Playoffs PART 3!!!

Yes folks, we've come so far...it's almost Friday the 13th and it's time for the playoff division showdowns (part 3)! It is in this round that the AL and NL East and West kings and queens will be crowned. Sure, teams have already finished in first place for the regular season, but let's be honest here -- just like the NBA, NHL, and PBA, the regular season is meaningless. This is a playoff league, so whoever wins these match-ups can truly claim division championship status!
I'll try to give my best, most in-depth analysis for these games...but they're going to all be close, hard-fought games, with better defense, hence lower scores.

I cannot guarantee that these picks will be accurate, so please, don't go running to your bookies throwin down 5 dimes on my word...keep bets under 2 grand please. Also, be aware, I'm consistently bad at picking anything, except football games, at which I'm mediocre.

Also, please keep in mind that these predictions/analyses are just for fun. If your team wins and I picked/am picking you to lose, then good for you. But seriously, refrain from playing the "in your face" card on me...Honestly, this isn't that serious, and I get paid no matter who wins...so I really don't care. Frankly, on a hot day, you'll just irritate me by talking about stupid stuff when I'm working. Tony Kornheiser isn't held accountable for his picks, nor shall I be...

AL East
Swingers v. Pourhowzers: This is a rematch of last weekend's showdown, in which the Howzers won due to some 7th inning heroics. Will this game have the same result? Here are a few reasons why I might answer "yes" : The Pourhowzers are undefeated, they will be the home team (last at bats in the playoffs can prove crucial), they've hit and fielded consistently, and they want it more. There are reasons however, to argue for the Swingers in this match-up: They have the playoff experience/they've won a championship before, they were missing their starting SS and leadoff hitter for the regular season game, they have the better fielding outfield in what should prove to be a fly-ball game, and the Pourhowzers played decidedly tight in their first match-up.
The umpire might actually play a role in this game as well. No, not in handing the game to one team or the other, but rather by imposing their strike zone on each team's batters -- ie a high strike zone might benefit the Pourhowzers because with the exception of Dave Sack, the Swingers are not a particularly good high-strike hitting team. Similarly, if an umpire with a tight strike zone were to officiate this game, it would aide the more accurate Ryan Hemingway's pitches, and the Swingers' low-ball batters.
In a game like this, with two teams so equally matched, it really can go either way. For that reason alone, I find it difficult, but not impossible, to imagine either team beating their opponent two games in a row. I might be going out on a limb, but perhaps the Howzers want it too much; if they can't play loose, they can't win this game. My head is telling me Pourhowzers, but my gut won't let me do it. Swingers 17, Howzers 14.

AL West-

Bloop Singles v. Perfect Strangers: To be honest, I'm just guessing that Perfect Strangers are the home team. They have the same record, and I'm to damn lazy to look it up. I don't know who won the regular season game, so this is a pretty worthless analysis. You can probably stop reading right there. That being said, I haven't done many of the Strangers games this season, but I've seen their box scores and watched their celebrations. They win a lot and by a lot, but few team have the fluidity in the field and on the base paths that the Bloop Singles have shown this season. They're playing good softball right now, behind great pitching, solid fielding and well-timed power hitting. The Strangers need to field well, and consistently well, because that's what they'll be seeing from Bloop. Line drives over the infield, or hard ground balls to the left side are the Strangers' friends in this one.
Anyway, I like Bloop in this one no matter who is the home team, especially if this game is played on field #5, where there are wide open spaces to make fly ball catches, regardless of how far they're hit. The knuckle ball will play a role in this win, so Bloop better hope for a breezy, but not gusty day. Bloop 16, Perfect Strangers 12

NL East-
Blue Team v. Masterbatters: This will be a well pitched, well fielded game. The Blue Team might have the better pitcher, but going around the horn from 3rd to first, the Masterbatters are better at each position -- better gloves, and superior arms. Throw in their power at the plate and Andy's arm from left field and it should be a Masterbatter victory.
The Blue Team needs to be selective at the plate, and keep the Masterbatters from hitting line drives to stay in this one. High or inside pitches to the power-hitters can keep the ball catchable for the Blue Team.
The Masterbatters need to take this game seriously, show up with a full roster, and get production out of the bottom of their line-up. They have to get the ball in quickly from the outfield, and take level swings at the high arcing pitches. Overthrows can also be an issue.
Masterbatters win if they take care of the ball and don't pop-out too much.MB 20, Blue Team 13.

NL West-
PRD v. Bayside Tigers: The defending Summer League champs were tripped up by the Perfect Strangers during Rivalry Week, but it just may have been the wake-up call they needed. They'll play hard from start to finish in this game, or they'll lose. PRD has a ton of power and can play the field as well as most teams. They were my early season pick to make the finals, but their recent inability to field a team on a consistent basis has me regretting my choice. PRD can give Bayside a game, but they need to play hard and mistake-free to win. PRD Captain Kevin needs to drive the ball, and come up with runners on base. They also need to hustle down the line with runners on, because the Tigers can turn a double play with ease.
Bayside has the superior outfielders, more power bats, and arguably the best SS in DcCityball. PRD can probably keep up offensively, but Bayside does all the little things right ( getting the ball in quickly, backing-up throws, taking the extra base) and they have a center fielder that will catch anything in his general direction. If, by chance, this game is played on field #6, with the "short" porch in left, this game might get out of hand, in favor of Bayside. As long as Bayside comes to play, and play sober(ish), no one can beat them in the playoffs. Bayside takes it 23-17.

That, if my calculations are correct, leaves us with a Swingers v. Bloop Singles ALCS, and a Masterbatters v. Bayside rematch in the NLCS. Sounds good to me..actually if I've picked 1 out of those 4 teams correctly, I'll be pleasantly surprised, as 2.5 of these games can really go either way...anyway, come back tomorrow for the AL/NL CS picks, as well as my pick this year for League Champs. Good luck to all teams!
-Play ball!