It’s that wonderful time of the year again – October. And with October comes non other than playoff baseball. And although the nation is up in mayhem over Bret Favre, the National Football League, and other things football, October is baseball. And much like years past, October is unpredictable. However, much like last year (Attempting to Script October: The 2008 MLB Playoffs), I will attempt to predict the happenings in this tenth month of the year, two thousand and nine. And hopefully, I’ll be more accurate than last year’s predictions.
After all, it's October. It’s playoff baseball. And it cannot be scripted.
Nonetheless, here goes…
NLDS – St Louis Cardinals defeat Los Angeles Dodgers in Four Games
This series will be decided by the Cardinals top two pitchers (and possibly best 1-2 punch in baseball) in Carpenter and Wainwright. The Dodgers will manage to sneak a win in game three in St. Louis, only to be closed out in Game 4. Manny will have an anti 2008-like postseason, and will struggle throughout this series.
Series MVP – Chris Carpenter
NLDS – Philadelphia Phillies defeat Colorado Rockies in Three Games
These two teams have met before in the post-season under similar circumstances. The Rockies charging into the post-season, riding a hot streak. However, the Phillies are a completely different team than the one in the past that let the Rockies run all over them, and are primed to defend their title. The Phillies offense will be too much for Colorado, and will close this series out early.
Series MVP – Jayson Werth
ALDS – Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim defeat Boston Red Sox in Five Games
The Red Sox, who have had the Angels number throughout post-season history will suddenly see a change in 2009. The Angels, who are due, will battle the Red Sox to the brink, and finally break their curse per say. Jon Lester will emerge as the Red Sox ace of the future, but the speed game of the Angels will be the deciding factor in this series.
Series MVP – Bobby Abreu
ALDS – New York Yankees defeat Minnesota Twins in Four Games
After dominating the series in the regular season (7-0), this season will resemble the same. The Yankees offense will be too much for the Twins coming off an emotional win for the AL Central Title. The Twins will manage to get one win in game three to avoid the sweep, but will be eliminated in the fourth game.
NLCS – St. Louis Cardinals defeat Philadelphia Phillies in Seven Games
This series will be filled with great pitching from the starters on both sides, and will ultimately be decided by the bullpen. The series will also see the return of Brad Lidge, who will come through in several situations, including returning a receipt to Albert Pujols for the 2005 horror homerun. Game seven will see Carpenter and Cliff Lee both pitch seven innings of shutout ball. The winning run will be driven in by trade deadline pickup, Matt Holliday.
NLCS MVP – Adam Wainwright
ALCS – New York Yankees defeat Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Six Games
The Angels like they always have, will give the Yankees all they can handle in this series. Bobby Abreu will continue his hot post-season as he sticks it to his former team. The series will also see two stellar pitching performances by A.J Burnett which will eventually become key contributions to the Yankees series win.
ALCS MVP – A.J. Burnett
World Series – New York Yankees defeat St. Louis Cardinals in Six Games
This series, much like the post season, will be dominated by pitching. Carpenter and Wainwright will shut the Yankees down in the first two games. However, will head to St. Louis split, 1-1. In game three, Andy Pettitte will put together a vintage gem that will get the Yanks the 2-1 lead. In game four, the Cards will blowout the Yanks, a game where Rick Ankiel will go 4 for 6 with 4 RBI. The Yankees will then win the next two games, which will be tightly contested games, and closed out by the great Mariano Rivera.
World Series MVP – Robinson Cano