MLB Playoff Preview

In an occurrence that would shock no one, the American League playoffs look a whole lot more appealing than the National League. Quite frankly, only the Philadelphia Phillies stack up talent-wise with the four AL representatives, but that is what makes October baseball so riveting. One hot streak, one injury, even one bad bounce can change the outcome of a short series. With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at each of the divisional round match-ups and who I see moving forward. As for my World Series prediction: at this point I have to stick with my preseason prediction of the Phillies over the Yankees for the title, with Roy Halladay and his career 16-5 record and 2.90 ERA vs. the Bronx Bombers as the difference maker.

National League

Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies
I was disappointed to see the Reds struggle a bit down the stretch and ultimately get passed by the NL West winning Giants. I was hoping to see a Phillies-Reds match-up in the NLCS when the Reds’ deep rotation and strong line-up would match up better with the Phillies. That is not the case, however, and Philadelphia has a major advantage in the shorter five game series with the ability to throw Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt twice on regular rest. The Reds do sport the NL’s top offense and will counter with two talented, but young and inexperienced starters of their own in Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto, along with veteran Bronson Arroyo in between. In the end, however, a healthy Phillies line-up and the trio of Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels will be a little too much for the Redlegs. Phillies in four.

Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants
San Francisco is the ultimate example of how pitching wins. Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez and the rest of the Giants staff have been amazing during the second half of the season, erasing a 7.5 game lead and 4th place standing in their own division on July 4th. The Braves, meanwhile, were able to hang onto the wild card and delay Bobby Cox’ retirement for another much deserved playoff appearance. As good as the Giants’ pitching has been down the stretch is as bad as the Braves’ banged up line-up has been. The Braves managed only 3.5 runs per game over their final thirty games and now face a pitching staff that has been lights out. I can’t see a way that the Braves find a way to score enough runs without Chipper Jones and Martin Prado in the line-up. Giants in four.

American League

Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Now we move over to the big boy league. Look at the star power in this one: Josh Hamilton, Evan Longoria, Vlad Guerrero, Carl Crawford, Cliff Lee, David Price and the list could go on and on. These teams are pretty evenly matched, but I like the back part of the Rays’ rotation with James Shields, Matt Garza, and Wade Davis just slightly better than that of the Rangers with CJ Wilson, Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter. If the series happens to reach a fifth game, the edge still lies with Tampa who will have home field advantage and have hit Rangers’ ace Cliff Lee relatively well this year to the tune of 12 earned runs in 23 plus innings. David Price would also get two starts at home where he has a sub-2 ERA. Rays in five.

New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins
If I hadn’t picked the Yankees before the season to go to the World Series I would be tempted to pick the Twins in an upset as they have played the best ball in the Majors since the All-Star break and sport the League’s best home record at 53-28. The absence of Justin Morneau, however, shortens the Twins line-up and forces Delmon Young, Michael Cuddyer and Jim Thome to really provide the offense behind Joe Mauer. The Yanks’ have proven big game pitchers in CC Sabathia and Andy Pettite, both of whom are scheduled to go two games if the series should go the distance. The Yankees better make sure that is not the case as the edge would shift to the Twins with home-field advantage in game five and a well rested Liriano taking the mound (3.11 home ERA). I think the Yankees bats will be too much for the Twins to handle, however, especially for the back end of the Twins’ rotation and this one doesn’t reach that game five. Yankees in four.