What's up fellas$$$$ Well, it is upon us. The most exciting time of the year has arrived, the MLB postseason. Okay, maybe it's not the most exciting, but it's something to watch while we wait for football on the weekends. Last year, I nailed the Marlins as World Series champs from the jump and was a Grady Little brain cramp away from correctly predicting the winner of each series for the entire playoffs. Of course I didn't post my predictions last year, so only my bookie believes me. This year, I decided to offer my thoughts to the masses, so I can look like a real horse’s ass when none of them come in. Without further ado, here's one man's opinion on how the series will breakdown.

American League Division Series

New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins

Pick: Twins in five

That's right, I said the Twins. And here are two words why: Johan Santana. Santana is 1-0 against the Yanks this year with a 2.25 ERA and was well on his way to 2-0 last week (in a game a lot of us bet the under in), but was pulled to rest for the playoffs. In a short series starting pitching usually is the difference and the Yankees starters have been anything from mediocre to terrible. Gone are the likes of playoff studs Clemens, Pettitte and Wells and in their place are Lieber, Brown and Hernandez? I don’t think the Yanks lineup will save them in this series either as both teams have very good bullpens. The way I see it, Santana will continue his domination of the Evil Empire in Game 1. Then look for the scrappy Twins to fight and claw their way to a win in either game 3 or 4. Then Mr. Cy Young, will close the series out in Game 5.

Anaheim Angels vs. Boston Red Sox

Pick: Angels in five

Has any team in the American League been hotter than the Angels down the stretch? You would think suspending one of your top hitters would be a distraction but not for this team. Once they expelled the cancer this team caught fire and won the West. Vlad Guerrero has officially put this team on his back, hitting 6 HR’s in the last week of the season. The key move in this series has already been made by Mike Scioscia and that is starting red hot Bartolo Colon in game 2 vs. a struggling Pedro instead of wasting him against Schilling in game 1. The Sox will win Game 1; Colon will out pitch Pedro in game 2 and then it will be the Angels bullpen that wins the last two games and the series for the Halos.

National League Division Series

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Pick: Cardinals in three

The Cardinals are just too balanced with both hitting and pitching for the cardiac Dodgers. Maybe the Dodgers steal one late off Izzy, but I don’t see it.

Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros

Pick: Astros in four

Has any team in the playoffs been hotter than the Astros? Last year I rode the red hot Marlins all the way to the World Series title. This year’s version is the Astros, with resuscitated Jeff Bagwell leading the way. This team has a lineup that can rival the Cards in the NL, but pitching will be the difference. Clemens and Oswalt are the best top two pitchers in the NL and like I said in the Yanks/Twins series, starting pitching wins a short series. Leo Mazzoni has somehow made Jaret Wright, Mike Hampton and Paul Byrd look like all-stars, but they won’t be good enough in this series. Look for the Dynamic Duo to take the first 2 in Atlanta, Mike Hampton to prolong the series in game 3 and then Clemens, on 3 days rest, to close it out in four.

American League Championship Series

Pick: Angels in six

In a rematch of the ALCS no one remembers from 2002, the Angels will again prevail over the Twins. In a longer series starting pitching becomes less of a factor and the bullpen is the key, and the Halos have one of the best. Donnelly, Shields, Rodriguez, and Percival will dominate the late innings and the potent Angels lineup will powered by Guerrero, Garrett Anderson, and Troy Glaus will be too much for the Twins to handle.

National League Championship Series

Pick: Cardinals in six

I almost wanted to go with the Astros here. If Andy Pettitte or Wade Miller had an arm left between them, then maybe I would have. I just can’t see Brandon Backe or Pete Munro winning a game in this series. The Cardinals have too much hitting and a much deeper bullpen for the Astros to overcome. The Cards also have more quality starters, Suppan and Marquis at the back of the rotation. It’s hard for me to go against the hot team, but in this case, I think the better team wins.

World Series

Pick: Angels in seven

In a World Series that will be remembered most for high scores, dramatic finishes and come-from-behind victories the Angels will win, in New England Patriot like fashion, their second WS in 3 years. Suddenly Mike Sciocia will be regarded as one of the best managers in baseball and the Angels will be recognized for their sneak-up on you kind of dynasty. The bullpen will again be the key as neither team has the starting pitching that can shut you down. The Cards bullpen has been inconsistent at times this year and will be the main reason for the Cards demise in this series. I can see Izzy blowing at least on game. The best hitter in baseball not named Barry Bonds, Vlad Guerrero will feast off the Cards arms and earn himself the MVP. Unheralded guys like Chone Figgins and Dallas McPherson and David Eckstein will play key roles getting on base for the big bats. With game seven in Anaheim, I see the rally monkey lead Angels pulling out the victory.

Good luck all!!!