Yes, friends, it's time once again for the postseason Batter's Box Poll Series. Now that it looks like San Diego and Texas are going to be out, and that Los Angeles is going to be in, two playoff berths remain up for grabs -- with five teams doing the grabbing.

Cast your vote now! We'll see how well Da Box collectively prognosticates. And to make it a challenge, voting will be closed on Friday evening, before the last weekend of the season begins.

Here's a cheat sheet:

Anaheim (89-68): at Rangers, at Rangers, at A's, at A's, at A's

Oakland (89-68): vs Mariners, vs Mariners, vs Angels, vs Angels, vs Angels

Chicago (88-69): vs Reds, vs Reds, vs Braves, vs Braves, vs Braves

San Francisco (88-69): at Padres, at Padres, at Dodgers, at Dodgers, at Dodgers

Houston (88-70): vs Cardinals, off-day, vs Rockies, vs Rockies, vs Rockies

Angels and Astros..

AND the Jays won't beat Tampa (they "could" but they don't care about winning, they want to see the youngsters, and the Rays will play their best to finally get out of the basement)

I'll go for Oakland & SF. I guess I have a Bay area bias.

I'd like it to be San Fran and Oakland but if I was betting money I'd lean towards Chicago & Oakland based on schedule and history. The Dodgers/Giants is a big rivalry and they'd do nearly anything to cause pain to the other (ala NY-Boston) whereas Atlanta will be just preping for the playoffs.

I'm leaning towards a 3 way tie and a 2 way tie

I'm going Angels and Giants. I'd rather see the A's than the Angels, but Oakland is going in the wrong direction lately and I think Anaheim will win the last series against them. The Giants have the toughest schedule remaining, but I have a hunch they will put it off.

I'm leaning towards a 3 way tie and a 2 way tie?

3-way tie would be awesome.

Question:

How would they break this tie?

3-way tie would be awesome.

Question:

How would they break this tie?

A would play B, and the winner would play C. They've probably worked out the logistics via coin flips, although mlb.com only includes the results of the coin flips for two-way ties.

To wit:

Oakland would visit Anaheim.

Chicago would visit San Francisco.

Houston would visit San Francisco.

Chicago would visit Houston.

No way the Cubbies can take the final spot playing the Braves in their final series. SF has it in tough vs. LA. Astros playing the Rockies? Easy pickin'.
A's take the Angels.

A's 'n 'stros.

Wow. 80 people have made their picks already.

Judging from the results so far, if the Giants take the NL Wild Card, the A's will win the AL West.

However if the Astros take the NL Wild Card, the Angels will win the AL West.

/fun with sample sizes

I love the Bay Area, so since the Jays won't make it, I am voting for a Bay Area World Series. BTW Oakland is al least for me a much nicer town than G*mb* made out of it.

After 108 votes, Bauxites prefer Oakland as the favourite, 6:5 on, over Anaheim, and Houston (believe it or not) as a 16:9 against favourite in the NL. Chicago is slightly less preferred as a 13:7 shot. The Giants trail as the 5:2 longshot.

I really think the Angels are coming on and will win. I've chosen the Cubs too but that is more sentiment than reason. They look to be softening up while the Astros are charging.

Let's hope Atlanta takes it easy cruising into the playoffs.

Angels and Giants here, too. That may be my anti-Oakland bias speaking.

I chose the Cubs and the Angels. My choice of the Cubs is for sentimental reasons as well. I think the Cubs can get Atlanta as I don't believe they will throw their top two or three starters in the series, as they will be setting their rotation for the playoffs. They could possibly play 8 straight with the Cubbies, so they don't want to go with their best. Although rumor has it that Hampton will pitch against Wood on Friday.

My predictions:

ALDS will be Yankees Vs. Angels and Red Sox Vs. Twins
NLDS will be Cubbies Vs. Braves and Giants Vs. Cardinals (I think SF will get them this weekend and the Dodgers will be on the outside looking in.)

The Angels will learn that sitting Jose Guillen is a mistake and the Red Sox will get the Twins setting up the Boston Vs. New York ALCS.

The lack of a consistent closer and a shakey bullpen will get the Cubbies as Atlanta will take them out (God it pains me to say that). The Cardinals intentionally walk Barry every time up and the strategy works. They beat the Giants setting up the Braves Vs. Cardinals NLCS.

Boston has the upper hand pitching wise and finally beats the Yankees when it counts in six games. The Cardinals offensive punch will be just too much for the Braves, setting up a Red Sox Vs. Cardinals World Series.

Good pitching will beat good hitting this year as the curse is reversed. Boston wins the World Series in seven in front of a frantic Fenway crowd.

An avid Dodger hater, that with some baseball instinct and just enjoying Bonds swing, I lean towards the Giants in the NL.
The Scoscia/Stoneman Angels have always played an inning at a time without looking ahead and never waste energy on things beyond their control. Taking that cue, I'll refrain from forcasting my AL pick in writing......!