2004 Baseball Playoffs: You Pick 'Em

[steddinotayto]

AL:

NY vs. Minnesota:

Yankees in 5. Unless his arms completely falls off in the middle of Game 1, Santana should be able to win this one for the Twins. I'd pick Radke over Lieber for Game 2. And after that, Yanks win 3 in a row.

Boston vs. Anaheim:

Boston in 4. I think Pedro still got some mo' for the playoffs. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if Anaheim wins this series.

NL:

Houston vs. Atlanta:

Houston in 5. Roy and Roger, barring INCREDIBLE meltdowns (knock on wood), will handle ATL's bats...it's just I hope we can hit in this year's playoffs. I have faith that it will come down in dramatic fashion again...and we will prevail.

St. Louis vs. LA:

St. Louis in 3. I hope that the Dodgers can knock the Cards out but...shaky pitching=shaky postseason.

[Behad]

Minny over NY in 5
Boston over Anaheim in 5

Houston over ATL in 4
Dodgers over Cardinals in 5

Minny over Boston in 7
Houston over LA in 7


Houston over Minny in 6. World Champions, baby!

[codell]

Minny v. NY

Im going with the Twins in an upset. NY's rotation is a disaster and I don't think they can beat Santana even once in a 5 game series.

Anaheim v. Boston

This should be a barn burner. Lots of talent on both teams. But Boston should take this series. Anaheim is going to miss Figgins and Guillen and their starting rotation is not all that.

ALCS - Minnesota over Boston

Houston v. Atlanta

This is the weakest staff that Atlanta will show up with in a post season. But their offense is strong. If Clemens and Oswalt can pitch like they have all season, then I like the Stros to upset.

LA v. St. Louis

St. Louis' offense is just too much for LA's battered pitching staff.

NLCS - Houston over St. Louis ...it will be a close series, probably high scoring. Give me my Stros.

Stros over Twins for the championship.

Three words: It's our year

[Nick]

Originally posted by steddinotayto
St. Louis in 3. I hope that the Dodgers can knock the Cards out but...shaky pitching=shaky postseason.

It seems like you refer to the Dodgers when you say "shaky pitching"... but, I'd have to flip flop that and say it applies to the Cardinals.

All year, their starters have been GOOD... not great, but good enough to win with that offense. Now, the pressure gets magnified, and these hitters are gonna be as focused as they come... and the Cards pitchers are suddenly coming up lame.

Woody Williams is starting in game 1... yes, that Woody Williams who had a 89 mph fastball at MMP last week, and had no movement whatsoever on any of the pitches.

Chris Carpenter is out for the NLDS, and could be out for the entire playoffs... he's not making any progress.

Matt Morris is a jekyl/hyde type pitcher... he can be great one second, and awful the next... he was awful last time out. (so, naturally, the cards are hoping he'll be stellar the next time).

And that leaves Jason Marquis... who's a good young pitcher. He could either make or break their playoff run. He's pretty important.

That being said, they should have enough to get by the Dodgers (just because of that awesome offense)... and it'll be a NLCS for the ages against... the Houston Astros.

Predictions:
AL - Minnesota over New York in 5
Boston over Anaheim in 5
Boston over Minnesota in 7

NL - STL over LA in 4
Houston over ATL in 5
Houston over STL in 7

Houston over Boston in 6... Rocket & Bagwell return to Boston... best world series ever.

[thegame_2234]

this astros playoff run would be great in the records of boston curse :p

[RocketFan007]

ALDS

Yankees over Twins in 4.
Sox over Angels in 5.

NLDS

Cardinals over Dodgers in 4.
Astros over Braves in 4.

ALCS

Sox over Yankees in 7.

NLCS

Astros over Cards in 6.

World Series

Sox over Astros in 7.

[steddinotayto]

Originally posted by thegame_2234
this astros playoff run would be great in the records of boston curse :p

yea it would be ironic if we meet the RedSox in the WS and beat them with the Rocket and Bags on our team.

The Curse of Larry Anderson!

[rockets-#1]

Yankees vs Twins
Santana will probably win both the games he starts, but I don't think either of their other pitchers will be able to beat the Yanks in the other 3 games. All I'm pretty sure about is that this series goes 5 games, with a toss-up in the 5th game.

Angels vs Red Sox
The Red Sox are the team to beat this year. They have the batting and they got the pitching. Boston in 4.

Yankees vs Red Sox
No heart break for the Red Sox this year, it's the year they make it by the Yankees. Red Sox in 7

Dodgers vs Cardinals
I can't believe either of these teams made it this far. I won't go into it, but I'll say Cardinals in 4.

