Yesterday I talked about the National League playoffs and with the White Sox winning the one game playoff for the AL Central Division we can move forward with the American League.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Boston Red Sox
Here is the biggest series as far as I am concerned. We have the defending World Series champions of Boston against the team with the best record in baseball in the Angels. The Angels have pretty much taken the Sox to the woodshed all year. They had the total package, hitting & pitching. I think with the addition of Jason Bay (more importantly the removal of team virus Manny Ramirez) and a return of the formerly injured J.D. Drew coupled with the ever-improving pitching staff (minus a slightly hobbled Josh Beckett) I am confident that the Red Sox can win a five game series. The one kicker will be that the boys from Boston will have to do their best to prevent baseball’s premier closer, Frank Rodriguez from appearing in a save situation and the Angels will be sent home. My pick: Boston
Tampa Bay Devil Rays vs. Chicago White Sox
Okay, let’s be honest. I love the concept of what the Rays have done this year. I mean this franchise was pure crap for their entire existence. Now finally they are playing good all season. What a beautiful story. Here is the problem with all of this: it will come crashing down. That’s right, the fun is over. I hate to say it because I loathe the White Sox, I really do. Tampa will be good for several more years but I think they are tired. It has shown in the way they have played lately and they are all quite young. The lack of experience against a veteran team like the Pale Hose will be their undoing. I predicted on Sunday before the White Sox won forcing the make up game in Detroit that they would go to the American League Championship series due to their momentum and desire to win for guys like the legendary Ken Griffey, Jr.. Unfortunately for the youngsters in Florida, they will have a long winter of ‘what-ifs’. My pick: Chicago
And there you have it. Most people of course are picking my Red Sox to get beat except one or two (thank you John Kruk) but I honestly think they can pull it off. Maybe the historian in me is just rooting for a Red Sox/Cubs World Series. At that point I think I would just root for seven games and then extra innings…all would be right with the world.
