American League
Texas Rangers (90-72) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (96-66)
The Rangers need Josh Hamilton to be healthy for this series. They also need Cliff Lee to be the post season pitcher he has been in the past. Texas has the better starting rotation in this series, and they have to keep the Rays off (or at least close to) the bases. Tampa Bay led the league in steals this year with 172.
Tampa Bay won the season series 4-2, including a sweep at home.
Prediction: Rangers in 4. The starting rotation will get it done for Texas.
Schedule
Game 1- 10/6 @ Tampa Bay- Cliff Lee (12-9 3.18) vs. David Price (19-6 2.72)
Game 2- 10/7 @ Tampa Bay- C.J. Wilson (15-8 3.35) vs. James Shields (13-15 5.18)
Game 3- 10/9 @ Texas- Matt Garza (15-10 3.91) vs. Colby Lewis (12-13 3.72)
Game 4*- 10/10 @ Texas- Wade Davis (12-10 4.07) vs. Tommy Hunter (13-4 3.73)
Game 5*- 10/12 @ Tampa Bay- Pitching match-up to be determined
Umpires- Tim Welke (crew chief), Jim Wolf, Jerry Meals, Bill Miller, Jeff Kellogg, Mike DiMuro
New York Yankees (95-67) vs. Minnesota Twins (94-68)
The Twins are without slugger Justin Morneau for the entire post-season, as he still hasn't recovered from a July 7 concussion. Minnesota needs to get back on track. Although they were the first team to clinch their division, they have gone just 3-8 since. Phil Hughes and Andy Pettitte have been struggling for the Yankees lately and need to improve if the Bronx Bombers want to get past the Twins. The 2009 playoff version of A-Rod needs to show up. If the 2008 version comes to play, the Yanks are in trouble.
New York won the season series 4-2.
Prediction: Twins in 5. CC will be the only Yankees pitcher to stop the Twins.
Schedule
Game 1- 10/6 @ Minnesota- CC Sabathia (21-7 3.18) vs. Francisco Liriano (14-10 3.62)
Game 2- 10/7 @ Minnesota- Andy Pettitte (11-3 3.28) vs. Carl Pavano (17-11 3.75)
Game 3- 10/9 @ New York- Brian Duensing (10-3 2.62) vs. Phil Hughes (18-8 4.19)
Game 4*- 10/10 @ New York- Nick Blackburn (10-12 5.42) vs. To Be Determined
Game 5*- 10/12 @ Minnesota- Pitching match-up to be determined
Umpires- Jerry Crawford (crew chief), Hunter Wendelstedt, Greg Gibson, Brian O'Nora, Gary Darling, Chris Guccione
The Rangers need Josh Hamilton to be healthy for this series. They also need Cliff Lee to be the post season pitcher he has been in the past. Texas has the better starting rotation in this series, and they have to keep the Rays off (or at least close to) the bases. Tampa Bay led the league in steals this year with 172.
Tampa Bay won the season series 4-2, including a sweep at home.
Prediction: Rangers in 4. The starting rotation will get it done for Texas.
Schedule
Game 1- 10/6 @ Tampa Bay- Cliff Lee (12-9 3.18) vs. David Price (19-6 2.72)
Game 2- 10/7 @ Tampa Bay- C.J. Wilson (15-8 3.35) vs. James Shields (13-15 5.18)
Game 3- 10/9 @ Texas- Matt Garza (15-10 3.91) vs. Colby Lewis (12-13 3.72)
Game 4*- 10/10 @ Texas- Wade Davis (12-10 4.07) vs. Tommy Hunter (13-4 3.73)
Game 5*- 10/12 @ Tampa Bay- Pitching match-up to be determined
Umpires- Tim Welke (crew chief), Jim Wolf, Jerry Meals, Bill Miller, Jeff Kellogg, Mike DiMuro
New York Yankees (95-67) vs. Minnesota Twins (94-68)
The Twins are without slugger Justin Morneau for the entire post-season, as he still hasn't recovered from a July 7 concussion. Minnesota needs to get back on track. Although they were the first team to clinch their division, they have gone just 3-8 since. Phil Hughes and Andy Pettitte have been struggling for the Yankees lately and need to improve if the Bronx Bombers want to get past the Twins. The 2009 playoff version of A-Rod needs to show up. If the 2008 version comes to play, the Yanks are in trouble.
New York won the season series 4-2.
Prediction: Twins in 5. CC will be the only Yankees pitcher to stop the Twins.
Schedule
Game 1- 10/6 @ Minnesota- CC Sabathia (21-7 3.18) vs. Francisco Liriano (14-10 3.62)
Game 2- 10/7 @ Minnesota- Andy Pettitte (11-3 3.28) vs. Carl Pavano (17-11 3.75)
Game 3- 10/9 @ New York- Brian Duensing (10-3 2.62) vs. Phil Hughes (18-8 4.19)
Game 4*- 10/10 @ New York- Nick Blackburn (10-12 5.42) vs. To Be Determined
Game 5*- 10/12 @ Minnesota- Pitching match-up to be determined
Umpires- Jerry Crawford (crew chief), Hunter Wendelstedt, Greg Gibson, Brian O'Nora, Gary Darling, Chris Guccione
National League
Cincinnati Reds (91-71) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (97-65)
The Reds and Phillies are the two highest scoring teams in baseball this year, but they are also two of the best defensive teams. The Phillies have a great starting rotation and they are mostly healthy, which has been a rare occurance this season. Jay Bruce is hot for the Reds and everybody wants to see what Aroldis Chapman can do in the playoffs.
