92 (.239 avg, .604 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 1 homer, 9 RBIs and 4 stolen bases.
The Brewers’ bench is full of players who know their role. 25-year old righty swinging outfielder Carlos Gomez played in 94 games for the Brewers this year and he was 52 for 231 (.225 avg, .679 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 8 homers, 24 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He has also played in 1 game in the post-season in his career so far and he was 0 for 4 (.000 avg, .333 OPS) with 1 run scored. 35-year old lefty swinging Mark Kotsay is probably going to pinch-hit a lot in this series. He played in 104 games for the Brewers this year and he was 63 for 233 (.270 avg, .703 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 3 homers, 31 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He has also played in 17 games in the post-season so far in his career and he is 16 for 70 (.229 avg, .593 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. 35-year old righty swinging IF/OF Jerry Hairston is very versatile and that might get him on the field some in this series. Hairston played in 45 games for the Brewers after coming over in a deal with the Nationals, and he was 34 for 124 (.274 avg, .727 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 1 homer, 17 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Hairston has played in 6 games so far in the post-season and he is 2 for 8 (.250 avg, .500 OPS) with 1 run scored. 28-year old lefty swinging catcher George Kottaras had a solid year for the Brewers in 2011. He played in 49 games for the Brewers this year and he was 28 for 111 (.252 avg, .771 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 5 homers and 17 RBIs. 41-year old lefty swinging infielder Craig Counsell had an awful year for the Brewers in 2011. He played in 107 games for the Brewers this year and he was 28 for 157 (.178 avg, .503 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 1 homer, 9 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Counsell has a knack for getting a big hit once in a while in the playoffs. He has played in 35 games in his career so far in the playoffs and he is 27 for 114 (.237 avg, .646 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 2 homers, 14 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. 30-year old righty swinging Josh Wilson might not make the roster. He played in 54 games for the Brewers this year and he was 17 for 75 (.227 avg, .626 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers, 4 RBIs and 1 stolen base.
EDGE: BREWERS
STARTING PITCHING: The Diamondbacks will only have one starting pitcher with playoff experience (Joe Saunders) going against the Brewers in this series, but they have a lot of talent. 26-year old righty Ian Kennedy has a real shot of winning the Cy Young Award in the N.L. this year. He pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the D-Backs this year and he was 21-4 with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. 24-year old righty Daniel Hudson will be #2 in line for the D-Backs. He has pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Diamondbacks this year and he was 16-12 with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. 30-year old lefty Joe Saunders had a rough start this year but he has been in a good groove for quite a while now. Saunders pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Diamondbacks this year and he was 12-13 with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He has pitched in 3 games (all starts) so far in his post-season career and he is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.87 WHIP. 25-year old righty rookie Josh Collmenter will be the #4 starter in this series. He pitched in 31 games (24 starts) for the Diamondbacks this year and he was 10-10 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.
The Brewers have a very solid starting rotation also. 25-year old righty Yovani Gallardo pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Brewers this year and he was 17-10 with a 3.52 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Gallardo has pitched in 2 games (1 start) so far in the post-season and he is 0-1 with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. 27-year old righty Zack Greinke is going to be #2 in line for the Brewers. He pitched in 28 games (all starts) for the Brewers this year and he was 16-6 with a 3.83 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Greinke has pitched really well lately. 29-year old righty Shaun Marcum will be #3 in line. He pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Brewers this year and he was 13-7 with a 3.54 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. Crafty 35-year old lefty Randy Wolf will be the #4 starter in this series. He pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Brewers this year and he was 13-10 with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Wolf has pitched in 2 games (both starts) so far in the post-season in his career and he is 0-0 with a 5.00 ERA and a 1.89 WHIP.
EDGE: SLIGHT FOR BREWERS
BULLPEN: Micah Owings is the only D-Backs’ pitcher in the bullpen with post-season experience. 34-year old righty closer J.J. Putz pitched in 60 games (0 starts) for the Diamondbacks this year and he was 2-2 with 45 saves, a 2.17 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP. When the game gets to him…it’s over and the D-Backs win. 26-year old righty David Hernandez really excelled in his first year as a full-time reliever. He pitched in 74 games (0 starts) for the D-Backs this year and he was 5-3 with 11 saves, a 3.38 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. 31-year old side-arming righty Brad Zeigler has pitched well since coming over in a deal with the A’s. He pitched in 23 games (0 starts) for the Diamondbacks this year and he was 0-0 with a 1.74 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. 29-year old righty Micah Owings really pitched well this year in his return to the Diamondbacks. He pitched in 33 games (4 starts) for the Diamondbacks this year and he was 8-0 with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Owings has pitched in 1 game (1 start) in the post-season in his career so far and he is 0-1 with a 4.91 ERA and a 2.18 WHIP. 25-year old rookie lefty Joe Paterson had a good year for the D-Backs. He pitched in 62 games (0 starts) this year and he was 0-3 with 1 save, a 2.91 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. 36-year old lefty Alberto Castillo pitched in 17 games (0 starts) for the Diamondbacks this year and he is 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. 24-year old rookie Wade Miley should make the pitching staff as a long reliever. He pitched in 8 games (7 starts) for the D-Backs this year and he was 4-2 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP.
The Brewers have a very deep and experience bullpen as no one is under 28 years old. 28-year old righty John Axford did a outstanding job as the closer in 2011. He pitched in 74 games (0 starts) for the Brewers this year and he was 2-2 with 46 saves, a 1.95 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. 29-year old righty Francisco Rodriguez will be the set-up man and he has a lot of post-season experience. K-Rod pitched in 31 games (0 starts) for the Brewers in this game after coming over in a deal with the Mets, and he was 4-0 with a 1.86 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Rodriguez has pitched in 21 games (0 starts) in the post-season so far in his career and he is 5-4 with 3 saves, a 3.13 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. 38-year old righty LaTroy Hawkins also has a lot of post-season experience. Hawkins pitched in 52 games (0 starts) for the Brewers this year and he was 3-1 with a 2.42 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. He has pitched in 15 games (0 starts) in the post-season in his career and he is 1-0 with a 4.63 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. 41-year old righty Takashi Saito pitched well, when healthy, for the Brewers this year. He pitched in 30 games (0 starts) for the Brewers this year and he was 4-2 with a 2.03 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Saito has pitched in 4 games (0 starts) in his career in the post-season and he is 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. 30-year old righty Kameron Loe pitched in 72 games (0 starts) for the Brewers this year and he was 4-7 with 1 save, a 3.50 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. 28-year old righty Marco Estrada did whatever the Brewers needed him to this year. He pitched in 43 games (8 starts) for the Brewers this year and he was 4-8 with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. 29-year old Chris Narveson will likely be the only lefty in the pen for the Brewers in this series. He pitched in 30 games (28 starts) for the Brewers this year and he was 11-8 with a 4.45 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP.
EDGE: BREWERS
MANAGER: 54-year old Kirk Gibson led the Diamondbacks from worst to first in his first full season on the job as they were 94-68 (58%), which was good enough to win the N.L. West. Gibson now has a career record of 128-117 (52.2%) during the regular season in his first two years as the manager of the D-Backs. Gibson has been a post-season hero as a player and I’m sure that he will be ready to go in this series.
The Brewers took a chance when they hired 55-year old Ron Roenicke, as he had no major league experience as a manager. But, he coached under Mike Scioscia for a long time with the Angels, so he knew what it took to win. He led the Brewers to a 96-66 (59.3%) record on the year, as they won the N.L. Central.
EDGE: EVEN
PREDICTION: BREWERS IN FOUR GAMES
