Fun on Friday- MLB Playoffs

Before the first pitch of tonight's Major League Baseball playoffs, I thought I'd take a shot at predicting the winner of each first-round series.

American League:
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers
The Rays are thrilled just to be here. A month ago, the Rays being in the playoffs seemed highly unlikely; it took an historic collapse by the Boston Red Sox for the Rays to get in.
The Rangers have been strong since the first game of the season. Texas has solid pitching, something it's seldom had, and strong hitting.
Pick: Texas Rangers
The Rays are a solid team. They've got momentum. But the Rangers are a strong team in all areas.

Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees
The Tigers started slowly and caught fire. They blew away the rest of the AL Central.
The Yankees are the Yankees. They pay lots of money and have lots of big-name players.
Pick: New York Yankees
Call it playoff experience or maybe just on reputation, but I think the Yankees have enough to hold off the Tigers. Were the Tigers to win the series, however, I would not be surprised.

National League:
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The Cardinals didn't expect to be here a month ago. In mid-summer, there was talk that Tony LaRussa had lost this team's attention.
The Phillies have been the favorite all year.
Pick: Philadelphia Phillies
The Cards will play hard and give the Phillies all they've got. But the Phils are the winningest team in the majors because of outstanding pitching (Hallady, Lee, Hamles, Oswalt) and effective hitting (Howard, Utley, Rollins, Pence). The favorite doesn't always win. I think they will in this series.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Seriously, how many Diamondbacks can you name? They were supposed to be terrible this season. Their success is totally unexpected.
The Brewers play in a small market and don't get much national TV airplay. Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder are big-time players. Adding Zack Greinke to the rotation was a major addition.
Pick: I would love it if the D-Backs were to advance. Who doesn't love an underdog, come-from-nowhere story? But the Brewers are here because they're a good team; plus they need to win now because Prince Fielder is leaving for bigger money as soon as he can.