It's playoff time.  I always get excited for the MLB Playoffs.  During the season I watch and go to as many Dodgers games as possible and maybe catch some marquis games here or there.  But you'll never catch me watching random AL Central games unless said games determine the winner of the division and thus who will be in the playoffs.  And if last night's game was any indication of what we can expect in this postseason then consider this like March Madness in October.  If you watched that game, I just hope that you didn't have a rooting interest because if you did, then you had about 7 heart attacks.  And if you are from Detroit, then I feel bad for you on so many levels that I can't even begin to explain.  It's like playoff hockey when the late innings come along, except I know what channel the MLB playoffs are on.  The late innings of a close postseason game are one nailbiting moment after another.  And again, harkening back to late last night, that had to be one of the better games in recent memory, especially considering the circumstances.  What a great way to enter into the postseason.  Let's go through the match-ups.

NLDS

Phillies vs. Rockies

The defending champs have a favorable first round opponent if you look at things on paper.  But if you look at the Rockies on paper then you'd think they'd be 10 games under .500 and a mile away from the playoffs.  They were great in their memorable run under Clint Hurdle and they've been equally impressive under Jim Tracy this season.  Watching Jim Tracy in his press conference made me very hesitant in picking against them.  The Rockies will, however, miss Jorge De La Rosa, who has been very impressive this season.  They have a scrappy lineup without many holes but I just don't see them getting past the Phillies, bullpen issues and all.  The Phillies lineup is too potent for an injured Rockies rotation.  The Phils pound them into submission.

Phillies in 4.

Dodgers vs. Cardinals

So the Dodgers pieced it together in the end, got the best record in the NL and the Cardinals are our prize?  How does that work?  I don't even know where to start with this.  The Dodgers responded to a call to arms last week by getting one-hit by Clayton Richard.  I know, I had to look it up and make sure he wasn't a hockey player.  Manny Ramirez' uniform and body are still in the lineup but his swing is hibernating.  Chad Billingsley looks like a candidate to break down and cry at any moment.  Broxton has Shaq toe.  Basically, unless Kemp and Ethier go bonkers during this series, I don't see it ending happily for us.  Pujols, Holliday, Wainwright, Carpenter.  Not good.

Cardinals in 4 (yes, I still bet the Dodgers out of loyalty, but I'll give you all my honest predictions).

ALDS

Angels vs. Red Sox

This is probably the hardest series to call of all the division series'.  The Angels have a gritty lineup without an easy out.  Kendry Morales has been especially impressive.  But it's not like the Red Sox rotation is anything short of fantastic.  I think we'll learn a lot from the first game but I think the problem for the Angels lies with the starting rotation.  It's not a bad starting rotation but it's one that I don't think will be able to stop the Red Sox.  Lackey has not been stellar as of late and he's starting Game 1.  In a 5-game series you don't want to lose Game 1.  And if I needed another reason to take the Red Sox in this one, it's the bullpen.  Again, the Angels are not slouches in this category.  The Red Sox just happen to have the best in the business in the last few playoff seasons.  The Angels need a tad bit of seasoning for my liking, sort of like the Rockies. 

Red Sox in 5.

Yankees vs. Twins

Again, that Twins win last night was one of the best games I've ever watched.  Too bad they have to get it together to play the Yankees.  Judging by all of the arms that were used and that celebration that ensued, I'd be willing to take the Yankees and give 4.5 runs in Game 1.  And again, losing Game 1 in a 5-game series isn't good, especially when you're playing the team that finished with the best record in baseball.  I'm sure I don't have to sell you on this pick and dissect the mismatch-up so I won't waste your time.

Yankees in 3.

NLCS

Cardinals vs. Phillies

This is the round where the Phillies' problems come up to bite them.  Yes they have a great lineup.  Yes their starting pitching is more than adequate.  But the bullpen.  Do you put Lidge in there?  In the 9th?  We'll see how the NLDS goes, but it doesn't bode well for your team when your closer situation is up in the air headed into the playoffs.  But more than that, I think they're just outgunned by the Cardinals in this series.  The heart of the Cardinals lineup is the best in the big leagues.  The top of their lineup improved more and more as the season wore on via acquisitions and youngsters like Schumaker and Rasmus coming along.  But all you really have to know about this one is Carpenter and Wainwright.  And don't forget that Joel Piniero has been no slouch this season either.  Ryan Howard will whiff at offspeed pitches galore as the Cardinals turn him into Pedro Cerano.  I think the defending World Series champs go down quietly in this series.

Cardinals in 5.

ALCS

Yankees vs. Red Sox

It doesn't get much better than this match-up.  The thing is though, I don't see the Red Sox showing the same sense of urgency that they have in years passed.  It seemed to me that they forfeited the AL East pretty early on.  Not to mention the fact that after that amazing start, they went on to basically forfeit their games against the Yankees. The Yankees may have some questions surrounding them like the Posada saga and Burnett.  But the Red Sox have won in the recent past because of their grit and fervor over everything else.  I'm just not seeing it this year.  The Yankees have more than enough weapons to take advantage on offense, and unless the Yankees pull a Brewers and pitch C.C. every other day, I think two Sabathia starts will more than do the Red Sox in, especially since the Red Sox won't be able to set their rotation after a rigorous series against the Angels.

Yankees in 6.

WORLD SERIES

Yankees vs. Cardinals

So I have the chalk.  Can you blame me?  The Yankees will have their chance to shut the entire world up, but until I see it with an A-Rod led team, I'm not going to believe it.  I was going to pose the hypothetical of, who would you rather have up there in a big spot, A-Rod or Pujols, but that would be a complete disservice to Albert Pujols.  The Yankees have Jeter but I'll take my chances with Pujols and Holliday.  I know Matsui has come on strong as of late but again, Carpenter and Wainwright.  C.C. Sabathia can hold his own in a conversation with those two but I'm not buying the rest of the Yankees rotation in the playoffs.  The Cardinals have the gritty type of lineup that tends to win the title and they have the bombers in the middle of the lineup that put the icing on the cake.  Their bullpen has been lights out all season.  I just can't find a problem with the Cardinals.  So sorry to you Yankees fans.  You'll have to wait another year.

Cardinals in 6.