Okay, one outta two isn’t bad.

I thought my previous prediction of the Colorado Rockies vs. the Cleveland Indians was looking pretty good, until the Red Sox decided to defy the odds once again.

I give this Boston team a ton of props. This team never feels like they are out of it and that makes them very dangerous - oh yeah, and so does Josh Beckett. This guy is ridiculous right now - shades of Bob Gibson in 1967.

The Sox also have the dangerous duo of Manny Ramirez and Big Papi Ortiz in the middle of that lineup. Curt Schilling is one of the best postseason pitchers in the history of baseball and even though he doesn’t throw as hard as he used to, he is still one of the best.

Dice-K had a nice Game 7 in the ALCS and might have proven his worth for the ridiculous contract he signed. But, I’m not sure how he will pitch in Colorado.

Colorado was one of the hottest teams I’ve ever seen. I say “was” because I’m not sure how the layoff will affect them. They have sat around and played catch in the snow for the last seven days. You would think that would slow them down a little.

Here is how I think the series will play out:

Game 1: Too much Beckett! Sox win 4-1.

Game 2: I love the way Jiminez brings it! I’ll take the Rockies 6-4 as they find a way to beat Schilling.

Game 3: I’m not a big Josh Fogg fan and I think this is the one guy that could be rocked early. I’ll take Dice-K and the Sox 8-4.

Game 4: Lester vs. Cook - flip a coin? Heads. I’ll take the Rockies in this one 7-6.

Game 5: That Beckett guy again, huh? Sox 3-2.

Game 6: Start the celebration! Schilling gets it done again.

This is a great time of year - the baseball playoffs are finally here. Normally the last couple of weeks of the season kind of drag along as we all wait for the games to really count. This year was different with all of the drama in the National League. It gave us that playoff feel a few weeks early. I love making predictions - I’m usually wrong, but I love making them anyway. Here are my predictions for the postseason:

American League

I am picking the Indians to win this series in 4. I know, I know - the Yankees own the Indians, but I’ve got a feeling that the one-two punch of Sabathia and Carmona will get it done. Plus I like to see Gambo squirm!

This is a tough series to predict. Both teams are capable of winning it all. I am leaning towards the Red Sox in this series because of the pitching. I think Beckett beats Lackey in Game 1 and Game 5 and the Sox advance to the ALCS.

National League

Is anyone playing better than the Rockies down the stretch? They won 14 of their last 15 to make the postseason, including that crazy one game playoff against the Padres. The only other team playing as well, might be the Phils. They shocked the world and made up seven games on the Mets in the last 17 games of the season. Granted, the Mets helped out a lot, but the Phils still had to win their games. This is a tough series to predict as well. In fact, the whole National League is kind of up for grabs, so I will go with the Rockies in 4.

I hate making predictions on my teams. I didn’t mention that before, did I? I love the fact that the Diamondbacks defied the odds and made the playoffs, but I’ve got a bad feeling that it might be a short stay. Not many guys on this team have been to the postseason and I think that will come into play. The Cubs don’t exactly scare me, but they do have some pitchers with playoff experience and some everyday players who have won the World Series. I think that stuff comes into play against a young team. I hate to say it, but I have the Cubs winning this one in four games. Still, remember I’m usually not very good with my predictions!

I always had a feeling that this day would come for the Phoenix Suns.

The day that all the whining and complaining from Suns foward Shawn Marion actually became too much for them to handle.

Let me first say that I am a big fan of Shawn.

However, for the first time ever, I do think it is time for him to go. If he’s not happy being on a championship caliber team, being the highest paid player on the team, making four all-star games, being in some of the biggest commercials for Nike and being loved by the fans in Phoenix - then it is probably time to go.

That would make me feel pretty unappreciated.

I’m not sure why Trix acts this way, but we will see if the grass is greener on the other side. It depends on where he goes. If the Suns decide to trade Marion, I think there are only a few destinations that make sense for both sides. The first team that comes to mind is the Utah Jazz. See, they have their own disgruntled former all-star.

Andrei Kirilenko has already asked for his one-way ticket out of Salt Lake and the Jazz seem fine with that. Kirilenko had his worst numbers of his career last year and really fell out of favor with his coach and even some teammates. He is also being played out of position. The Jazz play him at the small forward spot and he is a power forward. If he were traded to Phoenix, he would start at power forward and really help with defense. Kirilenko averages about 2.5 blocks per game in his career, something the Suns could really use!

The negatives with a trade with Utah are that Kirilenko is owed four years and $63 million on his contract and I feel a front line of Boozer, Okur and Marion would be difficult for the Suns to handle if they met up in the post season.

The Lakers are the other team that make sense. I think a deal with Marion to LA for Lamar Odom and Brian Cook works for both teams and would allow the Suns to still compete for a title and wouldn’t neccessarily make the Lakers that much better!

Marion wants a three-year, $60 million dollar extension from the Suns and they don’t want to give it to him (I don’t blame them). Now that Marion knows that isnt an option he wants out. I’m not sure if they did give him the extension that he wouldn’t find something else to bitch about!

 

 Suns foward Shawn Marion [0:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (196)