With the 2006 playoffs starting Tuesday that means there will be a million predictions between now and the World Series.  With that in mind, I felt I could give some of my knowledge and predictions for the playoffs even though none of my favorite teams are in.  So let’s get our hands dirty and begin the diagnosis.

I feel the eight teams in the playoffs aren’t flukes.   There are teams like Detroit and St. Louis who came into the post-season on a sour note, either losing the division or almost losing the division.  Then you have the two New York squads who won their divisions by ridiculous margins.  There were teams that also started out a little slow (Minnesota, Los Angeles) but showed that they can play with the contenders. 

Finally, you have those who are full of surprises (Oakland, San Diego) – and have a very good chance of making their respective league championships.  But with all of these titans clashing in the playoffs how can we predict the champion?  Easy.

The first round series I am looking most forward to is the Dodgers and the Mets.  Despite the Mets having home field throughout the playoffs based on their record, I believe the Dodgers have the best rotation in the playoffs.  New York counters that with one of the league’s best scoring offenses.  Also, the Mets record at home during the season was an astonishing 50-31. 

For reference, the only team with a better record at home was the Twins at 54-27.  The Dodgers have Derek Lowe, Greg Maddux, and Brady Penny starting the first three games of the National League Division Series.  Conversely, with ace Pedro Martinez now out for the year, the Mets will start Orlando ‘El Duque’ Hernandez (now pending the health of his leg), Tom Glavine, and the aging Steve Trachsel.  What’s more: the Dodgers also are one of the better offenses in the National League. 

I am especially looking forward to the Game 2 match-up between Glavine and Maddux, both because of their tremendous – and likely Hall of Fame – careers and their decade as teammates.  By way of prediction, I look for the Dodgers to win the series in four games, surrendering only the second contest at Shea Stadium.

The next series will answer a lot of questions about the Tigers being contenders or pretenders.  Based on the way their season ended, I have a sinking suspicion they are the latter.  I don’t think this will be much of a series despite the Tigers spectacular pitching; the Yankees hitting is that much better. 

The Bronx Bombers put up over 900 runs this season and the only thing that the Tigers have going for them is that they have the best road record in baseball.  But going to Kansas City is like going in a candy store where being the visiting team going into Yankee Stadium is like walking into Hell.  They just won’t come out. 

But the Yankees pitching staff is also shaky, giving up more than 100 runs than the Tigers did this year.  But I wouldn’t worry about that because the Yankees will put at least seven or eight runs up on the scoreboard before the Tigers know what hit them.  The Yankees have Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, and Randy Johnson for the first three.  I am not sure if Johnson will be available to pitch because of his herniated disc, but he is on the roster. 

The Tigers have Nate Robertson, Justin Verlander, and Kenny Rogers on the mound.  I don’t think there is a spark in this Tiger team but I guess we won’t know till’ the series starts.  I look for the Yankees to give Detroit the broom.