2008 MLB Playoffs - Division Series Recaps

Clock Strikes 12 on Brewers, Cubs, White Sox & Angels

Phillies def Brewers 3-1

It took the Phillies four games to shake off a surging Brewers team, but their NLDS task is complete and they move on to face the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. The Brew Crew put together one win to complement their unlikely appearance in the postseason, but it wasn’t enough to hold off a red hot Philadelphia lineup in the end.

Jimmy Rollins led the Philadelphia attack, batting .375 with two doubles, a home run, and a stolen base. Myers, Hamel and Blanton claimed the three pitching wins, combining with the rest of the staff for 32 strikeouts and only handing out 10 walks throughout the series.

Dodgers def Cubs 3-0

The Cubs drought of not winning a World Series hit the century mark, as Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers swept their way through the NLDS by scoring 20 runs and only allowing Chicago to cross the plate six times. The entire series went the Dodger’s way, and all Cubs fans can do now is wait another year. Ramirez led the way for the Dodgers going 5 for 10 with 2 home runs—the best pick-up for the Dodgers since Jeff Kent got a girlfriend.

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Red Sox def Angels 3-1

Four games is all it took the Red Sox to handle the Angels’ potent offense. Jason Bay gave the Red Sox their money’s worth as he went 7 for 17 with 2 home runs and a .412 average. The team with the best record in baseball only scored 13 runs off the Boston pitching staff, and the defending World Champions advance to the NLCS. Papelbon recorded one save in the series, and is at full strength going into the NLCS.

Rays def White Sox

No amount of cursing explanation from White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen can justify their elimination to the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays from the ALDS. A team with a dream of World Series glory made a quick 4-game project out of the White Sox lineup. Stellar pitching and dominant offense earned the Rays a spot against the Red Sox in the ALCS. The Rays pieced together 41 hits throughout the 4-game series, and that was more than enough to overpower the White Sox and their pitching staff.

The ALCS and NLCS begin on Thursday and Friday. The journey to the World Series grows shorter every day.

By Tim Gaffney
MLBcenter.com Staff Writer