The Mastery of Lee and Burnett, and Pigskin Prognostications

Prior to the start of the 2009 World Series, sports fans across the nation were talking about the offensive prowess of the Yankees and Phillies. After all, this was supposed to be a slugfest. New York has A-Rod, Teixiera, Jeter, and Matsui. Philadelphia has Howard, Rollins, Utley, and Ibanez. Fans sitting in the outfield bleachers were advised to bring their gloves to the ballpark, for there were bound to be several baseballs launched into the stands. There was no doubt about it: The Yankees and Phillies were going to put on a home run derby.

Two games later, our assumptions and predictions have turned out to be woefully misguided. Games 1 and 2 were tremendously compelling pitching duels, a far cry from the rounds of batting practice that we had all anticipated. In Game 1, Cliff Lee outdueled CC Sabathia, dominating the powerful Yankees lineup in stunning fashion, leading the Phillies to a 6-1 victory. Last night, A.J. Burnett and Pedro Martinez put on a show. Pedro was great, but the frequently inconsistent Burnett was better, delivering seven stellar innings in a 3-1 Yankees win. The pitching has shined the brightest in the 2009 World Series, and both offenses have been stymied. As the series shifts scenery to Philadelphia for games three through five, I expect these offenses to pick up the pace. But I'm excited to see what kind of show will be put on by Cole Hamels and Andy Pettite in Game 3. They certainly have tough acts to follow.

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Week 8 in the National Football League brings forth several juicy storylines, most notably Brett Favre's return to Lambeau Field, where he will hopefully be greeted with a shower of boos. Here are my Week 8 picks (home team in caps):

RAVENS over Broncos. Denver is absolutely as good as their undefeated record. But they're not going undefeated. Joe Flacco, Ray Lewis, and the Ravens are in desperate need of a W, and they will get it.

Texans over BILLS. After a bumpy start to the season, Gary Kubiak's Texans are starting to gain some steam. The Bills, meanwhile, lost to the Browns 6-3 in their last home game. Enough said.

BEARS over Browns. Okay, Jay Cutler, it's time to step up. After an embarrassing loss to Cincinnati last week, Chicago needs a big win over the hapless Browns.

COWBOYS over Seahawks. Dallas, reinvigorated after a surprising Week 7 win over the Falcons, will roll over the thoroughly mediocre Seahawks.

LIONS over Rams. Hide the children! This is going to be one ugly football game.

49ers over COLTS. Yes, this is a completely biased pick. I'm hoping Alex Smith and Michael Crabtree can rejuvenate the San Francisco offense. Go Niners!

JETS over Dolphins. The ridiculously silly hot dog controversy will go away after Mark Sanchez leads his team to victory.

Giants over EAGLES. The G-Men can't possibly lose three straight, can they?

CHARGERS over Raiders. How do you think Richard Seymour is feeling about that Oakland Raiders playoff prediction?

TITANS over Jaguars. Tennessee will get their first win of the year against the forgettable Jags.

CARDINALS over Panthers. As a Niners fan, I'm pulling for Carolina. But let's get real.

PACKERS over Vikings. Obviously, this is the game of the week, thanks to a certain Number 4. Here's hoping that Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk combine for a thousand sacks against Favre.

Falcons over SAINTS. Upset alert. The New Orleans offense, led by Drew Brees, has been unstoppable. But I get the sense that Matt Ryan and the Falcons will redeem themselves after a sloppy performance at Dallas last week and hand the Saints their first loss.

World Series Breakdown

The 2009 Fall Classic is upon us, and it has the potential to be one of the most exciting World Series of all time. On one side, you have the New York Yankees, that storied franchise looking for their twenty-seventh championship. On the other side, there's the Philadelphia Phillies, the defending world champions. The Yankees are known for their murderer's row of a lineup, but the Phillies are the only team in baseball that can match the Yankees in offensive firepower. These two teams are evenly matched. The Yankees have CC Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, and Derek Jeter. The Phillies have Cliff Lee, Ryan Howard, and Jimmy Rollins. As we get ready to commence the series, I am completely uncertain of which team to pick. Picking a winner in this series requires a position-by-position breakdown. With no further ado, here it is:


1B-Mark Teixiera vs. Ryan Howard


If this comparison would have taken place at the end of the regular season, it would have been a wash. But after the incredible performance of Ryan Howard during this postseason, the Philadelphia slugger gets the edge here. Teixiera is indeed a great player, a legitimate AL MVP candidate who has come up clutch at times during this postseason. However, Mr. Howard has been absolutely unstoppable at the plate as of late. Howard is on a complete roll right now, and he shows no signs of slowing down. Teixiera is a better defensive first baseman, but Howard wins this battle.


EDGE: Phillies


2B- Robinson Cano vs. Chase Utley


Utley wins this battle hands down. Utley is an undeniably better hitter, and even after his shaky defensive performance in the NLCS, he is still a better second baseman. Cano is a solid player and a more-than-competent double play partner to Derek Jeter. But there is no doubt: Utley wins this battle.


EDGE: Phillies


3B-Alex Rodriguez vs. Pedro Feliz


Pedro Feliz is a terrific player. He was a good San Francisco Giant for many years, and for that I am eternally grateful. But let's get real. A-Rod is A-Rod, and during these playoffs he has established himself as a clutch player. No contest here.


EDGE: Yankees


SS-Derek Jeter vs. Jimmy Rollins


This is an extraordinarily difficult call to make. I have the ultimate respect for Jimmy Rollins, an elite shortstop and a strong leader for Charlie Manuel's team. However, after much deliberation, I'm going to give this to Jeter. The Yankees captain is a consummate professional, one of the classiest athletes in all of sports. But as much as we would like to think otherwise, games aren't won based on a player's classiness. Jeter continues to perform at a shockingly high level, offensively and defensively, and he has inherited Reggie Jackson's nickname for a reason. Jeter truly is the new Mr. October.


EDGE: Yankees


OUTFIELD- Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, and Nick Swisher vs. Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, and Jayson Werth


Offensively, it's pretty much a wash. But the Phillies get the edge here because of defense. Damon, Cabrera, and Swisher have fared well this postseason, but based on their shaky regular season, they remain a defensive liability. No such liability exists with Ibanez, Victorino, and Werth.


EDGE: Phillies


STARTING PITCHING- CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettite, and Chad Gaudin vs. Cliff Lee, Pedro Martinez, Cole Hamels, and J.A. Happ

Both teams have formidable aces. Sabathia and Lee have been fantastic this postseason, and look for their reliability to continue. Many people have cried foul over Charlie Manuel's decision to start Pedro Martinez over Cole Hamels in Game 2, but I like the decision. It was just one game, but Pedro was vintage Pedro in his start against the Dodgers in the NLCS. I give Pedro the slight advantage over Burnett in Game 2, simply because Burnett is so darn inconsistent. On paper, it would seem that Cole Hamels is the better bet than Andy Pettite, but in the postseason I would rather have Pettite take the hill, due to his veteran savvy and vast wealth of playoff experience. J.A. Happ, meanwhile, is a far better pitcher than Chad Gaudin. Ladies and gentleman, this category is just too close to call, but since Sabathia will be pitching at Yankee Stadium in Game 1 and possibly Game 7, I'll call it ever so slightly for New York.

