Cardinals-Astros Matchups

[Aceshigh7]

I have seen alot of conjecture regarding the NLCS and here is my breakdown of the Cardinals-Astros matchups. I am obviously an Astros fan but I have tried to be as objective as possible.



Starting pitching:
Carpenter is the only "ace" quality pitcher on the Cards' staff, and he is unproven in the playoffs. Morris is close to this level and he seems to be improving as of late. The Astro's set of aces has the upper hand on the Card's pair.

(Edge: Astros)

Bullpen:
Houston's bullpen is much improved this year. Qualls and Wheeler have emerged this season to provide dependable setup work to get to Lidge. Outside of Isringhausen the Card's bullpen is quite inconsistent.

(Edge: Astros)

1st Base:
Pujols is scary good and is the best first baseman in baseball.
For the Astros, Lamb has pop in his bat and is coming on strong lately.

(Edge: Cardinals)

2nd Base:
At the age of 38, Biggio has had a hell of a year, hitting 26 homers and driving in 69 runs near the top of the order. His defense has slipped a bit though this year and he is prone to errors. Grudzielanek is a very average second baseman both offensively and defensively.

(Edge: Astros)

Shortstop:
Eckstein is a much better hitter than Adam Everett. However, Eckstein is a joke defensively, whereas Everett is solid with the glove. The Astros rely heavily on the speed game and this could present problems for the Cards when the ball is hit to short.

(Edge: Draw)

Third Base:
No contest here. Ensberg is a power hitting all star having the best year of his career. Nunez has not done much at all in place of Rolen.

(Edge: Astros)

Left Field:
Sanders having a nice year but Berkman is the man for Houston.

(Edge: Astros)

Center Field:
Nice rookie season for the speedy Taveras. Still, Edmonds is much better. He kills the Astros all the time.

(Edge:Cardinals)

Right Field:
Walker has declined alot from what he used to be and now is only slightly better than Jason Lane is.

(Edge:Cardinals)

Bench:
I am not impressed with the Cardinal's bench. Mabry, Taguchi, and Seabol are all average or below average. The Astros' Orlando Palmiero (a former Cardinal) is a great contact and situational hitter. Bagwell has been money in pinch-hit situations since returning.

(Edge: Draw)

Manager:
LaRussa has been making some weird decisions lately and I know some Card's fans that don't like him. Garner's aggressiveness has been exactly what the Astros needed.

(Edge: Astros)



My prediction: Astros in 6 or 7 games.

I don't know if the Cardinals players are underestimating the Astros in this series. I definitely know the Cardinals fans are.