Ryan Sweeney talks baseball playoffs

Oakland Athletics outfielder and Cedar Rapidian Ryan Sweeney is being generous enough to give us some thoughts on the Major League Baseball playoffs that begin Wednesday.

The two American League series are Minnesota and New York, Tampa Bay against Texas. In the National League, it's Philadelphia and Cincinnati, Atlanta against San Francisco.

"Well, these are going to be tough games to predict because all the teams are pretty evenly matched."

"Between Texas and Tampa Bay, I'm going with Tampa. They have a good team good pitching and they have been there before. Texas is a very streaky team, and I dont think (Josh) Hamilton is going to be completely healthy. Also, Cliff Lee has been struggling."

"Between New York and Minnesota, I  have to go New York. Minnesota is pretty banged up (and) I dont think their pitching can hold up against the Yankee offense."

"The Reds and Philly, I  have to go with Philly.  They have been on a hot streak, and with those three starting pitchers (Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels) they have, it's going to be hard for the Reds to score runs."

"And the Braves and San Fran, have to go with the Braves.  They play hard and they want to win for (retiring manager) Bobby Cox."

"I think they are all going to be close its going to come down to starting pitching and who gets hot at the right time."