Baseball playoffs 2010: Round II

Well, in the Division Series, Matt got two of four right. He had the Yankees and the Phillies, but got stung by the Rangers and Giants. The Rays bats never really came to life (which was a surprise) and the Giants pitching was better than just fine (not surprising). The first round was full of great, great games.

So what's ahead in the League Championship round?

On paper: even better match ups. And much more difficult to predict.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers

Matt's prediction: Yankees in five.

Predictable story lines: Experience of the Yankees vs. winning-is-new Rangers. Will Josh Hamilton and Ron Washington's sponsors get good seats? Is Cliff Lee going to throw six complete games or seven? Yankee tradition of excellence, blah, blah, blah.

Comment: Really? One of these teams will be playing in the World Series? It's hard to believe these are the two best teams in the American League. But they certainly were the best in the first round. Despite the prediction of a five-game series, these teams are actually pretty evenly matched. Both have one dominant pitcher followed by a question-mark rotation. Both have big offenses. These could all be great, 12-11 games. The Yankees are going to win because they have a great offense and Mariano Rivera. He's still the best. Plus, the Rangers are really hurt by Cliff Lee not being able to pitch game one. He may only get one game.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Matt's prediction: Giants in seven.
Predictable story lines: Experience of the Phillies vs. the Giants youth. Will Halladay and Lincecum throw perfect games against each other? The over/under on total runs scored is 8.

Comment: Let's go with the upset. Experience is often overrated. In the first round, the Giants proved they weren't intimidated by the big stage. And the Giants have Lincecum and Cain going at least four games. This has all the makings of a monster, classic series. So why the Giants? Brian Wilson, Cain and Bumgarner. (Lincecum and Halladay are a wash?)

So, Yankees and Giants in the Series, just like 1962. Somebody get Ralph Terry, Stretch McCovet and Bobby Richardson on the phone.

And while Matt was only correct on half the first-round series, it should be noted: that's much better than last year and .500 would have led either league in batting.