2009 League Championship Series Predictions

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OK, I admit I was 2 for 4 with my LDS predictions, but I thought I’d try it out again.

ALCS

Angels -vs- Yankees

Angels ALDS recap:

So who would have thought that the Angels pitching would both out pitch Boston’s starters AND completely shut down Boston’s offense for most of that series? Also, almost everyone gave the advantage at the closer position to Boston (Papelbon over Fuentes) and in the end it was Papelbon and Wagner (who’s 6th on the all time saves list with 385) were the ones who couldn’t hold onto the lead in game three. A point to remember is how successful the Angels hitters were in the regular season. At one point in August, I believe, they had all 9 starters hitting over .300 and had around a .010 point lead over the Yankees in team batting average. I was wrong on this prediction,but who was with me on this one?

Yankees ALDS recap:

OK, no real surprises here except for the long overdue arrival of A-Rod driving in runs in post season play as he drove in 6. I actually thought the Twins would win one game in this series on simple adrenalin while being on a hot streak to close out the regular season. I didn’t, however, think it would be game one as I thought they’d have jet lag or partied too much the night before after such a long and emotionally draining 163rd game against the Tigers. My bet would have been against Burnett. I did, however, get this one right.

My ALCS Prediction:

Like the Angels in the ALDS  who had a history of being owned by Boston in recent playoff history, the Yankees have a history of being beaten by the Angels. Like the Angels just did, I think the Yankees will overcome recent history & advance to the World Series, but I don’t think it will be a cake walk for them to do it. This time it will come down to the closers and Rivera will NOT allow a blown save in a series deciding game in this series. I’ll take the Yankees in 6 or 7 games!

NLCS

Dodgers -vs- Phillies

Dodgers NLDS recap:

Even with both teams healthy I would have expected either team to sweep this series. That just goes to show you how unpredictable baseball is and that is what makes the game so great in my eyes! The Dodgers patched rotation pitched better than the one-two punch of Cy Young Award candidate teammates Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright (and Joel Pineiro, too). Who would have thought that Padilla, LA’s number 5 starter on the depth chart, who had been claimed off waivers (I believe) from Texas would have beaten the rejuvenated Pineiro? Furthermore, how can a team with big time hitters Pujols and Holliday look so anemic to the point that they even could get swept? All this while LA’s biggest bat was practically a sleep for the first two games. I was wrong on this prediction, too, but who was with me on this one?
Phillies NLDS recap:

This series was the most exciting one to watch in my opinion with the last three games being decided by just one run! In the end, I was right on with my Phillies in 4 games prediction. The Phillies closer situation was NOT a factor in this series, but it may become on in the NLCS.

My NLCS Prediction:

Although I am more comfortable with the Dodgers rotation, I see the Phillies hitters as an improved bunch this time around, taking more pitches like Boston and the Yankees usually do. If this becomes a slugfest, then the obvious advantage goes to Philly, but if it’s a pitching dominated series, then I’ll side with the Dodgers unless Hammels can find his 2008 form to go along side Cliff Lee and if Pedro can flash some magic of his own. But in the end, without knowing how this will play out, because this is baseball after all and NOT the WWE, I will pick the Phillies to return to the World Series facing the Yankees, beating LA in 4/5 games.