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Tonight is the first night of the MLB playoffs. After a thrilling end to the regular season with the Twins earning the right to be beaten by the Yankees, everyone is excited about the playoffs. I’ll tell you my picks for the first round and then we’ll look at what MLB2K9’s simulated playoffs with the same teams and updated rosters comes up with. I should remind you that in the first round of MLB playoffs the series are best of 5.

ALDS: Yankees (Al East Champs) vs. Twins (Al Central Champs)

Nobody seems to be giving the Twins a chance here. The Twins were not expected to make the playoffs but got incredibly hot to steal the division from the Tigers. They are probably the hottest team going into the playoffs right now. However they are going against the Yankees with no rest and with Joe Nathan unavailable for at least 4 games. Joe Mauer will be big as the league’s best hitter, but they still do not have Morneau and the Yankees have the best lineup in the league.

The Yankees, on the other hand, are well rested. While they haven’t played meaningful games for a little while, they have so much more rest and the schedule with home field and the 8 game schedule which they were able to choose due to their superior record gives them a huge advantage. Not to mention the Yankees are at full strength. The Yankees have been, in the second half, have been scary good. They have been by far, the best team in baseball and are 7-0 against the Twins this year. No upset here the Yankees will win.

My Prediction: Yankees in 4. I give the Twins one game because they have momentum on their side, but nothing else.

MLB 2K9: Twins in 3. I know wtf, right? Apparently the Yankees bats slept and they lost two close games followed by a 9-2 drubbing as the Minnesota offense beat up on Andy Pettite. 

(Read on after the jump for the rest of the predictions)

ALDS: Red Sox (Wildcard) vs. Angels (Al West champs)

 These teams have been facing off against each other once again in the playoffs where the Red Sox have repeatedly come out on top recently. However this year is a little different, in my view. The Red Sox are not looking as strong as they have in recent years. David Ortiz is a shell of his former self. John Lester is coming back from a injury so you are not sure what he will bring to the table. The Red Sox sorta backed into the playoffs after being spanked by their rivals in the second half and loosing all chance to win the division.

The Angels, on the other hand have been the second most dominant team in the league. A deadly combination of pitching and speed make the Angels a very dangerous team.  They have been confident and dangerous the whole year and with Vlad Guerreo back healthy along with an already potent lineup, the Angels are scary. Don’t forget they have home field against the Sox.

My Prediction: This one will be tough but I think the Angels have the edge. Angels in 5.

MLB 2K9: Red Sox in 5. A closely contested series like I said but this time the Sox come out on top.

NLDS: Phillies (NL East Champs) vs. Rockies (Wildcard)

The Rockies are a plucky team that nobody expected in the postseason but they made it anyway. They got a solid offensive lineup and have history on their side because in 2007 they swept the Phillies to get to the World Series.

The Phillies however, have been a playoff team all season, practically. They have strong pitching starting with Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. The Rockies are just hard to take seriously for me. Great defense beats good offense in baseball. I think the Philllies have this one rather easily.

My Prediction: Phillies in 3.

MLB 2K9: The game continues its contrarian attitude by saying the Rockies in 4. The game seems to think the offense of Tulowitski and crew will be too much for the Phillies pitchers.

NLDS: Dodgers (NL West champs) vs. Cardinals (NL Central Champs)

This should be a good one. The Dodgers, for a while, were the best team in the League. Good pitching combined with good offense led to this. Many Ramirez and Jim Thome are powerful veterans who have a history of delivering in the clutch and are indispensable in the postseason. Many has been slumping lately, however.

The Cardinals always seem to be one of the best teams in the NL. Albert Pujols is still the MVP of the league and is the best hitter in the game. Chris carpenter leads a strong pitching staff, as well. The Cardinals are going to be tough to beat.

My Prediction: Cardinals in 5. Both teams have limped into the playoffs after good starts but I think the slightly more talented Cardinals will come out on top, especially if Manny’s slum continues.

MLB 2K9: Once again the game disagrees with me by saying that the Dodgers will win it in 4.

Agree or disagree with my or MLB 2K9’s picks? I know I certainly disagree with MLB 2K9’s picks and I feel ensured of a win over the machine…but who knows? Stay tuned for the second round where we do it all again.