October is here again and that means two things in St. Louis. First, you will have no idea what the temperature will be when you wake up in the morning. Secondly, playoff baseball is upon us and once again the Cardinals are the favorite to win the World Series. After their second consecutive 100-win season the Cardinals have all the reason in the world to believe this is their year. Not only are the Cardinals improved, thanks to the addition of Mark Mulder and the sudden emergence of Chris Carpenter as a certified ace, but everyone else just seems to be lacking something. Here’s a look at the other seven teams in the playoffs, and why it’s title or bust for the red birds:

Houston Astros

You can talk all day long about Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt, and Andy Pettitte but the fact is you can’t win baseball games if you don’t score any runs. Agreed, this is a very tough team to beat in a short series when you are seeing an ace virtually each game, but this team couldn’t win last year with a Jeff Kent and sizzling Carlos Beltran. The Astros failed to pile up 700 runs this season, a feat that the likes of Tampa Bay, Arizona, Kansas City, and even the Cubs were able to accomplish. This team is still scary with those three pitchers and a lights out closer in Brad Lidge, but until they show they can hit the ball consistently, the Cardinals are still superior.

Atlanta Braves

It’s extremely impressive that the Braves have won the NL East 14 times in a row, but perhaps it’s even more impressive-or lack thereof- that in that period they have only managed to win ONE World Championship. This division title was the most unlikely, as the Braves were so injury depleted they had to use household names such as Wilson Betemit, Ryan Langerhans, Kelly Johnson, and Brian McCann in their daily lineup. However, behind a stunning 51 HR, 128 RBI campaign from Andruw Jones and outstanding play from rookies like Jeff Francoeur and Kyle Davies, the Braves managed to pull it off once again. But can you really see these guys winning the World Series? If they won, half the roster couldn’t even legally drink the champagne during the celebration. Congrats to manager Bobby Cox o n an incredible job with this group of guys, but don’t expect them to be playing much longer.

San Diego Padres

Despite winning the NL West, there were 13 teams in baseball that finished with a better record than this team. The Padres went just 82-80, barely above .500, but that was enough to win the Wild Weak West. Now their only prayer, ace Jake Peavy, is out for the remainder of the season. Stay classy San Diego, and see you next season.

Chicago White Sox

Don’t let the 99-63 record deceive you; this team almost accomplished the worst choke job in the history of baseball. But thanks to a choking Cleveland Indians team, the White Sox held on to claim the AL Central and the AL’s top seed. This team has talent, but can you really name a big time player on this team? Do you really want Jon Garland starting game 7 of the ALCS against the likes of Curt Schilling, Randy Johnson, or Bartolo Colon? Do you really want Carl Everett, Jermaine Dye, or Aaron Rowand at the plate down one run with two outs? Yeah, me neither.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels held off a pesky Oakland team en route to their second straight division title. This is perhaps the most well rounded team as they can beat you with both pitching and hitting, and have a solid bullpen backed by Francisco Rodriguez. However, you have wonder how much depth this team has. Starters Bartolo Colon and Jarrod Washburn are both excellent, but how reliable are Jon Lackey and Paul Byrd? Vladimir Guerrero and Garret Anderson are both great hitters, but who else can contribute? The Angels have just one guy who hit over 20 HR, and the lack of power on this team could create huge problems facing run compilers like the Yankees or Red Sox. I like them to win the AL, but I just don’t think this team has the depth to win it all.

New York Yankees

The Bronx Bombers won the AL East by the slimmest of margins thanks to a 10-9 head to head record against the Red Sox in the regular season. The Yankees have been streaky all season, due mostly to severely inconsistent pitching. The Yankees will have to rely on small-name guys like Al Leiter, Aaron Small, and Shawn Chacon to contribute while needing the best versions of Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson to show up. Any team with Jeter, A-Rod, Sheffield, Matsui and Mariano can never be counted out, but there are just too many questions about the rotation and bullpen for this team to win three straight series’.

Boston Red Sox

The defending champs had a late season mini-meltdown, and had to settle for the Wild Card for the fourth straight year. The offense is not the issue, as MVP worthy David Ortiz and a red hot Manny Ramirez make any lineup more than potent. However, as many questions as the Yankees have surrounding their pitching, the Red Sox have more. The most reliable starter at this point is, gulp, David Wells and Sox fans wonder which Curt Schilling is coming to the mound each time. If Wells and Wakefield can pitch well, Schilling can come through with some bloody sock-esque performances, and Mike Timlin can hold down the fort in the bullpen, then we could see a repeat. That’s too many ifs; Boston won’t have to wait another 86 years, but they will have to wait at least one more.

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