2004 playoff preview and predictions

Every year it seems like we say the same thing: every team in the post-season has some serious questions and serious strengths. But this time we mean it. Even the team with the best record in baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals, has major concerns about pitching. However, I'm going to preview each series and try to predict a winner. Then I'll tell you what everyone wants to know: who will win it all.

N.L. Division Series

St. Louis Cardinals (105-57, NL Central Champs) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (93-69, NL West Champs)

The St. Louis Cardinals were clearly the best team in baseball during the regular season with 105 wins. The Cardinals have the best offense and best bullpen in the majors, but there are questions in the starting rotation, even though they have four 15-game winners. Matt Morris hasn't been the dominant pitcher he was in 2001 or 2002. Woody Williams has been solid in the post-season, but he's probably not an ace. Still, the Cardinals could outscore anyone. The problem is they are going to be facing tough pitching in the post-season. Odalis Perez and Jeff Weaver have been solid for the Dodgers and Los Angeles doesn't make errors. There offense is better than last season, thanks in large part to MVP candidate 3B Adrian Beltre. For the Dodgers to win, their pitchers obviously need to shut down the Cardinal lineup. I don't know if it will happen.

Pick: Cardinals in 4.

N.L. Division Series

Atlanta Braves (96-66, NL East Champs) vs. Houston Astros (92-70, NL Wild Card)

Don't let the Astros 92-70 record fool you; they've won 37 of 47 and 18 straight home games. However, while the Braves don't have any dominant strengths, the don't have any glaring weaknesses. In the past, the Braves came into the post-season with a lot of pressure and high expectations. This season they know they aren't supposed to be here and they have a lot of youngsters that will be excited to play, which could be good for Atlanta. The Braves returned to the top in ERA and still have John Smoltz. Plus, Jaret Wright dominated in 1997 and could do it again. He's been the Braves best starter and he's the power pitcher the Braves haven't had since Smoltz left the rotation. But the Astros are hot and I picked them to win the NL Pennant before the season, so I'm obligated to pick them. They have a good offense, dominant starters in Roger Clemens and Roy Oswalt and a hot closer in Brad Lidge. I'm from Atlanta, so sorry to all of my friends who are Braves fans. Maybe I'll be wrong.

Pick: Astros in 5.

A.L. Division Series

New York Yankees (101-61, AL East Champs) vs. Minnesota Twins (93-70, AL Central Champs)

All eyes are on Twins starter Johan Santana this post-season, the very probable AL Cy Young winner. In no other year has the Yankees starting rotation had this many holes. Their bullpen is still solid lead of course by Mariano Rivera. Plus, the Yankee offense is second only to the Boston Red Sox offense. The Yankee bats and bullpen will probably be too much for the Twins.

Pick: Yankees in 4.

A.L. Division Series

Anaheim Angels (92-70, AL West Champs) vs. Boston Red Sox (98-64, AL Wild Card)

The Red Sox built this team with an eye on October. They added Curt Schilling and Keith Foulke to make that run that fell short last season. Boston is the best team in the American League according to runs scored and runs allowed, though their record doesn't show it. But the Angels are one of the hottest teams in baseball and essentially already played a playoff series this past weekend against the Oakland A's to reach the real playoffs. Both teams have solid bullpens, but Boston probably has the edge because of Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez and an amazing offense.

Pick: Red Sox in 5.

N.L. Championship Series

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Houston Astros

The Cardinals have the offense, but the Astros offense isn't too shabby and I've already mentioned their horses, Roger Clemens and Roy Oswalt. St. Louis really doesn't have the starter to match up with Clemens and Oswalt. I think the Astros upset the Cardinals and finally make a trip to the World Series.

Pick: Astros in 6.

A.L Championship Series

New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox

This is the match up baseball has been waiting for all season, especially Red Sox fans. Boston almost overtook New York but couldn't quite make up the difference at the end of the season. As I've said, the Red Sox are the best team in the American League according to runs scored and runs allowed. The Yankees seemed to have luck on their side during the regular season while the Sox didn't. But the Sox have the type of team that can win in October: a couple of aces, a great lineup, improved defense and a solid bullpen. This is the year the fortunes change and the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees to earn a trip to the World Series. Even Grady Little couldn't screw it up this time.

Pick: Red Sox in 5.

World Series

Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros

Roger Clemens returns to where he started it all to play for all the marbles. One of his mentors, Curt Schilling, could be the star. Schilling has been great in the post-season in his career and should thrive in the World Series atmosphere in Boston. These two teams are more similar than people realize. Both have great offenses, both have a couple of great starters and both have solid bullpens. Carlos Beltran will finally get a chance to show his abilities on the national stage. Manny Ramirez returns to the Series for the first time since his 1997 appearance with the Indians. These two teams are the most talented in this year's playoffs, and that's what counts this time of year, not regular season records. For the second time in three years, we'll have an all-Wild Card Series. I think the Red Sox are just a little better in all aspects of the game and the curse will finally be lifted.

Pick: Red Sox in 6.