Welcome to Doctoberfest

Roy "Doc" Halladay waited his entire career to pitch in the post-season. He made sure no one would ever forget his first apperance in October's spotlight. Halladay became just the second pitcher in baseball history to throw a no-hitter in the post-season as he and the Philadelphia Phillies blanked the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 earlier this evening.

Halladay, who threw a perfect game vs. the Florida Marlins during the regular season, joins Don Larsen as the only pitchers to not allow a hit in a post-season game. One walk separated Halladay from joining Larsen in the perfect game club.

Unfortunately, I did not see one pitch of it. I was busy all day and turned TBS on to check the score at about (what I figured) was the midway point. The game was in commercial and I turned the station off. And didn't go back... >:(

Halladay even helped his own cause out with an RBI hit. The Phils put a run on the board in the 1st and added three more in the 2nd for a quick 4-0 lead. Then Halladay cruised. He walked Jay Bruce with two outs in the 5th for the Reds' lone base runner.

Halladay struck out nine, mixing his reportoire of pitches as he baffled the Cincy hitters. In the 9th Ramon Hernandez popped out to 2nd for the first out. Pinch-hitter Miguel Cairo followed with a foul out to 3rd. That left things up to Brandon Phillips, who hit a little tapper in front of the plate. Catcher Carlos Ruiz jumped out, fell to his knees, and threw to Ryan Howard to end the game.

Those Other Series

I haven't forgotten about the rest of the playoffs, just been more focused on the Yankees' ALDS match up. But here's how I see things:

Red Sox vs. Angels

The Angels have been miserable in the playoffs against Boston and I don't see it changing. The Angels should be able to run at will against Jason Varitek and Victor Martinez, but Boston's 1-2 punch of Josh Beckett and Jon Lester is awfully tough.

The Angels have been through a lot this year with Nick Adenhart's death and a rash of injuries, and Mike Scosia has done an amazing job of keeping it all together. But I don't see the Angels' rotation, outside of John Lackey, shutting down the Boston lineup.

Prediction: Boston in 5


Rockies vs. Phillies

The Phillies have had their problems this season, particularly in the bullpen, but there's still plenty of talent in the starting rotation and a powerful offense.

The Rockies turned things around when manager Clint Hurdle was replaced by Jim Tracey, and played some of the baseball in the 2nd half. I don't like their starting pitching in this series. None of them scare you.


Prediction: Phillies in 3


Cardinals vs. Dodgers

St. Louis easily outclassed the heavily favored Cubs to win the NL Central. The Dodgers had a cake walk in the NL West, at least until the last 2 weeks of the season. Then things got ugly and they nearly blew the division (though they would have made the playoffs either way).

The difference in this series will be the Cards' top 2 starters - Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright should be able to shut down the Dodgers bats, which have been slumping of late. And Albert > Manny.

Prediction: Cardinals in 4

The Pennant Race - 10/2

Three of the four playoff series got underway yesterday, with some good games right off the bat.

Cole as Ice

It may have only been his second career playoff game, but Cole Hamels looked like Whitey Ford yesterday for the Phillies. Hamels limited the Brewers to just two runs over eight innings as the Phillies beat Milwaukee, 3-1.

Brad Lidge may have been 41-41 in save situations this season, but we still don't trust him in big spots. His performance yesterday did nothing to change that. Lidge struck out the side, but not before allowing a run on two hits and a walk.

Game 2 is tonight with CC Sabathia facing off against Brett Myers.


Loney Slams Cubs

It's a managerial match up of ex-Yankees managers. Joe Torre in his first year with the Dodgers and Lou Piniella in his second season with the Cubs. The Cubs sent 17-game winner Ryan Dempster to the mound in game one and things looked good as Chicago led 1-0 through four innings.

But James Loney, who was 3-4 in his only other playoff experience, hit his first career playoff grand slam to give the Dodgers the lead for good. Manny Ramirez added a solo shot for good measure, as did Russell Martin.

Dempster struggled with his control, walking seven Dodgers, while Dodgers starter Derek Lowe allowed two runs in six innings of work for the win. The series continues tonight at Wrigley with Chad Billingsley facing Carlos Zambrano.


Manny Who?

Everyone knows Jason Bay is very talented, but when you're in a deal for Manny Ramirez, you don't get a lot of attention. That may change after last night, when Bay's 2-run home run put the Red Sox ahead and catapulted them to a 4-1 win.

The Angels had taken a 1-0 lead in the third inning against Boston starter Jon Lester, but Bay made his first playoff appearance a memorable one, hitting a John Lackey pitch over the left field wall.

