October 1, 2008

Baseball: First Round Playoff Predictions

Posted by Adam Graham in : Baseball

Please don’t ask me to be arrogant enough to assume I know who’ll win the Series when there’s two rounds until we get there. If I had to pick a favorite, I’d say the LA Dodgers, but let’s take it 1 round at a time:

American League:
Chicago beats Tampa Bay 3-1

The Sox truly have the veteran team and the leadership to make it through the post-season.

Boston beats Los Angels of Anaheim 3-2:

My initial thought would be to favor the Angels. However, and this is totally a hunch, the Red Sox find themselves in an impossible position with Game 3 and question marks surrounding Josh Beckett, and a whole host of problems. It’s under these circumstances that champions shine.

National League

Los Angeles Dodgers defeat Chicago Cubs, 3-2

Sorry, David. Take the Dodgers strong second half, the presence of Joe Torre (four World Championship to Lou Pinella’s one), Manny Ramirez, and a strong 1-2 punch in Derrick Lowe and Chad Billingsley coupled with the Cubs’ hard luck in the post-season and I narrowly favor the Dodgers will win their first post-season series since 1988.

Phillies defeat Brewers, 3-1:

Welcome to the playoffs, Milwaukee. It’s great to have you. I’m genuinely thrilled for the folks in Milwaukee and CC Sabathia, whose clutch pitching makes him the best mid-season acquisition since the ’84 Cubbies acquired Rick Sutcliffe. Still, I’d bet on the Phillies who have the last 2 MVPs on the team plus Chase Utley and Pat Burrell, plus ageless wonder Jamie Moyer,

3 Comments

  1. Comment by Tara Rowe

    You really think Chicago will take Tampa Bay? Based on the Rays inexperience or what? I really didn’t think the White Sox had it in them after that five game slide, but their play against Detroit and Minnesota surprised me.

    And, I think you’re dead on about D. Lowe and the Dodgers. That series will come down to pitching.

    I’m leaning in the Angels favor–toss up for me really.

  2. Comment by Kevin Richert, editorial page editor, Idaho Statesman

    FYI.

    http://voices.idahostatesman.com/2008/10/01/krichert/famous_last_words_playoffs

  3. Comment by Adam Graham

    I’m betting against Tampa because of inexperience, you’re right. Plus I think the way the White Sox ended the season, they’ve got huge momentum going into this series.

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