Major League Baseball Playoff Predictions

With the exciting NFL season currently in progress, I feel a lot of apathy towards October baseball this year.

There are several MLB teams about to begin their quest to the World Series that I do not like: Tampa Bay, Boston, Philadelphia.

There are also many people who bother me: Rays "fans," Ozzie Guillen, Mike Scioscia, Phillies fans, Cubs bandwagoners, Gene Wojciechowski.

Nevertheless, I feel obligated to bring you, the reader, my playoff predictions.

So let's begin.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox

Tampa Bay comes with a great story, but I still have a hard time getting excited for them. It's difficult to watch their legions of bandwagon fans cheering while my beloved Orioles suffer in a real baseball town hardened by years of losing.

Regardless, they have an awesome team, and they deserve to be in the playoffs. Chicago crept in at the last moment.

Although the Sox are playing well right now, I think Tampa Bay has a better overall lineup and rotation.

Throw in home-field advantage, and I think Tampa Bay will take it 3-2.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Boston Red Sox

The LAA team is very overrated. Their division is terrible, and their hitters can't work the count.

If Francisco Rodriguez receives the award for MVP, I will never take the award seriously again—I mean it. I will literally phase it out of my sports-following life.

I'm not all that jazzed about Boston, but I think this is a great matchup for them. I give the edge to Boston 3-1.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Milwaukee Brewers

If any closer deserves the MVP award—and I don't think this award should ever goes to a closer—it should be Brad Lidge. He's had a great year and is healthy.

If the Phils bats are hot, it could make a big difference.

God knows I don't want to anger any more Phillies fans, so I'll just take them here 3-1 because Ben Sheets is out.

Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

This will be the best series in round one. This Dodger team is strong.

But this is the Cubs' year to shine.

I picked them to win it all back in April, and they have not done much to dispute that selection. They are a little banged up right now, but they have the best roster in the N.L.

I think that makes the difference here. Cubs, 3-2 in a great series.

Beyond the first round, I predict that the Rays will hold off Boston in a six-game series that I couldn't care less about. I think that Chicago will beat Philly in the NLCS in five—based on power, home field, and good pitching.

This sets the stage for the ultimate contrasts in World Series.

Chicago, with their long suffering fans, probably deserve the championship the most, against Tampa Bay, whose terrible fans probably deserve it the least.

It'll be a great series, but I'm going to stick with the Cubs.

Chicago in seven great games.