So, the basic ranking method can be found here. Same as before.
1. Baltimore (previous series: 2-1, W2) @ New York (AL) (previous series: 1-1, W1) - "Strength" v. Strength
The good news for Baltimore is that their better arms are going in this series (notable exception: Eric Bedard). The only problem with that is the Yankees' offense is solid; they'll be tested. Mazzone's starting to work, but the real key for Baltimore may lie in their ability to get to the non-Rivera part of the bullpen.
NEW YORK 6.5, BALTIMORE 3.5
2. Atlanta (previous series: 2-1, W2) @ Washington (previous series: 2-1, W1) - Struggles to Riches
Atlanta's pitching is slowly starting to round into shape; so are the Nationals' pitchers. Again, the key to this series may be each team's ability to generate offense. These team match up better than you'd think, especially given any National momentum at likely getting a new owner.
WASHINGTON 5, ATLANTA 5
3. Florida (previous series: 1-2, L1) @ Philadelphia (previous series: 1-2, L1) - Offensive Continuation
Philadelphia gets a younger and more suspect staff than Washington and a worse bullpen. Florida gets a tougher staff, but a slightly weaker opposing offense. Still, there's no reason that the Marlin offense can't roll out 5 a game. The question for them is they can allow less than that.
PHILADELPHIA 6.5, FLORIDA 3.5
4. Boston (previous series: 2-1, L1) @ Toronto (previous series: 1-1, L1) - Momentum Declaration
The winner of this series takes the momentum drivers' seat in the AL East. Until the Yankees wake up, one of these teams will rule the AL East. Honestly, these teams match up well; Boston is slightly strong, but Toronto has the homefield advantage.
TORONTO 5, BOSTON 5
5. Cincinnati (previous series: 2-1, W1) @ Milwaukee (previous series: 1-2, W1) - When Hitting Collides
While Cincy has a better lineup, Milwaukee's lineup is by no means bad. In addition, Milwaukee's pitching is strong enough to at least partially stifle Cincy's bats. Cincy's pitching? Not so much; figure on one game where they silence the Brewers, but more than one would be surprising.
MILWAUKEE 6.5, CINCINNATI 3.5
6. Tampa Bay (previous series: 1-2, W1) @ Texas (previous series: 2-1, W1) - Ineffective Pitching Defined
Neither team has had terribly effective pitching so far. The main difference is that Texas' offense is much better than Tampa's; in addition, Texas' pitching is at least incrementally better than Tampa Bay's. The Rangers don't have an appreciable advantage, but they have engouh small advantagees across the board to make a major difference.
TEXAS 6.5, TAMPA BAY 3.5
7. Pittsburgh (previous series: 1-2, L1) @ Houston (previous series: 2-1, L1) - Strength in Home
Three majoe advantages for Houston: they're at home, their ace (Oswalt) pitches on Sunday, and the Pirates simply aren't very good in the first place. The only major mitigating factor for the Pirates is that Houston's staff really only runs two strong, and they'll have their shot against Wandy Rodriguez and Taylor Buchholz. As long as their staff keeps them in the game, they should be able to snake one.
HOUSTON 7, PITTSBURGH 3
8. Cleveland (previous series: 1-2, L2) @ Kansas City (previous series: 0-3, L3) - Wanton Slaughter
Poor Royals. First they get the defending World Series champions, and now they get the pissed-off Indians. The good news for them is that they should be able to score a few runs; if they can luck out and hold the Indians down, they could steal a game. The bad news is that's probably just theoretical; when your lifeline is "what if they suck?", that's when you know you have problems.
CLEVELAND 8, KANSAS CITY 2
9. Chicago (NL) (previous series: 2-1, W1) @ St. Louis (previous series: 2-1, W1) - Life Without Lee
Ouch. On one hand, the Cubs throw Maddux on Sunday and get a shot against Ponson on Saturday. On the other hand, they just lost Derrek Lee for at least 2 months, and Rusch is going against Sir Meatball. At least they won't face Carpenter, but they should win one here.
ST. LOUIS 6, CHICAGO 4
10. Minnesota (previous series: 1-2, L1) @ Chicago (AL) (previous series: 3-0, W3) - Divisional Crackdown
Chicago had it easy this week. If the White Sox can keep pitching, they sweep, especially if Johan's not slated to start. Unfortunately for them, he's going on Friday. That means that Minnesota can easily sneak out with a couple of 2-1 or 3-2 victories.
CHICAGO (AL) 7, MINNESOTA 3
11. San Francisco (previous series: 2-2, W1) @ Colorado (previous series: 1-2, L1) @ Repeat!
This is pretty much the same basic idea as the San Diego / Colorado and San Francisco / Arizona matchups from earlier in the wek, except San Fran has better pitching than San Diego. Two storylines are Colorado's struggles at home so far this year and - of course - Bonds at altitude.
SAN FRANCISCO 5.5, COLORADO 4.5
12. LA Angels (previous series: 2-1, W1) @ Oakland (previous series: 1-2, L2) - Race to 3 Runs
Both these teams have loaded pitching staffs and solid bullpens. Expect all these games to be tightly contested affairs dominated by excellent pitching. Oakland holds a slight advantage due to having the homefield advantage and a slightly more solid lineup; plus, the Angels just lost Bartolo Colon.
OAKLAND 5.5, LA ANGELS 4.5
13. Detroit (previous series: 2-1, W2) @ Seattle (previous series: 1-2, W1) - Fishmarket
Neither team has been doing particularly well; Seattle's still struggling, and there's not a lot going on in Detroit outside of Chris Shelton. This certainly has the makings of the All-Ugly Series of the Weekend, as the only things to watch for in this series pitch on Sunday (Verlander for the Tigers, Felix for the Mariners).
DETROIT 5.5, SEATTLE 4.5
14. New York (NL) (previous series: 1-2, L2) @ San Diego (previous series: 2-1, W1) - Reverse Homecoming
Even thoguh the big names went from New York to San Diego, the first series of the season between these two teams comes in Petco. San Diego is coming off a series win in Colorado. Look for the Mets to strike hard against the Padres' pitching, as their bats didn't do much against Atlanta.
NEW YORK (NL) 6, SAN DIEGO 4
15. Arizona (previous series: 2-2, L1) @ Los Angeles (previous series: 1-2, L1) - Nullified Disadvantage
You'd think that the Dodgers would manage to put up a lot of runs against the Arizona pitching staff, but as it turns out, that's not actually the case. Blame Chavez Ravine. It gives the D-Backs more of a chance than they would have otherwise.
LOS ANGELES 6, ARIZONA 4
