Ok, another season is in the books, and now the real fun begins! Who is gonna take it all this year? I had my money on Boston and Philly all the way back in Spring training, and I’m going to stick to my guns, I mean gun. While Philly still looks like an AK-47, Boston turned into a rusty musket (google Francona). I know it seems like I’m not really going out on a limb here, but I did have them to win all season, and I do think they have all of the tools to do it.
ALDS New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers
This is my favorite of the first round matchups. New York is a perennial powerhouse, and Detroit was one of the hottest teams down the stretch. I also love the pitching duel of Verlander vs. Sabathia. And both teams have solid batting lineups, with the Tigers Cabrera finishing the season with the leagues best average of .344, and his teammate Martinez not far behind at .330. As much as I want the Yankees out of the postseason, I think their maturity, and their ability to manufacture runs wins them the series. New York wins in 5.
ALDS Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
This one is a little tricky. The Rangers are obviously the favorite here, and they did go 9-1 over their last 10 to finish the season. But I don’t want to go against karma, or the hospital full of sick kids the Rays are getting their “miracles” from. Somebody obviously wants them to win, cause they seem to be defying all odds to do so. And who am I to stand in their way… Tampa Bay wins in 4.
NLDS Milwaukee Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
This is going to be an exciting series to watch. Both teams finished with similar records, and both finished 7-3 over their last 10. I like the D-Backs pitching in Ian Kennedy, but I think the 1-2 punch of Braun and Fielder for the Brewers will be too much for Arizona. Milwaukee wins in 4.
NLDS Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals
I love the way the Cards battled down the stretch, but they are heavily out-matched here. The Phillies are built to go all the way, and I’ll be really surprised if the Cards don’t get swept here. Philadelphia wins in 3.
ALCS New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays
I think i’m gonna hop off the bandwagon here. I think by now it will be going slow enough that I won’t have to tuck and roll. These teams are division rivals and have seen each other all year long, so there are no real surprises here. They tied the season series 9-9 but thats with the Rays winning the last 4 meetings when New York had already clinched. I think New York is just simply the better team here. And they will prove it over a seven game series. New York wins in 6.
NLCS Philadelphia Phillies vs. Milwaukee Brewers
The Phillies pitching is just too dominant. Milwaukee does have a decent bullpen, and I would give them the edge at the plate, and actually the season series was close with Philly just edging it out 4-3. But Philly is a well oiled machine and I don’t think anything is going to stop them from getting to the World Series. Philadelphia wins in 5.
World Series Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees
The rematch everybody wants to see will be a reality this year. Clash of the titans part 2. The Yankees took the series 4-2 to win it all 2 years ago, but this year the Phillies are that much better. Their defense is solid, their batting lineup is solid, and their pitching is superb. And not just that, but manager Charlie Manuel has the clubhouse cool and calm, and has the team conducting themselves like champions. I think the Phillies get their revenge, and win their second title in four years. Philadelphia wins in 6.
The Philadelphia Phillies win the World Series!!!
Well, according to me anyway. But as confident as I am in my predictions, this is sports, and as we all know, anything can happen!
Oh and Halladay wins the MVP. Sure, why not. He deserves it.
