10/03/2007
MLB LDS Predictions
The leaves are falling from the trees, acorns are all over my yard, and I'm just starting to drink cider again. It must be October, and the start of October means one thing for baseball fans, it's playoff time. I must say that this is probably the most anticipated playoff year I have ever witnessed. We have three teams that made incredible comebacks to make the post-season, and every match-up should be a good one. Now then, how do I see each series turning out? Well, you're just going to have to find out and see. We shall begin with my hometown team!
Angels Vs. Red Sox
This is one of those series in which both teams play a style of baseball that is drastically different than their opponent's. The Angels beat you with speed and defense, and the Red Sox beat you with power and strong pitching. Vladimir Guererro has had an off season, so has Manny Ramirez, but when you look closely, Boston has a lot more offensive weapons than Los Angeles and they therefore have the edge there. The Red Sox also have a better starting pitching staff, give me Beckett and Schlling any day over Lackey and Jared Weaver. They have experience. Both teams have good bullpens, but LA's is a little bit deeper with Shields and Rodriguez. This should be a good one, but it is clear to me that the Red Sox have a deeper team.
My Pick: Red Sox in 4.
Yankees and Indians.
While it is true the Yanks made a great comeback to take the wild card, one must look a the caliber of teams they played during that stretch. In my estimation, they only had about 15-20 really tough games during the second half of the season, and this is truly why they were able to make such a great comeback. The Indians have played consistent ball all year, and have proven they deserve to be in the post-season by virtue of their strong play. Both teams have strong lineups and shaky bullpens, but the real difference here is the fact that the Indians have a strong one two punch in Sabathia and Carmona. The Yankees don't have a strong starter after Wang and that will ultimately do them in.
My Pick: Tribe in 5.
Phillies and Rockies
This one is too close to call. These two teams have just completed improbable comebacks against division foes to punch their tickets to the playoffs. I believe Philly has the better offense, but Colorado has more fight in them than any team in the league. Proof of that occurred Monday night when they erased a two-run deficit deficit in the bottom of the 13th inning to rally and beat the Padres. Both teams have less than stellar starting pitching, aside from the Phils Cole Hamels. However, I except most if not all of these games to be close and I'll take Manny Corpas any day of the week over Brett Myers.
My Pick: Rockies in 5
Diamondbacks and Cubs
Simply put, this is an even match-up. Both teams have solid hitting, and one ace starter. The difference here is that Arizona has Jose Valverde, one of the hardest throwing closers in the game, and the national league leader in saves. Ryan Dempster is decent, but lacks the heat to put the Cubs in the NLCS.
My Pick: Diamondbacks in 5.
Angels Vs. Red Sox
This is one of those series in which both teams play a style of baseball that is drastically different than their opponent's. The Angels beat you with speed and defense, and the Red Sox beat you with power and strong pitching. Vladimir Guererro has had an off season, so has Manny Ramirez, but when you look closely, Boston has a lot more offensive weapons than Los Angeles and they therefore have the edge there. The Red Sox also have a better starting pitching staff, give me Beckett and Schlling any day over Lackey and Jared Weaver. They have experience. Both teams have good bullpens, but LA's is a little bit deeper with Shields and Rodriguez. This should be a good one, but it is clear to me that the Red Sox have a deeper team.
My Pick: Red Sox in 4.
Yankees and Indians.
While it is true the Yanks made a great comeback to take the wild card, one must look a the caliber of teams they played during that stretch. In my estimation, they only had about 15-20 really tough games during the second half of the season, and this is truly why they were able to make such a great comeback. The Indians have played consistent ball all year, and have proven they deserve to be in the post-season by virtue of their strong play. Both teams have strong lineups and shaky bullpens, but the real difference here is the fact that the Indians have a strong one two punch in Sabathia and Carmona. The Yankees don't have a strong starter after Wang and that will ultimately do them in.
My Pick: Tribe in 5.
Phillies and Rockies
This one is too close to call. These two teams have just completed improbable comebacks against division foes to punch their tickets to the playoffs. I believe Philly has the better offense, but Colorado has more fight in them than any team in the league. Proof of that occurred Monday night when they erased a two-run deficit deficit in the bottom of the 13th inning to rally and beat the Padres. Both teams have less than stellar starting pitching, aside from the Phils Cole Hamels. However, I except most if not all of these games to be close and I'll take Manny Corpas any day of the week over Brett Myers.
My Pick: Rockies in 5
Diamondbacks and Cubs
Simply put, this is an even match-up. Both teams have solid hitting, and one ace starter. The difference here is that Arizona has Jose Valverde, one of the hardest throwing closers in the game, and the national league leader in saves. Ryan Dempster is decent, but lacks the heat to put the Cubs in the NLCS.
My Pick: Diamondbacks in 5.
Comments:
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Have been busy at work to leave comments but ready to resume. Like your predictions only I think the Phillies will take it in 5 and the Yankees, as I hate to say it, will win in 4. BUT, that's why they play the games to see who wins.
Another stupid move the NHL made yesterday 10/2: When not another pro team had a event scheduled you think the NHL would step up and have it's opening game, NO, NO, NO. They had to wait until today when they go up against the start of the MLB playoffs. Great move by the NHL, Nothing Hockey League. Could they be more stupid!!!!NOT!
Keep up the good work,
Your fan, PA
Another stupid move the NHL made yesterday 10/2: When not another pro team had a event scheduled you think the NHL would step up and have it's opening game, NO, NO, NO. They had to wait until today when they go up against the start of the MLB playoffs. Great move by the NHL, Nothing Hockey League. Could they be more stupid!!!!NOT!
Keep up the good work,
Your fan, PA
# posted by 
: Wednesday, 03 October, 2007
: Wednesday, 03 October, 2007
I feel all your predictions are good... but you gotta look at the Yankees/Tribe series. I feel the first game might go so well for the Yankees. Cy-Cy Sabathia (the nickname he is getting now will be a match-up for the Yankees. The Yankees have swept the Indians this season, and that is great. The thing that a lot of Yankees fans like me are failing to see, is that they have not faced Sabathia since 2004. He is much of a force to be reckoned with. So, when it comes to this series, the Yankees will have a game one struggle, but take in five. So, I would have to go against you and say Yanks in 5.
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# posted by : Thursday, 04 October, 2007
: Thursday, 04 October, 2007 << Home
