And then there were 8. The MLB post-season opens tonight.  Who will win it all?  Our experts take their cracks at the playoff field and how it will all play out

SCOTT JACOBS

10 years after arguably the most unbelievable World Series ever played, Arizona and New York are both back in the playoffs.  But is a second date with destiny in the cards? Or maybe Texas, which came so close to its first World Series crown, gets one for Texas?  What about Detroit?  They were in the Fall Classic back in 2006.  So was St. Louis, but those two teams have a far different look now.  Tampa Bay is starting a rookie in game 1, can they take their incredible luck into the playoffs and ride it into an improbable championship?  Philly spent the money and they have the staff.  It’s championship or bust for the Fighting Phils.  Milwaukee is fighting the free agency clock as they look for their first playoff series win since the 80s.  And the Diamondbacks, fresh off one of the most unlikely worst-to-first finishes in recent memory, look to take their never say die attitude and ride their magic carpet as far as it will take them.

The playoffs start today.  Here’s our Juiced Sports staff post-season predictions:

AL Division Series:

Scott: TEX over TB in 5 / NYY over DET in 4
Mitch: TEX over TB in 5 / NYY over DET in 5
Jim: TEX over TB in 4 / NYY over DET in 5

NL Division Series:

Scott: ARZ over MIL in 4 / PHI over STL in 4
Mitch: ARZ over MIL in 5 / STL over PHI in 4
Jim: MIL over ARZ in 5 / PHI over STL in 4

(Note: The Brewers are the only playoff team to have a losing record on the road, at 39-42).

AL and NL Championship Series:

Scott: TEX over NYY in 7 / PHI over ARZ in 6 
Mitch: NYY over TEX in 7 / ARZ over STL in 7
Jim: NYY over TEX in 6 / PHI over MIL in 5

World Series:

Scott: PHI over TEX in 6 /  MVP: Cliff Lee
Mitch: NYY over ARZ in 6 /  MVP: Robinson Cano
Jim: PHI over NYY in 6  /  MVP: Roy Halladay

Photo: AP

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