Playoff Predictions

Here are my postseason picks, as we prepare for Halladay's postseason debut.

Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants
Pitching Matchups 
Gm. 1- Derek Lowe 16-12 4.00 ERA vs. Tim Lincecum 16-10 3.43 ERA 
Gm.2- Tommy Hanson 10-11 3.33 ERA vs.  Matt Cain 13-11 3.14 ERA 
Gm.3- Tim Hudson 17-9 2.83 ERA vs. Jonathan Sanchez 13-9 3.07 ERA 
Gm.4- TBA vs. TBA 
Gm.5- TBA vs. TBA 


I think San Fran will take this series in 4.  The duo of Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum will be to difficult to beat twice, with the off days Lincecum and Cain should pitch games 4 and 5.  The Braves are inexperienced and don't have the pitching.



Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Pitching Matchups 
Gm.1- Edinson Volquez 4-3 4.31 ERA vs. Roy Halladay 21-10 2.44 ERA 
Gm.2- Bronson Arroyo 17-10 3.88 ERA vs. Roy Oswalt 13-13 2.76 ERA 
Gm.3- Johnny Cueto 12-7 3.64 ERA vs. Cole Hamels 12-11 3.06 ERA 
Gm.4- TBA vs. Roy Halladay 21-10 2.44 ERA 
Gm.5- TBA vs. TBA 


I think the Phils will take this series in 3.  "H20" provides the Phillies with dominant pitching throughout the series.  As well, they will have Joe Blanton and Kyle Kendrick in the bullpen which adds two long relievers if something were to go wrong.  The Phillies offense has been on a roll as of late too.

New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins
Pitching Matchups 
Gm.1- CC Sabathia 21-7 3.18 ERA vs. Francisco Liriano 14-10 3.62 ERA
Gm.2- TBA vs. Carl Pavano 17-11 3.75 ERA 
Gm.3- TBA vs. Brian Duesing 10-3 2.62 ERA 
Gm.4- AJ Burnett 10-15 5.26 ERA vs. Nick Blackburn 10-12 5.42 ERA 
Gm.5- CC Sabathia 21-7 3.18 ERA vs. TBA 


I think the Yankees will take this series in 4 games.  The Twins pitching is very weak compared to the Yankees'.  Brian Duesing is the only pitcher I think will not get rattled and give up a lot of runs.

Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Pitching Matchups 
Gm.1- Cliff Lee 12-9 3.18 ERA vs. David Price 19-6 2.72 ERA 
Gm.2- CJ Wilson 15-8 3.35 ERA vs. James Shields 13-15 5.18 ERA 
Gm.3- C.Lewis 12-13 3.72 ERA vs. Matt Garza 15-10 3.91 ERA 
Gm.4- Tommy Hunter 13-4 3.73 ERA vs. Wade Davis 12-10 4.07 ERA 
Gm.5- TBA vs. TBA 


I think the Rangers will win this series in 5 games.  These are the most evenly matched teams in my opinion.  The Rangers have the offense and the Rays have the pitching.  Good hitting beats good pitching and good pitching beats good hitting.  I think its a matter of who has "better" nights, and Josh Hamilton's health.