MLB Playoff Preview

I know what you all are thinking right now, "how can he not be writing about the UEFA Champions League, including the devastating knee injury to Owen Hargreaves and the implications it might have on Manchester United? I mean, everyone who reads this blog (yes, all five of us) follow soccer very closely everyday and don't care about the mainstream ESPN coverage of the MLB playoffs!"

Well, I'm doing it for a couple reasons, one, I'm not a flaming douche, and two, baseball happens to be my favorite sport and is entering its most entertaining time of the year, so obviously I'm going to post my thoughts and opinions which tend to be correct (see my NL East preview at the beginning of the season). So you all will have to suck it up. Oh, no one wanted me to write about that? Just Carey? Okay cool.

Just for the record, I honestly have NO idea how these playoffs are going to play out, I'm literally just guessing as to what is going to happen.

NLDS

Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona finished the season with the best record in the NL, they also happen to be the fourth team in history to make the playoffs while being outscored in the regular season. 2 of the past 3 teams got swept in the first round, with the exception of the '87 Twins, who actually won it all. Arizona had been playing .500 ball for the last month, but so had the rest of the NL West. The D-Backs have one, very good consistent weapon in Brandon Webb, but that's about it, and he can only pitch twice. The line-up is extremely young with a lack of power. Bullpen is solid, but besides Webb, who can get to them?

Chicago has been playing well as of late and held off a late charge by the Brewers, who ended up fizzling. The Cubs have a formidable line-up with Soriano, Ramirez, and Lee leading the way. Starting pitching is decent, not great, and the bullpen is something to be desired. Chicago should have a pretty decent home field advantage playing at Wrigley with the whole city behind them.

I see Arizona bringing Webb back on three days rest and winning twice, but Chicago winning the series with too much offense firepower.

Cubs in 5

Colorado Rockies vs. New Y...err Philadelphia Phillies

Sorry Icecold, couldn't resist.

Two of the feel good, historical stories of the year, everyone expects to see a great 5 game series. I don't see it quite as close unfortunately.

Colorado has had a tremendous running going 14-1 over there last 15 games including an extra inning, walk-off win in the one game playoff against the Padres. I do think one thing people are missing is how exhausting this kind of run can be, not only physically, but mentally. Some members of the Rockies may just be happy its over and they are playing in October. Outstanding on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, this team will never give up. But who will step up and pitch a game for them when they need it?

Philadelphia on the other hand had quite a run of their own, with the help of one of the biggest choke jobs in major sports history. You can't just blame it all on the Mets though as you have to give the Phillies just as much credit for playing well. Another team strong on offense with questions in the pitching department. But they do have an ace in Cole Hamels to win a game they must win.

I just think the Phillies little bit of extra rest and the offensive fire power to keep up with the Rockies will put them over the top. Look for a Phillies blow out in game one with Hamels on the hill and the Rockies physically and mentally tired.

Phillies in 4

ALDS

The American league playoffs are the varsity of the postseason. You could make a case (and it is probably so) that all four teams in the AL would win a 7 game series against any team in the NL.

Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim vs. Boston Red Sox

Another series that many think will be close and I happen to disagree.

L.A.A. has some health issues and has not been playing great ball coming into the playoffs. They are a scrappy bunch on offense with not much power, yet a ton of speed, which is underrated in the postseason. Very formidable starting rotation, but in Fenway, Lackey and Escobar could struggle. The Angles normally lights out bullpen has looked vulnerable lately as well.

Boston has the best record in the best league, but also haven't been playing their best ball either as of late and still have some questions. We all know the potential of their line-up, but will Manny be healthy enough to really contribute (I think he will be). Beckett will shine, but will anyone else in their rotation? Like the Angles, their bullpen is normally excellent, but have seen their share of struggles recently.

Boston will overcome their problems more easily than the Angles and although Francona set a questionable rotation, starting Dice-K in Game 2 instead of Game 3, I believe the Red Sox will take care of the Halos fairly easily.

Boston in 3

New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians

This is the one series that I really think is a coin flip and have no clue how it will pan out. The other series I'm fairly confident in the winners (the numbers of games it will take them to win is a crap shoot), not this one.

New York has been playing there best ball coming into October which is typically a positive. Arod seems to be coming out of his recent little slump and this lineup can put up 10 runs any night. Always questions surrounding the Yankee pitching staff, but the bullpen should be solid, with the Joba rules now out the door, and if their starters can get them there, they should be able to pull those games out.

The Indians have the best one-two punch pitching staff of the teams left in the playoffs in Sabathia and Carmona (slightly ahead of Lackey and Escobar). Their offense looks great on paper, but are actually overshadowed by the Yankees. Their bullpen has great middle relief and set up guys but I don't trust Borowski to close out a tight playoff game any further than I can throw him.

The Yanks offense will surge through the Indians starters in a high scoring series.

New York in 5

A more detailed Championship Series preview next week, but here are my quick hit thoughts:

NLCS

The Phillies pitching weakness will finally be exposed and Chicago will prevail.

Cubs in 6

ALCS

New York's offense will stall at the wrong time, while their pitching can't keep up with Boston's.

Boston in 6

World Series

We will get the series everyone wanted in 2003 when both cursed franchises felt their curses at their worst again in the Championship Series - Steve Bartman the Cubs/Aaron 'Bleepin' Boone for the Red Sox.

In this series, Boston just has too much fire power for Chicago and will have there second championship in 4 years, after going 86 without one. The Cubs meanwhile will have to wait until their 100th anniversary of their last championship to fight for one again.

Boston in 5