MLB playoff predictions

This isn't going to be just a football site, though that's where my expertise is. But I thought it would be fun to pick the MLB playoffs too. It's either this, or pick the NBA preseason games, but ESPN's Heat-a-thon has all that covered, right? Anyway, here we go....

NY Yankees vs. Minnesota--The Yankees enter this series having skidded into the wild card spot, though rumor has it that they just wanted to avoid facing Cliff Lee in the ALDS. And they will send CC Sabathia to the mound twice in the first four games if necessary, because he's their only reliable starter. The Yanks have recently dominated the Twins in postseason play, but this year may be different. I just have this feeling Joe Mauer will carry the Twins on his back, and Jim Thome will hit a couple of big bombs. Twins 3, Yankees 2

Texas vs. Tampa Bay--Yeah, the Rangers have Cliff Lee, but this one is more about the Rays' pitching staff vs. the Rangers' big bats. That would mean David Price, James Shields and Matt Garza against Josh Hamilton, Vlad Guerrero and Nelson Cruz. You know that old adage about how great pitching trumps great hitting? Yep. Rays 3, Rangers 1

Atlanta vs. San Francisco--The Braves snuck in as a wild card in manager Bobby Cox's last season, and they get to face Tim Lincecum tomorrow night to open the series, as well as Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez. These teams both have awesome closers in Billy Wagner and Brian Wilson, but with Chipper and Prado out for the Braves, this one could be over before you blink. Giants 3, Braves 0

Cincinnati vs. Philadelphia--Poor Dusty Baker gets his team into the postseason, and has to face Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels back to back to back. But with Joey Votto, a legitimate MVP candidate leading the offense for the Reds, and a Cincinnati team that led the NL in batting (.272) and home runs (188), this could be interesting. Still, tough to go against recent playoff experience. The Phils were World Champs two years ago and have represented the NL two straight years. Cincinnati hasn't been to the playoffs since 1995. Phillies 3, Reds 2

Oh, and regardless of what happens, for the love of G-d, can we not have more than one first-round sweep? In the last five seasons, there have been 11 sweeps in 20 first-round series. That just sucks for true baseball fans! Anyway, play ball!