October is coming a day early. Well not really, but the 2011 MLB Playoffs will get October unofficially started on the last day of September. The last day of the regular season was potentially the most dramatic ending to a season that we have ever seen. My preseason pick to win the World Series (Boston) finished off their late-season meltdown by allowing the Tampa Bay Rays to sneak into the playoffs. The Yankees, Rangers, and Tigers round out the American League field. The National League saw a late-season meltdown of their own as the Atlanta Braves gave way to the Cardinals for the Wild Card. In addition to the Cards, the NL rounds out its field with division winners, Philadelphia , Milwaukee, and Arizona.
Let's take a look at how I see the Division Series' and beyond playing out.
ALDS
Texas (96-66) vs. Tampa Bay (91-71)
Rangers won season series 5-4
Texas Season Stats
BA - .283
RPG - 5.3
ERA - 3.79
Tampa Bay Season Stats
BA - .244
RPG - 4.4
ERA - 3.58
The Rays are riding a huge wave of momentum into the Playoffs. Can they sustain it against the defending AL champs? Remember the Rangers knocked out the Rays in the 2010 ALDS. Will history repeat itself? I think so.
Prediction - Texas over Tampa Bay 3-1
NY Yankees (97-65) vs. Detroit (95-67)
Tigers won season series 4-3
NY Yankees Season Stats
BA - .263
RPG - 5.4
ERA - 3.73
Detroit Season Stats
BA - .277
RPG - 4.9
ERA - 4.04
The fact that this series starts off with the pitching matchup of Justin Verlander versus CC Sabathia, instantly makes this series must-see TV. Everyone is jumping on the Tigers bandwagon, and they have reason to. Verlander is reason enough, but they have an outstanding lineup as well. Unfortunately for them, the Yankees lineup is better and Sabathia may be able to offset Verlander. I like the Yanks to move on.
Prediction - NY Yankees over Detroit 3-2
NLDS
Philadelphia (102-60) vs. St. Louis (90-72)
Cardinals won season series 6-3
Philadelphia Season Stats
BA - .253
RPG - 4.4
ERA - 3.02
St. Louis Season Stats
BA - .273
RPG - 4.7
ERA - 3.74
The Phillies entered this season as the favorites to win the World Series. And why wouldn't they be, with that vaunted rotation? The Cardinals have been on fire of late, and even took the season series from the Phillies. The Phils were the original "Dream Team" in Philadelphia in 2011. Can they live up to the expectations? I think they can.
Prediction - Philadelphia over St. Louis 3-1
Milwaukee (96-66) vs. Arizona (94-68)
Diamondbacks won season series 4-3
Milwaukee Season Stats
BA - .261
RPG - 4.5
ERA - 3.63
Arizona Season Stats
BA - .250
RPG - 4.5
ERA - 3.80
Milwaukee is known for its offense lead by Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, but they have solid starting pitching and a tremendous bullpen to go with it. This combination should make them a difficult out in the playoffs. They get the startup D-Backs in the NLDS. Arizona came out of nowhere to win the NL West going away. Can their group of youngsters hang with the Brewers? Not this year.
Prediction - Milwaukee over Arizona 3-1
ALCS Prediction
NY Yankees over Texas 4-2
NLCS Prediction
Philadelphia over Milwaukee 4-1
World Series Prediction
Philadelphia over NY Yankees 4-2
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