The Sports Journal

I’m a little late writing this, as the Division Series are now well under way, but with the exception of Colorado vs. Philadelphia, they’re all still enough in doubt that I think I can make my picks.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies

• The Series Thus Far: Colorado leads 2-0, going into Philly and taking the first two games to continue their torrid pace from the end of the regular season. Jeff Francis out-dueled Cole Hamels on Wednesday for a 4-2 Rockies victory, and Colorado came back and won again earlier today, 10-5.
• What Happens Next: I actually would have picked the Phillies to win if I’d written this two days ago. I thought Colorado might have exhausted so much energy with their late run to get into the postseason, capped by an amazing extra innings victory in the play-in game against San Diego on Monday, that they’d be out of gas by the time they came into Philadelphia. That hasn’t been the case, as the Rockies have looked dominant so far. Now, the series goes to Coors Field, where the Rockies always play well. The Phillies are down now, and Colorado looks poised to complete the sweep.
• Final Outcome: Colorado wins, 3 games to 0.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Chicago Cubs

• The Series Thus Far: The Diamondbacks took the opening game of the series last night on the pitching arm of Brandon Webb, outlasting the Chicago bullpen to win 3-1 and take a 1-0 advantage.
• What Happens Next: The teams meet again in Arizona tonight, with Ted Lilly starting for the Cubs and Doug Davis for the Diamondbacks. I think Lilly pitches well tonight, and the Cubs even the series before going back to Chicago. I like the Cubs’ starting pitching better, with Carlos Zambrano, Lilly and Rich Hill being the best rotation of the NL playoff teams. Webb is about as good as it gets, but after him, you never know quite what you’ll get from Davis and Livan Hernandez, and their fourth starter, Micah Ownings, is just a rookie. I think the Cubs will have more success getting some hits and manufacturing runs.
• Final Outcome: Chicago wins, 3 games to 2.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

• The Series Thus Far: The Red Sox won 4-0 in Game 1, with Josh Beckett looking just as great as he did in the 2003 postseason, pitching a complete game shutout.
• What Happens Next: The teams have today off before playing again in Boston on Friday. While both teams have good starting pitching, the Red Sox pitching looks a little better, and offensively they look like they simply have too many weapons for the Angels to keep up.
• Final Outcome: Boston wins, 3 games to 1.

Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees

• The Series Thus Far: The Indians and the Yankees are the final team to get underway, with Game 1 tonight. Chien-Ming Wang will start for the Yankees, and C.C. Sabathia will pitch for the Indians.
• What Happens Next: This could be the best series of the round. The Yankees have a more potent lineup, although the Indians are no slouches offensively, and Cleveland has better pitching, led by Cy Young contenders Sabathia and Fausto Carmona. Ultimately, I think Cleveland’s hitters will have a little more success, and the Indians will squeak by to the second round.
• Final Outcome: Cleveland wins, 3 games to 2.