So these are a day late, but we’re predicting nonetheless.  You’ll have to forgive Stormin’ Norman and me because our teams didn’t exactly have uplifting seasons.  The Cubs can’t even see the expectations that were set for this season from where they plateaued and the Tigers lost a 7 game lead in a month, then produced a four and a half hour recreation of that month in the one game playoff with the Twins.  Anyway, let’s get to it.

ALDS- Twins vs. Yankees: Okay, so the Twins don’t really stand a chance.  There was a time that I thought whoever came out of the Tigers Twins battle would give the Yankees a run because those two teams had been playing meaningful baseball, but that’s what I thought the Tigers would win.  The Twins did end the season on a 17-4 run, with three of those losses coming against the Tigers, but the Yankees are just too good.  I’m not nearly as impressed with Yankee pitching as everyone else, but whatever, Yanks in 3. 

ALDS- Angels vs. Sawx: Man, I hate the Red Sox.  The Sox have won 12 of the last 13 playoff games played between these two franchises and ended the Angels season three out of the last five years.  That’s crazy.  I want the Angels to win this series badly, but I think the Red Sox bullpen comes through and sets up an annoying series with the Yankees.  Red Sox in 4.

NLDS- Rockies vs. Phillies:  The Rockies are riding some of that magic from a couple years ago it seems like.  However, the Phillies pitching is just too good, not to mention their mashers can take advantage of the Rockies home stadium just as much as those purple clad world beaters.  Just after dealing with Cliff Lee they get Cole Hamels and this series will go 2-0.  I think the Rockies give the home crowd reason to cheer and take game three, but it’s Phils in 4. 

NLDS- Cardinals vs. Dodgers: One of the interesting things to watch in the first game of this series was how LA intentionally walked Pujols twice with men on base, showing they weren’t all that scared of Matt Holliday.  It definitely paid off last night and will be something to keep an eye on.  I still like the Cardinals to win this series, but it could very well go the distance.  Cards in 5.

ALCS- Yankees vs. Red Sox: Classic match-up, blah blah, first series between these teams all year that won’t have two games on ESPN.  If Favre played for the Yanks or Sox, I’d have to end my life.  Anyway, it’s been a while since the Yankees have won this battle, so I’ll take the hitting of the Yankees to overpower Boston.  Yankees in 6.

NLCS- Phillies vs. Cardinals: Now this is a great match-up.  Both teams have amazing top two pitchers, and dangerous hitters throughout the lineup.  Everyone seems to be picking Cards and Yanks in the World Series, but I really think the Phillies make it back.  This would be a great series though. Phillies in 7. 

World Series- Yankees vs. Phillies:  Could this be the year for the Yankees?  Honestly, I didn’t think I’d pick them to get this far.  I don’t think their pitching or their manager will be good enough to get the job done.  The Phillies can match the Yankees from the plate and have superior starting pitching.  I’ll take the Phils to repeat.  Phillies in 5.

I really don’t have a lot to say about this, it just seems like a horrible decision by ESPN.  The kid died yesterday.  And this after their horrible choice/oversight regarding a commercial yesterday.  You can’t just play sad music and think that makes everything okay. 

Geovany Soto will get his shoulder examined in Chicago on the Cubs day off today.  Last year’s ROY missed the game last night.  [Tribune]

The San Francisco Giants have kicked off quite the ad campaign.  Haha, balls. [Deadspin]

The White Sox only managed three hits last night as they got shut out by the Royals.  Zack Greinke looked real good with seven Ks; I even thought I saw him smile.  [ESPN]

The bats showed up for the Cubs last night as they blasted 16 hits.  Kosuke even had four hits, which I think is more than his second half total from last year.  They won 11-6.  [MLB.com]

The Braves were up 10-3 on the Phillies in the 7th last night.  Then the Phils had an eight-run inning, four of which were walked in, to go on to win 12-11.  [ESPN]

An Angels fan died after getting into a fight at the ballpark on opening day.  I know we’ve all seen our share of fights at the park, just be careful out there and remember a well placed insult is always preferred to physical violence.  [FanHouse]

Here’s a yes vote for the Bears to get Plaxico.  Insert joke about shooting Bears in the thigh here.  [Zoner]

As Jim Nantz told you many times in the last few weeks, the Masters starts today.  It’s actually on ESPN today, starting at 3PM I believe.  Here are five players to watch.  [Devil Ball Golf]