Playoff Predictions

Arizona vs. Chicago
Pick: Cubs in 4.
Arizona has only hit .205 against the Cubs, and has a higher ERA against Cubs batters than the Cubs pitchers against Arizona batters.

Philadelphia vs. Colorado
Pick: Colorado in 5.
It's about getting hot at the right time, and both are certainly hot. But Philadelphia can't throw Hamels every game and their bullpen is shaky at best. Colorado can flat-out rake. It'll be close, but the Rockies win.

Boston vs. the...Angels.
Pick: Boston in 4.
Beyond John Lackey, who deserved Cy Young consideration, I'm not sure who is on the pitching staff. This is partially because the Angels home games don't start here until 10pm, but Boston's pitching is superior - as long as they don't put Gagne in.

New York vs. Cleveland
Pick: New York in 5.
The Yankees have more to prove this year than they have in 13 years (the last time they won the division). Who knows what Pettitte, Mussina and Clemens will bring to the table, but we know what their offense can do.

Cubs vs. Rockies
Pick: Cubs in 6
The pitching edge goes to the Cubs, while the Rockies defense is more solid. But Alex Gonzalez isn't around to boot routine ground balls, and Chicago's pitching stops Colorado.

Red Sox vs. Yankees
Pick: Red Sox in 7
Another classic, but the playoffs are about pitching and from top-to-bottom the Red Sox have the edge. Whether or not they have the mental edge is up for debate.

Cubs vs. Red Sox
Pick: Red Sox in 6
The Cubs will wait until '08 to win - 100 years even...

Of course it could just as easily be Colorado and Cleveland in the World Series. Your thoughts. Now.