Broken Masterpieces

Other than the disaster that has been the San Diego Padres it’s been quite a season.  Some of the huge mid-season trades have truly altered the season and the Rays have been a great surprise.  Here’s my look at the teams in the playoffs.

Rays – Their starting pitching is very interesting and could get them past the first round vs. the White Sox.  I’m not so sure they have the hitting to take them much further but they have a bright future.  Just getting to the playoffs is huge and they will be back in the future.

Red Sox – They are pretty banged up and if Beckett can’t go then they are in deep trouble.  The Angels will be a tough matchup.  You can’t discount though the clutch players this team has and are always dangerous.

White Sox – I root for Junior and Thome and if my Dodgers can’t win I would be happy to see these guys get a ring.  Once they get past Vazquez their starting pitching is strong.  This is a dangerous team.  Some of the bullpen is strong but doesn’t seem deep.  Ozzie will need to hope he gets the same pitching from his starters he got in 2005.

Angels – This is the team to beat.  They have it all; starting pitching, bullpen, defense, speed, power and the best manager in baseball.  The path to the World Series Championship goes through the OC.

Phillies – A very strong bullpen with a fairly weak starting staff.  After Hamels they are beatable.  They can mash the ball though so there could be some 8-7 games.  Rollins, Howard and Utley are amazing and dangerous.

Brewers – CC is the man and if he could pitch every game they’d be unstoppable.  It’s great that the Brewers are in the post-season and I’m hoping they advance at least one round.  Their defense is a big weakness and it will probably cost them dearly.  As a wise coach says, “defense wins games, defense loses games”.

Cubs – Best starting pitching staff in the playoffs.  I hate it that my Dodgers are matched up against them.  They have power, speed and a pretty good bullpen.  This could be their year.

Dodgers – Manny has brought this team up.  Lowe is a stud and the starting pitching is strong enough.  Furcal is now back and if he’s strong then they could upset the Cubs.  Even without Kuo the bullpen is pretty good now that Saito is back.  Torre will make a difference.

Cold, hard prediction: Cubs beat Angels in 7.

Go DODGERS!