MLB Playoff Picks: Early Bird

Last season, people were in belief that the Indians would win it all, especially after going up 3-1 against the Boston Red Sox, but we all know how that story ended.

Last season, the Red Sox swept away the L.A. Angels, and the Indians took the series from the New York Yankees. In the N.L., the Diamondbacks breezed past Chicago and Colorado continued its hot streak by sweeping the Phillies.

In the LCS, the Boston Red Sox fell back three games to one and pulled off another amazing comeback to reach the World Series. The Rockies swept Arizona to move into the World Series. The 2007 World Series was a similar story to the 2004 series for the Sox. It ended in a dominating sweep by the BoSox.

Who will be this years champ in the MLB?

There is no easy pick. All these teams in contention have the ability to not only reach the World Series, but win it.

Predictions

National League

East 
Philadelphia Phillies 92-70 
New York Mets 90-72 
Florida Marlins 85-77
Atlanta Braves 72-90
Washington Nationals 63-99

Central
Chicago Cubs 98-64 
Houston Astros 86-76
Milwaukee Brewers 85-77
St. Louis Cardinals 83-79
Cincinnati Reds 77-85
Pittsburgh Pirates 68-94

West
L.A. Dodgers 87-75
Arizona Diamondbacks 81-81
Colorado 73-89
San Francisco 72-90
San Diego 61-101

No Surprises in the NL here. Houston does over pass a falling Milwaukee.

NLDS
Chicago Cubs—New York Mets
 Cubs 3-0
Philadelphia Phillies—L.A. Dodgers 
 Dodgers 3-2

NLCS
Chicago Cubs—L.A. Dodgers
 LA Dodgers 4-3

Manny Ramirez leads the Dodgers to the World Series.

American League

East
Tampa Bay Rays 95-67
Boston Red Sox 94-68
New York Yankees 88-74
Toronto Blue Jays 87-75
Baltimore Orioles 71-91

Central
Chicago White Sox 88-74
Minnesota Twins 88-74
Cleveland Indians 81-81
Kansas City Royals 77-85
Detroit Tigers 75-87

West
LA Angels 100-62 
Texas Rangers 80-82
Oakland Athletics 77-85
Seattle Mariners 58-104

ALDS
LA Angels—Boston Red Sox
 Red Sox 3-0
Chicago White Sox—Tampa Bay Rays
 Rays 3-1

ALCS
Tampa Bay Rays—Boston Red Sox
 Rays 4-2

The Tampa Rays show people once and for all that they are the team to beat and that they are a very good team.

World Series
Tampa Bay Rays—L.A. Dodgers
 Rays 4-0

The AL will continue its dominance over the NL in the World Series, just like the All-Star Game. This may seem like an odd pick, but let's face it: The Rays are for real.

After taking two series from the Red Sox within the past two weeks, you gotta love 'em. I figured that the Sox would take those series, but because they didn't, I have to go with the Rays.

The Angels don't cause any damage because they are caught off guard. They have not played a big game in quite some time now.

The Dodgers will be led by sweet swinger Manny Ramirez, who is showing the nation how bad National League pitching is. Manny has 14 home runs since joining the Dodgers and he is hitting .400.

I Hate to break it to you Cubs fans, but it looks like you are going to have to wait until next year. The Mets will get in because of the lack of competition in the National League, but they won't contend.

The Tampa Rays will take home the 2008 World Series crown. This will be the beginning of a new era for the Rays. A new stadium should be on its way and maybe for the first time we will see some Florida baseball fans...Well, we might have to hold off on that one.

The only thing that will stop the Rays is themselves. They lack some much-needed pitching, but guys like Matt Garza have come up big for the Rays in big games. However, only the Dodgers have allowed fewer runs than the Rays up to this point in the season (only included projected playoff teams).

October is right around the bend and it should be one for the making!