Posted by Brian Joseph on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 9:09 am

Fresh off of moderate success in predicting the LDS results, the BDD crew is back with our LCS predictions. As a group, the BDD writers went 3-for-4 in the League Division Series although our unanimous decision to select the Cardinals proved disastrous. Brian Joseph, Bill Baer, Rob McQuown and Andrea Betts all successfully predicted 3-of-4 in the first round of the postseason.

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

AMERICAN LEAGUE

OUR PICKS

Bill Baer (Angels in 7)

I was wrong about the Red Sox-Angels ALDS going the distance, but maybe I’ll get it this time. I think the Angels-Yankees ALCS will be the best since 2004 when the Red Sox came back from a 3-0 deficit. It will be interesting to contrast the Angels’ speed against the Yankees’ power.

Andrea Betts (Yankees in 5)

The Yankees and Angels are even coming out of the regular season. No one is going to be able to skate through these games like they did in the ALDS, however the I think the Yankees are the stronger opponent here. The Yankees have the big guns when in comes to homers and their bullpen has been formidable.

Joe Hamrahi (Yankees in 5)

The Angels got terrific outings from John Lackey and Jered Weaver in the ALDS against the Red Sox. In order to stay in this series, they’ll have to do that again. I just don’t see it happening. The New York lineup is too deep and explosive. The Yankees pitchers will face a more formidable lineup this time, but again, their rotation is deep, well rested and battle tested.

Brian Joseph (Yankees in 6)

The Yankees are better at almost every position, have favorable pitching match-ups and the greatest postseason closer in the history of the game. Anything can happen in a short series but this feels like the Yankees year.

Jeff Lubbers (Yankees in 6)

Now that the Yankees have broken the curse of the ‘04 Red Sox there’s no reason to believe they won’t return to their old ways even more and return to the World Series.  Going with a three-man rotation would benefit the Yankees as well by not having to start Chamberlain.

Mark Levy (Yankees in 6)

Dean Lima (Angels in 6)

The front of the Angels rotation will continue to dominate.

Rob McQuown (Yankees in 6)

Why not? Finding flaws in the Yankees seems like nitpicking — the defense is a little old, the fourth starter situation isn’t great, Burnett’s not an ideal #2. These are dwarfed by the great offense and overwhelming bullpen. There are not enough weaknesses here for Mike Scioscia to exploit, though the Angels should be able to take a couple of games to keep it lively.

Eric Polsky (Yankees in 7)

This could turn out to be one of the best AL Championship Series in history and it is very difficult to pick a winner. The talent of the Yankees is matched by the effectiveness of the Angels. I’m giving the edge to the home team, if for no other reason than the Angels will have one more cross-country flight to deal with.

Zach Sanders (Angels in 7)

Destiny seems to be on this team’s side and it’s hard to pick against that.

Matt Sisson (Yankees in 6)

Unlike the Red Sox, the Yankees have been hitting and are a far better team than the Angels. I also don’t see Weaver and Lackey pitching like they did in the LDS.

Michael Street (Yankees in 6)

The Angels shook off their BoSox curse but New York has too much talent for Scioscia and the “Smallballers” to compete.

Doug Thorburn (Yankees in 5)

Yankees sport the best lineup in baseball, and depending on how CC performs on short rest, they could have the edge on the mound in 3 of the first 4 games. Joba in the ‘pen provides some insurance in case a quick hook is necessary.

Isaac Thorn (Angels in 6)

Two great teams here… Perhaps a three-man rotation will put too much stress on New York’s starters and bullpen. Kendry Morales may upstage Mark Teixeira.

David Wade (Yankees in 5)

A-Rod continues to shed anti-clutch label and hits seven homers in the series and bloodies his face in Game 2 making a diving leap into the stands to catch a pop-up and then performing the Heimlich manuever on a nearby fan that swallows his hot dog whole in the presence of such awesomeness. Some of his homers will be against Brian Fuentes who is almost as bad as Brad Lidge.

