2014 MLB Playoffs and What No One Wants to Admit

It's not steroids, I promise.

Here it is, the eve of October, playoff baseball is underway and the Kansas City Royals are in the playoffs for the first time since 1985. The Pittsburgh Pirates are back in it, coming off their first playoff win since 1992 and there are no Yankees to be seen. Life is good...or is it? The fact of the matter is, even with a wonderful feel-good story out of the mid-west, and no Bronx cash-cow to 'make it rain', these playoffs look to be no different than the hundreds before.

The truth really is, nobody actually likes an underdog story. There I said it; that is what very few people want to admit, especially in sports. You can call me cynical if you want, but after a full year in graduate school at Western Illinois and a little bit of research, I have learned just a little too much about the business of sport to truly believe in Cinderella's or underdogs, and here is why.

Since the dawn of sports television, the landscape of all sport has changed dramatically, professional and collegiate...heck, even amateur (LLWS). Big television markets mean big money, big money means big payroll, and big payroll means championships, just ask the Yankees and their 40 World Series rings. What I am saying is not news to anyone, even those who mistake the Great Bambino for a woman (Sandlot? Anyone?). For those who disagree just look at the numbers from the last decade. Just two of the last 11 World Series Champions have had a net-worth that ranks out side of the MLB's top 10 according to a Forbes list released in March of this year (HERE). 

The last team to make the World Series with a net-worth in the bottom half of the league (actually ranked last) was Tampa Bay in 2008 going up against Philadelphia. A seemingly unique story of the upstart Rays taking on the storied Phillies; but America wasn't having it. According to a list compiled by Nielsen Media Research (HERE) the 2008 World Series recorded just a shade over 13.6 million views, that is the second lowest number of viewers since 1973 when the ratings became available.

The point I am trying to make is that, if you are kicking back, enjoying one of the most wonderful times of year, and you have a friend who starts to rave how AWESOME a Pirates vs. Royals World Series would be...look at him/her and in your best 'head and shoulders' impersonation say, really Troy? .....really? (Click HERE if that does not make sense). Because while many may say they want it, the numbers say otherwise.

Without further ado, ranting or wasting of your time, here are my picks for the 2014 MLB Playoffs.

Wild Card

Oakland over Kansas City: This game is currently sitting KC leading Oakland 3-2 in the top of the 5th as I write this and James Shields has a horrid record in the post season and in the new playoff system you only get one shot. Gotta love you some Billy Bean early in the playoffs.  

Pittsburgh over San Francisco: The Giants have to go east coast and go up against Edinson Volquez whose numbers aren't great but carded an solid second half. In one game I take the Pirates at home.

ALDS

Baltimore over Detroit: Verlander has been sub-par and while I would normally air on the side of quality pitching, the Orioles offense is loaded.

LAA over Oakland: A baseball fans dream series that will have innings lasting late into the night. We have all watched Moneyball (if you haven't you should), this is the round where small-ball and sabermetrics start catching up to a team that has to go up against money and Albert Pujols, Mike Trout and company.

NLDS

Washington over Pittsburgh: Three things here...pitching, pitching, pitching. I meant to say Strasburg, Zimmerman, Gonzalez. I would bring up Harper and Werth, but history shows that the team with the hottest pitching wins...and you don't get much hotter than a no-hitter).

Dodgers over Cardinals: Another year when St. Louis really has no business in the post-season but they pull it out anyway...it really is crazy how they do that. However, in this case, pitching wins again. I mean really? Kershaw and Greinke and and and...EVERYONE? Puig is bound to do something stupid, but hey, most 20-somethings will.

ALCS

Baltimore over LAA: While the 'Boender-metrics' of budget would suggest that the Angels are the favorite, my gut and the no. 7 pitching staff (era) in the league have swayed me otherwise. I mean, that and the previously hinted at bats of Cruz, Jones, and Davis.

NLCS

Dodgers over Washington: This will prove to be the matchup of the playoffs (if it happens. Great pitching and electric bats will certainly be fun to watch, but the experience and leadership on LA's roster will wins out over the overwhelming Patriotic feeling welling up in my chest right now. Sorry 'merica.

