National League Division Series Playoff Predictions

Well, October baseball means playoff baseball, but tonight we were treated to an extra regular season game, with the Rockies taking on the Padres for the fourth and final playoff spot in the NL. And what a game it was! Continuing the trend from yesterday, here's my predictions for NL half of the bracket:

Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies

The Padres were kind of in a damned-if-they-do, damned-if-they-don't situation with Jake Peavy, the soon to be Cy Young Award winner: either pitch him in the deciding one game playoff against Colorado and lose him for the first 2 games of the Division Series, or don't pitch him and risk starting a pitcher that's not their ace in the most important game of the year. Unfortunately for the Phillies, that's irrelevant now, because the Rockies pitched Josh Fogg, meaning they'll have their ace, Jeff Francis, ready to go in Game 1. The Rox' offense is electric, and they're one of the hottest teams in baseball, seemingly coming out of nowhere to snatch the NL Wild Card by winning 14 of their last 15 games. They'll still have to deal with the best offense in the National League, a team light on starting pitching, but with a solid bullpen. I think the Rockies come in on fire and will take this series in 5 games.

Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Though the Diamondbacks had the best record in the NL, I was not and am still not sold on their team. I just don't see much in the rotation beyond Brandon Webb; despite a solid back of the bullpen and youthful core, I think this team is built to to win in 2-3 years, but they're not ready. On the other hand, I feel as if Chicago may very well be the team to beat in the NL. They have three very good starters in Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly and Rich Hill, and fantastic hitters; their weaknesses would be a suspect bullpen and poor outfield defense. But I think this team is deep enough to win the NL, which is a crapshoot in and of itself. Cubs in 4.