No Playoff Baseball for New York

Fans have seen the Yankees’ demise coming long enough to still enjoy Mike Mussina’s 20th victory on the last day of the season. But for Mets fans, the 2008 season is just another example of coming so close to the postseason and falling just short.

While not quite as disastrous as last season’s fade into nothingness, the Mets’ inability to fend off the challenging Milwaukee Brewers, bringing a sudden end to Shea Stadium’s history, will leave a stinging feeling in the hearts of Mets fans for quite some time. Just as Ryan Church’s deep drive in the bottom of the 9th against the Marlins gave the Mets a few seconds of hope before being caught by Cameron Maybin, the Mets came into September with strong playoff hopes only to fizzle out.

So who’s left to play for the title of 2008 World Series champion? In the ALDS, the major-league-best Los Angeles Angels take on the AL Wild Card Boston Red Sox and the surprising Tampa Bay Rays do battle with the Chicago White Sox, fresh off an exciting 1-0 win over the Minnesota Twins in a one-game playoff for the AL Central title. The NLDS pits the Chicago Cubs against Joe Torre’s Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Lots of interesting potential World Series matchups this postseason. Boston against Manny’s Dodgers? Freeway Series of Angels and Dodgers? Windy City Showdown of Cubs and White Sox?

Here are my predictions:
ALDS- Angels 3, Red Sox 1: The Sox pitching staff limps into the postseason while the Angels are seemingly unstoppable. Their ability to control all facets of the game gives them my vote.
ALDS- Rays 3, White Sox 1: People forget that the White Sox lost five straight before winning three in a row against three different teams to earn their playoff berth. And they’ve used multiple starters on three days rest. Oh, and the Rays are really good.
NLDS- Cubs 3, Dodgers 2: A day after Carlos Zambrano no-hit the Astros, Ted Lilly almost did the same. Their starting staff is a serious threat. The Dodgers are no chumps, and this one will go five games to determine a winner. Definitely a series worth watching.
NLDS- Phillies 3, Brewers 2: CC Sabathia can only start 2 games, so the Brewers can only win 2 games. The Phillies are the superior team here.

ALCS- Angels 4, Rays 2: The Angels have been there before while the Rays are mostly untested in the playoffs. This is not the year for Tampa Bay; the Angels are just too good.
NLCS- Cubs 4, Phillies 1: Honestly, whoever wins the Cubs-Dodgers gets the NL Pennant in my opinion. The Cubs are a much deeper team and should be able to sweep the Phillies aside.

WS- Angels 4, Cubs 2- I don’t see this one going all 7. The Angels are the best team in baseball for good reason. They have superior starting pitching, bullpen, defense, hitting, speed, bench. The Cubs will give them a run for their money but I pick the Angels.

This isn’t to say I WANT the Angels to win. I’d love to see the Cubs or Dodgers take it home. Realistically, though, it’s going to be the Angels.