Will the youth of the Tampa Bay Rays catch up to them in the 2008 MLB playoffs?
The baseball playoffs are nearly here (pending another rain delay which will help determine the AL Central champ). Ryan Braun's BOOM changed my initial 2008 MLB playoff projections from a week ago, as the Brew Crew snuck in the back door as the NL Wild Card while the New York Mets choked away a playoff berth for the second straight year.
Numerous questions are now waiting to be answered. Will the defending champions thrive in an underdog role? Will a 100-year curse finally end? Can traded stars lead their new teams into the World Series? Do you have the guts to bet on youth over experience?
Here's my look at each opening-round series...
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Philadelphia Phillies: Can the Brewers just forget the past month leading up to the final week of the regular season? Sometimes, everything can change when a team gets new life, and I think that could very well be the case with Milwaukee. Much like the Cubs, the Phillies have a tendency to choke when it matters most, and they are depending on a pair of southpaws in youngster Cole Hamels and veteran Jamie Moyer. I expect the Brew Crew to beat one of those guys, which would put them in excellent position to close out Philly back at home. The big question is, how many games can CC Sabathia pitch for Milwaukee? The Brewers would love to get a couple starts out of him here but may not need it. They are better off getting him some rest for the NLCS.
Play Milwaukee Brewers +155 at BetUS
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs: No series has more riding on the first game than this one. LA's Derek Lowe has been almost unhittable down the stretch, going 4-0 with a 0.50 ERA in his last six starts. Ironically, Chicago will hand the ball to Ryan Dempster, who predicted a World Series title during Spring Training. Critics have waited for Dempster to fade all season, and now he has the opportunity to back up his talk and continue his strong pitching as the team's most consistent starter. The Cubs will need to pitch around Manny Ramirez in this series or he will make them pay. And if they lose the first game, bet the adjusted series price on the Dodgers (currently +175 at BetUS).
No play for me 
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels: Despite losing eight of nine meetings with the Angels this season, the Red Sox still have won nine straight against them in the postseason. Boston's pitching rotation also sets up perfectly against LA, with Jon Lester getting the call in Game 1 followed by Dice-K and then Josh Beckett will have the home crowd on his side in Game 3. John Lackey has always struggled against the Red Sox (3-6 with a 5.54 ERA) and was anything but solid in his last four starts. Lackey was bombed for 10 runs and 12 hits in just 2.2 innings last time out at home against the Rangers on Friday, and he will need to have a short memory or else the Angels will be in trouble right away.
Play Red Sox +120 at BetUS
Minnesota Twins/Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays: I honestly believe the Rays will win the World Series this year, and neither of their potential opponents from the AL Central can stop them from at least advancing to the ALCS. As I have said before, Tampa Bay reminds me a ton of those 1997 and 2003 Florida Marlins teams that went on to win the World Series. Being young and inexperienced will be offset by a very strong home-field advantage and an incredible ability to bounce back from series-opening losses. I will give Minnesota a slightly better chance of winning one game.
Play Rays to sweep in 3 games (when available)
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