With the playoff pairings now set here are my predictions for the first round of the postseason.

1.  Phillies over Rockies in four games

I don’t think that Colorado has the team to match the Fightin’s and also believe the Philly Phan homefield advantage will work in the Phillies favor.  Cliff Lee has been tabbed as the game one starter followed by Cole Hamels in game two, I think the two lefties will throw very well and position the team with a quick 2-0 advantage in this short five game series.  That being said I think the Rockies will bounce back with a win in game three but look for the Phillies to win the series in game four on a big effort from Pedro Martinez and suprisingly Brad Lidge.  I think the hitting star of the series will be Shane Victorino and that Raul Ibanez and Ryan Howard will have multiple home runs.

2. Cardinals over the Dodgers in five games

I think that the combo of Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright are too much for the Dodgers to overcome and that Matt Holliday will have a big series offensively.   I don’t see the Dodgers starting pitching holding up against the Cardinal bats albeit they have been a bit silent late in the season, It is just a feeling that the midwesterners will win this series.

3. Angels over the Red Sox in four games

I think that the Angel team speed will exploit the Sox defense by stealing bases at will against the pitching staff of the Sox and not the catchers.  A pattern developed during the team series this season and I think that Mike Soscia will exploit the slow plate delivery of the Red Sox staff.   The Angels may be baseball’s best kept secret as they are a very good team.

4. Yankees over the Twins in three games

I think the Twins spent all thier energy qualifying for the post season and I don’t see them matching up very well against Sabbathia, Burnett and Petite.  I don’t like the Yankees so much but I think they are just a much better team than Minnesota.