2011 World Series: Breaking Down Every Possible Matchup

The first 10 days of the 2011 Major League Baseball postseason have provided us with a number of surprises, along with some monumental upsets, feeding baseball fans everywhere with some of the magical moments that make the game so great.

The good news is—we've only just begun.

The Championship Series kicked off this weekend, as four teams remain in the hunt for a World Series title. All four teams have their strengths and weaknesses, but they all boast the talent and the swagger to get the job done.

There are four possible matchups for the Fall Classic. This is an all-inclusive breakdown of each of those four potential matchups, concluding with which team would reign victorious in each.

Join me as I break down every possible world series matchup.

Scenario No. 4: Cardinals vs Rangers (Rotation and Bullpen)

The Splits

Cardinals

Home: 3.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP

Away: 3.92 ERA, 1.39 WHIP

Starters: 3.81 ERA, 1.32 WHIP

Bullpen: 3.73 ERA, 1.27 WHIP

Rangers

Home: 4.37 ERA, 1.30 WHIP

Away: 3.19 ERA, 1.18 WHIP

Starters: 3.65 ERA, 1.24 WHIP

Bullpen: 4.11 ERA, 1.25 WHIP

The Rangers had the best road team-ERA in all of baseball this season, and so far, they've proved it has carried over to the playoffs. Their bullpen's ERA has dramatically improved since they acquired back-end help at the trade deadline.

The Cardinals' pitchers give up a lot of hits, especially on the road, so it may be tough for them to contain the Rangers' potent offensive attack in Arlington.

St. Louis Cardinals

Rotation

Chris Carpenter: 3.45 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, .264 BAA, 105 ERA+

Jaime Garcia: 3.56 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, .273 BAA, 102 ERA+

Edwin Jackson: 3.79 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, .290 BAA, 106 ERA+

Kyle Lohse: 3.39 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, .249 BAA, 107 ERA+

Bullpen

Jason Motte: 2.25 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, .202 BAA, 9 SV

Octavio Dotel: 3.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, .185 BAA, 9 HLD

Fernando Salas: 2.28 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, .186 BAA, 24 SV

Texas Rangers

Rotation

C.J. Wilson: 2.94 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, .232 BAA, 152 ERA+

Derek Holland: 3.95 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, .262 BAA, 113 ERA+

Colby Lewis: 4.40 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, .244 BAA, 101 ERA+

Matt Harrison: 3.39 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .257 BAA, 131 ERA+

Bullpen

Neftali Feliz: 2.74 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, .194 BAA, 32 SV

Darren Oliver: 2.29 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, .236 BAA, 16 HLD

Mike Adams: 1.47 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, .171 BAA, 32 HLD

Pitching would be key in a World Series featuring the Cardinals and the Rangers, as both clubs sport high-octane offenses that can put up runs in a hurry.

The Cardinals have more depth, but that advantage is minimized with a four-man rotation. What may hurt St. Louis is the fact that their pitchers have a tendency to allow a lot of hits. That doesn't bode well for them considering the Rangers led all of baseball with a .283 BA on the season.

The Rangers staff put up solid numbers considering they pitched their home games in a hitter-friendly ball park, and they have more playoff experience seeing as they played in the World Series last season. 

As for the bullpens, both teams have plenty of depth for the late-innings but the Rangers' midseason additions may give them the upper hand here.

All in all, I think pitching matches up fairly well between the two clubs.

EDGE: Draw

Scenario No. 4: Cardinals vs Rangers (Lineup and Bench)

The Splits

Cardinals

Home: .270 BA, 350 R, 67 HR, .340 OBP, .406 SLG

Away: .277 BA, 412 R, 95 HR, .342 OBP, .442 SLG

Rangers

Home: .296 BA, 498 R, 126 HR, .353 OBP, .508 SLG

Away: .269 BA, 357 R, 84 HR, .326 OBP, .413 SLG

This matchup would pit the top offensive team from each league against one another, so the series wouldn't be short of scoring.

The Cardinals are the top road-hitting team this season, which plays in their favor going to a hitter-friendly ballpark in Texas, though they don't have the overall power of the Rangers' lineup.