Astros vs Braves
Roy and Roger shouldn't have too much trouble taking care of the Braves. Our lineup is better than the Braves also. Astros in 3 if Backe keeps it up, should definitely be over by 4.

Astros vs Cardinals
Our starters are gonna have to be amazing in this series because I don't wanna think about what the Cardinals lineup could do to the Astros bullpen. This series will go 7, I wanna say the Astros would win it.

Astros vs Red Sox
Hell, I picked them to go this far, Astros in 7 in an even better World Series than the last 2 years.

[isoman2kx]

Yankees vs Twins

As much as I hate to say it, Yankees in 4

Angels vs Red Sox

Boston bats come alive as well as their pitching.

Sweep for Boston.

Dodgers vs Cardinals

A damn good series, but with the Cardinals moving on in 5

Astros vs Braves

Here's to the Astro's BATS in particular coming to life with strong pitching performances with Roy-O and Clemens.

Astros win it in 4.

[Lil Francis]

AL
Yanks over Twins in 3
RedSox over Angels in 4
ALCS
Yanks over Redsox in 6 A-Rod ALCS MVP

NL
Cards over Dodgers in 5
ASTROS OVER BRAVES in 4
NLCS
ASTROS OVER CARDS in 6 NLCS MVP C. Beltran

World Series
Yanks Over Astros in 7 WS MVP G. Sheffield.

[moestavern19]

I know **** about baseball so here goes anyway...

Minnesota vs Yankees

Twins pull off the upset and stun the yanks in 4.

Angels vs Red Sox

Red Sox pitching should be able to cool the bats of Vlad and the boys. S0x0rs in 4.

Dodgers vs Cards

Cardinals too dominant for the circumstantial blue crew. Cards in 3

Astros vs Braves

Eh, I'll get flamed if I say stros lose, so stros in 5.

Twins vs Red Sox

Twins shut down the Sox in dramatic fashion to win in game 7 after being down 3-1.

Astros vs Cards

Who knows **** about baseball? not me. Cardinals in 6

Twins in 5 over Cards.

Yay Twins win the WS.

[cwebbster]

I feel the same feeling that I felt when the Rockets were on their Amazing Journey. Who gives a damn about the other series. Astros will win the NLDS, NLCS, and the World Series


Astros over Yankees in 6

[Sishir Chang]

Originally posted by moestavern19


Yay Twins win the WS.

Living now in the arctic umm... Minnesota I would like nothing better than to see the Stros beat the Twins in the Series.

Of course since the AL has the homefield advantage though If the Twins make it to the series you'll see them cranking up the fans holding up the Metrodome whenever the Twins bat for that Domefield advantage.

[Milos]

ALCS
Boston vs. NYY
I admit it...I believe in conspiracies. I think the baseball gods won't let a chance to see another epic 7 game series pass. And to get even higher ratings, its the Sox who make the Series.

NLCS
Houston vs. LA
Cardinals seem too safe to pick, and I'd rather see LA anyway, so here's hoping positive vibes reach LA and pull off a miracle. Wouldn't it be priceless to watch Jose Lima's face as Jeff Bagwell hit's the series-winning HR in the 10th inning of game 6?

WS
Houston vs. Boston
Rocket vs. Red Sox is even better than Rocket vs. Steinbrenner, but either would be unforgettable. And, as usual, the Rocket gets the better of everyone in Game 7 and Houston fans get to have a championship parade for the first time in a decade!

[Sishir Chang]

Originally posted by Milos
ALCS
Boston vs. NYY
I admit it...I believe in conspiracies. I think the baseball gods won't let a chance to see another epic 7 game series pass. And to get even higher ratings, its the Sox who make the Series.



If its a conspiracy for ratings why not go the whole enchilada and have Bosox vs. Cubbies?

Oh wait I guess they'll save that for after the next strike.

[don grahamleone]

Yankees win
Boston wins
Stros' win
St Louis wins

Yankees win
Stros' win

Houston win their first as Roger is in closers roll for game 7

[lalala902102001]

ALDS:
Yankees vs. Twins -- Twins.

Santana is the best pitcher in the M.L. right now. In a five-game series, a dominant pitcher means everything.

Boston vs. Anaheim -- Boston.

Boston's pitching, IMO, is not as good as it looks (Pedro sure isn't the pitcher that he used to be). But Anaheim just isn't good enough to beat the Red Sox.

NLDS:
St. Louis vs. L.A. -- St. Louis

I don't know how the Dodgers beat out the Giants. They just don't strike me as a legit contender with their very mediocre starting pitching and equally mediocre batting power.

Houston vs. Atlanta -- Houston

I sure think that we'll win, but I want to say that it's gonna be a tough series. Bobby Cox's team does all the right things. We'll need some dominant games from Roger and Roy and we'll have to find a way to get to Atlanta's bull pen rather early.

