MLB Playoffs - Patrick's Predictions

The MLB playoffs are underway! There are definitely some surprising teams in this year's playoffs, but there are some good match-ups. So here are my predictions for the series' as well as predictions for the ALCS and NLCS and the World Series.

National League Divisional Series:
Chicago Cubs vs Arizona Diamondbacks
The pitching staff of the D'Backs is definitely better than the Cubs, but the Cubs are better at almost every other aspect. Arizona does have home field advantage, but I don't think it's going to be enough. Cubs in 4.

[UPDATE] -- Game 1: Chicago 1, Arizona 3
Arizona leads series 1-0
Game 2: Chicago 4, Arizona 8
Arizona leads series 2-0
Game 3: Arizona 5, Chicago 1
Arizona sweeps series 3-0; Advances to NLCS

Colorado Rockies vs Philadelphia Phillies
Rockies definitely a surprise here, beating out the Padres on the very last game of the season to get this spot. The Phillies also a surprise, and they got here to one of the worst collapses in MLB, even sports, history. This is a very even matchup, however. Both have solid offense and defense, but the Phillies have slightly better pitching. I'm giving the nod to Philly in 5.

[UPDATE] -- Game 1: Colorado 4, Philadelphia 2
Colorado leads series 1-0
Game 2: Colorado 10, Philadelphia 5
Colorado leads series 2-0
Game 3: Philadelphia 1, Colorado 2
Colorado Sweeps series 3-0; Advances to NLCS to meet Diamondbacks.

American League Divisional Series:
Los Angeles Angels vs Boston Red Sox
Boston has the best pitching of any team in the playoffs, and one of the best offenses. The Angels don't have a good of an offense as the Sox, but their pitching staff is almost up there. The one thing that the Angels do have over the Sox is heart and desire to win, but I don't think it'll be enough. Red Sox in 5.

[UPDATE] -- Game 1: Los Angeles 0, Boston 4
Boston leads series 1-0
Game 2: Los Angeles 3, Boston 6
Boston leads series 2-0
Game 3: Boston 9, Los Angeles 1
Boston sweeps series 3-0; Advances to ALCS.

New York Yankees vs Cleveland Indians
The Yankees have the best offense in the playoffs, but Cleveland has CC Sabathia. I think the series will all come down on how a certain player in pinstripes perform. Whether he can produce like the regular season, or whether he chokes as he always does in the playoffs. I think the Yankees and A-Rod will be able to pull this out in 4.

[UPDATE] -- Game 1: New York 3, Cleveland 12
Cleveland leads series 1-0
Game 2: New York 1, Cleveland 2 F/11
Cleveland leads series 2-0
Game 3: Cleveland 4, New York 8
Cleveland leads series 2-1
Game 4: Cleveland 6, New York 4
Cleveland wins series 3-1; Advances to ALCS to face the Red Sox.

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So, it looks like I have the Cubs vs Phillies and the Yankees vs Red Sox. Oh joy!

National League Championship Series
Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies
This is as close as it gets to being even matchups. Both have good offense that are fairly equal and good pitching. And, they both want it badly. I'm giving it to the Chicago Cubs to win it in 6.

American League Championship Series
New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox
Well, if it isn't what's known as the Yanks vs Sox. Boston has the pitching, New York has the offense, but Red Sox also has the offense. Too close to call, but I think that it's going to be the intangibles that will make the Yankees prevail in 7.

World Series
Chicago Cubs vs. New York Yankees
So the first trip to the World Series for the Cubs since 1945. The first trip to the World Series for the Yankees since 2003. The Yankees have the experience and the curse is still lurking over the Cubs' Franchise. I think Bartman shows up at Yankees stadium and puts bad fortune again on the Cubs. Yankees win the World Series in 5.
[Update] -- Well, my predictions couldn't have been any worse. Well, actually it could since I got the Sox right, but it turned out to be a wild AL and NL Divisional Series.