This fall, we get to see a particularly unique set of teams taking the road to the World Series. We get classic teams of October like the Yankees, Phillies, and Braves. We get to see the Texas Rangers make it back to the postseason. The tradition of teams with new ballparks making the playoffs continue with the Minnesota Twins. The revived team in Tampa makes the cut again. The nail biting team on the west coast, the San Francisco Giants, are back. And lastly, the Cincinnati Reds ran away with the NL Central crown to make it to the spot normally taken by St. Louis. Ladies and gentlemen, we are in store for a great month of playoff baseball.
So tonight I did some thinking, researching, reading, pondering, and all of the words that make me sound smart and put together my predictions for the MLB Divison Series.
American League
Texas Rangers (AL West Champions) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (AL East Champions)
What a great Cinderella story it would be if the Nolan Ryan owned Texas Rangers -- a team once lucky to not be the last place team in the west -- went all the way to win the World Series. Unfortunately, they have a huge obstacle to cross with the great pitching rotation of Tampa Bay. Price, Shields, and Garza take the mound for the Rays in games 1, 2, and 3 and to be honest, this is all Tampa Bay will need to take the series in 3 games.
PREDICTION: RAYS IN 3
New York Yankees (AL Wild Card Winner) vs. Minnesota Twins (AL Central Champions)
While I do believe the Bronx Bombers have what it takes to take the series in 3, I feel like Minnesota will put together a fight that will take this series to the five game max. While New York wins the pitching duel, the Twins offense will keep them running. What will the series come down to? Experience, Experience, Experience. Hate to say it, but the Yankees' playoff experience will take into effect starting in Game 4 and will carry them to the ALCS.
PREDICTION: YANKEES IN 5
National League
Cincinnati Reds (NL Central Champions) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (NL East Champions)
I won't waste your valuable time, the Phillies are the best team in this playoff hunt. Oswalt, Halladay, Hamels. . .and I'm only naming the pitchers. Therefore, the Reds will not be able to put up a fight against the Phils. The Reds may take one game. . .two if they are lucky. Yet my prediction is the Phillies will breeze through the NLDS and take the series in 4, assuming that the Reds will take one win from the Phils.
PREDICTION: PHILLIES IN 4
Atlanta Braves (NL Wild Card Winner) vs. San Francisco Giants (NL West Champions)
If you would have asked me if the Braves would go all the way in October back in June or July, I would have said that they would have been a great contender for the NL Pennant; yet like teams of the past, they did not keep up the pace in the 2nd half. Inconsistency, injuries, and so much more plagued the Braved in the second half. On the other side of the country, the Giants battled. . .and battled. . .and battled to get where they are right now and it will make a difference in this first round. In my opinion, the Giants have not peaked, yet the Braves unfortunately have. Lincecum, Cain, and Sanchez -- along with their supporting cast of offense -- will take the series in 3.
PREDICTION: GIANTS IN 3
As always, your commentary is much appreciated. Look for more once the division series come to a close and the championship series come their way. Feel free to follow my tweets @JMICHAELWILLIS. Take care, best wishes, and. . .LET'S GO RAMS!!!!(sign of a bitter Cardinals fan still hurting from the collapse)
JMICHAELWILLIS
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