ALDS
Baltimore (93-69) vs. NY Yankees (95-67)
Season series tied 9-9
Baltimore Season Stats
BA - .247
RPG - 4.39
ERA - 3.90
NY Yankees
BA - .265
RPG - 4.96
ERA - 3.85
I cannot believe what the Orioles continue to do. They battled the Yankees for the division crown all the way until the last day and now they have disposed of the 2-time defending AL champion, Rangers in the sudden death Wild Card. Can they do it again? I don't think so. The Yankees have too much firepower in their lineup, and actually may have a better pitching staff. The Yanks will want to get out to leads though. If there's a close game, the Orioles are likely to pull it out as they went 16-2 in extra inning games this year. Ultimately, I like the Yankees to impose their will and make quick work of the O's.
Prediction - NY Yankees over Baltimore 3-0
Detroit (88-74) vs. Oakland (94-68)
Tigers won season series 4-3
Detroit Season Stats
BA - .268
RPG - 4.48
ERA - 3.75
Oakland Season Stats
BA - .238
RPG - 4.40
ERA - 3.48
Much like the Orioles, it is hard for me to fathom the A's being in this position. I had Oakland and Baltimore as 2 of the worst teams in the AL coming into the season. Now they could realistically play each other in the ALCS. The A's have ridden some talented young arms and timely hitting to the AL West title and a spot in the postseason. The Tigers still have the best pitcher in baseball and a loaded lineup lead by Miguel Cabrera who won the 1st Triple Crown since 1967 this year. The A's will battle, but will fall sort against a more talented Detroit squad.
Prediction - Detroit over Oakland 3-2
NLDS
St. Louis (88-74) vs. Washington (98-64)
Nationals won season series 4-3
St. Louis Season Stats
BA - .271
RPG - 4.72
ERA - 3.71
Washington Season Stats
BA - .261
RPG - 4.51
ERA - 3.33
The Washington Nationals are bringing postseason baseball to the nation's capital for the 1st time in 70 years. They must beat the defending champs to advance. The Nats produced the best record in baseball during the regular season, lead by the best pitching staff in the bigs. Stephen Strasburg has been shut down though, leaving Gio Gonzalez as their ace. This series will be a telling sign of how much experience matters. Unfortunately for the Nats fans, I think it does matter.
Prediction - St. Louis over Washington 3-2
San Francisco (94-68) vs. Cincinnati (97-65)
Reds won season series 4-3
San Francisco Season Stats
BA - .269
RPG - 4.43
ERA - 3.68
Cincinnati Season Stats
BA - .251
RPG - 4.12
ERA - 3.34
The Giants are known for their arms with 5 starting pitchers capable of being part of any rotation. Many don't realize that they have one of the better offenses in the NL to go with it. Buster Posey is a bona fide MVP candidate at Catcher. The Reds have a great pitching staff of their own and some pop in their lineup. Cincy's staff is lead by Cy Young candidate, Johnny Cueto and their lineup is boosted by the power of Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. This is probably the most evenly matched series this round. I like the Giants by the slimmest of margins.
Prediction - San Francisco over Cincinnati 3-2
ALCS Prediction
Detroit over NY Yankees 4-2
NLCS Prediction
San Francisco over St. Louis 4-1
World Series Prediction
San Francisco over Detroit 4-3
I had the Phillies and the Angels in the World Series before the season began. Neither of those teams made the playoffs. The teams I had them beating in their respective Championship Series' were the Giants and Tigers. I'm sticking with San Francisco and Detroit. I think both of these teams have the makeup of teams built to succeed in October. I like the way the Giants have played down the stretch and I believe they will win their 2nd World Series in 3 years.
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