St. Louis Cardinals

Key Starters

Albert Pujols: .299 BA, 37 HR, 99 RBI, .541 SLG

Lance Berkman: .301 BA, 31 HR, 92 RBI, .412 OBP

Matt Holliday: .296 BA, 22 HR, 75 RBI, .388 OBP

Yadier Molina: .305 BA, 14 HR, 65 RBI, .465 SLG

Bench

Ryan Theriot: .271 BA, 26 2B, 47 RBI

Allen Craig: .315 BA, 11 HR, .555 SLG

Texas Rangers

Key Starters

Josh Hamilton: .298 BA, 25 HR, 94 RBI, .536 SLG

Adrian Beltre: .296 BA, 32 HR, 105 RBI, .561 SLG

Michael Young: .338 BA, 11 HR, 106 RBI, .380 OBP

Mike Napoli: .320 BA, 30 HR, 75 RBI, .631 SLG

Bench

David Murphy: .275 BA, 11 HR, 46 RBI

Craig Gentry: .271 BA, 18 SB, .347 OBP

There aren't many trio's better than Pujols, Berkman and Holliday this season, but the Rangers heavily outweigh the Cards with the other six players in their lineup.

The Cards' Allen Craig could play a key role on the road when the DH is available, giving them an extra power bat in the middle of their order. Even so, the Cards still don't have the top to bottom depth of the Rangers.

EDGE: Rangers

Scenario No. 4: Cardinals vs Rangers (Coaching and Predicted Winner)

The Coaching

Cardinals

Manager: Tony LaRussa (14 playoff appearances, 62-53 W/L, Two World Series titles)

Hitting Coach: Mark McGwire

Pitching Coach: Dave Duncan

Rangers

Manager: Ron Washington (Second playoff appearance, 11-9 W/L, One AL pennant)

Hitting Coach: Scott Coolbaugh

Pitching Coach: Mike Maddux

Ron Washington is quickly becoming one of the top managers in baseball, and a second consecutive World Series appearance could cement his place among the elite.

LaRussa, however, has been around the block many more times and for much longer, and his leading the Cardinals on a late-season surge into the playoffs is proof of his coaching ability.

EDGE: Cardinals

The Rangers were embarrassed in the World Series last season, but that embarrassment is now an experience to look back on.

The Cards and Rangers are both great hitting teams with above-average pitching. In the end, the Rangers pitchers can get it done on the road, whereas the Cardinals' pitchers have had their struggles. 

It would be a great World Series, no doubt, but the Rangers would finally nab their first World Series title.

The Winner: Texas Rangers

Scenario No. 3: Tigers vs Cardinals (Rotation and Bullpen)

The Splits

Tigers

Home: 4.03 ERA, 1.31 WHIP

Away: 4.06 ERA, 1.33 WHIP

Starters: 4.10 ERA, 1.28 WHIP

Bullpen: 3.93 ERA, 1.39 WHIP

Cardinals

Home: 3.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP

Away: 3.92 ERA, 1.39 WHIP

Starters: 3.81 ERA, 1.32 WHIP

Bullpen: 3.73 ERA, 1.27 WHIP

The Tigers' rotation saw dramatic improvement after acquiring Doug Fister midseason, and Max Scherzer seemed to regain some confidence down the stretch. Their bullpen was overworked early in the season, as only one starter could go deep into games, but that improved during the second half.

The Cardinals' pitchers definitely look better on paper, but if you cut it down to four-man rotations and a bullpen that will get plenty of off-days, it's a whole different story.

