Pelletier's Perspective 4.16.08: MLB Playoff Preview

Posted by Justin Pelletier on 04.17.2008

How could you possibly have a season preview with more foresight than one that was written a week into the season? One that is written TWO weeks into the season, of course.

If you read this column or this column you know that we here at the Perspective have already selected out division champions (not to mention the division cellar dwellers). But there's still plenty left to discuss about the upcoming current Major League Baseball season.

For those of you too lazy to click on the links I provided, allow me to provide a little refresher.

Out NL East champion is the New York Mets who will outlast both the Phillies and the, reborn, Atlanta Braves. The Marlins and Nationals are young but F A R away from competing.

The Cubs have done enough to be the choice in the Central, although the Brewers and Reds will continue to improve. The Astros, Cardinals and Pirates will, either, suck or continue to suck.

Four different teams could win the west but our choice is the Arizona Diamondback who are loaded with young stars at bat and two, legit, aces. The Rockies, Dodgers and Padres will all contend. The Giants are the worst team in baseball.

Over in the AL, we'll hear plenty about the Red Sox and Yankees, I'll grow tired of it quickly and the Sox will win the division. The Jays will follow, while the Rays will continue to improve. The Orioles will suck.

My patient prediction allowed me to realize that the Tigers WILL NOT win the Central but the Indians will. The fading White Sox will place third. The Twins and the Royals bring up the rear.

The Angels will recover from injuries to win the west. A retooled pitching staff will aid Seattle to a second place finish. Yearly fire sales will catch up with Oakland but Texas is even worse.


So what's left?

Plenty

For starters we have the Wild Cards and the more of the season I watch, the more I realize that the only way the Detroit Tigers will see the playoffs is if Jim Leyland gets them jobs selling popcorn. So instead of the Tigers joining Boston, Cleveland and LA will, unfortunately, be the Yankees. Over in the NL, The Mets, Cubs and D-Backs will be joined by the Phils.

The playoffs have a chance at being very entertaining. The first round will see the Mets down the Cubs while the Diamondbacks will oust the Phillies. The first round in the AL will be equally compelling as the Red Sox will eliminate the Angles in seven games and the Tribe will get by New York

The League Championship Series are the best time to be a baseball fan and both the NL and the AL will provide quality match-ups in '08. The ultra-talented, but young, Diamondbacks will prove to be too inexperienced to get back the star-studded Mets while in the AL Cleveland will get its revenge from last year's loss to Boston and advance to the World Series.

The Fall Classic will feature my two favorite teams, the Mets and the Indians. Call it homerism if you want (although I live in South Jersey) but it makes good sense. Both squads have deep staffs (if Pedro can make it back) and talented players all over the field.

The Mets haven't won the title since '85 but they'll be playing the Indians. Cleveland is the won city that makes Philly look like Title Town USA. So behind Johan Santana, Jose Reyes, David Wright and Carlos Beltran THE NEW YORK METS WILL WIN THE 2008 WORLD SERIES! Now that goes against my better judgment, as I NEVER pick my favorite teams to win it all but sometimes you just have to go with your gut.

Unfortunately, my gut usually has shit for brains.