'09 ALDS/NLDS PREDICTIONS

The Division Series are about to take off. Here's my predictions:

ALDS

Yankees take the Twins in 3. The Twins just played a grueling, emotional play-in game against the Twins. 12 innings is nothing to sneeze at, and their already questionable rotation is not in ideal order. Sure, they're hot, but the Yanks haven't been "sleeping" for that long. This is a great team, the best in baseball, with numerous weapons which includes the pitching that I believe will shut down the Twins in 3.

Angels beat the Red Sox in 5. Yes, the Sox have their number in these situations, but this is a different Angels team with an added incentive to win it for their fallen friend Nick Adenhart. The pitching is about even, with the Angels possibly boasting the deeper rotation. Boston owns the better bullpen, but the Angels might make them work. Most importantly, the Angels are going to run all over the Sox catchers. That may be the difference.

NLDS

Cardinals over the Dodgers in 4. I love Joe Torre's approach, but his team's pitching is terrible. I think Manny, Kemp, and crew will break through the Cards starters in Game 3, but that's it. Carpenter and Wainwright are the best 1-2 in the playoffs, and they're going to impose their will on the Dodgers. Let's not forget what Pujols and Holliday can do to the Dodgers' pitching. Ouch!

Rockies upset the Phillies in 5. This is my "wild card" series. Both teams have some issues, but the Phillies' bullpen woes, especially in "closer" Brad Lidge, is going to be hard to overcome. I see the Rox squeaking through. It's going to be a tough fight that leaves the winner very vulnerable in the NLCS.