PLAYOFF PREVIEW

Ok, now that we can finalize one of the most disappointing seasons in Dodger history, lets look to October at the teams still standing and try to make sense of the remaining teams.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Is there anyone out there that thinks the NL has a legit chance to win this thing? Philly? The Cubs? D-Backs? Ha ha, NO! The World Series Champ should be coming from the AL and it will be quite a race.

Angels v. Red Sox: Everyone knows by now that ANA has trouble against Boston. For some reason while ANA owns NY, Boston owns ANA. I think that could change this season. The Halos have been pretty solid and have a 1-2 in Lackey and Escobar that can easily match up with Beckett and DiceK or Schilling. Mix in Jered Weaver and some luck with Saunders, E.Santana or even Colon and the Angels should have better pitching than Boston. Mix in KRod and their previous Oct. experience, the Angels are looking like a strong ALCS bet. Boston started strong but barely held off NY, have injury and sucking issues with Manny, Nancy Drew, Gagne, and Coco B. Average. I'm taking Anaheim.

Yanks v. Indians: Cleveland enters Oct. with MLB's best record and "home field advantage." Whatever. The Yanks slept through April and May, woke up and played Bronx Bomber baseball for 4 months and easily took the 4th playoff spot. Yes their pitching is TERRIBLE but this is October which means Jeter, Clemens, Posada, Rivera, etc. Heck, if ARod just doesn't suck, NY will score about 5-8 runs a game. BUT, Cleveland does have some great pitching. CC and Carmona have been lights out but is that enough? Hafner, Sizemor, VMart and Garko are all young and without much, if any, playoff experience. I want Cleveland, I'd like to pick Cleveland but the friggin Yanks are the Yanks. I'll begrudgingly take NY.

ALCS pick - ANA over NY.


NATIONAL LEAGUE

Flip a coin, not like it matters.

Cubs at DBacks: Being an NL West guy, the fact that AZ won the west amazes me. THEY WERE OUTSCORED ON THE SEASON BY 20 RUNS! How has this not been in the news more? When has a division winner ever not outscored their opponents? Every other playoff team smoked their opposition yet AZ is minus 20 runs on the year? What does this mean? Only one B.Webb and lots of green kids makes for a Cubbies visit to the NLCS. I don't think this will even be close. Cubs in 4 at worst. (Soriano, Lee, ARam, Zambrano, Lilly, Bartman, etc.)

COL/SD winner v. Philly: San Diego has no offense and their only healthy players are all utility type guys playing over their heads, that ends in Oct. Colorado is the feel good story but they just don't have the pitching or bullpen (I don't think) to keep up with Philly. Hamels is back, Howard, Rollins and Utley lead a great offense and they have enough poo to throw against the wall to come up with some pitching to beat either NL West team. Phills take this series.

NLCS: Cubs over Philly (showing money can buy happiness and keeping Philly guy angry and bitter)

World Series: Angels over Cubs, no Bartman required.

(I reserve the right to completely deny the above the predictions were made and select new teams if needed.)