Make Your Playoff Predictions!

The Major League playoffs begin this afternoon and I will offer up my predictions shortly.  First, however, I want to invite all my readers to submit their predictions.  We'll see whose predictions most closely match reality and the winner shall be declared the Great Prognosticating Sage of Baseball, Life, and Other Stuff.  You'll be known as our GPS--because of your wonderful guidance.  (Hey, I just made that up; that was pretty good.)

Anyway, in the American League, I had the opportunity to watch both Tampa and New York play against the Orioles in September and both those teams are having difficulty right now.  The former is in an offensive slump especially against lefties and with Cliff Lee opening for Texas, I'm going with the Rangers over the Rays.  The Yankees' starting pitching isn't much and their chances rest heavily on whether Phil Hughes pitches well.  I'm going with the Twins, a well-balanced club over the Yankees.  I see Texas really rolling after their defeat of Tampa Bay and therefore, I predict that Texas will be the American League champions.

I'm less sure about the National League, especially the Giants and Braves.  The Giants are on a roll and have better starting pitching, so it's San Francisco over Atlanta.  I love Joey Votto and what the Reds have done.  In fact, I'm not sure how they've done it with Ramon Hernandez catching.  That guy couldn't block a plate if it was falling into his lap at Denny's.  Anyway, while I'm rooting for the Reds, it's hard to pick against the best rotation in baseball right now in Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels; therefore, it's Philadelphia over Cincinnati.  The Phillies pitching will trump the Giants pitching and so Philadelphia is your repeat NL champ.

While I'm an American League guy all the way, I don't see Texas defeating Philadelphia.  So, here's to you, John Leonard.  Your Phillies will be World Champs again!

Comments

[al Smith]

I'm going all the way with the underdog Texas Rangers. I love Nolan Ryan and the organizations training and development of their pitchers. You don't see any Ranger pitchers looking out to the bullpen in the 5th inning for help. It's old school Nolan Ryan style pitching - you started the game you're expected to finish it - YOU'RE GETTING PAID FOR 9 INNNINGS , not 5.