Expert Riley's Postseason Predictions

I have the playoffs all set up. Now let's see how I think my division winners will fare in the Fall Classic.

"Expert" Riley's Playoff Predictions

ALDS
#4 Cleveland Indians over #1 Detroit Tigers, 3 games to 2
-This will be a close series decided in the final game in Detroit. However, Cliff Lee outduels Justin Verlander in this classic and avenges the Game 1 Tigers win in which the Detroit ace bested Lee.

#2 New York Yankees over #3 Oakland Athletics, 3 games to1
-Jarrod Parker gets his team a Game 1 win, but the series goes downhill fast for Oakland. The potent Yankee offense proves too much for an overmatched Oakland pitching staff.

NLDS
#1 Philadelphia Phillies over #4 San Francisco Giants, 3 games to 1
-The Phillies' starting staff is just too good and too deep for most teams to keep up with. The Giants nab a game against the Philadelphia version of Cliff Lee, but Roy Halladay, Curt Schilling and Cole Hamels dominate the rest of the series.

#3 Arizona Diamondbacks over #2 St. Louis Cardinals, 3 games to 2
-Sure, people will get on Randy Johnson for his low control. But he shuts down the vaunted Cardinal hitters in both of his starts, edging St. Louis and catapulting Arizona into the NLCS.

ALCS
#4 Cleveland Indians over #2 New York Yankees, 4 games to 3
-David wins! David wins! Cleveland celebrates its second straight upset victory over a seemingly superior opponent behind the arms of Cliff Lee and Chuck Finley and the bats of Jim Thome and Roberto Alomar.

NLCS
#1 Philadelphia Phillies over #3 Arizona Diamondbacks, 4 games to 0
-OK, I'm with Peter on this one. However, I don't think it will go to seven games. This time, the big Unit's low control comes back to bite him against Bobby Abreu and Shane Victorino. Philly's starters do their thing and lead their team on a stroll past Arizona.

World Series
Here we go. The Fall Classic. A heavily favored (and rightfully so) East Coast powerhouse takes on the scrappy blue collar team from the Midwest.

#4 Cleveland Indians over #1 Philadelphia Phillies, 4 games to 3
-Could you see the Indians' storybook season end any other way? This time, Cleveland has the home field advantage thanks to the AL's victory in the All-Star game. And this time, the team wins Game 7 on a walk-off Jim Thome homerun in extras to best the Phillies and win the World Series!