[EmpireWF]

Game 1 of the Dodgers/Mets series begins tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday, 4pm est on ESPN) and will pit Derek Mr. Sinker Lowe against Orlando El Duque Hernandez. Both crafty vets will have to dig low to give their teams an early edge in what should be a pretty interesting series.

El Duque has been one of the best post-season pitchers since he arrived in the majors several years ago. Lowe is best known for being the only pitcher in history to start every series clinching game of the 2004 playoffs for Boston. Who thinks Lowe can rekindle some of those performances? I sure hope not

I expect both pitchers to be on their games and it will come down to which offense can produce. Raffy Furcal always scares me as does Jeff Kent. Nomar Garciaparra is banged up but will play nonetheless. Meanwhile, Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado and David Wright will all play in their first post-season games. Plus, we'll get to see Carlos Beltran's return to the post-season. Does anyone think he can repeat what he did in Houston two years ago?

My predictions for the ticket contest for Game 1 of the LA/NYM NLDS is:
New York 6, Los Angeles 4 with the Mets taking the early lead in the series.

[ThePundit]

Mets will win today no matter who pitches. Final score: Mets 7 Dodgers 1

[MJHMarc]

I'm a tad bit late, here. Sorry!

Game OVER.

6-5, Mets. The Dodgers will get them next time around.

W:Mota
L:Penny
S:Wagner

Note:El Duque out for post-season? Possibly, so.

[EmpireWF]

Orlando Hernandez is out for the post-season. He tore his calf. It looks like John Maine and Oliver Perez will see some time this post-season.