Playoffs Anyone?

Since I don't care about the NHL playoffs unless the Wild are in them (which they most likely will not be this year), and the NBA playoffs is a week away; I bring you...MLB Playoffs Prediction '09...

(Word of advice: this is very unrelated to this post but I just had to let everyone know that it is a terrible idea to eat a whole sleeve of thin mint girl scout cookies in one sitting. Stomach paying for it right now. They are too damn good.)

ALDS
Boston Red Sox vs Minnesota Twins
Boston's rotation is too tough and too deep for the Twins. The Nation doesn't roll the Territory but the series was never in doubt. 4 games

The Angels of Los Angeles/Anaheim/California vs Tampa Bay Rays (wild card)
Tampa Bay wins in 4 games because they are the better team. The Rays lineup is too much for the Angels rotation and it is the exact opposite with the Rays rotation. Sets up rematch of last years ALCS.

NLDS
New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers
The Mets took care of their bullpen problems and the Dodgers miss Derek Lowe in the playoffs. Not even Manny can carry this team past Johan and crew. Mets in sweep.

Chicago Cubs vs Atlanta Braves (wild card)
Is this the year that the Cubs win a playoff series? First they have to working on winning a playoff game, something they haven't done since...well you know. Braves are treading in unfamiliar water as their youth shows in the playoffs. Cubs in 4.

ALCS
Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays
Boston can't lose again to the Rays in the ALCS, can they? I say they can. The Rays are no fluke and, as mentioned in the preview, will only get better. This team has the experience of being there and the taste of losing still fresh. The Rays lineup is scary and they will pitch enough to get them into the World Series for the 2nd straight year. (ed note: The Rays opened up the 2009 season by taking 2 of 3 in Boston. Think that means anything?)

NLCS
Chicago Cubs vs New York Mets
There is just something about the Cubs that makes you want to pick them, but you know something really messed up is going to happen and have a big impact in a series. Everyone knows that something will go wrong and when it does the excuses come flying. I can't wait to see the look on Steve Bartman's face when he is watching the Cubs vs the Mets during game 7 of the series and this happens...

Scenario: Cubs are up 3-1 in the top of the 7th innings with 2 outs. Carlos Zambrano is pitching and David Wright is up to bat with Carlos Delgado on 2nd...

Cubs Announcer #1: "...and we are only 7 outs away from our first World Series since 1918 (first off, why do announcers always do this. Once you start counting down the outs to a win it never happens. It's like pointing out that the pitcher has a no hitter, you just don't do it). Big Z is still on the mound and he has been terrific all night long."

Cubs Announcer #2: "He sure has been. His slider is unhittable and the batters can't hit it (apparently he is calling the game). "

#1: "Here is the windup....oh my I think he got him with that pitch. Wait, it looks like Wright just got out of the way. That was close..."

#2: "It looks like Wright wasn't happy about that. You can tell by the way that he looks mad...(why, why are you still on tv?)"

#1: "Yeah this has gotten heated between Wright and Zambrano as they are almost yelling at each other. Let's hope things cool down with these two....Big Z, back on the mound...here's the windup...and the pitch......Wright puts a charge in that one and wow that is out of here in a hurry. These two are still going at it as Wright rounds the bases after tying this game on a monster shot to left center. Neither Soriano nor Fukudome had to move on that hit, they knew where it was headed."

#2: "Yeah they knew off the bat that it was going to be a home run, that's why they didn't move. If they ball was still in the park I bet they would have ran towards the ball (ok, seriously?)."

...and then from there the Mets hang a 4 spot in the inning because Big Z is a headcase and go up 5-3 on the Cubs. Putz and K-Rod come in and slam the door shut.

World Series
New York Mets vs Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays were here last year. The Mets are newcomers with only 3 players on their current roster with World Series experience (did you ever think that you would say Rays and "more World Series experience" in the same sentence? Yeah, neither did I). I'm going to say it, the Rays will win. They are the best team and best teams win in the playoffs. This isn't football where you can have one bad day and be done. You have to beat a team 4 times before they beat you 4 times. I don't think that anyone can beat the Rays 4 times in a series. And they have Joe Madden, one of the better skippers in the game.

Tampa Bay Rays: your 2009 World Series Champion