Detroit Tigers

Rotation

Justin Verlander: 2.40 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, .192 BAA, 170 ERA+

Doug Fister: 2.83 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, .238 BAA, 139 ERA+

Max Scherzer: 4.43 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, .272 BAA, 92 ERA+

Rick Porcello: 4.75 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, .292 BAA, 86 ERA+

Bullpen

Jose Valverde: 2.24 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, .198 BAA, 49 SV

Al Alburquerque: 1.87 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .142 BAA, 6 HLD

Joaquin Benoit: 2.95 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, .218 BAA, 29 HLD

St. Louis Cardinals

Rotation

Chris Carpenter: 3.45 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, .264 BAA, 105 ERA+

Jaime Garcia: 3.56 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, .273 BAA, 102 ERA+

Edwin Jackson: 3.79 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, .290 BAA, 106 ERA+

Kyle Lohse: 3.39 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, .249 BAA, 107 ERA+

Bullpen

Jason Motte: 2.25 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, .202 BAA, 9 SV

Octavio Dotel: 3.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, .185 BAA, 9 HLD

Fernando Salas: 2.28 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, .186 BAA, 24 SV

The Tigers rotation has an advantage through the first three starters, while the Cardinals have much more depth in their rotation, with Lohse and Jake Westbrook capable of filling in as the fourth starter.

The Cardinals also have more rotation depth, yet the Tigers are much better at the back-end with Valverde, Alburquerque and Benoit. If Tigers starters get through six innings, their bullpen is more than capable of putting up zeroes.

EDGE: Tigers

Scenario No. 3: Tigers vs Cardinals (Lineup and Bench)

The Splits

Tigers

Home: .288 BA, 413 R, 94 HR, .348 OBP, .463 SLG

Away: .267 BA, 374 R, 75 HR, .332 OBP, .406 SLG

Cardinals

Home: .270 BA, 350 R, 67 HR, .340 OBP, .406 SLG

Away: .277 BA, 412 R, 95 HR, .342 OBP, .442 SLG

The Tigers' offense is very underrated and often times overlooked, yet they provide more overall power than the Cardinals' lineup and they can rake at home.

Both teams are very good at getting on base, so the key to this series will be timely hitting and getting hits with runners in scoring position. The Cardinals ranked first (.290 BA with RISP), while the Tigers ranked third (.280) during the regular season.

Detroit Tigers

Key Starters

Miguel Cabrera: .344 BA, 30 HR, 105 RBI, 1.033 OPS

Victor Martinez: .330 BA, 12 HR, 103 RBI, .380 OBP

Alex Avila: .295 BA, 19 HR, 82 RBI, .506 SLG

Jhonny Peralta: .299 BA, 21 HR, 86 RBI, .478 SLG

Bench

Ryan Rayburn: .256 BA, 14 HR, 49 RBI

Brandon Inge: .197 BA, 3 HR, .548 OPS

St. Louis Cardinals

Key Starters

Albert Pujols: .299 BA, 37 HR, 99 RBI, .541 SLG

Lance Berkman: .301 BA, 31 HR, 92 RBI, .412 OBP

Matt Holliday: .296 BA, 22 HR, 75 RBI, .388 OBP

Yadier Molina: .305 BA, 14 HR, 65 RBI, .465 SLG

Bench

Ryan Theriot: .271 BA, 26 2B, 47 RBI

Allen Craig: .315 BA, 11 HR, .555 SLG

The Tigers have a more than solid lineup, but they don't have a killer trio like Pujols, Berkman and Holliday that can drive a stake through opposing pitchers. 

Both teams can hit for average, and they get on base at a high clip. That being said, I like the Cardinals' chances of being able to put a lot of runs on the board in Detroit.

EDGE: Cardinals

Scenario No. 3: Tigers vs Cardinals (Coaching and Predicted Winner)

The Coaching

Tigers

Manager: Jim Leyland (Six playoff appearances, 30-25 W/L, one World Series title)

Hitting Coach: Lloyd McClendon

Pitching Coach: Jeff Jones

Cardinals

Manager: Tony LaRussa (14 playoff appearances, 62-53 W/L, two World Series titles)

Hitting Coach: Mark McGwire

Pitching Coach: Dave Duncan

This coaching match up is about as even as it gets. They're both old-school managers who stick to their roots regardless of the ever-changing personalities around the league.

This would be a rematch of the 2006 Fall Classic, where LaRussa led the Cardinals to the championship in five games.

EDGE: Draw

If the Tigers were going to win the World Series, they would do it against the Cardinals. The two teams are so evenly matched it's almost impossible to pick a winner.

