MLB Playoff Preview Part II

Today friends I am going to preview the two National League Division Series. First up is the Philadelphia Phillies against the Cincinnati Reds. This one was the easiest for me to predict, Philadelphia in 4. Let's break down this series starting with the biggest difference in talent level first. The Phillies starting rotation is ridiculous, I can't think of a better way to describe them. With Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels the Phillies have three legitimate number one starters. If those three starters can pitch 7 or 8 innings they can afford to have a slightly weaker bullpen than the Reds. The Reds starters are not lights out and they have no legitimate consensus number one starter. The Reds have had bullpen problems all season just like the Phillies have. Because of both of these bullpens struggles you have to give the pitching edge to the Phillies and H20 (Holliday, Hamels & Oswalt).

Offensively I think that both of these teams are very even. The Phillies have a great lineup but Rollins and Victorino have struggled and Utley has been hurt a lot. The Reds also have had some struggles but they do have the NL MVP Joey Votto. I am going to call the offenses a wash. This wash on offense and the Phillies pitching strength are why I chose the Philadelphia Phillies to advance.

Now onto the most exciting matchup of the first round of the playoffs, the San Francisco Giants against the Atlanta Braves. The reason I say this is the most exciting is because I am one of the few people who would prefer a 1-0 game to a 10-8 game. I love low scoring pitching duels and this series will have plenty of those. Let's start with the number one matchup of this series, baseball's future star outfielder Jayson Heward vs Baseball's future star catcher Buster Posey. The two leaders by far in the NL Rookie of the year race are set to square off. Even though they are not technically matched up against each other, they are both just so much fun to watch.

Offensively I believe that neither one of these teams has an advantage. Both of these teams have terrible offenses and if either one of these teams scores 3 runs in a game that should be considered a success. Pitching will be how these games will be decided. Pitching wise, I think that the Giants rotation is better than the Braves. Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez, and if needed Bumgarner as a very formidable number 4 starter, is probably the second best in the national league and probably second in the entire playoffs. The Braves rotation is okay Lowe, Hanson, Hudson and if Beachy as the fourth starter. When choosing between these two rotations I would definitely take the Giants rotation. Onto the bullpens, I would say that both of these bullpens are equal. They both have a pretty good setupman and have closers who are having great seasons. Therefore, I would give the edge in this series to Giants due to their pitching strength.


Here's a quick rundown, as promised, of the rest of my picks for the rest of the playoffs. So here's the rundown:

First Round: Rays over Rangers
Twins over Yankees
Phillies over Reds
Giants over Braves

Second Round: Twins over Rays
Phillies over Giants

Third Round: Phillies over Twins