2009 Divisional MLB Picks

If the 2009 MLB Playoffs are going to be anything like the Minnesota/ Detroit play in game, we’re in for an amazing post-season. The Tigers and Twins battled for 12 innings in a drama filled game. Minny came back 3 times to tie the game, finally winning in the 12th on a single to right. The first round divisional match-ups look to be full of excitement. Making MLB picks on these games will not be easy.

The defending Champion Philadelphia Phillies are facing a red-hot Colorado Rockies team that is 34 games over .500 since Jim Tracy took over as manager. This should be a grind it out battle that goes 5 games. Colorado is a gritty team that never gives up. Phily has one of the best power hitters in the game (Ryan Howard), and a great 1-2 combination on the mound (Hammel, Lee).

Although the Dodgers struggled to clinch the NL West down the stretch, they still ended up with the best record. They are a team loaded with young talent at the plate, and a bunch of veteran pitchers. Kershaw is their only inexperienced pitcher, but he has shown during the course of the season that he has the makeup to pitch in big spots. The St. Louis Cardinals have the most well rounded team in the NL. They have an explosive 3-4 duo with Pujols and Holliday. On the mound they have perhaps the top 2 pitchers in the league this year with Carpenter and Wainwright. I still think this series will be competitive regardless of how poorly the “Boys in Blue” have played down the stretch. If the Dodgers can somehow win a game against Carpenter, I think they have an excellent chance to win the series.

The New York Yankees are having a phenomenal year. They seem to have found the chemistry that has been missing over the last few years. Nick Swisher has brought a loose attitude to a dugout that has been full of tension. Alex Rodriguez seems to be one of the guys now, which takes a ton of pressure off of him. Having Mark Texiera hitting in front of you doesn’t hurt either. Minnesota won 17 of their last 21 games to tie Detroit for the AL central. An incredible comeback in the 1 game playoff is a sign of how resilient they are. However, they will be playing the Yanks on short rest, and will have a difficult time keeping pace with the explosive Yankee offense. I see the Yanks taking this series in 3 or 4 games.

Perhaps the most exciting and contested divisional series will be when the Los Angeles Angels play the Boston Red Sox. Boston has had LA’s number over the past few years, but you can see the tide turning. The Angels have a well rounded offense that is solid from 1-9. They can beat you with the long ball, but are content with singles and aggressive base running. Boston hasn’t looked the same since they were swept by the Yanks back in August. I expect this series to go 5 games with the home team (Angels) finally getting the monkey off of their back.

Making MLB picks on these series can be profitable if you do your homework. Look at how each team has done against the opposing pitchers, and how they fair in the other teams ballpark. Check how well each team’s pitchers have thrown over their last few starts. All of these factors may be the difference between winning and losing a baseball prediction.

Related posts:

1. Yankees Win 2009 World Series-Recap
2. Playoff Baseball Picks Come Down to Wire
3. MLB Predictions: How to Make a Profitable Baseball Pick
4. Baseball Predictions on the Championship Series
5. MLB First half Surprise and Disappointment

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