If there is one thing I know, it's Major League Baseball. Do you know how I know this? The team I predicted to represent the NL in the World Series before the season started finished with the best record in the NL during the regular season. Don't believe me? Here, take a look. Oh, and please don't pay attention to how I missed on the other three playoff teams.

Colorado Rockies vs Philadelphia Phillies

The Rockies were pushed hard by my Atlanta Braves but they managed to hang on and secure the wildcard for the second time in three years. They face a very stiff challenge in the first round as they take on the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies themselves had a great year as they pretty much cruised to their third straight NL East crown.

In Game One, we'll see Ubaldo Jimenez take the mound for Colorado while trade deadline acquisition Cliff Lee gives it a go for Philadelphia. Lee was almost an afterthought as Philadelphia pushed hard for Toronto's Roy Halladay but eventually refused to give up the huge package that Toronto was demanding. That move seemed to be a good one for Toronto. Lee then proceeded to win his first give games for the Phillies in dominating fashion before falling back down to Earth. He eventually finished 7-4 in the NL and 14-13 overall for the season. The NL record is a good one for Lee but some people might be concerned with the fact that he lost his last two starts. Amazingly enough, this will be Jimenez's first time facing Philadelphia this season. Lee faced Colorado just after his trade to Philadelphia going seven innings, striking out nine, and only allowing one earned run.

Game Two appears to be an advantage for Colorado as Aaron Cook (11-6) will pitch against Cole Hamels (10-11). Hamels was a hero last postseason but has been rather erratic this season. For every four game winning streak, he would follow it up with a two or three game losing streak. The success for the Phillies in this game is going to rely heavily on which version of Cole Hamels takes the mound.

Some people might be inclined to pick Philadelphia because they are a division winner and Colorado simply won the wild card, but let's relax on that sentiment my friends. The Phillies finished the season 93-69 which is only one game better than Colorado at 92-70. Along with their records, most of their statistics were identical. The Rockies had the better team batting average at .261 to .258. The Phillies had more runs per game at 5.1 to 5.0. And the ERA was also better for Philadelphia, 4.16 to 4.22.

Simply put, this is a very tight series and appears to be going five games. I'm going with the Phillies for the simple reason that they are the defending champs and that has to mean something once playoff baseball starts.

Philadelphia in 5

St Louis Cardinals vs Los Angeles Dodgers

I know I picked the Dodgers to represent the NL in the World Series, but it isn't happening. Postseason baseball comes down to one huge factor and that factor is pitching.

In Game One, we have Chris Carpenter (17-4) going against Randy Wolf (11-7). Since going 2-3 in the month of June, Carpenter has tallied an impressive record of 12-1. Included in those wins are two victories against the Dodgers. On July 27^th, Carpenter pitched seven innings of one run baseball in a 6-1 victory for St Louis. Then on August 17^th, he pitched eight innings of two run baseball to get the Cardinals another victory, 3-2. This isn't meaning to be a slight against Wolf, I just think Carpenter is that good. Wolf was the starting pitched for LA on that July 27^th game against Carpenter but he only lasted six innings and took the loss. He hasn't faced St Louis at any other time so maybe it was a fluke.

Game Two pits another pitching matchup heavily in favor of St Louis as Adam Wainwright (19-8) goes against Clayton Kershaw (8-8). Wainwright faced the Dodgers twice this season, going 1-0 and pitching at least seven innings in each game. Just for the record, in the game where he got the no decision, the Cardinals did win the game 3-2. Kershaw faced the Cardinals twice as well but got a no decision in each contest. It should be a point of interest that the Dodgers did lose both of those games 3-2 and in one of them, Kershaw only lasted 3.2 innings.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love for the Dodgers to win the NL (and possibly face Boston in the World Series) but I just don't see it happening. They may have finished with the best record in the NL, but I am not quite sure that they are the best team. Before actually winning their last two games against Colorado to seal the NL West crown, the Dodgers lost five games in a row and seven out of nine. That isn't exactly the best swing of momentum as they hit the most important part of the season. On top of that, St Louis won the season series against Los Angeles 5-2.

St Louis in 4

Scott will be posting his breakdown and predictions for the AL series tomorrow before these series get started. Because we're overly competitive with picking things, I'll post my predictions for the AL series below so that we can keep track and see who does the best.

Boston Red Sox vs California Angels

Yes, I know they aren't the California Angels. I just refuse to write out that ridiculously long name.

Red Sox in 4

Twins vs New York Yankees

The Yankees are good…really good.

Yankees in 3

(Cue the rivalry footage)