MLB Playoffs

What a crazy day in the MLB Playoffs yesterday. I think it's about time people start taking the Tampa Bay Rays seriously. I know people have been saying this all season, but some still say they won't be able to get it done because of a lack of experience. Wrong. If they don't get it done, it will be because the Boston Red Sox were better than them, experience aside. Why? Because these Rays have shown zero signs of their lack of experience effecting them in the least. They just went into Fenway Park in a critical game three without any fear and won back home field advantage in the series. And they didn't just beat the Red Sox, they embarrassed them 9-1 and hit four bombs. They did that against John Lester as well, a pitcher who hadn't given up a postseason run in 14 innings coming in. Pretty impressive, eh? Anytime you send a Red Sox crowd headed for the exits in the 8th inning, you know you've played a solid game. Here was the prime example of the Rays showing that for them, experience is a non-factor: after going down 1-2-3 in the first inning against Lester on four pitches, it took them only one inning to make the adjustment. After the first, they worked Lester into deep counts, made him throw a lot of pitches, and capitalized on his mistakes up in the zone. That's something you would expect from a veteran team, but this young squad made the adjustment on Lester, while Boston couldn't figure out Garza. Coming in, I thought the Sox would win because their rotation was better. I didn't foresee Beckett and especially Lester, pitching they way the did. Huge start for Tim Wakefield tonight. I'm pulling for the Rays: great story, great manager, and they are so fun to watch. Plus, I'm sick and tired of Boston. Very nice work Tampa. Very nice.

Didn't get to see any of NLCS game 4 because I was in class, but heard it was a dandy. Didn't expect the Dodgers bullpen to crash and burn like they did. This series has been all about pitching. I picked the Dodgers coming in because I thought they had a deeper rotation and a bullpen almost as good as Philly's. Also, they were hitting better than Philly coming in. Basically, Philly's starters and relievers have been better, and that's the difference in the series. Chad Billingsly completely flopped in game 2, and Lowe wasn't his spectacular self in either of his starts. Plus, Brad Lidge is an absolute stud. Gotta feel good for him after coming back from a couple tough years. You always knew it was a mental thing (How could it not be after that mammoth blast he gave up to Pujols in 2005?). Hasn't blown a save yet this year for Philly. Money. I've gone back and forth in my allegiances in this series, but I decided to cheer for the Dodgers finally, so I might be able to go to a World Series game here in LA. I guess that probably won't be happening. Damn.

I've decided to postpone the Twins off-season preview until after the playoffs. I just want to concentrate and watch the playoffs right now. We'll have plenty of time to discuss how the Twins can still be playing at this time next year.

Thanks for reading.