My4Albany

Maybe it's because My Team is in it for the first time in 15 years, but I think the Final Four in MLB this season provides the most intrigue and best storylines of any year I can remember.

In the American League you've got the defending champion Red Sox and the "worst to first", Cinderella Rays. In the National League you've got the Phillies, who are loaded with great, young players and haven't won a World Series since 1980 and the Dodgers, who are have Manny Ramirez...maybe the most polarizing player in the game today and Joe Torre, who brings the Yankees into the equation, even though they aren't playing.

Folks, this is about as good as it can get. Sure, some would say having the Cubs in there would have been exciting. But the Cubs story centers on LOSING. Instead the next week and a half will be all about WINNING. Great veteran players: Ortiz, Lowe, Moyer... Great young players: Longoria, Hamels, Lester. Former MVP's: Howard, Rollins, Manny. And each team is loaded with players that have the potential to stand up and be the MVP's of these series.

So here are my predictions:

Red Sox vs. Rays 

As well as Tampa Bay played all season, and as much as they are loaded with nice, young talent, they don't have the saavy or the experience to beat Boston in a 7-game series. The individual games shouldn't be blow-outs...but the series could end quickly. 

      Pick: RED SOX IN 5

Dodgers vs. Phillies 

This one has all the makings of a 7-game classic. Manny's presence in the middle of the Dodgers line-up has made everyone else more confident and dangerous. So what the Phillies need to do is make Ramirez a non-factor. And if that means walking/hitting him every time up...so be it. The key for the Phils is Chase Utley...who was ice cold in the NLDS. If the Phillies rely on the home run...they're done. And the LA staff does a nice job of keeping the ball in the park.

That being said...I see a lot of 9-7 games in this one...and the series going the distance.

        Pick: PHILLIES IN 7 

But remember: this is October baseball. The St. Louis Cardinals won it all a few years ago with, arguably, the worst line-up of any team to ever win a World Series. So a Rays-Dodgers finale is just as likely as any of the possible combinations.