A notable consideration in the Red Sox-Angels series is that Boston ranked dead last in stolen bases allowed and percentage of runners caught stealing. That could be a factor, as the Angels will surely try to take advantage.

I think you're missing something with the LA/STL series. The significant first-half/second-half production split that St. Louis showed, even with the September meltdown, came about largely through addition of guys who mash lefties (Holliday, Lugo, an admittedly dinged-up DeRosa), and every bit as important, subtraction of guys who were putty in a port-sider's hands (the egregious Chris Duncan and equally unfortunate Joe Thurston). I would not go so far as to say it now does the Cardinals a favor to start a southpaw against them, but it's not nearly the advantage that it was earlier in the season.

Hmmm. The Phillies, who led the league in runs scored, have a "dysfunctional lineup." Curious choice of words....

Seriously, if Rollins hits the way he did the first half of the year, the Phils could indeed be in trouble. But chances are the games will be decided by something weirder, like Jorge de la Rosa's groin.

The Phillies as hitters have rather impressive numbers against each of the Rockies starters. Jayson Werth in particular tees off on them pretty regularly.

It's all good. If you asked Joe last year, I'm sure he had the Brewers in 4, the Dodgers in 6, and the Rays in 6. (Only that last one is for sure, though, as Jaffe wrote the other two for BP).

The Rockies rotation is all RHP, so obviously there'll be no benching of Howard. Benching him only makes the other manager's job easier - he knows exactly when to neutralize Howard and is relieved of making more than one Howard-related decision per game.

Utley's and Ibanez' reverse splits foil Howard nicely. Victorino, Utley, Ibanez, Werth and even Ruiz are platoonproof. (Feliz, you won't notice either way.) Tracy can't really make a reliable decision with the LH relievers, unless he puts them in for Howard and takes them out for Ibanez every time, and even that would be silly.

One could say Jimmy Rollins is an even less dangerous player vs. LHP than Howard. Although Rollins' OBP is .332 since July, not leadoff-quality but not sub-.300 either.

Sucking against LHP is a relatively OK flaw to have, especially against 2009 Colorado. If the Rockies' secret weapon is Randy Flores, my guess is the Phillies will take their chances.

Joe, if the Phillies do win, please, just say you were wrong rather than saying they were lucky. I am not saying you are wrong, but I am sick of people trying to justify a lost position.

The Twins Win!!!!!!! Baby Jesus is going to have to carry this team on his back to beat the hated Yanks. They have owned us in the playoffs over the past 7 years, but this is the year. Metrodome magic baby.

jkaplow21, I think Joe basically admits that the prediction is a crap shoot. So it might be luck if the Phillies win, but it's just as much luck involved if the Rockies win as well. That's the way at least I at least think is the correct way of looking at things.

By the way, my one gripe with this column is that while it is a snapshot, the Phillies/Rockies section just seems to be harping on Philadelphia's issues, there is nothing about the Rockies other than they should carry an extra lefty reliever ... I'd rather hear more about the Rockies because I'm a Phillies fan and I know all about their pros and cons already.

The gang at BP is no more likely to pick correctly than we are - but it's still fun as hell to get their take on who will win and, most importantly, why.

Well, the Phillies are certainly showing why most of us think they're a lot better than Joe apparently does.

3-time NL East champs, World Series champions, owners of the 2nd best run differential in the NL this year--yeah, crazy to think they might actually be good, huh?