MLB Postseason Preview

The American League:

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels:

I feel like a broken record. Every postseason I write previews for the playoffs, and somehow, every year I write a preview for the Red Sox and the Angels embroiled in another battle. Stretching back to ’86, the Sox have been a large, unrelenting thorn in the side of the Angels. This is the third straight first round match up and every one so far has gone to Boston. The big question is, will the ghosts of past series doom Los Angeles to repeat past miseries?

Game 1: Thurs, October 8 – @ L.A., 9:37 p.m. (TBS)

Game 2: Fri, Oct 9 – @L.A., 9:37 p.m. (TBS)

Game 3: Sun, Oct 11 – @ Boston (TBS)

Game 4*: Mon, Oct 12 – @ Boston (TBS)

Game 5*: Wed, Oct 14 – @ L.A. (TBS)

*If necessary.

Season series: Angels 5-4

Prediction: Sorry, L.A. the Sox playoff jinx will stay until you can prove that you can win when it matters, Boston in five.

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees

It doesn’t really matter who the Yankees play, they are ridiculous. That’s what you want me to type here, but I won’t give Girardi and company the World Series trophy just yet. Their ace, C.C. “Music Factory” Sabathia got lit up for nine runs in three innings in his last start and none of the other pitchers have been consistent enough to put this series out of reach for the Twins. Plus, the Twinkies have gone 17-4 in their last 21 games.

Game 1: Wed, Oct 7 – @ New York, 6:07 p.m. (TBS)

Game 2:  Fri, Oct 9 – @ New York, 6:07 p.m. (TBS)

Game 3: Sun, Oct 11 – @ Minnesota (TBS)

Game 4*: Mon, Oct 12 – @ Minnesota (TBS)

Game 5*:  Wed, Oct 14 – @ New York (TBS)

*If necessary.

Season series: 7-0 Yankees

Prediction: The Twins are a scrappy group and their winning of the Central title is a great story, but it’ll be hard to get past the murderers row of batter the yanks put up without Justin Morneau and Joe Crede. The Yanks lose game one, but take it in four.

The National League:

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers:

People have been talking about the Dodgers all year, yet they just barely won their division over the hard-chargin Rockies. The Cardinals comfortably won the NL Central with a combination of unhittable pitching (Team 3.66 ERA) and clutch hitting (Albert Pujols 47 homers). Manny Ramirez has looked like a clown since coming back from suspension. He has only hit thirteen yackers since being cleared to play on July third.

Game 1: Wed, Oct 7 – @ L.A., 9:37 p.m. (TBS)

Game 2: Thurs, Oct 8 – @ L.A., 9:37 p.m. (TBS)

Game 3: Sat, Oct 10 – @ St. Louis, 6:07 p.m. (TBS)

Game 4*: Sun, Oct 11 – @ St. Louis (TBS)

Game 5*: Tues, Oct 13 – @ L.A. (TBS)

*If necessary.

Season series: Cardinals 5-2

Prediction: Los Angeles’ could surprise me and come to play, but it seems like their last-season battle with Colorado has drained them and the Cards are the best pitching team in baseball and as they say, defense wins championships. St. Louis in four.

Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies:

This one of the most intriguing match ups in the playoffs, the Rockies came from the middle of the pack and charged into the playoffs, just like in ’07. That year they swept every NL opponent before succumbing to a sweep of their own at the hands of the Red Sox in the World Series. The Phillies won it all last season, and are one of few previous winners to make it to the playoffs the following year. It’s not easy to repeat.

Game 1: Wed, Oct 7 – @ Philadelphia, 2:37 p.m. (TBS)

Game 2:  Thurs, Oct 8 – @ Philadelphia, 2:37 p.m. (TBS)

Game 3:  Sat, Oct 10 – @ Colorado, 9:37 p.m. (TBS)

Game 4*: Sun, Oct 11 – @ Colorado

Game 5*: Tues, Oct 13 – @ Philadelphia

*If necessary.

Season series: Phillies 4-2

Prediction: The injury to Rockies pitcher Jorge De La Rosa shouldn’t impact whether or not the Rockies move on, they’ve done it this year with…gasp…strong pitching. Philadelphia just doesn’t seem as good as they were last season, Rockies in five.