ALCS:
Minnesota vs. Boston -- Boston

In a seven-game series, I think that Boston has the edge over the Twins because they have more depth and more power.

St. Louis vs. Houston -- Houston

If we go pass the Braves, I actually think that the Cards wouldn't be as tough. Their weakness if that they ran away with the division too early and their momentum is gone now. This Cards team hasn't played that well lately and we have handled them pretty well. I would feel very confident against this team.

WS:
Boston vs. Houston -- Houston

It's the Red Sox baby. Prepare for your celebration.

[qwerty]

Originally posted by Milos
And, as usual, the Rocket gets the better of everyone in Game 7 and Houston fans get to have a championship parade for the first time in a decade!

Not a Comets fan, eh? :D

[red]

Astros over Anyone that gets in their way...

[StupidMoniker]

AL

Yanks over the Twins - however good people think Santana is, he is not better than the big three out of Oakland that lost to the Yankees again and again. This is the same Twins that the Yankees just swept to keep the AL East title.

Sox over the Angels - although Colon has seemingly bounced back from a horrible start, I don't think the Angels have the firepower to takke out the Sox, besides, what fun would October be if the Yankees didn't get the opportunity to make Boston their bitches.

Yanks over the Sox - SSDD bitches.

NL

Cards over the Dodgers - nobody should depend on Milton Bradley for ANYTHING.

Stros over the Braves - the only thing as certain as the Braves making the postseason is the Braves losing in the postseason (ever since their thrashing by the Yanks in '96) and the Rocket is that damn good.

Stros over the Cards - the Cards are just not good enough to overcome their pitching woes.

WS

My Yankees dash the hopes of the Houston faithful like a tiny ship hurled against a granite cliff. This comes close to fulfilling my preseason prediction of the Yanks over the NL wildcard team (originally I thought it would be the Cubs with the Stros taking the division)

[rrj_gamz]

I like the Yankees in 4

Boston in 5

The Cardinals in 5

The Stros' in 4...

Then...

I like Bostin in 7

The Stros in 6

Then...

I like the Stros in 7...

[Alimoe84]

Originally posted by Behad
Minny over NY in 5
Boston over Anaheim in 5

Houston over ATL in 4
Dodgers over Cardinals in 5

Minny over Boston in 7
Houston over LA in 7


Houston over Minny in 6. World Champions, baby!

I'm almost postive that an Astros Twins World Series would have some of the lowest TV ratings of all times. I bet the MLB would be fine with Houston making it to the WS because they have guys like Roger,Roy,Beltran,Bagwell,Kent,Biggio,Lidge and so on, but it would be a nightmare for them to be in the World Series over the much more marketable NYY and Red Sox.

[Nick]

Originally posted by Alimoe84
I'm almost postive that an Astros Twins World Series would have some of the lowest TV ratings of all times. I bet the MLB would be fine with Houston making it to the WS because they have guys like Roger,Roy,Beltran,Bagwell,Kent,Biggio,Lidge and so on, but it would be a nightmare for them to be in the World Series over the much more marketable NYY and Red Sox.

Basically anybody but Dodgers vs. Minnesota would = some of the lowest ratings of all time.... even a Braves vs. Twins series wouldn't draw out as many viewers as one would think, given the extended Braves-nation. (even though they could play one of the greatest series of all time... again).

Thus, MLB's most definitely rooting against Minnesota this post-season... they'll take their chances with a NY/Boston(especially)/Anaheim market.

[Jebus]

Originally posted by isoman2kx

Astros vs Braves

Here's to the Astro's BATS in particular coming to life with strong pitching performances with Roy-O and Clemens.

Astros win it in 4.

Not directed at you in particular, isoman, but for all you guys who are saying Astros in 4 over the Braves, who is the pitcher you guys think will win the game to close out the Braves? Given that the hardest thing in the playoffs seems to be closing out a series. I'm just curious (yes, I asked this in the other thread also- I'm really curious :D).

I could see Backe winning game 3. I could see Clemens winning game 5. But game 4? I was thinking Astros in 4 myself, because I'm not enough of a homer to predict a sweep, but the thought of a 5 game series makes me a little nervous. Then I realized that game 4 will be started by ?? (maybe Munro, maybe Hernandez , maybe Redding, maybe, maybe no?)

