Cody Ross Surprises on the National Stage

If the Division Series had an MVP hardware to hand out, Cody Ross would arguably be the recipient. Tim Lincecum would be a close second with his 14-strikeout winning effort in Game 1. If it were not for Ross, however, Lincecum would not have been the winner. Ross got the lone RBI of Game 1 against the Braves. In the clinching game, Ross broke Derek Lowe's no-hit bid in the sixth inning with a home run.  After the Braves took the lead in the bottom half of the sixth, Ross got the go-ahead RBI single with the bases loaded in the seventh inning. Although this may have come to a surprise to the national audience, Marlins fans are well aware of what Cody Ross is capable of doing when the pressure is on. Cody didn't really put it all together with the Marlins in 2010, but in his career year in 2009, Cody hit .389 at Turner Field with a homer and six RBI. FYI, Cody hit .500 (13-26) with three homers and six RBI at Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies, whom the Giants will face in the NLCS. It's good to see Cody get a chance to succeed on the national stage.

Doc Halladay Sensational in Postseason Debut

This 2010 postseason has already started off with a bang! Roy Halladay wasted no time in his postseason debut by pitching a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the Division Series. This was the second postseason no-hitter of all time. The first no-hitter was Don Larsen's perfect game in 1956 World Series with the New York Yankees.  Halladay threw 104 pitches while walking one and striking out eight. He had pinpoint control and did not need his defense to bail him out until probably the last play of the game where catcher Carlos Ruiz made a nice play to throw out Brandon Phillips at first base.

Granted, this is only the first game of the postseason for the Phillies, but you can only imagine how tough it will be on the Cincinnati Reds to bounce back in Game 2 against familiar foe Roy Oswalt. Oswalt has a career record of 23-3 against the Cincinnati Reds. I doubt that history will repeat itself with Oswalt on the mound, but this series figured to be a tough one for the Reds from the get-go and after just one game in, the series has not disappointed.

2010 Postseason Predictions

These are my predictions for the 2010 Postseason. Just like the Rockies of 2007 and the Rays of 2008, I predict that the Rangers will have their magic carpet ride end against good Phillies pitching in the World Series.

NLDS: Reds vs. Phillies (Phillies in 3); Braves vs. Giants (Braves in 5)

ALDS: Rangers vs. Rays (Rangers in 5); Yankees vs. Twins (Yankees in 4)

NLCS: Braves vs. Phillies (Phillies in 6)

ALCS: Yankees vs. Rangers (Rangers in 7)

World Series: Rangers vs. Phillies (Phillies in 5)