MLB Preview: The Playoffs

Baseball playoffs are finally here…ok not really but I’m going to let you know slightly ahead of time what’s going down.

AL – Divisional Series

Finishing with the best record, the Boston Red Sox will go up against the LA Angels. This is a tough series to call. Assuming the Angles will have Lackey back but no Escobar, I’ll take the Sox. Beckett proved last year he’s a legitimate ace and has ice veins when it comes to playoff pitching. Anytime he can go twice in a series makes it tough for anyone to compete. That, plus Ortiz and Manny means the Angels go down in 5.

The Tigers will host the wildcard Yankees and this one hurts. I’ll have to pick the Tigers in this one – for now. I just don’t know how the Yankees’ rotation will shapeup at this point with the Big Three on innings limits. That being said, Joba won’t be in the bullpen and frankly, I’ll never trust Farnsworth and Hawkins has yet to show he can get it done in the American League. Speaking of bullpen, the Tigers’ will be nasty with Zumaya, Rodney and Jones closing out games. The lineups are close to being a tossup but I’ll go with the Yankees in this one. Top to bottom it’s just better. However, pitching wins these series and the Yankee pitching just isn’t there yet. Tigers in 4.

NL – Divisional Series

I’m going with the Arizona Diamondback to finish with the best record in the NL. That might be a little bold, but I just really like the makeup of this pitching staff and young kids who carried them to 90 wins last year. The addition of Dan Haren will add a few wins, possibly pushing them to the number to 100. They will host the wildcard winners, the Atlanta Braves. I’m actually going to pick the Braves in this one. I’d have to say the pitching is close to a tossup. Webb vs. Smoltz then Hudson vs. Haren. Who can you pick? If it comes down to the third pitcher going, I’d take Glavine over Randy Johnson. It really comes down to hitting. I like Jones and Teixeira over anyone in the D’Backs lineup. Braves in 5.

Next, the Mets will host the Cubs. Johan is better than Zambrano. Maine and Perez are better than anyone besides Zambrano so I’m taking the Mets. The lineups are close. Fukudome or Reyes as a leadoff hitter? Tough call, but I like Reyes. After that, both have a triple-crown candidate, Beltran vs. Lee, and both have the power threat, Wright vs. Soriano. I’ll take the Mets in 4.

AL – League Championship Series

Tigers vs. Red Sox. I’m taking Detroit to go to the World Series. Verlander, Bonderman and Kenny Rogers are more intimidating to me than Beckett, Dice-K and Lester (if it’s Wakefield, just surrender). The lineups are, again, tough to pick apart. Both are prototypical American League power lineups, which I love. Both also have great bullpens. This will go the distance, but Detroit will go to the show.

NL – League Championship Series

It’s the big rivalry, Mets vs. Braves. What a series this will be. Playoff baseball is back in Atlanta and the crowds will be back like the days of the mind 90’s. Get your tomahawks ready folks: the Braves will take the cake here. Yes, I picked the Mets over the course of the season, but I don’t see them as a championship team with their clubhouse makeup. Atlanta has the motivation and team chemistry to push them over the edge in a tight series.

World Series

October baseball, baby! I love it. The Detroit Tigers against the Atlanta Braves. This seems to be a match-up made for TV ratings and fireworks. But who will win? The ALCS champs will finally bring a title back to Detroit. The Braves made quite the run to get here but have no way to extinguish the red-hot hitting of the Tigers. Flamethrowers Verlander and Zumaya shut down the potent Braves offense to win the series in 5 games.

To Review:

ALDS – Tigers over Yankees, Red Sox over Angels

NLDS – Mets over Cubs, Braves over Diamondbacks

ALCS – Tigers over Red Sox

NLCS – Braves over Mets

WS – Tigers over Braves

So that’s it, your baseball season wrapped up. Sorry for spoiling the ending for everyone, but I suppose there is a slight chance I could be wrong. After all, that’s why they play the games.