NL playoff predictions

[two-six]

ok, its the all-star break and time to start looking to october. give us your predictions, and reasonings if you feel so inclined.

what say we start with the NL West?

 

[smashmouth5]

NL
Braves
Cards
Cubs
Padres

NLCS
Cards vs Cubs

AL
Yankees
Twins
Angels
A's

ALCS
Yankees vs Angels

World series
Cards over Yankees

 

[two-six]

i was just checking out some late september schedules. the west looks to be a 3 team race to the end.

SF has their final 6 games on the road and with the final 6 series in this order: at mil, sd, hou, la, at sd, at la, they have the toughest schedule of the 3.

LA's schedule looks better finishing up with: sd, at col, at sd, at sf, col, sf.

SD has the easiest finish of the 3 with: at la, at sf, ari, sf, at ari.

i figure by then this one will be down to 2 teams, with the giants and padres the 2 left standing. its almost too close to call, but i give the nod to the padres with the easier schedule.

 

[two-six]

central

another 3 team race. cards have 10 of the final 14 on the road. cubs finish with 7 at home, but thats right after a 10 game road trip. astros finish with 6 and 6. the cubs have the easier schedule based on current records, but on the road anything can happen.

basically we're shooting for 2 of these 3 teams. one for the nl central title, the other for the wildcard. i give the nod to the cubs winning the division and the cards getting the wildcard. in all honesty, this one is pretty much a crapshoot it looks like to me.

 

[two-six]

east

atlanta has a 9 game home stand and then finish up with 3 in chicago. the marlins finish the season with a 10 game road trip. they do have 16 of 21 at home before that road trip tho. philly finishes with their last 7 at home, and against a few pretty weak opponents. the mets have 6 of their last 12 against the expos, which is always nice.

i don't see the mets hanging around, and unless something happens to the pitching in philly, with that park, i don't see them staying in it. i think that road trip will take care of the marlins in those last 10 games. so, it looks like it will be 13 in a row for the braves and a date with either the cards or cubs.

 

[Piper]

Sticking to my guns

EAST:
Marilins

I think the Marilins staff will get healthy and stronger in the second half. And that's always the right way to bet. Go with the guys with the guns. Atlanta might pull it off IF they can trade for a starting arm. The bullpen is good in Atlanta, but they've had a lot of innings into August.

Again, the Phillies just can't get over the hump head to head vs Atlanta or Florida. And they have a bunch of games against both.

Central:

Cards

Just getting too much of an advantage to overcome, and better than expected pitching. Of course, with those bats, you can be aggresive.

West:

San Fran. Been there. And with Nomo going turning into Ohno, the Dodgers lack the starters to carry them.

WC: Cubbies. Won't catch St. Louis, but Kerry looked good yesterday. They'll get it.