MLB Predictions - Part One

The World Series playoffs are here. If you love drama, there is nothing better then baseball's postseason. Having said that, here are The Hek's predictions :

American League Division Series

New York Yankees (AL East Champs) vs. Detroit Tigers (AL Wild Card)

If you were to ask me a month ago who I thought was going to represent the American League in the World Series, I would have said the Tigers. Let's face it, Detroit has had a phenomenal year. However, they're not going to get past the Yankees. The Tigers have simply run out of gas (hence only getting the Wild Card) while the Yankees, with their sheer experience, get stronger as the season goes on.

Hek's Pick: Yankees win, 3 games to 1.

Minnesota Twins (AL Central Champs) vs. Oakland Athletics (AL West Champs)

Although the A's have taken game one in the series, the Twins are my pick. Minnesota has been on such a roll and baring a disastrous collapse, I can't see anyone knocking them off. Maybe it's the great play of Johan Santana and Canadian Justin Morneau; or, maybe the spirit of Kirby Puckett is guiding the team. Beating Oakland won't be easy though. The Athletics have Frank Thomas. He's big and he's mean. It's going to be a close one.

Hek's Pick: Twins win, 3 games to 2.

National League Division Series

St. Louis Cardinals (NL Central Champs) vs. San Diego Padres (NL West Champs)

The Cards won the first game this afternoon. Nevertheless, this series can go either way. It doesn't matter who wins. Neither team will be in the finals. St. Louis is falling apart and San Diego comes from the weakest division in the league.

Hek's pick: Padres win, 3 games to 2.

New York Mets (NL East Champs) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (NL Wild Card)

The Mets have had a great season and have been my pick to represent the NL for quite some time. They won't walk all over the Dodgers but, will control most of the series. LA comes from the same weak division as the Padres. Also, New York has Carlos Delgado and Shawn Green. Two former Blue Jays who were great players and deserve their taste of playoff baseball.

Hek's pick: Mets win, 3 games to 1.

For the remainder of the playoffs:

League Championship Series
Minnesota over New York (AL)
New York (NL) over San Diego

World Series
Minnesota over New York (NL)

Love to hear your predictions!

The Hek

Be sure to catch Episode Twelve of the Audio Circus Podcast