Jim Bowden, The Examiner
2007-10-03 07:00:00.0
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WASHINGTON -

This week, I’m giving a look at the playoff series and making my predictions:

» The Cleveland Indians are favored by many to not only win the American League, but also the World Series. Starting pitching usually wins in the postseason and there isn’t a better 1-2 punch than the Indians’ C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona whose 38 combined wins are the most by any two teammates in baseball.

However, Sabathia is just 1-7 against the Yankees lifetime. Their closer, Joe Borowski, finished with an ERA over 5.00, and the Indians scored fewer runs than any other American League playoff team. The Indians have below-average defenders at three of the four infield positions and catcher. They also lack postseason experience.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are led by baseball’s best player, Alex Rodriguez, who finished with 143 runs, 54 homers, an astounding 156 RBI and a 1.067 ops. The Yankees’ offense was baseball’s best since the All-Star break and the emergence of rookie pitcher, Joba Chamberlain, combined with veteran closer, Mariano Rivera, the Yankees should win if they have a lead after eight innings.

Remember, the Yankees went 6-0 against the Indians this year, outscoring them, 49-17.

Yankees in five

» The Red Sox-Angels winner will win the World Series.

Josh Beckett will pitch games 1 and 5 (if necessary) in the first round for the Red Sox. He is a dominant, proven big-game winner. Daisuke Matsuzaka and Curt Schilling are two other proven experienced big-game starters and with a deep bullpen including Eric Gagne and Hideki Okajima setting up the best reliever in baseball in Jonathan Papelbon, the Red Sox are the team to beat. David Ortiz, Mike Lowell and Manny Ramirez give them pop in the middle of the line-up while Coco Crisp and Julio Lugo combined for more than 25 steals. Dustin Pedroia and Jacob Ellsbury add youthful energy with serious talent to give the team the edge.

Red Sox in five

» In the National League, Lou Piniella won a World Series in Cincinnati with me in 1990. He is a winner. Last offseason, the Cubs spent millions on Alfonso Soriano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis and Mark DeRosa as free agents and re-signed third baseman, Aramis Ramirez to a long-term contract.

They took a club that had the worst record in the National League to a divisional title.

But the Diamondbacks have the best team in baseball. They’re led by starting pitcher Brandon Webb and an athletic two-way team of both offensive and defensive players. With the hard-nosed approach of left-fielder Eric Byrnes and budding superstar Justin Upton, this team is better than the Cubs. Chicago, though has a better offense.

Diamondbacks in four

» The two hottest teams in baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies will square off in a match-up of MVP candidates. Jimmy Rollins (my MVP choice) and Ryan Howard (47 HR, 136 RBI) will represent the Phillies while Matt Holliday (.340, 137 RBI) will challenge them with the Rockies.

The Phillies are strong up the middle with Aaron Rowand in center and Chase Utley at second. Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino make up a strong platoon in right. The Phillies’ biggest weakness is their pitching, especially in their set-up role. However, this team has depth, character and passion with the potential to overachieve.

The Rockies are led by Holliday and rookie of the year candidate Troy Tulowitzki, who is one of the best all-around shortstops. The Rockies led the NL in OBP (.354) and average (.280) and finished second in the league in runs scored with 860. They also made the fewest errors with 68, turning 180 double plays, second most in the major leagues.

Neither team has starting pitching depth; both score lots of runs.

Phillies in five

As told to The Examiner’s John Keim.

Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden provides an exclusive column to The Examiner each week, ranging on topics from the Nats to the state of Major League Baseball.