I think I make playoff picks here every year. I don’t like it, however, because the differences between the teams just isn’t great enough to offset the effect of individuals getting hot and the ball taking funny bounces.
Oh, and then there are umpires.
That said, I think the red hot Brad Radke gives the Twins an edge over the Yanks in the five game series. And Pedro gives the bashing Sox an edge over the A’s. The Sox, of course, would proceed to the Series.
Meanwhile, while the Cubs might stop the Braves in the short series, they won’t be able to score enough. Could the Marlins beat the Giants? Sure, but the Giants are the best balanced team and if Edgardo Alfonso and Ray Durham do anything they’re also the most powerful.
If the Sox and Giants meet in the World Series maybe I’ll revisit this (last year I think I got all the first round picks wrong), but my hunch says it is the Red Sox who will win.