Eights All Around: League Championship Series Predictions

AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

The White Sox finished off a sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway last Friday night and have been eager for an opponent. The top pitcher in baseball during since the All Star break, Jose Contreras, is set to mow down a solid Angels offense on Tuesday night. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Don't ask me about the name, I don't get it either) will be running on fumes after playing Game 4 of the ALDS Sunday in NYC, flying to Anaheim for Game 5 Monday, then flying through the night for Game 1 of the ALCS. Paul Byrd goes in Game 1 for the Angels vs Contreras. Bobby Jenx has a 98 mph fastball to go along with a nasty slider coming out of the bullpen.

Prediction: The Sox are rested, pitching that is White hot and a smoking offense waiting to unload on the Angels. Sox in 6.

Paul Konerko rounds third after his 2-run homer in the sixth inning secured a sweep of Boston.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Houston is a scrappy bunch witnessed by their 18 inning win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 4 of the NLDS. Roger Clemens, Game 2's pitcher, came back to pitch three shutout innings to earn the win in one of the most amazing games in baseball playoff history. Both teams have great starting pitching. Houston with Pettitte, Clemens and Oswalt. St Louis with Mulder, Carpenter and Morris. Both teams have great closers in Brad Lidge and Jason Isringhausen. This series comes down to offense. The Astros have the B's....Biggio, Bagwell and Berkman. The Cardinals have....everybody. Jim Edmonds, Albert Pujols, Reggie Sanders, Larry Walker and the list goes on.

Prediction: Having swept away the inept Padres, the Cardinals are ready to unleash the best team in the baseball on the Astros. Cards in 5.

Having hit the game-winning homerun in the bottom of the 18th inning, Chris Burke receives a congratulatory hug from winning pitcher Roger Clemens.