Braves/Cubs- You might theorize that the Braves might be a little flat having not played a meaningful game in a while, but that theory is complete nonsense. Cubs pitching has been hyped, and rightfully so... I've been on Mark Prior's bandwagon all season. But experience wins out in this one. Cubs are hungry and have a balance of pitching/experience and a decent pen, but the Braves are running on all cylinders and have no real holes on their team. Braves win in 4.
SF/FLA- I just don't get how the Giants won as many games as they did with this lineup. Take Barry out and they're the Mets. Ok, well maybe not that bad, but they don't scare me. The Marlins on the other hand have a nice balanced lineup with a great combo of speed and power. Beckett, Willis, Penny... all have the potenital to be brilliant on any given night, while noone besides Schmidt (should be the CY YOUNG winner but will be given to Gagne) scares me on SF, not even Ponson. I think the Marlins carry their late season momentum in this series, and unless Jason Schmidt starts all five games, the Marlins win it in 5.
NYY/Twins - I'll admit, while not a Yankees fan I am extremely NY biased and having watched this team do nothing but win for the last 10 years. In fact I still havn't gotten over game 7 of the WS in '01. There is no way in hell the Yanks lose this series. None. The Twins lineup is the weakest of any playoff team. Mussina, Pettitte are well rested. The only thing that scares me is the bullpen. Mariano can't pitch 3 innings every night. But I think the Yanks easily win this series in 4.
Boston/Oakland - This should be an exciting series, these guys played each other tight during the regular season, but I have to give the egde to the Sox here. W/out Mulder, and Pedro well rested, and Lowe pitching great down the stretch, I give the pitching edge to Boston. Hitting wise, top to bottom the Sox have the best lineup in the post season. A's once again bow out in the 1st round and the Miguel Tejada sweepstakes starts a few days earlier than expected. Sox shock the A's and sweep them 3-0.
Bravos in 4
Marlins in 5
Yanks in 4
Sox in 3
Yanks in 6
Braves in 5
Braves in 7
SF/FLA- I just don't get how the Giants won as many games as they did with this lineup. Take Barry out and they're the Mets. Ok, well maybe not that bad, but they don't scare me. The Marlins on the other hand have a nice balanced lineup with a great combo of speed and power. Beckett, Willis, Penny... all have the potenital to be brilliant on any given night, while noone besides Schmidt (should be the CY YOUNG winner but will be given to Gagne) scares me on SF, not even Ponson. I think the Marlins carry their late season momentum in this series, and unless Jason Schmidt starts all five games, the Marlins win it in 5.
NYY/Twins - I'll admit, while not a Yankees fan I am extremely NY biased and having watched this team do nothing but win for the last 10 years. In fact I still havn't gotten over game 7 of the WS in '01. There is no way in hell the Yanks lose this series. None. The Twins lineup is the weakest of any playoff team. Mussina, Pettitte are well rested. The only thing that scares me is the bullpen. Mariano can't pitch 3 innings every night. But I think the Yanks easily win this series in 4.
Boston/Oakland - This should be an exciting series, these guys played each other tight during the regular season, but I have to give the egde to the Sox here. W/out Mulder, and Pedro well rested, and Lowe pitching great down the stretch, I give the pitching edge to Boston. Hitting wise, top to bottom the Sox have the best lineup in the post season. A's once again bow out in the 1st round and the Miguel Tejada sweepstakes starts a few days earlier than expected. Sox shock the A's and sweep them 3-0.
Bravos in 4
Marlins in 5
Yanks in 4
Sox in 3
Yanks in 6
Braves in 5
Braves in 7
