Hunt for Reds October

The MLB postseason starts today, with three games on, beginning at 1. This should be an exciting October, with four teams making the playoffs, who were not there last year; Rangers, Braves, Reds, and Giants. All of the excitement will be moot however, with the World Series being a rematch of last season, pitting the Yankees and Phillies against each other again, resulting in the same outcome.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers -- The Rangers, as a franchise have never won a playoff series, losing multiple during the Yankees dynasty of the 90s. Their first win will not happen this year. The playoffs is all about pitching, and even with Cliff Lee, the Rangers pitching is subpar to the Rays. But not by much. This series will go the distance. The Rangers may be the most fun team to watch, given their "Claw and Reindeer games," but the Rays are the better team. The Rays finished with the best record in the AL, with the Yankees only finishing a game behind them. The AL East was, by far, the best division in baseball. The Rays and Yankees finished with the 2nd and 3rd best records, and the Red Sox and Blue Jays were 2 of the best 5 teams to not make the playoffs. The Orioles, after signing Buck Showalter, were one of the best teams in baseball. The Rays finished on top of all of them, and will best the Rangers in 5.

New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins -- The Twins get what they wished for, a rematch and chance at vengeance against the Yankees. The Yankees have struggled through September, but still finished with the 2nd best record in the AL. The Twins were not far behind, but as I was saying the AL East was the best division, the AL Central was one of the worst. The Twins were able to play the lowly Royals and Indians, which inflated their record. They are dominant at home, and have played better without Justin Morneau than they have with him. He will miss the entire postseason due to effects from his concussion. Like I said though, pitching wins playoff games, and throwing CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte in 4 of the 5 games (if necessary) will be the difference maker. They won't need 4 or 5 games though, as the Yanks will sweep.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Cincinnati Reds -- The Reds are not supposed to be here. This was the Cardinals year to dominate, and whoever had money on the Reds to win it all, could become very, very rich. The Cardinals faltered, as the Reds went on to dominate all season. It is too bad they have to play the Phillies in the first round. The Phillies have what seems to be a perfect playoff team this year. Pitching is superb and their lineup is dominant. They turned it up a gear in September and their phans are hoping they stay hot through October. There is no reason their hot streak should cool down. The Reds just have to be hotter, and their pitching and hitting has that potential, especially with Aroldis Chapman throwing 100+. It just won't happen for them as the Phillies will win in four.

San Fransisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves -- This is probably the most intriguing series to watch. The Giants struggled early, but stayed with the Padres, and eventually overtook them in the end. Tim Lincecum is the personification of their season, playing his best towards the stretch. Their hitting was absent for most of their season, but Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval (skadooosh) powered them into the postseason. The Braves played their hearts out this year for the final year of Bobby Cox's managerial career. It really is a feel good story that he was able to make the playoffs in his final year. These teams are very evenly matched up: good pitching, not so good hitting. The Giants have a slight, very slight, edge in pitching, so they'll take it in five. (I hope this one goes five as it will probably be the most entertaining.

Notes about Derek Jeter:

His career is not done, the Yankees season is not done, and he WILL be a Yankee for his entire career. I have been reading way too many freakouts this season about Jeter and the Yankees not playing well. Last I checked, the Yanks finished a game behind Tampa and easily made the playoffs. Derek Jeter struggled through the "year of the pitcher," as did many. I see no reason why he would not be able to rebound next season given how hard working he is. The Yankees are the team that no one wants to play in October given their history. Let things play out before being drama queens and freaking out that everything is going wrong. Until the Yanks lose a playoff series, or Jeter stunningly signs with another team, I will keep hope alive that they will repeat as champions, and Jeter will resign with the Yanks. He is "Captain Clutch" and thrives under the pressure of October, so why should I bet against him, or the Yanks?

It's on Fire

The playoff races are beyond heating up at this point. They're burning up. The AL Central, West, and the NL Central are locked up at this point, with the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, and the surprisingly still in 1st, Cincinnati Reds holding comfortable leads. The AL Wild Card will be runner-up to whomever wins the AL East. The AL East, NL East, NL West, and NL Wild Card are up for grabs to whomever wants it the most. Today, I make those decisions for them.

AL East -- I am clearly sticking with my preseason pick of the Yankees winning the division/World Series. The Yankees have struggled recently, and will be benching starters to keep them fresh for the postseason. They have to play the Tampa Bay Rays in a four-game series, starting today, and their hated rivals, the Boston Red Sox for six more games. The Rays get to play Seattle, Baltimore, and Kansas City. The Yanks have the tougher road to win the division, but this series, at home against Tampa, could determine the outcome of the season. A sweep for either team would win the division, and a split could swing the ball into Tampa's favor. The Yanks are a tough team for anyone to beat, so I am holding strong with this pick. This could be a case of my heart getting in the way of my brain though.

NL East -- Again, I am sticking with my preseason pick of Atlanta to win the division. I also chose the Florida Marlins to win the Wild Card, so I am not the brightest bulb. Atlanta has six games left versus the Philadelphia Phillies, and the rest against the Washington Nationals and Florida Marlins, while the Phils play the Nationals and New York Mets. Very even schedules cause the games Philly and Atlanta play versus eachother crucial. If Atlanta can take two of the three in Philly, and sneak another one in while the teams play the garbage of the East, the final series in Atlanta will be a playoff series, possibly to make it in the playoffs. Though I do think the runner up in this division will take the Wild Card anyway. Atlanta, like the Yankees have not been playing their best ball when it matters most. Philly can smell the postseason, and the revenge they want against the Yankees, so they'll be a tough mountain to scale. This, like the Yankees pick, is one of heart, not brains, given my stance as a Philly hater, but I have Bobby Cox backing me up.

NL West -- I love the fact that four of the teams I picked to make the playoffs preseason are looking as though they'll do as I said. The Twins and Yanks clearly are, and the Braves and San Fransisco Giants have a strong chance. I picked the Giants before the season started because of their pitching, led by two-time Cy Young Tim Lincecum. Much to my surprise, as well as everyone else's, the San Diego Padres have had the best pitching all season, to go along with their terrible hitting. The Giants have been the tortoise, slowly creeping up the division, to finally being on top. They do play the Colorado Rockies, who decide they want to play baseball mid-August, and go on a spectacular run every season. And the Giants close out the season against the Padres. It'll be disappointing for the Padres, given they've been in 1st place all season, but fans don't go to their games, so only the players will be disappointed.