2009 MLB Playoffs!

Monday, or as ESPN is calling it - "National Brett Favre Day" - is a day of rest and contemplation for both fans and teams alike, as baseball freaks across the country gear up for what is the best month of the baseball season - the ever compelling Octubre, where dreams are lost, magic is made, and heroes are forged. All this anticipation and excitement leaves me with 10 random thoughts to think on as the leaves and games continue to gain more colorful. As a Red Sox fan you're always looking for the Yankees to lose, it's in our blood, and the feeling is more than mutual on their side. That said, you want their playoff road to be as tough as possible. With the way the Tigers have choked and the Twins have played it all falls into the Yanks favor.

My question here is who would you - as a Red Sox fan - rather see the Yankees play in the ALDS? The Twins may be the hottest team heading into the playoffs, and their line-up has proven to be on par with both the Sox and Yanks, however their pitching is suspect in my eyes. The Paper Tigers are just that, look great on paper, but aside from that, they've been a sleep walking team playing uninspired ball for the past month plus. The only thing I like about the Tigers is Justin Verlander, who'd scare any team heading into a five game series. In the end though I guess I'd rather the Twins win based on how hot they've been, and how dangerous the middle of their line-up has become. Should be a real fun game tomorrow regardless, you just gotta love a one-game playoff. For all the talk on the Sox limping into the playoffs they finished tied for the third best record in MLB (95 wins), have the third best run differential (+136), and have the second highest OPS (.806). Bad news related with all that, the Yankees are ahead in all three categories (103, +162, and .839). I'm fine with Clay Buchholz starting Game 3 instead of Daisuke Matsuzaka. I liked Dice-K's post-season experience heading in, however - if Clay really is part of our long term future we have to start getting him this type of experience. If Jason Varitek starts either Game 1 or 2 of the ALDS I'll be disappointed in Tito and Management. He should only be in for defensive reasons with a big lead - or if we're up 2-0 coming back to Fenway. Josh Beckett still has me nervous. The ALDS MVP for the Red Sox is going to be J.D. Drew. You heard it here first. MLB has to change the choosing of when games start. With this one-game playoff and Monday Night Football it gives an obscene advantage to the Yankees. It's a tough break for all teams but them, but once again, all within the rules. Be prepared to be enraged by the Nationally covered games. MLB should offer a playoff package for extra money where they could watch these games with your hometown announcers calling the game. That'd create more revenue, a better fan experience, and just be plain awesome. Plus we wouldn't have to watch games on TBS. Expect to see Tim Wakefield on the ALCS roster if the Sox make it past the Angels. If you had to compare the Red Sox vs. Angels relationship to another one outside of baseball, but still in Boston - I'd say it's kinda like the Pats vs. Colts used to be. It's obviously minus the star attention Brady and Manning gave, but the Angels do seem overdue to beat the Sox in the playoffs, not saying I think it's going to happen, but I see parallels.

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