ALDS: Tampa Bay Rays (96-66) vs. Texas Rangers (90-72)
While I really like this Texas Rangers team, I have to give the edge to Tampa Bay. The Rays have had the Rangers number, especially at home. Tampa Bay has won its last four overall against Texas, and 17 of its last 22 at home in this series. Tampa Bay won all three of its home games against Texas this season. The Rangers played below .500 ball on the road this year, and ultimately not having home field should cost them in this series.
ALDS: Minnesota Twins (94-68) vs. New York Yankees (95-67)
Both of these teams limped into the postseason, but I’m giving the Yankees the nod. I know Minnesota has the home field advantage, but New York has had no problem with the Twins. The Yankees have won 54 of the last 72 meetings between these two teams, including six of the last seven in Minnesota. The Yankees are the top offensive team in baseball, scoring 5.27 runs per game. Look for their offense to come up big against a Minnesota pitching staff that really struggled down the stretch.
NLDS: Philadelphia Phillies (97-65) vs. Cincinnati Reds (91-71)
The Reds are a great story, but I don’t see them having what it takes to upset the best team in baseball right now. The Reds have lost four in a row to the Phillies and six straight in Philadelphia. With Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels atop the rotation, the Phillies have a good shot to make another World Series run.
NLDS: San Francisco Giants (92-70) vs. Atlanta Braves (91-71)
These two teams appear pretty evenly matched, but the Giants get the edge at home because of their pitching. Led by two-time N.L. Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, the Giants boast the best ERA in baseball. They are also No. 1 in strikeouts. Having pitchers that can get outs without allowing the opposing team to put the ball in play is a vital resource in the postseason. Also, the Braves are just 1-6 in their last seven games in San Francisco.
ALCS: Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees
This is the series most want to see with a pair of division rivals battling it out for a World Series berth. If this is the matchup we do indeed get, I expect it to go a full seven games. The Rays won 10 of 18 meetings during the season, including five of nine at home, so I like their chances here. The Tampa Bay offense has been nearly as productive as the New York offense, and the Rays have gotten better pitching all season.
NLCS: Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Francisco Giants
Philly has the arms to match the Giants and a much more potent offense. Plus, the Phillies have a big edge in terms of experience, having made back-to-back World Series trips. Look for the Phillies to make it three straight.
World Series: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Since the N.L. won the All-Star game, the Phillies will have the home field advantage in this series, and I believe it will pay off. The Rays are a more mature team than they were in 2008 when they made a surprise run, but I expect history to repeat itself with a Philadelphia win. The Phillies are the only team entering the playoffs that are currently playing their best baseball of the season. I just can’t bet against a club that has been there and done that, especially since its rotation is stronger than it’s been the last two years.
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