How It (Probably Won't) Pan Out

Just a quick thought on the playoffs, now that the field is officially set.

In the ALDS, I like Cleveland. But quite frankly, Joe Borowski worries me. Yes, he had 45 saves, but more often than not, those saves were of the "nail-biting, first-and-third, two-out, up-a-run" variety rather than the "one-two-three" variety. His ERA was 5.07 and his WHIP was 1.43 and this Yankee team can hit. But there's no question their starting pitchers (Sabathia, Carmona, Westbrook) are superior to New York's (Wang, Pettitte, Clemens). For the record, 7 of 10 ESPN "experts" are picking the Tribe.

Also in the ALDS, I like LA to knock off Boston. Unlike Cleveland, there's no doubting LA's closer and there's not much evidence to suggest Boston has resolved its down-the-stretch bullpen troubles. I also think LA's starters (Lackey, Escobar, Weaver) are a slight step above Boston's (Beckett, Matsuzaka, Schilling). There's no question, however, that with Manny back in the lineup, the Sox have the advantage at the plate. I'm definitely out on a limb here, as 1 of 10 ESPN experts like the Halos.

In the senior circuit, I'm going to go with the team that had the NL's best record and arguably its best closer...Arizona. This team has a nice mix of youth, veterans, and guys in the primes of their careers. I don't see the Cubs beating Brandon Webb once, let alone twice. If he wins two games (or if the D-Backs win the two games he starts), all they have to do is steal one more and the series is theirs. There's no question the Cubs can rake (Soriano, Lee, Ramirez) but their pitching, in my opinion, isn't as strong (noticing as theme?).

And finally in the "wow, the Phillies and Rockies both made the playoffs" series, I don't know who to pick. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if each game was 13 to 11 because both teams' offenses are red hot, and after their number one starters, both teams' pitching staffs are shaky at best. But I'm going to give the edge to th Rockies simply on momentum and a slightly more stable bullpen (Hawkins, Fuentes and Corpas). Even after Sunday's game against the Nats, I just don't trust Tom Gordon and Brett Myers.

So if it ends up LA/Cleveland in the ALCS, I still think I'm going with the Tribe. Both teams have dynamic starting rotations but Sabathia, Carmona is slightly more daunting in my opinion. Plus, if the Tribe can best the Yankees offense, they most certainly should be able to tame the Angels with the likes of Sizemore, and an all-the-sudden-hot Travis Hafner.

And in the NLDS I think pitching and the D-Backs will prevail once again. Colorado will finally meet its match and it's lack of quality pitching depth (which won't matter against the Phillies) will matter against Arizona. Again, give the advantage to one of the best hurlers in the game, Brandon Webb. He might get 3 starts if the series goes 7 and he's fresh off a win against the Rocks over the weekend.

That would make the World Series Cleveland/Arizona...and once again, I'm picking Cleveland. They're better offensively, defensively, and have deeper pitching. Plus, if Borowski blows up in the first round, Rafael Betancourt is a very reliable backup option. Or they could just bring in Charlie Sheen.