LCS Predictions.

Now that the Cubs are done it's safe to say they are never going to win the World Series. I don't believe in curses but I do believe in post-season incompetence. The Cubs choke job leads to the second biggest possible story of the playoffs - Manny headed back to Fenway for the World Series.

ALCS

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox

It's amazing how much October 20, 2004 changed the fate of the Red Sox. Before they knocked off the Yankees that night you always expected, and got, the worst. In Game 4 the other night the Sox blew a 2-0 lead in the eighth inning and you still knew they were going to win that game. Pre-October 20, 2004 the Angels would have scored another six runs in the 8th and then went back to Anaheim and won Game 5. Things have changed and this is the Sox decade.

Not to take anything away from the Rays because all year I have believed in them and that is not going to change now. They are fully capable of winning this series and some might even call them the favorites and I wouldn't disagree. They are playing with such confidence that they will be shocked if they lose. They were also 10-8 against the Sox this year so they know they can beat them.

I expect BJ Upton, Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria to continue to hit in this series and there is no reason there defense, the most underrated aspect of this team, won't be great. The one area I do have questions about is their bullpen. I know it has held up all year but I still think they may let them down. I also don't think there top three starters, Kazmir, Shields, and Garza, match up evenly with DiceK, Beckett and Lester. Beckett looked shaky against the Angels in his one start but he should be fine in this series. And Lester looks unbeatable right now and has become a playoff performer.

On the offensive side the Sox lose a lot with Mike Lowell out. His numbers were not great this year but he is always a guy you want up in the late innings of a tight game. They won't miss his defense that much because Youk is also a great third baseman and Kotsay brings athleticism to first base.

The Sox also have automatic closer Johnathan Papelbon coming out of the pen, but in front of him I think the middle relief is a bit shaky, just like the Rays. Anyway you look at it this is one hell of series and very even. I think John Lester makes the difference in Game 7.

Red Sox in 7

NLCS

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

For all the talk of the Cubs incompetence the Phillies history is every bit as miserable but they are not even lovable. We are talking about a franchise that has only one World Series title in 125 years, they just happened to win theirs in 1980 so the heat is off. Except in Philly of course, the roughest town in North America to play in. Expectations are high there right now but wait to see how fast the fans turn on them when Derek Lowe beats them in Game 1 tonight.

Philly has flown under the radar this year despite the best 1-4 hitters in baseball in Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Pat Burrell and Ryan Howard as well as a very good bullpen. I think part of the reason is because there starting pitching lacks a dominant power guy and really only goes three deep. And although Brad Lidge was a perfect 41 for 41 in saves this year, when Manny comes up in the ninth inning you know he is going to have Albert Pujols 900 foot blast in Houston in the back of his mind.

The Dodgers regulars season record was deceptive because they only had Manny for the last 53 games. Their record in September and what they did to the Cubs is indicative of what this team is. Let's get one thing straight though. Manny is carrying this team but he is not leading them. Manny has never been a leader and never will be. What he is is an awesome hitter who gets hot and carries a team for weeks at a time.

What the Dodgers also have is a very good top of the rotation with proven clutch playoff starter Lowe, and Billingsley and Kuroda behind him. And wouldn't it be great to see Greg Maddux have one last gem in him?

The difference in this series will be the Dodgers offense though. With Manny in the lineup it means the very underrated Andre Either, Russell Martin and even Jeff Kent are seeing pitches to hit because you don't want men on when Manny comes up. The Dodgers will continue to score runs in this series and their starters should shut down the Phils offense enough to move on.

Dodgers in 6.