Who do you predict to win both the ALCS and NLCS?

Question

Who do you want to win both of those series?

Answer 1

The Indians and the Rockies.

Answer 2

Rockies
Red Sox

Answer 3

Red Sox and Diamonbacks

Indians and Rockies

Answer 4

Red Sox (5) and Rockies (6).

Answer 5

Diamondbacks and Red Sox.

Answer 6

Indians and Diamondback both in 6

Answer 7

*********** ALCS ****************

The prevailing opinion among Major League Baseball enthusiasts is, simply, that Boston is the best team in baseball, though fans of Colorado, winners of 17 of the last 18, would make a solid argument for their Rockies.

The 2004 World Series champions begin pursuit of another flag Friday night at Fenway Park versus Cleveland, the American League's Central Division champions and this season's Yankee slayers.

Red Sox supporters point to a postseason experienced pitching staff that's anchored by Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling and a potent offense that's paced by David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.

Beckett and Schilling are a combined 11-2 with an impressive 1.88 ERA in 168 playoff innings.

Backing them up in the bullpen is Jonathan Papelbon, who has a career 1.62 ERA.

Ortiz and Ramirez belted four home runs in Boston's three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels in the first round of the postseason.

Professional Handicappers League member Steve Zukiel is going against conventional wisdom and picking the Indians, who toppled New York 3-1 in the opening series, to advance to the World Series for the first time since 1997, when Florida won in seven games.

"It is going to be a very entertaining series," Zukiel said.

"We know they both are going to score their fair share of runs, but as always, it is going to come down to pitching.

"With that being said, I believe the Tribe has the better overall pitching.

"If the BoSox don't care about winning, then they will put Eric Gagne in as much as possible.

"This guy has to be one of the most overrated relievers in baseball.

"I love the Tribe's bullpen.

"They have some great young pitching and I love the man they call Fausto (Carmona)."

Beckett was a minus $1.55 favorite over big C.C. Sabathia in the opener at Bodog early Thursday morning.

The Las Vegas Hilton opened the Red Sox at 10/1 and Indians at 30/1 to win the Fall Classic when odds were posted during last years World Series.

PHL member Bill Fishman says whichever American League club advances should be able to handle either Colorado or Arizona, who begin NLCS play Thursday night.

"The American league winner is far deeper then anything the National League will throw at them, pitchingwise and offensively," Fishman said.

"Arizona and Colorado are fun teams to watch, however."


*********** NLCS ****************

October is the month of pumpkins, but Professional Handicappers League members Jerry Johnson, Jimmy Boyd and Bill Fishman don't expect the Colorado Rockies to turn into one when they meet Arizona in the NLCS starting Thursday night.

All three PHL analysts are jumping on the Rockies' bandwagon as Jeff Francis prepares to meet Diamondbacks ace Brandon Webb in the first game of the best-of-seven series that will determine the league's pennant winner and World Series representative.

Bodog Sportsbook had the Rockies as a minus $2.00 favorite in Game 1 early Wednesday morning and a minus $1.25 choice to take the whole enchilada.

"The Rockies are the Cinderella story of baseball," said PHL member Jerry Johnson, who lives in neighboring Nebraska.

"What a run!"

The Rockies have won 17 of their last 18 games, including a three-game sweep of National League East Division champion Philadelphia in the first postseason round.

Arizona also disposed of the Chicago Cubs in three.

The Las Vegas Hilton opened Colorado at 100/1 to win the Fall Classic and 50/1 to cop a National League flag; the Diamondbacks were posted at 60/1 and 30/1 respectively.

Colorado on Wednesday morning was a 2/1 pick to win the World Series, while Arizona was 9/2, though Bodog had taken down the prop.

"The Colorado Rockies are the best story in baseball right now because of what they had to do just to make the playoffs," said Boyd, echoing Johnson's sentiments.

"I like these two young teams (Rocks and Snakes) facing off in this NLCS divisional bout.

"Both of these teams were just supposed to be maturing this season as the Padres and Dodgers looked to be the best on paper.

"These teams know each other inside and out.

"The Snakes have the better starting pitching staff, but as hot as Colorado has been, I have to give them the early edge."

Fishman thinks the series will go the distance.

"The Rockies are very hot and this is something that comes into play in the postseason," he said.

"I feel the small break may be what cools them off against Arizona, which in my opinion has an advantage with the starting staffs.

"It shapes up as a very good series that in my eyes will go seven games.

"If the Rockies get any kind of pitching they will win.

"They have a superior offense, one of the league's Top 3.

"If I have to pick, I would say the Rockies in seven with Jeff Francis outdueling Webb and winning the MVP."

Oddsmaker Ken White of Las Vegas Sports Consultants pretty much considers the showdown a toss up.

"I really don't have an opinion," White said.

"I think the series has settled in at about the right price, though I see some offshore books opened Arizona the favorite.

"Arizona gets the pitching advantage because of Webb.

"He's the biggest ace on either club.

"But Colorado's lineup is so strong.

"They're definitely the better team offensively.

"(Matt) Holliday has had such a great season."

Oddsmakers probably aren't supposed to cheer, but White acknowledges that he'll likely be rooting for the Rockies in his heart.

"They've never been to a World Series and the Diamondbacks have," White said.

He advises players to look for value in the underdog on a game-by-game basis.

"Dogs are 8-5 in the playoffs so far," White noted.

Answer 8

Indians and Rockies.

Answer 9

BO. SOX in 6
ROCKIES in 7