Anxious for the Playoffs
by Nick Fasulo
Alright it has just hit me. Karl Raveich is doing five highlights in 39 seconds of teams in or in contention for the playoffs, and that just got my pulse racing. I’ve got a fever but I don’t need Will Farrell with a cowbell, I need the Divisional Series to get started.
With the Red Sox magic number down to two—with four to play—and the Yankees clinching the fourth and final playoff spot in the American League, we can officially begin to look towards the postseason and discuss possible match-ups and which teams are more playoff ready.
It appears that the Sox will face the Los Angeles Anaheim Orange County Rally Monkey Angels beginning either next Wednesday or Thursday. If the Sox are to finish the regular season with the leagues best record, they can’t play the Wild Card winner Yankees (did you see how they celebrated last night, contradictory to the Sox postgame celebration in St. Pete, but I guess that’s expected as the Red Sox are the new Yankees). To be frank the Angels scare me. The Sox have struggled out there and I have tried to tell anyone willing to entertain my argument that Mike Scioscia is the best manager in baseball. The team plays an excellent brand of small ball.
Cleveland, while they may grab the 1 seed, are not playoff tested. How Cronk can Travis Hafner be in October? Is there a starter you can trust after C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona? I question the Tribe and would welcome them in the playoffs.
But back to the Yankees. Let’s be honest, if the Red Sox are going to hoist a World Series trophy this year, it only makes sense that another chapter be written in the most storied rivalry in professional sports.
Any true fan knows this is great if you love that knot-in-your-stomach feeling non-stop for 10 days. It’s great if you don’t value your well-being, and it’s great if you love baseball but have minimal allegiances to either side. But it’s grueling for fans who feel part of the rivalry. After 2003 and 2004 I learned that Yankees+Red Sox+Playoffs= Excruciating.
So clear your daily planners, it’s playoff time. And, for your health, remember to breath and stay hydrated.
Stumble it!