Thoughts on poor predictions

Honestly, when I predicted my playoff choices, I felt pretty damn confident. I knew they weren't going to be perfect, but never in my mind was I thinking that I'd only correctly predict one of the division series winners (Yankees swept Twins, which I did predict).

But the Phillies got a few lucky breaks in Game 3, and then Huston Street reverted to 2008 form and looked more like Brad Lidge than Brad Lidge has. Every Rockie did what they needed to do except Street. He took 2 of the 3 losses, blew one save, and quite frankly lost the Rockies the series.

The Dodgers starters proved up to snuff, and showed some late game magic to beat St. Louis in both games started by Carpenter and Wainwright, which is impossible to predict. Maybe they have the drive and magic to take it all.

And the Angels swept the Sox in what I called the most evenly matched division series this year. Well the Angels starters stepped up, slaying both Beckett and Lester. Lackey probably just added another year to his deal in free agency this offseason with that dominating start.

So far, heroes of the playoffs: Alex Rodriguez (playing A-rod like in the playoffs finally), and Cliff Lee (if they don't take Game 1, they probably lose this series). Honorable mention to Carlos Gonzalez, who played terrific despite the series loss, and John Lackey, for winning Game 1 when everyone thought Lester would make him look inferior as a pitcher.

Goats: Street, and Brian Duensing. I don't care that he was overmatched, if you expect to win, your Game 1 starter can't give up more earned runs than innings pitched.

Thoughts on Charlie Manuel

Watching Game 2 of the Phillies vs. Rockies I was shock. The Phillies don't have a bad bullpen other than the closer mess. But after Cole Hamels predictably didn't pitch very well at all, he decided to use the predicted Game 3 and Game 4 starters J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton out of the bullpen. Needless to say, I, among others watching, were befuddled.

Now Pedro Martinez will be starting Game 3, a game they're now very likely to lose, as a pitcher really needs a solid fastball to be a decent pitcher in Colorado, and Pedro just doesn't have that anymore. Jason Hammel's a much worse pitcher in Colorado than he is anywhere else, so at least the Phillies have that going for them. This now means Cliff Lee has to pitch Game 4, leaving any of Happ, Blanton, or Hamels open for Game 5. Even though Happ only pitched 4 pitches, the way Manuel used him leaves one to think he's going to be used as a LOOGY out of the bullpen, and not the rotation.

And congrats to the Dodgers for proving me dead wrong by beating the Cardinals in both games started by Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter (a little help by Matt Holliday didn't hurt).