While I'm still disappointed that my Cubs didn't make it to the League Championship Series, I'm mostly happy with the four teams that we have left fighting for the World Series title. There are two that I'd be happy to see win it and two that I could live with but wouldn't be very excited about. I guess after two long days without baseball it's time to look at the series and give some sort of analysis.

NLCS: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies

This is quite the interesting matchup. Both teams finished 76-86 last year (tied for last place in the NL West) and now one of them is going to be in the World Series. Neither of these franchises played a single game before 1993. This NLCS is the first one since 1986 to feature two former expansion teams.

As most of us already know, the Diamondbacks don't appear as good as they are on paper. They had the National League's worst on-base percentage, they allowed more runs than they scored during the season, and somehow they managed to finish with the National League's best record while playing in its strongest division. The Diamondbacks' biggest strength is their pitching staff. They have a true ace in Brandon Webb, solid supporting guys to round out the rotation and one of the best bullpens in the game. They have an unspectacular lineup, as most of their starters are young, relatively inexperienced, and have average numbers at best. They win by making smart baserunning decisions and getting timely hits. It's not the most potent offensive design, but they've made it work. They're a hustling bunch that gets the most mileage out of their talent.

Then there's their opponent, the Rockies. A month ago the Rockies had spent most of the season just above .500 and looked like a team for next year. Since then they've won 13 of their last 14 regular-season games, won a one-game Playoff for the Wild Card and swept the Phillies in the first round of the Playoffs. Suddenly they look like a team whose year could be this one. Their pitching staff is similar to Arizona's. They have a good ace in Jeff Francis (though Webb is clearly the better of the two), some solid secondary starters, and a very good bullpen. Despite some injuries to their regular starters, they've been able to win with guys like Mark Redman and Franklin Morales filling in. Their offense is a much different story than Arizona's. While the Diamondbacks have the league's worst on-base percentage, the Rockies have its best. They had the NL's second-best offense in terms of runs scored, and their lineup is stacked with big bats. They've used a never-say-die attitude to win several games in late innings.

If you wanted me to pick the winner of this series I'd have a hard time doing so. I could honestly make a case for either one. On the one hand, good pitching usually beats good hitting, and the Diamondbacks have the pitching advantage. On the other hand, the Rockies' pitching is pretty solid in its own right and their offense is much better. On the one hand the Rockies are the hottest team in baseball right now. On the other hand, they might be due for some struggles after such an incredible run. On the one hand, the Diamondbacks have home-field advantage, something that's helped them all year. On the other hand, the Rockies are equally good at home, and they actually had a winning record in Arizona this year.

My final analysis gives the Rockies the edge, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Diamondbacks win it. Personally though, I'm rooting for Colorado. Arizona had a World Series title in 2001, and Colorado has never won a pennant. I'd like to see the Rockies get a shot.

ALCS: Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians

Basically we have Evil Empire 2.0 going against a team that has waited almost 60 years for a World Series title. OK, there's more to it than that, but that's mainly what I see as a fan. This is the fourth postseason meeting for these two teams, with the Indians winning two of the three previous times. The last time these two met with the pennant on the line was 1948, when they finished tied for first place and had to have a one-game playoff. The Indians won that one too, and went on to win their last World Series title to date.

The Red Sox have had an outstanding season. They stayed in first place most of the year and finished ahead of the archrival Yankees for the first time since 1995. They had the AL's best team ERA and its third-best offense. They have two ace pitchers in Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling, and a great bullpen with one of the game's best closers in Jonathan Papelbon. The heart of their lineup is one of the toughest in baseball, and the rest of their hitters are no slouches either. Of all the teams left they're the only one that could legitimately be described as a "powerhouse."

The Indians tied the Red Sox for the best record in baseball. They've been consistent all year, battling the Tigers for first place and holding onto it after the boys from Detroit faded late in the season. Like Boston, they have two aces in C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona, and their bullpen is among the best in the game. They have a closer who isn't exactly lights-out in Joe Borowski, but he gets the job done enough to keep his spot. Their offense is better than average, but not as star-studded or productive as Boston's. Cleveland is a younger team, but most of their key players have several years of Major League service.

I really want the Indians to win the World Series this year. They have the second-longest-suffering fans in baseball, and I'd love to see them get a championship. Unfortunately, I think the Red Sox are going to win this series. They simply have a stronger all-around team. As I'm fond of saying though, I hope I'm wrong. I hope "the Tribe" plays inspired baseball knowing how badly those Indian fans want it and make the broadcasters (who will probably give a slight bias to Boston) upset just like they did in the previous series.

Tomorrow my baseball withdrawal will be over when the games finally return. I can't wait. Let's go Rockies and Indians!