Playoff preview: (1) Bob vs. (3) Joe

No. 1 Bob (16-7) vs. No. 3 Joe (16-7-1)
Line: Bob -1.5
A breakdown after the jump


Season series: Tied 1-1 (Week 6 Joe 13-5; Week 19 Bob 14-4)
Career playoff records: Bob 1-2, Joe 4-0
All-time head-to-head: Bob 4-2
Playoffs head-to-head: Never met

Hitting
Both offenses have pop, and lots of it. The two-week timespan should allow us a true indicator of the best team. No flukes. And if that's the case, Bob definitely has the better hitting, led by Ryan Bruan and Prince Fielder.
Advantage: Bob

Pitching
Bob's pitching was lights-out last year, but Joe's has been lights out all year. Much like Bob's hitting, Joe gets the edge here because of his year-long consistency in the category.
Advantage: Joe

Managing
Both managers pulled the right strings last week - Bob with Freddy Garcia, Joe with Kurt Suzuki. The stiffing should not be as essential this week. Both teams have their four moves to make, and I'm sure both will. Will they use it on pitching or hitting, though, especially if key players don't play down the stretch. Bob has been the better manager throughout the year, but Joe has been the best playoff manager in league history.
Advantage: Even

Prediction (2-2 record): 11-9 Bob