2009 MLB Playoff Preview

My friend Matt Reaves and I have agreed to do more sports previews throughout the year. We’re starting off with our preview of this year’s baseball playoffs.

Before the predictions, here is some full disclosure. Matt is a St. Louis Cardinal fan while I pull for the New York Yankees. Since both are in the playoffs this year, that’s good for you to know.

Matt’s LDS

National League

Phillies-Rockies: Outside of the Minnesota Twins, the Colorado Rockies were the hottest team going down the stretch.  Expect that to continue in this first round series.  This will end up being the best series in the first round as Colorado beats the Phillies in five.  Brad Lidge will blow at least one save this series.  I’m picking Game 5. Colorado 3-2

Cardinals-Dodgers: Expect several low scoring games in this series.  The Dodgers will throw many lefties against the Cardinals (which they haven’t been able to hit all season) as the Cardinals throw Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright at the Dodgers (who nobody has been able to hit all season).  As long as Tony LaRussa doesn’t do anything too goofy or get too uptight I’m going with the Cardinals this series. Cardinals 3-1.

American League

Red Sox-Angels: This will be the year the Angels finally get over the hump and beat the Red Sox.  Bristol, CT will be in full meltdown mode and fire will reign down during the carnage-no Sox and Yanks this year.  The Angels line-up is one of the more balance throughout and I believe the Red Sox are making a mistake not starting Beckett in Game 1.  The Sox win his start, but the Angels win the rest. Angels 3-1

Yankees-Twins: After a thrilling victory in Tuesday’s playoff game, the Twins have to turn around and do it again less than 24 hours later.  The Yankees make their return to the post season and start with Sabathia (who has never been a great October pitcher) in Game 1.  I’m actually picking the Twins to win one of the first two games  (on adrenaline or HGH, take your pick).  There will also be a bit of controversy in the Yankees clubhouse due to Posada sitting in Game 2 (Molina is Burnett’s personal catcher).  I’m also thinking that the Yankees will put Joba Chamberlain in his proper role…in the bullpen.  With him and the Sandman, Mariano Rivera coming out of the bullpen you better get a lead before the 7^th. Yankees 3-2

Adam’s LDS

National League

Phillies-Rockies: The Rockies had an amazing run to the playoffs, but it ends here. Facing Cliff Lee and Cole Hammels will be too much. Phillies win the series 3-1

Cardinals-Dodgers: Both teams stumbled down the stretch after building huge division leads. Basically, whoever can find a grove first will win. It’s hard to go against Carpenter and Wainwright for St. Louis, but the Dodgers have a great line-up that wears pitchers down. I’ve got the Dodgers in 5.

American League

Los Angeles/Anaheim-Boston: This may be the best first-round series. Both teams can pitch, hit, and run, and you have the added dynamic of coast-to-coast travel. Give me the team with home-field advantage. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 5.

Twins-Yankees: With their fantastic victory over Detroit, the Twins have momentum. They also have a home-dome advantage unlike any other. But they don’t have CC, Tex, A-Rod, Jeter, Rivera, Posada, AJ, et.al. Yankees in 4.

Matt’s LCS

Colorado vs. St. Louis-Behind the hitting of Albert Pujols and especially Matt Holliday (who I referred to earlier in the season in another blog as a Coors Field Hitter…oops) the Cardinals go to their 3^rd World Series in the 2000’s.  The Cardinals stagnant offense heats up at Busch earlier in the series and continues once the team gets to the Rockies.  Cardinals 4-2. MVP-Matt Holliday

Anaheim vs. New York-The Yankees seemingly dominated this series during the season and I expect that to continue.  Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posada (except in the games AJ Burnett pitches) make one last trip together to the World Series.  Many runs will be scored in this series.  Well, I think many runs will be scored in any Yankees series, but with these two offenses and unimpressive pitching staffs (yeah, I said that about the Yankees staff-wait and see) expect many games lasting until 1 AM and scores looking like halftime of an NFL game. Yankees 4-3. MVP-Derek Jeter. Over/Under on runs=120.5

Adam’s LCS

Dodgers-Phillies: Another coast-to-coast series where the travel could play a factor. After facing the Cardinals pitching in the first round, I think the Dodgers line-up finally gives out against the Phillies pitching. Philly in 6.

Angels-Yankees: Late in the regular season, the Yankees finally proved they could win in Anaheim. The Angels play a National League-style game that gives the Yankees fits, but the Bronx Bombers have home-field. Yankees in 6.

Matt’s World Series

For the first time since 1964 the pride of the American and National Leagues square off in the World Series.  I’m going with the St. Louis Cardinals to bring home their 11^th World Series Championship.  The Yankees staff is the kind that Cardinals actually hit-hard throwing lefty in Sabathia (Cardinals always hit Randy Johnson hard) and an erratic AJ Burnett.  Carpenter and Wainwright give the Cardinals the advantage in the pitching department and the Cards will ride them much like the Arizona Diamondback rode Johnson and Schilling in 2001.  Look for a surprising performance in this series from an unlikely source (Colby Rasmus or maybe even a youngster out of the bullpen like Blake Hawksworth).  The Cardinals celebrate in Yankee Stadium after John Smoltz strikes out Derek Jeter to end the Series! Cardinals 4-3. MVP-Albert Pujols

Adam’s World Series

I’ll admit, if I hadn’t picked the Cardinals to lose in the first round, I’ve have them here. That’s how even the National League playoff teams are.

Because the American League won the All-Star game (AGAIN!), the Yankees have home-field advantage, and will have overcome a great nemesis in beating the Angels.

The Phillies chance to repeat comes up just short. Yankees in 6. The quest for 27 is complete.