Posted by Brian Joseph on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 11:23 am

With three of the four League Division Series beginning today, today is the perfect opportunity for the BDD crew to weigh in on the first round of the MLB postseason.

Here are our picks for this year’s LDS and the rock solid logic behind our choices following the graphic:

AMERICAN LEAGUE

NEW YORK YANKEES vs. MINNESOTA TWINS

Schedule

Wed. 10/7 (6:07 p.m.) at New York — CC Sabathia (19-8) vs. Brian Duensing (5-2)
Fri. 10/9 (6:07 p.m.) at New York — A.J. Burnett (13-9) vs. Nick Blackburn (11-11)
Sun. 10/11 (Time TBD) at Minnesota — Andy Pettitte (14-8) vs. Carl Pavano (14-12)

IF NECESSARY:
Mon. 10/12 (Time TBD) at Minnesota — To Be Determined vs. Scott Baker (15-9)
Wed. 10/14 (Time TBD) at New York — To Be Determined vs. To Be Determined

OUR PICKS

Bill Baer (Yankees in 3)
There is no team in baseball as dominant as the Yankees and the Twins don’t have enough in any facet of the game to overtake the big spenders.

Andrea Betts (Yankees in 4)
The Yankees are coming off the fire of a stellar second half.  The new stadium has produced the most home runs in the majors this year, and the Yankees have more often than not, have been the ones earning those homers.  Provided Sabathia doesn’t have another outing like last Friday’s game, the Yankees should be set to come out of this series in four.  The home field advantage is only going to make it that much better for the Yanks.

Joe Hamrahi (Yankees in 3)

Brian Joseph (Yankees in 3)
It took an extra game for the Twins to get to the postseason but it will take the minimum for the Yankees to eliminate them. They’re just that much better than the Twins.

Jeff Lubbers (Yankeees in 5)
Minnesota’s magical run will end when it must face stronger competition from outside the AL Central.

Mark Levy (Yankees in 4)
Yankees are the best team.

Rob McQuown (Yankees in 4)
Mauer and Kubel “solve” Burnett but it’s only one game.

Eric Polsky (Yankees in 4)
The good feeling Twins’ run will come to an abrupt end as they run into a Yankees juggernaut but not thanks to A-Rod who got his October RBI and home runs out of his system on Sunday.

Zach Sanders (Yankees in 4)
Just can’t see the Twins overpowering the Yankees and CC Sabathia.

Matt Sisson (Yankees in 3)
Powerful line-up and home field advantage with the best home record in the majors.

Michael Street (Yankees in 3)
The too-tired Twins, lacking Morneau, can’t match up to the powerful Yankees.

Doug Thorburn (Yankees in 3)
A Twinkies lineup sans Morneau will struggle to outscore a fully stacked Yankee team.

Isaac Thorn (Twins)
It seems like a crazy pick to make and it may prove to be. I can see Minnesota winning this behind Michael Cuddyer and Joe Mauer’s bats. A monster series from Delmon Young seems possible to me. Perhaps the Twins will continue to make the most of every opportunity, playing near mistake-free ball. CC Sabathia may end up getting roughed up, and if he does that will go a long way in helping Minnesota advance.

Bo Wulf (Yankees in 3)
The Metrodome bows out to the firepower of the Yankees.

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LOS ANGELES ANGELS vs. BOSTON RED SOX

Schedule

Thu. 10/8 (9:37 p.m.) at Los Angeles — John Lackey (11-8) vs. John Lester (15-8)
Fri. 10/9 (9:37 p.m.) at Los Angeles — Jered Weaver (16-8) vs. Josh Beckett (17-6)
Sun. 10/11 (Time TBD) at Boston — Scott Kazmir (10-9) vs. Clay Buchholz (7-4)

IF NECESSARY:
Mon. 10/12 (Time TBD) at Boston — Joe Saunders (16-7) vs. To Be Determined
Wed. 10/14 (Time TBD) at Los Angeles — To Be Deterimined vs. To Be Determined

OUR PICKS

Bill Baer (Angels in 5)
This is probably the most even match-up among the Series. I wouldn’t be surprised if neither team wins a game by a margin of greater than 2 runs throughout the LDS.

