My MLB Division Series Picks

After 162 games -- 163 for the Minnesota Twins -- it's time for major league baseball's postseason to begin with the best-of-five Division Series round. Here are my observations and predictions, starting with the two American League series. The team listed first in each pairing has home-field advantage.

New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins: It took a hot streak for the Twins to tie the Detroit Tigers for the AL Central lead, and 12 innings in their one-game tiebreaker to win the division. Their reward: flying to New York to face the Yankees less than 24 hours later. The AL East champion Yanks won 103 games, best in baseball, including all 7 against the Twins in 2009. As much as I'd love to see the Twins pull off an upset -- and even if they win Game 1, which I half-expect, because strange things happen a lot -- I can't see them moving on. Yankees in 4.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Boston Red Sox: Again? This is the 4th time in 6 years these teams have met in this round. The Sox have won every time previously, in sweeps in 2004 and 2007 and in four games last year. I think this one goes five, though. As to who wins...tough call. I think the Angels may finally break through. (Note that I use the word "may" and not "will.") They had more of a challenge winning the AL West, and the Red Sox struggled a little more than they should have to get the Wild Card. I just think LA is in slightly better shape. Angels in 5.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals: The Cards had a fairly easy run to the NL Central title. The Dodgers had a big lead most of the year, but a late 5-game losing streak nearly cost them the NL West, although they had a playoff spot locked up. In this series the biggest factor is the starting pitching, and I think the Cards' rotation is clearly better. Cardinals in 4.

And finally...

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies: After an awful start that got their manager fired, the Rockies poured it on the rest of the way to win the NL Wild Card and nearly steal their division from the Dodgers. The Phillies have issues. The starters were lousy early, and inconsistent at the end; the bullpen is extremely shaky; the hitters slumped through much of the last few weeks. It would be easy to pick the Rockies in this series, but every time it seemed like the Phils were in serious trouble in the NL East, they bounced back and put more distance between them and their chasers. So, for this round at least, the defending World Series champions get the benefit of the doubt. Phillies in 4.