Let the Games Begin!

Hey there sports fans,

Sorry about the long overdue of postings, but now with the baseball playoffs arriving, lets break down the 4 divisional playoff match-ups starting in the National League:

1. The Chicago Cubs vs. The Arizona Diamondbacks- This is going to be a great series largely in part to seeing how the Cubs will do being back in the playoffs since their "Bartman" collapse in 2003 against the Marlins. These two teams have very different dynamics. The Diamondbacks rely heavily on their pitching and young defense to get them through the game. The Cubs use the approach of everything needs to line-up in order for them to have success. If one part of their game is off, the Cubs seem to falter.
Why the Diamondbacks will win this series- The Diamondbacks have a great one-two punch in Brandon Webb and Livan Hernandez and Micah Owings has his flashes of brilliance with both the arm and the bat and with their closer Jose Valverde. This team plays well when their hitting complements their pitching.
Why the Cubs will win this series- The Cubs are a fairly balanced on both the pitching and hitting aspects of their team. They have a lot more pop in their lineup with guys like Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez leading the way. The real test for the Cubs is how Carlos Zambrano fairs in the series. He needs to be on his game if the Cubs want to see more October baseball.
Verdict- This will be a 5 game series and a good hard battle all around, but the Cubs offense will be too much for the starting pitchers of the Diamondbacks to handle. Cubs in 5.

2. The Colorado Rockies vs. The Philadelphia Phillies- the story of how both of these teams got into the playoffs is fantastic. The Phillies being part of one of the biggest comebacks in major league history by coming back up from a 7 game deficit in the standing with 17 games left to play. The Rockies win their last 14 of 15 games to force a tiebreaker for the wild card spot with the Padres. After 13 innings and a bit of luck, the Rockies make the playoffs for the first time since 1995. Both these teams are feel good stories and are playing hot at the right time, so who's going to continue with their good luck?
Why the Phillies will this series- this team is built on its offensive firepower. With two MVP candidates in Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley along with last year's MVP Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand in addition, this is the toughest lineup in the National League. The real question for the Phillies is can Cole Hamels win the big game and can the other pitchers on the staff and the bullpen hold it together.
Why the Rockies will win- the is came out of obscurity and has shown it can play under the bright October lights. They also have a good hitting lineup with Todd Helton, MVP candidate Matt Holiday and Rookie of the Year candidate Troy Tulowitzki, this team embodies the definition of a scrappy team. They also have decent pitching from the likes of Jeff Francis and Josh Fogg. But like the Phillies, can their staff not implode, like it almost against the Padres?
Verdict- Like the previous series, this series will also go 5 games. Though it would be amazing to see the Rockies proceed into the next round, the Phillies have too many offensive weapons for the Rockies to stop. Phillies in 5.

3. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. The Boston Red Sox- This series will be about health. Whichever team's big player is playing better during this series, will ultimately determine the winner. Both of these teams have great pitching from both starters and the bullpen along with good hitting lineups. The Red Sox come into this series winning the American League East for the time since 1995 and this will be this the 4th time in 6 years the Angels will be in the playoffs from their 2002 World Series Championship.
Why the Angels will win this series- The key for this team is to confident in playing their style of baseball, which is to slowly hurt teams with hits, stolen bases and just playing small ball along with good pitching. Vladimir Guerrero must be healthy and playing well for them to win.
Why the Red Sox will win this series- Pitching. It is scary to think that a Red Sox team is relying on pitching for once, but this team is built on its solid rotation of Josh Beckett, Dice-K, and Curt Schilling along with Johnathan Papelbon as their closer. The question is will this team's hitting look like the Red Sox of old or tend to their more current flair of sporadic hitting?
Verdict- This game comes down to whose team has the most consistent pitching and at this juncture, the Sox have the more consistent pitching. Red Sox in 4.

4. The New York Yankees vs. The Cleveland Indians- This is the final series that will be played starting Thursday. Both teams come into the post-season relatively by winning 9 of their last 13 games. The Yankees playing some of the best baseball in the second half relying heavily on their youth. The Indians relying on starting pitchers C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona.
Why the Indians will win this series- the Indians will need a solid front from both their hitting and from their pitching. Guys like Jake Westbrook, Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner all need to step up big if the Indians want to win this. The question for the Indians is will their youth help or hurt them?
Why the Yankees will win this series- this line-up for the Yankees is devastating from top to bottom. Alex Rodriquez has had a fantastic season hitting .314 with 54 home runs and 156 runs batted in. The Yankees also used rookie pitching from Philip Hughes and Joba Chamberlain. The question for the Yankees is can A-Rod and the youth movement perform in the tough spots?
Verdict- The Yankees just have too many weapons for the Indians to stop in this series. Yankees in 4.

So there you have it. All 4 series decided. We have the Cubs playing the Phillies in the National League Championship and the traditional Sox-Yanks American League Championship. I will have ALCS predictions after the ALDS. Tomorrow, a wrap-up of the NFL. Until next time kids...