As always, same ranking theories as before. Work's the same, and while this is slightly later than I'd like it to be, it is technically before the first Tuesday game. I'll deal.
1. Boston (previous series 1-2, W1) @ Cleveland (previous series 1-2, L2) - Matchup du Jour
It's not an exciting week for matchups (at least during the week). Howver, this pairing would be exciting no matter what. Cleveland is coming off a surprise series loss to the Royals (everyone regresses to the mean sometime, I guess). Any way you break it, this will be a good series - good pitching and better hitting. Expect 2 blowouts (one by each team) and a close game in the 4-3 range.
BOSTON 5.5, CLEVELAND 4.5
2. Tampa Bay (previous series: 0-3, L3) @ New York (AL) (previous series: 2-1, W2) - Redemption (?)
Don't look now, but the Devil Rays were 11-8 last year against the Yanks. Bet that leaves a mark. Aside from the Damon pickup, not much has changed with either team. As always, if the Yanks can score, then they'll probably win. On paper, it's all Yankees - but we said that last year, too. Who knows?
NEW YORK (AL) 6, TAMPA BAY 4
3. Cincinnati (previous series: 3-1, W1) @ Washington (previous series: 1-1, L1) - Doctor's Orders
Hey, it's another bad pitching staff for the Nats to beat up on. Of course, it comes with a good offense, too. This will probably be as close to an offensive bonanza as anything in RFK will ever get; in other words, expect some 8-6 games. The Nats have the definite upside advantage, though, as their pitching usually isn't this bad.
WASHINGTON 6.5, CINCINNATI 3.5
4. Colorado (previous series: 2-1, W1) @ Philadelphia (previous series: 1-1, W1) - Next Best Thing to Home
It's not Coors, but it's not far off. Maybe the Rockies will believe it. That'd be the major way to avoid problems on the Rockies' end of things. For the Phillies, they can probably shut down the Rockies' offense, especially absent Todd Helton, who has some vaguely described stomach ailment.
PHILADELPHIA 7, COLORADO 3
5. Baltimore (previous series: 1-2, L2) @ Toronto (previous series: 2-1, L1) - Second Level Competition
Obviously, neither of these teams are bad, really. They just default out to the second level of teams in the AL East. Noting wrong with that. However, look for a significantly better offense (Toronto's) to be the deciding factor. Baltimore wil probably take a game in the series, but expecting more than that might be border slightly on outright folly.
TORONTO 6.5, BALTIMORE 3.5
6. Atlanta (previous series: 1-1, W1) @ Milwaukee (previous series: 1-3, L1) - Super-Delayed Homecoming
Of course, whenver Atlanta goes back to Milwaukee, someone has to bring up that the Braves used to play there. Getting back to modern times, both teams are having minor pitching issues. Atlanta still needs a serviceable 5th starter, and the Brewers are wondering what's going on with Doug Davis. Look for the Brewers' hitting to carry them over the slightly injured Braves.
MILWAUKEE 5.5, ATLANTA 4.5
7. Oakland (previous series: 1-2, L2) @ Texas (previous series: 3-0, W4) - Divisional Mediocrity
Both teams are still somewhat struggling and are better than their records indicate. While this matchup is close, it's only close because it's in Texas, where Oakland's pitching superiority isn't as easily exploited. However, Oakland's offense should do well against the substandard Texas pitching, which will account for the difference.
OAKLAND 6, TEXAS 4
8. Florida (previous series: 1-1, L1) @ Chicago (NL) (previous series: 1-2, W1) - Struggles
Chicago's still adjusting to life without Derrek Lee while Florida isn't very good. This series should be a positive thing for both team's offenses, especially if the wind blows out. This should be one of the times where the Cubs don't miss Lee; they don't need him here for one, and they should take two here.
CHICAGO (NL) 7, FLORIDA 3
9. Los Angeles (previous series: 2-1, W1) @ Houston (previous series: 3-0, W3) - Playing Field
The field is again a factor. This time, it's nullfying Los Angeles' pitching advantage. Unfortunately for them, Houston's pitching isn't as bad as expected, and even a more potent than normal offense might not be able to score enough runs to keep up. While these teams are close, close does not necessarily mean interesting in this case.
LOS ANGELES 5.5, HOUSTON 4.5
10. Minnesota (previous series: 0-3, L4) @ Kansas City (previous series: 2-1, W2) - Battle of Who Could Care Less
On one hand, you've got a team that consists of Johan Santana, Joe Nathan, a couple of decent hitters, and not much else. On the other hands, Kansas City wishes they had that much. Feel the excitement! WHen someone says that interleague matchups aren't exciting, neither is this series.
MINNESOTA 7, KANSAS CITY 3
11. Pittsburgh (previous series: 0-3, L4) @ St. Louis (previous series: 2-1, L1) - Divisional Boredom
Seriously - we saw this in Pittsburgh last week. What's changed? Nothing. Well, maybe Pujols isn't as hot, but that's it. This might qualify for the Unexciting Sweep of the Week, as each team probably already knows its fate - and nobody else has a lot of reason to care.
ST. LOUIS 8.5, PITTSBURGH 1.5
12. Detroit (previous series: 3-0, W5) @ LA Angels (previous series: 2-1, W2) - Gatecrashers
Don't look now (hey, I said that again), but Detroit hasn't done badly on their West Coast jaunt. Is this an early-season mirage or a sign of things to come? This will be a tougher test for the Tigers, as while the A's struggled compared to expectations, the Angels have not.
LA ANGELS 6, DETROIT 4
13. Chicago (AL) (previous series: 3-0, W6) @ Seattle (previous series: 0-3, L3) - Cakewalk
This should be easy pickings for the White Sox, as they're a fair amount better than Seattle. LIke most of the early series this week, there's not a whole lot more than that, it would seem. Felix isn't pitching for the Mariners, but they'll probably take a game. Don't hold your breath waiting, though.
CHICAGO (AL) 7, SEATTLE 3
14. Arizona (previous series: 1-2, L1) @ San Diego (previous series: 2-2, W1) - All-Ugly Award Winner
Seriously. You get Peavy this series, so enjoy it. The rest of this series should be hideous. Bad pitching in a pitcher's park is fun for the whole family. So why do I pan this series and like the Cincy/Washington matchup? I'm a Nats fan. Let's hear it for personal bias!
SAN DIEGO 6, ARIZONA 4
15. New York (NL) (previous series: 2-2, L1) @ San Francisco (previous series: 1-2, L1) - Thank You, Drive Through
New York is looking like they have a team this year. San Francisco consists of Barry Bonds and some young pitchers. Sounds like an even matchup. Oh yeah, Barry hit a HR in Coors. I think ESPN covered it in passing.
NEW YORK (NL) 6.5, SAN FRANCISCO 3.5