EDGE: Yankees

BULLPEN:

The Philadelphia bullpen was all over the place in the regular season, but they have been stalwart in the postseason. Guys like Scott Eyre and Ryan Madson were mostly reliable against the Rockies and Dodgers, and Brad Lidge has transformed into the Brad Lidge of old after a disastrous regular season. But this one goes to the Yankees for one reason: Mariano Rivera. You can talk all you want about the unpredictability of Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, but all that is moot. If the powerful Yankees lineup gives Rivera a lead, the game is over. Period.

EDGE: Yankees

MANAGER- Joe Girardi vs. Charlie Manuel

Sure, Girardi may have been guilty of overmanaging against the Angels in the ALCS, but he is a good manager who deserves a ton of credit for the exemplary job he has done this season. With this being said, Charlie Manuel is the superior skipper. Manuel notoriously manages from his gut, and that is a beautiful thing. Too many managers play the percentage game in baseball, but Manuel refreshingly lets his instincts guide his decision-making. Thus far, it has worked.

EDGE: Phillies

So there you have it. By my calculations, it is a 4-4 tie. Yup, this is going to be an awesomely competitive series.

PREDICTION: Yankees in 7

2009-2010 NBA Preview

Basketball is back, and I'm giddy with excitement over what promises to be a tremendously exciting NBA campaign. With no further ado, here is my preview of each and every team as we head into the 2009-2010 season (teams listed in predicted order of finish):





WEST





1. San Antonio Spurs/ Coach: Gregg Popovich





For some inexplicable reason, NBA fans love to underestimate the Spurs. Over the years, San Antonio has been called boring and old, a team that is past their prime. Ladies and gentlemen, this is beyond ridiculous. The Spurs are the best-run organization in the NBA, and they have at least one more title run in them. This is the best Spurs team in years. The addition of the supremely talented Richard Jefferson gives them another explosive scoring threat. The powerful trio of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, and Tim Duncan should all be rejuvenated by Jefferson's arrival. Roger Mason Jr. is a criminally underrated player with the ability to hit big shots in clutch situations. And the acquisition of proven veteran Antonio McDyess gives the Spurs great consistency at the center position. Not to mention rookie DeJuan Blair, who should surprise people with his productivity off the bench. Under the leadership of Gregg Popovich, the best coach in the league, the San Antonio Spurs will win the West.





2. Los Angeles Lakers/ Coach: Phil Jackson





I absolutely hate the Lakers, but there is no denying that this is a great team. The defending champs got even better over the offseason with the addition of Ron Artest. Artest has an unfortunate reputation, but I love the guy. He is a great player, an elite defender, an extraordinarily hard worker, and contrary to popular belief, a good teammate. The Lakers may have lost Trevor Ariza, but Artest more than makes up for Ariza's absence. The centerpiece of the franchise is obvioulsy Kobe Bryant, and as much as I despise the guy, he shows no signs of slowing down. Pau Gasol is an elite player, and Derek Fisher comes up big in pressure-packed situations. I'm not sold on Andrew Bynum, and I think Sasha Vujacic is one of the most egregiously overrated players in NBA history, but this Lakers team still has an excellent chance to repeat. But make no mistake about it: Nothing would make me happier than to see the Lakers lose sixty games. Who knows, perhaps the Lamar Odom-Khloe Kardashian marriage will cause a major distraction. There's always hope.





3. Dallas Mavericks/ Coach: Rick Carlisle





The Mavs flew largely under-the radar during the offseason, but they made one of the smartest acquisitions of any team. I am talking of course about Shawn Marion. Last year, Dallas was very good, but it was evident that Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki needed help if the Mavs were to compete with the elite. Shawn Marion, a.k.a The Matrix, is just the player that the Mavericks needed. With Marion, Rick Carlisle's team now has three legitimate scoring options (Marion, Nowitzki, and Josh Howard). And while Jason Kidd is indeed aging, he is still one of the best distributors in the game. My only worry with these Mavs is at center, where Drew Gooden and Erick Dampier will split playing time. Gooden is a nice guy to have come off the bench, but he should not be a starter on a contending team. Dampier, meanwhile, may struggle to find motivation if Gooden becomes the go-to-guy at center. Nonetheless, I think the 2009-2010 Mavericks will keep Mark Cuban happy.





4. Denver Nuggets/ Coach: George Karl





The Nuggets pushed the Lakers to six games in last season's Western Conference Finals, but nobody seems to be taking them very seriously right now. I think they are being unfairly disrespected. Chauncey Billups is a superb leader, and as long as he is around Denver will be a serious player in the West. Carmelo Anthony may well be the best pure scorer in the NBA, and Chris Andersen may well be the most dedicated player in the NBA. J.R. Smith has always been a superb offensive player, but he has matured significantly on the defensive end. And rookie Ty Lawson will be a star. Just watch. Do I think the Nuggets are as good as the Lakers and Spurs? No. But let's hold off on those Fire George Karl rallies. This is still a dangerous team.





5. Portland Trail Blazers/ Coach: Nate McMillan





Brandon Roy is a star. That is an indisputable fact. Rudy Fernandez is outstanding. That is an indisputable fact. LaMarcus Aldridge is terrific. That is an indisputable fact. As long as Roy, Fernandez, and Aldridge stay healthy, Portland will make the playoffs with relative ease. However, I am not ready to hop on the "Blazers are ready to contend for a championship" bandwagon just yet. I like Andre Miller, but he's not the savior that Blazers fans are making him out to be. Greg Oden has been a massive flop. He seems like a great guy, but he looks like he needs a walker on the court. The Blazers are a good team guided by a top-notch coach in Nate McMillan, but they are still a relatively young and inexperienced bunch that lack the depth of the upper-echelon teams of the Western Conference.





6. Utah Jazz/ Coach: Jerry Sloan





Okay, I have the Jazz in the number six position simply because the West is so loaded. But I still think this is a seriously dangerous team. Deron Williams is the second-best point guard in the league, second only to Chris Paul, and D-Will hasn't even reached his full potential yet. That's scary. Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur are two sneaky and unheralded scoring threats. And with Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap, the Jazz have the most depth at the power forward position of any team in the league. Kyle Korver and C.J. Miles will provide a spark off the bench for Jerry Sloan's team. Basketball is always exciting in Salt Lake City, and this year will be no different.





