Brash And Bold Division Series Predictions

Looking back at my fearless predictions for 2007 I must admit some errors in judgment. So, right here, I will man up:

• Red Sox: When you really think about it, the difference between my prediction (third place and out of the playoffs) and the season result (best record in AL) comes down to the performance of one individual. If Beckett pitched like he did in 2006 (and every other season he played) I'd have been about right. But he outperformed everyone's expectations. Alex Rodriguez's offensive performance will likely win him the MVP of the AL. But Josh Beckett is without a doubt the MVP of the Red Sox.
• Yankees: We can marvel at their second half comeback and how incredible it truly was -- in fact, it was historic. The fact remains, however, that this team is lucky to have made it. Ancient pitchers wear down either suffer injuries or fall apart by this time of year. Need proof? Just hop over the Whitestone.
• Indians: Not as much of a mistake as the others. I did predict a tight race in the Central where any of four teams could have won it. The Indians were one of those teams. Forget everything about them being young and inexperienced. They are the most complete team in the American League playoffs.
• Angels: This team's recent history has been as follows: stay healthy and they win the division (if not the World Series), get injured and they fall out of the race. This year they were injured and still won the division. They are not pushovers.

So here are my AL predictions:

• Angels-Red Sox: This will be a great series. Pitching, small ball and the better manager goes to the Angels and power and home filed goes to the Sox. Normally, I would have to say that pitching and small ball wins. But there is the X-factor here and that is David Ortiz. I predict: Red Sox in 5.
• Yankees-Indians: The result will be no different than the last few seasons. The Yankees will take one in Cleveland and then will come up empty. Alex Rodriguez is going to come up big in te first three games of this series but will pop out to end the Yankees season in game four and stupid New Yorkers everywhere will call him a choker and want his head. He'll move on to Anaheim in 2008 where he'll collect rings for the next three years and ultimately break Barry Bonds' record. Either way, I predict: Indians in 4.

In the NL:

• Phillies: Fans of 29 teams all breathed a collective sigh of relief when the Mets became the official "biggest chokers in major league history" in 2007. They have set the benchmark for falling apart, a collapse the likes of which we may not witness again for years to come. Still, the Phillies had to perform. And perform they did. I like this team. They have the mojo working right now.
• Cubs: Here is one I got right. Does it mean the Cubs are going to win it all? Not a chance. But baseball is better off with the Cubs in the postseason. And the fact that the Cubs are in a postseason with their partners in futility -- the Phillies -- makes it even better.
• Diamondbacks: I knew they were on the rise. I just didn't expect it to come this quickly. Again, good for them. They seem to be a class organization and I am happy for the fans in Arizona. Hey, better the D'Backs than the Dodgers or Giants!
• Rockies: This one is the biggest surprise of all. Who'd have thought they were even contenders? Certainly not me.

And my fearless NL predictions are:

• Cubs-Diamondbacks: Pitching wins, especially in a short series. I'm happy for the Cubs, but their hopes will be dashed again. I predict: D'Backs in 4.
• Rockies-Phillies: Many are predicting that this slugfest will go the distance. Personally, I think the Rockies won their big day against the Padres on Monday. The Phillies will be challenged in the postseason. I just don't think it will come until the next series. I predict: Phillies in 3.