I love the MLB playoffs because anything can, and will happen. It is a time for me to hopefully wash away the mounting losses of a wacky regular season. The Rays and Marlins can hurt me no longer. It is a time for fresh beginnings, and I plan on being straight money.
Boston Red Sox -120
Los Angeles Angels +100
Even given the history of Boston completely owning the Angels in all of their postseason meetings, I am shocked to find them favored in this best-of-three series. Shocked. With both clubs finishing up with close to 100 wins, there is no doubt that teams possess the talent to beat anyone on any given day. The glaring difference-make in this series will come in the form of the stolen base.
The Angels swiped the third-most bases this year (163). Boston gave up more steals than any other club (151). Opposing base runners were successful on 87% of their attempts. When poor Jason Varitek is behind the plate, he could only manage to gun down less than 10% of his attempted thieves. This isn’t a tiny flaw that you can hope to work around. It is a glaring fault that will be taken advantage of repeatedly. Countless singles and walks will turn into automatic doubles. Chone Figgins, Bobby Abreu and Torii Hunter will look like a relay team out there.
Run Chone, run!
This will take its toll and produce runs that would’ve never seen the scoreboard. I imagine this will frustrate Boston as the series progresses. It’s a huge edge in an otherwise evenly matched contest.
Both teams can hit. Los Angeles had the highest team average in baseball (.285) with Boston tied for fourth-best (.270). Both teams have high-impact pitchers on their rosters. Actually this series is chocked full big name stars, and should be great viewing for the average fan. But I’m no average fan. You can have your Big Papi strikeout sighting. I’m here to win money.
St. Louis Cardinals -150
Los Angeles Dodgers +130
Game 1 – Chris Carpenter shuts down Los Angeles behind his 2.24 ERA nastiness. Albert Pujols solidifies why he is the best player in the game with some clutch hitting.
Game 2 – It gets no easier for L.A. as Adam Wainwright struts to the mound with his 2.63 ERA, and continues this season’s dominance to put his team up 2-0.
St. Louis then heads back home with two chances to close out the series at Busch Stadium. Should they somehow drop both, they send Carpenter out for a series-clinching fifth game. St. Louis winner!
Could it actually be this easy? Probably not, but I’m sticking with it. Look for some low scores throughout, as both teams boast extraordinary pitching.
Philadelphia Phillies -170
Colorado Rockies +150
I have been sipping the Colorado Kool-Aid all year long, and they have been very, very kind to me. But now, I have to turn my back on them. This is such a filthy game, isn’t it?
I feel that this could be the most closely contested first round matchup, but that the defending champs will find a way to get it done. I’m even giving the Phillies winning in five games (+325) a close look. They will certainly be looking for a little payback, as it was Colorado who swept them in the 2007 NLCS.
The Rockies used multiple streaks to overcome a putrid start and earn a Wild Card berth. The loss of starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa to a groin injury will not help their cause. Colorado could use all the help they can get to shut down Ryan Howard, who put up some huge numbers this year (45 hr, 141 rbi). Howard isn’t alone, as Chase Utley, Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez provide a powerful supporting cast.
Hit Ryan, hit!
The trouble for Philadelphia could come in tight finishes. Colorado closer Huston Street has been masterful, closing out 35 of his 37 ERA attempts with a 3.06 ERA. For Philly closer Brad Lidge, it all came apart this season. His 7.21 ERA and 11 blown saves should definitely be a concern for Philly backers. And yes, I am concerned, but I’m playing Philadelphia anyway.
New York Yankees -380
Minnesota Twins +300
It’s been one helluva month for the Twins, staging a magical comeback to snatch the AL Central title from Detroit. I hope they enjoyed the ride, as they will be the Yankee’s sacrificial first round lamb.
Too much hitting, too much pitching, will have New York moving on with ease against a tired Twins team.
There are a couple of World Series futures that I like as well.
New York Yankees +165
Boston Red Sox +545
Philadelphia Phillies +610
St. Louis Cardinals +625
Los Angeles Dodgers +825
Los Angeles Angels +825
Colorado Rockies +1215
Minnesota Twins +2050
Despite all of the hoopla surrounding the Yankees, I think that the Angels have a great shot to upset them in the next round. It might just take some divine intervention to derail New York and their 103 regular season victories. I definitely like the value for L.A. and will make a play on them.
The only other team that I will make a play on here will be St. Louis. If things go the way they should, they could end up facing Philadelphia in a brutal seven game series, that I believe they would emerge victorious from. I’ll take a shot on them at more than 6-1 odds.
Now if someone could just guarantee that I’ll be spared the nonsensical ramblings of Tim McCarver, this could be the greatest MLB postseason ever!
Go away