In the end, however, I think the Cardinals' advantage at the back of their rotation would play a huge role in how this series played out. I also have doubts on whether the Tigers' pitchers can get through the Cards' dynamic trio in the heart of their order.

The Winner: St. Louis Cardinals

Scenario No. 2: Rangers vs Brewers (Rotation and Bullpen)

The Splits

Rangers

Home: 4.37 ERA, 1.30 WHIP

Away: 3.19 ERA, 1.18 WHIP

Starters: 3.65 ERA, 1.24 WHIP

Bullpen: 4.11 ERA, 1.25 WHIP

Brewers

Home: 3.42 ERA, 1.22 WHIP

Away: 3.86 ERA, 1.26 WHIP

Starters: 3.78 ERA, 1.25 WHIP

Bullpen: 3.32 ERA, 1.22 WHIP

The Brewers have a clear advantage both in their rotation and bullpen, though the Rangers' pitchers do fair much better on the road. It may not matter against the Brewers, seeing as they're the best home team in Major League Baseball.

Even with the improvements the Rangers made to their bullpen at the trade deadline, their back-end is no comparison to that of the Brewers.

Texas Rangers

Rotation

C.J. Wilson: 2.94 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, .232 BAA, 152 ERA+

Derek Holland: 3.95 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, .262 BAA, 113 ERA+

Colby Lewis: 4.40 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, .244 BAA, 101 ERA+

Matt Harrison: 3.39 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .257 BAA, 131 ERA+

Bullpen

Neftali Feliz: 2.74 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, .194 BAA, 32 SV

Darren Oliver: 2.29 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, .236 BAA, 16 HLD

Mike Adams: 1.47 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, .171 BAA, 32 HLD

Milwaukee Brewers

Rotation

Yovani Gallardo: 3.52 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, .245 BAA, 111 ERA+

Zack Greinke: 3.83 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .245 BAA, 102 ERA+

Shaun Marcum: 3.54 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, .232 BAA, 110 ERA+

Randy Wolf: 3.69 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, .266 BAA, 106 ERA+

Bullpen

John Axford: 1.95 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, .212 BAA, 46 SV

Francisco Rodriguez: 2.64 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, .235 BAA, 17 HLD

LaTroy Hawkins: 2.42 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, .260 BAA, 20 HLD

The Brewers may not have an ace on par with the Rangers' C.J. Wilson, but they have four starters capable of matching up with him during two World Series games.

Other than Wilson, the Brewers' rotation advantage is quite obvious. Pair that with arguably the league's best one-two punch at their back-end with Axford and K-Rod, and the Rangers' pitching is of no comparison. 

EDGE: Brewers

Scenario No. 2: Rangers vs Brewers (Lineup and Bench)

The Splits

Rangers

Home: .296 BA, 498 R, 126 HR, .353 OBP, .508 SLG

Away: .269 BA, 357 R, 84 HR, .326 OBP, .413 SLG

Brewers

Home: .277 BA, 389 R, 102 HR, .344 OBP, .461 SLG

Away: .246 BA, 332 R, 83 HR, .307 OBP, .391 SLG

Statistically, the Rangers have the most potent lineup in Major League Baseball, yet it's due in large part to their hitter-friendly ballpark. As bad as the Brewers' numbers appear to be on the road this season, they have the power to thrive right alongside the Rangers at games being played in Arlington.

This would pit arguably the two most dangerous offenses against one another for a fascinating series, and the games could quickly turn into shootouts. 

Texas Rangers

Key Starters

Josh Hamilton: .298 BA, 25 HR, 94 RBI, .536 SLG

Adrian Beltre: .296 BA, 32 HR, 105 RBI, .561 SLG

Michael Young: .338 BA, 11 HR, 106 RBI, .380 OBP

Mike Napoli: .320 BA, 30 HR, 75 RBI, .631 SLG

Bench

David Murphy: .275 BA, 11 HR, 46 RBI

Craig Gentry: .271 BA, 18 SB, .347 OBP

Milwaukee Brewers

Key Starters

Prince Fielder: .299 BA, 38 HR, 120 RBI, .981 OPS

Ryan Braun: .332 BA, 33 HR, 111 RBI, .994 OPS

Corey Hart: .285 BA, 26 HR, 63 RBI, .510 SLG

Rickie Weeks: .269 BA, 20 HR, 49 RBI, .468 SLG

Bench

Casey McGehee: .223 BA, 13 HR, 67 RBI, .280 OBP

Carlos Gomez: .225 BA, 8 HR, 24 RBI, 16 SB

Both lineups are deep and both are built with power. The Rangers have a tendency to hit for a better average than the Brewers, but again, putting Milwaukee's lineup in Arlington ballpark could drastically change that.

