Oct. 5, 2004 | ESPN.com's MLB playoffs coverage

The baseball playoffs are under way, and I'm a big fan of the sport. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love baseball. I used to dream as a kid about stepping on the field at Yankee Stadium. I used to sleep with my baseball mitt!

I religiously watch the likes of Karl Ravech, Peter Gammons and Harold Reynolds on ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" ... what a great show, baby! Talk about knowledge, they don't come any better than Gammons. I'm not an expert like Mr. Gammons, but I have my feelings as well. The postseason should be very exciting, and like everybody else, I have to make predictions.

I really feel the Angels will upset the Red Sox in the ALDS. Vladimir Guerrero, my pick for AL MVP, really carried the team down the stretch, with six home runs in his last 10 games.

Mike Scioscia's team has momentum after a great finish to edge out the A's in the AL West. They will find a way to beat the likes of Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez. I know some people have said this is the year for the Red Sox, but I think Scioscia's team will march on.

	Santana

	A-Rod

Even though the Twins have Johan Santana, and he reminds me of young Sandy Koufax, I have to take the Yankees to beat them in four games. I think Alex Rodriguez will have a breakout series to silence his critics. He will respond to the big stage and if you look back at his past performances with the Mariners in the postseason, he has come through.

This is the time of year that Derek Jeter steps up and shows his leadership in winning time. Guys like Gary Sheffield, Bernie Williams and Hideki Matsui will also contribute big time as Joe Torre's team advances.

The Cardinals have too much firepower with Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds, so they get the nod over the Dodgers. Tony La Russa's team has versatility and the addition of Larry Walker will help.

Jim Tracy has done an outstanding job getting Los Angeles this far, and Adrian Beltre is a legitimate MVP candidate. Cesar Izturis has been a pleasant surprise at shortstop.

The Dodgers dealt away Paul Lo Duca in the deal that brought Brad Penny and that hasn't worked out as well. The health of Eric Gagne is in question and he must be on his "A" game for this to be a close series.

Finally, I'm going with the Astros and the Rocket, Roger Clemens, over the Braves. I know Atlanta has done an amazing job in winning its 13th straight division title, and Bobby Cox is my choice for NL manager of the year.

But Houston has the Killer B's and guys like Bagwell, Biggio, Berkman and Beltran will step up and get it done. Phil Garner has been incredible since taking over for Jimy Williams, and the Astros have been unbeatable at home, winning 18 straight games at Minute Maid Park.

As for the World Series, I think it will be Yankees vs. Cardinals. I feel the Yankees will avenge the loss to the Angels from a couple of years back when Scioscia and Co. won the World Series. Torre's guys will win, and New York's pitching staff will surprise people. The Cardinals rate the nod over the Astros and Clemens. Pujols and Co. will be too strong.

In the end, with the linguini flowing, it's La Russa and Torre, baby! I see a seven-game special, with Rudy Giuliani cheering on. The Bronx Bombers win it in seven as Torre, George Steinbrenner and Co. celebrate. They should, after spending $190 million, baby ... Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella wishes he had some of the spare change from that lineup!

The Pinstripes will prevail!

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.