General Chat / 2003 MLB Playoffs Predictions

American League Division Series
New York Yankees vs Minnesota Twins
*** YANKEES IN 4 GAMES ***
I don't see the Twins pulling off another upset like last year, when they defeated the Athletics. New York has too much firepower and good pitching, and they remember that last season, the Angels sent them home early. They don't want to repeat that.

Oakland A's vs Boston Red Sox
*** RED SOX IN 5 GAMES ***
Make no mistake about it, this is going to be a war. Both teams match up pretty well offensively, but I give the edge to Boston because this year seems a little different. The clubhouse has gelled really well, and the players are optimistic. If Oakland still had Mark Mulder, though, I'd prolly swing to the Bay team.

National League Division Series
San Francisco Giants vs Florida Marlins
*** GIANTS IN 4 GAMES ***
The Marlins are the Cinderella team this year, but that doesn't mean anything when you go up against the best hitter of our time and a team of great pitching and offense. The Giants can light 'em up, and they're experienced. After having the World Series in their fingers and then letting it slip away, the Giants will stop at nothing short of the championship. Florida's inexperience will hurt them as the Giants continue their regular season roll right into the World Series.

Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs
*** CUBS IN 5 GAMES ***
Surprise surprise. Atlanta's in the playoffs. Surprise surprse. They won't be for long. Their October stumbles will continue as they succumb to the Cubs amazing pitching, which will carry their offense and win the Cubs their first playoff series in what seems like forever, setting up a nice NLCS, where Cubs manager Dusty Baker will face his former team.

In terms of my other predictions, I'm calling Boston over New York in 6 and San Francisco over Chicago in 6. Giants then defeat the Red Sox in 7 games to win the World Series.



Post your predictions.

I don't know enough about the teams to make predictions, but I'll be rooting for the underdog Twins since they're my surrogate home team and I've been to a few games this season at the dome.

I'd also like to see the Cubs and Sox do well.

Best offense + Pedro + Lowe - Bullpen = World Series?

Go Sox...

Ortiz for MVP, at least for the Sox if not the AL.

Kaiueno

You wish, Kai

Finally a baseball thread. A sport I can talk about without having to constantly check espn.com

New York Yankees vs Minnesota Twins

The Yankees have too much pitching. It's worthy to note that they never get worse, either. True though, we've seen in the last few years that money doesn't buy championships, only playoff births. Minnesota has a phenomenal and underrated defense. Unfortunately, I just don't see their offense building much against the Yankees' monster staff. I would've given the White Sox a better chance against the Yankees, really. The Yankees' pitching will come through for now. Mr. Stienbrenner can watch this series from his mansion-sky-box without getting too nervous, but the Yankees won't get much further then that.
Yankees in 4

Oakland A's vs Boston Red Sox

It's too bad that Oakland lost so much pitching over the year (they're still not to full strength) because I really thought this was their year. I have trouble predicting this series because it really depends on whether the A's pitching can come through against Manny, Mueller and the Mashers. Just for the sake of going against Kai, I'll call it for Oakland.
Oakland in 5

National League Division Series

San Francisco Giants vs Florida Marlins

We're in an era of wild wild cards and I see my favorite team in the playoffs in a good situation. The Giants really got a boost from Jason Schmidt this year but he doesn't have too much playoff experience. If I remember right, he didn't fare very well in the All-Star game, which doesn't show much for his performance under pressure. Without Schmidt the Giants are without an experienced starter. Many people say the Marlins also have this problem, as their whole staff is very young and NONE of them are experienced under pressure, but to me that's a bright spot because the staff can band together as a squad. Will Bonds beat the Marlins? To quote Tony Gwynn: "The Marlins can manufacture runs. They don't have to rely on their bats alone to score...."
Marlins in 5

Atlanta Braves vs Chicago Cubs
*** CUBS IN 5 GAMES ***
I just want the Cubs to win. I think they can do it. If they were to win the world series, Wood and Prior would have to pitch 5 games in the playoffs each, but they're young and healthy. The Braves are aging. Plus I'm starting to get the same feelings for the Braves that I have for the Yankees...it isn't fair.
Cubs in 3

Oakland over New York in 7 because the Yankees suck.
Cubs over the Marlins in 5 because they deserve it.

CUBS WIN IN 7!!! w00t!! If only the appropriate Sox had made the playoffs....

I don't know how anybody can not be cheering for a Cubs/Sox series.
As for predictions....

Cubs in 5 over Braves (just cuz I want them to win so badly)
Giants in 4 over Marlins
Yankees in 3 over Twins (Twins have to still be smarting for not beating the Tigers into the ground )
Sox in 5 over A's (once again I'm just going to will this to happen so the Sox can beat the Yankees and exorcise some of the demons)

In the big picture, just as long as it's not the Yankees or Braves who win the whole thing I'll be happy.

Oh dear, MiCool hates me all of a sudden.

I wish every year...and look where it's gotten me. At least I can say this is our best shot since '86.

Oh, and Toon is wise...a Red Sox/Cubs series would save baseball, and make the public forget football for about 2 weeks.