7. New Orleans Hornets/ Coach: Byron Scott





Chris Paul is the best point guard since Magic Johnson, and any team with CP3 will be a force to be reckoned with. With this being said, the 2009-2010 New Orleans Hornets are in state of disarray, due in large part to their dismissal of Tyson Chandler. The Hornets traded Chandler to Charlotte in exchange for Emeka Okafor. For any other team this deal would essentially be a wash, but for the Hornets it was a move that will surely wreck team chemistry. Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler had formed one of the most intimidating duos in basketball, a duo that carried the Hornets to the Western Conference Finals a mere two years ago. Okafor is a solid player, but it will be mighty difficult for Paul and Okafor to duplicate such incredible chemistry. The fact that Okafor missed much of the preseason with a toe injury will only add to the adjustment period. With Paul, David West, Peja Stojakovic, and James Posey, New Orleans will still be a fun team to watch. But when all is said and done, they will miss Chandler.





8. Golden State Warriors/ Coach: Don Nelson





I am a diehard warriors fan who lives and dies with every dribble, so you can imagine my dismay and nervousness over the myriad of attacks that everyone is levying at the W's right now. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I am here to say that my beloved Golden State Warriors are going to shock the world. We will be a playoff team. Yes, I realize the complete and utter messiness of the Stephen Jackson situation, and I even think we would be better off trading him away. But with or without Jack, Nellie's Warriors still have plenty of talent. We have yet to see what a fully healthy Monta Ellis can do. He should have a splendid year. Stephen Curry will be a top contender for Rookie of the Year. Anthony Morrow, Kelenna Azubuike, and Corey Magette are legitimate scoring threats, especially Morrow, who can be lights-out from downtown. Andris Biedrins is the most underrated center in the NBA, and Ronny Turiaf brings spectacular energy and tenacity off the bench. And saving the best for last, Anthony Randolph will blossom into a bona fide star this season. You can laugh now, but I remain optimistic about my W's. Go Warriors!!!!!!!





9. Phoenix Suns/ Coach: Alvin Gentry





The Suns have a lot of good individual talent, but not a lot of chemistry. Steve Nash, Leandro Barbosa, Jason Richardson, and Amare Stoudamire all like to run-and-gun, but that style of play just does not suit aging veteran Grant Hill. Thus, the Suns are likely to suffer from an identity crisis this season. And if they do return to their fast-paced style now that Shaq has left, they still have other things to worry about, namely the lack of an effective center. Channing Frye should not be a starting center on this team or any other team. The Suns are good enough to stay in the playoff hunt, but if they miss the playoffs they will have major trouble on their hands with Amare Stoudamire. Amare will likely bolt for free agency if the Suns fail to perform, leaving a gaping hole. For some strange and mysterious reason, the Suns front office has dangled the possibility of trading Stoudamire, but that is beyond stupid. Amare is their best player, and the Suns will be in long-term trouble if Amare leaves.





10. Oklahoma City Thunder/ Coach: Scott Brooks





The Thunder are a year or two away from fulfilling their potential, but there is plenty of reason to be excited about this team. Reason Number One, of course, is Kevin Durant. This season, Durant will establish himself as one of the game's greats. Pretty soon, Durant's name will be mentioned in the same breath as LeBron, Wade, and Kobe. In addition to Durant, the Thunder have another star-in-the-making, Russell Westbrook. Durant and Westbrook comprise an exciting young duo that will keep Oklahoma City competitive. If the Thunder can get another excellent year out of Jeff Green, they may even contend for a playoff spot this year. They are likely a year or two away, but the Thunder will be well worth watching in 2009.



11. Los Angeles Clippers/ Coach: Mike Dunleavy



The Clippers are the trendy dark horse pick in the West, thanks in large part to number one draft pick Blake Griffin. Indeed, Griffin will have a monster rookie year, and the Clips will be much-improved. But playoffs? Not so fast, my friends. First of all, all predictions of success are based on the assumption that Baron Davis stays healthy. Davis enters the '09-'10 campaign in outstanding physical condition, but he is still one of the most injury-prone players in the NBA. Even if B.D. stays healthy, the Clippers still have two weaknesses in their starting lineup: Chris Kaman and Al Thornton. Oh yeah, the Clippers also have Ricky Davis, one of the most petulant athletes in sports history. And as long as the thoroughly incompetent Mike Dunleavy is at the helm, the Clippers will struggle.



12. Houston Rockets/ Coach: Rick Adelman



Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The Houston Rockets put up a great effort against the Lakers in last year's playoffs. One year later and the organization is in total shambles. Ron Artest is gone, Yao Ming is out for the year, and Tracy McGrady starts the season injured. G.M. Daryl Morey may have signed Trevor Ariza, but that will not make up for the big losses. The most devastating loss is, of course, Yao. Without him, the Rockets have no shot at the playoffs. The good news is that Aaron Brooks will continue to improve at point guard, Chase Budinger will have a year to learn the ropes, and Rick Adelman will provide superb leadership as coach. Next year, with a healthy Yao and T-Mac, the Rockets will be good again. This year will be a mess.



13. Minnesota Timberwolves/ Coach: Kurt Rambis



This organization is somewhat flustered after Ricky Rubio decided to stay in Spain, but the T'Wolves have some serious potential. I am a big fan of Jonny Flynn, a talented and very athletic point guard who plays with great heart. Al Jefferson remains the best player that nobody is talking about; he'll continue to improve. I also like Wayne Ellington, a terrific scorer and rebounder out of North Carolina. So in a few years, the Timberwolves may have something. But for first-year head coach Kurt Rambis, it will be a tough rookie campaign.



14. Sacramento Kings/ Coach: Paul Westphal



Tyreke Evans is another rookie guard with great potential. And Kevin Martin will deliver more of the same goods for the Kings. However, Sacramento remained largely stagnant in the offseason. They acquired Andres Nocioni from Chicago, but it will be hard for first-year coach Paul Westphal to find a consistent role for Nocioni. Another concern is rookie Jon Brockman. Brockman was a star at the University of Washington, but I'm not sure his game will translate to the next level. We shall see. Unfortunately, Kings fans will spend this season pining for the days of Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, and Vlade Divac. But hey, at least the Kings aren't as bad as the....................



15. Memphis Grizzlies/ Coach: Lionel Hollins



The Grizzlies will be one hell of an entertaining team, for all the wrong reasons. G.M. Chris Wallace should have his head examined for bringing in Allen Iverson. The selfish Iverson will have a horrible effect on this young team, demanding the ball at every turn and eventually ruining team chemistry, something A.I. does well. I used to love Iverson, but his antics in recent years have completely changed my opinion of him. As if bringing in A.I. wasn't enough, the Grizzlies also signed Zach Randolph, an equally bad role model. Iverson and Randolph will turn the Grizzlies into a total sideshow, and that's a shame, because star-to-be O.J. Mayo will go largely unnoticed. I am, however, fascinated to see how Hasheem Thabeet fares in the NBA. An awesome defender but a clumsy offensive player, will Thabeet be the next Shaq or the next Greg Oden?



