October Baseball

Goodbye productivity, hello MLB postseason! I'll admit, I haven't payed too much attention to the end of the regular season, because to me it seemed like the playoff teams were pretty much decided. (If you will recall this post, I had the 8 teams predicted correctly. So what if Wild Card/Division Winners were flip-flopped. I was 8 for 8. Boo ya.) Now that the postseason has finally started, I'll definitely be watching. I love that they have day games almost every day, considering I sit around my apartment during the day, and then when I have to work I can still watch the games! Anywho, I am going to change my predictions, based on what I've seen and what my gut is telling me.

Rays vs. Rangers

I like the pitching duel of David Price against Cliff Lee, but I'm going to have to go with Cliff Lee on this one. He's been traded around so much, that nothing really can feel like home so he won't be rattled pitching on the road, and the Trop isn't too intimidating of a park. The Rangers lineup is absolutely stacked, and I don't really care if the team doesn't have playoff experience. Vlad Guerrero does, Cliff Lee does, Bengie Molina does. Michael Young is experienced enough that the playoffs won't rattle him. Plus they have Josh Hamilton, which the Rays don't have. I like this game to go to 5, but I like the Rangers.

Twins vs. Yankees

The Twins are a perennial playoff team, but it would be a stretch to say that they are perennial contenders. They seem to always run into the Bronx Bombers, who I like in this matchup for another year. I like the Yankees pitching a lot better, plus the Twins could use a bat like Morneau in their lineup. The Twins will win the first game at Target Field, but that's about it. Yanks in 4.

Reds vs. Phillies

I'm pulling for the Reds to win the World Series, because I like that they are in our division. I don't hate them, which surprises me, plus I like many of the players they have, plus Dusty Baker. Joey Votto deserves the NL MVP, I like Jay Bruce, and this Chapman guy can apparently throw pretty fast. With that said, they did emerge from a division that featured Pittsburgh, Houston, the Cubs, and (alas) the Brewers. I don't think win more than one game against the Halladay/Oswalt/Hamels tro. Phillies in 4.

Giants vs. Braves

The Braves are the other team I like, especially Jason Heyward and Bobby Cox. But I know that October comes down to pitching, which is why I like the Giants more. It looks like they are going to start Lincecum/Matt Cain/Jonathan Sanchez, which is very solid for the NL. Plus then they have Barry Zito and Madison Bumgarner to use when needed, plus Brian Wilson as the crazy closer. Plus, I'm not betting against the Kung Fu Panda and a guy named Buster. Giants in 5.

I'll elaborate more once the LCS matchups are decided, but right now I'm leaning towards Rangers over Yankees in 6, and Giants over Phillies in 7. I like pitching.

Now...back to Tampa Bay/Texas game one. Cheers to unproductivity!