Article:Love for October

It comes but once a year, and it is finally here. It is October.

And October means one thing, the MLB playoffs, and they are ready to begin. On the last day of September the playoff picture got taken. And it is a weird one, with some great story lines.

The story lines to end the season were great as well. The White Sox needed to win game number 162, win a make up game against Detroit and then win a playoff against the Twins, and got it.

Then you have the Met’s collapse, again.

But the teams in the playoffs have even better story lines.

The Cubs are trying to turn around 100 years of losing.

The Dodgers made a big deadline move and over took the Diamondbacks.

The Brewers are the in the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

The Phillies are the Phillies.

The Rays are in the playoffs for the first time ever.

The Red Sox are on the brink of a becoming a dynasty.

The White Sox barely make it in and Griffey has a chance to get a ring.

The Angels are the best team in the league.

So on to the match ups and predictions.

In the National League:

The Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs

Rafael Furcal is back for the Dodgers and that could hurt them or help them. The Dodgers really only have one bat, and they are not even paying for him. Manny Ramirez has the big bat for the Dodgers and no one else really can swing for the fences. Casey Blake has made minor contributions as has Russ Martin and James Looney. But Manny has put this team on his back since he has been in town. The Cubs have a young line up. Alfonso Soriano, Derek Lee and Amaris Ramirez are the veterans on the club that will lead the team to victory. They have a few young guys who will need to step up. The Cubs really out match the Dodgers in the pitching battle. There rotation is just too deep. Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden, and Ted Lilly headline the rotation. While the bullpen has been strong with Kerry Wood reviving his career as a closer, Bob Howry is looking strong and Carlos Marmol has returned to form. For the Dodgers they have Chad Billingsley and Derek Lowe as their big starters and Jonathan Broxton is probably their best bullpen option.

Prediction: Cubs over Dodgers in 4 games.

The Milwaukee Brewers vs. Philadelphia Phillies.

The Brewers limp into this series with out Ben Sheets but the Phillies may be with Pat Burrell. That being said the Brewers have the Sabathia and Fielder. That seems like all they will need. The Phillies have some guys who will make a difference as well. Cole Hammels, Ryan Howard, and Jimmy Rollins have carried this team for years. Even with his struggles Howard has made major contributions to the Phillies. Chase Utley, Joe Blanton and Brad Lidge will all make major contributions to this team in this series. The Brewers don’t have a lack of talent either. JJ Hardy and Ryan Braun are possibly the biggest names on offense. Even with out Ben Sheets the Brewers have a decent rotation. Yovani Gallardo is back from a knee injury, Jeff Suppan can pitch well and the bullpen has a few good arms. The one that may hurt them is Eric Gagne.

Prediction: Phillies sweep.

The Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are the upstart where the hell did they come from? team, While the White Sox barely made the playoffs. The Rays have been sitting around getting ready for the games setting the rotation up and getting everyone healthy. They will have Carl Crawford back in the lineup and that is a huge boost for them. The White Sox have been pushing there pitchers out on 3 days rest for the last week or so, that is going to back fire on them now.

Prediction: The Rays over the White Sox in 5 games.

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels owned the Sox this season, going 8-1 against them. But the Red Sox beat the Angels in the playoffs in 2004 and 2007 and both years went on to win the World Series. The Angels have Jon Lackey struggling while the Red Sox have Josh Becket injured. The BoSox also have to worry about injuries to JD Drew and Mike Lowell and they no longer have a guy named Manny, maybe you have heard of him. He was the 2004 World Series MVP and now he is crushing the ball while wearing Dodger blue. The Sox have the pitching and can have the bats if everyone stays healthy. And the Angels have the bats and have potential to have the pitching.

Prediction: Red Sox over the Angels in 5. (Extra innings1?! Can you say big Papi?)

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