Keuchel and Sale aren't facing off game 1. Altuve and Bogaerts play different positions. Bogaerts had a 95 OPS+ and 2.2 WAR this year, good for 7th best on his team. Maybin and Betts are black. If you want to compare center fielders, that's Jackie Bradley Jr. Hanley Ramirez hasn't played a game at SS since 2014. Otherwise, I appreciate the sentiment. Go 'Stros. Ideally the series is over after Peacock wins game 3. Realistically you go Verlander and Keuchel then Peacock. For game 4 if we're up 2-1 you go Morton with a short leash. If we're down 2-1 you go Verlander on short rest with Keuchel on full rest for game 5.
Weird, my phone did say Keuchel and Sale were facing off game one. The other match ups had zero rhyme or reason. I just think of baseball as the batter vs the field so to me position battles aren't that important. The defense allows the hit or the offense is stopped from getting a hit. Playoff baseball usually boils down to that and a few other factors. Either way, I'm excited. Yuli vs David Price!
Mike Puma of the New York Post writes that the Mets may first attempt to interview Dodgers bench coach Bob Geren and Astros bench coach Alex Cora for their vacant manager job. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson will begin interviewing candidates this week and ideally he'd be able to talk to Geren and Cora before they get too busy with their respective duties for the postseason. Puma reported over the weekend that hitting coach Kevin Long and former White Sox manager and Mets third baseman Robin Ventura "stand out as early front runners" for the job, but Joe McEwing and Chip Hale are among the other possible names under consideration.
Prediction for Game 1 Lineup Springer Bregman Altuve Correa Reddick Gattis (DH) Gonzalez Gurriel McCann
