MLB playoff thread, round 1!

[MaineDolFan]

The real deal starts tonight after last night's marathon play in game.  So I think this is a good time to start talkin' about who is matched up in round 1 and where those matchups are going to head.  In no particular order I will cover them all and ask for your input:

Colorado / Philadelphia:  I think Philly could be in a little trouble with this series.  If this were a seven gamer I would say that Philly would win in six.  But I think the Rockies have the right matchups here to pull off an upset.  I actually think I am going to lean Colorado in five.

Minnesota / New York:  In the head to head this year the Twins lost three games to the Yankees by one run, all three games lost by middle relief issues.  The bullpen is a little better now.  That said, this is a terrible match up for the Twins.  The Tigers had a better shot due to their starting pitching, the Twins really don't.  Yankees sweep.

St. Louis / Los Angeles:  Both teams should be thanking their lucky stars they can't or didn't draw Colorado in the opening round.  This one will actually be over quicker than most people expect.  I don't think L.A. matches up well with this team at all, the Cards just have too much pitching for L.A.'s offense.  Cards win in four.

Boston / Anaheim:  Boston's offense matches up really well with Anaheim's pitchers.  Anaheim has a staff that was built for regular season wins, a bunch of good pitchers.  Boston has two legit aces on their staff and Matzusaka has come around at the right time.  Boston's offense will wear down that pitching fast and get into a suspect bullpen.  This series goes five, Boston moves on.

I see the following LCS:

Colorado V St. Louis
Boston V New York

What say ye?

[SportsChick]

For purely selfish reasons I'm hoping that the Dodgers move forward and don't really care on the other series. Brian and I may try to take in an NLCS series but it has to be in specific cities.

As for the Sox, well it's October and it's against Anaheim. I'm hoping the Twins can pull off the huge upset but I'm realistic enough to know that isn't going to happen. 

[Sunstroke]

Colorado / Philadelphia:  I think Philly rolls over the Rockies, scoring an average of more than 8 runs per game in a 3 game sweep.

Minnesota / New York:  Twins win one, but the Yanks have too much for the Twinks to handle. Add in the fatigue from their strenuous entrance to the dance and I don't see it going beyond 4 games.

St. Louis / Los Angeles:  The "Beat LA" chants that will be heard in my living room will be loud and proud, and the Cards beat the Dodgers in 4.

Boston / Anaheim:  None of the opening round series go the distance...Boston knocks the Angels out in 4 games behind superior pitching from Beckett in games 1 and 4.

LCS

Philly-St Louis
Boston New York (and the trouser-tent erection action among Fox TV execs reaches an all-time high)

[StL FinFan]

You guys have more confidence in the Cardinals than I do.  If they win game one, it will all come back, though.   Go Cards!

[MaineDolFan]

^Why don't you like the Cards in this one?

[StL FinFan]

I am afraid of the way they played since they locked up the division.  1-7 going into the post season does not inspire a ton of confidence.

[MaineDolFan]

You're right, it doesn't.  But you do need to look big picture wise, too.  They got where they got by being one of the best teams in the game from April until October.  St. Louis has waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much pitching for L.A.

[Denver_Bronco]

I think the Cardinals are going to destroy LA.

I agree with all of Maine's predictions for the division series, even the amount of games he listed on each series, except I like the Cards to sweep rather then win in 4.

[Pats2006]

I say another year of shitty announcers.  I hate TBS.  Whats that guys name who has on all those stupid fucking suits? I want to take a bat to his head.

[TonyB0D]

haha you guys are smoking something - twins are going to ROLL over the yankees.  yanks might get lucky and win game 1, but they will drop the second and have ZERO chance of winning in the metrodome.  twins are so hot and confident right now, shouldn't be here, and have zero to lose.  all the pressure is on the yanks.  bye bye girardi!!

[SportsChick]

They didn't look so hot last night but I'm all for the Yankees loosing as often as possible

[MaineDolFan]

Tony, you are on crack.  Yankees sweep and you know it.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Tony, you are on crack.  Yankees sweep and you know it.

Minnesota is on fire right now, coming from out of nowhere to take the division from Detroit. 

I think they can make a series of it, but the Yankees will win it. 

[TonyB0D]

Tony, you are on crack.  Yankees sweep and you know it.

i'm just so jaded from the last couple of years i have to think negatively as to not be disappointed.  you can't blame me, right?  besides, yankes haven't won a postseason series since like 2005....jeez!!

[Pats2006]

Mark Loretta just hit a walkoff base hit for the Dodgers. No better player on that team to hit it. Dodgers shouldn't have won that game. There were 2 outs and Halladay dropped a routine fly ball.