Championship Series Playoff Predictions

OK, so I went 3 for 4 in the LDS round. Not too bad, but who really thought the D-Backs were going to take out the Cubs? In a SWEEP no less? But I digress...

National League

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies

It's hard not to love the Rockies right now. They fought their way into the playoffs, winning the one game against the Padres to make it in, then promptly disposed of the Philadelphia Phillies in three games. I am *still* not on the Diamondbacks bandwagon; they've been getting it done with smoke and mirrors all year long. After Brandon Webb, who's pitching these other games? Doug Davis? Livan Hernandez?

By the same token, the Rockies' starters not named Jeff Francis don't intimidate many hitters, either. However, the Rox' lineup is MUCH stronger, and I will take Colorado in 5.

American League

Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians

Besides the pitching of Fausto Carmona, nothing about the Indians really impressed me during their defeat of the Yankees. They used horrible umpiring, bloop hits, and a swarm of Lake Erie midges to dispatch the Bronx Bombers. All their pitching had to do was throw reasonably well against the Yankees' poor starters to get by. The decision to not pitch CC Sabathia on short rest in the deciding game 4 of the ALDS proved to be a wise one, as they'll now have their co-aces ready to start games 1 & 2 at Fenway Park.

Boston has now had the chance to rest up and can line their pitching anyway they see fit. Curt Schilling will likely slide into the #2 spot behind Josh Beckett, as Daisuke Matsuzaka was less than memorable in his start against the Angels.

I think this will be a very interesting series. The Red Sox are a better team on paper, and it's really difficult to pick against them. Then again, in a seven game sseries, they'd be looking at four games total of Sabathia and Carmona; a tough challenge. I'll still take Boston in 7.