Andrea Betts (Angels in 5)
The Angels have had the lighter season and easily were able to claim the lead in the AL West, but Boston has struggled with some rough patches throughout the season.  Los Angeles also has the home field advantage.  The Red Sox, compared to their record at-home, have been a bit sloppy on the road.  They will put up a fight, but LA will close this one out in the fifth game.

Joe Hamrahi (Red Sox in 5)

Brian Joseph (Angels in 5)
It’s an annual tradition for me to pick the Angels over the Red Sox. Not the best annual practice, I know.

Jeff Lubbers (Red Sox in 4)
Because it wouldn’t be a postseason as we know it without the Red Sox eliminating the Angels.

Mark Levy (Angels in 4)
The Angels’ small ball approach will take out Boston’s bullpen.

Rob McQuown (Angels in 5)
Great series! If Lackey beats Lester in Game 1, it’s all over and the Angels still have a shot if they lose Game 1.

Eric Polsky (Angels in 5)
The Red Sox have owned the Angels in the postseason in recent years but this year’s version of the Angels own home field advantage and an effective offense that will ride a Gave 5 monkey rally into the ALCS.

Zach Sanders (Red Sox in 4)
I see the Red Sox taking one on the road from the Angels and both at Fenway. If it goes 5, the Angels win.

Matt Sisson (Red Sox in 4)
Boston’s hard throwing pitchers will limit LA’s ability to get on base and without runners on base, their running game is nothing.

Michael Street (Red Sox in 5)
The Angels still can’t shake the Boston jinx.

Doug Thorburn (Red Sox in 4)
Sox have the edge both in terms of lineup depth and strength at the top of the rotation, while Boston’s stronger bullpen gives them superior ingredients to the special sauce.

Isaac Thorn (Angels)
The Red Sox still have an incredibly talented roster but seem more mortal than in years past. Boston has seemed to be an up and down team this year. The Angels will get the clutch hitting from Vladimir Guerrero and Kendry Morales that they need to squeak past Boston.

Bo Wulf (Angels in 5)
John Lackey wins 2 and Morales is introduced to the national stage.

————————

NATIONAL LEAGUE

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES vs. COLORADO ROCKIES

Schedule

Wed. 10/7 (2:37 p.m.) at Philadelphia — Cliff Lee (14-13) vs. Ubaldo Jimenez (15-12)
Thu. 10/8 (2:37 p.m.) at Philadelphia — Cole Hamels (10-11) vs. Aaron Cook (11-6)
Sat. 10/10 (9:37 p.m.) at Colorado — To Be Determined vs. Jason Hammel (10-8)

IF NECESSARY:
Sun. 10/11 (Time TBD) at Colorado — To Be Determined vs. Jason Marquis (15-13)
Tue. 10/13 (Time TBD) at Philadelphia — To Be Determined vs. To Be Determined

Our Picks

Bill Baer (Phillies in 3)
The Phillies are better than the Rockies in a lot of ways and where the Rockies are better than the Phillies, it’s only by a slim margin. Look for te Philly left-handers — both the hitters and the pitchers — to dominate.

Andrea Betts (Phillies in 5)
The defending World Series Champs are returning to defend their title and although I don’t see them making it all the way through, I think they are more than strong enough to come out on top over the Rockies.  The Rockies have some holes in their line up.  It won’t be a cakewalk here, especially as the Rockies have been pretty impressive at home, but the Phillies do have home field advantage to start them out.

Joe Hamrahi (Phillies in 4)

Brian Joseph (Phillies in 4)
Lee and Hamels are “ace quality” and Blanton, Happ or Martinez are better than Hammel and the Marquis that showed up in the 2nd half. If for some reason they aren’t, the Phillies lineup can overcome a bad outing.

Jeff Lubbers (Rockies in 4)
Because it’s really, really difficult to repeat in this day and age.

Mark Levy (Rockies in 5)
The Rockies are hot and I feel an upset.

Rob McQuown (Phillies in 4)
HFA, 2 great SP, and the ability to crush Rockies’ RHP.

Eric Polsky (Rockies in 5)
Colorado’s penchant for late-inning heroics this season will carry over to the postseason where they will overcome a Phillies team with late-inning collapses.