EAST



1. Cleveland Cavaliers/ Coach: Mike Brown



King James and company are fresh off a disappointing exit to the Magic in last year's Eastern Conference Finals, but I believe they enter the 2009-2010 season as the team to beat in the East. LeBron James is far and away the best player in the world, but as evidenced by last year, he cannot win a championship by himself. This is why G.M. Danny Ferry was smart to bring in Shaquille O'Neal. Is Shaq past his prime? Of course. But as he showed last year in Phoenix, Shaq is still a productive force in the paint. The Cavs don't need him to be the Shaq of old; they simply need him to be productive. Another wise move by Danny Ferry was the signing of Anthony Parker. Parker flew under the radar in Toronto, but this season will be his coming-out party. Mo Williams provides consistent leadership at point guard, and while Anderson Verejao often serves as a punchline, there's no denying the fact that he brings incredible energy to the table. Off the bench, Mike Brown has two weapons in Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Daniel Gibson. My only worry with the Cavs is the ongoing legal proceedings of Delonte West. The Cavs can't let West, due in court on Nov. 20 due to two counts of weapons possessions, become a distraction.



2. Boston Celtics/ Coach: Doc Rivers



This Celtics team is even deeper than the team that won the championship two years ago. The Big 3 of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen are back and better than ever, and Rajon Rondo begins the season in the best physical shape of his life. Doc Rivers' Celtics may now have the best bench in the NBA, thanks to the acquisitions of Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels. It is hard to find a better scoring threat off the bench than the always tenacious Wallace, and Daniels is a more-than-competent backup to Rajon Rondo. For the Celtics, anything short of a championship will be a disappointment.



3. Orlando Magic/ Coach: Stan Van Gundy



Dwight Howard is the most dominant center in basketball, and Jameer Nelson is back and healthy. So yes, the defending Eastern Conference champions are a definite threat to win a championship. However, count me among the crowd who believes that signing Vince Carter while letting Hedo Turkoglu go wasn't such a good idea. Turkoglu was the go-to-guy in late-game situations. With the game on the line, Stan Van Gundy would put the ball in Hedo's hands, and Turkoglu would often deliver. Now that Turkoglu has left, the Magic are without a go-to-guy when the game is on the line. Vince Carter is a tremendous athlete and a solid player, but I've always found him to be overhyped. This is Dwight Howard's team, and I fear that Vince Carter will try to make it his team. If that happens, it will not be good. G.M. Otis Smith does deserve credit, though, for signing Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes. Bass is a legit starting power forward, and Matt Barnes is an excellent scorer and defender.



4. Atlanta Hawks/ Coach: Mike Woodson



The best move that nobody is talking about? The Hawks signing of Jamal Crawford. Perhaps because he has never played on a playoff team, Crawford has never received the credit he deserves for being one of the game's most prolific scorers. In a lineup that already includes the likes of Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Mike Bibby, and Marvin Williams, Crawford gives the Hawks another dimension on offense. If there is a team that is going to leapfrog any of the Big 3 (Cavs, Celtics, Magic) in the East, it will be the Hawks.



5. Washington Wizards/ Coach: Flip Saunders



The Wizards were absolutely dismal last season, a team with no sense of cohesion whatsoever. Miraculously, however, they begin this season as legitimate contenders in the East, thanks to some brilliant offseason moves, a new and experienced coach, and the return of Agent Zero himself, Gilbert Arenas. The additions of Mike Miller and Randy Foye are not earth-shattering acquisitions, but Miller and Foye will be key assets to the Wizards offense. Flip Saunders may have struggled a little bit in Detroit, but make no mistake about it, he is a terrific coach. But the biggest reason why the Wizards will be the most-improved team in the NBA this year is Gilbert Arenas. The Wizards were lost without Arenas last season. His return gives Washington an explosive scorer, distributor, and most of all, leader.



6. Chicago Bulls/ Coach: Vinny Del Negro



In the immediate aftermath of their epic seven-game series with the Celtics last season, I thought that the Bulls would be top championship contenders in '09-'10. I was that impressed with their play, even in defeat. Then again, I didn't expect them to get rid of Ben Gordon, their best player. The loss of Gordon to Detroit will prevent the Bulls from being taken seriously as a real title contender. However, this is still a very good team that will cruise into the playoffs. Now that Gordon is gone, it is up to Derrick Rose to assume leadership responsibilities, and Rose will thrive as a leader. After this year, Rose will be an elite point guard. If he stays healthy, Luol Deng will be a big-time weapon for the Bulls, as will John Salmons, who also adopts a larger role in the absence of Gordon. And then there's Joakim Noah, the love him-or-hate him hustler who gives the Bulls a jolt of energy whenever he is on the floor. So the Bulls will be good. But they would have been much better if Ben Gordon were still around.



7. Miami Heat/ Coach: Eric Spoelstra



With the exception of Jermaine O'Neal and maybe Michael Beasley, Dwayne Wade has no help. Pat Riley and the Miami Heat organization will have a lot of work to do in the offseason if they want to keep D-Wade in South Beach. For this year alone, however, it is a testament to Wade's greatness that he will be able to carry this team to the playoffs. If the Heat are going to be anything more than a lower-seed playoff team, they are going to need to see significant improvement from Michael Beasley. Beasley was far from great in his rookie year, but the jury is still out on what kind of player he will be in the NBA.



8. New York Knicks/ Coach: Mike D'Antoni



I must be crazy. Am I really picking the Knicks to make the playoffs? Ladies and gentlemen, yes I am. After all, what is the fun in making predictions if you don't take any risks? Granted, a quick glance at the Knicks starting five is not all that impressive. But upon further inspection, this team is better than most people think. Wilson Chandler is a terrific player who will only get better, David Lee is an energetic and talented center who gives the Knicks a needed spark, and I don't care what the skeptics say, Al Harrington is a dangerous player. And I'm a fan of Nate Robinson coming off the bench. New York has some serious question marks (Danilo Gallinari? Chris Duhon? Larry Hughes? Eddy Curry?) but Mike D'Antoni is steering this ship in the right direction. This team will surprise people.



9. Detroit Pistons/ Coach: John Kuester



The aforementioned Ben Gordon is a phenomenal pickup for the Pistons, but this team is still feeling the effects of the Allen Iverson-Chauncey Billups trade debacle. Detroit, under first-year head coach John Kuester, will contend for a playoff spot, but ultimately I don't think they will make it. Their main problem is their starting lineup. I love Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, but I have never been sold on Charlie Villanueva. I like Rodney Stuckey, but I would rather see Gordon start at point guard. And no team should ever start Kwame Brown at center. That's just common sense.



10. Philadelphia 76ers/ Coach: Eddie Jordan



The Sixers fate hinges on a series of if's: If Elton Brand stays healthy, the Sixers will make the playoffs. If Lou Williams improves at point guard, the Sixers will make the playoffs. If Andre Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert make that next jump from being very good to truly great, the Sixers will make the playoffs. Those are some seriously big if's. If all of the above occurs, I agree, the 76ers will be playing in April and May. But when is the last time you heard of a team in which everything goes as planned?