I. Hate. The. Yankees. (ignores Mick)

Silly MiCool, the appropriate Sox DID make the playoffs, and still have their manager too!

Go Sox!

Kaiueno

I don't know how anybody can not be cheering for a Cubs/Sox series.

I agree with that one. I really don't care who wins as long as it isn't the Braves...other than that...

I totally agree with Corkscrewed's predictions.

I'm not going to make any predictions for fear of jinxing my beloved Red Sox.

But I have tickets to Game 4 of the DS, at any rate.

Ortiz for MVP, indeed.

Go Sox!

Yankees over Twins in 3.
Athletics over Red Sox in 5.
Giants over Marlins in 4.
Braves over Cubs in 5.

Whee.

yeah im from miami but im not to crazy about the marlins, id like to see the red sox take it then maybe the marlins or cubs. a braves or yankees win would be dull so i just hope for a change really.

Go Tigers!!11!!1


But seriously... I don't like making predictions, but I'm rooting for the Marlins or Cubs. I hate the yankees and braves.

Yankees over Twins in 3

It'll be at least 4 now!

Go Twinkies!

Baseball is bor-

Oh, shit.

The Yankees just losted there first game, damn Twins. Those stupid bitches.

The Yankees just losted there first game, damn Twins. Those stupid bitches.

Yeah, I know im late, so here are my predictions

EDIT: Im changing the AL and NL CHAMPIONSHIP AND WS PREDICTIONS CAUZ I WASNT THINKING AND THOUGHT THAT THEY DONT PLAY 7 GAMES

Yankees vs. Twins
The Yanks lost to the best pitcher on the Twins team I believe. They come back with pettite, wells, and clemens. THey need to make less errors and hit the ball better. Too many strikeouts today. With the Yanks...1 AND 2 games behind mean little. Hopefully this prediction doesnt happen, cauz if it does, the yanks might have to start weaver....and he hasnt shown his talent yet. YANKS IN 5

Sox vs. A's
Im a Yanks fan....which means i hate the bosox.
They are having as good of a year as theyve had for the last few years. They will show little, or any, competition to the A's. Plus the A's have home field advantage. A'S IN 3

Cubs vs. Braves
Even though the Braves tied the Yanks with the best record this year, the Cubs played better than theyve had for a while. The BRaves bullpen isnt what it used to be. The Cubs isnt either. Theirs is acrually quite good. CUBS IN 4


Marlins and Giants
The Marlins are having a good year so far. BUT, the Giants have been dominating the NL with the second best regular season record. I want the Marlins to win, but the giants seem too powerful this year. Itll be close though. GIANTS IN 5


AL CHAMPIONSHIP
Yanks vs. A's
THe Yanks have beaten the A's every time in the playoffs for a long time when they face. Yet, last time, it seemed like the Yanks almost blew it. A miracle play by Jeter kept them in contention. Im a Yanks fan, and I want torre to be manager in 2004, but I dont think thye can do it. A's IN 5


NL CHAMPIONSHIP
Cubs vs. Giants
Id like to see the Cubs win. THey deserve it. I dont think it will happen though. GIANTS IN 4


WORLD SERIES
A's vs. Giants
Yay, another California WS. Actually, more of a BATTLE BETWEEN THE BAY ( with a big echo like in a movie intro). Dont count the A's out yet. THey have a better bullpen with Zito. Home field advantage will mean little, considering they are across the bay from each other. Oh, and last time these 2 went to the WS, an earthquake occured. Hmmm. Itll be a close one. Hopefully no mass destruction between the cities. A'S IN 5

Ah Sdgav.. Your just a sore loser. The twin has been on fire lately. I don't think the fire will go out just yet. I am expecting the twins to beat the Yanks.

WORLD SERIES
A's vs. Giants
  Yay, another California WS.  Actually, more of a BATTLE BETWEEN THE BAY ( with a big echo like in a movie intro).  Dont count the A's out yet.  THey have a better bullpen with Zito.  Home field advantage will mean little, considering they are across the bay from each other.  Oh, and last time these 2 went to the WS, an earthquake occured.  Hmmm.  Itll be a close one.  Hopefully no mass destruction between the cities.  A'S IN 5

That's my dream series right there. A Battle of the Bay rematch. And you've picked the right winner too

As much as I want to believe, I don't see Oakland making it to the series though. I would give them the edge over Boston assuming their offense can contribute when they need to (which is sometimes a problem) but the A's never seem to have all of the right pieces in place to win the AL championship. The Giants on the other hand, I think this may be their year. Well I want Barry to get his ring anyway. And a Giants victory would certainly make my dad happy which makes me happy too.

NL CHAMPIONSHIP
Cubs vs. Giants
  Id like to see the Cubs win.  THey deserve it.  I dont think it will happen though.  GIANTS IN 3

I don't see how that's possible, considering the fact that the NLCS is a 7 game series.

Cubs all the way. I went to the game last night, am going tonight, and if neccesary going to Game 5(hopefully). Turner Field has turned into Wrigley Field Jr.

MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY!

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