Swing away, Merrill. Merrill ... swing away.

The baseball playoffs (schedule) start tomorrow, so it's prediction time. Yours are most welcome.

10/7/2009 UDPATE: This just in, Vegas oddsmakers pick Cardinals & Yankees in the World Series.

NLDS
Cardinals at Dodgers - Cardinals
Rockies at Phillies - Rockies

ALDS
Tigers/Twins* at Yankees - Yankees
Red Sox at Angels - Red Sox

NLCS
Rockies at Cardinals - Cardinals

ALCS
Red Sox at Yankees - Yankees

World Series
Cardinals at Yankees - Cardinals Win!


COMMENTARY:

• NL: With the Cardinals top 3 in their pitching rotation and Pujols & Holliday, they have a chance against anybody. That being said, the Cardinals match up MUCH better against the Dodgers than the Rockies or Phillies. The key will be the pitching. Worst case scenario, Carpenter pitches Game 1 & Game 5 in LA. He could still pitch Game 3 & Game 7 in the NLCS, with Wainright & Pinero in Games 1 & 2 and 5 & 6. Ideal would be finishing off the Dodgers in 4 games to start Carpenter, Wainwright, and Pinero in Games 1-3 and 5-7 in the NLCS. Either way, some off days favor the Cardinals being able to maximize their starting pitching.

• AL: The Yankees & Red Sox shouldn't have much difficulty in the first round, even though the Red Sox start on the road. I wouldn't be surprised by another epic match up in the ALCS, but I think the Yankees have upgraded a bit, but I wouldn't say the same for Boston.

*Regardless of who wins the one-game playoff tonight, neither poses much of a threat to NY. However, I am rooting for the Twins after the Cabrera's recent incident of potent drunkeness and spousal physicality. I just wish the sport commentators were more upset about the latter than the potential "distraction" he's caused the Tigers.