MLB Divisional Playoff Predictions Part 2

Sneaking up on me was the late night Cubs vs Dbacks game. Back into part two of the predictions.

Chicago Cubs vs Arizona Diamondbacks

• Lou had all of these money teams in Seattle and could never get the job done. Will now
  be any different?
• This is almost a David vs Goliath type of battle. The Cubs added many parts to their
  team for hundreds of millions, the Dbacks added a few (Hernandez, Johnson). Yet for the most part, it is young farm hands Drew, Young, Reynolds and company getting the job done for the Diamondbacks.
• As for pitching, I’d have to think that the Cubs have a better top 3 in Zambrano, Hill & Lilly. Webb can’t do it all by himself, so he’ll need Davis, Hernandez or Owings to step up. Overall the advantage goes to the Cubs but as we’ve all seen, every post-season has a few unexpected pitching performances.
• On the same front, the Cubs have more big name offensive depth, with reliance upon the long ball in the heart of the order. The Diamonbacks do have some power, although like the Cubs, their leadoff hitter (Chris Young) leads the team in HR (with 33). The O-Dog hits in the three hole and primarily singles, doubles and going from first to third is the name of the Diamondbacks game. The Cubs can do this as well, with the long ball being more of a weapon.
• Don’t let the pretty save figure fool you, Valerde is far from a lock in the 9th. The same
  can be said about Ryan Dempster. The Cubs have the advantage when it comes to depth, with Marmol, Howry, Wood and Wuertz all having good years.
• I’ll be cheering for the D-backs in this one. However, the match-up seems to lean towards the Cubbies.

Pick: Chicago in 4

New York Yankees vs Cleveland Indians 

• The Indians have one of if not the best 1-2 punches in the bullpen as well. Betancourt (1.47 ERA) and Perez (1.78) both have WHIPs under 1 and BAA under .190. Somewhat recent call-up Jensen Lewis (2.15) adds even more depth. Chamberlain is the man, but no more than Betancourt. The Yanks have the advantage when it comes to closers, with Rivera (88%) having the advantage in save percentage over Borowski (84.9%).
• The pitching is closer than one would think. CC & Carmona would still have to get the nod over Wang & Pettite. The #3’s, Clemens & Byrd is a toss up (this season at least) and the Yanks are making the mistake of using Mussina in game 4 over Kennedy. The tribe takes the pitching battle in the rotation and in the pen.
• I give the D to the tribe as well, preferring the tribes outfield over the Yanks, mostly due to Sizemore.
• With the bats, the Bombers get the nod, although not as easily as one would think. A-Rod will most likely be pitched around (I hope), so it be up to Jeter & Co to get on base to force the tribe into throwing to him. The Indians still have a dominate three in the batting order with Sizemore, Martinez and Hafner (.956 OPS & 23 RBI in Sept).
• This will be Wedge’s first appearance in the playoffs. Torre has been there for what seems like a thousand times. The advantage will have to swing over to Torre, although the aggressiveness of Indians third base coach Joel Skinner may be a plus to the Tribe.
• I’ve got to go with the Indians here. I’ve been a fan since 91, and that may affect my judgment here. I just feel that the pitching is in the tribes favor and that the batting orders are closer than most think.

Pick: Indians in 5