2009 Guessology: The American League Championship Series
The American League may be the better league, but it does not have a better brand of baseball. I am not a fan of the DH and its trickle-down effect on the AL style of play (i.e., no strategy at all). Regardless, this year's ALCS matchup is the one I felt was inevitable. Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Yankees This really is a battle between the two best teams in the AL. The Yankees once again loaded up on talent via trades and the free agent pool, landing Nick Swisher, AJ Burnett, Mark Texiera, and CC Sabathia in the offseason. The Angels took a strong core and added just a couple of missing pieces--namely Bobby Abreu, Brian Fuentes, and Scott Kazmir--to thei

2009 Guessology: The National League Championship Series
Well, I was 3 for 4 on my Guessology picks in the Division Series. Unfortunately, the one I guessed wrong is the one that hurts the most...my Cardinals got swept by the LA Dodgers. If you'd like to read my take on that series (or lack thereof), check out my column from last Sunday.  OK, moving on... Philadelphia Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Ladies and gentlemen, we have a rematch! These two teams battled it out last year, with the Phillies taking the series in five games to earn a trip to the World Series. The tea

2009 Guessology: The Division Series
Now that the AL Central Division has finally been clinched, the playoff matchups are set. That means it's time for some wild (but somewhat educated) guesses as to who will survive to play in the League Championship Series! ALDS Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees: The Twins won a thrilling game to take the AL Central Division crown Tuesday night. Momentum may be on their side initially, but the Yankees are a juggernaut. They have superior pitching, superior hitting, and at least equal

What a Game!
After watching Minnesota Twins defeat the Detroit Tigers in Game 163 to clinch the AL Central Division Title, I am almost speechless. That game was like a microcosm of the entire season for these two teams: the Tigers had a lead early, the Twins chipped away, the Tigers held them off, the Twins pulled even, and they eventually won. Remarkable. Now they will head to New York to face the Yankees in the ALDS...and probably get their brains beat in by the Bronx Bombers. The Metrodome lives to see another game, but how many more?

Not curious...clueless.
Those were the words used by none other than Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa to describe yours truly after the team's 11-6 victory over the Florida Marlins last night. It was a hard-fought but good win for the Cards. Todd Wellemeyer got the start in place of John Smoltz, who has a sore shoulder. Wellemeyer, who was bumped from the rotation even before Smoltz was acquired from the Boston Red Sox, promptly gave up six earned runs and only lasted four innings. After that, five St. Louis relievers combined to shut down the Marlins, while the Cardinal offense piled seven runs on Florida starter Ricky Nolasco and another four on reliever Matt Lindstrom. We visi