MLB Playoffs Outlook, LDS

[Its a little late, I know (its been a long tiring week and it still is not over yet).]

Here are my predictions for the LDS for MLB this October. Seven of the eight teams are different in the postseason compared to last year.

National League

Colorado over Philadelphia, 3 games to one game

Arizona over Chicago, 3 games to one game

The two winning clubs have an edge over their losing opponents in the pitching and defense areas, and Chicago's edge offensively over Arizona will not be enough.

American League

Boston over Anaheim, 3 games to 2 games

Cleveland over New York, 3 games to one game

The homefield advantage significantly helps both Boston and Cleveland, as all four teams are largely even across the board. Cleveland is underrated in both offense and pitching, and Boston is much better than their regular season record showed. Anaheim will give it a good fight, but will come up just a little short.

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2007-08 NHL Forecast

The National Hockey League season started up this week, so here is my forecast for the upcoming season.

EAST:

Atlantic

1) New York Rangers PLAYOFFS
2) Pittsburgh Penguins PLAYOFFS
3) New Jersey Devils PLAYOFFS
4) Philadelphia Flyers -improved
5) New York Islanders - may be the league's worst club

Northeast

1) Ottawa Senators PLAYOFFS
2) Buffalo Sabres PLAYOFFS
3) Toronto Maple Leafs - just miss
4) Montreal Canadiens - just miss
5) Boston Bruins - the natives will be very restless and angry

Southeast

1) Tampa Bay Lightning PLAYOFFS
2) Florida Panthers PLAYOFFS
3) Carolina Hurricanes PLAYOFFS
4) Atlanta Thrashers - big drop offf
5) Washington Capitols - better, but still sub-.500

Rangers beat Senators to win East

WEST:

Northwest

1) Colorado Avalanche PLAYOFFS
2) Minnesota Wild PLAYOFFS
3) Vancouver Canucks PLAYOFFS
4) Calgary Flames - a dropoff
5) Edmonton Oilers - worst in the west

Pacific

1) San Jose Sharks PLAYOFFS
2) Anaheim Ducks PLAYOFFS
3) Los Angeles Kings PLAYOFFS
4) Dallas Stars - first down year in a long time
5) Phoenix Coyotes - long ugly season

Central

1) Detroit Redwings PLAYOFFS
2) Nashville Predators PLAYOFFS
3) St Louis Blues - just miss
4) Columbus Blue Jackets - better, but still sub-.500
5) Chicago Blackhawks - another long ugly season

Sharks defeat Avalanche to win the West

San Jose defeats New York to win the Stanley Cup

Stanley Cup Darkhorses: Colorado, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Detroit, Nashville, Ottawa, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Florida.

No Chance: St Louis, Chicago, Columbus, Minnesota, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Dallas, Phoenix, Washington, Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Boston, Montreal, Toronto, NY Islanders, Philadelphia, New Jersey.

Lets hope I am wrong and the Colorado Avalanche end up winning their third Stanley Cup.

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