Lester breezed through seven and the Red Sox gave Jon Papelbon room to work with, scoring a pair of runs off of Scot Shields in the ninth. The series continues on Friday night with Dice-K facing Ervin Santana.

The Pennant Race - 10/2

Three of the four playoff series got underway yesterday, with some good games right off the bat.

Cole as Ice

It may have only been his second career playoff game, but Cole Hamels looked like Whitey Ford yesterday for the Phillies. Hamels limited the Brewers to just two runs over eight innings as the Phillies beat Milwaukee, 3-1.

Brad Lidge may have been 41-41 in save situations this season, but we still don't trust him in big spots. His performance yesterday did nothing to change that. Lidge struck out the side, but not before allowing a run on two hits and a walk.

Game 2 is tonight with CC Sabathia facing off against Brett Myers.


Loney Slams Cubs

It's a managerial match up of ex-Yankees managers. Joe Torre in his first year with the Dodgers and Lou Piniella in his second season with the Cubs. The Cubs sent 17-game winner Ryan Dempster to the mound in game one and things looked good as Chicago led 1-0 through four innings.

But James Loney, who was 3-4 in his only other playoff experience, hit his first career playoff grand slam to give the Dodgers the lead for good. Manny Ramirez added a solo shot for good measure, as did Russell Martin.

Dempster struggled with his control, walking seven Dodgers, while Dodgers starter Derek Lowe allowed two runs in six innings of work for the win. The series continues tonight at Wrigley with Chad Billingsley facing Carlos Zambrano.


Manny Who?

Everyone knows Jason Bay is very talented, but when you're in a deal for Manny Ramirez, you don't get a lot of attention. That may change after last night, when Bay's 2-run home run put the Red Sox ahead and catapulted them to a 4-1 win.

The Angels had taken a 1-0 lead in the third inning against Boston starter Jon Lester, but Bay made his first playoff appearance a memorable one, hitting a John Lackey pitch over the left field wall.

Lester breezed through seven and the Red Sox gave Jon Papelbon room to work with, scoring a pair of runs off of Scot Shields in the ninth. The series continues on Friday night with Dice-K facing Ervin Santana.

Battle of the Windy City

It would be the Civil War, Illinois style (maybe they'll make one of these neat replica chess sets). As we see it, the World Series won't be leaving the Windy City this year as the Cubs and White Sox will meet in the championship.

What better way for the Cubs to end their miserable streak of losing then to beat their hated crosstown rivals?

Here's our round by round break down.


ALDS

Red Sox vs. Angels - Wow this is tough. The defending champs are banged up. Josh Beckett may not be able to go. At the very least he won't start until game three. Mike Lowell (hip) and J.D. Drew (back) are also having lingering issues.

The Angels have had trouble beating the Red Sox in the past, but this year they should be able to handle them. Which is why we are picking the Red Sox in 5. Yes, you read that correctly. The Angels clinched the AL West very early, and their starting pitching hasn't looked so terrific the last month of the season. Being that we hate the Red Sox, we hope we're wrong, but we think Dice-K and Jon Lester make the difference in this one.
Red Sox in 5.

White Sox vs. Rays - The Rays are in their very first post-season while their opponent won the World Series just three years ago, and much of that team is still intact. We think the Rays starting pitching and bullpen will take on water in some of the cracks we've started to see. Dan Wheeler and company just are not that great, and Troy Percival is banged up.

Scott Kazmir is great, but isn't always on. Garza and Shields are good, but hittable. Sonnanstine and Jackson? Nah.

Mark Buerhle, Gavin Floyd, and John Danks should be the difference here, as well as the White Sox set up men to Bobby Jenks. The Sox also have a lot of momentum coming off of Monday's huge win and last night's one game playoff with the Twins.
White Sox in 4


NLDS

Brewers vs. Phillies - Unfortunately for Milwaukee, CC Sabathia cannot go every day. He is slated to come back on three days rest again for game two and is also scheduled for game 5. We don't see this going that long though.

The Phillies have tremendous hitting, good starting pitching, and a solid pen. They also have the experience of last year's playoff failure to build off of. The Brewers haven't been in the post-season since they won the World Series in 1982.
Phillies in 4

Dodgers vs. Cubs - We're sure Manny will have a huge series and Joe Torre will be the talk of the town...for a bit. We expect another first round exit by Torre, though it will be no fault of his own. The Cubs are just a better, deeper ball club than the Dodgers.

