World Series Game 3 Quick Prediction

With the Yankees losing game 1 to the brilliance of Cliff Lee, and the Phillies losing game 2 to the brilliance of A.J. Burnett, we head to game 3 tonight at 7:30. Andy Pettitte will take on Cole Hamels at Citizen's Bank Park. I see the Yankees winning this game 6-3 with Cole Hamels giving up 5 runs over 6 innings and Andy Pettitte giving up 3 runs over 7 innings. By the end of this game the Yankees will have a series lead of 2-1.

World Series Game 1

This is my preview to the World Series match up between the Yankees and the Phillies. This is an interesting series with many different story lines, a couple of which being the last two Cy Young award winners pitching against each other and Pedro pitching at Yankee Stadium. With that said, here is my thoughts about the series. Both offenses can explode at anytime and have power hitters from their lead off hitters to their nine hole hitters. I feel that the Yankees hitters will have the better series. Teixeira did not hit a home run in the ALCS, but that should change against a weaker Phillies pitching staff and because Tex is better than that. I believe Jeter will shine like he always does in the spotlight, and A-Rod will continue his historically good post season. Breaking down the pitching, I believe the Yankees have the better starters and relievers. With CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee matching up in Game 1, I give the edge to CC. Since the All Star break he has been unstoppable and on fire. He gave up 2 runs in 16 innings pitching in the ALCS, and I see that continuing. As for Cliff Lee, he struggled against the American League before he got traded to the Phillies, and I think he will struggle against the Yankees. The Yankees line up is just too good, they will break through for three or four runs against Lee. A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte are also better than Pedro Martinez, who is the biggest question mark, and Cole Hamels. The bullpen is also better because of one man, Mariano Rivera. Rivera's ERA in the World Series for his career is 1.16. With all that said, my prediction is the Yankees winning the World Series in 6 games.

Yankees May Go To 3 Man Rotation In ALCS

The Yankees may go with a 3 man rotation of CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Andy Pettitte for their ALCS match up with the Angels. I like the idea of having CC start game 4 over Chad Gaudin. For one, the Yankees did not have him pitch on three days rest all year, when the Brewers last year had him pitch on three days rest for his last three consecutive starts. CC has shown he can pitch effectively and win games on three days rest, and I think Sabathia on 3 days rest is a better starter than Gaudin. The Yankees cut his innings from 253 last year to 230 this year. He is also pitching game 1 on Friday on eight days rest. This is an interesting and very important decision for Girardi that will be one of the determining factors for the outcome of this series.

Twins vs Yankees Game 2 Preview

CC Sabathia and the Yankees had a very nice win on Wednesday. CC gave up only 1 earned run through 6.2 innings pitched. He managed to put his career post season woes behind him and came up with the big game the Yankees needed. Even though this series is against the Twins, game 1 showed there is no doubt that the Yankees are the most complete team in this playoffs. They have the best lead off hitter in Jeter, they have the best line up from top to bottom, the most power (Tex, A-Rod, Matsui, Cano), the best ace in Sabathia, the best bullpen in Hughes, Joba, and Mo, and the best wild card in AJ Burnett. If he pitches to the standards he is capable of this post season, they will be the best 1-2 punch. He has dirty stuff and I think he will pitch a gem. He is pitching against Nick Blackburn, who is the best starter on the Twins staff. AJ needs to avoid the blow up and have a good first few innings. If that happens, which it should, the Yankees will win because you know that they will be hitting home runs. My prediction is the Yankees fly to the Metro dome with a 2-0 series lead, and confidence that they are firing on all cylinders.

Game 163: Tigers vs Twins Preview

I had a feeling it would happen, and now it has. The Twins fought the whole month of September and the last games in October and now see themselves in a tie with the Tigers with a chance to get to the playoffs with a 1 game, regular season, tie breaker at the Metrodome. The pitching match up for the game is Rick Porcello (14-9, 4.04 ERA) vs Scott Baker (15-9, 4.36 ERA) for the Twins. This pitching match up looks like a toss up. Even though Porcello is a 20 year old rookie, Baker does not have much experience in pressure situations either. Porcello has also had a better season.

This will be back to back 1 game playoffs for the Twins. They lost a 1-0 heart breaker to the White Sox last year. This year will be different. I think the Twins will win to get to the playoffs. My first reason is the Twins were down by 7 games a month ago and just have the momentum. Secondly, the Twins are not relying on just Joe Mauer. Orlando Cabrera is batting .275 with 75 RBI, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel have launched 32 homers and 27 homers respectively, and Denard Span and Delmon Young have made solid contributions. With those factors in play I believe the Twins will win and move on to play the Yankees in the ALDS.

NFL Week 4 Picks

Starting my weekly picks for the NFL. Home team in caps:

BEARS (-10) over Lions

TEXANS (-8.5) over Raiders

JAGUARS (+3) over Titans

Ravens (-2) over PATRIOTS

BENGALS (-6) over BROWNS

Giants (-8.5) over CHIEFS

Buccaneers (+7.5) over REDSKINS

COLTS (-10) over Seahawks

Jets (+7) over SAINTS

Bills (-1) over DOLPHINS

49ERS (-9.5) over Rams

BRONCOS (+3) over Cowboys

Chargers (+6.5) over STEELERS

Packers (+3.5) over VIKINGS