My MLB Postseason Picks

Originally Posted on 10/10/07

It's been far too long since I've posted but being the baseball enthusiast that I am, I decided it's time for me to share my personal picks for the post-season.

The first thought that comes to my mind as we head into the Championship Series in both the NL and AL is what the heck is Arizona and Colorado doing here? I mean if someone told me before the season started that these two teams would be in the NLCS facing off against each other I'd probably laugh right in their face. But here we are in October with not one but two NL West teams fighting for their chance at representing the National League in the World Series and it's not the Padres and Dodgers. On top of being in the NL West (which might now be one of the toughest divisions in baseball), they're both considered small market teams and thus two points are being met by MLB standards, that is parity and the collective bargaining agreement is working. With those two aspects, I'm excited for the future of the game, every organization has a chance at success.

My next thought though is the ALCS sure does look like the prerequisite for a World Series title but then again, no one thought the Cardinals would've won last year representing the NL against Detroit but they did.

So here is my breakdown of what I think will become the outcome for the 2007 MLB Post-season.

NLCS, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies:
The Rockies are the hottest team going into this years playoffs and maybe the hottest team to ever reach the post-season. They won 14 of their last 15 games in the regular season (seven of them against the Dodgers!) and have now won three in a row by sweeping the Phillies in the NLDS. Do the math, that's 17-1 their last 18 games. Young players like shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, outfielders Brad Hawpe and Matt Holliday (MVP Candidate) and pitchers Jeff Francis, Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales are leading the charge not to mention a great bullpen with two bona-fide closers in Manny Corpas and Brian Fuentes.

As for the Diamondbacks they've been shocking the baseball world all year long by leading the NL West virtually the whole year and ending up with the most wins in the National League. Who would have thought a team without future hall of fame pitcher Randy Johnson would be so successful. Not I. Bob Melvin (Diamondbacks) has my vote for NL Manager of the year. So who are the Dbacks? Well, they have one of the best starters in baseball with Brandon Webb and other arms that can pitch deep into the game and keep it even before handing it off to an above average bullpen with Brandon Lyon, Tony Pena and Jose Valverde. Offensively, more young players pop out at you with outfielder and lead-off man Chris Young, shortstop Stephen Drew and one of the true hustle players in the game, outfielder Eric Byrnes.

Who's going to win, Rockies in Six. They're just too deep offensively, a better defensive team with more impact arms. Plus they're the hottest team out there.

ALCS, Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians:
Awe, the more interesting series in the public eye... partly because these two teams are considered far superior to their NL counterparts but more important because the Red Sox Nation is giddy for another a second title in four years.

Breaking down this series will be difficult, both these teams match up very good against each other. Both have a strong starting staff with great 1-2 punches in the rotation and solid bullpens with potent bats in their lineups. Both can beat you in a lot of different ways.

For the Red Sox it starts with Josh Beckett, baseball's only 20 game winner of 2007. Problem is he has to face C.C. Sabathia who is another great ace starter. Funny thing here is either one of these guys could win the CY Young Award but both would take a World Series ring instead. Game two features two more incredible arms, one nearing his last pitch and the other just getting started. Veteran starter Curt Schilling (Boston) will try to continue his post-season success stories against Fausto Carmona (Cleveland) who has just been overwhelming vs. opponents all season. Both games will be exciting. Rounding out the rotations are Japan's most famous starter in Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield for Boston and Paul Byrd and Jake Westbrook for Cleveland.

Offensively, these two teams again match up pretty close but Boston will probably have the edge in most eyes because of names like David "Big Papi" Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Mike Lowell. Indians have big names too with Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner and Vic Martinez. Both teams can get it right with advancing players along the base paths and playing good defense.

Two trouble areas I see are Joe Borowski closing games out for Cleveland and Eric Gagne blowing it in a crucial game. Good news for the Sox, they have one of the best with Jonathon Papelbon and it will show in this seven-game series.

Who is going to win; Red Sox in Six, just as the NL. This team has been here before, they have veteran arms and the big big difference maker with Big Papi and Ramirez.

Whether I'm right or wrong, let's hope these series get great coverage and showcase great talent from around the league!