2007 MLB Playoffs Predictions

NL
Divisional Series

Rockies over Phillies in 5
You can say what you want about my bias against Philadelphia, but the fact is, Colorado is absolutely on fire. They won 14 of their last 15 to make the playoffs, and they also won the first game of this series over Cole Hamels, the Phillies ace. Yes, I know I'm taking them AFTER they won Game 1, but there was no way I was picking the Phillies anyway. Hamels is their only pitcher, and have given up more runs than any other playoff team in either league. Hitting may win games, but it's pitching that matters in October. Colorado has more (just barely) and it will get them through the Phils.

Diamondbacks over Cubs in 4
While people are jumping on the Cubs bandwagon, people have forgotten that the Diamondbacks finished the season with the NL's best record at 90-72. The D'Backs have home field advantage, and they have simply dominated at home this season, going 50-31 at Chase Field. Also, they have the most wins in 1-run games with 32 this season. The Cubbies are only 23-22 in such situations, and that won't help against Arizona. The D'Backs have a better bullpen, which brings that 1-run record into play. I don't know about you, but I would take Jose Valverde in the 9th over the ready-to-implode Ryan Dempster any day.

NLCS
Diamondbacks over Rockies in 6
This is where the Rockies fun ride will end. While I love Matt Holliday and Todd Helton, they don't have enough pitching to beat the Diamondbacks. Once again, pitching wins championships, and Arizona has more than Colorado. Eric Byrnes, Orlando Hudson, and Chris Young will produce enough offense to move them past Colorado and back into the World Series for the second time in their history.

AL
Red Sox over Angels in 5
The Angels are too banged up to make it through this series with the Red Sox. Losing Gary Matthews, Jr. is bigger than it seems. He not only provided 18 home runs and 72 RBI, but he also gave them one of the best defensive center fielders in all of baseball. The Red Sox are way too deep in the lineup and in pitching. Josh Beckett had a great year, and that is why he was the only pitcher this year to have 20 wins. Mike Lowell has been an unsung hero in Boston's lineup, leading the team in RBI with 120, a Red Sox record for a 3rd baseman. Don't forget they have Curt Schilling and Dice-K in that rotation as well, and Jonathan Papelbon is as good as it gets in the 9th.

Yankees over Indians in 4
I hate the Yankees more than you do, I can almost guarantee that. But, they are much better than the Cleveland Indians. While the Indians have a great 1-2 punch in C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona, the Yankees have too good of a lineup. Did I mention the Yankees went 6-0 vs. the Indians this year? That will continue, even if the Yankees rotation is a little weak.

ALCS
Red Sox over Yankees in 6
Remember when I said the Yankees rotation was a little weak? This is when that Achilles Heel comes up and bites them. That is the difference between these two teams. They each have a stacked lineup (Yankees #1 in the AL in runs scored, Boston #3), but Boston's pitching is far superior. Not only do they have a better rotation (Beckett, Schilling, Matsuzaka vs. Wang, Pettite, Clemens), but they ranked #1 in the AL in ERA and batting average against, while the Yankees rank 8th and 6th in those respective categories. Plus, Boston's home field advantage should come into play here.

World Series
Red Sox over Diamondbacks in 5
MVP: Josh Beckett

Let's be serious. There is no way the NL can win the World Series. There is really no team there that can compete with the teams from the AL. The Red Sox went 12-6 in interleague play while the Diamondbacks went only 8-7. Not only do the Red Sox have a better lineup, but they have better pitching, and better defense. They have scored more runs, given up less, and committed 25 less errors than the Diamondbacks. Josh Beckett will win his second World Series MVP award (he won it in 2003 when they beat the Yankees, after he pitched a complete game in Game 6 in Yankee Stadium) with 2 wins in the Series (should be games 1 and 5) and will add another award to his impressive 2007 season. Red Sox Nation will once again rejoice with their second World Series title in 4 seasons.