The Brewers boast the best one-two punch in baseball with Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, and they would gain another advantage getting to use a DH, as Casey McGehee could add another legitimate power source to their already potent lineup. They could even choose to put Carlos Gomez in the outfield while moving Corey Hart to the DH spot.

EDGE: Rangers (slightly)

Scenario No. 2: Rangers vs Brewers (Coaching and Predicted Winner)

The Coaching

Rangers

Manager: Ron Washington (Second playoff appearance, 11-9 W/L, one AL pennant)

Hitting Coach: Scott Coolbaugh

Pitching Coach: Mike Maddux

Brewers

Manager: Ron Roenicke (First playoff appearance, 3-2 W/L)

Hitting Coach: Dale Sveum

Pitching Coach: Rick Kranitz

Seeing as Ron Roenicke is in his first year as manager while Ron Washington is looking for his second consecutive AL pennant, the advantage here has to go to Washington.

That's not to slight Roenicke by any means, as he appears on his way to be the next in a long line of successful managers to come from under Mike Scioscia in Los Angeles.

EDGE: Rangers

The Brewers have much better pitching and rarely lose at home, which bodes well for them considering they'd have home-field advantage in the World Series.

Other than a more experienced manager, the Rangers' only advantage lies on offense. But again, this may not be much of an advantage considering the firepower the Brewers pack in their lineup. 

The Winner: Milwaukee Brewers

Scenario No. 1: Brewers vs Tigers (Rotation and Bullpen)

The Splits

Brewers

Home: 3.42 ERA, 1.22 WHIP

Away: 3.86 ERA, 1.26 WHIP

Starters: 3.78 ERA, 1.25 WHIP

Bullpen: 3.32 ERA, 1.22 WHIP

Tigers

Home: 4.03 ERA, 1.31 WHIP

Away: 4.06 ERA, 1.33 WHIP

Starters: 4.10 ERA, 1.28 WHIP

Bullpen: 3.93 ERA, 1.39 WHIP

Both the Tigers and Brewers' rotations showed steady improvement over the second half of the season. If the two teams used a three-man rotation, then a case could be made for Detroit having the upper hand with Verlander as their anchor, but they don't match up well with Milwaukee using a four-man rotation.

The back-end of each bullpen is very strong, so getting a lead early would be a key to this series.

Milwaukee Brewers

Rotation

Yovani Gallardo: 3.52 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, .245 BAA, 111 ERA+

Zack Greinke: 3.83 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, .245 BAA, 102 ERA+

Shaun Marcum: 3.54 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, .232 BAA, 110 ERA+

Randy Wolf: 3.69 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, .266 BAA, 106 ERA+

Bullpen

John Axford: 1.95 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, .212 BAA, 46 SV

Francisco Rodriguez: 2.64 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, .235 BAA, 17 HLD

LaTroy Hawkins: 2.42 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, .260 BAA, 20 HLD

Detroit Tigers

Rotation

Justin Verlander: 2.40 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, .192 BAA, 170 ERA+

Doug Fister: 2.83 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, .238 BAA, 139 ERA+

Max Scherzer: 4.43 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, .272 BAA, 92 ERA+

Rick Porcello: 4.75 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, .292 BAA, 86 ERA+

Bullpen

Jose Valverde: 2.24 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, .198 BAA, 49 SV

Al Alburquerque: 1.87 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .142 BAA, 6 HLD

Joaquin Benoit: 2.95 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, .218 BAA, 29 HLD

Verlander is the cream of the crop as far as pitching goes, yet Gallardo, Greinke and Marcum would all be more than capable of holding their own while pitching against him. 

