MLB Predictions

Back from vacation and trying to dry out. As of today there are around 47 games left in the MLB season. Time to make some predictions for the playoffs. Winners in bold.

NL NLDS:
You will hear this word a lot throughout this column: PITCHING. Pitching is the key to everything in baseball. That is why the Giants will win the Wild Card over the Rockies and the Cardinals will beat out the Cubs for the Central title.

St. Louis Cardinals (NL Central) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West)

I know St. Louis won 3 of 4 this year so far against LA, but f this series is played in June the Dodgers sweep. (They start a 3 game series today as well) However, with the Cardinals picking up Matt Holliday these teams are much more evenly matched now. Since leaving Oakland, Holliday's bat has come alive and St. Louis should be able to win a short series.

San Francisco Giants (Wild Card) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (NL East)

This will be a series for those who like old school baseball. Fantastic pitching. San Fran's 2 young right handers (Lincecum-Cain) up against Philly's seasoned lefties (Hamels-Lee). The biggest discrepancy will be how much better the Phillies hitting is than the Giants.

NLCS:
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Carpenter vs. Hamels. Wainwright vs. Lee. Once again we are treated to awesome pitching match-ups in the NL playoffs. The Phillies have more depth on offense and on the mound. The x-factor is if St. Louis can get to the 9th inning, Ryan Franklin has been lights out this year.

AL ALDS:
Pitching once again will control but not as much as in the National League. Detriot has been good all year, but will eventually loose out to Chicago. The White Sox have the 3rd best ERA in the AL and just got Jake Peavy via trade 2 weeks ago (who is expected back soon). The Yankess, despite not having a solid team ERA, are 2nd in strikeouts and 3rd in BA against. Also, the Yankees have just swept Boston who is collapsing. The Texas Rangers on the other hand have way better pitching than anyone would have thought.

Texas Rangers (Wild Card) vs. New York Yankees (AL East)

The star power of the Yankess will be more than the Rangers can keep up with. Unless Josh Hamilton hits 8 home runs in 5 games, expect the Yankees to move on.

Chicago White Sox (AL Central) vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (AL West)

The Angels have been red hot as of late, especially on offense. However, the cool pitching of the White Sox will be able to settle them down and take the series.

ALCS:
Chicago White Sox vs. New York Yankees

The Yankees went out this year and wanted to buy a championship. Burnett, Sabathia and Teixeira were the muti-hundred-million dollar additions and they have delivered. Much like in the NLCS, a combination of good pitching and powerful offense will prevail.

World Series:
Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Yankees

The addition of Cliff Lee was the piece of the the puzzle the Fightin' Phil's needed to repeat as World Champions. The Yankees were able to adjust to the launching pad that is New Yankee Stadium. However, the Phillies are 37-20 on the road this year. They have the lineup to compete with New York and just as good pitching. I see Chase Utley having a killer playoffs and putting the cherry on top in the World Series. The people of Philadelphia will be celebrating again.



When the season ends, we will revisit this to see if I have my match-ups correct and make the calls again.