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden are the keys to the series. Their health and ability to pitch. And Ted Lilly is on a roll.
Cubs in 5


ALCS

Red Sox vs. White Sox - Sox it to me. Should be a well pitched game, but the number games will take its toll on the banged up Red Sox.
White Sox in 6

Phillies vs. Cubs - This should be a great one that could go the distance. We think it will come up just shy of that, however, with the Cubs sacrificing a goat and Bartman before game six.
Cubs in 6


World Series
White Sox vs. Cubs - Brother vs. Brother. This one goes the distance, with the Cubs winning by a knockout late.
Cubs in 7

World Series MVP Prediction - Aramis Ramirez

Battle of the Windy City

It would be the Civil War, Illinois style (maybe they'll make one of these neat replica chess sets). As we see it, the World Series won't be leaving the Windy City this year as the Cubs and White Sox will meet in the championship.

What better way for the Cubs to end their miserable streak of losing then to beat their hated crosstown rivals?

Here's our round by round break down.


ALDS

Red Sox vs. Angels - Wow this is tough. The defending champs are banged up. Josh Beckett may not be able to go. At the very least he won't start until game three. Mike Lowell (hip) and J.D. Drew (back) are also having lingering issues.

The Angels have had trouble beating the Red Sox in the past, but this year they should be able to handle them. Which is why we are picking the Red Sox in 5. Yes, you read that correctly. The Angels clinched the AL West very early, and their starting pitching hasn't looked so terrific the last month of the season. Being that we hate the Red Sox, we hope we're wrong, but we think Dice-K and Jon Lester make the difference in this one.
Red Sox in 5.

White Sox vs. Rays - The Rays are in their very first post-season while their opponent won the World Series just three years ago, and much of that team is still intact. We think the Rays starting pitching and bullpen will take on water in some of the cracks we've started to see. Dan Wheeler and company just are not that great, and Troy Percival is banged up.

Scott Kazmir is great, but isn't always on. Garza and Shields are good, but hittable. Sonnanstine and Jackson? Nah.

Mark Buerhle, Gavin Floyd, and John Danks should be the difference here, as well as the White Sox set up men to Bobby Jenks. The Sox also have a lot of momentum coming off of Monday's huge win and last night's one game playoff with the Twins.
White Sox in 4


NLDS

Brewers vs. Phillies - Unfortunately for Milwaukee, CC Sabathia cannot go every day. He is slated to come back on three days rest again for game two and is also scheduled for game 5. We don't see this going that long though.

The Phillies have tremendous hitting, good starting pitching, and a solid pen. They also have the experience of last year's playoff failure to build off of. The Brewers haven't been in the post-season since they won the World Series in 1982.
Phillies in 4

Dodgers vs. Cubs - We're sure Manny will have a huge series and Joe Torre will be the talk of the town...for a bit. We expect another first round exit by Torre, though it will be no fault of his own. The Cubs are just a better, deeper ball club than the Dodgers.

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden are the keys to the series. Their health and ability to pitch. And Ted Lilly is on a roll.
Cubs in 5


ALCS

Red Sox vs. White Sox - Sox it to me. Should be a well pitched game, but the number games will take its toll on the banged up Red Sox.
White Sox in 6

Phillies vs. Cubs - This should be a great one that could go the distance. We think it will come up just shy of that, however, with the Cubs sacrificing a goat and Bartman before game six.
Cubs in 6


World Series
White Sox vs. Cubs - Brother vs. Brother. This one goes the distance, with the Cubs winning by a knockout late.
Cubs in 7

World Series MVP Prediction - Aramis Ramirez

Rolling Rock

The Colorado Rockies just keep on rolling. Arizona sent their best man, Brandon Webb, out last and the Rocks dispatched him with no problem. Even bigger was the start by Jeff Francis. The Rockies have now won 18 of 19.

Rolling Rock

The Colorado Rockies just keep on rolling. Arizona sent their best man, Brandon Webb, out last and the Rocks dispatched him with no problem. Even bigger was the start by Jeff Francis. The Rockies have now won 18 of 19.

Where in the World is Steve Bartman?

99 years and counting. The Chicago Cubs made it a quick 3 and out as the Arizona Diamondbacks won tonight, 5-1, to complete an NLDS sweep. The Dbacks starting pitching dominated the series, as the victors outscored the Cubbies 16-6.

Oh, and Lou Piniella, you bring back Carlos Zambrano for game 4 now...oh wait, there is no game 4.

And does this look familiar? Alfonso Soriano, 2-14.

Where in the World is Steve Bartman?

99 years and counting. The Chicago Cubs made it a quick 3 and out as the Arizona Diamondbacks won tonight, 5-1, to complete an NLDS sweep. The Dbacks starting pitching dominated the series, as the victors outscored the Cubbies 16-6.

Oh, and Lou Piniella, you bring back Carlos Zambrano for game 4 now...oh wait, there is no game 4.

And does this look familiar? Alfonso Soriano, 2-14.