Bo Wulf (Angels in 6)

Lackey outpitches Sabathia and the emotional ride for the Angels continues.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

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Bill Baer (Phillies in 6)

As long as the Dodgers don’t allow Hiroki Kuroda to pitch every game, the Phillies have a pretty good shot. They’re better hitters, fielders, and base runners, arguably have a better starting rotation. The Dodgers are going to need to keep the games close enough until their bullpen can come in and take control. But just think: we haven’t even seen the Phillies’ offense gel save for that ninth inning at Coors in Game 4.

Andrea Betts (Dodgers in 7)

The Dodgers surprised me against the Cardinals.  They also lost last year to the Phillies in the NLCS so I think that they’re going to be playing with a vengeance.  The Dodgers starting pitching isn’t incredibly strong, but I think their bullpen will get them through.

Joe Hamrahi (Phillies in 6)

The Dodgers absolutely shocked me with their first round sweep of the Cardinals. Were the Los Angeles bats that potent or did the St. Louis pitching just fall flat? I’ll give L.A. some credit but I really worry about Randy Wolf, Clayton Kershaw and Vicente Padilla going up against a Philadelphia lineup that can beat you in so many ways. And while I’m not about to say Brad Lidge has turned things around, his first round success could bode well for his confidence going into a more crucial seven game series against the Dodgers. I’ve watched this Philadelphia team too many times to bet against Utley, Howard, Rollins, Werth, Ibanez, Victorino, and company.

Brian Joseph (Phillies in 6)

Anyone else experiencing deja vu? Last year, the Dodgers shocked everyone by sweeping the NL Central winner while the Phillies knocked out the Wild Card in four. Both teams are better than last year’s version but the Phillies have much better starting pitching.

Jeff Lubbers (Phillies in 5)

Without Cliff Lee the Phillies would not return to the World Series.  But with the masterful midseason acquisition the Phillies stand as good of a shot as other previous champions at repeating, difficult as it may be.

Mark Levy (Dodgers in 7)

Dean Lima (Dodgers in 6)

I do think the Dodgers pitching will do a good job vs. the Phillies lineup and the Dodgers will pound the Phillies arms. I love the Dodgers bench as well.

Rob McQuown (Dodgers in 6)

With Padilla appearing to be for real, the Dodgers starting pitching is strong and led by two lefties. The Phillies pitching is very left-handed, also, but the Dodgers hit lefties better than righties, even with Manny taking a 50-day “vacation”. Dodgers are very marginally better through eight innings and have a staggering advantage in terms of closers which should be enough.

Eric Polsky (Dodgers in 6)

The Dodgers were impressive at home in the NLDS as they seemed to recapture some of their dominant mid-season form. Their effective pitching against lefties sets up well against a lefty-heavy Phillies lineup.

Zach Sanders (Dodgers in 7)

Broxton vs. Lidge will end up being the big story in this series with the big man coming through when it counts.

Matt Sisson (Phillies in 7)

No way the Dodgers starters can do it again. No way! Phillies ride Hamels and Lee all the way.

Michael Street (Dodgers in 7)

A deeper bench and stronger bullpen makes the difference as the Dodgers get revenge for the 2008 NLCS.

Doug Thorburn (Phillies in 7)

Philly’s top 6 bats trump the big 3 of the Dodgers, and Ethier can’t hit lefties, so the Phillies have the edge in the early innings. The Dodgers’ elite relieving corps could play a big role in this series, especially if Philly’s shaky ‘pen falters.

Isaac Thorn (Dodgers in 6)

Andre Ethier… another monster series from him could propel Joe Torre’s squad to the World Series. I also have to hop on the Vicente Padilla bandwagon. If Hiroki Kuroda can return and offer up a quality start, that would be a huge help.

David Wade (Phillies in 7)

The aforementioned Lidge is perfect in this series while throwing nothing but sliders in every appearance, but the Phillies are good enough to sew up three of the games before it gets to him. Werth will be series MVP.

Bo Wulf (Dodgers in 7)

Manny finally gets hot and the rest of the offense explodes against any non-Cliff Lee pitcher.