Alright, the matchups have been set. And while I am loathing that the Indians are not playing in October this season, I am still plenty excited for this season's postseason. 4 new teams are in (Rays, Dodgers, Brewers and White Sox) while 3 teams did not make it back (Yankees, Indians, D'Backs and Rockies). Both NY teams missed out but both Chicago and LA teams are in. The Brewers make the playoffs for the first time since 1982. The Rays make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Plenty of great storylines to go around.If you read the debate post with Luke, you will already know my World Series pick is Rays over Cubs. But in fairness to the other 6 teams, I am still going to break down each series and provide a prediction. And if the Rays or Cubs lose in this divisional series, I will pick a new World Series winner/matchup.
For now though, on to the divisional series breakdown.
Brewers (90-72) vs. Phillies (92-70)
Game 1: Gallardo (0-0) vs. Hamels (14-8) - Wed 2pm
Game 2: Sabathia (11-2) vs. Myers (10-13) - Thu 6pm
Game 3: Moyer (16-7) vs. Bush (9-10) - Sat 6:30pm
Game 4: Hamels vs. Suppan (10-10) - Sun TBA
Game 5: Sabathia vs. Myers - Tues TBA
Season Series: PHI leads 5-1
Breakdown: The pitching favors the Phillies. Though Sabathia has been clutch for Milwaukee down the stretch, he was horrendous in the postseason last year, so there are no guarantees. Plus, the Phillies bullpen is one of the best, with Lidge closing the door. Offensively, both teams have some pop. Brew Crew has Fielder, Braun and Hart while the Phils sport Howard, Burrell and Utley. Should be a fun series no matter what.
Prediction: Phillies 3-1
Game 1: Lowe (14-11) vs. Dempster (17-6) - Wed 6:30pm
Game 2: Billingsley (16-10) vs. Zambrano (16-10) - Thu 9:30pm
Game 3: Harden (5-1) vs. Kuroda (9-10) - Sat 10pm
Game 4: Lilly (17-9) vs. Maddux (8-13) - Sun TBA
Game 5: Lowe vs. Dempster - Tues TBA
Season Series: CHC leads 5-2
Breakdown: Pitching edge goes to the Cubs by far. Their 4 pitchers are better than the Dodgers' best in Lowe. At the plate, Manny Ramirez has added a jolt to a rather anemic offense. The Dodgers are coming in winners of 19 of their last 27 games, while the Cubs cruised in, thanks to their big division lead. But they still led the NL in runs, were 2nd in avg, and their pitching staff was the best in the NL. That's a lot to ignore.
Prediction: Cubs 3-0
Game 1: Lester (16-6) vs. Lackey (12-5) - Wed 10pm
Game 2: Matsuzaka (18-3) vs. Santana (16-7) - Fri 9:30pm
Game 3: Saunders (17-7) vs. Beckett (12-10) - Sun TBA
Game 4: Lackey vs. Lester - Mon TBA
Game 5: Matsuzaka vs. Santana - Wed TBA
Season Series: LAA leads 8-1
Breakdown: Talk about a clash of the AL titans. Some are calling this the ALCS in the ALDS. This series gets the extra day of rest so the 3-man pitching rotation means only the big guns will pitch. Edge goes to the Angels in talent but Red Sox in clutch experience. Both closers are nearly unhittable so scoring before the 9th will be huge. The Red Sox have the better bats by far but this might be where no Manny in the lineup hurts. Tough to pick a team in this battle.Prediction: Angels 3-2
Game 1: Vazquez (12-16) vs. Shields (14-8) - Thu 2pm
Game 2: Buehrle (15-12) vs. Kazmir (12-8) - Fri 6pm
Game 3: Garza (11-9) vs. Floyd (17-8) - Sun TBA
Game 4: Sonnanstine (13-9) vs. Danks (11-9) - Mon TBA
Game 5: Vazquez vs. Shields - Wed TBA
Season Series: Rays lead 4-2
Breakdown: Having to play the makeup game against the Tigers and the playoff game against the Twins hurt the rotation. The team's best two pitchers are going in games 3 and 4 and by then, they could be down 2-0. There's nothing really flashy about either team's offense so it will come down to starting pitching and the bullpen. And if that's the case, the Rays should cruise to their first playoff series win in franchise history.
Prediction: Rays 3-1
That's all for now. Enjoy the postseason...and all those Frank TV ads you will be subject to since all the action is on TBS for this round. Seriously, the words "very funny" together will make you wanna puke after these series are over. PLAY BALL!
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