My Post Season Picks. What are yours?

*This is from an article I wrote for my local newspaper, The Piedmont Post. Figured I would share it withe the A's community.

2008 Major League Baseball Playoffs Preview
            As summer turns to fall, shorter days and cooling weather lead to heightened tensions and cold sweats as the major league baseball playoffs returns beginning October 1st and concluding with the fall classic which begins on October 22nd. This year there are familiar faces as well as a few new ones. Yes, the Red Sox, Angels, Phillies, and Cubs return this year each looking to make up for last year’s failures or a chance to repeat as champions. Others, such as the Brewers and Rays await an opportunity to prove themselves after decades of mediocrity.
            Boston Red Sox v. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - This series is a continuation of previous years battles and could go either way. Yet the Angels appear to have the upper hand this year having gone 8-1 against the Red Sox. Additionally, with Boston’s ace Josh Beckett, a pitcher with a known pedigree of success in the playoffs, no longer able to start game 1 due to an oblique injury and tentatively scheduled to start game 3 this series may have swung the Angels way for good. This combined with the firepower and brilliant pitching the Angels possess should be enough to get the Angels past the Red Sox this time…but just barely.
-Angels in 5.
           Minnesota Twins/Chicago White Sox v. Tampa Bay Rays - This series is as up in the air as it can possibly be. The White Sox staved off elimination by winning a make up game against Detroit yesterday 8-2, to force a one game playoff. No matter who wins the play in game, the Rays will be favored in the series as they are strong in all facets of the game from pitching and defense to late heroics, having led the league in walk off hits. The Rays are a team that has fought all season and seem prepared for a lengthy playoff run.
-Rays in 4 regardless of whom they play.
            Los Angeles Dodgers v. Chicago Cubs - This should be a promising matchup as the Cubs come in for the first time in about a century as the favorites to win the World Series. But don’t look for the Dodgers to roll over for them, no sir, not as long as Joe Torre is at the helm. The Dodgers sport the best ERA in the National League. If Derek Lowe who has been unhittable of late (6-1 with a 1.27 ERA since August 11th) pulls a game 1 upset over Ryan Dempster in Wrigley, he of the 14-3 home record, this one may go their way. However, the Cubs have the best hitting, defense, power, relief, and more than enough front line starting pitchers to take the series.
-Another close one, but Cubs in 5.
            Milwaukee Brewers v. Philadelphia Phillies - Having played down to the final day just to get into the playoffs, the Brew Crew come in at a significant disadvantage. As such, the Brewers will turn to Yovanni Gallardo, a man that has made 1 start in five months as their game 1 starter and hope that talent overcomes rust. The Phillies counter with one of the best starters in the league in Cole Hamels, giving them a substantial edge. Sabathia will come back for the forth time this month on short rest to start game 2, and no one knows how that will affect him. All we do know is that the Phillies have been the hottest team in baseball the past couple of weeks and just recently swept the Brewers in a 4 game series. The Phillies have too much offense in Utley, Howard, and Rollins and good enough pitching that they should take this series. The Brewers are a great story, but it looks like it ends here.
-Phillies in 4, a sweep if Sabathia loses.

ALCS: Angels over Rays in 6

NLCS: Cubs over Phillies in 6

World Series: Cubs over Angels in 7