As the trade deadline and last two full month of major league baseball approach, I think it is time that I take a look at potential playoff matchups.

Looking at the National League I think everyone would agree that the NL East is home to the two best teams in the NL: the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. The Phillies will win the division and probably 105+ games. I think it is also fair to say the number two team in this division is going to be the wild card winner. There is a big chance that the Braves and Phillies could meet in the NLCS, but that prediction will come later.

In the NL West, I think that as of right now the San Fransico Giants are the favorite to win the division, as they should be they are the defending division and World Series champions. The tough part about this division is its uncertainty. There is something about the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies that make this division unpredictable. Do not forget that in 2006 the Rockies won 50 of their last 60 regular season games to force a playoff for the division championship and then went on to win the NL penant. My pick to win the division...this may be a shocker...is the Arizona Diamondbacks. I just think that Giants have too much pressure on them to repeat and the Diamondbacks, led by former Tiger Kirk Gibson, are playing inspired ball and are a legitamite threat to win the division. I think the Rockies will make a push but will fall just a bit short.

Next is the NL Central and my head explodes. At the start of the year I think everyone would have said it was a two horse race, Reds and Cardinals, followed by an average Brewers team, and three wanna-be's: Pirates, Cubs, and Astros. As of tonight (7/24/11) the Pirates, Cardinals, and Brewers have a share of the lead followed closely behind by the Cincinnati Reds. Smart money still says the preseason favorites have the best shot but I do not think it will be that simple. Milwaukee has a big chance to make a name for themselves and the Pirates are for real. The Reds have the benefit of a favorable month of August, but September will be tough. St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh have pretty tough schedules with many matchups against the other contenders in this division. The last week of the season will decide the division and will probably be highly nationally televised. When it is all said and done I think that St. Louis will be the winner. I think the Reds will make things interesting but unless they can add a bat to thier line-up they will not win. I think the Brewers will make things interesting, but will fall just short. As much as I hate to mention this, the Pirates will be like the Pittsburgh Penguins who lost in the SC Finals in 2008 only to win it the next year. While I am not saying that the Pirates will win the World Series, they will be a big time contender in 2012.

Recap:
NL East - Philadelphia Phillies
NL West - Arizona Diamondbacks
NL Central - St. Louis Cardinals
NL Wild Card - Atlanta Braves

Looking at American League, the best race is the AL East, go figure. The Red Sox are going to win the division. The Yankees, Rays, and Blue Jays will make it interesting. I think it is safe to say that the Yankees will finsih about 2-6 games behing the Red Sox and win the AL Wild Card.

In the AL Central, the Tigers and Indians will battle all the way down to the wire. I had the privilege of seeing the Indians play this year, as well as Travis Hafner's walk off grand slam, and I do think they are for real, but they are really streaky. I think that while the Indians may be the better team, I think that the Tigers are more consistent and have better pitching, which will ultimately win them the division. The White Sox seem to be the media favorite to win the division, it is good that some one has faith in them.

In the AL West, I think that the Texas Rangers will hold off the Anahiem...no the Los Angeles Ang-...no the Los Angeles Angels of Ana-...the Angels to win the division. There are too many questions about the Angels and the Rangers know how to win. Rangers repeat as division champs.

Recap:
AL East - Boston Red Sox
AL West - Texas Rangers
AL Central - Detroit Tigers
AL Wild Card - New York Yankees

Matchups:

NLDS-
Philadelphia Phillies vs St. Louis Cardinals
Arizona Diamondbacks vs Atlanta Braves

In the Phillies-Cardinals series, I think the Phillies rotation will be too much for a Cardinals team who battled down the stretch just to make the playoffs. Philles take it 3-1.

In the Diamondbacks-Braves series, I think the fans will be in for the best divisional series of 2011. I am taking the D-Backs in five. Something about this team makes gives me faith.

ALDS -
Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers
Texas Rangers vs. New York Yankees

In the Sox-Tigers series, I think the Tigers will be a bigger threat than many people will give them credit for them, but the Red Sox are just too much for them. Red Sox win 3-2.

In the Yankees-Rangers series, my heart says Rangers, but I have to pick the Yankees. In nine meetings this season the Yankees hold a 7-2 advantage outscoring the Rangers 62-35. Yankees win in four.

NLCS -
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

The clock strikes midnight on the Cinderella D-Backs. The Phillies have too much fire power and experience for the Diamondbacks. Had the Diamondbacks played in an outdoor stadium, they may have an mental advantage over the Phils, but that is just speculation. Phillies win 4-1.

ALCS -
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees

Yankees-Red Sox...suprised? While this might seem cliche and predictable, I think it is going to happen. There is just too much fire power on both sides to make a compelling that these teams will not meet here in October. With that being said, the Red Sox have dominated the series and will continue to do so. Red Sox win 4-1.

World Series -
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Boston Red Sox

If my prediction is correct, this will be the best World Series in recent memory. The Phillies' Four Aces vs the Red Sox all around fire power. I think that in a matchup of two complete teams who have both won championships in the past five years (Boston in 2007, Philadelphia in 2008), the Phillies win in seven. Both these teams know how to win and will play an even series with the Phillies edging out the BoSox to take home their second title since 2008. I know that I am a little biased being a Phillies fan, but I can honestly say the Phillies are the best team in baseball and a large portion of fans will agree with me.

Phightin Phils Fight On!