11. Toronto Raptors/ Coach: Jay Triano

The Raptors are not short on talent. Chris Bosh is a star, Hedo Turkoglu and Jose Calderon are both proven NBA starters, and DeMar Derozen is a raw rookie who nonetheless possesses great upside. Then why do I get the feeling that this will be a down year for Toronto? Well, first of all, Andrea Bargnani has yet to prove that he can be a consistent starter in the NBA. But more importantly, the Raptors do not have one dangerous weapon on the bench. The closest thing they have to a bench threat is Marco Bellinelli, but his game is mostly limited to perimeter shooting. Thus, the Raptors are an odd group, a team with loads of talent that will struggle.

12. Indiana Pacers/ Coach: Jim O'Brien

The Pacers will go only as far as Danny Granger takes them. Granger is a proven all-star, and he will deliver, but he doesn't have much help. T.J. Ford is an unproven point guard who has spent the majority of his career on the injured reserve, and Brandon Rush has yet to show that he deserves to be a starter. Troy Murphy is a solid player, but he's not good enough to lead the Pacers to the playoffs. And while most people are enamored with the supposed defensive prowess of Dahntay Jones, I'm still not sold, especially after witnessing Kobe torch Jones in last year's Western Conference Finals.

13. Charlotte Bobcats/ Coach: Larry Brown

I think we can all agree that the Bobcats are a couple of years away from reaching playoff glory, but lets focus on the positives. Raymond Felton continues to grow as a leader, Boris Diaw is a big scoring threat, Raja Bell is a fierce defender, Tyson Chandler is an outstanding player, and Gerald Wallace has incredible athleticism. Much like the Raptors, the Bobcats will get zero bench production, and that will ultimately be their demise. But all is not lost for Larry Brown's Bobcats.

14. Milwaukee Bucks/ Coach: Scott Skiles

As great as Michael Redd is, there is not much he can do with this bunch. The loss of Richard Jefferson, and to a lesser extent, Charlie Villanueva, definitely hurts Milwaukee. Other than Redd, there isn't much to like. Luke Ridnour, starting point guard? Really? If I were head coach Scott Skiles, I would give the starting point guard position to Brandon Jennings. The Italian import may be young, cocky, and inexperienced, but Skiles would be wise to let him learn the ropes immediately. After all, the Bucks are playing for the future, and the future is most definitely not now.

15. New Jersey Nets/ Coach: Lawrence Frank

The first coach to get fired this season may very well be Lawrence Frank. Devin Harris is superb. We can all agree on that. But the rest of the team is awfully thin. I like Brook Lopez, but he isn't quite ready for primetime. The Nets, now under new ownership, are faced with increasing uncertainty about their future and a potential move to Brooklyn. It will be a rough year, but on the bright side they do have rookie Terrence Williams, a freakish athlete who will someday be a star.

Clutch Hitters, Questionable Decisions, Bad NFL Fashion, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Wow! These two LCS series have been absolutely spectacular, a reminder of why Major League Baseball has the most thrilling postseason. Fresh off an enthralling extra-inning gem in the Bronx on Saturday night, the Yankees and Angels delivered another extra-inning gem yesterday in Anaheim, as Jeff Mathis hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the eleventh inning to give the Angels their first win of the series. It was a huge hit in a must-win game for the Halos, who look to even up the series tonight in Game 4.

---Meanwhile in Philadelphia, Jimmy Rollins dealt the Dodgers an incredibly heartbreaking loss with a walk-off, two-run double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth against the usually reliable L.A. closer Jonathan Broxton. Rollins had been struggling mightily, but his clutch hit last night gave the Phillies a commanding 3-1 series lead. Thank you Jimmy. Beat L.A.!

---There is plenty of baseball left to be played in these League Championship Series, but if New York and Philadelphia manage to hang on and advance to the World Series, there is no doubt who the two LCS MVP's will be: Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Howard. A-Rod and Howard are on fire right now. All the Angels and Dodgers can do when these two sluggers step to the plate is hope and pray.

---During the LCS, there has been no shortage of second-guessing and armchair quarterbacking when it comes to the manager. Typically the second-guessing is downright ridiculous, as when people chastised Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel for taking out Pedro Martinez after the veteran hurler threw seven shutout innings in Game 2 of the NLCS. But there is one criticism that is warranted: Joe Girardi's decision to pull David Robertson in the bottom of the eleventh of Game 3. This made absolutely no sense. Robertson had quickly retired the first two Angels hitters, but Girardi took him out of the game in favor of Alfredo Aceves to face right-handed batter Howie Kendrick, even though Aceves is a right-hander. I am a big fan of Girardi, but this was a classic case of "overmanaging".

---On to the NFL now, where the Denver Broncos, with the help of Eddie Royal, stayed perfect last night in San Diego. Denver is now 6-0, and there is no getting around it: This team is for real.

---But please, can they spare us the sight of those hideous brown throwback uniforms? This is the National Football League, not the 1970's Disco Fashion Association.

---So do you remember a couple of weeks ago when the New York Jets were the talk of the NFL? Remember how we anointed Mark Sanchez the next Joe Namath and how we labeled Rex Ryan a genius? Well, those days are long gone. The Jets have now lost three consecutive games in the wake of their 3-0 start, none more disheartening than Sunday's home clunker against the Buffalo Bills. Sanchez threw five interceptions, and the Jets looked like a bunch of zombies out there. I still think the Jets have a decent chance at the playoffs, but my goodness, they need to pick up the pace immediately.

---True story: After the Titans fell to 0-6 in a thoroughly embarrassing 59-0 drubbing against the Patriots, Dr. Phil called Jeff Fisher and asked if the team wanted grief counseling.

---The best team in the NFL is also the most underrated team: the New Orleans Saints. The Saints crushed the New York Giants on Sunday, and Drew Brees is playing out of his mind, yet they still do not receive the respect they deserve. Pay attention, people!

---This college football regular season has been fantastic, but the BCS standings have arrived to ruin the party. The BCS is a total joke. How can a computer know if Tim Tebow and Florida is better than Nick Saban's Alabama Razorbacks? Why does a computer have the authority to decide that teams like Boise State and TCU can't beat teams like USC and Texas? I love college football just as much as the next guy, but the sport is in desperate need of a playoff system.

---And finally, the 2009-2010 NBA season tips off next week, and I can't wait! I am a basketball addict, and my comprehensive season preview comes to a computer near you on Sunday.

Baseball's Final Four: LCS Preview

The League Championship Series have arrived, and with no further ado, here are my keys to the Yankees-Angels and Phillies-Dodgers showdowns:

ALCS---The Yankees will win if.....

.....the Alex Rodriguez hot streak continues. A-Rod squashed his reputation as a postseason choker with a brilliant series against the Twins, but he'll need to continue his dominance at the plate against the Angels if the Yankees wish to advance to the World Series. Even without Alex Rodriguez, the Bronx Bombers have a powerful lineup with guys like Teixeira, Jeter, Matsui, and Damon. But against a team as well-rounded and talented as the Angels, it is imperative that A-Rod delivers in the clutch. You could see it in the ALDS against Minnesota: When Alex Rodriguez is hitting, the rest of the Yankees lineup follows suit.

