E.K. NATION

Johan Santana is the bomb. He will not lose to the Yankees--which makes this prediction difficult. If I hadn't picked the Yankees to win the World Series at the start of the year, I'd be saying the Twins will finally overcome them. And the presence of Santana makes the Twins a huge pick here. But I will stay with my pre-season pick. Which means Santana would have to win Games 1 and 4, not 1 and 5. YANKEES in 5 games.

Anaheim is hot, hot, hot. And Pedro has been melting down lately. The Sox will win Game 1 behind Curt Schilling, and then roll over for the bats of Vladimir Guerrero et al. I look for Vlad to hit four homers in this series. ANGELS in 4 games.

The Astros are another Team On Fire™. There is no reason to think they won't keep their sick streak going--they had to go 36-10 down the stretch to overtake the Giants by one measly game, another stat to keep me awake at night this winter--and it's the Braves. Win the division, tank in the playoffs. ASTROS in 4 games.

Who's pitching for the Dodgers? He better wear a helmet. CARDINALS in 4 games.

N.Y. Yankees vs. Anaheim: Thus sets up another instant classic ALCS. It will go seven games, with the Angels outscoring the Yanks 50-49, but Kenny Lofton will take on the Aaron Boone role, stepping up to the plate and winning Game 7 for New York with a walk-off home run. Series MVP: Derek Jeter. YANKEES in 7 games.

St. Louis vs. Houston: Both teams have hot bats, but the Cardinals don't have scary enough pitching. The Cardinals will need their offense to be flowing if they want to win this one. Matt Morris/Woody Williams vs. Roy Oswalt/Roger Clemens? You can't help but think the Astros have the edge here. After that the 'Stros' staff is a mystery; the Cards will need to take advantage when those two aren't pitching. Series MVP: Roy Oswalt. ASTROS in 6 games.

New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros: So this was my pre-season World Series pick, and I must stay with it. I said that very same sentence last year when staying with the Bosox and Giants, and I'll do the same again here. But seriously, folks, the Twins have just as much shot of getting here as any team. If Minnesota makes it, there should be no surprise. Just want to make it clear. Have I done that yet? If the Twins win, you heard it here first. I don't want top stay with my pre-season pick, but I am going to. Did I mention the Twins? Series MVP: Johan Santana (I don't have a pre-season World Series MVP pick to stay with here, so screw it. I want to get something right). YANKEES in 6 games.

*unnecessary use of French word