The post-season begins tonight, although unfortunately and somewhat surprisingly given their late September play, it will begin without our dear Royals. So with the Royals out of the picture, the race is wide open. Who will emerge victorious? Is there really only one October? I mean, I seem to remember there being an October last year. So there have been at least two Octobers, probably more than that. Dane Cook, you are a liar.

Dodgers

vs.

Cubs

Beware discounting the Dodgers simply because they won a weak division with a record just nine games better than the Royals. Remember the Cardinals! The Dodgers may not have the power of the Best Fans in Baseball on their side, but they do have the power of Berroa. Angel Berroa. The guy just knows how to win. The Dodgers did lead the league in pitching (park effects alert! park effects alert! Their road ERA was 4.40!), but were 13th in runs scored. Manny gave them a boost, but he's just as likely to ditch the series to make a guest appearance on "Entourage" as he is coming up with post-season heroics.

Overlooked among the MannyBeingManny and C.C. Sabathia mid-season pickups was the Rich Harden deal. Harden has amazingly stayed healthy, and even better, has been dominate with a 1.77 ERA in 12 starts. The Cubs just look like the deeper team, offensively and pitching-wise. The led the league in runs scored, and were second in pitching. They have to be the prohibitive favorites to win the pennant.

Prediction: Cubs in three

Phillies

vs.

Brewers

My heart says Brewers, but my head says Phillies. The Phils can slug, even away from their bandbox stadium. And their pitching ain't shabby either. Their bullpen has a clear edge over a shaky Brewer pen which was challenging the Mets for awhile in "most times infuriating the fans with awful choke jobs." And with Ben Sheets likely out, the Brews will be depending on rookie Yovani Gallardo, and Sabathia on three days rest (not that it has hurt him thus far).

The Brewers have momentum, but I always worry about teams that have to scratch and claw to make the playoffs, then celebrate that fact like they won the World Series. There is still a lot of work to be done. But in the end, I just think the Phillies are a better team.

Prediction: Phillies in four

Angels

vs.

We're all sick of Red Sox Nation right? They've quickly replaced Yankees fans in terms of obnoxiousness (Cubs fans, your time is coming). I think this is one of their weaker teams in years, but its still pretty darn good. But after a terrific ride in Boston sports, I think the train is coming to a stop. The Tom Brady injury was an ominous omen. The Angels match up well in pitching, but they simply can't score as many runs as the Sox. But pitching beats hitting in the postseason!  Just four Angels regulars have an OPS+ over 100 (Tex, Vlad, Napoli and Torii). And K-Rod, while his save totals are delighting sportswriters, he is only useful if the team has a three run lead in the ninth.

I think the Red Sox are clearly the better team. But in a short series anything can happen, and if I've learned anything from Stephen Colbert, it is that (1) bears are lethal killing machines and (2) go with what feels right in your gut, not with what the facts say in your head. My gut says the run is over, Boston falls in the first round. 

Prediction: Angels in five

White Sox

vs.

Rays

Ozzie may be a lunatic, but he gets results. He may think he's some sort of small ball genius, but in reality, he made the playoffs on a solo home run with a team that led the big leagues in dingers. They have three 30 home run guys, and six 20 home run guys. They were second to last in stolen bases. Small ball my ass.

The Rays have been perhaps the best story in baseball, and in a way, its just feels like their year. They're awfully young and untested, however I have little reason to believe that matters much, just ask the untested 2003 World Champion Florida Marlins. The Rays are Trey Hillman's wet dream, leading the league in steals, finishing second in walks, and playing superb defense, even on those tough pop-ups! They also pitched very well, although it sounds like they may be without Proven Closer Troy Percival. I think the Rays get past Ozzie's Sox, but I'm not convinced this young crowd is ready to go all the way....yet.

Prediction: Rays in five

NLCS

Cubs vs. Phillies

The Cubs seem like the best team in the league by a good margin. The Phils could make it interesting and have been overlooked much of the year, but no one can stop the destiny of FOX landing the Cubs in the World Series to boost ratings. Bud Selig will see that it happens.

Prediction: Cubs in six

ALCS

The Angels have been their before, they "know how to win", they know what it takes under the steady leadership of Mike Scioscia. Unless they play tight! The Rays are too young, untested, don't know how to win, will be overwhelmed by October baseball. Unless they are too young to know they should be scared, bring a youthful energy and "play within themselves!" I should be  on Baseball Tonight. I don't really have any analysis here, my gut just says the Rays are not quite there even though it feels like their year. Next year they will begin a dynasty of championships next year that will unleash a reign of terror in the American League not seen since Ivan the Terrible. But this year they're just a feel-good story that ends up a bit short.

Prediction: Angels in seven

World Series

Is it just me or does anyone else not get the promos for the post-season where B-list (C-list?) celebrities like Frank Caliendo and Jeff Foxworthy are seen writing on their computer while there is a voice over. Why aren't they talking to the camera? Do they want to be seen as cool, hip bloggers? Shouldn't they be in their pajamas in their mother's basement? Even worse, Caliendo is doing a Bush impression, but is not dressed as Bush. Bizarre.

Anyway, I guess they'll play some World Series games too (hey look, its the cast of "Bones", Mondays 8/7 Central on FOX!) Cubs/Angels is the ideal outcome for FOX, as it gives them the largest two markets left in the post-season, the rabid national following of the Cubs, and the general interest of seeing a franchise break a century of futility. And we can see all the celebrities come out of the woodwork to say they have been Cubs fans all along! Think Ben Affleck was annoying? Wait til you see Bill Murray and John Cusack!

Cubs over the Angels. It is destiny. You can finally put the goat, Lee Elia, Leon Durham and Steve Bartman to rest, it will end this October.

AND THERE IS ONLY ONE OCTOBER!

Til next year.

Post your predictions.