.....CC Sabathia shows no sign of fatigue. Joe Girardi announced earlier this week that he plans on using a mere three-man starting rotation in the ALCS, consisting of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Andy Pettite. This means that if the series goes six or seven games, as is expected, CC Sabathia will get three starts, with his second start in game 4 coming on three-days rest. Considering the fact that New York does not have a reliable fourth starter (Chad Gaudin? Joba Chamberlain? Phil Hughes?), this is a wise decision by Girardi. It does, however, come with some risks. Pitching on short rest in game 3 risks fatigue on the part of Sabathia, something the Yankees absolutely cannot afford. Shall the series go to a seventh game, Sabathia must be rejuvenated and ready to roll if the Yankees want to win the pennant. Any sign of fatigue from Sabathia and the Yankees are in trouble.

.....the outfield play is more than competent. This may seem like an odd key to victory, but judging by the Yankees' tumultuous play in the outfield over the course of the season, it is worth mentioning. The Angels have lightning fast speed, led by Chone Figgins, Torii Hunter, and Erick Aybar, and they will make the Yankees pay for any sort of adventures in the outfield. Thus, in addition to making all routine plays, Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, and Nick Swisher must ensure that all singles stay singles and all doubles stay doubles. Competence in the outfield is a necessity when playing the Angels.

---The Angels will win if.....

.....they use their speed. The aforementioned Chone Figgins, Erick Aybar, and Torii Hunter can all fly around the basepaths, and manager Mike Scoiscia needs to take advantage of their quickness. The Angels have one of the most unheralded offenses in baseball with the likes of Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero, Kendry Morales, and Howie Kendrick, an offense with a great deal of power. But in order to beat the Yankees, the Angels will also need to manufacture some runs. So whenever the opportunity presents itself, the Angels need to challenge the arm of Jorge Posada and run, run, run.

.....the bullpen remains stalwart. The Yankees pummeled the Twins bullpen in the ALDS, coming from behind on several occasions on their way to victory. Hopefully the Angels learned from the late-inning struggles of Minnesota pitching. Beating the Yankees requires the preservation of late leads by the bullpen. So if John Lackey, Joe Saunders, or Scott Kazmir gives the bullpen a lead, it is up to guys like Darren Oliver, Kevin Jepsen, and closer Brian Fuentes to shut the door.

.....Vlad is Vlad. Prior to his game-winning, series-clinching hit in game 3 against the Red Sox, Vladimir Guerrero was mired in a horrible postseason slump. Prior to that clutch hit in the ninth inning off of Jonathan Papelbon, Vlad hadn't had a postseason RBI since game 1 of the 2005 ALCS against the White Sox. Guerrero momentarily lifted that monkey off his shoulders with his game-winning hit at Fenway, but that monkey will return as soon as Vlad fails in an RBI situation against the Yankees. Vladimir Guerrero is one of the best hitters in baseball, but he will feel the pressure if he gets off to a rough start in the ALCS. Therefore, he needs to get off to a quick start and give the Angels offense an added jolt of energy. Simply put, the Halos need Vlad to be Vlad.

NLCS---The Dodgers will win if.....

.....the unsung heroes continue to perform. Manny Ramirez, Andre Ethier, and Matt Kemp are clearly the big sluggers in the Los Angeles lineup, but it was the unknowns who came up big against the Cardinals, guys like Mark Loretta and Ronnie Belliard. It goes without saying that Ramirez, Ethier, and Kemp need to be productive for the Dodgers to win, but they cannot do it alone. Loretta, Belliard, Juan Pierre, an Juan Castro need to be unsung heroes. If these non-household names deliver, the hated blue (sorry, I can't conceal my biases, no matter how hard I try) will drastically improve their chances of reaching the World Series.

.....they limit the damage of Howard, Rollins, and Utley. The Dodgers beat the Cardinals largely because of their containment of Albert Pujols, and they will need to do the same against the Philadelphia trio of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins. The Phillies have other guys who can deliver, namely Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino, but if Dodger pitching contains the Philadelphia big 3, it will be awfully tough for the Phillies to win.

.....Randy Wolf and Vicente Padilla show more of the same. Wolf and Padilla both turned in terrific starts against St. Louis in the NLDS, but they still do not scare opposing hitters. Wolf and Padilla have reputations as middle-of-the-road starters, but they will need to continue to deliver strong starts in this series. The Dodgers starting rotation was heretofore considered one-dimensional, with Clayton Kershaw being the only formidable force. But to beat the Phillies, Wolf and Padilla will need to step up, just like they did against the Cardinals.

---The Phillies will win if.....

.....they receive inspired play from the Flying Hawaiian. Remember last year's NLCS, when Shane Victorino introduced himself to a national audience as one of the most exciting players in all of baseball, leading the Phillies to a victory over the Dodgers? Well, Charlie Manuel's team hopes for some deja-vu this year. When Victorino is at his high-energy best, the entire Phillies team plays with extra energy and enthusiasm. As an avid Dodger-hater, I hope Victorino torches the Dodgers yet again.

....Brad Lidge picks up where he left off. After a disastrous regular season, closer Brad Lidge shut down the Rockies in games 3 and 4, earning two consecutive saves and propelling the Phillies to a series victory. This was an immensely encouraging sign for Philadelphia, but Lidge is still one blown save away from the world crashing down on him yet again. This postseason has been filled with shaky performances from closers, and the Phillies desperately need Lidge to continue to thrive in save situations.

.....Cole Hamels wins game 1. Okay, okay, I'm not stupid. The series will obviously be far from over after game 1, regardless of who comes out on top. But if Cole Hamels is able to lead the Phillies to victory in game 1 at Dodger Stadium, it will be awfully tough for the Dodgers to come back and win four games, especially with Cliff Lee on the horizon in game 2. If the Phillies are able to steal home-field advantage, they will return to the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park, a place where the Dodgers struggled mightily in last year's NLCS. If the Phillies steal home-field advantage, this series could be over in five games.

PREDICTIONS: I think the Yankees prevail in seven hotly contested games, and I like the Phillies in 5.

A-Rod, Papelbon, Orton, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Well that was fast. Three of the four series in the baseball postseason resulted in sweeps, as the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, and Los Angeles Dodgers made quick work of the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and St. Louis Cardinals. Of the three teams that have departed, nobody feels worse than Jonathan Papelbon, Joe Nathan, and Matt Holliday.

---Nathan fell victim to the late-inning heroics of Alex Rodriguez (more on A-Rod in a moment), blowing the save at Yankee Stadium in Game 2. Matt Holliday muffed a routine fly ball that would have given the Cardinals the victory at Dodger Stadium in Game 2 had he caught it. And Jonathan Papelbon's plight is worst of all. Papelbon speedily retired the first two Angels batters he faced in the ninth inning of yesterday's Game 3 at Fenway Park, and got ahead of the third hitter 0-2. With Red Sox Nation on their fate, and the Red Sox one strike away from forcing a Game 4, Papelbon proceeded to collapse in utterly shocking fashion, coughing up three runs, leading the Angels to a sweep.

