There is a lot to look forward to as the Major League Baseball Playoffs continue this weekend. Even if you are a Rangers or Yankees fan, all eyes should be tuned into Philadelphia Friday night as perhaps one of the greatest post-season pitching match ups of all-time is on the menu.
Coming off fantastic outings in the first round, Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum are set to showdown in something that could be spectacular. If you are a fan of good pitching, don’t miss this one. Halladay, in his first post-season start threw a no-hitter against the Reds. Lincecum was equally as dominant, striking out 14, allowing only two hits in a 1-0 shutout over the Braves. In what was dubbed “The Year of the Pitcher,” these are two of the best around.
Is this the best post-season match up ever though? It’s quite possible. There have been other great ones though. How about C.C. Sabathia vs. Cliff Lee just last season? There have been other great ones as well, including: Pedro Martinez vs. Roger Clemens in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. Clemens vs. Curt Schiling in the 2001 World Series. Randy Johnson vs. Greg Maddux in the 2001 NLCS should rank right up there.
Jack Morris vs. John Smoltz in the 1991 World Series could also draw some consideration. The best in my mind though was a young Clemens against Dwight Gooden in Game 2 of the 1986 World Series. That is until now. These two guys are one of a kind pitchers with outstanding resumes. They are two very different type pitchers, but have to be considered among the top handful in the game today.
The way they both Halladay and Lincecum looked in Game 1 of their respective series, there could be negative hits in this one if that were a possibility. I for one won’t be missing this one, as I will be traveling to the “City of Brotherly Love,” to witness this first hand. Hopefully, it lives up to the hype. Often, these great duels on paper turn into offensive shootouts where neither side manages living up to the pregame hype.
I’m betting not this time though. These guys are that good.
