So...that wasn't the way I wanted my October to start. In the Beat the Streak Postseason contest, I couldn't muster a single hit last night from the dynamic duo of soon to be AL MVP Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. Jason Vargas and his Jamie Moyer-esque arsenal were able to keep the pair at bay. I guess I should have backed the Orioles as my American League team. They knocked around Max Scherzer in Game One of their ALDS series with hits even being collected by certified legends of the fall Ryan Flaherty and Jonathan Schoop. Trout and Pujols get Yordano Ventura tonight to redeem themselves.
I am hoping for a better showing from my NL contingent, Washington's Anthony Rendon and St. Louis' Jhonny Peralta and Matt Carpenter, tonight. Rendon draws Jake Peavy for Game One of his series against the Giants. The Nationals' infielder has never faced Peavy but I feel he is poised to have quite the encore for his breakout 2014. As for the two Redbirds, there wasn't any real rhyme or reason to their selection. I am still picking the Cardinals to win the entire World Series, even though that means my Dodgers go out in the first round. As the leadoff hitter, Carpenter will get the most opportunities at hits. Peralta is further down in the order but has been a productive hitter in his postseason career. Those two face off with Clayton Kershaw tonight. Normally a date with the best pitcher on the planet isn't something you'd relish. When you are a member of the St. Louis Cardinals however, you gleefully tug on Superman's cape. Kershaw is 1-2 against St. Louis in the postseason with a 4.82 ERA. The Dodgers' season ended unceremoniously a year ago as Kershaw was lumped than lifted in Game 6 of the NLCS.
For Streak for the Cash, I have to once again rebound from a crushing defeat. Houston was down five points in the fourth quarter to UCF but they were driving. Quarterback Greg Ward scrambled towards the end zone and it seemed my streak had its savior. My L1 was meant to be though as Ward fumbled the ball out of the back of the end zone for a touchback and a Cougar loss. I attempt to get back on the green side of things with two picks that are overwhelming favorites, if you believe the percentages. If you watched the FIBA World Cup, you saw the United States run roughshod over the competition. The beatings will be tenfold in the women's edition of the tournament. I think a 20+ point spread against France is very kind to us Streakers. The other pick is whether or not a home run will be hit by either Washington or San Francisco in the sixth or seventh inning of their game tonight. Stephen Strasburg and Jake Peavy could quite possibly be out of the game by this point but even if they are, the game will be left in the hands of capable bullpens. Runs may be scored but I'd be shocked if a ball cleared the fence in those two innings. If not, I'll at least have this banter between The Rock, Mankind, and Al Snow to cheer me up. HAPPY STREAKING EVERYBODY!!
Image Credits: Trout/Pujols (mlb.com), Streak picks (espn.com)
Video Credit: The Rock Promo (WWE/Youtube.com)