The Colby Echo

Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Sports

October has begun, and as the leaves begin to change, the temperature starts to drop and we recognize that fall is upon us, one of the most exciting times in sports gets started. The Major League Baseball playoffs are here, leading up to the Fall Classic and the World Series, and if this year's playoffs are anywhere near as exciting as the regular season was, baseball fans everywhere are in for a real treat. So here are my bold predictions for this year.

American League
Divisional Series:

New York Yankees at
Cleveland Indians
The Yankees used an incredibly strong second half to rebound from a very poor first half of the season to snag the American League wild card playoff spot. The Cleveland Indians meanwhile played well all season and finished tied for the best record in baseball. Both teams have loaded offenses, the Yankees led by Alex Rodriguez, who put together one of the best offensive seasons in recent memory, and a slew of all stars around him, the Indians by Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner and a supporting cast of solid hitters. So look for this series to be decided by the pitchers. Indians aces C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona will lead the tribe to victory, overmatching the Yankees' aging staff.
Prediction: Cleveland in four games

Los Angeles Angels at
Boston Red Sox
Both of these teams led their divisions for most of the year, but in opposite fashions. The Angels were in a tight race most of the season, finally pulling away during the last few weeks. The Red Sox got off to an incredibly fast start, then struggled a bit down the stretch, barely holding off the Yankees to take the division crown. The Angels have the edge in pitching, with two very good pitchers in John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar, and solid pitchers with Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders. Boston has Josh Beckett, who is maybe the best pitcher in the American League this season, but behind him is a little shaky, with Daisuke Matsuzaka having an average season, far below expectations, Curt Schilling showing real signs of his age and Tim Wakefield having the exact same average season he has every year. But the Sox have the edge on offense, especially while the Angels' Vladimir Guerrero still has injury concerns. I'll give the edge to the home team; the Fenway faithful will urge the Red Sox to victory.
Prediction: Red Sox in 5 games

National League
Divisional Series:

Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks
Before the start of this season, few people would have predicted either of these teams would make the playoffs. But the Diamondbacks, riding a wave of unknown young talent, flew under the radar to grab the best record in the National League. The Cubs, meanwhile, used an ungodly amount of money to load up talent, and got enough in return to comeback from a huge midseason deficit to win the thoroughly mediocre NL Central. Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano has a lot to prove; he has struggled since signing a massive contract extension earlier this season. Look for him to rebound in the playoffs and prove he is worth it. Outfielder Alfonso Soriano might just be the hottest hitter in baseball right now; he can carry the team offensively. The Diamondbacks are led by reigning NL Cy Young Award Winner Brandon Webb, and a collection of young players delivering far earlier than expected. The Cubs have more postseason experience, and the desperation of a team that has not won a World Series in 99 years. Could this be the magic year?

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools