The 2009 Major League Baseball postseason starts today. The Minnesota Twins were victorious last night in a one-game playoff with the Detroit Tigers, so they will advance into the postseason. The Division Series are best of five and follow a 2-2-1 format with the division winners getting home field advantage. Let’s take a look at the matchups:

Rockies vs. Phillies
The Colorado Rockies are one of the hottest teams in baseball heading into the playoffs. They play extremely well at home (only the Yankees have a better home record), but they are only 41-40 when on the road. The Phillies have home field advantage in this series and arguably a better pitching staff, so it will be very tough for the Rockies to win. With that said though I think the Rockies will win and advance to the NLCS and it will only take 4 games. I predict the Rockies lose Game 1, but come back to win the next 3 in a row.

Twins vs. Yankees
The Minnesota Twins wrapped up a 1 game series last night with the Detroit Tigers to advance into the postseason. The Yankees are the best team in baseball and have home field advantage throughout. I think this will be the only sweep in the Divisional Series games. The Yankees pitching is well rested and just too good for the Twins, who had to use Scott Baker last night just to make the playoffs. Prediction: Yankees win 3-0.

Cardinals vs. Dodgers
The St. Louis Cardinals and LA Dodgers series is the hardest one to predict. The Cardinals are 2-8 in their last 10 games and the Dodgers almost lost the division down the stretch to the Colorado Rockies. Both teams aren’t playing their best baseball right now. The Cardinals have the better pitching staff and they also have arguably the best player in baseball (Albert Pujols). I think this series will also go to 5 games and ultimately it will be the Cardinals who come out victorious.

Red Sox vs. Angels
The Boston Red Sox may be the the AL Wild Card team but they still won 95 games. The LA Angels have home field advantage in this series but they haven’t been able to beat the Red Sox in the playoffs since like 1986. The Angels probably have better hitting and pitching equal to the Red Sox, but I’m not sure if stats can beat psyche. If the Angels don’t go up 2-0 while they’re at home then I don’t think they can win this series. They have to force a Game 5 in LA. I predict a Boston Red Sox 3-1 victory.

Who do you think will win each series and advance to the ALCS and NLCS?