Baseball Playoffs

Starting this Wednesday, Major League Baseball will begin its month long playoff race to crown a World Series champion. You've got two really interesting series in the LA Angels vs. the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs vs. the LA Dodgers. Both of those series have history, talent, and just a good overall baseball vibe. Then, you've got the Tampa Bay Rays in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history with a bunch of young guys and we'll know today whether they play the Minnesota Twins or if the Twins and the Chicago White Sox will have a playoff tomorrow to see who plays Tampa Bay. Then finally, you've got an interesting matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers against the Philadelphia Phillies. Milwaukee struggled down the stretch but ultimately recovered and got the wild card with some great pitching in the past week. So who wins what? Here's what I think might happen:

1. LA Angels vs. Boston Red Sox(AL) - Both of these teams are favorites to win the World Series so it is hard to name a winner in this series. At the end of the day, I think Boston will miss Manny's big bat(the Red Sox loss is the Dodgers' gain) and though both teams have good pitching, I like the Angels pitching to win out in five games, particularly with the home field advantage.
2. Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox OR Minnesota Twins(AL) - If the White Sox win today and go on to beat Minnesota tomorrow, consider them spent and I look for Tampa Bay's youth to win in four games. Chicago is just too inconsistent and manager Ozzie Guillen is too volatile to manage the White Sox out of fatigue like this. Pitcher Mark Buehrle had to pitch yesterday on three days' rest. Ozzie doesn't have the patience for a worn out team. If Chicago loses today, chalk up the series to the Twins in four games. If Chicago wins today but loses tomorrow, give the series to the Twins in five games.
3. Chicago Cubs vs. LA Dodgers(NL) - I love the Cubs and I like the Dodgers so this series is of real interest to me. But is there any question about who wins this one? Cubs in four games, possibly even a sweep. Their hitting and pitching is just too strong. If the Cubs don't reach the World Series, then their season is a disappointment.
4. Philadelphia Phillies vs. Milwaukee Brewers(NL) - Interesting series because Milwaukee showed a little something by making their games count this past week. Questions though remain about Ben Sheets? Can he pitch well in the playoffs? His last outing was not good. Then, we know C.C. Sabathia can pitch. But, how tired is his arm for the upcoming short series after yesterday's big win? Though I'd like to see a Brewers-Cubs NL penant matchup, I think Philly wins here in four games.