MLB Playoff Predictions and Preview Part 2

Now on to the ALDS. As a Dodgers fan, I tend to follow the National League a bit closer than I do the American League, but it's not too difficult to follow the AL because all you ever get on ESPN is Yankees and Red Sox news. I am also somewhat biased against most of the teams in the American League playoffs, but I promise not to let that get into the way. It's hard not to be biased as a West Coast sports fan when you mainly get great highlights from East Coast, mostly AL, teams. The Red Sox and Yankees dominate the news, so it's easy for someone 3,000 miles away from that area to resent that. And don't get me started on the Anaheim Angels ( I refuse to call them the Los Angeles Angels, they're not even in LA County!) The match ups are good in the AL, and should have some high scoring series.


ALDS
Red Sox/Angels







Both teams went 7-7 in their last 14 games, and sort of cruised into the playoffs. The Red Sox held off the charging Yankees, but gave up enough of their lead to put a lump in a few Red Sox fans' throats. Even though they finished with the best record in the majors, it just didn't feel like that. They got out to a big lead in the division which gave them enough space to win it even when they weren't playing too well. They maybe took their foot off of the gas a little bit, possibly looking to the playoffs a bit too soon. The Angels won the AL West by 6 games, and no one in that division was too much of a threat. The Mariners were close at one point in the season, but the Angels thoroughly trounced them and showed their dominance. The Angels definitely put it in cruise control down the stretch, and looked to rest some of their stars. In terms of momentum, neither team comes in especially hot. Momentum Edge: Even


Offensively, both teams are stacked. They each have a legitimate star, as well as proven hitters and young up and comers who have played very well. Unfortunately, both teams also have a few injuries that are going to impact their offenses. Gary Matthews Jr. has been left off of the Angels playoff roster. Should they beat the Red Sox, he will be eligible to return. That means that Chone Figgins or Reggie Willets will be playing center field. This impacts them offensively but even more defensively, which I will bring up later. Vladimir Guerrero has an imflamed right tricep muscle, and it is unclear how much that will effect him. Obviously, without Vladdy, the Angels are done. I think it will force him to be the DH, which again will only impact them defensively. It's tough to out-do the Red Sox offensively, with Big Papi, Manny, Varitek, Mike Lowell, J.D. Drew, Youkilis, and Coco Crisp. Drew has stepped it up as of late but most of Red Sox nation wants Jacoby Ellsbury to start in his place. Ellsbury has played well and knowing J.D Drew from personal experience, I wouldn't trust Drew in the playoffs. The only concern in their lineup right now would be Manny. Manny hasn't been Manny, especially in September. The Red Sox offense is not quite as good as they used to be, and the Red Sox will need Manny to produce for them to win it all. Offense Edge: Red Sox


Defensively, both teams are shaky. With Matthews Jr. out, and Vlad possibly being limited to DH only, that leaves Figgins and Willets playing right and center field respectively. With an ageing Garret Anderson in left and a new catcher, the Angels just aren't that good defensively. It doesn't get too much better in Boston, with their outfield play being almost unbearable. It doesn't get too much better in the infield, with Lowell and Youkilis being a bit slow for their position and Lugo having a nightmare season defensively. Defense Edge: Even


Starting pitching is where this series gets interesting. Josh Beckett(20-7) and John Lackey(19-9) are very similar pitchers. Both have overpowering fastballs, both have the same attitude, and both are not afraid to knock someone off of the plate. You could almost have these guys switch uniforms and get the same performances from them. After Beckett, the Red Sox will throw Daisuke Matsuzaka(15-12) and Curt Schilling(9-8). The Angels will counter with Kelvim Escobar(18-7) and Jered Weaver(13-7). Dice-K has had an up and down year, and is really a mystery at this point trying to predict how he will react to the pressure packed playoffs. We all know what Schilling (and his bloody sock) can do, but he has definitely declined this year and his age may show. On the flip side, Escobar has had a fantastic season and Weaver has shown spots of brilliance, as well as a bit of consistency. It's tough to go against the experience of the Red Sox pitching, but I think the Angles are up to the task. Starting Pitching Edge: Even


This is where I think the series will be won and lost. Nothing but questions out of the Red Sox bullpen, with the Red Sox really only having one reliable reliever in Jonathon Papelbon (1.85 ERA, 37 SV). Monsieur Gagne (3.81 ERA) has been anything but his old self after the Red Sox traded for him this summer. Okajima (2.22 ERA) has a "tired arm" and who knows what they can get out of him. The Angels at least have Scot Shields (3.86 ERA) who can hold it down before they turn it over to K-Rod (2.81 ERA, 40 SV). They also have Darren Oliver (3.78 ERA) and Dustin Moseley (4.40 ERA)who have been consistent. As I said earlier, this is where the series will be won and lost, and there are too many questions with the Red Sox bullpen that won't be answered in time. Relief Pitching Edge: Angels


Most of the sports pundits (and ESPN) have written this series off as a Red Sox victory. Here's the thing about the Angels, they don't go away and they find a way to win with guys you've never heard of. Mike Scioscia is one of the best managers in the game, and they have consistently won playoff series over the past few years. They will need to find a way to score some runs, but I think they will be able to do so late in games off of the Red Sox relievers. Final Prediction: Angels in 5



ALDS
Indians/Yankees






The Indians finished tied with Boston for the best record in the majors. They've been right on the cusp the last few years, and with a core group of young players they finally put it all together this year and had a fantastic season. The Indians won the AL Central by 8 games, and still finished with a solid 11-5 record over their last 16 games. The Yankees on the other hand put pressure on the Red Sox for the AL East, and comfortably wrapped up the Wild Card by 6 games, and finished 11-5 over their last 16 games as well. The Yankees had a little bit more to play for down the stretch, and are feeling pretty good about how they finished the season. The Indians basically just stayed the course and played consistently well all season, but didn't really play for anything down the stretch. Momentum Edge: Yankees


Everyone knows the Yankees have paid to have the best starting lineup, and on paper they certainly do. A-Rod, Jeter, Giambi, Posada, Abreu, and Damon are all-stars, and they younger players aren't too shabby either. They can go for a slump now and again, and A-Rod will need to prove that he can take this team on his back in the playoffs. Don't look past the Indians though, as Sizemore and Hafner are legitimate studs. Add Victor Martinez and the Indians can definitely score runs. It's now or never for A-Rod, and I think he gets it done. Offense Edge: Yankees


Defensively, both teams have their hits and misses. Jeter and A-Rod are two of the best in the game, and Damon can patrol the middle, but the other outfielders aren't anything special defensively. The Indians have a great infield defensively and Grady Sizemore is a human highlight reel. Defense Edge: Indians


Like the other series, the starting pitching is where this series starts to get interesting. C.C. Sabathia(19-7) will likely win the AL Cy Young Award, and Fausto Carmona(19-8) isn't too far behind him. Together they have won 38 games this year, the most by any two teammates. If this series goes five games, the Yankees probably will see the two pitchers start three times, which doesn't bode well for them. Jake Westbrook(6-9) will likely start the third game. The Yankees will counter with Chien-Ming Wang(19-7), Andy Pettitte(15-9), and either Mike Mussina(11-10) or Roger Clemens(6-6). Wang has had a spectacular season, but the rest of the rotation looks like it's 2000 again. The old arms won't be enough for the Indians young guns. Starting Pitching Edge: Indians


The Indians bullpen will need to step up if they are going to win this series. The Indians bullpen's ERA is 3.77, fourth-best in the league. But they will be playing the Yankees, who can win a game in one bad late inning. The Indians bullpen is lead by lefty Rafael Betancourt(1.47 ERA), who is holding the opposition to a .183 batting average, and has nine walks and 80 strikeouts in 79 1/3 innings. Lefty Rafael Perez(1.78 ERA) has a .187 batting average against, with 15 walks and 62 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings. The weak link is closer Joe Borowski (5.07 ERA, 45 SV), who has the highest ERA of any pitcher ever with at least 40 saves. Borowski also had a meltdown at Yankee Stadium when he allowed six runs in the ninth inning. That is definitely going to be on his mind when he is trying to close a game out in New York. Now, Mariona Rivera(3.15 ERA, 30 SV) is certainly not who he used to be, but he still has a bit of swagger left in him. Kyle Farnsworth(4.80 ERA) and Joba Chamberlain (0.38 ERA) are big, powerful right-handers who have overpowering stuff. Joba has been nearly unhittable, but has shown that he is not super-human. Relief Pitching Edge: Even


The Indians pitching will need to keep the powerful Yankee bats at bay, and Sabathia and Carmona will need to win all of their games to make it happen. I really want to write that the Indians will win this series, I really do. They have the pitching and the bullpen to make it happen. But it's the Yankees. I hate them, and they'll probably win. Final Prediction: Yankees in 5










Final Predicitions:


Yankees over Indians
Angels over Red Sox
Phillies over Rockies
Diamondbacks over Cubs


Yankees over Angels
Phillies over Diamondbacks


Phillies over Yankees