MLB AL and NL Divisional Playoff Previews...
By Scott Burks
A long, grueling 2009 regular season in Major
League Baseball has come to an end, but the playoffs are FINALLY here!
This is how I see the Divisional Series in both the American and National
Leagues...
American League
New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins.
The Twins are arguably the hottest heading into the playoffs. They've
won 17 of their last 21 games, including the 12-inning 6-5 thriller over the
Detroit Tigers in a one-game playoff to win the AL Central. However,
that win will come at a cost because the Twins will now have to travel today
to play my Yankees tonight. The Yankees are well-rested, 100-plus game
winners who boasts perhaps the best lineup in the American League. The
Yankees' hitting and pitching led by 19-game winner CC Sabathia will be too
much for the Twins. The Twins will learn quickly that this isn't
Kansas anymore... Yankees in 4.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Boston Red Sox.
The Angels look strong heading into the postseason. Their lineup is
hitting on all cylinders, and their pitching has improved over the course of
the season. More importantly, they have overcome the death of their
young pitcher Nick Adenhart in a DWI accident. Meanwhile, the Red Sox
have had their number. The Angels have yet to beat the Red Sox in a
postseason series. Given the fact that the Red Sox have the best
pitching (as well as the best closer in Jonathan Papelbon) in the American
League, look for that to carry the Red Sox to yet ANOTHER postseason series
win over the Angels... Red Sox in 5.
National League
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies.
The Rockies, like the Twins, has a story-book season. They overcame a
managerial firing, being several games below .500 to not only nab a playoff
berth but nearly came close to winning the NL West. And while Colorado
was a good story, that magical ride will come to a grinding halt against the
Phillies. The Phillies have the best batting lineup in the National
League, and the acquisition of pitcher Cliff Lee will be too much for the
Rockies. Look for this to be a short series... Phillies in 3.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis
Cardinals. The Dodgers may have finished with the best record in
the National League, but they are clearing not playing well. They have
won four of their last 10 games, and slugger Manny Ramirez has not been
playing well. While the Dodgers will be playing another slumping team
in the Cardinals, the Cardinals match up well against the Dodgers. The
Cardinals have the superior pitching staff, and the addition of Matt
Holliday to a lineup that already boasts slugger Albert Pujols will keep the
Cardinals in any playoff series. While the Cardinals should win this
series, maybe this time Holliday will ACTUALLY CROSS home plate...
Cardinals in 4.
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