This matchup features two of the top seven staffs in baseball. The Rays have a collective 3.58 ERA. Jeremy Hellickson and James Shields both have sub-3.00 ERAs, and David Price (3.49 ERA) has plenty of big-game experience. Texas has a strong group but relies more on ace C.J. Wilson (2.94 ERA). Edge » Rays

Bullpen

Not the strength for either team. Kyle Farnsworth had 25 saves for Tampa Bay. Joel Peralta built on his resurgence with the Nationals in 2010 (19 holds). The secret weapon is top prospect Matt Moore, who could be used as a starter or reliever. Texas tried to rebuild its bullpen with deadline trades but ranks 26th (4.11 ERA). Edge » Rays

Bench

Dan Johnson came off the bench to hit a game-tying homer in the regular-season finale against the Yankees, but he may not even make the postseason roster. The Rays have limited reserves. Mitch Moreland can fill in at first or a corner outfield spot for Texas. Daniel Murphy is a useful utility man. Edge » Rangers

Examiner predicts …

Rays in four

ALDS » Tigers vs. Yankees

Lineup

No one except Boston scored more runs than the Yankees (867 runs). Curtis Granderson — the former Tigers outfielder — led the way with a surprising 41 homers. But Robinson Cano (.882 OPS) and Mark Teixeira (.835 OPS) did their part. Detroit still managed 787 runs, fourth in MLB, and Miguel Cabrera is an MVP candidate. Edge » Yankees

Starting rotation

Justin Verlander (25-4, 2.40 ERA) posted a Cy Young caliber season. New York must deal with him in Games 1 and 5. Doug Fister (1.79 ERA) has been excellent after a trade from Seattle. Yankees ace CC Sabathia (3.00 ERA) was almost as good as Verlander. But things get dicey after the inexperienced Ivan Nova (3.70 ERA). Edge » Tigers

Bullpen

The Yankees have the best closer of all time in Mariano Rivera (44 saves). David Robinson (1.08 ERA) and Rafael Soriano combined for 57 holds. Even former Nats reliever Luis Ayala has been OK. The Yankees’ bullpen ranked fourth with a 3.12 ERA. Detroit was 25th (3.93 ERA). Closer Jose Valverde did lead the majors with 49 saves in 49 attempts, though. Edge » Yankees

Bench

There are plenty of catching options for New York with both Jorge Posada and Jesus Montero on the postseason roster. Russell Martin starts. But Posada, with his experience, and Montero, with his explosive bat speed, will get at-bats at designated hitter. Utility men Don Kelly and Ryan Raburn are valuable reserves for Detroit. Edge » Yankees

Examiner predicts …

Tigers will win in five

NLDS » Cardinals vs. Phillies

Lineup

The Phillies aren’t as good as you think, even with the addition of Hunter Pence. They ranked 15th in team OPS (.717) and 13th in runs (713). The Cardinals? Not as deep. But Lance Berkman was fourth in the NL in OPS (.959) and Matt Holliday (.912) and Albert Pujols (.906) weren’t far behind. Edge » Cardinals

Starting rotation

Good luck finding a quartet to match Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt. The Phillies’ starters had a league-best ERA that was 0.42 runs lower than the second-best team. St. Louis leans heavily on Chris Carpenter (3.45 ERA) and Jaime Garcia (3.56 ERA), though Kyle Lohse (3.39 ERA) and Edwin Jackson (3.79 ERA) are solid. Edge » Phillies

Bullpen

Philadelphia has a confident group. Ryan Madson had 32 saves. Brad Lidge returned from injury to post a 1.40 ERA in a setup role alongside Antonio Bastardo (2.64 ERA). No such luck for the Cardinals, who tied for 16th (3.73 ERA). Jason Motte emerged as a viable late innings option, but depth is an issue. Edge » Phillies

Bench

Outfielder Allen Craig hit five homers in September. He’s a weapon off the bench for Cardinals. Infielders Nick Punto and Ryan Theriot also had hot bats down the stretch. The Phillies can call on John Mayberry and his .854 OPS. Former Nats minor leaguer Michael Martinez is a quality defensive replacement in the outfield. Edge » Phillies

Examiner predicts …

Phillies will win in five

NLDS » Diamondbacks vs. Brewers

Lineup

There’s no better one-two punch than Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. They rank third and fifth, respectively, in OPS in the majors and combined for 71 home runs. Outfielder Corey Hart (.285 batting average and 26 home runs) had a nice season, too. Yet Arizona scored more runs (731 to 721). Justin Upton (31 homers) anchors the Diamondbacks’ lineup. Edge » Brewers

Starting rotation

Arizona has an unheralded group led by resurgent Ian Kennedy (21-4, 2.88 ERA). Dan Hudson and Joe Saunders were also solid all season, and Josh Collmenter (3.38 ERA) has a funky delivery that can send any team into a slump. The Brewers have a similar group led by Zack Greinke (3.83 ERA) and Yovani Gallardo (3.52 ERA). Edge » Diamondbacks

Bullpen

John Axford is one of the league’s top closers (46 saves). Ageless LaTroy Hawkins is an effective setup man, and the trade for Francisco Rodriguez, a former playoff hero, makes Milwaukee a tough matchup. J.J. Putz had a rebound season (45 saves) for Arizona, and David Hernandez is a strikeout machine (10 per nine innings). Edge » Brewers

Bench

Carlos Gomez is a nice defensive replacement in the outfield for Milwaukee, while veterans Jerry Hairston — a super utility player — Craig Counsell and Mark Kotsay provide experience and versatility off the bench. John McDonald is a solid utility infielder for Arizona. Geoff Blum is a veteran bat off the bench. Edge » Brewers

Examiner predicts …

Brewers will in five

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