MLB Playoff Preview and Predictions

NLDS

Brewers vs. Phillies

With recent news that one of the Phillies middle of the order bats, Pat Burrell, is hurting with back pain this hinders the potent lefty lineup of the Philly offense especially against Brewer lefthanded ace CC Sabathia. I think the Brewers steal game one against Philly ace Cole Hamels despite the fact that the Brewers were swept in Philadelphia the last time they played there and will most likely be without Ben Sheets. I think NL MVP candidate and frontrunner, Ryan Braun, will lead the potent Brewers offense against the young lefty ace Hamels in game 1. With Sabathia likely to pitch game 2 and game 5 on short rest I can see the Brewers stealing this series from the favored Phillies in 5 games.

Brewers 3-2

Dodgers vs. Cubs

Well I guess someone had to win the NL West. It appears the Diamondbacks didn't want to and just handed it to the Dodgers. While the Dodgers had an 18-5 record down the stretch, thanks to the hot bat of trad deadline acquisition Manny Ramirez, I think this is as far as they are going to come in this short series against the Cubbies. I want to be optimistic and say this will go 4 or possibly 5 games, but with the potent Cubs lineup and much better starting pitching (especially the power arms of Zambrano and Harden that you need in the playoffs) this series will most likely end up in a sweep.

Cubs 3-0