---However, the blunders of Nathan, Holliday, and Papelbon are totally irrelevant. The Yankees, Angels, and Dodgers were the clearly superior teams.

---Meanwhile, the very entertaining Phillies-Rockies series continues today in the freezing cold of Denver. I have one request for whomever wins this series: Can you please beat the Dodgers?

---The most stunning development so far in this postseason has been the clutch performance of Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod has long had a reputation of being a failure in October, but with one swing of the bat in the ninth inning of Game 2, he silenced his skeptics. A-Rod's game-tying two-run blast in Game 2 is to this point the indelible image of the 2009 postseason. Rodriguez crushed Twins pitching, and my money says he'll continue to do the same against the Angels in the ALCS.

---So A-Rod has been great, but still, does TBS have to show Kate Hudson every time her boyfriend steps to the plate?

---I knew that the NBA has implemented replacement officials, but since when did baseball start using replacement umpires? The umpiring in these division series has been ugly.

---On to football now, where the Denver Broncos are off to a surprising 5-0 start following yesterday's thrilling overtime win over the Patriots. Two people especially deserve credit for Denver's perfect start: Coach Josh McDaniels and quarterback Kyle Orton. For McDaniels and Orton, the 5-0 start serves as a sort of vindication. In the offseason McDaniels was labeled by many as a rash, cocky, incompetent rookie coach due to his handling of the Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall controversies. Kyle Orton, meanwhile, has been looked down upon throughout his entire career as a soft, untalented QB. Well, the Broncos are undefeated, and it appears as if McDaniels and Orton have had the last laugh.

---The Dallas Cowboys are fresh off an overtime win at Kansas City, and the sports world is heaping praise on Big D. Huh? You mean a team who needed overtime to barely beat the lousy Chiefs is worthy of praise? I don't think so. Year in and year out, the Cowboys are the most overhyped team in the NFL. Tony Romo is good, but contrary to popular belief, he's no Troy Aikman. Felix Jones is extremely talented, but he's no Emmitt Smith. The Cowboys have no shot at winning the NFC East, not with the dominance of the New York Giants, and I don't even think they will make the playoffs. So please, let's not go crazy when Dallas barely beats the Chiefs.

---True story: Vegas has the Oakland Raiders listed as 21-point underdogs against the squad from Danville Middle School.

---Okay let's move on. I'd prefer to not talk about the butt-kicking the Falcons gave my Niners. Watching yesterday's game made me realize that the 49er players have swine flu. How else to explain yesterday's performance?

---Congratulations to Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Anthony Kim, and company for winning the Presidents Cup. Watching the Presidents Cup took on added importance for me, as I was eager to see the beautiful sights of my hometown, through the beauty of San Francisco's Harding Park.

---I'll end by making a plea to Golden State Warriors GM Larry Riley: Trade Stephen Jackson. He's a great player, but he has turned into a distracting sideshow for the Warriors organization. As painful as it is for me to say, it is time to grant his trade request.

Week Five NFL Picks, and Three College Football Locks

Alright, here we go! Let's fire up those NFL prognostications! (Home teams in all caps):

Vikings over RAMS. Can't stand Favre, but I'm not stupid.
Cowboys over CHIEFS. The 'Boys are incredibly overrated, but KC is the perfect medicine.
PANTHERS over Redskins. If Delhomme can avoid throwing a trillion interceptions, Carolina will pull off the upset.
EAGLES over Bucs. The Raheem Morris era in Tampa Bay remains winless.
GIANTS over Raiders. Ladies and gentleman, cover your eyes! You are about to witness murder!
BILLS over Browns. Trent Edwards and Terrell Owens have about as much chemistry as those ladies from "The View", but they'll still be able to beat the hapless Browns.
RAVENS over Bengals. Game of the week. In the end, Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco, and co. will not be able to overcome Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and that Baltimore defense.
Steelers over LIONS. If Giants-Raiders equates to murder, this game equates to assault.
49ERS over Falcons. With Michael Crabtree watching from the sideline, Mike Singletary's Niners will improve to 4-1. Goooooooooooooooooo Niners!!!
BRONCOS over Patriots. I keep picking against the Pats, and Tom Brady keeps proving me wrong. But I have also continually doubted the undefeated Broncos, and they will remain perfect with a gritty win at Invesco Field.
Texans over CARDINALS. Matt Schaub, Mario Williams, and the Texans show that they are very much alive in the AFC playoff picture.
Jaguars over SEAHAWKS. Watching the Seahawks is like watching "The Jay Leno Show". Can somebody say painful?
Colts over TITANS. Who would have thought that after their tough overtime loss to the Steelers in week one that the Titans would be 0-4? Make that 0-5 after Peyton Manning keeps Indy undefeated.
Jets over DOLPHINS. It's always exciting when these two AFC East rivals take the field. Rex Ryan's Jets, coming off a flat performance against the Saints last week, will rebound against a mediocre Dolphins team.

It is a big weekend in college football as well, and here are my three CFB locks against the spread:

LSU (+7.5) over Florida. Regardless of whether Tim Tebow plays or not, Les Miles' Tigers will keep this game close.

OKLAHOMA (-26) over Baylor. The return of Sam Bradford will rejuvenate the Sooners. Look for a big win.

Stanford (+1) over OREGON STATE. Led by RB Toby Gerhart, the Stanford Cardinal are in the midst of a resurgence back into the football spotlight. They will win on the road at Reeser Stadium.

Breaking Down the American League Division Series

Fresh off an exhilarating, 12-inning victory over the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central one game playoff, the Minnesota Twins have punched their ticket into the postseason. The American League is now set, and here are my thoughts on the two ALDS showdowns:

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees

So the Twins have just completed one of the most unlikely September runs in recent memory, rallying from seven games back to steal the AL Central from the Tigers, and what do they get as a reward? They get to face the mighty New York Yankees. Following today's thrilling win over Detroit, there is a state of absolute euphoria in Twinsville, but that celebration will be short-lived as Ron Gardenhire's team has to hop on a plane immediately for a game in the Bronx tomorrow.

The Yankees, meanwhile, are well-rested. Ace CC Sabathia takes the hill in Game 1, and the murderer's row of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixiera, and Hideki Matsui will be ready to light up the scoreboard. It would be a stunner if the Yankees don't win this series.

That isn't to say the Twins won't put up a fight. The Minnesota lineup, save for the superhuman Joe Mauer, may lack the firepower of the Bronx Bombers, but there are plenty of unsung heroes that can sneak up on the Yankees, including Orlando Cabrera, Nick Punto, Delmon Young, and Jason Kubel. The Twins pitching is no joke either. Brian Duensing and Scott Baker are more than capable of limiting the damage against the powerful New York lineup, and the Twins bullpen, led by closer Joe Nathan, is stout.

But when all is said and done, the Yankees will be too much for the Twins to handle. The raucous environment of the Metrodome will propel the Twins to victory in Game 3, but look for the Fighting Pinstripes to pop the champagne in Game 4.

