MLB Playoffs

Nevermind that the first games were yesterday, everybody knew the Yanks, Phils and Dodger would win their respective first game.  The trend of home team will end today though. Here is a brief analysis of all matchups.

American League:

Yankees & Twins : Twins wasted all their pitching in the last three weeks to make the playoffs.  They are happy just to make the playoffs, they don't expect to get any further. Plus, since MLB does have some influence on who they want to see in the later round of the playoffs, what type of national audience would want to watch the Twins? 

Prediction : Yankees in 4 games

Red Sox & Angels : This matchup has been lopsided over the past ten years or so.  The Angels do make me nervous this series though, they have speed everywhere in their line-up and the Red Sox catchers could throw out a runner if they had Genghis Khan running full speed at them on an elephant.  The Angels do also have a sense of purpose with the tragic passing of their rookie pitcher after his first start.  But, the Sox have been here before and its hard to bet against a Lester, Beckett starting combo.  David Ortiz started in a massive slump, but since the beginning of July he has led the major league in HRs.  Jason Bay came in 2nd in the AL at RBIs, so the team knows how to score when they have to in the past few months.  If we get the MLB influence theory involved here....

Prediction : Red Sox in 5

National League :

Phillies & Rockies : The Rockies in the last few years have been making unexpected runs into the playoffs on a wicked hot streak.  Sadly, Colorado is already preoccupied by the Belicheck bred, Josh McDaniel 4-0 Denver Broncos.  I have spoken with around 4 Colorodians the last week and every one said, nobody cares about baseball out there, its all about the Broncos. 

Prediction : Phillies in 4

Dodgers & Cardinals : This is without question the hardest matchup to predict. On one hand, you got a heating up Manny and a playoff-proven manager (which is always underrated, ask Jim Leyland or Grady Little) but on the other, nobody in LA cares about baseball much, except for the Latinos, the weather is warm and the sun shines bright.  For the Cards,  I like their pitching staff but have 0 trust in Pinero after his brief stint with the Sox a few years back.

Prediction : Dodgers in 5

After invoking the MLB influence clause and common sense, these matchups will bring baseball the most exposure in several years with the tradition of these franchise and consistant winning ways.  Coming later today.  League Championship Series & World Series Predictions.