Fister is solid as the Tigers' No. 2 starter, but both Scherzer and Porcello would be very over-matched against Brewers pitching. It's really not even a question.

EDGE: Brewers

Scenario No. 1: Brewers vs Tigers (Lineup and Bench)

The Splits

Brewers

Home: .277 BA, 389 R, 102 HR, .344 OBP, .461 SLG

Away: .246 BA, 332 R, 83 HR, .307 OBP, .391 SLG

Tigers

Home: .288 BA, 413 R, 94 HR, .348 OBP, .463 SLG

Away: .267 BA, 374 R, 75 HR, .332 OBP, .406 SLG

The Tigers get on base at a higher clip while the Brewers hit the long ball more. The stats are a bit skewed, seeing as both Corey Hart and Rickey Weeks missed significant time for the Brewers this season.

The Tigers are also dealing with some injuries of their own, as Magglio Ordonez will be out for the remainder of the postseason, and Delmon Young's status for the remainder of the playoffs is uncertain.

At full health, both lineups are potent and can do damage against any pitcher, but the Tigers' recent injuries may hinder their offensive abilities.

Milwaukee Brewers

Key Starters

Prince Fielder: .299 BA, 38 HR, 120 RBI, .981 OPS

Ryan Braun: .332 BA, 33 HR, 111 RBI, .994 OPS

Corey Hart: .285 BA, 26 HR, 63 RBI, .510 SLG

Rickie Weeks: .269 BA, 20 HR, 49 RBI, .468 SLG

Bench

Casey McGehee: .223 BA, 13 HR, 67 RBI, .280 OBP

Carlos Gomez: .225 BA, 8 HR, 24 RBI, 16 SB

Detroit Tigers

Key Starters

Miguel Cabrera: .344 BA, 30 HR, 105 RBI, 1.033 OPS

Victor Martinez: .330 BA, 12 HR, 103 RBI, .380 OBP

Alex Avila: .295 BA, 19 HR, 82 RBI, .506 SLG

Jhonny Peralta: .299 BA, 21 HR, 86 RBI, .478 SLG

Bench

Ryan Rayburn: .256 BA, 14 HR, 49 RBI

Brandon Inge: .197 BA, 3 HR, .548 OPS

Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder are two of the best first basemen in Major League Baseball. Fielder, however, has more help in the lineup, led by fellow NL MVP candidate Ryan Braun.

The Brewers having home-field advantage would play a huge factor as well. Not only do the Brewers rarely lose at home, but either Martinez or Avila will have to sit on the bench during games in Milwaukee while the Brewers get to add a bat during games in Detroit.

EDGE: Brewers

Scenario No. 1: Brewers vs Tigers (Coaching and Predicted Winner)

The Coaching

Brewers

Manager: Ron Roenicke (First playoff appearance, 3-2 W/L)

Hitting Coach: Dale Sveum

Pitching Coach: Rick Kranitz

Tigers

Manager: Jim Leyland (Six playoff appearances, 30-25 W/L, one World Series title)

Hitting Coach: Lloyd McClendon

Pitching Coach: Jeff Jones

Jim Leyland is at the tail end of his managerial career, while Ron Roenicke is just beginning his legacy as a manager, so it's no question that Leyland has the necessary experience to be successful in the World Series.

On the flip side, Leyland won one very unexpected World Series championship in 1997 with the Florida Marlins but has since faltered during every opportunity. He still gets the nod in this case, but if he gets to the World Series, he better not let it slip away.

EDGE: Tigers

All signs are pointing toward the Brewers bringing home the World Series title, as neither American League team seems to match up well against Milwaukee's "Beast Mode."

The Brewers have deeper pitching and healthier hitting, but the biggest advantage of all is their home-field advantage. If the Brewers are able to get past the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS, they are the clear-cut favorites to bring home the championship.

The Winner: Milwaukee Brewers

Jeffrey Beckmann is a MLB Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow Jeffrey on his new  Twitter account for all of his latest work. You can also hear him each week on B/R Baseball Roundtable.