Chapter 40.7: The Playoffs

I don’t have time to do a thorough analysis, so this is my best-guess, seat of the pants version. But I’ll make predictions, so when I fall flat on my face with them I’ll take the lumps.

ALDS:
Red Sox vs. White Sox: To me, this is the most interesting series. It’s got history without having much history. That is, the Red Sox have a long-standing history of frustration, which they finally shed through their championship last year. The White Sox are now in their 88th year since winning a World Series, so they’re an even more frustrated franchise. (We won’t even go into the Northsiders of Chicago.)

The White Sox have done well with their pitching, and their hitting is more potent than most fans seem to realize. But I didn’t like the way they faded and almost lost their place to the Indians. The Red Sox are not as good as they were last year. The pitching’s not as formidable, though they can hit with anyone. My prediction: Red Sox in five.

Yankees vs. Angels: Perhaps history can repeat itself as the team with the most annoying name in sports (the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – or whatever they call themselves) find themselves hosting the storied Yankees, whom they defeated in the ALDS in 2002 in route to their only World Series championship. The Yankees struggled to get into the playoffs this year and weren’t able to set their rotation the way they’d have liked. The Angels were the first AL team to clinch a playoff berth and have their rotation exactly where they want it.

But the Yankees always seem to come through. I hate them, but they can’t be trifled with. Their offense has incredible strike capabilities – both in the ability to strike out in the clutch and the ability to explode for multiple runs. The Angels, with Chone Figgins leading the way to Vlad the Impaler, have what I view as an 80s style offense – speed and enough power to make pitchers nervous. And it works. This should be a hard-fought series. Yankees in five.

NLDS:
Padres vs. Cardinals: The Phillies would have been a better bet against the Cardinals than the Padres. While as a Mets fan I appreciate the little guys getting into the playoffs with a record just a scratch above .500 (a la, the 1973 Mets, who should have won that World Series), but they just can’t compete with the Cardinals. I think Bruce Bochy has done a great job just to get this team to the playoffs, but that’s it for 2005. Cardinals in three.

Astros vs. Braves: Wow, this should be fun! The pitching-rich Astros don’t have the offense they had in 2004 and it’s not just because Carlos Beltran was walking around Shea Stadium this season. The Braves just keep finding ways to win the regular season.

But can they do it in the post-season? I think not. While I’m more impressed with Bobby Cox and pitching coach savant Leo Mazzone year after year, I think this year will end similarly for the belles of the NL East. Astros in four.