Alright, the Rockies became the final team to enter the playoffs this year with an exciting win over the Padres so the cast of eight is now set. There’s no baseball today, but tomorrow things kick off with three games. I’m kind of bummed because I’m working a contract job right now and while the money is nice, I was really hoping to enjoy being home to watch the playoffs. Then again, there’s usually just the one day game so I won’t be missing too much. Anyway, in yet another chance to make a fool of myself, here’s how I think the playoffs are going to play out.
American League Division Series
LA Angels versus Boston – This is a tough one to pick because you very well may have the two best team’s baseball going up against each other in the best round. Tough to call, but I’ll say the Angels win it in five games. They have the arms as do the Red Sox, I just think the Angels arms are a touch better down the line.
Yankees versus Indians – The two teams that the Tigers were chasing in September, I think the Yankees win this one. Their offense will just be too good for even the front end starters of the Indians and I see them winning in four games.
National League Division Series
Rockies versus Phillies – I’m taking the Phillies here for a couple of different reasons. One, I always look back at 1987 and see the Tigers having that dramatic push to get into the playoffs only to get spanked in the postseason. I think the Rockies will suffer some of that but to an extent, the Phillies face the same thing. I also think the extra game is going to hurt the Rockies so I’ll say Phillies in four.
Diamondbacks versus Cubs – It’s interesting because you have two franchises in the National League end of the playoffs that are known for their futility and they very well could play each other for a chance for that elusive World Series win. The Cubs haven’t won in 99 years, but I can see them getting past the Diamondbacks in five games.
American League Championship Series
Yankees versus Angels – At the beginning of the year, I picked the Yankees to win it all. I’m not going to change that and I think the Yankees will avenge their 2002 playoff loss to the Angels and beat them in six games.
National League Championship Series
Cubs versus Phillies – You have the 99 year drought of the Cubs and the 27 year drought and 10,000 losses of the Phillies. I think the Cubs have the arms though and that’ll be the difference in this one. Cubs win it handily in five games.
World Series
Cubs versus Yankees – You have a team who, in the past 84 years, has won 26 World Series and then there’s the team that hasn’t won one in 99 years. Still, I think the Yankees put it together and are just too much in an exciting seven game series.
So that’s it. One thing I always love about the playoffs is the usual high quality of the games. Take last night’s for example with a thirteen inning thriller. Still wish the Tigers were there, but I’ll be enjoying these final weeks of baseball none the less.