O.K., baseball season’s done! Now comes the main event, the playoffs!
So, as a special added bonus, here are my picks for the World Series and beyond!
American League Division Series
(Best 3 out of 5)
Minnesota Twins vs. Oakland Athletics
After starting the season 25-33 & 12½ games out of first place in May, the Twins put on a hell of a run, 71-33 and winning the division on the last day of the season. Now they have a well deserved home opener against an Oakland team that seems to always find a way to win every year despite their low payroll. Look for a better than usual series with Johan Santana and Barry Zito fighting it out in the final game of the series.
Advantage – Oakland, 3 games to 2
New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers
This Yankee hitting team may be the most powerful line up since the 1927 “Murderers Row” team. It’s scary how the 9th batter in the lineup can be a leadoff batter on any other team. As for the Tigers, they’re limping into the Bronx losing the chance to host a home game when they were swept by the lowly Royals. Bottom line, the Tigers are too young, too soon. Despite the Yankees pitching problems, they should be able to handle them.
Advantage – Yankees, 3 games to none
National League Division Series
(Best 3 out of 5)
New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
When Mets’ starter ace, Pedro Martinez was deemed lost for the playoffs, a sound started coming from the front office at Shea Stadium. It was the balloon slowly losing hot air. What was once a shoe-in for the World Series has become a fight for survival. As for the Dodgers, they’re also limping into the playoffs after losing the division and settling for the wild-card. This might turn into a better than expected series.
Advantage – Mets, 3 games to 1
St. Louis Cardinals vs. San Diego Padres
The Cards crawled into the post-season with a horrendous 8 game losing streak to end the season. They have all kinds of pitching problems and they better fix them soon. San Diego actually has a better than expected pitching staff. They might be a dark horse. This series will me merciful and quick!
Advantage - San Diego, 3 games to none
American League Championship Series
(Best 4 out of 7)
New York Yankees vs. Oakland Athletics
This series is going to be the most crucial in the career of Alex Rodriguez. With all the money spent on his salary, there should be no reason why he should fail. But you know what? The A’s starting pitching has enough to shut down A-rod. As for the rest of the Yankee batters, they may have a problem.
American League Winner – Yankees
ALCS MVP - Chien-Ming Wang
National League Championship Series
(Best 4 out of 7)
New York Mets vs. San Diego Padres
You might see a match up between closer versus closer. Billy Wagner and Trevor Hoffman are two of the best in baseball. The big disadvantage for the Padres’ is their hitting lineup. Will it be enough to out score the Mets big sticks?
National League Winner – Mets
NLCS MVP – Carlos Beltran
World Series
(Best 4 out of 7)
Much to the rest of the country’s chagrin, the championship trophy will be going to the Big Apple. Just who it goes to is anyone’s guess!
World Series winner - The New York Yankees
MVP – Alex Rodriguez