World Series

Dodgers over Baltimore in 5: When it comes down to it, it is a game of matchups and in my opinion, LA's starting three will come out over Baltimore's. The Orioles pull a late win because of their depth and bats, but in this case, the big market wins again.

I want to thank my good friend and fellow Wartburg Knight, Peter Carey-Linskey for allowing me to contribute. Please note that these are my thoughts and somewhat researched opinions. If you like what you read here, look for more soon at my new blog 'The Masters of Sport'. Also, this is in no way an endorsement for Procter & Gamble (Head and Shoulders) or Sony Pictures (Moneyball) and does not reflect their thoughts or opinions. 

NOTE: This is being submitted with KC leading Oakland 3-2 in the top of the 5th. I still stand by my Oakland pick.

Sam Boender

Contributing Writer to IzzyLegit

Once a Decade. . .

Rivalries are what make sports so entertaining. While it would still be fun watching athletes face off against each other under normal circumstances, knowing that each side would like nothing more than to take the head of their opposition energizes the atmosphere. No matter how bad a team can be, when it comes to a rivalry game all bets are off. Iowa State will probably only win a handful of games the remainder of the year, but they beat Iowa. Oregon State is a middle of the road program, but every year they are given a chance at ruining a conference championship or bowl bid when they face Oregon.

Some rivalries don't really feel like rivalries at all. Case and point, Minnesota v. Michigan. While it is the longest running trophy game (Battle for the Little Brown Jug dating back to 1892) Michigan has dominated to a point where the idea of the Jug not being in Ann Arbor would be unheard of. Since 1964, the Gophers have won only five (that's right FIVE) times against the Wolverines. For those of you not able to fully grasp at how long that's really been, that's five wins in 50 years (For reference, Lyndon B. Johnson was President). And it's been since 1977 when the last time the Gophers beat them on their home turf. Once a decade . . . Once!

While the losing streak at home continues, Minnesota potentially had a rivalry shifting moment on Saturday when they stomped the Wolverines 30-14 in Ann Arbor. The game itself seemed to symbolize two teams heading in opposite directions. While Minnesota seems to be ascending into Big Ten relevancy (still a long way to go), Michigan displayed a poetic fall from grace. Even with all their money, facilities and blue chip athletes, they just can't seem to right the sinking ship that is the program. Now I know that Michigan can rebuild in a snap, but the program just has a feel of one that will take some time to rebuild, which will give the Gophers a chance to run off a few wins to once again make this a relevant rivalry to Michigan fans.

Looking ahead for both teams, things may only get worse for Michigan. In their next three games they face no slouches in the conference by heading to a feisty Rutgers team with a very strong defense, a descent Penn State team at home and then they head east to face a far superior Michigan State team for another rivalry game situation. Don't be surprised if Michigan is 3-5 (maybe even 2-6) halfway through the season. On the flip side, the Gophers have an opportunity to build off this victory. They'll face a tricky Northwestern team that will either show up and kick butt, or roll over and take it. They then play two bottom feeders of the Big Ten in Purdue and Illinois which have to be victories for a team wanting to take a step forward in this conference. All of this nicely setting up the always-anticipated rivalry game between the 7-1 Gophers and the 7-1 Hawkeyes in a fight for the coveted Floyd of Rosedale. But knowing both the Goph's and Hawks teams well, one of them will probably slip up somewhere.

NFL Season Outlook

My Dad and I have always complained about how sports give pre-season rankings before anyone has played an actual game. We know why they have them, but there is almost no way to know how good a team will be until they have actually played a game! I decided to wait a couple games to give my full NFL preview so I could gain a better understanding of how the season might play out.

Another year where the phrase "defense wins championships" is validated. Tom Brady will yet again fall short of a Super Bowl by losing to the Panthers 28-20. With an elite defense, and an above average offense, the Panthers will claim it's organizations first Lombardi Trophy. Don't agree? Tell me what you think will happen the remainder of the NFL season by commenting below.