Zach Sanders (Phillies in 4)
With Lee and Hamels, it’s hard for the Phillies to lose in Round 1.

Matt Sisson (Phillies in 4)
Better top of the rotation pitching for the Phillies.

Michael Street (Phillies in 4)
Colorado’s magic runs out as Philly has too much talent and home field advantage.

Doug Thorburn (Phillies in 4)
Hamels, Lee and home field makes a 2-0 lead heading to Colorado a very real possibility.

Isaac Thorn (Phillies)
Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels forming the one-two punch of Philadelphia’s playoff rotation could prove just as important as Jorge De La Rosa’s exclusion from the Rockies’ NLDS roster due to injury. While Philadelphia’s closer issues loom large in my eyes, I think Colorado will be overwhelmed by the Phillies’ two lefties.

Bo Wulf (Rockies in 4)
Phillies’ bullpen falters and Tulowitzki goes off.

————————

LOS ANGELES DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Schedule

Wed. 10/7 (9:37 p.m.) at Los Angeles — Randy Wolf (11-7) vs. Chris Carpenter (17-4)
Thu. 10/8 (6:07 p.m.) at Los Angeles — Clayton Kershaw (8-8) vs. Adam Wainwright (19-8)
Sat. 10/10 (6:07 p.m.) at St. Louis — Vincente Padilla (12-6) vs. Joel Pineiro (15-12)

IF NECESSARY:
Sun. 10/11 (Time TBD) at St. Louis — Chad Billingsley (12-11) vs. To Be Determined
Tue. 10/13 (Time TBD) at Los Angeles — To Be Determined vs. To Be Determined

OUR PICKS

Bill Baer (Cardinals in 4)
The Dodgers are weaker than when we last saw them in the post-season in ‘08. They lack starting pitching depth and their offense has looked lethargic on the whole. If they can bring a tie game or a slight lead into the late innings, they have a chance at winning some games. Getting to Carpenter and Wainwright will be an ordeal for the Blue Crew.

Andrea Betts (Cardinals in 5)
Although the Cardinals could be considered the underdog against the Dodgers, I see them eking this one out.  The Dodgers have been struggling late in the season.  Carpenter and Wainwright are looking good for the Cardinals and have been solid against L.A.  Also Albert Pujols, enough said.

Joe Hamrahi (Cardinals in 4)

Brian Joseph (Cardinals in 3)
Vincente Padilla is the 3rd option for the Dodgers? If the Dodgers have to beat the combination of Carpenter/Wainwright more than once, I don’t see it happening.

Jeff Lubbers (Cardinals in 5)
Without Matt Holliday the call would be the Dodgers but it’s too difficult to pitch around two powerful sluggers.

Mark Levy (Cardinals in 4)
Pujols not Manny.

Rob McQuown (Cardinals in 5)
It rarely works out this way but it’s hard to imagine Carpenter or Wainwright losing.

Eric Polsky (Cardinals in 4)
The MVP and 2nd half MVP will team up with the Cy Young winner and Cy Young runner-up to shut down the Dodgers’ train that has been slowly running out of gas.

Zach Sanders (Cardinals in 3)
Too much uncertainty for the Dodgers rotation for them to beat Carpenter/Wainwright.

Matt Sisson (Cardinals in 4)
Carpenter/Wainwright/Pujols… Dodgers starting pitching can’t match.

Michael Street (Cardinals in 5)
A very even match-up comes down to St. Louis’ superior starting pitching.

Doug Thorburn (Cardinals in 5)
The Dodgers’ depth won’t overcome the Cardinals’ top-heavy roster in a short series.

Isaac Thorn (Cardinals)
Albert Pujols has become very difficult to pitch around, and I feel confident that like the Phillies, St. Louis pitching staff is going to prove to be the decisive factor in this series.This series parallels the other NL series, where one team trots out a Chris Carpenter or Cole Hamels, and the other squad counters with Randy Wolf or Aaron Cook. While Wolf and Cook are good pitchers, they are not of the same caliber as their opponents. Vicente Padilla starting Game 3 for LA also gives me pause.

Bo Wulf (Cardinals in 5)
Too much starting pitching and Pujols.