No clear favorite in World Series

Colorado and San Diego extended the regular season 24 hours with a dramatic finish in Denver on Monday night.

The Rockies won it 9-8 in 13 innings to win the National League wildcard.

So, finally, Major League Baseball's postseason opens Wednesday afternoon and with no clear favorite to win the World Series.

Last year's winner St. Louis is home watching or playing golf. The team the Cardinals defeated, Detroit, four games to one, might be teeing off with them.

The combatants from two years ago, the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros, are also missing.

So the slate is clean.

This year's regular-season survivors in the National League: the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks and the Rockies. The American League roster includes the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Anaheim Angels and New York Yankees.

Let's turn to the local baseball experts for their selections as the 2007 MLB World Series champions.

Jake Miles, Austin High: The Cleveland Indians. They've got really good pitching and in a short series that should work to their advantage. They don't have any superstars on that team, just a bunch of role players who will contribute.

Steve Netherton, Decatur High: The New York Yankees. With the hitting of Alex Rodriguez and good pitching, especially by Roger Clemens, it will be a good farewell to Roger.

Jim Morrill, Calhoun Community College: The Boston Red Sox. Boston has been there before. It's their year. They know how to get it done in the postseason.

Steve Woodard, former major league pitcher: The New York Yankees. I want to say the Cubs, but the Yankees are too dominant. I think their pitching will come through and they're accustomed to playing in the postseason. The postseason is a totally different feeling for the players.

Shane Hopkins, Priceville High: The Colorado Rockies. I like the way the Rockies fought back at the end of the season and won all those games. They've got the batting champ (Matt Holliday), and I like to see the underdogs do well.

William Booth, Hartselle High: The Cleveland Indians. They've got the best two pitchers out there, and I believe they're a little bit stronger than some people think.

Anthony Inman, Mount Hope High: The Philadelphia Phillies. They have the best pitchers and best bullpen of any of the teams playing. This time of year good pitching usually stops good hitting.

Austin Marsh, Tanner High: The New York Yankees. They've got postseason experience and veteran leadership and a solid lineup from top to bottom.

Todd Stephens, West Morgan High: The New York Yankees. I played with Jorge Posada (Yankees catcher) at Calhoun. I like the Yankees for their experience. (Stephens pitched at Calhoun.)

Steve Atchley, Decatur Heritage Academy: The Boston Red Sox. Besides their good pitchers, they've got the game's best clutch hitters in David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. Also they have role players like Dustin Pedroia who come up big.

Mark Edwards, Daily sports editor: The Anaheim Angels.

The Angels have good starting pitching, solid set-up relief, a star-quality closer. They're a good hitting and base-running team.