There is a refreshing October chill that sets in as the sun
disappears earlier and earlier.
The brisk evenings and changing of the seasons have a way with
conjuring up different types of emotions and memories.
They can also serve as a reminder that it is time for the Major
League Baseball playoffs, one of my favorite times of the year.
There is a refreshing October chill that sets in as the sun disappears earlier and earlier.
The brisk evenings and changing of the seasons have a way with conjuring up different types of emotions and memories.
They can also serve as a reminder that it is time for the Major League Baseball playoffs, one of my favorite times of the year.
There is something compelling about all the drama that unfolds. Nothing beats a crucial Game 7 in late October. And it’s also a bit amusing to watch guys who don’t normally play in cold weather battle the elements. Nothing beats a crucial Game 7 in late October.
I’m going to swing for the fences and call it right off the bat: New York Yankees vs. the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.
I will get to why later.
With the San Francisco Giants losing steam in September to finish shy of the playoffs for the seventh straight season, and the Oakland Athletics never grasping the importance of winning, it may be hard for some casual fans to appreciate October baseball.
Fans of our local pro teams have the prerogative to be completely indifferent toward the playoffs.
However, there is no need to disregard the rest of the baseball season. I am convinced that rooting against a team can be just as much fun and provide just as much excitement as cheering for a favorite team.
So, for fans of the game in general, and those who like to watch their most despised team lose, there is no better time to be glued to the television, and I am right there with you.
There are no real surprises in this year’s group of eight – well, soon to be eight after the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins play a one game tiebreaker to decide the American League Central division champ tonight.
The Yankees with 103 wins this year are again the best team in baseball – a statement that nearly makes me gag as I type it – and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Boston Red Sox are poised for their annual early October series, or as I like to call it, your basic snoozefest.
The Red Sox will eliminate the Angels in four games to up their all-time playoff series record against the Halos to 5-0.
It doesn’t really matter how the AL half unfolds because I wouldn’t be caught pulling for any team in the American League due to my lifelong dedication to the A’s. So throughout those particular series’ I will be concentrating on which team suffers the most setbacks on its way to the World Series.
I ask that you join me in this quest. Show your distaste and voice your displeasure.
As for the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers, a Bay Area nemesis, the Colorado Rockies, another sore subject around this area, the Philadelphia Phillies the defending champions and the St. Louis Cardinals are all worthy of some attention, and whichever team emerges in the World Series, will earn my support.
Philadelphia could be the best-equipped team to go the distance. With their trade-deadline pick up of 2008 CY Young award winner Cliff Lee and signing of Pedro Martinez, a bolstered pitching rotation will anchor the Phillies who will meet the Cardinals for the right to go to the World Series.
The heart and soul of the Cardinals, who are led by Tony LaRussa, is Albert Pujols.
With he and Matt Holliday, sitting like a two-headed monster in the middle of the lineup, the Cardinals have a formidable offense which will carry them into a showdown with the Yankees.
As much as it pains me, New York wins in six games for their first championship since 2000.