Philadelphia won the season series 5-2.
Prediction: Phillies in 3. Philadelphia's pitching is just too good.
Schedule
Game 1- 10/6 @ Philadelphia- Edison Volquez (4-3 4.31) vs. Roy Halladay (21-10 2.44)
Game 2- 10/8 @ Philadelphia- Bronson Arroyo (17-10 3.88) vs. Roy Oswalt (13-13 2.76)
Game 3- 10/10 @ Cincinnati- Cole Hamels (12-11 3.06) vs. Johnny Cueto (12-7 3.64)
Game 4*- 10/11 @ Cincinnati- Pitching match-up to be determined
Game 5*- 10/13 @ Philadelphia- Pitching match-up to be determined
Umpires- John Hirschbeck (crew chief), Bruce Dreckman, Sam Holbrook, Ed Rapuano, Gary Cederstrom, Rob Drake
Atlanta Braves (91-71) vs. San Francisco Giants (92-70)
The Braves have a patient approach to hitting but you can't be too patient against the Giants' staff. Jason Heyward needs to continue his great rookie campaign, especially with Martin Prado and Chipper Jones. Buster Posey struggled down the stretch and Pablo Sandoval struggled all season. Both of them need to break out of their respective slumps. The Giants bats have to be alive or they could be in trouble.
Atlanta won the season series 4-3 and took 3 of 4 in Atlanta.
Prediction: Giants in 4 San Francisco's staff and power threat will be too much for the Braves.
Schedule
Game 1- 10/7 @ San Francisco- Derek Lowe (16-12 4.00) vs. Tim Lincecum (16-10 3.43)
Game 2- 10/8 @ San Francisco- Tommy Hanson (10-11 3.33) vs. Matt Cain (13-11 3.14)
Game 3- 10/10 @ Atlanta- Jonathan Sanchez (13-9 3.07) vs. Tim Hudson (17-9 2.83)
Game 4*- 10/11 @ Atlanta- Pitching match-up to be determined
Game 5*- 10/13 @ San Francisco- Pitching match-up to be determined
Umpires- Dana DeMuth (crew chief), Paul Nauert, Paul Emmel, Mike Winters, Jerry Lane, Ed Hickox
The Reds and Phillies are the two highest scoring teams in baseball this year, but they are also two of the best defensive teams. The Phillies have a great starting rotation and they are mostly healthy, which has been a rare occurance this season. Jay Bruce is hot for the Reds and everybody wants to see what Aroldis Chapman can do in the playoffs.
Philadelphia won the season series 5-2.
Prediction: Phillies in 3. Philadelphia's pitching is just too good.
Schedule
Game 1- 10/6 @ Philadelphia- Edison Volquez (4-3 4.31) vs. Roy Halladay (21-10 2.44)
Game 2- 10/8 @ Philadelphia- Bronson Arroyo (17-10 3.88) vs. Roy Oswalt (13-13 2.76)
Game 3- 10/10 @ Cincinnati- Cole Hamels (12-11 3.06) vs. Johnny Cueto (12-7 3.64)
Game 4*- 10/11 @ Cincinnati- Pitching match-up to be determined
Game 5*- 10/13 @ Philadelphia- Pitching match-up to be determined
Umpires- John Hirschbeck (crew chief), Bruce Dreckman, Sam Holbrook, Ed Rapuano, Gary Cederstrom, Rob Drake
Atlanta Braves (91-71) vs. San Francisco Giants (92-70)
The Braves have a patient approach to hitting but you can't be too patient against the Giants' staff. Jason Heyward needs to continue his great rookie campaign, especially with Martin Prado and Chipper Jones. Buster Posey struggled down the stretch and Pablo Sandoval struggled all season. Both of them need to break out of their respective slumps. The Giants bats have to be alive or they could be in trouble.
Atlanta won the season series 4-3 and took 3 of 4 in Atlanta.
Prediction: Giants in 4 San Francisco's staff and power threat will be too much for the Braves.
Schedule
Game 1- 10/7 @ San Francisco- Derek Lowe (16-12 4.00) vs. Tim Lincecum (16-10 3.43)
Game 2- 10/8 @ San Francisco- Tommy Hanson (10-11 3.33) vs. Matt Cain (13-11 3.14)
Game 3- 10/10 @ Atlanta- Jonathan Sanchez (13-9 3.07) vs. Tim Hudson (17-9 2.83)
Game 4*- 10/11 @ Atlanta- Pitching match-up to be determined
Game 5*- 10/13 @ San Francisco- Pitching match-up to be determined
Umpires- Dana DeMuth (crew chief), Paul Nauert, Paul Emmel, Mike Winters, Jerry Lane, Ed Hickox
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