World Series

Well since I'm pretty much butchered my playoffs predictions figured I should take another stab at the big show. The World Series. Like everyone else does I'm going to go through position by position which team has the advantage.

Left Field
Pat Burrell is probably the better player when he's hot but, when he's cold he's on the lower end of left fielders in baseball. Carl Crawford plays better defense and has more speed, while Burrell has the power. I haven't seen Crawford look as good as he did pre injury but, Burrell isn't hitting great either so I call this one a tie.

Center Field
BJ Upton has been the most impressive player in the playoffs so far but, Shane Victorino has been the MVP for the Phillies this post season. Both are very fast players that play great D, have great arms. and are swing the bat great. Another tie here.

Right Field
Big edge to the Phillies here. Jason Werth is playing everyday while the Rays have had four different guys out there in Rocco Baldelli, Gabe Gross, Fernando Perez, and Ben Zobrist. Have that many guys out there just tells me that they have no faith in any of the guys. Not even a debate this is the Phils edge.

Third Base
Same thing in right field except the opposite in that Rays have the edge because Evan Longoria plays everyday while Pedro Feliz and Greg Dobbs platoon. Throw in the fact that Longoria is an all-star and is the hottest player right now outside of Upton.

Short Stop
Edge to the Phillies here. No disrespect to Jason Bartlett and his great defense but, Rollins plays as good as defense and hits the ball better. Not to mention Bartlett had some big errors against the Red Sox.

Second Base
Edge to Phillies (as Chase Utley just goes yard). Akinori Iwamura has been playing really good setting the table for the Rays but, this is Utley. He's the Phils three hitter and was carry the Phils with Burrell and Howard not doing much.

First Base
Phillies have the edge again. Ryan Howard drives in a ton of runs and hits the long ball. Carlos Pena is a clutch player but, doesn't seem like he does much throughout the course of the game until the late innings and at that point the game is over.

Catcher
Finally back to the Rays with the big advantage here. Carlos Ruiz is solid behind the plate but, really isn't a great hitter while Dioner Navarro is an all-star that plays good D and hits the ball well.

DH
Edge Rays. The Rays have guys that are used to being DHs while the Phillies do not. Edge to Rays in the one spot where they have the experience edge.

Starting Pitching
This is probably a push here except for the fourth pitcher spot. I just don't see Jamie Moyer being a big time pitcher while the Rays have four solid pitchers.

Relief Pitcher
Brad Lidge has been awesome all year for the Phillies while the Rays bullpen looked rough against the Red Sox. David Price has made the Rays bullpen a little better but, I still give it to the Rays.

With the Phillies currently winning in the second inning of game one 2-0 I'm gonna go with the Rays in the series like just about everyone else. Winning in seven games. I'm taking a split in Tampa Bay and the Phillies taking two of three in Philly, and then the Rays taking the final two at home to win the series. I know I'm pretty much going along with everyone else making picks but, hey everyone else is right.

Baseball Playoffs

Major League Baseball playoffs started tonight and though a couple games have already been played decided to make my predictions on how the first round will go.

American League
Rays over White Sox 3-1
The White Sox might be my team but, they've just been so inconsistent this year and the Rays pitching is too good. Sox will sneak one out at home when Beuhrle pitches.

Angels over Red Sox 3-2
Red Sox haven't been the Sox of the last couple years and don't seem like a World Series team to me and the Angels have been the best team in the American League this year. Angels also have K-Rod to close the door who has been great in post season in years past.

AL Championship
Angels over Rays 4-2
Yes the Rays have been great all year long but, I just can't see them winning it all. I think their still one year away. Angels experience is the difference in this one.

National League
Cubs over Dodgers 3-2
I was honestly going to take the Cubs 3-1 but, with the Dodgers already winning today they'll probably win at least one more in LA. Cubs are just too good and the Dodgers aren't as the needed to pull things together at the end to win baseball's worst division.

Phillies over Brewers 3-0
Yes I live in Wisconsin and cheer for the Brewers but, the Brewers never beat the good teams and the only game I see them possibly winning is tomorrow with Sabathia. That games in Philadelphia so I'm still taking the Phils. Sorry Brewers your going home early.

Cubs over Phillies 4-2
Cubs really are the best team in the NL and probably best in baseball. Dempster, Zambrano, and Lily have all finished the year strong pitching.

World Series
Cubs over Angels 4-3
Cubs best team in baseball. Better hitters, better pitching, and have better fans.