MLB Playoffs

First, Saj, let me say that last night (Padres-Rockies) was one of the greatest "regular season" baseball games I've ever seen. Rarely do I stay up past 10:00 on a school night, but last night earned it. Simply an amazing game. It's been written about to death, so I won't spend too much more time on it, except to say this:

Will Colorado ride this momentum (their last 15 games and last night's classic) to make some noise in the National League? And on that note, what can we make of the National League playoffs? Couldn't you make a case for any one of the teams, the best argument for each being that the other three team have significant holes? Basically, Saj, I ask you: Who's winning the National League pennant?

Funny story. Watching the mad dash in the NL this past week for the final playoff spot(s) made me remember exactly how much I love baseball when the games matter. Every pitch, every swing, every baseball-related cliche. Which is why I told myself that I was going to watch the Rockies-Padres game. Unfortunately for quasi-playoff baseball, I love barbecue more. So roommate Rob graciously set the game to record and I set off to gorge myself on dead animal and Southern alcohol. I return home around 11 only to find that the game is still going on, ignore it in favor of the Patriots game (and, sure, maybe "The Hills"), finally sit down to watch the Rocks-Pads around midnight, and promptly fall into a slumber only eight bourbons and three pounds of meat can produce. What this means is that even though I saw the highlights on espn.com today, I will still go home and try to watch the game in it's entirety all the while getting sidetracked by "House" and whatever other crappy television is on tonight.

To answer your question: No. Don't get me wrong, I love the Rockies. I want the Rockies to win the NLCS (and the World Series if Boston doesn't). I want to see Todd Helton play some meaningful baseball for once. I want a bronze statue of Dante Bichette and Vinny Castilla getting steroid injections in the front lawn of my future home. But I don't see them getting past the Phillies in a short series where the Phillies will have Cole Hamels starting twice, Brett Myers pitching multiple innings out of the bullpen, homefield advantage, and Rollins/Utley/Howard. If you want evidence for this matter, look at Matt Holliday's home-away splits: his OPS jumps 300 points at home to a Bondsian 1.157. That's no accident, the Rockies are lethal at home, average on the road.

That being said, Colorado does have the best adjusted record of the remaining (read: non-Mets) NL playoff teams and they do have decent pitching for a team from Coors Field. I hope they make noise, Ian. I do. But the Phillies are probably the toughest draw in the field right now and Chase Utley is the dreamiest son of a gun this side of Harrisburg.

Pennant winner prediction: Anyone but the Diamondbacks. You heard it here, FIRST.