MLB Thoughts and Notes

By Justin Albers
basketballss132002@yahoo.com
INDIANAPOLIS- The MLB Playoffs will start today, so it is time to tell my thoughts on the end of the season. Obviously I haven't written about baseball in a while, but here we go.
Updated Postseason predictions
AL
Yankees vs. Tigers- JJ's Prediction Yankees in 5
A's vs. Twins- JJ's Prediction A's in 5
A's vs Yankees- JJs prediction Yankees in 6

NL
Cardinals vs Padres- JJ's Prediction Padres in 4
Dodgers vs. Mets- JJ's Prediction Dodgers in 5
Padres vs Dodgers- JJ's Prediction Dodgers in 7

Yankees vs. Dodgers- JJ's Prediction Yankees in 6

Thoughts on Dusty
Dusty Baker will not be back with the Cubs next season, and honestly I am a little dissapointed. My personal opinion on Dusty always was that he was a good manager who, with time, could take them to the playoffs. Dusty had to deal with all the bad luck and injuries this season, but he never complained and still put a team out there everyday. I do think that the Cubs management made the correct decision however, because you cannot expect to keep your job after a 66-96 season. I just don't see a bright spot for the Cubs in the next couple of years, unless they develop a pitching rotation and stick with it.
Cubs deadline trades
Neifi Perez- Current team Detroit Tigers (in playoffs)
Greg Maddux- Current team Los Angeles Dodgers (in playoffs)
Todd Walker- Current team San Diego Padres (in playoffs)

Why not the Phillies?
I don't know how the rest of the country feels, but I was actually very dissapointed when the Phillies did not make the playoffs. Philly has one of the most exciting teams in baseball, with THE best player in the game. Ryan Howard will not be in the playoffs despite his league leading 58 HR and 149 RBI. Chase Utley was also up there in the RBI standings, not to mention his huge hitting streak that had everybody excited in the middle of the season. The Philies traded away Bobby Abreu at the deadline because they did not expect to have a chance at the playoffs. Had they not made they move, they might be in the playoffs.