ALCS PREVIEW: TORONTO (104-58) vs. TEXAS (91-71) 
OFFENCE: The Rangers were masterfully rebuilt the past two seasons by Ric Money and are reaping the dividends of a strong collection of young players. Dermal Brown, Darryl Ivy and Jorge Foss form a great core and are complemented by Edgardo Alfonzo, who was picked up from the Mets in an off-season deal. But nothing compares to the Blue Jay offence. In a year when Carlos Delgado failed to drive in even 80 runs, the Jays still almost scored 1000. That's because there are enough players on this team like Boone, Stewart, Batista, Green and Garciapparra who absolutely ooze runs. ADVANTAGE: BLUE JAYS 
PITCHING: The Rangers starters sometimes got them in trouble and it may turn out to be the achilles heel against Toronto. Aside from Maddux and rookie sensation Hedeki White, the Rangers are weak. The Toronto rotation however, solely depends on the health of Rich Ankiel, who missed the final month with a rotator tear. If they can get him back to complement Yarnall and Carpenter, they're strong. The starters will make the difference because the bullpens are fairly similar in depth. ADVANTAGE: BLUE JAYS OVERALL: Texas GM Ric Money has done a fantastic job turning this team around within two years, and the players put in a gutsy performance by overcoming a horrendous April and May to steal the division. But right now they look overmatched. The Rangers are and relatively inexperienced team matched up against a Toronto squad that is still bitter from last year's World Series and seems to be peaking at the right time. BLUE JAYS IN FOUR NLCS PREVIEW: PHILLY (91-71) vs. ATLANTA (104-58) 
OFFENCE: The offences of these teams are very similar. The Phillies having Abreu and Lorretta setting the table for Gonzalez, Thomas and Castilla, while the Braves have 185 steal man Furcal and Lofton setting up for the trio of Jones, Stenson and Glaus. In the playoffs, when things are this close, the differential often comes down to the bench players and both teams seem evenly matched there as well. Aside from 2 runs, there is little seprating these two lineups. ADVANTAGE: EVEN 
PITCHING: Since his arrival in Atlanta during the 2002 Trade Deadline, Pedro Martinez has been nothing short of brilliant, both in last year's playoffs and carried into this season. He heads up one of the deepest pitching staffs in the game today. The Phillies on the other hand have been mediocre. Aside from Brad Penny and Todd Stottlemyre's brilliant seasons, Jose Rosado and $11 million man Denny Neagle have been subpar. They need those two to step it up. ADVANTAGE: BRAVES OVERALL: This is a rematch of last year's thrilling seven game series, where Atlanta stormed back from a 3-1 defecit and won a Game 7 on a couple of home runs by Troy Glaus in his first game back from a debilatating injury. This year should be no different. Don't be fooled by the Phillies' record, they have a tradition of going to sleep in the regular season, winning the division by a game or two and then storming through the playoffs. The key to this series is the Philly starters. If they hold up, this will be a dandy. BRAVES IN SEVEN |
