NL First Round:

Goldfarb vs. Applebaum:

With all due respect to the players on Team Applebaum, but this is the one matchup where the outcome should be the most predictable. The bright side is that Applebaum only lost to Goldfarb by one run the last time they played. Unfortunately though, Goldfarb's pick of field allows them to avoid Applebaum's strength(right handed power) and plays right into the hands of a solid defensive team. Goldfarb may not be as dominant now as they were in the first half of the season, but that is not something to be concerned about until the second round.

Prediction: Goldfarb in two


Sarcona vs. Beilis:

We've saw just last year what a Beilis run ballclub can do in the playoffs despite a mediocre regular season. After dominating the middle of the season, Team Sarcona has looked more vulnerable lately only winning 2 of their last 5. Also, they lost both games to Beilis this season where the final scores weren't close. If you're looking for an upset in the National League, this may be the best chance.

Prediction: Beilis in three

Spiegel vs. Granese:

Like Team Sarcona, Spiegel was unstoppable in the middle of the season peaking with a 9-3 record after 12 games. The second half of the schedule has not been as kind and now Spiegel finds themselves matched up with a team that has the same record, but has been a lot more consistent this season. Despite the way the two teams have played lately, Spiegel has one big advantage: Municipal. It's the perfect field to try to tame the highest scoring NL team. Meanwhile, Spiegel has prided themselves as having one of the 2 or 3 best defenses in the league. This series will be close, but the choice of venue will help Spiegel make it to Round 2.

Prediction: Spiegel in three



Younger vs. Harris:

Younger was one of the most consistently good teams during the year buy Team Harris might be their kryptonite. Younger is 0-2 against Harris, but 9-3 against the rest of the NL competition. Meanwhile Harris was an NL best 7-4 in the second half despite having a -2 run differential over that span. Despite their strong play against Younger this year, I think Harris is going to have a short playoff run this year. Team Younger is one of the strongest squads in the league.

Prediction: Younger in two


AL Predictions:

Pollock vs. Lapine:

I'm going to continue the tradition of not predicting my own team's games, but I will offer the following excuses for both my team and Lapine's:

Pollock: While the record shows that we ended the season by getting blown out in two out of the last three games, those horrible losses were without our star pitcher Herm Suarez. With Herm back, I expect us to return to the form that earned us the top spot in the AL.

Lapine: The first time we beat Lapine, they were missing both Mesmers. The second time we beat Lapine, we squeaked out a one-run victory while they were missing Jessie Cytryn. If Lapine had a full squad both games, the results could have been drastically different.

No matter what happens, it'll be a little weird playing this huge series against both Mesmers instead of with them. I'm still bitter we didn't make it further in the playoffs last year.

Prediction: A well fought series won by ????


Peragine vs. Randell:

With all due respect to Teams Wallman and Feldman, if you asked pundits to rank the AL teams seeded #4-7 based on the threat they pose in the post season, chances are you would not get the current order. Randell's team may still have some holes (they still have only given up single digit runs twice this season), but they are the hottest hitting team entering the playoffs. It's not like Peragine has been slacking lately either. Like their first round counterparts, they enter the playoffs with four wins out of their last five games. The most common sentence I heard around the league the last few weeks of the season were "No one wants to play Randell in the playoffs." I think they're going to prove those people right with a first round victory.

Prediction: Randell in three

Wallman vs. Feldman:

The most interesting thing about this matchup is that the games are going to be played at the Manalapan Rec Center! I have a lot of wonderful Little League memories that took place at that complex. Yes, two of the last three Feldman wins have come against two of the best teams in Carlin and Goldfarb. Yes, Team Feldman almost beat Team Pollock in a 12-inning epic battle. No, I am still not on the Feldman bandwagon. While I think Team Wallman underachieved during the regular season, I still suspect they can make things very interesting in the post season.

Prediction: Wallman in two


Carlin vs. Schefkind:

Schefkind has played 8 games this year decided by just one run. Sounds like a lot until you consider Carlin has played in 11! If a computer were to simulate this playoff matchup, they'd have it going three games with the third being a 24 inning affair. These two teams seem to be THAT evenly matched. While Schefkind was playing short handed at the end of the season, I have to pick the team that's won 6 out of their last 7 games and has only lost by more than two runs TWICE this season. Still the most impressive team stat of the season.

Prediction: Carlin in three