Chris Mangan

It’s October and that means playoff baseball.

NL Division Series

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs-

The Cubs have been the best team in the NL for most of the year, but the Dodgers have come on strong with the acquisition of Manny Ramirez. The Dodgers have played better in the month of September, but the Cubs had the NL Central pretty much wrapped up. Cubs in four.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Philadelphia Phillies-

Neither team clinched their playoff spots until the last weekend of the season. The loss of Ben Sheets will hurt the Brewers, but they still have C.C. Sabathia and Ryan Braun. The Phillies have Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. Pitching trumps hitting; Brewers in five.

AL Division Series

Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays-

The White Sox are built for power, and the Rays give up an unusual amount of homeruns. Rays are inexperienced but very talented. If they can get solid pitching from Scott Kazmier, James Shields and Matt Garza, they should be OK. The Sox might not have the pitching. Rays in five.

Boston Red Sox vs. Anaheim Angels-

One has to wonder if the long layoff will hurt the Angels, but they should have been able to take care of the minor nicks to the team. The loss of Manny Ramirez hasn’t hurt the Red Sox and no pitcher has been better than Josh Beckett in the post season. The Angels have been one of the best teams in the AL during the regular season, but the Red Sox are built for October. Red Sox in four.

NL Championship Series

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs-

The two best teams in the NL Central all year will fight for the chance to represent the NL in the World Series. This is the best team the Cubs have had in a very long time, and if the pitching can hold up, they could end the Curse. Prince Fielder and Braun will provide a spark for the Brewers, but C.C. Sabathia can only pitch so many games on three-days rest. Cubs in six.

AL Championship Series

Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays-

The two best teams in the toughest division in baseball. The Old Guard vs. the Youngsters. It will be interesting to see how this series plays out. The Rays won the regular season series, but the Red Sox have been here before and the Rays haven’t. It should be a great matchup of two very even teams. It will be interesting to see how the Youngsters for the Rays handle the pressure of the playoffs in Fenway Park. Rays in seven.

World Series

Chicago Cubs vs. Tampa Bay Rays-

Who will it be? The team that hasn’t won a World Series in 100-years or the team that has never finished higher than fourth in their division before this year? Cubs’ fans are hungry for a championship especially after seeing the Red Sox and the White Sox end their own curses. Everyone has questioned the Rays all year, but there is no denying the talent they have. Evan Longoria will have a break-out series, but this will finally be the year the Cubs end the curse. Cubs in six.