PREDICTION: New York in 4

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels

Mike Scioscia's team has all the makings of a World Series winner. Vladimir Guerrero, Torii Hunter, and Bobby Abreu headline the intimidating offense, while John Lackey, Joe Saunders, and late season acquisition Scott Kazmir top the efficient Angels pitching staff. The regular season was once again smooth sailing for the Angels, who easily held off the Texas Rangers to win the AL West. All is well in Anaheim. Then why do I get the feeling that it's going to be more October doom and gloom for the Angels?

Well, because they're playing the Red Sox that's why. The Angels have not been able to solve the postseason riddle known as the Boston Red Sox, being eliminated by the Sox in the past two seasons. And while Terry Francona's team has sputtered into October, I still think they have what it takes to advance to the ALCS. David Ortiz, Jason Bay, Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek, and Dustin Pedroia will all be rejuvenated by the energy of October baseball. Josh Beckett and Jon Lester will dominate, and if the unpredictable Hideki Okajima and Billy Wagner can hold leads, Jonathan Papelbon will shut the door in the ninth.

This will be an outstanding series that will go the distance. In the end, though, the Angels will once again see their season end at the hands of the Red Sox. I see Red Sox-Yankees on the horizon.

PREDICTION: Boston in 5

Breaking Down the National League Division Series

October has arrived, and so has the crisp autumn air. This can only mean one thing: postseason baseball. And while the Tigers and Twins will need a 163rd game to settle things in the American League, the National League is set, with two compelling series. With no further ado, allow me to break down the two NLDS series:

Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Conventional wisdom would suggest that the Phillies are the favorites. After all, they are the defending World Series champs, and they have home field advantage. Not so fast, my friends. Any team with the offensive firepower of Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Chase Utley is indeed a threat to win a championship, but there are serious question marks when it comes to the Philly pitching staff. After ace Cliff Lee, the Philadelphia pitching staff is somewhat in shambles. Cole Hamels was dominant in last year's postseason, but he has been wildly inconsistent this season. And after Lee and Hamels, who takes the ball, Joe Blanton or Pedro Martinez? Blanton is supremely talented but still relatively inexperienced, while the surefire Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez is nonetheless an aging veteran. And when it comes to the late innings, there's no way Charlie Manuel can trust Brad Lidge, the formerly dominant closer who now coughs up leads on a regular basis.

This is why I like the Rockies to win this series. Jim Tracy's team is firing on all cylinders. The offense is incredibly dangerous, with Troy Tulowitzki, Brad Hawpe, and Todd Helton leading the pack. The late-season acquisition of Jason Giambi gives Colorado a legitimate threat off the bench. And the pitching, led by Ubaldo Jimenez and Jason Marquis, is outstanding. If Rafael Betancourt, Franklin Morales, and the Rox bullpen can preserve leads down the stretch, Colorado will advance to the NLCS.

There is some interesting parallels between this Rockies team and the team that reached the World Series in 2007. Like the 2007 Rockies, this year's team has had a red-hot finish to the season. Like the 2007 Rockies, this year's team opens up the playoffs in Philadelphia against the Phillies. And like the 2007 Rockies, this year's team will experience similar results.

PREDICTION: Colorado in 4

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Okay, due to my Giants fandom, it's impossible for me to maintain impartiality when it comes to the hated blue. With this being said, however, I truly believe the Cardinals are the superior team. In fact, St. Louis is my pick to win the NL pennant. Here's why: No team has a better 1-2 punch than Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday. Pujols is the best hitter on the planet, and Holliday, though he has cooled off recently, gives the Cards another serious power threat. On the mound, Tony LaRussa's team is just as scary, if not more so. Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright both have a shot at winning the Cy Young, and they will not be fazed by the presence of clutch hitters Manny Ramirez, Andre Ethier, and Matt Kemp. The one pitcher that L.A. has to counter Carpenter and Wainwright with is young Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw is indeed terrific, but in the bright lights of the postseason, against the likes of Pujols, Holliday, DeRosa, and Molina, will he be able to thrive under the pressure? Unlikely.

PREDICTION: St. Louis in 4

So there you have it. I will have my ALDS preview up after tomorrow's Tigers-Twins playoff. Now it's time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the thrills of October baseball.

Week Four NFL Picks

It's time for another exciting weekend of pigskin action. With no further ado, here are my week four prognostications (home teams in all caps):

TEXANS over Raiders. The Fighting Tom Cables will put up a fight, but JaMarcus Russell will be sacked one too many times by Mario Williams.

Titans over JAGUARS. Tennessee may be winless, but they showed great promise in last week's hard-fought loss at the Jets. Don't count out Jeff Fisher's squad just yet.

Ravens over PATRIOTS. What a spectacular game this will be, a fascinating battle between the electric New England offense and the stifling Ravens defense. Look for Joe Flacco to orchestrate a game-winning drive in the final minutes.

Bengals over BROWNS. It's week four, and Coach Eric Mangini has already pulled the plug on Brady Quinn. Derek Anderson may be a slight improvement, but the Browns may well be the worst team in football. Blowout alert!

Giants over CHIEFS. The loud noise of Arrowhead Stadium will be largely muted by the dominance of the best team in the NFC.

BEARS over Lions. Congratulations to first-year head coach Jim Schwartz for bringing a long-awaited win to Detroit. Unfortunately for Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, and company, it could be weeks before they celebrate another victory.

REDSKINS over Bucs. Two terrible teams duke it out in a game that will be sloppy and uninspired. If Jim Zorn's Redskins follow up last week's loss to the Lions with a home loss to the Bucs, Daniel Snyder will be out for blood.

COLTS over Seahawks. Many people predicted a downturn this season for the Colts, who lost wide receiver Marvin Harrison and Coach Tony Dungy during the offseason. But judging by their total thrashing of the Cardinals last week, Indy is as scary as they have ever been.

SAINTS over Jets. Game of the week. This battle of the undefeateds features two insanely productive offenses. In the end, Drew Brees will prve once again that his name belongs to be mentioned in the same breath as Manning, Roethlisberger, and Brady.

DOLPHINS over Bills. An already discouraging season got even worse for the Fish when they lost quarterback Chad Pennington to a season-ending injury. But they will still be able to knock off a Bills team that is distracted by the latest whining of Terrell Owens.

49ERS over Rams. Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Niners!!!!!!! Enough said.

Cowboys over BRONCOS. The Cowboys are an incessantly overhyped, thoroughly mediocre team playing on the road against the undefeated Broncos. But after unconvincing wins against the Bengals, Browns, and Raiders, I get the sense that Denver is an even bigger pretender than Dallas.

STEELERS over Chargers. This is a must win for the defending Super Bowl champs. The Steelers cannot afford to drop to 1-3, and they won't. Ben Roethlisberger will have his best game in weeks, and Pittsburgh will prevail.

Packers over VIKINGS. Oh here we go. Green Bay gets its' first shot at revenge against old friend Brett Favre. Wouldn't we all be happy if Aaron Rodgers wanders over to the Vikings sideline at halftime and knees Favre in the groin?