Who Will Win Playoffs, World Series?

The major league baseball playoffs start this coming week. What should you expect?

Who will win?

If you asked me two weeks ago, I would have told you the Boston Red Sox would win it all. But, after the way they have played the lately, I'm not putting my money on them.

To me one of the most important aspects is who is playing well. It's not the Red Sox, or the Dodgers, or the Tigers or the Cardinals. In fact, most teams heading to the playoffs have not done well in the past week.

I'm not expecting a lot of surprises in the first round. I think the Red Sox, the New York Yankees, the Philadelphia Phillies and the St. Louis Cardinals to be the best four teams out there. They should all advance.

From there things get tough.

In the American League, I honestly believe the Red Sox have the best starting pitching. The Yankees cannot compete as Andy Pettite is their only consistent starter. CC Sabathia has never had a good October and AJ Burnett looks anything but sparkling.

Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jon Lester are much more formidable. I believe most games in this match-up to see the Red Sox leading after 6 innings. But that is where things change. The Yankees bullpen is strong. The Yankees have had 15 walk-off wins this season.

If games are close (less than 4 run difference) after 6 innings, the Yankees will find a way to win.

So, I'm taking New York. But, I would not be surprised to see the Red Sox in the World Series. I predict New York wins in six games.

When it comes to the National League, I think Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright will keep the Phillies at bay. Ryan Howard and Chase Utley will have an okay series but it will not be enough. Their pitching is average and Albert Pujols and company will come up big. St. Louis wins in six games.

So, that leads us to the World Series - the Yankees and Cardinals. This match-up will be very similar to the Yankees/Red Sox. The Cardinals have the starters. The Yankees have the relievers.

This is going to be a nail biter series. Being a Yankees fan, it is hard to believe they will not win. I think Alex Rodriguez will be better than usual, but not spectacular. Mark Teixeira will be very good. And some lesser players will make timely hits such as Melkey Cabrera and Nick Swisher.

I believe the Yankees pitching will keep it close enough for the Yankees to pull out a World Series win.

This will go to seven games. The match-up is great. I'm taking the Yankees because this year, they find ways to win; which is something I have not seen in many years.

Despite average starting pitching, the Yankees once again become a dynasty team.