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Thus far my bracket is doing pretty well. Tonight could change that drastically, but lets hope not. Lets talk a little bit about what has happened so far.
Rangers vs. Rays
The Rangers beat the Rays in 4 games. I was glad to see them win for two main reasons: I like Josh Hamilton and I like Nolan Ryan. Josh Hamilton is a classy guy. He really struggled with substance abuse in the past, which kept him from playing for the Rays when they drafted him. Hamilton apologized to members of the Rays organization for his past drug abuse that kept him from contributing to the team. I respect Josh Hamilton for confronting his past and living in the grace of Christ. Josh Hamilton makes me a Rangers fan this time of year. And I love that the Rangers celebrate with ginger ale so that he can take part – that’s classy boys.
Nolan Ryan is one of the best pitchers ever, and I like to see his team winning. I think he could still have pitched effectively for the Rangers if needed.
Tigers vs. Yankees
The Detroit Tigers beat the New York Yankees in 5 games. This thrills my soul. I despise the New York Yankees, and it does my heart good to see them lose. A lot of people don’t like Jose Valverde, because he acts crazy when he strikes people out, but I find him very entertaining.
I also love that this series ended with a strikeout of Alex Rodriguez. There are very few players in the league that I personally cheer against, and A-Rod is top of that list. He is a cheater. He has admitted to steroid use, and should be banned for life. No Hall-of-Fame for this cheater. He had great, raw talent, but his entire career is tainted now. Glad to see him finish the Yankees’ season.
Phillies vs. Cardinals
The Cardinals have made this series much more interesting than I anticipated. The series is tied 2-2, and it will be decided tonight in a pitcher’s duel between Roy Halladay and Chris Carpenter.
I think (and hope) the Phillies will pull this out. Roy Halladay is a machine. Aside from him being a Cardinal, I really like Chris Carpenter. He is a great pitcher and classy guy (Editor’s Note: I wrote this statement thinking about Adam Wainwright. In fact, Chris Carpenter is not classy). I just hope he loses tonight. And if you watch the game tonight, check out my theory that Lance Berkman looks like Vince Gill:
Brewers vs. Diamondbacks
This series was the one I was most unsure about when I made my predictions. I know how good the Brewers are, but I have paid no attention to the Diamondbacks. I still think the Brewers will pull it out, but having Kirk Gibson at the helm for the Diamondbacks makes me uncertain.
So, GO PHILLIES and GO BREWERS tonight! And Booyah to you Yankees fans.
Until later friends…
The regular season is over. It took the full 162 games to decide the playoff contenders, but now it is time for the playoffs. I was sorry to see the Red Sox and Braves utterly collapse.
The Cubs are my absolute favorite team. Other than the Cubs, I cheer for the Red Sox and the Braves, and I cheer against the Yankees. So, this was not a great week for me as a baseball fan. I am very excited to see what the Cubs will do this offseason. I think they are going to make some good hires (and some good fires). I have some suggestions for the Cubs’ success, which I think should be heeded. But today is not about the Cubs. Today is about the 8 teams left in the playoffs. So congratulations to the playoff contenders. The final standings look like this:
I made my predictions at the beginning of the season, but I only correctly picked the Phillies, Rangers, Yankees, and, if you don’t count my shameless placing of the Cubs, the Brewers to make the playoffs. Now it is time for the playoffs. Here are my picks for the MLB 2011 Playoffs:
Here is my reasoning:
Phillies vs. Cardinals:
Even a team with the likes of Pujols, Holliday, and Berkman will not be able to beat the rotation of Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, and Hamels. Halladay and Lee are almost untouchable in October. With them on the same team, there is no way they lose any series.
Brewers vs. Diamondbacks
Zach Greinke + Prince Fielder beats this young Diamondbacks team, although it will be close.
National League Championship – Brewers vs. Phillies
The Brewers have decent pitching, but the Phillies have phenomenal pitching. Brewers might win one…maybe two games.
Yankees vs. Tigers
Yankees pitching is weak. Justin Verlander is amazing. I hate the Yankees, so I am cheering for them to fail. This is the most emotional of my playoff picks
Rangers vs. Rays
The Rays are good, but the Rangers have been consistently good in the playoffs. I expect the Rangers to win a close series.
American League Championship – Rangers vs. Tigers
The Tigers will be exhausted after facing the Yankees, and the Rangers have Josh Hamilton.
World Series – Phillies vs. Rangers
Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee will dominate the Rangers. It will be a sight to behold.
That’s all my baseball talk for today. Until later friends…
