2008 MLB Playoff Predictions

AMERICAN LEAGUE

ALDS

Boston Redsox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem

Well we all watched the Red Sox run all over a weak Angels team last year; this year, the Red Sox are facing off against the team that’s not only the best in the AL but enjoyed a 17-9 September. It shouldn’t be close. Especially with Beckett coming in a little dinged up. Obviously it's hard to bet against the Red Sox Nation but I think this is one of the only circumstances that it should be done. The Angels are waaaay too complete of a ballclub. The Angels pretty much owned the Red Sox throughout the Regular season this year and I expect more of the same. Especially if the Angels can put themselves in save situations I fully expect K-Rod to be dealin his meanest. But don't completely write off the Red Sox. They're THE RED SOX. This is the PLAYOFFS. This will be a damn good series.

The Pick: Angels in 5

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox

Okay, let’s be honest. I love the concept of what the Rays have done this year. I mean this franchise was pure crap for their entire existence. Now finally they are playing good all season. What a beautiful story. Here is the problem with all of this: it has to end somewhere. I think it ends here. That’s right, the fun is over. I hate to say it because I loathe the White Sox, I really do. Tampa will be good for several more years but I think they are tired. It has shown a little down the stretch. The lack of experience against a veteran team like the White Sox will be their undoing. With all the veteran leadership on the White Sox side and the momentum they're riding off the win against the Twins I just don't see the Rays taking this one. I think you can look for veterans like Pierznsky and Griffey Jr. to have big series'.

The Pick: Chicago in 4

ALCS

Los Angeles Angels of Anahiem vs. Chicago White Sox

This matchup is just laden with veteran leadership and good starting pitching. However if this is indeed the ALCS matchup I think you can look for the Angels to have an easier time with the White Sox than the Red Sox. The White Sox are a good team and I think Ozzie Guillen is a good enough manager to make this as close as possible but I think the Angels are in a class above the White Sox. Their pitching is all around better and I also think their lineup is a little more potent.

The Pick: Angels in 4

MLB Predictions: American League

East
1. Boston Red Sox
2. New York Yankees
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
5. Baltimore Orioles

The Red Sox should be one of the top teams in the MLB. They still have a dominant line up with David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Mike Lowell, plus Jacoby Ellsbury will be a great leadoff man. The starting pitching rotation is solid with Josh Beckett and Jon Lester leading the way and the bullpen remains one of the best with Jon Papelbon and Hideki Okajima. The Yankees will obviously fight for the top of the division but their pitching staff isn't that strong. Also, watch out for the Blue Jays they may finally get into the playoffs if they stay healthy.

Central
1. Detroit Tigers
2. Cleveland Indians
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Minnesota Twins
5. Kansas City Royals

The Tigers have a very potent offense with Gary Sheffield, Magglio Ordonez, and Miguel Cabrera. They should have no problem putting up runs. The pitching staff is even better now with the addition of Dontrelle Willis. I don't know how much longer Todd Jones can be the closer they may need a new one soon. The Indians should be a great ball club again as well, their pitching staff really came on last season.

West
1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Seattle Mariners
3. Oakland A's
4. Texas Rangers

Look for the Angels to win the West once again. They should have a great offense and the addition of Torii Hunter will help, especially in the OF. The pitching staff looks good again but with Kelvim Escobar out that could hurt quite a bit. The bull pen is solid as well. The M's could fight for the division too. They have a young line up and their staff is as good as it's been in awhile.

Playoffs:
ALDS:
Tigers over Yankees in 5
Red Sox over Angels in 5

ALCS:
Tigers over Red Sox in 7


World Series predictions & NL Preview tomorrow!

2007 World Series Predictions

Colorado Rockies vs. Boston Red Sox

I've been pretty accurate in my predictions of the MLB Playoffs thus far and I would like to conclude it with a Rockies over Red Sox in 7 games prediction. Truly, I feel like the Red Sox have the edge in pitching (both starting and bullpen). However, the Rockies' pitching has been surprisingly brilliant this year and I don't see it stopping now.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. This year's Rockies club is reminding me a lot of the 2003 Florida Marlins....but maybe even better. Winning 21 of 22 games is what I like to classify as MAJOR momentum.

Like I said, the pitching match up is a slight edge to the Red Sox, but not as much as some may think. As far as offense is concerned I think the Red Sox have a very microscopic advantage (it's really tough not to give them the slight edge when they have both Manny and Papi). The Rockies have big time momentum on their side along with baseball fans everywhere who aren't Red Sox fans.

I'm very excited for this series. The Prediction: Rockies in 7!

2007 MLB Playoff Predictions (NLDS & ALDS)

NLDS
Colorodo Rockies over Philadelphia Phillies in 5

My heart says Rockies but my head says Philadelphia. I would give the edge to the Phillies based on pitching. Both have tremendous offenses though. I'm a little late with this and the Rockies have already beat Cole Hammels so I will go out on a limb and stay with my heart on this one. The Rockies ride their momentum and beat the Phillies in 5.

Arizona Diamondbacks over Chicago Cubs in 5

The Cubs were hot down the stretch and have a great line-up but Arizona is built for the playoffs with great pitching and great defense. Their bullpen is leagues better than Chicago's and it will show.

ALDS
Boston Red Sox over Las Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 3 games

I think the Red Sox will sweep. They'll probably get Beckett in twice in 4 games if they need him and other than Vlad the Angels have no power. Vlad will be DHing and with Matthews Jr. out their outfield is going to be spread pretty thin. Even though the Angels have K-Rod Scott Shields the Red Sox have much more bullpen depth. Sweep?

New York Yankees over Cleveland Indians in 4 games.

I hate to do it but I don't think the Indians can beat the Yankees. Their pitching is a little better. With Rivera and Chamberlain holding down the 8th and 9th innings their going to be tough to beat. Not to mention their offensive lineup should scare the crap out of the Indians. I hate to do it but I have to pick the Yankees. However, I will be cheering my lungs out for the Indians on this one!

Giant Issues

Today we're going to talk some MLB. My San Francisco Giants keep proving they're one of the worst teams in the Majors.

Last nights game vs. the Yankees definitely proved that as well. They continue to struggle at the plate. They just can't put up any runs and when they do, they can't ever hold a lead. I think it's time to make some changes in this organization. In my eyes, everything is revolving around Barry Bonds, especially the HR chase. Which needs to stop.

This team is getting older by the second I mean you have Ray Durham, Omar Vizquel, Mark Sweeney, Bonds, and Dave Roberts who are all 35 and older. It's time to get some young talent in there. The Giants could be utilizing Fred Lewis or some other young guy who could catch fly balls in LF that Barry misses by 5 feet. Bonds is flat out embarrassing in LF and it's time for them to start bringing in some young talent. Maybe they should consider moving him to 1B or not playing him at all.

As for pitching, I think they brought up Tim Lincecum a year early. He started off the year well, but now he is struggling and is continuing to get shelled. He would have been better off pitching in AA or AAA this season instead of getting throttled in the Majors.

Back to Bonds, this needs to be his last year with the Giants. They cannot continue to waste their money on him. It is a must for them to bring in some young talent for the future this off season or maybe even later in the year.

Red Sox continue to dominate
Just wanted to talk a little bit about Boston. On paper, no one can beat these guys; not Detroit, not Cleveland, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, nor the New York Mets. They just continue to impress. Their bullpen is phenomenal, the starting rotation is awesome (especially Matsuzaka), and the whole lineup is producing as well. I really think no one will stop them come the end of the regular season. As of right now, they're my pick to be in the World Series.


Any other thoughts on the Red Sox or Giants?