Picks

Philly over Colorado
Arizona over Chicago

Boston over Anaheim
Cleveland over New York

Arizona over Philly
Cleveland over Boston

Cleveland over Arizona

I've noticed in the past that when it's crunch time or a rally is on, the stupid mascot moves to a position right behind the backstop and makes a point to be as visible and annoying as possible.  I know...it's someone earning less than $10/hr. in a stupid dino costume, but I was about to put my foot through the TV and had to just turn off the game because I couldn't stand the rotating head, putting a hex on you kind of antics.  

Sox over Angels (writing Angels just brought back 2002 memories...damn you Anaheim)
Yanks over Indians

Cubbies over Rocks

Sox over Cubbies

COL over CHC
NYY over BOS

And he hasn't decided yet who's going to win it all, but probably the Yankees.

Cleveland beats Chicago

Boston over Anaheim
Cleveland over New York

Chicago over Philly
Cleveland over Boston

Cleveland over Chicago

Chi def. Ari
Stupid D-Backs.  Man I hate those jerks.

Ana def. Bos
Anaheim may be the most "complete" team in the AL, Boston is close -- subject to dispute

NYY def. Cle
Tons of offense, but NYY wins by a nose

Col def. Chi
Rockies stay hot and win a long series

Ana def. NYY
Best series of the playoffs.  NYY gets heart broken late in game 7

Ana def. Col
I hate the Angels and hope they never win another championship/pennant/division/series/game ever again...but I think they have the pieces to win it.

Colorado over Philly
Chicago over Arizona

NL PENNANT
Chicago over Colorado

AL DIV.
Boston over Anaheim
Cleveland over New York

AL PENNANT
Cleveland over Boston

WORLD SERIES
Cleveland over Chicago

Boston over Angels in 5
Cleveland over NY in 5

Philly over Arizona in 5
Cleveland over Boston in 7

Cleveland over Philly in 6

I'm surprised that I'm hearing so little talk about the effect Fox' broadcast schedule's going to have on the post-season.  I understand they've decompressed it by several days, halfway to NBA standards, so nobody's going to need a 4th starter and in the WS I think 2 might be doable.

Sox over Angels in 4
Indians over Yankees in 4

Cubs over Phillies in 7
Indians over Red Sox in 5

Indians over Cubs in 4

The rest of it basically just leads up to that.

Also, the Diamondbacks lose in the first round in 2 games. It's a record.

ALDS:
Indians over Yankees in 6
Red Sox over Angels in 7

NLCS: Phillies over Cubs in 7
ALCS: Red Sox over Indians in 6

World Series: Red Sox over Phillies in 6

Philly over Chicago
Cleveland over Boston

Cleveland over Philly. So much red! It hurts my eyes. Go Indians.

PHI > COL
ARI > CHI

Then Boston and Philadelphia win their respective leagues (also the 2 most significant cities of the foundations of the American Revolution and subsequent nation).

Boston wins it all.

NLDS
Colorado over Pennsylvania
Illinois over Arizona

NLCS
Massechussets over Ohio

ALCS
Illinois over Colorado

WS
Massechussets will beat Illinois.

vr, Xei

First Round-
AL:
Boston over Los Angeles in 4

The Angels are a underratedly well-rounded team led by Guerrero and the rising Kotchman offensively, and are better when Anderson and Figgins are in the lineup. The rotation of Lackey, Escobar and Weaver are a solid enough Top 3 to win a short series. Boston's one of the best pitching teams in the majors, but that is on the back of a bullpen who keeps them in games. However, Boston's offense should lead them to a solid victory here.

Cleveland over New York in 3

New York's offense was clearly the best in the majors (thank you A-Rod), but what about the pitching? Older and older, and getting worse. The Yanks have the stars, but Cleveland's offense is well rounded and can easily hit anyone the Yankees put on the mound. The 1-2 punch of Sabathia and Fausto should make the first two games academic, and Westbrook should keep Cleveland close enough for whichever unlikely soul takes the mound for New York in Game 3

NL:
Colorado over Philadelphia in 4

Rollins and his boast was the great story of the race for the postseason....except for the Rockies and that wild playoff game. Both needed help to make the offseason. But as crazy as the Phillies offense can be, their pitching behind Hamels is bad, especially the bullpen. The Rockies are as good offensively, and much better on the mound. When this series goes back to Coors, Philly will be done for.

Arizona over Chicago in 5

Well, this one could be a lot of....not scoring. The Cubs have the edge in stats, and in superstars, but the D-Backs are more well-rounded offensively. The Cubs have the pitching depth, but Arizona's middle guys flash potential in Davis and Livan. What it comes down to for me is closers and mentality. The Cubs can self-destruct, and so can Dempster compared to Valverde. Arizona wins the close ones to win the series.

Second Round-
AL:
Cleveland over Boston in 6

Boston has the star power, but I just don't like the rotation's depth here. Cleveland's isn't spectacular either, but again, it comes down to the well-rounded nature of the lineup. When the bottom of your lineup is savvy playoff vet Kenny Lofton and hitters like Nixon and Casey Blake, that trumps Varitek, Lugo and Crisp.

NL:
Arizona over Colorado in 7

Colorado's playoff dream ends in a close series. Colorado has a great offense, but their pitching staff will get exposed in a longer series, especially the bullpen. The D-Backs are scrappy, and frankly, I like their chances. Colorado is up and coming, but not quite there yet.

World Series
Arizona over Cleveland in 6

These are not the two most talented teams in the playoffs, not by a long shot. Cleveland's offense should overcome a rocky pitching staff of Arizona, but Arizona's offense is getting better and better. I can't rationalize this much further, it's just my pick.