Billy Fitzgerald

Somerville Alibrandi Outfielder Billy Fitzgerald played in the Old Timer Baseball game at St. Peters Field on 8/21/08 to benefit the Todd Schwartz memorial fund. This is Billy's third foreay into this fine game. Director David Treska was one of the umpires for the snd straight year. Desroches. Mendonca & Morse have all appeared at one time or another at this guy.

Trivia answer

The player who set the record for being hit in the most consecutive games? Carlos Quentin-Chicago-2008

Cy Young Award Predictions

In the American League

1. Cliff Lee-Cleveland
2. Francisco Rodriguez-Los Angeles of Anaheim
3. Roy Halliday-Toronto
4. Daisuke Matsusaka-Boston
5. Jonathan Papelbon-Boston

In the National League

1. Tim Lincecum-San Francisco
2. Johan Santana- New York
3. Brandon Webb-Arizona
4. Carlos Zambrano-Chicago
5. Edison Volquez-Cincinnati

Predictions on MLB playoffs

Milwaukee Brewers vs Philadelphia Phillies
Difficult to pick against the very hot Brewers, especially after what they've done in the last week of the season. With my choice for NL MVP and last years AL Cy Young winner tossing for the Brew Crew, I will pick Milwaukee in an upset 3 games to 2 over the heavily favored Phils.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs
In this area, most people will be rooting on the Cubbies. Heck, in most areas, most people will be rooting on the Cubs. They haven't won a title in 100 years. If you match the teams player by player, the Cubs are a much better team. But, it doesn't always go that way. The Dodgers do have some playoff and World Series experience in Manny Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Lowe, Casey Blake & Rafael Furcal. The Cubs answer with Jim Edmonds, Alfonso Soriano, Ryan Dempster & Derrick Lee. Edge goes to the Dodgers here, but prediction, Cubs in 4.

Chicago White Sox vs Tamp Bay Rays
Whoever thought that the Rays would ever be favored to win a stickball match, much less a playoff series. But that is exactly what we see here. The White Sox had to work extremly hard the last week just to get here. And up and down the lineup, the only spot that the Sox have an advantage over Tampa is Shortstop and possibly DH. Tampa could sweep this in three.

Boston vs Los Angeles of Anaheim
It appears on paper that the Angels could crush the Red Sox in this series. They wont. Losing Beckett as an opening day starter for the Sox could be a blessing in disguise, as Lester has clearly been the Red Sox ace this season. John Lackey has struggled down the stretch for the Angels, and has never put up huge numbers vs Boston. The addition of Teixeira will help the Angel, but how much?It appears Mike Lowell & JD Drew will be returning just in time for the Old Towne Team. I like the Sox in 4.

Trivia

What AL player set a record this season for being hit by a pitch in six consecutive games?

Answer tomorrow.

MLB Predictions

For the MVP award

In the American League

1. Dustin Pedroia-Boston
2. Joe Mauer-Minnesota
3. Kevin Youkilius-Boston
4. Carlos Quentin-Chicago
5. Francisco Rodriguez-Los Angeles

In the National League

1. CC Sabathia-Milwaukee
2. Manny Ramirez-Los Angeles
3. Albert Pujols-St. Louis
4. Ryan Howard-Philadelphia
5. tie Lance Berkman-Houston
Chipper Jones-Atlanta

In the next column, more predictions on the awards, on how I believe the playoffs will go, more of AL D'S side-liners notes, info on what Somerville and Revere did up in Cooperstown, NY, the old timers game in Cambridge, the Comcast Player of the week and much much more here in Cousin Stu's Stats.

Trivia answer

And here is last week's answer to the trivia question.

The Question was who did not win an AL Gold Glove Award?
The answer is Jorge Posada.