Playoff Picks

Colorado Rockies v. Philadelphia Phillies
This series will go to the team that out slugs the other team. The Rockies have a strong lineup lead by MVP candidate Matt Holliday, veterans Todd Helton and Garrett Atkins, and rookie Troy Tulowitzki. They are a great defensive ball club, and have an extremely good bullpen. The Phillies also have one of the best lineups in the National League. Their leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins is a game changer, while Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are just lethal to any pitcher they face. Both teams weakness lies in their starting pitchers. While the Phillies do have the advantage with Cole Hamels in game one, I wouldn't trust the likes of Mark Redmand (Rockies) and Kyle Lohse (Phillies). The Rockies bullpen has a shot at neutralizing the Phillies lineup, but the Phillies bullpen have been terrible against anybody but the Mets this year. I'm taking the Rockies, because they will beat up on any pitcher not named Cole Hamels and I don't like Brett Myers in a big spot. Rockies in 5

Chicago Cubs v. Arizona Diamondbacks
The Cubs have a significant advantage going into this series. To simply put it they have a lot of players on their roster who have been to the playoffs before, while the Diamondbacks are very young and inexperienced. If Brandon Webb doesn't win game 1 for the D'backs, it will be very hard for them to win the series. This will be a good learning experience for the Diamondbacks and I expect to see them in the playoffs for years to come, but the Cubs will ultimately win this series. Cubs in 4

Los Angeles Angels v. Boston Red Sox
This should be a very competitive series, because both teams have great pitching. The Angels showcase John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar, while the Red Sox send out 20 game winner Josh Beckett and Dice-K. Both teams also have very good bullpens anchored by 2002 playoff hero Francisco Rodriguez, and Boston sensation Jonathan Papelbon. The difference will be the in the lineups. The Angels do have a good lineup, but they lack the power that the Red Sox have. I'll take David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez over Vlad Guerrero and Garrett Anderson.
Red Sox in 4

New York Yankees v. Cleveland Indians
It is make or break time for A-Rod and the Yankees as the face CY Young favorite C.C. Sabathia and the Cleveland Indians. The Yankees will need Chien-Ming Wang to be spectacular in game 1 when he and the Yankees face Sabathia. If the Yankees fail to win game 1, you have to like the Indians chances with Fausto Carmona facing Any Pettitte. On the other hand, if A-rod hits like the MVP he was in the regular season, the Yankees will win the series. Since A-rod is in his contract year (well sort of), I think their is a little extra incentive for him to do well and lead the Yankees to the ALCS.
Yankees in 5.