Playoffs: Something Old, Something New

Based on my previous predictions for the AL East, AL Central, and AL West, the ALDS matchups would feature the Detroit Tigers (98 wins) as the number one seed against the Seattle Mariners (93 wins), and the Boston Red Sox (97 wins) against the Cleveland Indians (96 wins) in a rematch of last year's ALCS. In the NL, we would see Arizona earn the number one seed (again) and they would take on the Central champion Cubs (again) in the first round, while the other matchup would have the Mets from the NL East taking on the Wild Card winning Dodgers.

I think Detroit's high-octane offense will be too much for Seattle's relatively young and relatively playoff-inexperienced pitching staff. After all, many of Detroit's current hurlers were around when they went to the series in 2006, and newcomer Dontrelle Willis also has playoff experience from the Marlins' championship season of 2003 (albeit dubious playoff experience- an 8.53 ERA and 10 walks in 12 1/3). Simply put, Detroit averages 7 runs a game and wins round 1 in 4 games.

In the other ALDS matchup, I like the Sox to beat the Tribe for much the same reason they dispatched with them 5 months ago- starting pitching. Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling are two of the best active postseason hurlers. And while I don't expect C.C. Sabathia to look as bad as he did in '07, Cleveland's pitching thins out significantly after the big fella's turn in the rotation. In other words, I'm not a Fausto Carmona believer, just yet. Boston sweeps it, 3-0.

Over in the NL, I like Arizona's dynamic trio (Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Randy Johnson) to prove too much for the Cubs' sluggers, but it won't be easy. Chicago's superior bullpen helps them steal two games when the D-Backs' young hitters stumble in the early innings. The Snakes advance to the NLDS, 3 games to 2.

And finally, in the only upset of the first round, I like the LA Dodgers to knock off the New York Mets 3-1. Johan Santana has proven to be moderately human in October (1-3, 3.97 ERA in 5 starts), while there's no substitute for Joe Torre's calming, been-there-done-that experience in the LA dugout. Nomar Garciaparra delivers a game-winning hit off Billy Wagner in Game 2, and the Mets never recover. LA advances, 3-1.

In the ALCS, we would see, arguably, the best two teams in baseball- the Red Sox and Tigers. Both teams can hit, pitch, close, and play defense. That's why this one is going all 7 games. But in the end, there's just too much Josh Beckett, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Fenway Park for Detroit to advance. Good news for the Tigers is, they'll be right back in the thick of it in '09.

And in the NLCS, break out the boys in blue. LA continues on its postseason tear easily dispatching with the D-Backs in 5 games. Their talented and speedy top of the order causes fits for Arizona's pitchers and the Snakes' bullpen coughs up another win in this one.

That leaves us with a Boston Red Sox/Los Angeles Dodgers World Series, featuring two of baseball's oldest and most recognizable franchises, and featuring two managers who know each other all-too-well...Terry Francona and Joe Torre. And like the classic Sox/Yankees playoff matchups of recent years, this series doesn't disappoint either. It goes all 7 games, provides us with some memorable moments (20 years to the day, David Ortiz does a reverse Kirk Gibson crushing a walk-off in extra innings in LA...Nomar gets 5 hits at Fenway Park as a DH...and Jonathan Papelbon picks up a 4-inning, 8 strikeout win in relief). But I'm sorry to say Red Sox fans, you won't be popping champagne for the 3rd time in 5 seasons. LA is too balanced, too deep and too well-managed and Vin Scully's boys are champs for the first time since 1988.

How's that for a jinx?