Unless the Astros are on the brink of elimination, then maybe it will be Roger on short rest. But then winning in 4 is out anyway.

so I say Astros in 5. don't want to predict series beyond the first round yet, but the other first rounders:

Cards in 4
Yanks in 5
Sox in 4

[MadMax]

Originally posted by Jebus
Not directed at you in particular, isoman, but for all you guys who are saying Astros in 4 over the Braves, who is the pitcher you guys think will win the game to close out the Braves? Given that the hardest thing in the playoffs seems to be closing out a series. I'm just curious (yes, I asked this in the other thread also- I'm really curious :D).



honestly...with this team right now, does it matter? who will the braves be throwing in a game 4 that would scare you?

[PhiSlammaJamma]

Yankees vs Twins
The Twinkees versus the Yankees. Minnesota at home is ferocius. They always have been. But damn. The Yankees have a great lineup. I think A-Rod is too tough. Yankees 3-2.

Angels vs Red Sox
Great picthing matchups. The Angels closers versus the Red Sox starters. This is gonna be interesting. The Angels have 3 good innings in them at the end. The Sox have Seven at the beginning. I'll take the Sox and the odds. 3-2

Yankees vs Red Sox
I'm not stupid. Yankees in 6. Back Gammons will bleed red again.

Dodgers vs Cardinals
Albert Pujols can change a whole game. Cardinals 3-1.

Astros vs Braves
I'm not stupid here either. The Braves will make life extremely tough and everybody knows it. They own us. 13 straight championships. I mean, that aint no pushover. We've had the better team in the past and still lost. Astros in 5.

Astros vs Cardinals
We simply have too much pitching. Too much hitting. The Astros are simply better top to bottom. Scrap versus the genius. An interesting battle of minds. But Scrappy wins. 4-2.

Astros vs Yankees
We no hit them once. We'll do it again. The Astros no hitter cursed 'em and they've never been the same since. 4-1 Astros.

[Jebus]

Originally posted by MadMax
honestly...with this team right now, does it matter? who will the braves be throwing in a game 4 that would scare you?

I know what you mean, but it's the playoffs.. Offenses die in the playoffs, especially Astros offenses (which is also why the Cardinals won't see the series). I know it's a different team, etc.. but the fact remains that if game 4 comes down to a battle of the bullpens (which you seem to agree is likely), Atlanta's bullpen has simply been better than the Astros'. (outside of Lidge, but Smoltz is no slouch- and he has just a slight edge in postseason experience)

Basically, I'm just trying to temper my enthusiasm with some doubt (aka 'realism').. It worked for the second half of the season, so why quit now?

[MadMax]

offenses die in the playoffs because they're typically matched up against great pitchers. think about the pitching staffs the astros have faced in the playoffs in the 90's. unreal pitchers. the braves don't offer that anymore. i'm not real shaked by their #1 or #2 starter...much less their #4 starter.

there are no guarantees in baseball...but i like our chances.

[PiPdAdY33]

I don't care much for saying in how many games it'll be done

St. Louis beats La
Hou beats Atl

Bo sox over the Angels
Twins over the Yanks

Hou beats St. Louis
Bo Sox beat Twins

Stros vs Sox in the world series and the Astros win it all.

[Manny Ramirez]

Twins upset the MFYs (or at least I hope)
Red Sox over the Angels
Cardinals over the Dodgers
Astros over the Braves

For some weird reason, I see all of these series either being sweeps or 5 games.

Red Sox over Twins in 7 (maybe 6 games)
Cardinals over Astros in 7 (sorry Stros fans, but I don't see Clemens, Oswalt, whoever, etc shutting down that Cardinal offense for 4 games)

Cardinals over Red Sox in 7 (because that is what the Sox do - they break your heart and they also pull it out and show it to you and then stomp all over it).

Yes, I am one sadistic homerific fan.

[rockets-#1]

Well, Manny, it sure is gonna be great when the Astros and Red Sox meet in the World Series.

You couldn't really lose in that one.

[moestavern19]

Originally posted by StupidMoniker
This is the same Twins that the Yankees just swept to keep the AL East title.



Uh yeah, that series really mattered :rolleyes:

[StupidMoniker]

Originally posted by Manny Ramirez
Twins upset the MFYs (or at least I hope)


Would you really want the Sox to get to the series without going through the Yankees?

[StupidMoniker]

M-Y-S-T-I-Q-U-E

[Manny Ramirez]

Originally posted by StupidMoniker
Would you really want the Sox to get to the series without going through the Yankees?

Oh beating the Yankees in route to the World Series would be awesome, but I have seen them beat my Sox so many times when it mattered, that I would rather not go through last year again.

Or I will put it to you like this, Hydra:

If the Red Sox won 100 games and the Yankees won only 50 but somehow they had to play each other on the last day of the season and the Sox had to win for homefield advantage or something like that, the Yankees would win.:( :p ;)

[rockets-#1]

Well it seems like a good time to bring this thread back to reflect on if we were right with our predictions or not. I've been right so far. :)