NL Playoff Matchups

This will get very interesting, because nobody in the NL knows who they're playing yet, although we know three teams that will be in it. And we know the Cubs and Phillies play game 1 at home, and the Dodgers play game 3 at home. It comes down to one game for the wildcard, and here are the wildcard contenders (both of whom are the home team):

Milwaukee Brewers
vs Cubs
Angel Guzman (6.13 Career ERA) vs CC Sabathia

The Brewers are fighting for their postseason, while the Cubs are playing for the chance to play the Mets (4-2 cubs for the season series) instead of the Dodgers (5-2 cubs). The Cubs should prefer the Mets: in 6 games this season, they outscored them 41 to 26 while in 7 games they outscored the Dodgers by only 1 run, 19 to 18. That being said, the Brewers will be more than willing to let CC go 12 innings and 200 pitches if that's what it takes to win this one. Expect at least 8 innings for CC and a Brewers win. Day games in that park are also just plain weird because of the glass.

New York Mets
vs Florida Marlins
Scott Olsen vs Oliver Perez

Oliver Perez is one of those guys people think is pretty good but still find disappointment with his high walk totals and above average HR rate. The fact is though that the guy is 27 and isn't going to pitch that differently. Still, the Mets have had a solid lineup, although they face another solid one. I'd say edge Mets because of the way Olsen has declined. The Mets are overall beating the Marlins in the season series by a reasonable margin.

Tiebreaker Game
Seth McClung vs Pedro Martinez

Two or Three Years ago, Pedro would have made this a guaranteed win. As it is, he's not doing too well, but he is probably the Mets' best option. McClung isn't anything special, though, so if nothing else, it'll be a battle of sluggers, but given Pedro's homer rate this year, I'd have to say edge Brewers.

So since I'm predicting Brewers for the wild card, here's who faces off then:

Dodgers vs Cubs

Brewers vs Phillies


1) Dodgers vs Cubs
Rotation

Game 1: Derek Lowe vs Ryan Dempster
Game 2: Chad Billingsley vs Carlos Zambrano
Game 3: Rich Harden vs Hiroki Kuroda
Game 4: Ted Lilly vs Greg Maddux

Up until Lilly vs Maddux, this looks like it's fairly even, perhaps even favoring LA. Not only has Billingsley had a good year, but Zambrano hasn't pitched since Sept 2 due to shoulder problems. Odds are that if he does pitch that he's not all better, and if that's the case he'll be down some velocity, have flatter pitches, and be easier to hit.

Starting Lineup:

LF: Alfonso Soriano vs Manny Ramirez
CF: Jim Edmonds vs Matt Kemp
RF: Kosuke Fukudome vs Andre Ethier

Manny is a better hitter than Sori, with better OBP skills. Soriano, though, has the defensive edge. Something that you never thought you'd hear 5 years ago. The reverse is probably true in center field, although Edmonds ability to read the ball probably gives him a slight defensive edge. In Right, though, no contest: all about Ethier.

1B: Derrek Lee vs James Loney
2B: Mark DeRosa vs Jeff Kent/Blake DeWitt
3B: Aramis Ramirez vs Casey Blake/Blake DeWitt
SS: Ryan Theriot vs Rafael Furcal
C: Geovany Soto vs Russell Martin

The only clear advantage for the Dodgers would be if Rafael Furcal really is healthy. If he can hold up, he's definitely got it. Lee and A-Ram are top corner men, good as Loney and Blake might be. DeRosa has done well as a Cub, and will probably continue to do so. Soto has emerged as a good young catcher and has hit for power more, though Martin has honed his on-base skills so well that it's really hard to discount him.

The Cubs have a bit of an edge on offense. It will probably come down to bullpens and luck to determine this series. I'll be optimistic and say Dodgers in 5, though.


Philadelphia Phillies vs Milwaukee Brewers

Two teams with power hitting lineups and iffy pitching depth. The Phillies had Brad Lidge, the Brewers had Eric Gagne. I don't care about this one as much, and it's late. Just guessing, though, I'd say edge to Philadelphia. They hit for average and get on base more. Phillies in 4, because CC won't start against Hamels.