SPORTS Sox Versus Sox: Baseball Playoffs Run Out Of Nicknames
Today starts the MLB playoffs. I find it ridiculous that, after 160 game regular season, the first series of the playoffs is only 5 games. You play 160 games to get into the playoffs and then have a best of 3?! That's, frankly, moronic. Regardless, I'm going to be stupid and say who I think will win based on little to no empirical evidence, and on silly things like mascots and team colors:
National League:
Saint Louis Cardinals/San Diego Padres--Even though the Pods are terrible and the Cardinals are a juggernaut, San Diego will still pull one game out. This is easily the biggest mismatch of the playoffs. CARDS in 4.
Atlanta Braves/Houston Astros--The Astros pitching will keep them in this series, but we're looking at the most balanced Braves team in their recent history. The Braves are a young team, so I wouldn't be surprised if they choke in this series... as I fully expect this one to go to five games. Even so, the Braves offense will manufacture all the runs they need. BRAVES in 5.
Cards/Braves--The Cardinals are too good to be stopped by anyone not in the American League. The Braves get one or two games at most... but nothing stops the Cards. CARDS in 5.
American League:
New York Yankees/Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim--Even though I hate the Yankees, it's the playoffs and they're the Yankees. Those two facts should be enough to get them through this level of the playoffs. YANKEES in 4.
Boston Red Sox/Chicago White Sox--I think that if the White Sox played the Yankees in the first round OR if these White Sox had more playoff experience, they would be headed to the ALCS. But they're playing the reigning champs... and Chicago's bullpen is not strong enough. The White Sox will stretch this series to the limits... but will choke. RED SOX in 5.
Red Sox/Yankees--Another great series between these two rivals, but these Yankees aren't as good as they used to be. RED SOX in 6.
World Series:
Red Sox/Cards--A repeat of last year's World Series, and the American League is still too strong. The Cardinals will revenge the sweep last year by getting a W or 2... but this one will not go 7 games. RED SOX in 6.
Post Script: Feel free to tell me I'm an idiot because, as I've said, these predictions are based on nothing. Go White Sox!