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My ALCS & NLCS Predictions

By Aaron Goldstein on 10.8.11 @ 8:58PM

Game 1 of the ALCS between the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers is just underway.

Much to my surprise, former Red Sox manager Terry Francona is doing color commentary on the FOX telecast with Joe Buck. As it turns out, Tim McCarver is recuperating from a heart procedure and Francona will fill in for him in Games 1 & 2. McCarver is expected to return for Game 3 on Tuesday night in Detroit.

With that, I'm sticking with the Tigers and picking them to win the ALCS in six. Look for Brandon Inge to win the ALCS MVP.

As for the NLCS, It's weird to see the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals in it. I still think of the Brewers as an AL team even though they've been in the NL since 1998 and regularly play the Cardinals. Still, when I think of the Brewers I think about Harvey's Wallbangers from 1982 with Paul Molitor, Robin Yount, Jim Gantner, Gorman Thomas, Cecil Cooper, Ben Ogilive, Mike Caldwell, Pete Vukovich and Rollie Fingers

Nevertheless, it should be an exciting series given how there's little love lost between them. The NLCS gets underway tomorrow afternoon in Milwaukee. I think the Cardinals will party like it's 1982 and beat the Brewers in seven games. I'm picking Yadier Molina to win the NLCS MVP.

So I see the Tigers and Cardinals in the World Series. They, of course, faced each other in 2006 with the Cardinals winning in five. If they meet again, I see the Cardinals winning in six games. Then I see Tony LaRussa and company making their way to Boston.

View all comments (13) | Leave a comment

Cindi| 10.8.11 @ 10:24PM

I like it. The Cards are going to rock this series.

Terry Cool| 10.9.11 @ 4:25AM

hahh

Dan| 10.9.11 @ 9:58AM

I remember when I warned you that the Phillies weren't going anywhere because they lacked offensive firepower.

It was just several months ago.

And what happened? They got laughed at and bounced in the first round, and only because of a fluke homer by Francisco did they even win game three!

So I'm waiting for your mea culpa, mea maxima et magna culpa about the Phillies.

Seems to me you ought to be writing a rather lengthy post about how the Phillies failed, about how they were hyped, about how that team lacks clutch hitting and without some significant changes, isn't ever going to accomplish spit.

Paul McGrath| 10.9.11 @ 11:27AM

I am sorry to hear that McCarver will be back. He should have been shipped off ten years ago. His only talent is that he is very good at stating what is obvious to everyone on the planet ten seconds after it has become so. I was even sorrier to hear Francona at all. He is possibly the worst color man I have ever heard. This guy is a former baseball manager, yet he doesn't seem to have any insight into the game AT ALL. Unbelievable.

As to predictions, I will only make one: Brandon Inge will not be the ALCS MVP, nor will he do anything even remotely relevant.

Clint| 10.9.11 @ 4:53PM

The Phillies had 21 runs to Cards 19 runs & Phillies had 37 hits to Cards 44 hits, in the series.

Aaron Goldstein| 10.9.11 @ 7:50PM

If you read my post-season predictions, I picked the Cardinals to beat the Phillies in five. No mea culpa necessary.

Clint| 10.9.11 @ 10:39PM

The Brewers beat Cards 9-6 on 11 hits.

Clint| 10.9.11 @ 10:54PM

Dan's The Sports Geek Bloviator,who also said :

"As for their record, that's the greatest unpricked bubble in sport, but when the Braves start to apply pressure come September, we'll see whether the Phillies can maintain their lead in the NL East.

I very much doubt it."

J.C.Eaton| 10.9.11 @ 1:30PM

Brewers! The invincible team of destiny!!!!!!!!!

Bob K.| 10.10.11 @ 12:08AM

Anything can happen in these short playoffs. With 29 Major League teams there isn't enough talent to go around. And then to top it off there are different rules for each league!

It's like the pick up games we played during grade school recess writ large!

Who thought this up?