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     In the beginning of the year I picked the Philadelphia Phillies to re-peat as World Series Champs against the Chicago White Sox. Now while the White Sox had a hard time hitting this year, the Phillies didn’t have a problem hitting the ball. Their Starting Pitching is good enough to win again, but their weakness is their Closing Pitcher situation. The Closer Pitcher situation is between Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson whom between the two pitchers have blown 17 saves this year. Had Brad Lidge been lights out like last year, the Phillies could have made a run for the best record in baseball against the New York Yankees. But with the team virtually in tact, it’s still the Phillies championship until the New York Yankees can prove that their the champions and not the Phillies.

Boston Red Sox 3 Los Angeles Angels 1

     Here’s how I think the Playoffs breakdown starting with the Red Sox/Angels series. Boston and the Los Angeles Angels are evenly matched, however history is on the side of the Red Sox. The Red Sox have beaten the Angels three out of the last five seasons. Also as much as Brian Fuentes have been reliable for the Angels with his 45 saves, Jonathon Papelbon has been lights out with his 37 saves in 40 save opportunities. Brian Fuentes has 7 Blown Saves this year. Another key in the series is will Vladimir Guerrero can contribute for the Angels. He has had an injury-plagued season and has a sub-par regular season. If the Angels are to overcome the Curse of the Red Sox, Vladimir needs to step up for the Majors’ top-ranked hitting team. Until the Angels prove that they can beat Red Sox in October, it is still the Red Sox’s series to win.

New York Yankees Sweep Minnesota Twins

    In this series, Joe Girardi was very smart in having Game 1 of the ALDS between his New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins start Today. The Minnesota Twins clinched the AL Central in extra innings of the 163^rd game against the Tigers. The Yankees have been a juggernaut from May through the end of the season, while the Twins are on a hot streak. However the effects of the 163^rd game could have taken a toll on the Twins with Scott Baker starting, Joe Nathan going long in the game, and Justin Morneau being out for the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his back. The Twins could be running out of gas, so look for the Yankees to roll on to the ALCS.

Los Angeles Dodgers Sweep St. Louis Cardinals

     Yes the Cardinals had the best 2^nd half in the National League, however their problem is in their strength. The Cards don’t have a left-handed starter in their rotation, as much as the Cardinals have the Carpenter/Wainwright duo. Also Albert Pujols has a good crop of players around him, so does Manny Ramirez. However Manny has played with his role players for a year-and-a-half, Albert has played with Matt Holiday and Mark DeRosa for half a season. Finally the Dodgers’ pitching is underrated, with a 3.41 team ERA compared to the Cardinals’ 3.60 ERA. Dodgers could roll past the Cardinals like they did to the Cubs last year.

Philadelphia Phillies 3 Colorado Rockies 1

     This edition of the Colorado Rockies and the Philadelphia Phillies is how the two previous NL champs play when facing a left-handed-pitcher. The Rockies are .509 vs. LHP, while the Phillies are .644 vs. LHP. The Rockies are throwing one LHP, while the Phillies could throw three LHP in this series. A different story in this series, I belief.

NLCS: Phillies Sweep Dodgers

     A re-match of last year’s NLCS were the Phillies beat the Dodgers in five to advance to the World Series. Same story in this possible match-up, with the Dodgers not as good of a team when they face LHP than when they play against right-handed-pitching. Phillies play better against LHP than RHP. Phillies are the NL Champs again.

ALCS: Yankees 4 Red Sox 3

     Anytime the Red Sox and the Yankees square off you throw out the stats, and the record books. It is the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, however as I said in an earlier blog, the Yankees love it when a democrat is in the White House. So I see another Yanks/Red Sox series coming down to a Game 7 with Malky Cabrera hitting a walk-off home run against Tim Wakefield. The Yankees advance to play the Phillies in the World Series.

World Series: Phillies 4 Yankees 3

     This one can be a classic if and only if Pedro Martinez is on the Phillies roster starting in a couple of the games in the World Series. Now while, the Yankees have a stronger bullpen, A.J. Burnett’s inconsistency, Andy Pettitte’s age, and Alex Rodriguez’s failures will continue. I belief that Charlie Manuel will have Pedro ready for the Phillies against the Yanks and look for Ryan Howard to come through once again for the defending champions.

     That is the 2009 Major League Baseball Postseason according to Paul Shishkoff, Jr. The Postseason on the American League could change if the Angels beat the Red Sox. However, the American League is still a Yankees/Red Sox league, and the National League is still open for anybody to win. But I think that we may have the makings of a National League Dynasty in the making in the Phillies.